Looks like North Melbourne's American recruit Eric "The Beast" Wallace is making progress in his first season of Aussie Rules, if this footage from the VFL is anything to judge by:

Wallace on instagram ...

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The eyes of the AFL supporting world will be firmly fixed on two northern Australian cities – Darwin and Cairns – in coming weeks as the highest level of the game continues to reach out to audiences across Australia. Fans will be flocking into TIO Stadium in Darwin and Cazalys Stadium in Cairns as the Melbourne Demons, Fremantle Dockers, Gold Coast Suns and Western Bulldogs pack their bags and head north.

Darwin, the capital city of the Northern Territory, will host its one and only premiership match for the season. With a capacity of 14,000, TIO Stadium is sure to have a huge crowd on deck for the game.

A few weeks back the Melbourne Demons hosted the Port Adelaide Power at TIO Traeger Park in Alice Springs (the same venue hosted an NAB Challenge between the Demons and the Geelong Cats in the pre-season). This time it is the relaxed, tropical city of Darwin that gets its chance to shine.

On Saturday 5th July, the Paul Roos coached Demons host last year’s grand finalists, the frugal Ross Lyon coached Fremantle Dockers. For Melbourne the game will be another step in their evolution under Roos from perennial cellar-dwellers into a defence minded team capable of upsetting better placed teams.

LEFT: Darwin's TIO Stadium

For Fremantle the game presents itself as another chance to consolidate a top four finish at the end of the home and away rounds. Darwin fans will be treated to an exciting game featuring super talents such as Matthew Pavlich, Nat Fyfe, Nathan Jones and Jeremy Howe.

The following weekend Cairns will see the Gold Coast Suns return to town to take on the Western Bulldogs. The city in tropical Far North Queensland gets another great show for locals to get behind. Cazalys Stadium is in pristine condition awaiting the clash.

The Gold Coast team, coached by Guy McKenna, is finals bound in 2014 and have won two of their three games at Cazalys, losing narrowly last year to Richmond. This year the Suns are fighting to hold their place in the eight and play in their first ever finals series.

But the boys from Whitten Oval in Footscray will want to have a large say in that as they continue to rebuild under Brendan McCartney. The Cairns crowds can again marvel at the skills of Gary Ablett, Harley Bennell and young gun Jaeger O’Meara whilst Luke Dalhaus, Adam Cooney and possibly Ryan Griffen will lead a Bulldog team intent on claiming Cairns as their new home away from home.

World Footy News will provide more information about these games over the coming week as preparations continue in these two northern Australian cities for their Northern Exposure.

BELOW: Cazaly's Stadium in Cairns

...

The AFL released the 2014 International Cup fixture today, less than forty days before the tournament kicks off.  The 2014 International Cup will be played in Melbourne from August 9 to 23. There will be 18 men’s and seven women’s teams competing.

Vote here:

I am old enough to remember the excitement of the days when an arriving circus was the be-all-and-end-all of excitement. Galloping into our happy but somewhat predictable day to day lives, the travelling roadshows would light up our days. We would admire the elephants, lions, horses and monkeys. We would laugh at the clowns and goggle at the spectacle of the high wire acts. For that brief period in time we were enchanted and lived in another world not usually ours.

Today, at least in my mind, the arrival of an AFL match to my home city, Cairns, has much of that same magic. The big lumbering elephants will be replaced by Will Minson and Zac Smith. The roaring lions, kings of their domain, are replaced by Gary Ablett and Matthew Boyd. The old warhorses are replaced by Griffen, Cooney, Rischitelli and Harbrow and the exciting, agile monkeys are the excitement machines like Dalhaus, Bontempelli, Bennell and O’Meara.

Next week the circus comes to town (no disrespect to the Stardust Circus who is already here). The Gold Coast Suns, our adopted AFL team, takes on the Sons of the ‘Scray – the Western Bulldogs. A modern team created from next to nothing which in just three and a half years is looking a genuine finals prospect (Gold Coast) up against the working class heroes from the western Melbourne suburb of Footscray (Western Bulldogs).

And the “Big Top” is our own Cazaly’s Stadium – surely one of the finest venues in regional Australia. Surrounded by the majesty of the Great Dividing Range, and adjacent Murray Prior Range, Cazalys is an Australian Rules football oasis in a tropical wonderland.

Gary Young, President of AFL Cairns, would not see himself as the ring-master, though he and his crew in Cairns, in union with their Melbourne based departments, have again pulled together this event, just a year after the Richmond Tigers finished their three year agreement to play and had local tongues fearful of losing such a prestigious event from their annual calendar

According to Gary, “the annual AFL Premiership match is really important in two respects. Firstly in terms of football it places our region on the elite national football map. This is great for local growth of the game as well as attracting quality players from around the country to play up here. Secondly the match provides a fantastic economic benefit to the city. Over 40% of the match attendees are from out of town. Past reports have identified a conservative $4 million benefit to the city.”

“For our kids and young players to see the elite players in action is a remarkable opportunity. For them to observe the skills, strength and fitness levels of the players, both in the training and match environment, is both inspirational and aspirational.”

“To have a new club in the Western Bulldogs coming up is exciting. They are on the way up and causing a few upsets as they improve. The Gold Coast have become the local home team and with their constant improvement and journey up the ladder they will create great excitement and attract a great crowd. We are also excited to see Gary Ablett in action. He is amazing.

“We always look to increase the attendance each year. The growth has been small but sustainable each year. We’re hoping for about 12,500 spectators and a great competitive game.”

“We work closely with the AFL and hope that we can secure matches into the future. Our team here at AFL Cairns really works hard to ensure every stakeholder, whether they be the Queensland Government as sponsors, the AFL, the Clubs and players and of the course the spectators, have a fantastic experience and really want to come back next year.”

Certainly the event has a positive effect across the entire Australian Rules spectrum. Local clubs and schools can use the event as a major means of promoting the game locally to improve registrations and increase interest in the game. The high percentage of ex-pats from Australian Rules states have the opportunity to embrace the game again and have that love then filter down through their local league. Local talent can visualise more clearly the end product and pathways associated with a career in the game at the highest level. Corporate sponsors have the chance to invest in a game that will continue to grow on a national stage.

Whilst it is true that some people from the southern states question the value of taking their beloved teams and dispersing them to regional venues, those venues certainly don’t question the decision. They embrace it, as Cairns is about to do. Having travelled the route of hosting pre-season cup matches, to VFL matches en route to playing host to the best show in town, the people of Cairns, and indeed Far North Queensland, will not entertain the thought of giving up the Australian Rules football opportunity they now have.

So, “Roll Up, Roll Up!” The greatest show on earth is about to come to town. I, for one, intend to be front and centre to savour every moment. And when the show is over I can count the days until the circus comes back to town next year.

Photo of Cazalys Stadium scoreboard courtesy of mojowire.net.au. ...

The following article by Jennifer Phelan for the AFL.com website details the decision by the Melbourne Demons to commit to an additional two years of playing games in the Northern Territory.

This is exciting news for Territorians just two days out from the final Northern Territory match for 2014 on Saturday between the Melbourne Demons and the Fremantle Dockers.

MELBOURNE'S commitment to the Northern Territory has been extended for at least another two years and four home-and-away games.

The Demons will play at least one game a year at Darwin’s TIO Stadium, with a second at either that venue or Alice Springs' Traeger Park, in 2015 and 2016.

It signals an extension of their existing agreement with the AFL, the Territory's government and AFLNT that has seen them play in the region for the past five years.

Their second game for this season is on Saturday night against Fremantle at TIO Stadium, after their round 11 clash with Port Adelaide at Traeger Park.

To read this article in full, read Dees top up Top End deal on the AFL website. ...

Having settled into Vanuatu as a tropical island paradise - it's Saturday morning footy time. Normally for me this is Auskick in suburban Melbourne. This Saturday it's a tad bit different; Vanuatu; tropical humidity; land crab holes; and I'll be umpiring today.

This is the third instalment of a Vanuatu travel diary/footy pilgrimage. Part of the objective of this series is to highlight footy on our door step in a country that anyone can justify visiting along with their whole family, or club. In A footy holiday to Vanuatu - Part 1 - boots and footys my family and I arrived with a bit of extra baggage and in A footy holiday to Vanuatu - Part 2 - Kazza field and those pesky crab holes we made our way to Kazza field - spotting familiar goal posts in unfamiliar territory.

The pre game warm up at Kazza field is low key. Players arrive progressively and Nancy "Patto" Patterson is busy getting equipment out of the onsite shipping container. It's exam time so as Robin Jacob explained to me his 3 sisters wouldn't be there today. Nonetheless - looking around and seeing kids having a kick of the footy in a park is a familiar and comforting sight. Seeing my kids joining in just adds to it. The 'jungle' backdrop is not quite as wild as it may once have been - with houses on the ridge line.

Above left Jesse and Darcy have a kick; centre Lucy with some new friends; right - a warm up kick for the umpy.

I wasn't sure what I might be able to help with - turns out umpiring the game. No worries - done a couple of Amo's ressies matches and umpire the 30 minute Auskick match each week. It rapidly becomes a family affair - with my sons goal umpiring, daughter scoring and wife acting as medic.

Not being totally sure what to expect - the match of the day between Mele and Erakor finally gets underway after the central umpire stops chewing off new AYAD appointee Blair Mortimer. First bounce...okay....I tossed it up, not that I can bounce anyway but I reckon the crab holes prescribe a slightly more conservative approach anyway. Game under way and there are clear standout players. With a range of ages from younger kids to older youths. The first generation of Vanuatu Volcanoes who trekked to Tonga and Fiji 3 or 4 years ago are the elder statesmen of the competition. There are some nice skills on display amongst these in particular. Those newer to the game have a strong soccer background and while I hadn't made a point of applying a no kicking off the ground rule I somehow wish I had - the danger of it is one thing, and Auskick in particular uses this rule - but also as a shower or two swept across Kazza field (much to my relief as the humidity starts to take effect) the propensity to attempt to kick the ball off the ground rather than taking possession often backfired when the ball was missed and the kicker found themselves overrunning and out of position.

As the game progressed Erakor took control. Alas for Mele, Robin Jacob was hobbled by one of those kicks off the ground that was somewhat crude and collected him in the back of the calf. There was a bit of heat in the game in the third quarter and I wondered whether I might be facing a bit of a cultural challenge. Alas my wife was required to assist a Mele lad who had been punched in the eye behind the play - but Mele down one more player. Things managed to settle down and soon the last quarter was underway. Mele fought it out and managed a good consolation goal. Erakor though running out comfortable victors.

Above left first bounce; centre match action Erakor in yellow; right - post match.

End result included one pretty well stuffed umpy. However - with training to take on Monday evening I head back to our accommodation at Iririki Island Resort and jot down some training ideas. Last night I hadn't managed to stay awake to watch the Carlton narrow loss to Geelong. Tonight I'll manage to watch a bit more footy. How harsh is that - the satellite tv from Australia - getting to watch the footy and keep up on business offerings in the NT and outback QLD and the upcoming round of country 'Shows' (Mt Isa and Townsville across the last two weekends in June). But not until after Saturday night dinner at Micheners followed by the fire dancers show.

Next - Sunset Sunday special and Monday training run - then the Mele cascades - not a bad recovery session. ...

The Sweden Elks are gearing up for their third International Cup this year, and although a number of withdrawals from the original list will see them travel with a relatively young squad, a number of familiar faces will be making the trip.

Sweden are hoping to push up the rankings a bit, having finished 12th and 11th in their previous two IC appearances.

National coach Daniel McClaer spoke with WFN about the team's preparations and goals.

Long-time national coach Daniel McClaer will be back at the helm again for this edition, alongside assistant Cameron Crooks. McClaer and Crooks both grew up in the north-western suburbs of Melbourne, playing jrepresentative level junior footy with the Western Jets, alongside a number of players who went on to play in the AFL. Crooks, who coached the Elks in their first IC appearance back in 2008, is returning to live in Australia after spending many years in Sweden, with the timing of his move conveniently coinciding with the International Cup this year.

Previous captain Johan Lantz will not be making the trip. The new captain of the squad will be decided at a meeting of the leadership group, once the Elks arrive in Australia prior to the tournament.

McClaer says "After the IC11, it was decided that at all Elks tournaments the players and coaching staff would go through specific team building and leadership identification tasks to select the leadership group and captains. Giving ownership back to the squad, take responsibility both on and off the field and so on."

The squad was originally selected with the best players that were available, but around 12 of the players originally selected had to withdraw from the squad, mainly for financial reasons.

"This was quite unfortunate, although we were able to replace these players with fresh faces to the Elks squad. Eight players are returning from IC11, and ten from the European Championships squad who went to Dublin. It is a fairly new squad this year," says McClaer.

A few members of the squad have also played or trained with clubs in Australia previously, and at least one (possibly two) Swedes residing in Australia will take part in the squad, both of whom started playing back in Sweden.

"We had an international against Denmark earlier in the year, which was the first time the squad got to meet and play for the first time. We were beaten quite convincingly on the scoreboard, although I was trying to fit players into various positions, so the result to me was irrelevant."

"We tried to arrange another match against Finland in May, but due to a lack of Finns who were available, it was cancelled. Instead, we played Stockholm Dynamite - a united squad from all the Stockholm based teams. We won that game by a close margin, but once again the focus was to see how players responded in various positions. In June we have a national 9’s tournament. Another chance for all players throughout the country to get together and play with and against each other."

"All players will arrive a week early to Australia to acclimatise and train prior to the tournament."

The Swedes will play Canada, New Zealand and Finland in the opening rounds. All three of those have met the Elks in the past - Canada and NZ at the International Cup, and Finland as one of their regular European rivals.

McClaer says the Elks are happy with the format to some extent. "We would have preferred to play against teams that we have not played against in previous ICs, but we will be able to gauge the development of the other nations and ourselves since we have played against NZ, Canada and Finland in the past. We would like to play the USA, as Jay Levesque - brother of former Elk Ross Levesque - has been selected for them and he learnt most of his ‘good’ football in Sweden!"

"Playing in Mordialloc will be exciting for all the players to witness first hand AFL at grassroots level, something that they could relate too. At the IC11 we had a chance for the boys to train with both Williamstown and Manly. The players were super impressed with the professionalism and ability of the Williamstown squad but enjoyed the Manly sessions due to ability to ‘level’ it with those players."

"We think that NZ will be difficult, Canada possible and Finland doable. So we are looking to consolidate our position within the top 10 teams in the world. We have a young and inexperienced squad on an international scene, so to do that would be a success."

Swedes in Australia have been a huge financial support to the Elks in preparations for the IC14, and we look forward to having a long and healthy relationship with them.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Hampus Olsson from Helsingborg started playing as a teenager. As one of Europe's best young players, he has been selected in the European Legion Team on several occasions.

Helsingborg veteran Andreas Svensson will this year return for his fourth IC, having appeared at the 2002 event with Denmark and with his native Sweden in 2008 and 2011. Although now over 40 years of age, former tournament World All Star Svensson still holds his own with the young up and comers.

Newly graduated firefighter Chris Mårtensson is described as having the physique and mindset of a Bull on the field. From a basketballing background, he previously competed on the Swedish version of TV action show Gladiators, where he set the all-time point record for a competitor. He has been involved in every Elks squad since the EM10 in Sweden.

Max Skarlen, from a newly formed team in Norretälje, north of Stockholm, is rated as a great team player, with a lot of heart. He is tipped to be a key tagger and shut down type player in the Elks squad.

FULL SQUAD

Coach: Daniel McClaer (Port Malmö)
Assistant Coach: Cameron Crooks (Falun)
Runner:Per Gustavsson (Södermalm)
Team Manager: Jeremy Darke (Norrtälje)
Team Manager:Ryan Tucker (Norrtälje)
Physio: Rhineaux Sweeney (Brunswick, VIC ...

When given 10 minutes to interview the great AFL legend, Kevin Sheedy, as an Essendon supporter the temptation is great to blow it all on talking about the premiership years, the North Melbourne “Marshmallow Incident”, the West Coast “Jacket Waving” or a thousand other personal interests.

In Cairns for this weekend's Gold Coast Suns v Western Bulldogs clash, talk could have drifted to that topic, or the injury to Gary Ablett, or just about anything to do with football in North Queensland, But true to the occasion I was restrained enough to keep the conversation in the domain of international football and was rewarded with a brief but fascinating point of view from one of the most creative and successful people in the history of the AFL.

The initial question was very broad. When asked about his opinion of international footy he responded “It’s great. We have the best game in the world and we have do develop it and encourage it. We have to give it lots of encouragement for it to succeed overseas. It is important for the future of the game that we develop it in markets everywhere.”

“The thing is we have to adjust it. We just can’t expect to take the game to other countries that don’t play it as widely as here and expect them to just change everything there to accommodate it. We have to change the product if necessary to make it fit there. Not all countries have the grounds to support 18 a side. So we modify it. I don’t care how. Just do it.”

I told him of the work being done in Croatia to have a full size field in use at the University of Zagreb. “That’s fantastic!” he said.

As with everything that Kevin has done before, he takes a lateral view towards what can be done to make the change. Totally aware of the nine per side format, he is still an advocate for changing numbers to suit. “I don’t care if we play 14 a side and drop the whole midfield. Look back at the old VFA in its heyday. They played without wings. Just 16 per side. That worked, and I have been trying to get the AFL to look at that through the NAB Cup. We need to adjust our thinking each year and make allowances for change. We need to look at ways to make the game better. Always looking at what our markets want.”

Kevin agreed that for the growth of the game overall the game had to be fluid and ever changing. He also believes that the conventional 18 per side playing format adopted in Australia is unique to our country and not necessarily the format needed everywhere.

On the subject of taking the game overseas, Kevin sees that “one day we will be playing matches for points in bigger locations that New Zealand. This was not a knock on the recent matches, but a warning to the world that New Zealand was the first step and bigger ones are to follow.

“More people watch our game in the U.S.A than here in Australia. That’s a fact. Mind you, they have over 300 million people over there, and just five percent of their market is 15 million people. That’s more than here, as we only have 23 million. But it’s a fact that there is a market overseas. They will come if we take the product there.”

On this he alluded to the idea that by taking the big AFL games to international centres, likely the centres that already have a healthy Australian Rules following, it will generate the enthusiasm to grow the game in that location.

He continued by saying that he went to Disneyland to see first-hand how to market, as part of his annual learning. He was studying lateral thinking and also employing De Bono’s “Six Hats” theory (processes, facts, feelings, creativity, benefits, cautions) and admitted to be given a task by the AFL to fill the MCG. As he says “we don’t need State Of Origin matches to sell out the MCG. Look what happens – all that does is put Penrith on top of the ladder. We have ANZAC Day, we now have “Dreamtime at the G” and I’m working on another one now.” It is that kind of thinking, if applied to the concept of growing the game internationally, which could herald a new era of overseas development.

Maybe the message here isn’t to wait for the AFL powers here in Australia to be the winds of change. Let’s lobby to get one Kevin Sheedy on the case.

I did manage to get time to talk with him about issues which would benefit my own team and club, particularly working to develop further local indigenous talent and how to get my own team to win their next three games against top sides to reach the finals…well, I was with Kevin Sheedy. Who better to help me?

But the overwhelming success of the interview was his genuine belief that the game needs to be developed further internationally for the growth of the game.

And as long as people like Kevin Sheedy are around, I am pretty confident that one day the world of international Australian Rules will be even bigger and better than it is n ...

The 2014 AFL International Cup women’s fixture has been released. Teams will play four round matches and have one bye. After the completion of the round matches teams will be ranked from 1 through to 7 based on their win/loss record and percentage.

The Grand Final will be played between the 2 highest ranked teams at Punt Rd Oval in Richmond on the 23rd of August.

Remaining teams will play off for minor placing’s - 3 v 4 and 5 v 6 with team 7 eliminated.

The USA and Canada will each enter two teams which are completely separate teams. Players representing Canada and USA can only be listed for one team and may not transfer between teams at any stage during IC14. As well as those four teams the Cup will be contested by Ireland, Tonga and Fiji after NZ, PNG and European teams were unable to field sides.

I saw even more handball/throws than kicks (surely Polly Farmer and Barry Cable wouldn’t class most as handballs!), again many went backwards and sideways and some over the head (clever!). I saw lots of rugby-like rolling mauls –ugly! I saw turnovers, where players streamed forward almost in a row like in rugby and soccer (football). I saw lots of running and hence I saw lots of players running on and off the ground, taking rest breaks.

It is what I didn’t see that worried me just as much (anyone younger than 20 can stop reading now and go and play on their computer). I didn’t see the game on a Saturday avo (rare these days). The ground wasn’t muddy despite the rain – a good thing! I didn’t see more kicks than handball/throws (cf last century when long kicks ruled, despite Ron Barassi saying in the 1970 grandfinal to handball at all costs!).

I didn’t see many long kicks down the centre of the ground, no torps or drop kicks, no screamers or attempts (too wetω). I didn’t see any ‘power forwards’ leading to the incoming pass ala Dunstall, Lockett or Ablett snr. Presumably, they were held/blocked or edged under the ball with clever strength or there was no space to lead to between the 30 odd players generally in the forward 50 when the ‘forward press’ was on.

I didn’t see any biffo or big body clashes – maybe also a good thing! Finally, I didn’t see players spread one on one all over the ground during play.

So has the Aussie Rules game changed much in the last 20 years and why and by whom and is it for the betterω Yes it is more often played at night, has become a lot faster, with a lot more play on, running, more handballs than kicks, kicking across the ground and up the boundary line, more running/roving players, half ground and forward presses, rolling mauls and more uncontested possessions.

Conversely, compared to 20 years ago there is less positional play, less kicking especially long kicking up the centre of the ground, less contested positions, marking and speckies. I feel our great Australian footy game is not being ‘footified’ but instead ‘rugbyfied’ or even ‘multicodified’. It is losing its longtime Australian Rules character. Who has a grand long term plan for the gameω

What should be doneω There are many who say let the game naturally evolve, let it become faster, more for athletes, with handballing numbers increasingly dominating kicking ones, more and more possessions or touches (the bonus is eventually, we can dispense with the umpires voting on the best player and the Brownlow count and just give it to the player who averages more than 50 touches a game as clearly he is always the BOG!).

Maybe we can incorporate even more features from other football codesω If we continue on this path we could ban the handball because obviously the throw is quicker as in rugby, ban the long kick except for kicking out and kicking for goal as the game moves faster with throws, May be the forward handball/throw should be banned as in rugby! Talking of rugby, with the ugly rolling mauls (very rugby union like); why doesn’t a second umpire stand on the other side to better see holding/blocking and other freekicks and so move the game onω

Or maybe after 4 or 5 unproductive whistles, why don’t we bring in a real rugby scrum to sort out possessionω Maybe let’s bring in the round ball to further ’soccerfy’ or ‘gaelic’ the game! Or we could ban the tackle as in Gaelic football, ban the player having to bounce the ball so he can run as far as he wants. Let’s also ban the boundary throw in and instead give the ball to the team who didn’t knock it out (as in soccer and rugbyω). Also, why should a huffing and puffing forward be allowed 30 seconds to kick for goal, let’s cut it to say 15. Let’s throw away the point posts and not waste time with kicking out and just have goal posts like in rugby.

The traditionalists would maybe like to revert the game back to something like it was for 100 years, say like in the 1980’s and 90’s. This would mean going back to more contested one on one positional play, with netball style bibs or maybe by putting GPS straps on the ankles of players (ones which couldn’t be easily removed or swapped!), which would beep if they strayed into the wrong zone and end with a free kick. Might see some old style great contests between two great centremen (= midfielders) or a full forward on a full back (they were the days!). Also, more kicking, less handball and no throws, except flickpasses. Maybe after 2 handballs you would have to kick the ball. Slow the game with less interchange players and player interchanges per game. Encourage the old torp and drop kicks by making them supergoals from outside 50 worth 9 or 12 points (Doug Wade could kick both!).

I am sure the AFL marketing people would love to expand our code more to the northern states, now that we have ‘rugbyfied’ it, but why stop thereω Let’s ‘multicode’ our sport even more and incorporate a net goal and a goalie, have headers for goal which count, or have a variety of ways to score goals e.g. by running in a try or touch down goal, incorporate a hoop basket for all those basketballer types playing our game, and seeing that when players kick into the forward 50, it is generally into the pockets – lets have corners and ‘soccerify’ our game so it becomes more salable overseas. In future, games could be played at midnight or 3am to suit peak viewing times in China or India. Imagine the TV rights (and the bonuses! – remember I thought of this idea first!).

The toss could be worked out by a game of two up (or cockfighting!!) – imagine the betting and the betting ads!! The 1 minute ad time after a goal could be increased to 2 to accommodate more betting ads. Then seeing Indians like 20:20 cricket, we could have not one game but 3 fast games of 40 minutes (with two 20 min halves – 20:20 footy!) with 3 coin tosses – more betting and ads and maybe a bit of matchfixing!

So who or what is driving this evolution of the great Australian gameω Is it a higher being, the AFL, TV moguls, betting agencies or the coaches/football clubs or a combination of theseω

Let’s start with the coach. Some will remember the 1970 grandfinal when Barass asked his Carlton team to handball at all costs to help enable Carlton to beat Collingwood after trailing badly at half time. This is where handball was elevated from last resort to almost equal to kicking. In the late 1990’s we had Pagan’s paddock where the forwards moved up the ground and turned and ran back towards goal to mark the ball and score.

This still exists to some extent but has been fine tuned at times with long, high punts to players who run forward and mark the ball looking over their shoulders ala gridiron (bring back Ben Graham and Sav Rocca I say!). Then there was the era of the defensive style of presses in the early 2000’s by St Kilda, Sydney and later Fremantle. Today many of the games alternate between free flowing open games versus the congested slog mainly played in half the ground.

Some clubs have recruited specialist (rugbyω) tackling coaches at times, many incorporate high altitude preseason training and enhancement diets and substances to improve speed, endurance (why don’t they just train in Kenyaω) and strength of players. So maybe it is just the better fitness and more rotations that allows the players to play this all ground running game. But games like soccer and rugby have not changed their styles drastically in the same period. Why notω Is it the stricter rules on where teams of players are in relation to each other e.g. teams oppose each other on different sides of the ball or ground in rugby and gridiron, and at least at kickoff in soccer (I understand why the soccer crowd wants to call their code football, but I am not so sure why in the future we will wish to retain ‘footy’ as part of our code name of Australian Rules Football).

The AFL rules committee are reluctant to make any changes so as not to affect the game too much - too late I say! Secondly, does the AFL condone these changes to the Australian gameω They would be happy with attendances at games generally, except on a Sunday night! They would also be happy with the TV rights and this enables the game to be funded to spread into the rugby states (especially if our game is becoming slightly more rugby like!). Presumably, the TV moguls are happy with footy viewer numbers and the amount of gambling advertising. It is not clear what has changed our game style so much – maybe just fitness and evolution!!

I am still worried that in 20 years or so, when I am in a nursing home (yes I am old or aging but not yet senile!) watching a game called ‘Multicode anything goes handball/throwing footy’ on my virtual surround sound, 4D TV, that it will be unrecognizable from today’s game. I am worried that it will be played at 3am by a 6 team comp (with teams from China, India, Russia, USA, also Liverpool and of course Collingwood), with teams of 50 robots (made up of both an attacking and defensive team), in front of a virtual crowd on the moon or Mars.

I am worried that there will be no kicking or marking, just throwing or running with the ball and a team may win with a 3 goals to 2 advantage. I am worried that the ad breaks will be 5 mins long and will be made up of a betting ad where you will be asked whether you want to bet on the first goal being scored by try, touchdown, basket, kick over the bar or header.

Also Bruce will still be calling the game with Dennis but in Mandarin and they will be using a mix of terms from gridiron, soccer and rugby; but still hear ‘clever’ and ‘centimetre perfect’ every so often. Someone please stop this nightmare from happening. Who has the planω Maybe I will watch replays of the old games instead!

A worried Aussie Rules fan ...

The following article appeared on the AustraliaPlus.com website earlier this week.

Australian football is played widely overseas with international participation estimated at more than 100,000 participants. There are clubs and links with the game all over the world. In Hong Kong, the local team the Hong Kong Dragons was established 24 years ago. It currently has a membership base of 50-60 players participating in the South China Australian Football League and the AFL junior AusKick program. AusKick, the AFL's development program is popular with both boy and girls both in Australia and abroad.

The half-time AusKicker game, where AusKick associations are invited to play on AFL grounds during senior matches is a traditional part of the spectacle and an unforgettable experience for all involved.

 At the Port Adelaide versus Essendon game on Saturday  July 5,  45 chldren aged between 4 and 14 years and their parents travelled from Hong Kong to Adelaide to take part. The junior players wore jumpers from their four  local Hong Kong teams as well as Hong Kong Dragons and Port Adelaide strips. 

Peter Cresswell is a Kiwi who found footy in Auckland and is glad he did, his story below originally appeared on The Footy Almanacwebsite earlier this week.

I didn’t see my first game of footy until just before my twenty-first. No wonder. There wasn’t a lot of it about in Greater Auckland.

With cartilage falling off the inside of my knees in great chunks, the quack had said “No more contact sport for you, son,” which seemed to rule out any more rugby, league or soccer. And a mate had said, “I’m playing Rules on Sunday. D’you wanna come out and take a look.” The idea of something involving ‘rules’ didn’t sound too appealing to a bloke whose idea of a good night out was pogoing to loud punk bands. But that was how the game was known in Greater Auckland.

So I went, and I laughed.

 I laughed like all hell. I laughed at the leaping boundary maggots chucking the ball in backwards over their heads, and the short-shorted field maggots sprinting absurdly back to the centre after every goal; at the white-coated goal umpires playing fast draw and waving flags of surrender for no apparent reason, and the coaches delivering half-time sprays of Aussie invective to huddled masses mostly on their knees, nodding sagely while savagely clutching gaspers.

Read the rest of the story on The Footy Almanac site here. ...

The South Pacific Under 16s squad finished up their week on the Gold Coast with a tough game against the Australian indigenous Flying Boomerangs at Metricon Stadium on Saturday.

The benefits of the week of competition showing in their game play that was regarded as their best displayed across the carnival with improved spread and ball movement. A little more finishing ability and the scoreboard may have reflected a tighter result. With 3 games played across the week – the footy learning also is the result of up to 10 months preparation through the AFL South Pacific talent pathways.

The following is a summary of the week - comments based on AFL South Pacific.

AFL Pacific Development Officer Ben Drew stated ” With the end of the football and players heading home to their respective countries, I would like to send a big thankyou to all the AFL Staff and volunteers around the Pacific for your tireless work in preparing and organising the players through the Oceania Cup, In Country National Championships, South Pacific Cup and now the National U/16 Championships. I do hope the players involved here and those still in their countries take what they have learned and the experiences they have had to improve their football abilities and come back even better next year! It has been a very enjoyable 10 months preparation for this week and the players certainly have put their best foot forward on and off the field!”

The South Pacific Boys played their best game of the carnival spreading the ball and moving up and down the ground well. But the boys were unable to finish off their hard work on the scoreboard and allowed the Boomerangs to take the ball into their forward line with ease. Our tackling pressure was superb and our effort around the ball great. The skill execution of the Boomerangs was a class above and allowed them to hit the scoreboard. Christian Blackie was again outstanding in the back line and Giovanni Silbery produced his best game at centre half back. Katah Siwee had the ball on a string all day and Jone baba kicked a crucial goal mid way in the third quarter. Jemasol Paiara battled hard all day to play his best game of the Week. Peter Lavong again had a terrific game off the half back line rebounding the ball countless times and snuck up forward to finish with a terrific goal! Peter was named player of the carnival for the South pacific. Well done Peter!

Comments The South Pacific played a terrific game, improving dramatically from game 1. But the finishing class and skill level of the WA North West side stood out as they took the points. The first half was very tight and the South Pacific worked very hard all game. Their tackling pressure and decision making with the ball was a highlight for the South Pacific. The learning curve for our Pacific based players has been tremendous! Their improvement has been terrific. Christian Blackie was solid again in the back half and Peter Lavong rebounded the ball out of the back half all day! Ryan Bonga and Te Kopa Tipene Thomas were terrific on their wings and the Small ground players Jemasol Paiara, Gilmore Morehari and Kila Rawali were battling hard all day. Pilo Dagiaro provided a great target up forward also kicking 2 goals. It was a tough game with our players improving and playing a better brand of football. The Skill level of the WA North West side was terrific and they were able to finish their hard work on the scoreboard.

Comments After a slow start the team really gelled together to record a terrific last second victory with the last kick of the game! DJ Grundler kicked truly to put the South Pacific ahead for the first time in the game, giving them a great victory. The first half was a very fumbly affair, with the majority of the side only arriving into camp late Friday night, the start was tough and slow. It was a true test of the players character to be able to come away with a win. All of the players banded together in the second half to take the game on after falling behind by up to 4 goals early in the 3rd quarter. Siope Ngata was terrific at Centre half back, Gilmore Morehari and Jemasol Paiara got there hands on the ball to turn the second half around and DJ Grundler kicked the winning goal with seconds remaining! ...

An opportunity exists to assist the development of Australian Rules football in Japan with the newly formed Hiroshima Football Club seeking individual donations and corporate sponsors to raise the necessary start-up funds to get the club on the field.

Below is the link for those interested in assisting the Hiroshima club find the initial $1000 to be on the field, as well a a brief description of their aims. This opportunity may also be of value to clubs looking at developing links with Japanese clubs.

Hiroshima FC fundrazr campaign.

We are aiming to raise $1000 to help launch the Hiroshima Football Club and strengthen the Japan AFL Western Conference.

Hiroshima FC is in need of financial assistance to cover the costs of establishing their club. Your donations will cover costs such as league registration, ground hire, purchasing of equipment, balls and playing kit.

The establishment of a football club in Hiroshima will greatly benefit the Western Conference of AFL Japan. Hiroshima will become the third side in this league and will allow more opportunites for clubs outside of Tokyo to participate in regular matches. Your donations will help spread our great game to a new region of Japan, boosting participation of local players while also providing the expat community with a little taste of home through footy.

Additionally, if you or your footy club has any equipment (kit, balls, cones etc) they would like to donate please contact Gordon Jones at gordon.j.jones@gmail.com to arrange a handover. Gordon will be travelling to Japan in mid August and will deliver all donations personally.

Please share with your local footy club and friends and help bring footy to a new region of Japan.

This fundraiser is being run by Get Behind Me, an organisation committed to supporting AFL programs in Asia through the acquisition of cash and material donations from Australian football clubs. For more info, please visit us at facebook.com/getbehindme.

For anyone wanting more information about the work being done to develop this Hiroshima club, read the World Footy News article Hiroshima to boast new Australian Rules team.

...

The 2014 International Cup will have two Tongan teams – The Tonga Thunder men’s team and the Tongan Storm ladies team. The Thunder Guernsey is shown above and the Storm will have a matching uniform with the colours being blue and white. This will be the men’s second visit to the International Cup and the ladies debut.

The Country and Australian football

Tonga is an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, south of Samoa. Also known as the Friendly Islands, it comprises 176 islands, 36 of them are inhabited. Tonga is the only monarchy in the Pacific since Taufa'ahau (King George) in 1875 declared Tonga a constitutional monarchy, he also gave Tonga its first constitution. In 1970 the former British protectorate acquired its independence.

With a total population of around 110,000, almost two-thirds of Tonga's population live on the main island Tongatapu, on which the capital city Nuku'alofa (pop. 25,000) is located.

The birth of footy in Tonga is traced back to around 2004, when two Australian expats started a Saturday morning kick around with a few Tongan boys. As interest mounted they decided to form the Tongan Australian Football Association. With the help of the Australian Youth Ambassador for Development (AYAD) program a string of volunteers over the years has helped build the capacity of committee members, coaches, umpires, volunteers and players. In 2007 the TAFA affiliated with the AFL and became AFL Tonga.

One of those volunteers is Malakai Mahina who is assistant coach to the National Men’s team and stalwart of AFL in Tonga. Malakai trains the teams every week and is responsible for fitness, conditioning and skill levels.

AFL Tonga believes that AFL football provides a great alternative to the other football codes in Tonga - being Rugby Union and Rugby League. Hosting the 2010 Oceania U16s tournament also provided an opportunity for NRL ‘converts’ Karmichael Hunt and Israel Folau (of Tongan heritage) to visit Tonga and promote Aussie Rules.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Thunder

After their debut in 2011, the Tongan team has moved forward in the preparation for 2014. Having an International Cup competition the team along with management staff know what is needed to compete in a competition that asks for 5-6 games in 2 weeks. They have several players competing in Sydney competitions representing Cambelltown for the past two years. Undoubtedly this experience will prove beneficial on the field. The team has a healthy average age of 23.5 years, which shows the commitment of voluntary work and the input of AFL is having a positive outcome.

Storm

Playing at their first International Cup, these girls may initially find the going a bit daunting, but they will quickly adjust to the situation. Many of the team are young, have great fitness and skill levels and will endure the physicality of the game. A team to watch.

Players to Watch

•    Penisimani Mahina plays for Cambeltown and has won several awards for them in the past few seasons. He was captain of the 2011 IC team and also captained Tonga to the inaugural 2009 U/16 Oceania Cup win and was named player of the tournament. From there he was named in the inaugural South Pacific Nations team that played in the 2010 National U/16 Championships. He had a great tournament holding down the CHB position. He is a schoolboy Tongan athletics champion.

•    Setefano Nau is new to the game but is a natural athlete. He has picked up the basics quickly and has become a leader in the group both on and off the field. AFL Tonga expect his performances in the International Cup to surprise many people.

•    Fohe Latu and Ha’ele Finau played in the South Pacific Nations team that played NZ at the ANZAC day game in Wellington. Both boys are new to the game but show outstanding fitness levels and commitment.

Form Guide

Tonga Thunder debuted in 2011 seeded 12 and moved up the ladder to 9th. They played PNG (losing convincingly twice), France (win), Nauru (lost), Sweden, (win) and possibly their best game was saved for last when they defeated a fast finishing and more experienced Canadian team.

The team will be coached by Jim Lucy, (coach of 2005 International Cup winners NZ), Malakai Mahina, Ed McGowan (ex VAFA player), Trevor Stack and Barry Lawrence. An experienced group with the latter two have affiliation with Peel Thunder in the WAFL.

Bottom Line

Tonga Thunder will display a solid brand of football, with improved skill levels from 2011 and with some greater game knowledge. While it will always be a hard task to defeat the top tier teams, the Thunder will be a force to be watched carefully.

The Storm don’t have the experience of some of the other teams in the ladies competition but will match them with fitness, endurance and spirit, something that this little island nation has plenty of.

Tonga motto – OUA E LOTO FO’I – NEVER GIVE UP

...

The AFL this week confirmed ABC International that broadcasts footy on the Australia Network into the Asia/Pacific region would continue this season to provide AFL matches and in fact increase the coverage from five to six matches per weekend.

This came after the Australian Government announced the ABC's multi-million-dollar Australia Network contract had been cancelled and the corporation had its overall budget cut by 1 per cent, with a possible 80 jobs to be axed.

It should be noted that the statement does not make any indications that the service will or will not continue in 2015. The full statement can be read below.

 The AFL today welcomed advice from ABC International that it is committed to broadcasting the remainder of the 2014 Toyota AFL Premiership season to audiences in the Asia and Pacific region, including to China, on its international television service.