The second week of the 2015 Finals series kicks off in Melbourne Friday night with Hawthorn hosting the Adelaide Crows in the Second Semi Final at the MCG.  Saturday night in Sydney the Swans host North Melbourne at Homebush Stadium. Once again viewers around the world can access matches live or delayed on a number of TV networks or stream the telecast via subscription to Watchafl.com.au. 

The broadcast schedule for this Finals Week 2 can be seen below.  .

The broadcast schedule is published here in good faith from schedules provided by the AFL.  All schedules may be subject to change. ...

With the Södermalm Blues taking the chocolates in the SAFF Grand Final in Stockholm, Sweden, they broke a long-running losing streak on the big days and made their own history. The following article comes straight from the “newsdesk” of the Blues, basking in the glory of their premiership win.

The following article by Rob “Haiku Bob” Scott from the Södermalm club, and the pictures, come courtesy of one very proud Swedish football club.

Nothing lasts these days. Jobs, marriages, Prime Ministerships. Big on promises, short on delivery. About the only thing you could count on these days is Södermalm losing the Grand Final. They have lost the last four. Four years running. Four years is a long time in anything. Especially being Prime Minister.

The Blues have won more games than anyone in the last four years but have nothing to show for it. Except pride. Except spirit. Except the monkey on their back! Sometimes truth needs harder evidence. Concrete evidence. Or silver. When the final siren sounded at the JCG this afternoon, and the drop-in scoreboard, screwed precariously to the cyclone fencing showed Söder 152 points up on the Solna Axemen, no discussion was necessary. The evidence was clear. In the shape of a Premiership cup.

This was a belting. But if we only talk about the game, we’d be missing the point. This was not about Jason Neindorf’s 6 goal, Kingsley-Medal winning haul, or Johnny Briscoe’s 5 goal second half impersonation of Ted Hopkins, or Max Larsson’s Jim Stynes, or Johan Dahlberg’s “best game ever” (as Max Larsson just told me ) or Gaelan Doolan’s second-best-on-ground performance (so he tells me).

It wasn’t about Marcus ‘Rappa’ Rappocio’s Scott Pendlebury-like gliding gallops from wing to wing and flank to flank, or forward pocket Chris ‘Tanka’ Tancredi’s contribution of a solitary behind – a mercurial snap from the boundary that clipped the post (so he tells me) – in a score of 167, only to be outscored by back-pocket Andrew Rundle.

It wasn’t about 100-game legend Lars ‘Larry’ Hagberg’s quiet but relentless pursuit of the ball or Jonas ‘Hulk’ Holm’s bone-crushing tackles that could be heard from the sidelines (against the wind). The game wasn’t about Oscar Löfgren’s 4 kicks and Matthew Barton’s 6 in a desolate back-line, or Rob Njoku’s battered body finally getting through a whole game, or Kaj Karlsson’s bullocking and thumping kicks or Jonas Raninen’s pre-game prediction that they would win by 100 points.

It wasn’t about Martin Winberg’s miss from point blank range. It wasn’t about Fergo going through the game unnoticed. And it wasn’t  about the magnificent umpiring (so he tells me) from retired Bromma Viking, Andrew Gillard. And it was definitely not about coach Daniel Jordan’s pre-match address and tactical nous, though he was Barrassi-like (so he tells me).

Söder were brilliant. 25 goals to 2 in a grand final doesn’t need a unit of measurement for greatness. But today was about more than that. A club is more than the sum of its parts.

Not taking the number of Premierships into account, Södermalm is the benchmark of the SAFF. They have more players, more members, more club events than any other. They have a chess club, a fishing club, a homebrewing club, a pool comp and a curling comp. In real terms, they are a social club that happens to play footy.  SAFF is a 9-a-side competition. 19 turned up to play in this year’s grand final. 3 less than last year. They keep turning up. They keep coming back. Today, they broke their grand final hoodoo and set a new record for the winning margin in a grand final. But it wasn’t about that.

Final Scores: Södermalm 25.17.167 defeated Solna Axemen 2.3.15.

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For the past 10 years, World Footy News has collated an extensive list of Grand Final Parties around the world to help viewers find them. And with the 2015 AFL Grand Final being just 10 days away we are calling for clubs around the world to send details of your party to us, so that fans of the game in your country/city can watch the big game with you.

You can either post details as a comment below (you must register before you are able to post a comment or login via Facebook) or email troy@worldfootynews.com - all these details will be collated as per previous years.

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The Calgary Kangaroos club has now grown to three senior mens teams to form a competition and produce a premier.. Established in 2002, the club has had to travel to Edmonton, Kelowna or Vancouver at times for competition. There is also a women's team and a flourishing junior program. (See Valley Creek School article)

The name “Kangaroos” is now reserved for the  representative side to compete in inter-provincial and international tournaments. Locally, the Bears, Cowboys and Wolves compete for the Calgary Men’s Championship which is the old style premiership table. They also have one very enthusiastic mayor as the Roos number ticket holder.

The following is from Lachlan Griffiths about the championship game day.

"CALGARY (September 17, 2015) – The Calgary Wolves led the Calgary Bears by eight points in the season standings heading into Saturday’s double header. They would only need one game to secure the four championships points required to take the title in their first year in the competition.

Facing the Calgary Cowboys in their first game of the day, the 2015 league debutants took control of the game early, scoring the first three goals of the game. Trent Dunlop (14 hit-outs) in the ruck gave his midfielders first opportunity with Keith Vogler (23 possessions) and Graeme Math (17 possessions) leading the charge out of the middle. Team Canada representative Nathan Singh (12 possessions, six tackles) moved from midfield to Ruck to help the Cowboys work back into the game, and along with Matthew Sheard (20 possessions) and Michael Karutz (21 possessions, four tackles) they were able to help the Cowboys get back on top of the clearances and win the second half. However, the newly formed Wolves were too strong in the end, running out eventual winners 8.3.51 to 3.5.23.

With the title secured, the second game of the Wolves double header against the Bears should’ve been a formality. Bears Coach Matthew Bell would not let the Wolves have it all their own way. Giving young Canadian Dolen Vogel (23 possessions) the match up on the dangerous Vogler allowed Liam Terrell (14 possessions, four inside 50’s) free roam across the back flank for the Bears.

Separated by only a goal at half time, Dunlop pushed forward and kicked a goal early in the second half to give his side some breathing room. As the game clock wound down and free space was hard to come by Terrell kicked a booming goal on the run from 55 metres, bringing his Bears back to within a kick. The siren followed quickly, giving the Wolves their second win for the day 4.2.26 to 3.2.20, capping off a stellar maiden season. They finished the year with a 9-3 record, leading the Bears who finished 6-6 and despite finishing with a 3-9 record the Cowboys will have the 2016 #1 draft pick to re-build their list.

Following the game, Mayor Naheed Nenshi, the Calgary Kangaroos #1 ticket holder presented the trophy to Wolves coach Adrian Guthrie. Praising his team, Guthrie said “…credit to the Bears, they gave us all we could handle in that last game. Our work rate and team play though got us over the line today. We are thrilled to take the title in our first season.”

Mayor Nenshi credited all teams in his presentation and wished the club well in their upcoming USAFL national tournament to be played in Austin, Texas on October 17th, 18th.

Calgary Kangaroos President, Lachlan Griffiths, was pleased with the season. “We expanded to three teams this year, giving many more players the opportunity to play Australian football. While our club now turns it’s focus to the US Nationals, we will continue to find ways to promote the game here in Calgary and attract new players out to give this sport a try.”

For photographs from the day or more information on the Calgary Kangaroos Australian Football Club, contact them:"

Mayor Nenshi presents the cup to Calgary Wolves Coach Adrian guthrie

Opening bounce

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At the Coburg Football Club VFL Grand Final Breakfast this morning we had the chance to ask Box Hill Hawks coach Marco Bello about his thoughts on the development of the two New Zealanders in his team and what part they might play in Sunday’s Grand Final against Williamstown.

“Shem (Tatupu), he’s come a long way. He played the first half of the season in the development league. He’s only been playing the game for four or five years. He was still learning the caper. It’s a new ball game for him, but his development not only this year but in the four years he has been trying out for us has been exponential.”
 

“He’s developed as much as anyone and obviously has played a big part in our success the last 6-8 weeks. We’ll be looking for him to play a big part in the forward line.”
 

“At the other end Kurt Heatherley in the back line, he’s a dour defender, he’s as hard as nails, he just loves the physical contact, has a rugby league background enjoys that contact type thing. His ability to read the footy now is great and his skills have come a long way.”
 

“Both those guys will play an equally important part on Sunday.”

This is the first time Box Hill and Williamstown have met in the Grand Final since 2003.  The Peter Jackson VFL and TAC Cup Grand Finals will be played on this Sunday September 27 at Etihad Stadium. TAC Cup Grand Final starts at 11:05am and the VFL Grand Final at 3pm (AEST).
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The third week of the 2015 Finals series kicks off in Perth Friday night with Fremantle hosting Hawthorn.  Saturday night also in Perth the West Coast Eagles host North Melbourne.  The two winners through to next week's Grand Final.

 Once again viewers around the world can access matches live or delayed on a number of TV networks or stream the telecast via subscription to Watchafl.com.au. 

The broadcast schedule for this Finals Week 2 can be seen below.  .

The broadcast schedule is published here in good faith from schedules provided by the AFL.  All schedules may be subject to change. ...

From the land of the long white cloud, and the playing fields of the South Pacific – not the normal talent pathway but a talent pathway characterised by unusual footy privileges such as national representation. This is the pathway taken by Kurt Heatherley and Shem Tatupu; a pair of New Zealanders, who have reached the cusp of the bigtime – as listed rookies at Hawthorn (Heatherley recently re-signed. Having progressed from taking on Tonga, Nauru or Papua New Guinea they now grace the fields of metropolitan Melbourne representing the Box Hill Hawks in the VFL. And today – they represent the Hawks, the Hawthorn AFL affiliate (feeder club), in the VFL Grand Final against the proud heritage of the stand-alone Williamstown Seagulls.

Kurt Heatherley (34) Season 2015 has seen Kurt Heatherley solidly plying his trade as a reliable key defender for the Hawks. Running out 19 times Kurt has impressed, making the best list on 5 occasions. Many AFL followers asked “Kurt who?” when the Hawthorn press release proclaimed that Kurt had been re-signed – however with Brian Lake nearing the end the Hawks value the potential that Heatherley is developing. Coming through the international scholarship/rookie list – Kurt was recruited after showing talent for New Zealand in the AFL Oceania/South Pacific contests – initially signed by Hawthorn in 2009. A couple years spent boarding at Caulfield Grammar in Melbourne and playing a handful of TAC matches and training with Hawthorn – Kurt graduated to the VFL in 2014 when he officially joined the Hawthorn football club. Heatherley has been described by AFL talent guru Kevin Sheehan as “a beauty” – and showed impressively at the 2012 AFL draft combine, including a 2.84 second 20m sprint. He stands around 193 cm and at age 20 he has almost completed an apprenticeship that may in part form a blue print for future trans-Tasman recruits.

Shem Tatupu (74) Teammate Shem Tatupu has notched up 10 senior VFL games in 2015, playing forward he’s bagged 17 goals and provided solid contest patrolling the forward 50. Having kicked multiple goals on 5 occasions his season has been highlighted by 2 bags of 4 against Coburg in round 14 and later against Geelong in round 18. Tatupu has shown he can provide the hit up lead to the wing or push back deep and be dangerous – as well as providing a chop out in the forward 50 ruck contests.

The 2015 VFL Grand FinalWilliamstown win the toss and elected to kick to the Coventry end at Etihad stadium – the now traditional venue for the VFL Grand Final although on a fine sunny afternoon with the roof closed it’s hard not to yearn for the open air of Port Melbourne. The Seagulls got off to the better start with the first goal, answered by the Hawks before a string of 3 unanswered goals saw Williamstown kick out to an early lead before a goal each rounded the first term with the Seagulls holding the 3 goal advantage with a 20 point lead at the first break.

Heatherley manning up as per ‘team defence’ had an early ineffective kick on the city side that went out on the full but shortly after marked inside defensive 50 and switched play boundary side. Tatupu lining up forward - generally inside 50 and generally matched up by Peter Faulks (#8) for Williamstown. Nearing the 8 minute mark Tatupu and Heatherley were both on the bench for rotations.

Tatupu returned to the fray and got his first stats involvement with a mark and dish off handball and shortly after taking a ruck contest in the right forward pocket took the ball cleanly in the ruck and dished off a quick handball. The Hawks attempt at goal went across the face to the left forward pocket from which their much needed second goal was scored.

Heatherley found himself contesting strongly and impressing with his positioning and body work; but still found himself outmarked in the Williamstown right forward pocket by the experienced Sam Dunell – however a nearside miss on goal meant that the full price was not paid. Heatherley almost helped get one back shortly after when he held an intercept mark that set up a Box Hill forward movement but the set shot from inside 50 by Grimley went wide. Heatherley effected a couple of spoils, one a clear goal saver – alas the other was unable to clear the area and the Gulls snared their 5th and the last goal for the quarter from the ensuing scrimmage around the 'Gulls goals.

The second quarter saw a Box Hill revival as the game heated up. Heatherley and Tatupu both starting and a miracle left foot snap from the pocket by Anderson. Shortly after Tatupu made his first scoreboard impact with a left foot snap that look on target off the boot but bouncing in the square took a leg break into the post. Tatupu soon after marked strongly inside 50, and taking his set shot from around 40 out on a 45degree angle – got perhaps too close to the man on the mark and with a stutter was still able to clear the line for a behind to the far side. Box Hill continued to attack but were wasteful – working Grimley free for their fourth major and closing the gap to a goal. Trading goals from here and Box Hill went in at the main break trailing by 5 points with the game very much on the line. Tatupu had been on and off with the forward rotations, holding down key forward posts with O’Brien, Grimley and Collins. Heatherley with more time on the ground – but often finding himself standing alongside shorter opponents including Masters, Clousten or Dunell.

The third term – so often described as the premiership quarter pretty well played out that way as Williamstown surged after the long break. Unfortunately as Heatherley spoiled a mark, he went to ground, and was unable to get back onto Dunell who pushed forward and helped set up the first goal of the 3rd term through Masters. By the time Box Hill managed their next score – a behind to move to 6.9.45 – Williamstown had moved to 10.8.68 and on the verge of breaking the game wide open. By this stage Tatupu was more off than on – and when on – often isolated one on one deep forward however the failure of the Hawks to gain effective clearances meant that he was starved of opportunity. Heatherley had a mid quarter break, and returned to be in the thick of the action – however, his tackle was a fraction late to stop the handball out to Conway who slotted the Gulls 11th, and Heatherley found himself vainly trying to pressure the ball carrier as the Gulls surged forward with the easy overlap for their 12th. Finally via a smart banana goal to Miles (#42) from the pocket and the Hawks had their first major for the term and at 28 points down this was the chance to apply some pressure before the final break. Alas 4 consecutive behinds as well as a shot out on the full failed to put any real dent in the margin.

The last quarter proved largely one way traffic – after a minor diversion as Anderson managed a 2nd spectacular boundary line snap at goal – dribbling along the ground for one of the few Hawks highlights. A glimmer of hope for the Hawks - was there a last quarter fight back as per the second quarter. This had proven the scoring end - for now reason of strong winds or the like, after all, it's Etihad with the roof on top. As it eventuated the Williamstown side responded quickly and in style – unable to miss they slammed through 4 straight to blow the game apart – 44 points up and it was party time on the Williamstown bench.

Tatupu and Heatherley, along with their teammates – were spent by now and when the final siren sounded it was a 54 point margin. The Hawks had lacked fluency moving forward – even experienced playera like Langford had managed to spear passes a fraction high or wide missing the forward targets. Nevertheless – for Kiwi products Tutupu and Heatherley – while their impact was limited today - this experience is another step in their football journeys.

Heatherley Tatupu and teammates lament the loss during the presentations to the victors ...

Eric Wallace was delisted by North Melbourne today after three years with the club as an International Rookie.  Wallace did not play an AFL match with the club, spending his first two years playing with North Ballarat and this year with Werribee in the VFL   Wallace was popular with team-mates at the club and a successful ruckman at VFL level.  A strong ruck brigade at North Melbourne meant that there was never really an opening for him to make that AFL debut.

There is a chance that another club may offer Wallace a life line as able ruckmen of his stature are still in short supply generally around the league.  Beyond that the USAFL may be keen to secure Wallace's services for the US Revolution team in the 2017 International Cup if he is interested in continuing in the game.

The statement from North Melbourne today follows.

North Melbourne has today thanked Scott McMahon, Max Warren and Eric Wallace for their dedication to the Kangaroos, after they were advised their contracts would not be renewed.

McMahon played 124 games for North Melbourne, after being selected in the 2004 Rookie Draft.

The 29-year-old made his debut in Round 8, 2007 and quickly cemented himself in the side. A vocal leader, McMahon was a much-loved figure at Arden St among fans, staff and players.

Max Warren played one senior game during his time at the Roos, lining up against Brisbane at the Gabba in 2014.

Warren earned a promotion to the senior list in 2015, a reward for his consistent season playing for North Ballarat in the VFL.

Wallace has spent the past three seasons as North’s international rookie after a strong showing at the 2012 AFL Draft Combine.

The American has made an impressive transformation since first arriving at Arden St and having a limited understanding of AFL, and while he was unable to earn a senior call up, he won many battles at VFL level, playing against some of the competition’s best big men.

North Director of Football Geoff Walsh thanked all three players for their service.

“We’d like to thank Scott, Max and Eric for their commitment and dedication to the club during their time at Arden St,” Walsh said.

“Scott, Max and Eric have represented the club extremely well both on and off the field and should be proud of their contributions.

“They have all been true professionals during their time in North colours and we wish them all the very best for the future.”

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