World Footy News

The New York Magpies sealed top spot, and with it the Eastern AFL premiership, defeating the Florida Redbacks in Sarasota, Florida. This closes the first ever-season of the EAFL, WFN's Troy Thompson giving a season review. The EAFL was formed this year from teams stretched along the length of the east coast of the United States. Traditional powerhouses New York and Boston dominated the season but a good showing form the Florida team kept things very interesting. The season went down to the wire with Florida hosting New York with the right result giving all three teams a chance at the title. The Premier in this league is first past the post, with no finals matches.

The inaugural winners of the Eastern American Football League are the New York Magpies. The Boston Demons finished a close second on percentage only. The premiership was sealed with the win on the weekend over the Florida Redbacks in Sarasota Florida.

The Magpies and Demons both dropped just one game this season, Boston losing to Florida in Florida and then beating the New Yorkers in New York. So in a strange situation where the Demons might claim some bragging rights as the best team in the EAFL with that win over the eventual premiers, it was through the consistent six match season and a superior percentage that the title goes to New York. Florida showed a big potential coming in third in a season that saw the other league members grant them five home games and just one game away, they will have to prove themselves on the road in years to come, but there seems to be the drive in that state to make things happen. Baltimore Washington finished the season with a 3-3 record which they hope will be good enough for a division two berth at the Nationals and they are on a bit of a roll winning their last two games. Both Philadelphia and North Carolina (North Carolina in particular knocking off the Redbacks) had their moments this season and were by no means easy beats both finishing with a 2-4 record. The Pittsburgh Wallabies were the cellar-dwellers this year, as someone always must be, unable to take a win in the EAFL’s first year, only playing two actual games and forfeiting the balance.

The season looks to have been a success and hopefully all seven teams will contest the title again in 2006, and more teams in the future. The National Championships in October will give a good gauge as to the strength of the league, and hopefully support the value of strong regular league competition. Congratulations to the Magpies, Premiers 2005, and congratulations to all involved in the EAFL as it is obviously a big challenge and commitment for all teams in such a geographically spread competition.