World Footy News

Two overseas-born players from Pacific islands are resurrecting their AFL careers at new clubs. Samoan-born Aaron Edwards is blazing a trail with the Kangaroos at AFL level, while Fijian-born David Rodan is returning to form for Port Adelaide.

At 184cm, Aaron Edwards is a short key forward, but his style is consistently compared to similarly-sized Melbourne Demons forward Russell Robertson by AFL commentators due to his athleticism in aerial contests, searching leads and exciting play. These are big wraps, as Robertson was Melbourne's leading goalkicker and represented Australia in International Rules in 2005. Like many of Samoan heritage, Edwards at just 23 years old is already very solidly built at 88kg and is unafraid of the heavy stuff. In this weekend's away game for the Kangaroos against Geelong in a water soaked Kardinia Park, Edwards took a contender for mark of the year and kicked an important goal.

Edwards evolving AFL journey is featured on the AFL Samoa website. Mal Michael's impact in PNG shows that having a poster boy at AFL level can really help Australian Football achieve big things back home. Edwards could be a big hit in Samoa, a country where growth in the sport, as reported by WFN is extremely promising.

Edwards' path to AFL level has not been easy. Originally taken as a rookie by West Coast from the stong Mornington Peninsula region in Victoria, his four games at the West Coast, while showing promise, were unimpressive and combined with knee surgery caused him to be delisted. Somewhat tarnishing the forward's rise to prominence, Edwards was also linked to various off-field controversies at the troubled West Coast Eagles club.

Second chances at AFL level are extremely rare, however the young Samoan bounced back in 2006 by winning the goalkicking medal in the VFL whilst playing with the semi-professional club Frankston Dolphins, earning a reputation as a "Goalkicking Gladiator". In the same year he was named the VFL's best & fairest player.

As a result of his renewed dedication to football, the North Melbourne Kangaroos drafted him with one of their low picks. However he took no time at all to break into their senior side.

The Kangaroo appears to be turning things around this season having kicked three goals in four games with an average of 12 possessions. The club having another a target in the forward line makes a big difference and Edwards seems to have put his West Coast days behind him.

WFN will watch this young Samoan's AFL career with real interest.

Meanwhile, Fijian-born David Rodan is resurrecting his career with another club - the Port Adelaide Power. The stocky 172cm/83kg rover was controversially delisted by Richmond after knee surgery after a couple of serviceable seasons. In 2007, 24 year old Rodan has lifted his intensity, playing as a defensive crumbing forward averaging close to 6 tackles, 2 goals and 17 disposals a game.

With Rodan going to Port Adelaide, there are now two Fijian-born players on the club's list. Big 192cm/94kg key position defender Alipate Carlile played five games for the Power in 2006. The 20 year old continues to perform for the South Adelaide Football Club in the SANFL, recently taking one of the biggest marks of the year in that competition. You can watch "Bob" Carlile's screamer via these links in MOV or Windows Media format. But time will tell if the big Fijian can return to a senior Port Adelaide side which is currently stacked with big and strong key position players.