World Footy News

The AFL Division 2 Championships have just concluded in Melbourne with PNG’s John James representing the Queenslanders, the first player developed internationally to represent an Aussie state at this level. The tournament comprised the best players from NSW/ACT, Tasmania, Queensland and the Northern Territory. Though Queensland failed to gain a win John James was still able to be recognised as among Queensland’s better players.

Prior to the Championships James had been in great form for the Zillmere Eagles on Anzac Day in the AFL Queensland Velocity Sports Cup (Queensland's top league). The pacy player kicked one goal and was named his team's second best player in their 56 point win over Morningside at O'Callaghan Park. He has also been named as a weekly NAB Rising Star in the AFLQ's top league.

At the Championships James kicked a goal against Tasmania but it was in the Queenslanders’ final game that James showed his best. According to Geelong recruiting assistant Luke Williams “John played in the pocket and was pretty lively, working really hard in the forward line against the Northern Territory”.

The PNG programme can only be heralded as a massive success with three boys recently named in the State U16 squad and James performing well here. What must be noted is that with the prestige of the Championships James appears very close to starting what promises to be a flood of international junior football players into the AFL for the future to complement those who come from Ireland and must learn a new game. According to Kevin Sheehan, from the NAB AFL U18 Division One and Two championships “roughly 55 players will emerge onto AFL lists”.

The one drawback is that Queensland's surprisingly poor form makes it likely they'll have less draftees than in recent years, and by not finishing in the top two teams they won't have the opportunity to play in Division One of the champs - Tassie and NSW/ACT have that honour. As a small forward James' opportunities would have been limited - hopefully recruiters will take that into account and his form at Zillmere will get him over the line.

Other related articles:

NAB AFL Under-18 Championships: Day 3
Eye catchers: Day two
Eye catchers: Day 1
NAB AFL Under-18 Championships: Day 1
Velocity Sports Cup Seniors - Round 5