World Footy News

The New Zealand local leagues have recently commenced their seasons. Like many other countries around the world, those playing Aussie Rules in NZ are not required to make the choice between their traditional weekend winter codes and playing footy.

Generally footy is confined to the September - December window with some local variance across the four leagues in Auckland, Waikato, Wellington and Canterbury.

Though there has been talk and some action in seeking to establish the game in other centres including Hawkes Bay, Dunedin, Blenheim and Queenstown, thus far these endeavours have not materialized into any on-going footy.

Recently there have also been a couple of articles on NZ footy in the mainstream NZ media that make interesting reading:- "Playing by the Rules" from The Aucklander and Marsden plays at MCG, lands Black Caps job on stuff.co.nz, telling how one of the 2008 Falcons has recently been named team physio for the New Zealand national cricket team.

In this article I will look at descriptions provided by the Auckland clubs and a brief rundown on what is happening in the Waikato.

AUCKLAND AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE - 6 Clubs who field Senior, Reserves and usually U 17 level teams

Manuwera Raiders

Location: Mountford Park (Oval), Manurewa, Manukau City.

Established: 1991
Premierships: 1995 & 1996
Season 2007: Finished in 6th place.

Seniors Coaches: Michael Bromby and Michael Dunlop

Michael Bromby is an Englishman who came to this country as a teenager and not long after arriving was introduced to AFL footy at his school. From that experience he became involved with the Manurewa club in 1997 where he learnt his football. Michael has represented New Zealand at International level playing in an Under 21 team. Last year he was appointed as Senior Coach and Captain and with no experience of coaching an AFL football club performed his duties with passion, he lead by example on the field.

Michael (Slick) Dunlop is a New Zealander who was introduced to AFL football in 2003. Michael’s football skills have improved steadily over the last few years and so has his understanding of the game. He was approached by the club’s management to be joint senior coach and had no hesitation in accepting the position. Michael is also involved in the design of the new club logo and uniform design.

Reserves Coaches: Shane Goodwin

Shane Goodwin is a New Zealander who as a teenager was introduced to AFL football when he joined the Manurewa Raider club as a player in 2001. He continued to play in the senior team until a knee injury restricted his playing days. As the Reserves coach his temperament and junior rugby coaching skills have served Shane and the club well over the last two years. The focus on developing and inspiring the large number of under 17 year olds playing in our reserves team has been a feature. This will position the club well in future years.

Falcons Reps still playing:

Paul Gunning was playing for Manurewa when he retired from playing football. He moved to Perth with his family and got keen to play some footy and started playing in the over 35’s and then thought why not give the Falcon’s one last try and he made the squad and the rest is history. We are very proud of his effort and attitude during the International Cup. What an inspiration to the young players playing the game in NZ. Congrats Paul!

Moss Doran played a handful of games for Manurewa before being sent last year by the club to South Warrnambool in the Hampden League (Country Victoria) Moss made the seniors at South Warrnambool after only 6 games in the Reserves. We are very proud of his achievements, as are the Hamilton league.

Australians playing at Manurewa:

Joining this year: Peter Labbad and Daniel Allen. Both Peter and Daniel have played at club level in Melbourne. Both work in Tauranga and travel up to play on Sundays.

Key Ins: All persons who join the club in what ever roll they perform.

Key Outs: Steve Telfer and Daniel Ford (players)

Outlook for the Season: To develop and encourage the young players joining the club and to work at building a strong club for the future and for the region south of Auckland. On the oval this year’s target is to finish in the top four and thus qualify for the final series.

Footnote: The Manurewa Oval was developed by the Manukau City Council to be used primarily for AFL football. The club is affiliated to the Manurewa Rugby Club and has full use of club facilities.

Mt Roskill Saints

Home ground: May Rd, Mt Roskill
Premierships: 1997, 2005
Last season's result: Finished 2nd, losing to University in the Grand Final.

Senior Coach: Ian 'Junior' Francis. Started coaching the Saints last year, previously with University and Port Adelaide in the SANFL.

Falcons Reps still playing: Lewis Hurst (26) - Strong and fast on baller with huge shoulders. Co captain, but his main feature is his impressive upper frame and chiselled jaw line. Marcus Jones (25) - Co captain with Lewis, on baller who sometimes plays on the wing. Liam Ackland (16) - Very gifted (doesn't he know it!) young footballer, a starter at the International Cup and an extremely good prospect for the future. Can kick them from anywhere.

Key Aussies: David Kay - very fit and hard at the ball half forward. Hails from the backwaters of Darwin. Sebastian Kemp (Kempy) - The big unit from Kings Cross, Sydney. Half back with great vision, provides plenty of run and plenty of entertainment with his stories of 'crossing on The Cross'! Paul Munt - 2005 GF Best on Ground, the winger from country Tasmania has arguably the best 'footy smarts' in the team.

Key Ins: Munty is back from a post-2005 break to provide better run through the middle. The Saints lose Liam Ackland the boy and gain Liam Ackland the man as he passes through puberty. A few home grown first gamers from the first rounds may yet prove themselves to be key ins.

Key Outs: Sam and Josh McKenzie have been lost to Dunedin and singing respectively. Alex Van Son, the club enforcer, has followed the dollar sign to Dubai and will be missed. Steve Fairweather and Henry Carracher have both been lost to family duties, Henry leaving for Australia. Mike Tagg has had a knee reconstruction and will be sorely missed in the ruck. Peter Boyce, club and AAFL legend, has finally decided to call it quits after 57 straight seasons but will still no doubt be around the club to support son Mike.

Outlook for the season: Big change at the club but as the impressive first round victory against Waitakere showed, there are plenty of very talented locals ready to pick up where others left off. As always the Saints should be there come finals time and then who knows, the Premiership is always the goal!

North Shore Tigers

Home Ground: Training at Bayswater Park, Matches at Onepoto Domain Northcote

Premierships: 1977, 1978, 1980, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1998

Last season's result: Finished third, losing to Mt Roskill by 6 points in the preliminary final

Coach: Rob Vanstam coached Tigers in 2003, 04, 05, 07, 08

Falcons Reps still playing: 2008 Andriu Sucu – Winger onballer 18 years old, playing his fifth season of senior football with the Tigers. 2008 Matthew Crighton – Marking Back 17 years old playing his third season of senior football with the Tigers. 2008 Andrew Crighton – Marking Back 20 years old playing his fourth season of senior football with the Tigers. 2002 Grant Conway – On baller 37 years old. Over ten years with the Tigers. 2005 Caleb Stick (Captain) – On baller 25 years old, recently returned from the UK after a season off.

Key Aussies: Michael Warton (36) played 90 games for Port Adelaide in the SANFL and has been coaxed out of retirement. Dillon Stephenson (26) played in the AFLQ league with Broadbeach and Robina. Reece Worrall (25) 2nd season with the Tigers from South Australian Country.

Key Ins: Besides the two Aussies mentioned the return of Caleb Stick form overseas is a huge boost for the club. It was unfortunate he could not meet the requirements for this year’s Falcons because his experience could have made the difference. Craig Harvey and Duane Herde add to the Falcons defenders to give the Tigers a strong backline. Steve Howard has overcome a knee injury and will ruck for the Tigers. Good on the ground and a huge boot he needs to improve his fitness and he will dominate.

Key Outs: Falcons Rep Nic Cunneen, will follow other Falcons players, Scott McNally, Matt Callaghan and Paul Gunning in pursuing further footy career opportunities in Western Australia. Electric onballer, former Falcons representative and two times AAFL medal winner Todd Danks has moved to Brisbane. It is still to be confirmed if the move will be permanent. Paul Hudson was a great defender for the club last year and played in every game. He is currently tripping overseas and is also a big loss for the team.

Outlook for the season: A first round loss to University by seven points is a good indication we should be there or there about this season. Great to see we have three key players of 20 years or younger and hopefully our older boys can escape injury free. Conway pulled a calf muscle watching the reserves last weekend and so missed the A grade match. The reliance on staying out of injury problems is our major concern.

Takapuna Eagles ARFC

Home ground: Onepoto Basin, North Harbour
Established: 1981
1st Grade Premierships: 1984, 85, 86, 2001
Last season's result: Finished 5th

Coach: Adam White – long time player for the Eagles and coached reserves last year

Falcons Reps still playing: Andrew Congalton (limited availability due to rugby 7s commitments)

Key Outs: Coach Rod Frank (also previously a player), Darren Shand

Outlook for the season: Another tough year with many new players being young, and lack of experience will not help. Relying on Auckland reps and stalwart Andrew Lydiard to help with on-field leadership.

University Blues

Home ground: Colin Maiden Park
Colours: Blue and white
Established: 1981
Senior Premierships: 1981, 1982, 1983, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1993, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007
Reserves Premierships: 2000, 2006

The University Blues will once again be coached by Todd Taverna, now in his seventh season with the club and his sixth as coach. This year the club will look to repeat its premiership season in the Senior grade in 2007 and to go one better than its second place in the Reserves competition.

The Blues have current NZ Falcons players Andrew Buckthought, James Monaghan and David Cory-Toussaint. Also within the squad are 2005 representatives Tim Stevens and Ben Horne, and 2006 representative Stephen Power.

The University club once again has strong numbers for the 2008 campaign, and particularly a number of young and exciting players who are in their first season with the club. They are joined by Leigh French and Ben Serafin from Canberra, who have chosen to play football in NZ during their off-season. The side farewells stalwarts Steve Froggatt and Iain Duggan who have retired due to work commitments.

Waitakere Magpies

Waitakere City, West Auckland.

2007: Seniors - 4th, Reserves - Champions!

2008 Coach: Craig "Space" Goodhue. A longtime Magpie, ex NZAFL representative, Space has loads of experience and is bringing a few different ideas to the table this season. Hopefully he'll still be getting amongst the action during the games, and riling up the 'pies with his on and off the field antics.

Falcons: John Maling, David Rattenbury, Graham Rattenbury all return for the season after a great 2008 international cup campaign. Andrew Marsden returns from his stint in the Netherlands, complete with monumental hair.

Key Aussies: Matt Hacket! Say no more!

Key Ins: The return of Andrew Marsden is a big plus, as well as Graham Rattenbury after a few years in Wellington. Matt Lawton returns after a year in Australia and is a big asset. Mike Gawn is also putting in an appearance and brings valuable experience and height.

Key Outs: Obe Porter has gone to Perth and will be missed. Up and comers Steve Shapland and Phil Outram have both headed off to the UK for rugby and family respectively.

Outlook for the season: After a slow start in drumming the numbers up at trainings, due to the extension of the winter codes, numbers are looking healthy and with the return of a few key players, the season is looking promising. Looking to find the form from the beginning of last season and maintain it throughout to take us to the finals, where an improvement on last years senior placing is the key! With a good number of new players, this season we'll be looking to try a few different things to keep everyone enthused and coming back for more.

WAIKATO

The Waikato League has consisted of two teams for about three years but the emergence of a third team has seen the original two teams combine in an attempt to repel the new invader. League identity Rob Neish puts it this way:-

The big news in Mooloo land is the introduction of the West Hamilton Redbacks. It was pretty interesting to hold an AGM and this guy turns up saying “we’ve had 23 guys training for the last 3 weeks, can we join your league?” The Redbacks have now fielded 40 players during matches so far.

The Waikato has struggled for numbers over the last two seasons, often playing 12 a side games which has been good for fitness but not so good for NPC play. The Redbacks now ensure a full on game occurs every week. The Redbacks are a group of touch rugby and league players who are under the direction of enthusiast James Walmsley. They play a strong running game and have good handling skills. They combine this with a couple of players with Australian footy experience giving direction to the team.

An extended pre-season gave the Redbacks a chance to blood players into Aussie Rules. The two regular Waikato teams, Mavericks and Tuis, have combined for the season to try and repel the Redback invasion. The Mavericks were given a jolt when the Redbacks comfortably won the pre-season opener. The Mavericks bounced back with a 10 point win in game 2. Since then the pre season honours have been shared.

Last weekend’s first competition game was a one point thriller, going to the Mavericks 10.4.64 to 8.15.63. The games are building in intensity every week and the Redbacks are threatening to take the trophy in their first season. The gloves are now off for the short but intense Waikato season. The Grand Final is scheduled for Saturday, October 11th and it promises to be a great battle with the new kids on the block trying to upstage the regulars.