World Footy News

The Melbourne Herald Sun newspaper today reported that AFL club the Western Bulldogs have rookie-listed (not strictly true) young Fijians Inoke Ratu and Solomoni Loki, after conducting trials in Labasa and Suva during the weekend. Ratu is described as a 19-year-old 197cm tall with good pace and an excellent leap, while Loki is a 16-year-old seen as a potential midfielder.

Both will remain in Fiji under a $1000-a-year commitment from the Bulldogs, but will follow a strict development program and visit the Bulldogs' home base Whitten Oval in the Melbourne suburb of Footscray several times. The article also mentions the pair will play in a new Oceania zone of the International Cup - a piece of information we'll be sure to investigate in the very near future.

The full article can be read at Dogs' Island Delight.

Note: It appears this is the first use of the International Scholarship List. Canadian Rugby International Mike Pyke, recruited by the Sydney Swans, appears to have been obtained via Sydney's normal rookie list.