World Footy News

As anticipated in Territorians headed to WAFL or AFLQ, the Northern Territory will enter a team in the top Queensland league in 2009. The side will play home games in Darwin and Alice Springs, and be coached by former indigenous AFL player Michael McLean.

Although the program is football at a state league level, all the players will be required to be either studying at school, TAFE or university, completing an apprenticeship or traineeship, or working in full-time employment.

It will be interesting to see whether this will lead Queensland towards becoming a major centre for Aussie Rules in the years ahead - perhaps a second tier elite competition, below the AFL but above the other state leagues. Probably not, but it is a step in that direction.