World Footy News

The total number of international players now listed by AFL clubs has reached an all-time high at 12. This follows the submission of AFL lists for the 2009 season, with four clubs welcoming aboard new Irish players to their Rookie Lists, as well as Sydney listing Canadian Rugby international Mike Pyke (see Swans use international rookie list - for Canadian Rugby player and Pyke aims for 2009 debut).

The four new Irish players are all Gaelic footballers who had been trialling with the AFL clubs. Adelaide have listed Brian Donnelly from County Louth, Essendon has gone for Michael Quinn from County Longford, North Melbourne have given a chance to Conor Meredith from County Laois, and Sydney have added Kyle Coney of County Tyrone.

Sydney are the stand-out in giving international talent a chance, with Coney and Canadian Pyke joining Irishmen Brendan Murphy (Rookie List) and Tadhg Kennelly (full list) at the Swans.

The additions come on top Colm Begley getting picked up by St Kilda after being de-listed by Brisbane, although Aisake O'hAilpin was not given a second chance after being cut by Carlton. The full list of internationals is given below.

Full Listed Internationals (4)

Carlton - Setanta O'hAilpin (Ireland)
Collingwood - Martin Clarke (Ireland)
St Kilda - Colm Begley (Ireland)
Sydney - Tadhg Kennelly (Ireland)

Rookie Listed Internationals (8)

Adelaide - Brian Donnelly (Ireland)
Brisbane Lions - Pearce Hanley (Ireland)
Collingwood - Kevin Dyas (Ireland)
Essendon - Michael Quinn (Ireland)
North Melbourne - Conor Meredith (Ireland)
Sydney - Brendan Murphy (Ireland), Kyle Coney (Ireland), Michael Pyke (Canada)

International Scholarship List (2)

Western Bulldogs - Inoke Ratu (Fiji), Solomoni Loki (Fiji)

The final lists also see Fijian-Australian Nick Naitanui at West Coast (drafted at number 2 overall), Khan Haretuku (of recent New Zealand descent) remain on St Kilda's Rookie List, and Ranga Ediriwickrama, of recent Sri Lankan descent, elevated from Geelong's NSW Scholarship List to the Cats' Rookie List. And as we keep saying, surely a PNG or South Africa rookie cannot be too far away.