World Footy News

Last week's rookie draft featured several selections with international ties, one of whom was Sean Yoshiura. Yoshiura was born in Japan, where he spent the first seven years of his life; ethnically he is half-Japanese and half-Australian. On top of being a footballer, Yoshiura is a talented Cross Country runner who last year partook in the World Schoolboy Cross Country Championships.

His story can be read in articles in the Herald Sun and Courier Mail from before his signing and again in the Courier Mail following the draft.

The Japan AFL are aware of Yoshiura and perhaps as his career develops he will become a figurehead for the game in Japan, much like Aaron Edwards and David Rodan are for Samoa and Fiji respectively.