World Footy News

Mike Pyke's rapid transition to senior AFL football has come before anyone would have thought possible when he was signed up with the Sydney Swans in Decmeber 2008. But the last few weeks on the fringe of selection must have dragged out for the big Canadian. Today the Swans confirmed that he would indeed be starting on Sunday against Richmond at the SCG. The former rugby international for Canada impressed in the preseason matches for the Swans and it seemed only a matter of time until he would get his opportunity at the highest level of his adopted sport.

We know our regular Canadian readers will be watching Mike's progress closely, and hopefully he will be an inspiration to young Canadians who are already playing Aussie rules in their own country.