World Footy News

His teammates nicknamed him Bobby because they didn't know how to pronounce his name, but Alipate Carlile is keen to make sure it's his football skills and not his unusual name that makes headlines.

Carlile is a cousin of fellow Port Adelaide footballer David Rodan. Born in Fiji, he moved to Country Victoria as a youngster and took up football, eventually being selected with pick 44 by Port Adelaide in the 2005 draft. He's now a regular in the team and was recently featured in an article in Adelaide Now. "Alipate Carlile happy with earfuls, but not bagfuls," mentions his impressive season, a bit about his childhood and background, and his aspirations (along with Rodan) to start a football league in Fiji. Carlile sees great potential for Fijians playing the Australian game as, "Fijians seem taller than the Irish, are closer and have a more intimate knowledge of the game."

Other footballers in the AFL of Fijian extract include Naitanui of West Coast (born in Sydney to Fijian parents) and Setanta Ó hAilpín (half Rotuman - one of Fiji's indigenous ethnic groups).