World Footy News

Australian Football might only be young in Fiji in organised terms, however, the benefit of marketable players such as David Rodan, Alipate Carlile and Nic Naitanui is obvious not just in the coverage of those player when back ‘home’ in Fiji, but, also the Fijian press has jumped right on board with AFL Fiji and the Power Under 16s currently in Tonga. Further press coverage included herein.

From the Fijilive website, the following articles :

December 8, “AFL Fiji to work on communication”.

AFL Fiji development officer, Glen Butler who has been with the team for a month said the young boys should come out of their shells and take a bolder, more aggressive approach to better the team work.

December 10, “AFL Fiji broadens horizon”.

AFL Fiji is looking to extend to the Western and Northern divisions from next year, says development officer Glen Butler. Butler has made two recent trips to the west with AFL Fiji president, Robert Wolfgramm as they look to establish the sport further.

Two stories December 13, “AFL stars head to Tonga”.

AFL players Karmichael Hunt, Israel Folau and Nic Naitanui will travel to Tonga to attend the Youth AFL Oceania Cup this week.

And December 13, “Fiji U16 remain focussed”.

The Fiji Power Under-16 team has only a couple of hours to recover upon arrival into Tonga tomorrow, before their first pool game against Nauru. Assistant coach Dylan Wolfgramm said although it was disappointing that they had limited time to prepare in Tonga, this would not a set back for the team.

Culminating for now, with the match report from the Fiji Power’s first win in the tournament. December 15, “Fiji Power wins first AFL Oceania game”.

The David Rodan (ed. Snr) coached side which had less than three hours to recover upon arrival into Tongan before the game, scored four goals and two behind goals for the victory.

Clearly the reporter has a little to learn about the scoring system. However, the significant aspect is the broad and almost saturation coverage that AFL Fiji has been attracting. This must reflect well upon all those involved, and despite an early reliance on AFL players of Fijian extraction to generate publicity and a profile – what is clear now is that the people on the ground in Fiji are getting reported and will develop their own local profiles.

Note, Fijitimes carried a further 2 stories today (Wednesday), December 15, “We nick Nic” which also features a photo of young Richard Niulevu at Nadi airport before jetting out to Tonga, Fijian flag in hand.

and

December 15, “Aussie Rules here to stay”. Perhaps the most serious statement of intent. Ironically, there’s no Western Sydney style ‘code wars’ put down articles from the Fijian Rugby fraternity.

Also reported a couple of days ago, December 10, “Fiji wins AFL trial”. Such is the impact, that a pre tournament warm up match was reported. Note, Fiji defeated Nauru 55-42.

Seriously, this coverage is unprecedented in the national media of a start up footy nation, well, any footy nation. It's perhaps worth noting as well that, whilst Rugby (Union) generally has it's own section in the sports pages, that Rugby League is in the 'other sports' along with 'AFL'. Presently, RL in Fiji is getting a little coverage about looking to expand into the North and looking to establish an annual match between PNG residents and Fiji residents.