World Footy News

A series of newspaper articles in the last few weeks have speculated that the AFL will stage several matches outside of Australia in the next 2 years.

A match in Wellington or Auckland, New Zealand is on the cards, perhaps between the Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn, and possibly not until 2012 - see Western Bulldogs plan to play home match in New Zealand within two years

The GWS Giants have put their hand up to play a match in London, possibly late 2011 - see Sheedy taunts Folau critics as Giants size up London match.

Essendon versus Richmond in Mubai, India has again been raised - see Bombers, Tigers in Mumbai, with Austrade's Senior Trade Commissioner in New Delhi, Peter Linford, said to be finalising a detailed bid to stage a match early next year which will not only promote the AFL but also trade links between the countries.

The above article also mentions the much delayed Collingwood versus West Coast in Cape Town, South Africa, as still a chance, and a return to Shanghai for Melbourne and Brisbane.

Of course there has been a lull in such matches attributed to the global financial crisis, and none of the above are locked in, but hopefully some or all will eventuate.