World Footy News

Perhaps the next biggest event in Australian football behind the AFL Grand Final is Brownlow Medal night, when the AFL's best players gather for the awarding of the medal of "fairest and best", based on the umpires' votes.  The evening is telecast live across Australia and this year featured an international flavour.

A segment paid tribute to the efforts of Australian football clubs in helping their communities in times of disaster, and highlighted four examples.  Country Victoria was hit by floods earlier this year, especially the Loddon Valley.  Recognising the efforts of Newbridge FC, they were represented by Ron Trimble, their club President.  And from Queensland's Lockyer Valley, where flooding cost lives, came Tony and Donna Bowers, founders of the area's only Aussie Rules local footy side.

But the surprise international aspect came through New Zealand and Japan.

Christchurch was severely damaged by earthquake and Brownlow night highlighted Steve Langridge, Christchurch Bulldogs founder and President, whose home has been condemned due to earthquake damage, yet keeps playing for the Bulldogs and helping others.

And from the devastation of Japan's earthquake and tsunami came the story of the Tokyo Goannas, mostly expat Aussies fundraising and helping with repairs.  Ron Mitchell, former President of the Goannas, was their representative.  And 21 year old Kazunori Watanabe was flown in as a special guest.  He was unable to attend the 2011 International Cup so soon after the disaster, and his family lost their business and his uncle perished.

Watanabe received a footy signed by former Brownlow medallists in the room, presented by AFL Chairman Mike Fitzpatrick.  In a staged moment when asked by Tom Harley who he supported he opened his suit to reveal a Carlton guernsey, declaring he loved the Carlton Blues, to the amusement and applause of the audience.

Alas the Brownlow Medal itself has become a de facto best midfielder award.  Record tallies are being accrued probably because all the votes are now focussed into the midfield players, in fact 16 of the top 19 are clearly running midfielders, with the odd ones out Adam Goodes, Dean Cox and Lance Franklin - and they are all mobile big men who still play through the middle for much of the game.  Nevertheless Collingwood's Dane Swan was a deserved winner on 34 votes, from Hawthorn's Sam Mitchell on 30 but ineligible due to being reported early in the season.

Legendary AFL commentator Bruce McAvaney, Ron Mitchell and Kaz Watanabe

Watanabe with triple Brownlow medallist Bob Skilton