World Footy News

With the new AFL season well underway, this weekend on the other side of the globe, the AFL Ontario’s 2012 season begins. Considered as one of the premier and largest leagues outside Australia, 2012 is shaping up to be an intriguing season with all 10 teams a chance to win the flag.

During the off season the AFL Ontario (AFLO) has being working hard to make 2012 their biggest and best seasons to date.
 

Since the end of the 2011 season, the league has been working hard to improve. Over the past four months the league has conducted umpiring clinics, first aid courses, created new incentives and been in regular contact with its clubs to help build the quality of the game in Ontario.

One new initiative by the AFLO for 2012 was to focus on building women’s football in Ontario. Last year was the inaugural women’s season and while successful, the AFLO wanted to expand on the current three teams.

To assist clubs in building their own women’s team for 2012, the league provided grant opportunities to all of its 10 clubs. This incentive proved successful with three new teams entering the women’s competition this year, taking it to six in total.

The AFLO has also updated their web presence with a new website. The new site will allow for a more streamlined presentation of league news and results, and social media interaction.

At this stage of the season, it’s not easy to pick a favourite for the 2012 premiership, but below is a preview into each club vying for the title.

2012 TEAM PREVIEWS

ETOBICOKE KANGAROOS
Last year: 1st
2012 Prediction: 1st - Premiers

It seems this year the competition will be a lot closer, but the Roos will start 2012 favourites to claim the OAFL premiership. Why? Even though they have several star players missing from their line up this year (that is of course they are in fact not playing. Don't be surprised if you see these blokes roll up for a kick round one), they have such great depth in their Australian core players and Canadians. What the loss of some players means for the rest of the league is perhaps games against the Roos will be a little closer and for the Roos, perhaps games will be just a bit tougher to grind out. But, each year they raise the bar and since their first flag in 2008, they've competed for a premiership every year (except for 2010) wining two of them. Make no mistake, the reigning champs, they deserve to start favourites this year and will still be the team to beat.

HAMILTON WILDCATS
Last year: 2nd (before finals)
2012 Prediction: Anywhere from third to sixth

It's difficult to say what 2012 holds for the Wildcats, and, you can put every team in that category at this time of year. But, here's some things we do know: they play hard, uncompromising football; they are tough to beat at Mohawk Park; they are a side of strong bodies and tacklers. Brut strength aside, there are question marks over their skill and speed, especially with the loss of a number of Australians. But, to their credit, they have a "fear" factor about them. Every team knows they're in for a tough one when they play the Wildcats. And this will always work in their favour. It's a new year though. Other teams have been working just as hard in the off-season (think, Blues, Dingos, Guelph, Demons) and have bulked up. Maybe, this year their one main strength will be nullified? Finals for Wildcats? Yes. Just how far though.

HIGH PARK DEMONS
Last Year: 3rd
2012 Prediction: Anywhere from fourth to second. 

The High Park Demons have come a long way in recent years. Only a handful of seasons ago, the club was not in good shape; they had low numbers each week and it didn't look good. Enter Marty Walter and his player injection program and the Dees now have a great young list that oozes talent and potential. While their young Aussies can run all day, just how good are their Canadian players? Probably just as good as the Aussies, with Marty Walter at the helm. The young Dees battled bravely against the Roos in last year's Grand Final loss by 50 points, but just couldn't put their best footy together on the day. They have youth and skill on their side, but do they have the experience and strength needed to go all the way in 2012?

TORONTO EAGLES
Last Year: 4th
2012 Prediction: Fourth-Eighth

The Eagles  have been a stellar side since 2006. And, even before then, in the early 2000s, they won flags and made finals with a great batch of Canadians. Hats off to them, too. Most of their flags were won with a predominately Canadian squad, which is rare. But, like most good rides, it must come to an end. Most of the Canadians that were racing around the ground for the last decade -- playing in finals and winning flags --  are veterans now. Even with the injection of new Canadian blood, it takes time to build another great team. Last year cracks started to appear in their armour. At their very best, they will play finals this year. Throw some long term injuries in the mix and their path to a flag becomes harder with a veteran list. They still have a team that has great players, but can they keep up with the hungry and young teams like the Demons, Wildcats, Gargoyles and of course last year's premiers, the Roos? I guess we'll know by August.

GUELPH GARGOYLES
Last Year: 5th
2012 Prediction: Anywhere from sixth to second.

As the club conceeded, the last two seasons saw a quick finals exit. Last year's four-point loss to the Eagles in the Semi Final would have sat with the club all pre-season. In 2012, Guelph could go deep into September. Hard to know just how good their three new Australians are, but it will surely strengthen their rotations. They've always been a "hard-at-it" kind of club, and expect no different this year. A top four spot is not out of the question for Guelph, but consistency is key. If they can maintain their best football for the year, they may push for a tilt at the flag.

TORONTO DINGOS
Last Year: 6th
2012 Prediction: Anywhere from sixth to third.

The last two seasons have seen sluggish starts by the Dingos. A structured pre-season this year could mean they may pinch a few early wins. There hasn’t been a major exodus or shuffle, so expect the same personnel as last year with a few new Australians added to the roster and similar Canadian numbers. They have the skill and experience, but do they have the pace to match it with the young-guns from other clubs this year? They have the knack of finishing in the top six year after year (only missed finals twice since 2000), but can they do more than just make up the numbers this year, if they qualify?

BROADVIEW HAWKS
Last Year: 7th
2012 Prediction: Anywhere from eighth to fifth.

What we say: Unable to draw any conclusion from their pre-season report (which they didn’t submit this year), the Hawks could prove to be the dark horse of the competition. From whispers around town, they’ve got a couple of new Australians added to their roster this year to join the likes of Conor Dullard, Nick Shuttleworth and Cody Royle. So they look to be stocked up in the Australian player department – we wonder though, what their Canadian stock is like? Too many variables here to talk about, but if their Aussies fire week in week out, expect a finals berth from the Hawkers this year. If they don’t fire, it’s anywhere from eighth and below.

CENTRAL BLUES
Last Year: 8th
2012 Prediction: Anywhere from eighth to fourth.

This year should see a marked improvement from the Blues, compared to last year’s three wins. Just how much? Hard to say. The two new Aussies should strengthen the line up, but with experienced Canadians retired now, there are still questions marks on their depth. Losing Kien La for the first few months of the season will hurt. But, they’re a determined lot and have been training since last year. The hunger has returned and they’ll be looking for finals action this year. Watch for a more Central Blues in 2012.

OTTAWA SWANS
Last Year: 9th
2012 prediction: Anywhere from ninth to sixth.

What we say:In total, the Swans will need to replace a dozen players from the previous year's line-up, but the club is confident that their pre-season has been a successful recruiting campaign. With so many departures, it’s a tricky one to suggest the Swans will finish higher than last year. As the competition knows, the Swans prove a difficult opposition in “O-town” and if they can string together some away wins then they are every chance to climb a rung or two higher than 2011.

TORONTO REBELS
Last Year: 10th
2012 prediction: Anywhere from 10th to seventh.

What we say: With some new Canadians on board it can only bolster the Rebels’ team that took the field from last year. Expect a slight improvement in the way they play, but without an official coach, the season may lack direction. I think you’d all agree, football is a tough game to play and coach at the same time.  But with Morgan, Turtle and Burns at the helm, and skillful  “Fabbsy” still about, anything is possible.