World Footy News

The Kickstart and All Nations Cups move into their finals series today in Townsville. After three days of round robin matches where each side played each other once, the teams now have the chance to move through to tomorrow’s grand finals by winning their semi-finals and later preliminary finals today.

Once again the Western Australia Kickstart team has excelled across the tournament. Having won all five championships since this format began, the boys from the west a geared again to retain their title once again. Whilst many teams have held them for a half, the highly drilled, committed and enormously talented Sandgropers have found the extra gears to pull away and remain undefeated. The Northern Territory team has also been impressive, as have the Victoria/Tasmania and South Australia teams. The fact that all teams have snagged a win along the way says much for the national spread of talent.

The All Nations Cup is far from decided. Last year’s title holders, Queensland, have three wins, but have been slightly shaded to date by the Victoria/Tasmania and Western Australia teams. But finals are a different beast and whichever team brings their best to today’s games will get through to contest tomorrow’s final.

If there is one constant across all teams, both Kickstart and All Nations, it is the amazing skills on show. In his opening speech for this tournament, AFL Diversity Manager Ali Fahour stated that around 5 to 8 players a year make it from these championships to AFL lists, but as the competition grows it is hoped that the figure will grow to maybe 10-12 per year. Based on the evidence shown by this week’s talent, that increase might happen very soon.

The finals matches begin at Tony Ireland Stadium in Townsville at midday today. All eyes will be on whether any Kickstart team can upset the Western Australian juggernaut and which All Nations team grasps today’s opportunities to claim the cup.

It is sure to be another exciting day of outstanding youth football.