World Footy News

With the Toulouse Hawks forfeiting their final round match against the Cergy-Pontoise Coyotes, the Coyotes have finished the home and away rounds of the CNFA (French) Australian Football season. Sitting on 25 points after all but one match of Round 9 have been completed, the Coyotes cannot be knocked from the spot regardless of the result of the final match between the Paris Cockatoos and the Strasbourg Kangourous.

It is a huge result for the Coyotes, meaning they will contest their semi-final against the Toulouse hawks. Whether by win or forfeit, the highest the Cockatoos can finish is third due to a lesser percentage than the Cockerels, meaning they will contest the other semi-final against the Paris Cockerels in a Paris derby.
After consecutive semi-final appearances for the Coyotes where they were knocked out, this year’s strong season sees them in the best place yet to go further and challenge on the biggest day of all. Though, they still need to overcome last year’s premiers, the Toulouse Hawks, to get there.

In the only match played on the weekend, the Perpignan Tigers finished of their best year ever by winning their third match of the season against the ALFA Lions. The win was by a modest 26 points (66 to 40) but enough to see them finish the season on a creditable 16 points and in clear fifth place, just a game and a bit shy of a finals place. They weathered a tough challenge from the proud men from Lyon. The Lions didn’t win their last match but they certainly fought hard to the end, providing a positive note on which to build next season.

Few things in life are foregone conclusions, but it would take something completely unexpected for the Paris Cockatoos to lose their final match against Strasbourg. But even if that were to occur and the Kangourous came to Paris and pulled off a monumental upset, the Cockatoos will still see finals action – quite a special feat in their first season. That match is scheduled for next Saturday.

Then, throughout June, it’s finals time. We may see that past powerhouses, the Cockerels and Hawks, add to their already glittering trophy cabinets. Or it could be the year for a brand new premier – the Coyotes or the Cockatoos. No matter what, the next few weeks of French footy are going to be exciting after an excellent 2015/16 season to date.