World Footy News

Irish code crosser Colin O'Riordan was last night named in the NEAFL's team of the year.   O'Riordan in his first season at an AFL Club was signed by Sydney at the end of 2015.  He has yet to make his debut in the AFL but has clearly had a consistent season in the Swan's reserves team that plays in the NEAFL.

O'Riordan did not play with the Swans this past weekend as he suffered a punctured lung in the match the week before in Darwin.  He was unable to return with the team following that match due to that injury.  His progress this season is very positive as he bides his time and builds his knowledge of the Australian code.

Breaking into a successful Sydney Swans AFL team will be no easy feat for the former GAA footballer from Tipperary, as has been proved previously by his Irish compatriots in Chris McKaigue, Brendan Murphy and Tommy Walsh in past years.  O'Riordan will be hoping to emulate Tahdg Kennelly who became a regular Swans AFL player and champion.

In the NEAFL article that named the team of the year O'Riordan's Bio was as follows

Interchange - Colin O’Riordan (Sydney - defender): Irish recruit Colin O’Riordan was named Gaelic football's Young Player of the Year in 2014 and has twice earned junior All Ireland honours. His first full season as a key defender in the Australian football code warranted a place on the interchange in the NEAFL Team of the Year, after averaging 20 disposals at 72 per cent efficiency, four marks and three rebound 50s a game.

Cameron Ilett was named captain of the NEAFL team of the year for the third year running. Illet is of NZ heritage and has played for the NZ Hawks team against the Australian AIS team in the past (he is not eligible for NZ under International Cup rules).

2016 NEAFL Team of the Year

B: Jackson Allen (Aspley) Matthew Sully (Southport) William Sierakowski (Sydney University)
HB: Nic Newman (Sydney) Harrison Himmelberg (Giants) Raphael Clarke (NT Thunder)
C: Brandon Jack (Sydney) Matthew Payne (Aspley) Jordan Foote (Sydney)
HF: Cameron Ilett (NT Thunder) Jacob Derickx (Sydney University) Andrew Boston (Southport)
F: James Nelis (Aspley) Darren Ewing (NT Thunder) Sam Reid (Giants)
Foll: Fraser Thurlow (Southport) Jordan Harper (Canberra) Tom Young (Sydney University)
Inter: Colin O’Riordan (Sydney) Matthew Rawlinson (Sydney University) Blake Grewar (Redland) James Ives (Aspley) Toby Nankervis (Sydney)

Coach: Rhyce Shaw (Sydney)
Captain: Cameron Ilett (NT Thunder)