World Footy News

In a surprise move, Mike Pyke, a 200 cm 24 year old Canadian International Rugby Union player has signed on with the Sydney Swans as an international rookie, the first non-Irish international player signed up on the AFL's alternative lists.

It was hoped the two year international lists would lead to AFL clubs scouting international Aussie Rules players, but young athletes from other codes was always another likely source, though at age 24 it's a surprising decision.

Pyke has been playing professional Rugby in Scotland and France, and was exposed to the kicking skills of Australian football through former Swan Mick ("the Kick") Byrne whilst in Scotland. A Canadian mate encouraged him to have a go and it was Pyke who contacted the Swans, who once convinced it was not a joke, gave him a secret trial one week trial in Sydney in June. He is reportedly a sub 11 second runner over 100m and plays full back (in Rugby) and has played basketball. The Swans appear to be targeting him as a ruckman, and will use their experience with former Irish Gaelic footballers Tadhg Kennelly and Brendan Murphy in the art of teaching a player to cross codes (they've also done the same thing with some current players who had Rugby League backgrounds when they were younger).

The move could raise the profile of Australian football in Canada, where, as Pyke explained, it is relatively well known but mainly as "no rules". It could also lift the profile in other countries, and encourage young players that the switch is possible - if he makes it. Note one particular Rugby enthusiast had coined the Mike Pyke Nonchalant Try Scoring Award. And certainly it could make some waves in general Rugby Union circles, not least of all in Sydney where the Rugby League fraternity has been reeling at the "defection" of star player Sonny Bill Williams, early in a new contract, from League in Australia to Union in France.

Read more on the AFL website in Cross-code Canadian joins Swans by Catherine Murphy and Swans take punt on Canadian and can see Canuck in ruck by Tim Morrissey.

Good luck to him.


Additional reporting and comments added by WFN editor.