World Footy News

Melbourne's The Age is reporting that the Western Bulldogs' Fijian recruit Inoke Ratu has still not received a visa to enter Australia for training, and that the outlook is far from positive. Ratu was already struggling to be cleared, given Australia has restrictions in place for family members of people associated with the Fijian military. That policy relates to a coup d’état that overthrew the government, so the recent dismantling of Fijian government institutions is likely to lead to a hardening of the Australian Government's attitude.

Fellow international scholarship holder Solomon Loki, 17, has been to Australia for training. Happily the Bulldogs have reiterated their commitment to both players for the duration of the two year agreement. The article reports that the Bulldogs' Simon Dalrymple will fly to Fiji next week with scholarship program benefactor Shaun Bassett, and that the players are currently on programs of skills and weights training three times a week, under local supervision. We've previously reported that AFL Oceania intends to start a local Fijian competition, and Dalrymple said it was on track for next month (although he was also due to get an update from AFL Oceania).

More details in Dogs recruit refused visa to enter country, by Jesse Hogan.