World Footy News

Another great story on footy development work in PNG.

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The Indonesian Garudas debuted at the 2014 International Cup and now a year out from the 2017 International Cup they are aiming to return.

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In just 365 days it will all be on again.  Footy players from around the world will be in Melbourne, the months (and in some cases years) of preparations will be over.  The tournament will be launched.  Promotional shots will be done.  New footy jumpers will be laid out.  Everyone (most who have paid their own way) will be ready to play footy for their country in the city where the game was founded

It will be different for every nation. Some will have been working on their team since IC14 wound up, they will be at least partly funded by well organised sponsorship campaigns or alternate forms of funding.  Some will have been scraping a squad and the funding to get them here together for the past few months.  There are always some nations that are touch and go to attend up until the final week before the first bounce.

One thing is likely as with each of the previous tournaments it will be bigger and better than ever.  In 2011 18 men's teams and 7 women's teams competed (with USA and Canada each sending a second women's team.  In 2017 we may see the return of nations that couldn't make it in 2011.  Two of these teams the "Peace Team" comprised of Israeli and Palestinian players and the Timor Leste Crocs have both shown positive signs in recent times that gives hope to their reprise. 

Denmark finished fourth in 2002 but were unable to attend 2014.  They were dearly missed and hopes are high that they will also return in 2011.  The PNG men's team won the 2014 tournament but their women's team, the PNG Flames were unable to attend and they also seem likely to return in 2017.

 

Defending AFL International Cup champions PNG are gathering their best squad of players and drilling them but are also on the lookout for any new talent.

The PNG Games later in the year will be part of the selection process as it will provide a good opportunity for the AFL PNG officials to assess the players in selecting the final squad for the 2017 AFL International Cup.

AFL PNG are also working to see the women's team known as the Flames back to the International Cup (they failed to send a team to IC14 after previously playing in the IC11 tournament).  AFL Development Manager in the South Pacific Ben Drew recently responded to us on Twitter that there was "every chance the PNG Flames will attend"

The following video interview with AFL PNG's Senior Operations Football Manager Rex Leka appeared on PNG's EM TV

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Round 20 kicks off in Melbourne on Friday night with Richmond hosting Collingwood at the MCG. 

If you want to know when you can see the footy on TV in your part of the world, check out the full schedule below.

As always schedules are subject to change at the discretion of the local broadcaster so please check local guides for updates. 

AFANA have also just announced (tentatively) on Twitter that the 2016 AFL Grand Final will be on Fox Sports 2 (FS2) in the USA. (formerly on FSP) and coverage begins 12:30 AM EDT.

GAME	DATE	TIMESLOT	MATCH	VENUE	STATE	LOCAL TIME		GMT	NETWORK
1	5-Aug	Night	Richmond vs. Collingwood	MCG	VIC	19:50		09:50	SEVEN
2	6-Aug	Day	Sydney vs. Pt Adelaide	SCG	NSW	13:45		03:45	SEVEN
3	6-Aug	Day	Melbourne vs. Hawthorn	MCG	VIC	14:10		04:10	FOX
4	6-Aug	Twilight	GC SUNS vs. GWS GIANTS	Metricon Stadium	QLD	16:35		06:35	FOX
5	6-Aug	Night	Western Bulldogs vs. North Melbourne	Etihad Stadium	VIC	19:25		09:25	SEVEN
6	6-Aug	Night	Adelaide vs. Brisbane	Adelaide Oval	SA	19:10		09:40	FOX
7	7-Aug	Early	Carlton vs. St Kilda	MCG	VIC	13:10		03:10	FOX
8	7-Aug	Day	Geelong vs. Essendon	Etihad Stadium	VIC	15:20		05:20	SEVEN
9	7-Aug	Twilight	Fremantle vs. WC Eagles	Domain Stadium	WA	14:40		06:40	FOX

The Grand Final places are decided for the AFL London competitions with the West London Wildcats to meet the Wandsworth Demons in the Premiership Division decider. The two teams ran neck and neck all season across the home and away series, both finishing with just the one loss each – to each other – in what will shape up as a very even match.

The Wildcats made their way to the Grand Final when they downed the Demons 9 10 64 to 8 4 52 the previous weekend in a match where they took the early ascendency and the Demons fought back hard only to fall short. It was a good win for the Wildcats, but not one that suggests any real dominance and the Demons will enjoy their crack at a rematch.

The following article from the www.afl.com.au website, written by Nathan Schmook, looks at the signing by the Saints of two more promising Irish recruits ready for 2017. Westmeath product Ray Connellan and Joyce from Kilkenny have ticked enough boxes to impress the St Kilda recruiting department.

ST KILDA has signed two new Irish rookies as it continues a strategy of building its list with international talent.

The Saints have signed hurling star Darragh Joyce (right) and International Rules player Ray Connellan, both on two-year deal. 

The pair trained with St Kilda for three weeks mid-season and hope to relocate to Melbourne before the end of the season. 

Here is a task. Name 16 marquee players to capture to public’s imagination over the remainder of this decade. I accept the challenge, so here goes.

Chelsea Randall, Kellie Gibson, Tayla Harris, Sabrina Frederick-Traub, Brianna Davey, Darcy Vescio, Moana Hope, Emma King, Kara Donnellan, Kiara Bowers, Renee Forth, Emma Swanson, Daisy Pearce, Mel Hickey, Katie Brennan, Ellie Blackburn.

I know this list is correct as it was the one announced yesterday by the AFL as the marquee players for the national women’s competition in 2017. Oh, but that wasn’t the list you were thinking.

The Leeside Lions completed an impressive home and away season, remaining undefeated and being the first team into the 2016 ARFLI Grand Final. It is tremendous reward for effort for the Cork based club and they certainly deserve favouritism for the flag.

But the Belfast Redbacks have reached their fifth consecutive Grand Final after winning both of their Semi-Final matches at Islandbridge, Dublin, last weekend. By downing both the Galway Magpies and the South Dublin Swans, the Redbacks have set up a fascinating Grand Final. The Leeside Lions have the 2016 form, but the Redbacks have the Grand Final experience over recent years.

The Lions will host the Grand Final at their home ground in Cork, further strengthening their position as favourites.

Some of the greatest names in AFL/VFL and state football have made their way to the game from the Northern Territory. Not usually a location celebrated in the same tones as Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia or even Tasmania, the Territory has given us icons, legends and just some very good footballers.

Try this: Maurice Rioli (Richmond), Cyril Rioli (Hawthorn), Michael Long (Essendon), Nathan Buckley (Collingwood), Andrew Mcleod (Adelaide), Peter Burgoyne (Port Adelaide), Joel Bowden (Richmond) and so many more greats hail from the Northern Territory.

A brief look at the newest draftees, trades and rookies last year also boasts names like Jed Anderson (North Melbourne), Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (Essendon) and Daniel Rioli (Richmond) who came to the game from the NT. 

The AFL national women’s league clubs today named their marquee players at press conferences in Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

The 16 players will be the faces of the inaugural women’s teams; Adelaide Crows, Brisbane Lions, Carlton, Collingwood, Fremantle, GWS Giants, Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs.

Among them is 20 year old Sabrina Fredrick-Traub who currently plays full forward for South Fremantle.  Fredrick-Traub was born in England and moved to Australia when she was seven and she began playing football with the boys to help get used to Australian life.  She was named as one of two marquee players for the Brisbane Lions

Left: Sabrina Fredrick-Traub Image courtesy AFL Media

Round 19 kicks off in Melbourne on Friday night with Geelong hosting the Western Bulldogs at Simonds Stadium. 

If you want to know when you can see the footy on TV in your part of the world, check out the full schedule below.

As always schedules are subject to change at the discretion of the local broadcaster so please check local guides for updates. 

GAME	DATE	TIMESLOT	MATCH	VENUE	STATE	LOCAL TIME	GMT	NETWORK
1	29-Jul	Night	Geelong vs. Western Bulldogs	Simonds Stadium	VIC	19:50	09:50	SEVEN
2	30-Jul	Day	GWS GIANTS vs. Richmond	Manuka Oval	ACT	13:45	03:45	SEVEN
3	30-Jul	Day	Hawthorn vs. Carlton	Aurora Stadium	TAS	14:10	04:10	FOX
4	30-Jul	Twilight	Collingwood vs. WC Eagles	MCG	VIC	16:35	06:35	FOX
5	30-Jul	Night	North Melbourne vs. St Kilda	Etihad Stadium	VIC	19:25	09:25	SEVEN
6	30-Jul	Night	Brisbane Lions vs. Port Adelaide	The Gabba	QLD	19:25	09:25	FOX
7	31-Jul	Early	Melbourne vs. Gold Coast SUNS	MCG	VIC	13:10	03:10	FOX
8	31-Jul	Day	Fremantle vs. Sydney Swans	Domain Stadium	WA	13:20	05:20	SEVEN
9	31-Jul	Twilight	Adelaide Crows vs. Essendon	Adelaide Oval	SA	16:10	06:40	FOX