World Footy News

After winning the inaugural AFL Europe Champions League title in Amsterdam in 2015, the West London Wildcats have returned to the city of that success to successfully defend their title and remain the only winners of the Champions League. The AFL London powerhouse showed again why they have been revered for many years as arguably the best Australian Rules football club in Europe.

Whilst one event is hardly conclusive proof, their record of success in winning eight flags back home in London since 2000, eight Brit Cups between 2002 and 2010 and now consecutive AFL Europe Champions League trophies makes it difficult to argue their place at the top of European clubs.

 

 

"Power Invests in China" Port Adelaide Power has this week signed its first Chinese born recruit, Team China captain Chen Shaoliang, 23, on an International Scholarship for the club's academy at Alberton, South Australia.

Chen Shaoliang arrived on Tuesday 15th March, to join the Port Adelaide Magpies (Port Adelaide Powers' reserves side that plays in the SANFL) and is expected to be selected to play in the next couple of months.

He joins Croatian International, Josip Habljak (at Sturt) in attempting to break in to footy at SANFL level in season 2016. Ultimately he hopes to become an AFL listed rookie. He expects to become a trailblazer in the untapped Chinese market while playing football in the SANFL and studying English at UniSA in Adelaide.

The battle for the south of France – the Coupe Du Sud – has been won by the ever improving Perpignan Tigers this weekend in the annual tournament, this year held in Perpignan. The tournament featured teams from the Toulouse Hawks, the Bordeaux Bombers and the Spanish team the Tarragona Llops from the Catalonia region.

Since returning to the CNFA, the Tigers have continued to improve. This victory and accompanying silverware is a just reward for the determination shown by the club to not just return to battle, but strive to succeed.

With so many games decided by less than a goal throughout the 2015/16 NTFL season, most involving Wanderers, it was fitting that the biggest day of the season follow the same script. At TIO Stadium in Darwin last night, the St Mary’s Saints held on in a staggeringly breathless final quarter to win the premiership by two points in one of the tightest finales in recent years.

The opening quarter was a matter of which team would calm their Grand Final nerves the quickest. After a willing start by both teams, where a soccer score was threatening, Saints managed the only goal of the quarter courtesy of a free kick and 50 metre penalty and held the lead at the first break by seven points. Quarter time: St Mary’s 1 2 8 v Wanderers 0 1 1

The second quarter belonged to the Eagles, and after a tight defensive first stanza, Wanderers found some extra space to run and set up play. Their four goals for the quarter had their fans ecstatic and momentum going their way. Wanderers reversed the quarter time advantage, going in to the main break with a six point lead. Half Time: Wanderers 4 1 25 v St Mary’s 2 7 19

 

From the AFL Europe website: www.afleurope.org

 

The 2nd Annual AFL Europe Champions League is taking place this Saturday in Amsterdam. Sportpark de Eendracht will be graced by 13 Men’s teams and 5 Women’s teams as they battle it out for the title of Champion of Europe.

 

 

The teams participating in this year’s tournament are:

While Myk Aussie's countrymen back in South Australia are sleeping, the Canadian based expat is out doing his bit to promote the Aussie football code across North America. Appearing on the Fantasy Sports cable TV Network with host Gabriel Morency this week, Myk previews the 2016 AFL season, does the best bets and picks for Round 1.

If you are in North America look out for Myk on your TV or on UStream with Gabriel on Friday nights. For now you can watch him on the clip below.

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Canada are the reigning women's footy International Champions, and they show it proudly in this new promo video released this week as they look to take the game further in their homeland. Make sure you watch it.

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Croatian Josip Habljak has received a boost in his journey to play Australian Rules football at a semi-professional level with Sturt Football Club (Double Blues) in the SANFL in South Australia by being presented with Guernsey No 50.

Saturday 12th March, the SANFL 2016 Season Guide published by The Advertiser, (Adelaide and South Australia's major newspaper) has Josip listed with # 50 Guernsey for Sturt.

Shem Tatupu has advised Hawthorn that his interests lie away from Aussie rules footy. Coming to the club full time two years ago after a period as an international scholarship holder, Tatupu struggled with injury for quite some time.

The second half of last season brought great hope however and he finished the year strongly with VFL runners up Box Hill playing as a stay at home key forward. But after a solid preseason that seemed to see his game sense and mobility continue to improve, he has called it quits after failing to gain a start in the senior team in the preseason competition.

On the Hawthorn website Hawthorn GM – Football Operations Chris Fagan said the club understood and accepted Tatupu’s decision. “This has been a tough decision for Shem to make. We have been really impressed with the way in which he has applied himself over the past two years and he has made some positive progress,” said Fagan.

“However, after much consultation with the club, Shem has decided that the passion for AFL football is no longer there. “Shem was a highly regarded rugby league and union player growing up and he is going to explore his opportunities in that area. “There is no doubt Shem is a talented athlete and all at Hawthorn Football Club wish him well for the future.”

All around the world Australian Football clubs are looking with anticipation towards playing the upcoming season and what could be more appropriate than the Seattle Grizzles coming out of hibernation.

Officially, the maiden event of the year was an Ausball tournamount to attract both newcomers and provide a hit-out for the regular members. The setting was a picturesque Magnuson Park sports field adjacent to Puget Sound, the waterway that dominates the Seattle topography. Hitting the track for the first time on synthethetic grass was a welcome experience compared to most under-developed pitches that seem to prevail for Australian football clubs overseas.