World Footy News

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Hawthorn today had some good news for New Zealander and International Rookie Kurt Heatherley. The news came along with some not so good news for Sam Grimley, Alex Woodward and James Hardisty who were all delisted (the club says they will look to redraft Woodward if not taken by another club).

But the news for Heatherley was good with the club announcing he has been upgraded to the senior list for the 2016 season. Heatherley was discovered as an elite multi-sport junior in NZ (where he also represented NZ in junior footy) and signed to an International Scholarship by Hawthorn. After relocating to Melbourne for school he has played school footy, TAC Cup and for the past two years with Box Hill Hawks in the VFL. All this while being taught the game at Hawthorn who have decided he is now ready to graduate to the big time.

With a little less than 24 hours before boarding a flight from Israel to get to Croatia and, specifically Umag, the manager of the new Peace Team was happy to have a short conversation and give details about the newest national team entering the Euro Cup for 2015’s tournament.

Yonatan Belik, as manager, is in arguably the best position to detail the rise of the team, as well as answering a few questions about the past, present and future and an assessment of the team’s chances in Umag.

The first question looked at the national makeup of the squad, in particular the unique criteria or otherwise relating to selection. According to Yonatan, “The Peace Team Lions are made up of two major nationalities - Israeli and Palestinian - who represent their communities in a 50/50 balance within the team. All Israelis are Jews from birth, whilst the Palestinians are made up of Christians and Muslims."

 

Hawthorn’s superstar, Cyril Rioli, more than deserved his Norm Smith Medal last weekend when Hawthorn defeated the West Coast team for the 2015 AFL Premiership. His electrifying skills, especially during the first half when the victory had to be set up, thrilled the crowd. No person at the game would deny his influence, and Rioli now sits in the history books alongside other legends of the game.

 

 

But two of those legends are his uncles and they all hail from the same islands to the north of Darwin in the Northern Territory. Cyril and his uncles, Maurice Rioli and Michael Long, not only share a heritage, a home and a culture – they also share a unique place in VFL/AFL history as Norm Smith Medal winners, adjudged best on ground in a AFL Grand Final.

With the Axios Euro Cup for 2015 now just days away interest is turning to the teams that will compete this year. Whilst there is much excitement over how the host team, Croatia, will go, whether or not Denmark can defend its title or whether the Irish or English teams will bounce back, one team which has fostered much interest is the Peace Team.

Simon Fink has been working to put together this team and is one of the people responsible for seeing the team materialise at this year’s event.

According to Simon, “The current Peace Team is comprised of Israeli's and Palestinians living in and around Jerusalem. The composition is 50/50. We have Muslims, Jews and Christians playing together.”

Hawthorn are 2015 AFL Premiers, recording their third consecutive Premiership with a 46 point win against the West Coast Eagles.

The Eagles scored the first goal through a free kick to Luke Shoey and hopes of a competitive Grand Final were alive. But a steady and accurate Hawthorn gradually built a 5.0 to 1.5 lead by quarter time with Cyril Rioli, Sam Mitchell and Isaac Smith leading the way for the Hawks.

The second quarter saw the Hawks drawing further away lead by inspirational captain Luke Hodge, but a late goal to Josh Hill and another after the siren to Elliot Yeo at half time pulled the lead back to 31 points and kept the game alive...barely.

North Melbourne’s young Sudanese ruckman, Majak Daw, has taken out the 2015 Grand Final Sprint, an event which has traditionally been a part of the half time entertainment since the late 1970’s. Whilst North Melbourne bowed out of the finals race last weekend, losing to West Coast, Daw has given the club something to cheer about.

After loping through the heats held earlier in the day, Majak Daw started the race well behind early leader, Charlie Cameron from the Adelaide Crows. But once the athletic and muscular Daw got his rhythm he raced past the leader and cruised home to an easy win.

Daw becomes the first Australian Rules footballer born overseas to win the event. Born in Sudan, his family fled with Majak in tow to escape the civil war in their country. After living for three years in Egypt, the family moved to Australia where Majak found his way to Australian Rules football and the Kangaroos.

 

The 2015 AFL Grand Final is here. Reigning Premiers Hawthorn have again made it to the big dance and will be joined by the West Coast Eagles in the battle for the flag.  

Once again viewers around the world can access matches live or delayed on a number of TV networks or stream the telecast via subscription to Watchafl.com.au. 

The broadcast schedule for the big day can be seen below.  .

 

Whilst the football world’s collective eyes are quite rightly locked on Melbourne this weekend for the AFL Grand Final, a week later the European “Grand Final” of footy nations will take place in Umag, Croatia. On Saturday 10th October, twelve men’s and six women’s teams will contest the Axios Euro Cup.

The men’s draw will have twelve teams competing. As well as the host nation, Croatia, there will be teams from England, Ireland and Scotland representing Great Britain. The Scandinavian contingent will be the teams from Norway and defending champions, Denmark. France, Austria, Germany and The Netherlands are the other stand-alone teams.

Additional to these are the European Crusaders team for those players coming without their national team in tow and also the Peace Team, of which more details will be released shortly.

West Coast Eagles’ International Rookie Paddy Brophy will give cause for Irish footy fans to pay attention during the half time break at this year’s AFL Grand Final. Brophy who has played his footy this year with East Perth in the WAFL will line up in the Grand Final Sprint.
 

The man from County Kildare in Ireland will have to beat out a strong field which includes Sudanese born ruckman Majak Daw and Hawthorn’s pacey defender Angus Litherland.

The Grand Final is set.  2014 Premiers Hawthorn taking on the vastly improved West Coast Eagles at the MCG this Saturday afternoon Melbourne time.  For the past 10 years, World Footy News has collated an extensive list of Grand Final Parties around the world to help viewers find them. And with the 2015 AFL Grand Final being just over 1 day away we are calling for clubs around the world to send details of your party to us, so that fans of the game in your country/city can watch the big game with you. 

You can either post details as a comment below (you must register before you are able to post a comment or login via Facebook) or email troy@worldfootynews.com - all these details will be collated as per previous years.