World Footy News

In a nail biting finale, the Manchester Mosquitoes defeated rivals Nottingham Scorpions to take home the 2012 AFL Central and Northern England Premiership title.

The event was held at the fantastic Lockwood Park in Huddersfield, under bright sunshine, with supporters taking to the grandstand to cheer on their teams.

The two final contenders this year, the Mosquitoes and the Scorpions, have been deadly rivals for years, both top level teams with a healthy number of talented squad men to choose between. This year the two teams finished first and second in the league with very little between them. The Mozzies were undefeated in the home and away season, but Nottingham came extremely close during their last league meeting.

Kevin Bartlett (pictured) and Patrick Smith become the Glasgow sharks number 1 and 2 season ticket holders and club patrons.

Richmond and AFL Legend Kevin Bartlett who played the second highest number of games in VFL/AFL history at 403 games scoring 778 goals in a glittering career that saw him win 5 premierships with Richmond from 1967 to 1980 works with Patrick Smith on SEN’s Hungry For Sport programme, Patrick is one of Australia’s leading sports journalists.

A long standing interest and promotion from the pair was thanked and rewarded recently by the Sharks when they sent over new training guernseys. Patrick and Kevin both frequently mention and wish good luck to the Glasgow Sharks as well as occasionally taking credit for their wins.

 

The Korin Gamadji Institute (KGI), based in the ME Bank Centre, at the Richmond Football Club was officially launched by Prime Minister Julia Gillard today.

The KGI provides opportunities for young Indigenous people to participate in programs to develop leadership, vocational skills and training and ultimately assist them in creating sustainable careers.

“The Korin Gamadji Institute is confirmation that the work of Reconciliation isn’t always about the big gestures. The transformative power of education should never be underestimated, and the Korin Gamadji Institute will be responsible for changing lives,” said Prime Minister Gillard at the launch.

CAN THE WARRIORS PULL OFF A QUADRELLA?

After winning their very first piece of silverware ever, in taking out the Manila Cup in June, the Malaysian Warriors have again defeated Singapore Wombats to win the Changi Cup and also the Finnegans Cup and are bringing to Pattaya, what veteran Warriors believe is their strongest contingent yet to the Asian Championships this year.

A touring party consisting of 27 players and coaching and support staff of six headed by club veteran Phil Lee will be flying in the night before in order to able to leave the hotel at around 6am ready for an 8am first game start.

Championship debutantes are midfielders Stuart Job, Clint Watson, Shane Lawson and defenders Jason Mosel, Matt O’Brien and Kogulavaanan. Kogulavaanan is the sole Malaysian but a proud product of the Warrior’s grassroots recruiting programs a couple of years back.

 Please note that these details are correct at the time of publishing. WFN accepts no responsibility for any changes to these times by broadcasters. Please check local guides or afl.com.au. 

2012 TOYOTA AFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 20 INTERNATIONAL BROADCAST SCHEDULE Friday 10 August  – Sunday 12 August.

The Western Bulldogs today confirmed exciting utility, Lin Jong has been elevated to the Club’s primary list, replacing Daniel Cross who has been placed on the long term injury list.

Jong has been in terrific form at Williamstown this season and is in the mix to make his senior debut in the coming weeks.  His parents are from East Timor and Taiwan.

A 16-year-old French exchange student by the name of Lou Quidu-Tronscorff received some coverage in the local newspaper of the Queensland town of Mackay yesterday. Lou has taken up playing junior footy with the North Mackay Saints since arriving in Australia last month.

Coming from a background of playing rugby and judo back in France, he has adapted quickly to the physicality of Aussie Rules. "I'm not a great kicker of the football, but I like to tackle," he said. "I find that part of the game easy because of my rugby background."

Queensland AFL spokesman Darryl Griffiths said his performances in his first two matches with the Saints have been encouraging. "Lou definitely wants to learn more about the game and for someone new to the sport he is picking up it up really well," he said. "He is very tough, attacks the ball well and continues to develop his skills. A big challenge for him apart from communicating at times in English, has been to continually learn the positions and rules of Aussie rules so he knows what to do on the field."

For the full story, read this article in the Mackay Daily Mercury.

Bangkok airport will be overrun by flying Sherrins and Aussie Rules banter this coming weekend as nine nations descend on the land of smiles to fight out the fourteenth annual Asian Australian Football Championships. It will be the fourth time the Thailand Tigers host the largely ex-pat dominated tournament affectionately known as the ‘Asian Champs’. In a change from previous years, Pattaya has been selected as the host city over traditional venue Bangkok.

The most up-to-date list of competing teams is as follows: Bali Geckos, Jakarta Bintangs, Hong Kong Dragons, Singapore Wombats, Laos Elephants, Malaysian Warriors, Thailand Tigers, Phillipine Eagles, and Vietnam Swans.

The AFL Europe has announced that a European All-Stars match will be held as the curtain-raiser to the November 3rd clash between the Western Bulldogs and Port Adelaide in London.

The match will pit a team drawn from across the European continent against a team representing the islands of Great Britain, Ireland and Iceland. The official team names will be released later in the year, with squads to be named following the 2012 Euro Cup in Glasgow.

The Bulldogs vs Port clash will this year be played as a twilight match at the KIA Oval, with tickets on sale via kiaoval.com at £5 for kids and from £20 for adults.

For more information, visit afleurope.org.

WAFL powerhouse Claremont has claimed the 2012 Foxtel Cup, going one better than their runners-up finish in 2011.

The match was played in Perth at Patersons Stadium on Thursday night and Claremont jumped VFL side Werribee to take a good early lead before the visitors fought back to trail by just 9 points at the first break.  The third quarter proved decisive with the home side booting four goals to none and never looked back, running out easy 44 point victors.