World Footy News

"One has to wonder if the "banana" will make an appearance" were the words of WFN writer Chris Adams in 2007. While the former Australian Football League punters (or VAFA in Matt McBriar's case) weren't the first ever to try drop punts in the NFL they have certainly been credited for it's wider use in the American game.  Feted for it's greater accuracy in directional kicking and the way the ball reacts when it hits the turf (as opposed to the traditional spiral punt) the drop punt is being used by both the Australian and many of the US NFL punters.

But now it appears the banana kick could be the next Aussie rules export.  Sav Rocca tried one in the Washington Redskins preseason game against Buffalo last week.  The Washington Times described it as "a sideways-end-over-end punt designed to roll forward and diagonally toward the sideline."

The videos featured here are of the Round 9 match between the Helsingborg Saints vs Farum Cats and give a great view of footy as played in the DAFL.

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Below you can watch the VFL match from last weekend with Collingwood playing Sandringham. This is the VFL's first effort at live streaming a match.

Our US viewers may be interested to watch Shae McNamara who was one of the best players for Collingwood in the match. Also Irishman Paul Cribbin is playing for the Pies. Another lesser known Irishman also playing for Collingwood is Cathal Corr who was born in Ireland to Irish parents but moved to Australia as a lad and played junior football in suburban Melbourne. We won't spoil the match any further by revealing the score.

 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 21 INTERNATIONAL BROADCAST SCHEDULE Friday 17 August  – Sunday 19 August.

In one of the most tightly contested and entertaining tournaments of recent years, the Hong Kong Dragons have prevailed victorious, claiming the 2012 Asian Champs crown.

The nine competing teams from South-East Asian were treated to glorious sunshine and the pristine fields of the Thailand Polo Club as they arrived at the venue in South Bangkok. The two football ovals constructed side-by-side on the vast expanses of the Polo pitch were arguably some of Asia’s best Aussie Rules playing surfaces.

The tournament format saw each team square-off against four randomly selected opponents in a 2 x 10 minute half; round-robin format. The four highest placed teams advanced to a 1 v 4, 2 v 3 semi-final stage. A modest 2-3 goal breeze favoured one end, adding an extra twist to the games, the battle for each victory very much a tale of two halves.

This year’s AFL London Grand Final will be held in Motspur Park on Saturday the 18th of August.

The league’s three divisions’ finals will be played consecutively, with the Social Division final starting at 11:30, followed by the Conference Division final at 13:00 and the Premiership Division final at 15:00.

In last week’s semi finals, Balham Hawks defeated the Ealing Emus and will now face the Reading Kangaroos in the Social Division final; Regents Park Lions defeated the Clapham Demons and will play against the Shepherds Bush Raiders in the Conference Division final, and in the Premiership Division, the North London Lions narrowly defeated the Putney Magpies to secure a place in the grand final alongside the impressive looking Wandsworth Demons.

The AFL today announced number of changes have been made to the rookie rules to continue to enhance the opportunities available to development players. This continues the successful innovations made in previous years to the Rookie List such as the introduction of Nominated Rookies and mature age Rookies.

Clubs may now list one Irish player under the Rule that allows for three extra rookies for development players. Irish players (unlike other International players) previously took a spot on the main rookie list and this change recognises the risk Clubs take in recruiting and retaining Irish players relative to local talent.

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.