The AFL tonight confirmed the fixture for week one of the 2015 Toyota AFL Finals Series, to be as follows (all times are local):

Friday September 11
Second Qualifying Final, West Coast v Hawthorn at Domain Stadium, 6.20pm

Saturday September 12
First Qualifying Final, Fremantle v Sydney Swans at Domain Stadium, 1.20pm
Second Elimination Final, Western Bulldogs v Adelaide Crows at the MCG, 7.20pm (series ticket match)

Sunday September 13
First Elimination Final, Richmond v North Melbourne at the MCG, 3.20pm

While this video was produced with Australia in mind, we thought it worth sharing with the world. #heroesforzeroes

Violence against women is a disgrace at any level but when you consider some women face this day in day out in their own homes it’s heartbreaking. Approximately 1 woman will be killed per week in Australia due to Domestic Violence. Education is the key. We know one little video can’t change the world and we are also respectful that there are many other big issues in Australia. This one is close to my heart and the one we would like to make a difference in. Let’s be honest, most men know this is a cowardly act and don’t do it. This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to reach the young men who don’t hear this message whilst growing up. The plan is to share and like this video as much as possible.

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The new NTFL season is just weeks away as the AFLNT begins to celebrate its 100th season. Footy in the Northern Territory got under way back in 1916 and this season the AFLNT is set to augment the on field footy with plenty of opportunities to celebrate 100 years.

Amongst the proposed activities there will be a permanent and static display of Northern Territory footy memorabilia housed in the Michael Long Learning & Leadership Centre adjacent to TIO Stadium in Darwin.

But the biggest ticket item is the commencement of the new season and the AFLNT has just released the draw for the 2015/16 season. The action gets under way with a triple header on Saturday 10th October at TIO Stadium.

(Picture: Wanderers players celebrate their 2014/15 premiership win - Photo: NT News

The AFL last night announced it had completed the broadcast rights deal for the period 2017-2022. The deal for Australian free to air, Pay TV and digital media rights will provide the clubs and players of the AFL with financial surety for that period and also allow the AFL to divide up the remaining cash to run the competition and fund development.

The following statements from CEO Gillon McLachlan and AFL Commission Chairman Mike Fitzpatrick outline the deals.  Any mention of international footy or fans outside Australia is notably absent which is somewhat understandable given this deal is all about domestic broadcasting.  It is still disappointing though that in the statements relating to the current state of the game and future growth that there is no mention of the game outside Australian shores.  The details of any carve up of cash and what proportion may go into international development will come down the track but given the omission in the following statements it would seem to be currently far from front of mind for the CEO or the Commission.  Having said that it was not mentioned during the previous deal announcement either. 

The AFL Women's match from Etihad Stadium starting in just under an hour between Western Bulldogs and Melbourne will not be streamed on WatchAFL streaming services. The AFL has advised that you need to do the following to view the stream outside Australia

"The only option would be to download the free AFL app and watch it through the ‘News’ section."

The AFL recently announced a number of changes to the organisation's management structure. While these moves may appear to be a long way removed from how footy around the world fits into the AFL jigsaw puzzle, the individuals at the top, their priorities and how their attitude to international  footy develops is key to the future. We will have more to come on this in a follow up article.

AFL Statement follows:

Former General Manager of Broadcasting Simon Lethlean has been appointed as General Manager of Game Development and will oversee community football. This portfolio will also include Customer, Diversity, Female Football and International.

Current Head of Corporate Affairs Elizabeth Lukin has been appointed to the AFL Executive as General Manager Corporate Affairs & Communications.

Getting to the business end of the season of the VFL.  Shem Tatupu and Conor McKenna's efforts up forward and Mason Cox's ruckwork were the standout performances among the Internationals in the VFL this week.

 

The 2015 AFL Multicultural Round is almost upon us and footy supporters are in for a feast of entertainment, events, promotions and raising of awareness for the diversity of people that make up our great game.

For the past few weeks the AFL’s Diversity unit has been putting in place the organisation of events, media opportunities and social media saturation to ensure that the widest possible amplification of the round is achieved. Volunteers all over the nation, Multicultural Community Ambassadors and other staff, have been visiting schools with clinics, presentations and the like to spread the word through communities, schools and a wide variety of cultural groups.