With a little over a week until the AFL’s Multicultural Round gets under way it is timely to have a look back at the genesis of our game and the part that players with strong and diverse ethnic backgrounds have played.

 

Whilst some might consider the “multicultural” aspect of the game a relatively new phenomenon, the fact is that the game’s past is garnered with a multicultural smorgasboard.

 

 

One of the first names that comes to mind is “Jezza” in the 60’s and 70’s. Carlton’s Alex Jesaulenko, of both Ukrainian and Austrian descent, became one of the better known surnames of his era. The commentary surrounding his famous mark in the 1970 grand final over Graeme Jenkins from Collingwood became part of folklore. Mike Williamson excitedly called “Jesaulenko, you beauty!” immortalising the mark and also a multicultural surname in one breath.

Another big week for International players in the VFL as Round 15 was played in good conditions on Saturday and not so good on Sunday. The standout performances were the ruckwork of Eric Wallace and an impressive defensive performance by Kurt Heatherley.

A quiet day for opposing Irish players in the Essendon vs Geelong match. Lucey (Ire) had 5 kicks, 5 marks, 4 hit outs and 3 handballs for the Cats and Conor McKenna (Ire) on the winning side had 8 kicks, 3 handballs and 3 marks and kicked 1.1 to see the Bombers home by 13 points.
 

 

The following is a press release from the AFLNT looking at the increasing role and exponential growth of women’s football across the Northern Territory. As the new season approaches and plans for 2015/16 are put into place, the AFLNT is looking more closely at how that growth can be built effectively and positively into future plans.

As Territory Football approaches its Centenary year, focus is turning towards the women who make the game great.

 

Australia wide, the role of women in football has changed dramatically from fans and loyal club volunteers to elite athletes, coaches and umpires in their own right.

 

 

AFL Northern Territory (AFLNT) has seen exponential growth in TIO NTFL women’s football over the last few seasons, and to acknowledge this growth and successes AFLNT CEO Tony Frawley has pledged scholarships for women who wish to further their development in coaching, umpiring or administration of the game. 

Another big week for International players in the VFL as Round 14 was played in good conditions. The standout performances were the ruckwork of Mason Cox and the goal kicking of Shem Tatupu.
 

Conor McKenna (Ire) was goal-less and had 5 kicks, 9 handballs, 1 mark, 2 tackles in Essendon’s 22 point win over North Ballarat.
 

An all American ruck contest at Werribee saw Jason Holmes (USA) with 23 hit outs and with the slight statistical advantage over Eric Wallace (USA) with 22. Wallace did hit the scoreboard though kicking 1.1 but it wasn’t enough to put his team in front of Sandringham who won by 13 points.
 

 

 

The recent decision by the Victorian Government to partner with the AFL this year to promote the upcoming Multicultural Round will be a huge bonus for the uptake of the game across Australia. When Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews made the announcement last week that the state government would sponsor the weekend’s activities and promotions through funding from the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship, it became a game changer for the AFL’s hopes, plans and dreams. Events across Victoria would now have the funding to reach a greater audience.

 

Not only can the first ever AFL Multicultural Festival in Yarra Park go ahead as planned during the Round 19 AFL fixtures from 7th to 9th August, but Premier Andrews also launched a new social media campaign called “Embrace Diversity” which uses noted Australian football identities to spread the word of the Multicultural opportunities the game can offer. The full story regarding the partnership between the AFL and Victorian Government can be viewed at: http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-07-16/afl-victorian-government-promote-special-round

 

 

To view the message of “Embrace Diversity”, go to: www.embracediversity.com

The recent AFL premiership match in Far North Queensland attracted a crowd of just under 9500 fans and curious spectators.  The figure was lower than anticipated (hoping for between 10-12 thousand or more) and made it another year where attendances dropped – though not significantly.

 

Over coming months the AFL decision makers in Melbourne will chat with their people in Cairns to thrash out whether or not Cairns deserves to hold another AFL match. Since 2010 the Gold Coast Suns have come to the northern city. They started in 2010 in a VFL fixture against the Essendon affiliate the Bendigo Bombers, then from 2011-2013 they played the Richmond Tigers before 2014-15 saw the Western Bulldogs come to town. Will there be moreω

 

 

Both teams made commitments to that effect whilst in town last week, stating their desire to return. But that might not be enough. At the end of the day the decision may be made purely on number-crunching, but the following reasons should be considered also. Here are five reasons why there is more to this than just numbers.

Paddy Brophy and Sean Hurley are both International Rookies from Ireland. They were both taken in the 2014 National Draft and they are both on strongly performing AFL club lists and playing the Western Australian Football League (WAFL).

Brophy is probably the earlier bolter of the two. On the West Coast Eagles list and playing with East Perth, Brophy has played in all East Perth’s league (1st XVIII) team matches this season and is averaging 14 disposals per game and a high of 20 disposals in both matches against Subiaco.
 

It’s half time at Cazalys Stadium in Cairns. The Gold Coast Suns have jumped out of the blocks quite brilliantly and raced away to a handy 18 point lead. The local crowd is delighted, apart from the many thousand Bulldogs fans who dream of an alternative universe at that time.

With the stadium lights already on and blazing, many of the crowd slink off to the nearest food or drink outlet for a feed. It’s very hard work being a supporter, and we need constant replenishing of energy.

The siren has sounded for half time and the fatigued Suns and Bulldogs players head up the race for their rest and a chat or two from their coaches. As soon as they are off the field a swarm of Auskick kids arrives like locusts, spreading to all parts of the field. As with all AFL matches, the four pockets are home to local juniors getting their time in the sun (or in this case multi-million dollar stadium lighting) wearing their red or black NAB jerseys.

Western Bulldogs’ rampaging rebounding half-back, Jason Johannisen, is just a nice guy. Pure and simple. You can tell by his smile when he approaches for an interview and his enthusiastic, positive responses to unrehearsed questions. In Cairns for this weekend’s clash between the Western Bulldogs and the Gold Coast Suns, Johannisen was happy to give up a few minutes to talk about his own journey, and what he hopes will be a successful and challenging one into the future.

Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, he left his home nation when he was just eight years old when his family moved across the Indian Ocean to Perth. So, does he remember his early days back in South Africa? “No, not really,” he says. But he does remember his early days in Perth, playing footy at school and with his local club and wanting to be an AFL player one day.