Since the end of the 2013 season in Cairns, much has been going on behind the scenes to ensure the further growth of the game in far northern Queensland. The Green light has now been given to new teams for 2014 which will strengthen both the junior and senior ranks playing within the AFL Cairns competition.

At the beginning of 2013, AFL Cape York proudly opened the doors to its first intake of boarding students. These young men came to the new establishment – AFL Cape York House – to live and receive their education through nearby secondary schools. They came from as far afield as the Torres Strait Islands, Cape York Peninsula communities and many other places. Opened in May of this year, most of the boys played Australian Rules football with local clubs North Cairns Tigers and Pyramid Power.

With the completion of Round 11, the NTFL now goes into its Festive Season break, providing a chance to look at the first 11 rounds and also what comes in the remaining 7 rounds when hostilities resume on 4th January.

It is becoming increasingly difficult to see much but another St Mary’s flag at this stage. Undefeated, and boasting an impressive runs of big wins, little stands in their way. Their biggest tests will come when they play second placed Wanderers twice in the remaining seven rounds, but other than upsets top spot is virtually locked in.

Wanderers have been the surprise packets this year, and have an almost identical form line to St Mary’s. Their only loss was by three goals to St Mary’s earlier in the season. It would take the wheels to fall off dramatically for them to fall out of favouritism for a grand final berth…but footy is a funny game.
 

Thirteen of the VWFL’s top players have been selected to take part in the 2014 AFL Victoria VWFL Academy/ TAC Club Talented Player Pathway Program – a special pre-season training programme, focussing on skills and game sense, held at their local TAC Cup region.

The VWFL stated on their website they were delighted to have the Northern Knights, Calder Cannons and Eastern Ranges on board for training program but added all TAC Regions were supportive of the idea.

Masala F.C (located in Noble Park a suburb of  Melbourne, Australia) is currently signing up guys who are either interested in playing casual footy and basically looking to get fit! No prior experience is required- training will be provided. All that's needed is a will to get fit and team spirit. Inbox them on the Facebook page here or email contactus@masalafc.com.au.

The following is a press release for AFL Northern Territory released originally earlier this year. In subsequent months the Sprofila product has undergone enhancements and funding changes, hence the delayed article. The program itself is worthy of note as it will certainly revolutionise many aspects of remote region football Australia and world wide.

At last, Aussie Rules football clubs, players and fans in the Territory will have access to a dedicated, free, online social media and communication platform - www.footysprofila.com.

In partnership with the AFLNT, Footy Sprofila is now available for the NTFL, the first league in Australia to access the new innovative platform.

I recall the 1981 VFL season so well. After six rounds, Essendon sat with a solitary win and faced the prospect of a lean year. Things changed, however, and they won their next 15 matches in succession to reach the finals. It was certainly strong evidence that much can change as a season progresses, and a positive attitude can turn things around.

However, after six rounds, certain patterns can be seen which give an indication of what is to come and the Northern Territory Football League is at that stage now. One third of the season played and already there are some strong themes emerging. Following is a brief on each of the Premier League sides so far this season in current ladder position which can be mulled over at leisure.

The Greater Western Sydney GIANTS today announced the appointment of former Australian Test cricketer Simon Katich as Player Development Coordinator.

Katich will deliver a range of programs and initiatives to provide on and off field leadership and mentoring to the club’s leadership and playing group.

As Player Development Coordinator he will work closely with Head Coach Leon Cameron, General Manager Football Graeme Allan and Slater & Gordon GIANTS Academy Coach Mark McVeigh.

In the following press release from the Melbourne Football Club, and released jointly by the AFLNT, the strengthening of the ties between the two in 2014 are detailed. Combined with the matches in Cairns and Townsville, northern and central Australia are playing a greater part in hosting and showcasing the AFL and the game of Australian Rules football.

The Melbourne Football Club is pleased to announce that it has extended its partnership with ‘Tourism NT’.

As part of the agreement, Melbourne will play three games in the Northern Territory next season and will have the ‘Tourism NT’ branding appear on the Club’s playing shorts.

Melbourne’s three games in the Northern Territory will see the Club play the first AFL match for premiership points in Alice Springs, the now traditional game in Darwin for the fifth consecutive year, as well as a NAB Cup game in Alice Springs in February.

‘Tourism NT’ is the promotional and development agency of the Northern Territory Government. The Club has had an ongoing relationship with the Top End dating back to 2010, when the Club first played a home game in Darwin. Melbourne’s partnership with ‘Tourism NT’ was elevated at the start of 2013 when it became a commercial partner of the Club, and this agreement will see it remain at Melbourne until at least the end of 2014.

It has been almost a year since World Footy News posted an article about the journey of four young indigenous footballers from Cairns and Torres Strait and their respective pathways to Australian Rules football (see From Paradise To The Pinnacle Of Success).

Since that time, Josh, Nathaniel, Henry and Leo have travelled further along their paths. Some have enjoyed success, changed clubs, done it tough or developed other parts of their lives. But no matter what, their eyes are firmly fixed on the path being blazed by another of their friends…one with a name that already stands out, and may soon have a playing resume to match: Didymus Blanket.

At a recent combine screening day at St Andrew’s College in Cairns I was able to arrange for an interview with Didymus as he sets his compass towards the possibility of selection at the AFL National Draft in 2015.

Didymus is a humble young man, but he certainly has a drive and direction that could be the prototype for other Torres Strait islander kids, and other indigenous players from Cairns to Cape York, to follow.

LEFT: Karmichael Hunt kicks the Suns' match-winner after the siren against Richmond in Cairns in 2013

North Queenslanders have breathed a collective sigh of relief after the official release of the AFL draw for the 2014 season. After farewelling Richmond back in July it was unclear as to whether or not the region would host another AFL game. But, thankfully, these fears are now allayed.

Both Cairns and Townsville will be hosting matches next year, with an NAB Challenge match to be played at Tony Ireland Stadium in Thuringowa and a premiership match at the home of football in Far North Queensland, Cazalys Stadium.

With the revised format for the NAB Challenge, 18 matches will be played over 18 consecutive days in all parts of the country. On Sunday 23rd February the two Queensland teams, Gold Coast Suns and Brisbane Lions, will play a state derby at the home of football in Townsville. The stadium is still in the process or organising AFL standard lighting for night or twilight matches, so the game will commence at 3.40pm to be played in full with sufficient light and also be slightly cooler playing conditions.