See below for video from the ABC's 7:30 Report featuring David Rodan and Emmanuel Irra.

The AFL is pleased to announce Andrew McLeod and Phil Narkle will coach the Flying Boomerangs and the Western Australia North-West teams respectively in the upcoming 2012 NAB AFL Under-16 Championships.

 

AFL Community Engagement Manager Jason Mifsud said for the first time the two teams will play along with the World XVIII and South Pacific in an expanded division three section of the championships.

 

“This is another significant milestone in providing young Indigenous players the opportunity to compete in our talented player pathway under the leadership of experienced mentors,” he said.

The AFL has made a major commitment via expansion clubs Gold Coast Suns and Greater Western Sydney Giants. Part of a long term plan they have drawn both criticism and support from within and outside of football circles. Few non AFL journalists though have focussed on the AFL more than the Sydney Morning Herald’s Roy Masters. However, in his latest attack on GWS he’s made a bit of a blue that is worth reviewing especially given some recent developments and stories around GWS.

Results from last weekend's interstate matches between various state leagues.

The SANFL narrowly defeated the WAFL, the VFL smashed the Tasmanian State League and QLD/NT destroyed NSW/ACT.

Detailed result follow:

The Northern Territory has defeated Vic Metro in one of the biggest upsets in the competition history in the opening match of the 2012 NAB AFL Under -18 Championships at TIO Stadium in Darwin.

Northern Territory 15.10 (100) defeated Vic Metro 11.16 (82)
 
 

State league representative matches will be played this Saturday, May 26 in Adelaide, Hobart and Brisbane.

It is the first time state leagues throughout Australia have a fixtured bye allowing for the representative matches to be played at the same time. Matches between the state teams will be rotated over a six-year period.

AFL General Manager National and International Development Andrew Dillon said he is anticipating a high standard of football.

“For the first time state league players have the chance to play in a structured representative format.

Tocumwal is located 257kms from Melbourne on the New South Wales border (the Murray River). The football club there like in many small country towns is struggling for numbers as the population has declined over the years and many young men move away from the town for employment in larger centres.

In a unique move to maximise player attendance at football training (which ensures they have numbers on the field come Saturday) the club is paying players to attend training Tuesday and Thursday nights, but they must also meet a few other requirements to assist the club.

The article on this novel approach in The Weekly Times can be read here

This audio is from a few weeks ago but we thought we'd give it a run during the AFL's Indigenous Round.

Unfortunately the video that showed the book and the story has been removed from the site.

The 2012 Indigenous Round will celebrate Land and Country.  The launch in Brisbane was attended by AFL Community Engagement Manager Jason Mifsud, Murri elder Aunty Carol Currie, students from the Murri School and players Ashley McGrath (Brisbane Lions) and Jarrod Harbrow (Gold Coast SUNS).

 

Jason Mifsud said country is central to Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders.  “While players play for their jumper, they represent and acknowledge their land, communities and people.  Land defines and inspires players on and off the field. This week is an opportunity for the players to share their stories about their country.