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.

The third Under 18’s Youth Girls National Championships will commence on Tuesday 15th of May, with matches taking place throughout Adelaide. The final will be played at the AAMI Stadium as a curtain raiser to the Port Adelaide v North Melbourne game on Saturday 19th.

Teams are selected from local Youth Girls clubs and school teams, and include Indigenous girls who will take part in the launch ceremony wearing their uniforms. From the teams, an All-Australian Youth Girls team, coach and field umpire will be selected.

MEDIA RELEASE FROM THE AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE

A couple of years ago an April Fool's day article mooted that the AFL would insert technology into the football. Now in the media release from the AFL today it is set to become reality.

The AFL today released details of an unprecedented research project involving the in-depth analysis of the footballs used across all levels of the game. For the first time in the AFL’s history, a research study will evaluate the performance characteristics of Australian footballs and assess potential innovations that may further develop the game.

The AFL in conjunction with Victoria University’s Institute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living (ISEAL) will be working closely with stakeholders across the industry, including the support of all Australian football manufacturers, as part of this project. Andrew Dillon, AFL General Manager – National and International Development, said that the football was such an integral and unique part of the game that it deserved a careful assessment to ensure quality, consistency and affordability into the future.

Hayley Robinson from the AFL Umpires Association has been awarded the 2012 Jill Lindsay Scholarship. Robinson has been the Administration Co-ordinator at the AFLUA since completing an AFL Sports Ready traineeship in 2008. Since then she has managed office operations, general correspondence, the AFLUA member benefits programme, and co-ordinated events.

Robinson said that though winning the scholarship was totally unexpected for her, she was thrilled to that the opportunity to continue her studies.