Watching Sydney Swans player Mike Pyke being chaired from Metricon Stadium tonight after playing his 100th game against the Gold Coast Suns was quite special. Not so much the fact it was 100 games, but that it was achieved by a player who, by his own admission, would have been content to play just one.

To reach the 100 games mark after switching codes sends strong messages to any other players from overseas. If it isn’t enough to see Pyke’s milestone as proof that it is important to follow your dreams, he has also demonstrated that age, background, tyranny of distance and knowledge of the game are just small impediments on a journey which is dictated more by determination, opportunity, a little luck and most of all belief.

Much has been written about Pyke’s journey previously Pyke reaches the peak of Aussie Rules Football and his story is inspirational, especially when looked at from the point of view of international success for prospective players. But a brief recap certainly provides a remarkable insight into a very talented athlete.

 

Friday night footy in Perth kicks off Round 10 with unbeaten Fremantle hosting Richmond who have notched up three consecutive wins. 

Once again viewers around the world can access matches live or delayed on a number of TV networks or stream the telecast via subscription to Watchafl.com.au. 

The broadcast schedule for this round can be seen below.

 

 

The celebration by Adam Goodes in yesterday’s match between the Sydney Swans and Carlton was theatre on a grand scale which epitomised the pride attached to the AFL Indigenous Round this weekend. In a round designed to recognise and celebrate the riches given to the game of Australian Rules football by indigenous footballers, these acts will be remembered as iconic moments.

 

The AFL promotes the weekend’s round of football at all levels nationally by stating:

 

From a deep connection with the land comes a proud history of runners, jumpers, hunters, collectors, dancers, artists and leaders. These skills echo the incredible contribution that Indigenous footballers have made to the game.

 

The 2015 Toyota AFL Indigenous Round is an opportunity to celebrate the role these athletes have had in shaping Australian Rules football. Not just making the game spectacular, but bringing two cultures together. 

 

 

Friday night in Sydney Round 9 gets underway when Sydney host the under siege Blues.

Once again viewers around the world can access matches live or delayed on a number of TV networks or stream the telecast via subscription to Watchafl.com.au. 

The broadcast schedule for this round can be seen below.

 

 

 

AFL Round 8 kicks off with the the clash of Geelong and Carlton at Docklands Stadium, Friday night.

Once again viewers around the world can access matches live or delayed on a number of TV networks or stream the telecast via subscription to Watchafl.com.au. 

The broadcast schedule for this round can be seen below.

 

 

It was two unconnected, though related events on my recent time down in footy’s heartland – Victoria – that underlined a very real truth: without the fans we do not have a game.

My mother stated that players change, club administrations change, nowadays jumpers change and even venues change. But the one constant is that there are always supporters. For the most part those supporters have been around for years and years – outlasting the players that fleet across a club’s landscape (with the possible exception of Dustin Fletcher who appears intent on playing well into his third decade).

A quick drive into the Sorrento footy ground in my old home town illustrated the point. The juniors were out on the field that I once played on as a teenager, despite the wind chill factor making it about five degrees out there. I had the audacity to see myself out there as I looked, but soon realised that my body cannot do the things it once did.

(Picture: Zimbio)

 

AFL Round 7 kicks off with the the clash of Essedon and North Melbourne at Docklands Stadium, Friday night.

Once again viewers around the world can access matches live or delayed on a number of TV networks or stream the telecast via subscription to Watchafl.com.au. 

The broadcast schedule for this round can be seen below.

 

 

 

AFL Round 6 kicks off with the blockbuster clash of Geelong vs Collingwood at the MCG in Melbourne, Friday night.

Once again viewers around the world can access matches live or delayed on a number of TV networks or stream the telecast via subscription to Watchafl.com.au. 

The broadcast schedule for this round can be seen below.

 

 

Adam Saad from the Gold Coast Suns is the Round Five NAB AFL Rising Star nominee. Adam received votes in the Marcus Ashcroft Medal following the Suns’ 64-point win over the Brisbane Lions in Saturday night’s Q-Clash.

The running defender collected 26 possessions, took seven marks and had nine bounces in the Suns’ first win of the season. After being over looked in two NAB AFL Drafts, Adam, 20, was selection 25 in the 2015 NAB AFL Rookie Draft and was upgraded to the Suns’ senior list after impressing in all three NAB Challenge matches.

He made is AFL debut in Round One and has played all five games this year. Adam played junior football with the West Coburg Football Club and the Calder Cannons. He represented the World XVIIIat the 2011 NAB AFL Under-16 Championships.