For all the speculation and theories on form and match ups, at the end of the second round of the 2009 AFL finals all six matches so far have been won by the team that placed higher at the end of the minor round.

The Preliminary finals are now set as follows:

Friday September 18
First Preliminary Final
St Kilda v Western Bulldogs at the MCG, 7.45pm

Saturday September 19
Second Preliminary Final
Geelong v Collingwood at the MCG, 7.30pm

Week two of the AFL's 2009 Finals Series sees the competition to move to sudden death, with all finals elimination from now on.

Last weekend St Kilda impressed the most, shaking off a recent downturn in form, to stifle Collingwood and win by 28 points. Geelong also affirmed that they are not a spent force, pulling away from the Western Bulldogs early and holding them at arms length for a 14 point victory.

In the other finals Adelaide eliminated an undermanned Essendon as expected by a record 96 points, and Brisbane staged a stunning comeback to knock out Carlton by 7 points.

Week Two Finals

Friday September 11
Second Semi Final, Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions at the MCG, 7.45pm AEST

Saturday September 12
First Semi Final, Collingwood v Adelaide at the MCG, 7.30pm AEST

Further facts and figures from the finals follow.

In June we reported that the AFL would be staging a Multicultural Academy during grand final week, to encourage greater involvement and talent identification across Victoria's large multicultural community - see AFL to hold Multicultural Academy Camp.

Last weekend another step was taken towards that intake, with trials for 120 players. The following is a media release from the AFL leading into those trials, which involves AFL Multicultural Development officers including several men who have previously been involved in developing the game overseas - Mickey Roberts in Samoa, Sasha Herceg in Croatia and Yuta Kobayash (Japan and India).

Once again this year World Footy News is collating a list of all the Grand Final parties around the world. To have yours added to the list please leave details using the "Post a Comment" feature below or email me by clicking on my name above (you'll need to register with the site).

Last year we had approximately 10,000 views to this list - so make sure that those looking to get to your party can find your event.

Please note: The information is entered here in good faith. worldfootynews.com is not responsible for any incorrect information posted to this story. Wherever possible attempt to check ahead to make sure the party you are planning on attending is still going ahead and has room for you. There have been cases of sell outs and late changes e.g. when a venue could not secure a telecast.

A scandal has erupted in European Rugby Union over a faked injury, leading to a club in turmoil, a coach sacked and a player suspended for four months. And the cause of it all? The desire to substitute onto the field a superb kicker who just happens to be a former Aussie Rules player from New Zealand.

There has been quite a bit of fuss over the suspension of Hawthorn star Buddy Franklin for his head high bump that concussed Richmond’s Ben Cousins. The fact that Franklin had his elbow tucked in to his side and hit Cousins with his shoulder has been held up as the bump having been legitimate and a “part of the game”.

After a tight race to the line the final eight is set and the 2009 AFL Finals Series is set to be one of the most competitive yet. Since the revamp in 2000 no eventual premier has come from outside the top four, so the winner is almost certain to come from St Kilda, Geelong, the Western Bulldogs and Collingwood. But as Adelaide coach Neil Craig recently said, one day a club will break that record, so the other four clubs from 5th to 8th are still in it to win the premiership, with his own club likely to be considered a reasonable dark horse after demolishing fellow contenders Carlton. And although St Kilda was a runaway leader and Geelong the dominant team of the last 3 years, recent wobbles have the Bulldogs and Magpies seemingly not far behind the top two. An intriguing month of football lies ahead.

Yuta Kobayashi is Victoria's trainee of the year for 2009 for his work traveling to India and coaching the nation's team for last year's International Cup.

Kobayashi has been working as a multicultural development officer for the AFL in Melbourne while completing his tertiary studies in sports management, and recently became AFL club Carlton's Community and Sponsorship Executive. Born in Japan but raised in Melbourne, the 24-year-old taught Aussie Rules to more than 100 Indian residents in Kolkata as part of his traineeship with the Australian Football League while studying Certificates III and IV in Sports and Recreation at Swinburne TAFE.

The Indian team was drawn from local police, universities and homeless youth. Kobayashi says “It was a great opportunity to see the excitement of young men from all walks of life in Kolkata having the chance to travel overseas – many for the first time – and represent their country.”

Mr Kobayashi, who is now the Carlton Football Club’s Community and Sponsorship Executive, accepted his award from Victorian Skills and Workforce Participation Minister Jacinta Allan at last night’s 2009 Victorian Training Awards held at the Crown Palladium in Melbourne.

While we are still remembering the great efforts of Jim Stynes, wait for a return of Tadgh Kennelly, cheer the re-signing of Brendon Murphy, there is a team full of Irish ex-pats playing in the Sydney Womens AFL competition, and they have now qualified for playoffs in their rookie year.

The Bondi Shamrocks are a newly formed club who entered the Sydney Women’s AFL (SWAFL) competition for this season.

They are made up of primarily Irish ex-pats, with a Gaelic Football, Camogie or Rugby background, with a few native Aussies and the odd Kiwi thrown in.

In their inaugural season, they have already had Sports Bar and a cocktail named in their honour, five players were selected to represent NSW at the women’s AFL State Games in Perth, and had six play for Sydney in the rookie team against the touring USA Freedom team. Now the ladies have earned a place in the SWAFL playoffs after beating more experienced opponents during the season to finish in the top four and will contest for a place in the Grand Final .

The Adelaide Crows recruiting manager, Matt Rendell, recently returned home after watching the conclusion of the 2009 NAB Under 18 Championships. Rendell had two very dramatic predictions, one of which could rock the AFL and both of which should have positive ramifications for international Australian football.