The 2006 AFL season starts in earnest on Thursday night with a blockbuster clash in Perth between last year's runners-up West Coast against premiership favourite St Kilda. Both sides are tipped to give the premiership a shake, with both featuring highly in our reader poll (first and second) and ranked first and fourth with most bookmakers. Also favoured by the bookies are 2005 minor premiers Adelaide (second with the bookies) and Geelong (ranked third). Reigning premiers Sydney have drifted out to fifth. WFN's focus is on the international aspect of Australia's indigenous game, but here we give a quick preview of the season ahead in the sport's premier league, as well as note the AFL players with a distinctly international flavour.

Japan national team member Michito Sakaki has been named to line up for Essendon in their practise match against the Sydney Swans at North Sydney Oval this Friday. The Bombers have reportedly also recently signed two new major sponsors from the world of Japanese business and are considering a fan-base push into the Tokyo area, including Japanese language editions of their fanzine 'The Bomber' and an exhibtion match in 2007. Speaking to media outlet Sportal, Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy played down the chances of Sakaki being a regular fixture with the VFL Bendigo Bombers, although he was very positive of the progress this summer.

During the 2005 International Cup the AFL's National Talent Manager Kevin Sheehan was a keen observer. While followers of the international development of Aussie Rules will know that junior numbers have only begun to grow in recent years and much work needs to be done, it may still be the case that the first international draftee (other than the Irish Gaelic/Hurling player experiment) may not be far away. The next big step forward was the invitation of international players to the AIS-AFL draft camp late last year. When can we expect to see an international draftee, how well did the overseas players stack up, and will the camp invites go out again in 2006? WFN asks all these questions and more in an interview with Kevin Sheehan, in which he foreshadows changes in the very near future to fast-track international youth development.

AFL General Manager of Marketing and Communications, Dr. Colin McLeod, has issued the following press release on the TV rights.

The biggest story in AFL circles in recent weeks has been which television networks will secure the broadcast rights to the Australian Football League for the next 5 years. The total size of the bids have been big increases on the previous record deal, which should see a major increase in money flowing into the game. There have already been calls for increases to clubs, grass-roots footy, player wages and of course international footy development organisations will be putting up their hands.

In breaking news Channel 10 has announced that the Channel 7 and 10 groups have increased their offer to the AFL for the TV rights, matching the massive AU$780 million over 5 years of the Channel 9 bid.

There have been numerous mainstream Australian media reports that have some bearing on international Aussie Rules in the last week or so. Here we draw our readers' attention to a few of those stories.

With another year gone WFN looks back at some of the big events and interesting stories for 2005. By no means an exhaustive list, we nevertheless review where the international game went and ponder emerging trends. Obviously the key story of the year was the build up towards and then playing of the second International Cup. It was also a year when funding to South Africa was significantly increased, several new countries put their toe in the water of footy, and hopes for others faded. International interest from AFL clubs was unprecedented and there were many new signs of promise. As always there were a few setbacks but overall the game appeared to march forward with increasing speed. With so much happening in 2005 a succinct summary has proved impossible, but if you're feeling fresh then read on for WFN's end of year wrap.

As many may be aware, the Australian Football League has decided to speed up the great game, after analysis has shown stoppage time has increased in recent years. But it isn’t only the sport's major league that it affects. It affects the whole Australian Footballing world, with most leagues in Australia and around the world following the AFL's lead.

World Footy News was recently contacted to review a new publication called Australian Football - Steps to Success. The book is a joint effort between star Adelaide Crows player Andrew McLeod and long time club Training Services Manager Trevor Jaques. It details training methods and how to learn the skills of the game. This may be of particular interest to our many readers outside of Australia who are often new players to the sport and don't always have expert coaching readily available.

Another good story on the international players attending the AFL-AIS Camp appeared on The Age's Realfooty on December 7th. It profiles the players and speaks with AFL national talent manager Kevin Sheehan.