During this year's IC14, long-time Canadian footy identity Bill "Vilheĉjo" Frampton reported on matches in Esperanto, the world's most-spoken constructed international auxiliary language.

Created in the late 19th century by Polish opthamologist Ludwig Zamenhof, Esperanto was intended to become a worldwide second language. Somewhat like international Australian rules football, Esperanto has never quite made it into the mainstream, but has developed a passionate community of fluent users who are estimated to number anywhere up to two million worldwide, including around 1,000 native speakers.

For anyone who wants to take a look at his report on the Aǔstralia Piedpilkludo Internacipokalo 2014, Bill's site can be found here.

You couldn't help but notice the great AFLPNG jumpers when you saw them at IC14 - thanks to David Lake coach of the PNG Mosquitoes for giving us some background to the new design in the following submission.

Papua New Guinea launched a whole new look for their country at IC14 in Melbourne in August this year.

Earlier this year they met with Tribal Sport Design Director Sam Lake to establish a new look that would display all things that make PNG countrymen stand proud and tall.

After displaying a similar look for an extended period they made a decision to fast track into a modern new look that took in the ‘bird of paradise’ and southern cross stars off their national flag. it depicts the Southern Cross and a Raggiana bird of paradise in similar positions to the national flag.

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As grand a day as the Grand Final Saturday is of an International Cup – perhaps the greatest day is the final Friday. Not only are many of the best matches of the tournament to be witnessed but with the tournament coming to an end on the field each of the sides savours the contest and camaraderie all the more. And when the final siren sounds for each side the focus shifts. Around Royal Park on the sun drenched Friday afternoon there was to be seen a thriving barter trade in footy guernseys. Eventually the crowds traipse off – the players in particular prepare for the evenings event – the traditional International Cup Gala dinner. The dinner now held at the Palladium Room at the Crown (Casino) Entertainment complex has been described by The Age senior writer Martin Flanagan (the 2011 dinner) as one of the best footy functions he’d ever attended. And he was back for the 2014 event and like he – those of us lucky enough to attend feel privileged to do so.

Thanks to photographer Brendan Waites for the great shots of the IC14 Men's Grand Final in the gallery below.

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You can check out more of his work at  www.brendanwaites.com.au

The AFL have published the finishing positions for both the Men's and Women's competitions for the 2014 AFL International Cup. Note a slight amendment as they initially listed China and Indonesia in the opposite order. We've included a short explanation of how the positions were arrived at. For a full pathway to the final positions see our complete results and ladders page: IC14 Results and Ladders

 

Men's top 4 played off for 1st/2nd and 3rd/4th.
Men's Division 1 played off in ladder pairs for 5th/6th down to 11th/12th.
Men's Division 2 was decided by final aggregated ladder positions as shown below the main ladders below.
Women's Division played off in ladder pairs for 1st/2nd down to 5th/6th (and 7th remained as per their ladder position).

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Photos from the Gala dinner on Friday 22nd August 2014

As most teams were preparing for the International Cup Gala Dinner, tournament concluded, India and Indonesia prepared to face off in the final Division 2 grading match. Both teams were yet to win a match this tournament, and Indonesia was looking for their first victory at an international level.

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Apologies for late publication, an editorial oversight.

Women's Grand Final, Punt Road Oval, 23rd August 2014

On the day on which footy’s traditional rivals, Geelong and Hawthorn clashed just across the Yarra Parklands, where footy began, the Canadian Northern Lights comprehensively defeated the 2011 champions, Ireland. It might have even been bigger than the traditional rivalries in international ice hockey and in the Olympic pool.

With 9 Canadians and 6 Irish footballers in the IC2014 best players’ team, and the Banshees’ Laura Corrigan named Female Player of the Tournament, it was guaranteed to be a clash of the titans.

While the Irish ran as a phalanx in the pre-match, the Canadians, supported by either a larger crowd or by more colourful supporters, warmed up with skills and drills.

That was how the game would unfold.