As we move toward the start of the 2009 season, USFootyNews.com will be previewing the Top 10 teams in USFooty as voted in the preseason USFootyNews.com and WorldFootyNews.com poll.

At Number 9 in the Preseason Poll is Chicago United. Chicago finished 2008 ranked 10th with a record of 6-1. They also repeated as MAAFL Premiers. In 2009, Chicago looks odds-on to "three-peat" as MAAFL champions. They have a favorable MAAFL schedule, hosting both No. 10 Nashville Kangaroos and the Milwaukee Bombers. Head Coach Paul Drake agrees. "Have to like that schedule indeed and it certainly bodes well for a stab at the three-peat."

Photo courtesy of Fernanda Schwartz.

Andrew Werner, older brother Joe Werner and Joe's wife Katy Werner have decided to follow their sporting dreams to Australia. Joe Werner was a standout basketballer for UW Lacrosse and was also picked up as a tight end for the Green Bay Packers. In 2008 he was offered the opportunity to play for the Kilsyth Cobras in the South Eastern Australian Basketball League. This year, Joe's wife, Katy Werner, a former UW Lacrosse basketballer herself, was offered the opportunity to play for the Lady Cobras.

This week, Joe's younger brother Andrew, pictured at left with Geelong coach Mark "Bomber" Thompson, joins them both in Australia. While Joe and Katy play basketball in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Andrew will be heading to the other side of the continent and the country Western Australian town of Mt Barker to play Aussie Rules.

Mike Pyke’s rapid journey to AFL footballer has seen the Sydney Swans elevate the big Canadian to the senior list last night. Evidently there is a dearth in Australia of big men with the ability to cover the ground quickly in the mould of Dean Cox. This has created the opening for Pyke and there has been much speculation as to whether he could possibly do the unthinkable and debut in this weekend’s Round 1.

It currently looks like that will not happen and he will be named as emergency for the Swans clash with St Kilda at Docklands Stadium on Saturday night. That still leaves the door ajar for him to complete his transition from playing rugby union in France last year to being at the elite level of the Australian game.

As we move towards the beginning of the 2009 USFooty season, USFootyNews.com will be previewing the top 10 teams in the USA as voted by the USFootyNews.com and WorldFootyNews.com pollsters.

Starting us off at number 10 are the Nashville Kangaroos. Nashville finished 2008 7-5 and out of the top 10 in the last USFootyNews.com poll, but still registering some votes. While they won all their home games, including a huge victory over 2008 MAAFL Champions Chicago United, they weren't able to get the road wins needed to win the MAAFL. At the Nationals in Colorado they went 1-2 with their only victory against the Las Vegas Gamblers.

AFL Canada are seeking clubs to enter their first ever North American/Canadian National Australian Football Club Championships. The tournament will be held in Toronto, Ontario in Canada on the 16th and 17th of May. Divisions will consist of eight teams divided into two pools. Teams from across Canada and the USA are invited to participate and the number of divisions will depend on the number of teams entered.

As for the game format, all games will consist of two 20 minute halves with no time on and teams will be 18 aside, with six players on the bench. The 24 players dressed will consist of no more than eight non-Canadian/American players. Canadian/American players are those considered eligible for selection to their respective national teams. There will be no more than six non-Canadian/American players on the field at any time during the course of the game. Entry to the tournament will be CDN$30 per player.

The folowing is contributed by Chris McNeil.

The Southern California Australian Football League (SCAFL) is hosting a charity exhibition match this Sunday, February 22, in Santa Monica CA, in aid of victims of the recent bushfires in Victoria.The SCAFL is the organizing body of Australian Rules Football in the greater Los Angeles area, which is made up of 4 clubs that compete in a local 9-a-side competition. Those clubs; Riverside Raiders, LA Swans, Beachside Sharks and the OC Jets, combine to form the Orange County Bombers in National 18-a-side matches. SCAFL president, Corey Irwin, who originally proposed the idea, has since worked tirelessly to make the event happen.

”The game is free to attend, but you are asked to make a donation.” Irwin said. “All monetary contributions given at the event will help those whose lives have been torn apart by the recent tragedy. Given the current economic climate, we realize not everyone is in a financial position to donate money. With that in mind, the SCAFL will also be accepting donations of used clothing to help those in need.” SCAFL players will be on hand to help out with everything from manning the donation booth, to conducting a kids clinic, to playing in the match itself.

While Mike Pyke may not be a flag bearer for the Canadian Northwind, he is nevertheless a key example - should he succeed - of the potential for slightly mature-age prospects to 'convert' to Australian football and make the AFL. From the International Cup, we've seen comments, especially from members of the US Revolution indicating they wondered how good they may have been with an earlier uptake of the game. Should Pyke succeed, does that open the door - just a fraction - to a more serious look at talented 21-23 year olds? The answer - perhaps, but only if they play Union (a vaguely similar sport), can run, jump, aren't too bulked up, and kick the ball better than average.

[youtube:_fJq0hEE7r0]

Go to USFootyNews.com for the top 10 US footy photos of 2008.

The Australian Football Association of North America (AFANA) is undergoing a change of leadership with Rob de Santos (Chairman) and Ann Solomon (Editor-in-Chief) leaving those roles after 13 years with the organisation.

Both have been there since the start, as AFANA has sought to promote Australian Football in North America and in particular has been a focal point for lobbying efforts to improve television coverage of AFL matches. de Santos and Solomon leave with coverage in North America in very good shape, via Setanta Sports and MHz Networks.

Ben Graham today moved to be the first Australian, barring any unforeseen incidents in the next two weeks, to play in an NFL Super Bowl. The remarkable journey that has played out as the post retirement scenario for the former Geelong Football Club captain sees him as one of the combatants in a sports event that captures global attention. Both punters met in the centre of the field 90 minutes prior to the start of the game and wished the other good luck, Rocca’s Philadelphia Eagles going into the match as overwhelming favourites. Graham was under an injury cloud going into the match with groin trouble, but was ultimately cleared to play.

The Arizona Cardinals lead early and took a 24 – 6 lead at half time. Graham punted once for 34 yards and held for one successful field goal and three extra point conversions in the first half. Rocca launched a huge 58 yard punt to the 5 yard line (which was returned 10 yards) just before half time and held for two successful and one unsuccessful field goals kicked by Eagles kicker David Akers.