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.

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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.

worldfootynews.com didn't manage to get a match report from Canada's North West Pacific AFL / BC Footy grand final back in September 2008, with game played in the immediate after-glow of the third International Cup. Given that it is turning out to be a slow news week and we've belatedly received this report, here it is, courtesy of Stuart Grills.

Australian Football, in any sense, can be seen as one of the funniest and unpredictable games played on this earth. Consider the ball shape, the amount of player on the field, the different methods to move the ball toward goal, the size of the field and so on. And if you add to the mix the ability of coaches and staff to manipulate and control player movement, style and approach the game becomes even more unpredictable. But no one could ever really say the Australian Rules Football lacks entertainment value!

The march to the NFL Super Bowl continued this weekend for Ben Graham and Sav Rocca as their respective teams set up a head to head clash in next week’s NFC Championship match. This should see the first Australian, and indeed first former Australian rules footballer play in the world famous gridiron football final.

Both punters had solid games and no doubt their clash next week will feature in the Australian media, ironically unlike in their former sport the two will not take the field at the same time during the game. Hopefully the origin of the two competing punters is not lost on the US media either and Aussie Rules can gain another free plug across the country.

Graham’s Cardinals defeated the Carolina Panthers 33-13 with Graham punting 4 times for 43.5 yards average and 36.3 yards net average. He held for Neil Rackers 4 from 5 field goal attempts and three extra point conversions. Rocca’s Philadelphia Eagles defeated the New York Giants 23 to 11 this morning with Rocca punting 4 times for 42 yards average and 40 yards net average. Rocca also held for David Akers' two successful field goal attempts and two extra point conversions.

The Cardinals will host the Eagles next Sunday.

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