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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Watch the video above and go to USFootyNews.com to vote on your favourite USFooty photo of 2008!

Ben Graham and Sav Rocca moved into week two of the NFL playoffs after their teams both came up trumps. Graham’s Cardinals yesterday defeated the Atlanta Falcons 30 - 24 as Graham punted six times for a net average of 34.7 yards including four inside 20 and three of those inside the 10 yard line.

Rocca’s Philadelphia Eagles today defeated the Minnesota Vikings 26 – 14, with Rocca punting four times for a net average of 44 yards and a longest punt of 58 yards. All Rocca’s punts were inside the 20 yard line.

The accuracy of the drop punt has really come to the fore with both punters using it effectively. If both were to be on winning teams next week they would find themselves going head to head in the NFC Championship match with the winner of that game headed into the Superbowl.

In news from the United States' NFL, where several Australian footballers have converted to American football, it's play-off time for two former AFL players.

Ben Graham will feature in a playoff game for his new team the Arizona Cardinals next week, although he has been in the playoffs once before with his former team the New York Jets. After arriving with the Cards late in a turbulent season for the former Geelong captain, he has punted well and held well for Kicker Neil Rackers. Although Graham is not hitting any massive punts it seems his accuracy – particularly on the shorter punts is working well for his new team.

The Cardinals today defeated the Seattle Seahawks in the final regular season match 34-21. Graham punted three times for an average (and net average) of 42.7 yards including two inside the 20 yard line. He also held for four successful conversions and two successful field goal attempts. After recent poor performances (one win from their last five games), the Cardinals will be heartened by a good result going into next week’s match.

The USAFL are seeking to fill Revolution Team Coach and USAFL Accountant positions. All details below.

International footy returns to the US in 2009 when the national team, the Revolution host old foes the Canadian Northwind at Mason, Ohio. The weekend of footy will be a warmup run for the venue that will later in the year host the USAFL National Championships.

Although the Northwind will be wearing the white shorts they should go in as favourites given the August 2007 result and the fact that they finished higher placed than the US in the recent International Cup in Melbourne. Both countries will be interested whether Canadian young gun, Scott Fleming will be home for the clash or continuing his Down Under footy education.

That’s not the headline that Aussie rules fans want to see. Fortunately for them the AFL in this case it is the Arena Football League in the US, the little brother of the NFL. The league there has decided to suspend the season in light of the financial difficulties being faced across the US. As for the USAFL, teams such as Orange County, San Diego and Denver have been known to have games as curtain raisers (or half time entertainment) for Arena football matches with the aim to take Aussie rules to a new audience, so that is off the cards for 09. But it's also likely that we may see the effects of the financial crisis impact USAFL clubs as well. Struggling clubs may lose players that can no longer afford the often high travel costs to play the game that sees competing cities separated by large distances, and club sponsors will be harder to find or maintain as every dollar spent is closely scrutinized.