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Former Cat commences with Cards

  • Monday, December 08 2008 @ 11:06 am ACDT
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North America The first game of former AFL player Ben Graham for the Arizona Cardinals today saw him punt 3 times against the St Louis Rams. His first punt of 38 yards was inside the ten with no return yards. He held well for kicker Neil Rakers two successful field goal attempts, from 44 and 22 yards. In the last quarter he punted 50 yards to the St Louis 11 yard line, but the punt was returned 33 yards. His last punt was also a 38 yarder which was not returned following a fair catch at the St Louis 13 yard line. He also held for Rakers' four successful extra point conversions. All up three punts at an average of 41 yards, but only 31 net yards – with all three punts inside the 20 yards line.

Via considerable media coverage Graham again put the game of Australian Rules Football front and centre in another US state as his background was explained to the fans of his new team. It is hoped that he has done enough to impress his new team (which needed Graham to perform as both punter and holder), as they now have secured a playoff spot as they cannot be headed in their division.

Bulldogs make great impression in Arizona

  • Wednesday, December 03 2008 @ 03:35 pm ACDT
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North America

While it looks like former Geelong captain Ben Graham is coming to Arizona (as punter for the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals), it was current day players that impressed the footy locals in the Grand Canyon state recently.

The Western Bulldogs AFL team were in Phoenix on their preseason high altitude trip to Arizona and were closely observed by members of the Arizona Hawks and Ladyhawks teams. The USAFL players were able to take part in some drills with the Doggies and legendary Carlton Premiership player, and Bulldogs Assistant Coach, Peter Dean was kind enough to take the Hawks players for a few drills and impart some words of wisdom from his own fifteen year playing career with the Blues.

Arizona Hawks' Adam Smark told us “Witnessing the amazing work ethic and dedication of players at the elite level was a great experience for those present and the chance to meet and talk to the players was an amazing opportunity. There are fans of the club everywhere who would cherish such an experience and the Hawks and LadyHawks who were in attendance certainly appreciated the time in the presence of the Bulldogs."

"Thanks to the Western Bulldogs, Hawks President Laki Kondylas and club legend and AZAFL premiership captain Darren Toohey for giving the Arizona clubs the chance to experience such an event, and good luck to the Western Bulldogs for 2009.”

He went on to add “It was certainly an eye opener for the US folks since you would be hard pressed to find a team of elite sportsmen here in the US willing to let people at our level of involvement in the sport actually take part in drills and be so welcoming to everyone. I can’t speak highly enough of how great the Bulldogs were and how inviting they were to share the experience with us.”

"Dogs hit skies for Phoenix" which appeared on the Bulldog's website gives some background to the trip.

Graham now a Cardinal

  • Wednesday, December 03 2008 @ 09:30 am ACDT
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North America

It has been a wild ride for former Geelong captain Ben Graham in the NFL this year. After being dumped by the New York Jets early in the season, then brought back in for two more games he then shopped his talents around the country until being picked up for one game with the New Orleans Saints who then moved Graham on.

Ben was invited for tryout with the Green Bay Packers this week but turned down the audition when he received a solid job offer.

That came from the Arizona Cardinals who have sacked Dirk Johnson, the punter who was replaced by Sav Rocca at the Philadelphia Eagles. Johnson and Rocca went head to head in the last round as the Eagles defeated the Cardinals 48-20 and Rocca averaged 42.7 yards compared to Johnson 33.5 yards.

The length of Ben’s tenure at the Cardinals is unknown and while he will be disappointed to be missing out on the Jets' massive turnaround led by Brett Favre, if he can settle in at the Cardinals he should be part of the play-offs as the Cardinals lead the NFC West with just four rounds to play.

Teaching footy to the kids in Canada

North America Can Australian Football be the next biggest thing for Canadian kids? Emile Studham is betting on it, mate.

The 30-year-old transplanted Australian is founder of Aussie X, a sporting program for kids that teaches the rules of Australian-rules football, or “footy” for short.

Wolfpack hunt in big numbers - part 2

  • Tuesday, November 25 2008 @ 07:29 am ACDT
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North America

Canada's junior team, the Wolfpack, headed down to Australia in big numbers just prior to the third International Cup. In part 1 of our story on the tour, we talked to young players Chris Harbour and Justen Oertel and began an interview with coach Mike McFarlane. In part 2 we continue to talk to Mike about the impact the tour had on the players and plans for the future.

Footy in Montreal - Quebec Saints and Laval Bombers kick off the Eastern Canada AFL

  • Monday, November 24 2008 @ 02:17 pm ACDT
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North America

As the snow starts to fall along St. Catherine's Street, the Montréal-based Québec Saints Australian Football Club are packing away their jumpers and footy boots after a very promising first year.

With players from Québec City, Montréal and Laval making the long journey to Toronto to play in the OAFL, some driving as much as 9 hours one way to have a kick, a group of expat Australians from Montréal formed the "Québec Saints" in early 2008 in order to have a more accessible way to play Aussie Rules.

As word grew about an Aussie Rules team in Québec numbers increased quickly to the point shortly after its conception the Saints were ready to play their first match.

Thanks to Luke Anderson for this report.

Flash with Myk Aussie

  • Sunday, November 23 2008 @ 01:49 pm ACDT
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North America

Myk Aussie, that flamboyant Australian reporter on Canadian sport, with a particular eye on Aussie Rules, has done an extensive interview with Mark "Flash" Block. Flash is coach of Canada's national side the Northwind and was a highly successful player and now coach with the Toronto Eagles. The discussion includes the US Nationals (which had a strong Canadian presence in 2008), the International Cup and the impressive juniors coming through from Canada's west coast program.

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Wolfpack hunt in big numbers - part 1

  • Saturday, November 22 2008 @ 10:38 am ACDT
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  • Views: 8,730
North America

Canada's junior team, the Wolfpack, headed down to Australia in big numbers just prior to the third International Cup. In a huge undertaking 52 people made the trip, costing around $100,000 with a big effort on fundraising over many months prior.

The young players got to play four matches against Victorian school sides, attend a few AFL matches, and cheer Canada to victory in the Northwind's opening IC08 match. After that the players and their families scattered on trips across Australia before heading back home to Canada. WFN spoke to their head coach, Mike McFarlane, about the trip and what it achieved, as well as a couple of the star young players.

Who does Barack barrack for?

  • Friday, November 07 2008 @ 07:07 pm ACDT
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North America

We're hearing a heck of a lot about Barack Obama now that he is US President-elect. Certainly much of the world looks to him as someone that inspires hope that he will lead the world's most powerful nation in good directions.

But the big question is - has any AFL club got him on board yet? It's a regular occurrence for celebrities and politicians visiting Australia to declare their support for one club or another - Collingwood's Eddie McGuire seemingly in the wings as often as not. But no word yet on Obama support for an AFL club.

Perhaps USFooty can send him a congratulatory Revolution jumper?

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