The 2008 MAAFL Premiership race, as is normally the case, came down to the last game and Chicago United have successfully defended their 2007 title by again being crowned the premier club in the Mid American Australian Football League.

Interestingly the United team did not have to take the park on the last weekend of competition but just had to sit back and see if Nashville could snatch the cup from their grasp at the death knock. It wasn't to be for the Kangaroos though as they went down to Minnesota Freeze leaving Chicago on top of the ladder on percentage over the Milwaukee Bombers.

Story by Wayne Kraska for USFootyNews.com.

WorldFootyNews.com and USFootyNews.com have teamed up to present the USFooty Top Ten Poll for 2008. This is the 6th edition of the poll and the last before the USFooty National Championship Tourney.

1. Balt/Wash Eagles (8-0)  (7 # 1 Votes)
2. Denver Bulldogs (3-3)  (3)
3. NY Magpies (6-3)
4. San Diego Lions (3-2)
5. OC Bombers (5-2)
6. Golden Gate Roos (1-1)
7. Chicago United (6-1)   (UP from 8)
8. Nashville Kangaroos (6-3) (DOWN from 7)
9. Dallas Magpies (4-0)
10. Milwaukee Bombers (4-6)  (IN)

The New York Magpies AFC footy jumper has taken out the Special International Award in the ‘Australia’s Favourite Football Jumper’ competition which ran as part of the 150 Years of Australian Football celebrations.

In the club's blurb about their kit they said "We are very proud of it our jumper, as it’s remained true to the black and white of our sister clubs, Collingwood and Port Adelaide Magpies, but also adds some New York highlights with the outlines of the famous buildings on the back. We sell a good deal of them to people in Australia through www.nyfooty.com."

Other finalists in the International section were jumpers of Timor Crocs, Vietnam Swans, Bromma FC and Borneo FC. The overall competition for Australia's Favourite went to the Old Hobartians Association (OHA) Football Club guernsey. In total, more than 34,000 website visitors voted in the poll.

Ben Graham, who was waived by the New York Jets last week has reportedly been re-signed by the same team. The Jets brought in two new punters but Reggie Hodges was added to the injury report with an undisclosed problem with his left (non-kicking) thigh. And it seems the Jets did not want to 'punt' on Waylon Prather from their practice squad.

So Graham who just happened to be in San Diego visiting trailblazing fomer Aussie rules player/NFL punter Darren Bennett, got an emergency callup and now looks to start as punter in his 50th game for the Jets. He by no means has a permanent home with the Jets though, and fortuitously he will be playing on Monday night football, probably the best place to showcase his abilities in front of an estimated 50 million TV audience (including the other NFL clubs who he is hoping will sign him).

Essendon Football Club yesterday released details of a significant enviromental project and came hot on the heels of the announcement by the USAFL that they would be aiming for a "Green Nationals" tournament this year. This is part of the world wide push to look after the environment, bringing footy into line with communities and corporations across the globe looking to carry out their activities in an enviromentally sustainable manner.

Construction of an 800,000 litre water storage system - which will be housed underneath the famed Windy Hill oval surface - officially began yesterday. The system (called a 'StormTech' water storage system) will capture 5-8 million litres of water each year from existing roof structures, the oval and an approved bore into massive underground cylinders for use around the club. Construction will take just four weeks to complete.

Once he has caught his breath after the 2008 Grand Final, Geelong 2007 Premiership coach Mark "Bomber" Thompson will appear at the this year's USAFL National Championships in Colorado Springs. He will be at the tournament's Saturday night event – attended by all teams in a happy hour format. Bomber will be part of a panel to discuss the next 10 years of footy both in the US and internationally. He will also present the wining trophy and tournament medals at the tournament.

Thompson follows in the footsteps of other AFL greats Kevin Sheedy, Robert Dipierdomenico, Stephen Silvagni and Peter Schwab among others to attend the US tournament featuring three men divisions and one women's division played over the weekend Oct 11th and 12th. The weekend will see 1,000 players, officials and support staff compete for the title of best in the USA at the amazing fields at the United States Airforce Academy Athletic Fields.

For more information on the tournament the USAFL have a dedicated section on their website here.

Ben Graham has been dumped by the New York Jets. The former Geelong captain who made the code switch to play in the NFL as a punter, was cut from the Jets after a poor punting performance last weekend.

Graham, a former Geelong and NY Jets captain who has played 49 games for the Jets, said he would embrace the challenge of other opportunities within the NFL. In a press release Graham reaffirmed his commitment to continue his punting career elsewhere. “I would like to thank the Jets for the opportunity they have given me and my family, and the privilege of playing for the organisation,” Graham said.

“Today’s events are disappointing but I'm confident I will continue my career elsewhere and I will fully explore the initial enquires that have already presented themselves. The NFL is a tough business and all players move freely and far more often than back at home in Australia. There have already been several punters change teams during this season.

The 2008 NFL season kicked off last weekend with the three former Australian Rules football players that competed in the previous season again starting. All three played in winning teams and got off to good starts. No additional AFL players made the transition this year, although rumors that current players Anthony Rocca, Dustin Fletcher and Brendan Fevola among others, hope to have the option at the end of their careers.

Former player with Old Brighton in the VAFA, Matt McBriar playing for the Dallas Cowboys had two punts with a 48.5 yard average, a 37 yard net average and a longest punt of 52 yards in their 28-10 win.

To help improve Canada’s emerging junior talent in Australian Rules Football, AFL Canada are sending their Under 18 National Junior Team to tour Melbourne from August 16th- 28th. The Wolfpack, as they are know in Canada, will be competing in five matches against various local junior teams in the Melbourne area.

After playing the USA in Vancouver last August, the Wolfpack management sat down and looked at where they needed to go with the Canadian Junior National Team program to best prepare the kids for the Senior National Team.

With this in mind they began to explore the opportunity to travel to Australia to play against some local competition and have them see how they need to work hard to improve their game. And with the International Cup and the 150th anniversary happening this year, they also felt that this was the perfect time to bring the first Canadian Junior Team to Australia.

After securing monetary sponsorship from Darrel Lea Australia and Sleep Country Canada, product sponsorship from Darrel Lea, Kellogg's Australia, SPC Ardmona and Sports Unlimited the tour became a reality. The Sydney Swans, Hawthorn Hawks and Tourism Victoria have also lent the Wolfpack support by assisting them whilst they are in Melbourne.

In a surprise move, Mike Pyke, a 200 cm 24 year old Canadian International Rugby Union player has signed on with the Sydney Swans as an international rookie, the first non-Irish international player signed up on the AFL's alternative lists.

It was hoped the two year international lists would lead to AFL clubs scouting international Aussie Rules players, but young athletes from other codes was always another likely source, though at age 24 it's a surprising decision.