In possibly one of the most dramatic developments in the history of Australian Rules football, the United States AFL has reportedly signed a three year contract with the new All Sports Television Network. If this deal reaches its potential, the major US leagues could be fast-tracked to the first semi-professional Aussie Rules leagues outside of Australia.

Australian football has grown strongly in the US in the last 10 years. A large part of that success has been due to Australians who live and work there. Many ultimately return home, but the contribution need not stop there. These former players and administrators are an increasingly large resource that could be tapped. As such, a new group has been created to keep these returned Australians (and expat Americans) in touch, for their own social benefit and the cause of American Aussie Rules. The following article is from the US Footy website. And just a reminder that this weekend is the US Nationals - the biggest Aussie Rules event in North America (see earlier stories, or check back soon for updates).

The Toronto Downtown Dingos have knocked off minor premiers the Toronto Eagles in the 2004 OAFL Grand Final, giving them back-to-back premierships, just the third Ontario club to achieve it. Thanks to Bruce Parker in helping compile this report.

The General Manager of Game Development at the AFL, David Matthews, will attend the Pratt Industries 2004 USAFL National Championships.

For international leagues, getting exposure in their own country is not their only short term goal. They also seek coverage in Australia, as that can have many benefits, such as greater awareness in Australia of international footy, which will ultimately lead to the International Cup becoming a more prestigious event. Recently Canadian Aussie Rules was featured on Australian Channel 9's Today show.

The two Toronto based clubs are through to the 2004 Ontario Australian Football League Grand Final on Saturday October 2nd at Humber North.

Australian Rules football has a relatively long history in Canada, going back to 1989 in Ontario. The 10 club league is well established there, but perhaps surprisingly it is newcomers Vancouver, on the western side of the country, that appear to be doing some of the best junior development in the country.

The premier Australian Rules football event in the US each year is the Nationals. First held in 1997 in Cincinnati, the 2004 series in Atlanta should see the best Division One standard in the game's American history.

In breaking news, US Footy have announced that legendary Essendon Bombers coach Kevin Sheedy will speak at the 2004 US Nationals banquet. The full story follows, and worldfootynews.com will have all the details of the Nationals in a pending story, once divisional seedings have been completed.

The Pittsburgh Wallabies have successfully staged the 2004 Steel City Boomerang Cup, and in doing so taken home the silverware.