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AFL Players with Strong International Connections - Current

This page is an attempt to document the various players in the AFL with strong international connections, but does not include players recruited from other countries - see separate lists at the bottom of this page. As a strongly multicultural society with a history of migration, many other players also have international links and not all can be explored here, however suggestions relevant to international footy development are welcome.

	Player	Country	Details
	David Rodan	Fiji	Born 1983 in Fiji. Originally an exciting on-ball or small forward prospect at Richmond, he was cut soon after returning from a knee reconstruction. Drafted to Port Adelaide in late 2006, and enjoyed an excellent 2007 season. As of 2009 he and his family have become involved in developing Aussie Rules in Fiji.
	Alipate Carlile	Fiji	Born 1987 in Fiji, cousin to David Rodan. Drafted late 2004 from Victoria to Port Adelaide, debuted in 2007.
	Aaron Edwards	Samoa	Originally having a brief career at West Coast, Aaron then starred for Frankston in the VFL. He became the first man in 129 years to be the VFL's leading goalkicker and Liston Trophy winner. The North Melbourne Kangaroos threw him a second AFL chance which he has grasped in 2007, proving to be a strong marking, goal kicking forward. Aaron was born in Samoa in 1984 and has been used by AFL Samoa as an inspiration for players there.
	Heritier "Harry" O'Brien	Brazil	Born 1986 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Moved to Western Australia at age three. Selected by Collingwood in rookie draft 2004, debuted 2005. Retains strong ties to Brazil which have been publicised in Australian media.
	Brad Moran	England	Born in 1986 in England, Brad moved to Queensland with his family at age 15 and soon took up footy, leading to the Southport Sharks. He was picked up by the North Melbourne Kangaroos in the 2004 draft and debuted in 2006, playing in ruck and winning a Rising Star nomination. Traded to Adelaide at the end of the 2007 season.
	Nic Naitanui	Fiji	Born 4 May 1990 in Sydney to recently immigrated Fijian parents, Naitanui move with the family to Perth, Western Australia at a young age. He made a rapid rise to prominence in junior ranks relatively late, but was selected by the West Coast Eagles at number 2 in the 2008 AFL Draft. The tall athlete debuted spectacularly during the 2009 season. His athletic traits are widely seen as inspiring several AFL clubs to look more closely at Fiji for possible talent, though fellow players of Fijian heritage David Rodan and Alipate Carlisle were at the time of Naitanui's drafting already established AFL players, but with different attributes.
	Sean Yoshiura	Japan	Born 6 August 1991 in Japan to a Japanese father and (unconfirmed) Australian mother. Family moved to Queensland when he was 7. He became an outstanding endurance runner as well as footballer. Stands 184 cm and is possibly the first Japanese born player on an AFL list, and the Japan AFL will be keen to utilise his status to promote the sport.

• Internationally Developed AFL Players - Current
• International Sportsmen recruited to the AFL - Current
• AFL International Scholarship Listed Players - Current
• Internationally Developed AFL Players - Previous
• International Sportsmen recruited to the AFL - Previous
• AFL Players with strong international connections - Previous
• AFL International Scholarship Listed Players - Previous
• Italian team of the century named
• Wikipedia's List of overseas-born AFL players and Full Points Footy's Other Nationalities.

Last Updated: Thursday, January 07 2010 @ 01:56 pm ACDT| Hits: 64,908