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Editorial: Did The AFL Fail Footy In The USA?

by admincms — Mon, 2012-04-23 10:50 — Last Updated: Sun, 2012-04-29 15:58

(This editorial is in response to the following post on the site of usfootynews.com: AFL Decision Fails Sport in USA.)

Our friend Wayne Kraska at usfootynews.com recently posted an editorial on why he feels the AFL has failed the sport of Australian football in the USA with it's latest TV contract with Fox Sports Plus (announcement here).  Considering his arguments and those of the many fans who commented here on this site, on our Facebook page, and in e-mails to us, I felt it was appropriate to respond. 

At the outset, I want every reader to know that I am sympathetic to the fans who feel the sport took a backward step with this new deal.  In some ways, that may be true.  I understand the frustration of fans who cannot get or afford to subscribe to Fox Sports Plus (FSP).  I also believe that there is a lack of understanding by many of the realities the AFL faced, the alternatives available, and the history of both recent events and those since 1980 when the AFL first appeared on the then nascent network ESPN.  

I want to address Wayne's key points because he raises some that many other fans have expressed.  read more »

Power Less

by rickb — Wed, 2012-05-16 07:18 — Last Updated: Wed, 2012-05-16 08:16

Rick Browner reporting from Patersons Stadium, Subiaco, Western Australia

Two teams representing the port towns of Perth and Adelaide met in Round 7 with much on the line. Port Adelaide Power has a good record at the “House of Pain”, Patersons Stadium, winning more than they have lost there against the Fremantle Dockers. The Dockers believe they are finalists this year and would be expected to flex some muscle against their struggling opponents, if only to show the competition that they are genuine contenders. Giant ruckman Aaron Sandilands was back from injury for the Dockers, while Danyle Pearce had been dropped due to lack of intent for Power. David Rodan was back after having previously suffered the same fate.  read more »

Tigers Earn Their Stripes

by Boris Kilpatrick — Wed, 2012-05-16 07:02 — Last Updated: Wed, 2012-05-16 08:39

Brook “Boris” Kilpatrick reporting for AFANA from Australia

A solid crowd of 40,000 plus pushed through the turnstiles of the MCG to witness the Round 7 twilight clash between the Richmond Tigers and the Sydney Swans. The Richmond faithful, feeling good after a win against Port Adelaide, were once again pinning their hopes on victory against a Top Four contender, this time in the guise of the ultra-consistent Sydney. The Swans on the other hand were looking to rebound after a shock home loss to the Adelaide Crows after previously being undefeated.  read more »

Unbeaten Eagles

by rickb — Wed, 2012-05-09 02:53 — Last Updated: Thu, 2012-05-10 05:15

Rick Browner reporting for AFANA from Patersons Stadium, Perth

West Coast remains the only unbeaten team at the end of Round 6 after overcoming a gutsy challenge from a determined North Melbourne side. Just before the game it was announced that Eagles’ excitement machine Nic Naitanui had withdrawn and this sent a ripple of unease through supporters. He was replaced by second gamer, Scott Lycett. Kangaroos ruckman Todd Goldstein was also missing so each team would be exposed in the ruck competitions. In a first for the Eagles, Jacob Brennan (son of club great and Premiership player and vice-captain Michael Brennan) was playing his making his debut, the first father/son combination in Eagles’ history.
  read more »

Hungry Tigers Shut Down Power

by Boris Kilpatrick — Tue, 2012-05-08 09:53 — Last Updated: Thu, 2012-05-10 05:27

Brook "Boris" Kilpatrick reporting for AFANA from AAMI Stadium, Adelaide

Overcast conditions and a steady drizzle greeted the visiting Richmond Tigers as they ran onto a pristine AAMI Stadium surface to face the Port Adelaide Power. With both teams sporting an equally precarious 1-4 record, the importance of a win and the prized four Premiership points could not be understated. The home fans were buoyed by a strong Port performance a week earlier at the same venue when a late fade out cost them a win against their arch rival Adelaide Crows, while Tiger fans could point to narrow losses against League pacesetters the West Coast Eagles and Geelong Cats as evidence of solid improvement.  read more »

Round Six Milestones

by Lisa Albergo — Sun, 2012-05-06 15:16 — Last Updated: Thu, 2012-05-10 05:21

Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

150 consecutive games: Carlton's Kade Simpson played his 150th consecutive game in Round Six. His streak began in Round 15, 2005. It is the longest current streak and Simpson is the 19th player in League history to play 150 or more games consecutively. Former Tiger champion Kevin Bartlett did it twice during his 400-plus game career.  read more »

Crows Take Showdown Honors

by kloeds — Wed, 2012-05-02 18:04 — Last Updated: Thu, 2012-05-03 04:07

Round Five saw cross-town rivals Port Adelaide and Adelaide meet for the 32nd time. Although Port led the overall scorecard 17-14 it was the in-form Crows who went into the game as the favorites. Over the years the “Showdowns” - as these match ups are known - have often been fierce contests with high intensity starts and, not to disappoint, this game featured a phenomenal opening.  read more »

Eagles Class Prevails

by Boris Kilpatrick — Wed, 2012-05-02 08:03 — Last Updated: Thu, 2012-05-03 19:22

Despite injuries to top talent including Mark LeCras and Andrew Embley, the West Coast Eagles remained at the top of the Ladder as they flew into Melbourne to take on the improving Richmond Tigers. The bookmakers had installed the visiting Eagles as solid favorites, however a quick look at the recent results between the two teams at Etihad Stadium showed the Tigers with a 3-0 advantage. For Richmond it was a chance to notch a win against top class opposition – something it had threatened to do all season without being able to close the deal. For the Eagles it was a perfect opportunity to consolidate a Top Two position on the Ladder and a springboard to the Finals.  read more »

AFL Installs Prayer Rooms

by Lisa Albergo — Mon, 2012-04-30 21:10 — Last Updated: Wed, 2012-05-09 20:07

Tiger Bachar Houli, a devout Muslim and an AFL multicultural ambassador, brought the need for prayer rooms to the AFL. He believes that a lack of proper prayer areas at AFL grounds was keeping many Muslims, who are obligated to pray five times a day, from attending games. Those who do attend had to carry out these obligations in stairwells, rest rooms and parking lots - any place they could find where they could be relatively alone. The AFL has now introduced prayer rooms at the MCG, Etihad and ANZ Stadium in Sydney. The League is planning on doing the same at all AFL grounds. The rooms will be multi-faith in keeping with the League's cultural diversity policy.  read more »

MCG Milestone

by Lisa Albergo — Mon, 2012-04-30 20:51 — Last Updated: Tue, 2012-05-15 09:20

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Round 4 saw the MCG host its 2500th game when Carlton and Essendon faced off. In a way, it was fitting that two of the League's foundation clubs played this historical game. Indeed the milestone could well have been reached some years ago except for the fact that the powers that were way back in 1896 refused to allow the new game of Aussie Rules to be played on the ground for fear it would ruin the surface for summer cricket. The first game of footy was played at the hallowed ground in 1879.  read more »

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