Recent news

Future of Cable and Satellite Coverage in Australia Unclear (updated)

by Rob de Santos and Johnson Leung, reporting for AFANA

In a press release issued today (23 August 2006), Foxtel announced that at the end of this AFL season, the Fox Footy Channel (FFC) would cease operations.  The closure was blamed on "The positions taken by Seven and Ten and the delays and uncertainty over the future" leaving "FOXTEL with no option but to close its dedicated AFL FOX Footy Channel at the end of this season."  The apparent breakdown in negotiations between Foxtel and the Seven and Ten Networks leaves the future of pay television coverage in Australia in doubt. 

There is no immediate impact to viewers in North America as whatever networks

by Lisa reporting for AFANA from Chicago

AFL Canberra Deal
Manuka Oval, abandoned by the Kangaroos, will see AFL football next year with Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs agreeing to play one home game each for the next 3 years. A total of 4 games will be scheduled at Manuka, with a preseason NAB Cup game and one practice game to make up the other 2 matches. The Sydney Swans will be involved in at least one of these games as the away team.

In making the announcement AFL Chief Operating Officer Ben Buckley praised the Bulldogs and Melbourne for their support in helping to retain an AFL presence in Canberra. The Bulldogs have been playing one home game per year against Sydney at the SCG,

By Barry Kennedy, AFANA Reporter in Melbourne

In the wake of slip ups by Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs last round, the big talk in Melbourne this week was the possibility of interstate clubs filling the top four positions at the end of the year. This has been interpreted as further proof of a permanent shift in the balance of power in AFL football to the north and west of Melbourne. If that was the case, the Bulldogs, returning from heat of Darwin, (itself the longest road trip on the AFL itinerary) and with only 24 players available for selection, should have been easy meat for the rebounding Crows.

By Barry Kennedy, AFANA Reporter in Melbourne

Since draft and salary cap equalization began leveling up the competition ten years ago, clubs have adopted a youth first approach. Rebuilding sides invariably pack their teams with young players and Richmond and Brisbane are very much in that category. Young teams are often inconsistent however and so it proved this night for Brisbane. Richmond had the game sealed well before half time. Only time will tell how good the new batch of Richmond talent will be. Unfortunately for Brisbane with premiership heroes bowing out almost by the month,

by Lisa, reporting for AFANA from Chicago