Dermott Brereton

With so many sports competitions suspended, former AFL player Pat McAfee, who now has his own podcast, was looking for something to watch. He tripped across the opening round AFL match between Essendon and Fremantle and is now a diehard convert. Unfortunately, just after he discovered the game, the AFL announced the suspension of the season until the pandemic is over. While he couldn't quite figure out all the rules, he says he will keep watching when the game resumes and even has a dream of becoming an AFL player. Below are links to his stories and even a link to an "audition" video he posted.

3/21
https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_/id/28936855/americans-label-afl-incredible-vow-continue-watching

3/28
https://www.themercury.com.au/sport/afl/former-nfl-star-pat-mcafee-keeps-raving-about-onenight-stand-with-afl/news-story/d709108df44a1caa7e002e53ac7cb1cf

Former NFL player Pat McAfee's AFL audition video has received an endorsement from Hawthorn legend Dermott Brereton. Brereton believes he has potential. Below is the link to the full story with a video of McAfee kicking a Sherrin and a link to a related article:

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-2020-pat-mcafee-interest-in-afl-dermott-brereton-reviews-former-nfl-players-footy-audition-video/news-story/0723707e9a2b110c319d37f9ab8f039f

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-2020-pat-mcafees-footy-audition-nfl-punter-loves-aussie-rules-video-americans-loving-afl/news-story/e52400d044b3425809e298962f038625

Sources: espn.com.au, themercury.com.au, foxsports.com.au

In June, Hawk star Cyril Rioli was granted indefinite leave by Hawthorn to return to Darwin for family reasons. Just ahead of Round 16, he announced his retirement, effective immediately. He said he had thought about it for the past year and believes he has made the right decision for himself and his family.

In making the announcement, he said,

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Growing up in Perth, Brian Peake's hero was a pro surfer named Ian Cairns. He spent much of his time hitching rides to the beaches and the waves. He credits his surfing days for the body strength needed for AFL football. That strength also saw him avoid hamstring and groin injuries. “I believe that's where it set me up with the strength and for recovery. I never had a hamstring, didn't even know what they were. Knees, groins, it never happened. So the saltwater must do something for you.'' Two weeks after a failed tryout with Perth in an intra-club game, Peake was recruited to East Fremantle. As his career took off, he had to fend off offers from VFL (now AFL) teams. In 1981, at the age of 27, he finally decided to give the VFL a try to test himself and believes he would have regretted it if he had not. He chose Geelong thinking the lifestyle there would be the closest to that of Perth. Officials met him at the airport with a helicopter to fly him to his first training session. After just 13 games with the Cats, he was appointed captain.

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Just after Round Ten, the AFL held its Hall of Fame Function in Canberra to induct six new members and elevate a current member to Legend status. Richmond champion Royce Hart, one of the original inductees in 1996, was elevated to Legend status. He is the 25th player to receive the honor. Hart played 188 games and kicked 371 goals 1967-1977. He was a star center half forward and played in the club's 1967, 1969, 1973 and 1974 Premierships. He captained the club 1972-1975 and led the goal kicking in 1967 and 1971. He won the club Best and Fairest 1969 and 1972. Other honors: Victorian representative in 11 games, All-Australian 1969, AFL Team of the Century (1996), Richmond Team of the Century and Tasmanian Team of the Century. He also coached Footscray (now Western Bulldogs) 1980-1982.

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.