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West Australian
2 days ago
- Sport
- West Australian
What I See with Peter Fiorenza: Why the best parts of AFL and local footy are steadily being eroded
AFL football disappoints me at the moment. In fact, all football, including our local GNFL leaves a lot to be desired. Why? Because the game simply isn't what it used to be. Every weekend — especially Thursday and Friday nights — I'd settle in for footy on the box, but in recent years, that has steadily changed. For me, the attraction to Aussie Rules over other sport was that the game promoted individual prowess. It was indeed it's point of difference. Exciting, quick-running passages of play, combined with freaky marks and astonishing goals that churned excitement. Sadly, in recent times, this aspect of our great game has been steadily eroded. Recently, West Coast Eagles star and Geraldton's own Liam Ryan took an outstanding mark at Optus Stadium. Immediately, it captured the imagination of not just the football public, but the public, in general. It has been replayed again and again, coupled with numerous pictures in the press and on social media. And I'm sure people will be talking about it for weeks, and weeks, and weeks. Because there is unlikely to be another similar sporting feat for some time, perhaps for the rest of the season. Do you know where I'm coming from? Firstly, in the past 10 years, the game has become contrived — a possession game. I reckon this is the result of coaches orchestrating a style of play that is as foolproof as possible — win at all costs. And not allowing for breakaway passages of play that create those 'heart in your mouth' situations we all love to see. In my opinion, the result is a boring game of stoppage after stoppage. Football has deteriorated to a game of congestion upon congestion, with umpires not able to make clear decisions and just throwing the ball up again and again. While it's risen to epidemic levels in the AFL, it is also being transferred to the game locally. As a commentator, it is very frustrating. I find myself having to repeat what I say time and time again. With the same passages being continually played out, my description also becomes repetitive and boring. And this is not a good thing. One of my main jobs as a commentator is to promote the game and make it interesting and exciting for the listener or viewer. Right now, that's not happening, and I'm worried about where it's all headed. The AFL has consistently been introducing new rules to speed up the game for some years now, but I can tell you, it's not working. I reckon the administration of the game needs to sit down with our coaches at the top level and look at what can be done to reverse this alarming trend. Because, if they don't, I feel the free flowing, open and exciting game we have all come to love could be gone forever. Peter Fiorenza hosts Sports Shed Saturday (9am to noon) and Fiorenza on Sunday (10am to noon) on Radio MAMA. He's also on Radio Geraldton (
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Record number of GAA stars set to compete in Aussie Rules as TG4 announce coverage of six games
There were numerous stars who featured in Sunday's All-Ireland final who will be making switch to the AFLW AUSSIES RULE Record number of GAA stars set to compete in Aussie Rules as TG4 announce coverage of six games THE AUSTRALIAN Football League Women's (AFLW) is set to feature a record number of Irish athletes with the majority making the move from Gaelic football. The AFL has been a common destination for male and female GAA stars due to the professional state of the sport and its similarity to Gaelic football. Advertisement 2 The record for most Irish players in one season was set at 34 last season 2 Tipperary footballer Orla O'Dwyer won the 2021 AFLW Grand Final match with the Brisbane Lions Plenty of high profile Gaelic footballers have moved from the GAA to Australia over the years, such as Oisín Mullin, Conor McKenna and Zach Tuohy to name a few. While there has been a long standing tradition of a handful of Irish players competing in the AFL, Cora Staunton has been credited with popularising the move from Ladie's Gaelic Football to the AFLW when joining Greater Western Sydney (GWS) in 2018. The following season nine players followed her lead to Australia in search of professional sport. The upcoming AFLW season will break the record for most Irish players competing in the competition with 39 players set to play for 13 of the competing 18 team in the league. Advertisement The record was broken just last year when 34 Irish players featured in the AFLW. The AFLW season runs from 14 August to 29 November which just about doesn't clash with the inter-county LGFA season which came to an end on Sunday as Dublin claimed the Brendan Martin Cup. Quite a few players who featured in Sunday's All-Ireland final will make the trip to Australia to compete in the AFLW. Meath's Aoibhin Cleary and Vikki Wall will compete against Sinead Goldrick and Eilish O'Dowd yet again this year, but this time in Australia and with a Sherrin ball. Advertisement The Head of Sport at TG4 Rónán Ó Coisdealbha was delighted with the Irish milestone in the AFLW and is happy to facilitate coverage of the action in Ireland. Ó Coisdealbha said: 'This is a brilliant moment for the Irish-Australian sporting connection. TJ Reid and wife Niamh de Brun's gorgeous pregnancy reveal "With more Irish players than ever involved in the AFLW, we're delighted to bring their stories and performances into homes across the country.' Carlton and Freemantle share the title for most Irish players in their squads going into the AFLW season next week with five apiece. Advertisement The Carlton Irish contingent is made up of Maria Cannon, Dayna Finn, Erone Fitzpatrick, Síofra O'Connell and Aisling Reidy while Joanne Cregg, Orlagh Lally, Aisling McCarthy, Amy Mulholland and Aine Tighe will line out for Fremantle. There's two teams with four Irish squad members as Amy Boyle-Carr, Kayleigh Cronin, Grace Kelly and Niamh Kelly will be representing Adelaide while the current champions North Melbourne will be home for Blaithin Bogue, Amy Gavin Mangan, Erika O'Shea and Vikki Wall. Brisbane have signed Neasa Dooley, Jennifer Dunne and Orla O'Dwyer ahead of the new season as Muireann Atkinson, Kellyann Hogan and Sarah Rowe join up with Collingwood. Rachel Kearns, Kate Kenny and Aishling Moloney will play for Geelong while Tanya Kennedy, Paris McCarthy and Julie O'Sullivan sign for Sydney. Advertisement There are four teams who will have just a pair of Irish players with Clara Fitzpatrick and Niamh McLaughlin (Gold Coast), Grace Kos and Eilish O'Dowd (GWS), Aileen Gilroy and Aine McDonagh (Hawthorn) and Sinead Goldrick and Blaithin Mackin (Melbourne) all competing. Meath LGFA captain Aoibhin Cleary will be the only Irish woman on her lonesome in an AFLW squad as she joins Richmond. The first three rounds of TG4's fixtures have been finalised with plenty of Irish players on show:
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
For months, the rumours about Bulldogs star Jamarra Ugle-Hagan have grown from a whisper to a scream. As his ex speaks out, we reveal how the AFL's 'next big thing' faces the fight of his life
On a notorious football fan website, there are no less than 65 forum pages dedicated to the 'scandals and rumours' surrounding one JUH. That's Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, to those who don't follow Aussie Rules.
Perth Now
6 days ago
- Climate
- Perth Now
Footy goes on despite ankle-deep water
Wild storms turn Aussie Rules into a water sport Perth's wild weekend weather left Aussie rules player battling in ankle-deep water at one suburban oval. The city was lashed with rain through Saturday morning as a cold front passed through the south-western part of WA. It wreaked havoc as floodwaters trapped people inside their cars and inundated houses. It also left Perth Football League players facing an oval that was half underwater. One entire wing of Ferndale Oval and a goal-scoring end was covered in puddles that resembled lakes and looked to be ankle-deep in places. The ball often disappeared in clouds of spray as players slipped and tumbled while trying to get a grasp on it. Unsurprisingly it made for low scorelines, with no team in the three matches played there on Saturday scoring more than four goals. In the West Coast colts match, Swan View defeated Lynwood Ferndale 3.6 to 2.7. Bayswater defeated Lynwood Ferndale in the C5 reserves 4.9 to 2.6, but Lynwood Ferndale turned it around in the C5 men's for Phil Okely's 300th game to claim a 4.10 to 2.4 victory. Ferndale waterpark? No, Ferndale Oval. Credit: Michael Palmer Diving for the ball took on a whole new meaning. Credit: Michael Palmer There were no bouncedowns during the game. Credit: Michael Palmer A bedraggled Bayswater player watches the game. Credit: Michael Palmer A Lynwood Ferndale player wades his way to the interchange. Credit: Michael Palmer
Herald Sun
02-08-2025
- Sport
- Herald Sun
Darby Henderson a late withdrawal on eve of concussion return
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Footy. Followed categories will be added to My News. Lara star Darby Henderson will not return from concussion against Colac after the midfielder opted to play it safe and pull out on the eve of the clash. The former Williamstown player was named in the Lara side on Thursday night and completed contact training at the Cats' two sessions this week. Henderson made the decision on Saturday to pull out despite being ticked off and passing through the community football concussion protocols. The club is hopeful he will return next week. The ball-magnet suffered the concussion after a bump from St Albans player Bailey Coutts which was cleared by an independent investigator this week. The 25-year-old amicably parted ways with Williamstown at the beginning of the year due to a string of concussion issues. Henderson told this masthead last month he had suffered an estimated five to 10 concussions across his playing career but had been cleared to play by a neurosurgeon at the beginning of 2024. The ball-magnet has starred in the Geelong league this season, regularly eclipsing the 40-disposal mark this season. Originally published as Lara star Darby Henderson a late withdrawal after being named to return from latest concussion Aussie Rules Live Stream VAFA Women's powerhouses St Kevin's and Old Scotch will meet in a massive top-three clash on Saturday, with the four points crucial to stay in touch with the ladder leader. Watch it LIVE. Aussie Rules Live Stream Two of the brightest young AFL draft prospects will be hoping to further stamp their credentials in Saturday's Calder Cannons and Eastern Ranges clash. Watch the double-header LIVE here.
