Can AFL make a footprint in NZ?

[TWLS]

AFLNZ have said the that the Senior NZ Hawks will play the AFL Academy Squad in Auckland on April 24 at the home of AFLNZ - The North Harbour Complex-. This will be the 5th year in this series and again will be a indicator of the NZ standard of play.
We think when NZ start winning -(and they will)- this fixture the footy world generally will take more notice possibly.

Two other tours by Australian teams will be co-ordinated with this fixture. So we will have 3 Aussie teams there at the same time.
1/AFLNZ have announced that a team from AFL South East (part of AFL Victoria) will send a touring squad to NZ this year.
2/The previously announced tour to NZ by the Sydney Public Schools Squad is also going ahead.

http://aflnz.co.nz/blog/2016/01/28/new-zealand-hawks-to-take-on-australia/

 

[TWLS]

The new AFLNZ 4 team National Footy League got underway in Auckland yesterday in very good conditions at the North Harbour Complex.
There will be 2 matches played on the same day on the selected dates and all of the major Centres in NZ were represented.
The players for the 4 teams were selected in the first AFLNZ National Draft.
Any comments from NZ fans who were at the matches welcome.
http://aflnz.co.nz/blog/2016/02/15/saints-and-giants-play-out-thriller-as-crows-score-big-win/

 

[TWLS]

This article is about an interview with the winner of the Rising Star Award for the first round of their new League in Auckland.
After reading about the players previous sports is there room for an expanded fourth footy code in NZ. That question is to be answered in the future but so far so good.
http://aflnz.co.nz/blog/2016/02/18/warbrick-awarded-rising-star-for-round-1/

 

[jd2010]

The new AFLNZ 4 team National Footy League got underway in Auckland yesterday in very good conditions at the North Harbour Complex.
There will be 2 matches played on the same day on the selected dates and all of the major Centres in NZ were represented.
The players for the 4 teams were selected in the first AFLNZ National Draft.
Any comments from NZ fans who were at the matches welcome.
http://aflnz.co.nz/blog/2016/02/15/saints-and-giants-play-out-thriller-as-crows-score-big-win/

I was down there. Quality of the games was very good. A lot of emphasis on youth with the junior training leading into the 2 senior games and then quite a lot of young quality players in the 4 sides

 

[TWLS]

The third round of the AFLNZ Premiership season was held yesterday in Auckland. It look like from photos on Twitter that the actual ground is the Oval only at that North Harbour Complex. AFLNZ erects temporary tent like set ups on the boundary line for the players. However the ground itself looks in good condition and is likely to be the regulation size for our game which is important for development.
The Western Crows are on top of the ladder currently.

http://aflnz.co.nz/blog/2016/02/29/crows-flying-high-as-giants-rack-up-huge-win/

 

[Aucklander]

I'm surprised to see the Northern side running last. Where's the strength of the game situated these days?

 

[canterbury bulldog]

The third round of the AFLNZ Premiership season was held yesterday in Auckland. It look like from photos on Twitter that the actual ground is the Oval only at that North Harbour Complex. AFLNZ erects temporary tent like set ups on the boundary line for the players. However the ground itself looks in good condition and is likely to be the regulation size for our game which is important for development.
The Western Crows are on top of the ladder currently.

http://aflnz.co.nz/blog/2016/02/29/crows-flying-high-as-giants-rack-up-huge-win/

Seems like it's well set up over there with the academies and drafts

 

[jd2010]

I'm surprised to see the Northern side running last. Where's the strength of the game situated these days?

Players are just drafted to the 4 sides. So each side has a mix of aucklanders and then guys from the other regions who come up for games

 

[TWLS]

Players are just drafted to the 4 sides. So each side has a mix of aucklanders and then guys from the other regions who come up for games

The Anzac Day match coming up between the Senior AFLNZ Hawks and The AFL Academy Squad which is held annually will give us an idea where NZ footy is at. The Hawks are yet to beat them.

 

[jd2010]

The Anzac Day match coming up between the Senior AFLNZ Hawks and The AFL Academy Squad which is held annually will give us an idea where NZ footy is at. The Hawks are yet to beat them.

Still a massive gap between them. This senior premiership comp should see this gap close as the guys coming through it get more good experience.

 

[TWLS]

AFLNZ have just announced the Coaches for the FIVE New Zealand Squads to play against various Aussie teams this year.
This news indicates another step up for N.Z. Footy and may reflect the increased N.Z. funding that the AFL CEO Gillon Mclachlan mentioned last year. However we do not know for sure, and is something we would like to know.
If it is other overseas Leagues will be looking enviously at the situation over there.
Four of the squads will play at home with the N.Z. U18 Mens Youth team to tour to the South Eastern League in Victoria in May where they will play matches against local clubs.
The N.Z. Youth Girls Squad is included in the action and they play a team also from the South Eastern League.
If this effort can be maintained long term with the necessary funding it may indicate that the game has a future over there.
http://aflnz.co.nz/blog/2016/03/01/nz-representative-teams-head-coaches-announced/

 

[TWLS]

The Senior AFLNZ Squad to play the AFL Academy Squad in April in Auckland has been chosen. It will be reduced to a 24 man team nearer the day.
There are several NZ players selected who are playing in Melbourne and Brisbane currently.
We do not know what the AFLNZ selection policy is regarding how many Australian based players they will pick. Is there a limit.
This team really flies the flag for N.Z. footy and will be watched with interest locally and Internationally because of the International Cup in Melbourne next year.
http://aflnz.co.nz/blog/2016/03/14/nz-senior-hawks-wider-training-squad-announced/

 

[Damon_3388]

Speaking of NZ teams in Australian leagues, it's probably a sign of how insignificant the NBL is in the grand scheme of things, but the NZ Breakers have dominated that comp in recent years, making 5 of the last 6 grand final series, and winning four championships. They're now just as successful (in terms of championships won) as long-time stalwart franchises like the Melbourne Tigers and Adelaide 36ers.

Don't see why expanding the AFL into NZ full-time would be a bad thing. I think it may have to come at the expense of an existing club, or at least be a time-share/relocation. St Kilda is the obvious candidate, given their recent experimentation in the market, but nobody likes to put their hand up for that sort of thing for their club, so it'll probably just be another expansion (or dillution, "at the expense of the heartland", as the cynics would put it) of the league in the next decade or so.

 

[kid_a]

Ive been following the results and instagram of the afl nz premiership. What has the standard been like? Can anyone compare to any leagues they've seen in Australia?
I'm most likely moving over to NZ in july, and want to play footy again. I've already done a fair bit of research regarding the leagues and such, and I know the Wellington league will be kicking off a few months after I get there, so I'd be keen to get amongst that, and who knows if I can get back to my peak fitness I wouldn't mind trying to crack into the Premiership.
Have played senior footy in the north pilbara league and qfa(north).
Anyway getting a ahead of myself here, but yeah just thought I'd start asking questions and probing now.

 

[jd2010]

Ive been following the results and instagram of the afl nz premiership. What has the standard been like? Can anyone compare to any leagues they've seen in Australia?
I'm most likely moving over to NZ in july, and want to play footy. I've already done a fair bit of research regarding the leagues and such, and I know the Wellington league will be kicking off a few months after I get there, so I'd be keen to get amongst that, who knows if I can get back to me peak fitness I wouldn't mind trying to crack into the Premiership.
Anyway getting a ahead of myself here, but yeah just thought I'd start asking questions and probing now.

It's pretty decent in the premiership Hard to compare to anything back home because it's a mix of really good players and then still some learning the game. It's a much better standard than the local city leagues which is more 50/50 good player to learner ratio than the premiership

 

[kid_a]

It's pretty decent in the premiership Hard to compare to anything back home because it's a mix of really good players and then still some learning the game. It's a much better standard than the local city leagues which is more 50/50 good player to learner ratio than the premiership

ah yeah, cheers mate, well even If i don't end up playing in it I'd like to know at least there is a sort of national comp with some good players worth watching.(although when overseas I'd end up watching any level of footy live haha)

 

[TWLS]

ah yeah, cheers mate, well even If i don't end up playing in it I'd like to know at least there is a sort of national comp with some good players worth watching.(although when overseas I'd end up watching any level of footy live haha)

If you go to Auckland I am in regular contact with Will McKenzie who is associated with the following club in the Auckland League.
Pakuranga A.F.C. Panthers:
Training at Pigeon Mountain Domain on Wednesdays at 6.30pm.
New players should contact coach Brodyn Bevan on 021 105 6191.
They are a reasonably new club and always need players.

 

[kid_a]

If you go to Auckland I am in regular contact with Will McKenzie who is associated with the following club in the Auckland League.
Pakuranga A.F.C. Panthers:
Training at Pigeon Mountain Domain on Wednesdays at 6.30pm.
New players should contact coach Brodyn Bevan on 021 105 6191.
They are a reasonably new club and always need players.

cool mate, cheers. Won't be heading over for a few months, but If i go Auckland way I'll defo's follow this up.

 

[TWLS]

The St Kilda Football Club are hoping to hold another match in Auckland in 2017 after their Wellington City Council agreement was terminated last year.
As the article said Auckland is the best place to involved in with population and finances.
It appears that they also looked at Christchurch at one stage.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-04-08/saints-take-steps-to-reignite-new-zealand-game

 

[jd2010]

The St Kilda Football Club are hoping to hold another match in Auckland in 2017 after their Wellington City Council agreement was terminated last year.
As the article said Auckland is the best place to involved in with population and finances.
It appears that they also looked at Christchurch at one stage.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-04-08/saints-take-steps-to-reignite-new-zealand-game

There's just not a ground to play at. QBE is like AAMI Park

 

[kid_a]

"Auckland is the main commercial centre and two-thirds of the population are based in Auckland."- Matt Finnis.
ah no it doesn't it has about 1/3 of the population.
God I Hate when high profile people make stupid error prone statements regarding geography and demographics.

 

[TWLS]

There's just not a ground to play at. QBE is like AAMI Park

That is what I was wondering.

 

[jd2010]

"Auckland is the main commercial centre and two-thirds of the population are based in Auckland."- Matt Finnis.
ah no it doesn't it has about 1/3 of the population.
God I Hate when high profile people make stupid error prone statements regarding geography and demographics.

The point he is making still is correct. If they want games over in NZ it's the only logical place

 

[TWLS]

The inaugral 4 team AFLNZ National League has finished for 2016 and was won by The Crows. This comp was played over several weeks at QBE Stadium in Auckland, which was originally called the North Harbour complex.
At that facility there are 3 grounds 1/-QBE which is a rectangular ground with a Stand.2/ Another rectangular ground with no stand. 3/ A Cricket Oval which is banked with no Stand, which it looks like in photos of having a good surface. This is the Oval AFLNZ have gained access to for all of their major comps and was a step forward however modest.
The article below says that a 2017 League is now on the books and that planning is underway for that comp, which may indicate long term usage of the facility. Will they expand it to six teams and is there enough talent -Time will tell.
As they say the proof is in the pudding, and the key indicator of the talent in the above League will be in the Senior AFLNZ Hawks performance, which is where most of them will end up.
Ideally the AFLNZ footy season should run in conjunction with the Australian footy season, but that is not on the cards we dont think.
The other pathway is to the AFL itself, and that has quietened down somewhat with the number of NZ players on AFL Club lists has now shrunk.
http://aflnz.co.nz/blog/2016/04/18/western-crows-crowned-champions-in-first-ever-aflnz-premiership/

 

[TWLS]

The inaugral 4 team AFLNZ National League has finished for 2016 and was won by The Crows. This comp was played over several weeks at QBE Stadium in Auckland, which was originally called the North Harbour complex.
At that facility there are 3 grounds 1/-QBE which is a rectangular ground with a Stand.2/ Another rectangular ground with no stand. 3/ A Cricket Oval which is banked with no Stand, which it looks like in photos of having a good surface. This is the Oval AFLNZ have gained access to for all of their major comps and was a step forward however modest.
The article below says that a 2017 League is now on the books and that planning is underway for that comp, which may indicate long term usage of the facility. Will they expand it to six teams and is there enough talent -Time will tell.
As they say the proof is in the pudding, and the key indicator of the talent in the above League will be in the Senior AFLNZ Hawks performance, which is where most of them will end up.
Ideally the AFLNZ footy season should run in conjunction with the Australian footy season, but that is not on the cards we dont think.
The other pathway is to the AFL itself, and that has quietened down somewhat with the number of NZ players on AFL Club lists has now shrunk.
http://aflnz.co.nz/blog/2016/04/18/western-crows-crowned-champions-in-first-ever-aflnz-premiership/

Would like to add some more comments about the AFLNZ Footy season. They of course have their various Provincial leagues which run from October to December, so in effect when the new National League finishes in April as above there is a six month gap in their competitions.
Apparently then some players head off to Australia to play in the various State Leagues in the Australian winter.
However we wonder if they had access to the Oval at QBE in their winter, which means they could extend the new league further.