2022 Champions League Team Previews: Part Four
After a long, Covid-induced hiatus, AFL Europe’s Champions League, hosted in tandem with AFL Netherlands, is finally returning to Amsterdam. As always, some of Europe’s most talented Aussie Rules outfits will be putting their best footy on display as they compete for club champion status across the continent.
This year marks the sixth edition of the tournament, and the 9-a-side matchups will all take place on Saturday the 9th of April in what will be an action packed day of competition. With the event less than a month away, AFL Europe will be previewing all the teams competing. For part four of our team previews, in the men’s division, we take a look at Sweden’s Norrtälje Dockers and Ireland’s South Dublin Swans. Additionally, from the women’s division, we sat down with the University of Oxford from England.
Men’s Competition
Norrtälje Dockers
How did you qualify for this year’s Champions League?
We won the Swedish Championship in 2021 against a tough Malmö outfit.
Have you been involved with any pre-season tournaments? If so, how did that go? If not, have you had the chance to play any other teams recently in preparation?
Unfortunately, no preseason this year but we have played some indoor footy and internal games against each other.
What can we expect to see from your team this Champions League?
Tough and unrelenting, yet fair footy. We will travel to Amsterdam with a relatively new team compared to our previous CL appearances. We’ll have several CL debutants but also some old faces that have been around the block a few times to show the newbies the ropes.
Any particular players to keep our eyes on?
BIG Buster Sund – you can’t miss him.
What’s the key strength of your team?
We will outwork any opposition and be relentless in our attack on the footy. Everyone helps to hold each other accountable.
Where do you rank competing in the Champions League in the AFL Europe calendar and what does it mean to the team?
It’s one of the most important events for the year. We as a club organise around and put a lot of effort into this weekend. It is always a very prominent goal of the club to qualify for Champions League.
Do you have any extra bits of information about the club, like past years funny/interesting stories?
The Norrtälje Dockers are celebrating 10 years as a club in 2022 and will be sending a men’s and women’s team to the tournament for the very first time
South Dublin Swans
How did you qualify for this year’s Champions League?
We won the AFL Ireland Grand Final (in extra time) against a very strong Cork Lions team.
Have you been involved with any pre-season tournaments? If so, how did that go? If not, have you had the chance to play any other teams recently in preparation?
We recently played in the Leprechaun Cup in Belfast. We had a competitive tournament and whilst not playing with our strongest squad, everyone contributed across the 4 games, with 3 players kicking their first goal for the club a real highlight. We also have an upcoming practice game against the Ireland National Squad in preparation for our respective tournaments.
What can we expect to see from your team this Champions League?
A determined group with a never say die attitude. This group continues to impress and still have plenty of improvement, so I think our best footy is still to come which is promising.
Any particular players to keep our eyes on?
Omar Mamad. I’ve never seen a 40-year-old move so well.
Darragh Devlin. Bespectacled, studying to be a doctor, bit of a Peter Parker vibe about him.
Sam Brady and John Maguire…they come from County Cavan – enough said.
What’s the key strength of your team?
I don’t think we rely on any one player, nor a host of key Australian talent to get us across the line. The talent is really spread across the team and is predominantly made up of home-grown talent.
Where do you rank competing in the Champions League in the AFL Europe calendar and what does it mean to the team?
The group has been really excited since winning AFL Ireland in October. To be able to test yourself against the best teams across Europe is an amazing opportunity to have. So, it has meant everything to the group to qualify, however we cannot rest on our laurels.
Women’s Competition
University of Oxford
How did you qualify for this year’s Champions League?
Oxford University Women qualified with their 2021 Premiership in the Women’s Wales and England (WWE9s) Australian Football League. This was our first year in this league.
Have you been involved with any pre-season tournaments? If so, how did that go? If not, have you had the chance to play any other teams recently in preparation?
Oxford are actually at the end of our usual season as the National University League in the UK concludes prior to the Champions League, so we have been playing plenty of footy! We will face Birmingham University in the NUL Grand-Final in mid-March. Further to the League, Oxford women won the AFL Europe Fitzpatrick Cup this year, we were runners-up to Sussex Swans in the one day 9/side Manchester Cup and were also victorious in our must win Varsity Match against Cambridge University!
What can we expect to see from your team this Champions League?
Oxford will be bringing a well-oiled 9/side squad who have played many times over the last 6 months. We hope to provide an organised brand of football, with Coach Justin Clarke demanding discipline from all players and formation around the ball.
Any particular players to keep our eyes on?
Captain Ashleigh Barnes and fellow midfielder Hazel Ellender will be key on-ballers for us in Amsterdam, with Grace Henry up forward hoping to kick a few between the big sticks.
What’s the key strength of your team?
Our key strength is experience as a group of players and a very raw desire to win!
Where do you rank competing in the Champions League in the AFL Europe calendar and what does it mean to the team?
As our first ever appearance we rank this competition very highly. We hope to have good games against teams we have never faced and see what Europe has to offer in terms of footy!
Do you have any extra bits of information about the club, like past years funny/interesting stories?
OUARFC is the oldest AFL Club outside of Australia, founded in 1906.
This is the first time OUARFC will play in the AFL Europe Champions League.
