2022 Champions League Team Previews: Part Four

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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.

2022 Champions League Team Previews: Part Three

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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 three of our team previews, we take a look at two French outfits, the Paris Cockerels and South West Suns.

Men’s competition:

Paris Cockerels

How did you qualify for this year’s Champions League?

The Paris Cockerels defeated the Toulouse Hawks in the final of the 2019-20 French national competition (CNFA). Since then, the team has been starved of opportunity as we look to rebuild during the 2021-22 season.

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?

The team has been participating in the 2021-22 French national competition, which started last September. This year the competition is divided into a north and south conference, hence most of the matches have been based around Paris. In addition, some of the players participated in a practice match against London-based players in an exhibition match during the Gallia Cup women’s tournament earlier this month.

What can we expect to see from your team this Champions League?

A committed effort with all players and support staff running in the same direction (there will be no “lay down Sally’s” in our squad). We have not put a ceiling on what we can achieve and, as the adage goes, we’ll be taking it one match at a time.

Any particular players to keep our eyes on?

All of them. We have a good mix of French players, Australian players and players of other nationalities.

What’s the key strength of your team?

The players voted for the following values to be adhered to in the club: fun, inclusion and respect. The team we will put on the park will adhere to those values. We will play as a team and have fun while doing it. We are a relatively tall team and will look to leverage from that in the way we play.

Where do you rank competing in the Champions League in the AFL Europe calendar and what does it mean to the team?

We are the second seed in Group B, being a team ranked by AFL Europe between 4 and 6 out of the 12 teams competing. Having a French team ranked in the top half of a highly competitive tournament is an and honour and acknowledgement of the strength of Australian Football in France and we will do our best to complete not only for the Paris Cocks Football Club but, more broadly, the stakeholders and champions of Australian football across France. When we have competed in the past, as a general rule, we have ended the pool rounds 2-1. This year we will be looking to go one better.

Do you have any extra bits of information about the club, like past years funny/interesting stories?

The team’s first tournament was at the French Cup (Coup de France) in 2008. It was played on grounds akin to a rubbish dump (or a “potato field” as Yevgeny Kafelnikov once described a grass tennis court in Australia), with rocks, flints and other sharp objects aplenty. The team won despite having three players end up in hospital and just about everyone else playing sore. We are looking forward to playing on the flat, true decks in Amsterdam!

Women’s competition:

South West Suns

How did you qualify for this year’s Champions League?

This year we played four matches North team vs South team (the South West Suns, made of players from Bayonne, Toulouse and Bordeaux).

As we went undefeated across all four games, the Suns have qualified for the Champions 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?

To prepare ourselves we recently played the Gallia Cup in Paris ! The tournament went well, the girls did a great job to finish in 5th position. It was awesome to play against European teams to see where our level was at. The experience was super encouraging!

What can we expect to see from your team this Champions League?

The girls will give everything to get the best result possible. We never give up, we will fight to show that we know how to play footy. It’s a great opportunity for us to show that in France, female players are strong!

Any particular players to keep our eyes on?

You definitely should keep your eyes on Claire Perez (forward), Camille Portal and Pauline Clement (midfielders) and Emilie Giancarli in the back line.

What’s the key strength of your team? 

Our strength is our team. It’s more than a team. We have a group with strong relationships. On the field, the girls will do everything for their teammates.

Where do you rank competing in the Champions League in the AFL Europe calendar and what does it mean to the team?

We are so honoured to be able to come to Amsterdam, represent AFL France and we think that CL hosts the highest standard of footy we have ever seen in Europe. It’s such a pleasure to be able to visit one of the most beautiful cities in the world, play this awesome game and then get to party with all these awesome footy players!

Do you have any extra bits of information about the club, like past years funny/interesting stories?

Sorry, I don’t have any answer for this question…but perhaps I will after CL.

2022 Champions League Team Previews: Part Two

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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 two of our team previews, we take a look at Croatia’s Sesvete Double Blues, Northern Island’s East Coast Eagles and Germany’s Rheinland Lions.

Men’s Competition:

Sesvete Double Blues

How did you qualify for this year’s Champions League?

Sesvete Double Blues are the back-to-back champions in the Croatian League. Last season we fought for the title to the very end and in the last game, we provided an exceptional display against our rivals and proved that we are undoubtedly the best male team in Croatia.

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 tried to organise a friendly game or two, but due to the Covid situation and long and hard winter, we were unable to do so. Luckily, we’ll play in the Croatian cup before Champions League and we’ll use it to sharpen our skills and upgrade our game.  Of course, we are going to do our best to keep our winning streak going and to lift one more trophy before Amsterdam.

What can we expect to see from your team this Champions League?

We are really a close-knit bunch of guys who will do everything for each other on and off the field. You can expect a brave and stubborn team that can upset the odds and fight for the medals.

Any particular players to keep our eyes on?

We don’t like to singkle out our individuals because we breathe as one. Every player on the team, on the bench, or on the stands is important as any other and gives his value to the team. If I really, really have to highlight one or two players, then it’ll definitely be our best player and coach Josip Motik, probably the best player on the continent at the moment. I’m sure many teams remember him from games he played against them. Also, have to mention rising star Matej Bertović who has the potential to become the best full forward in Europe.

What’s the key strength of your team? 

We are not a bunch of individuals, we work and play as one. We know each other to the soul. Every move, every gesture of every guy on the field tells something to his teammates that only they can understand and use that to improve our game at that moment. Knowing that you have those guys backing you in the game and life is the best thing in the world.

Where do you rank competing in the Champions League in the AFL Europe calendar and what does it mean to the team?

Champions League is unarguably the best competition in which we compete and every year we are looking forward to it. It is something else and we are really excited to see what we can do in Amsterdam.

Do you have any extra bits of information about the club, like past years funny/interesting stories?

We have a homemade brew called ‘Same Jake’ and we hope to finance our next trip with the profits. We plan to bring a couple so that you guys/girls can try it.

Women’s Competition:

East Coast Eagles

How did you qualify for this year’s Champions League?

The East Coast Eagles won the inaugural AFL Northern Ireland premiership.

What can we expect to see from your team this Champions League?

You can expect to see some sharp shooting, excellent work rate and a high energy team spirit.

Any particular players to keep our eyes on?

The teamwork from number 1 to 16 will be our main strength on the day. Siobhan Sherrin always makes an impact whenever she has a football in hand. She is a natural leader. Niamh O’Neill, Eva Cafolla, Elaine Maguire and Brenda Bannon have the strength, fitness and skills to keep the game intensity and speed at a top level from the first match of the day until the very end. Jade McGee will be wrapping up anyone that comes into our backline looking for a score.

What’s the key strength of your team? 

Our key strengths will be our speed and ability to move the ball quickly up the pitch. No team will have an easy time scoring against us as all our players are brave in the tackle and will never give up the chase for possession.

Where do you rank competing in the Champions League in the AFL Europe calendar and what does it mean to the team?

CL means so much to this team. We are a newly established team. We are still getting our finances, club kit and equipment together. So it has been all hands on deck these past months preparing for CL. I would like to thank the Ulster Kookaburras Club for loaning us playing jerseys and equipment over our winter league, but Amsterdam will see a fully kitted out East Coast Eagles side wearing our own new kit and dining the blue and yellow of the Eagles which has been kindly sponsored by Norso Medical and Belvoir properties.

Competing in CL ranks top of our AFL Europe calendar. The excitement around this competition is second to none. The momentum and excitement is building week by week as we edge closer to April. We have never attended this tournament before but have heard plenty of fantastic stories about the event in years gone by and can’t wait to experience it first hand.

Rheinland Lions

How did you qualify for this year’s Champions League?

We qualified by playing against four other women’s teams in the AFL Germany league. We faced the Hamburg Dockers in the Grand Final in October 2021 and fought our way back from a three-goal deficit to triumph with a score of 59 to 35.

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?

At the start of March, we participated in the Gallia Cup in Paris, which was a great way to start the season and gain some match practice. We came away with two wins and two losses and – most importantly – a lot more experience. Some of the teams that we played against in Paris we will meet again in the Champions League so there may be some unfinished business there.

What can we expect to see from your team this Champions League?

Lots of excitement, love for the sport, a colourful mix of footy veterans and some very talented rookies keen to test their skills against some of the best sides in Europe.

Any particular players to keep our eyes on?

Anna McGlade, our two times season MVP, she always brings lots of energy to the game and is amazing to watch around the ball.

What’s the key strength of your team?

The great bond between players, which means that we know our teammates very well and are always there to support each other, both on and off the field.

Where do you rank competing in the Champions League in the AFL Europe calendar and what does it mean to the team?

Despite being this early in the season, the Champions League is definitely a highlight in our 2022 calendar. With the 2020 season cancelled and last year’s season being shorter than usual we are keen to play some good footy and face some tough sides to see where we stand ahead of the AFLG season.

Do you have any extra bits of information about the club, like past years funny/interesting stories?

Something that is very dear to our club is the “Don’t drink and drive. Go pink for life” campaign in memory of our late founding teammate Janine Benecke, who would be so proud to see how far our team and women’s footy in Europe in general has come. Check it out: https://gopinkforlife.de/en/home

2022 Champions League Team Previews: Part One

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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 one of our team previews, we take a look at Northern Ireland’s Mid Ulster Scorpions, the Netherland’s Amsterdam Devils and Croatia’s Sesvete Redlegs.

Men’s Competition:

Mid Ulster Scorpions

How did you qualify for this year’s Champions League?

We managed to win the inaugural Northern Ireland 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?

Yes, we have been involved in multiple in-house games as a way of trying to keep the skills up for the big Champions League tournament. Our manager, Ryan ‘Ninga’ McCloskey, has been putting us through our paces and keeping us on our toes. Most recently, we enjoyed playing in the Lep Cup in Belfast which was a full day together and saw some exciting footy on display.

What can we expect to see from your team this Champions League?

We will be pushing for a good finish but most of all, with a lot of the lads new to AFL Europe events, we want them to really enjoy themselves. We have some top end veterans which know what to expect, but it’s the younger guys who will need to step up and that will determine how far we go.

Any particular players to keep our eyes on?

Again, the obvious choices would be the seasoned lads who’ve played all around the world but my eyes are on Sean Lynch. He’s progressed very well and shows great ability, so my guess is he will take the next step into the elite bracket. Same goes for men like O’Hara & Purvis. Overall however, we’re mostly excited about all the raw lads who have only been playing in Europe a short while like Tony O’Hagan, Ultan Clancy, Jack O’Dolan and Dan O’Neill.

What’s the key strength of your team? 

A good mix of age. Generally, the older guys love hard nut footy but are starting to slow down so with all the youth coming in it’s good to see a bit more speed around the contest and some funky flair.

Where do you rank competing in the Champions League in the AFL Europe calendar and what does it mean to the team?

This comp is for the best of the best. It’s no doubt that every club in Europe will class this competition as the one that you would want to win.

Do you have any extra bits of information about the club, like past years funny/interesting stories?

Stay tuned for some really eccentric boots, facial hair and shirts. Certain lads like to wear outrageous stuff – it will make for a terrific spectacle.

Amsterdam Devils

How did you qualify for this year’s Champions League?

We won the Dutch AFL League last year beating the Delft Blues in the final. It was the highest quality game we’ve seen in the league to date, with Delft up at 3/4 time but the Devils coming back at the end to win the flag.

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’ve had a Covid-interrupted preseason like most teams but have been away on our yearly training camp to the beach in Zandvoort and are playing Hamburg two weeks before the CL. Competition for spots is very fierce at the moment.

What can we expect to see from your team this Champions League?

As the reigning premiers we’re aiming to go back-to-back. We know how tough it is having lost in finals before, but we’ll be hard at the footy, give it a good crack and celebrate with all the teams after the tournament. Looking forward to hosting everyone again at the Sportpark de Eendracht and praying for some Dutch sunshine.

Any particular players to keep our eyes on?

Australian-wise it’s either the reigning B&F Dave ‘Hollywood’ Hall or our very own Silk, David Xian. On the international side we have hulking ruckman Maarten Oude-Lansink or twinkle-toed Irishman Joe Mooney.

What’s the key strength of your team? 

We’ve had a consistent core of players over the last few years who have grown (old?) together so we know our gameplan well and believe in each other.

Where do you rank competing in the Champions League in the AFL Europe calendar and what does it mean to the team?

It’s arguably the biggest day of the Devils’ year. We train in the freezing cold for three months to step up for it and embrace the competition. Plus, we love hosting a great day out for all the teams who we hope feel welcome in Holland. Although it’s hard not to enjoy yourself in Amsterdam.

Do you have any extra bits of information about the club, like past years funny/interesting stories?

None too repeatable but most shenanigans seem to happen in yearly trips to Paris. Dave Hall will also down a beer on request and did a shoey in front of the Australian ambassador last CL in 2019.

Women’s Competition:

Sesvete Redlegs

How did you qualify for this year’s Champions League?

After winning the Croatian Aussie rules league for the third time in a row.

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 not yet, but we will be playing the Croatian Cup on the 19th of March which will be good preparation for the Champions league.

What can we expect to see from your team this Champions League?

We set our goals pretty high – this year and we’re looking to finish second in the group phase. That being said, we know that there are a lot of good teams and every match will be a hard fought one.

Any particular players to keep our eyes on?

I’d say the players to look out for are Antonia Kablar who will be playing in the forward line and Tea Tomasek who will be in the midfield.

What’s the key strength of your team? 

Our main strength is quick transition from defence into attack. The girls want to see how good their tackling skills are against some Europe’s best teams so that is something that should be interesting as well.

Where do you rank competing in the Champions League in the AFL Europe calendar and what does it mean to the team?

Due to COVID we weren’t able to play the Champions League before, so this is a big deal for us. We all want to know how much we’ve progressed in the past couple of years and playing against some excellent teams will give us a lot of motivation to be even better.

Do you have any extra bits of information about the club, like past years funny/interesting stories?

A fun fact is that of our standard 14 players in our club, 6 are medical nurses and 6 are in finance, we still don’t know what the other two do for a living and they’ve been playing with us for 3 years now.