Australian rules football in South Africa
Australian rules football in South Africa | |
---|---|
Country | South Africa |
Governing body | AFL South Africa |
National team(s) | South Africa |
Nickname(s) | Lions (formerly Buffaloes) |
First played | 1896, Durban and Johannesburg |
Registered players | 32,000 (total) 2,000 (adult) |
Clubs | 138 |
Club competitions | |
South African Australian Football League North West Province Australian Football League Gauteng Province Australian Football League | |
Audience records | |
Single match | 10,123 (1998). Brisbane v. Fremantle. (Cape Town) |
Australian rules football in South Africa is a team sport played at amateur level in the country with a small audience. The governing body is AFL South Africa.
Earliest recollections in South Africa indicate that Australian rules football was first introduced to the colonies of Transvaal, Natal and Cape in the 1880s with a premiership competition and intercolonial matches operating from 1896. By 1904, it had become one of the most popular codes of football in those colonies, however it soon faded with the success of the 1906โ07 South Africa rugby union tour of Europe and with a lack of support from Australia, the game died out just prior to the Union of South Africa.
Since 1997, the sport has grown quickly amongst indigenous communities, beginning in the North West province and later spreading to Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape province through the Australian Defence Force and later through dedicated development officers. In 2006, the game received a boost when the Australian Football League, seeking access to international sports funding from the Australian Institute of Sport began to show increased interest in the game's development.
South Africa's national team, the Lions, made history in 2007 by competing against the
The junior variant, similar to Auskick, is locally known as "FootyWild" and was played in 92 primary schools and 46 high schools.
History
The
Origins and first clubs: 1886-1896
The Witwatersrand Gold Rush brought an influx Australians to Johannesburg in 1886, and there were a large number of migrants across the goldfields of South Africa.[5] A 1904 recollection of the Australian game in South Africa cites a book called "Martin's Australian Football Guide" that claims that on the goldfields early footballers of various nationalities would alternate between soccer, rugby and Australian rules, and this happened prior to the outbreak of the war, with Australians beating the other nationalities at their own games contributing to the impression that the Australian game was the more skillful of the codes.[6]
The Wanderers Football Club based at Old Wanderers in Johannesburg was formed by Australian Association cricket members as an off-shoot in December 1896.[5] Melbourne's Argus newspaper makes reference of serviceman Frank E. Cochran of Elsternwick who served in the German West African campaign as one of the founding figures of the code in Johannesburg.[7] Among the early instigators of the game in Durban was George Cornelius in 1896 who left as Port Melbourne Football Club's youngest ever captain at age 20 and began organising and captaining matches there.[2]
Rise of the game, Boer War and the Elliot Shield (1897-1905)
The Second Boer War saw an influx of soldiers from around the world, including a significant number from Australia which boosted the game significantly and allowed it to take root.
1898 appears to have been the first year of regular annual competition between clubs in Transvaal with teams competing for the Elliot shield donated by Mr. E. Elliot.[8]
The Durban Football Club appears to have been incorporated prior to 1900 but well established in 1900 though few records exist and there is no mention of a local competition in the city.[9]
In 1900 a match was played at the Albert Park Oval in Durban between Victorians and South Australians[10] which South Australia won by 2 points.[11]
Records of the Johannesburg Football Club and the Pretoria Football Club date back to at least 1903. Pretoria was formed by Jack and Andy Campbell who had played football with the Maffra Football Club in
In June 1903 Johannesburg 3.14 defeated Pretoria 3.5 in front of a large crowd, with the local paper reporting "never was a more skilful, fast, and sterling exposition of the true Australian game exhibited In the annals of Australian football in this country, and if only both these clubs continue to give the public such genuine entertainment as was provided by Saturday's game, I venture to say that the time is not far off when many other local teams will adopt the Australian game. The openness of the play witnessed on Saturday, and the skilful manoeuvring of the several individual players roused the onlookers to the highest pitch of enthusiasm, and even the few Englishmen, Afrikanders and Dutchmen present, were unanimous in the verdict that never before had they witnessed such a fast, determined and skilful game in South Africa".[13] The match was intended to be annual.
Also during the 1903 season, on October 17 Johannesburg defeated Durban 107 to 21 at Wanderers Ground.[14] The Johannesburg Football Club is noted to have won the Australian Football League competition that year.[15] Johannesburg's winning shield was sent to Australia and displayed in George Street, Sydney.[16]
The Commonwealth Football Club, captained by ex-Fitzroy Football Club player Charlie Naismith won the South African premiership in 1904[17] and the South Africa's Premiership Cup was displayed in Sydney and Melbourne leading to some awareness of the league in South Africa and the league had laid out the challenge to leagues in Australia and proposed a tour.
The Transvaal Australian Football League in 1904 had 4 clubs in and around Johannesburg: Commonwealth Football Club; Central South African Railways Football Club ( also known as "
1903 | Johannesburg[15] |
1904 | Commonwealth[17] |
1905 | Commonwealth[8] |
-
Charlie Folletta in 1893
-
Alexander McKenzie in 1893
-
Charlie Naismith in 1905
Another league, the Cape Town Australian Football Association based in Cape Town also existed.[12]
On 20 August 1904, a representative match held in Natal between the
Officials in Melbourne were reporting that the game was established in South Africa by 1905.[21] By mid-1906 there were reportedly as many as 30 clubs across the colony and the game was growing rapidly.[22]
Australia declines support (1906-1909)
Between 1903 and 1905, the popularity of Rugby union in South Africa and Soccer in South Africa also began to rise rapidly. The sport's officials in the country, facing competition with two other football codes began to call for assistance from Australia to further grow the game. In 1904 delegates from South Africa sent a request to Australia for funding, proposing a major tour to Australia and New Zealand.[23] However funds and interest in such a tour from Australia were not forthcoming. In 1906 delegates from the major leagues of Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban made a direct request to the VFL to send a team to play a representative match in South Africa,[24] which the Victorian league initially replied it would consider.[25]
Following the request the game's newly formed governing body, the
The success of the 1906โ07 South Africa rugby union tour of Europe substantially entrenched rugby's support in the colony and interest in Australian Football quickly waned. From 1907 an Australian exodus from South Africa occurred as wages fell and unemployment rose with many migrating to Western Australia.[29]
Despite the
Administrators of the game in Victoria had showed very little if any interest in promoting the sport there and this caused substantial frustration from the game's officials in South Africa already facing increasing competition with rugby and soccer for players.
M. C. Blackett reported that at the end of 1909 the code had gone into permanent recess as Australian Footballers joined the ranks of rugby and soccer due to a lack of numbers and interest to sustain the once thriving competition.[30]
According to de Moore (2021), nothing is more to blame for the sport's demise in South Africa than from a "lack of systematic support from its heartland".[3]
The AFL Record's 2007 "Footy Facts" column made an unreferenced claim that Australian football clubs existed in 1967 in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town and that the VFL at the time was optimistic about the future of the game in South Africa.[31] There are, however, no other sources which back this claim up and it is likely that it was simply a misprint of "1907".
Revival Attempts
In 1913 a match was played between crews of HMAS Australia and HMAS Sydney in Cape Town in front of a large enthusiastic crowd, Australia winning 104 to 53.[32]
In 1917 two matches were held in Durban between players from
However in 1920 Sydney rugby league commentators gloated that the Australian code was now all but dead in South Africa, while rugby (union), through strong assistance from Britain, was now thriving.[34]
In 1939 a match played in Cape Town by the crew from HMS Moreton Bay attracted much interest and favourable reviews from the local newspapers.[35]
In 1993 interest increased to the point where plans were made for powerful
Development begins (1997-2001)
In 1997, the
In 1998 an experimental
International success (2002-2009)
In 2002, South Africa sent its first
In 2005, the
In 2006, the AFL announced it would send an all-
With the GAA cancelling the International Rules Series in 2006, the AFL's funding from the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) and Australian Institute of Sport (conditional on international competition) was under threat, under pressure to find another opponent it sought to fill this gap with international competition and announced it would choose South Africa where the game was developing fastest outside Australia.[45]
South Africa sent a side to the 2006 Barassi International Australian Football Youth Tournament, showing some improvement, but losing games to New Zealand, the ACT and Australian aboriginal side. South African born Luke van Rheenen was selected in the 2007 rookie draft by the St Kilda Football Club.
In February 2007, a youth side toured Australia, playing a curtain raiser to the
In 2007, the AFL stepped up its funding, increasing it by 10 times from
On 14 April 2007, Australia's
As part of its investment, the AFL scheduled a 2008 pre-season match between Fremantle and Carlton at
The South African Australian Football League was formed in October 2008. The league was started at the Douglas Murray Oval in Cape Town, South Africa, and is tightly contested between two teams. The original rules of the game have been modified by the SAAFL to suit the grounds available in South Africa.
In February 2008, the Flying Boomerangs again returned to South Africa on tour, this time attracting more local media interest.[51] In the same month, the AFL announced that 4 of its clubs had applied for access to specific recruiting zones in South Africa and to provide investment and development support through clinics and end of season tours. The clubs include Collingwood (Western Cape), Fremantle (North West), Carlton and the West Coast Eagles. Between 4โ8 July 2008, the historic first senior AFL South Africa National Championships were held at the Kopanelo Cricket Ground in Potchefstroom from which the 2008 Australian Football International Cup squad was selected.[52] The Lions returned to the International Cup in 2008. Despite fielding a short team, the Lions were fast and skilful, and surprised their opponents with a 3rd placing overall taking some large scalps including its first wins over early tournament favourites the US and Ireland and losing only to the eventual tournament winners Papua New Guinea.
AFL withdraws support and Post-FIFA / COVID decline (2010-)
South Africa hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup which significantly affected participation, resulting in the AFL reducing funding.[citation needed] The national team's ranking post 2010 slumped from its peak of 4th to 9th.
At the conclusion of its 10 year Australian Institute of Sport commitment the AFL abandoned the South African program of one sided international tests and instead sent a side on tour to Europe in 2011. The result was that the AIS withdrew its partnership to focus on Olympics recognised sports.[53] The AFL Academy did not return to South Africa and the AFL shifted its focus to Australian rules football in New Zealand for international funding. Despite the collapse of senior competition, junior programs have continued to run.
An Under 15 All-Australian School Sport Australia schoolboys side toured in 2014 and 2016.[54][55]
The AFL reported in 26,000 children participated in FootyWild programs in 2017 and 35,000 in 2018.[56][57] The AFL has, however, since then not published any figures on children's participation.
St Mary's Sporting Club under 18s toured for the third time in 2018 playing a series of matches against local sides.[58]
All competitions ceased in March 2020 due to the
The "SAAFL"
The South African Australian Football League was formed in October 2008. The league was started at the Douglas Murray Oval in Cape Town, South Africa, and is tightly contested between two teams. The original rules of the game have been modified by the SAAFL to suit the grounds available in South Africa.
The game is played in half a normal rugby field, measuring about 50m in length, and about 40m in width. There are only two goal posts at one end of the pitch, which can also be used to play rugby. The goals stand about 5 metres apart, and have a bar parallel to the ground about 3 metres high joining the two upright poles. 4 points are awarded if the ball is kicked from within the 22-metre "D" between the posts and over the horizontal bar, and 2 points are awarded if the ball goes under the horizontal bar. If the ball is kicked from outside the 22-metre "D" over the horizontal bar, 6 points are awarded. This is termed a "Mzanzi". The right to shoot at the goal is earned if a player marks the ball anywhere within the pitch, having caught the ball from one of their teammates kick. No umpires are present in the game, as although the game is tightly contested, the players respect the rules and enforce them accordingly themselves.
Participation
The AFL reported in 2018 that 35,000 in children participated in FootyWild programs in 2018 (26,000 participated in 2017).[56][57] The AFL has, however, since then not published any figures on children's participation.
The AFL had set a target in 2007 of 20,000 players in South Africa by 2009. In 2010 this target was reached and a new target of 40,000 was established.[citation needed]
By the end of 2007, the figures recorded a total of 7,800 participants including 3,000 senior players, 800 juniors and 4,000 Footy Wild (Auskick) participants.[59] This represented a growth in participation of 160% between 2005 and 2007.
By the end of 2005, it was reported by the AFL that there were over 3,000 players in the country.
The game had grown from no players in 1997 to 160 senior and 540 junior players in South Africa in 2004.[60]
Notable players
Men's
-
Jason Johannisen playing for the Western Bulldogs in 2017
-
Mtutuzeli Hlomela captain of the South African national Australian rules football team (Buffaloes)
-
Jack Darling playing for West Coast in 2019
-
Ryan Lester playing for Brisbane in 2019
-
Ben Ronke playing for Sydney in 2018
Currently on an AFL senior list |
Player | AFL Years* | AFL Matches* | AFL Goals | Connections to South Africa, References |
---|---|---|---|---|
Jake Rogers | 2024- | - | - | Mother[61] |
Sam Clohesy | 2024- | 1 | 1 | Mother[62] |
Cameron Mackenzie | 2023- | 14 | 3 | Father[63] |
Ted Clohesy | 2023- | 1 | - | Born, mother[64] Geelong Category B Rookie |
Neil Erasmus | 2022- | 19 | 2 | Born Johannesburg.[65] Pick #10 2021 AFL draft Fremantle Football Club |
Ben Ronke | 2018- | 44 | 39 | Mother[66] |
Jason Johannisen | 2012- | 187 | 75 | Born Johannesburg, father[67] Premiership player with the Western Bulldogs. |
Eugene Kruger | 2012 | - | Born. Rookie listed by the Sydney Swans | |
Ryan Lester | 2011- | 179 | 47 | Father[68] |
Jack Darling | 2011- | 277 | 510 | Father[69] |
Bayanda Sobetwa | 2007-2008 | - | Born (13 March 1990) From Cape Town. First South African to be first AFL player recruited from South Africa. Listed with the Greater Western Sydney Giants.[70] Represented South Africa at the 2008 International Cup and played in the WAFL under 18s for Swan Districts. | |
Luke van Rheenen | 2007-2008 | - | Born (07/03/1988) Rookie listed with the St Kilda Football Club | |
Damian Cupido | 2000-2005 | 53 | Born, parents[71] | |
Tate Day | 1998 | - | Born. rookie listed by the Brisbane Lions. | |
Stephen Lawrence | 1988-1998 | 146 | Born, father played test cricket for South Africa[71] | |
Ian Muller | 1984-1991 | 27 | Born[citation needed] | |
Jack Baggott | 1927โ1937 | 147 | 40 | Born[72] |
Aubrey MacKenzie | 1911โ1924 | 37 | Born Durban[71] |
- as of 2019 AFL season
Women's
-
Roxanne Roux playing for Fremantle in 2021
-
Michelle Cowan, as inaugural head coach of the Fremantle Football Club in the AFL Women's competition (AFLW) in 2017
Currently on an AFLW senior or rookie list |
Player | AFLW Years* | AFLW Matches* | AFLW Goals | Club played/plays for | Connections to South Africa, References |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Roxanne Roux | 2020- | 24 | 14 | Fremantle | Parent[73] |
Other notable players
- Ziggy Alwan (SANFL) (23 November 1988) โ South African born, season 2008 player for Eastern Football League's Noble Park Football Club[74] where he grew up. Runner up in the reserves Magarey Medaland Norwood Reserves Best and Fairest in 2008
- Mtutuzeli Hlomela (SANFL) โ 167 cm soccer convert who played SANFL under 18s before captaining the South African national team in 2005 and 2008 International Cups and later national coach
- Paul Mugambwa (WAFL) โ (30 May 1981) โ South African born, recruited from Bullcreek Leeming, 2005โ9 senior list player for South Fremantle Football Club. The 182 cm forward is known for his spectacular high leap and mark.
- Steven Malinga (07/05/1982) โ South African national team vice-captain from Itsoseng who has played for Swan Districts in the WAFL reserves
- Steven Matshane (02/04/1988) โ outstanding junior talent from Mafikeng who has represented South Africa at under 18 level against Australia's AIS and indigenous under 18 squads and has also played in the WAFL reserves. Also represented South Africa at the 2008 International Cup. Has a home made tattoo of an AFL ball on his arm.
- Thabiso Phakedi (25 February 1990) โ player from Morokweng played in the WAFL under 18s for Swan Districts. Represented South Africa at the 2008 International Cup and was named in the World Team.
- Tshepiso Mogapi (28 February 1991) โ player from Itsoseng who has played in the WAFL under 18s for Swan Districts. Represented South Africa at the 2008 International Cup.
National team
The
Leagues
Books
- de Moore, Greg; Hess, Rob; Nicholson, Matthew; Stewart, Bob (2021). Australia's Game: The History of Australian Football. Hardie Grant Books. ISBN 9781-74379-657-3.
References
- ^ "AFL South Africa - Official Website of the Australian Football League". Archived from the original on 17 October 2008. Retrieved 17 September 2008.
- ^ a b de Moore et al. 2021, p. 226.
- ^ a b c de Moore et al. 2021, p. 228.
- ^ "Those splendid comrades of adolescence" - The origins and early history of Australian football in South Africa by Hendrik Snyders Stellenbosch & Free State University May 2013 from Sporting Traditions, Vol. 30, No. 1, May 2013: 1-13
- ^ The Ballarat Star. No. 12700. Victoria, Australia. 17 December 1896. p. 2. Retrieved 15 November 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Adelaide Observer. Vol. LXI, no. 3, 279. South Australia. 6 August 1904. p. 18. Retrieved 17 November 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "PEKSONAL". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 21, 545. Victoria, Australia. 16 August 1915. p. 8. Retrieved 3 February 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ The Australasian. Vol. LXXIX, no. 2069. Victoria, Australia. 25 November 1905. p. 34. Retrieved 29 November 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "A WARNING FROM NATAL". The Australian Star. No. 3989. New South Wales, Australia. 27 November 1900. p. 5. Retrieved 2 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL IN SOUTH AFRICA". Leader. No. 2338. Victoria, Australia. 27 October 1900. p. 36. Retrieved 7 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "VICTORIANS IN SOUTH AFRICA". Standard. Vol. XVI, no. 37. Victoria, Australia. 29 September 1900. p. 3. Retrieved 7 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ a b de Moore et al. 2021, p. 227.
- ^ "WORLD OF SPORT". The Herald. No. 7839. Victoria, Australia. 19 June 1903. p. 2. Retrieved 15 November 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- The Australasian. Vol. LXXV, no. 1961. Victoria, Australia. 31 October 1903. p. 21. Retrieved 29 November 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ a b "AUSTRALIAN RULES". Referee. No. 913. New South Wales, Australia. 4 May 1904. p. 8. Retrieved 29 November 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "AUSTRALIAN RULES". The Referee. No. 913. New South Wales, Australia. 4 May 1904. p. 8. Retrieved 3 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ a b "FOOTBALL". The West Australian. Vol. XX, no. 5, 686. Western Australia. 4 June 1904. p. 8. Retrieved 17 November 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "FOOTBALL GOSSIP". Leader. No. 2538. Victoria, Australia. 27 August 1904. p. 16. Retrieved 29 November 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "WORLD OF SPORT". The Herald. No. 8943. Victoria, Australia. 10 June 1904. p. 2. Retrieved 17 November 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- Weekly Times. No. 1, 835. Victoria, Australia. 8 October 1904. p. 14. Retrieved 7 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL". The Australian Star. No. 5417. New South Wales, Australia. 24 June 1905. p. 8 (FIRST EDITION). Retrieved 30 September 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ a b "AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL". The Australian Star. No. 5726. New South Wales, Australia. 21 June 1906. p. 4 (FIRST EDITION). Retrieved 27 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- Adelaide Observer. Vol. LXI, no. 3, 279. South Australia. 6 August 1904. p. 18. Retrieved 2 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "FOOTBALL". Referee. No. 1034. New South Wales, Australia. 29 August 1906. p. 10. Retrieved 3 February 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ pg.10 The Referee, Wed 29 Aug 1906
- ^ "Young Australia League". Sporting Life : Dryblower's Journal. Vol. 2, no. 60. Western Australia. 9 June 1906. p. 4. Retrieved 7 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- OCLC 1004977972.
- ^ The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1883 - 1930) Mon 2 Sep 1907
- ^ "THE EXODUS". Kalgoorlie Miner. Vol. 10, no. 3644. Western Australia. 1 June 1907. p. 5. Retrieved 17 November 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- The Register (Adelaide). Vol. LXXVI, no. 20, 020. South Australia. 11 January 1911. p. 6. Retrieved 16 November 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ AFL Record. Round 6, 2007
- ^ "MASCOT FOR H.M.A.S. AUSTRALIA". Geelong Advertiser. No. 20, 703. Victoria, Australia. 27 August 1913. p. 3. Retrieved 3 February 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL IN DURBAN". Mount Magnet Miner And Lennonville Leader. Vol. 22, no. 28. Western Australia. 13 January 1917. p. 2. Retrieved 2 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Everyone's. Vol.1 No.26 1 September 1920
- ^ "WA Footballer Player In Hong Kong's First Game". The Daily News. Vol. LXIV, no. 22, 202. Western Australia. 6 June 1946. p. 13 (HOME EDITION). Retrieved 3 February 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Pg.21 The Canberra Times. July, 1993
- ^ "Playing by the Australian Rules". Time.
- ^ "RAAF takes 'Aussie rules' to South Africa". Air Force. Vol. 39, no. 10. 1 November 1997. p. 16. Retrieved 28 September 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ South Africa embraces Australian Rules football
- ^ "Up there Gumby". Archived from the original on 23 July 2008.
- ^ "Clontarf Football Academy". Archived from the original on 26 April 2006. Retrieved 12 April 2006.
- ^ Indigenous Aussies take series 3 โ 0 but South African footy a winner by Brett Northey for worldfootynews.com
- ^ The Power of Many by Martin Flanagan for realfooty.com.au. 15 March 2006
- ^ AFL wants South Africa to take on Australia by 2008 by Aaron Richard for worldfootynews.com
- ^ AFL considers South Africa if GAA cancel youth Inter-rules Saturday, December 09 2006
- ^ Buffaloes over Convicts โ match report from worldfootynews.com
- ^ a b c About Us - AFL South Africa
- ^ Aussie talent all class on African footy's big day from worldfootynews.com
- ^ "Official Website of the Australian Football League > News Article > Geelong College Visits South Africa". Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 19 July 2007. Geelong College visits South Africa
- ^ Dockers down Blues in Pretoria by Brett Northey for World Footy News 3 February 2008
- ^ Upside-down football, mate by Niren Tolsi for Mail & Guardian South Africa
- ^ "Official AFL Website of the Fremantle Football Club > News Article > AFL South Africa National Championships". Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 11 July 2008.
- ^ AFL Academy splits with AIS
- ^ "All-Australian South African sojourn". May 2014.
- ^ "FOLEY REPRESENTS ACT IN SOUTH AFRICAN TOUR - AFL Canberra".
- ^ a b AFL Annual Report 2017
- ^ a b AFL Annual Report 2018
- ^ 2018 South African Cultural Trip
- ^ AFL International Census Archived 24 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ World Footy Census 2004 โ Africa by Brett Northey for worldfootynews.com
- ^ "Four from four: Suns to unveil ANOTHER Academy product". Australian Football League. 19 April 2024. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
- ^ Suns debutant makes mum's day from across the Indian Ocean by Michael Whiting for AFL 10 April 2024
- ^ After a nervous wait, Hawks fan Mackenzie is ready to answer the call By Josh Gabelich for afl.com.au 29 November 2022
- ^ Geelong Casts profile Ted Clohesy
- ^ 2021 NAB AFL Draft: Fremantle
- ^ Ronke stock rises as rookie soars By Peter Ryan THe Age. May 15, 2018]
- ^ Collins, Ben (25 July 2012). "Dogs elevate Joburg-born speedster". Archived from the original on 28 July 2012.
- ^ Lester: I Embraced Brisbane
- ^ Thompson, Troy. "118 players with multicultural background on AFL lists". World Footy News. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
- ^ "Kevin Sheedy's Team Great Western Sydney signs South African". The Age. Melbourne. 1 February 2010.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-920910-78-5.
- ^ Australian Sports Museum - Jack Baggot
- ^ "2021 AFL Players Association Multicultural Map". AFLPA. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
- ^ "Official Site of the Norwood Football Club - the Redlegs". Archived from the original on 18 September 2008. Retrieved 17 September 2008.
External links
- Australian Volunteers International article on development of RSA footy http://www.theconvicts.com/ The Australian Convicts 2nd tour to promote Australian footy in South Africa.
- Learning to play by Australian Rules from Time magazine/CNN
- Video of Aussie Rules from YouTube