GFL 2001 Season Review - League AFANA

PREMIERS	RUNNERS UP
Texas Lone Stars	British Bulldogs

A short selection of the main contributors from each team to highlight the team strengths:
Barnestormers Bangers: Modra, O'Loughlin, Green, M.White, Hammil
British Bulldogs: Bradshaw, Fevola, Dixon, Everritt, Hird, Dew, Burns, Wilson, Milne, Neitz, Callaghan, Beinke
Gee Cats: Lloyd, B.Hall, Power, Schwarz, Kingsley, L.Davis, Camporeale, Rogers, R.Smith, Merenda
Maine Fitzbears: M.Richardson, C.Grant, Loewe, McKernan, Pavlich, Tarrant, Molloy, C.Cornes
Farmington Flyers: Carey, Croad, Robertson, Lucas, Yze, N.Brown, A.Rocca, Caracella
Texas Lone Stars: M.Lappin, Farmer, B.Johnson, J.Brown, Bizzell, Waterhouse, N.Davis, Vardy, Welsh
West Melbourne Wolverines: Hudson, Cummings, S.Rocca, Wanganeen, McLeod, N.Holland, Ottens
Michigan Wolves: Jarman, Lynch, Koutoufides, Ph.Matera, C-Collins, Tredrea, Barker, Whitnall, Lord, Bruce

ROUND 1 - March 30
Gee Cats 9.8.62 v British Bulldogs 12.8.80 - The Oval
Michigan Wolves 7.9.51 v Farmington Flyers 10.8.68 - Big Porthole Oval
Maine Fitzbears 19.9.123 v Barnestormer Bangers 11.6.72 - BCG
Texas Lone Stars 13.5.83 v West Melbourne Wolverines 12.9.81 - Mesquite Oval

ROUND 2 - April 6
British Bulldogs 20.8.128 v Michigan Wolves 7.9.51 - Wembley Stadium
Farmington Flyers 14.5.89 v Gee Cats 7.4.46 - Parkland Park
Texas Lone Stars 10.9.69 v Maine Fitzbears 9.11.65 - Mesquite Oval
West Melbourne Wolverines 7.3.45 v Barnestormer Bangers 15.9.99 - Eau Gallie Oval

ROUND 3 - April 12
Maine Fitzbears 14.14.98 v Gee Cats 15.4.94 - BCG
Barnestormer Bangers 16.10.106 v British Bulldogs 9.6.60 - The Barn
Farmington Flyers 10.10.70 v Texas Lone Stars 9.18.72 - Parkland Park
Michigan Wolves 17.4.106 v West Melbourne Wolverines 12.8.80 - Big Porthole Oval

ROUND 4 - April 20
Texas Lone Stars 13.8.86 v Barnestormer Bangers 8.4.52 - Mesquite Oval
West Melbourne Wolverines 14.8.92 v Maine Fitzbears 6.6.42 - Eau Gallie Oval
Michigan Wolves 5.6.36 v Gee Cats 7.6.48 - Big Porthole Oval
Farmington Flyers 6.10.46 v British Bulldogs 9.13.67 - Parkland Park

ROUND 5 - April 25
Barnestormer Bangers 5.8.38 v Farmington Flyers 17.5.107 - The Barn
Gee Cats 10.8.68 v West Melbourne Wolverines 12.8.80 - The Oval
Maine Fitzbears 14.4.88 v Michigan Wolves 24.9.153 - BCG
Texas Lone Stars 7.2.44 v British Bulldogs 16.10.106 - Mesquite Oval

ROUND 6 - May 4
British Bulldogs 15.11.101 v Maine Fitzbears 14.8.92 - Wembley Stadium
Gee Cats 25.16.166 v Barnestormer Bangers 14.9.93 - The Oval
Michigan Wolves 16.9.105 v Texas Lone Stars 8.4.52 - Big Porthole Oval
West Melbourne Wolverines 11.1.67 v Farmington Flyers 18.9.117 - Eau Gallie Oval

ROUND 7 - May 11
Michigan Wolves 11.7.73 v Barnestormer Bangers 9.4.58 - Big Porthole Oval
British Bulldogs 8.8.56 v West Melbourne Wolverines 5.13.43 - Wembley Stadium
Gee Cats 12.10.82 v Texas Lone Stars 8.10.58 - The Oval
Maine Fitzbears 15.9.99 v Farmington Flyers 18.12.120 - BCG

ROUND 8 - May 18
West Melbourne Wolverines 18.10.118 v Texas Lone Stars 15.9.99 - Eau Gallie Oval
British Bulldogs 14.7.91 v Gee Cats 7.6.48 - Wembley Stadium
Barnestormer Bangers 15.6.96 v Maine Fitzbears 16.8.104 - The Barn
Farmington Flyers 7.8.50 v Michigan Wolves 19.6.120 - Parkland Park

ROUND 9 - May 25
Maine Fitzbears 11.6.72 v Texas Lone Stars 13.6.84 - BCG
Barnestormer Bangers 1.4.10 v West Melbourne Wolverines 12.6.78 - The Barn
Michigan Wolves 7.8.50 v British Bulldogs 8.10.58 - Big Porthole Oval
Gee Cats 11.7.73 v Farmington Flyers 5.11.41 - The Oval

ROUND 10 - June 1
British Bulldogs 13.14.92 v Barnestormer Bangers 11.4.70 - Wembley Stadium
Texas Lone Stars 8.7.55 v Farmington Flyers 11.4.70 - Mesquite Oval
West Melbourne Wolverines 11.7.73 v Michigan Wolves 13.4.82 - Eau Gallie Oval
Gee Cats 9.8.62 v Maine Fitzbears 18.8.116 - The Oval

ROUND 11 - June 8
Gee Cats 10.13.73 v Michigan Wolves 10.6.66 - The Oval
Barnestormer Bangers 10.6.66 v Texas Lone Stars 6.6.42 - The Barn
Maine Fitzbears 20.7.127 v West Melbourne Wolverines 17.5.107 - BCG
British Bulldogs 15.15.105 v Farmington Flyers 10.9.69 - Wembley Stadium

ROUND 12 - June 15
British Bulldogs 12.10.82 v Texas Lone Stars 11.2.68 - Wembley Stadium
Michigan Wolves 17.9.111 v Maine Fitzbears 8.5.53 - Big Porthole Oval
West Melbourne Wolverines 15.10.100 v Gee Cats 9.7.61 - Eau Gallie Oval
Farmington Flyers 12.3.75 v Barnestormer Bangers 12.10.82 - Parkland Park

ROUND 13 - June 29
Texas Lone Stars 12.8.80 v Michigan Wolves 14.9.93 - Mesquite Oval
Barnestormer Bangers 7.5.47 v Gee Cats 19.9.123 - The Barn
Farmington Flyers 8.6.54 v West Melbourne Wolverines 9.7.61 - Parkland Park
Maine Fitzbears 9.10.64 v British Bulldogs 8.1.49 - BCG

ROUND 14 - July 6
West Melbourne Wolverines 12.3.75 v British Bulldogs 11.8.74 - Eau Gallie Oval
Barnestormer Bangers 10.13.73 v Michigan Wolves 10.5.65 - The Barn
Texas Lone Stars 15.9.99 v Gee Cats 9.3.57 - Mesquite Oval
Farmington Flyers 14.9.93 v Maine Fitzbears 15.9.99 - Parkland Park

ROUND 15 - July 13
Maine Fitzbears 4.8.32 v Barnestormer Bangers 11.9.75 - BCG
Gee Cats 18.3.111 v British Bulldogs 22.9.141 - The Oval
Texas Lone Stars 17.12.114 v West Melbourne Wolverines 12.15.87 - Mesquite Oval
Michigan Wolves 20.14.134 v Farmington Flyers 9.12.66 - Big Porthole Oval

ROUND 16 - July 20
Texas Lone Stars 16.14.110 v Maine Fitzbears 13.5.83 - Mesquite Oval
British Bulldogs 21.9.135 v Michigan Wolves 21.10.136 - Wembley Stadium
West Melbourne Wolverines 10.8.68 v Barnestormer Bangers 10.3.63 - Eau Gallie Oval
Farmington Flyers 13.12.90 v Gee Cats 19.3.117 - Parkland Park

ROUND 17 - July 27
Farmington Flyers 10.5.65 v Texas Lone Stars 10.7.67 - Parkland Park
Maine Fitzbears 17.4.106 v Gee Cats 10.5.65 - BCG
Barnestormer Bangers 10.12.72 v British Bulldogs 15.7.97 - The Barn
Michigan Wolves 15.5.95 v West Melbourne Wolverines 14.6.90 - Big Porthole Oval

ROUND 18 - August 3
West Melbourne Wolverines 10.3.63 v Maine Fitzbears 14.6.90 - Eau Gallie Oval
Michigan Wolves 18.12.120 v Gee Cats 11.7.73 - Big Porthole Oval
Texas Lone Stars 13.6.84 v Barnestormer Bangers 11.5.71 - Mesquite Oval
Farmington Flyers 9.8.62 v British Bulldogs 9.6.60 - Parkland Park

ROUND 19 - August 10
ELIMINATION FINAL
Maine Fitzbears 15.3.93 v West Melbourne Wolverines 10.6.66 - AFANA GFL Park
QUALIFYING FINAL
Michigan Wolves 9.9.63 v Texas Lone Stars 11.8.74 - AFANA GFL Park

ROUND 20 - August 17
1ST SEMI FINAL
British Bulldogs 21.19.145 v Texas Lone Stars 17.8.110 - AFANA GFL Park
2ND SEMI FINAL
Maine Fitzbears 17.14.116 v Michigan Wolves 14.2.86 - AFANA GFL Park

ROUND 21 - August 24
PRELIMINARY FINAL
Maine Fitzbears 10.12.72 v Texas Lone Stars 12.7.79 - AFANA GFL Park

ROUND 22 - AUGUST 31
G R A N D F I N A L
British Bulldogs 14.7.91 v Texas Lone Stars 15.8.98 - AFANA GFL Park

AFANA GFL was the first truly international only Aussie Rules League in the world, and marked a great occasion as an 8-league team of fully overseas participants locked horns to pit their wits against each other, and in a way against the local lads in the other competitions. Unfortunately, there was not enough interest to span a fully North American league and the 8th spot had to be taken up by a British representative, but he proved himself worthy even if he was out numbered! The other disappointing factor was that only half the teams really committed themselves throughout the season and a couple of teams had to be taken over by caretakers to see them through. But on the bright side, the teams that commit themselves made the whole exercise worthwhile with one coach also writing write ups every week and another devoting a web site to his own league team!

The British Bulldogs emerged as the team to beat from the pre-season draft campaign and even tried to offload some talented players to try and even out the competition, which only one other team took their offer up on. But the Lone Stars were the team that came out of the blocks winning their first four games in a row before some indifferent form and devastating injuries set in and the side lost the next four on the run. The Texas team commencing their own league website and contributing weekly match reports to the forum to enhance the atmosphere of the League. Not to be outdone the Wolverines were another team committed to the cause and found the indifferent form of their own players frustrating as they struggled to keep the wins on the board and a placement in the top five. Every week the Wolverines not only submitted write ups but also sent around a copy of their preliminary results of all matches so coaches did not have to wait an extra day for the official results to be published due to the time difference between the two countries. Very fittingly therefore these two teams made it to the finals campaign. The Fitzbears, Flyers and BarneStormers were also involved throughout the season and submitted line ups on a relatively frequent basis to keep the competition alive and competitive. Unfortunately for the latter, a missed opportunity at the drafts saw them languish for much of the season on the bottom of the ladder while the other two teams were world beaters one week and "scratch the head" losers the following, marking what a strange league and season it really was, and how competitive and even this comp really was too. The other two teams don't get much of a mention for their coaches chose not to participate throughout the year and caretakers had to be appointed, but to convey their achievements the Cats had Lloyd at their forefront and were extremely difficult to beat when he was on fire, while the Wolves, through that trade with the Bulldogs suddenly found themselves flying up to the top of the table and premiership favourites by season end. Fittingly, for the league, neither was to go all the way, and the major players in the finals were regular and properly coached teams. The Wolverines had to rely on a few other results going their way at the end of the season to break into the five with just a couple of rounds to go - but once their, they never looked like falling out - that was until the elimination final when they came up against a hot and cold Fitzbears who were near boiling point on that occasion. The Bulldogs, quite rightfully, earned minor premiership honors although it was not to their ultimate advantage at the end of the day, because in the game that counted, the Grand Final, somehow many of their so called stars were sleeping and an underestimated and underrated Lone Stars outfit had their measure. But even the Lone Stars quest for the finals was a story in itself, sitting second to bottom with just a couple of rounds to go and relying almost entirely on the fortunes of other winners and their own wins to even scrape into the finals. With a team full of injuries and bad form, where they were going to get wins from was a massive question in itself, but against all the odds they pulled some white rabbits out of top hats and not only got into the finals campaign but attained a double chance at that - to which many thought was the only way they were even going to get to the Preliminary Final.... if they were lucky. The Lone Stars somehow massacred the Wolves who were not only odds on favourite, but a number of Texas fans didn't bother turning up on the basis they would not even have a leg in. Texas had their first hiccup in the against the Bulldogs who must have been licking their lips when they met two weeks later in the Final, but it was the Lone Stars who had the last laugh, with their defensive ploys suppressing the Bulldog attack enough to go out winners by just 7 points in a very memorable final. And while all the kudos would have gone to the Bulldogs, it was probably fitting that the first signed up and committed North American coach went on to take out the honors!

While there is no guarantees for a 2002 league because of the low numbers and responses to the first year of AFANA GFL, it is hoped that there will be another opportunity for our Overseas friends to get involved in one of the best and addictive comps on the Net that is simple and easy to master - which will only run if numbers permit and interest is there. Please contact AFANA if you wish to become involved or send me an email.


Barnestormer Bangers	British Bulldogs	Gee-Cats	Maine Fitzbears
Nigel Barnes	David Williams	Don Lancaster	Steve Avery
San Diego, USA	Sussex, UK	Pittsburgh, PA, USA	Belfast, Maine, USA

Farmington Flyers	Texas Lone Stars	West Melbourne Wolverines	Michigan Wolves
Scott Cheatham	Mike McKee	Tony Cristaldi	Ben Seacrist
Farmington, Missouri, USA	Mesquite, TX, USA	Melbourne, FL, USA	Detroit, MI, USA

#	Team	W	L	D	R/T	C/P	For	Agst	%	PTS
1	Texas Lone Stars	13	9	0	1963	86.47	1706	1796	94.99	52
2	British Bulldogs	14	6	0	2612	73.88	1758	1415	124.24	56
3	Maine Fitzbears	11	10	0	2264	80.53	1834	1847	99.30	44
4	Michigan Wolves	12	8	0	2652	70.69	1796	1536	116.93	48
5	Wst Melb Wolverines	8	11	0	2138	75.90	1474	1512	97.49	32
6	Farmington Flyers	7	11	0	2236	70.34	1352	1413	95.68	28
7	Gee Cats	7	11	0	2267	75.01	1429	1551	92.13	28
8	B'storm Bangers	6	12	0	1775	80.25	1243	1520	81.78	24