I assume there's no real regulation from the Dubai end? If the Dubai Heat team travelled as per their normal side but played in the CEAFL would they be obliged to call themselves UAE? Or would it be their choice, and should they if the Dubai Dingoes are not represented? Or maybe the real question is does it matter, since they're really friendlies under a varying rules and conditions while these areas are in their early stages of development.

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Brett Northey - Co-founder and Chief Editor of WFN

I figured I'd get picked up on the word friendlies. Doesn't mean they aren't competitive matches, but I wonder say if the given countries go on to become big Australian Football playing countries, whether they'd look upon such early games as full internationals or more as informal (but important) developmental matches.

The point about right of refusal is important. It's good that national bodies are given first choice, but if they don't play for whatever reason, the team that does go isn't officially recognised as that country's side is it? It's a technical point I guess. But say if Ireland said no thank you, but a few players from the Dublin Demons turned up with some Aussie tourists, yes they would be "representing" Ireland for tournament purposes. But if they played Croatia, would Croatia consider that an official match of Ireland versus Croatia?

A similar example would be if NZ invited the Australian cricket team to a tournament but Australia declined but Queensland sent a team, it's a bit tough calling them Australia, and long term NZ and Australia would not count it as such. By all means for the purposes of getting some matches on in developing footy countries it's important to have tournaments like the CEAFL but are they official matches? Obviously you're well placed to answer that Rooster.

If the answer is yes, I'm curious as to the primary rationale behind it. Is the billing of club teams as national sides (when other clubs or national sides exist) primarily for promotional purposes? Online discussions can be difficult, so note I'm not trying to stir up trouble here, I'm just curious as to the rationale behind what is a common occurrence for footy tournaments around the world. We are supportive of the CEAFL, hence the original story.

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Brett Northey - Co-founder and Chief Editor of WFN