World Footy News

While it looks like former Geelong captain Ben Graham is coming to Arizona (as punter for the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals), it was current day players that impressed the footy locals in the Grand Canyon state recently.

The Western Bulldogs AFL team were in Phoenix on their preseason high altitude trip to Arizona and were closely observed by members of the Arizona Hawks and Ladyhawks teams. The USAFL players were able to take part in some drills with the Doggies and legendary Carlton Premiership player, and Bulldogs Assistant Coach, Peter Dean was kind enough to take the Hawks players for a few drills and impart some words of wisdom from his own fifteen year playing career with the Blues.

Arizona Hawks' Adam Smark told us “Witnessing the amazing work ethic and dedication of players at the elite level was a great experience for those present and the chance to meet and talk to the players was an amazing opportunity. There are fans of the club everywhere who would cherish such an experience and the Hawks and LadyHawks who were in attendance certainly appreciated the time in the presence of the Bulldogs."

"Thanks to the Western Bulldogs, Hawks President Laki Kondylas and club legend and AZAFL premiership captain Darren Toohey for giving the Arizona clubs the chance to experience such an event, and good luck to the Western Bulldogs for 2009.”

He went on to add “It was certainly an eye opener for the US folks since you would be hard pressed to find a team of elite sportsmen here in the US willing to let people at our level of involvement in the sport actually take part in drills and be so welcoming to everyone. I can’t speak highly enough of how great the Bulldogs were and how inviting they were to share the experience with us.”

"Dogs hit skies for Phoenix" which appeared on the Bulldog's website gives some background to the trip.