St Kilda today elevated Irishman Tommy Walsh from International rookie to the primary list. He comes onto the list in place of Jesse Smith who is on the long term injury list.

Walsh has been playing well this year (in all 18 games) with the senior side of the club's VFL affiliate Sandringham, mostly in defence but also going forward on a few occasions.

The big Kerry man has looked a natural fit for the Australian game all along, but it would be almost unthinkable that he could still make his debut at St Kilda in what remains of the season. Still stranger things have happened and in the event of injuries in the finals series he provides the club with another back up option.

While the other two new sides to the ARFLI this season are clubs that have reformed, the Midwest Magpies are an entirely new identity. This makes their performances so far all the more impressive.

The Galway-based club started the season with three narrow defeats, however their season was turned around when the Magpies defeated the previously unbeaten South Dublin Swans and backed it up by beating the Midland Tigers by 74 to 26. This fine form continued in a 5 point win against the Leeside Lions only for the Magpies to lose their most recent game by three points to fellow new boys the Clare Crows. Despite this loss the Pies are still very much in the mix for a place in the finals.

Worldfootynews spoke to founder member Tony McAfee about the origins of the club, how the season has gone and about playing basketball against Barry Hall.

Collingwood will continue to gamble on Irish talent with the news that they have signed Caolan Mooney and Paul Cribben on two year international rookie deals. Like former Collingwood player Martin Clarke, Mooney hails from County Down but he will not join up with the Pies until the end of 2011 as he in still to finish school. The 17- year old had a month’s trial with the Magpies in June and impressed enough to be offer a full time deal.

Carlton's International rookie Zac Tuohy, has been spending most of the 2010 season learning the game with the Northern Bullants in the VFL alongside PNG's Peter Labi. This video is a post match interview with the Irishman after the club's Round 15 match.

Saturday 7th August saw the first leg of the 2010 Bute Series between Wales and Scotland take place in Cardiff, with the newly renamed Scottish Clansmen defeating the Welshmen of the Cymru Red Dragons.

This Bute Series between Wales and Scotland began in 2009, with the Welsh taking out the inaugural championship. This year's two match series is a 12-a-side competition with 4 players on the bench for rotating during the game.

Played under ideal weather conditions, the first quarter was a close affair with both sides finding their feet. Scotland did have the advantage of a slight breeze blowing towards their goal but the Welsh defence repelled their attacks on several occasions. Wales too had a few forays into the attacking zone as well and only 1 goal separated both teams at quarter time.

This report courtesy of Doug Hunter.

The Putney Magpies will take on the Wandsworth Demons for the 2010 AFL London Premiership at Barn Elms this Saturday August 21st, after the Magpies defeated long-time British footy goliaths the West London Wildcats last weekend.

The 95-66 win over the Wildcats will see Putney make their first-ever Grand Final appearance, as well as marking the first year since 2001 that West London have not competed in the season's main event.

After winning the past six London Premierships on the trot, the Wildcats will have to be content with third place in the premiership conference, however their seconds (Shepherds Bush) and thirds (Ealing) will be playing for the cup in their respective divisions.

The day's footy at Barn Elms Reserve commences with Ealing vs South London for the Social Division GF at 11am, Shepherds Bush vs Clapham for the Conference GF at 1pm, and the Premiership Division at 3pm.

The following preview courtesy of Mark Pitura.

Irish import Jamie O’Reilly will make his senior debut this weekend for the Richmond Tigers in their clash with Carlton. It comes as no surprise as O’Reilly was promoted to the senior panel a few weeks ago and has put in impressive performances all year for Coburg in the VFL.

With the Tigers well short of making the finals, coach Damien Hardwick has made good on his promise to blood as many youngsters as possible. The former Co. Down player will be the 10th Richmond player to make his AFL debut this year when he lines out at half back. O’Reilly has shown remarkable ability to learn a new sport in his first year at Tigerland having joined on a two year rookie deal in December.

Coincidentally round 20 last year was the first live match of AFL that O’Reilly ever saw. At the time he was on trial with the Tigers and round 20 will see him step out on the MCG for his debut. Speaking to the Herald Sun he could scarcely believe how far he has come in such a short time. “I was here in Round 20 last year watching Richmond play Collingwood and was sitting with all the other development players," he said. "A year on I am in the team playing Carlton at the MCG. It's been an incredible journey.”

Quarter-by-quarter scores from the Finals of the European Championship in Australian Football, courtesy of The Footy Record and the EC2010 organizing committee, updated as close to live as we can manage!

7th Place Playoff

5th Place Playoff

3rd Place Playoff

Gold Medal Playoff

Last night the Irish Warriors showed exactly why they are favourites to take out the European Championships, with a clinical demolition of hosts Sweden: Sweden 2.4 (16) to Ireland 13.21 (99).

A crowd of around 400 turned up to Limhamnsfältet in Malmö to watch the home nation play arguably the best team in Europe in what was effectively a semi-final for the tournament.

Despite kicking against the wind in the first quarter, the Irish got an early lead through goals from Maghnus Breathnach and Rob Armstrong. Very little separated the two sides in terms of possession, however Sweden’s inability to convert their chances cost them. Lars Hagberg and Mattias Fagersson both missed set shots before Leo Nilsson kicked a goal from open play.

Just before quarter time, Ireland’s big forward Breathnach took a mark on the edge of the goal square to kick his second and give the Warriors a 13-point lead.

In the second quarter Sweden looked solid in defence and held out well against constant waves of attack from an Irish side now kicking with the wind. However, despite having plenty of possession, Sweden couldn’t push into their own forward fifty, and failed to score all quarter. The Irish were able to extend their lead through goals from John Tierney and a snap shot from Vincent Manning.

This report courtesy of the EC2010 organisers, photos by Morten Christensen.

With a place in the European Championships grand final on the line, the highly fancied Great Britain team took on host nation Denmark at Farum, in warm, sultry conditions in front of 350 spectators.

Those who came witnessed a hard contest played in good spirit, as has been the norm in these inaugural European championships.

Denmark opened their account early with goals to Secher and Ottesen and took a slight 7 point lead into the first break. In the secord term, the Danes started to use the width of the field to great effect which lead to a couple of mark-and-goals by dominant forwards Norlander and Ottesen.

With everything on the line, Great Britain came out focused in the third quarter and locked the ball in their own attacking half for long periods. This resulted in goals to Tarn and Todd, while keeping the locals to a single point.

Taking a slim 9 point lead into the final quarter and with everything to play for, Denmark lifted a gear with a fine left footed running goal to World XVIII representative Mathias Biron and two quick goals to Norlander thereby sealing the victory.

Despite the tenacity and defensive pressure shown by Great Britain, Denmark displayed great skill and poise to finish comfortable winners, and now head to Saturday's final against tournament favourites Ireland. Great Britain will take on host nation Sweden in the 3rd place play-off game.

This report courtesy of the EC2010 organising committee.