An interesting article from The Age:

http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/afl-chiefs-look-to-south-africa/2007/07/03/1183351210553.html

The AFL claims Carlton is going to pay $40,000 for exclusive rights to develop an AFL province in South Africa.

It may be a long shot, but it does show some foresight from the Board to jump in for an opportunity like this!

Great move. Definitely something we wouldn't have been able to consider BD (before Dick)

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"I had to eat"

Bring on that elusive BIG ruckman we've been craving for; a 230cm teenage Masai warrior.

Here we come; the wheels of change just wont stop at Carlton; we have momentun and we have no barriers in the name of the 17th Flag, (especially now that the AFL is off our having forcibly removed their shackles).

Great news!

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

This is the type of thing we where once very, very good at.
Well done to all concerned.
Are you watching Collo & comp.

This is a win-win.

The development of potential players aside, what a fantastic initiative for people who have poor access to sporting facilities.

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T E A M

And they can jump. AND JUMP AND JUMP.

Shame we'll have to wear red...

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Congratulations CK95

Even if we gain nothing (or very little) from a playing perspective, the chance to bring our brand to a wider audience is absolutely fantastic (and that's not to mention the chance to really do some good work in disadvantaged communities like Buzzaaah says). This is certainly an initiative I think is well worth applauding. Well done to all those on the Board who contributed to such a worthy idea.

I'm going to assume you haven't been reading my stuff, Bondi or I am sure you would have given me a credit for that.

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Let slip the Blues of war (with apologies to William Shakespeare) (and Sir Francis Bacon, just in case)

Absolutely! Well done to those involved

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There's so much I could say...

great initiative - isn't it refreshing to see that with Pratt on board we can start to show a bit of initiative again and be more proactive.

he's making a big difference off field aint he.

This is even better than it sounds.

South Africa is a poor country, and there is not a lot of infrastructure. The best thing aout Aussie Rules is that there are 18 per side so everyone gets a go (much better than 11), the infrastructure costs are low (the pitch doesn't need to perfect, one ball, shirts on vs shirts off, and four sticks in the ground at each end, no pads required), it suits all shapes and sizes (in other words everyone can be involved) and those teams that get in on the ground floor can expect to reap real rewards both in terms of support and player development, and it doesn't have the stigma of rugby as an aparteid sport.

And what's more the local administrators love supporting it because they don't have to spend big bucks.

The exporting of Aussie Rules to the world has begun. The Irish experiment was always a hybrid. This is the true beginning of the exportation of Aussie Rules.

It is fantastic to know we will be in on the ground floor.

Wonder which province we'll get?

Like Big Kev "I'm Excited"

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"Two roads diverged in a wood,
and I,
I took the one less travelled by,
and that has made all the difference."

Robert Frost