2014 AFL Grand Final message from AFL Asia’s President

*** For details of your nearest AFL Asia Clubs’ Grand Final Party tomorrow, click here ***

AFL Asia’s President, Phil Johns writes a Grand Final message – see below.

Tomorrow, the 2014 AFL Grand Final will be played between the Sydney Swans and the Hawthorn Hawks on the MCG.

Around Asia, led by AFL Asia’s member clubs, Australians, locals and ‘other foreigners’ will be glued to the Australia Network watching the AFL Grand Final.

The satellite feed for the AFL Grand Final has been like an umbilical chord for those of us living in Asia for many years. Whether our respective team wins, loses or draws on the MCG tomorrow, come Sunday, we will all feel like losers. Sunday is the day the Federal Government pulls the power chord on the Australia Network.

But we AFL Asia clubs are a resilient and resourceful bunch. If we weren’t, we wouldn’t have brought footy to Asia.

And in Australia Network’s last gasp, it will give viewers a tantalising glimpse of what we have been building around the region.

Australia Network has confirmed that it will air a short segment on the AFL’s 2014 International Cup at which five clubs from Asia competed. There will be a focus on Team China and the Port Adelaide Football Club. It should be on the screen tomorrow at 10:54am Hong Kong time (9:54am Thailand).

We also expect Australia Network to air footage of the Jakarta Bintangs, Singapore Wombats and Hong Kong Dragons. The Dragons are playing a lead in game against Team China at 9.30am HK time at the HKFC AFL GF venue!

Wherever we are watching the AFL Grand Final tomorrow, we will see AFL Asia clubs on the Australia Network representing all of our AFL Asia clubs.

Then, in just another two weeks, our AFL Asia’s clubs will meet up in the Philippines for our own Holy Grail: the 15th Annual Asian Championships, or, the 2014 Asian Champs.

To AFL Asia’s clubs, supporters and friends, have a cracking day tomorrow at your respective events.

See you in another two weeks and let’s continue to be resilient, resourceful and to show leadership.

How good’s footy in Asia!