FAFL 360: Round 1, 2020

Match Results:
Fremantle 12.8 (80) defeated by Melbourne 15.11 (101) at Perth Stadium in Perth WA.
Melbourne City 16.21 (117) defeated Perth 11.7 (73) at Docklands Stadium in Melbourne VIC.
Gold Coast 22.16 (148) defeated Brisbane 15.8 (98) at Carrara Stadium on the Gold Coast QLD.
East Sydney 21.11 (137) defeated by Orange 22.13 (145) at the SCG in Sydney NSW.
Hobart 15.11 (101) defeated by Geelong 17.9 (111) at Bellerive Oval in Hobart TAS.
Darwin 22.15 (147) defeated Adelaide 7.9 (51) at Marrara Oval in Darwin NT.

Team from New Zealand to enter FAFL next year?
The Furry Australian Football League (FAFL) was from its beginnings consisted of only Australian teams. But that may change in 2021, as information come out that a team from New Zealand may
be entering. The country's wealthiest businessman Henry MacGregor is reportedly interested in owning a team in FAFL, but not with the way of taking ownership of one of the existing teams so far.

The 62-year-old owl was also spotted backstage at one of the preseason matches when Gold Coast played Hobart at Australian Football Park in Cairns.

What's adding to this rumour is that the Wellington Regional Stadium is looking to invest in upgrading their facilities. For Aussie Rules? The stadium owners didn't share the details, but it's possible.

We will bring more updates as time goes on.

Jimmy Newman Medal Nominee for this round:
Round 1: Ashlynn Adler (Darwin Storm)
With 25 disposals, 7 marks, 2 goals and 3 tackles in Darwin’s game against Adelaide, Ashlynn Adler has been nominated as the Round 1 nominee for the Jimmy Newman Medal for 2020.

With a great start like that to her career, We hope Ashlynn continues to impress in games to come for Darwin as the Storm look to have gotten another star in the making with another great pick up in the draft.

Michael “Bendy” Bruce Medal Goalkicking Tally:
With so many players kicking goals in Round 1, We cannot list them after Round 1. However, We will let you know who currently leads the standings. We’ll be back to normal next week.

Congrats to Sky Corvidae who currently leads with 9 goals to his name after kicking a huge bag of goals against Adelaide.

Can Sky keep it up or will any of the other major goalkickers in the league overtake him in Round 2? Find out next week.

Current Injuries and Suspensions:
Fremantle Panthers:
Casey Moody (FRE) Rough Play on Faf Perrot (MELB) Back by: Round 4

Geelong Generals:
Antía Abreu (DEF) Right Shoulder (6 Rounds) Back by: Round 7

Hobart Wolves:
Maybelle Rowntree (FWD) Tail (2 Rounds) Back by: Round 3

Melbourne City Mariners:
Waimarie Hine (FWD) Right Ankle (2 Rounds) Back by: Round 4

Melbourne Hammerheads:
Sam Sergeant (FWD) Beak Fracture (2 Rounds) Back by: Round 4

Perth Ospreys:
Sunny Ray (RUCK) Snout Fracture (2 Round) Back by: Round 3
Vanessa Erickson (MID) Osteitis Pubis (Rest of Season) Back by: 2021

This Week’s Games:
Round 2 | March 19 – 22
Thursday March 19th:
Melbourne Hammerheads vs. East Sydney Roosters @ Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne VIC (night)
Friday March 20th:
Orange Miners vs. Fremantle Panthers @ Bloomfield Oval, Orange NSW (night)
Saturday March 21st:
Adelaide Butcherbirds vs. Hobart Wolves @ Adelaide Oval, Adelaide SA
Perth Ospreys vs. Geelong Generals @ Perth Stadium, Perth WA (night)
Sunday March 22nd:
Gold Coast Dragons vs. Melbourne City Mariners @ Carrara Stadium, Gold Coast QLD
Brisbane Brumbies vs. Darwin Storm @ The Gabba, Brisbane QLD (twilight)

We hope your team wins this week but for now, See you next week.
Wes Kerry, Voice of FAFL Grandstand