Home Team Wins National Championship!

For the first time in USAFL history, the host city's home team has won the Division 1 championship. The Austin Crows played a hard fought match against the Calgary Kangaroos to take out this year's title by only 1 point - 4.2.26 to 4.1.25. This was the Crows first year in Division 1 and they showed everyone why they deserved to be there.

The Denver Lady Bulldogs proved that they are still the top women's team in the country matching up against the new kids on the block, the San Francisco Iron Maidens, who bought a full squad to Nationals for the first time. The Bulldogs dominated the final, winning 3.7.25 to 0.0.0.

The Division 2 final was a credit to the growth of the league in recent years with two relatively young clubs, the LA Dragons and Columbus Jackaroos competing for the title. The Jackaroos, who joined the Division 2 ranks for the first time in the clubs short history beat the LA Dragons convincingly 5.5.35 to 1.6.11.

In a testament to their rapid development, new teams, the Houston Lonestars and the Sacramento Suns, headlined the Division 3 final with both teams competing in only their second ever Nationals tournament. The Lonestars defeated the Suns 3.5.23 to 0.1.1. however, due to some rule confusion the Lonestars had played with 2 extra men on the field. The Suns only realized this in the dying seconds of the game which, unfortunately for them, was too late. 

The North Carolina Tigers, one of the older clubs in the league that dropped back to Division 4, took on the combined Ohio Valley/Milwaukee team in the Final. The combined Ohio Valley powerhouse came away with the win 8.4.52 to 4.7.31.

In addition to the main competition, AFL guests Tony Woods and Nick Riewoldt (Captain of the St. Kilda Saints), plus international rookies Eric Wallace (North Melbourne Kangaroos), Jason Holmes (St Kilda Saints) and Patrick Mitchell (Sydney Swans) all participated in the weekend's events. The highlight of their involvement was the Alumni match between the USAFL Masters and Legends. Woods pulled on a jumper for the Masters team and Riewoldt and the rookies all coached the teams from the sideline. A good time was definitely had by all.

Additionally the Subiaco Football Club held an exhibition match Sunday afternoon and included any USAFL players who were interested in getting in another game. A number of USA Revolution players participated in this game and Revolution Vice Captain Andrew 'Tiger' Werner managed to make an impression on the visitors from Western Australia.

Overall the weekend was a huge success and will go down in the record books as one of the best tournaments yet.

More photos and award winner information to come. View all match results here »