GWS has announced it is on the brink of signing up a set of ice hockey goal posts as its marqee signing for the 2013 season.
Following the departure of Israel Folau in the off-season, GWS have been keen on making a big name signing as a replacement and believe the American import is the answer.
The goal posts, currently employed by the Los Angeles Kings, are tipped to take up a position in the club’s forward line.
A clearly beaming Andrew Demetriou was delighted at the news. “This yet again proves the international appeal of our game,” said the AFL supremo.
PR experts hired by GWS hailed the move as a marketing masterstroke by the fledgling team. “Even if the posts don’t kick a single goal, they are going to be generating a lot of free publicity in the papers. The ice hockey goal posts will pay for themselves many times over.”
GWS coach Kevin Sheedy admits it may take some time for the ice hockey goal to settle in, “We fully expect it will take a while to get used to our game. Mainly because the posts are used to being on ice but also because they are a set of non-sentient goal posts”.
The signing has raised some criticism from within the AFL, questioning why GWS pay millions on a high profile import when perfectly good ice hockey goals exist in Australia.
However, supporters and critics both agree on one thing – it surely can’t play worse than Folau.
Bob Anderson
Guest
The are a good number of Americans on the Kings roster including two of their star players, their captain Dustin Brown and goalie Jonathan Quick. Not sure about the goalposts though.
bryan
Guest
OOps!,My posting just rubbished both!!!!
bryan
Guest
"First it was the irish experiment, then the league converts, now we may be moving into inanimate objects." The "A League" have beaten the AFL to,it,judging from the results of the Perth Glory" in recent months. Of course,back in the day,the Dockers had their share of "barely animate objects". I barrack for both these teams! :0
langou
Roar Guru
How many per side do they play?
Dingo
Guest
Not only can't you write a decent article, it appears you can't read very well either. Where did I say I liked it? In fact, just to clarify things, your article is crap. Hopefully you are now inspired to rise above your current lowly standards and aim for something that is at least mediocre. Keep trying.........
Harry
Guest
The big banger is good by European standards ? What are those standards? His comp doesn't even play 18 a side. Mickey Mouse comp with Mickey Mouse standards?
Big Boss
Guest
What do you think Don Cherry thinks about LA hockey?
Fred
Guest
Interesting the AFL ad for 2013 actually features some Ice Hockey ... http://www.worldfootynews.com/
Fred
Guest
I didnt mention popularity. It is growing. Many non-expats are now playing the game, and with globalisation hitting its stride through YouTube in recent years, the growth has accelerated.
Anon
Guest
Aksel Bang CAN actually play the game and is a very, very good player (by European standards which does make him a more than handy player). The DAFL was established almost 25 years ago. They have junior programs. If a small country town in Victoria or Tassie with a single junior side can produce an AFL player than why not one from Denmark? The Kiwi lads have been coming through the NZ juniors and South Pacific pathway for several years now. They too can seriously play the game. Kurt Heatherly goes very nice, as does Shem Tatupu. I urge Iangou to not be so dismissive.
Anon
Guest
There is an unlevel playing field with shifting goal posts at play here and it's not the GWS. Go for it Redb - I'd read it!!
langou
Roar Guru
Fair enough then, Seems a bit unfair you can't write an article because a few soccer fans will have a sook about it. Obviously they forgot to tell Tuckerman not to write articles that will start a code war
Redb
Roar Guru
Just want a level playing field. I have been told I can't write an article about soccer, serious or not becuase it will cause a code war. It seems the AFL can be fodder but not other sports like soccer. (NB: this post wont last)
langou
Roar Guru
Spending cash to sign blokes who can't play the game hardly demonstrates that the game is becoming popular overseas
Fred
Guest
Hilarious article in the same vein as The Onion News Network!! Some context might help. Many readers might not realise that the GWS recently signed on their first player to have learnt football overseas, Aksel Bang. It truly is remarkable how fast football is growing internationally. This on top of a slowly increasing number of New Zealand players, and as we all know Gaelic crossovers.
langou
Roar Guru
bit bit touchy there Redb I thought it was just Soccer fans that couldn't take a joke
langou
Roar Guru
Penguin. I like your style mate stick to your guns
Redb
Roar Guru
Stick to your own game plenty to keep you amused I'm sure.
st penguin
Guest
Yes it was! I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for the words of encouragement to keep trying. I'm really inspired to do more great work.
micka
Guest
Was it made in China from steel refined from ore dug up in Australia then? We can claim the Ice Hockey Goal posts as our own!!! On the other hand if it is Chinese born, we are ticking a few boxes in terms of the diversity in the AFL... this thing may have legs after all. First it was the irish experiment, then the league converts, now we may be moving into inanimate objects. I hear the Dees have been sniffing around the Nylex factory for a nice big Poly Tank for a key position. Bombers have been seen recruiting biohazard sharps containers and my beloved Blues are rumoured to be trialling cuckoo clocks in Germany as international rookies, just to inject a little ticker into their game.