The 2009 Coopers USFootyNews.com Mark of the Year was awarded to Dane Rolfe of the Calgary Kangaroos. Rolfe's screamer was taken in the Divvy II Grand Final against Milwaukee at the 2009 USFooty Nationals. Rolfe's mark has become something of a symbol for the 2009 Nationals and Damien Moore's photo of the mark has been used around the world including on AFL.com.au. Thanks to all the USFootyNews.com readers for voting.

Rolfe was very excited to hear that he had one the Mark of the Year competition. "I honestly had no idea that you guys even ran a MOY competition. I pretty much play aussie rules so that I can go for big marks! Marking would be the most enjoyable part of the game for me, so it is rewarding for me to win this competition."

Rolfe was particularly satisfied to take the mark in the Grand Final and during an important moment in the game. "The Grand Final was obviously a great setting for the mark. I have to thank the person who took the photo also. I remember the commentator yelling out "oooohhhh Sheardy has come down with snow in his hair" he obviously got me confused with my team mate Matt Sheard.

Calgary's Dane Rolfe chillin' in his Coopers gear while doing a bit of ice fishing.

Be first to comment this article I Quote this article on your site I Views: 96

Portland Power and Seattle Grizzly, Martin Coventry, took at the 2009 Coopers Brewery USFootyNews.com Goal of the Year. Thanks to all the USFootyNews.com readers, Portland and Seattle fans for voting! Thanks also to Coopers Brewery for providing the prizes. Coventry's huge kick in the 2009 USFooty National Championship was almost enough to win the National Championship, while it was not, it did win Goal of the Year. The kick beat out a lovely pocket snap by Revo and Baltimore Washington Eagle RJ Wheelock and a nice left footer from OC Bomber Colter Alison.

Coventry's goal came at big moment in the game, but he knew he could kick the distance. According to Coventry, "I kicked a couple of nice set shots during the warm up and I was really switched on in the final, so I didn't hesitate. It was right on the edge of my range, but it felt great when it left my boot. I couldn't tell from everyone's initial reaction if it got over the line. The ump did a great job!"

Kicking a great goal is all and good, but the name of the game is championships. "I was disappointed that we came so close and lost. But also very proud of what we achieved. I think Seattle proved we can compete with the best teams in the country. The crowd support was tremendous. All in all it was an awesome experience."

Be first to comment this article I Quote this article on your site I Views: 212

Troy Lange, a Melbourne based personal trainer, wants to bring modern footy fitness to the web with his website AussieRulesTraining.blogspot.com. Lange grew up playing footy in the South Western Victorian town of Warrnambool (a host of the 2008 International Cup). After moving to Melbourne and becoming a personal trainer and fitness studio owner, he put on the boots for the Melbourne High School Old Boys in the Victorian Amateurs.

Lange playing for Melbourne HS Old Boys.

Lange believes it is time to help non-AFL players prepare for their footy season using modern footy training techniques and programs. "I don't think there is much difference in training professional and amateur footy players as the principles remain the same but obviously time restraints are an issue so you really need to be efficient with your training. I've really found that the lack of information on training for footy results in players trying to do bodybuilding programs but I haven't seen many bodybuilders running in the AFL lately. I think there is huge need for training guides for non professional footy players. Unless your playing at the AFL or VFL level, then you're pretty much left to your own devices in regards to resistance training which means plenty of bench presses and curls for most of us. There is a lot more to performance training then just getting big chest and arms."

Be first to comment this article I Quote this article on your site I Views: 263

2009 USFootyNews.com Goal of the Year Results

Be first to comment this article I Quote this article on your site I Views: 334