Exciting new pre-season knockout set for Wagga

SOME of the slickest football teams from across the country could be headed for Wagga next year as part of an exciting new pre-season knockout launched this week.

Wagga footballers Brad Aiken, Stephen Smith and Jamie Wild have come together to form Riverina Australian Football Advancement Incorporated (RAFA) and unveiled a Super 15s Knockout carnival to be held in March next year.

With the Charity Shield in recess for next year, AFL Riverina has been quick to throw its support behind the new carnival, that is expected to rival rugby league's highly-successful and well-established West Wyalong Knockout.

Organisers are hoping to attract football clubs from across Victoria, NSW and Canberra with prizemoney on offer for the winner of the three-day event, to be held at Maher Oval on March 20, 21 and 22.

Invitations and information were sent to clubs on Thursday and RAFA has already been bombarded with requests for further information from a number of clubs, including a couple from East Melbourne, northern Victoria and Sydney.

RAFA member Stephen Smith believes the knockout can be an exciting addition to Riverina's Australian football calendar.

"It is a rare opportunity for coaches to get a sense of how at their senior squad looks like up against some real, and in some cases unknown, competition prior to the start of the season," Smith said.

"Country footy clubs know the struggles of attracting players to their clubs, this new concept can only help boost the profile for footy for the region, which in turn will help with recruiting in the future, and more importantly making country footy stronger and more appealing recruiting purposes."

Collingullie-Glenfield Park champion Brad Aiken believes the concept is a winner.

"It's a fantastic opportunity to play in a competitive environment and also attract quality players to the region," he said.

Several variations to typical Australian football rules will be in place at the knockout.

Nine-point super goals will be on offer, free kicks instead of boundary throw ins and play on will be called when a mark is taken from a backwards kick in the defensive half of the ground.

It will be 15-a-side with squads of 25 and games will be played over two 25 minute halves.

Riverina Umpires Association (RUA) has agreed to officiate the knockout.

RAFA has also encouraged Riverina clubs to get behind the concept and book their place quickly with places in the draw limited.

There are also sponsorship and naming right opportunities available.

Clubs can contact RAFA by email at RivAFAInc@gmail.com or by contacting Stephen Smith on 0400 033 427 or Brad Aiken on 0437 253 842.