European Crusaders
 | |
| Governing body | AFL Europe |
|---|---|
| Rankings | |
| Current |  10th (as of October 2022[1]) |
| International Cup | |
| Appearances | 1 (first in 2017) |
| Best result | 7th (2017) |
The European Crusaders are an international Australian rules football team composed of European citizens.[2] Although Team Europe operates with a similar concept, the Crusaders were notably the first female all European team to compete in Australia for the Australian Football International Cup. The team was also the first female combined team to play in the International Cup with players originating from Croatia, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Northern Ireland and Scotland.[3] A male European Crusaders team was originally formed but disbanded prior to the tournament.
2017 AFL International Cup[edit]
In 2017 the European Crusaders formed and competed in the International AFL Women's Competition.[4] Meeting only a few days before the beginning of the tournament, the Crusaders became known for "their spirit, determination and improvement"[5] as it progressed. They trained at Princes Park, South Melbourne.[6] The majority of the team and staff are French women competing in the French Australian Football League, with a number of Paris Cockerels.[7]
2017 Squad Members[edit]
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Team Manager | Fanny Maillet |
| Coach | Graham Andrews |
| Support Staff | Jon Sculley, Paul Ritchie, Joanne Mouradian |
| Player Number | Player Name | Country | Team | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isabella Rositano | Italy | Rookie | Isabella is an Australian canoeist who made her Australian Rules debut with the European Crusaders in the first game of the tournament. |
| 2 | Mathilde Combes | France | Paris Cockerelles | |
| 3 | Joanne Mouradian | France | Paris Cockerelles | Joanne sustained an injury during training so took on the role of runner during the International Cup. |
| 4 | Coline Duquet | France | Paris Cockerelles | Coline was notably awarded a place on the 2017 World Team after her work in fallback[9]. |
| 5 | Naima Ait El Mouden | France | Paris Cockerelles | |
| 6 | Marine Assemat | France | ALFA Lions | |
| 7 | Berengere Portal | France | Paris Cockerelles | Captain |
| 8 | Catherine Giles | France | Paris Cockerelles | |
| 9 | Linn Gardell | Sweden | Port Malmo Lynx | |
| 11 | Amanda King | Sweden | Boston Demons (USA) | |
| 12 | Emilie Giancarli | France | Bordeaux Bombers | |
| 13 | Rachel Urquhart | Scotland | South Melbourne | Vice Captain |
| 14 | Dagmara Ratinski | Croatia | Perth Angels | |
| 17 | Leila Morgenroth | Germany | Sydney Uni Bombers | |
| 18 | Charline Wood | Germany | Newtown Breakaways | |
| 19 | Helene Pittet | France | Toulouse Hawks | |
| 22 | Ana Barisic | Croatia | ZKAN Zagreb Panthers | |
| 26 | Anne Pille | France | Paris Cockerelles | |
| 33 | Laura Gauss | Germany | North Shore Bombers (Australia) | |
| 40 | Camille Portal | France | Bordeaux Bombers | |
| 47 | Frances Finn | Northern Ireland | Perth Angels (Australia) | |
| 81 | Claire Perez | France | Paris Cockerelles |
References[edit]
- ^ https://worldfootynews.com/article.php/20221023151904146
- ^ "IC17 Preview: European Crusaders - World Footy News". www.worldfootynews.com. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
- ^ "International Cup stirs pride and passion - AFL.com.au". afl.com.au. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
- ^ "European Crusaders – AFL Europe". www.afleurope.org. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
- ^ "IC17 Tournament Review – European Crusaders – AFL Europe". www.afleurope.org. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
- ^ Holden, Peter. "AFL IC17 team preview: European Crusaders and Great Britain Swans". girlsplayfooty.com. Archived from the original on 10 September 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
- ^ "AFL International Cup - European Crusaders". SBS Your Language. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
- ^ 2017 AFL International Cup Guide. AFL House: AFL. 2017. p. 27.
- ^ "French ruck keen to share 'full Aussie experience' - AFL.com.au". afl.com.au. Retrieved 8 September 2017.