List of VFL/AFL players with international backgrounds explained

This is a list of Australian Football League players who have multicultural ancestry (which includes players born overseas or who had one parent born overseas).[1]

In 2020, about 15 per cent of AFL players were born overseas or had one parent born overseas. This was up from 13 per cent in 2019, according to AFL data.[2] In 2015 season there were 121 multicultural players, more than half had one parent from Anglophone countries, mainly the United Kingdom, Ireland and New Zealand.[3]

Current players born outside of Australia

BirthplacePlayerCareerCurrent clubRef.
Kenya2022–
Kenya2014–Port Adelaide
Egypt2022–[4]
Egypt2023–[5]
2016–Hawthorn
United Kingdom2013–North Melbourne
United States2015–Collingwood[6]
South Africa2022–[7]
Ethiopia2018–Hawthorn
South Africa2012–Western Bulldogs
Ireland2018–
Ireland2019–2021, 2023–Adelaide
2019–Western Bulldogs
Ireland2021–Brisbane Lions
Belarus2016–Collingwood
New Zealand2017–St Kilda
Canada2017–Essendon
Ireland2015–2020, 2023–
Ireland2017–Hawthorn
Kenya2020–
Papua New Guinea2022–Gold Coast[8]
Papua New Guinea2024–[9]
Ireland2011–Geelong
Ghana2021–

Albania

Austria

Barbados

Brazil

Canada

Chile

China

NameOriginsCareer
Connor DownieChinese mother2021–2022
Ernie FooChinese parents[18] 1914
Lin JongTaiwanese mother; Timorese-Chinese father2012–2021
Wally KoochewChinese father and Norwegian mother[19] [20] 1908
Dannie SeowBorn in Singapore; Chinese father[21] 1986-1987; 1989-1990
George TansingChinese father[22] [23] 1908
Jack WunhymChinese father[24] 1927–29

Cook Islands

Croatia

Cyprus

Czech Republic

Denmark

East Timor

Egypt

Ethiopia

Estonia

Fiji

France

Germany

Ghana

Greece

see: Greek Team of the Century[49]

Hong Kong

Hungary

India

Ireland

See main article: Irish experiment.

NameOriginsCareer
Colm BegleyBorn in Ireland[57] 2006–2009
Shadeau BrainIrish heritage2024–
Dermott BreretonIrish parents1982–1992, 1994–1995
Callum BrownGrew up in Ireland2021–
Ciarán ByrneBorn in Ireland2014–2018
Brian DonnellyBorn in Ireland2009–2010[58]
Matt DuffyBorn in Ireland2025–[59]
Paul EarleyBorn in Ireland1984
Karl GallagherBorn in Ireland[60] 2024–
Cian HanleyWelsh mother, Irish father2015–2018
Pearce HanleyIrish, born in England, United Kingdom; Welsh mother, Irish father2008–2020
Darragh JoyceBorn in Ireland2017–
Mark KeaneBorn in Ireland2019–2021, 2023–
Tadhg KennellyBorn in Ireland2001–2008, 2010–2011
James MaddenBorn in Ireland2021–
James MagnerIrish parents2012–13
Jock McHaleIrish parents1903–1920
Niall McKeeverBorn in Ireland2010–2013
Conor McKennaBorn in Ireland2014–2020, 2023–
Dermot McNichollBorn in Ireland1990
Rob MonahanBorn in Ireland2024–
Caolan MooneyBorn in Ireland2012–2014
Oisín MullinBorn in Ireland[61] 2023–
Conor NashBorn in Ireland2017–
Liam O'ConnellBorn in Ireland2024–
Mark O'ConnorBorn in Ireland2017–
Brett O'Hanlon2012–2014
Jamie O'ReillyBorn in Ireland2010–2011
Colin O'RiordanBorn in Ireland2017–2022
Setanta Ó hAilpínIrish father, Fijian mother2005–2013
Michael QuinnBorn in Ireland2009–2010
Ciarán SheehanBorn in Ireland2014–2017
Brian StynesBorn in Ireland1992
Jim StynesBorn in Ireland1987–1998
Zach TuohyBorn in Ireland2011–
Tommy WalshBorn in Ireland2012–2014
Sean WightBorn in Scotland to Irish parents1984–1995

Israel

Italy

See also: Italian Team of the Century.

Jamaica

Japan

Kenya

Latvia

Lebanon

Lithuania

Malaysia

Malta

Myanmar

Netherlands

New Zealand

See also: List of New Zealand Māori AFL players.

Nigeria

North Macedonia

Norway

Papua New Guinea

Peru

Philippines

Poland

Russia

Samoa

Seychelles

Serbia

Slovenia

South Africa

South Korea

Spain

Sri Lanka

Sudan/South Sudan

Sweden

Switzerland

Taiwan

Thailand

Tonga

Turkey

Tuvalu

Uganda

Ukraine

United Kingdom

England

Northern Ireland

Scotland

Wales

United States

Zimbabwe

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: AFL Community . AFL . 14 September 2022.
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  4. News: Mac Andrew opens up on his meteoric rise as his draft stocks soar. 31 October 2021. subscription.
  5. Web site: How son of a Port Adelaide premiership captain James Borlase went from 'anti-Crows' to Adelaide draft prospect. 3 December 2020. Matt. Turner.
  6. Web site: American Mason Cox kicks goal with first touch in AFL. 25 April 2016 .
  7. https://www.afl.com.au/draft/club-selections/fremantle#:~:text=Neil%20Erasmus&text=Born%20in%20Johannesburg%2C%20South%20Africa,Geelong's%20VFL%20side%20in%20April. 2021 NAB AFL Draft: Fremantle
  8. Web site: Hewago Oea of the Gold Coast Suns Biography.
  9. Web site: Young PNG star set to make AFL debut for Brisbane Lions. National Indigenous Times. 3 May 2024. Andrew. Mathieson. en.
  10. Web site: Yze set to dazzle. https://web.archive.org/web/20110812012245/http://aussierules.australianrules.com.au/2002stories/yze.html. 12 August 2011. 17 November 2015. Paul. Daffey.
  11. News: Many Cultures. One Game. 4 September 2017. Brisbane Lions. June 29, 2012.
  12. Web site: Hawks celebrate Multicultural Round . hawthornfc.com.au . 2013-07-08 . 2015-11-17.
  13. Web site: Troy Thompson . 118 players with multicultural background on AFL lists . World Footy News . 2015-11-17.
  14. Web site: Harry O'Brien is No Average Joe . Heraldsun.com.au . 2015-11-17.
  15. Web site: How AFL World Opened Up for Pyke . Dailytelegraph.com.au . 2015-11-17.
  16. Web site: Nine-goal burst wins flag for Dogs. news.google.com . 17 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151120134440/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rcRYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=65YDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2263,4918959&dq=jose-romero+chile+bulldoga&hl=en . 20 November 2015 . live.
  17. News: Former players from all corners of the world celebrate AFL multicultural round. Herald Sun. 20 July 2014.
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  19. News: From "Media City" to premiership glory. 3 August 2015. Carlton FC.
  20. De Bolfo, T. (2004) "China Blue': The Wally Koochew Story", Chinese Heritage of Australian Federation Project, Asian Studies Program, La Trobe University.http://www.chaf.lib.latrobe.edu.au/stories/koochew.htm Accessed 25 February 2008.
  21. Web site: You're a champ China | BigFooty AFL Forum . Bigfooty.com . 29 June 2006. 2015-11-17.
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  31. Web site: Soldo seizing his mo-ment. The Age. 18 September 2019. Daniel. Cherny.
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  42. Web site: Jezza leads Multicultural Team of Champions. Afl.com.au. 4 September 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20130713073651/http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-07-09/jesaulenko-you-beauty. 13 July 2013. dead.
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  44. Web site: What's in a Name?. Blueseum.
  45. Web site: Matt Burgan . Terlich's time is now . melbournefc.com.au . 15 March 2013. 2015-11-17.
  46. Web site: Greek Australian Tom Anastasopoulos picked up by Port Adelaide in AFL National Draft. Neos Kosmos. 22 November 2023.
  47. Web site: Adelaide Football Club. Sauce days, soccer and family: What led Rachele to call Crows home. 25 November 2021. Daniela. Harvey.
  48. Web site: Alipate Carlile Signs on as an AFL Multicultural Ambassador for Another Year . Heraldsun.com.au . 2015-11-17.
  49. Web site: TOTC.html . Footystats.freeservers.com . 2015-11-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130507043415/http://footystats.freeservers.com/Footystats/TOTC.html#September_6,_2004 . 7 May 2013 . dead . dmy-all .
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  51. News: Melting-pot rookie Clancee Pearce comes to the boil. Walsh. Courtney. 6 June 2009. The Australian. 45. 2009-06-08.
  52. Web site: Essendon Bombers rookie Ben McNiece and his Indian connection. Daniel. Cherny. TheAge.com.au . 7 January 2017 . 26 April 2017.
  53. Web site: A multicultural Freo. Costa. Kastanis. 18 July 2014. 27 July 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140808100015/http://www.fremantlefc.com.au/news/2014-07-18/a-multicultural-freo. 8 August 2014. dead.
  54. Web site: Alex Rance named All-Australian AFL Captain. The Indian Sun. 9 July 2017.
  55. Web site: Manpreet K Singh . AFL star speaks about multiculturalism, Fauja and his own Indian heritage . SBSPunjabi . 2022-08-02. 2023-06-16.
  56. Web site: Tony De Bolfo . Life of "The Lion" . Carltonfc.com.au . 28 June 2012. 2015-11-17.
  57. Book: Holmesby. Russell. Main. Jim. The Encyclopedia Of AFL Footballers. BAS Publishing. 2007. 978-1-920910-78-5.
  58. Web site: AFL. Donnelly says farewell. 20 July 2010.
  59. Web site: AFL. Injured Irishman still committed to Blues, eyes 2025 start. Riley. Beveridge. 12 December 2023.
  60. News: Irishman invited to train with Crows. Adelaide Football Club. 9 November 2023.
  61. Web site: Irish contingent striving for AFL success in 2024 . 7 March 2024. Maurice. Brosnan. Irish Examiner.
  62. Web site: Italian Team of the Century . Italian Team of the Century . 2015-11-17 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070523102324/http://www.italianteamofthecentury.com.au/ . 23 May 2007 . dmy-all .
  63. Web site: Richmond's New Additions - Dandenong Stingrays . Fox Sports Pulse . 2011-12-17 . 2015-11-17.
  64. News: Going Places: Christian Petracca the joker gets a clip and knuckles down. Twomey. Callum. 21 October 2014. AFL.com.au. Bigpond. 16 August 2016.
  65. Web site: 2020 AFL Players Multicultural Map. 18 February 2021 . AFLPA. 14 September 2022.
  66. Web site: When cultures combine - M.afl.com.au . https://archive.today/20140328231757/http://m.afl.com.au/news/2013-07-09/when-cultures-combine . dead . 28 March 2014 . m.afl.com.au . 2015-11-17 . dmy-all .
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  68. News: Faith drives Muslim footballer. https://web.archive.org/web/20080323024820/http://www.muslimnews.co.uk/paper/index.php?article=2830. 23 March 2008. 26 January 2007 . Zeeshan Akhtar. 17 November 2015.
  69. News: Saad blitzes field. News.com.au. 3 Oct 2012.
  70. Web site: Gold Coast Suns Vs St Kilda. https://web.archive.org/web/20150412194236/http://www.afl.com.au/match-centre/2015/2/gcfc-v-stk. dead. 12 April 2015. AFL.
  71. News: Australian-Lithuanian Van Unen debuts in Australian football. Lithuania Tribune. 1 May 2014. 6 May 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303230930/http://www.lithuaniatribune.com/67478/australian-lithuanian-van-unen-debuts-in-australian-football-201467478/. 3 March 2016. dmy-all.
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  76. Web site: Robbert Klomp : Blueseum - Online Carlton Football Club Museum . Blueseum . 1955-05-14 . 2015-11-17.
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  82. Web site: AFLNZ names New Zealand Heritage Team . Aflnz.co.nz . 2013-07-19 . 2015-11-17.
  83. News: Sam Worthington . 'Proud Kiwi' looks forward to homecoming . Stuff.co.nz . 2014-02-13 . 2015-11-17.
  84. Web site: Nick Bowen . An old head on young shoulders . AFC.com.au . 2015-11-17 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110503052104/http://www.afc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/4417/newsid/112843/default.aspx . 3 May 2011 . dmy-all .
  85. Web site: Renouf Opens Minds to Whole New World . Theaustralian.com.au . 2015-11-17.
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  88. Web site: Cowboy Samo enjoying the ride . www.carltonfc.com.au . 8 May 2019 . 2 September 2020.
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  95. News: Worsley. Ben. Sudanese refugee Aliir Aliir to make debut for Sydney Swans against Lions on Sunday. 18 September 2016. ABC News. 27 April 2016.
  96. News: Anderson. Jon. Majak Daw led the way now new wave of Sudanese talent taking over at AFL level. 18 September 2016. Herald Sun. 2 March 2016.
  97. News: Davis. Greg. Reuben William's journey takes him from war-torn South Sudan to QClash debut with Brisbane. 18 September 2016. The Courier-Mail. 8 July 2016.
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  99. News: Davidson . Brad . Family of Tasmanian twins Kade and Jake Kolodjashnij call on Suns to draft both of them . Gold Coast Bulletin . 2013-11-19 . 2015-11-17.
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  104. Web site: Palmer. Rhys. Rhys Palmer. 19 March 2014.
  105. Web site: Stewart. Paul. Paul Stewart. 19 March 2014.
  106. Web site: Docherty. Sam. Sam Docherty. 19 March 2014.
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  117. Web site: Bob Cameron. 20 March 2014.
  118. News: St Kilda defender James Gwilt earning his accolades from coach, teammates. Rod . Nicholson. Sunday Herald Sun. 22 April 2012.
  119. Web site: Queensland clubs celebrate diversity. Grant . Hitzman. 11 July 2013.
  120. Web site: Other Nationalities . https://web.archive.org/web/20110607104255/http://www.fullpointsfooty.net/other_nationalities.htm. 7 June 2011. Full Points Footy.
  121. Web site: Where in the World. Aflcommunityclub.com.au. 2015-11-17.
  122. Web site: Dockers Place Rookie on Call . Theaustralian.com.au . 2015-11-17.

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