Sydney great Michael O’Loughlin backs hybrid game to be successful in an overseas venture

SYDNEY legend Michael O’Loughlin has thrown his support behind AFLX and urged the league to take the hybrid game overseas.

TAKE THAT: Michael O’Loughlin celebrates a matchwinning goal for Sydney against West Coast in the 2006 finals.

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SYDNEY legend Michael O’Loughlin has thrown his support behind AFLX and urged the league to take the hybrid game overseas.

The 303-game, 521-goal former Swan, who will be a headline guest at The Advertiser Foundation AFL season launch luncheon on March 13, said the new “fun’’ tournament was the perfect way to kickstart a season.

“The event was brilliant and I thought the buy-in from the players was great,’’ O’Loughlin said. “I don’t think I would have been ready to have played at this stage of the year but what the game showed was just how much fitter, faster and stronger players have become.

“The fans, certainly the younger generation, loved the bright lights, fast ball movement, flashy goals and all the other bits and pieces – it was right up their alley.

“My boy (James, 11) loved it so I think it is something the AFL should continue with in the pre-season and perhaps take it even further, overseas.

“It would be a way of helping the game evolve, so I’d look at taking it to New York and playing a game under lights at Central Park. What a spectacle that would be!’’

This year’s AFLX tournament – staged after last year's club tournament – featured four “drafted” teams made up from players from all 18 clubs.

The sides were Deadly (led by Adelaide’s Eddie Betts), Bolts (Geelong’s Patrick Dangerfield), Flyers (Fremantle’s Nathan Fyfe) and Rampage (Richmond’s Jack Riewoldt).

Riewoldt’s team beat Fyfe's in the final at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium last Friday.

O’Loughlin, meanwhile, has backed SA clubs Adelaide and Port Adelaide to rebound from disappointing 2018 campaigns and make this year’s AFL finals.

“The Crows had horrible luck with injuries last year and look to be in much better shape physically while Port has plenty of talent spread through its squad,’’ he said. “I expect both of them to make the top eight.’’

South Australian O’Loughlin – recruited from Central District by Sydney, where he played from 1995-2009 – will be joined at The Advertiser Foundation event at Adelaide Oval by Brownlow Medallist Gavin Wanganeen, Sydney premiership coach Paul Roos and Carlton flag hero Mark Maclure.

EVENT DETAILS

The Advertiser Foundation event at Adelaide Oval

Speakers Brownlow Medallist Gavin Wanganeen, Sydney premiership coach Paul Roos and Carlton flag hero Mark Maclure.

Book tickets with Angela Condous on 8206 2344 or by email at [e-mail]

The event will support St Johns Ambulance SA.

TICKETS COST $150 &

INCLUDE A TWO-COURSE MEAL, WINES,

CHAMPAGNE AND BEER