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The 28th edition of the USAFL National Championships is here, and aside from a packed women’s division, we have five exciting divisions in men’s play.
There’s a great amount of Aussie Rules history in this state, which has at times been home to three different USAFL clubs. Even here in Tucson, where the Javelinas once roamed from 1999-2004, this is a bit of a homecoming of sorts.
The hometown Hawks, both on the men’s and women’s sides, are just one of many stories across the men’s divisions in 2025. Will the Crows win yet another $^&%@ title? Will this finally be Denver’s year, or perhaps someone else’s? Will the Grizzlies finally get over the hump and win Division 2? Who will emerge from the other divisions? Can you really get water from a cactus?
Here is a quick glance at all 29 teams competing on the weekend:
MEN’S DIVISION 1
POOL A
Austin Crows (7-1)
For the tenth time in the last twelve seasons, the Crows come to Nationals as the defending champions. Nolan Cox, Grant Campbell and the boys from Austin aim to become the first club to hit double digit championships in a single division, and the third team all time (behind the Denver and Golden Gate) women to win six-straight titles. They have only one loss this season, to Denver. And though the Bulldogs are the only team to defeat the Crows since 2019, the trophy keeps heading back to the Lone Star capital whenever the two meet on Sunday afternoon at Nationals. With a record 25-game Nationals winning streak on the line, Austin is again trying to fly off with the cup.
New York Magpies (6-0)
One year removed from a last-place finish in Div 1 a season ago, the Magpies have bounced back with an undefeated season that included a Northeast Regional championship. Their disciplined play has remained consistent over the years thanks to American veterans like Mike Murphy and Spencer Riesbeck and a seasoned Aussie core led by Connor Delves and Adam Franklin. They have good young recruits too, with Gabe Casillas having a strong rookie season. The ‘Pies would love to get back to their first Grand Final since 2021 and bring back the John Harrell Cup to the Big Apple for the first time in 11 seasons.
Sacramento Suns (7-2)
Living up to their name, the Suns come to Tucson about as hot as any team in the league. Their run to the D2 title at the Western Regionals, which included an instant classic against Seattle in the deciding match, was a testament to their fortitude and their potential after a seven win season. What struck this observer the hardest was the forward line play of Tim Peterson and Andrew Loewen. The defense, keystoned by Toby Simmons, and the midfield play of literal Swiss Army Knife Nico Caprignano, has the Suns as a genuine dark horse from this sextet of squads.
POOL B
Denver Bulldogs (3-2)
Since 2000, the Denver Bulldogs have appeared in 14 of the 24 Men’s Division 1 Grand Finals held. Of their six losses in the decider, the last four have come in the past five seasons, and all have come at the hands of the Austin Crows. As stated above, the ‘Doggies are the only club to have Austin’s number during the regular season, and they’ve bested the Crows in two of the last three regionals. Like the other teams in this field, their Americans lead from the front, with vets Luke Durkin and Max Eckstein hoping to carry the boys from the Mile High city back to glory and tie Austin with nine-D1 victories.
Golden Gate Roos (4-3)
While the magical season of 2017, the one that produced their lone D1 championship run, seems a long way back in the rearview, the Roos are still one of the league’s elite teams. They had a rough go of it at Westerns, but still managed to compile a winning record on the season. Irishman James O’Flartharta was the Roos’ standout that weekend in Denver, and the addition of Rob Munn from the Seattle Grizzlies gives tall support to Tim Linfeldt and to the omnipotent Daniel Livy. The Roos would love to knock back Denver in the group stage and then make a run to face the Crows in another Grand Final tilt.
Houston Lonestars (5-6)
After a stunning comeback victory over Seattle in the D2 Grand Final last year, the Lonestars make their Division 1 debut. This will be a fantastic litmus test for them to see how they compete against some of the regulars in Div 1. They are always competitive at Nationals as they’ve gone up the ladder, and this season shouldn’t be any different. Newcomer Clay Dunn, Zach Weikel, and Nick Pleasance and his magnificent beard won’t be afraid of any of the challenges that await the ‘Stars, and come what may they can use this tournament as a springboard for the future.
MEN’S DIVISION 2
POOL A
Seattle Grizzlies (2-1)
Title games have not been kind to the bears from the Emerald City. With the last two D2 title matches not falling their way, and with a difficult loss in D2 at the Western Regionals still in the back of their mind, the Grizzlies will be as fierce as their namesake when they arrive at the Kino Sports Complex. Blake McGrath, Matt Zapel, and the lightning rod that is Thanikan “Banksy” Chaichana are exciting and skillful players, and David Bridges is always lurking. The other teams here will try to deny Seattle, but they do so at their own peril.
Los Angeles Dragons (4-3)
After dopping all the way down to D3 in Austin, it’s great to see the Dragons make the step back up to Div 2. The 2017 D1 Grand Finalists have had their hands full against competitors from the rest of California, but have battled well, and will head to Tucson hoping for their first D2 championship since 2014. Led by Revos Sam Murphy and Gabriel Martin del Campo, and aided by veterans such as David Dollar and Rick Shiabani, L.A. poses a threat as the 4th seed in this grouping and are looking to flambe the competition in the provess.
Baltimore Dockers (6-6)
The Dock Show always plays to long engagements and 2025 was no different. Twelve games proved to even out to a .500 record, but there was a good 2-1 effort in this spring’s Mid-Atlantic Cup and a third place finish at the Northeast Regionals. The orange-and-black are aiming to improve on a 4th-place finish in D2 last season, led by the speedy Isley Autry and the potent play of John O’Connor. The Aussie trio of Bryn Hansen, William Twizell, and Tom Waters have been consistently solid, as Baltimore tries to make it back to the D2 granny for the first time since 2019.
POOL B
San Diego Lions (3-4)
Resurging once again, the San Diego Lions enter Nationals weekend with a similar path to the Dragons. They were fearsome foes in the SoCal Cup and in the Sand and Surf Cup, and the sun-splashed pride comes across I-8 (and a wee bit of I-10) for their first D2 title in six seasons, having defeated a then-upstart Baltimore team in the Grand Final. The veteran regulars like Lucas Golson, Brendan Huessler, and Justin Valley have been joined by a new generation of recruits. Aussie twins Iason and Filippos Tsironis, and local recruit Oren Cargill, will be ones to watch as the Lions try to emulate their Brisbane brethren in premiership glory.
DC Eagles (9-6)
Playing more games during the USAFL regular season than anyone else, the Eagles won 9 of their 15 matches in 2025, including a sweep in the Mid-Atlantic Cup to start the season, and a second place Northeast Regional result, falling only to New York along the way. The 2021 Division 2 champions have put in the hard yards; Luke Myer, aka “Kansas”, really did travel like dust in the wind, having attended three of the four regional championships. Bernie Berges, playing in the Northeast and Southeast, was a convincing All-Regionals selection. Add in forward dynamo Qadry Williams and the young duo of Riley and Campbell Naughton, and D.C. may reign supreme at the end of the weekend.
Austin Crows Reserves
Making history in 2023 as part of an unprecedented treble (Men’s D1, Women’s D2, and Reserves), the Crows ressies came last of the eight teams in a very competitive Division 2 a season ago. But, they’re back for more and will challenge the Lions and Eagles in this group. There is a large pool of veterans to pull from here, among them Lalo Harrera and Mike Montgomery. Last year’s results aside, no one should sleep on these Crows, because they’ll make you pay.
MEN’S DIVISION 3
POOL A
Chicago Swans (5-4)
They were agonizingly close to their first D3 trophy since 2012, having falling to Calgary in a tough match. After pecking their way through the Midwest, including a fascinating effort at the Central Regionals, the Bloods are the top seeds in Division 3 and will attempt to hold serve in a difficult group. Bevan Charlton-White is a prolific goal kicker who proved his resume by bringing the house down in Olathe in June. With support up front from Ajani Crosley, Brad Clifton and the rest of the Swans, the boys from Chi-town have a little bit of bluster to them.
Columbus Cats (5-4)
One of the teams the Swans tangled with in 2025 was the Columbus Cats, and though household felines generally don’t like water, C-bus has been treading steadily here in Division 3 the past couple of years. The veterans on the side remember losing to Boston in the 2019 D3 decider, and will make the long trek to Arizona to get another crack at the trophy. Clyde Simpson, Mark “Stork” McClure, young Chase Beardsley and a largely American side play with an edge and will try to upend this group and into the final.
Arizona Hawks (5-2-1)
The moment has finally arrived for the home team. Ever since the announcement came down that the Hawks would be hosting this carnival down the road in Tucson, team president Darren Henderson and his team have been doing the tippy-taps in anticipation. They welcome in the rest of the league as the reigning Division 3 Western Regional champions, and are vying to add to their 2011 and 2021 National Championships. Tevye Schuettpelz-Rohl and Michael Grogan will attempt to recapture their All-Regional performances, and the flying Lutostanskis will be there to finish off the season at home in unforgettable fashion.
Nashville Kangaroos (4-2) (w/ Birmingham & Rome)
Nashville is like a really good lego; they fit into any other piece seamlessly and form a strong bond. They should do the same with the Birmingham Bushranger and Rome Redback player who made the trip out west. Nhat Vo, Cody McLain, and James Telfer led the way as the Nashville Kangaroos made a good run at Centrals, and Vo in particular has the makings of a star in this league. Tyler Sherwood and Dylan McLaughlin, two National team prospects, should contribute to a side looking to shock the field from the 8th slot.
POOL B
North Texas Devils (9-5)
One of the great things about seeing teams year after year is witnessing their steady ascension. North Texas, who debuted at the 2021 Nationals, went winless in their first ever hitout in D3. Four years later, they’re the two-seed, reigning D1 champions from the Central regionals, and are a real chance at their first ever National title. Coach Peter Wood has his side playing hard-nosed footy, just like they do in Dallas. The Bass and Canterbury Brothers (sounds like a good folk band) and Paul Iokaim led the men in green onward to what could be a well deserved premiership.
Minnesota Freeze (7-3)
Minnesota will get their chance to exact some revenge on the Devils after being routed in the Central Regionals opener. It was one small blip on the radar in a seven win season for the Yeti, who, with a potent scoring attack, will have the belief that they can go back to a grand final since winning D2 back in 2018. David Arias led a ten-goal blitz in the final match of the regionals round robin, and he’ll be supported by tall timber Brett Mergen, defensive genius Goose Kenfield, and a band of Yetis looking to stomp and otherwise ice the field.
Portland Steelheads (1-4-1)
It’s been a decade since the Portland Steelheads went back to back in Division 3, and after a dip into Division 4, where they finished a positive third, Martin Coventry and the guys from the Rose City are back in D3. They formed a robust pairing with Wasatch in the Western Regionals, only falling to Arizona in D3 play, but showed a lot of gumption and promise. Travis LaJoie and Dominic van der Walt were standout performers for the Fish, and Nathan Weinstock always seems to come to fore when needed.
Boston Demons (2-2) / Philadelphia Hawks (4-4)
Old EAFL foes, whose rivalry goes back 20 years, join forces in Tucson. Philly’s season has been marked with key victories against regional foes, which included a gritty one-goal win over DC in the rain at home in the NE Regionals. Boston, meanwhile, fought their way to a split of their four games. Tons of seasoned pros dot this side, from Philly coach Jon Loring to Boston’s Dave Moreton and Ken McCarthy. But there’s some athletes here too, led by John HInchen and ruck Chris Gough from the Hawkers, and Dee playmaker Jakob O’Meara-Gill.
MEN’S DIVISION 4
Denver Bulldogs Reserves (0-2) (w/ Wisconsin & Seattle Reserves)
Two seasons ago the “Old Dogs” and the Wombats got together to take out Division 3 at the super regionals. They’ll reunite again, with the Bulldogs Reserves the defending D4 champions and the ‘Bats looking for their second in three seasons, and with reinforcements from Seattle. Many of the Bulldogs are former D1 champions, such as club legend Geoff Shakespear. The ‘Bats, who won the 80/35 tournament in Des Moines back in May, are led by a trio of emerging talent, which includes Dan Hill, Konrad Bayer, and Charlie Kunkel.
Oklahoma Buffaloes (5-5) (w/ Kansas City & Las Vegas)
Aussie Rules is definitely booming in the heartland; the Oklahoma Buffaloes rode a Division 2 Central Regional title to a 5-5 record, while Kansas City hosted a successful tournament and showed vim and vigor through their 15 matches. They and St Louis came together to knock off Minnesota back in August, and they’ll be hungry for more dubs. Vegas, led by the Anderson family, also had success combining with St Louis, having taken out D4 with them back in 2022. The Power have a great young forward named Yonathan Elful, who impressed at Centrals, and the usual cast of Buffs, led by Kye Stoneham and the Rasbolds, will form a competitive side.
St Louis Blues AFC (4-6) (w/ DC reserves)
As mentioned, the Blues won D4 three years ago, and they were part of the once mighty Ohio Valley River Rats syndicate that racked up the titles in that department back in the ‘00s and ‘10s before growing back into the club they are today. That victory over Minnesota was the highlight of their season, superseded only by a possible championship. Coach Rich Lozano’s side is drilled in the fundamentals of the game, and the triumvirate of Joel Friesen, Alex Tajkowski, and Dalton Foster bear that out.
Orange County Giants (2-4) (w/ Cleveland & Arizona reserves)
Very familiar with the prospect of playing in Arizona, the OC Giants will combine with the home team’s reserves and a plucky bunch from the banks of Lake Erie. Pablo Orozco, Jack Butler, and Irishman Sean Smyth lead the men in Orange into battle alongside the Cannons’ contingent. Led by Stu Prendergast and up-and-comer Patrick Gallacher, the Giant Hawkish Cannons (patent pending) should put forth four good contests.
Wasatch WarGulls (0-1) (w/ North Texas reserves)
It’s taken some time, but the Wasatch WarGulls are starting to put together a talented bunch, as evidenced by their D5 title a season ago. The core of which is the Cruwys family (pronounced Cruwys, but you’ll figure that out but the amount of times I call their name this weekend); in particular, Tristan and Noah, who were the top performers as part of a Western Regionals D3 combination with Portland. Jed Masson’s midfield play will be something to look out for, as will one Shep Moore-Berg. The ‘Gulls will pair with the NTX reserves, who like the big club, would love to make a splash at the top level.
MEN’S DIVISION 5
North Carolina (7-2) / Des Moines Roosters
A victory at home in the Southeast Regionals was the crowning glory of a 7-2 season for the NC Tigers, and they combine with a Des Moines Roosters season who still boast the only All-American roster in the tournament. Both teams are previous Division 4 champions, and here in Tucson they’ll be led by defender Erik Hansen, sharpshooter Stu McKenzie, pacy Jacob Spain, and Revo duo Jacob Gross and Josh Curtis.
Virginia Lions (2-10) (w/ Minnesota reserves)
Based in Richmond and combined of players from all over the state, the Virginia Lions welcomed many teams into their home at King Family Vineyards this year. A competitive effort at the Southeastern regionals will be on their mind as they come to Tucson, led by All-Regional selection Ian Kilpatrick, and new recruit Sam Christophersen.
Baton Rouge Tigers (2-4) (w/ Bayou Brawlers)
Building off of a surge in numbers in 2024, the Tigers and the Bayou Brawlers represent the Pelican State looking to get into a Grand Final after finishing 5th out of 6 teams last year. The Brawlers’ party, headed by club founder Will Mussack and former Houston Lonestar ruck Chance Mire, has exciting prospects for this weekend. Bryant Dugas played well as part of the combo with Virginia at the Southeast Regionals, and veterans Samuel Ayers and Garrett Remson will help the Tigers’ claim to the title.
Maine Cats (5-2) (w/ Wilmington Bombers)
What a year it’s been for two of the newer clubs of the USAFL. The Cats, who were an independent club that helped Boston win its D3 title in 2019, returned to independent club status this year and went on to finish 2nd in the Southeast regionals. Wilmington made its USAFL debut and put in an admirable effort that same weekend in Raleigh, and has played well in the matches against other teams from their region. Bombers’ founder Nic Parker, a former Maine Cat, reunites with his old side, who are led by Tim Fulwider, Jack Mausry, and Dan O’Connell.
