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There are many players who have converted from one football code to another at a professional or representative level. In some cases, the player may also return to the original code, so the traffic is not merely one way.
In some countries, such as the United Kingdom or Australia where multiple codes are popular and the practice of switching codes is relatively common such players are known as code converts[1] or code hoppers. In Australia, star code converts can have a substantial impact on the games. For instance, Dally Messenger's defection from rugby union to rugby league was considered a pivotal moment in the establishment of the latter over other codes in Australia.[2][3]
Globalisation is increasing the opportunities for players to transfer to different countries and to different professional sports, including the forms of football.
From American football[]
American football to association football[]
| Name | Country | Top American football level | Top association level | American football debut | Association rules debut |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boris Shlapak | USA | NFL (Baltimore Colts) |
NASL (Chicago Sting) |
1972 | 1975 |
American football to Australian rules football[]
| Name | Country | Top American football level | Top Australian rules level | American football debut | Australian rules debut |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dwayne Armstrong | USA | NCAA Division I (Iowa State) |
AFL reserves (Essendon) |
1991 | 1995 |
| Brandon Kaufman | USA | NFL (Buffalo – Practice squad) |
NEAFL (Gold Coast) |
2013 | 2016 |
| Jacinda Barclay | USA | Legends Football League (Chicago Bliss) |
AFL Women's (Template:AFLW GWS) |
2016 | 2017 |
American football to Canadian football[]
American football and Canadian football are very similar gridiron codes; talented Canadian youth players are often recruited by American universities offering scholarships, and conversely the Canadian Football League enforces roster minimums for Canadian-trained players to prevent its clubs from fielding American-dominated teams. The CFL and NFL competed for the same player pool in their earlier years before the CFL settled into a de facto (and from time to time formal) developmental role to its American counterpart. Dozens of professional players move between these codes' top professional leagues every year, making any attempt at a list incomplete at best.
Two quarterbacks in particular became well known in both codes. Warren Moon, a California native who starred at the University of Washington, began his professional career with the Edmonton Eskimos before crossing the border back south to the Houston Oilers and later Minnesota Vikings, earning Hall of Fame recognition in both professional leagues. Doug Flutie, who authored a comeback win for Boston College considered an iconic moment in the history of American college football, played a long CFL career that led to him being the first non-Canadian honored with induction to Canada's Sports Hall of Fame before a brief NFL comeback.
American football to rugby league[]
| Name | Country | Top American football level | Top rugby league level | American football debut | Rugby league debut |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manfred Moore | USA | National Football League (San Francisco/Tampa Bay/Oakland) |
New South Wales Rugby Football League (Newtown) |
1974 | 1977 |
| Philippe Gardent | France | NFL (Washington – Practice squad) |
National League One (Crusaders) |
2006 | 2008 |
American football to rugby union[]
| Name | Country | Top American football level | Top rugby union level | Top representation level | American football debut | Rugby union debut |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Tardits | France, USA |
National Football League (New England) |
Top 14 (Biarritz) |
USA (15s) | 1990 | 1994 |
| Dan Lyle | USA | NCAA Division I FCS (Virginia Military Institute) |
English Premiership (Bath/Leicester) |
USA (15s) | 1988 | 1996 |
| Dave Hodges | USA | NCAA Division III (Occidental College) |
Welsh Premiership (Llanelli) |
USA (15s) | 1988 | 1997 |
| Leonard Peters | USA | National Football League (Chicago – Practice squad) |
IRB Sevens World Series (USA) |
USA (7s) USA (15s) |
2007 | 2009 |
| Bennie Brazell | USA | National Football League (Cincinnati – Injured reserve) |
USA (7s) | 2006 | 2010 | |
| Carlin Isles | USA | National Football League (Detroit – Practice squad) |
Pro12 (Glasgow Warriors) |
USA (7s) | 2013 | 2014 |
| Nate Ebner | USA | National Football League (New England) |
Olympics (USA) |
USA (7s) | 2012 | 2016 |
| Jarryd Hayne | Australia, Fiji |
National Football League (San Francisco) |
World Rugby Sevens Series (Fiji) |
Fiji (7s) | 2015 | 2016 |
NB:
- Isles made the Detroit Lions practice squad late in the 2013 season, after having become a sevens international. However, he never appeared in an NFL game, and has since signed a professional contract in 15s.
- Tardits switched codes twice: to American football as a young adult, and back to rugby union after a brief NFL career. He played for Biarritz Olympique and the France under-21 national team before switching to American football, and played for the USA national team after returning to his original code.
From association football[]
Association football to American football[]
Numerous American football placekickers grew up playing association football (soccer); however, very few have competed at a very high level in their original code. A large number of the first "soccer-style" placekickers of the 1960s, and early 1970s were Europeans and Latin Americans who changed codes in adulthood. Eventually, kickers who changed codes in adulthood were largely, though not completely, displaced by players who were either born and raised in the U.S. or immigrated to the U.S. at a relatively early age, thus receiving more exposure to American football than most of the first soccer-style placekickers.
Most of the women to have played men's American football have crossed over from association football.
| Name | Country | Top association football level | Top American football level | Top representation level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phil Alexander | England | Norwich City F.C. | London Monarchs | N/A |
| Clive Allen | England | Tottenham Hotspur F.C. | London Monarchs | England national football team |
| Jesús Angoy | Spain | FC Barcelona | Barcelona Dragons | N/A |
| Obed Ariri | Nigeria | Chicago Sting, P & T Vasco da Gama | Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Redskins, 2 others | N/A |
| Chris Bahr | USA | Philadelphia Atoms | Oakland/LA Raiders, 2 others | N/A |
| Matt Bahr | USA | Colorado Caribous, Tulsa Roughnecks | Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, 4 others | N/A |
| Manfred Burgsmüller | Germany | Borussia Dortmund, Werder Bremen | Rhein Fire | Germany national football team |
| Silvio Diliberto | Netherlands | Sparta, Roda JC, Haarlem, Eindhoven | Amsterdam Admirals | |
| Toni Fritsch | Austria | Rapid Vienna | Dallas Cowboys, San Diego Chargers, Houston Oilers, New Orleans Saints | Austria national football team (soccer) Pro Bowl (American football) |
| Florian Kempf | USA | Philadelphia Fury | Houston Oilers, New Orleans Saints | N/A |
| Axel Kruse | GDR, Germany |
Hansa Rostock, Hertha BSC, Eintracht Frankfurt, VfB Stuttgart |
Berlin Thunder | East Germany national under-21 football team (soccer) |
| Josh Lambo | USA | FC Dallas | San Diego Chargers | United States U20 (soccer) |
| Toni Linhart | Austria | Wiener Sport-Club | New Orleans Saints, Baltimore Colts, New York Jets | Austria national football team Pro Bowl (American football) |
| Tony Meola | USA | MetroStars, Kansas City Wizards | New York Jets (didn't pass tryouts) | US National Team (soccer) |
| Horst Mühlmann | Germany | FC Schalke 04, Bonner SC, Kansas City Spurs | Cincinnati Bengals, Philadelphia Eagles | N/A |
| Neil O'Donoghue | Ireland | Shamrock Rovers | Buffalo Bills, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, St. Louis Cardinals | N/A |
| Derek Smethurst | South Africa | Chelsea, Millwall, Tampa Bay Rowdies | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (cut due to injury) | N/A (due to apartheid, RSA banned from FIFA, 1964–91) |
| Liz Heaston | USA | Willamette Bearcats | Willamette Bearcats | First female to play college football |
| Ashley Martin | USA | Jacksonville State Gamecocks | Jacksonville State Gamecocks | First female to play NCAA football |
| Julie Harshbarger | USA | Rockford College, Benedictine University | Chicago Pythons | First female to score a field goal in professional football |
Association football to Australian rules football[]
Following the establishment of AFL Women's in 2016 (the first professional women's Australian rules football competition), several Australian soccer players switched codes.
| Name | Country | Top association football level | Top Australian rules level | Top representation level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ellie Brush | Australia | Canberra United (W-League) | Template:AFLW GWS (AFL Women's) | Australia women's national soccer team |
| Brianna Davey | Australia | Melbourne Victory (W-League) Melbourne City (W-League) |
Template:AFLW Car (AFL Women's) | Australia women's national soccer team |
| Peter Halstead | New Zealand | Team Wellington | Wellington Australian Football League | New Zealand national Australian rules football team |
| Jenna McCormick | Australia | Adelaide United (W-League) Canberra United (W-League) |
Template:AFLW Ade (AFL Women's) | N/A |
| Emma Pittman | Australia | Brisbane Roar (W-League) | Template:AFLW Bri (AFL Women's) | N/A |
Association football to Gaelic football[]
| Name | Country | Top association football level | Top Gaelic football level | Top representation level | Playing era |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ciarán Lyng | Ireland | Preston North End F.C., Shrewsbury Town F.C., Ireland underage teams | Wexford senior football team | 2000s | |
| Shane Supple | Ireland | Ipswich Town F.C., Falkirk F.C. | Dublin senior football team | 2000s | |
| Anthony Tohill | Ireland | Derry City F.C., Manchester United F.C. Reserves | Derry senior football team | 1990s, 2000s |
Association football to rugby league[]
| Name | Country | Top association football level | Top rugby league level | Top representation level | Playing era |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ted Bateson | England | Blackburn Rovers | Wakefield Trinity | none | 1920s |
| Albert Brough | England | Barrow A.F.C. | Oldham | Great Britain (RL) | 1920s |
- St Helens R.F.C. players Steve Tyrer and Matty Smith were on the books at Wigan Athletic and Everton F.C. respectively. Tyrer was a goalkeeper and Smith was a midfielder, the latter appearing in the Everton reserve team on a few occasions.
Association football to rugby union[]
- Luke McAlister, a New Zealand international rugby union footballer, grew up in the north-west of England and had a trial with Manchester United before converting to rugby union at an early age.
- The late Nevin Spence, former Ulster and Ireland A player, played for Northern Ireland under 16s before switching to rugby.
- Loreto Cucchiarelli former player-coach of the Italian rugby union team, played football for Lazio at a young age.
- Conrad Jantjes played for the youth national team of South Africa in soccer, rugby union and cricket.
- Brothers Kevin O'Flanagan and Mick O'Flanagan represented Ireland in both soccer and rugby union.
- Kenny Logan, Scottish rugby internationalist had Football trials as a goalkeeper for Dundee United and Hearts.
- England international Danny Cipriani played on the junior team of Queens Park Rangers and was offered a spot in Reading's youth setup before switching to rugby. Even after his switch, he has flirted with a return to association football, having trained with QPR, Tottenham, the Colorado Rapids, and most recently MK Dons.
- Melissa Ruscoe has not only represented New Zealand in both soccer and rugby union, but has captained both sides.[4]
- Frank Hadden, Scottish rugby player and coach, had trials with both Queens Park Rangers and Forfar Athletic, as well as being offered a contract by Raith Rovers.[5]
- Wesley Fofana, a France international rugby union player, grew up in the Paris region of France and trained as a youth with CFF Paris before switching to rugby union as a teenager.
From Australian rules football[]
Australian rules football to American football[]
Notably, the specialist role of punter in American football requires similar skills to those found in Australian football players.
Former Australian rules footballer Pat O'Dea was regarded as one of American football's finest punters
| Name | Country | Top Australian rules level | Top American football level | Australian rules debut | American football debut |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pat O'Dea | Australia | Victorian Football Association (Melbourne) |
College football (Wisconsin–Madison) |
1890s | 1896 |
| Colin Ridgeway | Australia | Victorian Football League reserves (Carlton) |
National Football League (Dallas) |
1960s | 1965 |
| Darren Bennett | Australia | Australian Football League (West Coast/Melbourne) |
National Football League (San Diego/Minnesota) |
1987 | 1995 |
| Nathan Chapman | Australia | Australian Football League (Brisbane/Hawthorn) |
National Football League (Green Bay) |
1992 | 2004 |
| Ben Graham | Australia | Australian Football League (Geelong) |
National Football League (New York/New Orleans/Arizona/Detroit) |
1992 | 2005 |
| Saverio Rocca | Australia | Australian Football League (Collingwood/North Melbourne) |
National Football League (Philadelphia/Washington) |
1992 | 2007 |
| Chris Bryan | Australia | Australian Football League (Carlton/Collingwood) |
National Football League (Green Bay/Tampa Bay/New York) |
2005 | 2010 |
| Scott Harding | Australia | Australian Football League (Brisbane/Port Adelaide) |
NCAA Division I (Hawaii) |
2006 | 2011 |
| Joel Wilkinson | Australia | Australian Football League (Gold Coast) |
National Football League (Arizona – Practice squad) |
2011 | 2016 |
| Eric Wallace | United States | Victorian Football League (North Ballarat/Werribee) |
National Football League (Carolina – Practice squad) |
2013 | 2016 |
| Lac Edwards | Australia | Victorian Football League (North Ballarat) |
National Football League (New York) |
2011 | 2016 |
| Jacinda Barclay | Australia | West Australian Women's Football League (Template:WAFL SD) |
Legends Football League (Chicago Bliss) |
2016 | 2017 |
| Cameron Johnston | Australia | Victorian Football League (Casey) |
National Football League (Philadelphia) |
2011 | 2018 |
| Michael Dickson | Australia | North East Australian Football League (Sydney Swans Reserves) |
National Football League (Seattle) |
2014 | 2018 |
Australian rules football to association football[]
International Rules participation provides experience with the round ball and goal keeping.
As well as the players below, players known to have played amateur level soccer after retiring from the AFL include Gary Ablett, James Hird, Gavin Wanganeen,[6] Glenn Manton and Ang Christou.
| Name | Country | Top Australian rules level | Top association football level | Top representation level | Australian rules debut | Association football debut |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peter Bevilaqua | Australia | Victorian Football League (Carlton) |
Victorian Premier League (Brunswick Juventus) |
N/A | 1953 | 1954 |
| Fred Agius | Australia | South Australian National Football League (Central Districts) |
National Soccer League (Adelaide United) |
Olyroos (Soccer) | 2003 | 2003 |
| Angelo Lekkas | Australia | Australian Football League (Hawthorn) |
Victorian Premier League (South Melbourne) |
Victoria (AR) Australia (Inter-rules) |
1993 | 2005 |
Australian rules football to Canadian football[]
Notably, the specialist role of punter in Canadian football requires similar skills to those found in Australian football players.
| Name | Country | Top Australian rules level | Top Canadian football level | Australian rules debut | Canadian football debut |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Bartel[7] | Australia | Ovens & Murray Football League (Wodonga) |
Canadian Football League (Hamilton/Saskatchewan) |
2012 |
Australian rules football to Gaelic football[]
Some players involved in the Irish Experiment to play professional Australian rules football returned to Ireland and went on to be notable in senior level Gaelic football. Such players have included:
| Name | Country | Top Australian rules level | Top Gaelic football level | Top representation level | Australian rules debut | Gaelic football debut |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Earley | Ireland | Victorian Football League (Melbourne) |
Gaelic Athletic Association (Roscommon) |
Ireland (Inter-rules) | 1984 | 1985 |
| Dermot McNicholl | Ireland | Victorian Football League (St Kilda) |
Gaelic Athletic Association (Derry) |
Ireland (Inter-rules) | 1989 | 1991 |
| Anthony Tohill | Ireland | Australian Football League reserves (Melbourne) |
Gaelic Athletic Association (Derry) |
Ireland (Inter-rules) | 1990 | 1991 |
| Brian Stynes | Ireland | Australian Football League (Melbourne) |
Gaelic Athletic Association (Dublin) |
Ireland (Inter-rules) Ireland (AR) |
1992 | 1995 |
| Tadhg Kennelly | Ireland | Australian Football League (Sydney) |
Gaelic Athletic Association (Kerry) |
Ireland (Inter-rules) | 2001 | 2009 |
Australian rules football to rugby league[]
Early in the history of the two codes in Australia, players would interchange the codes and even had discussions of merging them into a single game.[8] Rugby league has since evolved to specialise in physicality and body type making it more difficult for successful conversion between the two, although it does sometimes happen at junior level, particularly in areas where both codes are played (such as the Riverina region). Though the modern specialist Template:Rlp and Template:Rlp positions in rugby league can be suitable for the body type and skill of some Australian rules players. League greats Darren Lockyer,[9] Glen Lazarus,[10] Greg Brentnall,[11] Peter Sterling[citation needed], Marcus Bai[citation needed] and Kevin Proctor[12] played Aussie Rules at a junior level.
| Name | Country | Top Australian rules level | Top rugby league level | Top representation level | Australian rules debut | Rugby league debut |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barry Spring | Australia | Queensland Australian National Football League (Mayne) |
Brisbane Rugby League (Northern Suburbs) |
Queensland (AR) | 1969[13] | |
| Ray Smith | Australia | Queensland Australian National Football League (Western Districts) |
Brisbane Rugby League (Fortitude Valley) |
Queensland (AR) | 1963 | 1970 |
| Greg Brentnall | Australia | Riverina Football League (Turvey Park) |
New South Wales Rugby League (Canterbury-Bankstown) |
New South Wales U18 (AR) Australia (RL) |
1960s | 1974[11] |
| Adrian Barich | Australia | Australian Football League (West Coast) |
Australian Rugby League reserves (Western Reds) |
New South Wales (AR) Western Australia (AR) |
1987 | 1995 |
| Rhan Hooper | Australia | Australian Football League (Brisbane Lions) |
Queensland Rugby League (Ipswich Jets) |
– | 2006 | 2012[14] |
| Josh Hall | Australia | Australian Football League (Gold Coast) |
New South Wales Cup (Penrith) |
– | 2012 | 2016 |
| Shem Tatupu | Australia | Victorian Football League (Box Hill/Hawthorn) |
National Rugby League (Melbourne Storm) |
– | 2014 | - |
Australian rules football to rugby union[]
Jason Akermanis was the first professional Australian football player to suggest a switch to rugby union.[15] Nevertheless, there are still some positions and roles that have commonalities.[16] Also at amateur level, conversion is quite common, as in the case of many start-up Australian rules clubs in countries such as France[17] and countries such as New Zealand and Samoa where there are dual-internationals at junior level.
| Name | Country | Top Australian rules level | Top rugby union level | Top representation level | Australian rules debut | Rugby union debut |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alec Boswell Timms | Australia Scotland |
Victorian Football Association (Geelong) |
Edinburgh University[18][19] | Scotland (RU) British Isles (RU) |
1892 | 1896 |
| Nick Evans | New Zealand | New Zealand Falcons (Under 21) |
Super 12 (Highlanders) |
New Zealand (AR) New Zealand (RU) |
2001 | 2004 |
| Rambo Tavana | Samoa | AFL International Cup (Samoa Bulldogs) |
Top 14 (SU Agen) |
Samoa (AR) Samoa (RU) |
2002 | 2006 |
| Mikaele Pesamino | Samoa | AFL International Cup (Samoa Bulldogs) |
National Provincial Championship (Auckland) |
Samoa (AR) Samoa (RU/7s) |
2002 | 2007 |
| Israel Folau | Australia | Australian Football League (Greater Western Sydney) |
Super Rugby (New South Wales) |
Australia (RU) | 2011 | 2013 |
| Stanis Susuve | Papua New Guinea | Victorian Football League (Gold Coast) |
World Rugby Sevens Series (Papua New Guinea Pukpuks) |
Papua New Guinea (AR) Papua New Guinea (7s) |
2009 | 2014 |
| Karmichael Hunt | Australia | Australian Football League (Gold Coast) |
Super Rugby (Queensland) |
Australia (RU) | 2011 | 2015 |
From Canadian football[]
Canadian football to American football[]
As discussed above, Canadian and American football are highly similar gridiron codes. Dozens if not hundreds of players and coaches move back and forth between Canadian and American codes every season and occasionally even within a season, making assembling a list of these players an impossible and largely immaterial task.
From Gaelic football[]
Gaelic football is especially vulnerable to code-switching, for reasons outlined by rugby union journalist Hugh Farrelly in 2009:
| “ | The parochialism that is the GAA's greatest strength (every village in Ireland has a local team) is also its Achilles heel for, with no viable international outlet, the Association is vulnerable to other sports. Furthermore, a strict adherence to its amateur code means talented youngsters can be lured away from the game they grew up with... by the prospect of pay for play....[20] | ” |
Gaelic football to association football[]
| Name | Country | Top Gaelic football level | Top association football level | Top representation level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Kirwan | Ireland | All-Ireland Championship winner with Dublin | FA Cup winner with Tottenham Hotspur F.C. | Ireland |
| Val Harris | Ireland | All-Ireland Championship winner with Dublin | League of Ireland winner and Irish Cup winner with Shelbourne F.C.; Football League First Division with Everton F.C. |
Ireland, Irish Free State |
| Con Martin | Ireland | Leinster Championship winner with Dublin | Football League First Division with Leeds United A.F.C. and Aston Villa F.C. | Ireland (FAI), Ireland (IFA) |
| Martin O'Neill | Northern Ireland | Derry minor team | Football League First Division winner and European Cup winner with Nottingham Forest. Current manager of the Republic of Ireland national football team | Northern Ireland |
| Kevin Moran | Ireland | All-Ireland Championship winner with Dublin | Football League First Division with Manchester United F.C. | Republic of Ireland |
| Niall Quinn | Ireland | Dublin minor team | Premiership with Arsenal F.C., Manchester City F.C. and Sunderland A.F.C. | Republic of Ireland |
| Neil Lennon | Northern Ireland | Armagh minor team | Scottish Premier League winner with Celtic F.C. | Northern Ireland |
| Kevin Doyle | Ireland | Wexford minor team | Premiership with Reading F.C. and Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. | Republic of Ireland |
| Shane Long | Ireland | Tipperary minor team | Premiership with Reading F.C., West Bromwich Albion F.C, Hull City A.F.C. and Southampton F.C. | Republic of Ireland |
| Cillian Sheridan | Ireland | Cavan minor team | UEFA Champions League with APOEL F.C. | Republic of Ireland |
| Niall McGinn | Northern Ireland | Tyrone U-21s[21] | Scored for Northern Ireland at UEFA Euro 2016[22] | Northern Ireland |
| Michael O'Neill | Northern Ireland | Antrim minor team | Current manager of the Northern Ireland national football team | Northern Ireland |
Gaelic football to Australian rules football[]
These two codes share many similarities, making switching between them relatively easy. International rules representation for players of both codes is common. The Gaelic Athletic Association prohibits professionalism, meaning that there is a financial lure for players to compete in the professional elite Aussie Rules competitions in Australia.[23]
| Name | Country | Top Gaelic level | Top Australian rules level | Top representation level | Gaelic football debut | Australian rules debut |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sean Wight | Ireland[24] | Kerry minor (Under-18) | AFL | NA | 1982 | 1985 |
| Paul Earley | Ireland | Gaelic Athletic Association | VFL | NA | 1982 | 1984 |
| Dermot McNicholl | Ireland | Derry All-Ireland winner 1993 | AFL | NA | 1980 | 1990 |
| Brian Stynes | Ireland | Dublin All-Ireland winner 1995 | AFL | Ireland (Inter-rules) Ireland (AR) |
198? | 1992 |
| Jim Stynes | Ireland | Dublin All-Ireland (Minor) winner 1994 | AFL (Brownlow Medallist) |
Ireland (Inter-rules) | 1984 | 1987 |
| Tadhg Kennelly | Ireland | Kerry All-Ireland winner 2009 | AFL premiership 2005 | Ireland (Inter-rules) | 2001 | |
| Colm Begley | Ireland | Laois GAA | AFL | Ireland (Inter-rules) | 2006 | |
| Martin Clarke | Ireland | Down All-Ireland (Minor) winner 2005 | AFL | Ireland (Inter-rules) | 2005 | |
| Pearce Hanley | Ireland | Mayo GAA | AFL | Ireland (Inter-rules) | 2008 | |
| Michael Quinn | Ireland | Gaelic Athletic Association | AFL | N/A | 2009 | |
| Kevin Dyas | Ireland | Armagh GAA | AFL | N/A | 2009 | |
| Jamie O'Reilly | Ireland | Down GAA | AFL | N/A | 2010 | |
| Zach Tuohy | Ireland | Laois GAA | AFL | Ireland (Inter-rules) | 2011 | |
| Caolan Mooney | Ireland | Down GAA | AFL | N/A | 2012 | |
| Tommy Walsh | Ireland | Kerry All-Ireland winner 2007 & 2009 | AFL | Ireland (Inter-rules) | 2012 | |
| Ciarán Byrne | Ireland | Louth GAA | AFL | Ireland (Inter-rules) | 2014 | |
| Patrick Brophy | Ireland | Kildare GAA | AFL | Ireland (Inter-rules) | 2015 | |
| Conor McKenna | Ireland | Tyrone GAA | AFL | Ireland (Inter-rules) | 2015 | |
| Mark O'Connor | Ireland | Kerry All-Ireland minor winner 2015 & 2016 | AFL | N/A | 2017 | |
| Cora Staunton | Ireland | Mayo All-Ireland Ladies winner: 1999, 2000, 2002 & 2003 | AFLW | N/A | 1995 | 2018 |
Gaelic football to rugby league[]
| Name | Country | Top Gaelic football level | Top rugby league level | Top representation level | Gaelic football debut | Rugby league debut |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Carney | Ireland | Gaelic Athletic Association (Valleymount) |
Super League (Gateshead/Hull/Wigan) |
Ireland (RL) Great Britain (RL) |
1998 | 1999 |
Gaelic football to rugby union[]
Up until the mid-1990s, both codes were officially amateur. However, the professionalisation of rugby union has provided a financial lure.
| Name | Country | Top Gaelic football level | Top rugby union level | Top representation level | Playing era |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dick Spring | Ireland | Kerry senior team | Munster, London Irish | Ireland | 1960s, 1970s |
| Moss Keane | Ireland | UCC GAA, Kerry under-21 team | Munster | Ireland, British and Irish Lions | 1970s, 1980s |
| David Beggy | Ireland | Meath senior team | Leinster | N/A | 1980s, 1990s |
| Brian Rigney | Ireland | Local Team, Laois | Leinster | Ireland | 1980s, 1990s |
| Mick Galwey | Ireland | Kerry senior team | Munster | Ireland | 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, |
| Brian Carney | Ireland | Valleymount junior team | Munster | Ireland | 1990s, 2000s |
| Shane Byrne | Ireland | Aughrim minor team | Leinster, Saracens | Ireland, British and Irish Lions | 1990s, 2000s |
| Geordan Murphy | Ireland | Kildare minor team | Leicester Tigers | Ireland, British and Irish Lions | 1990s, 2000s, 2010s |
| Shane Horgan | Ireland | Meath minor team | Leinster | Ireland, British and Irish Lions | 1990s, 2000s, 2010s |
| Gavin Duffy | Ireland | Mayo minor team | Connacht, NEC Harlequins | Ireland | 1990s, 2000s, 2010s |
| Tomás O'Leary | Ireland | Cork minor team | Munster, London Irish | Ireland | 2000s, 2010s |
| Tommy Bowe | Ireland | Monaghan minor team | Ulster, Ospreys | Ireland, British and Irish Lions | 2000s, 2010s |
| Rob Kearney | Ireland | Louth minor team | Leinster | Ireland, British and Irish Lions | 2000s, 2010s |
| Robbie Henshaw | Ireland | Westmeath minor team | Connacht, Leinster | Ireland, British and Irish Lions | 2010s |
| Tiernan O'Halloran | Ireland | Galway minor team | Connacht | Ireland | 2010s |
NB: Byrne and Duffy both changed codes twice. Each first switched to rugby union as a teenager, then returned to Gaelic football after a long professional rugby career. This entry discusses their Gaelic football careers before their first code switch.
From rugby league[]
Rugby league to American football[]
On 3 March 2015 Jarryd Hayne became the first rugby league player (that hadn't already played in the NFL) to sign a contract with a National Football League team.[25]
| Name | Country | Top rugby league level | Top American football level | Top representation level | Rugby league debut | American football debut |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manfred Moore | USA | New South Wales Rugby League (Newtown) |
National Football League (Minnesota) |
N/A | 1977 | 1978 |
| Jarryd Hayne | Australia | National Rugby League (Parramatta) |
National Football League (San Francisco) |
Australia (RL) Fiji (RL) |
2006 | 2015 |
| Jordan Mailata | Australia | National Youth Competition (South Sydney) |
National Football League (Philadelphia) |
N/A | 2017 | 2018 |
| Valentine Holmes | Australia | National Rugby League (Cronulla) |
National Football League (New York) |
Australia (RL) | 2014 | 2019 |
Rugby league to association football[]
| Name | Country | Top rugby league level | Top association football level | Top representation level | Playing era |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albert Brough | England | Barrow | Barrow A.F.C. | 1920s |
Rugby league to Australian rules football[]
In recent years, several junior and schoolboy rugby league players have made a transition to Australian rules, including Wayne Carey,[26] Paul Kelly,[27] Kieren Jack,[28] Michael McLean,[29] Andrew McLeod,[29] Jared Brennan,[29] Matthew Whelan,[29] and Sam Gilbert.[30]
| Name | Country | Top rugby league level | Top Australian rules level | Top representation level | Rugby league debut | Australian rules debut |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ray Smith[31] | Australia | Brisbane Rugby League (Fortitude Valley) |
Victorian Football League[32] (Essendon/Melbourne) |
Queensland (RL) Queensland (AR) |
1970 | 1971 |
| Fabian Francis | Australia | Northern Territory Rugby League (Litchfield) |
Australian Football League (Melbourne/Brisbane/Port Adelaide) |
Northern Territory (RL) Aboriginal All-Stars (AR) |
1992 | 1993 |
| Israel Folau | Australia | National Rugby League (Melbourne/Brisbane) |
Australian Football League (Greater Western Sydney) |
Australia (RL) | 2007 | 2010 |
Rugby league to rugby union[]
While the traffic used to be almost entirely from rugby union to rugby league, the tide has now turned the other way, and numerous rugby league players have gone over to union, since the game was professionalised.
| Name | Country | Top rugby league level | Top rugby union level | Top representation level | Rugby league debut | Rugby union debut |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Charnley | England | Super League | Aviva Premiership | England (RL) | 2010 | 2016 |
| Sam Burgess | England | National Rugby League, Super League | Aviva Premiership | England (NRL, RU), Great Brittan (NRL), NRL All-Stars (NRL) | 2006 | 2014 |
| Reece Robinson | Lebanon, Australia | National Rugby League | Super Rugby | Lebanon (NRL), Indigenous All-Stars (NRL) | 2008 | 2016 |
| Matt Duffie | New Zealand | National Rugby League | Super Rugby | New Zealand (NRL) | 2010 | 2016 |
| Karmichael Hunt | New Zealand, Australia | National Rugby League | Top 14, Biarritz Olympique | Australia (RL) | 2004 | 2009 |
| Chris Ashton | England | Super League | English Premiership | England (RL), England (RU) | 2005 | 2007 |
| Lee Smith | England | Super League | English Premiership | England (RL), Great Britain (RL) | 2005 | 2009 |
| Berrick Barnes | Australia | NRL | Super Rugby | Australia (RU) | 2005 | 2006 |
| Nathan Blacklock | Australia | NRL/Super League | Super 12 | Australia (RL) | 1995 | 2003 |
| Willie Carne | Australia | NRL | Super Rugby | Australia (RL) | 1990 | 1997 |
| Brian Carney | Ireland | Super League/NRL | Celtic League | Great Britain (RL), Ireland (RU) | 1999 | 2007 |
| Ryan Cross | Australia | NRL | Super Rugby | Australia (RU) | 1998 | 2007 |
| Andy Farrell | England | Super League | English Premiership | Great Britain (RL), England (RU) | 1991 | 2005 |
| Paul Franze | Australia | NRL | English Premiership | Australia (RL), London Irish (RU) | 2002 | 2006 |
| Iestyn Harris | Wales | Super League | Heineken Cup, Celtic League | Great Britain (RL), Wales (RU) | 1993 | 2001 |
| Sam Harris | Australia | NRL | Super Rugby | Australian Schoolboys (RU), City v. Country (RL) | 2003 | 2007 |
| Wise Kativerata | Australia | NRL | Shute Shield | Australia Sevens (RU) | 2001 | 2004 |
| Ben MacDougall | Australia | NRL | Celtic League | Scotland (RU) | 1998 | 2006 |
| Stephen Myler | England | Super League | English Premiership | England Saxons (RU) | 2001 | 2006 |
| Henry Paul | New Zealand | NRL | English Premiership | New Zealand (RL), England (RU) | 1993 | 2001 |
| Jason Robinson | England | Super League | English Premiership | Great Britain (RL), England Captain and Lions (RU) | 1991 | 1996 |
| Mat Rogers | Australia | NRL | Super Rugby | Australia (RL/RU) | 1995 | 2002 |
| Wendell Sailor | Australia | NRL | Super Rugby | Australia (RL/RU) | 1993 | 2002 |
| Clinton Schifcofske | Australia | NRL/Super League | Super Rugby | State of Origin (RL)/Australia A (RU) | 1996 | 2006 |
| Timana Tahu | Australia | NRL | Super Rugby | Australia (RL/RU) | 1999 | 2008 |
| Alan Tait | Scotland | Super League | Celtic League | Scotland (RL/RU), Great Britain (RL), British & Irish Lions (RU) | 1988 | 1996 |
| Brad Thorn | Australia | NRL | Super Rugby | Australia (RL), New Zealand (RU) | 1994 | 2001 |
| Lote Tuqiri | Australia | NRL | Super Rugby | Australia (RL/RU), Fiji (RL) | 1999 | 2003 |
| Lesley Vainikolo | England | NRL, Super League | English Premiership | New Zealand (RL), England (RU) | 2002 | 2007 |
| Andrew Walker | Australia | NRL | Super Rugby | Australia (RL/RU) | 1991 | 2000 |
| Chev Walker | England | Super League | English Premiership | Great Britain (RL), England Saxons (RU) | 1999 | 2007 |
| Barrie-Jon Mather | England | RFL Championship/Super League | England RU | Great Britain (RL), England (RL), England (RU)[33] | 1992 | 1998 |
| Sonny Bill Williams | New Zealand | NRL | Top 14, Super Rugby | New Zealand Kiwis (RL), New Zealand All Blacks (RU) | 2004 | 2008 |
| Craig Wing | Australia | NRL | Top League | Australian Kangaroos (RL), Japan (RU) | 2002 | 2010 |
| Craig Gower | Australia | NRL | Top 14 | Australian Kangaroos (RL), Italy (RU) | 1996 | 2008 |
| Mark Gasnier | Australia | NRL | Top 14 | Australian Kangaroos (RL) | 2000 | 2008 |
| Shontayne Hape | New Zealand | NRL, Super League | English Premiership | New Zealand Kiwis (RL), England (RU) | 2003 | 2008 |
| Fabrice Estebanez | France | Super League | Top 14 | France (RL), France (RU) | 2005 | 2010 |
| Tasesa Lavea | New Zealand | NRL | Super rugby, Top 14 | New Zealand Kiwis (RL), Samoa (RU) | 2000 | 2010 |
| Cooper Vuna | New Zealand | NRL | Super rugby | Tonga (RL), Australia (RU) | 2008 | 2012 |
| Setaimata Sa | New Zealand, Samoa | NRL, Super League | English Premiership | New Zealand Kiwis (RL), Samoa (RL), Samoa (RU) | 2008 | 2012 |
| Peter Ryan | Australia | NRL | Super Rugby | Queensland (RL) | 1989 | 2000 |
| Jarrod Saffy | Australia | NRL | Super Rugby | Australia Sevens (RU) | 2006 | 2011 |
From rugby union[]
Rugby union to American football[]
Rugby union and American football share the same origins, but have evolved into very different games. Both are very physical and require similar body types.
| Name | Country | Top rugby union level | Top American football level | Top representation level | Playing era |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colin Scotts | Australia | Australian schoolboys | NFL | Australia | 1980s |
| Steve Tasker | United States | Northwestern University | NFL, Buffalo Bills | Pro Bowl | 1985–1997 |
| Gavin Hastings | Scotland | International | WLAF | Scotland/British Lions | 1990s |
| Gary Parker | Scotland | Club (Melrose RFC) | WLAF | N/A | 1980s/90s |
| Gary Anderson | South Africa | Brettonwood High School, Durban, South Africa | NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings, Tennessee Titans | N/A | 1982–2004 |
| Richard Tardits | France, later USA |
Biarritz Olympique, USA | NFL, Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots | USA Rugby | 1980s/90s |
| David Dixon | New Zealand | New Zealand under-19 | NFL, Minnesota Vikings | New Zealand | 1994–2004 |
| Haloti Ngata | United States | Highland High School, Salt Lake City, Utah | NFL, Baltimore Ravens | N/A | 2006–2018 |
| Stewart Bradley | United States | Highland High School, Salt Lake City, Utah | NFL, Philadelphia Eagles | N/A | 2007–2013 |
| Hayden Smith | Australia | Saracens F.C. | NFL, New York Jets | USA Rugby | 2012–2013 |
| Nate Ebner | USA | Olympics (USA) |
National Football League (New England) |
USA (7s) | 2012– |
Rugby union to association football[]
| Name | Country | Top rugby union level | Top association football level | Top representation level | Playing era |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J.W. Sutcliffe | England | Bradford F.C./Heckmondwike | Bolton Wanderers/Manchester United | England (both) | 1880s/1910s |
| Adam Holloway | England | Henley Hawks/ Crusaders |
Strathcona Terriers FC | England/New Zealand/Canada | 2000s |
| Tony Ward | Ireland | Munster/Ireland/British and Irish Lions | Shamrock Rovers/Limerick United | British and Irish Lions | 1970s and 1980s |
| Tommy Moroney | Ireland | Munster | West Ham United | Republic of Ireland | 1940s |
| Aaron Ramsey | Wales | Caerphilly RFC (youth team) | Cardiff City/Arsenal | Wales | 2000s |
| Henry Renny-Tailyour | Scotland | Scotland | Royal Engineers A.F.C. | Scotland | 1870s, 1880s |
| Martín Terán | Argentina | Tucumán Rugby Club, Nacional de Clubes | Atlético Tucumán | Argentina | 1996–1997 |
| Ted Bateson | England | Yorkshire, Skipton RFC | Blackburn Rovers | Yorkshire (RU) | 1920s |
Rugby union to Australian rules football[]
In recent years, several schoolboy rugby union players have made a transition to Australian Rules, including Ray Smith (Queensland Under 19), Jim Stynes, Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Aaron Edwards, Adam Campbell (New Zealand Under 15), Daniel Merrett, Brad Moran (West Midlands (England) Under 16) and Tom Williams (Queensland Under 16).
In 2012, Canadian Mike Pyke became the first former professional rugby player to win an AFL premiership.
| Name | Country | Top rugby union level | Top Australian rules level | Top representation level | Rugby union debut | Australian rules debut |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Pyke | Canada | Top 14 (France) (US Montauban) |
Australian Football League (Sydney) |
Canada (RU) | 2002 | 2009 |
| Karmichael Hunt | Australia | Top 14 (France) (Biarritz) |
Australian Football League (Gold Coast) |
French Barbarians (RU) | 2009 | 2011 |
| Chloe Dalton | Australia | Olympics (Australia) |
AFL Women's (Carlton) |
Australia (RU7s) | 2014 | 2019 |
| Brooke Walker | Australia | World Sevens Series (Australia) |
AFL Women's (Carlton) |
Australia (RU7s) | 2015 | 2019 |
Rugby union to Gaelic football[]
| Name | Country | Top rugby union level | Top Gaelic football level | Top representation level | Playing era |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jarlath Fallon | Ireland | Galwegians, Connacht | Tuam Stars senior team, Galway senior team | Galway senior team | 1990s, 2000s |
| Shane Byrne | Ireland | Leinster, Ireland, British and Irish Lions | Aughrim senior team | 1990s, 2000s | |
| Eric Miller | Ireland | Leicester Tigers, Leinster, Barbarians, Ireland, British and Irish Lions | Ballyboden St. Enda's GAA, Dublin senior team | Barbarians, Ireland, British and Irish Lions | 1990s, 2000s |
| Gavin Duffy | Ireland | Connacht, Harlequins, Ireland | Salthill-Knocknacarra senior team, Mayo senior team | Ireland | 2000s, 2010s |
Rugby union to rugby league[]
Two of the closest codes, they share many similar skills. Until 1995 union was officially amateur and union players were offered money to switch codes. That trend has since reversed, as rugby union is now richer than rugby league. Conversion from one code to the other is more difficult for forwards than backs, where the skills are most similar. Several players, including Iestyn Harris and Mat Rogers, have converted between the two codes on more than one occasion.
| Name | Country | Top rugby union level | Top rugby league level | Top representation level | Playing era |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frano Botica | New Zealand | All Blacks | NZ Kiwis, NRL | New Zealand (RU/RL) Croatia (RU) | 1980/90s |
| Michael Cleary | Australia | Wallabies | NSWRL | Australia (RU/RL) | 1960s |
| Ryan Cross | Australia | Wallabies | NRL | Australian Schoolboys (RU) | 2000s |
| Arthur Daniels | Wales | Club (Llanelli) | Rugby Football League Championship | Wales/Great Britain (RL) | 1940s/50s |
| Jonathan Davies | Wales | Welsh Premier Division | Super League | Wales/Great Britain (RL) Wales (RU) | 1980s/90s |
| Marc Ellis | New Zealand | All Blacks | NRL | New Zealand (RU/RL) | 1990s |
| Rocky Elsom | Australia | Wallabies | Junior | Australia (RU) | 2000s |
| George Fairbairn | Scotland | SRU national league/Kelso RFC | Rugby Football League Championship | Great Britain | 1970/80s |
| Russell Fairfax | Australia | Wallabies | NSWRL | Australia (RU) | 1970s |
| Ray French | England | England | Rugby Football League Championship | Great Britain | |
| John Gallagher | New Zealand | All Blacks | Super League | New Zealand (RU) | 1980s |
| Scott Gibbs | Wales | Welsh Premier Division | Super League | Wales/Great Britain (RL/RU) | 1990s |
| Scott Gourley | Australia | Wallabies | NSWRL | Australia (RU/RL) | 1980s |
| Daryl Halligan | New Zealand | NPC | NZ Kiwis | New Zealand (RL) | 1990s |
| Sam Harris | Australia | Super Rugby | NRL | Australian Schoolboys (RU) City v. Country (RL) | 2000s |
| Jarryd Hayne | Australia | World Rugby Sevens Series | NRL (Gold Coast) | Fiji (RU 7s) Australia (RL) | 2006- |
| Nigel Heslop | England | International | Rugby Football League Championship | England | 1990s |
| Craig Innes | New Zealand | All Blacks | NRL | New Zealand (RU/RL) | 1990s |
| Ben Kennedy | Australia | Australian U-21 | NRL | Australia (RL) | 1990s/2000s |
| Wally Lewis | Australia | Australian Schoolboys | NRL | Australia (RL) | 1977/1992 |
| Cooper Cronk | Australia | Australian Schoolboys | NRL | Australia (RL) | 2000s |
| John Kirwan | New Zealand | All Blacks | NRL | New Zealand (RU) | 1980/90s |
| Tony Melrose | Australia | Australian Schoolboys | NSWRL | Australia (RU) | 1980s |
| Dally Messenger | Australia | Wallabies | NSWRL | Australia (RL) | 1900s |
| Garrick Morgan | Australia | Wallabies | NRL | Australia (RU) | 1990s |
| Rex Mossop | Australia | Wallabies | NSWRL | Australia (RU/RL) | 1950s |
| Noa Nadruku | Fiji | Fiji international | National Rugby League | Fiji (RU/RL) | 1990s |
| Michael O'Connor | Australia | Wallabies | NSWRL | Australia (RU/RL) | 1980/90s |
| Brett Papworth | Australia | Wallabies | NSWRL | Australia (RU) | 1980s |
| Ray Price | Australia | Wallabies | NSWRL | Australia (RU/RL) | 1980s |
| Scott Quinnell | Wales | Wales | Super League | Wales (RU/RL) | 1990s/2000s |
| Matthew Ridge | New Zealand | All Blacks | NRL | New Zealand (RU/RL) | 1980s/90s |
| Kevin Ryan | Australia | Wallabies | NSWRL | Australia (RU/RL) | 1950s/1960s |
| Wendell Sailor | Australia | Wallabies | Kangaroos | Australia (RU/RL) | 1990s/2000s |
| Brian Smith | Australia, Ireland | Wallabies, Ireland | NSWRL | Australia (RU), Ireland (RU) | 1980s/1990s |
| Ricky Stuart | Australia | Australian U-21 | NRL | Australia (RU & RL) | 1980s/1990s |
| George Smith | New Zealand | All Blacks | All Golds | New Zealand (RU/RL) | 1900s |
| Alan Tait | Scotland | Scotland /1997 Lions Tour | Rugby Football League Championship | Great Britain | 1980/90s |
| Brad Thorn | New Zealand | All Blacks | Kangaroos | Australia (RL) New Zealand (RU) | 1994–present |
| John Timu | New Zealand | All Blacks | NZ Kiwis | New Zealand (RU/RL) | 1990s |
| Va'aiga "Inga" Tuigamala | New Zealand | All Blacks | Super League | New Zealand (RU) Western Samoa (RL) | 1990s |
| Lesley Vainikolo | Tonga | England | Super League | England (RU) New Zealand (RL) | 2000s |
| Dave Valentine | Scotland | Scotland | Super League | Scotland (RU), Great Britain, Empire XIII (RL) | 1940s, 1950s |
| Rob Valentine | Scotland | Scotland | Super League | Scotland (RU) Great Britain, Other Nationalities (RL) | 1960s, 1970s |
| Sonny Bill Williams | New Zealand | All Blacks | NZ Kiwis, NRL | New Zealand (RL/RU) | 2004–present |
| Roy Kinnear | Scotland | Scotland, British and Irish Lions | Great Britain | Scotland, B&I Lions (RU) Great Britain, Other Nationalities (RL) | 1920s, 1930s |
| Gareth Thomas | Wales | Wales, British and Irish Lions | Wales, Super League | Wales (RU/RL) | 1994–2011 |
| Tiaan Strauss | South Africa | South Africa, Australia | NRL with Cronulla Sharks | South Africa and Australia (RU) | 1986–1999 |
| Tom van Vollenhoven | South Africa | South Africa | Northern Rugby Football League with St. Helens | South Africa (RU) | 1950s-1960s |
| Rob Louw | South Africa | South Africa | RFL with Wigan | South Africa (RU) | 1978–1997 |
| Ray Mordt | South Africa | South Africa | Rugby Football League Championship with Wigan | South Africa (RU) | 1980–1987 |
| Wilf Rosenberg | South Africa | South Africa | Rugby Football League Championship with Leeds and Hull F.C. | South Africa (RU) | 1955–1963 |
See also[]
- Comparison of American football and Canadian football
- Comparison of American football and rugby union
- Comparison of American football and rugby league
- Comparison of Canadian football and rugby union
- Comparison of Australian rules football and Gaelic football
- Comparison of Gaelic football and rugby union
- Comparison of rugby union and rugby league
- List of Australian rules footballers and cricketers
- List of cricket and rugby union players
- List of cricket and rugby league players
References[]
- ↑ Globalisation and the future of indigenous football codes. Lionel Frost. Economic Society of Australia. 2004
- ↑ "Dally Messenger reinstated to NSWRU record books – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)". Abc.net.au. 2007-06-24. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/06/24/1960300.htm. Retrieved 2015-05-14.
- ↑ "Saintsandheathens.Com | Australian Rugby History | Sean Fagan". Rl1908.com. Archived from the original on 2008-09-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20080908101200/http://www.rl1908.com/Rugby-Rebellion/bookrelease.htm. Retrieved 2015-05-14.
- ↑ "Player Profiles — Melissa Ruscoe". New Zealand Rugby Union. Archived from the original on 2010-11-13. https://web.archive.org/web/20101113033832/http://allblacks.com/index.cfm?layout=nzTeamPlayerProfile&playerID=1160. Retrieved 2010-08-19.
- ↑ Lothian, Bill (16 May 2005). "Hadden can follow in my footsteps, says Dwyer". scotsman.com. Archived from the original on 24 May 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050524192648/http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport.cfm?id=533792005. Retrieved 2006-11-11.
- ↑ "???". News.com.au. http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/sport/afl/story/0,26547,23541454-5016212,00.html. Retrieved 2015-05-14.
- ↑ "Australian punter turns heads for Hamilton Tiger-Cats | CTV News". Ctvnews.ca. 2013-11-24. http://www.ctvnews.ca/sports/australian-punter-turns-heads-for-hamilton-tiger-cats-1.1557976. Retrieved 2015-05-14.
- ↑ "Saintsandheathens.Com | Australian Rugby History | Sean Fagan". Rl1908.com. Archived from the original on 2006-10-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20061021081015/http://www.rl1908.com/articles/AFL.htm. Retrieved 2015-05-14.
- ↑ "Bennett : My greatest insult". News.com.au. http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,21753488-5003425,00.html. Retrieved 2015-05-14.
- ↑ Career Overview | Senator Glenn Lazarus
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Greg Brentnall – Wagga City Council
- ↑ Proctor the ultimate code-hopper
- ↑ Barry Spring didn't do a Sonny Bill on Mayne
- ↑ Hooper a code hopper talent | Queensland Times
- ↑ "Official Website of the Australian Rugby Union". Aru.rugby.com.au. http://aru.rugby.com.au/news/2002_june/akermanis_serious_about_union_switch_14128,7131.html. Retrieved 2015-05-14.
- ↑ "Official Website of Queensland Reds Rugby – redsrugby.com.au". Qru.com.au. http://qru.com.au/aru_shared/news/imported_-_old_site/2002_june/wallabies_eye_afl_talent_14065,7063.html. Retrieved 2015-05-14.
- ↑ Aaron Richard. "French almost pull off an upset against the Reading Roos". World Footy News. http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php?story=20060314181346203. Retrieved 2015-05-14.
- ↑ "N&Cfnc Detailed History – Newtown & Chilwell – Fox Sports Pulse". Sportingpulse.com. http://www.sportingpulse.com/club_info.cgi?c=0-6160-80514-0-10242517&sID=115130. Retrieved 2015-05-14.
- ↑ "20 Dec 1922 – SCHOOL SPEECH DAYS. GEELONG COLLEGE. Lady Forste". Trove.nla.gov.au. 1922-12-20. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1863772. Retrieved 2015-05-14.
- ↑ Farrelly, Hugh (2009-09-15). "The most progressive team in Ireland". Scrum.com. http://www.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/story/102547.html. Retrieved 2010-01-28. In this piece, Farrelly also dismisses the International Rules series as a viable international outlet, stating that it "is popular with the combatants but has never captured the public's imagination."
- ↑ PLAYER PROFILES – Niall McGinn Derry City FC. Retrieved 16 November 2008[dead link]
- ↑ "Euro 2016: Niall McGinn still on 'cloud nine' after NI win over Ukraine". BBC. 17 June 2016. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36557910. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
- ↑ "Begley warns Aussies are watching". GAA. 2006-01-03. Archived from the original on 2008-04-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20080425030900/http://www.gaa.ie/plugins/newsfeed.cgi?rm=content&plugin_data_id=10054. Retrieved 2009-01-26.
- ↑ Wight was born in Glasgow, Scotland.
- ↑ James Macsmith (2015-03-03). "Jarryd Hayne joins NFL's San Francisco 49ers on a futures contract". Smh.com.au. http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/jarryd-hayne-joins-nfls-san-francisco-49ers-on-a-futures-contract-20150303-13trxq.html. Retrieved 2015-05-14.
- ↑ Charles Happell. "Wayne Carey: Hell and back". Theage.com.au. http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/wayne-carey-hell-and-back-20100602-wzsh.html. Retrieved 2015-05-14.
- ↑ "Lets Chase Johnathan Thurston for AFL Paul Kelly". Dailytelegraph.com.au. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/lets-chase-johnathan-thurston-for-afl-paul-kelly/story-e6frexnr-1225821732931. Retrieved 2015-05-14.
- ↑ "Poaching league players worth it: Jack – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)". Abc.net.au. 2010-06-25. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/06/25/2937505.htm. Retrieved 2015-05-14.
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 29.3 [1] Archived March 19, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ "Sam Gilbert Helps Lead St Kilda Charge Towards AFL Premiership". Couriermail.com.au. http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/afl/defender-sam-gilbert-helps-lead-st-kilda-charge-towards-afl-premiership/story-e6frepi6-1225778902124. Retrieved 2015-05-14.
- ↑ "No. 56 Ray Smith – AFL Queensland – FOX SPORTS PULSE". Sportingpulse.com. 2008-11-16. http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-4711-0-0-0&sID=82235&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=7312030§ionID=82235. Retrieved 2015-05-14.
- ↑ First Queenslander to play 100 AFL games
- ↑ Note: first player to play for both national teams post RU professional era