Austus

[5] Two weeks later, an Australian team including around twelve VFL players comfortably defeated the Americans 17.23 (125) d. 8.1 (49) in a full-length game.

[6] Archival footage of the game exists (Video on YouTube), exhibiting American players preference to run and forward pass the ball.

By the end of 1943, both countries' armed forces endorsed the game as a suitable activity for their troops, with the rules later published in official army publications.

[2] The rules are credited to The Sporting Globe sportswriter and former Carlton player Ern Cowley.

[8] Some consideration was given after the war to sending Australian teams to America to demonstrate the sport, but an absence of willing financial backers meant that the idea quickly fell through.