In the southern suburbs of Zagreb in Croatia, the Zaprudje Australian Rules Football Club has recently taken the name of the Zaprudje GIANTS.

The club was founded in the middle of 2011 and the formation of the Zaprudje GIANTS is a very positive step in the consolidation of Australian Rules Football in Sagreb and Croatia as a whole.

The GWS Giants were introduced to the Croatian Association of Australian football (CAAF) by current AFL Europe Manager Ben McCormack and the initial stages of a partnership was entered into by the current AFL Europe Commissioner Kolja Koracak.

Greater Western Sydney GIANTS Academy Manager Lachlan Buszard said that this was a great opportunity to help Croatia, a top tourist destination, to form and run a solid Australian Football League outfit.

“During my initial discussions with Kolja Koracak whilst in Dubrovnik a year ago, I sensed that the Aussie Rules players in Croatia have taken up the sport with tremendous enthusiasm.

“This is evident in their performance in the annual EuroCup competition, where they have only ever finished in the top three.

“This partnership gives the GWS GIANTS an opportunity to be involved with enthusiastic and passionate people who are new to playing our game from the beginning.”