European Crusaders


The European Crusaders are an international Australian Rules Football team composed of European citizens. Although Team Europe operates with a similar concept, the Crusaders were notably the first female all European team to compete in Australia for the Australian Football International Cup. The team was also the first female combined team to play in the International Cup with players originating from Croatia, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Sweden and Scotland. A male European Crusaders team was originally formed but disbanded prior to the tournament.

2017 AFL International Cup

In 2017 the European Crusaders formed and competed in the International AFL Women's Competition. Meeting only a few days before the beginning of the tournament, the Crusaders became known for "their spirit, determination and improvement" as it progressed. They trained at Princes Park, South Melbourne. The majority of the team and staff are French women competing in the French Australian Football League, with a number of Paris Cockerels.

2017 Squad Members

Player NumberPlayer NameCountryTeamNotes
1Isabella RositanoItalyRookieIsabella is an Australian canoeist who made her Australian Rules debut with the European Crusaders in the first game of the tournament.
2Mathilde CombesFranceParis Cockerelles
3Joanne MouradianFranceParis CockerellesJoanne sustained an injury during training so took on the role of runner during the International Cup.
4Coline DuquetFranceParis CockerellesColine was notably awarded a place on the 2017 World Team after her work in fallback.
5Naima Ait El MoudenFranceParis Cockerelles
6Marine AssematFranceALFA Lions
7Berengere PortalFranceParis CockerellesCaptain
8Catherine GilesFranceParis Cockerelles
9Linn GardellSwedenPort Malmo Lynx
11Amanda KingSwedenBoston Demons
12Emilie GiancarliFranceBordeaux Bombers
13Rachel UrquhartScotlandSouth MelbourneVice Captain
14Dagmara RatinskiCroatiaPerth Angels
17Leila MorgenrothGermanySydney Uni Bombers
18Charline WoodGermanyNewtown Breakaways
19Helene PittetFranceToulouse Hawks
22Ana BarisicCroatiaZKAN Zagreb Panthers
26Anne PilleFranceParis Cockerelles
33Laura GaussGermanyNorth Shore Bombers
40Camille PortalFranceBordeaux Bombers
47Francis FinnScotlandPerth Angels
81Claire PerezFranceParis Cockerelles