Best homegrowns of week 9
Week 9 produced another set of standout performances from European talent across the league. A historic first, a key contribution in the biggest game of the week, a reliable Thunder weapon and a perfect deputy stepping into the spotlight. Here is a look at the homegrown players who made their mark.
Roff makes history
Ellis Roff had barely had time to settle into life with the London Warriors before Week 9 arrived and everything changed. The 20-year-old joined the club shortly before Week 7 and had managed just one catch for 12 yards across his first two appearances. Then came Week 9. Given the ball just twice, Roff made both touches count in the most dramatic way possible. A 32-yard touchdown reception showed his ability as a receiver, but it was his 94-yard kickoff return touchdown that wrote his name into the record books as the scorer of the first return touchdown in AFLE history. Not a bad way to announce yourself.
Touré steps up in the biggest game of the week
The matchup between Vienna Vikings and Rhein Fire was always going to demand big performances, and Noah Touré delivered one. The 24-year-old Austrian wide receiver was Ben Holmes‘ most important target on the night, making seven catches for 114 receiving yards at an average of 16.3 yards per reception. Playing alongside a group of talented receivers who share the targets in Vienna’s offense, Touré showed in the biggest game of the week that he belongs at the top of the depth chart. Performances like this only point in one direction.
Kouanda keeps delivering for Thunder
Bais Kouanda has become one of the most reliable receivers in the league and showed it again in Week 9. The 24-year-old Berlin Thunder wide receiver caught 10 passes for 112 yards and a touchdown against the Alpine Rams, providing Jakeb Sullivan with exactly the kind of dependable target he needs at this stage of the season. Kouanda currently sits eighth in the league in receiving yards, a number that reflects just how consistently he has performed all season and how important he has become to Thunder’s push for the playoffs.
Woch steps in and delivers for the Panthers
With Dawid Brzozowski out injured since the Rhein Fire game, Panthers Wroclaw needed someone to step up in the backfield. Bartosz Woch did exactly that. Thirteen carries for 63 yards and three touchdowns against Firenze Red Lions was an efficient and effective performance from a running back who made the most of every opportunity given to him. The Panthers dominated the ground game regardless of Brzozowski’s absence, which speaks both to Woch’s quality and to the strength of the offensive line that creates the foundation for everything the Panthers do on the ground.
Week after week, European talent delivers
Four players, four different stories. A 20-year-old writing his name into the history books on just his third appearance. A young Austrian stepping up in the league’s biggest game. A reliable Berlin weapon continuing to build his case as one of the best receivers in the league. And a running back proving that Panthers Wroclaw’s depth goes well beyond their star players. Week 10 cannot come soon enough.
