The Bob Fulton Cup, started in 2002 as an initiative by former ASRL board member and Hawkesbury coach Guy Rob, has fast become the most exciting league cup in the world. In the same tradition of England's Challenge Cup, the Bob Fulton Cup puts the finest rugby league teams in the world into sudden death football for a massive cash prize.

Last year, in which the tournament was taken out by North Melbourne, experimented with a new tri-series style finals series that wasn't particularly fulfilling for fans or players. Central Coast, eventual runners up, defeated both North Melbourne and Gold Coast in the pool games- but were still pipped at the final post by the Maulers. Poetically, North Melbourne went on to finish 17th in Premier League.

2004/2005 sees the largest tournament in ASRL history, with sixty four sides competiting. Whilst last year eight Rising Star Conference teams were able to compete, this season will see all fifty six Premier League, Division Two, and RSC sides taking part in the tournament. To eliminate the unliked tri-series final, the ASRL this year allowed eight invitational sides to contest the tournament.

The Sides

Berlin Warlords
The premier team in Germany's GRL, the Berlin Warlords dominated last season and qualified for the BFC as a result of this fine season. Comprising mostly German players such as Frederik Strausstag, Maxim Ramonov, and Rob Hohm- the Warlords are hoping to showcase the quality of Germany Rugby League with the help of a few Australian exports.

DC Slayers
Won a pre-season tournament to qualify as the sole AMNRL side to contest this year's BFC. Whilst the best Slayers' are already contracted to ASRL clubs, the Washington based side still boasts a number of US internationals including Julian O'Neill, Dave Di Valerio, and Kazoo Seto. The Slayers are one of the stronger invitational sides.

Hong Kong Jaguars[/b]
The Hong Kong based side came achingly close to qualifying for a Division Two spot last season, but were foiled at the death by a sudden loss of sponsorship interest. The Jaguars boast a lot of underrated Asian talent, but also have several ASRL experienced players in their ranks.

[u]Ipswich Reds
Famed as 'the worst club in ASRL history', the Ipswich Reds were folded after their disastrous debut season- but have continued to play in the Queensland Cup competition. Possessing a number of former ASRL players, most well known of him is league bad-boy Julian O'Neill, the Reds are hoping to make an improvement on their disastrous 2003 season which saw them shatter records for underachievement.

Moscow Magicians
Like Berlin, Moscow qualified as a result of dominating their national competition, the RRL. Moscow are stacked with some of the finest Russian rugby league players, although very few of them are household names downunder. Former Perth City five eighth Craig Bowen is probably the most familiar face in an otherwise unknown lineup.

Paris FC
Qualifying from the French league, Paris FC are probably the strongest of the invitational sides due to their large pool of former ASRL quality players. Chief amongst these are Tom O'Reilly (Eastwood), Richard Gay (New England), and Gary Hulse (Broome). The French side should cause a few heart palpitations in its time in the BFC.

Sutherland Suns
Enjoyed a year in the ASRL before being relocated to Suva as part of the ASRL's expansion plans. Sutherland may not have the likes of Andrew Ettingshausen anymore, but they still possess a number of faces people should recognise. Two time premiership winner, Wise Kativerata, is the real ace in Sutherland's hand.

Wagga Redbacks
Like Hong Kong, the Redbacks came painfully close to an ASRL berth, but in their case it was back in 2001/2002. The Redbacks missed out in favour of Central Coast and Parramatta, but continue to be one of the best non-ASRL clubs in the country. Possess a fine halves pairing in the form of Keiran Kerr and Stefano Saghini, as well as several players with Premier League experience. Another side that would not be a surprise round one winner.

With sixty four sides and $350,000 up for grabs, the 2004/2005 BFC looks like it could be the best in the tournament's short history. The draw, to be announced soon, will be weighted so that last season's best sixteen clubs are given 'easier' games

go the reds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! they will win