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AFL Central - September 2006

Eagles win the flag

September 30th 2006 07:29
The West Coast Eagles have avenged last year's grand final heartbreak and captured the club's first premiership in over a decade with a thrilling one-point win over Sydney at the MCG this afternoon.

SYDNEY: 1.4, 4.6, 8.11, 12.12 (84)
WEST COAST: 4.2, 8.7, 10.10, 12.13 (85)
GOALS – Sydney: O'Loughlin 3, Davis 3, Mathews, Roberts-Thomson, Goodes, Schneider, O'Keefe, Malceski West Coast: Lynch 3, Embley 2, Hansen 2, Cousins 2, Judd, Armstrong, Hunter
BEST – Sydney: Fosdike, Richards, Kennelly, O'Loughlin, McVeigh, Kirk, Goodes West Coast: Embley, Chick, Judd, Glass, Lynch, Selwood, Braun

INJURIES – Sydney: tbc West Coast: tbc
CHANGES – Sydney: - West Coast: -
REPORTS - -
UMPIRES - Vozzo, Allen, Goldspink
CROWD - 97,431 at the MCG
Norm Smith Medal: Andrew Embley
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Swans coming hard

September 30th 2006 06:33
A four goal to two third term by Sydney has the Swans within two goals of West Coast at the final change of the 2006 Grand Final at the MCG.

Sydney 8.11.59 N. Davis 3, O'Loughlin 3, Mathews, Roberts-Thomson
West Coast 10.10.70 Lynch 3, Cousins 2, A. Embley 2, Hansen 2, Judd

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Eagles on top

September 30th 2006 05:41
Two second-term goals to Quinten Lynch has allowed West Coast to take a commanding 25-point lead over Sydney into the main break of this afternoon's grand final at the MCG.

Sydney 4.6.30 O'Loughlin 2, N. Davis, Mathews
West Coast 8.7.55 Cousins 2, Hansen 2, Lynch 2, A. Embley, Judd

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Eagles dominating Swans

September 30th 2006 05:04
Sydney have wasted several gettable opportunities in front of goal as West Coast take a handy 16-point lead into the first change of this afternoon's Grand Final at the MCG.

Sydney 1.4.10 O'Loughlin
West Coast 4.2.26 Hansen 2, Cousins, Judd
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Grand Final preview: Sydney v West Coast

September 30th 2006 00:28
SYDNEY SWANS V WEST COAST

WHERE & WHEN: MCG, 2:30pm, Saturday, September 30, 2006

TV & RADIO: Channel 10. 3AW, ABC National, K-Rock, Triple M, 5AA, 6PR, NIRS

HEAD TO HEAD: Played - 34, Sydney Swans - 18, West Coast - 16

LAST TIME: Sydney Swans 13.7 (85) def. West Coast 12.12 (84), 2006 second qualifying final at Subiaco Oval.

FINALS HEAD TO HEAD: Played - 4, Sydney - 3, West Coast - 1

LAST TIME IN A FINAL: Sydney Swans 13.7 (85) def. West Coast 12.12 (84), 2006 second qualifying final at Subiaco Oval

HEAD TO HEAD AT THIS VENUE: Played - 1, Sydney - 1, West Coast - 0

LAST TIME AT THIS VENUE: Sydney 8.10 (58) def West Coast 7.12 (54), 2005 AFL Grand Final.

TAB SPORTSBET: Sydney $2.03, West Coast $1.75

BETFAIR: Sydney $2.16, West Coast $1.85

Twelve months on and the two combatants for this year's grand final haven't changed.

But the fortunes of West Coast and Sydney couldn't be anymore different.

The Eagles, much like the Swans of 2005 have had to take the long route to reach the last Saturday in September, having played three games in consecutive weeks.

The one-point loss to Sydney in the qualifying final has proven to be a blessing in disguise for John Worsfold's men, with key players Daniel Kerr, Andrew Embley and Ashley Hansen gaining some much needed match-fitness in the past fortnight.

Compared to last year West Coast seem to be a settled and complete outfit, with classy defender David Wirrapanda the only inclusion at the expense of this year's hard-luck story Jaymie Graham.

More importantly the Eagles have a genuine target up forward in Quinten Lynch after the failed experiment of Michael Gardiner in last year's premiership decider.

The big-unit has booted more than 60 goals this year and will desperate to shine on the biggest stage after the heartache of being dropped for last year's grand final due to poor form.

Lynch's battle with 2005 grand final hero Leo Barry looms as a key.

Barry faced an underdone Gardiner last year, but this week shapes as a different prospect with the Eagles forward holding onto his grabs and full of confidence.

Hansen is another key for West Coast, and his importance is underlined by the fact that the Eagles have won all 14 games that the 23-year-old has been a part of.

You would expect Swans defender Lewis Roberts-Thomson to be assigned the task of minding Hansen.

The Sydney defender was comprehensively beaten by Fremantle's Matthew Pavlich in last Friday night's preliminary final, but Hansen is a different prospect as more of a hit-up target which should suit Thomson.

The midfield battle again looms as a key.

All-Australian ruckman Dean Cox will face new father Darren Jolly, and how big of an impact, positive or negative the arrival of Jolly's first daughter has on the Swans big man remains to be seen.

Both ruckman are evenly matched in terms of hitouts, with Jolly averaging 25 per game compared to Cox's 20.

However, it is the Eagles ruckman's ability around the ground as another midfielder, averaging over 18 possessions a game compared to Jolly's eight touches that would be of concern.

There are plenty of intriguing battles in the midfield, but none more so than the likely match-up of Eagles skipper Chris Judd and dual Brownlow medallist Adam Goodes.

The star duo lined up on each other in round 15, with Judd slightly getting the honours in the eyes of the umpires with three votes with Goodes getting the two.

Will coach Paul Roos back his star in, or will Luke Ablett be given first choice of tagging the Eagles gun.

The latter seems to be the obvious option, as the Swans can't afford to go into a shootout against the much vaunted West Coast midfield.

Jarrad McVeigh, who didn't play in last year's grand final should take former skipper Ben Cousins after restricting the 2005 Brownlow medallist to 19 possessions-well below his season average of 25.

Tough midfielder Daniel Kerr looms as the X-factor in today's grand final.

Kerr hasn't played against the Swans this year and struggled in last year's grand final with injury.

The 23-year-old illustrated his importance to the side in the past fortnight, collecting 29 and 25 possessions respectively.

There has been speculation that Kerr might not take his place in the side, after leaving the MCG early yesterday but according to club officials he is just being kept fresh after suffering a calf injury against Brisbane over a month ago and you would expect him to take his place in the 22.

Fellow tough-nut and Swans co-captain Brett Kirk appears to be the obvious choice to be assigned the task of minding Kerr in another intriguing midfield match-up.

This year's grand final will be won or lost between the Eagles midfield which has no peer in the competition up against the Swans potent forward line.

The Sydney forwards have been in devastating form in their past two outings, and this was no more evident than against the Dockers with Barry Hall, Michael O'Loughlin and the much-improved Ryan O'Keefe combining for 14 of their sides 19 goals.

All-Australian full-back Darren Glass will line-up on Hall, while you would expect Adam Hunter to take the mercurial O'Loughlin should he start back.

The versatile Daniel Chick could be another option for Worsfold should he opt to start Hunter forward.

Logic suggests Hunter will start back, and attempt to run O'Loughlin off his feet in a similiar vein to what he did to Western Bulldogs veteran Chris Grant a fortnight ago.

How well Glass and Hunter do in quelling the influence of Hall and O'Loughlin will be crucial to determining the outcome.

The West Coast defenders lacked any support the last time these two sides met, allowing the Sydney forwards to run into space as Hall and O'Loughlin combined for nine of their sides 13 goals.

The MCG is shorter than Subiaco Oval, and I wouldn't be suprised if Worsfold opts to use Wirrapanda or veteran Drew Banfield as a loose man in defence to give support to Glass.

While Hall and O'Loughlin get the bulk of the attention, West Coast need to be mindful of O'Keefe.

Adam Selwood looks to be the likely match-up for O'Keefe, having done a servicable job on Brad Johnson two weeks ago.

However, if coach Paul Roos opts to push the All-Australian forward into the goal square, Selwood could find himself wanting after being beaten by Brett Burton last Saturday.

The Swans are the masters of stoppages, and will attempt to shut down the run of the West Coast midfield and rely on the power forwards to kick them a winning score.

Meanwhile, the Eagles have adopted the spirit of Barassi in recent times.

Since round 17 West Coast have won seven matches, averaging 196 handballs.

In the two games they have lost in that period they have averaged 139 handballs, with their lowest total coming against the Swans.

Put simply the Eagles will attempt to run Sydney off their feet and break the game open and allow the likes of Lynch and Hansen to lead into space in front of goal.

If history is anything to go by, matches between these two sides go down to the last minute, with their past four encounters having been decided by a combined total of 11 points.

Today's grand final promises to be another classic enounter.

However, West Coast are a vastly improved side on the 2005 version, with the addition of Lynch up forward and Kerr to play a bigger role coupled with the heartbreak of last year's four-point loss the Eagles should just get over the line in a classic. West Coast by 8 points.


SYDNEY
B: Richards, Barry, Malceski
HB: Kennelly, Roberts-Thomson, C.Bolton
C: Buchanan, Kirk, Ablett
HF: O'Keefe, O'Loughlin, J.Bolton
F: Schneider, Hall, Fosdike
FOLL: Jolly, Goodes, McVeigh
I/C: Mathews, N.Davis, Dempster, Doyle
EMG: Spriggs, Bevan, Vogels
IN: -
OUT: -

WEST COAST
B: Wirrpanda, Glass, Selwood
HB: Waters, Hunter, B.Jones
C: A.Embley, Cousins, Braun
HF: Chick, Hansen, Stenglein
F: Armstrong, Lynch, Seaby
FOLL: Cox, Judd, Kerr
I/C: Banfield, Butler, Fletcher, R.Jones
EMG: Graham, Rosa, Staker
IN: Wirrpanda
OUT: Graham

Field umpires: Allen, Goldspink, Vozzo
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Pyke leaves Crows nest

September 29th 2006 04:23
Adelaide Crows assistant coach Don Pyke has opted to not renew his tenure with the club, citing a desire to return to Perth and pursue business and other interests.

Pyke, a dual premiership player at West Coast in 1992 and 1994, joined the Adelaide coaching panel at the end of 2004.

The former Eagle had been touted as a potential candidate for the vacant St Kilda coaching job before withdrawing his name from the ring.

Pyke said he would like to maintain some involvement in football, but not on a full-time basis at this stage.

The two other assistant coaches, Paul Hamilton and David Noble, have committed to the club for 2007.

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Jolly a proud dad

September 28th 2006 23:35
Sydney Swans ruckman Darren Jolly became the proud father of a 7 pd 3 oz baby girl at 12.19am last night.

His wife Deanne and baby are both well and Jolly will travel to Melbourne for today's Grand Final parade.

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Graham makes way for Wirrapanda

September 28th 2006 08:14
West Coast defender Jaymie Graham is the unlucky player to be dropped for Saturday's Grand Final to make way for classy defender David Wirrapanda who proved his fitness after sustaining a hamstring injury in the Eagles semi-final win over the Western Bulldogs.

Graham played every game this season and only missed the semi-final clash against the Bulldogs at Subiaco Oval.

As expected Sydney have made no changes after two straight finals wins.

Ruckman Darren Jolly is expected to join the squad in Melbourne tomorrow after his wife went into labour this morning.

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AFL Grand Final Teams

September 28th 2006 07:46
SYDNEY v WEST COAST
Saturday, 2:30pm AEST, MCG

SYDNEY
B: Richards, Barry, Malceski
HB: Kennelly, Roberts-Thomson, C.Bolton
C: Buchanan, Kirk, Ablett
HF: O'Keefe, O'Loughlin, J.Bolton
F: Schneider, Hall, Fosdike
FOLL: Jolly, Goodes, McVeigh
I/C: Mathews, N.Davis, Dempster, Doyle
EMG: Spriggs, Bevan, Vogels
IN: -
OUT: -

WEST COAST
B: Wirrpanda, Glass, Selwood
HB: Waters, Hunter, B.Jones
C: A.Embley, Cousins, Braun
HF: Chick, Hansen, Stenglein
F: Armstrong, Lynch, Seaby
FOLL: Cox, Judd, Kerr
I/C: Banfield, Butler, Fletcher, R.Jones
EMG: Graham, Rosa, Staker
IN: Wirrpanda
OUT: Graham

Field umpires: Allen, Goldspink, Vozzo

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Cullen named Football Woman of the Year

September 28th 2006 07:17
Barb Cullen was today named the 2006 Football Woman of the Year at The Great Grand Final Comedy Debate, presented by the Essendon Women’s Network.

As Secretary of the Australian Football Heritage Group (AFHG), Cullen has given more than ten years of outstanding service and along with highly respected journalist and football historian Michael Roberts, was responsible for the group’s formation in 1996.

Cullen has been a tireless advocate for the retention and sharing of club heritage and culture.

Prior to the AFHG and until her retirement in 2003, Cullen was an active member of the Essendon Football Club historical committee and instrumental in setting up the club’s well recognised and nationally accredited Hall of Fame.

Also a foundation member of the Dick Reynolds Club Committee, she has served in that role for over 10 years.

She also assists the Sydney Swans Football Club once a week to help the museum collection for Sydney/South Melbourne.

“Australian Football has a rich heritage and I think it is not only important to cherish that but to build on that for the future and I will continue to do that with all clubs that ask for my help,” Cullen said.

Previous winners of the award have been Irene Chatfield (Western Bulldogs), Jill Lindsay (AFL), Caroline Wilson (The Age), Katrina Pressley (AFL umpire), Beverly Knight (Essendon FC), Bev O’Connor (Melbourne FC), Jenny Williams (Port Adelaide FC), Edna Daniher, and Jennie Loughnan (Kangaroos FC).

Judging is undertaken by an independent panel comprising Andrew Demetriou (AFL Chief Executive), Caroline Wilson (Chief Football Writer for The Age) and Sally Capp (Collingwood FC Director).

The recipient will have demonstrated:

Commitment to the support and advancement of football
A passion for the game
The ability to make a difference on the football scene
A keen knowledge of the game, including it’s history and it’s future
Club Membership
Willingness to advocate publicly for women as partners with men in football
A sense of humour and fair play.


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PM pleased with progress at Whitten Oval

September 28th 2006 06:46
Prime Minister John Howard visited Whitten Oval today and turned the first sod with LeasePlan Western Bulldogs President David Smorgon on the eve of construction for the Whitten Oval redevelopment.

The main works is still out to tender, and will be awarded shortly with a corresponding public announcement.

Mr Howard was joined by over 1,000 local children who participated in a football clinic with the Western Bulldogs squad.

Such activities will become a permanent feature once the redevelopment is completed to encourage local children to engage in healthy, community based activities, resulting in improved health and lifestyle options in the western suburbs of Melbourne.

The $19.5 million Whitten Oval redevelopment ($8 million Federal Government, $3 million State Government, $5.25 million the Forever Foundation, $1.5 million AFL and Maribyrnong City Council $1.0 million, with supplier contributions of $750,000) is set to turn from a vision into a reality with construction set to commence in November 2006.

The venue is now redundant to its original purpose as an AFL/VFL match venue, is in significant disrepair and in some cases is unfit for use due to its condition.

The primary aim of the redevelopment is to take a well positioned parcel of land that has all services connected and that is well serviced by road, rail and bus public transport links to achieve numerous outcomes including improved community access and facilities, improved community site amenities and aesthetics, and becoming a vibrant centre for the provision of community based services.

The latest update on the Oval has seen the City of Maribyrnong approve the planning permit on Tuesday, 15 August.

In another exciting development, construction on the children’s hub will commence shortly with the appointment of Salta Constructions.

Once completed the children’s hub will include a 105-place childcare centre that will be run by a not-for-profit organisation servicing the community for the provision of much needed childcare places in the western region.

Mr Howard was pleased with the progress made on the redevelopment since his first visit to the Oval in September 2004 and believed the new facilities would provide an enormous boost to the community.

“When this redevelopment is finally completed it will not only be a magnificent new home for the Western Bulldogs, it will not only allow the thousands of the young people of the west of Melbourne to learn Australian Rules Football, but it will also provide facilities for other sports and for other physical activities and a child care centre which will provide a general amenity for the district,” Howard said.

Western Bulldogs President David Smorgon thanked those, in particular the Federal Government, who have made the redevelopment possible through their funding.

The commencement of construction to the childcare hub was a specific key deliverable of our commitments with the Federal Government.

The childcare hub is the first of the construction tenders to be let.

The main works including the development of the elite learning centre, the infield building, site rectification and site amenity, aesthetics and accessibility improvements are presently out to tender and will be announced shortly.

Bulldogs chief executive Campbell Rose said the redevelopment of Whitten Oval was all about re-affirming the roots of the club in the western region as a community icon, and pushing forward as a significant force in the national competition.

Rose paid significant thanks to all of the other funding partners who are involved in this project, including the State Government of Victoria, Maribyrnong City Council, the AFL, and Forever Foundation.

The Whitten Oval redevelopment is due for completion late 2007.

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Allies crush under-18 Vics

September 28th 2006 06:20
The Allies have thumped Victoria to the tune of 81 points in the NAB AFL Rising Star Cup at MC Labour Park this afteroon.

VICTORIA: 0.2 1.3 1.4 4.9 (33)
ALLIES: 4.4 10.7 14.9 17.12 (114)
GOALS - Victoria: Johnston, Stewart, Walker, Whelan
Allies: Tippett 4, Calma-Holt 3, Dzufer 2, Garland 2, Djerrkura, Hampson, Kiel, Riewoldt, Suckling, Warren
BEST - Victoria: McIntyre, Robinson, Clarke, Johnston, Boyle, Prismall
Allies: Bird, Tippett, Dzufer, Djerrkura, Wonaeamirri, Magin
At MC Labour Park

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The Big One

September 28th 2006 05:05
The 2006 AFL Grand Final is just two sleeps away.

It is a rematch of last year's premiership decider, but such is the natural evolution of football West Coast could make up to seven changes from last year's side while Sydney will welcome newcomers Jarrad McVeigh, Nick Malceski and co.

Here is your opportunity to submit who you think will take home the cup in 2006 and why, with the best letters being published on AFL Central.

Write to AFL Central

NB: Please provide your name and location for publishing reasons.

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Clarke calls it quits

September 28th 2006 03:09
Adelaide's ruck stocks have been dealt a massive blow with veteran Matthew Clarke today announcing his retirement.

Clarke's decision to close the curtain on his 248-game AFL career comes a day after it was confirmed fellow ruckman Rhett Biglands will miss the entire 2007 season due to a knee reconstruction.

Ben Hudson, John Meesen and Jonathon Griffin could be thrust into the no.1 ruck role in 2007, while the club could make a play for dumped Eagle Michael Gardiner or departing Hawk Peter Everitt.

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Allies to face Vics

September 27th 2006 10:35
The AFL stars of the future will be on show tomorrow at MC Labour Park when an Allies team comprising representatives from the NSW/ACT, Northern Territory, Queensland and Tasmanian Under 18 teams face a Victorian Under 18 team for the NAB AFL Rising Stars Cup.

The match includes players invited to the 2006 NAB AFL Draft Camp and state screening sessions.

The 2006 NAB AFL Draft Camp will be held at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra from 4-6 October.

The Allies concept was initially introduced by the AFL at senior level in 1995 and gave all AFL players from states other than Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia the opportunity to play at representative level.

In 2004, the Allies concept was re-introduced at underage level with the Allies defeating Victoria by 35 points to win the NAB AFL Rising Stars Cup.


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Ebert signs two-year deal

September 27th 2006 06:19
Port Adelaide midfielder Brett Ebert has signed a new two-year deal with the club which will see him remain at Alberton Oval until the end of 2008.

The 22-year-old played his 50th game for the club in round 18 this year and coach Mark Williams said he hopes Ebert will carry on the good form displayed in the latter half of the season into next year.

The Port midfielder remained optmistic about the future of the club despite it missing the finals just two years after claiming its first flag.

“We’ve got a great squad and some great young guys coming through. We’ve got awesome leaders here and in the next few years I reckon we’re going to have some success," he said.

Ebert was drafted via the father-son rule in the 2002 NAB AFL Draft.

He won the SANFL’s Magarey Medal in his first season on the Power’s list before making his AFL debut in 2004, when he was also an emergency in the Power’s grand final side.

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AFL announces Grand Final entertainment

September 27th 2006 04:38
The AFL today announced its entertainment line-up for the 2006 Toyota AFL Grand Final,with six Australian music icons and an international star set to rock the MCG.

Star acts from the recent Countdown Spectacular – John Paul Young, Sean Kelly, Daryl Braithwaite, Shane Howard, Brian Mannix and Joe Camilleri – will be joined by two-time Grammy and Academy Award winning singer-songwriter Irene Cara and the Young Divas.

This will be the first grand final since the completion of the redevelopment of the MCG and AFL General Manager Commercial Operations and Business Development, Gillon McLachlan promised it would be something special.

The pre-match ceremony will also recognise the 2006 Australian Football Hall of Fame inductees: Craig Bradley, Tony Lockett, Steve Marsh, Peter Matera, John Murphy, Robert Walls and Harry Beitzel, and Legend Daryl Baldock.

Australian Football will also farewell retirees Jason Ball and Stuart Maxfield (Sydney), Angelo Lekkas (Hawthorn), Justin Murphy(Richmond/Carlton/Geelong), Justin Leppitsch (Brisbane Lions), Gavin Wanganeen (Essendon/Port Adelaide), Blake Caracella (Essendon/Brisbane Lions/Collingwood), Paul Williams (Collingwood/Sydney), Peter Riccardi (Geelong), Saverio Rocca (Collingwood/Kangaroos), Jarrad Schofield (West Coast/Port Adelaide/Fremantle) and Rohan Smith (Western Bulldogs).

A key part of the day will be the involvement of NAB AFL Auskick participants from the 94 Auskick regions across Australia.

The children will take part in the pre-match entertainment and half-time Auskick activities, and will also present the Premiership Medals.

2006 TOYOTA AFL GRAND FINAL RUNNING SHEET

10am TAC Cup Grand Final

12.50am Red Berets parachute into MCG, delivering match-day footballs

1pm Teams warm-up

1.25pm Irene Cara performs What a Feeling

1.29pm Australian Idol finalists perform Waltzing Matilda

1.36pm Motorcade of AFL greats, retirees and 2006 award winners as the Young Divas perform You’re the Inspiration

1.42pm Club songs performed by Melbourne Gospel Choir

1.46pm Australian rock legends perform medley of hits

2.16pm Umpires enter the arena

2.27pm Australian rock legends perform Advance Australia Fair

2.28pm Coin toss

2.30pm 2006 Toyota AFL Grand Final

Half-time Gillette M3 Power Nitro AFL Grand Final Sprint and NAB AFL Auskick

Post-match

· Former Essendon player Billy Duckworth will present the Norm Smith Meal for the best player on the ground.

· NAB AFL Auskick participants will present the Premiership Medals.

· Allan Jeans will present the Jock McHale Medal to the winning coach.

· Bob Skilton will present the Premiership Cup to the winning captain and coach if the Swans win, while Glen Jakovich will do the honours if the Eagles win.

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AFL Grand Final Broadcast schedule

September 26th 2006 06:08
Saturday September 30, Sydney v West Coast (Channel 10 Production)
Channel 10 -- Melbourne (8am - 6pm, match live at 2.30pm), Adelaide (7.30am - 5.30pm, match live at 2pm), Perth (6am - 4pm, match live at 12.30pm), Sydney (8am - 6pm, match live at 2.30pm), Brisbane (8am - 6pm, match live at 2.30pm)

The match will be replayed in full on the Fox Footy Channel from 8pm Eastern time, 7.30pm Adelaide time and 6pm Perth time.

NB: All times are local.

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Latest AFL Premiership Odds

September 26th 2006 05:40
SYDNEY $2.03

WEST COAST $1.75

Norm Smith Medal

JUDD Chris $5.00

COUSINS Ben $7.50

KERR Daniel $7.50

GOODES Adam $8.50

HALL Barry $8.50

COX Dean $12.00

OKEEFE Ryan $13.00

KIRK Brett (Syd) $14.00

Odds courtesy of Ozbet.

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Dockers pair accept

September 26th 2006 03:03
Jeff Farmer, Fremantle, has accepted a reprimand and 95.85 points towards his future record for striking Craig Bolton, Sydney, during the second quarter of the First Preliminary Final between Fremantle and Sydney, played at Telstra Stadium on Friday September 22, 2006.

Justin Longmuir, Fremantle, has accepted a reprimand and 42.18 points towards his future record for striking Barry Hall, Sydney, during the third quarter of the First Preliminary Final between Fremantle and Sydney, played at Telstra Stadium on Friday September 22, 2006.

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Vozzo named for first GF

September 26th 2006 02:40
Brett Allen, Darren Goldspink and Michael Vozzo have been appointed to umpire the 2006 AFL Grand Final between Sydney and West Coast.

The Grand Final will be Vozzo's first, Goldspink's sixth, while Brett Allen will be officiating on the last Saturday in September for the seventh time.

Stephen McBurney, who has two grand finals to his credit has been named as the emergency.
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Did Geelong make the right decision: Have your say

September 26th 2006 00:26
The announcement yesterday that Mark Thompson would continue as coach next season ended months of speculation at the club.

But did chief executive Brian Cook and the board, which voted unamiously in Thompson's favour make the right decision.

MARK THOMPSON YEAR BY YEAR COACHING RECORD


Year Club Pl W L D For Ag Fin Pos

2000 GEEL 23 12 10 1 2317 2398 1 7

2001 GEEL 22 9 13 0 1926 2054 0 12

2002 GEEL 22 11 11 0 1933 2029 0 9

2003 GEEL 22 7 14 1 1819 2025 0 12

2004 GEEL 25 16 9 0 2299 2006 3 4

2005 GEEL 24 13 11 0 2303 2023 2 5

2006 GEEL 22 10 11 1 1982 2002 0 10

Total 160 78 79 3 14579 14537 6
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Goodes wins second Charlie

September 25th 2006 12:48
Sydney Swans star Adam Goodes has claimed his second Brownlow medal tonight, finishing three votes ahead of Western Bulldogs veteran and sentimental favourite Scott West.

The 26-year-old has the opportunity this Saturday to add to his already impressive collection of two Brownlow's and one premiership medallion with another flag against West Coast in the grand final.

It will be the sixth time in seven seasons, a Brownlow medallist has gone on to play in that season's grand final, including last year's winner Ben Cousins.

Brisbane's Simon Black, in 2002, was the last player to play in a premiership after winning the Brownlow.

Brownlow Medal leaderboard:

Adam Goodes (Sydney) - 26 votes
Scott West (Western Bulldogs) - 23
Daniel Kerr (West Coast)* - 22
Chris Judd (West Coast) - 21
Brad Johnson (Western Bulldogs) - 19
Matthew Pavlich (Fremantle) - 15
Brendon Lade (Port Adelaide) - 15
Shaun Burgoyne (Port Adelaide) - 15
Paul Chapman (Geelong) - 14
Jonathan Brown (Brisbane) - 13

*ineligible

Club leaders:
Adelaide - Tyson Edwards 12 votes

Brisbane - Jonathan Brown 13

Carlton - Heath Scotland 10

Collingwood - Ben Johnson, Dane Swan 11

Essendon - Brent Stanton, Scott Lucas 7

Fremantle - Matthew Pavlich 15

Geelong - Paul Chapman 14

Hawthorn - Sam Mitchell 13

Kangaroos - Nathan Thompson 13

Melbourne - Travis Johnstone 11

Port Adelaide - Brendon Lade, Shaun Burgoyne 15

Richmond - Troy Simmonds* 11

St Kilda - Robert Harvey 12

Sydney - Adam Goodes 26

West Coast - Daniel Kerr* 22

Western Bulldogs - Scott West 23
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Week Three Finals Reports

September 25th 2006 05:44
Charges Laid:

Jeff Farmer, Fremantle, has been charged with a Level One striking offence for striking Craig Bolton, Sydney, during the second quarter of the First Preliminary Final between Fremantle and Sydney, played at Telstra Stadium on Friday September 22, 2006.

In summary, while he does have residual points carried over on his record, he is able to accept a reprimand with an early plea.

The incident was assessed as negligent conduct (one point), low impact (one point), in play (no points) and high contact (two points).

This is a total of four activation points, which relates to a Level One offence, drawing 75 demerit points and a reprimand.

He has a total of two matches suspended within the last three years, which increases his penalty by 10 per cent to 82.50 points. He also has 45.31 residual points from within the last 12 months, increasing his penalty to 127.81 points and a one-match sanction.

An early plea reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to a reprimand and 95.85 points towards his future record.

Justin Longmuir, Fremantle, has been charged with a Level One striking offence for striking Barry Hall, Sydney, during the third quarter of the First Preliminary Final between Fremantle and Sydney, played at Telstra Stadium on Friday September 22, 2006.

In summary, he has a five-year existing good record and an early plea reduces the sanction to a reprimand and 42.18 points towards his future record.

The incident was assessed as negligent conduct (one point), low impact (one point), in play (no points) and high contact (two points).

This is a total of four activation points, which relates to a Level One offence, drawing 75 demerit points and a reprimand.

He has an existing five-year good record, which reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to a reprimand and 56.25 points towards his future record. An early plea reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to a reprimand and 42.18 points towards his future record.

Other incidents assessed: No Charge Laid.

The Match Review Panel reviewed contact between Sydney's Amon Buchanan and Fremantle's Troy Cook from the third quarter of Friday's match at Telstra Stadium.

On viewing the incident, the Panel said Buchanan made a spoiling attempt in the contest. There was contact with both the ball and the back of Cook but the nature of the contact was not deemed to be a reportable offence.

No further action was taken.

The Match Review Panel reviewed contact between West Coast's Daniel Chick and Adelaide's Martin Mattner from the second quarter of Saturday's match at AAMI Stadium.

The Panel said Chick made contact with the Adelaide player after he had kicked the ball.

Although the contact appeared to be a bump, the vision was inconclusive and no further action was taken.

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AFL announces premiership cup presenters

September 25th 2006 01:11
The AFL has invited Bob Skilton (Sydney) and Glen Jakovich (West Coast) as the respective champion of each of the Grand Final sides to present the 2006 Premiership Cup to the successful team on Saturday.

Skilton played 237 games for South Melbourne between 1956-71, kicking 412 goals.

He won the club best and fairest on a record nine occasions (1958, '59, '61, '62, '63, '64, '65, '67, '68), captained the club for 165 games and won the 1959, 1963 and 1968 Brownlow Medals.

Jakovich played a club record 276 games for West Coast between 1991-2004, kicking 60 goals.

He won the club best and fairest on a record four occasions (1993, '94, '95 and 2000) and was a member of the club's first two premiership sides in 1992 and 1994.

The other presenters for the AFL's key awards were announced earlier this month with Allan Jeans to present the Jock McHale Medal to the Premiership Coach and Bill Duckworth to present the Norm Smith Medal to the Best Player on the Ground.

The voting panel for the Norm Smith Medal is Michael Sheahan (Herald Sun, Chairman), Rohan Connolly (Age), Jenny McAsey (Australian), Mark Maclure (ABC Radio) and Ray Wilson (West Australian)
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Impending Milestones

September 25th 2006 01:07
Consecutive Grand Finals - West Coast and Sydney. This week's Grand Final will be the 14th instance in the history of the game where the same two sides have contested the Grand Final in successive years.

The full list is Essendon / Collingwood (1901-02), Collingwood / Richmond (1919-20), Collingwood / Richmond (1927-29), South Melbourne / Richmond (1933-34), South Melbourne / Collingwood (1935-36), Richmond / Essendon (1942-43), Geelong / Collingwood (1952-53), Melbourne / Collingwood (1955-56), Carlton / Richmond (1972-73), Hawthorn / North Melbourne (1975-76), Hawthorn / Essendon (1983-85), Hawthorn / Carlton (1986-87) and Brisbane Lions / Collingwood (2002-03). Collingwood (1927-29), Collingwood (1935-36), Melbourne (1955-56) and the Brisbane Lions (2002-03) are the four teams to have swept these match-ups, with all other results being split.

Most Grand Finals Umpired - Brett Allen. Should Brett be selected to umpire this week, it would be his seventh Grand Final, drawing him level with Bob Scott and Ivor Crapp and behind only Jack Elder (10) and Ian Robinson (nine) on the all-time list.

Most Finals Umpired - Darren Goldspink. Should Darren be selected to umpire a final this week, it will be his 37th career final, taking him to equal second on the all-time list behind only Jack Elder (39 finals) and level with Bryan Sheehan (37 finals).

Most Finals Umpired - Brett Allen. Should Brett be selected to umpire a final this week, it will be his 36th career final, drawing him level with Darren Goldspink (mentioned previously) in equal third spot on the all-time list.
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The Perfect Ten

September 24th 2006 06:00
Here is the final instalment in our look at the top ten players for the 2006 AFL season.

6. Simon Goodwin

The Adelaide midfield star had arguably his career-best season in 2006 on his way to All-Australian honours for the fourth time.

Goodwin averaged 26 possessions this year, more than he has in the past six seasons.

The 29-year-old was ranked in the top ten for kicks, handballs, contested possessions and clearances and led the competition for inside 50's.

His ability to win the contested football and break the lines by foot was a key factor in Adelaide's success which propelled them to a 14-2 win-loss record before the wheels fell off.

The Crows vice-captain is on the fourth line of betting for this year's Brownlow, however Goodwin has never polled well in the medal count, with his previous best performance being just 10 votes in 2001.

Adelaide. Fourth Time All Australian. Previously selected 2000, 2001, 2005. 22 games in 2006. 12 Goals, 11 Behinds. 343 kicks, 87 marks, 254 handballs, averaging 15.6 kicks, 4.0 marks, 11.5 handballs. 113 Clearances, 132 Inside 50m, 51 Rebound 50m. Third in the AFL in total disposals. Fifth in the AFL in total kicks. Seventh in the AFL in total handballs. Fifth in the AFL in contested possessions. Seventh in the AFL in clearances. Led the AFL in Inside 50m.

7. Matthew Pavlich

The Fremantle star collected his fourth All-Australian guernsey recently, which is quite an impressive feat when you consider Pavlich is only 24.

Dockers coach Chris Connolly has used Pavlich in a more permanent forward role in the past couple of seasons after initially starting in the midfield.

The move has paid handsome dividends with Pavlich taking the eight most number of marks in the AFL, and fourth in contested marks on his way to a career-best 71 goals.

The 24-year-old has had fewer possessions this year, averaging only 15.8, down on 16.9 in 2005 and 21.2 the previous year.

However, this was a by-product of a permanent role in the forward 50, and his form this year was integral to the Dockers stark mid-season form reversal which propelled them from a 6-7 win-loss record mid-season to a preliminary final berth last Friday night.

Fremantle. Fourth time All Australian. Previously selected in 2002, 2003, 2005. 22 games in 2006. 63 Goals, 32 Behinds. 271 kicks, 172 marks, 80 handballs, averaging 12.3 kicks, 7.8 marks, 3.6 handballs. 19 Clearances, 84 Inside 50m, 10 Rebound 50m. Eighth in the AFL in total marks. Fourth in the AFL in contested marks. Sixth in the AFL in goals.

8. Brendon Fevola

Just over a year ago Brendon Fevola was being talked about as potential trade bait for the Blues.

The fact that he earned his first All-Australian guernsey recently and is being talked about as the next captain of Carlton, with current skipper Anthony Koutoufides relinquishing the reigns is a credit to him for turning his career around.

The 25-year-old won the Coleman medal in a side that won the wooden spoon for the second year in succession.

This is an astonishing feat when you consider the last time this occurred was in 1965 when Hawthorn's John Peck claimed the Coleman medal.

There is no questioning that Fevola has stamped himself as one of the premier forwards of the competition, and surely he will be hoping from greater support next season when the Blues aim to avoid a hat-trick of wooden spoons.

Carlton. First time All Australian. 21 games in 2006. 84 goals, 53 behinds. 226 kicks, 138 marks, 40 handballs, averaging 10.8 kicks, 6.6 marks, 1.9 handalls. Three Clearances, 56 Inside 50m, Zero Rebound 50m. Eighth in the AFL in contested marks. First in the AFL in goals.

9. Dean Cox

The West Coast ruckman has been an integral part of the Eagles success of the past couple of years which has seen them make their second grand final in as many years.

Cox, who earned his second All-Australian guernsey recently after receiving his first in 2005 was a favourite for the Brownlow after the first three rounds of the season.

While the 25-year-old is ranked ninth in the AFL for hitouts with 346, which is a whopping 243 behind Sydney Swans ruckman Darren Jolly, its Cox's ability to get the ball around the ground that sets him apart.

His ability to cover the ground, and use the ball cleanly by foot is astounding for a man his size and essentially provides coach John Worsfold with another midfielder as Cox averages 18 possessions per game.

This was no more evident than in yesterday's preliminary final against Adelaide at AAMI Stadium, where the Eagles ruckman had 27 possessions compared to Matthew Clarke's five touches.

It has been a rapid rise for Cox who started on the Eagles rookie list and made the most of his opportunities when then number one ruckman Michael Gardiner broke down with a knee injury.

West Coast. Second time All Australian. Previously selected 2005. 17 games in 2006. 13 Goals, Six Behinds. 192 kicks, 122 marks, 111 handballs, averaging 11.3 kicks, 7.2 marks, 6.5 handballs. 346 Hit Outs, averaging 20.4 hit outs. 46 Clearances, 32 Inside 50m, 37 Rebound 50m. Ninth in the AFL in hit outs.

10. Nick Riewoldt

It wasn't all doom at gloom down at Moorabbin this year.

Despite serious injuries to key players Justin Koschitzke, Aaron Hamill and Matt Maguire and the eventual axing of coach Grant Thomas, there were a few bright spots for the Saints and Riewoldt was one of them in 2006.

The two-time All-Australian forward had a season equal to his first All-Australian selection in 2004, leading the AFL in marks and contested marks and finishing tenth in the Coleman medal race with 58 majors.

The 23-year-old took his leadership qualities to a new level this season, and this was no more evident than in the Saints round 11 two-point win over the Swans.

St Kilda's season was teetering on a knife-edge with a 5-5 win-loss record and Riewoldt led from the front with 23 possessions and 7 marks in a win that would spark a five-game winning streak for the Saints.

With coach Grant Thomas gone, Justin Peckett and Stephen Powell retired and several ageing stars to hang up their boots in the next year, Riewoldt shapes as a key as St Kilda aims to rebuild.

St Kilda. Second time All Australian. Previously selected 2004. 22 games in 2006. 58 Goals, 34 Behinds. 282 kicks, 206 marks, 83 handballs, averaging 12.8 kicks, 9.4 marks, 3.8 handballs. 25 Hit Outs. 11 Clearances, 49 Inside 50m, 16 Rebound 50m. Led the AFL in total marks. Led the AFL in contested marks. Tenth in the AFL in goals.

Did we get the top 10 right. Have your say.
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The Perfect Ten

September 24th 2006 01:20
Here is the first instalment in our look at the top ten players for the 2006 AFL season.

1. Chris Judd

All football fans know the Eagles skipper is truly one of the modern day greats.

Only 23, Judd has already won a Brownlow medal, Norm Smith medal and if all goes to plan over the coming week he could add a second Brownlow and premiership medallion to an already impressive collection.

While Judd's ability to break away from contests with breathtaking speed and use the football cleanly by foot is what he is praised for, and deservedly so, his willingness to do the one-percenters go largely unnoticed.

It wouldn't be too outrageous to suggest that the Eagles captain is the complete package.

He is second in the AFL in contested possessions and leads the competition in hard ball gets and is eight in clearances.

These statistics show that the Eagles star doesn't get any cheap footy.

A closer look at the stats reveals this has been Judd's best year in terms of numbers, averaging 25.8 possessions per game compared to 22.3 in 2005 and 21.8 in his Brownlow year.

Judd has also has become even more damaging in front of goal with 28 majors, up from 15 last year.

The Eagles captain is in only his fifth AFL season, and you would assume his best football is still ahead of him.

A scary prospect for the rest of the competition.

West Coast Second time All Australian. Previously selected 2004. 19 games in 2006. 25 Goals, 17 Behinds. 268 kicks, 51 marks, 210 handballs, averaging 14.1 kicks, 2.7 marks, 11.1 handballs. 109 Clearances, 97 Inside 50m, 28 Rebound 50m. Second in the AFL in contested possessions. Led the AFL in hard ball gets. Eighth in the AFL in clearances.

2. Scott West

Like a good wine, West just seems to get better with age.

The 7-times best-and-fairest has had more disposals than any other player in the competition and has averaged close to 30 for the year.

West has led the AFL in contested possessions, is second in hard ball gets and fourth in the competition in clearances.

Like Judd, the Bulldogs veteran doesn't get any cheap football.

His uncanny ability to feed the ball by hand in confined spaces to the fleet of foot Dogs runners has been a attribute which has remained with him over the course of his 300-game career.

The 31-year-old was unlucky not to win a Brownlow in 2000 when he missed out by one vote to former Demon Shane Woewodin.

The Bulldogs veteran would be a worthy winner of the medal tomorrow night in what has arguably been a career-best season.

Western Bulldogs. Fifth time All Australian. Previously selected 1998, 2000, 2004, 2005. 22 games in 2006. Six goals, Five behinds. 254 kicks, 106 marks, 389 handballs, averaging 11.5 kicks, 4.8 marks, 17.7 handballs. 119 Clearances, 58 Inside 50m, 46 Rebound 50m. Led the AFL in total disposals. Led the AFL in total handballs. Led the AFL in contested possessions. Second in the AFL in hard ball gets. Fourth in the AFL in clearances.


3. Ben Cousins

The former Eagles skipper has once again shown his ability to put aside off-field controversies and be a genuine star of the competition.

Cousins decision to decision to jump out of his car at 12.15am on February 12, after noticing a booze bus ahead, triggered a series of events that would see the 2005 Brownlow medallist lose the West Coast captaincy and threatend to derail his brilliant but troubled career.

Sports psychologist Sandy Gordon told The Sunday Times recently Cousins ability to back bounce from controversy was not too dissimiliar to Shane Warne.

Gordon's comments are well made, when you consider Cousins captured his sixth All-Australian guernsey last week, despite missing four games this season amid intense media scrutiny.

The 27-year-old has had a year equal to his Brownlow medal season of 2005, averaging over 25 possessions.

His ability to gut run is the envy of the competition and with the opportunity to atone for last year's heartbreaking four-point grand final loss on Saturday, the spiritual leader of the Eagles will be a key.

West Coast. Sixth time All Australian. Previously selected in 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2005 (vice-captain). 18 games in 2006. 15 Goals, Nine Behinds. 265 kicks, 93 marks, 200 handballs, averaging 14.7 kicks, 5.1 marks, 11.1 handballs. 77 Clearances, 87 Inside 50m, 15 Rebound 50m.

4. Brad Johnson

The smiling assassin has had a watershed year.

Due to season-ending injuries to key players, Johnson was thrust into the unfamiliar role of a permanent key forward.

The 30-year-old managed 74 goals for the year, an impressive feat for a man who stands a mere 182 centimetres.

The All-Australian captain not only finished second in goal-kicking behind Carlton spearhead Brendon Fevola but also managed a touch over 19 possessions a game during 2006.

His leadership of an inexperienced Bulldogs side which ventured into its first finals campaign since 2000 was nothing short of brilliant and was a big reason behind their success which saw them win one final after missing the eight last year.

According to a story in today's Sydney Morning Herald statisticians at ProWess Sports rate Johnson who is a $13 chance with TAB Sportsbet as a strong chance for tomorrow night's Brownlow and predict him to poll up to 25 votes.

ProWess gives each player a match rating after every round, calculated on key performance indicators and tips the Bulldogs caretaker skipper to poll in at least seven games.

I don't think anyone would begrudge Johnson a win tomorrow night and the veteran isn't without a sneaky chance.

Western Bulldogs. Fifth time All Australian. Previously selected 1999, 2000, 2002, 2005. 22 games in 2006. 70 goals, 39 behinds. 303 kicks, 163 marks, 123 handballs, averaging 13.8 kicks, 7.4 marks, 5.6 handballs. 21 Clearances, 74 Inside 50m, 18 Rebound 50m. Ninth in the AFL in contested marks. Second in the AFL in goals.

5. Adam Goodes

The 2003 Brownlow medallist has had a brilliant year averaging 20 possessions and just under seven marks a game.

Goodes, who is favourite for this year's medal could become the first player to win the coveted award after playing in two different positions.

In 2003 Goodes played primarily in the ruck, and with Darren Jolly and Stephen Doyle sharing the ruck duties this year coach Paul Roos has been able to use his star in a variety of different roles.

Such is the 26-year-old's versatility, he has played through the midfield, been pushed back in defence as loose man and rested up forward where he has contributed a handy 24 goals this season.

Perhaps in a prelude to what will happen tomorrow night, Goodes collected his second All-Australian guernsey last week, with his first coming in 2003.

On the basis of raw stastistics, the Swans big man has had a better year in 2006 in terms of marks, disposals and goals and deserves to be favourite for this year's medal.

Sydney. Second time All Australian. Previously selected 2003. 22 games in 2006. 22 goals, 12 behinds. 339 kicks, 158 marks, 120 handballs, averaging 15.4 kicks, 7.1 marks, 5.5 handballs. 47 hit outs. 71 Clearances, 100 Inside 50m, 59 Rebound 50m. Sixth in the AFL in total kicks. Ninth in the AFL in Inside 50m.




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Judd the pre-season Brownlow pick

September 24th 2006 00:42
West Coast captain Chris Judd was nominated as the stand-out choice among his leadership peers to win a second Brownlow Medal tomorrow night when the AFL polled the 16 AFL club captains pre-season.

At their annual gathering in Melbourne in March, Judd was the stand-out choice among the club skippers and enters tomorrow's count as one of the favourites.

The 2004 winner was was nominated by six of his fellow captains while last year's winner, Ben Cousins, drew two votes and another Eagle in Dean Cox also polled a vote.

One captain also had another pre-count favourite in Adelaide's Simon Goodwin as his selection.

The full voting was:

Chris Judd, West Coast (six), Ben Cousins, West Coast (two), Luke Hodge, Hawthorn (two), Chad Cornes, Port Adelaide (two), Dean Cox, West Coast (one), Paul Hasleby, Fremantle (one), Simon Black, Brisbane Lions (one), Simon Goodwin, Adelaide (one).
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Who will win the grand final: Have your say

September 23rd 2006 23:50
Sydney v West Coast.

Its a re-match of last year's grand final but the pathway for both sides in getting to the last Saturday in September have reversed.

This year the Swans have benefited from the week's break and a home preliminary final, while the Eagles had to play three finals in as many weeks just as their grand final opponents did last year.

If history is anything to go by, matches between these two sides won't be decided until the final minute.

It promises to be another classic grand final.

Who do you think will be 2006 premiers. Have your say.
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Eagles soar into grand final

September 23rd 2006 08:04
The West Coast Eagles have booked a replay of last year's grand final against Sydney with a thrilling 10-point win over Adelaide at AAMI Stadium this afternoon.

WEST COAST 0.4 2.7 6.12 11.19 (85)
ADELAIDE 3.3 6.5 8.8 11.9 (75)
Goals: West Coast: A Hunter 4 A Embley 2 D Kerr B Cousins Q Lynch S Butler A Hansen. Adelaide: N Bock 3 B Burton 2 M Bode 2 S Welsh T Edwards A McLeod M Clarke.
Best: West Coast: B Cousins A Hunter C Judd A Embley D Cox B Jones D Kerr. Adelaide: G Johncock B Burton M Bode S Goodwin T Edwards N Bock
Umpires: M Ellis S Ryan D Goldspink.
Crowd: 50,514 at AAMI Stadium.
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Crows in control

September 23rd 2006 06:34
The Adelaide Crows have taken a commanding 22-point lead over West Coast at the main break in the second preliminary final at AAMI Stadium this afternoon.

Adelaide 6.5.41 Bode 2, Burton 2, Bock, Welsh
West Coast 2.7.19 Hunter, Kerr
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Match preview: Adelaide v West Coast

September 23rd 2006 01:26
ADELAIDE V WEST COAST

WHERE & WHEN: AAMI Stadium, 3:00pm (CST), Saturday, September 23

TV & RADIO: Channel 10. 3AW, ABC National, K-Rock, Triple M, 5AA, 6PR, NIRS

HEAD TO HEAD: Played - 28, Adelaide - 13, West Coast - 15

LAST TIME: West Coast 26.9 (165) def. Adelaide 12.11 (83), Round 17, 2006 at Subiaco Oval. The Crows had won eight in-a-row leading up to this clash but were comprehensively thumped by the Eagles who were coming off a loss to Collingwood the previous week.

FINALS HEAD TO HEAD: Played - 3, Adelaide - 2, West Coast - 1

LAST TIME IN A FINAL: West Coast 14.9 (93) def. Adelaide 11.11 (77), 2005 Preliminary Final, Subiaco Oval

HEAD TO HEAD AT THIS VENUE: Played - 14, Adelaide - 10, West Coast - 4

LAST TIME AT THIS VENUE: West Coast 13.12 (90) def. Adelaide 13.10 (88), Round 2, 2006 at AAMI Stadium.

TAB SPORTSBET: Adelaide $2.20, West Coast $1.62

BETFAIR: Adelaide $2.36, West Coast $1.38

Adelaide's injury woes in the second half of the season have been well documented, but they will be bolstered by the return of stars Andrew McLeod and Brett Burton.

Burton missed five weeks with a hamstring injury, while McLeod has been on the sidelines for the past fortnight as a foot injury continued to trouble the star.

Both players have done plenty of work on the track, but their still has to be a question mark over their fitness and their ability to run out four quarters, especially against a West Coast side which is regarded as the best running team in the competition.

McLeod's return is a big boost for the Crows, and where he lines up is an unknown.

Will coach Neil Craig pinch hit him through the midfield and up forward or return him to his customary position off half-back.

Wherever McLeod lines up you would expect him to be used in 10 to 15-minute bursts each quarter, and with his sublime skills is capable of causing some damage with very little football.

I wouldn't be suprised if Eagles coach John Worsfold uses Adam Selwood in a negating half-forward role to cut down McLeod's run off half-back, which has been integral to the Crows success this season.

Meanwhile Burton's inclusion gives Craig a much needed option up forward in a forward line which is without Trent Hentschel, Ken McGregor and skipper Mark Ricciuto.

Burton's ability to push up into the midfield is also a key.

Craig has shown tremendous faith in his 22, making only the two changes- surely the temptation to bring back McGregor and Ricciuto would have been great.

But the non-star system which Adelaide has stood by all season has served them well in their past two outings, with the likes of Jason Porpylzia and Nathan Bock impressive in recent weeks.

Adelaide will be desperate to atone for last year's preliminary final loss to the Eagles at Subiaco Oval and the more recent embarassment of round 17 when West Coast dished out an 82-point hiding- Adelaide's worst loss in over two years.

The Crows look likely to tag Eagles captain Chris Judd, with Robert Shirley to be given the tough assigment of minding the 2004 Brownlow medallist.

However, Adelaide can't afford to go too negative against a West Coast midfield which runs eight to ten deep and need to back their stars of Simon Goodwin, Tyson Edwards and Scott Thompson to win their fair share of the football.

You would expect former Crow Tyson Stenglein to get the task of minding Goodwin.

The forward line is the biggest concern for Craig and its difficult to envisage how Adelaide will kick a winning score.

Key forwards Scott Welsh and Ian Perrie have managed a meagre 17 goals between them this year and Burton has missed a lot of football and his impact on the game remains questionable.

You would expect All-Australian full-back Darren Glass to line-up on Welsh while the versatile Adam Hunter could be given the job of minding the dangerous Burton.

With three of their top five goalkickers still missing, Adelaide forward Matthew Bode looms as a key for the Crows.

Bode has kicked 30 goals in arguably his best season, and veteran Drew Banfield looks likely to get the task of minding the lively Adelaide forward after keeping him goalless in round 17.

Meanwhile West Coast will head into today's clash chock full of confidence.

Their midfield brilliance was on display last Saturday night against the Western Bulldogs, with Daniel Kerr and Andrew Embley key contributors with 29 possessions apiece after enforced lay-offs.

Kerr provides the Eagles with some much needed hardness around the football and tends to get forgotten with the stars of Chris Judd and Ben Cousins shining so brightly.

While Embley is capable of pushing forward and has provided a few headaches for the Crows in recent times, most notably there past two encounters at AAMI Stadium and there appears to be no logical match-up for the Eagles vice-captain.

The return of Ashley Hansen last week was a key for the Eagles.

It was no suprise that Hansen's return coincided with Quinten Lynch booting six majors.

The Eagles have a 12-0 win-loss record this year when Hansen plays and his ability to present all day and provide a lead-up target enables Lynch to lead into space and not be forced wide to the boundary.

With windy conditions forecasted at AAMI, it will be crucial for both sides to use the corridor to maximise their scoring opportunities.

The last time these two sides met in round 17 West Coast had 434 disposals- 226 of those were handballs as they broke the Adelaide midfield with their superior run.

A similiar tactic today will be hard for the Crows to counter given the Eagles midfield depth.

Again the key for West Coast is Lynch, his match-up against All-Australian defender Ben Rutten is a key- if the "Big Unit" can kick three or four the Eagles will win.

This match will be won or lost for both sides in the midfield and it will be a matter of whether the Crows can break even against the Eagles stars, or the depth and run of West Coast will prove too much to bare.

All-Australian Dean Cox didn't play the last time these two sides met and his dual with Adelaide ruckman Matthew Clarke will be decisive.

Both players are evenly matched in terms of hitouts this season, but its Cox's ability to get the football around the ground and be a link-man that will be of concern to Adelaide.

Cox averages a touch over 17 possessions a game this season while his Crows counterpart averages a meagre eight touches.

The Eagles have won five of their past six against the Crows, including their past two at AAMI Stadium, so the venue will hold no fears for John Worsfold's men.

While Adelaide have enjoyed the week's break, two of their stars in McLeod and Burton have missed a lot of football and their ability to make a significant impact in the cauldron of a preliminary final is questionable.

The Eagles will get up in a hard-fought tussle and book a replay of last year's grand final against Sydney. West Coast by 17 points.

ADELAIDE
B: Johncock, Rutten, Bassett
HB: Mattner, Bock, Torney
C: Burton, Goodwin, van Berlo
HF: Thompson, Perrie, Reilly
F: Bode, Welsh, Biglands
FOLL: Clarke, Shirley, Edwards
I/C: Doughty, McLeod, Stevens, Porplyzia
EMG: Massie, McGregor, Douglas
IN: Burton, McLeod
OUT: Douglas, Massie

WEST COAST
B: B.Jones, Glass, Selwood
HB: Waters, Hunter, Stenglein
C: A.Embley, Cousins, Braun
HF: Chick, Hansen, Butler
F: Kerr, Lynch, Seaby
FOLL: Cox, Judd, Fletcher
I/C: Armstrong, Banfield, Graham, R.Jones
EMG: LeCras, Rosa, Staker
IN: Banfield, Graham
OUT: Wirrpanda (hamstring), Rosa

Field umpires: Ellis, Ryan, Goldspink


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Who will face the Swans: Have your say

September 22nd 2006 13:11
With Sydney securing their second grand final berth in as many years, Adelaide and West are left to fight it out for the remaining grand final spot.

Will the Eagles book a rematch of last year's grand final or will the Crows overcome the injury woes that have dogged them for the better part of the second half of the season and book a place in their first grand final since 1998.

Have your say.
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Swans through to grand final

September 22nd 2006 12:49
Sydney have kept their dream of back-to-back premierships alive and booked a showdown with Adelaide or West Coast on the last Saturday in September after downing a gallant Fremantle side by 35 points at the Telstra Stadium tonight.

SYDNEY: 3.6, 8.7, 14.8, 19.13 (127)
FREMANTLE: 3.2, 6.2, 11.6, 14.8 (92)
GOALS – Sydney: Hall 6, O'Keefe 4, O'Loughlin 4, Bolton 2, Davis, Dempster, Goodes. Fremantle: Pavlich 4, Bell 3, Cook 2, Crowley 2, Farmer, Murphy, Peake.
BEST – Sydney: Hall, Kirk, O'Keefe, O'Loughlin, C. Bolton, J. Bolton, Goodes. Fremantle: Pavlich, Bell, J Carr, Crowley, Hayden, Sandilands.
INJURIES – Sydney: nil Fremantle: Farmer (leg)
CHANGES - Sydney nil Fremantle: nil
REPORTS - nil
UMPIRES - Vozzo, McBurney, Allen.
CROWD - 61,373 at Telstra Stadium, Sydney
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Swans on top

September 22nd 2006 11:14
The Sydney Swans have taken a handy 17-point lead into the main break in tonight's preliminary final against Fremantle at Telstra Stadium.

Sydney 8.7.55 J. Bolton 2, Hall 2, O'Keefe 2, Goodes, O'Loughlin
Fremantle 6.2.38 Bell 2, Pavlich 2, Crowley, Farmer
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Match preview: Sydney v Fremantle

September 22nd 2006 07:18
SYDNEY v FREMANTLE

WHERE & WHEN: Telstra Stadium, 8;00pm (AEST), Friday, September 22

TV & RADIO: Channel 10 (Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth), ABC, 3AW, 5AA, 6PR, Triple M (Melbourne, Sydney)

HEAD TO HEAD: Sydney 9, Fremantle 8

LAST TIME: Sydney 12.19 (91) bt Fremantle 9.4 (58), SCG, Round 13, 2006. The Dockers led at every change, but a four-goal burst at the start of the final term by the Swans put the result of the contest beyond doubt. While it was the Dockers' third loss in a row, the defeat is now regarded as the catalyst for their amazing burst which has them within one win of their maiden grand final berth.

FINALS HEAD TO HEAD: Never met in a final.

LAST TIME IN A FINAL: Never met in a final.

HEAD TO HEAD AT THIS VENUE: Sydney 7, Fremantle 2

LAST TIME AT THIS VENUE: Sydney 12.19 (91) bt Fremantle 9.4 (58)

TAB SPORTSBET: Sydney $1.30, Fremantle $3.30

BETFAIR: Sydney $1.32, Fremantle $3.20

Sydney have gone in with an unchanged line-up for tonight's preliminary final against Fremantle at Telstra Stadium, and are arguably the most durable side in the competition with Jared Crouch the only notable absentee.

The Swans have once again snuck under the radar with the focus this year largely on Adelaide and West Coast and now find themselves one win away from the opportunity to claim back-to-back flags.

Sydney would have welcomed the week's break, particularly its two star forwards Barry Hall and Michael O'Loughlin who were troubled by a back complaint and groin injury respectively in the one-point win over the Eagles a fortnight ago.

Hall and O'Loughlin's importance to the Swans was never more evident than against West Coast, with the pair combining for nine of their side's 13 majors.

You would expect Fremantle defender Luke McPharlin to line-up first on Hall in a contest that will have a major bearing on the outcome.

However, McPharlin still remains in doubt with an ankle injury and would be a big loss.

With fellow defender Antoni Grover named as an emergency, I wouldn't be suprised if there was a late change to the 22.

Veteran Shane Parker could line up on the mercurial O'Loughlin with impressive youngster David Mundy another option for coach Chris Connolly.

Despite tonight's final being held away from the Swans traditional home of the SCG, coach Paul Roos said his side didn't fear playing at the 2000 Olympic venue.

Roos' comments are well made, with the Swans winning eight of their past nine at the ground, including a 57-point demolition of Brisbane in round 21- they will go in with plenty of confidence.

While Sydney is chasing back-to-back flags, the Dockers are in unchartered territory in their first preliminary final since their inception in 1995.

How they cope with the pressure, coupled with the fact their playing on a ground they haven't previously will be crucial.

The ruck dual between Fremantle giant Aaron Sandilands and the Swans duo of Darren Jolly and Stephen Doyle will be decisive.

Sandilands smashed Melbourne ruckman Jeff White last Friday night and looms as danger for the Swans.

Sydney's success of the past two years has been based around their ability to suffocate the opposition and rebound the ball from half-back through the likes of Leo Barry and Tadhg Kennelly.

The Dockers forwards will need to be switched on and provide plenty of forward pressure, or the football will simply be rebounded out at will.

One thing in Fremantle's favour is the fact they had 10 individual goalkickers against the Demons last Friday night.

Such an even spread enables coach Chris Connolly to rotate players through the forward 50 and force the Swans defenders to be more accountable and not zone off.

The Dockers will need to counter the Swans negating style, back their instincts and play the running brand of football which has seen them win 10 of their past 11.

This is easier said than done, especially when you consider Fremantle will be playing in a different state for the third week in a row.

The likes of veteran Shaun McManus and Des Headland will need to step up, after managing only nine and 11 possessions respectively last week for Fremantle to record an upset win.

Both sides boast impressive forward lines, which are capable of kicking a winning score, but it is the midfield battle which shapes as the key.

We all know the Swans like to shut the game down, but if the Fremantle midfielders can get good supply from Sandilands, and the likes of Heath Black and Brett Peake break the lines by foot then the Dockers are a chance.

You would expect the Carr brothers to provide plenty of niggle and match-up on Jude Bolton and Adam Goodes.

Fellow hardman Troy Cook looks likely to line-up on Swans captain Brett Kirk in another key match-up.

History is against Fremantle, with 18 of the 24 preliminary finals played since 1994 won by the side with the week off.

With their stars of Hall, O'Loughlin and Goodes in career-best form and their lesser likes getting the job done week-in-week-out, coupled with the home ground advantage the Swans should progress to their second grand final in as many years in a tight contest. Sydney by 22 points.

SYDNEY
B: Richards, Barry, Malceski
HB: Kennelly, Roberts-Thomson, C.Bolton
C: Buchanan, Kirk, Ablett
HF: O'Keefe, O'Loughlin, J.Bolton
F: Schneider, Hall, Fosdike
FOLL: Jolly, Goodes, McVeigh
I/C: Mathews, N.Davis, Dempster, Doyle
EMG: Spriggs, Bevan, Vogels
IN: -
OUT: -

FREMANTLE
B: Parker, McPharlin, Hayden
HB: Mundy, Johnson, Dodd
C: Black, J.Carr, Peake
HF: Headland, Pavlich, Cook
F: Farmer, Murphy, Longmuir
FOLL: Sandilands, M.Carr, Bell
I/C: Crowley, Webster, McManus, Schammer
EMG: Polak, Grover, Drum
IN: -
OUT: -

Field umpires: Vozzo, McBurney, Allen


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Power trio given the axe

September 22nd 2006 05:14
The Port Adelaide Football Club has advised Peter Walsh, Ben Eckermann and Aaron Shattock that they will not receive a new playing contract for the coming season.

Rookie players Tim Looby and Tom Rischbieth will also be leaving the club.

Walsh, Shattock and Eckermann have all been with the club for two years, while Looby and Rischbieth have had one year on the rookie list.

The club’s review of its list is ongoing. At this stage it is likely that any other delistings will take place at the end of the exchange period (October 9 – 13).
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Bowden wins 2006 AFL Community Leadership Award

September 21st 2006 23:37
Dual All-Australian and Richmond Best and Fairest winner Joel Bowden has won the 2006 AFL Community Leadership Award.

Bowden is a member of Richmond’s Tigers in Community Foundation and continues to actively engage himself in a number activities beyond his on-field role, including working with the underprivileged at the North Richmond Housing Estate, St Mary’s House of Welcome, Collingwood Estate and the Very Special Kids organisation.

He has received $10,000 from the AFL Foundation and Tattersall’s which will be divided between the Lighthouse Foundation and the Tigers in the Community Foundation.

Bowden spends every Tuesday at the North Richmond Housing Estate.

It is a diverse community that houses up to 5000 people from 46 different countries who speak 29 languages. The majority of these people come from Vietnamese and Timorese backgrounds, many arriving in Australia as refugees and asylum seekers.

The program allows Richmond players to interact with the children in a safe environment and encourage active living through participation in sport and recreational activities.

Tattersall's Managing Director and CEO, Duncan Fischer, commended Joel’s efforts.

“Joel’s willingness to give up his time to be a positive role model for the kids in North Richmond will have long term effects. We hope these sport, recreational and mentoring programs can provide the children with an alternative to drugs and alcohol and keep them on the right path,” Mr Fischer said.



The award criteria are as follows:


· Each Club can nominate one player.


· This player must have shown outstanding leadership and excellence in making a voluntary commitment to the community and charitable organisations during 2006.


· The work the nominee is being nominated for must be volunteer work only. They should not be nominated for paid work.


· Each nomination should be accompanied by a letter of endorsement from the Club outlining the player’s contribution and its community impact.


· The letter supporting the nomination can include testimonials from people or organisations that have benefited from the players contribution. (the nomination and testimonials should be no more than 500 words)


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Horsborough new Essendon chairman

September 21st 2006 10:29
The Essendon Football Club board tonight voted Ray Horsborough in as the new Chairman of the Club, replacing Neil McKissock who officially stood down from the position at tonight's board meeting.

McKissock had previously announced his intentions at last week's Crichton Medal function.

In other changes announced following the meeting, Daryl Jackson was voted in as the new vice-chairman of the Club while Chief Executive Peter Jackson has joined the board in the capacity of Managing Director.

Horsborough said the return of Essendon to finals football was the key challenge that confronted his board moving forward.

"Clearly we are in a position of strength as a business and we will again announce a significant profit this season," Horsborough said.

"So off field we are in a solid position. What we all want is to get Essendon back playing in September and to win the ultimate prize. That is the priority for all of us."
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AFLPA MVP Award nominations

September 21st 2006 08:31
LEIGH MATTHEWS TROPHY FOR MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

Adelaide Brisbane Carlton Collingwood

Simon Goodwin
Tyson Edwards

Simon Black
Jonathan Brown

Lance Whitnall
Brendon Fevola

James Clement
Dane Swan

Essendon Fremantle Geelong Hawthorn
Dustin Fletcher
Scott Lucas

Matthew Pavlich
Peter Bell

Paul Chapman
Matthew Scarlett

Luke Hodge
Sam Mitchell

Kangaroos Melbourne Port Adelaide Richmond
Nathan Thompson
Brady Rawlings

Cameron Bruce
James McDonald

Brendon Lade
Shaun Burgoyne

Kane Johnson
Troy Simmonds

St Kilda Sydney West Coast Eagles Western Bulldogs
Nick Riewoldt
Max Hudghton

Barry Hall
Adam Goodes

Daniel Kerr
Chris Judd

Brad Johnson
Scott West

ROBERT ROSE AWARD FOR MOST COURAGEOUS PLAYER

Adelaide Brisbane Carlton Collingwood
Matt Bode Michael Voss Adam Bentick Heath Shaw

Essendon Fremantle Geelong Hawthorn
Andrew Welsh Troy Cook Jarad Rooke Campbell Brown

Kangaroos Melbourne Port Adelaide Richmond
Glenn Archer James McDonald Michael Wilson Andrew Kellaway

St Kilda Sydney West Coast Eagles Western Bulldogs
Luke Ball Brett Kirk Daniel Kerr Chris Grant

BEST FIRST YEAR PLAYER AWARD

Adelaide Brisbane Carlton Collingwood
Jason Porplyzia Jason Roe Marc Murphy Dale Thomas

Essendon Fremantle Geelong Hawthorn
Patrick Ryder Marcus Drum Matthew Stokes Grant Birchall

Kangaroos Melbourne Port Adelaide Richmond
Andrew Swallow Clint Bartram James Ezard Dean Polo

St Kilda Sydney West Coast Eagles Western Bulldogs
Michael Rix Heath Grundy Shannon Hurn Shaun Higgins

Other Awards to be presented include the;
 Best Captain Award, sponsored by Integrated Group;

 Education & Training Excellence Award, sponsored by Drake Training;

 Marn Grook Award for best emerging Indigenous Player, sponsored by
Qantas;

 Grant Hattam Trophy for excellence in football journalism, sponsored by
Corrs Chambers Westgarth Lawyers;

 Mike Fitzpatrick Scholarships, supporting 15 – 17 year old players in their
education & training whilst they aspire to an AFL career.
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AFL Preliminary Final Teams

September 21st 2006 08:25
2006 FINALS TEAMS - WEEK THREE

SYDNEY v FREMANTLE
Friday, 8:00pm AEST, Telstra Stadium

SYDNEY
B: Richards, Barry, Malceski
HB: Kennelly, Roberts-Thomson, C.Bolton
C: Buchanan, Kirk, Ablett
HF: O'Keefe, O'Loughlin, J.Bolton
F: Schneider, Hall, Fosdike
FOLL: Jolly, Goodes, McVeigh
I/C: Mathews, N.Davis, Dempster, Doyle
EMG: Spriggs, Bevan, Vogels
IN: -
OUT: -

FREMANTLE
B: Parker, McPharlin, Hayden
HB: Mundy, Johnson, Dodd
C: Black, J.Carr, Peake
HF: Headland, Pavlich, Cook
F: Farmer, Murphy, Longmuir
FOLL: Sandilands, M.Carr, Bell
I/C: Crowley, Webster, McManus, Schammer
EMG: Polak, Grover, Drum
IN: -
OUT: -

Field umpires: Vozzo, McBurney, Allen

ADELAIDE v WEST COAST
Saturday, 3:00pm ACST, AAMI Stadium

ADELAIDE
B: Johncock, Rutten, Bassett
HB: Mattner, Bock, Torney
C: Burton, Goodwin, van Berlo
HF: Thompson, Perrie, Reilly
F: Bode, Welsh, Biglands
FOLL: Clarke, Shirley, Edwards
I/C: Doughty, McLeod, Stevens, Porplyzia
EMG: Massie, McGregor, Douglas
IN: Burton, McLeod
OUT: Douglas, Massie

WEST COAST
B: B.Jones, Glass, Selwood
HB: Waters, Hunter, Stenglein
C: A.Embley, Cousins, Braun
HF: Chick, Hansen, Butler
F: Kerr, Lynch, Seaby
FOLL: Cox, Judd, Fletcher
I/C: Armstrong, Banfield, Graham, R.Jones
EMG: LeCras, Rosa, Staker
IN: Banfield, Graham
OUT: Wirrpanda (hamstring), Rosa

Field umpires: Ellis, Ryan, Goldspink

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Kangaroos make five changes

September 21st 2006 07:20
Kangaroos coach Dean Laidley today confirmed the club has made five changes to its 2006 list.

“Cameron Thurley, Mark Powell and rookie Justin Perkins have been delisted, joining retirees Sav Rocca and Jade Rawlings as departures from Arden St at this stage,” Laidley said.

The first AFL club list lodgement, which requires clubs to have a maximum of 35 players including father/son selections, rookie promotions and rookie retentions, is not until Tuesday, October 31 at 2pm.

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Sports codes unite for sports broadcasting law reform

September 21st 2006 05:47
Major sports codes the AFL, NRL and FFA today formed a united front to support plans to reform sports anti-siphoning laws and bring more live sport to Australian fans.

Speaking at a joint media conference in Melbourne, the AFL, NRL and FFA CEO’s supported the Government’s proposal for a “Use it or Lose it” approach to sports broadcasting regulation.

However, they said the change would only put more live sport on television if the resulting system is given "real teeth."

The sports codes said an effective Use it or Lose it scheme that enabled more live sport on TV would also increase funding opportunities and promote the interests of sports codes, fans and participants right through to families and kids at the grassroots level.

Sports broadcasting on television in Australia is governed by "anti-siphoning" laws that give free-to-air TV networks exclusive first rights over a large list of sporting events.

The networks do not show all the sport that is set aside for them.

The anti-siphoning laws dictate that listed sports codes can only sell their television rights if they deal exclusively first with the free-to-air TV networks.

This stops sports codes from directly managing their own television broadcasting rights which are core to the future of the sports.

A “Use it or Lose it” approach to sports broadcasting laws would see any sport not shown by the free-to-air TV networks fall off the anti-siphoning list allowing the sports codes to open those rights to competition from all broadcasters including free TV and pay TV.

The result will be more live sport on television, and greater opportunity for sports codes to develop by being able to better manage their TV rights.

The CEO’s of the AFL, NRL and FFA said that they supported reform of the sports broadcasting regulations because they should be in a position to decide what is in the best interests of their game, rather than any commercial interest.

They added that they support a Use it or Lose it approach because it would protect any games that are currently shown of free to air television while allowing the sports codes to more freely deal with the rights that the free-to-air TV networks don’t show.

AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou said the league supported Use it or Lose it as long as it was effective in practice.

"The current anti-siphoning rules restrict us in our objective to get maximum national, live coverage of the AFL. We value our television partnerships with both free-to-air TV and pay-TV and we should be able to deal directly with both partners to get the best results for the game and our fans," Demetriou said.
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AFL announces Mike Fitzpatrick Scholarship recipients

September 21st 2006 03:51
The AFL Players’ Association today announced the Mike Fitzpatrick Scholarship recipients for 2007.

Since 2001, the AFL Players’ Association has awarded scholarships to help young footballer's aged between 15 and 17 in their education and training while they pursue an AFL career.

For 2007, sixteen promising young footballers are to receive a Mike Fitzpatrick
Scholarship, including:

Patrick Veszpremi (VIC) Northern Knights / St. Mary’s FC

Aaron Kite (Vic) Calder Cannons FC / Glenroy FC

Nicholas Suban (VIC) Nth Ballarat Rebels FC / Bacchus March FC

Stewart Gilchrist (NSW/ACT) NSW/ACT Rams FC / Eden Whalers FC

Matthew Broadbent (SA) Henley Sharks / Woodville-West Torrens FC

Tom McNamara (SA) South Adelaide FC

Tom Salter (TAS) Tassie Mariners FC / Northern Bombers FC

Tayte Pears (WA) Deanmill FC

Jessie Laurie (WA) Denmark / Walpole FC

Sam Mardling (SA) Port Adelaide Magpies FC / Port Districts FC

Alex Wilson (SA) Sturt FC / Mitcham Hawks FC

Angus Clarke (SA) Sturt FC / Goodwood Saints FC

Sam Fairclough (SA) Woodville-West Torrens FC

Sam Davoren (SA) Woodville-West Torrens FC

Matthew Cunningham (Vic) Eastern Ranges FC / Wantirna South FC

Mitchell Banner (Vic) Western Jets FC / Werribee JFC

Since 2001, around $300,000 has been distributed to 57 young players to support their dual academic and football aspirations.

Around 50% of scholarship recipients have gone on to be drafted by an AFL club.

The scholarship program has been developed as part of the AFLPA Player Development Program and reinforces the association's commitment to the future player education and welfare of AFL players.

One of the recipients will accept the Scholarships on behalf of all sixteen, at the 2006 AFL Players' Association Most Valuable Player Awards on Grand Final Eve at Melbourne's Park Hyatt.

Previous Mike Fitzpatrick scholarship recipients include;

Richard Cole (Collingwood); Xavier Clarke (St Kilda); Jimmy Bartel (Geelong); Raph Clarke (St Kilda); Luke Brennan (Hawthorn); Byron Schammer (Fremantle); Sam Butler (West Coast); Ryley Dunn (Fremantle); Bill Morrison (Collingwood); Tim Schmidt (Sydney); Beau Waters (West Coast); Ryan Griffin (Western Bulldogs); Cameron Wood (Brisbane);Toby Stribling (Fremantle); Lance Franklin (Hawthorn)
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Can Fremantle win: Have your say

September 21st 2006 03:36
The Fremantle Dockers are in unchartered territory.

For the first time since their inception in 1995 they are in a preliminary final and one win away from a grand final berth in what has been a remarkable mid-season turnaround.

However, standing in the Dockers way are the mighty Sydney Swans who are on course for back-to-back premierships.

Friday night's preliminary final will be played at Telstra Stadium- unfamiliar surroundings for the Fremantle players.

Despite this, Docker coach Chris Connolly believes the venue could prove to be an advantage for his side, saying the dimensions are similiar to Subiaco Oval and will suit his team's running brand of football.

This may be all well and good in theory, but the 2000 Olympic venue doesn't hold any fears for the Swans either, having won eight of their past nine at the ground, including a 57-point demolition of Brisbane in round 21.

So who do you think will win. Have your say.
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Latest Brownlow Medal odds

September 21st 2006 00:07
GOODES Adam $2.50

WEST Scott $4.00

JUDD Chris $5.50

COUSINS Ben $9.00

GOODWIN Simon $10.00

JOHNSON Brad $12.00

DAL SANTO Nick $21.00

RIEWOLDT Nick $23.00

EDWARDS Tyson $31.00

PAVLICH Matthew $31.00

Odds courtesy of OzBet

Who do you think will win this year's highest individual honour. Have your say
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AFL players remain in Thailand

September 20th 2006 06:34
The Hawthorn Football Club would like to confirm that 10 of its first and second year players are currently holidaying in Phuket, Thailand.

The group flew into the holiday resort location on Monday via Singapore.

After hearing of the overnight military coup in Bangkok this morning, the club contacted the players who are all safe and will continue their end of season break as planned.

Meanwhile, there are 12 St Kilda footballers holidaying in Koh Samui, Thailand.

They left last Sunday and will return this coming weekend. They are all safe and will continue on their holiday.
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Letters to the editor

September 19th 2006 04:59
Do you have a football issue or topic you would like to write to us about?

Simply e-mail us a letter and we will display the most interesting letters for the AFL Central viewers to read

Contact AFL Central
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The Rumour File

September 19th 2006 03:33
With only four teams now in contention for this year's flag, the remaining 12 sides will begin planning in earnest for the 2007 campaign.

Believe it or not, trade week and the draft are just around the corner, and as such there are plenty of rumours flying around this time of the year as to who will go where and what club will draft who.

Here is your opportunity to post rumours you hear on the street. Have your say
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Dog to miss '07 start

September 19th 2006 01:58
Western Bulldogs fullback Brian Harris will miss the opening two games of the 2007 season after accepting a suspension today.

Harris entered an early guilty plea for striking West Coast key position player Adam Hunter during Saturday night's semi-final at Subiaco Oval.
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Which Crow will play: Have your say

September 19th 2006 00:34
With forward Brett Burton and veteran Andrew McLeod training impressively yesterday and skipper Mark Ricciuto declaring himself an outside chance for Saturday's preliminary final against West Coast at AAMI Stadium, coach Neil Craig has a few welcome headaches at the selection table.

The star trio haven't played for well over a month and Craig has made it clear he isn't willing to go against his non-star system which has worked so well for him this year.

So who do you think will be included in the Crows 22 this week. Have your say
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Carr cleared

September 18th 2006 06:01
The Fremantle Dockers have received a major boost ahead of Friday night's preliminary final against Sydney with tough midfielder Josh Carr cleared of making contact with Melbourne tagger James McDonald in the second quarter of last Friday night's first semi-final.

The match review panel examined all available video footage and also interviewed players and officials from both clubs.

Taking into account the statements of the players concerned, the absence of any injury sustained and the inconclusive nature of the available video footage, no further action was taken on the matter.

Charges Laid:

Brian Harris, Western Bulldogs, has been charged with a Level Two striking offence for striking Adam Hunter, West Coast, during the third quarter of the First Semi Final between the Western Bulldogs and West Coast, played at Subiaco on Saturday September 16, 2006.

In summary, his poor record and carry over points from within the last 12 months means he can accept a two-match sanction with an early plea.

The incident was assessed as intentional conduct (three points), low impact (one point), in play (no points) and high contact (two points). This is a total of six activation points, which relates to a Level Three offence, drawing 225 demerit points and a two-match sanction. He has a total of five matches suspended within the last three years, which increases his penalty by 40 per cent to 315 points. He also has 78.75 residual points from within the last 12 months, increasing his penalty to 393.75 points and a three-match sanction. An early plea reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to 295.31 points and a two-match sanction.


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Adelaide Crows injury update

September 18th 2006 04:34
Chris Knights quad Test

John Hinge hamstring Test

Brett Burton hamstring Test

Ben Hart Achilles Test

Andrew McLeod foot Test

Mark Ricciuto virus indefinite

Luke Jericho shoulder season

Trent Hentschel knee season
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Impending Milestones

September 18th 2006 02:05
150 games - Josh Carr, Fremantle

100 games - Michael Doughty, Adelaide

100 games - Paul Medhurst, Fremantle

100 consecutive games - Barry Hall, Sydney

50 games - Adam Selwood, West Coast

Most Finals Umpired - Darren Goldspink. Should Darren be selected to umpire a final this week, it will be his 36th career final, taking him to outright third on the all-time list behind only Jack Elder (39 finals) and Bryan Sheehan (37 finals).

Most Finals Umpired - Brett Allen. Should Brett be selected to umpire a final this week, it will be his 35th career final, drawing him level with Darren Goldspink (mentioned previously) and Ian Robinson (35 finals) in equal third spot on the all-time list.
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Football heartland a wasteland

September 17th 2006 06:28
The natives in Melbourne are getting restless.

No football at the MCG for two weeks and the last great Victorian hope in this year's finals series was bundled out in emphatic fashion by West Coast at Subiaco Oval last night.

The Eagles 74-point semi-final win over the Western Bulldogs means that for the first time ever Victoria will be without a preliminary finalist, with the premiership bound to head out of Melbourne for the sixth consecutive year.

The recent interstate dominance has prompted football legend Ron Barassi to call for an inquiry into why interstate powerhouses continue to dominate the AFL.

Am I mistaken, but isn't this a national competition.

Sure I can empathise with traditionalists who feel like their game is being taken away from its spiritual home, but this is a national competition and the interstate teams need to be embraced wholeheartedly.

Such is the concern in Victoria, former Collingwood hero Len Thompson and Geelong's last premiership coach Bob Davis have called for a massive change of the finals schedule.

Davis said fans deserved to see at least one game at the MCG every week during the finals and interstate teams should set up camp in Melbourne for the month of September if they are concerned about travel.

Now let me put this hypothetical scenario in front of you.

For argument's sake, lets say West Coast, Adelaide, Sydney and Fremantle occupied 1st, 2nd, 5th and 6th positions respectively.

Under the current system each of these sides would be entitled to a home final during the first week of the finals series.

However, under Davis's proposal the Dockers would have to travel to the MCG in the first week of September, despite having earned the right in the regular season to host a final.

Now that is hardly fair and in keeping with what is supposed to be a national competition.

Interstate teams are entitled to host finals just as, if not more so than their Victorian counterparts if you consider the amount of travel each has to do.

Consider this, Collingwood this year travelled outside Melbourne just 4 times, while Fremantle were forced to travel to Adelaide and Tasmania twice in the opening five rounds of the season.

This is hardly equitable and Davis's comments smack of a man concerned with protecting the interests of his own backyard and not thinking about the bigger picture.

The Magpies were bundled out in the first week of the finals, while the Dockers are one game away from their first grand final.

Remember this is the AFL, not the VFL.

Barassi beleives the interstate dominance can be attributed to money and the "often superior resources of interstate clubs."

But didn't the Kangaroos win premieships in 1996 and 1999, and you wouldn't say the facilities at Arden St would rival those of West Coast or Adelaide.

Money doesn't win you premierships nor does it buy you any form of success on the field.

Many ingredients need to go together in order to win a premiership.

A talented and football-matured list, a good run with injuries and suspensiosn to key players, peaking at the right time of the year and the ability to adapt to the multitude of different situations that will be thrown your way across the course of the regular season and finals series equates to success

However, any success is cyclical, and while the interstate invasion is in full swing at the moment, things can change very quickly.

Consider this, the bottom three sides in 2001 were West Coast, Fremantle and St Kilda.

The Saints have contested in two preliminary finals in the past three years, while the Eagles and Dockers are both one win away from a grand final.

Therefore, Barassi's call for an inquiry may be a tad premature.

It may be hard for the Victorian football public to accept the dominance of interstate sides, but this is a national competition now and while the cup will be in the hands of the "enemy" this year, the tide can just as quickly turn.

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Should the Dogs trade for Aker: Have your say

September 17th 2006 03:00
With their season ending in less than spectacular fashion against West Coast at Subiaco Oval, the Western Bulldogs and coach Rodney Eade will start their planning for the 2007 season.

On the top of their shopping list is three-time premiership player and Brownlow medallist Jason Akermanis.

The former Brisbane Lions star publicly stated on Brisbane radio during the week that Whitten Oval is his preferred destination.

However, the Lions and CEO Michael Bowers have made it perfectly clear they will play hardball come trade week, and rightly so.

The popular consensus seems to be a second round draft pick and Sam Power to Brisbane to play alongside brother Luke in exhange for Akermanis.

The 29-year-old probably only has two to three years of good football left in him, so is it worth the risk for the Bulldogs to take considering the number of up and coming young stars already on their list.

Have your say.
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Latest AFL Premiership Odds

September 17th 2006 00:16
SYDNEY $2.50

WEST COAST $3.00

ADELAIDE $3.70

FREMANTLE $6.50

Odds courtesy of OzBet

Who do you think will win this year's flag. Have your say


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Eagles thump Dogs

September 16th 2006 12:09
The West Coast Eagles have booked a preliminary final showdown with Adelaide at AAMI Stadium next Saturday afternoon after thumping the Western Bulldogs by 74 points at Subiaco Oval tonight.

WEST COAST: 4.3, 8.7, 9.12, 16.17 (113)
WESTERN BULLDOGS: 3.4, 4.6, 4.9, 5.9 (39)
GOALS – West Coast: Lynch 6, Hunter 4, Waters, Hansen, Judd, Embley, Cousins, Cox Western Bulldogs: Johnson 3, Grant, Robbins
BEST – West Coast: Hunter, Judd, Lynch, Hansen, Kerr, Chick, Cousins, Selwood, Butler Western Bulldogs: West, Johnson, Morris, Smith
INJURIES – West Coast: Wirrpanda (hamstring) Western Bulldogs: TBC
CHANGES – West Coast: Nil Western Bulldogs: Nil
REPORTS - Nil
UMPIRES - Kennedy, Allen, Schmitt
CROWD - 43,219 at Subiaco Oval
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Match preview: West Coast v Western Bulldogs

September 16th 2006 02:03
WEST COAST EAGLES V WESTERN BULLDOGS

WHERE & WHEN: Saturday September 16 at Subiaco at 5.30pm (WST)

TV & RADIO: TV: Channel 10 -- Melbourne (7pm), Adelaide (6.30pm), Perth (6pm), Sydney (7pm), Brisbane (7pm). RADIO: ABC, K-Rock, MMM, NIRS, 6PR, 5AA

HEAD TO HEAD: West Coast 20, Bulldogs 12, Drawn 1

HEAD TO HEAD AT THIS VENUE: West Coast 7, Bulldogs 3, Drawn 1

LAST TIME: Western Bulldogs 10.13 (73) d West Coast Eagles 8.16 (64) at Subiaco, round 13, 2006

TAB SPORTSBET ODDS: West Coast $1.30, Bulldogs: $3.30

BETFAIR: West Coast $1.36, Western Bulldogs $3.65

What a difference one-point makes.

As we all know West Coast went down to Sydney by the narrowest of margins in a classic qualifying final at Subiaco Oval last Saturday night.

The washup has seen coach John Worsfold cop a barrage of critcism from the media and general public for his man-on-man tactics which according to some circles cost the Eagles a home preliminary final.

Having said that, West Coast dominated possession against the Swans, had more entries inside their forward 50 and had four more shots at goal.

So in reality had the Eagles made the most of their opportunities this discussion would be a moot point.

It was the same old story against the Swans, with the Eagles again struggling to find a consistent marking target up forward while Barry Hall and Michael O'Loughlin combined for nine majors.

Quinten Lynch managed two for the night and dropped several gettable marks.

Lynch is a key for West Coast, especially against an undersized Dogs defence.

Of bigger concern for Worsfold would be the form of Chad Fletcher and Michael Braun, with the duo managing a meagre 14 possessions each last Saturday night.

For so long the aforementioned players have added depth to an imposing West Coast midfield, but Braun has managed no more than 15 touches in his past three outings and the Eagles will need him to stand up and provide support to Ben Cousins and Chris Judd.

The Eagles have made four changes for tonight's clash, with Brent Staker, veteran Drew Banfield, NAB Rising Star nominee Mark LeCras and Jaymie Graham making way for Andrew Embley, Daniel Kerr, Ashley Hansen and Mark Seaby who was a late withdrawal against the Swans.

Graham would consider himself especially unlucky after playing every game this season.

Those are some big-name inclusions for West Coast, and perhaps no bigger than Kerr.

His ability to get the football in confined spaces was sorely missed against Sydney and along with Andrew Embley he adds some depth to the midfield.

However, Hansen's inclusion is the interesting one.

There is no questioning his importance to the Eagles side, with the team having an unblemished record when he plays.

However, the Eagles forward hasn't played since round 19 so his fitness would be a concern and I wouldn't be suprised if Staker or Graham are a late inclusion.

Meanwhile the Bulldogs fairytale story continues to roll on.

The Doggies had 16 players making their finals debut against Collingwood in front of 80,000 plus fans at the MCG last Sunday and handled the occassion with aplomb.

Coupled with the fact that they recorded a win over the Eagles at Subiaco back in round 13, the Bulldogs will go in with plenty of confidence.

As expected the Dogs have gone in with an unchanged line-up, and with club great's Scott West and Rohan Smith celebrating the 300-game milestone and a preliminary final berth on the line, there is plenty to play for.

How big of an impact the milestone's play is questionable- you can't play any harder than you already do, especially come September.

When the Dogs beat West Coast by nine points back in round 13 it was with hard run and clean use of the football, and a similiar display tonight will be needed to record an upset win.

While it has been the younger pups of the Bulldogs side that have been raved about it recent times, its the veterans that hold the key for a win.

Midfielder Scott West is arguably in career-best form and the 7-time best-and-fairest winner's uncanny ability to get the ball at close quarters and feed the likes of Farren Ray, Lindsay Gilbee, Adam Cooney and co will be crucial.

Another key cog in the Dogs machine is All-Australian captain Brad Johnson.

The last time these two sides met Johnson kicked four and could have easily had eight to his name.

Johnson was the only multiple goalkickers in his side's upset win over the Eagles, so shut him down and West Coast will go a long way to recording a win.

You would expect fellow All-Australian Darren Glass to line-up on Johnson in what shapes as an intriuging contest.

The Bulldogs will hold no fears going into tonight, nobody expects them to win and all the pressure is on West Coast to win and avoid bundling out of the finals in straight sets.

Both sides boast impressive midfields that would be the envy of the 14 other clubs in the competiton.

The deciding factor will be which forward line is capable of converting their opportunities, with both sides so evenly matched through the midfield.

Expect the Dogs Cinderella story to come to an end tonight.

The Eagles simply have too much to lose and you wouldn't expect them to lose two home finals in succession.

With such big-name inclusions West Coast should get over the line in a tight encounter. Eagles by 26 points

WEST COAST
B: B.Jones, Glass, Wirrpanda
HB: Waters, Hunter, Stenglein
C: A.Embley, Cousins, Braun
HF: Chick, Hansen, Butler
F: Kerr, Lynch, Armstrong
FOLL: Cox, Judd, Fletcher
I/C: R.Jones, Rosa, Seaby, Selwood
EMG: Banfield, Graham, Staker
IN: A.Embley, Kerr, Hansen, Seaby
OUT: Banfield, Graham, Staker, LeCras

WESTERN BULLDOGS
B: Griffen, Harris, Morris
HB: Wight, Hargrave, Gilbee
C: McMahon, S.West, Ray
HF: Smith, Johnson, Eagleton
F: Robbins, Grant, Giansiracusa
FOLL: Street, Cross, Cooney
I/C: Boyd, Minson, Montgomery, Power
EMG: Addison, Faulkner, Skipper
IN: -
OUT: -

Field umpires: Kennedy, Allen, Schmitt

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AFL Central survey

September 16th 2006 01:24
With the last Saturday in September almost upon us the 2006 AFL season is drawing to a close, which of course means AFL Central will be on an end of season break in the not too distant future.

However, have no fear. AFL Central will be back bigger and better than ever in 2007.

What we would like to know is what new initiatives you would like to see here at the site for next season as we aim to expand.

All suggestions are more than welcome and will be given due consideration as we aim to improve to become one of the leaders in news in the world of AFL.
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Lade wins John Cahill Medal

September 15th 2006 22:55
Port Adelaide ruckman Brendon Lade capped off a brilliant year last night by winning the club's best-and-fairest last night.

The 30-year-old Lade (157 votes) beat Shaun Burgoyne (148) and Kane Cornes (144) for the club’s highest individual honour, with consistency proving the key.

Lade, as with Burgoyne, only had two games where he did not poll a vote and had 13 games where he polled 8 votes or more.

It caps of a career best year for Lade who won four of the eight awards on offer and was crowned All-Australian ruckman earlier in the week.

John Cahill Medal: Brendon Lade

Gavin Wanganeen Medal: Danyle Pearce

Most Improved: Shaun Burgoyne

Tacklers Award: Josh Mahoney

Best Team Man: Brendon Lade

Best First Year Player: Matt Thomas

Fos Williams Medal: Brendon Lade

Supporters’ Player of the Year: Brendon Lade

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Dockers sink Dees

September 15th 2006 13:11
The Fremantle Dockers have broken their finals duck and booked a preliminary final berth against Sydney at Telstra Stadium next Friday night after downing Melbourne by 28 points in the second semi-final at Subiaco Oval tonight.

FREMANTLE 3.3 7.9 11.15 14.18 (102)
MELBOURNE 3.0 7.3 10.4 11.8 (74)
Goals: Fremantle: R Murphy 2 J Farmer 2 M Carr 2 M Pavlich 2 L Webster D Mundy B Schammer J Longmuir T Cook D Headland. Melbourne: D Neitz 3 R Robertson 3 A Davey 2 B McLean A Yze B Miller.
Best: Fremantle: H Black M Carr J Carr P Bell M Johnson B Schammer A Sandilands. Melbourne: B Miller N Brown T Johnstone N Carroll B McLean.
Umpires: M Vozzo S McInerney D Goldspink.
Crowd: 42,505 at Subiaco Oval.
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Match preview: Fremantle v Melbourne

September 15th 2006 04:43
FREMANTLE V MELBOURNE

WHERE & WHEN: Subiaco, 8:30pm (AEST), Friday, September 15

TV & RADIO: Channel 10, Melb (8:00pm) live, Adel (7:30pm) live, Bris (10.35pm), Perth (7:00pm), Sydney (10:35pm), Foxtel, NSW, ACT, QLD (8:00pm AEST). 3AW, ABC National, K-Rock, Triple M, 6PR, NIRS

HEAD TO HEAD: Wins: Fremantle - 9, Melbourne - 9

LAST TIME: Fremantle 15.6 (96) def. Melbourne 9.13 (67), Subiaco Oval, round 16. Fremantle proved too good and too strong at home to score a 29-point win.

HEAD TO HEAD AT THIS VENUE: Fremantle 4, Melbourne 3

LAST TIME AT THIS VENUE: Fremantle 15.6. (96) def. Melbourne 9.13. (67), Subiaco Oval, Round 16 2006.

TAB SPORTSBET: Fremantle $1.30, Melbourne $3.30

BETFAIR: Fremantle $1.41, Melbourne $3.35

Melbourne bounced back to some much needed form against St Kilda in last Friday night's elimination final following a poor month which saw them yield one win and a draw against Geelong.

The Demons looked gone at stages against the Saints, trailing by as much as 27-points before running out eventual 18-point winners.

The Dees will take plenty of confidence from this result and know that their capable of winning from any position.

Travelling to Perth will hold no fears for Melbourne, with the Dees beating Fremantle four times in Perth, with their most recent victory coming in round 11 of 2004.

Whether they like it or not, the pressure is squarely on the Dockers to win and record their first finals win in their third attempt and the Demons will try to use this advantage.

Start well and take the capacity home crowd out of the equation and suddenly the Dockers players will begin to question themselves.

Melbourne have made just the two changes from Friday night's win, with Nathan Brown and ruckman Nick Smith coming into the squad at the expense of injured duo Matthew Whelan and Mark Jamar.

Jamar is a big loss for the Demons as he as provided a more than adequate backup to number one ruckman Jeff White.

How Smith, who is playing his first AFL match since 2003 performs in tandem with White will crucial as the duo attempt to quell the influence of the ever-improving Aaron Sandilands.

Sandilands is a key link-man through the corridor for Fremantle and stopping him will go a long way towards Melbourne recording an upset win.

The loss of Whelan and Jamar is already a blow for Melbourne, however an injury cloud also hangs over defender Nathan Carroll who pulled up sore from last Friday night's elimination final win over the Saints.

Assistant coach Mark Riley told the media yesterday that Carroll was a certain starter, but I wouldn't be suprised if there is a late change.

The loss of Carroll would be a big one for the Demons, as he appears to be the logical match-up for key forward Matthew Pavlich.

Although Melbourne have defender Ben Holland up their sleeve, its questionable whether or not he has the tank to run with the Dockers forward.

The versatile Cameron Bruce could go back onto Pavlich, altohugh coach Neale Daniher would lose a vital cog in his midfield machine, with Bruce averaging 29 possessions and 7 marks this year.

The last time these two sides met back in round 16 the Dockers accounted for an innacurate Melbourne side by 29 points.

Melbourne skipper David Neitz was held goalless that afternoon, and he could prove to be the difference between the two sides tonight.

Neitz has missed Melbourne's past two finals campaigns through injury and showed how important he was on Friday night with four majors.

You would expect defender Luke McPharlin to line-up on Neitz in what shapes as an intriuging contest.

However, once again the major concern for the Demons is the heavy reliance on their captain to kick a winning score.

Neitz managed four against the Saints with the next best being two majors from hard at it midfielder Brock McLean.

The likes of Russell Robertson and Aaron Davey need to stand up and become more consistent contributors if the Dees are going to progress to week three of the finals.

As we all know the Dockers are yet to post a win in finals, the media has been talking about it all week and surely the players will be feeling some pressure going into tonight.

However, Fremantle are back at Subiaco, a venue which they have a 10-1 win-loss record at this year, with a thumping at the hands of Geelong the only blemish on an otherwise flawless home record.

The club will be happy to be back at home in front of their fans after a bitterly disappointing display against Adelaide in last Saturday's qualifying final.

The Dockers were held scoreless after three-quarter time last Saturday, and the prospect of bundling out in straight sets would be a major disappointment for the club, especially after a mid-season resurgence which saw them win nine straight.

Fremantle have made just the two changes for tonight's semi-final, with key talls Graham Polak and Ryan Murphy replacing the injured pair of Paul Hasleby and defender Antoni Grover.

Grover failed to come up after sustaining a back injury in last Saturday's qualifying final, while Hasleby's season is officially over after succumbing to a groin injury which has plagued him for the bulk of 2006.

Murphy is a key inclusion for the Dockers as he provides another option for a forward line which has been the most potent in the second half of the season and he also enables Pavlich to push up into the midfield.

The key for a Fremantle win is their drive off half-back and through the midfield and the likes of Heath Black and Brett Peake are integral.

Black and Peake had 31 and 27 possessions respectively the last time these two sides met and with their ability to break the lines and be precise by foot would be of concern to Melbourne.

You would expect newly crowned All-Australian midfielder James McDonald to be in line for a tagging role on one of these two.

There is plenty at stake for both sides tonight, forget all the talk that Melbourne have nothing to lose.

A preliminary final berth is on offer and both sides will be hard at it from the opening bounce.

However, the home-crowd factor coupled with the multitude of forward options that the Dockers have at their disposal should see Fremantle get over the line in a tight struggle.Fremantle by 10 points.

FREMANTLE
B: Johnson, Parker, Hayden
HB: M.Carr, McPharlin, Mundy
C: Black, J.Carr, Peake
HF: Headland, Polak, Pavlich
F: Farmer, Murphy, Longmuir
FOLL: Sandilands, Cook, Bell
I/C: Crowley, Dodd, McManus, Schammer
EMG: Medhurst, Walker, Webster
IN: Murphy, Polak
OUT: Hasleby (osteitis pubis), Grover (back)

MELBOURNE
B: Ward, Carroll, Holland
HB: Bruce, Rivers, Bell
C: Green, McLean, Brown
HF: Yze, Miller, Pickett
F: Robertson, Neitz, Davey
FOLL: White, Jones, McDonald
I/C: Sylvia, Bate, Smith, Johnstone
EMG: Warnock, Johnson, Godfrey
IN: Brown, Smith
OUT: Whelan (shoulder), Jamar (broken foot)

Field umpires: Vozzo, McInerney, Goldspink
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Peckett calls it quits

September 15th 2006 04:21
The exodus continues down at Moorabbin with Justin Peckett today announcing his retirement from AFL football.

The 33-year-old played 252 games for the Saints after making his debut in 1992.

Assistant coach Matt Rendell said Peckett was extremely well respected and liked by everyone at the club and would be sadly missed.

Justin Peckett fact file

Draft history: 1992 Pre-Season Draft 4th round selection (St Kilda) No 49 overall.

Played: 252 games, 8 finals.

AFL Debut: Round 4 1992 St Kilda v Hawthorn, Moorabbin.

Player Honours: 2nd Best & Fairest 21994; 3rd Best & Fairest 1997; Pre-Season premiership side 1996; Played in 1997 Grand Final; U19 Best & Fairest 1990; Represented Victoria 1998.

Brownlow Medal: career votes 12.

Future plans: Looking to pursue a career working with corporate teams in developing leadership skills for managers/executives. Also has an interest in remaining in footy in some area such as coaching.


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Tipping Central: Have your say

September 15th 2006 03:57
Who do you think will win this weekend and progress to within one game of a grand final berth.

Friday September 15
Second Semi Final, Fremantle v Melbourne at Subiaco, 6.30pm.

Saturday September 16
First Semi Final, West Coast v Western Bulldogs at Subiaco, 5.30pm


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Pies deny Malthouse rumours

September 15th 2006 02:35
The Collingwood Football Club has emphatically denied reports that coach Mick Malthouse has resigned from the club.

"The reports are nothing more than malicious gossip," a Collingwood spokeswoman said.

"The club will make no further comment on this matter."

Malthouse still has one more year to go on his current contract.
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Walls appointed, Harvey to play on

September 14th 2006 11:32
Former Carlton coach and media personality Robert Walls has been appointed to a sub comittee to assist the St Kilda in its search for a new coach following the axing of Grant Thomas.

The sub committee will report senior coach recommendations to the Board of Directors of St Kilda Football Club.

The committee will also include President Rod Butterss, St Kilda Directors Glen Casey and Mark Kellett, Brownlow Medallist Ross Smith, Premiership player Ken Sheldon and St Kilda Chief Executive Officer Archie Fraser.

Fraser said the first stage in the process of appointing a new coach had been undertaken by Stride Management, and it was now the responsibility of the sub committee to provide a senior coach short list and recommendations for final interviews and selection by the board.

Former coach Ken Sheldon will also join the club as a consultant for an interim period to assist with list review, draft, player liaison and the identification of improving opportunities during the transition to a new senior coach.

In other good news for the club, dual Brownlow medallist Robert Harvey and his manager Shane Casley met with the club during the week and the 35-year-old confirmed today he would play on in 2007.
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AFL Semi-Final Teams

September 14th 2006 08:35
2006 FINALS TEAMS - WEEK TWO

FREMANTLE v MELBOURNE
Friday, 6:30pm AWST, Subiaco Oval

FREMANTLE
B: Johnson, Parker, Hayden
HB: M.Carr, McPharlin, Mundy
C: Black, J.Carr, Peake
HF: Headland, Polak, Pavlich
F: Farmer, Murphy, Longmuir
FOLL: Sandilands, Cook, Bell
I/C: Crowley, Dodd, McManus, Schammer
EMG: Medhurst, Walker, Webster
IN: Murphy, Polak
OUT: Hasleby (osteitis pubis), Grover (back)

MELBOURNE
B: Ward, Carroll, Holland
HB: Bruce, Rivers, Bell
C: Green, McLean, Brown
HF: Yze, Miller, Pickett
F: Robertson, Neitz, Davey
FOLL: White, Jones, McDonald
I/C: Sylvia, Bate, Smith, Johnstone
EMG: Warnock, Johnson, Godfrey
IN: Brown, Smith
OUT: Whelan (shoulder), Jamar (broken foot)

Field umpires: Vozzo, McInerney, Goldspink

WEST COAST v WESTERN BULLDOGS
Saturday, 5:30pm AWST, Subiaco Oval

WEST COAST
B: B.Jones, Glass, Wirrpanda
HB: Waters, Hunter, Stenglein
C: A.Embley, Cousins, Braun
HF: Chick, Hansen, Butler
F: Kerr, Lynch, Armstrong
FOLL: Cox, Judd, Fletcher
I/C: R.Jones, Rosa, Seaby, Selwood
EMG: Banfield, Graham, Staker
IN: A.Embley, Kerr, Hansen, Seaby
OUT: Banfield, Graham, Staker, LeCras

WESTERN BULLDOGS
B: Griffen, Harris, Morris
HB: Wight, Hargrave, Gilbee
C: McMahon, S.West, Ray
HF: Smith, Johnson, Eagleton
F: Robbins, Grant, Giansiracusa
FOLL: Street, Cross, Cooney
I/C: Boyd, Minson, Montgomery, Power
EMG: Addison, Faulkner, Skipper
IN: -
OUT: -

Field umpires: Kennedy, Allen, Schmitt

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AFL launches Next Generation strategy

September 14th 2006 08:31
Record amounts will be invested in AFL clubs, the competition, game development, and facilities to underpin the future of Australian football under the AFL’s Next Generation – Securing the Future of Australian Football strategy released today at Telstra Dome.

The strategy launched by AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou details the distribution of $1.4 billion over the next five years, represents the greatest investment in the game in the history of Australian football.

It includes the single biggest ever package of $650 million to secure the future of the 16 AFL clubs.

Demetriou said supporters of AFL football at all levels would be the major beneficaries of improved funding for clubs, players, game development and facilities.

Some of the initiatives included in the Next Generation – Securing the Future of Australian Football strategy include:

The biggest financial distribution ever to clubs with a total of $650 million to be shared by the 16 AFL clubs over the next five years. This includes $449 million as a base distribution which covers all increases in Total Player Payments plus a bonus distribution of $96 million ($6 million per club).

More money for those clubs who need it most, with the Annual Special Distribution policy to provide $6.2 million per year or $31 million over five years for clubs with long term financial difficulties primarily due to the small size of their supporter base and to other clubs currently receiving poor returns from their stadium agreements.

The number of clubs receiving ASD funding will be expanded and will include the Kangaroos, Western Bulldogs, Melbourne, Richmond, Hawthorn, Port Adelaide, Richmond and Carlton. The AFL will also fund the Swans TPP cost of living allowance.

Record prizemoney with an extra $1 million to create a pool of $2.6 million in prizemoney per year for clubs finishing in the top eight. Of this amount, clubs will share $1.53 million and players $1.1 million per year.

The best financial package ever, totalling $793.5 million over the next five years, to ensure Australia’s best athletes come and play our game knowing they will be supported during and after their career.

The freezing of general admission prices for the 2007 Toyota AFL premiership season and 2007 NAB Cup games and a freeze on the price of base club membership packages for the 2007 season.

The biggest ever investment in game development in the game’s history with more than $208 million to be spent developing the game in schools, Auskick program, club recreational and women’s football and indigenous and multicultural programs. The AFL has a target of 700,000 participants in Australian Football by 2011 – an increase on current numbers of 25 per cent.

Investment of $100m from the total game development funding to accelerate the growth of Australian Football in NSW and Queensland.

Record investment of $65m over five years to collaborate in the improvement of facilities at AFL venues and also at State and community level to improve the customer experience of our supporters and provide a quality environment for community football.

The creation of an $82 million Future Fund reserve to strengthen football’s future and invest in assets as security against future unforseen economic issues.

Funding of $334 million to cover the costs of staging the game itself covering travel, accommodation, and funding for research, umpires, drug testing and also the cost of raising revenue.
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McKissock stands down as chairman

September 14th 2006 01:54
Essendon chairman Neil McKissock stole some of the spotlight from forward Scott Lucas who claimed his second Crichton Medal last night by announcing he was stepping down.

Before Lucas claimed the prestigious award, McKissock took the opportunity to announce that he would continue in the post he has held for three years.

McKissock said his decision to step down as chairman was in the best interests of the football club as it aims to rebuild for season 2007 and beyond.

Essendon deputy chairman, Smorgon Steel chief executive Ray Horsborough will take over from McKissock after being endorsed by the outgoing chairman.
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Lucas wins second Crichton medal

September 14th 2006 01:48
Essendon forward Scott Lucas has capped off a brilliant year by being named the Crichton Medallist at the Crown Palladium in Melbourne last night.

Lucas narrowly defeated impressive youngster Jobe Watson while reliable defender Dustin Fletcher finished in third place.

The Bomber forward finished the year with a career-best 67 goals after playing every game in 2006.

2006 Crichton Medal Top 10:
Scott Lucas 239
Jobe Watson 221
Dustin Fletcher 208
Brent Stanton 196
Andrew Welsh 188
James Hird 180
Jason Johnson 165
David Hille 157
Mark McVeigh 143
Nathan Lovett-Murray 135

Note: Crichton Medal voting is based on three members of the match committee giving a maximum of 10 votes for up to eight players in each game.

Other Award winners were:
Bill Hutchison Award – Jason Winderlich
Lindsay Griffith’s Rising Star Award – Courtney Johns
Most Courageous: Angus Monfries
Striving for Excellence – David Hille
Most Improved: Jobe Watson
Leading Goalkicker: Scott Lucas

Multiple winners of the Crichton Medal:
7 – Dick Reynolds. Bill Hutchison
4 – Simon Madden, Tim Watson, James Hird
3 – Tom Fitzmaurice, Wally Buttsworth, John Birt, Barry Davis, Graham Moss
2 – Scott Lucas, Jason Johnson, Mark Thompson, Ken Fraser, Reg Burgess, Jack Clarke


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Will Connolly come under scrutiny: Have your say

September 14th 2006 00:07
Following the shock sacking of St Kilda coach Grant Thomas we have all learned that nobody is safe in football.

After taking the club to two preliminary finals in the past three tears the axe fell on Thomas in swift and brutal fashion.

The question this cadet asks is if Fremantle coach Chris Connolly fails to get his team over the line against Melbourne this Friday night at Subiaco Oval will his position as coach come under scrutiny.

Keep this in mind, should the Dockers lose they will have a 0-3 record in finals after winning nine straight this season.

However we all know that finals football is a different kettle of fish to September action and surely questions will be asked as to whether or not Connolly is the man to take the club to the next step.

Thomas lost his post as coach because the board believed he wasn't the man to deliver the club their first flag since 1966, will the same fate befall Connolly.

Have your say.
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Week Three Finals Match Times confirmed

September 13th 2006 07:04
The Australian Football League today announced the match times for week three of the 2006 Toyota AFL Finals Series, following the confirmation of flight arrangements for the travelling team for the Second Preliminary Final, to be played in Adelaide on Saturday September 23.

The fixture is as follows:

Friday September 22

First Preliminary Final, Sydney v winner Fremantle / Melbourne at Telstra Stadium, 8pm

Saturday September 23

Second Preliminary Final, Adelaide v winner West Coast / Western Bulldogs at AAMI Stadium, 3pm

All match times are local

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Powell calls it quits

September 13th 2006 06:12
St Kilda veteran Stephen Powell today announced his retirement from AFL football.

The 30-year-old joined the Saints in 2002, following stints with Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs.

Powell managed to play 142 AFL games since making his debut in 1997.

Stephen Powell fact file

Draft history: 1996 National Draft 4th Round selection (Western bulldogs) No 61 overall traded by Collingwood for Richard Osborne; 1999 National AFL Draft traded by the Western Bulldogs for No 35 (Patrick Wiggins); 2003 Pre-Season Draft 1st Round selection (St Kilda) No 1 overall.

Played: 142 games, 12 finals (St Kilda 68, Melbourne 44, Western Bulldogs 30).

AFL Debut: Round 6 1997 Western Bulldogs v West Coast Eagles.

Player Honours: 3rd Best & Fairest 2003; 4th Best & Fairest 2000; Pre-Season premiership side 2004; Played in 2000 Grand Final; 1998 Reserve Grade Premiership.

Brownlow Medal: career votes 16.

Future plans: Looking to pursue a career in the financial markets.

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Restructure for Roos

September 13th 2006 06:02
Kangaroos chief executive Geoff Walsh has overseen a restructure of the club's Football Department following an internal review of the department's operations.

The restructure will see assistant coach Donald McDonald elevated to Performance Manager and spokesman for the department, and former Football Manager Tim Harrington will now take on the newly created post of List Manager.

As Performance Manager, McDonald will be in charge of the performance of the department and manage day-to-day operations.

He along with coach Dean Laidely will be the spokesman for the department.

Meanwhile Harrington as List Manager will manage the club's TPP structure, list profile, salary cap and oversee the recruiting department.

In past seasons Player Welfare Manager Danny Daly has also undertaken the role of forward scouting. He will now assume a role as Opposition Coach who will analyse the set-up of opponents as well as other sports industries.

Development Coach Neil Connell, who was appointed 12 months ago and works with the one-to-three year players, will now be responsible for the Player Welfare program as well.

Walsh said the club would also be redefining its strength and conditioning areas using a panel of sport scientists to design the program, following Laidley's admission the Roos went in underdone for the 2006 season.

McDonald's move from assitant coach means the Roos now have a vacancy, however the club is yet to determine whether it will employ a full-time assitant or a couple of part-time specialist coaches.

Darren Crocker and Darren Bewick will continue in their roles as assistant coaches with the Kangaroos in 2007

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Pies to appeal Holland decision

September 13th 2006 02:52
The Collingwood Football Club has chosen to appeal the decision handed down to midfielder Brodie Holland following last night's tribunal appearance.

Holland was found guilty of charging Western Bulldogs veteran Brett Montgomery in the opening minute of Sunday's first elimination final at the MCG and suspended for six matches.

The Pies have appealed the decision on the grounds that "no tribunal acting reasonably could have reached this verdict."

The Appeals Board will sit tomorrow night, Thursday September 14, at 5.30pm to hear the case.
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Holland hit for six

September 13th 2006 00:13
Collingwood midfielder Brodie Holland has failed in his bid to beat a rough conduct charge and will miss the opening six rounds of the 2007 season.

Holland argued that his contact on Western Bulldogs veteran Brett Montgomery wasn't intentional but the tribunal agreed with the match review panel and combined with his bad record the ban was increased from five to six weeks.

Did the tribunal get the decision right have your say.
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Who will coach the Saints: Have your say

September 12th 2006 10:14
With St Kilda coach Grant Thomas today resigning, or if you listen to some sources he was pushed, who do you think will be the next coach of the Saints.

This cadet thinks Daryn Creswell has to be a strong candidate for the job.

The former Swans player has been an assitant at Geelong and Brisbane and by all reports is the next coach in waiting.

Creswell recently left the Lions to move to Victoria in search of greater opportunities and perhaps he is the man for St Kilda.
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Thomas resigns as coach

September 12th 2006 07:57
St Kilda coach Grant Thomas has ended his six-year tenure with the club after today announcing his resignation.

“The board and I met today to discuss the future of the St Kilda Football Club and during this meeting I decided it was in the best interests of the football club that I stand aside" Thomas said.

During Thomas's reign he took the club to three consecuitve finals appearances, inlcuding two preliminary finals in the past three years.

Saints president Rod Butterss said today's decision by Thomas enabled the club to put in place a detailed selection process in a bid to find the best possible candidate.

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Ottens loses licence and fined

September 12th 2006 07:06
The Geelong Football Club has fined forward Brad Ottens $5,000 and will receive education on the trauma caused by drink driving after being caught exceeding .05.

Half of the fine will be donated to Road Trauma Support Team, an organization that assists people affected by road trauma in Victoria, and the other half will be donated to the AFL players’ association charity fund.

The Cats forward met with chief executive Brian Cook and coach Mark Thompson on Monday and he also spoke with the club's leadership group in determining an appropriate punishment.

“I am truly sorry and I understand the impact that drink driving has on people’s lives. In the end it is up to me to prove through my actions that I have learnt from this and to help educate others to not make the mistake that I made," Ottens said

Ottens will lose his licence for 11 months and will be fined $450 after being found over the limit at 1am on Saturday.
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Burgoyne signs three-year deal

September 12th 2006 06:07
Newly crowned All-Australian midfielder Shaun Burgoyne has committed to Port Adelaide for another three years.

Burgoyne, who still has a year to run on his existing contract has had a career-best season in 2006 which was capped off last night with his first All-Australian jumper.

The 23-year-old has played 104 AFL games since making his debut in 2002 and predicts a dramatic improvement from the Power next year, citing Danyle Pearce's NAB Rising Star award win and the fact that three other players received nominations this year.

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Holland to face tribunal

September 12th 2006 01:29
Collingwood onballer Brodie Holland faces the prospect of missing the opening six rounds of the 2007 season should he fail in his bid to beat a rough conduct charge at the tribunal tonight.

Holland has been charged with a Level Five offence following his heavy hit on Western Bulldogs veteran Brett Montgomery in the first quarter of last Sunday's first elimination final.

The incident was assessed as intentional conduct (three points), high impact (three points), in play (no points) and high contact (two points). This is a total of eight activation points, which relates to a Level Five offence, drawing 425 demerit points and a four-match sanction.

Holland has been suspended for a total of five games in the past three years, which increases his penalty by 40 per cent to 595 points.

He also has 96.88 residual points from within the last 12 months, increasing his penalty to 691.88 points and a six-match sanction.

Meanwhile Melbourne defender Jared Rivers has accepted a $900 fine for wrestling with St Kilda's Nick Dal Santo during the second quarter of Friday night's second elimination final.

Saints veteran Andrew Thompson has also accepted a reprimand and 70.31 points towards his future record for engaging in rough conduct against Melbourne's Cameron Bruce during the second quarter.
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The All-Australian team: Have your say

September 12th 2006 00:03
With the All-Australian team announced last night and featured here on AFL Central, did the selection panel get the team right.

This cadet can reel off some names that can consider themselves unlucky.

Daniel Kerr, Jeff Farmer, Troy Simmonds, Graham Johncock.

The list is endless, have your say.
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2006 All-Australian Team

September 11th 2006 11:58
The AFL tonight announced the 2006 Coca-Cola AFL All-Australian team at a function at the Crown Palladium in Melbourne.

Western Bulldogs veteran Brad Johnson was named captain, as one of eight players to retain their spot from last year, with Barry Hall named his deputy.

Ten players have earned All-Australian honours for the first time signalling a changing of the guard.

The 2006 Coca Cola AFL All Australian Team team is:

Backs N Bassett D Glass L Gilbee
Half Backs C Bolton J Bowden A McLeod
Centres S Goodwin S West A Goodes
Half Forwards A Didak B Hall (vc) R O'Keefe
Forwards B Johnson (c) B Fevola N Riewoldt
Ruck B Lade C Judd B Cousins
I/change S Burgoyne D Cox J McDonald M Pavlich

Team details are as follows (all statistics are home and away season only):
Nathan Bassett -- Adelaide. 1st time All Australian. 20 games in 2006. Two Goals, no Behinds. 223 kicks, 152 marks, 135 handballs, averaging 11.5 kicks, 7.6 marks, 6.8 handballs. Four Clearances, 26 Inside 50m, 66 Rebound 50m.

Darren Glass -- West Coast. 1st time All Australian. 21 games in 2006. One goal, no behinds. 84 kicks, 86 marks, 141 handballs, averaging 4.0 kicks, 4.0 marks, 6.3 handballs. One Clearance, Four Inside 50m, 37 Rebound 50m.
Lindsay Gilbee -- Western Bulldogs. 1st time All Australian. 22 games in 2006. Seven Goals, Nine Behinds. 313 kicks, 116 marks, 175 handballs, averaging 14.2 kicks, 5.2 marks, 8.0 handballs. 22 Clearances, 80 Inside 50m, 94 Rebound 50m. Third in the AFL in Rebound 50m.

Craig Bolton -- Sydney. First time All Australian. 21 games in 2006. Three goals, Four Behinds. 216 kicks, 132 marks, 99 handballs, averaging 10.3 kicks, 6.3 marks, 4.7 handballs. 12 Clearances, 32 Inside 50m, 64 Rebound 50m.
Joel Bowden -- Richmond. Second time All Australian. Previously selected 2005. 21 games in 2006. Three Goals, No Behinds. 326 kicks, 133 marks, 169 handballs, averaging 15.5 kicks, 6.3 marks, 8.0 handballs. Seven Clearances, 25 Inside 50m, 138 Rebound 50m. First in the AFL in Rebound 50m.
Andrew McLeod -- Adelaide. Fourth time All Australian. Previously selected 1998, 2000 and 2001. 19 games in 2006. Five goals, six behinds. 276 kicks, 87 marks, 154 handballs, averaging 14.5 kicks, 4.6 marks, 8.1 handballs. 24 Clearances, 82 Inside 50m, 59 Rebound 50m.

Simon Goodwin -- Adelaide. Fourth Time All Australian. Previously selected 2000, 2001, 2005. 22 games in 2006. 12 Goals, 11 Behinds. 343 kicks, 87 marks, 254 handballs, averaging 15.6 kicks, 4.0 marks, 11.5 handballs. 113 Clearances, 132 Inside 50m, 51 Rebound 50m. Third in the AFL in total disposals. Fifth in the AFL in total kicks. Seventh in the AFL in total handballs. Fifth in the AFL in contested possessions. Seventh in the AFL in clearances. Led the AFL in Inside 50m.
Scott West -- Western Bulldogs. Fifth time All Australian. Previously selected 1998, 2000, 2004, 2005. 22 games in 2006. Six goals, Five behinds. 254 kicks, 106 marks, 389 handballs, averaging 11.5 kicks, 4.8 marks, 17.7 handballs. 119 Clearances, 58 Inside 50m, 46 Rebound 50m. Led the AFL in total disposals. Led the AFL in total handballs. Led the AFL in contested possessions. Second in the AFL in hard ball gets. Fourth in the AFL in clearances.
Adam Goodes -- Sydney. Second time All Australian. Previously selected 2003. 22 games in 2006. 22 goals, 12 behinds. 339 kicks, 158 marks, 120 handballs, averaging 15.4 kicks, 7.1 marks, 5.5 handballs. 47 hit outs. 71 Clearances, 100 Inside 50m, 59 Rebound 50m. Sixth in the AFL in total kicks. Ninth in the AFL in Inside 50m.

Alan Didak -- Collingwood. First time All Australian. 22 games in 2006. 41 goals, 21 behinds. 272 kicks, 130 marks, 111 handballs, averaging 12.4 kicks, 5.9 marks, 5.0 handballs. 20 Clearances, 91 Inside 50m, 13 Rebound 50m.
Barry Hall (vice-captain) -- Sydney. Third time All Australian. Previously selected 2004, 2005. 22 games in 2006. 67 Goals, 34 Behinds. 244 kicks, 184 marks, 69 handballs, averaging 11.1 kicks, 8.4 marks, 3.1 handballs. 25 Hit Outs. Seven Clearances, 48 Inside 50m, Zero Rebound 50m. Fourth in the AFL in total marks. Second in the AFL in contested marks. Fourth in the AFL in goals.
Ryan O'Keefe -- Sydney. First time All Australian. 22 games in 2006. 27 Goals, 20 Behinds. 307 kicks, 156 marks, 113 handballs, averaging 14.0 kicks, 7.1 marks, 5.1 handballs. 33 Clearances, 103 Inside 50m, 18 Rebound 50m. Sixth in the AFL in Inside 50m.

Brad Johnson (captain) -- Western Bulldogs. Fifth time All Australian. Previously selected 1999, 2000, 2002, 2005. 22 games in 2006. 70 goals, 39 behinds. 303 kicks, 163 marks, 123 handballs, averaging 13.8 kicks, 7.4 marks, 5.6 handballs. 21 Clearances, 74 Inside 50m, 18 Rebound 50m. Ninth in the AFL in contested marks. Second in the AFL in goals.
Brendan Fevola -- Carlton. First time All Australian. 21 games in 2006. 84 goals, 53 behinds. 226 kicks, 138 marks, 40 handballs, averaging 10.8 kicks, 6.6 marks, 1.9 handalls. Three Clearances, 56 Inside 50m, Zero Rebound 50m. Eighth in the AFL in contested marks. First in the AFL in goals.
Nick Riewoldt -- St Kilda. Second time All Australian. Previously selected 2004. 22 games in 2006. 58 Goals, 34 Behinds. 282 kicks, 206 marks, 83 handballs, averaging 12.8 kicks, 9.4 marks, 3.8 handballs. 25 Hit Outs. 11 Clearances, 49 Inside 50m, 16 Rebound 50m. Led the AFL in total marks. Led the AFL in contested marks. Tenth in the AFL in goals.

Brendon Lade -- Port Adelaide. First time All Australian. 22 games in 2006. 18 Goals, 12 Behinds. 253 kicks, 187 marks, 102 handballs, averaging 11.5 kicks, 8.5 marks, 4.6 handballs. 436 hit outs averaging 19.8 hit outs. 43 Clearances, 59 Inside 50m, 30 Rebound 50m. Third in the AFL in total marks. Second in the AFL in hit outs.
Chris Judd -- West Coast. Second time All Australian. Previously selected 2004. 19 games in 2006. 25 Goals, 17 Behinds. 268 kicks, 51 marks, 210 handballs, averaging 14.1 kicks, 2.7 marks, 11.1 handballs. 109 Clearances, 97 Inside 50m, 28 Rebound 50m. Second in the AFL in contested possessions. Led the AFL in hard ball gets. Eighth in the AFL in clearances.
Ben Cousins -- West Coast. Sixth time All Australian. Previously selected in 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2005 (vice-captain). 18 games in 2006. 15 Goals, Nine Behinds. 265 kicks, 93 marks, 200 handballs, averaging 14.7 kicks, 5.1 marks, 11.1 handballs. 77 Clearances, 87 Inside 50m, 15 Rebound 50m.

Shaun Burgoyne -- Port Adelaide. First time All Australian. 22 games in 2006. 20 Goals, 16 Behinds. 265 kicks, 87 marks, 193 handballs, averaging 12.0 kicks, 4.0 marks, 8.8 handballs. 109 Clearances, 66 Inside 50m, 55 Rebound 50m. Sixth in the AFL in clearances. Fifth in the AFL in tackles.
Dean Cox -- West Coast. Second time All Australian. Previously selected 2005. 17 games in 2006. 13 Goals, Six Behinds. 192 kicks, 122 marks, 111 handballs, averaging 11.3 kicks, 7.2 marks, 6.5 handballs. 346 Hit Outs, averaging 20.4 hit outs. 46 Clearances, 32 Inside 50m, 37 Rebound 50m. Ninth in the AFL in hit outs.
James McDonald -- Melbourne. First Time All Australian. 22 Games in 2006. Five Goals, Six Behinds. 279 kicks, 102 marks, 235 handballs, averaging 12.7 kicks, 4.6 marks, 10.7 handballs. 88 Clearances, 68 Inside 50m, 33 Rebound 50m. Tenth in the AFL in total handballs. Third in the AFL in contested possessions. Led the AFL in tackles.
Matthew Pavlich -- Fremantle. Fourth time All Australian. Previously selected in 2002, 2003, 2005. 22 games in 2006. 63 Goals, 32 Behinds. 271 kicks, 172 marks, 80 handballs, averaging 12.3 kicks, 7.8 marks, 3.6 handballs. 19 Clearances, 84 Inside 50m, 10 Rebound 50m. Eighth in the AFL in total marks. Fourth in the AFL in contested marks. Sixth in the AFL in goals.

The All Australian side was selected by Rod Austin, Adrian Anderson, Gerard Healy, Robert Walls, Chris Mainwaring, Mark Bickley and Kevin Bartlett with Andrew Demetriou as non-voting chairman.
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Hasleby's season over

September 11th 2006 10:21
Fremantle midfielder Paul Hasleby's season is over after succumbing to osteitis pubis.

Haslbey has battled ongoing injury problems all year which have seen him play only three of the past seven games.

General Manager of Football Operations, Robert Shaw said the classy midfielder was desperate to be a part of Fremantle's 2006 finals campaign, but the decision he made following the qualifying final loss to Adelaide on Saturday was necessary.

Hasleby will now have to wait until the 2007 season to get the four games under his belt to reach the 150-game milestone.
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Melbourne injury update

September 11th 2006 08:08
Whelan AC Joint 1-2 Weeks

Jamar Foot Season

Wheatley Back Test

Ferguson Knee Test

Bartram Ankle Season

Moloney Groin Season

P Johnson Shoulder Season

Gianfagna Shoulder Season

Neville Groin Season
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Week Two Finals broadcast schedule

September 11th 2006 07:49
Friday September 15, Fremantle v Melbourne (Channel 10 Production)
Channel 10 - Melbourne (8pm), Adelaide (7.30pm), Perth (7pm), Sydney (10.35pm), Brisbane (10.35pm)

Saturday September 16, West Coast v Western Bulldogs (Channel 10 Production) Channel 10 -- Melbourne (7pm), Adelaide (6.30pm), Perth (6pm), Sydney (7pm), Brisbane (7pm)

Please note, should either game be a sell out, telecast times for that game in Perth may vary.

All matches are replayed on Fox Footy Channel in all markets. Channel TEN is also pleased to confirm that FOXTEL will broadcast the Friday night Semi Final on Friday September 15 live into NSW, the ACT and Queensland. Ten's off-air feed of the game will air from 8.00pm AEST to all FOXTEL and AUSTAR digital
subscribers, and legacy satellite subscribers, on its Main Event Channel (channel 955) at no additional charge.

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Adelaide Crows injury update

September 11th 2006 07:12
Hayden Skipworth hamstring Test

Chris Knights quad 1 week

John Hinge hamstring 1 week

Brett Burton hamstring 1-2 weeks

Ben Hart Achilles 2-3 weeks

Mark Ricciuto virus indefinite

Andrew McLeod foot indefinite

Luke Jericho shoulder season

Trent Hentschel knee season
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Knee injury ends Kingsley's career

September 11th 2006 06:58
Port Adelaide premiership player Adam Kingsley today announced his retirement after scans confirmed he will need a full knee reconstruction.

The 31-year-old had expressed a desire to play on in 2007 but said his decision was made easier by what he has achieved in his ten-year career.

“I wanted to tick a few more boxes off but it wasn’t to be,” Kingsley said.

“It’s never an easy decision to retire but with the knee I know there is no point playing (on) so that’s the way it is. That’s footy."

Kingsley finishes his career on 170 games after being recruited by Mark Williams from the Essendon reserves to be in the Power's inaugural squad.

The Port veteran went on to play in two night premierships, winning the Michael Tuck Medal as best-on-ground in the 2001 pre-season flag, and then was part of the 2004 premiership side, when he had been close to being delisted at the end of 2003.

Power coach Mark Williams said Kingsley had had a “wonderful career”.

Kingsley has flagged a strong interest in coaching and stay at Port Adelaide.

He will be farewelled by the club at their best-and-fairest on Friday night.

ADAM KINGSLEY

Port Adelaide 1997 - 2006

170 AFL games, 47 goals

1996 NAB AFL Draft selection no. 37

2004 AFL Premiership

2001 Michael Tuck Medal

2001, 2002 Pre-season Premiership

1998 John Cahill Medallist (best-and-fairest)

Third place 1999 best-and-fairest



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Holland gets five

September 11th 2006 06:54
Charges Laid:

Brodie Holland, Collingwood, has been charged with a Level Five engaging in rough conduct offence against Brett Montgomery, Western Bulldogs, during the first quarter of the First Elimination Final between Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs, played at the MCG on Sunday September 10, 2006.

In summary, his poor record and carry-over points from another offence earlier this year increases his original sanction by two matches and he can only accept a five-match sanction with an early plea. If not for his poor record, he would have been able to accept a three-match sanction.

The incident was assessed as intentional conduct (three points), high impact (three points), in play (no points) and high contact (two points). This is a total of eight activation points, which relates to a Level Five offence, drawing 425 demerit points and a four-match sanction. He has a total of five matches suspended within the last three years, which increases his penalty by 40 per cent to 595 points. He also has 96.88 residual points from within the last 12 months, increasing his penalty to 691.88 points and a six-match sanction. An early plea reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to 518.91 points and a five-match sanction.

Jared Rivers, Melbourne, has been charged with a first offence for wrestling in that he wrestled Nick Dal Santo, St Kilda, during the second quarter of the Second Elimination Final between Melbourne and St Kilda, played at the MCG on Friday September 8, 2006.

In summary, he can accept a $900 sanction with an early plea.

A first offence for wrestling is a $1200 sanction. An early plea reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to a $900 sanction.

Andrew Thompson, St Kilda, has been charged with a Level Two engaging in rough conduct offence against Cameron Bruce, Melbourne, during the second quarter of the Second Elimination Final between St Kilda and Melbourne, played at the MCG on Friday September 8, 2006.

Due to an existing five-year good record, he can accept a reprimand and 70.31 points towards his future record with an early plea, .

The incident was assessed as negligent conduct (one point), medium impact (two points), in play (no points) and high contact (two points). This is a total of five activation points, which relates to a Level Two offence, drawing 125 demerit points and a one-match sanction. He has an applicable good record, which reduces the penalty by 25 per cent a reprimand and 93.75 points towards his future record. An early plea reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to a reprimand and 70.31 points towards his future record.

Other incidents assessed: No Charge Laid.

Contact between St Kilda's Fraser Gehrig and Melbourne's Ben Holland from the first quarter of Friday's match was reviewed. The panel said Gehrig made slight contact to Holland's neck area. It was not considered to be a striking action and therefore it was not a reportable offence. Therefore, no further action was required.

Contact between Sydney's Michael O'Loughlin and West Coast's Adam Hunter from the first quarter of Saturday's match was reviewed. The contact from O'Loughlin to Hunter's face was made as the Sydney player attempted to push himself up from the ground. The action was not deemed to be a reportable offence.

Contact between West Coast's Brent Staker and Sydney's Adam Schneider from the first quarter of Saturday's match was reviewed. The contact was considered to be a puhsing action with an open hand, rather than a striking motion and therefore no further action was required.



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Chick cleared

September 11th 2006 06:49
The West Coast Eagles have received a boost ahead of their semi-final showdown with the Western Bulldogs at Subiaco Oval with hard-man Daniel Chick cleared of rough conduct in last Saturday night's thrilling one-point qualifying loss to Sydney.

It was the view of the match review panel that Chick made contact to Nick Malceski's chest and shoulder area, and while the contact was slighlty late it was deemed not to be a reportable offence.
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Five AFL 2006 Ladder Finishing order

September 11th 2006 01:58
The AFL wishes to advise that Collingwood and St Kilda officially finish the season in seventh and eighth position respectively, on the basis of their ladder position as at Round 22

Collingwood finished the home and away season ranker higher than St Kilda.

As such, on the same basis, the four teams to play in the two semi finals are ranked in the order of West Coast, Fremantle, Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs, with the final 2006 ladder positions for the order of selection for the 2006 NAB AFL Draft for the two losing teams this weekend to be determined in this order for fifth and sixth
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Week One Finals reports

September 11th 2006 01:55
The following players were reported during the weekend's matches:

Andrew Thompson, St Kilda, reported by umpire Darren Goldspink for engaging in rough conduct against Cameron Bruce, Melbourne, during the second quarter of the Second Elimination Final between St Kilda and Melbourne, played at the MCG on Friday September 8, 2006.

Daniel Chick, West Coast, reported by umpire Stephen McBurney for engaging in rough conduct against Nick Malceski, Sydney, during the third quarter of the First Qualifying Final between West Coast and Sydney, played at Subiaco on Saturday September 9, 2006.

Brodie Holland, Collingwood, reported by umpires Brett Allen and Hayden Kennedy for charging Brett Montgomery, Western Bulldogs, during the first quarter of the First Elimination Final between Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs, played at the MCG on Sunday September 10, 2006.

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Impending Milestones

September 11th 2006 01:51
300 games - Rohan Smith, Western Bulldogs

300 games - Scott West, Western Bulldogs. Rohan and Scott will become the 50th and 51st players in the history of the game to reach 300 games.

A full list of 300-game players can be found on page 530 of AFL 2006, excluding Port Adelaide's Gavin Wanganeen (300 games), Adelaide's Ben Hart (311 games) and Mark Ricciuto (303 games) and Sydney's Paul Williams (306 games), who reached the milestone earlier this season.

This will be the first time in the history of the game that two players have played their 300th match on the same weekend and the Western Bulldogs side this weekend will be the first in the history of the game to field three current 300-game players in Smith, West and Chris Grant.

250 games - Peter Bell, Fremantle

100 games - Paul Medhurst, Fremantle

100 games - Paul Wheatley, Melbourne

Most Finals Umpired - Darren Goldspink. Should Darren be selected to umpire a final this week, it will be his 35th career final, taking him to equal third on the all-time list behind only Jack Elder (39 finals) and Bryan Sheehan (37 finals) and level with Ian Robinson (35 finals)

Most Finals Umpired - Brett Allen. Should Brett be selected to umpire a final this week, it will be his 34th career final, drawing him level with Darren Goldspink (mentioned previously) in equal fourth spot on the all-time list.
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AFL Finals Week Two schedule

September 10th 2006 09:09
Friday September 15

Second Semi Final, Fremantle v Melbourne at Subiaco, 6.30pm.

Saturday September 16

First Semi Final, West Coast v Western Bulldogs at Subiaco, 5.30pm

All match times are local
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Dogs outclass Pies

September 10th 2006 07:09
The Western Bulldogs have booked a semi-final showdown with West Coast in Perth after downing a disappointing Collingwood by 41 points in the first elimination final at the MCG this afternoon.

COLLINGWOOD: 5.6, 6.9, 6.13, 11.14 (80)
WESTERN BULLDOGS: 4.2, 8.7, 14.10, 18.13 (121)
GOALS – Collingwood: Tarrant 3, Holland 2, Rocca, Egan, Fraser, Licuria, Lockyer, Rusling Western Bulldogs: Montgomery 4, Cooney 3, Robbins 3, Ray 2, Gilbee 2, Giansiracusa, Johnson, Smith, Minson
BEST – Collingwood: R Shaw, Johnson, Clement, Fraser, H Shaw, Buckley Western Bulldogs: West, Cross, Ray, Cooney, Morris, Montgomery, Johnson, Giansiracusa, Grant
INJURIES – Collingwood: Nil Western Bulldogs: Gilbee (ankle)
CHANGES – Collingwood: Wakelin replaced in selected side by Rusling Western Bulldogs: Nil
REPORTS - Collingwood: Nil Western Bulldogs: Nil
UMPIRES - Kennedy, Allen, Jeffery
CROWD - 84,284 at the MCG
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Match preview: Collingwood v Western Bulldogs

September 10th 2006 01:46
COLLINGWOOD v WESTERN BULLDOGS

WHERE & WHEN: Elimination Final, MCG, 2.30 pm Sunday, 10 September

TV & RADIO: Channel Ten, ABC Radio, 3AW, Triple-M, NIRS

HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 138, Won: Collingwood - 99, Western Bulldogs - 38, Drawn: 1

LAST TIME: Collingwood 21.13 (139) def Western Bulldogs 16.9 (105), round nine, 2006 at the MCG. The Magpies had led all night in a tight contest but pulled away in the final term kicking 5.7 to 2.1 to win by 24 points with Anthony Rocca bagging five.

FINALS HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 4, Won: Collingwood - 4, Western Bulldogs - 0

LAST TIME IN A FINAL: Collingwood 19.10 (124) def. Footscray 6.19 (55), Elimination Final 1974, Waverley Park

HEAD TO HEAD AT THIS VENUE: Played: 18, Won: Collingwood - 12, Western Bulldogs - 6

LAST TIME AT THIS VENUE: Collingwood 21.13 (139) def Western Bulldogs 16.9 (105), round nine, 2006.

TAB SPORTSBET: Collingwood $1.42, Western Bulldogs $2.75

Collingwood has won their past three matches, but were lucky to get over the line against Port Adelaide, conceded 20 goals to a Carlton side which has collected its second wooden spoon in as many years and were sluggish against the Kangaroos last Sunday.

However, winning form is good form and the Magpies will take plenty of confidence going into today's elimination final against the Bulldogs.

More importantly the Pies will be encouraged by the return to form of forward Anthony Rocca who kicked six a fortnight ago against the Blues and was prominent against the Roos despite managing only one major.

You would expect Dogs full-back Brian Harris to take Rocca in a match-up that will be crucial to determing the outcome.

Harris has struggled of late against key forwards, having conceded eight goals to Essendon's Scott Lucas and the Saints Fraser Gehrig in the past fortnight.

The Magpies talls would be of concern to coach Rodney Eade.

The last time these two sides met back in round nine the Pies got over the line by 34 points, with Rocca and Chris Tarrant the chief destroyers with five and four goals respectively.

Tarrant returned to the Magpies side last Sunday against the Roos and gained some much needed confidence with 18 possessions, 11 marks and 3 goals.

There is no questioning his ability, its just a matter of which Chris Tarrant decides to turn up- he could prove to be the wildcard of this years finals series.

Today's elimination final is being billed as a battle between the Bulldogs run and the Pies talls, however Collingwood isn't lacking in the midfield department either.

The Pies had eight players with 20 plus possessions last Sunday and 5 players with 15 or more, and with impressive youngster Dale Thomas recalled at the expense of Sean Rusling Collingwood has another midfield option.

With both sides evenly matched through the middle, the ruck dual between Josh Fraser and Will Minson shapes as a key.

Fraser has been impressive this year and taken his game to a new level and his ability to push forward and provide another tall marking option against an undersized Dogs defence would be of concern to Eade.

The Pies have denied suggestions that there will be any late changes before the bounce, however rumours are circulating that Shane Wakelin could be a late omission- perhaps due to matchups against a small pacy Dogs forward line.

While the Magpies have played in two grand finals in recent times, this is the Bulldogs first finals campaign since 2000 and their form has been solid without being spectacular.

The Dogs have won two of their past three but conceded 18 goals to 15th-placed Essendon last Friday night.

The Bulldogs defence can't afford to be that leaky in the finals.

The Dogs have made just one the change with attacking midfielder Nathan Eagleton recalled at the expense of youngster Dylan Addison.

Eagleton is an important inclusion having collected 25 possessions and kicked three goals the last time these two sides met.

However, Brad Johnson is the key for a Dogs win.

Johnson has kicked 70 goals this year, an amazing feat for a small forward and his match-up with defender James Clement who is in All-Australian form will be pivotal to determining the Dogs fate.

Another key for the Dogs is vetern Scott West, who has been in career best form and one of the favourites for this year's Brownlow.

The seven-times best and fairest has been averaging 29 possessions a game this year and his ability to get the contested ball and feed the Dogs runners will be vital.

The likes of Ryan Griffen, Jordan McMahon, Adam Cooney and co need to carry the football, break the lines and get the ball in quick to their forwards.

With such a small forward line the Bulldogs can't afford to bomb the ball in long, otherwise it will be easy pickings for the Magpie defenders.

Veteran Rohan Smith announced he will retire at the end of the Bulldogs finals campaign, and will be stranded on 299 games should his side lose today, so getting the club legend to 300 games is sure to play a role.

However, if you need motivation to play finals football you shouldn't be playing the game.

Expect the football to be hot early and the Bulldogs to come out firing, but with a plethora of options up forward the Magpies talls should prove too much to bare for the young Dogs. Collingwood by 29 points.

COLLINGWOOD
B: Johnson, Lonie, H.Shaw
HB: Clement, Maxwell, Egan
C: Swan, O'Bree, Licuria
HF: Buckley, Rocca, Fraser
F: Didak, Tarrant, Holland
FOLL: Richards, Burns, Lockyer
I/C: Prestigiacomo, R.Shaw, Thomas, Wakelin
IN: Thomas
OUT: Rusling
EM: T.Cloke, Pendlebury, Rusling

WESTERN BULLDOGS
B: Griffen, Harris, Morris
HB: Wight, Hargrave, Gilbee
C: Eagleton, S.West, Ray
HF: Boyd, Johnson, Smith
F: Robbins, Grant, Giansiracusa
FOLL: Street, Cross, Cooney
I/C: Minson, McMahon, Montgomery, Power
IN: Eagleton
OUT: Addison
EM: Addison, Faulkner, Skipper

Field umpires: Kennedy, Allen, Jeffrey
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Who will win the 2006 premiership: Have your say

September 10th 2006 00:09
With Adelaide proving all the doomsayers wrong at AAMI Stadium yesterday and Sydney also booking a home preliminary final after another classic encounter with West Coast at Subiaco Oval last night, who deserves to be favourites for this year's flag.


SYDNEY $2.70

ADELAIDE $3.50

WEST COAST $4.25

FREMANTLE $7.00

COLLINGWOOD $15.00

MELBOURNE $15.00

WESTERN BULLDOGS $31.00

Odds courtesy of OzBet
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Swans get up in a thriller

September 9th 2006 12:23
The Sydney Swans have earned a week off and a home preliminary final in another classic encounter after downing West Coast by one-point at Subiaco Oval tonight.

WEST COAST: 2.3, 4.6, 9.9, 12.12 (84)
SYDNEY: 3.2, 7.3, 10.6, 13.7 (85)
GOALS – West Coast: Lynch 2, Hunter 2 Waters 2, Judd 2, Staker, Stenglein, Cousins, Armstrong Sydney: Hall 5, O'Loughlin 4, Schneider 2, Kirk, Goodes,
BEST – West Coast: Judd, R.Jones, Selwood, Wirrpanda, Hunter, B.Jones, Cox Sydney: Hall, Kirk, McVeigh, O'Loughlin, O'Keefe, Richards, Goodes
INJURIES – West Coast: Chick (ankle) Sydney: TBC
CHANGES – West Coast: Seaby replaced in selected side by Brett Jones Sydney: Nil
REPORTS - Chick reported by umpire McBurney for rough conduct on Malceski
UMPIRES - Vozzo, McBurney, Ryan
CROWD - 43,116 at Subiaco Oval
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Ottens caught drink-driving

September 9th 2006 07:54
Geelong's disappointing year has worsened with forward Brad Ottens stopped for a breath test at 1.00am today in Doncaster.

The Cats forward was found to have a blood alcohol content of 0.116.

Geelong chief executive Brian Cook said the club was extremely disappointed and added that Ottens actions were unacceptable.

Ottens faces the loss of his license for 11 months and a $450 fine.

The club will seek further details of the incident and will take disciplinary action, however the form of sanction under the AFL’s player code of conduct has yet to be determined.


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Crows too good for Dockers

September 9th 2006 07:28
The Adelaide Crows have secured a home preliminary final with a comfortable 30-point win over the Fremantle Dockers at AAMI Stadium this afternoon.

In only their second final since their inception in 1995, Fremantle started the match in ideal fashion and had the first major on the board courtesy of Ryan Crowley in the opening minutes.

Ruckman Aaron Sandilands was proving to be a handful for his counterpart Matthew Clarke and when Jeff Farmer kicked his first the Dockers had jumped out to a two-goal lead.

The Dockers were getting plenty of run off-half back, with Michael Johnson and Heath Black prominent early.

A direct brand of football was paying dividends for Fremantle and when Black slotted home a reverse torpedo from outside 50 the Dockers had raced out to a four-goal lead to leave the capacity Adelaide crowd stunned.

Adelaide was struggling to find a consistent marking target inside 50, and it took some individual brilliance from Rhett Biglands who showed a clean pair of heels to snap truly from 5 metres out to give the Crows their first.

The Crows steadied in the latter stages of the first term as Fremantle took a handy 17-point lead into the first change.

When Matthew Clarke converted a free-kick from 40 metres out the Crows had kicked their second in succession to cut the margin to less than two-goals.

After an early onslaught from Fremantle the Crows were starting to gain ascendancy and were smashing the Dockers in the clearances.

Despite all their dominance through the midfield Adelaide could manage only one goal for the remainder of the second term as they wasted several gettable opportunities in front of goal.

A goal against play to Farmer in the dying minutes of the first half allowed Fremantle to take a six-point advantage into the main break.

The Crows woes in front of goal continued in the third termn when Ian Perrie kicked his second poster for the afternoon and Scott Welsh missed a gettable opportunity from 40 metres out seconds later.

Adelaide was dominating through the midfield with Scott Thompson and Simon Goodwin running rampant, but failed to finish off their good work.

Dockers hard-man Troy Cook made the Crows pay with his first to stretch Fremantle's lead to ten points at the 13-minute mark.

Black was continuing to provide plenty of run off half-back and when Matthew Pavlich kicked his second courtesy of a dubious head high free-kick Fremantle was out to a handy 16-point break.

Adelaide duly responded with the next two through Nathan Bock, with his second on replay appearing to have been touched by Fremantle defender David Mundy.

The Crows held firm in the dying minutes admist a final barrage from Fremantle to trail by four points at the final change.

Adelaide had the crucial first goal of the last term when Scott Welsh marked uncontested in the goalsquare and converted to put the Crows in front for the first time in the match.

The Dockers were struggling to find a target up forward after dominating in the opening term, and when Jason Torney kicked his first Adelaide were out to a 10-point lead at the halfway mark.

The rot continued when Ian Perrie kicked his first after a woeful day in front of goal to extend the lead to 16-points.

Adelaide was finishing with greater run and with Nathan Bassett solid down back and Graham Johncock consistently providing run across half-back all day the Crows piled on the next two goals to run out easy winners.

The Crows will now have a much needed week off to get some of their injured stars right for a preliminary final, while Fremantle will host Melbourne next week in a semi-final at Subiaco Oval.

ADELAIDE 1.3 3.8 5.12 10.16 (76)
FREMANTLE 4.2 5.2 7.4 7.4 (46)
Goals: Adelaide: N Bock 2 R Biglands 2 J Torney 2 M Clarke B Reilly S Welsh I Perrie. Fremantle: J Farmer 2 M Pavlich 2 T Cook R Crowley H Black.
Best: Adelaide: B Reilly S Thompson N Bassett J Porplyzia G Johncock M Mattner T Edwards J Torney. Fremantle: H Black M Johnson P Bell J Carr D Headland S McManus.
Umpires: R Chamberlain M Ellis S McInerney.
Crowd: 42,208 at AAMI Stadium.

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Dockers holding firm

September 9th 2006 06:15
The Fremantle Dockers have taken a handy six-point lead into half-time in the second qualifying final against Adelaide at AAMI Stadium this afternoon.

In only their second final Fremantle started the match in ideal fashion with the first three majors of the term through Ryan Crowley, Jeff Farmer and Matthew Pavlich.

The Dockers were getting plenty of run off half-back through Michael Johnson and when midfielder Heath Black slotted one through from outside 50 the margin was out to four goals.

The Crows steadied the shift in the latter stages of the first term and had their first major on the board courtesy of big man Rhett Biglands as Fremantle took a 17-point lead into the first change.

Adelaide had the first of the term when ruckman Matthew Clarke converted a free-kick from 40 metres out to cut the margin to less than two goals.

The Crows were dominating the clearances and getting plenty of run from Graham Johncock who has 17 possessions to half-time.

Despite their dominance Adelaide wasted several gettable opportunities in front of goal and a late goal to Jeff Farmer saw Fremantle take a six-point into the main break

Adelaide 3.8.26
Fremantle 5.2.32
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Injury concerns for Dees

September 9th 2006 03:18
Despite last night's stunning 18-point win over St Kilda at the MCG last night, Melbourne will be minus two key players for week two of the finals.

Defender Matthew Whelan injured his AC joint and will not be available for next week's match, while back-up ruckman Mark Jamar has sustained a fractured foot and will miss the remainder of the finals series.
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Match preview: West Coast v Sydney

September 9th 2006 02:32
FIRST QUALIFYING FINAL: WEST COAST EAGLES V SYDNEY

WHERE & WHEN: Saturday September 9 at Subiaco at 5.30pm (WST)

TV & RADIO: TV: Channel 10 - Melbourne (7pm), Adelaide (6.30pm), Perth (6pm), Sydney (7pm), Brisbane (7pm), Triple M, 3AW, 6PR, 5AA

HEAD TO HEAD: West Coast 16, Sydney 17

LAST TIME: West Coast Eagles 9.13 (67) d Sydney 9.11 (65) at Subiaco, round 15, 2006. The Eagles came from 32 points down at half-time to pinch the game when Tyson Stenglein's goal at the 29 minute mark of the final term, which only just avoided a lunging Craig Bolton in the goalsquare, gave the Eagles the lead for the first time.

FINALS HEAD TO HEAD: West Coast 1, Sydney 2

LAST TIME IN A FINAL: Sydney 8.10 (58) d West Coast 7.12 (54) at the MCG, 2005 grand final

HEAD TO HEAD AT THIS VENUE: West Coast 11, Sydney 3

LAST TIME AT THIS VENUE: West Coast Eagles 9.13 (67) d Sydney 9.11 (65) at Subiaco, round 15, 2006.

TAB SPORTSBET: West Coast $1.40, Sydney $2.80

BETFAIR: West Coast, $1.47 Sydney $2.96

This is shaping as one of the greatest rivalries of the modern era.

The Eagles and Swans will contest in their fourth final in three years, with the past three encounters decided by a combined total of 10 points.

West Coast bounced back to their formidable best after the embarassment that was the western derby with a comprehensive 88-point win over Richmond at the MCG last Saturday.

Perhaps the most pleasing thing to come out of the game for coach John Worsfold was the performances of the lesser likes.

Youngster Mark LeCras managed five goals, while Steven Armstrong (20 possessions and 4 goals) and Sam Butler (25 possessions and 3 goals).

You know the likes of Judd and Cousins will perform week in week out, but its the aforementioned players and Quinten Lynch who continues to develop as a forward which will see West Coast possibly go one step further this year.

Tonight's match pits the number one clearance side in Sydney against the number two team in West Coast- whoever wins here will go a long way to winning the game.

This places greater importance on the match-up between Dean Cox who is returning to some of his best form and the much improved Darren Jolly who will play despite a dislocated finger.

The Eagles are number one in the competition for disposals and handballs, which suggests they like to run the football at every opportunity against a Swans side which will be aiming to shut the game down- a taxing tactic on the wide open expanses of Subiaco Oval.

West Coast has made just the one change from last week, with dashing defender David Wirrapanda recalled at the expense of the unlucky Brett Jones.

Tough midfielder Daniel Kerr is a notable absentee with a calf strain, while Andrew Embley is still sidelined with an AC joint.

The absence of Kerr is a big blow for West Coast and his ability to get the football in confined spaces will be sorely missed against the Swans, while Embley gives Worsfold another option up forward.

The last time these two sides met back in round 15, Adam Selwood kicked two goals as a defensive half-forward and it wouldn't be a suprise if he performed a similiar role tonight against Tadhg Kennelly.

Kennelly provides a lot of run off half-back for the Swans and is a catalyst for a bulk of their attacking moves.

While West Coast captured their first minor premiership since 1994, the Swans have been the sleeping giants of the competition.

Sydney have won four of their past five including a 92-point thumping of bottom-placed Carlton at the SCG last Sunday.

Brownlow medal favourite Adam Goodes did his chances of collecting his second medal no harm with 26 possessions and 4 goals and a match-up with Eagles captain Chris Judd looms as a tantalising prospect.

Although its doubtful this will eventuate, and you would expect Tyson Stenglein to take Goodes should he start in the midfield, with Jaymie Graham capable of covering the Swans big man should he push forward.

Goodes is the barometer for the Swans and shutting him down will be a priority.

Barry Hall's match-up with Darren Glass shapes as a key as well.

Back in round 15 Hall booted four of the Swans 9 goals- a game which Glass missed through illness.

Since then Glass has been in stellar form and should be in line for All-Australian honours, while Hall has struggled of late managing 8 goals in the past month.

While the Swans are packed with stars such as Goodes, Davis, Hall and co its the lesser likes that the Eagles need to be wary of.

The likes of Amon Buchanan and Adam Scheinder have performed well in recent finals series and are capable of turning a game on its head in a matter of minutes.

The past three encounters between these teams have seen the winner kick no more than 10 goals, and you would expect tonight to be no different with a home preliminary final on offer.

However, despite their recent close encounters at Subiaco Oval the Swans have failed to take the points in their past five trips across the Nullarbor and you would expect that trend to continue tonight.

The Eagles are travelling better this year than they were at the same stage last season.

Lynch has given West Coast a consistent marking target up forward that the club has been crying out for and the likes of Matt Rosa and Butler are providing more than adequate support to a star-studded Eagles midfield.

Expect it to be a tight clash with the class of the West Coast midfield to get over the line in a thriller. West Coast by 16 points.

WEST COAST
B: Selwood, Glass, Wirrpanda
HB: Waters, Hunter, Stenglein
C: Braun, Cousins, Rosa
HF: Chick, Staker, Butler
F: Graham, Lynch, LeCras
FOLL: Cox, Judd, Fletcher
I/C: Armstrong, Banfield, R.Jones, Seaby
EMG: Hansen, B.Jones, Morton
IN: Wirrpanda
OUT: B.Jones

SYDNEY
B: Richards, Barry, Malceski
HB: Kennelly, Roberts-Thomson, C.Bolton
C: Buchanan, Kirk, Ablett
HF: O'Keefe, O'Loughlin, J.Bolton
F: Schneider, Hall, Fosdike
FOLL: Jolly, Goodes, McVeigh
I/C: Mathews, Davis, Dempster, Doyle
EMG: Phillips, Bevan, Grundy
IN: -
OUT: -

Field umpires: Vozzo, McBurney, Ryan
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Match preview: Adelaide v Fremantle

September 9th 2006 00:41
ADELAIDE v FREMANTLE

WHERE & WHEN: AAMI Stadium, 2;30pm (ACST), Saturday, September 9

TV & RADIO: Channel 10 (Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth), 3AW, 5AA, Triple M (Melbourne, Adelaide), 6PR,

HEAD TO HEAD: Adelaide 11, Fremantle 7

LAST TIME: Fremantle 13.17 (95) bt Adelaide 10.20 (80), AAMI Stadium, Round 19, 2006. The Dockers trailed by three points at three-quarter time but despite kicking into the wind held the Crows goalless in the final term to secure their sixth win on the trot

FINALS HEAD TO HEAD: Never met in a final.

LAST TIME IN A FINAL: Never met in a final.

HEAD TO HEAD AT THIS VENUE: Adelaide 8, Fremantle 2

LAST TIME AT THIS VENUE: Fremantle 13.17 (95) bt Adelaide 10.20 (80)

TAB SPORTSBET: Adelaide $1.85, Fremantle $1.85

BETFAIR: Adelaide $2.02, Fremantle $1.92

Adelaide bounced back to some of their early season form last Saturday at AAMI Stadium with a thumping 58-point win over Melbourne.

After such a poor month and a half of form the win will give the Crows plenty of confidence going into today's clash with Fremantle.

The Crows have gone in with an unchanged line-up but have named underrated forward Ken McGregor as an emergency.

You would expect McGregor to take his place in the 22 as he gives coach Neil Craig another option up forward and is also capable of going back on Matthew Pavlich.

Adelaide had 13 individual goalkickers against the Dees last Saturday, and with four of their top five leading goalkickers out of the side due to injury a repeat performance will be needed today.

Ideally Craig would like to have skipper Mark Ricciuto, Brett Burton and Trent Hentschel in his forward line, but with 13 different goalkickers the Crows forward line takes on a new unpredictable dimension and can be hard to matchup on.

Ruckman Matthew Clarke had arguably his best game for the year last weekend with 12 possessions, 21 hitouts and one goal and his match-up with Aaron Sandilands shapes as being crucial to the outcome.

The Crows had the fresher legs against the Demons in the last quarter last Saturday and perhaps the rigorous training regime that Craig put his charges through in the middle of the season is starting to pay some dividends.

However, despite their impressive win last week, Adelaide is still minus its stars in Andrew McLeod, Ben Hart, Ricciutio, Burton and Hentschel.

Those aforementioned players can't be replaced and Craig will need all 22 up and firing if Adelaide are going to keep their premiership hopes alive.

Meanwhile, the Fremantle juggernaut continued to roll on last Saturday night against Port Adelaide as the club recorded its ninth straight win.

Like the Crows, the Dockers have named an unchanged side, but have named midfielder Paul Hasleby and impressive forward Ryan Murphy as emergencies.

You would expect only one of those two to come into the 22.

Coach Chris Connolly would be playing a dangerous game of Russian roulette if he went in with both given the amount of football they have played in the past month.

Murphy would be a key inclusion for the Dockers as straightens Fremantle up and allows Pavlich to push up into the midfield.

Unlike their opponents the Dockers have a plethora of options up forward, and with enigmatic forward Jeff Farmer in a rich vein of form his match-up with Crows defender Graham Johncock looms as another key.

Farmer has managed 17 goals in the past month, including three against the Crows when they last met back in round 19.

Johncock's run off half-back is integral to Adelaide's success, especially in the absence of star Andrew McLeod who continues to be sidelined with a foot injury.

Farmer doesn't need to kick six like he did last week against the Power, merely provide a contest and maintain his pressure skills in the forward 50 which have been a major factor in the Dockers revival.

The last time these two sides met back in round 19, Fremantle took the four points after getting over the line in a tight contest- their second win at AAMI Stadium this season, so the venue will hold no fears for them.

The key to beating the Crows is shutting down their run through the midfield and playing on at all costs- something Fremantle executed beautifully last time around.

However, this is easier said than done and Fremantle needs the personnel to sustain such run through four quarters of football.

With seven players collecting 20 possessions or more against the Power last weekend, this shouldn't be an issue for Connolly.

A lot of so-called experts are tipping a Crows win on the basis that this is only Fremantle's second final since its inception and the first final for a lot of the playing group.

However, confidence is more important than finals experience- something which the Dockers will take in spades after nine consecutive wins.

The key for Fremantle will be to start well, shut the capacity home crowd out of the game and with their potent forward line which appears to have the edge over the Crows the Dockers should record their first finals win in a classic. Fremantle by 9 points.

ADELAIDE
B: Johncock, Rutten, Bassett
HB: Doughty, Stevens, Torney
C: Mattner, Goodwin, van Berlo
HF: Thompson, Perrie, Reilly
F: Bode, Welsh, Bock
FOLL: Clarke, Shirley, Edwards
I/C: Massie, Douglas, Biglands, Porplyzia
EMG: Hudson, McGregor, Vince
IN: -
OUT: -

FREMANTLE
B: Parker, Grover, Hayden
HB: Mundy, McPharlin, Johnson
C: Black, Bell, McManus
HF: Headland, Pavlich, Schammer
F: Longmuir, Polak, Farmer
FOLL: Sandilands, Peake, J.Carr
I/C: Cook, Crowley, Dodd, M.Carr
EMG: Webster, Hasleby, Murphy
IN: -
OUT: -

Field umpires: Chamberlain, Ellis, McInerney
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Should Lance Whitnall be the next Carlton captain: Have your say

September 8th 2006 23:41
After winning his first John Nicholls Medal last night and with current captain Anthony Koutoufides to hand over the reigns for the 2007 season, is Whitnall the logical choice to be the next Blues skipper.
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Whitnall wins John Nicholls medal

September 8th 2006 12:21
Carlton defender Lance Whitnall has capped off a brilliant year by being named the John Nicholl's Medallist tonight.

The Blues vice-captain polled 174 votes to finished ahead of Brendon Fevola (164) and Heath Scotland (146).


Top Ten

1st Lance Whitnall 174

2nd Brendon Fevola 164

3rd Heath Scotland 146

4th Kade Simpson 105

5th Nick Stevens 93

6th Andrew Walker 91

7th Bret Thorton 90

8th Matthew Lappin 84

9th Marc Murphy 82

10th Anthony Koutoufides 57

Best First Year Player: Marc Murphy

Best Clubman: David Teague

Past Players Encouragement Award: Setanta O'hailpin

Women of Carlton-Player Ambassador of the Year Award: Adam Bentick

The Women of Carlton introduced this award in 2004 to reward the players for their on-field achievements as well as their work in the community.
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Dees sink Saints

September 8th 2006 11:47
Melbourne have ended St Kilda's 2006 finals campaign with an 18-point win at the MCG tonight.

MELBOURNE 2.2 3.4 8.5 13.12 (90)
ST KILDA 5.4 6.6 9.8 10.12 (72)
Goals: Melbourne: D Neitz 4 B McLean 2 M Bate B Miller A Yze J McDonald R Robertson C Bruce B Pickett. St Kilda: F Gehrig 3 N Riewoldt 2 S Milne 2 J Peckett S Baker J Koschitzke.
Best: C Bruce J White B Green B Pickett B McLean N Carroll J McDonald. St Kilda: L Ball S Baker B Goddard N Riewoldt S Milne R Harvey.
Umpires: B Rosebury J Schmitt D Goldspink.
Crowd: 67,528 at the MCG.
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Collingwood mourns loss of Peter Brock

September 8th 2006 07:38
The Collingwood Football Club has today expressed their sadness at the death of racing legend Peter Brock who died in a racing car accident in Western Australia.

Brock was a past director, long-time member and passionate supporter of the Magpies.

Collingwood will wear black armbands in Sunday's elimination final against the Western Bulldogs at the MCG as a mark of respect.
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Match preview: St Kilda v Melbourne

September 8th 2006 05:18
ST KILDA V MELBOURNE

WHERE & WHEN: MCG, Friday 8 September, 7:30pm

TV & RADIO: Channel 10 - Melbourne (7.30pm), Adelaide (6.30pm), Perth (7pm), Sydney (10.35pm), Brisbane (10.35pm), 3AW, Triple M, ABC Radio

HEAD TO HEAD: Played – 195, St Kilda – 77, Melbourne – 117, Drawn - 1

LAST TIME: Melbourne 15.13 (103) d St Kilda 13.12 (90), round 10, 2006, at the MCG. Demons skipper David Neitz kicked eight goals to lead the side to victory in his club record-breaking 273rd AFL match in the red and blue.

FINALS HEAD TO HEAD: Played – 2, St Kilda – 0, Melbourne - 2

LAST TIME IN A FINAL: Melbourne 15.17 (107) d St Kilda 7.14 (56), first semi-final, 1998, at the MCG

HEAD TO HEAD AT THIS VENUE: Played – 86, St Kilda – 29, Melbourne - 57

LAST TIME AT THIS VENUE: Melbourne 15.13 (103) d St Kilda 13.12 (90), round 10, 2006, at the MCG

TAB SPORTSBET: St Kilda: $1.60, Melbourne: $2.25

BETFAIR: St Kilda $1.70, Melbourne $2.36

Melbourne are going into tonight's clash against the Saints with two wins from their past seven starts, hardly the sort of form you want to be taking into week one of the finals.

The Demons were smashed to the tune of 58 points by the Crows last Saturday at AAMI Stadium with a top four berth on the line, and now face the prospect of being knocked out in the first week for the second year running.

While the Dees form of late has been less than impressive, they will be happy to be back at the MCG tonight; a venue where they have won 10 out of a possible 11 matches this season.

The last time these two sides met Melbourne got up by 13 points in round 10, with skipper David Neitz the chief destroyer with 8.

Melbourne have made three important inclusions with key defender Ben Holland to provide some stability down back, Matthew Whelan and noted big game player Byron Pickett to add some hardness around the packs.

The Demons look to have the edge in the ruck division with Jeff White and Mark Jamar working in tandem, especially with the Saints dropping Cain Ackland, Justin Blake and Barry Brooks.

Should Jamar and White give the Melbourne midfielders first use of the football and the likes of Aaron Davey and Russell Robertson fire, or at least provide adequate support for Neitz then the Dees are a chance.

The likes of Davey and Robertson are the keys for Melbourne.

Neitz has managed 17 goals in his past three matches, while Robertson and Davey have combined for a meagre 11 goals in the past month.

Put simply Melbourne has become too one-dimensional in recent weeks, expecting their captain to shoulder the workload and need the aforementioned players to lift their workrate if they are to beat the Saints.

While Melbourne's form has been patchy of late, the Saints will head into tonight's match with two consecutive wins to their name.

Admittedly they were against a depleted and inexperienced Brisbane Lions side and a Bulldogs team showing signs of tired legs, but winning form is good form.

The Saints will welcome back veterans Justin Peckett, Stephen Powell and defender Max Hudghton from an ankle injury.

Hudghton looks to be the likely match-up for Neitz and will be keen to atone for his performance when these two sides last met.

How the Neitz versus Hudghton match-up pans out will go a long way to determing the outcome.

St Kilda coach Grant Thomas has opted against going with a top heavy forward line, with rain forecast its a wise move.

Both sides possess potent forward lines and it will just be a matter of which team is capable of adapting to the conditions best and give their forwards the most opportunities.

Despite their recent poor run of form, Melbourne will relish returning home to the G, where they have won five out of their past six against the Saints and should Robertson and Davey fire you would expect the Dees to get over the line in a tight contest. Melbourne by 10 points.

ST KILDA
B: Voss, Hudghton, R.Clarke
HB: Gram, S.Fisher, L.Fisher
C: X.Clarke, Ball, Montagna
HF: Goddard, Riewoldt, Hamill
F: Harvey, Gehrig, Koschitzke
FOLL: Rix, Dal Santo, Baker
I/C: Milne, Peckett, Powell, Thompson
EMG: Ackland, Blake, Fiora
IN: Hudghton, Peckett, Powell
OUT: Ackland, Blake, Brooks

MELBOURNE
B: Whelan, Carroll, Holland
HB: Bruce, Rivers, Ward
C: Green, McLean, Johnstone
HF: Yze, Miller, Bate
F: Robertson, Neitz, Davey
FOLL: White, Jones, McDonald
I/C: Sylvia, Pickett, Jamar, Bell
EMG: Read, Brown, Dunn
IN: Whelan, Pickett, Holland
OUT: Bartram (torn ankle ligaments), Motlop, Godfrey

Field umpires: Rosebury, Schmitt, Goldspink
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Tipping Central: Have your say

September 8th 2006 05:00
2ND ELIMINATION FINAL: Friday 8th September: St Kilda v Melbourne-MCG, 7.30pm (local time)

2ND QUALIFYING FINAL: Saturday 9th September: Adelaide v Fremantle-AAMI Stadium, 2.30pm (local time)

1ST QUALIFYING FINAL: Saturday 9th September: West Coast Eagles v Sydney-Subiaco Oval, 5.30pm (local time)

1ST ELIMINATION FINAL: Sunday 10th September: Collingwood v Western Bulldogs- MCG, 2.30pm (local time)

Who do you think will win this weekend
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Lions and AAPT part ways

September 8th 2006 04:52
The Brisbane Lions today announced that telecommunications giant AAPT will not be renewing its major sponorship of the club at the end of the season.

Mark Frederikson, GM Business Marketing AAPT, said the decision to end the sponsorship was made in line with changing business needs and a new sponsorship strategy.

AAPT has been with the Lions for the past seven years.
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Elshaug and Mulkearns leave Carlton

September 7th 2006 09:36
The Carlton Football Club today announced it will not be renewing the contracts of assistant coach Tony Elshaug and strength and conditioning coach Peter Mulkearns for the 2007 season.

Carlton chief executive Michael Malouf said the decision was made with the view to alter the club's make-up as it aims to climb up the ladder after two conseuctive wooden spoons.

Elshaug and Mulkearns joined the Blues at the end of the 2002 season after both having worked with the Kangaroos.
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AFL Finals Teams: Week One

September 7th 2006 08:51
2006 FINALS SERIES - WEEK ONE

ST KILDA v MELBOURNE
Friday, 7:30pm AEST, MCG

ST KILDA
B: Voss, Hudghton, R.Clarke
HB: Gram, S.Fisher, L.Fisher
C: X.Clarke, Ball, Montagna
HF: Goddard, Riewoldt, Hamill
F: Harvey, Gehrig, Koschitzke
FOLL: Rix, Dal Santo, Baker
I/C: Milne, Peckett, Powell, Thompson
EMG: Ackland, Blake, Fiora
IN: Hudghton, Peckett, Powell
OUT: Ackland, Blake, Brooks

MELBOURNE
B: Whelan, Carroll, Holland
HB: Bruce, Rivers, Ward
C: Green, McLean, Johnstone
HF: Yze, Miller, Bate
F: Robertson, Neitz, Davey
FOLL: White, Jones, McDonald
I/C: Sylvia, Pickett, Jamar, Bell
EMG: Read, Brown, Dunn
IN: Whelan, Pickett, Holland
OUT: Bartram (torn ankle ligaments), Motlop, Godfrey

Field umpires: Rosebury, Schmitt, Goldspink

ADELAIDE v FREMANTLE
Saturday, 2:30pm ACST, AAMI Stadium

ADELAIDE
B: Johncock, Rutten, Bassett
HB: Doughty, Stevens, Torney
C: Mattner, Goodwin, van Berlo
HF: Thompson, Perrie, Reilly
F: Bode, Welsh, Bock
FOLL: Clarke, Shirley, Edwards
I/C: Massie, Douglas, Biglands, Porplyzia
EMG: Hudson, McGregor, Vince
IN: -
OUT: -

FREMANTLE
B: Parker, Grover, Hayden
HB: Mundy, McPharlin, Johnson
C: Black, Bell, McManus
HF: Headland, Pavlich, Schammer
F: Longmuir, Polak, Farmer
FOLL: Sandilands, Peake, J.Carr
I/C: Cook, Crowley, Dodd, M.Carr
EMG: Webster, Hasleby, Murphy
IN: -
OUT: -

Field umpires: Chamberlain, Ellis, McInerney

WEST COAST v SYDNEY
Saturday, 5:30pm AWST, Subiaco Oval

WEST COAST
B: Selwood, Glass, Wirrpanda
HB: Waters, Hunter, Stenglein
C: Braun, Cousins, Rosa
HF: Chick, Staker, Butler
F: Graham, Lynch, LeCras
FOLL: Cox, Judd, Fletcher
I/C: Armstrong, Banfield, R.Jones, Seaby
EMG: Hansen, B.Jones, Morton
IN: Wirrpanda
OUT: B.Jones

SYDNEY
B: Richards, Barry, Malceski
HB: Kennelly, Roberts-Thomson, C.Bolton
C: Buchanan, Kirk, Ablett
HF: O'Keefe, O'Loughlin, J.Bolton
F: Schneider, Hall, Fosdike
FOLL: Jolly, Goodes, McVeigh
I/C: Mathews, Davis, Dempster, Doyle
EMG: Phillips, Bevan, Grundy
IN: -
OUT: -

Field umpires: Vozzo, McBurney, Ryan

COLLINGWOOD v WESTERN BULLDOGS
Sunday, 2:30pm AEST, MCG

COLLINGWOOD
B: Johnson, Lonie, H.Shaw
HB: Clement, Maxwell, Egan
C: Swan, O'Bree, Licuria
HF: Buckley, Rocca, Fraser
F: Didak, Tarrant, Holland
FOLL: Richards, Burns, Lockyer
I/C (from): T.Cloke, Pendlebury, Prestigiacomo, Rusling, R.Shaw, Thomas, Wakelin
IN: T.Cloke, Pendlebury, Thomas
OUT: -

WESTERN BULLDOGS
B: Griffen, Harris, Morris
HB: Wight, Hargrave, Gilbee
C: Eagleton, S.West, Ray
HF: Boyd, Johnson, Smith
F: Robbins, Grant, Giansiracusa
FOLL: Street, Cross, Cooney
I/C (from): Addison, Faulkner, Minson, McMahon, Montgomery, Power, Skipper
IN: Eagleton, Faulkner, Skipper
OUT: -

Field umpires: Kennedy, Allen, Jeffrey

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Will any coaches get the axe: Have your say

September 7th 2006 01:22
With Carlton's coach Denis Pagan's future secured last night at a board meeting and Geelong coach Mark Thompson's reign as coach under a cloud as the club undergoes an internal review, will we see any changes for the 2007 season.

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Smith announces retirement

September 6th 2006 07:20
Western Bulldogs veteran Rohan Smith today announced he will retire once the Bulldogs 2006 finals campaign is over.

Smith will enter his final finals campaign with 298 games to his name, and said the concept of being stranded on 299 games should the Dogs lose this weekend to Collingwood was of no concern.

PLAYER HONOURS

3rd Best & Fairest 1996, 1999 (equal), 2003
All-Australian 1997, 2003
International Rules Series 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003
Leading Goal Kicker 2000 (42)
Best Team Person 1997, 2002
EJ Whitten Medal 1998

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Pearce wins NAB Rising Star award

September 6th 2006 06:14
Port Adelaide midfielder Danyle Pearce has capped off a brilliant year by being named the 2006 winner of the NAB Rising Star award.

Pearce was upgraded from the Power's rookie list this season and has played all 22 games in 2006.

The 20-year-old becomes the second Port Adelaide player behind Michael Wilson who won in 1997 to claim the distinguished
award.


2006 Voting



1. Danyle Pearce Port Adelaide 43

2. Andrew Raines Richmond 33

3. Heath Shaw Collingwood 32

4. Marc Murphy Carlton 13

5. Clint Bartram Melbourne 7

6. Grant Birchall Hawthorn 5

7. Michael Rischitelli Brisbane Lions 1

8. Dale Thomas Collingwood 1

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Gaspar offered one-year deal

September 6th 2006 02:32
Richmond defender Darren Gaspar has been offered a new one-year deal with the Tigers, ending weeks of speculation about his future.

Gaspar's 2006 season was hampered by injuries, which restricted him to eight games this season but the Tigers remain confident the dual All-Australian can play a key role in defence as Richmond continues to develop.

Richmond Director of Football, Greg Miller said contracts with Gaspar will be done on a year-by-year basis.

Miller also confirmed out-of-contract defender Andrew Kellaway had met with coach Terry Wallace as a part of the football department's end of season review of the playing list.

No announcment on Kellaway's future is expected to be made until first
playing list nominations are due into the AFL on October 31.

In other news the Tigers have announced that assitant coach David Wheadon's contract has not been renewed.
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Creswell farewells Lions

September 5th 2006 07:36
Brisbane Lions assistant coach Daryn Creswell today tendered his resignation, citing a desire to explore greater opportunities in Melbourne.

Creswell, 35, moved into coaching immediately following a decorated career with the Sydney Swans which yielded 244 games and the honour of being named in the Swans and Tasmanian Team of the Century.

He was an assitant coach at Geelong in 2004, before moving to Brisbane where he has been for the past two years.

Creswell has further enhanced his coaching reputation as co-coach of the Suncoast Lions with John Blakey this year.

The former Swan is being touted as a future coach of Geelong, with coach Mark Thompson's future uncertain as the club undergoes an internal review.
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The Finalists

September 5th 2006 03:55
Here is the final instalment as we take a brief look at the chances of the finalists for 2006 and rate the key player for each club.

Collingwood

The Pies will go into week one of the finals with three straight wins to their name.

However, their form is questionable when you consider they only just got home against Port Adelaide, were tested for three quarters by bottom placed Carlton and were less than impressive last Sunday against the Kangaroos.

Nevertheless the Pies will take plenty of confidence into Septemer; winning form is good form.

The key for the Magpies is Anthony Rocca, if he fires the Pies are a threat.

While Chris Tarrant returned to some form against the Roos last weekend, there has to be a question mark over his fitness and his ability to back up the next week after missing two weeks.

As is the case with the Eagles and Lynch, the Magpies don't need Rocca to kick a big bag, merely provide a contest.

With the class of Alan Didak and Nathan Buckley in the forward 50 Collingwood has a plethora of options up forward.

The Pies will go in as favourites for Sunday's elimination final against the Western Bulldogs, and you would expect them to account for a Dogs side which for the most part has yet to taste finals football.

If everything goes to form, Collingwood should progress to the second week and from there anything is possible.

St Kilda

The Saints have done remarkably well this year in the face of adversity, and to find themselves in the finals is a credit to coach Grant Thomas and the playing group.

St Kilda has been without Justin Koschitzke and Aaron Hamill for the best part of the year and lost Matt Maguire in round 18 to a season ending leg injury.

Despite all their injury woes the Saints found themselves in contention for the top four right up until round 22 and on form will go in as favourites for Friday night's elimination final against Melbourne at the MCG.

The key for the Saints is Koschitzke.

The injury prone big man has gotten some games under his belt and some much needed fitness in the lead-up to the finals.

He is capable of holding down the ruck and pushing forward or back.

With a forward line already comprising Nick Riewoldt and Fraser Gehrig, Koschitzke would get the third best defender and could pose more than a few headaches for the opposition.

The only concern for the Saints going into Friday night's clash with the Dees will be their perceived lack of pace through the midfield which Melbourne are capable of exposing.

Melbourne

After winning 12 out of 13 games in the middle part of the season, the Demons have fallen away at the business end of the year having been comprehensively beaten by Adelaide last Saturday and throwing away a six-goal lead and eventually drawing against the Cats in round 21.

The Dees have been crippled by injuries to key players at the wrong time of the year, but received some good news this week with the trio of Byron Pickett, Brad Green and Ben Holland all expected to play against the Saints.

The key for Melbourne is exciting forward Aaron Davey.

Like Farmer does for the Dockers, Davey is capable of doing the unpredictable for Melbourne and turning a game on its head in a matter of minutes.

Melbourne sorely missed his spark in their unexpected and costly loss to Carlton in round 18.

There is no questioning the talent of the Demons list, its just a matter of which side turns up on the night.

If they are switched on and things go their way, Melbourne are perhaps the only side that poses a threat to the interstate invasion; with their attacking midfield and multi-pronged attack.

Western Bulldogs

The Bulldogs have be an exciting team to watch this year and thoroughly deserve their spot in the finals

How far they can go is questionable, given the lack of finals experience within the group.

If the Dogs are to progress past week one, Brad Johnson needs to be on song.

He is the key for the Dogs, having booted 70 goals this year; a remarkable feat for a small forward.

However, with their lack of finals experience and a small forward line which has yet proven to stand up in September, the young Doggies should bow out in week one but will be better for the experience.

With a better run with injuries to key position players next year, the men from Whitten Oval should press for a top four berth in 2007.
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The Finalists

September 5th 2006 03:13
With the first week of the finals less than a week away here is the first in a two part series as we take a brief look at the chances of all eight finalists and rate the key player for each team.

West Coast Eagles

The Eagles bounced back strongly against Richmond at the MCG last Saturday after the debacle that was the derby.

For the second year running West Coast has captured a top-two berth and it would be a brave man to tip against them making the grand final this year with two home finals in the offing.

The key for the Eagles to go one step further than last year in this year's finals series is full-forward Quinten Lynch.

All the media attention and planning by the opposition goes into West Coast's much vaunted midfield and deservedly so, but Lynch looks to be the final piece of the puzzle.

A strong marking forward who provides a consistent target and is capable of kicking a bag each week.

Lynch doesn't need to kick eight each week, as he did in round 20 against Brisbane.

All coach John Worsfold would want is for the big-man to kick three or four, provide a contest and bring the ball to ground allowing the likes of Ashley Sampi and Mark LeCras to wreak havoc.

With a home final in the first week, and a virtually unblemished record against interstate sides at home the Eagles will be hard to stop in September.

Adelaide Crows

The Crows bounced back in emphatic style against Melbourne last Saturday at AAMI Stadium and appear to have re-ignited their flagging premiership hopes.

Adelaide doesn't necessarily have the most talented list in the competition, and with stars Ben Hart, Andrew McLeod, Trent Hentschel and skipper Mark Ricciuto sidelined indefinitely this assumption is backed up.

However, as they showed against the Demons the Crows when they play as a team are as good as any other side going around.

The key player for the Crows is Graham Johncock, with McLeod's season seemingly over with a foot injury, Johncock is the man to provide Adelaide with their run off-half back.

When Johncock is up and firing the Crows are a better side.

His run out of defence and ability to rebound the ball is crucial, especially to a forward line which is depleted by injury and lacks a genuine key forward who you can kick long to with any confidence.

Adelaide have lost four of their past five, but still sit in second spot which just goes to show how good they were travelling in the first half of the season.

The Crows final against Fremantle could be decided by the toss of a coin, its that hard to pick.

The Dockers have a good recent record at AAMI Stadium and the venue will hold no fears for Fremantle.

Adelaide will need all 22 players switched on and firing during the finals, if not you would expect them to be bundled out in straight sets.

Fremantle Dockers

For so long the whipping boys of the competition Fremantle have finally arrived as a genuine force in the competition.

The Dockers have won nine straight and there seems to be no stopping them.

How the young Dockers will handle the pressure of finals football is yet to be answered, but it could be argued that confidence and form are more important.

Fremantle will have both in spades come Saturday.

The key player for the Dockers is Jeff Farmer.

The enigmatic forward has arguably been in career-best form for the past two months.

Not only has it been his productivity in front of goals, but his pressure skills inside the forward 50 which have been raised to a new level and been a major contributor to the club's stark form reversal.

He is the X-factor for the Dockers, with his finals experience and ability to turn a match in the space of five minutes he could carry Fremantle all the way to its first premiership.

A match-up against the Crows in week one will not daunt Fremantle, having beaten Adelaide at AAMI less than a month ago, and with the carrot of a home preliminary final dangling in front of them the Dockers will go in with plenty of confidence.

Sydney Swans

The Swans are in better shape this year than they were last year, if you ask co-captain Leo Barry.

Sydney finished third in 2005 and find themselves in fourth spot this year so its debatable as to how well they are travelling.

The Swans form has been patchy in the past month, they lost to Geelong and we know how disappointing they have been this year, it took them more than a half of football to shake off a depleted Brisbane team and while they smashed Carlton it has to be remembered that this is a Carlton side that has just collected its second wooden spoon in as many years.

Having said that, Sydney knows what finals football is all about and should be respected.

The key player for the Swans is Adam Goodes, who is in career-best form and deserves the tag of Brownlow medal favourite.

Goodes versatility is a key, he is capable of running through the midfield, pushing forward or drifting back to be a loose man in defence.

So many options with just the one player, something I'm sure the 15 other coaches in the competition would love to have at their disposal.

A week one match-up with West Coast in Perth won't faze Sydney.

In reality the Swans should have won their past two encounters against the Eagles at Subiaco and will take plenty of confidence going into Saturday night.

However, a loss won't spell the end of their dreams of back-to-back flags either.

As we know, they lost last year in the first week and went on to win the premiership, so there will be a confidence within the group that they will be able to repeat the dose this year.

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Geelong refutes claims in Herald Sun

September 5th 2006 02:28
The Geelong Football Club has vehemently denied claims in today's Herald Sun that a meeting is to be held today to discuss coach Mark Thompson's future.

This morning's early edition of the Herald Sun contained an article by Scott Gullan claiming the following points:

Brian Cook was expected to chair a meeting between the club’s leadership group and coach Mark Thompson.

That what happens at that meeting will influence whether the club’s hierarchy decides to continue with Mark Thompson as coach next year.

Brian Cook’s review of the football department is expected to be completed by the end of the week.

The club issued a statement stating that a meeting will be held today to discuss plans for pre-season training and the upcoming match against Port Adelaide in London.

CEO Brian Cook won't be involved in the meeting, and his review of the football department isn't expected to be completed until the end of September, and as such no there are no conclusions or recommendations as to any changes that may or may not be made
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Week One Broadcast schedule

September 5th 2006 02:13
Friday September 8, St Kilda v Melbourne (Channel 10 Production)
Channel 10 - Melbourne (7.30pm), Adelaide (6.30pm), Perth (7pm), Sydney (10.35pm), Brisbane (10.35pm)

Saturday September 9, Adelaide v Fremantle (Channel 10 Production)
Channel 10 - Melbourne (2.30pm), Adelaide (3pm), Perth (12.30pm), Sydney (2.30pm), Brisbane (2.30pm)

Saturday September 9, West Coast v Sydney (Channel 10 Production)
Channel 10 -- Melbourne (7pm), Adelaide (6.30pm), Perth (6pm), Sydney (7pm), Brisbane (7pm)

Sunday September 10, Collingwood v Western Bulldogs (Channel 10 Production)
Channel 10 -- Melbourne (3.30pm), Adelaide (1.30pm), Perth (12pm), Sydney (2pm), Brisbane (2pm)

All matches are replayed on Fox Footy Channel in all markets.
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Hammond steps in as chairman

September 5th 2006 02:04
Bob Hammond was appointed Acting Chairman of the AFL at a Commission meeting in Melbourne this morning.

Hammond's appointment comes as Chairman Ron Evans continues to recover from surgery.

Mr Hammond is expected to fill the role until at least the end of the premiership season.

Bob Hammond's CV

Played 248 matches for North Adelaide (1960-73) and Norwood (1974-75).

Coached Norwood to the 1975 and 1978 SANFL Premierships

Coached South Australia 1984

Coached Sydney 1984

Norwood FC Board Member 1980-1990

Adelaide FC Chairman 1991-2000

SANFL Life Member

AFL Life Member

Proprietor Half Case Warehouses 1979-1989

Managing Director Rail Road Services Pty Ltd

AFL Commissioner since 2001.

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Everitt requests trade

September 5th 2006 01:49
After months of speculation about his future, Hawthorn ruckman Peter Everitt has played his last game in the brown and gold after being unable to come to terms with the club today.

Coach Alistair Clarkson said Everitt's talents would be sorely missed but the club only wanted players who were prepared to commit themselves to the club and the direction its heading.

Clarkson said Hawthorn would do everything in its power to get a trade that was suitable for both Everitt and the club.
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McLean accepts

September 4th 2006 12:15
Melbourne midfielder Brock McLean has accepted a reprimand and 93.75 points towards his future record after being charged with an engaging in rough conduct offence against Adelaide Crows defender Scott Stevens in last Saturday's match at AAMI Stadium.

McLean will be clear to play in Friday night's second elimination final against St Kilda at the MCG.
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Melbourne injury update

September 4th 2006 08:21
Whelan Hamstring Test

Pickett Hamstring Test

Holland Corked thigh Test

Wheatley Back Test

Ferguson Knee Test

Bartram Ankle 1-2 Weeks

Moloney Groin Season

P Johnson Shoulder Season

Gianfagna Shoulder Season

Neville Groin Season
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Western Bulldogs injury update

September 4th 2006 07:32
Luke Darcy, knee, season

Robert Murphy, knee, season

Tim Walsh, knee, season

Adam Morgan, knee, season

Mitch Hahn, knee, season

Tom Williams, ankle, season

Shaun Higgins, elbow, test

Nathan Eagleton, hamstring, test
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Sydney Swans injury update

September 4th 2006 07:02
Matthew Davis Hip Test

Ryan Brabazon Wrist Season

Jarred Moore Thumb Season



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Buckley cleared

September 4th 2006 06:44
Charges Laid:

Brock McLean, Melbourne, has been charged with a Level Two engaging in rough conduct offence against Scott Stevens, Adelaide, during the fourth quarter of the Round 22 match between Melbourne and Adelaide, played at AAMI Stadium on Saturday September 2, 2006.

In summary, he can accept a reprimand and 93.75 points towards his future record with an early plea.

The incident was assessed as negligent conduct (one point), medium impact (two points), in play (no points) and high contact (two points). This is a total of five activation points, which relates to a Level Two offence, drawing 125 demerit points and a one-match sanction. He has no applicable good or bad record. An early plea reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to a reprimand and 93.75 points towards his future record.

Shane Crawford, Hawthorn, has been charged with a first offence for abusive language towards an umpire for abusing boundary umpire Chris Steinman during the first quarter of the Round 22 match between Hawthorn and Geelong, played at Telstra Dome on Sunday September 3, 2006.

In summary, he can accept a $900 sanction with an early plea.

A first offence for abusive language towards an umpire is a $1200 sanction. An early plea reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to a $900 sanction.

Other incidents assessed: No Charge Laid.

The match day report laids against the Kangaroos' Glenn Archer was reviewed. It was the view of the Panel that Archer's action on Lockyer was not considered to be a strike and no further action was required.

Contact between Collingwood's Nathan Buckley and the Kangaroos' Brent Harvey from the second quarter of Sunday's match was reviewed. The panel said Buckley and Harvey grappled with each other. Buckley took hold of Harvey's jumper with both hands and pulled him towards him, before pushing him away. There was contact to Harvey's face made by Buckley's forearm but his action was deemed to be a push and not a strike. Therefore, no further action was required.

Contact between the Kangaroos' Brad Moran and umpire Shaun Ryan from the second quarter of Sunday's match was reviewed. The contact was deemed to be accidental and not a reportable offence.

Contact between the Kangaroos' Glenn Archer and umpire Kieron Nicholls from the fourth quarter of Sunday's match was reviewed. The contact was considered accidental and no further action was required.

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St Kilda injury update

September 4th 2006 06:38
Injury Update

Hayes, ACL reconstruction, season.

Maguire, leg, season.

Peckett, groin tightness, test.

Powell, knee soreness, test.

Schwarze, hamstring tightness, test.

Watts, ankle, season.
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Carlton under review

September 4th 2006 06:28
After collecting the club's second wooden spoon in as many years, speculation continues to mount that coach Denis Pagan will not be at the helm come next season.

In the light of this speculation, the Carlton Football Club has issued the following statement.

The review of the operations of the Carlton Football Club is in progress and this review is being coordinated by the CEO Michael Malouf.

"This review is underway, it is being managed professionally and all issues will be taken into account. When the review is completed it will be considered by the Carlton Football Club Board," Mr Malouf said today.

"Media reports on the review are pure speculation as the review is ongoing and no recommendations will be made until the review is completed. Until then it is inappropriate to make any comment on the review," added Malouf
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Jeans and Duckworth get a guernsey

September 4th 2006 06:24
AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou today took possession of the AFL Premiership cup from Cash's-official suppliers of the cup and announced the following footballing identities who will present the various major awards through September.

Four-time premiership coach Allan Jeans will present the Jock McHale Medal to the winning Grand Final coach while 1984 Norm Smith Medallist Bill Duckworth will present the Norm Smith Medal to this year's best on ground in the 2006 Toyota AFL Grand Final.

Former Footscray premiership full forward Jack Collins, who twice topped the league's goalkicking in the 1950s, will present the John Coleman Medal to Carlton's Brendan Fevola.

The premiership cup will be presented by a club legend of the winning team.

The presenters will be confirmed once the Grand Final teams are known.

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Latest Premiership Odds

September 4th 2006 05:51

West Coast $2.85


Fremantle $4.50

Adelaide $5.00

Sydney $5.50

St Kilda $12.00

Collingwood $15.00

Melbourne $21.00

Western Bulldogs $ 51.00

Odds courtesy of Sportsbet
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Eagle gets nomination

September 4th 2006 02:38
Mark LeCras from the West Coast Eagles is the Round 22 NAB AFL Rising Star nominee, after bagging five goals in their comprehensive 88-point win over Richmond at the MCG.

LeCras earned his fifth AFL game after kicking 15 goals in two games for West Perth in the fortnight prior, including a bag of eight last week.

The 20-year-old’s recall saw him finish with 14 kicks and 10 marks as he staked a claim for West Coast's qualifying final against Sydney.

LeCras played junior football in Perth for Cervantes and represented Western Australia in the 2004 NAB AFL Under 18 Championships and was named All-Australian.

He was the Eagles’ second selection (37th overall) in the 2004 NAB AFL Draft.

Marks’ brother Brent is listed with the Kangaroos, while his father, Peter, played in East Fremantle’s 1979 premiership.

LeCras is the Eagles second nomination this year after impressive midfielder Matt Rosa was nominated in round 10.

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Adelaide Crows injury update

September 4th 2006 02:29
Injury update

Brent Reilly adductor Test

Ken McGregor hamstring Test

Hayden Skipworth hamstring 1 week

Chris Knights quad 1 week

John Hinge hamstring 1 week

Ben Hart Achilles 2-3 weeks

Mark Ricciuto virus indefinite

Andrew McLeod foot indefinite

Brett Burton hamstring indefinite

Luke Jericho shoulder season

Trent Hentschel knee season
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Impending Milestones

September 4th 2006 01:04
100 games - Paul Medhurst, Fremantle

100 games - Paul Wheatley, Melbourne

50 games - Steven Armstrong, West Coast

50 games - Mark McGough, St Kilda

Most Finals Series Coached - Mick Malthouse, Collingwood. This will be the 14th season that Mick Malthouse has coached a team into the finals, drawing him level with Tom Hafey and David Parkin in fifth position on the all-time list. Ahead of him are Jock McHale (27 finals series with Collingwood), Kevin Sheedy (19 finals series with Essendon), Allan Jeans (17 finals series with St Kilda and Hawthorn) and Dick Reynolds (16 finals series with Essendon).

Most Finals Umpired - Darren Goldspink. Should Darren be selected to umpire a final this week, it will be his 34th career final, taking him to outright fourth on the all-time list behind only Jack Elder (39 finals), Bryan Sheehan (37 finals) and Ian Robinson (35 finals)

Most Finals Umpired - Brett Allen. Should Brett be selected to umpire a final this week, it will be his 33rd career final, drawing him level with both Darren Goldspink and Rowan Sawers in equal fourth spot on the all-time list.

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Round 22 Reports

September 4th 2006 01:00
All match day reports are automatically assessed by the Match Review Panel. The following players were reported during the weekend's matches:

Brock McLean, Melbourne, reported by umpire Justin Schmitt for engaging in rough conduct against Scott Stevens, Adelaide, during the fourth quarter of the Round 22 match between Melbourne and Adelaide, played at AAMI Stadium on Saturday September 2, 2006.

Shane Crawford, Hawthorn, reported by umpire Chris Steinman for abusive language during the first quarter of the Round 22 match Hawthorn and Geelong, played at Telstra Dome on Sunday September 3, 2006.

Glenn Archer, the Kangaroos, reported by umpire Kieron Nicholls for striking Tarkyn Lockyer, Collingwood, during the fourth quarter of the Round 22 match between the Kangaroos and Collingwood, played at the MCG on Sunday September 3, 2006.
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Week One Finals schedule

September 3rd 2006 10:13
Friday September 8

Second Elimination Final (series ticket match), St Kilda v Melbourne at the MCG, 7.30pm.

Saturday September 9

Second Qualifying Final, Adelaide v Fremantle at AAMI Stadium, 2.30pm.


First Qualifying Final, West Coast v Sydney at Subiaco, 5.30pm.


Sunday September 10

First Elimination Final, Collingwood v Western Bulldogs at the MCG, 2.30pm.

All times are local



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Brownlow Medal Watch: Round 22

September 3rd 2006 07:19
This is the final Brownlow Medal Watch for season 2006 as we nominate the player of the round for Round 22.

Adam Goodes
Sydney Swans
Price: $2.85
Goodes has stormed into favourtism for this year's medal on the back of a 26 possession four goal performance against the Blues at the SCG this afternoon. Has been a big factor behind the Swans recent good form which has seen them win four of their past five and undoubtedly deserves the tag of favourite for this year's count.

Chris Judd
West Coast Eagles
Price: $4.25
Judd has drifted in the market, despite collecting 24 possessions and three goals. The Eagles skipper was simply brilliant in the third term when he booted three majors of his own and set up at least three others for his teammates. Again Judd's biggest concern will be losing votes to others in the much vaunted West Coast midfield.

Scott West
Western Bulldogs
Price4.50
West has been the big mover in the market in recent weeks and continued his good form on Friday night against the Bombers with 36 possessions and six marks. Is a proven vote getter and has to be a strong chance to finish top five.

Simon Goodwin
Adelaide Crows
Price: $8.00
The Crows returned to form in emhpatic fashion yesterday against Melbourne and so to did Goodwin who collected 22 possessions. Had a stellar first half of the year, but like a lot of his teammates has dropped away in the run home, which will prove costly. Like West is still a strong chance to finish at least top 10.

Ben Cousins
West Coast Eagles
Price: $8.50
Cousins continued his rich vein of form since being rested for the round 16 clash against Collingwood with 30 possessions and one goal. Has missed too many games this year to collect back-to-back medals, but should poll well.

Player of the round: Mark Williams

Eight goals is an excellent performance in anyone's language, but when it comes from a small forward the feat is even more impressive, hence William's nomination as the player of the round for Round 22.
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AFL Ladder: See where your team finished

September 3rd 2006 07:15
West Coast 68
Adelaide 64
Fremantle 60
Sydney 56
Collingwood 56
St Kilda 56
Melbourne 54
Western Bulldogs 52

Richmond 44
Geelong 42
Hawthorn 36
Port Adelaide 32
Brisbane 28
Kangaroos 28
Essendon 14
Carlton 14
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Pies outclass Roos

September 3rd 2006 07:09
Collingwood has gained some much needed momentum in the lead-up to the finals outclassing an inexperienced Kangaroos side by 68 points at the MCG this afternoon.

COLLINGWOOD: 3.3, 6.7, 10.13, 20.19 (139)
KANGAROOS: 3.4, 5.5, 7.9, 10.11 (71)
GOALS – Collingwood: Licuria 4, Egan 3, Tarrant 3, Lockyer 2, Johnson, Lonie, Buckley, R. Shaw, Didak, Swan, Holland, A. Rocca
Kangaroos: S. Rocca 3, Jones 3, Watt, Green, B. Rawlings, Harvey
BEST – Collingwood: Licuria, Burns, Egan, O'Bree, Johnson, Lockyer, R. Shaw, Swan, Buckley, Tarrant
Kangaroos: Harris, Sinclair, Harvey, Co. Jones, B. Rawlings
INJURIES – Collingwood: Prestigiacomo (ill)
Kangaroos: Green (split head)
CHANGES – Collingwood: T. Cloke out, replaced in selected side by Tarrant
Kangaroos: nil
REPORTS - Archer (Kangaroos) reported for striking Lockyer (Collingwood) in the fourth quarter
UMPIRES - James, Head, Ryan
CROWD - 49,040 at the MCG
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Swans grab fourth spot

September 3rd 2006 07:06
The Sydney Swans have grabbed fourth spot and sent an ominous warning to the rest of the competition ahead of the finals with a thumping 92-point win over Carlton at the SCG today.

SYDNEY: 5.1, 9.3, 15.9, 21.10 (136)
CARLTON: 2.3, 2.6, 2.7, 6.8 (44)
GOALS – Sydney: Goodes 4, Hall 3, O'Keefe 3, Buchanan 2, O'Loughlin 2, Malceski, Davis, McVeigh, Fosdike, Richards, Mathews, Schneider. Carlton: Whitnall, Fisher, Fevola, Waite, Blackwell, French.
BEST – Sydney: Goodes, Buchanan, C. Bolton, O'Loughlin, Kennelly, Barry. Carlton: Scotland, Lappin
INJURIES – Sydney: nil Carlton: nil
CHANGES - Sydney nil Carlton: nil
REPORTS - nil
UMPIRES - Donlon, Avon, McInerney
CROWD - 33,943 at the Sydney Cricket Ground
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Hawks make it four

September 3rd 2006 06:41
Hawthorn have won four in a row for the first time under Alistair Clarkson after dispatching of a hapless Geelong side by 61points at the Telstra Dome this afternoon.

The Cats started the match in promising fashion and had the first goal on the board through Nathan Ablett who was on the end of a pass from brother Gary and duly converted from 40m out.

Some good forward pressure saw the Hawks get the quicky reply through Brad Sewell who rammed home his first goal in AFL football.

Hawthorn had two on the board in less than a minute when last-gamer John Barker set up impressive youngster Lance Franklin to kick his first.

When Brent Guerra kicked his first the Hawks had three in a row and had jumped out to a two-goal lead.

Joel Smith and Chance Bateman who had nine possessions to quarter time were combining well across half-back and providing plenty of run for the Hawks.

Meanwhile the Cats were struggling to find a consitent target up forward and when classy small forward Mark Williams kicked his 53rd goal of the year Hawthorn had raced out to a three-goal lead.

With former skipper Shane Crawford running rampant through the midfield (29 possessions) the Hawks piled on three of the next four to take a commanding 29-point lead into the first change.

It was more of the same in the second term as Crawford goaled in the opening minute to stretch the lead to 35 points, and when Sewell kicked his second the Cats lack of pace was becoming apparent.

The former Hawthorn skipper had his second in as many minutes and the Hawks were running all over a Geelong side that couldn't wait for the season to end.

Midfielder Paul Chapman (35 possessions) kicked the Cats first for the term as Geelong rallied to kick four of the next five to trail by 28 points at the main break.

Hawthorn had the important first major of the third term through Williams who converted from 10m out after a spectacular mark to stretch the margin to 33 points at the five minute mark.

The Hawks were doing as they pleased through the midfield, and when Williams posted his fourth the Hawks had the first three of the term to establish a match-winning 43-point lead.

The hapless Cats managed only one goal in the premiership quarter when midfielder Corey Enright snapped from the pocket to cut the margin to six goals at the 13-minute mark.

Geelong's disposal coming out of their defensive 50 was atrocious and Williams made the Cats pay with his fifth as Hawthorn took a 44-point lead into three-quarter time.

The Cats continued to butcher the football in the final term, and when Barker goaled from 10m out it sparked emotional scenes as 15 players raced to congratulate the retiring veteran.

The rot continued when Williams posted his sixth and seventh in quick succession, and when he kicked his third for the term and eight for the match the lead was out to a massive 61-points.

The Cats posted two late consolation goals to add some respectability to the scoreboard, but it was too little too late.

Hawthorn farewelled Barker in grand style and will take plenty of confidence going into the 2007 season on the back of an excellent month of football.

Meanwhile, plenty of questions will be asked at Geelong in the coming weeks as the futures of players and coach Mark Thompson will come under intense scrutiny.

HAWTHORN: 7.1, 11.2, 15.4, 21.7 (133)
GEELONG: 2.2, 6.4, 7.8, 10.12 (72)
GOALS: HAWTHORN: Williams 8, Crawford 3, Sewell 2, Frankiln 2, Roughead 2, Guerra, McGlynn, Dixon, Barker
GEELONG: Enright 2, Chapman 2, Johnson 2, N.Ablett, Prismall, Scarlett, G.Ablett.
BEST: HAWTHORN: Williams, Mitchell, Birchall, Crawford, Bateman, Smith, Hodge, Sewell
GEELONG: Chapman, G.Ablett, Enright, Prismall, Corey
INJURIES:
HAWTHORN: Croad (AC joint)
GEELONG: Harley (hamstring), Rooke (concussion)
CHANGES:
HAWTHORN: Bailey replaced in the selected side by McGlynn
GEELONG: Nil
REPORTS:
UMPIRES: Vozzo, Rosebury, Woodcock
CROWD: 28,188 at the Telstra Dome
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Match preview: Hawthorn v Geelong

September 3rd 2006 02:27
HAWTHORN V GEELONG

WHERE & WHEN: Sunday, Telstra Dome, 2.10pm (AEST)

TV & RADIO: Fox Footy, MMM (Melbourne), K-Rock,

HEAD TO HEAD: Hawthorn 64, Geelong 72, Drawn 1

TAB SPORTSBET: Hawthorn $2.05, Geelong $1.68

BETFAIR: Hawthorn $2.16, Geelong $1.81

LAST TIME: Hawthorn 15.11 (101) def Geelong 6.13 (49) at Skilled Stadium, Round 3, 2006

Were the Hawks good last weekend or were the Kangaroos very ordinary?

Perhaps a bit of both.

The Hawks have won their past three matches, but with all due respect to Essendon, Carlton and the Roos they have yet to beat anyone of any real worth.

Today's clash against the Cats at the Dome represents a real opportunity for coach Alistair Clarkson to gauge how far his side has come in terms of their development.

Hawthorn has gone in with a virtually unchanged line-up, with veteran John Barker likely to be the only inclusion for his final AFL match.

Such is the spirit down at Glenferrie Oval that senior players offered to give up their spots for today's match in a bid to give Barker the farewell he deserved.

There are many promising signs down at Hawthorn.

Impressive youngster Grant Birchall continued his stellar season last weekend with 27 possessions and ten marks and looks to be an exciting prospect for the club in the year's ahead.

Along with Tim Clark and Chance Bateman the Hawks have plenty of run through the midfield.

The last time these two sides met the Hawks recorded a thumping 57-point win over the Cats at Skilled Stadium, arguably their best win of the year.

Hawthorn is more than capable of causing some damage to side's in this competition, its only when they insist on persisting with a possession brand of football do they frustrate and unravel.

With a forward line comprising Lance Franklin, Jarryd Roughead, Ben Dixon and classy small forward Mark Williams, they would be well advised to get the ball in long and quick.

They only have to look back to round 18 against the Bombers at the same venue when they had 16 goals on the board to half-time to see direct football pays handsome dividends.

While the Hawks look to finish the year with a flurry, the Cats were one second away from having their finals hopes kept alive.

All those scenarios of course were snuffed out by the Bulldogs win on Friday night and the draw against the Demons only served to highlight how dissapointing Geelong has been this season.

The Cats will be without courageous defender Tom Lonergan who lost a kidney following a sickening clash against Melbourne.

While forward Kent Kingsley has been ommitted and looks to have played his last game in Geelong colours.

Youngster Ryan Gamble will make his AFL debut in the no. 15 guernsey made famous by the recently retired Peter Riccardi.

Again Geelong struggled to find a consistent target up forward, with small forward Steve Johnson the club's leading goal-kicker against the Demons with four.

The club will be pleased with the return to form of Johnson, but need him to become more consistent and get his body right for the 2007 season.

Coach Mark Thompson would be encouraged by the form of Nathan Ablett who had 14 possessions and 2 goals and will be desperately hoping he becomes the key forward the club so desperately craves.

Both sides our well and truly out of finals contention but still have plenty to play for.

The Hawks will want to finish the year with four straight wins and carry that momentum into next year, while the Cats will be aiming to salvage something from the wreck that has been 2006.

Hawthorn looks to have the edge in the midfield, and with their ability to run and break the lines should dominate the Cats.

Geelong will put up a good showing but questions still remain over their ability to string together four solid quarters of football.

With an edge in the midfield and a consistent spread of goal-kickers over the past three weeks, the Hawks should get up over a dogged Geelong side desperate to end the year in positive fashion. Hawthorn by 19 points.

HAWTHORN
B: Brown, Croad, Gilham
HB: Birchall, Hodge, Ladson
C: Smith, Mitchell, Bateman
HF: Vandenberg, Barker, Clarke
F: Williams, Dixon, Franklin
FOLL: Campbell, Sewell, Crawford
I/C (from): Bailey, Guerra, Kane, Lewis, McGlynn, Roughead, Young
IN: Barker, McGlynn, Young
OUT: -

GEELONG
B: Harley, Scarlett, J.Hunt
HB: D.Johnson, Milburn, Egan
C: Enright, G.Ablett, Rooke
HF: Gamble, N.Ablett, S.Johnson
F: Bartel, Ottens, Chapman
FOLL: King, Corey, Ling
I/C (from): Kelly, Wojcinski, Mackie, Prismall, Tenace, Callan, Blake
IN: Kelly, Gamble, Callan, Blake, Mackie
OUT: Lonergan (kidney), Kingsley
NEW: Ryan Gamble (Glenelg)

Field umpires: Vozzo, Rosebury, Woodcock
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Match preview: Collingwood v Kangaroos

September 3rd 2006 01:42
COLLINGWOOD v KANGAROOS

WHERE & WHEN: MCG, 2:10pm (AEST), Sunday, September 3

TV & RADIO: Channel 9 (Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Sydney, Brisbane), 3AW, ABC

HEAD TO HEAD: Collingwood 96, Kangaroos 46, 2 Draws

LAST TIME: Collingwood 23.15 (153) bt Kangaroos 14.6 (90), Telstra Dome, Round 3, 2006.

TAB Sportsbet: Collingwood $1.22, Kangaroos $3.80

BETFAIR: Collingwood $1.28, Kangaroos $4.20

Collingwood returned to some semblance of form against Carlton last Sunday at the MCG.

Albeit it was against the bottom-placed side in the competition, and question marks still have to be raised about the Pies premiership credentials.

The most pleasing thing to come out of the match for the Magpies would be the return to form of forward Anthony Rocca who kicked six.

With Tarrant out of the side the Pies needed Rocca to stand up and he duly delivered.

He is a key if Collingwood is serious in its tilt for this year's flag.

A month ago the Magpies seemingly had the easiest run of any of the top 8 clubs, but the loss to Essendon looks all the more likely to prove costly with the Pies now needing to rely on other results to go their way in order to secure fourth spot.

Collingwood got plenty of drive out of its midfield last Sunday, with Dane Swan contuining his career-best form with 33 touches and 11 marks while Simon Prestigiacomo continued his good year restricting Brendon Fevola to three goals and looks like a likely match-up for Nathan Thompson.

The Pies are lucky to have Alan Didak in the team after a controversial week at the tribunal and welcome back skipper Nathan Buckley from a hip-flexor injury.

Embattled forward Chris Tarrant still remains on the sidelines with shin splints and must remain in serious doubt for the finals.

The Kangaroos were simply abysmal against Hawthorn last week, make no bones about it.

The Roos managed a meagre four goals for the entire match and were held goalless after quarter time- simply not good enough in the modern era.

After a promising middle part of the season things have somewhat fallen away for the Kangaroos with embarassing losses to the Demons and Hawks in recent weeks.

These results point to a side depleted by injuries and with one eye on 2007.

Things didn't get any better for the Roos during the week with forward Leigh Harding injuring his knee during the week and likely to miss 12 months of football, while Jade Rawlings called it quits after the Hawthorn debacle.

The retirements keep coming with Saverio Rocca to head to the States following today's match to take a punt at a NFL career.

The Roos will be keen to send him out with a win against his old side finish on a positive note in what has been an otherwise disappointing season.

Admist all the gloom there have been some positives for the Kangaroos, with Drew Petrie finding a home down back and you would expect him to line-up against Rocca in what will be a crucial match-up.

Meanwhile NAB Rising Star nominee Brad Moran looks like an exciting prospect for the future.

On paper the Pies have more to play for than the Roos.

Collingwood is holding on to the slim hopes of a top four berth while a win for the Roos will simply mean they get a later pick in this year's draft.

Having said that, there is plenty of spirit down at Arden St and the likes of Glenn Archer, Brent Harvey and co will want to finish the year with a win.

But with a top four berth still up for grabs, the Pies simply have more to play for and with their midfield impressively led by ruckman Josh Fraser who is in career best form.

The Pies should have too much run through the midfield against an inexperienced Roos line-up, and with Rocca and Didak both on song the Magpies should post a winning score. Magpies by 39 points.

COLLINGWOOD
B: Johnson, Prestigiacomo, H.Shaw
HB: Lonie, Clement, Egan
C: Rusling, O'Bree, Buckley
HF: Swan, Rocca, Licuria
F: Didak, T.Cloke, Holland
FOLL: Fraser, Burns, Lockyer
I/C (from): Richards, Thomas, Maxwell, Tarrant, R.Shaw, Wakelin, Pendlebury
IN: Buckley, Pendlebury, Tarrant, Thomas, Wakelin
OUT: Iles (back), Rowe

KANGAROOS
B: Gibson, Petrie, Archer
HB: Firrito, Moran, Watt
C: Wells, Harris, Sinclair
HF: Co.Jones, Thompson, Harvey
F: Brown, Rocca, McConnell
FOLL: Hale, B.Rawlings, Swallow
I/C (from): Schwarze, Makepeace, Green, Lower, McIntosh, Trotter, Sansbury
IN: Gibson, Rocca, Schwarze, Trotter, Makepeace
OUT: Harding (knee), J.Rawlings (retired)

Field umpires: James, Head, Ryan
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Match preview: Sydney Swans v Carlton

September 3rd 2006 00:43
SYDNEY v CARLTON

WHERE & WHEN: SCG, 1:10pm AEST, Sunday 3 September

TV & RADIO: Channel 9 (Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Sydney, Brisbane), Triple M (Sydney)

HEAD TO HEAD: Sydney 77 Carlton 124

TAB SPORTSBET ODDS: Sydney $1.08 Carlton $6.50

BETFAIR: Sydney $1.09, Carlton $10

LAST TIME: Carlton 11.8 (74) def. by Sydney Swans 12.9 (81), round 3, 2006 at Telstra Dome

Both sides have a fair bit riding on this game. A win for the Swans and they are guaranteed a top four berth and a showdown with West Coast in Perth in week one of the finals.

A win for the Blues and they will avoid the inglorious honour of wooden spoons in consecutive years.

The Swans returned to some of their best form against the Lions last Saturday night, but coach Paul Roos ruled out resting any of his premiership stars who are carrying some niggling injuries at this late stage of the season.

Co-captain Barry Hall has been nursing a back complaint and speculation was mounting during the week that he wouldn't play, but you would expect the Swans hardman to line-up, especially with what's on offer.

The Swans have made no changes from the side that thumped Brisbane by 57-points, with enigmatic forward Nick Davis retaining his place.

Ruckman Darren Jolly continued his rich vein of form against the Lions last Saturday night with 41 hitouts and looms as a key player in today's match.

Win the clearances at the SCG and you are going to win more games of football than you lose.

Adam Goodes was simply superb last weekend and did his Brownlow medal chances no harm with 24 touches.

Andrew Walker appears to be a likely match-up for the Swans big man, with youngster Andrew Carazzo another option to take Goodes after keeping Magpie Heath Shaw to ten possessions while helping himself to 20 touches last Sunday.

Despite winning by almost ten goals against the Lions, the Swans had no player kick more than two majors- highlighting the multitude of options Sydney have up forward which will be difficult for the Blues to cover.

You would expect Lance Whitnall who is surely in line for All-Australian selection to match-up on Barry Hall who hasn't kicked a big bag in recent weeks and will be keen to do so in the run into the finals.

The last time these two sides met back in round 3 it was a tight affair as the Swans just got over the line by 7 points to record their first win of the season.

The Swans are a different side from round 3- Tadhg Kennelly is back in the side and providing plenty of drive off the half-back line and Sydney has won three of their past four and are starting to show some of the form which saw them win last year's flag.

While the Swans are pushing for back-to-back flags the Blues are desperately trying to avoid consecutive wooden spoons.

Despite their current ladder position Carlton has shown some good signs in recent times, and the 44-point margin against the Pies didn't do them any justice.

Perhaps the most pleasing aspect to come out of the match for coach Denis Pagan was the fact that his side posted 17 majors, yet spearhead Brendon Fevola only managed three goals.

Kade Simpson continues to impress and looks to be a future star after getting 30 possessions against the Pies and the Irish experiment O'hAilpin appears to be paying dividends.

The Blues have been impressive in the second half of the year, but as has so often been the case they have struggled to string together four quarters of football.

They had their best first quarter of the year against the Pies last Sunday at the MCG but fell away badly in the last- symptomatic of a young side.

Carlton is building for the future and has some impressive youngsters on their list, and can add another two to that list with Ryan Jackson and Jake Edwards named, while Jordan Bannister is sidelined with suspension.

The Blues have not played at the SCG in five years, so it will be interesting to see how they cope with the smaller dimensions.

The key for Carlton is if they get the ball down their enough to Fevola and have excitement machine Eddie Betts crumbing then they are capable of kicking a winning score.

This is easier said than done, and a lot of things will have to go the Blues way for them to be a chance, especially against a Swans defence which has been particularly miserly in recent weeks.

With the lure of a top four berth on the line, Sydney simply have too much to play for. Expect the multi-pronged attack of the Swans to be too much to bare for the Blues as Sydney records a comfortable win. Swans by 52 points.

SYDNEY
B: Dempster, Barry, Malceski
HB: Kennelly, Roberts-Thomson, C.Bolton
C: Buchanan, Kirk, Ablett
HF: O'Keefe, O'Loughlin, J.Bolton
F: Schneider, Hall, Fosdike
FOLL: Jolly, Goodes, McVeigh
I/C (from): Bevan, Davis, Dempster, Doyle, Grundy, Mathews, Vogels
IN: Ablett, Roberts-Thomson, Vogels
OUT: -

CARLTON
B: Carrazzo, Thornton, S.O'hAilpin
HB: Scotland, Whitnall, Sporn
C: Bower, Lappin, Waite
HF: Simpson, Deluca, Fisher
F: Betts, Fevola, Kotoufides
FOLL: French, Walker, Houlihan
I/C (from): Blackwell, Edwards, Jackson, McLaren, McGrath, Smith, Teague
IN: Edwards, Jackson, McLaren, Teague
OUT: Bannister (suspended)
NEW: Jake Edwards (Western Jets), Ryan Jackson (Northern Knights)

Field umpires: Donlon, Avon, McInerney
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Freo demolish Power

September 2nd 2006 12:16
The Fremantle Dockers have stretched their winning streak to nine and secured a top four berth for the first time in the club's history with a commanding 79-point win over Port Adelaide at Subiaco Oval tonight.

FREMANTLE: 6.6, 11.9, 18.11, 23.13 (151)
PORT ADELAIDE: 3.1, 4.7, 5.14, 9.18 (72)
GOALS – Fremantle: Farmer 6, Pavlich 5, Peake 2, Headland 2, Longmuir 2, Crowley 2, McManus, Schammer, Bell, Hayden
Port Adelaide: Thurstans 2, Pearce, Thomas, Salopek, Bentley, Ebert, Mahoney, Willits
BEST – Fremantle: Pavlich, Farmer, Crowley, Peake, Hayden, Cook, Bell
Port Adelaide: K Cornes, Cassisi, Salopek, S Burgoyne, Lade
INJURIES – Fremantle: Nil
Port Adelaide: Kingsley (knee)
CHANGES – Fremantle: Hasleby (abdominal strain) replaced in selected side by Polak.
Port Adelaide: Nil
REPORTS - Nil
UMPIRES - Stevic, Wenn, Jeffery
CROWD - 41,121 at Subiaco Oval, Perth
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Saints too good for Lions

September 2nd 2006 12:11
St Kilda has accounted for a disappointing Brisbane Lions side by 51 points at the Gabba tonight

BRISBANE: 3.4, 4.7, 7.14, 7.15 (57)
ST KILDA: 4.1, 10.5, 13.6, 16.12 (108)
GOALS – Brisbane: Sherman 4, Johnson, Adcock, Bradshaw, St Kilda: Brooks 3, Harvey 3, Gehrig 3, Milne 2, Riewoldt, Goddard, Koschitzke, Gram, Fisher, BEST – Brisbane: Voss, Adcock, Sherman, Black, Merret, Harding, St Kilda: Ball, Dal Santo, Baker, Harvey, Brooks, Goddard, Gram
b>INJURIES – Brisbane: nil St Kilda: R Clarke (concussion)
CHANGES – Brisbane: nil St Kilda: Hudghton (ankle) replaced in selected side by Jason Blake
REPORTS - Brisbane: nil St Kilda: nil
UMPIRES - McLaren, Grun, Quigley
CROWD - 27,101 at the Gabba
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Eagles thump Tigers

September 2nd 2006 08:53
The West Coast Eagles have secured the minor premiership for the first time since 1994 after belting Richmond to the tune of 88 points at the MCG this afternoon.

RICHMOND: 1.1 2.6 7.8 12.13 (85)
WEST COAST: 5.8 10.12 21.13 26.17 (173)
GOALS - Richmond: Stafford 3, J.Bowden 2, Richardson 2, Howat, Hyde, Johnson, Pettifer, Tambling
West Coast: LeCras 5, Armstrong 4, Lynch 4, Butler 3, Judd 3, Banfield, Cousins, Cox, Fletcher, Hunter, Rosa, Seaby
BEST - Richmond: J.Bowden, Deledio, Raines, Roach, Stafford
West Coast: LeCras, Rosa, Stenglein, Judd, Cousins, Fletcher, Lynch, Armstrong, Butler
INJURIES - Richmond:
West Coast: Staker (concussion)
CHANGES - Richmond: Krakouer (ankle) replaced in selected side by McGuane
West Coast: Nil
REPORTS - Richmond:
West Coast:
UMPIRES - Davis, Allen, Meredith
CROWD - 35,016 at the MCG
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Crows smash Dees

September 2nd 2006 08:02
The Adelaide Crows have returned to form a week out from the finals in emphatic fashion and all but ended Melbourne's top four hopes with a comprehensive 58-point win at AAMI Stadium this afternoon.

The match was played at a frenetic pace in the opening stanza and both sides had majors on the board early courtesy of Demons livewire Aaron Davey and Crows forward Matthew Bode.

The Crows were getting plenty of run off the half-back line and had their second on the board in as many minutes when midfielder Scott Thompson converted a running goal from outside 50 on the back of some brilliant ruck work from Matthew Clarke.

Thompson and Simon Goodwin were prominent for Adelaide early providing plenty of run through the midfield, with the latter collecting ten touches in the first term.

The Dees had their second on the board when skipper David Neitz converted a brilliant pass from Davey to cut the margin to one-point.

The pressure and intensity from both sides was immense and consecutive goals to Nathan Bock and Ian Perrie stretched the Crows lead back out to two straight kicks.

Melbourne was getting plenty of run off half-back and dominating the centre clearances with rugged midfielder Brock McLean winning plenty of contested football for his side.

Enigmatic forward Russell Robertson kicked his first at the halfway mark of the first term and when Neitz bagged his second of the quarter the Demons had taken a one-point lead.

With the Crows looking to gain some momentum going into September, they duly responded with the next two majors and when 100-gamer Perrie kicked his second Adelaide took a handy 18-point lead into the first change.

Melbourne started the second term in sloppy fashion and Bock made the Dees pay early with his second to stretch the lead to four goals.

When Robertson kicked his second major courtesy of a lucky bounce from 30m out, it stopped a run of four straight from the Crows and reduced the margin to 24 points.

Scott Welsh was lively across half-forward and providing a consistent target for an Adelaide forward line which had been decimated by injury.

It was the Crows of old in the second term, with their tackling and hard running proving hard to counter and when Thompson kicked his second the margin had ballooned out to 32 points at the 11-minute mark.

The Demons reacted to this onslaught with a different game plan, opting to use the ball more by hand than foot.

The tactics paid handsome dividends and when ruckman Jeff White threaded it through from a tight angle the Dees had cut the margin to 16 points.

Scott Stevens responded for the Crows with his first after four straight from the Demons to steady the shift.

Late goals to Davey and Adelaide midfielder Michael Doughty saw the Crows take a 23-point lead into the main break.

Melbourne had won eight of their past 11 third quarters and when Neitz kicked his third the margin was back to 17 points.

The Demons were dominating the centre clearances early in the second half and when the Melbourne captain kicked his second in as many minutes the margin was back to less than two straight kicks.

The Crows were being put to the test, but some ill-disciplined play from defender Simon Godfrey handed Thompson his third to stretch the lead to 17 points.

Adelaide were gifted another goal courtesy of a free-kick and the margin was out to 23 points at the 19-minute mark.

The Crows were circling for the kill and were helped by Melbourne's poor decision making as consecutive goals to Clarke and first-gamer Ian Douglas stretched the lead out to six goals.

A late goal to Neitz, his third of the term reduced the margin to 28 points at the final change and gave Melbourne fans a glimmer of hope.

Melbourne started the the final term in ideal fashion and when Colin Sylvia kicked his second the margin was back to a manageable 22 points.

Adelaide put behind the their recent poor form in the last term, having lost their past five last quarters to pile on six goals to one to record a much-needed win going into September.

Meanwhile the Demons top four hopes are all but over and will need to rely on other results to go their way this weekend.

In other concerns for the Dees, impressive youngster Clint Bartram remains in doubt with a serious ankle injury while tough midfielder Brock McLean is on report and will have an axious wait.

ADELAIDE: 7.3, 12.8, 17.10, 23.14 (152)
MELBOURNE: 4.3, 9.3, 13.6, 14.10 (94)
GOALS – Adelaide: Welsh 5, Thompson 3, Bock 3, Perrie 2, Stevens 2, Bode, van Berlo, Porplyzia, Reilly, Doughty, Clarke, Douglas, Edwards Melbourne: Neitz 5, Davey 2, Sylvia 2, Robertson, McLean, Jamar, White, McDonald
BEST – Adelaide: Thompson, Goodwin, Edwards, Bassett, Welsh Johncock, Porplyzia, Bock
Melbourne: Bruce, Johnstone, Neitz, Green, Bell, McLean, Ward
INJURIES – Adelaide: Reilly (groin)
Melbourne: Bartram (right ankle)
CHANGES – Adelaide: Nil
Melbourne: Holland replaced in the selected side by Motlop
REPORTS - McLean reported for high contact on Stevens by umpire Schmitt
UMPIRES - Kennedy, Schmitt, Goldspink
CROWD - 41,364 at AAMI Stadium
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Evans recovery going well

September 2nd 2006 02:58
AFL Commission Chairman Ron Evans remains in hospital this morning and is progressing well after undergoing surgery to remove a tumour from his abdomen, according to AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou.

Demetriou added that Evans is expected to remain in hospital for at least another week.
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Match preview: Fremantle v Port Adelaide

September 2nd 2006 01:55
FREMANTLE v PORT ADELAIDE

WHERE & WHEN: 5.40PM, Saturday 2 September, Subiaco Oval

TV & RADIO: Foxtel, 6PR, ABC Radio, Triple-M (Adelaide)

HEAD TO HEAD: Played 14 - Won: Fremantle - 4, Port Adelaide - 10

LAST TIME Fremantle 15.20 (110) def. Port Adelaide 11.13 (79) Round 3, 2006, at AAMI Stadium

TAB SPORTSBET: Adelaide $1.23, Fremantle $3.85.

BETFAIR: Fremantle $1.26, Port Adelaide $4.50

Fremantle are the hottest team in town and deserve to be second favourites for this year's flag on the back of eight consecutive wins.

However, tonight's clash with Port is absolutely vital if the Dockers are serious premiership contenders.

Lose tonight to the Power and should other results not go their way, Fremantle could slip to as low as seventh and face exiting the finals in the first round.

This would be a bitter disappointment for the club and its fans who have endured so many years of heartache.

However, based on last week's performance this is a Dockers side unlike previous models.

The Eagles came out firing in the opening stanza of last Sunday's derby, and other Fremantle sides before them would have crumbled under the pressure- not this one.

Fremantle withstood the barrage and absorbed the pressure and beat West Coast comprehensively at their own game.

The Dockers big guns have stood up when its counted.

Skipper Peter Bell led the way with an inspirational display which saw him collect the Ross Glendinning Medal, the Carr brothers were simply brilliant in shutting down the West Coast's much vaunted midfield and Jeff Farmer continued his rich vein of form with four majors.

Perhaps more pleasing for coach Chris Connolly during this eight-game streak has been the even contribution from all 22 players.

Names like Ryan Crowley, Michael Johnson, Brett Peake and David Mundy would barely rate a mention on the eastern seaboard, but all have been consistent contributors and look to be genuine stars of the future.

The Dockers have gone into tonight's clash with an unchanged line-up as expected, but midfielder Paul Hasleby and forward Justin Longmuir didn't train yesterday and must remain in some doubt for tonight's match.

While Fremantle is about to embark on only its second finals campaign since the club's inception, the Power are re-building and have one eye on 2007

Despite missing out on the finals, Port have been in impressive form over the past month winning three out of their last four, including the big scalp of Adelaide last Sunday.

The Power lack a genuine key forward in the absence of the injured Warren Tredrea, and relied on a lot of their smaller types to kick the bulk of their score.

Whether or not they will be able to replicate that against Fremantle tonight is a question mark.

The clash between Port ruckman Brendon Lade, who has to been in line for All-Australian honours and Docker ruckman Aaron Sandilands who continues to improve at a rapid rate shapes as an important one.

The Power's midfield is equal that of the Dockers, and possesses some exciting youngsters in Greg Bentley, Shaun Burgoyne and Rising Star hopeful Danyle Pearce.

The biggest concern for coach Mark Williams will be whether or not his side has the firepower to match Fremantle, which has been the most productive side in the competition for the past two months.

The only way I see the Power causing an upset is by shutting down Fremantle's run through the midfield and cutting down their supply to their key forwards of Matthew Pavlich and Longmuir.

Tonight looks set to be a big night of celebration for the Dockers with Pavlich celebrating his 150th game and Farmer playing his 100th game in Fremantle colours.

They will have another reason to celebrate when they clinch a top-four berth for the first time in their history in an arm-wrestle with a Port side hell-bent on causing some carnage. Fremantle by 32 points.

FREMANTLE
B: Parker, McPharlin, Hayden
HB: M.Carr, Grover, Mundy
C: Peake, Bell, Black
HF: Headland, Pavlich, Schammer
F: Farmer, Johnson, Longmuir
FOLL: Sandilands, Hasleby, J.Carr
I/C: Cook, Crowley, Dodd, McManus
EMG: Browne, Polak, Webster
IN: -
OUT: -

PORT ADELAIDE
B: Bishop, Wakelin, Lower
HB: Cassisi, Chaplin, Thomas
C: K.Cornes, S.Burgoyne, Salopek
HF: Ebert, Willits, Dew
F: Mahoney, Brogan, Thurstans
FOLL: Lade, C.Cornes, Pearce
I/C: Bentley, Kingsley, Logan, Walsh
EMG: Carlile, Eckermann, Shattock
IN: Walsh
OUT: White (back)

Field umpires: Stevic, Wenn, Jeffrey
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Match preview: Brisbane Lions v St Kilda

September 2nd 2006 01:18
BRISBANE V ST KILDA

WHERE & WHEN: Gabba, 7.10pm, AEST, Saturday 2 September

TV & RADIO: Channel 10 (Melb, Syd, Brisb), Fox Footy (Adel, Perth), Triple M (Melb, Brisb), ABC, 3AW

HEAD TO HEAD: Brisbane 18, St Kilda 14

LAST TIME: St Kilda 19.10 (124) d. Brisbane 12.15 (87), round three 2006, Telstra Dome

TAB SPORTSBET: Brisbane $5.00, St Kilda $1.15

BETFAIR: Brisbane Lions $5.60, St Kilda $1.18

The Saints returned to stellar form last Friday night against the Doggies and look to be a darkhorse in this year's flag race.

The three-pronged attack of Fraser Gehrig, Nick Riewoldt and Justin Koschitzkle when he pushed forward caused numerous headaches for the Dogs and expect them to do so again tonight against the Lions.

More importantly for the Saints, their midfield returned to some form after being comprehensively smashed by a white-hot Dockers outfit the previous week.

Skipper Luke Ball, Brendon Goddard, the improved Leigh Montagna and veteran Robert Harvey all having 20 plus possession games.

The midfield battle is the key for the Saints, get the ball inside 50 enough and the marking power of Riewoldt, Gehrig, Koschitzke and Aaron Hamill will take care of the rest.

While the Saints are gunning for a top four berth, the Lions are looking to finish the season on a high after missing the finals for the second consecutive year after four straight grand finals appearances.

It will undoubtedly be an emotion charged night at the Gabba this evening, with the club farewelling defender Brad Scott, and speculation mounting over whether or not skipper Michael Voss and full-back Mal Michael will be in Lions colours next season.

All indicators seem to point towards Voss retiring at the end of the year, with Channel 10 requesting an extra camera for the match to focus on the Brisbane legend.

The Lions were extremely disappointing against the Swans last Saturday night.

After being in the match for the opening half, Brisbane managed a meagre six goals for the match to further illustrate how far the mighty have fallen.

The Lions have been decimated by injuries and retirements this year, and things haven't gotten any better in the medical room with defender Jason Roe (knee), tagger Troy Selwood (back) and Josh Drummond (hamstring) out of the side, while young Irishman Colm Begley has been ommitted.

It's hard to see how Brisbane is going to kick a winning score. The club's leading goal-kicker Daniel Bradshaw managed only one major last weekend against the Swans.

You would expect reliable defender Max Hudghton to line up on Bradshaw and should he shut him down, with Jonathon Brown still out of the side due to injury I can't see the Lions kicking a winning score.

The Lions will obviously be full of emotion in the opening stages, with the fanfare of tonight's farewell match, but the Saints have a bigger prize on the line.

A top four berth and the chance to claim the club's first flag since 1966.

The only good news for Brisbane fans is that the Saints haven't won at the Gabba since 1991, but you would expect that to change tonight.

With the Lions bereft of forward options and lacking experience in the key defensive posts to cover the Saints big men, St Kilda should blow the game open in the second half and record a percentage boosting win. Saints by 55 points.

BRISBANE LIONS
B: Patfull, Michael, Adcock
HB: B.Scott, Merrett, Stiller
C: Copeland, Voss, Moody
HF: Hooper, Notting, Pask
F: Johnson, Bradshaw, Sherman
FOLL: Keating, Black, Power
I/C: Brennan, Fixter, Wood, Harding
EMG: Attard, Begley, McGrath
IN: Brennan, Hooper, Harding, Copeland
OUT: Roe (knee), Selwood (back), Drummond (hamstring), Begley

ST KILDA
B: Voss, Hudghton, Baker
HB: Gram, S.Fisher, L.Fisher
C: Goddard, Ball, Montagna
HF: X.Clarke, Riewoldt, Hamill
F: Milne, Gehrig, Koschitzke
FOLL: Ackland, Dal Santo, Harvey
I/C: Brooks, R.Clarke, Rix, Thompson
EMG: Blake, Fiora, McQualter
IN: Brooks, Thompson
OUT: Powell (knee soreness), Peckett (groin tightness)

Field umpires: McLaren, Grun, Quigley
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Match preview: Adelaide v Melbourne

September 2nd 2006 00:38
ADELAIDE V MELBOURNE

WHERE & WHEN: Saturday September 2 at AAMI Stadium at 2.40pm (CST)

TV & RADIO: TV: Fox Footy Channel - Melbourne (3pm), Perth (1pm), Sydney (3pm), Brisbane (3pm). Channel 10 - Adelaide (3.30pm). RADIO: 5AA, ABC, Triple M (Adelaide)

HEAD TO HEAD: Adelaide 15, Melbourne 8

LAST TIME: Adelaide 15.12 (102) d Melbourne 14.13 (97) at Carrara, round three, 2006.

TAB SPORTSBET ODDS: Adelaide $1.88, Melbourne $1.83

BETFAIR: Adelaide $2.22, Melbourne $1.75

How the mighty have fallen.

It is hard to fathom that it was just less than two months ago this Adelaide Crows side was considered virtual certainties for this year's flag.

Since then the Crows have lost four of their past five, lost Brett Burton, Ben Hart, Ken McGregor, Trent Hentschel, Andrew McLeod and Chris Knights to serious injuries and skipper Mark Ricciuto remains an uncertainty to return before the finals with a virus.

There may not be much on the line in terms of ladder position riding on today's game, with the Crows guaranteed a top two finish irrespective of the result, but this is their last chance to gain some much needed momentum heading into September.

Injuries have hit Adelaide hard and while coach Neil Craig has said this week the club is still more than capable of winning this year's flag, a wise man would suggest their premiership hopes went out the window in the past month.

The Crows have lost their three leading goal-kickers in Burton, Hentschel and Ricciuto, their drive off half-back with McLeod and Hart- that is very difficult to cover no matter how good your depth is.

Adelaide appeared to be showing some promising signs against Port in the Showdon last Sunday, but wasted opportunities in front of goal dried up any confidence they had left in the tank.

A big concern for the Crows going into today's clash against Melbourne is where are all their goals going to come from.

Matthew Bode is a livewire up forward, but he is a small, Scott Welsh has been in and out of the side and Ben Hudson who is capable of pushing forward has missed a lot of senior football after recovering from a knee injury.

While the Crows are guaranteed of a top-two finish, Melbourne has plenty to play for with a top four berth and a double chance on the line.

The Demons were very impressive against the Cats last weekend at Skilled Stadium for about an hour, and deserved their 38-point lead.

However, coach Neale Daniher has to be mildly concerned with his side giving up a six-goal lead and almost losing the game had it gone on for one more second.

The Dees will welcome back skipper David Neitz who looks to have fully recovered from a hip flexor injury and impressive youngster Matthew Bate.

It isn't all good news in the medical room for Melbourne, with defender Matthew Whelan and hardman Byron Pickett both sidelined with hamstring injuries that would put them in doubt for week one of the finals.

While the Crows are bereft of options up forward, the Dees have a multitude of options in their forward 50, with Aaron Davey, Russell Robertson, Adem Yze and Neitz.

Should they fire the Crows are in trouble.

AAMI Stadium hasn't been a happy hunting ground for the Demons, with the club losing four out of their five clashes against the Crows at the venue.

Perhaps this is the only positive that the Crows can take into today, with their confidence surely at an all-time low.

If the Demons win their fair share of the football through the midfield, and you would expect them to do so with a rotation of Travis Johnstone, Brad Green, Cameron Bruce, Brock McLean and co their forward should prove too much to bare for the Adelaide defence weakened by injury.

With a top four berth on the line and the Crows depleted by injuries, Melbourne should put aside their poor record at AAMI Stadium to secure a much needed win away from home.Melbourne by 27 points.

ADELAIDE
B: Johncock, Rutten, Bassett
HB: Doughty, Bock, Torney
C: Mattner, Goodwin, van Berlo
HF: Douglas, Perrie, Reilly
F: Bode, Welsh, Biglands
FOLL: Clarke, Thompson, Edwards
I/C: Massie, Shirley, Stevens, Porplyzia
EMG: Meesen, Hudson, Hinge
IN: Massie, Porplyzia, Stevens, Torney
OUT: Hart (achilles), Hentschel (knee), Knights (quad), McLeod (foot)

MELBOURNE
B: Bartram, Carroll, Holland
HB: Bruce, Rivers, Ward
C: Green, McLean, Johnstone
HF: Yze, Miller, Bate
F: Robertson, Neitz, Davey
FOLL: White, Jones, McDonald
I/C: Sylvia, Godfrey, Jamar, Bell
EMG: Motlop, Smith, Warnock
IN: Neitz, Bate
OUT: Whelan (hamstring), Pickett (hamstring)

Field umpires: Kennedy, Schmitt, Goldspink
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Match preview: Richmond v West Coast

September 1st 2006 23:51
RICHMOND v WEST COAST

WHERE & WHEN: MCG, 2:10pm (AEST), Saturday, September 2

TV & RADIO: Channel 10 (Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Brisbane), Fox Footy (Adelaide), Triple M (Melbourne), 3AW, ABC

HEAD TO HEAD: Richmond 11, West Coast 17

LAST TIME: West Coast 20.16 (136) bt Richmond 14.6 (90), Subiaco Oval, Round 3, 2006.

TAB Sportsbet: Richmond $2.30, West Coast $1.55

BETFAIR: Richmond $2.16, West Coast $1.73

This is a danger game for West Coast, make no mistake about it.

After a scintillating month of form which saw the Eagles win four straight, including convincing wins over fellow premiership hopefuls St Kilda and Adelaide, West Coast was humbled last Sunday by the Dockers.

The much hyped Derby failed to live up to expectations.

Whether or not it was a minor abbheration, a case of the Dockers having more to play for or a fatigue factor from the 27 degree heat a week prior at the Gabba remains to be seen.

West Coast has plenty to play for today, despite what the experts say, you don't want to be heading into September action with two straight losses- winning form is good form.

The Eagles have a few injury concerns with vice-captain Andrew Embley to miss with an AC joint which could sideline him for the first week of the finals, defender David Wirrapanda (hamstring), while tough midfielder Daniel Kerr will miss again with a calf strain despite travelling with the side to Melbourne.

Enigmatic forward Ashley Sampi has been replaced by impressive youngster Mark LeCras after managing a meagre 19 possessions and one goal in his past three outings.

The West Coast midfield, which for the best part of three years has been their strength was comprehensively beaten after quarter time last week.

The run and skill level which we are normally accustomed to seeing went right out of the window and key forward Quinten Lynch was deprived of any real opportunities all day.

Former skipper Ben Cousins had 31 touches and three goals but he had very few friends against Fremantle.

The Eagles forward line still remains a concern, whether or not it can produce come September remains to be seen.

While the Eagles have one eye on September Richmond is treating today's game as its final, with the club guaranteed to miss finals action this season.

Having said that, there is plenty to like about the 2006 version of the Tigers.

The club has won one more game this year than last, has kicked 20 goals or more on three consecutive occasions- the first time since 1982 and has blooded several impressive youngsters which should see the club rise in 2007.

Richmond has made only the one change, with youngster Tom Roach coming in for Ray Hall who is serving a suspension.

The Tigers have been very impressive in the past month, albeit their opposition is all in the bottom eight, but it is the brand of football that would be pleasing to the Richmond faithful.

Coach Terry Wallace has got his charges playing a more direct brand of football which is reaping dividends and keeping key forward Matthew Richardson happy, with the big man booting 9 goals and pulling down 19 marks last weekend.

The match-up between Richardson and full-back Darren Glass who is in line for All-Australian selection looms as a key one.

Keep Richo quiet and the Eagles will go a long way to winning this match.

The key for both sides will be cutting down their respective oppositions supply through the midfield, and the clash between All-Australian ruckman Dean Cox and Troy Simmonds who is in career-best form is a key.

The Dockers showed last week, if you cut down the Eagles run through the midfield and don't allow them to get into any space they become very beatable.

That is easier said than done, and picking which Eagles gun to tag will be like pulling a name out of a hat.

Expect Ricmond skipper Kane Johnson to get a key tagging role, with the Tigers captain claiming some big name scalps in the past month.

This promises to be an exciting match between both sides with plenty to play for.

The Eagles will want to head into week one of the finals in some winning form while the Richmond will want to build on their momentum for next season.

West Coast has lost their past three outings against the Tigers at the MCG, but with the minor premiership on the line and the opportunity of a seven-day break leading into next week, the Eagles should have a touch too much class and get over the line a tight one. Eagles by 15 points.

RICHMOND
B: Raines, J.Bowden, Chaffey
HB: Hyde, Schulz, P.Bowden
C: Deledio, Tuck, Tambling
HF: Pettifer, Pattison, Tivendale
F: Krakouer, Richardson, Stafford
FOLL: Simmonds, Johnson, Foley
I/C: Polo, White, Roach, Howat
EMG: McGuane, Kellaway, Humm
IN: Roach
OUT: Hall (suspension)

WEST COAST
B: Selwood, Glass, Graham
HB: Waters, Hunter, Banfield
C: Butler, Cousins, Braun
HF: Stenglein, Staker, R.Jones
F: Armstrong, Lynch, Chick
FOLL: Cox, Judd, Fletcher
I/C: B.Jones, LeCras, Rosa, Seaby
EMG: Hurn, Morton, Sampi
IN: Armstrong, Rosa, LeCras
OUT: Embley (AC joint), David Wirrpanda (hamstring), Sampi

Field umpires: Davis, Allen, Meredith

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Doggies down Bombers in shoot-out

September 1st 2006 12:26
The Western Bulldogs have headed into the first week of the finals in winning form after downing Essendon by 22 points at the Telstra Dome tonight.

WESTERN BULLDOGS: 8.2 13.5 18.9 22.15 (147)
ESSENDON: 2.3 10.9 14.14 18.17 (125)

GOALS - Western Bulldogs: Johnson 5, Giansiracusa 4, Montgomery 3, Robbins 3, Smith 2, Cooney, McMahon, Minson, Power, Wight
Essendon: Lucas 8, J.Johnson 5, Hird 2, Heffernan, Johns, Solomon
BEST - Western Bulldogs: Johnson, S.West, Cooney, Giansiracusa, Gilbee, Boyd, Montgomery
Essendon: Lucas, Peverill, J.Johnson, Dyson, Stanton, Lovett-Murray
INJURIES - Western Bulldogs: Harris (jaw)
Essendon: Nil
CHANGES - Nil
REPORTS - Western Bulldogs: Nil
Essendon: Nil
UMPIRES - McBurney, Chamberlain, Ellis
CROWD - 42,956 at Telstra Dome
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Evans remains in hospital

September 1st 2006 12:21
AFL Commission Chairman Ron Evans underwent surgery late today and remains in intensive care.

Further updates will be provided over the coming days.
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Saints to honour great club man

September 1st 2006 11:49
St Kilda will wear armbands in tomorrow night's clash against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba in honour of club stalwart Travis Payze who passed away at age 60 after a long illness.

Payze played 127 games and kicked 73 goals for the Saints from 1966-74 after arriving from Frankston.

He played in the Saints last premiership side in 1966 and was in the club's losing grand final side in 1971.

St Kilda president Rod Butterss said Payze had made a significant contribution to the football club during his 40 years in numerous roles as a member of the Club's 1966 Premiership side, Chairman of Selectors, Administrator, Director and President from 1987-1992.


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AFL builds for finals series

September 1st 2006 08:38
The AFL will receive the 2006 premiership cup next Monday in a handover at AFL World, the home of the Australian Football Hall of Fame.

AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou will take possession of the cup from Cash's- official suppliers of the Premiership Cup and will detail the major events to be conducted in September as a part of the finals celebrations.

In other news the Fox Footy Channel will broadcast two White Line Fever specials next Monday and Tuesday featuring interviews with the coaches and captains from each of the respective finalists.
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AFL happy with new laws

September 1st 2006 07:19
The AFL's primary objective of more continous play was being met, according to Football Operations Manager Adrian Anderson.

Mr Anderson said researched commissioned by the Laws of the Game Committee revealed more continous play, more football in action, less congestion and time lost in stoppages and a halt to the long-term downward trend in contested marks.

However, the study also noted a continued increase in short-kicking and uncontested possession, which warranted further research and consultation.

Mr Anderson further added that the Committe didn't wish to recommend any changes for the 2007 season but wanted to invesigate the following areas further:

- The effect of escalating interchanges and potential effects of limiting the interchange.
- The potential effect of increasing the distance for a mark from 15 metres to 20 metres.
- The potential effect of calling play on for any kicking backwards in the defensive half.
-The prevalence of rushed behinds.

Further submissions are currently being called for on the above mentioned topics, along with proposals to counter flooding tactics or to encourage contested marks in the game, all of which will be discussed at the Committee's next meeting in October.
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Match preview: Western Bulldogs v Essendon

September 1st 2006 04:12
WESTERN BULLDOGS v ESSENDON

WHERE & WHEN: Telstra Dome, 7:40pm

TV & RADIO: Channel Nine (Melbourne - 8.30pm, Adelaide - 8.30pm, Perth - 8.30pm, Sydney - 11.15pm, Brisbane - 11.15pm), 3AW, Triple M, ABC Radio

HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 143, Western Bulldogs: 54, Essendon: 87, Drawn: 2

LAST TIME: Western Bulldogs 15.14 (104) d Essendon 13.15 (93), round three, 2006, at Telstra Dome

TAB Sportsbet: Western Bulldogs: $1.57, Essendon: $2.25

This match appears to offer very little for the Bulldogs with their position guaranteed irrespective of the result.

It would appear to be the perfect opportunity for coach Rodney Eade to rest some of his tiring stars in the lead-up to September action.

However, Eade has opted against this with Chris Grant (calf), Adam Cooney (groin), Brad Johson (general tightness) and Jordan McMahon (ankle) all set to face the Dons at the Dome, but see limited field time.

The Bulldogs running game, which for the bulk of the year has been their greatest asset along with their sublime foot skills appears to be taking its toll.

The Doggies have lost three of their past five and were smashed by 50 points by the Saints at the Dome last Friday night.

Despite all this Eade has ruled out resting players, admitting that a win is virtually irrelevant but also citing the importance of gaining some momentum leading into the finals.

The Bulldogs have only made one change with midfielder Shane Birss making way for Dylan Addison.

While the Doggies are going to see finals action for the first time since 2000, the Bombers are guaranteed to finish in the bottom two in what has been a dark and disappointing season.

In some consolation for Bomber fans this appears to be one of the strongest drafts in terms of strength and depth that we have seen for many years.

The Bombers have made two changes for tonight's clash with the retired Dean Rioli and Joel Reynolds (omitted) making way for Andrew Lee and Jason Johnson who returns from suspension.

Essendon had their chances against Richmond last Saturday night, but failed to convert gettable opportunties in front of goal- having four more scoring shots than the Tigers but still going down by 16 points.

Youngster Kepler Bradley struggled against Matthew Richardson last weekend, with the Tigers big man collecting 19 marks and 9 goals.

Coach Kevin Sheedy is clearly keen to develop Bradley as a key position player down back with full-back Dustin Fletcher nearing the end of his career.

In some good news for Bradley, the Dogs lack a traditional key forward in the mould of a Richardson so you would expect him to line up on Chris Grant should he play forward.

On paper the Bombers don't have a whole lot to play for other than pride.

They can't move up on the ladder, regardless of other results this weekend and thus have nothing to lose which is a dangerous prospect for the Dogs.

However, the Doggies appear to have too much run and pace through the midfield for the Bombers to handle and should head into September with a solid win under their belt. Bulldogs by 37 points

WESTERN BULLDOGS
B: McMahon, Harris, Morris
HB: Wight, Hargrave, Gilbee
C: Cooney, S.West, Ray
HF: Boyd, Johnson, Smith
F: Robbins, Grant, Giansiracusa
FOLL: Street, Cross, Griffen
I/C: Addison, Power, Minson, Montgomery
EMG: Faulkner, McGuinness, Skipper
IN: Addison
OUT: Birss

ESSENDON
B: M.Johnson, McVeigh, Solomon
HB: Lovett-Murray, Bradley, McPhee
C: Cole, Watson, Peverill
HF: Monfries, Lucas, J.Johnson
F: Lee, Johns, Hird
FOLL: Hille, Stanton, Dyson
I/C: Cartledge, Heffernan, Dempsey, Bolton
EMG: Lonergan, Jolley, Reynolds
IN: Lee, J.Johnson
OUT: Rioli (retired), Reynolds

Field umpires: McBurney, Chamberlain, Ellis
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Is the AFL soft on drugs: Have your say

September 1st 2006 03:26
AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou this week hailed the decision by the Victorian Supreme Court to preserve the privacy of three players who have tested positive for illicit drugs as a significant victory in the ongoing fight against substance abuse.

But is it really a victory, or just a case of clever spin doctoring to hide a flawed and soft drugs code.

Under AFL rules should players offend they are offered couselling and rehabilitation, not once but twice with the door shown on the third strike.

Surely players are aware that drugs in sport are not tolerated, whether they be performance enchancing or of purely recreational nature.

I can understand that players make mistakes, these are men in their late teens to early 20's with exorbitant amounts of money that many of them would be unaccustomed to and way too much free time on their hands.

However, if they haven't learnt from their mistakes by now they never will.

Leopards don't change their spots.

In the NRL North Queensland prop Mitchell Sargent was shown the door after testing positive to cocaine last month.

Hiis name wasn't hidden from the public and nor was he kept in the system.

Are football players a protected species? It would seem so.

The public at large isn't afforded the same leniences that AFL players receive and should the average Joe on the street be found with drugs he is appropriately punished.

Admittedly you or I don't undergo random drug tests every year but that isn't the point.

Whether they like it or not, AFL players are role-models for thousands of young children and as such need to conduct themselves in a manner which is in line with community standards.


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Lonergan's condition improving

September 1st 2006 03:14
Tom Lonergan’s condition continues to improve. His kidney function has improved and he is conscious and eating and he no longer requires assisted ventilation.

The Geelong defender remains in the intensive care unit at Geelong Hospital and no timeframe has been put on when he will be moved from the ICU.
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Evans to step down

September 1st 2006 03:04
AFL Chairman Ron Evans has been forced to temporarily step down from his post after being diagnosed this week with a tumour in the abdominal region.

Evans will undergo surgery today and is expected to be away for at least four weeks.
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Saints to stay in Melbourne

September 1st 2006 02:00
St Kilda will play all their home games in Melbourne from next year on the back of the announcement that Hawthorn will play four games each year in Tasmania for the next five years.

Saints chief executive officer Angus Fraser said the club was sad to be leaving Tasmania after four years of involvement, but happy to be back in Melbourne.

The Saints will play 11 games in Melbourne from next year, a majority of which will be played at the Telstra Dome.
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Hawthorn secures future

September 1st 2006 01:43
The Hawthorn Football Club has secured its future today with the annoucement of a five-year deal with the Tasmanian goverment, which will become the club's naming rights sponsor from January 2007.

In further good news for the Hawks, the club has agreed to a new three-year deal with HSBC.

As a result of the above mentioned deals, Hawthorn will have a split jumper with Tasmania on the front and HSBC on the back.

The Hawks have become the second Victorian-based club, alongside Geelong to play matches at its own homeground, with Aurora Stadium to officially become its home away from home, subject to signing off from the AFL.

The club intends to play four games each year during the home and away season for the next five years.

The Tasmanian matches will be a mix of games between Victorian and non-Victorian teams.

Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett said the new deal with the Tasmanian government was about more than money, with the club aiming to grow on an already thriving membership base in the island state.

As a part of the new deal to play more games in Tasmania, the Hawks hope to gain leverage from the AFL to play more games at the MCG during the regular season.
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Great Finals Moments

September 1st 2006 00:56



Here we continue our daily series in some of the great finals moments from the past 20 years with a look back at the 1970 Grand Final and arguably one of the greatest marks which sparked one of the greatest comebacks of all time.
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