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AFL Central - May 2008

Cats demolish Blues

May 31st 2008 13:58
GEELONG has returned to the winner's list in emphatic fashion with a 56-point demolition of Carlton at Telstra Dome on Saturday night.

The Cats, who were thumped to the tune of 86 points by Collingwood last weekend, slammed on 12 goals to six after the main break to cruise to a 19.19 (133) to 12.5 (77) win.

The victory puts the reigning premier back on top of the ladder - following Hawthorn's loss to the Western Bulldogs earlier in the day

Geelong dominated in the middle, with Mark Blake and Brad Ottens - playing in his first match since last year's Grand Final after overcoming a tear in the plantar fascia ligament in his foot - combining for 53 hit-outs.


Joel Corey racked up a game-high 34 possessions, and received good support from Gary Ablett Jnr and Brownlow medallist James Bartel, who collected 32 and 28 disposals respectively.

Up forward, Steve Johnson showed his class with 29 disposals and five goals, while Mathew Stokes and Shannon Byrnes chimed in with four and three goals respectively

Tom Lonergan, a late replacement for the injured Cameron Mooney booted two goals in his first AFL match since he had a kidney removed, after he was crunched in a bump in a game late in 2006.

For Carlton, skipper Chris Judd was busy in the middle with 28 possessions and one goal, while Andrew Carrazzo and Nick Stevens tried hard all night, racking up 29 and 26 disposals respectively.

Key forward Brendon Fevola booted three goals, but was starved of opportunities in the second half, while youngster Dennis Armfield was impressive on debut with 23 disposals.

The Blues started well with Judd scoring the first goal but it was Geelong who dominated the opening term, with nine scoring shots to four.


But the Cats failed to make the most of their opportunities in front of goal, booting a wasteful 2.7. Lonergan was the main culprit with three behinds as the Cats took a five-point lead into quarter-time.

Johnson snapped a nice goal to start the second term, but goals to Fevola and Cameron Cloke saw the Blues regain the lead.

Judd had a chance to put his team seven points clear midway through the second term but failed to convert.

His miss proved to be costly as the Cats slammed on three consecutive goals to take a handy 17-point lead into the main break.

Geelong stamped their authority on the contest in the third term, applying immense pressure all over the ground as they restricted the Blues to just one behind for the term.

The Cats slammed on six unanswered goals in the premiership quarter to take a match-winning 56-point lead into the final change.

Geelong looked on course for a 100-point plus win when Bartel goaled inside the first minute of the final term, but the Blues held their own in the final stanza, booting the last three goals of the match to add some respectability to the scoreboard.

GEELONG: 2.7, 7.10, 13.18, 19.19 (133)
CARLTON: 2.2, 6.3, 6.4, 12.5 (77)
GOALS: Geelong: S Johnson 5, Stokes 4, Byrnes 3, Lonergan 2, Rooke, Milburn, Mackie, Bartel, Varcoe
Carlton: Fevola 3, Betts 2, Gibbs 2, Judd, Cloke, Scotland, Stevens, Wiggins
BEST: Geelong: S Johnson, Ablett, Corey, Stokes, Bartel, Milburn
Carlton: Judd, Scotland, Simpson, Stevens, Armfield
INJURIES: Geelong: Nil
Carlton: Bower (shoulder)
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: C Mooney (Geelong) replaced in selected side by T Lonergan
UMPIRES: Farmer, Ryan, Avon
CROWD: 46,231 at Telstra Dome
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Geelong Cats
   


Brown and Bradshaw star for Lions

May 31st 2008 13:18
KEY forwards Jonathan Brown and Daniel Bradshaw have inspired Brisbane to a 31-point win over the Kangaroos at the Gabba on Saturday night.

Bradshaw and Brown combined for 12 goals as the Lions recorded a 18.21 (129) to 15.8 (98) victory, which sees them move to sixth place on the AFL ladder with a 6-4 win-loss record.

Brown was too good for Kangaroos defenders Michael Firrito and Josh Gibson, booting 6.7 and taking 13 marks, but Brisbane fans feared he may have played his last game of the season when he hobbled off the field midway through the third term after hyper-extending his left knee.

After disappearing briefly up the race to receive treatement from the club doctors, the star forward returned to the field of play minutes later and played the game out.

Simon Black continued his rich vein of form, racking up a game-high 30 possessions, while Luke Power was also busy in the middle with 26 disposals.

For the Kangaroos, skipper Adam Simpson (29 possessions) and veteran Brent Harvey (22 disposals and three goals) were solid contributors, while Gavin Urquhart was impressive on debut with 21 possessions.

The Lions set up their third straight win with a dominant first half performance which was only marred by inaccurate kicking in front of goal.

Brisbane had 15 more scoring shots than the Kangaroos in the first half, but only lead by 40 points at the main break.

Bradshaw picked up the slack and steadied the Lions after the Kangaroos had closed to within 19 points in the third term, booting three of his goal's after Brown's injury, including two in as many minutes

It was enough to give Brisbane a match-winning 32-point lead heading into the final change.

BRISBANE LIONS: 4.7, 11.12, 15.17, 18.21 (129)
NORTH MELBOURNE: 2.2, 6.2, 12.3, 15.8 (98)
GOALS: Brisbane Lions: Bradshaw 6, Brown 6, Sherman 2, Charman, Corrie, Johnstone, Notting
North Melbourne: Campbell 3, Harvey 3, Petrie 3, Hale, Harris, Jones, McIntosh, McMahon, Pratt
BEST: Brisbane Lions: Brown, Bradshaw, Patfull, Black, Johnstone, Selwood
North Melbourne: Pratt, Urquhart, Petrie, Harvey
INJURIES: Brisbane Lions: Roe (TBC)
North Melbourne: Nil
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Nil
UMPIRES: Rosebury, Armstrong, McInerney
CROWD: TBC at the Gabba
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Brisbane Lions
   


Magpies pump Eagles

May 31st 2008 08:00
COLLINGWOOD has consolidated its place in the top eight with a stunning 100-point win over West Coast at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.

Apart from a brief period in the second term the Magpies were never seriously challenged as they slammed on 15 goals to three after half-time to cruise to a convincing 27.11 (173) to 10.13 (73) win.

Dane Swan was prolific in the middle for the Magpies with a game-high 35 possessions and two goals. He received good support from Dale Thomas, Scott Pendlebury and Alan Didak, who finished with 28 disposals and two goals.

Collingwood had 13 individual goalkickers, with Paul Medhurst leading the way with five goals, four of which came in the final term.

For West Coast, Dean Cox dominated in the ruck and around the ground, finishing with 30 possessions, 36 hit-outs and two goals. Chad Fletcher, Matt Priddis and Andrew Embley all racked up 30-plus possessions, but the Eagles simply couldn't deliver enough effective ball inside 50 to kick a winning score.

Despite Pendlebury kicking the first goal of the match just 70 seconds in, West Coast started well but couldn't make the most of their opportunities, with two of their first three shots hitting the post.

West Coast was made to pay for their innacuracy in front of goal as the Magpies slammed on four of the next five goals to take a 25-point lead into quarter-time.

Majors to Shane O'Bree, Travis Cloke and Didak extended Collingwood's lead to 43 points point at the eight-minute mark, before the Eagles finally clicked into gear.

West Coast started to get on top at the stoppages and piled on five of the next six goals, including two to Cox, but Collingwood had all the answers with Thomas capping off a high-scoring first half with a classy goal.

Thomas accepted a handball from Rhyce Shaw and took four bounces as he ran from the centre square to the top of the 50 and slotted it home from 35m to give the Magpies a 32-point lead at the main break.

Collingwood put the result beyond doubt with a dominant seven goal to one third term, before piling on eight goals in the final stanza to record their biggest ever win over West Coast.

COLLINGWOOD: 5.5, 12.8, 19.10, 27.11 (173)
WEST COAST: 1.4, 7.6, 8.8, 10.13 (73)
GOALS: Collingwood: Medhurst 5, Thomas 3, Davis 3, Cloke 3, Didak 3, Swan 2, Pendlebury 2, R.Shaw, O'Bree, Cox, Maxwell, Fraser, Lockyer
West Coast: Lynch 3, Cox 2, Armstrong, Kennedy, Waters, Kerr, McKinley
BEST: Collingwood: Thomas, Swan, Davis, Pendlebury, Didak, R.Shaw, Cloke
West Coast: Cox, Priddis, Embley, Kerr, Jones
INJURIES: Collingwood: Nil
West Coast: Nil
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Shannon Cox replaced Anthony Rocca (ankle) in Collingwood's selected side
UMPIRES: James, Grun, Wenn
CROWD: 52,968 at the MCG
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Collingwood Magpies
   


Dogs end Hawks unbeaten start

May 31st 2008 07:32
THE Western Bulldogs have ended Hawthorn's unbeaten start to the season with a 32-point win at Aurora Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

In an even team performance, the Dogs led at every change to record an impressive 15.16 (106) to 12.2 (74) win.

The Bulldogs had 10 players who collected 20 or more disposals, with Adam Cooney particularly damaging with 28 possessions and two goals, while forward Scott Welsh chimed in with four goals.

For Hawthorn, key forwards Lance Franklin and Jarryd Roughead combined for nine goals, but they received little support as the Hawks struggled to overcome the Bulldogs' ferocious tackling. The Dogs won the tackle count 57-38.

Roughead dribbled home the game's first goal within 30 seconds, but the Bulldogs responded with the next three to take a six-point lead into quarter time.

Hawthorn regained the lead when Franklin kicked consecutive goals to start the second term.

But the Bulldogs hit back with five of the next six goals, with Welsh booting three for the term as the Dogs took a handy 24-point lead into the main break.

When Hawks ruckman Simon Taylor booted his side's third without an answer, the home side had cut the deficit to eight points midway through the third term, but the Dogs steadied and booted four of the next five goals to take a 27-point lead into the final change.

Franklin kicked truly for his fifth of the afternoon and 50th of the season from outside 50 early in the final term to get the Hawks to within 22 points, but the Bulldogs had all the answers with Jason Akermanis kicking truly from a free-kick before 100-gamer Matthew Boyd put the result beyond doubt with a running goal.

HAWTHORN: 2.2, 5.2, 9.2, 12.2 (74)
WESTERN BULLDOGS: 3.2, 8.8, 12.11, 15.16 (106)
GOALS: HAWTHORN: Franklin 5, Roughead 4, Campbell, Young, Taylor
WESTERN BULLDOGS: Welsh 4, Griffen 2, Cooney 2, Akermanis, Giansiracusa, Eagleton, Minson, Gilbee, Johnson, Boyd
BEST: HAWTHORN: Franklin, Roughead, Lewis, Birchall, Morton, Ladson
WESTERN BULLDOGS: Griffen, Akermanis, Giansiracusa, Gilbee, Cooney, Welsh
INJURIES: HAWTHORN: Nil
WESTERN BULLDOGS: Callan (hamstring), Johnson (concussion)
REPORTS: Robert Murphy (Western Bulldogs) reported for rough conduct on Xavier Ellis (Hawthorn) during the second quarter.
CHANGES: Nil
UMPIRES: McBurney, Kennedy, Ellis
CROWD: TBC at Aurora Stadium
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Western Bulldogs
   


Rocca a late withdrawal for Pies

May 31st 2008 03:56
COLLINGWOOD has suffered a major blow ahead of their clash against West Coast at the MCG this afternoon with key forward Anthony Rocca a late withdrawal.

Rocca, who has struggled with an ankle injury for most of the season, has been replaced by Shannon Cox.

Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse said on Friday that Rocca was no certainty to play.

“Anthony’s probably going to be always in doubt because of his body but he’ll play more games than he misses,” he said.

“He’ll play sore at times, he’ll play free of pain rarely.

“He’s a player at 30 years of age that’s been through a lot.

“He knows how to carry it and we think we know how to get him over the line and we think we know how to get the best out of him.”
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Collingwood Magpies
   


Knights happy with progress of young brigade

May 31st 2008 00:09
ESSENDON coach Matthew Knights believes several of his young players took some major steps forward during last night's heartbreaking five-point loss to Adelaide.

Knights was pleased with the efforts of Bachar Houli, Angus Monfries, David Myers and Kylie Reimers and said the team was on the right track.

"Maybe what they've been through in the last four to six weeks will be the making of some of these young men," Knights said.

"Don't feel sorry for us, we don't feel sorry for ourselves we have a vision with this club. It's about attacking that vision and keep pushing towards it."

"No matter what barbs are thrown, no matter what bombs are thrown you stay strong."

Knights said the team's intensity and effort, which saw them boot the first three goals of the match, was another positive.

"At quarter time they look up at the scoreboard, a young team, and they are around the action and that breeds a lot of self belief in a young team," he said.

"Whereas in the last four or five weeks we've been four or five goals down with a young team and you've really got to battle hard after that."

"I've got no doubt our intensity in the last four or five weeks, particularly early in games, hasn't been there."

But Knights said it was important for the playing group to maintain the same level of intensity for the remainder of the season.

"The reality is it's only one week so now we have to back it up against Hawthorn next week and show we can do it two weeks in a row," he said.

"Until you do that you probably don't earn much respect. We've come a small margin tonight but we've got to back it up."
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Essendon Bombers
   


Ottens a chance to be used up forward

May 30th 2008 21:50
GEELONG ruckman Brad Ottens could be used as a key forward in tonight's clash against Carlton at Telstra Dome after getting through training unscathed yesterday.

Ottens, who has been hampered by a foot injury all year, took part in a light hour-long session at Skilled Stadium and will play his first game since last year's Grand Final win over Port Adelaide.

"He's fit. He's 100 per cent ready to go," Geelong assistant coach Brendan McCartney said yesterday.

"He'll be playing."

Carlton assistant coach Gavin Crossica said the Blues expected Ottens to spend the majority of the time up forward given the amount of football he has missed.

"You'd probably think he'd play forward a fair bit due to not playing since the Grand Final almost, so it's a long time to miss in footy," Crosisca said.

"He's a big man.

"I'm not too sure if he would rely on his fitness to get him around the ground, but I would say he will spend brief periods in the ruck just to give (Mark) Blake a bit of a spell."

Following last weekend's shock 86-point loss to Collingwood, full-back Matthew Scarlett said the playing group had a point to prove.

"We know Carlton are going to come out hard and try to tackle us just as much as Collingwood did," Scarlett said.

"We watched plenty of video on Monday and Bomber showed us a few more negatives than what has been the case in recent weeks.

"There's not much we can do now except go out there against Carlton and make a statement.

"None of the boys can wait for Saturday night and the chance to redeem ourselves."

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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Geelong Cats
   


Crows hold off brave Bombers

May 30th 2008 13:25
ADELAIDE has held on for a thrilling five-point win over a gallant Essendon side at AAMI Stadium on Friday night.

The Crows' poor kicking in front of goal almost cost them the game, but they managed to prevail, 9.20 (74) to 10.9 (69).

Adelaide forward Brett Burton bounced back from a disappointing performance against West Coast last weekend with 21 possessions and two goals.

Scott Thompson starred in the middle for the Crows with a game-high 33 possessions and one goal, while Nathan Bock and Ben Rutten did a superb blanketing job on Matthew Lloyd and Scott Lucas.

For Essendon, Adam McPhee tried hard all night and finished with 16 possessions, 12 marks and three goals.

Andrew Lovett (21 possessions) provided plenty of run from defence, while Jason Winderlich was busy with 22 disposals, 10 marks and two goals.

Essendon's willingness to win the contested football and move the football quickly inside 50 paid instant dividends as they booted the first three goals of the match within eight minutes.

Adelaide struggled to match Essendon's intensity and attack on the football, and it took until the 23rd minute for ruckman Ivan Maric to ram home Adelaide's only goal of the term after a series of six behinds.

Despite booting just one goal for the term, Adelaide trailed by only nine points at quarter-time.

The Crows got off to the perfect start in the second term with goals to Jason Porplyzia and Graham Johncock giving Adelaide the lead for the first time in the match.

The lead changed hands four times in the second term before Lloyd toe-poked home a goal to give the Bombers a four-point advantage at the main break.

Essendon looked set to cause a major upset when Angus Monfries and David Myers booted the first two goals of the third term to give the Bombers a match-high 15-point lead.

Adelaide once again dug deep but failed to make the most of their opportunities in front of goal, before a brilliant five-minute burst from Burton gave the Crows a 10-point lead heading into the final change.

Burton kicked two – including a freak mid-air soccer goal in the square – and set up a third for Thompson.

Two final term goals to McPhee kept the Bombers in the contest, but Adelaide seemingly had all the answers with Porplyzia and Brent Reilly chiming in with majors before a goal to Essendon youngster Sam Lonergan ensured the match would go down to the wire.

Neither side managed to register another goal in a tense final 10 minutes as the Crows held on for their seventh win of the season.

ADELAIDE: 1.6, 4.7, 7.16, 9.20 (74)
ESSENDON: 3.3, 5.5, 7.6, 10.9 (69)
GOALS: ADELAIDE: Burton 2, Porplyzia 2, Maric, Johncock, Douglas, Thompson, Reilly
ESSENDON: McPhee 3, Winderlich 2, McVeigh, Lloyd, Monfries, Myers, Lonergan
BEST: ADELAIDE: Burton, Bock, Thompson, Goodwin, Rutten, Douglas, Edwards
ESSENDON: Lovett, Fletcher, Winderlich, McPhee, Houli, Reimers
INJURIES: ADELAIDE: TBC
ESSENDON: Hislop (shoulder)
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Neagle replaced in the selected side by Pears.
UMPIRES: McLaren, Nicholls, Meredith
CROWD: 41,897 at the AAMI STADIUM
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Adelaide Crows
   


Round ten teams

May 30th 2008 09:15
ROUND TEN

All the teams for round ten of the 2008 AFL premiership season, with Sunday's updated teams.

ADELAIDE v ESSENDON
Friday, 8:10pm AEST, AAMI Stadium
ADELAIDE
B: Johncock, Rutten, Bassett
HB: Stevens, Bock, Doughty
C: Mackay, Thompson, McLeod
HF: Vince, Goodwin, Douglas
F: Porplyzia, Tippett, Burton
FOLL: Griffin, Edwards, van Berlo
I/C: Shirley, Maric, Knights, Reilly
EMG: McGregor, Otten, Jericho
No changes
ESSENDON
B: Slattery, Ryder, Lovett-Murray
HB: Nash, McPhee, Reimers
C: Winderlich, Houli, Myers
HF: Welsh, Lucas, Lovett
F: Fletcher, Lloyd, Hislop
FOLL: Hille, Stanton, McVeigh
I/C: Neagle, Lonergan, Jetta, Monfries
EMG: Pears, Bellchambers, Ramanauskas
IN: Houli, Lucas
OUT: Daniher (back), Watson (knee)
Field Umpires: McLaren, Nicholls, Meredith

COLLINGWOOD v WEST COAST
Saturday, 2:10pm AEST, MCG
COLLINGWOOD
B: H Shaw, Wakelin, R Shaw
HB: Maxwell, Brown, O'Brien
C: Pendlebury, Burns, Lockyer
HF: Didak, Rocca, Medhurst
F: Swan, Cloke, Thomas
FOLL: Fraser, O'Bree, Davis
I/C: Clarke, Johnson, Wellingham, Bryan
EMG: Cook, Cox, Reid
No changes

WEST COAST
B: B Jones, Glass, A Selwood
HB: Waters, Wilkes, Embley
C: Braun, Priddis, Fletcher
HF: Ebert, Kennedy, Staker
F: Wirrpanda, Lynch, Armstrong
FOLL: Cox, Stenglein, Kerr
I/C: Houlihan, McKinley, Rosa, Schofield
EMG: Davis, Nicoski, Seaby
IN: Kerr, Waters
OUT: Masten (general soreness), Davis
Field Umpires: James, Grun, Wenn

HAWTHORN v WESTERN BULLDOGS
Saturday, 2:10pm AEST, Aurora Stadium
HAWTHORN
B: Brown, Gilham, Ladson
HB: Murphy, Croad, Birchall
C: Young, Mitchell, Ellis
HF: Osborne, Franklin, Bateman
F: Rioli, Roughead, Williams
FOLL: Campbell, Sewell, Lewis
I/C: Clarke, Kennedy, Morton, Taylor
EMG: Dawson, Renouf, Whitecross
IN: Lewis
OUT: Dew (hamstring)

WESTERN BULLDOGS
B: Morris, Lake, Callan
HB: Hargrave, Williams, Gilbee
C: Eagleton, Boyd, Cross
HF: Johnson, Hahn, Murphy
F: Welsh, Minson, Akermanis
FOLL: Hudson, Cooney, Griffen
I/C: Addison, Giansiracusa, Ray, Tiller
EMG: Hill, Street, Ward
IN: Tiller
OUT: Wight
Field Umpires: McBurney, Kennedy, Ellis

BRISBANE LIONS v NORTH MELBOURNE
Saturday, 7:10pm AEST, Gabba
BRISBANE LIONS
B: Drummond, Merrett, Patfull
HB: Brennan, Macdonald, Clark
C: Corrie, Black, Notting
HF: Rischitelli, Brown, Sherman
F: Hooper, Bradshaw, Johnstone
FOLL: Charman, Power, Adcock
I/C: Harding, Roe, Selwood, McGrath
EMG: Polkinghorne, Leuenberger, Stiller
No changes

NORTH MELBOURNE
B: Urquhart, Firrito, Gibson
HB: Power, Petrie, Harding
C: Pratt, Harris, Lower
HF: Campbell, Jones, Thomas
F: Harvey, N Thompson, Hale
FOLL: McIntosh, Rawlings, Simpson
I/C: Grant, Riggio, Watt, McMahon
EMG: Brown, Davies, Josh Smith
IN: Urquhart
OUT: Wells (knee)
Field Umpires: Rosebury, Armstrong, McInerney

GEELONG v CARLTON
Saturday, 7:10pm AEST, AAMI Stadium
GEELONG
B: Harley, Scarlett, Mackie
HB: Milburn, Taylor, Enright
C: Selwood, Ling, Bartel
HF: S Johnson, Mooney, Stokes
F: Kelly, Hawkins, Varcoe
FOLL: Blake, Corey, G Ablett
I/C: Ottens, Rooke, Byrnes, Wojcinski
EMG: Prismall, Lonergan, Tenace
IN: Ottens, Byrnes, Rooke
OUT: West, Gamble, Hunt

CARLTON
B: O'hAilpin, Bower, Gibbs
HB: Scotland, Kreuzer, Thornton
C: Simpson, Bentick, Stevens
HF: Wiggins, Fisher, Murphy
F: Betts, Fevola, Cloke
FOLL: Hampson, Judd, Carrazzo
I/C: Armfield, Browne, Grigg, Russell
EMG: Austin, Edwards, Pfeiffer
IN: Armfield, Cloke, Thornton
OUT: Edwards, Pfeiffer, Waite (suspended)
Field Umpires: Farmer, Ryan, Avon

SYDNEY v RICHMOND
Sunday, 1:10pm AEST, SCG
SYDNEY
B: Malceski, Barry, Mattner
HB: Bolton, Richards, Jack
C: McVeigh, Kirk, Buchanan
HF: O'Keefe, Roberts-Thomson, Moore
F: Bevan, O'Loughlin, Everitt
FOLL: Jolly, Goodes, Bolton
I/C: Ablett, Bird, Kennelly, Playfair
EMG: Brennan, Schmidt, Smith
IN: Kennelly
OUT: Schmidt

RICHMOND
B: King, Thursfield, Moore
HB: Newman, Schulz, McMahon
C: Richardson, Deledio, Tambling
HF: Pettifer, Bowden, Cotchin
F: Brown, Riewoldt, Edwards
FOLL: Simmonds, Johnson, Foley
I/C: Pattison, White, Hyde, Tuck
EMG: Polak, Morton, Tivendale
No changes
Field Umpires: Schmitt, Nicholls, Jeffery

ST KILDA v MELBOURNE
Sunday, 2:10pm AEST, Telstra Dome
ST KILDA
B: Blake, Hudghton, Dempster
Gram, S Fisher, Goddard
C: Dal Santo, Ball, Montagna
HF: Schneider, Riewoldt, Jones
F: Birss, Koschitzke, Milne
FOLL: King, Hayes, Harvey
I/C: M Gardiner, Geary, Ferguson, Armitage
EMG: Gwilt, McQualter, McEvoy
IN: Ferguson, Armitage
OUT: Fiora, L Fisher

MELBOURNE
B: Warnock, Garland, Bell
HB: Sylvia, Frawley, Bruce
C: Bartram, McLean, Bate
HF: Green, Robertson, Moloney
F: Buckley, Miller, Wonaeamirri
FOLL: White, McDonald, Jones
I/C: Wheatley, Dunn, Yze, P Johnson
EMG: Bode, C Johnson, Holland
IN: Dunn, Sylvia, Wheatley, White, Yze
OUT: Davey (hamstring), Morton (flu), Holland, Valenti, Jamar
Field Umpires: Stevic, Stewart, Head

FREMANTLE v PORT ADELAIDE
Sunday, 4:40pm AEST, Subiaco Oval
FREMANTLE
B: Black, Grover, Michael Johnson
HB: Mundy, McPharlin, Thornton
C: Ibbotson, Bell, Peake
HF: Palmer, Tarrant, Solomon
F: Farmer, Pavlich, Mayne
FOLL: Sandilands, Crowley, J Carr
I/C: Bradley, Drum, Duffield, McManus
EMG: Schammer, Warnock, Mark Johnson
IN: Drum, J Carr
OUT: Dodd (injured), Schammer

PORT ADELAIDE
B: Pettigrew, Carlile, Surjan
HB: P Burgoyne, Thurstans, Wilson
C: Cassisi, C Cornes, K Cornes
HF: Rodan, Tredrea, Boak
F: D Motlop, J Westhoff, Gray
FOLL: Brogan, Salopek, Pearce
I/C: Lade, Krakouer, Chaplin, Logan
EMG: Stewart, White, Lower
IN: Krakouer
OUT: Ebert (ankle)
Field Umpires: Margetts, Ryan, Ray
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News
   


Hawks unclear on when Crawford will return

May 30th 2008 06:45
HAWTHORN coach Alastair Clarkson remains uncertain as to when veteran midfielder Shane Crawford will return from knee tendonitis.

The 33-year-old has not played since the Hawks’ round eight win over Port Adelaide and Clarkson said the condition of the joint would be monitored closely in the coming weeks.

"We’ll just take it as it comes, with tendonitis sometimes they settle very quickly or sometimes they can drag along for six weeks," Clarkson said on Friday.

"We’re not really certain, we’d love to say he’d be playing by [this] game or [that] game but we’re not too certain when it’s going to be."
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Hawthorn Hawks
   


Brown will not become a Magpie: Malthouse

May 30th 2008 06:05
COLLINGWOOD coach Mick Malthouse has confirmed that the Pies are not interested in luring Brisbane co=captain Jonathan Brown back to Melbourne once his current contract with the Lions expires at the end of the season.

"Read my lips, it’s never been the case that Jonathan Brown was going to play for Collingwood," Malthouse said on Friday.

Malthouse was equally clinical when asked if the club would accomodate the three-time premiership winning forward in their salary cap next year.

"No, not at all," he said.

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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Collingwood Magpies
   


Eagles haven't given up on finals

May 30th 2008 05:34
WEST COAST hasn't given up hope of playing finals football this season, according to assistant coach Tony Micale.

The 13th placed Eagles are three games out of the eight, and with a poor percentage they will need to beat an in-form Collingwood side at the MCG on Saturday afternoon to keep their slim finals hopes alive.

"We've never given up – it's not a trait of our club. And we won't do that until it becomes absolutely mathematically impossible for us to make it," Micale said on Friday before training.

"But there's no doubt that this is a very very important game – as they all are – for us.

"If we do win, I think we're right back into the hunt. There's no doubt in my mind."
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, West Coast Eagles
   


Rocca no certainty: Malthouse

May 30th 2008 05:28
COLLINGWOOD forward Anthony Rocca is no certainty to play against West Coast at the MCG on Saturday afternoon, according to coach Mick Malthouse.

“Anthony’s probably going to be always in doubt because of his body but he’ll play more games than he misses,” he said.

“He’ll play sore at times, he’ll play free of pain rarely.

“He’s a player at 30 years of age that’s been through a lot.

“He knows how to carry it and we think we know how to get him over the line and we think we know how to get the best out of him.”
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International Rules series back on

May 30th 2008 04:05
THE International Rules Series is back on after the Irish pulled the plug on the series after violent scenes marred the 2006 tests in Ireland.

The AFL and GAA confirmed that the tests will take place on October 24th in Perth and October 31st in Melbourne. Details of the stadiums to be used and other arrangements will be revealed at a later date.

The two organisations discussed many possible amendments to the rules, including restrictions on the full bodied tackle and possibly the introduction of a neutral referee to take charge of the tests, with rugby league officials a chance to be involved in the 2008 series.
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Dockers determined to break hoodoo

May 30th 2008 02:08
FREMANTLE will not be intimidated if it has the lead at three-quarter time over Port Adelaide at Subiaco Oval on Sunday, according to coach Mark Harvey.

The Dockers have lost their past four matches after going into the final change with the lead, a feat not achieved since St Kilda managed it in 1940.

Harvey said he would love his side to be in front at three quarter-time and that the playing group would welcome the challenge of overcoming their hoodoo.

"We'll take it any day," declared Harvey. "There are sides that sometimes go in at three-quarter time that are 70 points down, 50 points down."

"We like to put it right on the opposition and question where they're at."

"(It's) different circumstances we gotta confront now, 'cause the whole competition is talking about our last quarters, but we have to deal with that," he said.
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Fremantle Dockers
   


Egan to have more surgery

May 30th 2008 00:23
GEELONG defender Matthew Egan will have more surgery in the next week as he tries to overcome stress fractures in his right foot.

The All-Australian centre half-back was ruled out for the remainder of the season earlier this month after stress fractures flared in the navicular bone.

The 24-year-old has not played since the final game of the home-and-away season last year, when the injury originally flared.

The injury resulted in him missing out on being a part of Geelong's first premiership in 44 years.

Egan worked hard to try to return in time for the grand final and says he has no regrets.

"I look back on it and think I made the right decision at the time, it's probably disappointing now to think it put me back this far," he told Channel Nine's The Footy Show.

"But so be it."

Egan said he had feared the injury could be career-threatening.

"You think about it at times, but a lot worse things could have happened," he said.
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Lions prepared to rest Black

May 29th 2008 08:34
THE Brisbane Lions won't hesitate to rest star midfielder Simon Black if his lingering groin problems flare up again, according to coach Leigh Matthews.

Black missed Brisbane's 27-point loss to Geelong in round seven and was also ruled out of the Dream Team side for the Hall of Fame Tribute match at the MCG earlier this month.

The 29-year-old has been in scintillating form over the past fortnight, racking up 28 possessions in wins over Carlton and St Kilda.

"That's because we pulled it up straight away," Matthews said.

"I got a feeling that if we tried to put him on the field against Geelong he might still be in trouble.

"As soon as the symptoms came up we stopped him straight away."

Matthews said the club was prepared to rest Black once again if the nagging injury returned.

"If the symptoms come up again you have just got to nip it in the bud," he said.

"He's certainly played well in the last couple of weeks he's played."
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Round ten teams

May 29th 2008 07:30
ROUND TEN

Friday, May 30
Adelaide v Essendon at AAMI Stadium, 7.40pm ACST

Saturday, May 31
Collingwood v West Coast at the MCG, 2.10pm AEST
Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs at Aurora Stadium, 2.10pm AEST
Brisbane Lions v North Melbourne at the Gabba, 7.10pm AEST
Geelong v Carlton at Telstra Dome, 7.10pm AEST

Sunday, June 1
Sydney Swans v Richmond at the SCG, 1.10pm AEST
St Kilda v Melbourne at Telstra Dome, 2.10pm AEST
Fremantle v Port Adelaide at Subiaco Oval, 2.40pm AWST


ADELAIDE V ESSENDON
ADELAIDE
B: Graham Johncock, Ben Rutten, Nathan Bassett
HB: Scott Stevens, Nathan Bock, Michael Doughty
C: David Mackay, Scott Thompson, Andrew McLeod
HF: Bernie Vince, Simon Goodwin, Richard Douglas
F: Jason Porplyzia, Kurt Tippett, Brett Burton
Foll: Jonathon Griffin, Tyson Edwards, Nathan van Berlo
IC: Chris Knights, Ivan Maric, Brent Reilly, Robert Shirley
EMG: Luke Jericho, Ken McGregor, Andy Otten
No change


ESSENDON
B: Henry Slattery, Patrick Ryder, Nathan Lovett-Murray
HB: Jay Nash, Adam McPhee, Kyle Reimers
C: Jason Winderlich, Bachar Houli, David Myers
HF: Andrew Welsh, Scott Lucas, Andrew Lovett
F: Dustin Fletcher, Matthew Lloyd, Tom Hislop
Foll: David Hille, Brent Stanton, Mark McVeigh
I/C: Jay Neagle, Sam Lonergan, Leroy Jetta, Angus Monfries
EMG: Tayte Pears, Tom Bellchambers, Adam Ramanauskas
In: Lucas, Houli
Out: Darcy Daniher (back), Jobe Watson (tendonitis)


COLLINGWOOD v WESTCOAST
COLLINGWOOD
B: Heath Shaw, Shane Wakelin, Rhyce Shaw
HB: Nick Maxwell, Nathan Brown, Heritier O’Brien
C: Scott Pendlebury, Scott Burns, Tarkyn Lockyer
HF: Alan Didak, Anthony Rocca, Paul Medhurst
F: Dane Swan, Travis Cloke, Dale Thomas
Foll: Josh Fraser, Shane O’Bree, Leon Davis
I/C: Martin Clarke, Ben Johnson, Sharrod Wellingham, Chris Bryan
EMG: Ryan Cook, Shannon Cox, Ben Reid
No change


WEST COAST EAGLES
B: Brett Jones, Darren Glass, Adam Selwood
HB: Beau Waters, Beau Wilkes, Andrew Embley
C: Michael Braun, Matt Priddis, Chad Fletcher
HF: Brad Ebert, Josh Kennedy, Brent Staker
F: David Wirrpanda, Quinten Lynch, Steven Armstrong
Foll: Dean Cox, Tyson Stenglein, Daniel Kerr
I/C: Tim Houlihan, Ben McKinley, Matt Rosa, Will Schofield
EMG: Ryan Davis, Mark Nicoski, Mark Seaby
In: Kerr, Waters
Out: Chris Masten (general soreness), Ryan Davis



HAWTHORN V WESTERN BULLDOGS
HAWTHORN
B: Campbell Brown, Stephen Gilham, Rick Ladson
HB: Tom Murphy, Trent Croad, Grant Birchall
C: Clinton Young, Sam Mitchell, Xavier Ellis
HF: Michael Osborne, Lance Franklin, Chance Bateman
F: Cyril Rioli, Jarryd Roughead, Mark Williams
Foll: Robert Campbell, Brad Sewell, Jordan Lewis
I/C: Tim Clarke, Josh Kennedy, Jarryd Morton, Simon Taylor
EMG: Zac Dawson, Brent Renouf, Brendan Whitecross
In: Lewis
Out: Stuart Dew (hamstring)

WESTERN BULLDOGS
B: Dale Morris, BrianLake, Tim Callan
HB: Ryan Hargrave, Tom Williams, Lindsay Gilbee
C: Nathan Eagleton, Matthew Boyd, Daniel Cross
HF: Brad Johnson, Mitch Hahn, Robert Murphy
F: Scott Welsh, Will Minson, Jason Akermanis
Foll: Ben Hudson, Adam Cooney, Ryan Griffen
I/C: Dylan Addison, Daniel Giansuracusa, Farren Ray, Stephen Tiller
EMG: Josh Hill, Peter Street, Callan Ward
Cameron Wight, Dale Morris
In: Tiller
Out: Wight


BRISBANE LIONS v NORTH MELBOURNE
BRISBANE LIONS
B: Josh Drummond, Daniel Merrett, Joel Patfull
HB: Jared Brennan, Joel Macdonald, Mitch Clark
C: Anthony Corrie, Simon Black, Tim Notting
HF: Michael Rischitelli, Jonathan Brown, Justin Sherman
F: Rhan Hooper, Daniel Bradshaw, Travis Johnstone
Foll: Jamie Charman, Luke Power, Jed Adcock
I/C: Scott Harding, Jason Roe, Troy Selwood, Ashley McGrath
EMG: James Polkinghorne, Matthew Leuenberger, Cheynee Stiller
No change


NORTH MELBOURNE
B: Gavin Urquhart, Michael Firrito, Josh Gibson
HB: Sam Power, Drew Petrie, Leigh Harding
C: Daniel Pratt, Daniel Harris, Ed Lower
HF: Matt Campbell, Corey Jones, Lindsay Thomas
F: Brent Harvey, Nathan Thompson, David Hale
Foll: Hamish McIntosh, Brady Rawlings, Adam Simpson
I/C: Shannon Grant, Matt Riggio, Shannon Watt, Scott McMahon
EMG: Leigh Brown , Ben Davies, Josh Smith
In: Urquhart
Out: Daniel Wells (knee)
New: Gavin Urquhart (Morningside, Qld)


GEELONG V CARLTON
GEELONG
B: Tom Harley, Matthew Scarlett, Andrew Mackie
HB: Darren Milburn, Harry Taylor, Corey Enright
C: Cameron Ling, Joel Selwood, Jimmy Bartel
HF: Steve Johnson, Cameron Mooney, Travis Varcoe
F: James Kelly, Tom Hawkins, Mathew Stokes
Foll: Mark Blake, Gary Ablett, Joel Corey
I/C: Brad Ottens, Shannon Byrnes, Max Rooke, David Wojcinski
EMG: Tom Lonergan, Brent Prismall and Kane Tenace
In: Ottens, Rooke, Byrnes
Out: Josh Hunt (shoulder) Ryan Gamble, Trent West


CARLTON
B: Setanta O’hAilpin, Paul Bower, Bryce Gibbs
HB: Heath Scotland, Matthew Kreuzer, Bret Thornton
C: Kade Simpson, Adam Bentick, Nick Stevens
HF: Simon Wiggins, Brad Fisher, Marc Murphy
F: Eddie Betts, Brendan Fevola, Cameron Cloke
Foll: Shaun Hampson, Chris Judd, Andrew Carrazzo
I/C: Dennis Armfield, Steven Browne, Shaun Grigg, Jordan Russell
EMG: Mark Austin, Jake Edwards, Darren Pfeiffer
In: Armfield, Cloke, Thornton
Out: Jake Edwards, Darren Pfeiffer, Jarrad Waite (suspended)
New: Dennis Armfield (Eastern Hill Hawks/Swan Districts)

SYDNEY V RICHMOND
SYDNEY
B: Nick Malceski, Leo Barry, Martin Mattner
HB: Craig Bolton, Ted Richards, Kieren Jack
C: Jarrad McVeigh, Brett Kirk, Amon Buchanan
HF: Ryan O’Keefe, Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Jarred Moore
F: Paul Bevan, Michael O’Loughlin, Peter Everitt
Foll: Darren Jolly, Adam Goodes, Jude Bolton
I/C: Luke Ablett, Luke Brennan, Craig Bird, Tadhg Kennelly, Henry Playfair, Tim Schmidt, Nick Smith
In: Brennan, Kennelly, Smith
Out: -
RICHMOND
B: Jake King, Will Thursfield, Kelvin Moore
HB: Chris Newman, Jay Schulz, Jordan McMahon
C: Matthew Richardson, Brett Deledio, Richard Tambling
HF: Kayne Pettifer, Joel Bowden, Trent Cotchin
F: Nathan Brown, Jack Riewoldt, Shane Edwards
Foll: Troy Simmonds, Kane Johnson, Nathan Foley
I/C (from): Graham Polak, Adam Pattison, Mitch Morton, Greg Tivendale, Matt White, Chris Hyde, Shane Tuck
In: Polak, Morton, Tivendale
Out: -



ST KILDA V MELBOURNE
ST KILDA
B: Jason Blake, Max Hudghton, Sean Dempster
HB: Jason Gram, Sam Fisher, Brendon Goddard
C: Nick Dal Santo, Luke Ball, Leigh Montagna
HF: Adam Schneider, Nick Riewoldt, Clint Jones
F: Shane Birss, Justin Koschitzke, Stephen Milne
Foll: Steven King, Lenny Hayes, Robert Harvey
I/C (from): Michael Gardiner, Jarryn Geary, Ben McEvoy, Andrew McQualter, Matthew Ferguson, David Armitage, James Gwilt
In: McQualter, Ferguson, Armitage, Gwilt, McEvoy
Out: Aaron Fiora, Leigh Fisher

MELBOURNE
B: Matthew Warnock, Colin Garland, Daniel Bell
HB: James Frawley, Ben Holland, Cameron Bruce
C: Clint Bartram, Brock McLean, Matthew Bate
HF: Brad Green, Russell Robertson, Brent Moloney
F: Simon Buckley, Brad Miller, Austin Wonaeamirri
Foll: Jeff White, James McDonald, Nathan Jones
I/C (from): Jace Bode, Lynden Dunn, Chris Johnson,Colin Sylvia, Paul Wheatley, Paul Johnson, Adem Yze
In: Bode, Dunn, Johnson, Sylvia, Wheatley, White, Yze
Out: Aaron Davey (hamstring), Cale Morton (flu), Shane Valenti, Mark Jamar


FREMANTLE V PORT ADELAIDE
FREMANTLE
B: Heath Black, Antoni Grover, Michael Johnson
HB: David Mundy, Luke McPharlin, Scott Thornton
C: Garrick Ibottson, Peter Bell, Brett Peake
HF: Rhys Palmer, Chris Tarrant, Dean Solomon
F: Jeff Farmer, Matthew Pavlich, Chris Mayne
Foll: Aaron Sandilands, Ryan Crowley, Josh Carr
I/C (from): Kepler Bradley, Robert Warnock, Paul Duffield, Byron Schammer, Mark Johnson, Shaun McManus, Marcus Drum
In: Drum, Warnock, Josh Carr, Mark Johnson
Out: Steven Dodd (calf)

PORT ADELAIDE
B: Michael Pettigrew, Alipate Carlile, Jacob Surjan
HB: Peter Burgoyne, Toby Thurstans, Michael Wilson
C: Domenic Cassisi, Chad Cornes, Kane Cornes
HF: David Rodan, Warren Tredrea, Travis Boak
F: Daniel Motlop, Justin Westhoff, Robbie Gray
Foll: Dean Brogan, Steven Salopek, Danyle Pearce
I/C (from): Troy Chaplin, Tom Logan, Brendon Lade, Nathan Krakouer, Paul Stewart, Damon White, Nick Lower
In: Krakouer, Stewart, Lower, White
Out: Ebert (ankle)
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I want to remain an Eagle: Kerr

May 29th 2008 02:53
WEST COAST midfielder Daniel Kerr has dismissed reports he is keen to move to Melbourne, saying he wants to sign a long-term deal with the Eagles.

There have been strong rumours that Kerr wanted to follow good friend and former team-mate Chris Judd to Victoria.

But Kerr, who is contracted to the Eagles until the end of 2009, said on Thursday he was happy in Perth and had no intentions of leaving West Coast.

"I've dealt with the rumours earlier in the year. I'm contracted this year and next year and I'm not sure where the rumours have come from," Kerr told Perth radio station 6PR.

"I'm definitely not the one starting them, either is my manager. I'm happy at the Eagles and it's strange it's come up again really.

"I'm more than happy to stay in Western Australia. I'm happy to be with the Eagles.
"I've got a lovely girlfriend, my family's here, why would I move?"

The 25-year-old said he would be keen to sign a long-term deal with West Coast if one was offered to him.

"I think every player would," he said.

"I don't think there's any player in the AFL who's happy at a club that wouldn't like a long-term deal."

Kerr also dismissed reports he was yet to sign the club's strict core-values agreement.

"I've signed it the last two years and so has every other player on our list and I think our administration has signed it," Kerr said.

"If you mess up with our core values you get taken in by Darren Glass or Adam Selwood, so it is player-driven to maximise our ability to play football and to maximise our ability to stay out of trouble.

"It's more about making the people at the footy club better citizens."
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No need to rebuild, says Riewoldt

May 29th 2008 02:44
ST KILDA captain Nick Riewoldt believes the club's list is talented enough to win a premiership, dismissing suggestions the season had become a wasted opportunity and that his club was consistently soft.

But Riewoldt agreed with coach Ross Lyon's assessment of the club's "soft" performance on Sunday against the Brisbane Lions and was confident that the playing group would put in a better performance this weekend.

"Clearly the evidence was there for everyone to see on the weekend that we were soft," Riewoldt said.

"The playing group was totally accepting in what Ross said and it has stung us into action and it has really resonated.

"As a list we have been having some really honest and open and frank discussions about where we are as a playing group, what the opportunities are for us, and the areas we need
to improve in.

"The comments were entirely appropriate and I am sure we will respond to them this weekend."

Riewoldt said the club's toughness shouldn't be questioned and believed that last weekend's disappointing performance against Brisbane was a once-off.

"Over a long period we have forged a strong reputation in that area," he said.

"I would like to think it was an aberration. Our hard and tough play has been hard to question, so hopefully it was a one-off. We are all working really hard. The leaders have been leading (the discussion) and have been leading out on the ground as well."

Riewoldt dismissed suggestion's by club president Greg Westaway on Tuesday that the club needed to overhaul its playing list.

"I don't think we are in a rebuilding phase," Riewoldt said.

"We have got a strong list, and we have got full confidence in the personnel we have got at the club to get the job done."

The 25-year-old also rejected claims that Lyon's game-plan had taken the enjoyment from football for the players.

"When you are not winning it's a lot harder to enjoy it," he said.

"Our record has been win, loss, win, loss, and I think when you are not developing that momentum and you are not playing with that real strong confidence, it doesn't look like you are enjoying it as much.

"But when we have been winning it's been very enjoyable and the club is a great place to be around and we are not being stifled, like a lot of people are reporting."

Riewoldt did no running drills at the club's indoor session at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre yesterday, but said his left knee had pulled up well after his return from injury against Brisbane.

The Saints skipper also said embattled forward Fraser Gehrig, who is currently on the long-term injury list as he continues to struggle with an arthritic condition in both hands, is committed to playing again this season.

"He has fronted up for every session and every meeting and is here today, so he's still 100 per cent committed to the club," Riewoldt said.
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Ageing Crows given no guarantee of a new deal

May 29th 2008 00:52
ADELAIDE coach Neil Craig has refused to guarantee any of his over-30 stars a contract next season.

This includes captain Simon Goodwin, dual Norm Smith Medallist Andrew McLeod, dual premiership player Tyson Edwards, leading goalkicker Brett Burton, All-Australian defender Nathan Bassett and injured ruckman Rhett Biglands.

Craig said any decision on the future of his ageing stars wouldn't be made until the end of the season, and that form and not reputation would determine who stays and who goes.

"Now is not the appropriate time (to re-sign the veterans) - for the players or for the club - because there is still a lot of footy to be played," Craig said.

"We've had some discussions about that with these guys because it's really important that, first of all, they are very clear about what their commitment is to our footy club this year - and that's to play high-performance footy.

"They are aware of that and they are doing that but, as I said, there is still a lot of footy to be played. So discussions about the appropriateness of any of them continuing will happen at the end of the year.

"It's been very clearly put to our players that if you want to continue (next year) you play full-bore for the whole 12 months."

"I'm not interested in players who are just winding down their careers and are playing because they want one more year. That's very dangerous. You have to be able to perform."

Adelaide has a policy of offering one-year contracts to players aged over 30, and Craig has shown in the past the he isn't afraid of making tough decisions.

Dual club champion Ben Hart and Matthew Clarke were controversially axed at the end of 2006 while Jason Torney, Matthew Bode and Ian Perrie were de-listed at the end of last season.

Craig said his veterans were happy to hold off contract talks until the end of the season.

"We've had a very open, honest and candid discussion about it," he said.

"And if I went to Brett Burton, for example, now and said 'what do you think (about next year)?', I'm sure he'd say 'let's just make sure we're going to make good decisions here, let's play a bit more footy yet'.

"Our conversations will be very much two-way and I'm sure both parties will decide together what's best for the player and the club."
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Dockers ruckman considering his future

May 29th 2008 00:10
FREMANTLE ruckman Robert Warnock will weigh up his playing options at the end of the season, according to his brother, Melbourne defender Matthew Warnock.

The 21-year-old comes out of contract at Fremantle at the end of the season and has reportedly attracted interest from several Melbourne-based clubs.

Matthew Warnock said his brother, who has just played two games for the Dockers this season, had talked to him "a little bit" about coming home.

"All we can do is wait until the end of the year and work it all out then," Warnock said.

"He'd like to be in the Freo side at the moment, but he's not, so he'll work it out at the end of the year and figure it all out then."
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AFL faces race against time

May 28th 2008 23:26
THE AFL has less than 48 hours to have new interchange technology in place for all eight matches this weekend.

The infamous "post-it" notes, used to record every player coming and going from the bench, have been replaced by a Champion Data operator with a laptop who will keep track of every change from a box in the stands.

The AFL interchange stewards will read the data from another laptop on the boundary, connected to Champion Data equipment in the box.

The laptop on the boundary will allow stewards to double-check that 18 players are on the ground.

Only the stewards have the power to step in and penalise a team.

The software, which was first introduced six years ago and used by several media outlets, immediately alerts the operator of a breach.

Under the revised system, clubs will be required to notify the AFL interchange steward only of:

THE jumper numbers of the four players on the bench before the start of each quarter.

THE number of any player who leaves the playing surface on a stretcher.

THE number of any player before he leaves the arena for any reason, for instance medical treatment.
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Hentschel close to a return

May 28th 2008 22:52
ADELAIDE forward Trent Hentschel may be just one strong SANFL performance away from earning an AFL recall after suffering a horrific knee injury in 2006.

Hentschel played well in defence in his first game back with SANFL side Woodville West Torrens last week and will be given some time to get used to all the various collisions and stresses placed on his reconstructed knee.

Adelaide coach Neil Craig said that Hentschel's movement was very close to what he had shown in 2006.

“What I do know is his movement from what I've seen on the training track is nearly as good as what it was before he got injured,” Craig said.

“He's worked extremely hard, had to show unbelievable resilience and courage to keep going, which so many times he could've said 'No'.

“Now he's playing league footy he's at a stage now where his selection will be dictated on performance, which is great for Trent - it would be a great story for footy if Trent was able to play AFL footy again.”

Meanwhile, the future of fellow knee victim Rhett Biglands, who is recovering from a second successive knee reconstruction, remains clouded.

The 30-year-old is facing an uphill battle to play AFL football again, with the likes of Ivan Maric, Kurt Tippett and Jonathon Griffin making light of Adelaide's lack of established ruckman.

But Craig said the club wouldn't be making any decisions on Biglands' future at this stage and his sole focus should be on his rehabilitation.

“That one's up in the air, it's a second knee reconstruction, he's now back and working just as hard as he did for the first one,” Craig said.

“It would be foolhardy both for Rhett and our club to make any decisions right now, I think he'd agree with that, just let that pan out.

“The most important thing for Rhett is to get his knee back into shape so it doesn't affect his lifestyle.”

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Richardson and Tigers start contract talks

May 28th 2008 22:39
MATTHEW RICHARDSON and Richmond have started talks on a new deal for the reigning best-and-fairest.

The 33-year-old finishes a two-year deal this year, and is currently in career-best form, averaging 19 possessions per game and booting 27.15 at an excellent accuracy rate of 64 per cent.

Richmond director of football Greg Miller said the club had no hesitation in re-signing Richardson mid-year.

"Richo is in career-best form and we are very happy with him. We are only halfway through the year but we believe he has the capacity to go on next year. Richo is a Richmond man through and through, so we have no issue whatsoever," he said.

Richardson's manager Ricky Nixon said he expected negotiations on a new contract to go smoothly and quickly.

"I spoke to the club this week about it, so the process has started, and I don't think there will be too many glitches," Nixon said.

"It will be the quickest negotiation in the history of the world."

Nixon said Richardson was happy to play on with one-year deals.

"You don't need to secure multi-year deals at his age. It is a decision he will make at the club and with the people around him how long he can go on for," he said.

"Although I defy anyone to show me a bloke his age who has played as well as he is playing this year. I can't think of anyone at 33 playing as well as he is.

"He hasn't lost any speed, he hasn't lost any agility, he hasn't lost any endurance, and his kicking is getting better."
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Game is becoming safer

May 28th 2008 07:44
THERE has been a significant fall in the incidence of head and neck injuries as well as posterior cruciate ligament injuries but a rise in hamstring and groin injuries, according to the AFL's annual comprehensive injury survey.

The Executive Officer of the AFL Medical officers Association, Hugh Seward, said the 'head-over-the-ball' rule and the introduction of the 10-metre circle at centre bounces was responsible for the fall in head/neck and PCL injuries.

"The game is becoming safer from some of the significant injuries that we worry about, particularly the head and neck injuries and one of the versions of severe knee injuries, the posterior cruciate ligament knee injury," he said at AFL House on Wednesday.

"In the case of head and neck injuries and the posterior cruciate ligament knee injuries we've been able … through rule changes … to make is safer for not only AFL players … but all levels of football."

"The parents of young children playing the game should recognise that these efforts do make it safer for their children when they play Australian Football."

One of the reports contributors, John Orchard, remains baffled as to why there was an increase in groin and hamstring injuries.

"We haven't managed to make any impact on the rates of those injuries," Orchard said.

"There was a trend in the middle part of this decade that they were starting to go down a little bit … but unfortunately in the last two seasons it's moved in the other direction."

"It's now our big challenge. We can speculate about possible reasons why they might have gone up in the last couple of seasons, but it is all speculation so I'm not going to put a theory out as to the reason why."

"We don’t have the exact answer and if we had the answer we'd be doing something about it."

Seward said his association had commissioned special research into the relationship between groin/hamstring strains and the increasing speed of the game, the number of collisions, and how collisions impact on injuries in the context of increased interchanges.

"Hopefully by getting a better understanding of those relationships, we might be able to make some impact onto this high incidence of hamstring and groins that continue to elude us."
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Roos expects Hall to return in round 12

May 28th 2008 06:35
SYDNEY coach Paul Roos expects key forward Barry Hall to return from injury and suspension for the round 12 clash against St Kilda at the SCG.

The 31-year-old injured his wrist during the round four match against West Coast in which he was handed a seven-match suspension for punching Eagles utility Brent Staker in the face.

Roos said Hall needed to get through plenty of training before being considered for a recall, but at this stage he is progressing well.

"At this stage we expect him to play against St Kilda," Roos said.

"He needs to get through a fair bit of training, in terms of handling the ball and those sorts of things.

"But the doctor is pretty positive."

Roos said Hall had been training with his cast on and will have a pin removed from his wrist in a minor operation on Monday.
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Sydney Swans
   


AFL scraps 'post-it' notes system

May 28th 2008 06:30
The AFL has officially scrapped the controversial prodecure of written notification of every subsitution made during a match.

From this weekend Champion Data will provide an electronic record of all interchanges, which stewards can refer to should they have any concerns

AFL football operations chief Adrian Anderson said the change was made after the league had listened to the concerns of clubs, who believed the system was unworkable.

"The requirement of notification of an interchange before it takes place will no longer apply," Anderson said.

"Having listened to the feedback, it will no longer be necessary for our interchange stewards to write down that information, or to give approval.

"Their sole role will be to monitor the players on the field and that they go through the interchange area."
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News
   


Kerr has until Friday to prove fitness

May 28th 2008 05:53
WEST COAST midfielder Daniel Kerr and defender Beau Waters will have until Friday to prove their fitness for Saturday's clash against Collingwood at the MCG.

Kerr, who is free to play this week after serving a three-match suspension for headbutting Western Bulldogs veteran Scott West, suffered a leg injury in the AFL's Hall of Fame Tribute match earlier this month.

The 25-year-old completed training on Monday but Worsfold said he would give both Kerr and Waters (groin) a few more days to prove their fitness.

"I would think they are both likely to be available," Worsfold said.

"If they get through training tonight and they are declared fit to play, then they're available to play football.

"If they don't get through training tonight but they believe they can be right by Friday, then the match committee has got to decide whether we want to give them that extra day and travel them and see how they come up and then go from there.

"Both players would deserve the opportunity ... if they needed another couple of days we would give it to them. But they may not need that time, they may be declared fit tonight."

But key defender Adam Hunter, who hyper-extended his knee against the Western Bulldogs in round six, won't be considered for a recall for at least another week or two.

"He's eager to get going, there's no doubt about that, but he's also aware he needs medical clearance," Worsfold said.

"He's feeling good enough to play this week but structurally he needs another week or so."

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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, West Coast Eagles
   


Judd is right to play: Ratten

May 28th 2008 03:39
CARLTON captain Chris Judd will be fit to face Geelong at Telstra Dome on Saturday night, according to coach Brett Ratten.

Judd appeared to be struggling with a groin injury in recent weeks and twice struggled to make the distance when kicking from within the 50 against Fremantle.

Ratten is confident his skipper is match fit, but said the club would give him a rest if he needs it.

"If Chris gets sore, and he's not, but if he does we'll give him a spell," he said.
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Carlton Blues
   


Street a chance to return

May 28th 2008 03:23
WESTERN BULLDOGS ruckman Peter Street is a good chance to play against Hawthorn at Aurora Stadium on Saturday.

Street, who hasn't played an AFL game this year after succumbing to a knee injury late last year, has been playing for the Bulldogs' VFL affiliate Williamstown because of the success of Will Minson and former Adelaide ruckman Ben Hudson.

But with the Hawks boasting such a strong midfield and ruck division, Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade said Street wouold be strongly considered for selection this week.

"Pete's probably in career-best form consistency wise. He's been playing very well for Williamstown and he'll come into strong consideration this week because of the rucks and stoppage work of Hawthorn so he's right in the mix," Eade said.

Eade said Steven Tiller, Jarrad Harbrow, Josh Hill and Callan Ward will all also push for selection
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Western Bulldogs
   


Fevola hasn't rejected new deal, says Blues

May 28th 2008 03:06
CARLTON has dismissed reports star forward Brendon Fevola has rejected a new three-year deal.

One television network has reported that Fevola had knocked back a three-year deal and instead is asking for a four-year contract.

But Carlton media manager Ian Coutts said the club hadn't begun contract negotiations with the 27-year-old as he is currently in the process of changing management.

When asked if it was wrong that Fevola had knocked back a three-year deal, Coutts confirmed: "Absolutely."

"Swanny (Blues chief executive Greg Swann who is in charge of contract negotiations) did say in about a month's time it (Fevola's re-signing) will happen," he said.

"The fact is rumours are starting every day on Fev and we have made it very clear what will happen at Carlton is we will sit down with his management when that is finalised - and then we will make an announcement in due course."

"But we are not going to talk about the on-goings of it - like we chatted to him for an hour today or we will have coffee with him tomorrow, we are not going to do that."
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Carlton Blues
   


Lucas set to return

May 28th 2008 02:28
ESSENDON looks set to be bolstered by the return of key forward Scott Lucas for Friday night's clash against Adelaide at AAMI Stadium.

Lucas hasn't played since injuring his knee in the round one win over the Kangaroos.

Essendon coach Matthew Knights said tomorrow's training session would determine whether or not Lucas would line up against Adelaide.

"If he comes through training and is tight or sore tomorrow, we won't play him. If he isn't then he'll play," Knights said.
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Essendon Bombers
   


'Post-it' interchange system to go

May 28th 2008 02:11
AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson is expected to announce a more sophisticated system of recording interchange movements as early as today.

It is believed Anderson will advise clubs the AFL will adopt the computer system employed by Champion Data, the league's official stats provider.

Anderson said he still was reviewing the system and working through feedback to see if notification in writing is still necessary.

"I'm reviewing the procedure from the weekend which, on the whole, operated a lot more cleanly," he said.

"I'm collecting information from the interchange stewards, the clubs and the coaches. I'm not ruling out the possibility of new ways of improving it further."

It is understood AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou called for change after several embarassing errors during the first week of the new interchange rules.

West Coast was wrongly penalised for an interchange breach during their 50-point win over Adelaide, and at one point in Friday night's MCG game between Geelong and Collingwood, there were seven players off the field as the paperwork was completed.

Currently interchange movements are recorded on "post it" notes.

The proposed alternative would have Champion Data log changes by sight - as it has done for media outlets in the past.

The interchange stewards would have immediate access to the data at ground level.
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Saints want Lyon for 10 years

May 28th 2008 01:24
ST KILDA chairman Greg Westaway has thrown his support behind embattled coach Ross Lyon, saying he wants the former Sydney assistant to coach the club for the next ten years.

Westaway yesterday said stability was the key to success, citing Geelong's decision to stick with coach Mark Thompson after a disappointing 2006 season.

"We'd like to see him there for 10 years because that's how you run clubs," Westaway said.
"We are 100 per cent behind him. If you change (coaches) every five minutes, you go nowhere. And I'm very adamant about it: he's there to stay."

Westaway, in his role as chairman, recently asked Geelong chairman Frank Costa what was the plank behind last year's premiership success.

"He said they were ready to burn Bomber Thompson 18 months ago, and he said, 'Look at us now, we're the greatest team of all'," Westaway said.

"It's about continuity, and we've got a plan for Ross to be there for a long time."

Under Lyon, whose contract expires at the end of 2009, the Saints have played 31 matches for 15 wins and 16 losses, and currently sit in 10th position with four wins.

Sunday's performance against the Brisbane Lions, where the team lost by 46 points and at one stage trailed by 75 points, was one of the worst efforts.

Westaway said he was confident that Lyon could re-build the club and turn the Saints into a legitmate premiership contender.

"I'm not sure anything drastic has gone wrong," Westaway said.

"Ross is, if you like, rebuilding, and I've got confidence in his game plan and approach.

"When I say rebuilding, the clubs has had sub-optimal personnel for years. They haven't had the right personnel or levels of personnel they should have had. There's been too few trying to do too much.

"We've got new coaching staff, fitness people that really have got the right approach to it.

"But building in and around all that takes a bit of time."

Meanwhile, AFL medicos late yesterday signed off an the Saints' application to put Fraser Gehrig on the long-term injury list, where he must remain for a minimum of eight weeks.

The Saints can now promote a rookie in his place if they wish.
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, St Kilda Saints
   


Kerr still part of our future: Eagles

May 28th 2008 00:51
WEST COAST midfielder Daniel Kerr will be a part of the club's future despite reports he wants out, according to chairman Mark Barnaba.

Kerr is contracted to West Coast until the end of next year, but a number of Melbourne clubs say they are reliably informed he wants out and that he has refused to sign a seven-point document, a pledge that several years of repeat poor off-field behaviour was now behind it.

Barnaba said the entire West Coast list had signed the strict-core value agreement.

"If you didn't sign, you didn't play," Barnaba said.

"I have to give credit to Daniel because he does get a lot of negative focus. He's made a very mature and concerted effort to live the core values of the club."

Rival club officials describe the rigid way of life at the Eagles as like being in a "concentration camp."

But Barnaba said the club still needed to employ strict processes following last year's player behaviour crisis which resulted in West Coast being put on notice by the AFL commission that they could lose premiership points or draft picks if their were anymore off-field
incidents.

"It's the price this club had to pay," Barnaba said.

Barnaba said that apart from a leadership group and a core values committee which was established in April last year - before the club was summonsed to the commission table - it would continue to be independently audited and reviewed on a monthly basis.
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, West Coast Eagles
   


Ottens to face the Blues

May 27th 2008 09:29
GEELONG will be bolstered by the return of ruckman Brad Ottens for Saturday night's clash against Carlton at Telstra Dome.

Ottens, who hasn't played a game this season, was close to returning from his foot tendon injury for last Friday's match against Collingwood, before the Geelong medical staff opted to give him one more week on the sidelines.

Geelong coach Mark Thompson said he wouldn't expect too much from Ottens given the amount of football he has missed.

"He's trained for another week and hasn't got injured,'' Thompson said.

"He'll join main training tomorrow with the group and do a limited bit of training on Friday and then play.

"Just for him to get back into form, it's going to be at least a month.''

Meanwhile, utility Paul Chapman is only a 50-50 chance of playing against the Blues after being a late withdrawal last weekend with hamstring tightness.
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Geelong Cats
   


Waite to miss one-week

May 27th 2008 09:18
CARLTON utility Jarrad Waite will miss Saturday night's clash against Geelong at Telstra Dome after losing his challenge against a striking charge at the AFL Tribunal.

Waite was found guilty of striking Fremantle's Chris Mayne in the final term of the Blues' nine-point win at Telstra Dome last Saturday.

The 25-year-old argued he made high contact accidently after he jumped in the air after trying to block Mayne's handball.

But the tribunal disagreed and ruled that his conduct was negligent and that his actions constitute a strike.

The offence carried only 80 demerit points, however, Waite had 93.75 existing points which resulted in a one-match ban.
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Carlton Blues
   


Richardson fit and ready: Wallace

May 27th 2008 06:43
RICHMOND big man Matthew Richardson will go into Sunday's crucial clash against Sydney at the SCG much fitter after struggling with a knee injury during last weekend's 'Dreamtime at the G' win over Essendon.

Richmond coach Terry Wallace revealed on Tuesday that Richardson injured his knee against Geelong in round eight and needed a late injection in his knee to get through last weekend's game.

Wallace said that Richardson was moving alot better at training this week, and provided that he did not receive another knock on the knee his injury 'will just get better and better from this stage onwards'.

"He struggled last week, he had a problem with his knee and he virtually didn't train for the whole week but he is certainly better leading into this week's game than last week," Wallace said.

"Even on the weekend, just prior to the warm-up just before the match, he had to sneak up the race and get another injection into his knee."

"He is playing under a bit of sufferance but it has settled down."

"He didn't do any more damage to it last week and it has settled down a heck of a lot better this week than last week."
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Richmond Tigers
   


Hille re-signs with Bombers

May 27th 2008 06:33
ESSENDON ruckman David Hille has signed a two-year deal which will see him remain at the Bombers until the end of the 2010 season. No.1 ruckman David Hille has signed a new two-year contract that will keep him with the Bombers until the end of the 2010 season.

Esssendon chief operating officer said Hille, who is currently in career-best form, is an important player for the Bombers as they continue to rebuild.

"David has started off the year really well. He made the Victorian squad (for the Hall of Fame game) and was unlucky not to be selected in the final team," Auld said.

"As a member of our leadership group, David plays a very important role on and off the field, particularly given the age of our list and the number of younger guys playing senior footy at the moment.

"He seems to enjoy the challenge of leading our younger players, he turns 27 next month and is nearing 150 games with the club.

"We expect him to continue to be an important player for us over the next few years and this new contract is a major boost for the club."

Hille has played 133 games for Essendon since being taken by the club with pick No. 40 in the 1999 national draft.
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Essendon Bombers
   


Waite to contest

May 27th 2008 02:51
CARLTON utility Jarrad Waite will tonight contest a one-match ban handed down by the Match Review Panel for striking Fremantle's Chris Mayne in the last quarter of the Blues' nine-point win at Telstra Dome last weekend.

Waite could have pleaded guilty and accepted a reprimand, but that would have ruled him out of Saturday night's game against Geelong because he has 93.75 points carried over from within the last 12 months, increasing the penalty to 173.75 points and a one-match ban.

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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Carlton Blues
   


Harvey fit to face Lions

May 27th 2008 02:31
KANGAROOS veteran Brent Harvey has declared himself a certain starter for Saturday night's clash against Brisbane at the Gabba.

Harvey was taken from the field in the opening minutes of his 250th AFL game against the Western Bulldogs last weekend, but returned to the field after satisfying club doctor Con Mitropoulos he was not concussed.

The 30-year-old said the accidental knee to the head took a bit out of him.

"I was a little bit shaken, even yesterday a bit of a headache but today I feel pretty good," he said.
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Kangaroos
   


Saints yet to get approval from AFL

May 27th 2008 02:09
ST KILDA's application to have full-forward Fraser Gehrig placed on their long-term injury list is yet to be approved by the AFL.

Gehrig, who has an arthritic condition affecting both hands, was to be placed on the injury list, which would rule him out for at least eight matches.

Under AFL rules, a player placed on the injury list is allowed to be replaced on the senior list by a rookie but traditionally the injured player has been physically unable to take the field and would be unlikely to do so for some time.

Gehrig last played against Collingwood in round eight, and was not injured in the match.

AFL football administration manager Rod Austin received calls of complaint last week, with at least one club making the case that it would now be possible to promote a rookie for an out-of-form player with a mild ailment rather than a seriously injured one.

Austin said the application would be examined by AFL medical commissioners, Drs Harry Unglik and Peter Harcourt over the next 24 hours.

St Kilda football manager Matthew Drain admitted that the 32-year-old is capable of playing but also said that Gehrig's ageing body needed a break from the game.

"He could run out on the ground. We acknowledge that," Drain said.

"But there is also a significant amount of supporting medical evidence, going back four and five years, that says he needs a break from the game.

"But at the end of the day, the approval rests with the AFL medical officers and we understand that."

Drain said that his letter of explanation stated that the club was "highly unlikely" to promote a rookie to replace Gehrig.
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, St Kilda Saints
   


Mitchell accepts reprimand

May 27th 2008 01:43
HAWTHORN captain Sam Mitchell can't win this year's Brownlow medal after accepting a reprimand for tripping Melbourne's Simon Buckley.

Mitchell could have contested the charge at the AFL tribunal on Tuesday night but if he failed then he would have missed Saturday's crucial clash against the Western Bulldogs at Aurora Stadium

Instead, Mitchell chose to accept a reprimand and 93.75 points towards his future record by pleading guilty - leaving him free to take on the third-placed Bulldogs.

But Mitchell is still ineligible to win the game's highest individual honour because the original charge - before the 25 percent points discount for pleading guilty - was worth 125 points.

Under AFL rules, players found guilty of offences initially totalling 100 or more demerit points are ineligible to win the Brownlow
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Hawthorn Hawks
   


Hall will come back fitter: Roos

May 27th 2008 01:34
SYDNEY forward Barry Hall will come back 'extremely fit' following his long lay-off due to injury and suspension, according to Swans coach Paul Roos.

Hall, who was suspended in round four for seven matches for his behind-the-play left hook on West Coast utility Brent Staker, also suffered a broken wrist in the same match, which has kept him off the track for the past six weeks.

The 31-year-old had his cast removed on Monday, and the club will get a better idea of how he is going following X-rays later this week.

"He came into the season a little underdone in terms of his fitness, but certainly he'll come back extremely fit," Roos said.

"He's already joined in training, just trailing blokes around and marking it one-handed and kicking it and all those sorts of things."

"In terms of general fitness, he'll come back in extremely good shape, he'll take a couple of weeks to get his match fitness back, but he'll be a lot better conditioned than when he first started."

Roos said the extended lay-off could prolong Hall's playing career.

"Possibly, the wear and tear factor is pretty big for those sorts of guys," Roos said.

"He's had a few injuries without too many, but obviously having a seven-week break is not ideal."

"But it probably does freshen him up for the right time of year, and possibly does give him a chance to play a little more in terms of his career."

Meanwhile, hard-running Tadhg Kennelly is a chance to play against Richmond at the SCG on Sunday after getting through training on Monday.

Kennelly dislocated his left knee in Sydney's 91-point win over the Bombers in round eight.

Roos said a decision on when Kennelly would return wouldn't be made until later in the week.

"Yeah he jogged today, he ran, so early indications are he'll play this week, but he still has to get through the whole week," Roos said.

"I haven't spoken to him but I spoke to the physio and he said he ran without any pain so the early signs are good."
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Sydney Swans
   


Ebert cleared of damage

May 27th 2008 00:41
PORT ADELAIDE forward Brett Ebert is still a chance to play against Fremantle at Subiaco Oval on Sunday after X-rays revealed no structural damage to his ankle.

Ebert left the ground in the last quarter of Port's 11-point loss to Sydney with a severe medial ankle sprain and was expected to miss at least two to three weeks.

Club doctors said Ebert would be tested throughout the week.
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Port Adelaide Power
   


Allan has faith in Harvey

May 27th 2008 00:35
FREMANTLE is heading in the right direction despite winning just one of its first nine games in 2008, according to board member Ben Allan.

Allan said coach Mark Harvey's focus on playing youth this season would reap rewards down the line as the club aims to secure an elusive premiership.

"It's a very difficult competition, particularly to win a flag, I think we'd all acknowledge that," Allan said.

"But I think we'd also acknowledge that there's a couple of great examples of teams that have developed lists.

"And guys like Rhys (Palmer) and Garrick Ibbotson and Chris Mayne that have been injected into the club by Mark Harvey ... is almost the most exciting thing that has happened for the club in the last five years.

Allan said Harvey had the support of the board to develop the playing list.

"Hopefully it can set us up. We just hope Mark has got the chance, and from board level he certainly has, to work and develop that list, because that's the most important thing.

"I'm more confident now than at any time in the history of Fremantle that we are getting things right."

Meanwhile, midfielder Josh Carr has served his three-match suspension for kneeing Geelong's Gary Ablett and will return for Sunday's clash against Port Adelaide at Subiaco Oval, but tagger Steven Dodd is expected to miss at least a week with a calf injury.

Hard-running defender Roger Hayden is expected to resume running on Wednesday after suffering a punctured lung during the Dockers' round eight loss to Western Bulldogs.
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Fremantle Dockers
   


Ibbotson wins Rising Star nomination

May 27th 2008 00:24
FREMANTLE midfielder Garrick Ibbotson is the Round 9 NAB AFL Rising Star nominee following his impressive performance in the Dockers' nine-point loss to Carlton at Telstra Dome last weekend.

Ibbotson was among Fremantle’s best against the Blues, racking up 21 possessions in his seventh AFL match.

Fremantle’s second selection (26th overall) in the 2005 NAB AFL Draft, Ibbotson is averaging 19 disposals per game in 2008.

Fremantle coach Mark Harvey said Ibbotson was a key part of the club's future.

"Garrick is a hard-working and talented player who, along with several other of our younger blokes, will form the backbone of Fremantle's future," he said.

"Garrick's nomination follows Rhys Palmer's nomination earlier in the season and is a big positive for the Fremantle Football Club and our supporters."
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Fremantle Dockers
   


Dyson out after appendix removal

May 27th 2008 00:16
ESSENDON midfielder Ricky Dyson will be sidelined for the next three matches after undergoing surgery to have his appendix removed.

Dyson was pulled out of the Essendon side to play Richmond last Saturday night after he experienced stomach pain that day.

Essendon team manager David Calthorpe said Dyson, who was was watching the match when he felt badly ill suffered a more aggressive form of appendicitis.

"Early in the first quarter it became clear he was in a bit of discomfort and one of our staff took him to hospital and he was operated on at 10pm that night for acute appendicitis," he said on Essendon's website.

"It's actually our second case of appendicitis in the past few weeks with Dean Dick also being operated on recently.

"In Ricky's case it was a far more aggressive form and he will miss three weeks compared to Dean, who had to miss two weeks."
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Essendon Bombers
   


Mitchell to put Hawks first

May 27th 2008 00:09
HAWTHORN captain Sam Mitchell is expected to give up his chance of winning this year's Brownlow medal to ensure he play's in Saturday's blockbuster against the Western Bulldogs.

Mitchell can plead guilty to the match review panel's charge of tripping Melbourne's Simon Buckley and accept a reprimand, which would clear him to play in the one-versus-three clash at Aurora Stadium.

But doing so would rule the midfielder ineligible to win the game's highest individual honour, as Mitchell's stellar start to the season has him equal Brownlow favourite with Geelong's Gary Ablett with betting agency Centrebet, and second favourite with TAB Sportsbet.

Hawthorn football manager Mark Evans said Brownlow was "not a consideration" as the ladder leaders weigh up whether to contest his tripping charge.

If the Hawks choose to contest the charge at the tribunal, they will risk having the midfielder suspended for one match as the initial offence has drawn a total of 125 demerit points and a one-week ban.

But he can reduce that to 93.75 points through a guilty plea and good record, and under the one-game threshold.

Under AFL rules, players found guilty of offences initially totalling 100 or more demerit points are ineligible to win the Brownlow.

Evans said the club would consider all of its options before making a decision.

"We don't think there's a lot to answer for, but there might be more danger than benefit," Evans said of the incident.

"We will make our final decision tomorrow morning."


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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Hawthorn Hawks
   


Kerr in doubt for Pies clash

May 26th 2008 23:58
WEST COAST midfielder Daniel Kerr remains in doubt for Saturday's clash against Collingwood at the MCG as he struggles to overcome a lower leg injury.

Kerr, who sustained the injury in the opening minutes of the AFL's Hall of Fame Tribute match earlier this month, was restricted to light duties at training on Monday.

West Coast assistant coach Peter Sumich said the club's main training session on Wednesday would determine whether Kerr and Beau Waters (groin) would line up against the Pies.

"We'll wait until Wednesday and hopefully they'll have a very good session and put their hand up,'' Sumich said.

Kerr was expected to return this week after serving a three-match suspension for headbutting Western Bulldogs veteran Scott West in round six.

Eagles skipper Darren Glass will have a light week on the track after picking up a knock to his leg on the weekend but Sumich said the key defender would be right to face the Magpies.

Sumich said Ashley Hansen, who kicked five goals for WAFL side Swan Districts on the weekend, would struggle to break back into a West Coast side that thrashed Adelaide by 50 points last weekend.

But injury-plagued midfielder Sam Butler, who has not played since the Eagles' 2006 premiership win is in line for a recall after playing for WAFL side Perth for the past five weeks.
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, West Coast Eagles
   


Waite cops one-week ban

May 26th 2008 07:31
CARLTON could be without utility Jarrad Waite for Saturday's crucial clash against Geelong, with the 25-year-old charged for striking Fremantle's Chris Mayne in the final quarter of the Blues' come-from-behind win over the Dockers.

The match review panel handed Waite 80 demerit points for his action. A total of 97.75 carry-over points from within the last 12 months pushes Waite over the one-match ban threshold, which cannot be reduced to less than 100 points even with an early plea.

Hawthorn skipper Sam Mitchell has escaped suspension for tripping Melbourne's Simon Buckley, and has been offered a reprimand and 93.75 points with an early guilty plea.

If the Hawks choose to contest the charge at the tribunal, they will risk having the midfielder suspended for one match as the initial offence has drawn a total of 125 demerit points and a one-week ban.

Fremantle captain Matthew Pavlich and Melbourne youngster Nathan Jones have been fined $1950 for making negligent contact with an umpire.

Melbourne's Aaron Davey was cleared over his late bump on Xavier Ellis. It was the view of the match review panel that Davey was committed to the contest and when he realised his contact would be late he turned his body and made contact with Ellis' left side.

The panel ruled Davey did not make high contact and therefore his actions were not unreasonable in the circumstances, with the 50 metre penalty paid on the day considered sufficient punishment.

Hard-running Western Bulldogs defender Lindsay Gilbee was also cleared over an incident involving North Melbourne's Ed Lower. The panel deemed that the contact was below that required to consitute a reportable offence.

Carlton spearhead Brendon Fevola and Sydney's Michael O'Loughlin escaped punishment over clashes with Fremantle's Heath Black and Port Adelaide's Jacob Surjan respectively due to insufficient video evidence.
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News
   


Dew a chance to play

May 26th 2008 06:15
HAWTHORN veteran Stuart Dew remains a chance to play against the Western Bulldogs in Launceston on Saturday despite injuring his hamstring in Sunday's 19-point win over Melbourne at the MCG.

Dew, who has already missed four rounds due to a hamstring injury this year left the field in the second quarter, but Hawks’ defender Stephen Gilham said his withdrawal was purely “precautionary”.

“He had a bit of tightness during the game and it was probably smart on Dewy’s behalf that he came off, he was pretty precautionary about it. They’ll just monitor him during the week,” Gilham said.
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Hawthorn Hawks
   


Lions final terms a concern: Adcock

May 26th 2008 04:54
BRISBANE needs to play four quarters of football if they are going to challenge the top sides, according to midfielder Jed Adcock.

In yesterday's win over St Kilda at the Gabba, Brisbane led by as much 75 points 10 minutes into the final quarter before the Saints piled on seven of the next nine goals to reduce the final margin to 46 points.

Despite currently sitting inside the top eight, Adcock admitted the Lions had a lot of work to do before they became a genuine premiership contender.

"I think it's four games in a row now we've been beaten in the last quarter," he said.
"So I mean it's good to win but there's still a lot of work we need to do."
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Brisbane Lions
   


Demons need to be consistent, says Bate

May 26th 2008 04:25
MELBOURNE must maintain the same level of intensity it showed in the 19-point loss to ladder leaders Hawthorn at the MCG yesterday for the remainder of the season, according to forward Matthew Bate.

Despite the improved performance, Melbourne still occupy bottom place on the AFL ladder, and Bate said the club can't be happy with just honorable losses.

"I think we showed a lot of improvement, it was a much better effort by the boys but we can't be happy with that," Bate said.

"It's a big sign of improvement and it shows that any team on any day can step up and match it with the best."

"There are a few areas we can work on and if we had done a few areas different we could have won yesterday but that wasn't the case."

"I think we can take a lot out of the game and get a lot of confidence from it."

Bate said the future was promising for the Demons, with several youngsters stepping up against the Hawks.

"I think a lot of young players showed a lot yesterday. I thought Colin Garland's game on Lance Franklin was really good and he's a really good player of the future."
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Melbourne Demons
   


Saints soft: Lyon

May 26th 2008 02:45
ST KILDA coach Ross Lyon has labelled his side "mentally and physically soft" following their 46-point loss to Brisbane at the Gabba on Sunday.

"I'm talking about consistency and you're talking about trying to be an elite team and it's about being a self-directed, self-disciplined, motivated athlete, so we need more players who'll bleed for the guernsey," he said.

The Saints were forced out of the match by a more aggressive Brisbane side in the first three quarters. before booting eight last-quarter goals to add some respectability to the scoreboard.

Speaking at a post-match press conference, Lyon said his side failed to compete when it mattered.

"When the game was up for grabs, their (Brisbane's) hardness and their tackling pressure really was outstanding," he said.

"It starts with competing and we're not competing often enough, long enough and it's easy to kick eight (goals) when the game is over and you have to do it when the heat's on."

The Saints currently occupy 10th place on the AFL ladder with a 4-5 win-loss record.
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, St Kilda Saints
   


Steward will be dropped: Gieschen

May 26th 2008 01:46
THE interchange steward who wrongly penalised West Coast for an interchange breach will be dropped, according to AFL umpires boss Jeff Gieschen.

Adelaide were given a free kick and a 50m penalty when Eagles second-gamer Ryan Davis stepped out of the holding pen before substituted team-mate Tim Houlihan entered it during the last quarter.

Crows ruckman Ivan Maric kicked a goal from the free-kick.

But West Coast still had only 18 men on the field at the time, and under the new rules should have only been fined $5,000 for the minor indiscretion.

Speaking on SEN Radio, Gieschen said the steward would not be considered for duties in round ten as a result of the error.

“He won’t be working this weekend,” Gieschen said.

“Obviously, he’s the first to make a blue.”
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News
   


Bailey to seek clarification from AFL

May 26th 2008 01:15
MELBOURNE coach Dean Bailey will seek clarification from the AFL on its tackling laws after several of his side's efforts went unrewarded during yesterday's 19-point loss to Hawthorn at the MCG.

Bailey said he believed the result would have been closer had his players been rewarded for their ferocious tackling.

"Had a couple of things gone our way we might have even been a lot closer in the end," he said.

"I thought we tackled really well all day and didn't get rewarded. I'm not sure how many 160 degrees you can take when getting tackled. I have no doubt. Tackling is important and you should be rewarded."

One of the more contentious decisions that Bailey will almost certainly seek clarification on occurred at the 19-minute mark of the final term. The Demons were trailing by just 12 points when a free-kick was paid against Aaron Davey.

Davey managed to run down Hawthorn debutant Jarryd Morton from behind, with the ball spilling free before the Hawk hit the ground.

But instead of receiving a free-kick that could have closed the margin to a goal, Davey was penalised for pushing Morton in the back.

Bailey said the club would review the match before expressing their concerns to the AFL.

"Once we have analysed the tape and had a look at it and if there are some tackle issues there, we will raise them through correct channels obviously, but I thought we tackled well and didn't get rewarded," he said.
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Melbourne Demons
   


AFL to discuss incorrect Eagles penalty

May 26th 2008 00:51
The AFL will today discuss at its football operations meeting the decision to penalise West Coast for an interchange breach during Saturday night's 50-point win over Adelaide at Subiaco Oval.

Adelaide were given a free kick and a 50m penalty when Eagles second-gamer Ryan Davis stepped out of the holding pen before substituted team-mate Tim Houlihan entered it during the last quarter.

Crows ruckman Ivan Maric kicked a goal from the free-kick.

But West Coast still had only 18 men on the field at the time, and under the new rules should have only been fined $5,000 for the minor indiscretion.
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, West Coast Eagles
   


Injuries mounting for Kangaroos

May 25th 2008 23:57
THE Kangaroos' injury woes have continued with classy midfielder Daniel Wells jarring his knee in the thrilling three-point win over the Western Bulldogs at Telstra Dome last night.

Kangaroos coach Dean Laidley said Wells would miss at least a fortnight of football after injuring his medial ligament in the third quarter.

Wells' injury came a day after Jess Sinclair was injured playing in the VFL. Laidley said Sinclair was unlikely to return until after the split round in round 14.

Key forward Aaron Edwards has been ruled out for seven weeks, possibly the season, with a broken leg, while Andrew Swallow (ankle) and Jesse Smith (hamstring) are tipped to return in round 12.

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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Kangaroos
   


Johnson not to blame: Eade

May 25th 2008 23:49
BRAD Johnson isn't to blame for the heartbreaking three-point loss to the Kangaroos at Telstra Dome last night, according to Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade.

Johnson missed a match-winning 40m set shot after the siren to continue the Bulldogs unbeaten start to the season.

But Eade said his side wasted several opportunities throughout the game to secure the four points.

"There were a lot of other factors during the game and individual efforts, and unfortunately it comes down to that last kick," he said.

"We certainly had our chances at times."

Meanwhile, Eade said veteran midfielder Scott West would miss at least another two weeks with bone bruising to his knee.
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Western Bulldogs
   


Roos win thriller

May 25th 2008 10:28
THE Kangaroos have ended the Western Bulldogs unbeaten start to the season with a thrilling three-point win at Telstra Dome on Sunday.

Trailing by four points, Bulldogs skipper Brad Johnson marked a pass from Daniel Giansiracusa three seconds before the final siren.

But he pulled his set shot from 40m out to the right to give the Kangaroos a 16.17 (113) to 16.14 (110) win in Brent Harvey's 250th AFL match.

The win was soured somewhat for the Kangaroos with star midfielder Daniel Wells leaving the field with a knee injury in the third term.

Kangaroos captain Adam Simpson and Brady Rawlings were busy in the middle with 27 possessions apiece, while Nathan Thompson chimed in with four goals.

For the Bulldogs, Jason Akermanis was dynamic early and finished with 20 possessions and four goals, while Adam Cooney continued his impressive start to the season with 33 disposals.

In a match befitting of a final, the Dogs started the better with Akermanis booting two goals to help his side out to a 19-point lead midway through the opening term.

But the Kangaroos hit back, with Harvey simply inspirational after copping an accidental knee to the head which left him dazed and confused. His brilliant running goal after three bounces was the highlight of a four-goal burst which have the Kangaroos the lead.

A late goal from Johnson levelled the scores going into the first change.

The Bulldogs jumped out of the blocks again in the second term, booting the first four goals of the quarter, with two to Mitch Hahn, one to Akermanis and one to Robert Murphy.

Thompson put a stop to the run of Bulldogs goals, kicking his second before Drew Petrie converted after a 50m penalty to bring the margin back to nine points.

But the Bulldogs seemingly had the Kangaroos measure, with Johnson extending the margin with a great running goal before Murphy kicked his second to put the Dogs up by 24 points at the main break.

The intensity lifted in the third term, with the Kangaroos booting five goals to three to go into the final quarter trailing by 11 points.

After Harvey's snap five minutes into the final term gave the Kangaroos the lead for the first time since the second quarter, Akermanis put the Dogs back in front before goals from Ed Lower and Petrie gave the Roos a nine-point lead at the 18-minute mark.

Johnson brought his side back to within four points when he kicked his third with just over two minutes remaining before missing a match-winning set shot at goal after the siren.

WESTERN BULLDOGS: 5.3, 11.7, 14.10, 16.14 (110)
NORTH MELBOURNE: 5.3, 7.7, 12.11, 16.17 (113)
GOALS: Western Bulldogs: Akermanis 4, Johnson 3, R. Murphy 3, Minson 2, Cooney, Gilbee, Hahn, Welsh
North Melbourne: Thompson 4, Petrie 3, Harvey 2, Campbell, Harding, Harris, Jones, Lower, McIntosh, B. Rawlings
BEST: Western Bulldogs: Akermanis, Cooney, Johnson, Cross, Boyd, Murphy
North Melbourne: McIntosh, Rawlings, Harding, Thompson, Petrie, Simpson
INJURIES: Western Bulldogs: Nil
North Melbourne: Wells (knee)
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Nil
UMPIRES: Stevic, Nicholls, Ryan
CROWD: 34,971 at Telstra Dome

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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Kangaroos
   


Hawks take top spot

May 25th 2008 07:44
HAWTHORN has taken sole possession of top spot on the AFL ladder after grinding out a 19-point win over bottom-placed Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.

The Hawks, who trailed for most of the afternoon, booted the last three goals of the match to record a gutsy 14.13(97) to 12.6 (78) win.

With defending premier Geelong falling to Collingwood on Friday night, the Hawks now occupy top spot with a 9-0 win-loss record - the first time in club history that they've won their first nine matches.

The win was soured somewhat for the Hawks with veteran Stuart Dew suffering a hamstring injury just before half-time - he played no part in the second half.

Sam Mitchell starred for the Hawks with a game-high 32 possessions, while Chance Bateman was also busy in the middle with 28 disposals.

Up forward, Mark Williams, Cyril Rioli and Lance Franklin stepped up when it mattered, booting three goals each.

For Melbourne, Brock McLean dominated early in the middle, collecting 20 of his 30 possessions in the first half, while Ben Holland booted three goals in his first game of the season.

The Demons controlled the midfield battle early, winning the clearances 12 to four in the opening term.

McLean was particularly influential with 13 first-term possessions as the Demons took a six point lead into quarter-time after Russell Robertson kicked his second goal of the term from an acute angle after the siren.

The first half featured four lead changes, with Melbourne building on their quarter-time advantage with a two goal to one second term to take a nine-point lead into the main break.

The Demons looked set to record one of the biggest upsets of the season when Holland kicked his third at the 17-minute mark of the third term to give the Demons a 13-point lead.

But a superb Rioli snap sparked the Hawks into action as they slammed on four goals in a stunning seven-minute burst to take a 10-point lead into the final change.

The Demons regained the lead twice in a frantic final term before the class of Hawthorn came to the fore.

Rioli gave Hawthorn the lead with his third of the second half before Williams booted consecutive goals, the second with four minutes remaining securing the four premiership points for the Hawks.

MELBOURNE: 4.3, 6.4, 9.5, 12.6 (78)
HAWTHORN: 3.3, 4.7, 10.9, 14.13 (97)
GOALS: Melbourne: Holland 3, Robertson 2, Wonaemirri 2, Jones 2, Johnson, Davey, Bruce
Hawthorn: Franklin 3, Rioli 3, Williams 3, Roughead, Ladson, Ellis, Campbell, Clarke
BEST: Melbourne: McLean, Bate, Davey, Bruce, Jones, Wonaemirri, Holland, Warnock
Hawthorn: Bateman, Birchall, Sewell, Mitchell, Ladson, Brown, Rioli, Morton, Williams
INJURIES: Melbourne: Nil
Hawthorn: Lewis (corked thigh) replaced in selected side by Morton, Dew (hamstring)
UMPIRES: James, Grun, Armstrong
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Melbourne: White replaced in selected side by Jamar.
Hawthorn: Lewis replaced in selected side by Morton
CROWD: 41,381 at MCG
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Hawthorn Hawks
   


Lions rout Saints

May 25th 2008 06:36
BRISBANE has consolidated its place in the top eight with a comprehensive 46-point win over St Kilda at the Gabba on Sunday afternoon.

A run of eight unanswered goals in the second and third quarters set up the Lions' 21.15 (141) to 14.11 (95) win.

It was the first time this season the Lions have won back-to-back games, and sets them up nicely for a run at the top four over the next month with three of their next four games being played at the Gabba

Jonathan Brown and Daniel Bradshaw - who registered his 400th goal late in the game - were damaging up forward for the Lions, booting six goals each.

Jed Adock and Simon Black provided their forwards with quality supply as they racked up 30 and 28 possessions respectively, while Josh Drummond provided plenty of run off half-back with 28 disposals.

Brisbane defender Joel Patfull did a superb blanketing job on Nick Riewoldt, keeping the Saints skipper goalless until the 31-minute mark of the final term.

Riewoldt and Justin Koschitzke (four goals) struggled to have an impact when it mattered due to poor delivery into the forward line.

For St Kilda, Lenny Hayes (33 possessions) and veteran Robert Harvey (27 disposals) tried hard all day, but in the main the Saints struggled to deal with Brisbane's relentless pressure all over the ground.

The Lions looked set for an easy afternoon as they booted the first three goals of the match but St Kilda responded and trailed by just eight points at quarter time.

The match was evenly balanced when Koschitzke kicked his second at the eight-minute mark to get the Saints within nine points.

But then the Lions sparked into action, slamming on five unanswered goals to take a commanding 40-point lead into the main break. .

Brown was on fire in the second half, booting four goals in the third quarter as the Lions took a match-winning 69-point lead into the final change.

St Kilda added some respectability to the scoreboard in the final term, booting eight goals to four, but the damage had already been done.

BRISBANE LIONS: 3.6, 9.10, 17.11, 21.15 (141)
ST KILDA: 2.4, 3.6, 6.8, 14.11 (95)
GOALS: Brisbane Lions: Bradshaw 6, Brown 6, Hooper 2, Corrie, Clark, Brennan, Roe, Harding, Power, Black
St Kilda: Koschitzke 4, Milne 2, Birss 2, Dal Santo 2, Goddard, S.Fisher, Montagna, Riewoldt.
BEST: Brisbane Lions: Black, Drummond, Notting, Brown, Patfull, Adcock, Bradshaw.
St Kilda: Hayes, Harvey, Koschitzke, Ball
INJURIES: Brisbane Lions: Nil
St Kilda: Nil
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Nil
UMPIRES: McLaren, Chamberlain, Head
Crowd: TBC at the Gabba
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Brisbane Lions
   


Port hopeful that Ebert will be right to play

May 25th 2008 02:30
PORT ADELAIDE is hopeful forward Brett Ebert will be available to play against Fremantle at Subiaco Oval on Sunday afternoon.

Ebert starred for Port against Sydney yesterday, booting six goals before spraining his ankle midway through the final term.

The early signs are good for Ebert with their being no apparent ligament damage
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Port Adelaide Power
   


Lucas a chance to return

May 25th 2008 00:09
ESSENDON forward Scott Lucas is a chance to play against Adelaide at AAMI Stadium next Friday night, according to coach Matthew Knights.

Speaking after his side's 38-point loss to Richmond at the MCG on Saturday night, Knights said Lucas had been working hard and was eager to return from a knee injury sustained in the round one win against the Kangaroos.

"Scott wants to play this Friday against Adelaide," Knights said.

"He wants to play. He joined in [his] first main session late this week, so he's done one training session, but he's done an enormous amount of work and I'm very proud of Scott – he's got his skin-folds down to around about 44 after being out for 12 weeks.

"He's right on edge and he's walking around with that look in his eye, so he's keen to play and he wants to play this week. I've just got to work out whether two or three sessions will be enough or do we go with him the following week [against] Hawthorn."
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: Fantasy AFL, Essendon Bombers
   


Eagles wrongly penalised

May 25th 2008 00:03
INTERCHANGE stewards have admitted they made a blunder in penalising West Coast for the first breach of the new interchange rules last night.

Second-gamer Ryan Davis left the interchange area - but did not enter the field of play - before debutant Tim Houlihan had come off.

The infringement resulted in a 50m penalty and shot from directly in front of goal to Adelaide ruckman Ivan Maric, reducing the margin from 39 points to 33.

West Coast coach John Worsfold said the AFL needed to implement measures to prevent such mistakes from occurring again.

"If they say we are going to pay a free kick and a 50m penalty against you and you know that they are wrong, how can you stop that happening?" Worsfold said.

"It's a massive penalty if it's wrong, going from whatever the sanction is to a 50m penalty, but that is one of the teething problems that will get sorted out, no doubt.

"From the feedback I've been given so far, someone made an error and it should not have been given."

Worsfold urged the AFL to fix up the rule before it influences the outcome of a crucial game.

"Whether we get that goal back, I don't know. We did make a mistake stepping out of the box before the player was off the ground, but apparently the penalty was wrong," he said.

"Hopefully there is some sanction in there for what we cop, which is a goal against us, which is pretty crucial at any time. Luckily it didn't affect the outcome of the game."

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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, West Coast Eagles
   


Make Fevola a Blue for life: Pratt

May 24th 2008 23:54
CARLTON forward Brendon Fevola must be given a new three-year deal to ensure he finishes his career at the club, according to president Dick Pratt.

"We have to do it, three years," Pratt said after the Blues staged a comeback to defeat Fremantle by nine points to win their fourth game of the season.

The 27-year-old, who was on his last chance following an off-field indisrection prior to the start of the season, has been in career-best form, averaging more than four goals a match.

Carlton captain Chris Judd said Fevola was "most certainly" a key part of Carlton's future as they continue to climb up the ladder.

"He lifts everyone him with the way he plays. That tackle in the last quarter (on Brett Peake) was a beauty and really lifted everybody," Judd said.

"He also invariably has two (opponents) on him. He's good value for us."

Meanwhile, West Coast chief executive Trevor Nisbett has dismissed reports star Eagles midfielder Daniel Kerr would used as part of a trade to secure the services of Fevola for next season.

"It was written in a Melbourne newspaper that we're going to trade him at the end of the year," Nisbett said.

"That has not ever been discussed. If we were going to trade him, it would have to be Daniel's decision to put his hand up. It wouldn't be our decision."
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Carlton Blues
   


Williams concerned about finals

May 24th 2008 22:43
PORT ADELAIDE coach Mark Williams has admitted it will be "very, very tough" for his side to make the finals this year.

Yesterday's 11-point loss to Sydney at AAMI Stadium has left Port languishing in 12th place on the AFL ladder with a 3-6 win-loss record.

The loss was made worse with forward Brett Ebert, who starred with six goals, carried off with an ankle injury in the final term. He is unlikely to play against Fremantle at Subiaco Oval next Sunday.

Last year's grand finalists may need to win nine or 10 of its remaining 13 games to make the finals. After Fremantle, Port plays Carlton at home, Geelong (Skilled Stadium), Richmond (home), Western Bulldogs (Darwin), North Melbourne (home), Adelaide (home), Fremantle (home), St Kilda (Telstra Dome), Carlton (Telstra Dome), Collingwood (home), Melbourne (home) and North Melbourne (MCG).

Williams also defended some of the club's younger players, dismissing suggestions Port was struggling because several young stars who had played huge role in the Power reaching last year's grand final were struggling to take the next step.

"When you think they just automatically improve, that's not the case with young players," he said.

"You get inconsistencies, you get spikes and you get troughs but we believe in our players and continually give them the opportunity to develop and improve and succeed."

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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Port Adelaide Power
   


Tigers down battling Bombers

May 24th 2008 13:31
RICHMOND has kept its finals hopes alive with a 38-point win over a disappointing Essendon side in their Dreamtime clash at the MCG on Saturday night.

The Tigers set up their third win of the season in the opening term when they held the Bombers goalless, before eventually running out 16.14 (110) to 10.12 (72) winners.

Nathan Foley and Brett Deledio were damaging in the middle for Richmond with 32 and 29 possessions respectively, while Nathan Brown continued his strong start to the season with 24 disposals and three goals.

Matthew Richardson also starred for the Tigers with 19 possessions, 14 marks and two goals, while half-forward Shane Edwards was lively, booting 3.3.

With Troy Simmonds on top in the ruck and Foley punishing the Bombers with almost every disposals, the Tigers were able to boot five unanswered goals to take a 28-point lead into quarter-time.

The Bombers did themsleves no favours with their sloppy use of the football and poor decision making in the opening stanza. Two of Richmond's first three goals came after
Essendon players spilled uncontested marks, while their fifth came after a Kyle Reimers kick out of defence picked out Tigers ruckman Troy Simmonds.

Richmond continued their dominance after quarter-time, booting three goals in the space of six minutes before Essendon skipper Matthew Lloyd booted the Bombers first major at the 12-minute mark.

A late goal from Mark McVeigh was one of the few bright spots in an abysmal first-half by the Bombers as Richmond took a commanding 50-point lead into the main break.

Essendon lifted their intensity in the second half, and were rewarded on the scoreboard, with two goals from Lloyd in little more than a minute and one each to Jay Neagle and Angus Monfries bringing the Bombers back into the contest.

But Richmond steadied, with Brown's second late in the third term ensuring the Tigers headed into the final change with a 26-point lead.

Essendon could have cut the margin to 20 points at three-quarter time, but Monfries missed a set shot from about 20m after being handed a 50m penalty.

The Bombers could have closed to within 20 points early in the final term, but Reimers failed to convert a relatively easy opportunity.

It proved to be a costly miss, with goals from Edwards and Richardson putting the result beyond doubt.

ESSENDON: 0.5, 2.6, 8.8, 10.12 (72)
RICHMOND: 5.3, 10.8, 12.10, 16.14 (110)
GOALS: ESSENDON: Lloyd 4, Monfries, Hille, Stanton, McVeigh, Neagle, Nash
RICHMOND: Brown 3, Edwards 3, Pettifer 2, Richardson 2, Hyde, White, Johnson, Foley, Pattison, Deledio
BEST: ESSENDON: Lloyd, McVeigh, Hille, Stanton, Nash
RICHMOND: Foley, Brown, Deledio, Pettifer, Simmonds, Edwards
INJURIES: ESSENDON: TBC
RICHMOND: TBC
REPORTS: TBC
CHANGES: Jay Nash replaced Ricky Dyson in Essendon's selected side. Kayne Pettifer replaced Graham Polak in Richmond's selected side.
UMPIRES: Donlon, Vozzo, Ryan
CROWD: 60,333 at MCG
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Richmond Tigers
   


Eagles clip Crows

May 24th 2008 12:56
WEST COAST has snapped a seven-game losing streak and celebrated David Wirrpanda's 200th AFL match with a 50-point win over Adelaide at Subiaco Oval on Saturday night.

The Eagles, who were on the verge of matching their longest losing run in club history set up the 14.13 (97) to 5.17 (47) win with a six-goals-to-one second quarter.

The match will also go down in the history books as the first to feature a penalty for breaching the new interchange rules, with Adelaide's Ivan Maric kicking his second major after Ryan Davis was penalised midway through the final quarter.

Brad Ebert played arguably the best-game of his short career, racking up 28 possessions, ten marks and booting one goal. Matt Priddis and Matt Rosa were busy in the middle with 34 and 35 disposals respectively, while Andrew Embley provided plenty of run with 29 disposals, 11 marks and two goals.

Adam Selwood did a superb blanketing job on Andrew McLeod, restricting the dual Norm Smith medallist to just eight possessions, while Brett Jones kept in-form Adelaide forward Brett Burton goalless.

Eagles defender Beau Wilkes and midfielder Tim Houlihan (20 possessions) impressed on debut.

Chris Masten’s first AFL goal was the only major to in an opening term in which both sides wasted several gettable opportunities in front of goal.

At quarter time West Coast led 1.4 (10) to Adelaide’s 0.3 (3).

The Eagles should have been further in front at the first change after spraying three shots at goal out of bounds during the opening stanza.

West Coast clicked into gear in the second term, applying immense pressure all over the ground and winning the contested football.

The Eagles' slick movement of the football and willingness to use the corridor paid handsome dividends as they slammed on five unanswered goals in a 14-minute burst to break the game wide open.

It took Adelaide until the 23rd minute of the second term to kick its opening goal, Maric opening the Crows' account with a neat kick from the left forward pocket.

But a late goal to Embley ensured the Eagles remained in control, taking a commanding 34-point lead into the main break.

Adelaide coach Neil Craig's decision to move Graham Johncock up forward paid off as he and Nathan van Berlo ( 24 possessions, two goals) combined for three goals in the third term.

But every time the Crows looked like mounting a serious challenge the Eagles responded, with goals to Embley, Ben McKinley and Michael Braun giving West Coast a 34-point lead heading into the final change.

West Coast, who before tonight had failed to string together four quarters of football, booted four goals to one in the final term to secure just their second win of the season.

WEST COAST: 1.4, 7.5, 10.10, 14.13 (97)
ADELAIDE: 0.3, 1.7, 4.12, 5.17 (47)
GOALS: West Coast: Embley, McKinley, Cox 2, Wirrpanda, Masten, Kennedy, Armstrong, Braun, Staker, Ebert
Adelaide: van Berlo 2 Maric 2, Johncock
BEST: West Coast: Embley, Priddis, Braun, Jones, Fletcher, Glass, Rosa, Selwood
Adelaide: Thompson, van Berlo, Johncock, Thompson
INJURIES: West Coast: Nil
Adelaide: Nil
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Mark Seaby (West Coast) replaced in the selected side by Steven Armstrong
CROWD: 34,000 at Subiaco Oval
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, West Coast Eagles
   


Loyal partners re-commit to West Coast

May 24th 2008 09:26
WEST COAST chairman Mark Barnaba today announced that the club had extended its partnership with sponsors SGIO and Hungry Jacks.

SGIO have sponsored the West Coast Eagles since 1988. During that period they have been sole major sponsors from 1988 to 1990 and 2000 to 2003. They were co-major sponsors from 1991 to 1999 and again from 2004 in partnership with Hungry Jack's.

Hungry Jack's have sponsored the West Coast Eagles since 1987. They were co-major sponsor from 1991 to 1999 and again from 2004 until today with SGIO.

This announcement comes in addition to a further five-year commitment from Channel 7, which was announced recently.

Speaking at the chairman's function ahead of tonight's game against Adelaide, Barnaba said it wouldn't be long until West Coast was once again an AFL force.

"Some, within opposition clubs and within the media on the east coast in particular, have forecast the demise of the West Coast Eagles but they have underestimated our club's strength, our knowledge of where we are and our determination to a reach a destination we visited just two years ago," he said.

"And it is with organisations - and the people within those organisations - beside us that we can be so confident that the difficult on-field period we are currently enduring, will ultimately subside and see us resume as an AFL force."

Barnaba also announced that long-serving West Coast Eagles chief executive Trevor Nisbett had extended his contract with the club.

"Trevor Nisbett has agreed to terms and will remain as Chief Executive Officer of the club until at least the end of the 2010 season," he said.

"After initially joining the West Coast Eagles as football manager in 1989, a position he held for nine years, Trevor has been the Chief Executive Officer since June, 1999.

"He was instrumental in the 1992 and 1994 premierships as football manager, where he formed a close alliance with Michael Malthouse and helped to piece together a squad capable of winning the flag.

"As Chief Executive Officer he was also central to the club's return as a power, both on and off field and was rewarded for his dedication by earning life membership in 2004.

"It is a difficult and demanding role in football administration, particularly as the Chief Executive Officer, and few in the history of the AFL have contributed to the level and commitment of Trevor Nisbett."
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Swans hold off Port

May 24th 2008 08:51
SYDNEY has withstood a late challenge from Port Adelaide to record a stirring 11-point at AAMI Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Power started the final term 14 points in arrears, but goals to Peter Burgyone and Daniel Motlop inside the first minute narrowed the margin to two points.

When Motlop added his second at the 14-minute mark, Port hit the lead for the first time in the match and looked set to record a gutsy come-from-behind win.

But Sydney lifted in a physical final term, with goals to Jarred Moore, Tim Schmidt and Jarrad McVeigh sealing the 16.9 (105) to 14.10 (94) win.

The loss means Port now slump to 11th place on the AFL ladder with a 3-6 win-loss record, while Sydney are within striking distance of the top four with five and a half wins.

Brett Kirk led from the front for the Swans with 31 possessions. Jude Bolton was busy in the middle with 25 possessions, while dual Brownlow medallist Adam Goodes (22 disposals), lifted in the final term when the match was up for grabs.

Moore was lively for the Swans with three majors, while Ryan O'Keefe, Amon Buchanan, Jarrad McVeigh and Michael O'Loughlin all chimed in with two goals.

For Port, skipper Warren Tredrea booted three goals, while Brett Ebert starred with six majors - before being helped from the field late in the last quarter with a suspected ankle injury. Domenic Cassisi and Steven Salopek tried hard all day, racking up 26 possessions.

The first term was an attacking, free-flowing affair, with the Swans booting eight majors in the 36-minute first quarter.

O'Keefe was lively early, booting two goals while Moore nailed a spectacular goal, battering his way past three Power opponents before slamming one home from the goalsquare.

Ebert was proving to be too much to handle for Leo Barry at the other end, booting three goals in the opening stanza to keep the home side in touch as the Swans took a 12-point lead into quarter-time.

Port Adelaide started to get on top at the stoppages in the second term and piled the pressure on the Swans.

Goals to Tredrea and Ebert brought the Power to within a kick before Sydney hit back with goals from Darren Jolly and Moore to wrestle back the ascendancy.

Tredrea's third goal on the stroke of half time brought Sydney's lead back to 11 points at the main break.

The Power closed to within a goal early in the second half when Ebert kicked his fifth. It would prove to be as close as Port would get to the Swans in the third term as both sides struggled to find an avenue to goal in a scrappy quarter of football.

O'Loughlin, who had been relatively quiet all afternoon, came to life with two goals in 80 seconds to give Sydney some breathing space before Ebert's sixth major reduced the Swans lead to 14 points heading into the final change.

Port looked set to record a much-needed win as they slammed on the first three goals of the final term to hit the front, but Sydney found another gear and kicked the last three goals to hold on for a season-defining win.

PORT ADELAIDE: 6.1, 9.5, 11.7, 14.10 (94)
SYDNEY: 8.1, 11.4, 13.9, 16.9 (105)
GOALS: PORT ADELAIDE: Ebert 6, Tredrea 3, Motlop 2, Lade, Gray, P.Burgoyne
SYDNEY: Moore 3, O'Keefe 2, Buchanan 2, O'Loughlin 2, McVeigh 2, Bevan, Kirk, Bolton, Jolly, Schmidt
BEST: PORT ADELAIDE: Ebert, Salopek, Cassisi, Boak, P.Burgoyne, D.Pearce, Tredrea
SYDNEY: Kirk, J.Bolton, Goodes, Moore, C.Bolton, Jack, Jolly, Mattner
INJURIES: PORT ADELAIDE: Salopek (ankle), Ebert (ankle)
SYDNEY: TBC
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Nil
UMPIRES: Margetts, Rosebury, McInerney
CROWD: 25,013 at the AAMI STADIUM
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Blues overrun Dockers

May 24th 2008 07:41
CARLTON has run over the top of Fremantle to record a gutsy nine-point win at Telstra Dome on Saturday afternoon.

For the fourth successive week time the Dockers were unable to win after going into the final change in front.

The Dockers went into the final stanza with a three-point lead which was extended to 10 points early in the term through a powerful mark and goal to skipper Matthew Pavlich.

For the next 11 minutes the ball rebounded between the two 50m-lines, with neither side able to break the game open, before two goals in as many minutes from Andrew Carrazzo
and Nick Stevens put the Blues in front by two points.

Pavlich then wasted two golden opportunities to put his side back in front, initially with a set shot from 30 out directly in front which hit the post, then a snap deep in time-on from the pocket which ran through for a behind

Carlton youngster Darren Pfeiffer, a late replacement for the injured Bret Thornton, then iced the game in the dying minutes, kicking his first goal in AFL football to seal a 14.13 (97) to 14.4 (88) win for the Blues.

Stevens was influential in the middle for the Blues with 28 possessions, 12 marks and one goal. He received good support from Adam Bentick, who finished with a game high 31 disposals.

Eddie Betts, Heath Scotland and Brad Fisher led the Carlton goalkickers with two each, while key forward Brendon Fevola was well held by Fremantle defender Luke McPharlin, managing just one goal for the afternoon.

For Fremantle, promising youngsters Rhys Palmer and Garrick Ibbotson tried hard all day, racking up 20 and 21 possessions respectively, while Pavlich and Chris Tarrant combined for seven goals.

Both sides went goal for goal in the opening stanza before late goals to Scotland and Fisher put the Blues in front by eight points at quarter time.

Fremantle got the first goal of the second term through Jeff Farmer, but they were being comprehensively outplayed by Carlton, who slammed on the next three goals to skip out to a 20-point lead at the 10-minute mark.

Pavlich got the Dockers back into the contest with a much needed goal from 60m, before Tarrant kicked truly from 10m out.

When Michael Johnson nailed one at the 24-minute mark, Fremantle was within a goal of the Blues.

Carlton racked up 58 more possessions for the half (204-146), and had six more scoring shots than Fremantle, but led by just six points at the main break.

The third term was a see-sawing affair, with the Blues stretching their six-point half time lead to 18 points only two minutes into the quarter after goals from Betts and Jake Edwards.

Fremantle then slammed on the next four goals to regain the lead for the first time since the 22-minute mark of the first quarter.

Tarrant, with three goals, and Pavlich were proving dangerous up forward, and when the skipper scored his third late in the third term the visitors had stretched the margin to 10 points.

Carlton pulled one back right on the siren through Steven Browne to head into the final change trailing by three points.

The Dockers started the final term in ideal fashion when Pavlich kicked his fourth, but from thereonin Fremantle failed to register another major as the Blues kicked the final three goals of the match to seal their fourth win of the season.

CARLTON: 4.3, 7.7, 11.10, 14.13 (97)
FREMANTLE: 3.1, 7.1, 13.1, 14.4 (88)
GOALS: Carlton: Fisher 2, Betts 2, Scotland 2, Fevola, Wiggins, Simpson, Edwards, Browne, Carrazzo, Stevens, Pfeiffer
Fremantle: Pavlich 4, Tarrant 3, Farmer 2, Solomon, Bell, Duffield, Johnson, Bradley
BEST: Carlton: Stevens, Simpson, Bentick, Fisher, Scotland, Betts
Fremantle: Pavlich, Ibbotson, Tarrant, McPharlin, Palmer, Bradley
INJURIES: Carlton: Nil
Fremantle: Nil
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Darren Pfeiffer replaced Bret Thornton (knee) in Carlton's selected side
UMPIRES: Fila, Meredith, Ellis
CROWD: 28,955 at Telstra Dome
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Carlton Blues
   


Blues re-sign Betts

May 24th 2008 06:59
CARLTON have re-signed lively small forward Eddie Betts for another two seasons.

Blues president Richard Pratt announced the re-signing at the pre-game lunch before Saturday's game against Fremantle at Telstra Dome.

In other good news for Carlton, Pratt also announced that the club had passed the 40,000 member mark during the week.
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Thornton a late withdrawal

May 24th 2008 04:17
CARLTON has suffered a a major blow with key defender Bret Thornton a late withdrawal from the side that will face Fremantle at Telstra Dome this afternoon.

Thornton, who was likely to have played on Fremantle captain Matthew Pavlich, was selected on Thursday night after missing two matches with a knee injury.

He will be replaced in the selected side by Darren Pfeiffer.
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Clarkson backs Kennett

May 24th 2008 04:06
HAWTHORN coach Alastair Clarkson has thrown his support behind club president Jeff Kennett following his controversial call for the Melbourne Football Club to relocate to the Gold Coast.

Clarkson said Kennett was entitled to "rattle the cage" and believed that the Hawks were a stronger football club as a result.

"We've got a president who, in his political life and now as the president of our club has
been as good as anyone in that regard for a long, long period of time," Clarkson said.

"We're absolutely delighted that he rattles the cage at our football club because it makes us
a much, much better footy club."

"Sometimes those comments are provocative, sometimes they're challenging (but) they're always very, very well-informed."

"He's got a fantastic intellect, he's got great humour and we're pretty happy that he's the president of our footy club because he challenges us to strive to get to another level."
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Demons looking at boutique stadium

May 24th 2008 00:18
MELBOURNE will play matches at two home grounds, the MCG and a boutique stadium if a radical proposal that will feature in a blueprint for the club's long-term future gets approval later this year.

Melbourne president Paul Gardner's ultimate goal would be for the Demons to have two home grounds, its traditional one, the MCG, which would host games drawing large crowds, and a second option — more like Geelong's Skilled Stadium — that would hold about 30,000 people.

It would enable Melbourne to make money, rather than lose it, as it does when it plays before small crowds at the MCG.

Gardner said stadium inequality was an issue that needed to be adressed by the AFL if all 10 Melbourne-based clubs are going to survive and propser.

"If Geelong gets 25,000 people to Skilled Stadium, they make between five to six hundred grand. We get 25,000 people on Sunday to the Hawthorn game, we ain't gonna make anywhere near that … You struggle to get 20,000 to Freo games and you get sick of writing out cheques," he said.

"I think they (the AFL) have to find a system that says, 'If 25,000 fans in one ground equals X dollars in income, then 25,000 fans at every ground should equal X dollars in income' … that's the key to the future."

Gardner believed that boutique stadiums were the way forward for Melbourne-based clubs that wanted to remain at their traditional base.

"Why wouldn't Melbourne Cricket Club have a boutique stadium? They could do that. When we're looking at areas like rebuilding southern stands, why wouldn't you say, 'What we're going to do is have a second stadium' and have a mini MCG? The whole competition can turn on its head, so do I see a future for Victorian clubs? Absolutely. I see an expanded future. I can see a day when clubs may well have two grounds."
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AFL planning to buy ANZ Stadium

May 23rd 2008 23:54
THE AFL wants to buy ANZ Stadium in Sydney in a bid to guarantee the success of the western Sydney franchise in 2011.

It is believed that the AFL has revived a previously secret $200 million bid for the Olympic stadium that was rejected last year.

The ANZ-led trust which owns the Homebush stadium prevailed in early 2007 due to the fact that they owned the stadium's $140 million debt.

Westpac chiefs were nervous about owning an asset whose debt was controlled by a competitor.

Should the AFL bid be successful, it could result in the extinction of several Sydney NRL clubs that rely on the stadium's $100,000-a-game guarantee to prop up their bottom line.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou spent half a day at Olympic Park five weeks ago with General Manager of AFL (NSW/ACT), Dale Holmes and stadium chief executive Ken Edwards.

When asked if the AFL was preparing to buy the stadium, Demetriou responded with a "no comment".

A source close to the negotiations said the AFL wanted to replicate its stadia-ownership strategy in Sydney. It has a sizeable ownership stake in Melbourne's Telstra Dome, ensuring turnover from premiership matches staged at Docklands is not lost to the code.

"They have an interest in establishing a team in Western Sydney, so it would make sense to buy ANZ Stadium," the source said.

"They effectively control the leasehold over Telstra Dome and it's been their business plan to control stadia around Australia."
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Magpies smash Cats

May 23rd 2008 13:02
COLLINGWOOD has given its percentage a significant boost and ended Geelong's unbeaten start to the season with an 86-point thrashing of the reigning premiers at the MCG on Friday night.

The Magpies were superb, outscoring Geelong in every term and showing greater intensity and commitment to the contested footy as they ran out convicing 20.14 (134) to 7.6 (48) winners.

It was Geelong's biggest loss since Adelaide beat them by 92 points in round 13, 2006.

The Magpies amassed a staggering 85 tackles, 56 of which came in the first half as they stifled Geelong's run and carry, which has been a feature of their football in the past 12 months, and a key factor in them winning 27 of their past 28 matches.

Collingwood had 13 individual goalkickers, with Travis Cloke leading from the front with four majors, while Paul Medhurst (three goals) and Alan Didak (two goals and 26 touches) were also dangerous.

Martin Clarke and Dane Swan led were also prolific in the middle for the Magpies with 28 and 29 possessions respectively.

The Magpies applied immense pressure all over the ground from the opening bounce, racking up the first 10 tackles of the match and startling the Cats by jumping out to an early 20-point lead.

Geelong had to wait until the 17-minute mark of the first term for their first major, with Travis Varcoe, a late call-up for the injured Paul Chapman, kicking truly.

David Wojcinski followed up for the Cats but Cloke, who was proving too strong for Geelong defender Harry Taylor, kicked back-to-back goals before Didak made it a 26-point break in favour of the Pies at quarter-time.

When Rocca and Medhurst kicked the first two goals of the second quarter, Collingwood had five in a row and looked set to inflict Geelong's first loss of the season.

The Pies closed out the half strongly to take a commanding 51-point lead into the main break.

Geelong came to life briefly in the second half, booting three goals in the space of four minutes to cut the margin to 33 points.

But any hopes of a come-from-behind win were quickly quashed when Didak kicked a much needed goal, before the Magpies piled on the next four majors of the term to take a match-winning 63-point lead into the final stanza.

COLLINGWOOD: 6.4, 11.6, 16.8, 20.14 (134)
GEELONG: 2.2, 3.3, 6.5, 7.6 (48)
GOALS: Collingwood: Cloke 4, Medhurst 3, Davis 2, Didak 2, Bryan, Clarke, Fraser, Johnson, Lockyer, Pendlebury, Rocca, H.Shaw, Thomas
Geelong: Ablett 2, Gamble, Hawkins, Mooney, Varcoe, Wojcinski
BEST: Collingwood: Didak, Cloke, O'Brien, Clarke, Thomas, Pendlebury
Geelong: Ablett, Milburn, Blake
INJURIES: Brisbane Lions: TBC
Melbourne: TBC
REPORTS: Nil.
CHANGES: Paul Chapman was replaced by Travis Varcoe in Geelong 's selected side
UMPIRES: McBurney, Kennedy, Jeffery.
CROWD: 78,206 at the MCG
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Williams to meet with the AFL

May 23rd 2008 07:47
PORT ADELAIDE coach Mark Williams is having ongoing discussions with the AFL over his attack on the Tribunal system and calls for an enquiry following the three-match ban handed to star midfielder Shaun Burgoyne.

Williams was highly critical of the Tribunal following the ruling, saying the decision tore at the fabric of the game.

Williams said he is expecting further discussions with the AFL football operations boss, Adrian Anderson.

"I sent a email to Sheeds [Kevin Sheedy] and Neale Daniher with their Coaches Association to explain and also to ask for support there, and then also to Adrian and Andrew [Demetriou] and Mike Fitzpatrick," he said.

"Adrian rang me back yesterday and we spent some time on the phone and Adrian's very happy to have a discussion - he knows that my intention is to make the game better
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Round nine teams

May 23rd 2008 07:00
ROUND NINE

All the teams for round nine of the 2008 AFL premiership season, with Sunday's updated teams.

COLLINGWOOD v GEELONG
Friday, 7:40pm AEST, MCG
COLLINGWOOD
B: H.Shaw, Wakelin, R.Shaw
HB: Maxwell, Brown, O'Brien
C: Pendlebury, Burns, Lockyer
HF: Didak, Rocca, Medhurst
F: Swan, Cloke, Thomas
FOLL: Fraser, O'Bree, Davis
I/C: Johnson, Wellingham, Clarke, Bryan
EMG: Cook, Lonie, Wood
IN: Fraser
OUT: Wood

GEELONG
B: Harley, Scarlett, Hunt
HB: Milburn, Taylor, Enright
C: Ling, Selwood, Bartel
HF: Chapman, Mooney, S.Johnson
F: Kelly, Hawkins, Stokes
FOLL: Blake, Ablett, Corey
I/C: West, Mackie, Gamble, Wojcinski
EMG: Byrnes, Varcoe, Rooke
IN: Stokes, West
OUT: Rooke, Mumford
Field umpires: McBurney, Kennedy, Jeffery

CARLTON v FREMANTLE
Saturday, 2:10pm AEST, Telstra Dome

CARLTON
B: Edwards, Thornton, Simpson
HB: Grigg, Bower, Wiggins
C: Stevens, Judd, Murphy
HF: Fisher, Waite, Scotland
F: Betts, Fevola, O'hAilpin
FOLL: Kreuzer, Carrazzo, Gibbs
I/C: Bentick, Browne, Hampson, Russell
EMG: Armfield, Austin, Pfeiffer
IN: Edwards, Hampson, Thornton
OUT: Jamison (shoulder), Hadley (groin), Ackland

FREMANTLE
B: Grover, McPharlin, Black
HB: Mundy, Dodd, Thornton
C: McManus, Palmer, Ibbotson
HF: Michael Johnson, Tarrant, Solomon
F: Mayne, Pavlich, Farmer
FOLL: Sandilands, Crowley, Bell
I/C: Bradley, Schammer, Peake, Duffield
EMG: Foster, Head, Murphy
IN: Grover, Mayne
OUT: Hayden (collapsed lung), Drum (inj)
Field umpires: Fila, Meredith, Ellis

PORT ADELAIDE v SYDNEY
Saturday, 2:40pm CST, AAMI Stadium

PORT ADELAIDE
B: Pettigrew, Carlile, Surjan
HB: P.Burgoyne, Thurstans, Cassisi
C: Boak, C.Cornes, K.Cornes
HF: Rodan, Tredrea, Ebert
F: D.Motlop, Westhoff, Gray
FOLL: Brogan, Salopek, Pearce
I/C: Wilson, Chaplin, Logan, Lade
EMG: White, Thomson, Stewart
IN: C.Cornes, Wilson
OUT: S.Burgoyne (suspended), Thomson

SYDNEY
B: Malceski, Barry, Mattner
HB: C.Bolton, Richards, Jack
C: Buchanan, Kirk, McVeigh
HF: R.O'Keefe, Roberts-Thomson, Moore
F: Bevan, O'Loughlin, Everitt
FOLL: Jolly, Goodes, J.Bolton
I/C: Ablett, Bird, Playfair, Schmidt
EMG: Brennan, Fosdike, Smith
IN: Schmidt
OUT: Kennelly (knee)
Field umpires: Margetts, Rosebury, McInerney

ESSENDON v RICHMOND
Saturday, 7:45pm AEST, MCG

ESSENDON
B: Slattery, Fletcher, Lovett-Murray
HB: Myers, McPhee, Hislop
C: Winderlich, Watson, Dyson
HF: Welsh, Daniher, Lovett
F: Hille, Lloyd, Lonergan
FOLL: Ryder, Stanton, McVeigh
I/C: Neagle, Reimers, Monfries, Jetta
EMG: Pears, Nash, Laycock
IN: Lovett-Murray, McPhee, Dyson, Watson
OUT: Houli (virus), Ramanauskas, Michael, Laycock

RICHMOND
B: King, Thursfield, McMahon
HB: Newman, Moore, Hyde
C: Deledio, Tuck, Richardson
HF: Edwards, Schulz, Bowden
F: Brown, Riewoldt, Tambling
FOLL: Simmonds, Johnson, Foley
I/C: Polak, White, Cotchin, Pattison
EMG: Pettifer, Connors, McGuane
IN: Pattison, Schulz
OUT: Morton, McGuane
Field umpires: Donlon, Vozzo, H.Ryan

WEST COAST v ADELAIDE
Saturday, 5:40pm WST, Subiaco Oval

WEST COAST
B: B.Jones, Glass, Davis
HB: Schofield, Wilkes, Embley
C: Braun, Priddis, Rosa
HF: Fletcher, Kennedy, Staker
F: Wirrpanda, Lynch, McKinley
FOLL: Cox, Stenglein, Masten
I/C: Ebert, Houlihan, Seaby, A.Selwood
EMG: Armstrong, Nicoski, Spangher
IN: Houlihan, Wilkes
OUT: Nicoski, Graham
NEW: Tim Houlihan, Selection No.46 in the 2006 National Draft, from North Ballarat Under-18s

ADELAIDE
B: Johncock, Rutten, Bassett
HB: McLeod, Bock, van Berlo
C: Reilly, Thompson, Doughty
HF: Vince, Stevens, Knights
F: Porplyzia, Tippett, Burton
FOLL: Griffin, Goodwin, Edwards
I/C: Mackay, Douglas, Maric, Shirley
EMG: McGregor, Jericho, Campbell
IN: Douglas, Reilly
OUT: Jacky, Jericho
Field umpires: Farmer, Schmitt, Wenn

BRISBANE LIONS v St KILDA
Sunday, 1:10pm AEST, the Gabba

BRISBANE LIONS
B: Drummond, Merrett, Patfull
HB: Brennan, Macdonald, Clark
C: Corrie, Black, Notting
HF: Rischitelli, Brown, Sherman
F: Hooper, Bradshaw, Johnstone
FOLL: Charman, Power, Adcock
I/C from: Harding, Roe, Selwood, McGrath, Polkinghorne, Leuenberger, Stiller
IN: Polkinghorne, Leuenberger, Stiller
OUT: -

ST KILDA
B: L.Fisher, Hudghton, Dempster
HB: Goddard, S.Fisher, Gram
C: Dal Santo, Ball, Montagna
HF: Schneider, Riewoldt, Blake
F: Milne, Koschitzke, Birss
FOLL: King,
Hayes, Harvey
I/C from: M.Gardiner, Ferguson, Geary, McQualter, Jones, Fiora, Armitage
IN: Riewoldt, Ferguson, Geary, McQualter, Jones, Fiora
OUT: Gehrig, R.Clarke, C.Gardiner
Field umpires: McLaren, Chamberlain, Head

MELBOURNE v HAWTHORN
Sunday, 2:10pm AEST, MCG

MELBOURNE
B: Warnock, Garland, Bell
HB: Bartram, P.Johnson, Bruce
C: Green, McLean, Bate
HF: Morton, Robertson, Moloney
F: Davey, Miller, Wonaeamirri
FOLL: White, McDonald, Jones
I/C from: Bode, Buckley, Holland, C.Johnson, Frawley, Yze, Valenti
IN: Bode, Holland, C.Johnson, Yze
OUT: Jamar

HAWTHORN
B: Brown, Gilham, Ladson
HB: Ellis, Croad, Birchall
C: Young, Mitchell, Bateman
HF: Osborne, Franklin, Kennedy
F: Rioli, Roughead, Williams
FOLL: Campbell, Sewell, Lewis
I/C from: Dew, Taylor, Clarke, Morton, Murphy, Renouf, Thorp
IN: Clarke, Kennedy, Morton, Murphy, Renouf, Thorp
OUT: McGlynn (suspended), Crawford (suspended), Guerra (hamstring)
Field umpires: James, Grun, Armstrong

WESTERN BULLDOGS v NORTH MELBOURNE
Sunday, 4:40pm AEST, Telstra Dome

WESTERN BULLDOGS
B: Callan, Lake, Gilbee
HB: Hargrave, Wight, Morris
C: Eagleton, Boyd, Cross
HF: Murphy, Hahn, Johnson
F: Akermanis, Minson, Welsh
FOLL: Hudson, Griffen, Cooney
I/C: Addison, Giansiracusa, Ray, Williams
EMG: Hill, Ward, Tiller
IN: Ray, Callan
OUT: Hill, Tiller

NORTH MELBOURNE
B: Gibson, Petrie, Watt
HB: Harding, Firrito, Wells
C: Riggio, Rawlings, Simpson
HF: Jones, N.Thompson, Hale
F: Grant, Harvey, Campbell
FOLL: McIntosh, Harris, Lower
I/C: Power, Thomas, Pratt, McMahon
EMG: Sinclair, Urquhart, Ross
IN: Pratt
OUT: Obst (punctured lung)
Field umpires: Stevic, M.Nicholls, S.Ryan
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North may still receive $1.2m from AFL

May 23rd 2008 05:48
NORTH MELBOURNE may still receive the money promised to them by the AFL, despite advising the league that they will not play games on the Gold Coast in 2009.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said today that despite refusing to play on the Gold Coast next year, the Kangaroos were still entitled to the $1.2 million promised as part of their deal to play three “home” games at Carrara.

“We don’t walk away from agreements,” he said.

“We’re very consistent, we’ve got a great record on that but the fact of the matter is that we’ve got on-going discussions with the North Melbourne Football Club.”

Demetriou said the AFL respected North Melbourne's decision to remain in Melbourne and said the league would do everything it could to support the Kangaroos.

“They’ve made it clear that they don’t want to play on the Gold Coast and we respect that, they’ve said clearly… that they want to play all their games in Melbourne, so we respect that and we’ll do what we can to accomodate that.”
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Demons not relocating: Gardner

May 23rd 2008 00:22
MELBOURNE has no intentions of relocating according to president Paul Gardner.

Speaking on SEN radio this morning, Gardner responded to comments from outspoken Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett that the Demons would need to relocate to the Gold Coast if they hope to be financially successful in the AFL.

“It’s never been a discussion at all,” Gardner said.

“The big fork in the road for us was obviously 1996 when we talked about the merger with Hawthorn.”

“At that stage and that was the big ‘do we change our identity?’ it was shown then that the members wanted us to stay, the supporters want us to stay, the AFL want us to stay and we want to stay,”

“In fact, the only person who seems to want is to go is Jeff (Kennett).”
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Hall healing ahead of schedule

May 22nd 2008 23:46
SYDNEY are hopeful that forward Barry Hall will be back to face St Kilda at the SCG in round 12.

Hall suffered a badly broken wrist on the same night he was reported for striking West Coast utility Brent Staker, which subsequently resulted in a seven-match ban.

The badly broken wrist he suffered against the Eagles in round four was initially expected to keep him out of the side until July.

Sydney coach Paul Roos said Hall had been training well, but the club wouldn't get a clearer idea on when Hall will return until next week when the former captain has X-rays to assess the injury.

"He is certainly a chance to play when he is due back from suspension," Roos said.

"We will know a bit more next week. But he is training hard, training really well, and at this stage his wrist appears to be healing really well."
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Michael vows to fight for his career

May 22nd 2008 23:18
ESSENDON full-back Mal Michael says he will fight to prolong his AFL career, despite last night being dropped from the side that will play Richmond in the 'Dreamtime at the G' clash on Saturday night.

Michael was omitted from the Essendon side, along with Adam Ramanauskas, raising speculation the pair may be moved on at the end of the season as the Bombers aim to rebuild.

Ramanauskas, 27, has fought back from several bouts of cancer, but has struggled this season to cope with tempo of modern football, while Michael, who is in the last year of a two-year deal has had the third-most goals kicked on him of all the full-backs.

Last night Michael said he had not been told by coach Matthew Knights that his opportunities at Essendon would be limited, and that he was keen to continue his AFL career.

"I am keen to keep playing, for sure. I will see what happens after the weekend because I am not sure what they have planned for the future," he said.

"With my situation, it was that there wasn't a role for me (against Richmond on Saturday night), so that's why I am not in the side."

Michael and Ramanauskas will play in the Bendigo Bombers side that will face Coburg at Coburg City Oval on Sunday.
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Demons must 'move or die'

May 22nd 2008 22:36
MELBOURNE has to "bite the bullet" and move to the Gold Coast if they ever hope to become financially succesful in the AFL, according to outspoken Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett.

Speaking at a Sony Foundation charity fundraiser, Kennett advised Demons legend Jim Stynes - considered increasingly likely to take over from president Paul Gardiner within the next six to eight weeks - to relocate the club.

"If Jimmy Stynes wants to stand for the presidency at Melbourne, like any young person, I encourage him to give it a go. But my advice to him would be to bite the bullet and establish the Gold Coast Demons because I don't think Melbourne, as it is at the moment, has a long-term future in this code," Kennett told the audience.

"It needs to do something dramatic if it is to get the financial support and the consumer and sponsorship support.

"For the teams in the last four positions (on the ladder) at the end of this year, it is going to be very, very hard to rebuild within the next 10 years.

"There is no way Andrew (Demetriou) is going to allow any of the weaker clubs to rebuild through the drafting process through the next 10 years. It's almost going to be impossible with what is proposed, so that makes it hard."

Both Hawthorn and Melbourne have enjoyed a turbulent relationship since the mid 1990's, when the Hawks pulled out of a merger with the Demons at the last minute.

Kennett's comments will no doubt add further fuel to the fire when the two sides meet at the MCG on Sunday.
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Round nine teams

May 22nd 2008 07:55
ROUND NINE

Friday, May 23
Collingwood v Geelong at the MCG, 7.40pm AEST

Saturday, May 24
Carlton v Fremantle at Telstra Dome, 2.10pm AEST
Port Adelaide v Sydney Swans at AAMI Stadium, 2.40pm ACST
Essendon v Richmond at the MCG, 7.45pm AEST
West Coast v Adelaide at Subiaco, 5.40pm AWST

Sunday, May 25
Brisbane Lions v St Kilda at the Gabba, 1.10pm AEST
Melbourne v Hawthorn at the MCG, 2.10pm AEST
Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne at Telstra Dome, 4.40pm AEST


COLLINGWOOD v GEELONG
COLLINGWOOD
B: Heath Shaw, Shane Wakelin, Rhyce Shaw
HB: Nick Maxwell, Nathan Brown, Heritier O’Brien
C: Scott Pendlebury, Scott Burns, Tarkyn Lockyer
HF: Alan Didak, Anthony Rocca, Paul Medhurst
F: Dane Swan, Travis Cloke, Dale Thomas
Foll: Josh Fraser, Shane O’Bree, Leon Davis
I/C: Martin Clarke, Ben Johnson, Sharrod Wellingham, Chris Bryan
EMG: Ryan Cook, Ryan Lonie, Cameron Wood
In: Fraser
Out: Cameron Wood

GEELONG
B: Tom Harley, Matthew Scarlett, Josh Hunt
HB: Darren Milburn, Harry Taylor, Corey Enright
C: Cameron Ling, Joel Selwood, Jimmy Bartel
HF: Steve Johnson, Cameron Mooney, Paul Chapman
F: James Kelly, Tom Hawkins, Mathew Stokes
Foll: Mark Blake, Gary Ablett, Joel Corey
I/C: Trent West, Andrew Mackie, Ryan Gamble, David Wojcinski
In: Stokes, West
Out: Max Rooke, Shane Mumford



CARLTON v FREMANTLE
CARLTON
B: Jake Edwards, Bret Thornton, Kade Simpson
HB: Shaun Grigg, Paul Bower, Simon Wiggins
C: Nick Stevens, Chris Judd, Marc Murphy
HF: Brad Fisher, Jarrad Waite, Heath Scotland
F: Setanta O’hAilpin, Brendan Fevola, Eddie Betts
Foll: Matthew Kreuzer, Andrew Carrazzo, Bryce Gibbs
I/C: Adam Bentick, Steven Browne, Shaun Hampson, Jordan Russell
EMG: Dennis Armfield, Mark Austin, Darren Pfeiffer
In: Edwards, Hampson, Thornton
Out: Cain Ackland, Richard Hadley (groin), Michael Jamison (shoulder)

FREMANTLE
B: Antoni Grover, Luke McPharlin, Heath Black
HB: David Mundy, Steven Dodd, Scott Thornton
C: Shaun McManus, Rhys Palmer, Garrick Ibbotson
HF: Michael Johnson,Chris Tarrant, Dean Solomon
F: Jeff Farmer, Matthew Pavlich, Chris Mayne
Foll: Aaron Sandilands, Ryan Crowley, Peter Bell
I/C: Byron Schammer, Paul Duffield, Kepler Bradley, Brett Peake
EMG: Andrew Foster, Josh Head, Ryan Murphy
In: Grover, Mayne
Out: Roger Hayden (lung), Marcus Drum (hamstring)


PORT ADELAIDE v SYDNEY SWANS
PORT ADELAIDE
B: Michael Pettigrew, Alipate Carlile, Jacob Surjan
HB: Peter Burgoyne, Toby Thurstans, Dom Cassisi
C: Travis Boak, Chad Cornes, Kane Cornes
HF: David Rodan, Warren Tredrea, Brett Ebert
F: Daniel Motlop, Justin Westhoff, Robbie Gray
Foll: Dean Brogan, Steven Salopek, Danyle Pearce
I/C: Michael Wilson, Troy Chaplin, Tom Logan, Brendon Lade
EMG: Adam Thomson, Paul Stewart, Damon White
In: Chad Cornes, Wilson
Out: Shaun Burgoyne (suspension), Adam Thomson


SYDNEY SWANS
B: Nick Malceski, Leo Barry, Martin Mattner
HB: Craig Bolton, Ted Richards, Kieren Jack
C: Jarrad McVeigh, Brett Kirk, Amon Buchanan
HF: Ryan O’Keefe, Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Jarred Moore
F: Paul Bevan, Michael O’Loughlin, Peter Everitt
Foll: Darren Jolly, Adam Goodes, Jude Bolton
I/C: Luke Ablett, Craig Bird, Henry Playfair, Tim Schmidt
EMG: Luke Brennan, Nic Fosdike, Nick Smith
In: Schmidt
Out: Tadhg Kennelly (Knee)

ESSENDON v RICHMOND
ESSENDON
B: Henry Slattery, Dustin Fletcher, Nathan Lovett-Murray
HB: David Myers, Adam McPhee, Tom Hislop
C: Jason Winderlich, Jobe Watson, Ricky Dyson
HF: Andrew Welsh, Darcy Daniher, Andrew Lovett
F: David Hille, Matthew Lloyd, Sam Lonergan
Foll: Patrick Ryder, Brent Stanton, Mark McVeigh
I/C: Jay Neagle, Kyle Reimers, Angus Monfries, Leroy Jetta
EMG: Tayte Pears, Jay Nash, Jason Laycock
In: Lovett-Murray, McPhee, Watson, Ricky Dyson
Out: Ramanauskas, Michael, Houli (virus), Laycock

RICHMOND
B: Jordan McMahon, Will Thursfield, Jake King
HB: Chris Newman, Kelvin Moore, Chris Hyde
C: Matthew Richardson, Shane Tuck, Brett Deledio
HF: Shane Edwards, Jay Schulz, Joel Bowden
F: Nathan Brown, Jack Riewoldt, Richard Tambling
Foll: Troy Simmonds, Kane Johnson, Nathan Foley
I/C: Graham Polak, Matt White, Trent Cotchin, Adam Pattison
EMG: Kayne Pettifer, Daniel Connors, Luke McGuane
In: Pattison, Schulz
Out: Mitch Morton, Luke McGuane



WEST COAST v ADELAIDE
WESTCOAST
B: Brett Jones, Darren Glass, Ryan Davis
HB: Will Schofield, Beau Wilkes, Andrew Embley
C: Michael Braun, Matt Priddis, Matt Rosa
HF: Chad Fletcher, Josh Kennedy, Brent Staker
F: David Wirrpanda, Quinten Lynch, Ben McKinley
Foll: Dean Cox, Tyson Stenglein, Chris Masten
I/C: Brad Ebert, Tim Houlihan, Mark Seaby, Adam Selwood
EMG: Steven Armstrong, Mark Nicoski, Matt Spangher
In: Houlihan, Wilkes
Out: Nicoski, Graham

ADELAIDE
B: Graham Johncock, Ben Rutten, Nathan Bassett
HB: Andrew McLeod, Nathan Bock, Nathan van Berlo
C: Brent Reilly, Scott Thompson, Michael Doughty
HF: Bernie Vince, Scott Stevens, Chris Knights
F: Jason Porplyzia, Kurt Tippett, Brett Burton
Foll: Jonathon Griffin, Simon Goodwin, Tyson Edwards
I/C: Robert Shirley, David Mackay, Ivan Maric, Richard Douglas
EMG: Ken McGregor, Luke Jericho, Bryce Campbell
In: Douglas, Reilly
Out: Jarrhan Jacky, Luke Jericho


BRISBANE LIONS v ST KILDA
BRISBANE LIONS
B: Josh Drummond, Daniel Merrett, Joel Patfull
HB: Jared Brennan, Joel Macdonald, Mitch Clark
C: Anthony Corrie, Simon Black, Tim Notting
HF: Michael Rischitelli, Jonathan Brown, Justin Sherman
F: Rhan Hooper, Daniel Bradshaw, Travis Johnstone
Foll: Jamie Charman, Luke Power, Jed Adcock
I/C (from): Scott Harding, Jason Roe, Troy Selwood, Ashley McGrath, Matthew Leuenberger, Cheynee Stiller, James Polkinghorne
In: Leuenberger, Stiller, Polkinghorne
Out: -


ST KILDA
B: Leigh Fisher, Max Hudghton, Sean Dempster
HB: Jason Gram, Sam Fisher, Brendon Goddard
C: Nick Dal Santo, Luke Ball, Leigh Montagna
HF: Adam Schneider, , Nick Riewoldt, Jason Blake
F: Shane Birss,, Justin Koschitzke, Stephen Milne
Foll: Steven King, Lenny Hayes, Robert Harvey
I/C (from): Michael Gardiner, Jarryn Geary, Andrew McQualter, Matthew Ferguson, Clint Jones, Aaron Fiora, David Armitage
In: Riewoldt, Geary, McQualter, Ferguson, Jones, Fiora
Out: Fraser Gehrig (hand), Raphael Clarke, Charlie Gardiner


MELBOURNE v HAWTHORN
MELBOURNE
B: Matthew Warnock, Colin Garland, Daniel Bell
HB: Clint Bartram, Paul Johnson, Cameron Bruce
C: Brad Green, Brock McLean, Matthew Bate
HF: Cale Morton, Russell Robertson, Brent Moloney
F: Aaron Davey, Brad Miller, Austin Wonaeamirri
Foll: Jeff White, James McDonald, Nathan Jones
I/C (from): Jace Bode, Simon Buckley, Ben Holland, Chris Johnson, Shane Valenti, James Frawley, Adem Yze
In: Bode, Holland, Johnson, Yze
Out: Mark Jamar


HAWTHORN
B: Campbell Brown, Stephen Gilham, Rick Ladson
HB: Xavier Ellis, Trent Croad, Grant Birchall
C: Clinton Young, Sam Mitchell, Chance Bateman
HF: Michael Osborne, Lance Franklin, Josh Kennedy
F: Cyril Rioli, Jarryd Roughead, Mark Williams
Foll: Robert Campbell, Brad Sewell, Jordan Lewis
I/C (from): Tim Clarke , Stuart Dew, Jarryd Morton, Thomas Murphy, Brent Renouf, Simon Taylor, Mitch Thorp
In: Clarke, Kennedy, Morton, Murphy, Renouf, Thorp
Out: Brent Guerra (hamstring), Shane Crawford (suspended), Ben McGlynn (suspended)


WESTERN BULLDOGS v NORTH MELBOURNE
WESTERN BULLDOGS
B: Lindsay Gilbee, Brian Lake, Tim Callan
HB: Ryan Hargrave, Cameron Wight, Dale Morris
C: Nathan Eagleton, Matthew Boyd, Daniel Cross
HF: Brad Johnson, Mitch Hahn, Robert Murphy
F: Scott Welsh, Will Minson, Jason Akermanis
Foll: Ben Hudson, Ryan Griffen, Adam Cooney
I/C (from): Dylan Addison, Daniel Giansiracusa, Josh Hill, Farren Ray, Stephen Tiller, Callan Ward, Tom Williams
In: Callan, Ray, Ward
Out: -


NORTH MELBOURNE
B: Josh Gibson, Drew Petrie, Shannon Watt
HB: Leigh Harding, Michael Firrito, Daniel Wells
C: Matt Riggio, Brady Rawlings, Adam Simpson
HF: Corey Jones, Nathan Thompson, David Hale
F: Shannon Grant, Brent Harvey, Matt Campbell
Foll: Hamish McIntosh, Daniel Harris, Ed Lower
I/C (from): Sam Power, Jess Sinclair, Lindsay Thomas, Gavin Urquhart, Ben Ross, Daniel Pratt, Scott McMahon
In: Sinclair, Urquhart, Ross, Pratt
Out: Alan Obst (punctured lung)
New: Gavin Urquhart (Morningside)

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Wirrpanda edging closer to retirement

May 22nd 2008 06:17
WEST COAST veteran David Wirrpanda has hinted that this could be his final season ahead of his 200th AFL match against Adelaide at Subiaco Oval on Saturday night.

Wirrpanda, who joined the Eagles as a 16-year-old in 1996, said his mind was willing but his body might not be able to withstand the rigours of AFL football for much longer.

"It might be this year, it might be next year, I might be standing here with a microphone with you blokes next year, who knows?" Wirrpanda said.

"I can understand what Chris Waterman, Chris Mainwaring, Lewy (Chris Lewis), Peter Matera and Dean Kemp used to complain about now.

"I couldn't understand back then, now I do understand the difference between what the mind and body says.

"The body feels a bit like it's 40 but the mind obviously loves to play footy. But you've got to be realistic and I'm a realistic person.
"If the time's right I'll let it go, there's no dramas for me to go to the next chapter of my life.
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Fraser likely to face Cats

May 22nd 2008 04:06
COLLINGWOOD ruckman Josh Fraser is expected to face Geelong at the MCG tomorrow night after completing training today.

Fraser missed last weekend’s win over St. Kilda after sustaining a knee injury in the Hall of Fame Tribute match.

Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse said he is confident that Fraser will take his place in the side for Friday night's preliminary final re-match.

“Josh is playing right now and really that’s the way it is in football, you pick the side on your training and we have until tomorrow to work through it,” Malthouse said.

“I wouldn’t have named him if I didn’t think he’d play,” he said.
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Coaches in line for new deal

May 22nd 2008 01:05
AFL coaches are set to receive better working conditions, with an in principle agreement struck between the the Commission and club chief executives.

The new agreement, which may not come into effect for another 12 months, recognises annual leave entitlements, provides for a day off each week during the season as well as professional development leave to attend seminars designed to improve their coaching skills.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said that coaches had been neglected in the past and that the new agreement was well deserved.

“As an industry, the coaches haven’t had the recognition that other areas of the game, such as players have received in the past," he said.

“They deserve to have some some consistent terms and conditions without us interfering in areas such as financial remuneration

AFL Coaches' Association chief executive Neale Daniher said the new agreement would allow coaches to lead a better balanced life.

"This agreement will never take over the contracts with the clubs, but we are hoping to see a better life balance for coaches and less coaches leave the game burnt out and not qualified for anything else.

"And we want to improve our coaches. The commission has strongly backed that. Even at community level if you get a dickhead coach it affects the whole club."

AFL football operations boss Adrian Anderson has worked with Daniher and Demetriou on the agreement that could see the commission approve funding for coaches' development, education and post-coaching career strategies.
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Clubs say no to Gold Coast

May 22nd 2008 00:17
THE AFL is struggling to find a club willing to see out the final year of the Kangaroos' contract on the Gold Coast.

Cash-strapped Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs have ruled out playing three matches on the Gold Coast in 2009.

The contract between North Melbourne and the AFL is set to be cut short due to the extremely small crowd that attended last Saturday night's Kangaroos-West Coast match

The Roos receive $400,000 for each match at Carrara and will see out their final two games there this season - against St Kilda (round 14) and Brisbane Lions (round 18).

From there, the AFL will have to find another partner if it is to have a presence on the Gold Coast before the introduction of the 17th team in 2011.

Melbourne chief executive Paul McNamee said the Demons, who play Sydney at Manuka Oval in round 13, were only interested in holding matches outside Melbourne in the ACT.

Western Bulldogs chief executive Campbell Rose said the club was not in a position to relocate as it is contracted to play matches in Canberra and Darwin for the next two years.

Collingwood had expressed interest in playing six away games on the Gold Coast next year, but club president Eddie McGuire said yesterday he would have to speak with the AFL first before making any commitments.
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Gehrig goes in for repairs

May 22nd 2008 00:05
ST KILDA'S rehab staff will work over the next two months to manage the chronic arthritis in Fraser Gehrig's hands as well repair a groin ailment which has plagued the Saints forward all season.

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon conceded upper leg problems had severely restricted Gehrig's movement this season, but said he wasn't sure if the dual Coleman medallist had the dreaded osteistis pubis.

"His groins have been sore. Is it OP? I don't know," Lyon said.

"He couldn't hold his ground and he was being buffeted. Great players don't go to ground too often, but Fraser was on the ground a little bit by his standards."

Lyon couldn't guarantee that Gehrig would play again this season, saying the interests and needs of the club were greater than those of the individual.

"It's about what's best for St Kilda. There are no favours or sentiments. He still has his speed and power and he's still a nice kick," Lyon said.

"It's not total doom and gloom, but when you set high standards and the ball did go in there a fair bit and he just felt he wasn't able to do some of the things he can do."

Meanwhile, St Kilda skipper Nick Riewoldt (knee) and midfielder Steven Baker (knee) joined training, although skipper Riewoldt didn't fully test his bandaged left knee and has another test on Friday to prove his fitness.

"He is a really good opportunity to play, but he has two sessions to get through. Baker is in the same situation. He has trained the last two sessions and we're optimistic with both of them," Lyon said.

Hard-running defender Jason Gram disappeared into the rooms before the warm-up, Luke Ball was confined to handball drills, while Max Hudghton and Leigh Montagna ran laps.
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Power duo in line for a recall

May 21st 2008 23:53
PORT ADELAIDE veterans Chad Cornes and Michael Wilson are in line for a recall but won't be rushed back because of Shaun Burgoyne's three-match suspension, according to coach Mark Williams.

Cornes is recovering from a broken hand and has been cleared to play by a surgeon while Wilson made it through his comeback game for the Port Adelaide Magpies in the SANFL.

Williams said Cornes was more than a 50 per cent chance of facing Sydney at AAMI Stadium on Saturday, but he wouldn't be included if he's not ready.

"We can't put Chad or his well-being in jeopardy just because of the result of Shaun and that goes for Michael as well," he said.

Williams said Wilson, who hasn't played at AFL level since the preliminary final against the Kangaroos last year, pulled up a bit sore and wouldn't be rushed back from a long-term injury.

"His (Wilson's) legs were a bit sore afterwards but definitely not his Achille's (tendon)."

"When they come back from long-term injuries you've got to look after them and not consider it's just linear, that all of sudden that everything goes well for them."
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Demons seeking $1m life support

May 21st 2008 23:42
MELBOURNE's woes have extended to off the field, with the bottom-placed Demons expected to make a loss of more than $1million in their 150th year.

The Demons will make a submission to the AFL commission to boost financial assistance by $750,000 to the $1m mark in 2009.

This comes at a time when the league is considering abandoning its $6.4m financial assistance package, following calls from several club presidents who believe clubs should be forced to go it alone.

The annual special dividend fund currently benefits eight clubs.

The Demons have been on AFL support since 2004 when they first received $1.5m, with the same amount in 2005. Since 2006, Melbourne has received $1m each year.

McNamee refused to confirm or deny the that the Demons would make a $1m loss, but he did say the scheduled $250,000 assistance next year wouldn't be enough.

"We're not going to back the truck up, but clearly the $250,000 next year will not be enough," McNamee said.

The MCC supports Melbourne in proportion to the AFL, and McNamee said the Demons will seek the same $500,000 funding in 2009 as it did this year.

Melbourne's financial woes stem from poor on-field performance, which affects membership numbers, home-game attendances and merchandising.

The Demons have 26,400 members, but expect to reach last year's figure of 27,000. However, the previous administration budgeted for 30,000.

McNamee, who took over from former CEO Steve Harris two months ago, said his main mission was to adhere to an AFL request to present a new business plan to the league by August.

Harris, who was dumped this season, initially forecasted a $500,000 profit for this season, which was revised several months ago to a $500,000 loss.
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Crawford told to clean up his act

May 21st 2008 23:15
HAWTHORN midfielder Shane Crawford has been warned by the club to avoid further undisciplined acts and tribunal bans.

The warning comes in the wake of Crawford's one-match ban for striking Port Adelaide ruckman Dean Brogan in last weekend's 15-point win at Aurora Stadium.

Hawthorn football manager Mark Evans said Crawford is aware that he needs to change his playing style.

"Shane has told me that he thinks he needs to do things differently. He's aware of that," Evans said.

"He needs to avoid those sorts of actions. They're not going to help him or the team."

"We have to recognise Shane has been in the system for 17 years. But as a club we have been disappointed with the last couple of incidents."

Crawford's latest indiscretion was his 17th booking. He joins former Hawthorn star Dermott Brereton and Kangaroos champion Glenn Archer as equal fourth on the reported players' list, behind only David Rhys-Jones, Carl Ditterich and Greg Williams.
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Williams slams Burgoyne decision

May 21st 2008 06:37
PORT ADELAIDE coach Mark Williams has slammed the three-match ban handed to star midfielder Shaun Burgoyne and has called for an enquiry into the tribunal's decision.

Williams said he supported the AFL's protection of players with their head over the ball, but believed the decision destroyed the fabric of the game.

"There has to be a few questions of how a coach and how a team and how a club plays contested football if that particular incident gets three weeks suspension for a player like Shaun," Williams said.

"When you are a metre away from a person that is approaching the ball, you have your eye on the ball and the other person is running in the same direction, it's unrealistic to think you are not going to make a collision."

"And I have never seen anyone intentionally bump anyone with the middle of their back into someone's head."
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Medicos say no to Ottens return

May 21st 2008 06:26
GEELONG coach Mark Thompson is growing increasingly frustrated at the unavailbility of number one ruckman Brad Ottens.

Ottens has not played this year because of a foot tendon problem and has been ruled out of Friday night's clash against Collingwood at the MCG.

“We had a big blue with the doctors and the fitness staff trying to convince them to play him half a game of AFL instead of an hour of training,” Thompson said.

“What's the difference? They said there was a difference and they won again.

“There'll be no fight next week. I told them (fitness staff) not to injure him no matter what and he's playing next week, straight up.”

Thompson said Trent West was a strong chance to replace Shane Mumford as the second-string ruckman, while small forward Mathew Stokes will return after serving a one-week suspension.

Cameron Ling and hard-running defender Andrew Mackie remain in some doubt after sustaining leg injuries during last weekend's 30-point win over Richmond.

Thompson said the coaching staff would closely monitor the progress of 21-year-old defender Harry Taylor, who now becomes a key cog in Geelong's premiership defence following last week's news that All-Australian defender Matthew Egan would not play again this season.

“We'll certainly manage him because he's one guy we need in at the right end of the season,” he said.

“At this stage he's handling everything.”
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Burgoyne to cop ban on chin

May 21st 2008 05:41
PORT ADELAIDE midfielder Shaun Burgoyne will miss the next three matches after the club decided not to appeal against the suspension handed down last night by the AFL Tribunal.

Burgoyne was found guilty of guilty of rough conduct for his head-high bump on Hawthorn skipper Sam Mitchell - which resulted in the Hawks' midfielder being taken from the field on a stretcher during last Saturday's clash at Aurora Stadium.

The Tribunal last night found Burgoyne guilty of negligent conduct and high contact, but the three-man jury of former players Wayne Henwood, David Pittman and Wayne Schimmelbusch downgraded the high impact to medium impact.

Football operations manager Peter Rohde said the club opted against appealing the decision because they felt there was little chance of a successful outcome.
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Watson unlikely to play: Knights

May 21st 2008 04:58
ESSENDON midfielder Jobe Watson is unlikely to play in his side's clash against Richmond at the MCG on Saturday night.

The club initially said he’d only miss one week with a bruised back but coach Matthew Knights today conceded his chances of facing the Tigers were slim.

Knights said the club didn't want to risk Watson sustaining any further injury by being rushed back to early.

“His scans are clear. It’s just there’s been some tightness there and he would have to train, he would have to sparkle for me to select him because he’s too much of an important player to have him out for long,” Knights said.
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Gehrig's future still undecided: Lyon

May 21st 2008 03:26
THE future of St Kilda forward Fraser Gehrig remains undecided according to coach Ross Lyon.

Gehrig was placed on the club's long-term injury list on Tuesday after battling arthritis in the hands, as well as groin problems.

Lyon said the club would continue to monitor Gehrig's progress, but stopped short of saying whether or not the 32-year-old would play again.

“He’ll be on the long-term injury list for eight weeks and we’ll assess it from there,” Lyon said.

In some good news for the injury-plagued Saints, Lyon said St Kilda skipper Nick Riewoldt and Steven Baker were chances to return from knee injuries.

“[Riewoldt] is a really good opportunity to play. We’re really optimistic he’ll play but he’s got two more sessions to get through," Lyon said.

"Baker’s in exactly the same category.”

Lyon also said midfielder Luke Ball would play against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on Sunday despite being seen wearing a moon boot at Monday’s training session.

“He’s fine. If we had anything to hide and he was in any risk, he wouldn’t be out there at an open session with the moon boot.

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Clubs set to lose payouts

May 21st 2008 03:18
STRUGGLING clubs may be forced to go it alone as the AFL continues to work out how to fund its two new clubs on the Gold Coast and in western Sydney.

While it works out how the new clubs will recruit players, the AFL is also considering abandoning a package of $6.4 million in assistance set aside for 2010 to help keep struggling clubs afloat.

A review of the AFL commission's annual special dividend (ASD) fund had been planned for next summer but has been brought forward after several club presidents queried the right for clubs to receive the extra compensation at the president's meeting on May 9.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said yesterday several club chiefs questioned the right of other clubs to receive assistance given the fact that North Melbourne knocked back a $50m offer from the AFL to move to the Gold Coast.

"It was raised by one president and he was supported by others. Several presidents felt clubs should have to go it alone," Demetriou said yesterday.

Melbourne will receive $1.25m this year and next; the Bulldogs $3.4m; North Melbourne $2.8m and Sydney $1.5m.

The AFL has budgeted for $6.4m in special dividends in 2011 but the money is yet to be allocated.
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North to see out contract: Brayshaw

May 21st 2008 00:56
NORTH MELBOURNE chairman James Brayshaw has dismissed reports the club won't honour the final year of its contract to play three games each year on the Gold Coast.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said in today's Herald Sun that the Kangaroos would not play games on the Gold Coast in 2009 due to poor crowd numbers.

Officially, 6354 spectators attended Saturday night's North-West Coast game at Carrara, but many football people familiar with the stadium have argued the figure was closer to 4000.

Speaking on SEN Radio, Brayshaw said the club would honour the final year of a three-year contract.

“We have a contract to play games on the Gold Coast and we will honour that,” Brayshaw said.

“I don’t know where Andrew is coming from.”
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Gold Coast team needs more concessions: Voss

May 21st 2008 00:26
MICHAEL Voss has told the AFL it needs to give the new Gold Coast club more concessions if they want him to become the coach.

The three-time premiership winning Brisbane Lions captain is considered all but certain to coach the Coast side which will become the AFL's 17th team in 2011, but he has refused to commit himself until he is convinced the club is going to be competitive.

Voss said the new Gold Coast club would need more concessions if they are to have any hope of being competitive.

"I do my own homework on the process and what they have got, and they are short. That's my opinion," said Voss, who has joined the club in an advisory capacity.

"I am not looking at it from the point of view of winning a premiership in two years' time.

"I am looking at it from being competitive . . . they are short. They need to find more."

The new Gold Coast team will have access to 12 uncontracted players before it enters the competition and will have two opportunities to dig deep into the 2010 draft.

The AFL has promised the Gold Coast franchise access to 10 elite 17-year-olds from all over the country in next year's draft. The AFL has also raised the draft age to 18 years (January 1 to December 31) for the 2009 draft - a decision that will vastly enhance the quality of the 2010 draft in which the Gold Coast is destined to have picks No.1-5, 14, 15, 24 and 41.

The Coast team will be given a 10 percent higher salary cap for its first five years and will be allowed to list 15 Queenslanders from outside the draft next year.

Despite the seemingly generous concessions, Voss said the emphasis on Queensland-raised recruits would not be enough to make the Gold Coast team competitive in the short-term.

"I'm not saying you are after the best list in the history of the universe. You just want a list who are a reasonable chance of competing," he said.

"As fast as we are developing in this state year after year, we won't have the depth to have Queenslanders come through the system and rely on them to be the core of the team."
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Father-son rule may change

May 21st 2008 00:03
THE AFL is looking at reducing the father-son games requirement after receiving a proposal from the North Melbourne Football Club.

Under the Kangaroos proposal, the father-son games requirement would be reduced from 100 to 50, however football operations boss Adrian Anderson said the AFL might consider lowering the number of games required for eligibility even further

"The Kangaroos have been very vocal about the father-son rule. They rightly point out that if you have a bidding system in place then perhaps it is fair enough to lower the games to 50 or even 20," Anderson said.

"We've consulted all 16 clubs now and we are looking at a number of ways to compensate the 16 existing clubs. The father-son rule is just one that would benefit existing clubs but not the 17th and 18th teams."

Along with revising the father-son rule, the proposals aimed at compensating the 16 clubs that will be forced to sacrifice draft picks and uncontracted players to the competition's two new teams include:

■Eliminating the rule requiring clubs to delist a minimum of three players at the end of each season;

■Supplementing rookie lists by up to three extra rookies per club;

■Compensating the bottom clubs by giving them access to earlier draft picks than first mooted in the first model which allowed each new club access to the top five draft choices.

North Melbourne chief executive Eugene Arocca said the Kangaroos would finalise their proposal and put it to the AFL on Friday.

"Our footy department will get together to formalise our proposal," he said.

"There are various models we are looking at but personally I think anything lower than 50 games could dilute the meaning of father-son.

Arocca said the Kangaroos would also request lists be extended to include up to six extra players be they rookies, scholarship players or international players.
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Cousins' management in the dark over return

May 20th 2008 23:48
THE football future of former West Coast captain Ben Cousins remains clouded, with his management still in the dark over the rules for his AFL return.

Cousins, who will not play at VFL level this year, is still seeking any criteria he must fulfil to return, two months after the AFL Players' Association sought a ruling.

"The only information we have so far is the AFL saying, 'We just want to see him play' - they'll see him play and then make up their minds,", Cousins' manager, Ricky Nixon said.

Cousins, who is on a surfing trip, is working hard on his rehabilitation and physical condition, and is reportedly in a positive state of mind according to former West Coast teammates, who have kept in contact with the 2005 Brownlow medallist.

The former Eagle must sign with a non-AFL aligned VFL club by June 30 if he wants to play in the VFL competition this year.

Any club that signed Cousins this year would need some sort of AFL approval.

Nixon said Cousins was open to any mental or physical testing from the AFL when he returned to Melbourne in a few weeks time, but questioned whether he should have to prove that he can still play football.

"The reasons he would play would be to get match fitness and see where he is at with his skills," Nixon said. "Some might be confusing that with doing it to prove other things.

"They can test Ben as much as they like, but does he need to prove he can play football?

"He plays better than all of us."

His return to AFL level is not automatic, with Cousins having to apply to the AFL Commission for reinstatement.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said last month he was encouraged by Cousins's progress and believed it was in his best interests to play football at some level this year.

"If he plays football this year, it would probably be good for him at some level - state-based or even locally.

"It's his trade and he needs to play. It gives him much more of a chance to get back. We'll review his progress at an appropriate time this year.

"We're obviously getting reports about how he's travelling."
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Roos released from final year of Gold Coast contract

May 20th 2008 23:34
THE AFL has released North Melbourne from the final year of their contract to play three matches each year on the Gold Coast.

North and the AFL signed a contract that decreed at least nine, and a maximum of 10, matches be played at Carrara in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Asked if North would be playing on the Gold Coast next year, AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said: "No. They are saying to us they don't want to play there next year, they want to play as many games in Melbourne as possible, they want to be the North Melbourne Football Club, so we respect that." .

The Roos receive $400,000 for each match.

They have been trying to negotiate with the AFL as to how best to receive that money, which equates to $1.2 million in 2009, and yet play the three games in 2009 in Melbourne.

North Melbourne matches scheduled on the Gold Coast this season against St Kilda (round 14) and Brisbane Lions (round 18) will go ahead.

Demetriou said the AFL would work with the Kangaroos in the coming months renegotiating the Gold Coast contract.

"It will be interesting to see if that is what will happen (North receiving the full $1.2 million owed to them). They have requested for us to assist them with some issues around fixturing and scheduling, which I think we can accommodate them with," Demetriou said.

"We will work through those issues with them in coming months."

Demetriou said North Melbourne's decision not to play matches at Carrara next year would not affect the Gold Coast consortium GC17, which has until October to prove it can run a 17th team by the 2011 season.

"We are where we are, but it doesn't make any difference to us whatsoever as far as planning and our commitment to going forward with GC17," Demetriou said.

"They are doing great things with their bid at the moment, probably going a bit better than what even we expected.

"Corporate sales, the amount of people signing up, the amount of interest, all of it has been excellent.

"It doesn't make any difference. We understand what happened with the Kangaroos.

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Port to appeal Burgoyne ban

May 20th 2008 23:13
PORT ADELAIDE will appeal the three-game suspension given to star midfielder Shaun Burgoyne by the AFL Tribunal.

Burgoyne was offered a three-game ban before the hearing - and still has this after the tribunal downgraded the level of impact his bump made to Hawthorn skipper Sam Mitchell's head from high to medium.

There is no risk of an increased penalty from an appeal, which must be lodged at the AFL by noon today. An appeal hearing would be heard on Thursday evening.
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McGlynn gets four

May 20th 2008 10:09
HAWTHORN’S Ben McGlynn will miss the next four matches after failing to get his reckless conduct charge downgraded from reckless to negligent at the Tribunal tonight

McGlynn was charged with engaging in rough conduct against Port Adelaide midfielder Kane Cornes during the first quarter of their match at Aurora Stadium last weekend.

The incident was assessed as reckless conduct (two points), medium impact (two points) and high contact (two points). This is a total of six activation points, resulting in a classification of a Level Three offence, drawing 325 demerit points and a three-match sanction.

McGlynn has 93.75 points carried over from within the last 12 months, increasing the penalty to 418.75 points and a four-match ban.
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Burgoyne to miss three

May 20th 2008 09:42
PORT ADELAIDE has suffered a massive blow with star midfielder Shaun Burgoyne to miss the next three matches after failing to beat his rough conduct charge at the AFL Tribunal tonight.

Burgoyne was charged after his contact with Sam Mitchell left the Hawks skipper unconscious during last Saturday's match at Aurora Stadium.

Port argued that the contact with Hawthorn captain Sam Mitchell was accidental not negligent and that if it was adjudged negligent that it was low impact not high impact.

The Tribunal did not share the same view of events and agreed with the Match Review Panel that it was negligent. However the Tribunal downgraded the incident from high impact to medium impact.

Burgoyne was offered a three-match ban if he had accepted the discount for pleading guilty, but the downgrade still means he will miss three matches, as the total activation points came to 225, and with 93.75 points hanging over from a previous charge, he has 318.75 points.
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Port Adelaide Power
   


Wells has no intention of a return to WA

May 20th 2008 09:10
NORTH MELBOURNE midfielder Daniel Wells has revealed he has no intentions of returning to play for a West Australian club, saying he wants to be a one-club player.

There have been reports West Coast and Fremantle would attempt to lure Wells back home.

But Wells, who falls out of contract at the end of the season said he was happy at the Roos and had no plans to Western Australia.

"I read that in the paper, but I've never said anything like that, I'm happy at the Roos," Wells told AAP.

"The club's been fantastic for me ever since I've been here. They've done a lot of stuff outside of footy and I appreciate what they have done (and) I really enjoy playing here."

Wells said his sole focus at this stage is re-capturing his best form.

"I just want to get my playing (form) back on track, improve my performance and down the track we'll speak about (a new contract)," Wells said.
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Saints place Gehrig on long-term injury list

May 20th 2008 08:27
ST KILDA has placed Fraser Gehrig on the long-term injury list as the badly out-of-form forward struggles to overcome a chronic arthritic condition in his hand

Gehrig, who failed to train at St Kilda's skill session this afternoon said he needed time to get his body right.

“My body just isn’t what it used to be and despite my best efforts to play competitively, I’ll now need to take some time to work out how to better manage my hands," he said.
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Fraser expected to return

May 20th 2008 08:14
COLLINGWOOD has received some good news ahead of Friday night's crucial clash against Geelong at the MCG, with number one ruckman Josh Fraser expected to return from a knee injury sustained in the Hall of Fame Tribute match.

Magpies' deputy vice-captain Nick Maxwell said Fraser trained strongly on Tuesday and should return for this highly anticipated preliminary final re-match.
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Yze a chance to return: Bailey

May 20th 2008 08:03
MELBOURNE veteran Adem Yze is a chance to earn a recall for this weekend's match against Hawthorn according to coach Dean Bailey.

Yze was dropped early last year, and later required surgery on an injured groin, but Bailey said the 30-year-old had shown some good form for the Demon's VFL side Sandringham.

"Yze played really well, so that was good, so his form has been pretty good the last few weeks actually," he said.

"He missed a game last week, but his form up to then was good."
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Hayden suffers complications

May 20th 2008 06:16
FREMANTLE defender Roger Hayden will spend at least another day in hospital after suffering complications from a collapsed lung.

The 27-year-old was admitted to hospital on Sunday night after sustaining the injury during the Dockers' three-point loss to the Bulldogs at Subiaco Oval last weekend.

Hayden was initially expected to be released on Monday but a club spokesman said the hard-running defender had suffered complications and his lung still needed to be inflated.

Hayden will be sidelined for at least three to five weeks, while youngster Marcus Drum will undergo scans on his injured hamstring to determine his availability for Saturday's clash against Carlton at Telstra Dome.

Key defender Antoni Grover, who has missed Fremantle's past two games with a quad injury, will undergo a fitness test at training on Wednesday.
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McGlynn and Burgoyne to contest

May 20th 2008 02:35
PORT Adelaide midfielder Shaun Burgoyne and Hawthorn's Ben McGlynn will face the AFL tribunal tonight after choosing to contest charges laid against them from Saturday's clash at Aurora Stadium.

McGlynn and Burgoyne could have accepted three-match suspensions from the match review panel but will now be risking four-match bans if they are unsuccessful at the tribunal tonight.

Burgoyne was charged with a Level Three engaging in rough conduct offence against Hawthorn captain Sam Mitchell.

The incident was assessed as negligent conduct (one point), high impact (three points) and high contact (two points).

This is a total of six activation points, resulting in a Level Three offence, drawing 325 demerit points and a three-match ban.

Burgoyne has 93.75 points carried over from within the last 12 months, increasing the penalty to 418.75 points and a four-match ban.

McGlynn was charged with a Level Three engaging in rough conduct offence against Port’s Kane Cornes.

The incident was assessed as reckless conduct (two points), medium impact (two points) and high contact (two points).

This is a total of six activation points, resulting in a Level Three offence, drawing 325 demerit points and a three-match ban.

McGlynn has 93.75 points carried over from within the last 12 months, increasing the penalty to 418.75 points and a four-match ban.

McGlynn’s teammate, Shane Crawford, has accepted a one-match sanction for striking Port Adelaide ruckman Dean Brogan.

In other tribunal news, West Coast midfielder Matt Rosa accepted a reprimand and 93.75 points towards his future record for striking North's Matt Campbell while Essendon youngster Kyle Reimers accepted a $1950 fine for making negligent contact with an umpire.

Fremantle's Dean Solomon and the Bulldogs' Tom Williams have accepted $1,800 and $900 fines respectively for wrestling each other.
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Jamison sidelined with shoulder injury

May 20th 2008 01:43
CARLTON defender Michael Jamison is expected to miss two to four weeks after injuring his shoulder in last weekend's 33-point loss to Brisbane at Telstra Dome.

Tests yesterday revealed the 21-year-old had suffered a a subluxation of his shoulder.
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Gram re-signs

May 20th 2008 01:35
ST KILDA defender Jason Gram has signed a two-year extension which will see him remain at the club until the end of them 2010 season.

Gram said he wanted to finish his career at the club and believed the Saints were still a legitmate premiership contender.

“I barracked for the club as a kid, so to be here for another two years, and hopefully the rest of my career if it all turns out, it’s all good,” Gram said.

“Our average core age is probably 23 or 24, and I was in Brisbane when they won their premierships, and the core group was all 26 or 27.

“I still think we have plenty of time.

“We don’t want to take our time getting there, and only have a chance for one year, we want to be a force for a few years.”

Gram will face his former club this weekend when the ninth-placed Saints travel to the Gabba to play the eighth-placed Lions on Sunday afternoon in what shapes as being a season-defining match.

“We know we can match it with anybody, and we need to pull it out now,” Gram said.

“We are 4-4 and we don’t want to go behind the eight-ball.

“Brisbane is playing some good footy at the moment and we will go up there and try to play our best footy and come away with the points.”
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Tippett gets nomination

May 20th 2008 00:21
ADELAIDE forward Kurt Tippett is the round eight rising star nominee following his impressive performance against Melbourne at AAMI Stadium.

The 21-year-old booted four goals against the Demons to take his season tally to 13.

Tippett, another basketball convert, didn't play his first game of AFL football until he was 17 after being convinced to participate in school football by his mates.

He was selected to represent his state in the 2006 NAB AFL Under 18 Championships, and it was then he was identified by the Crows, who picked him with pick No.32 in the 2006 national draft.

Since joining the Crows, Tippett has been forced to endure a bad run with injuries. He cracked a vertebra in his back in December 2006 in a training collision, and was forced into a neck brace for six weeks before being instructed to stay out of full training for an additional month and a half.

Then after playing seven games in the SANFL, he popped out his shoulder and as a result underwent a shoulder reconstruction, which forced him to miss the remainder of the season.

Tippett said being able to get a full pre-season under his belt has been beneficial and a key factor in his promising start to the season.

"Being able to complete a full pre-season and get the training under my belt has helped me this year," he said.

"I wasn't able to complete last pre-season, and the work I've been able to do this year has really given me the confidence to go forward with my footy and run games out."

Tippett joins Bachar Houli (Essendon), Josh Hill (Western Bulldogs), Rhys Palmer (Fremantle), Kieren Jack (Sydney), Ben McKinley (West Coast), Cyril Rioli (Hawthorn) and Austin Wonaeamirri (Melbourne) as contenders for the NAB Rising Star award.

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Cats deny Ottens will have surgery

May 20th 2008 00:06
GEELONG has denied reports that ruckman Brad Ottens is facing surgery on his injured foot.

Ottens is battling plantar fascitis, which is an inflammation in the sheath of tendons and ligaments connecting the forefoot and the heel.

The premiership winning ruckman has been listed as a possibility to play several times, but hasn't been able to play a game this season.

Geelong's general manager of football operations, Neil Balme, said yesterday it was "unlikely" that Ottens would play against Collingwood but the club was confident he would be available for selection within the next few weeks.

"It's a bit of a saga, in that he's been going to play every week for about seven weeks," Balme said.

"But we're pretty sure he'll train up this week and play either this week or next."

"We're confident he's coming good and he's quite happy," Balme said. "We'll train him up and see how he comes up at the end of the week."

Meanwhile, Port Adelaide is considering rushing back utility Chad Cornes for Saturday's vital clash against Sydney at AAMI Stadium.

Cornes trained yesterday wearing a guard over his injured finger and will try to prove his fitness this week
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Voss on wrong path: Matthews

May 19th 2008 23:47
MICHAEL Voss is taking the wrong path towards his expected appointment as head coach of the new AFL franchise on the Gold Coast, according to Brisbane Lions coach Leigh Matthews.

Matthews said the demands of the modern coach meant players needed to serve an apprenticeship as an assistant coach before moving into a head coaching role.

"Vossy decided to make a gap and it was the right thing to do. I think the right thing Vossy and Nathan Buckley and guys like that is to actually have a gap," he said.

"If you asked me what I think the ideal situation for a player (moving into coaching) is, it is to have to have a gap when they are away from their current club.

"If you go down the list, what's the next thing? You go to another club, get experience at another club, see another culture and another coaching system. If you were going to plan the ideal, that would be it I would have thought."

"Having the break from your playing group is critical for a coach who may come back."

The four-time premiership winning coach believed it was vital for aspiring coaches to get experience at another club before taking on a senior role.

"The best training is to go to another completely new footy club and actually experience a new footy club and experience new attitudes. That would be the ideal path if you were going to plan it."
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Saints to decide Gehrig's future

May 19th 2008 23:37
THE future of St Kilda forward Fraser Gehrig is expected to be decided as early as Tuesday, with the struggling Saint due to meet with coach Ross Lyon in the next 48 hours.

The 32-year-old, who retired at the end of last season only to be re-drafted by the Saints with pick 57 in last year's national draft, has booted just nine goals and collected 32 possessions in five games this season.

Gehrig met Lyon for a discussion about his future following the loss to Collingwood, but the club denied speculation a decision was made.

St Kilda skipper Nick Riewoldt is a chance to return from a knee injury against Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on Sunday, leaving Gehrig precariously placed.

Even if Riewoldt does prove his fitness, the Saints would struggle to justify the selection of Gehrig, particularly given it is a tough road trip and Gehrig's poor form.

Former Collingwood skipper Nathan Buckley suggested Gehrig would only play on to help out the injury-hit Saints.

"I had a conversation with a friend of mine who knows the guy and one of the reasons for him (Gehrig) continuing is the club needs him with (Nick) Riewoldt down," Buckley said on radio 3AW.

"I think he is playing on not for himself, and that was evident with the vision on Saturday night (on Channel 10's Before The Game).

"It is not for himself. Once he feels like he is relieved of the burden to the club, I think he will retire."
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Carr announces retirement

May 19th 2008 23:27
FREMANTLE midfielder Matthew Carr has announced his retirement from AFL football, effective immediately.

The 29-year-old said he had discussed retiring with coach Mark Harvey after the Dockers' round one loss to Collingwood but opted to wait a few months to assess his form before pulling the pin in front of a packed press conference at Fremantle Oval on Monday afternoon.

Carr, who played 162 matches with the Dockers and the Saints said he felt his body could no longer cope with the rigours of AFL football.

"In today's game you need to be on top of your running and skills," said Carr. "I feel like I'm not anymore in either."

"Once upon a time I always felt I was in the top three or four in running and now I'm middle of the park."

"I needed to do everything in my power, doing a lot of extra work to make sure I was on top of everyone else and make sure I could compete with the best in the business."

Carr said he had contemplated retiring at the end of last season but felt he had to go one more time to make sure he had made the right decision.

"I thought about pulling the pin then but I thought you're best off going out and making sure you have a red hot go and making sure you're certain you are finished and that happened and now I'm ready for whatever lies ahead."

"The position the club's in, I don't want to be someone who stands in the road of other guys and their opportunities to prove themselves to be at this club next year."

"I grew up barracking for East Fremantle and to be able pull on the purple jumper and give it your best shot is something that I'll cherish forever."

Meanwhile, hard-running defender Roger Hayden will miss the next three to five matches after suffering a collapsed lung in Fremantle's loss to the Western Bulldogs at Subiaco Oval on Sunday.

Hayden was taken to hospital on Sunday night to have a tube inserted into his lung to inflate it and is expected to be released on Tuesday.

Marcus Drum is also expected to miss some football after sustaining a hamstring injury in Sunday's loss.
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Sydney facing $25,000 fine

May 19th 2008 23:10
SYDNEY is still facing a $25,000 fine if they breach the interchange rules, according to AFL general manager of football operations Adrian Anderson.

Anderson has confirmed the Swans have a $25,000 penalty hanging over their heads for the next two years should they be found to have 19 players on the field.

Sydney will be fined even if a player enters the field a stride before his teammate comes off, or if a player enters the field before his rotation is approved by the AFL interchange steward.

The AFL revamped the interchange laws in the wake of Sydney briefly having 19 players on the field in the dying stages of their draw with North Melbourne in round six.

The league fined the Swans $50,000, with half the penalty suspended for 24 months.
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Burgoyne, two Hawks cop suspension

May 19th 2008 07:50
HAWTHORN's stunning come-from-behind win against Port Adelaide at Aurora Stadium on Saturday has come at a cost with Shane Crawford and Ben McGlynn suspended for one and three weeks respectively.

McGlynn was charged with engaging in rough conduct on Kane Cornes after he made contact when the Port midfielder's head was over the ball and hit with a three-game suspension, which cannot be reduced even with a guilty plea.

Crawford has been charged with striking Port ruckman Dean Brogan in an offence that drew a one-game suspension, regardless of an early plea.

Port Adelaide midfielder Shaun Burgoyne will miss three weeks after engaging in rough contact against Hawks skipper Sam Mitchell. The incident was assessed as assessed as negligent conduct, high impact and high contact.

Even with an early plea, Burgoyne would still miss three weeks.

Meanwhile North Melbourne midfielder Brent Harvey is free to play his 250th AFL match against the Western Bulldogs on Sunday after being cleared of tripping West Coast onballer Matt Priddis.

Collingwood's Nathan Brown also had his report, for striking St Kilda's Luke Ball last Friday night, withdrawn.

Eagles midfielder Matt Rosa was charged with a level-two striking offence on Kangaroo Matt Campbell, but can accept a reprimand.

Essendon's Kyle Reimers can accept a $1,950 fine for making negligent contact with an umpire at ANZ Stadium on Sunday, while Docker Dean Solomon ($1800) and Bulldog Tom Williams ($900) have been fined for wrestling each other.

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North-Gold Coast ties an issue: Witheriff

May 19th 2008 06:51
NORTH Melbourne's relationship with the Gold Coast is "an issue" according to GC17 head John Witheriff.

A crowd of just 6,354 watched North beat West Coast by six points last Saturday night - the lowest attended match since the mid 1990's.

Witheriff said Saturday night's attendance was affected by a pre-game storm which would have deterred some fans from attending, while the Lions- Carlton game was on free-to-air television at the same time.

He was confident the remaining two matches at Carrara this season would draw bigger crowds.

The Kangaroos are due to play more two games against Carrara this year against St Kilda in round 14 and the Brisbane Lions in round 18, but are no certainties to play three games in the region in 2009 - the final year of a three-season contract.

North could honor the contract and play the games, but might request that the AFL switch the matches back to Melbourne.

Witheriff said it was very important that people on the Gold Coast got the opportunity to see AFL football in the lead-up to the 2011 season - when the expansion team is tipped to enter the competition.

Witheriff also said that North Melbourne's relationship with the Gold Coast was not helped by comments by coach Dean Laidley, who said after the game he "couldn't care less" how many fans showed up.

"The issue with North Melbourne and its relationship with the Gold Coast is an issue that's going to require some careful thought going forward," Witheriff said.

"It's probably the most significant issue impacting upon crowd attendances.

"It's very important that Gold Coasters get the opportunity to see football of the quality that we saw on Saturday night regardless of storms, power outages, and individuals who perhaps should be a little bit more circumspect in terms of the way they choose their language.

"The one thing that was an absolute certainty was that everyone of us who was there were on the edge of our seats the whole night.

"So that's very important for the Gold Coast (to host more games)."
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Neitz confirms retirement

May 19th 2008 06:23
MELBOURNE skipper David Neitz has announced his retirement from AFL football, effective immediately

The 33-year-old has been denied a fairytale ending after suffering a serious neck injury against Carlton in round five.

“It’s been an amazing time, an amazing journey,” Neitz said.

“It’s not the fairytale ending I would have dreamed of.”

Neitz told a packed media conference advice from two neurosurgeons had helped make the decision to retire easier.

One of the surgeons recommended an immediate operation to repair a ruptured disc, while the other advised Neitz to stop playing football.

Neitz will go down as one of Melbourne's greatest, having played 306 games for the Demons and winning the club's goalkicking award on seven occasions.

He also captained Melbourne 175 times after taking over from Todd Viney in 2000, the most of any Melbourne skipper.
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Kennelly cleared of damage

May 19th 2008 05:59
THE Sydney Swans hae received some good news with defender Tadhg Kennelly cleared of any serious damage after dislocating his kneecap in yesterdays 91-point win over Essendon at ANZ Stadium.

“An MRI on Tadhg Kennelly’s left knee today has confirmed a kneecap dislocation with no other damage," the Swans said in a statement today.

Sydney has ruled Kennelly out of this weekend's clash against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium, but he will be a chance to return for the round ten game against Richmond.
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Neitz tipped to call it quits

May 19th 2008 05:16
MELBOURNE skipper David Neitz is tipped to announce his retirement from AFL football later this afternoon.

The Demons have called a press conference for 4pm (EST) at the MCG, where Neitz will be joined by coach Dean Bailey, Melbourne chief executive Paul McNamee, chairman Paul Gardner and football manager Chris Connolly.

The 33-year-old, who has not played since round five because of injury said earlier in the season this would be his final year.
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Tigers to work with the AFL

May 19th 2008 04:55
RICHMOND will work with the AFL in the next few days in a bid to try and come up with a better solution for the AFL’s new interchange system according to football director Greg Miller.

The AFL tried out new interchange rules at the weekend but received negative feedback from several coaches, including Richmond coach Terry Wallace.

The new system will officially kick in this week when umpires – alerted to breaches via interchange stewards – will be able to penalise teams who infringe upon the new laws.

Several sides struggled to adjust to the new system which involves sides writing down each interchange made with a club and AFL steward verifying each swap made on the bench.

Speaking on SEN radio, Miller said that in today's modern age “there’s got to be a better way” to deal with the interchanges than the new measures.

“We’re using technology all over the place, and here we have little bits of paper and everything to help hold players back … by the jumpers so they don’t go on the ground until the paperwork’s completed”

“I think that common sense will prevail here and we’ll have to have a chance to talk to the AFL about it.”
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Williams apologises to players: Tredrea

May 19th 2008 04:08
HAWTHORN forward Mark Williams has attempted to call half the Port Adelaide team to apologise for his choking gesture during Saturday's match at Aurora Stadium according to Port skipper Warren Tredrea.

Williams made the controversial gesture after sealing a stunning come-from-behind win for the Hawks late in the final term - Hawthorn had trailed by as much as 38 points in the second quarter.

The 15-point loss leaves the Power precariously placed in 10th place on the AFL ladder with a 3-5 win-loss record, but Tredrea said Port is still capable of having a major impact this season.
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Ground wasn't up to standard: Barry

May 19th 2008 03:46
THE playing surface at ANZ Stadium was 'a bit shifty' for Sydney's clash against Essendon yesterday according to Swans defender Leo Barry.

Speaking at the Swans recovery session on Monday, Barry said the ground was not up to its usual standards.

But despite his criticism over the playing surface, Barry didn't blame the state of the ground for the knee injury sustained by hard-running defender Tadhg Kennelly.

"I think he just, in the tackle, he got hit really hard into the ground," Barry said.

"But yeah the surface was a bit shifty."

"I know (the grass) was a bit longer because of the (Rugby) League (match played on Saturday night)," Barry said.

"But yeah it was a bit more shifty than what we're normally used to out there."
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Motlop decision was right: Gieschen

May 19th 2008 02:49
UMPIRE Hayden Kennedy was right to award a free kick against Port Adelaide forward Daniel Motlop in the last quarter of Saturday's clash against Hawthorn according to umpires director Jeff Gieschen.

Motlop was penalised for “smothering” umpire Kennedy’s near goal, not allowing the bounce to reach the height of its arc but instead attempting to gain possession off the ground before either ruckman got their hands to it.

Gieschen says Motlop was penalised under rule 15.5 (e), which states that “a free kick shall be awarded against the player or official who intentionally, recklessly or negligently engages in conduct which affects, interferes with or prevents an umpire from performing his or her duties”.
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AFL hails new system a success

May 19th 2008 02:22
THE AFL has hailed the trial of the new interchange system a success despite criticism for several coaches.

Several coaches - including Collingwood's Mick Malthouse, Richmond's Terry Wallace, Brisbane's Leigh Matthews and Sydney coach Paul Roos expressed frustration at the new rules.

AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson said the response from the majority of clubs had been positive.

"The response from the clubs has been excellent," Anderson said last night.

"The interchanges have been a lot cleaner and in a more controlled manner.

"The clubs on a whole have done an excellent job."

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey said the waiting time for player's needs to be reduced if the new system is going to be a success.

"We're having the guys needing to stand and wait before they come on and off," Bailey said.

"We were left waiting for permission for a guy to come on. If we can fix that, it will be a move in the right direction."

Collingwood football operations manager Geoff Walsh said the club would brief its players on the rules once again during the week in a bid to avoid any penalties - clubs will be penalised through free kicks and 50m penalties if they infringe from next week.

"I've no doubt that we would have infringed multiple times, as St Kilda would, as I think probably every side would have this weekend," Walsh said.

"We will have to go through it with our players again this week because it is too costly if you give away a goal for it."

Despite some teething problems which saw some teams at times have 17 players on the field and five on the bench, Anderson said there would be no more trialling of the new system.

"The plan is for it (penalties) to come in next weekend," Anderson said.

"We're confident that having seen the way clubs have adapted this weekend, if they do it well, there'll be no infringements from next weekend."

Anderson said the AFL's umpiring department would review all steward reports.

"We will liaise with each of the clubs in relation to any areas where they may need to look at," Anderson said.
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Kennelly to have scans on knee

May 19th 2008 01:39
SYDNEY defender could be back within two weeks despite dislocating his left knee in yesterday's 91-point thrashing of Essendon at ANZ Stadium.

Swans assistant coach John Longmire said when Kennelly returns will be dependent on whether there is any damage to the ligaments in his knee.

“It just depends on the damage that’s associated with it,” Longmire told SEN radio.

“Some times you don’t miss any games but sometimes if there’s some damage to the ligaments and maybe bone bruising you might have to miss a few.

Kennelly will have scans today.
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Obst out with lung injury

May 19th 2008 00:45
KANGAROOS first-gamer Alan Obst is expected to miss at least a month of football after suffering a punctured lung in the win over West Coast at Gold Coast Stadium on Saturday night.

Obst joins Lachlan Hansen, Robbie Tarrant (both with knee injuries), Jesse Smith (hamstring), Aaron Edwards (broken leg) and Daniel Pratt (groin) on the injury list.

Kangaroos football operations manager Donald McDonald said yesterday that Obst was admitted to a Gold Coast hospital on Saturday night and would stay for a few days before driving back to Melbourne.
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Coaches criticise new interchange system

May 19th 2008 00:33
SYDNEY coach Paul Roos has labelled the new interchange rules as a blight on the game.

Several other clubs have also expressed concern that that the outcome of matches could be decided by delays caused by "trivial" aspects of the controversial new rules, trialled for the first time on the weekend.

The overhaul of the interchange system came in the wake of the Swans briefly having 19 players on the field in the last term in the draw against the Kangaroos in round six.

Roos said he agreed with the AFL's overhaul to ensure teams did not have 19 players on the ground, but it was just as embarrassing for the code to see too few players on the ground because of the overly complicated changes.

Clubs now have to nominate which of their players is about to be interchanged and a slip of paper must pass between club officials and the AFL's interchange steward before the change can be made.

Under the new rules, a free-kick and 50m penalty never backward of the centre will be applied for breaches, including having 19 men on the ground for a split second, making a change before being given approval by the AFL interchange steward, or for crossing outside the appropriate area.

Roos believed the paperwork was unenessary.

"It is a bit of a blight on the game. You don't see them in the NBA handing over sheets, or in the NFL handing over sheets," Roos said.

"This is the only game I know in the world that you actually have to hand over a bit of paper before you are allowed on the playing surface, so it seems ridiculous to me but obviously I don't run the AFL.

"If it is 19 versus 18 it should be a significant free-kick, but it is ridiculous you have to go through so much protocol to get players on and off the ground. All we want to see is an 18 versus 18 competition - who cares if a number four is coming off for number six and number five for number three.

On Sunday Roos said "between half a dozen and 20" times there was 17 players versus 18, or 18 versus 16.

He said it affected match-ups, because players were sometimes delayed by the paperwork from running on with their designated opponent.

The rule was also slammed by Richmond coach Terrry Wallace, Collingwood’s Mick Malthouse and Brisbane’s Leigh Matthews durinng round eight.

Because of a hold-up in paperwork, Geelong at one point had only 16 players on the field in their match against Richmond at the MCG on Saturday.

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Dogs overrun Dockers

May 18th 2008 10:06
THE Western Bulldogs have continued their unbeaten start to the season with a gutsy three-point win over Fremantle at Subiaco Oval on Sunday.

The Dogs trailed by three goals heading into the final change, but wrested back the ascendancy in the final term, piling on six goals to three to hold on for a 17.12 (114) to 17.9 (111) win.

Jason Akermanis was influential for the Bulldogs with 19 possessions and three goals. The former Lion inspired the Dogs' comeback with nine disposals and a vital goal in the final term.

Daniel Cross was prolific for the Dogs with a team-high 26 possessions while Adam Cooney was dangerous with 24 disposals and two goals.

For Fremantle, twin spearheads Matthew Pavlich and Chris Tarrant booted four goals each while Peter Bell finished with a game-high 29 possessions.

The first quarter was a close high-scoring affair, with six goals apiece and the margin never exceeding eight points.

Despite entering inside their forward 50 seven fewer times than the Dockers during the first-term, the Bulldogs went into the first change one point in front after Akermanis kicked truly after the siren.

Akermanis added another and Will Minson made it three straight to give the Bulldogs a 13-point lead.

Fremantle hit back with goals to David Mundy and Tarrant before Pavlich slotted one home to give the Dockers a one-point advantage at the main break.

The Dockers maintained their three-goal lead until the 14-minute mark, when Cooney sparked into action, booting two goals in the space of a minute to get the Bulldogs back to within six points.

Former Adelaide forward Scott Welsh then kicked the match-winner at the 22-minute mark to consign the embattled Dockers to a 1-7 start to the season.

FREMANTLE: 6.2, 9.5, 14.8, 17.9 (111)
WESTERN BULLDOGS: 6.3, 9.4, 11.8, 17.12 (114)
GOALS: Fremantle: Pavlich 4, Tarrant 4, Peake 2, Bradley, Palmer, Ibbotson, Solomon, Mundy, Crowley, Farmer
Western Bulldogs: Murphy 3, Akermanis 3, Giansiracusa 2, Welsh 2, Cooney 2, Johnson, Minson, Eagleton, Hahn, , Hudson,
BEST: Fremantle: Pavlich, Johnson, Sandilands, Tarrant, Peake, Hayden,
Western Bulldogs: Akermanis, Murphy, Cooney, Cross, Eagleton, Griffen
INJURIES: Fremantle: TBC
Bulldogs: TBC
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Foster (Frem) replaced in selected side by Peake, Callan (Bull) replaced in selected side by Williams
UMPIRES: James, Jeffery, Keating
CROWD: 35,624 at Subiaco Oval
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Swans smash disappointing Dons

May 18th 2008 07:38
SYDNEY has claimed the Marn Grook Trophy and given their percentage a significant boost with a 91-point victory over Essendon at ANZ Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Bombers worked themselves to within two goals late in the third quarter but from thereonin the Swans dominated, piling on 13 unanswered goals to run out convincing 21.17 (143) to 7.10 (52) winners.

The win was soured somewhat for the Swans with injuries to hard-running defender Tadhg Kennelly (dislocated knee) and youngster Craig Bird (elbow).

In some good news for the Swans, Nick Malceski made a solid return from a knee injury.

Michael O'Loughlin starred for the Swans with six goals, including three in the last term, while Brett Kirk and dual Brownlow medallist Adam Goodes were prolific in the middle with 29 and 27 possessions respectively.

Sydney dominated a scrappy opening quarter and looked set for an easy afternoon as they booted four unanswered goals to take a 27-point lead into the first change.

But the Bombers lifted and booted the first four goals of the term to close to within three points, with ruckman David Hille chiming in with two majors.

Former Geelong forward Henry Playfair gave the Swans some breathing space when he slotted one home at the 21-minute mark before O'Loughlin kicked truly late in the second term to give Sydney a 16-point advantage heading into the main break.

Sydney looked set to put the result beyond doubt when O'Loughlin and Ryan O'Keefe goaled to put the Swans up by 28 points.

But the inexperienced Bombers refused to give in, booting the next three goals, with a Leroy Jetta major the highlight.

Jetta soccered the ball through the legs of two Swans players as the Bombers closed to within two straight kicks at the 19-minute mark of the third term.

It would prove to be as close as the Bombers would get as the Swans slammed on five goals in ten minutes to complete the third quarter before piling on eight unanswered goals in a stunning final term.

SYDNEY: 4.5, 6.11, 13.15, 21.17 (143)
ESSENDON: 0.2, 4.7, 7.9, 7.10 (52)

GOALS: Sydney: O'Loughlin 6, Playfair 3, Jolly 3, O'Keefe 2, Moore 2, Kirk, Buchannan, Barry, Richards, Jack.
Essendon: Hille 2, Welsh 2, Lloyd, Neagle, Jetta,
BEST: Sydney: O'Loughlin, Kirk, Jolly, O'Keefe, McVeigh,
Essendon: Welsh, McVeigh, Hille, Fletcher,
INJURIES: Sydney: Kennelly (dislocated left knee)
Essendon:Nil
REPORTS:Nil
CHANGES: Nil
UMPIRES: McBurney, Armstrong, Avon.
CROWD: 34,904 at ANZ Stadium.

Sportal AFL Player of the Year votes:
3. Michael O'Loughlin (Sydney)
2. Adam Goodes (Sydney)
1. Brett Kirk (Sydney)



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Crows dispose of hapless Dees

May 18th 2008 06:42
ADELAIDE has consolidated its place in the top-four with a 76-point thrashing of a disappointing Melbourne side at AAMI Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Crows' 22.18 (150) to 11.8 (74) win improves their record to 6-2, while the Demons remain anchored at the bottom of the AFL ladder.

Mercurial forward Brett Burton starred for the Crows with five goals, 22 possessions, 11 marks and a contender for mark of the year in the final term. Bernie Vince and Chris Knights were busy in the middle with 29 and 25 possessions respectively, while Kurt Tippett, Jason
Porplyzia, Simon Goodwin and Luke Jericho combined for 13 majors.

For Melbourne, Nathan Jones (25 possessions) tried hard all day while impressive youngster Cale Morton chimed in with three goals.

Adelaide jumped out of the blocks early, booting eight goals to four in a free-flowing first term.

The Demons had only one less scoring shot than the Crows in the opening stanza, but found themselves down by 21 points at the first change, with Adelaide's slick movement of the football proving to be the difference between the two sides.

Brent Moloney kicked the opening goal of the second term at the five-minute mark but the term belonged to the Crows as they booted four goals to two to take a commanding 37-point lead into the main break.

Adelaide continued their dominance around the ground in the second half but failed to make the most of their opportunities in front of goal, booting six straight points before defender Scott Stevens slotted one home from 50m.

Late goals to Porplyzia and Tippett extended Adelaide's lead to 63 points before Morton dribbled home his third.

The Crows were wasteful in the third term, kicking 3.9 to Melbourne's 1.2 to take a 56-point lead into the final change.

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey asked for his side to lift in the final term and they responded in the best possible fashion, booting three goals in four minutes to close to within 38 points.

But any hopes of another miracle comeback were quickly quashed when the high-flying Burton took a towering mark in the goalsquare over Melbourne defender Matthew Warnock and kicked his fifth goal.

And when Jericho kicked two goals in a minute, the margin was back up to 58 points.

The Crows then added a further four goals to one for their biggest ever win over Melbourne.

ADELAIDE: 8.1, 12.6, 15.5,22.18 (150)
MELBOURNE: 4.4, 6.5, 7.7, 11.8 (74)
GOALS: ADELAIDE: Burton 5, Tippett 4, Porplyzia 3, Goodwin 3, Jericho 3, van Berlo, Knights, Vince, Stevens
MELBOURNE: Morton 3, Robertson 2, Garland, Miller, Wonaeamirri, Maloney, Bartram, Bate
BEST: ADELAIDE: Vince, Burton, van Berlo, Knights, Bock, Tippett, Stevens, Porplyzia, Johncock
MELBOURNE: Bartram, Jones, Bell, Buckley
INJURIES: ADELAIDE: Griffin (cut head)
MELBOURNE: TBC
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Jared Rivers replaced in Melbourne's selected side by Paul Johnson. Kris Massie replaced in Adelaide's selected side by Jarrhan Jacky.
UMPIRES: Fila, Meredith, Ellis
CROWD: 35,649 at the AAMI STADIUM
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Williams warned for choking gesture

May 18th 2008 00:12
HAWTHORN forward Mark Williams was told by coach Alastair Clarkson last night that antics such as the hanging gesture he made to the Port Adelaide coach's box were "the quickest way to find the exit door at our footy club".

Williams last night telephoned Port Adelaide coach Mark Williams to apologise for his behaviour in the final minutes of yesterday's match at Aurora Stadium.

The small forward grabbed his throat and made the hanging gesture after kicking the winning goal, seemingly both in imitation of Williams' gesture after Port's 2004 premiership win and to show what he thought of the Power yesterday blowing a 38-point lead.

A Hawthorn official last night confirmed Williams made the call.

A Port Adelaide spokeswoman said she did not believe Williams had taken the call because his phone was switched off. But in his post-match press conference, Williams said he didn't need a call from the enigmatic Hawk.

"I don't need his call," coach Williams said. "Couldn't care less. Footballers do strange things. Doesn't help us win the game, lose the game. Yeah, I saw (the gesture). He hadn't touched the ball all day, so not sure exactly what he was getting at."

Clarkson began his post-match press conference with an apology to Port Adelaide and its coach, saying Williams' actions weren't in line with what the club was about.

"Before we start on the game, can I make an apology to the Port Adelaide footy club for the gesture that our Mark Williams made at the end of the game. (It) is not in line with the way that we like to go about our footy," Clarkson said.

"He knows that, our players know that, and we would like to be humble and gracious in victory and certainly not put on performances like that. It's the quickest way to find the exit door at our footy club.

"So could I make an apology to Mark Williams of Port Adelaide and the Port Adelaide footy club because we don't accept that sort of behaviour at our club.

Clarkson said no other action would be taken against Williams.
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Coughlan seeks radical treatment overseas

May 18th 2008 00:01
INJURY prone Richmond midfielder will be treated the same German doctor who helped Geelong's Max Rooke recover from a chronic hamstring injury.

Coughlan, who has had two knee reconstructions, suffered a recurrence of a hamstring problem after playing in the VFL last weekend left for Munich on Friday.

Rooke, who was treated with injections of calf blood and rooster combs by Dr Hans Muller-Wolfhart, overcame a long-term hamstring complaint to play in Geelong's premiership winning side last year.

Richmond club doctor Greg Hickey said Coughlan wanted to explore all of his options in a bid to revive his stalled AFL career.

"Mark was interested in pursuing all avenues," Hickey said. "It's not been our normal process to go to this sort of extreme, but taking into account Mark's had a couple of recurrences of this injury and his terrible run with missing most of a season with osteitis pubis and having two ACL reconstructions … we want to offer Mark every avenue to get back and play some footy, this year and for the future."

Richmond's rehabilitation and conditioning co-ordinator, Warren Kofoed, has travelled with Coughlan to Munich to oversee the two-week program.

"We don't know exactly, until he gets over there, what exactly will happen, but it seems he (Mueller-Wolfhart) has a pretty common approach to most of these injuries, which involve a lot of injections.

"There is a few things out there and they're not necessarily proven scientifically, but there's a lot of people, like Rooke, that have done well and we want to give Mark every opportunity."
Coughlan's injury is on the opposite leg to the one that had two knee reconstructions, but Hickey said it was likely there was a connection between the injuries.

"When you've had a long period of deconditioning and time out of the game, it's more common and to be expected to have some sort of soft tissue injury on your return."
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I'm not quitting yet: Gehrig

May 17th 2008 23:53
ST KILDA forward Fraser Gehrig has admitted on Channel Ten's Before The Game that he won't retire yet despite a disappointing start to the season as he continues to chase that elusive premiership.

Gehrig has managed just nine goals and 32 possessions in five matches this season as his body struggles to cope with the rigours of AFL football.

"I won't lie, it's been a battle," he said on Channel Ten's Before The Game, five matches into a "new" career with the Saints after retiring last season and being picked up in the pre-season draft.

"The body probably hasn't responded as well as I would like to have. The club knew, and I knew, when I came back that I would need a lot of things to go right for me and that's why they took the punt.

"I've played five games and they haven't been my greatest games, to be honest."

Asked whether he would play on this season, Gehrig said it would be dependent upon the needs of the team and how his body holds up.

"It's always dependent on the team, injuries, stuff like that; how my body has held up, and to be honest, my body hasn't held up great … It comes down to list management; whether I think I can actually get myself through a game or consecutive games," he said.

Gehrig added that there were young players at the club, playing in VFL side Casey Scorpions, who were "flying and probably deserve their chance, at some stage".

"I don't think I've contributed enough to the side. I'm not alone, but the team's not flying and there's a lot of guys who have to put their hand up and be accountable for the way we're going. Whether I go on, I don't know."

Teammate Luke Ball yesterday threw his support behind Gehrig, saying that his poor performance on Friday night had been partly due to poor delivery by the midfielders into the forward line.

"Look, for starters, I don't think our delivery into the forward line to him or Kosi (Justin Koschitzke) last night was very helpful," he said.

"I didn't hear what the coach said to be honest, but Fraser's certainly got the players' full support. As players, you go through peaks and troughs in your form.

"One thing that is for sure is that Frase works as hard, if not harder, than anyone else on the track and he has been doing that and will continue to do that no doubt. From a teammate's perspective that is all he has to know from us. We are fully behind him."

During his post-match press conference following the loss to Collingwood on Friday night St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said Gehrig's form was a concern.

"It is a concern, clearly it's a concern," he said.

"We really respect Fraser and we want to give him every opportunity but he will be really disappointed (by his performance)."

Lyon hinted that Gehrig's ageing body was no longer capable of competing at AFL level.

"His body is not what it was and it's frightening what can happen in six months," he said.

Former St Kilda coach Grant Thomas said on SEN that it appeared from Lyon's comments that Gehrig had played his last game for the club.

"It's not a matter of blame in this," he said. "When you're in a club, you play as a club and you play as a team and I can't see there's anything other than a retirement for Fraser, given what I've just heard from Ross," Thomas said.

"That's the first time I've heard (Lyon's) interview and I'm a bit shocked by it."

Meanwhile the Saints have elevated Andrew McQualter from the rookie list to replace key defender Matt Maguire, who was placed on the long-term injury list after suffering a serious foot injury.
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Roos hold off Eagles

May 17th 2008 13:06
NORTH Melbourne has consolidated its place in the top eight with a hard-fought six-point win over a gallant West Coast outfit at Gold Coast Stadium on Saturday night.

Scores were level at the 13-minute mark of the final term before small forward Matt Campbell goal booted what proved to be the match-winning goal at the 19-minute mark as the Roos held on for a 13.11 (89) to 12.11(83) victory.

The loss takes West Coast to seven consecutive losses this season – the team’s second worst season start ever.

North Melbourne skipper Adam Simpson led from the front with 26 possessions and seven tackles. He received good support from Daniel Harris, Brent Harvey, Brady Rawlings, who all racked up 20 plus possessions, while Shannon Grant was prominent with 17 touches and two goals.

Kangaroos big man David Hale responded in the best possible fashion to criticism from coach Dean Laidley during the week with 16 possessions, ten marks, 12 hit-outs and three goals.

For West Coast, ruckman Dean Cox continued his stellar start to the season with 24 possessions and 31 hit-outs. Andrew Embley provided plenty of run with25 disposals and eight marks while Brent Staker was lively up forward with 18 possessions and three goals.

The Eagles may currently occupy 15th place on the AFL ladder with a 1-7 win-loss record but there is plenty to like about their future, with key forward Josh Kennedy collecting 14 possessions, seven marks and booting two goals, while impressive young midfielder Chris Masten racked up 21 quality disposals.

West Coast kicked the first goal of the match through Staker but it was the Kangaroos who gained the early ascendancy.

After a slow first eight minutes, Harris, Nathan Thompson, Hale and Grant goaled in succession to give North Melbourne a handy break.

But West Coast steadied through Quinten Lynch, McKinley and first-gamer Ryan Davis - with his first kick in AFL football before Hale kicked truly to give the Roos a five-point lead at quarter time.

The Eagles had the better of the second term as they slammed on four unanswered goals in five minutes to open up a 20-point lead. Two goals from Grant ensured the Kangaroos remained in the match, trailing by 15 points at the main break.

West Coast appeared to be cruising when Staker soccered home a goal from the goal-square two minutes into the third term to put his side up by 21 points.

However, North Melbourne lifted their intensity and started to get on top at the clearances as they piled the next five goals to take a seven-point lead into the final change.

The Eagles struggled to get the football out of their back half in the third term and should have trailed by more if it wasn't for some innacurate kicking in front of goal by the Kangaroos.

West Coast levelled the scores at the 13-minute mark of the final term when Ben McKinley kicked truly following a 50m penalty against Kangaroos utility Drew Petrie.

However, the Kangaroos were able to hold on with Campbell's goal and some strong defence in the dying stages allowing the Roos to secure a much needed four premiership points.

NORTH MELBOURNE: 5.2, 7.2, 11.8, 13.11 (89)
WEST COAST: 4.3, 9.5, 10.7, 12.11 (83)
GOALS: North Melbourne: Hale 3, Grant 2, Thompson 2, Harris, Harvey, Jones, Simpson, Wells, Campbell
West Coast: Staker 3, Lynch 2, Kennedy 2, McKinley 2, Davis, Stenglein, Wirrpanda
BEST: North Melbourne: Simpson, Hale, Harris, Harvey, Grant, Rawlings, Firrito
West Coast: Cox, Embley, Staker, A.Selwood, Masten, Kennedy, Wirrpanda
INJURIES: North Melbourne: Obst (ribs), Wells (right leg)
West Coast: Nil.
REPORTS Harvey (North Melbourne) was reported for allegedly tripping Matthew Priddis (West Coast) in the third quarter.
CHANGES: Nil
UMPIRES: Donlon, Vozzo, Kamolins
Crowd: TBC at Gold Coast Stadium, Carrara
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Brown leads Lions to easy win

May 17th 2008 12:30
Brisbane Lions forward Jonathan Brown has booted six goals to inspire the Lions to a 33-point victory over Carlton at Telstra Dome on Saturday night.

Brown, who so far this year has played second fiddle up forward to Daniel Bradshaw, conitinued his impressive record against the Blues as the Lions cruised to an 18.17 (125) to 12.20 (92) win.

The Lions skipper came into the match having earned three Brownlow votes in each of his past three encounters with Carlton.

Classy midfielder Simon Black was at his damaging best in the middle with 28 disposals, including 12 in the opening stanza, while Jamie Charman dominated in the ruck with 25 hit-outs.

Travis Johnstone was also outstanding for the Lions with 31 possessions and three goals.

For Carlton, Marc Murphy racked up 32 possessions and booted two goals while Heath Scotland worked hard all night, collecting a game-high 39 disposals.

The Lions dominated the clearances in the opening term and were able to enter inside their forward 50 21 times to Carlton's 10. Their midfield dominance was reflected on the scoreboard as they booted eight goals to two to take a commanding 37-point lead into quarter-time.

The Blues came out harder at the ball in the second term but failed to make the most of their opportunities in front of goal with Brendon Fevola the chief offender.

The 150-gamer booted just one goal from five first half scoring shots as the Lions took a 42-point advantage into the main break.

Fevola battled hard for four-straight after half-time however, but the damage had already been done in the opening term.

Brisbane can now consolidate their place in the top eight and push for a top-four berth with three straight games at the GABBA against St Kilda, North Melbourne and Fremantle.

CARLTON: 2.2, 4.8, 9.14, 12.20 (92)
BRISBANE LIONS: 8.3, 11.8, 16.13, 18.17 (125)
GOALS: Carlton: Fevola 5, Wiggins 2, Murphy 2, Betts, Russell, Judd
Brisbane Lions: Brown 6, Johnstone 3, Hooper 2, Black 2, Adcock, Rischitelli, Corrie, Drummond, Bradshaw
BEST: Carlton: Murphy, Fevola, Simpson Judd, Scotland, Gibbs
Brisbane Lions: Brown, Black, Johnstone, Power, Brennan
INJURIES: Carlton: Jamison (shoulder)
Brisbane Lions: Nil
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Nil
UMPIRES: Farmer, Chamberlain, S.Ryan
CROWD: 38,675 at Telstra Dome
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Hawks rally to beat Port

May 17th 2008 07:42
HAWTHORN remains undefeated in 2008 after beating Port Adelaide by 15 points at Aurora Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Hawks trailed by 38 points early in the second quarter but lifted in the second half to win 17.15 (117) to 15.12 (102).

Brad Sewell was damaging in the middle for the Hawks with 34 possessions and two goals, while Chance Bateman (28 disposals), Sam Mitchell (27) and Jordan Lewis (36) were also important as the class of Hawthorn's midfield proved to be the difference in the second half.

Key forward Lance Franklin benefited from plenty of quality delivery into the forward line, booting six majors - the fifth time this season he has booted six or more goals.

For Port Adelaide, Shaun Burgoyne starred with 31 quality disposals while skipper Warren Tredrea was lively early, booting four first-half goals.

The Power jumped out of the blocks early, booting seven goals to two to take a 32-point lead into quarter time, with both of Hawthorn's majors coming from the boot of Franklin.

Sewell lifted his side in the second term with 11 disposals and two team-lifting goals as the Hawks booted six goals for the quarter, including the last three of the first half to close to within 17 points at the main break.

Port responded with two of the first three goals of the second half with a classy Daniel Motlop goal the highlight. The mercurial forward marked a kick-in near where the 50m arc and the boundary line intersect before turning Hawthorn defender Campbell Brown inside out to split the middle.

But from thereonin the Hawthorn midfield led by Sewell, Mitchell and Lewis took control as the Hawks piled on six of the next seven goals to take a narrow seven-point lead into the final change.

Michael Osborne ended a 12-minute goal-scoring drought in a tense final term before Mark Williams slotted home his first major at the 25-minute mark to secure the four points for the Hawks.

HAWTHORN: 2.2, 8.7, 15.9, 17.15 (117)
PORT ADELAIDE: 7.4, 11.6, 14.8, 15.12 (102)
GOALS: Hawthorn: Franklin 6, Roughead 3, Sewell 2, Osborne 2, Rioli, McGlynn, Young, Williams
Port Adelaide: Tredrea 4, Ebert 3, Gray 2, D Motlop 2, Rodan, S Burgoyne, Westhoff, Thomson
BEST: Hawthorn: Lewis, Sewell, Campbell, Bateman, Franklin
Port Adelaide: S Burgoyne, Pearce, K Cornes, P Burgoyne, Tredrea
INJURIES: Hawthorn: Mitchell (concussion), Guerra (hamstring)
Port Adelaide: K Cornes (cut eye)
REPORTS: McGlynn reported for charging K Cornes
CHANGES: Nil
UMPIRES: Kennedy, Nicholls, Wenn
CROWD: to come



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Cats down Tigers

May 17th 2008 07:12
GEELONG has maintained its unbeaten start to the season with a five-goal win over Richmond in wet conditions at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.

The Cats ran away with the game in the second half after a sluggish start, booting ten goals to five to record a 14.15 (99) to 10.9 (69) win.

Gary Ablett Jnr showed his class in the wet, racking up 27 possessions and booting one goal in a best-on-ground performance, while small forward Paul Chapman was damaging with 24 disposals and four goals.

For Richmond, midfielder Nathan Foley was dangerous in the first half while utility Matthew Richardson continued his impressive start to the season with 22 disposals and 13 marks.

The Tigers started much better in the wet conditions and Geelong struggled to match their intensity in the early stages.

Debutant Trent Cotchin, a late inclusion for ruckman Adam Pattison roved superbly to boot a goal with his first kick in AFL football.

Brett Deledio's soccer put the Tigers two goals up before Paul Chapman answered for the Cats.

Richmond were dominating the clearances and contested possessions but failed to translate their dominance in the middle into scoreboard pressure.

A monster drop punt from David Wojcinski at the 15-minute mark proved to be the last goal of the quarter as the premiers went into the first break trailing by seven points.

The Tigers kicked the first major of the second term and when Shane Edwards slotted one home after 50 metre penalties from Geelong defenders shortly after, the margin had ballooned out to 20.

Geelong lifted their workrate from thereonin, with two goals from Ryan Gamble late in the second quarter keeping the Cats in the match and when Ling kicked truly from the boundary line to start the third term, scores were level. .

An easy miss by Richmond utility Graham Polak from 25 metres out directly in front proved to be costly as Geelong piled on seven of the next eight majors to take a match-winning 42-point lead into the final change.

Richmond managed to win the final term, booting four goals to three but the damage had already been done.

RICHMOND: 3.2, 5.4, 6.7, 10.9 (69)
GEELONG: 2.1, 4.4, 11.12, 14.15 (99)
GOALS: Richmond: Bowden 2, Deledio 2, Cotchin 2, Tambling, Edwards, McMahon, Richardson
Geelong: Chapman 4, Ling 2, Gamble 2, Milburn, Hawkins, Mooney, Wojcinski, Ablett, Selwood
BEST: Richmond: Johnson, Richardson, Cotchin, McMahon, Moore, King
Geelong: Chapman, Ablett, Selwood, Mooney, Ling, Bartel
INJURIES: Richmond: TBC
Geelong: TBC
UMPIRES: McLaren, Head, Mollison
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Trent Cotchin into Richmond's selected side for Adam Pattison.
CROWD: 37,275 at MCG
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AFL to conduct review of ground safety

May 17th 2008 01:37
THE AFL has signed off on new player safety measures at ANZ Stadium and will conduct risk assesments at its 11 other playing venues.

The review comes in the wake of Sydney's Barry Hall badly breaking his right wrist against West Coast in round four when he crashed through a flimsy and poorly placed advertising sign and collided with the stadium's steel fence.

Hall had to undergo surgery to insert a pin and several screws in his scaphoid bone, putting the key forward on the sidelines for eight to 10 weeks.

AFL ground operations manager Jill Lindsay said she was confident special protective padding covering all steel railing at ANZ Stadium which will be in place for the Sydney-
Essendon match on Sunday would greatly reduce the chances of another player being injured.

The AFL will also ensure all advertising signage, made out of plastic and similar to corrugated cardboard, will not exceed the height of the fence-line.

Risk assessments at the other 11 venues used by the AFL to ensure there are no other player safety concerns that have been overlooked by the league will commence shortly.

"Each and every one of those venues now will be assessed and a report provided by our risk assessor of any issues (or) potential issues that may occur as a result of impact from a player," Lindsay said.

"This is the starting point. We've now done ANZ Stadium and the other 11 venues will be done over the next month or so."

Despite measures set to be introduced to ensure the safety of players, Lindsay could not guarantee another Hall-type injury wouldn't happen.

"I wouldn't say that you are confident it wouldn't happen (again). I think the nature of game says injuries occur week in, week out," Lindsay said.

"But I think what obviously we have implemented here for the next round of football obviously eliminates some of those concerns our risk assessor had, that's for sure.

"I think probably the major issue, to be honest, was the temporary fence-line signage height.

"I think when Barry ran into the fence his expectation would be that the fence would support him because of the height of the signage. It just folded as soon as Barry put his hand on it and as a consequence of that his body went forward and he broke his wrist on the railing of the fence."

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Gehrig's future in doubt

May 17th 2008 00:16
THE future of St Kilda forward Fraser Gehrig remains in limbo following yet another disappointing performance against Collingwood at Telstra Dome last night.

Gehrig, who has been dropped once already this season, managed just seven possessions and one goal in the Saints' nine-point loss.

The 32-year-old, who was re-drafted by the Saints with pick 57 in last year's national draft after retiring at the end of last season has managed just nine goals and 32 possessions in five matches in 2008.

During his post-match press conference St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said Gehrig's form was a concern.

"It is a concern, clearly it's a concern," he said.

"We really respect Fraser and we want to give him every opportunity but he will be really disappointed (by his performance)."

Lyon hinted that Gehrig's ageing body was no longer capable of competing at AFL level.

"His body is not what it was and it's frightening what can happen in six months," he said.

Despite Gehrig's poor form Lyon said no decision had been made on the 260-game veteran and that the club would sit down with Gehrig and discuss his future.

"I feel like I have given Fraser every opportunity," Lyon said.

"Now we will assess his body and his mind and ultimately it's what best for St Kilda."

"Father time catches up with you and at four (wins) and four (losses) we have got some youth to come into the side."

"You all saw the performance (of Gehrig) tonight and over the last few weeks Fraser has been keen to have a crack at it but we always said at the right time we will sit down and review it."

"But until I get to Fraser and talk about it, there is no conclusion either way."
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Watson to miss for Dons

May 17th 2008 00:00
ESSENDON has been dealt a blow ahead of tomorrow's clash against Sydney at ANZ Stadium with midfielder Jobe Watson a late withdrawal.

Bombers assistant coach Gary O'Donnell last night said Watson received a knock to his back during the week and was not available for selection.

Tom Hislop replaces him in the starting 18, with elevated rookie Jarrod Atkinson, who had been omitted from the side that lost to Port Adelaide, promoted from emergency.

"(The knock) just blew up a little bit and was hindering him. It's something minor and should only keep (him) out for a week," O'Donnell said.
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Gumbleton re-signs with Bombers

May 16th 2008 14:08
ESSENDON forward Scott Gumbleton has signed a two-year deal which will see him at the Bombers until the end of the 2010 season.

The highly rated Gumbleton, who was taken with the No. 2 pick in the 2006 NAB national draft is an important part of the Bombers future according to coach Matthew Knights.

“We believe Scott is a prodigious talent and will be an important part of our future,” Knights said.

“He is happy and developing in the Essendon environment and is forming great relationships with our players and staff.

“This signing sends a very positive message to our supporters because Scott has shown faith in the club and the young players around him that they will come through together as a group.

Knights said once Gumbleton overcomes his current injury woes he will be a key component in the Bombers forward line.

“When you look at the importance of quality forwards in the competition and you see that he is almost 199cm tall, very agile and with good endurance, he could present problems for opposition teams when he gets himself right,” he said.

“Scott has done the rehabilitation work with his hamstring injuries and our staff have been focusing on building him up to be stronger in the lower back and through the core to be able to cope with the rigors of AFL footy.

“In regards to his current knee injury he sustained at training, he is now doing straight line running with no problems and is progressing well to come back in 2-3 weeks."
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Pies hold off Saints

May 16th 2008 13:22
COLLINGWOOD has overcome a sluggish start to record a nine-point win over St Kilda at Telstra Dome on Friday night.

In the end the Pies ran out 16.7 (103) to 14.10 (94) winners, but not before enduring some nervous moments after Shane Birss kicked his second goal just into time-on in the final term.

Stephen Milne had the chance to bring his team to within one straight kick but his set shot faded to the right and with it, any chance the Saints had of stealing an unlikely victory.

Collingwood now occupy fifth spot on the AFL ladder with a 4-4 win-loss record while the Saints - who went into this game in fifth place - could fall from the top half of the ladder by the end of this round.

Alan Didak booted a classy goal in the final term, after eluding Sean Dempster to give the Pies a 17-point lead, which proved to be too much for the Saints to overcome.

The win was soured somewhat for the Magpies with young key defender Nathan Brown reported for striking St Kilda's Luke Ball.

With key forwards Travis Cloke and Anthony Rocca well held by Jason Blake and Max Hudghton respectively, Didak stepped up, booting three goals while Paul Medhurst chimed in with two majors.

Leon Davis was instrumental in the middle with 27 possessions and one major while skipper Scott Burns was arguably the game's most important midfielder with 22 disposals and two goals.

For St Kilda, Lenny Hayes, Leigh Montagna, Nick Dal Santo, Robert Harvey and Ball all collected plenty of the football, but the absence of Nick Riewoldt up forward and the poor form of Justin Koschitzke and the ageing Fraser Gehrig prevented the Saints from securing the four points.

Earlier, Collingwood appeared to settle the better after Montagna's opening goal, gaining the ascendancy around the ground and answering with a long-range goal from Rocca before defender Harry O'Brien kicked a sensational goal after out-muscling Saints' goal sneak Stephen Milne.

The teams traded goals before the Saints midfield led by Ball started to get on top at the stoppages.

Goals to Milne, Shane Birss and David Armitage (his second) allowed the Saints to take an eight point lead into quarter-time.

St Kilda got the perfect start to the second term after Dal Santo goaled in the first minute following some strong lead up work by the Saints.

It was St Kilda's fourth goal on the trot but the sequence was broken by a major to Chris Bryan, Collingwood's first for over 15 minutes. When Medhurst goaled shortly after, the Pies had closed to within a kick.

But the Saints continued to control the midfield and were rewarded with goals to Brendon Goddard and Dal Santo.

Just when St Kilda appeared to opening a handy break, however, the Pies hit back with the next two majors and were unlucky not to take the lead when Medhurst hit the post with a set shot.

A Dale Thomas major after the siren capped off a good second quarter fightback by Collingwood who were twice behind by 15 points but managed to get back into the contest and take a four-point lead into the main break courtesy of clean ball use and straight kicking in front of goal.

A brilliant snap by Davis set the Pies on their way in the second half and when Ben Johnson followed up shortly after it seemed as if the Magpies would run away with the four points.

But the Saints lifted their intensity and quickened the movement of the ball, and were rewarded through goals to Koschitzke and Jason Gram.

However, two slightly fortunate free kicks allowed the Magpies to put some breathing space between them and the Saints as they took an 11-point advantage into the final change.

The Saints twice closed to under two goals in the last term on the back of Harvey's run, but Collingwood held firm.

ST KILDA: 6.3, 9.5, 12.6, 14.10 (94)
COLLINGWOOD: 5.1, 10.3, 14.5, 16.7 (103)
GOALS: St Kilda: Milne 2, Armitage 2, Dal Santo 2, Birss 2, Gram, Gehrig, Montagna, Goddard, Koschitzke, Harvey
Collingwood: Didak 3, Medhurst 2, Burns 2, Davis, O'Brien, Pendlebury, Thomas, Wellingham, Rocca, Lockyer, Johnson, Bryan
BEST: St Kilda: S Fisher, Ball, Hayes, Blake, Montagna, Dal Santo, Hudghton, Collingwood: Burns, Davis, O'Brien, Didak, Pendlebury, Brown, Swan, Bryan
INJURIES: St Kilda: Nil
Collingwood: Nil
UMPIRES: Rosebury, Stevic, McInerney
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Nil
CROWD: 48,417 at Telstra Dome


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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Collingwood Magpies
   


Surgery won't delay Hodge's return

May 16th 2008 12:17
HAWTHORN vice-captain Luke Hodge's surgery to remove his appendix is not expected to delay his return to the AFL.

Hodge was already expected to miss at least three to four matches with a hamstring injury sustained in Hawthorn's round seven win over Collingwood.

"We wouldn't expect the surgery to change the timeline for his return to footy," Hawks football manager Mark Evans said.

Evans said Hodge reported to the team doctor before training, saying he had felt ill for the previous day and a half.
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Malceski to play against Bombers

May 16th 2008 08:05
SYDNEY defender Nick Malceski has passed a fitness test and will play against Essendon at ANZ Stadium on Sunday less than three months after undergoing radical knee surgery.

The 23-year-old has made a stunning recovery after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament during a pre-season match in February - an injury which normally sidelines AFL footballers for 12 months.

But Malceski has undergone a revolutionary approach involving the use of artificial fibre intertwined with the damaged ligament.

Swans coach Paul Roos said Malceski had ticked all the boxes and was right to play.

"He has done everything we wanted him to from a medical point of view, from the selection point of view he is in the 22 and will be playing on Sunday," Roos said.

"Pending of course that he pulls up OK tomorrow."
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Sydney Swans
   


Headland targets a round 15 return

May 16th 2008 07:01
FREMANTLE midfielder Des Headland expects to make a return to AFL football by round 15 after undergoing knee surgery.

The Dockers had initially feared that Headland would miss the entire season, after bone bruising to a knee was complicated by the discovery of a bi-partite patella, a condition which effectively means he has developed two knee caps.

Headland said he was aiming to return to the WAFL at the end of June - with a possible AFL comeback against reigning premiers Geelong on July 12 if his recovery goes well.

"It depends who you talk to, the physio says eight to ten (weeks), but if you speak to the doc he says six to eight," Headland said.

"So I will take the middle of it, take eight weeks and hopefully play in the WAFL in the next AFL bye week to get some match fitness.

"And then if I am fit enough, round 15.

"I will get back and get six or seven games in and who knows, if the boys win a few games in a row we could be in with a chance of the finals."

Headland said he had been told by medical experts that the extra bone on the side of the kneecap had developed since childhood.

"I was not born with it but I grew it, about 11 or 12 I started getting a bit of knee soreness, had a few scans as a kid and was told it was a bit of floating bone," Headland said.

"That floating bone turned into another knee cap, and I was only told four weeks ago when I knocked it.

"They are going to scrape that off, fix that up and make my knee look normal."
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: Fremantle Dockers
   


No Origin in 2009: Demetriou

May 16th 2008 03:59
AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou has ruled out the reutn of State of Origin football next season.

“It won’t happen next year I can assure you of that,” Demetriou said today.

Despite support shown for the return of representative football with a 70,000 strong crowd attending last weekend's Hall of Fame Tribute match, Demetriou said the league needed time to decide on what form representative football would take in the future.

“I don’t think we can kill it off,” he said.

“I think we’ve got to consider how it can be best used, how effective it can be if we have it, perhaps, on a cycle, but I’ll be interested in getting feedback from all our stake holders to see what ideas they’ve got,” he said.

“We certainly wouldn’t do it every year, we certainly wouldn’t do it every second year.”

“What format it takes, we’ll wait and see”
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AFL to seek input from clubs

May 16th 2008 03:52
THE AFL won't be swayed by calls from the Melbourne Football Club to restrict access for the new Gold Coast franchise to uncontracted players who are twenty-five and over according to chief executive Andrew Demetriou.

Demetriou did say however that the league would consider input from all sixteen clubs as part of the process of establishing player lists at new clubs earmarked for the Gold Coast and western Sydney.

“We’ve met the sixteen clubs and we met with the president’s last week,” he said today.

“A sub-committee has been formed with all the views of the clubs and they’ll come back with recommendations and I’m sure that they’ll consider Melbourne’s view.”

“I don’t necessarily think it’s a great idea , but that’s not up to me, it’s up to the subcommittee.
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Johnson in doubt

May 16th 2008 02:54
GEELONG small forward Steve Johnson remains in doubt for tomorrow's clash against Richmond at the MCG after struggling to get through training this morning

Although Johnson didn't appear to injure himself during today's session, the All-Australian small forward left the track early and received treatment from medical staff on his left leg.

The club says it expects Johnson to line-up against the Tigers tomorrow.
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Geelong Cats
   


AFL to revamp timekeeping system

May 16th 2008 02:20
AFL football operations boss Adrian Anderson has ordered both interim and longer-term measures in a bid to make timekeeping systems more professional and prevent the errors that saw significant time loss potentially affect the results at the Fremantle-Geelong Anzac Day clash and the round-seven St Kilda-Richmond game.

Not only will a third and extra official will oversee every game this weekend and every game for the rest of the season but the timekeeping staff will now be wired to Matchcom, the electronic device by which the umpires communicate.

The AFL is expected to completely overhaul the system in 2009 with better-paid personnel replacing or supplementing AFL timekeepers — many of them former club volunteers who earn an estimated $130 per game.
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Malceski faces final test on knee

May 16th 2008 00:00
SYDNEY defender Nick Malceski is close to making a miraculous return to senior football exactly 12 weeks since he underwent a revolutionary knee reconstruction.

The Swans last night named Malceski in their extended list of 25 for Sunday's match against Essendon at ANZ Stadium.

If Malceski completes a one-hour training session at the SCG this afternoon, he will have ticked the final box in his recovery and should be named in the senior side.

Last week, Swans coach Paul Roos suggested Malceski might play in the reserves first up given the amount of football he has missed, but the match committee has been so impressed by his training and fitness levels that he is likely to slot straight back into the team.
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Saints chief tried to heal rift with coach

May 15th 2008 23:48
ST KILDA chief executive Archie Fraser has told a Melbourne Court he called a crisis meeting with coach Grant Thomas in a bid to try and mend his fractured relationship with the board.

"I felt we had no chance of securing a premiership, based on the dysfunctional nature of the club and specifically the relationship between Mr Thomas and the board," Fraser told the County Court yesterday.

In July the pair struck a deal whereby Thomas agreed to drop an annual leave claim, according to Fraser.

The club agreed to pay a $15,000 fine issued by the AFL over comments Thomas made about umpires, and Thomas promised to meet AFL umpires director Jeff Gieschen to make amends, Fraser said.

But just two months later, on September 11, St Kilda president Rod Butterss and director Glen Casey told Fraser that Thomas was to be sacked, and he should call the coach to a meeting at Butterss' Brighton home the next day.

Thomas is suing St Kilda for failing to pay $100,000 he claims the club promised him as a hush-up severance payment. He is also demanding about $90,000 he says he is owed in leave entitlements.

Thomas was paid $270,000 — six months' salary — in lieu of notice.

Leslie Glick, QC, for St Kilda, said Thomas was entitled to a payout of only 4˝ months' salary, but the club was generous in giving him six months'.

Glick said the additional $100,000 included a confidentiality agreement with Thomas and an agreement for him not to poach St Kilda players if he moved to another club. But Thomas said it was to buy his silence.

The case will resume next week.
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Nathan Ablett considering a return: Thompson

May 15th 2008 23:22
GEELONG forward Nathan Ablett is considering a return to AFL football according to coach Mark Thompson.

The 22-year-old, who won a premiership with Geelong last year walked out on the club in December saying he had lost the passion required to play at the highest level.

Thompson has spoken to Ablett a few times this year and believes he has regained his passion for the game.

"I've spoken to him a few times and it's probably a bit late for this year, for him to play AFL, but that's not the real point, the point is he's missing footy and he is thinking about (a return)," Thompson said.

While there has been speculation Ablett may return to his junior club Modewarre, this isn't possible given he is still an AFL listed player.

Geelong is hopeful that Ablett may train, and possibly play, with its VFL team at some stage this season.

Ablett will need to make a decision on a return by October 31 when the Cats have to finalise their list for the 2009 season.
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Dees: limit Gold Coast to over 25's

May 15th 2008 23:00
MELBOURNE and Carlton have expressed their concern over the concessions set to to be granted to the new Gold Coast team which will enter the competition in 2011.

Carlton has suggested the Gold Coast be compelled to trade a third of the nine first- and second-round draft picks the AFL has proposed it receive in 2010.

The Blues have said the new club would be guaranteed a premiership within five years under the first proposed recruiting rules, which included the pick of Queensland and the Northern Territory, the nine early draft choices, the pick of elite 17-year-olds in 2009 (who would be ineligible for the 2009 draft, due to the raising of the draft age) and the 12 uncontracted players (10 "free agents", plus picks one and two in the pre-season draft).

While the Demons have told the AFL that the new club, which is likely to be given the right to sign 12 uncontracted players, should be limited to signing only uncontracted players who are 25 and over.

Melbourne football operations manager Chris Connolly said the combination of picks 1-5, 14, 15, 24 and 41 in the 2010 national draft, plus the best 17-year-olds in 2009 — and young uncontracted players would create a super team.

"Within five years, they'll be a super team," he said of the current proposal, which the AFL has indicated is not set in stone," Connolly said.

Under the Melbourne proposal the Gold Coast club would be allowed to sign St Kilda captain and Queenslander Nick Riewoldt, who is 25 now, but would be barred from snaring
Hawthorn superstar Lance Franklin, who would be 23 in 2010.

Both Franklin and Riewoldt's contracts expire at the end of 2010, when the Gold Coast team will have its first intake of out-of-contract players from other clubs.

Clubs have admitted that the concessions must be generous to avoid the disaster of "another Brisbane Bears" but also said the officials who form the new club will place a higher premium on early draft picks than recycled players, depriving clubs of trading opportunities and locking up much of the talent.
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Fevola not keen on one-year deal

May 15th 2008 22:38
BRENDAN Fevola has warned Carlton he will leave the club if the Blues offer him only a one-year contract extension.

The star forward said he would not be signing to just one year when contract talks came around, but was confident that the Blues would offer him a deal which went beyond next season.

Fevola was also adamant he did not want to play at any other club.

“I love Carlton, Carlton’s been my home since I was 17, so hopefully they can put something in front of me and I can accept and we can move on because there’s no other club that I want to play for,” Fevola said.

Fevola has been in stellar form following an off-field incident in the pre-season, booting 31 goals so far in 2008 and winning the Allen Aylett medal for best on ground in last Saturday's Hall of Fame Tribute match.
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Riewoldt hoping for quick return

May 15th 2008 22:27
ST KILDA has received some good news with captain Nick Riewoldt expected to return as soon as round 10 from a knee injury.

Riewoldt hurt the medial ligament in his left knee when tackled to the ground during the round-seven win over Richmond, and Saints coach Ross Lyon feared he might be without his star forward for up to two months.

But Riewoldt said the injury isn't as bad as first thought and that he could return as early as the round 10 game against Melbourne.

"The diagnosis is much better than (first thought)," Riewoldt said.

"Hopefully I'll only miss maybe one more.

"Obviously I'll miss this week (tomorrow night's game against Collingwood), but it's coming along well.

"Straight-line running at the moment isn't a problem, which is good, I can keep my fitness up, it's just the changing of angles that I'm yet to do.

"That will be the real test, but it's not as bad as thought."
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Round eight teams

May 15th 2008 07:23
ROUND EIGHT

Friday May 16
St Kilda v Collingwood at Telstra Dome, 7.40pm AEST

Saturday May 17
Hawthorn v Port Adelaide at Aurora Stadium, 2.10pm AEST
Richmond v Geelong at the MCG, 2.10pm AEST
Carlton v Brisbane Lions at Telstra Dome, 7.10pm AEST
North Melbourne v West Coast at Gold Coast Stadium, 7.10pm AEST

Sunday May 18
Adelaide v Melbourne at AAMI Stadium, 12.40pm ACST
Sydney Swans v Essendon at ANZ Stadium, 2.10pm AEST
Fremantle v Western Bulldogs at Subiaco, 2.40pm AWST



ST KILDA v COLLINGWOOD
ST KILDA
B: Leigh Fisher, Max Hudghton, Sean Dempster
HB: Jason Gram, Sam Fisher, Brendon Goddard
C: Nick Dal Santo, Luke Ball, Leigh Montagna
HF: Adam Schneider, Charlie Gardiner, David Armitage
F: Fraser Gehrig, Justin Koschitzke, Stephen Milne
Foll: Steven King, Lenny Hayes, Robert Harvey
I/C: Michael Gardiner, Jason Blake, Shane Birss, Raphael Clarke
EMG: Matthew Ferguson, Jarryn Geary, Andrew McQualter
In: Blake, L Fisher, King, Hudghton
Out: Nick Riewoldt (knee), Xavier Clarke (hamstring), Matt Maguire (foot), Steven Baker (knee)

COLLINGWOOD
B: Heath Shaw, Shane Wakelin, Rhyce Shaw
HB: Nick Maxwell, Nathan Brown, Heritier O’Brien
C: Scott Pendlebury, Scott Burns, Tarkyn Lockyer
HF: Alan Didak, Anthony Rocca, Paul Medhurst
F: Dane Swan, Travis Cloke, Dale Thomas
Foll: Chris Bryan, Shane O’Bree, Leon Davis
I/C: Martin Clarke, Ben Johnson, Sharrod Wellingham, Cameron Wood
EMG: Ryan Cook, Tyson Goldsack, Ryan Lonie
In: Bryan, Rocca, Wellingham
Out: Josh Fraser (knee), Ryan Cook, Tyson Goldsack


HAWTHORN v PORT ADELAIDE
HAWTHORN
B: Brent Guerra, Stephen Gilham, Rick Ladson
HB: Campbell Brown, Trent Croad, Grant Birchall
C: Jordan Lewis, Sam Mitchell, Chance Bateman
HF: Mark Williams, Lance Franklin, Clinton Young
F: Michael Osborne, Jarryd Roughead, Cyril Rioli
Foll: Robert Campbell, Brad Sewell, Shane Crawford
I/C: Stuart Dew, Xavier Ellis, Ben McGlynn, Simon Taylor
EMG: Tim Clarke, Josh Kennedy, Cameron Stokes
In: Bateman
Out: Luke Hodge (hamstring)


PORT ADELAIDE
B: Michael Pettigrew, Alipate Carlile, Jacob Surjan
HB: Peter Burgoyne, Toby Thurstans, Dom Cassisi
C: Travis Boak, Adam Thomson, Kane Cornes
HF: David Rodan, Warren Tredrea, Brett Ebert
F: Daniel Motlop, Justin Westhoff, Brendon Lade
Foll: Dean Brogan, Steven Salopek, Shaun Burgoyne
I/C: Troy Chaplin, Danyle Pearce, Tom Logan, Robert Gray
EMG: Paul Stewart, Damon White, Nick Lower
No changes




RICHMOND v GEELONG
RICHMOND
B: Luke McGuane, Will Thursfield, Jake King
HB: Chris Newman, Graham Polak, Kelvin Moore
C: Matthew Richardson, Shane Tuck, Joel Bowden
HF: Matt White, Jack Riewoldt, Mitch Morton
F: Richard Tambling, Brett Deledio, Nathan Brown
Foll: Troy Simmonds, Kane Johnson, Nathan Foley
I/C: Jordan McMahon, Chris Hyde, Shane Edwards, Adam Pattison
EMG: Jay Schulz, Trent Cotchin, Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls
In: Bowden, Polak
Out: Jackson, Schulz

GEELONG
B: Tom Harley, Matthew Scarlett, Josh Hunt
HB: Darren Milburn, Harry Taylor, Corey Enright
C: Cameron Ling, Joel Selwood, Jimmy Bartel
HF Steve Johnson, Cameron Mooney, Paul Chapman
F: James Kelly, Tom Hawkins, Ryan Gamble
Foll: Mark Blake, Gary Ablett, Joel Corey
I/C: Shane Mumford, Andrew Mackie, Max Rooke, David Wojcinski
EMG: Brent Prismall, Travis Varcoe, Shannon Byrnes
In: G Ablett
Out: Stokes (suspended)


CARLTON v BRISBANE LIONS
CARLTON
B: Jarrad Waite, Michael Jamison, Kade Simpson
HB: Andrew Carrazzo, Paul Bower, Shaun Grigg
C: Heath Scotland, Richard Hadley, Jordan Russell
HF: Bryce Gibbs, Brad Fisher, Marc Murphy
F: Eddie Betts, Brendan Fevola, Setanta O’hAilpin
Foll: Cain Ackland, Nick Stevens, Chris Judd
I/C: Adam Bentick, Steven Browne, Matthew Kreuzer, Simon Wiggins
EMG: Mark Austin, David Ellard, Shaun Hampson
In: Ackland, Hadley
Out: Cameron Cloke (wrist), David Ellard


BRISBANE LIONS
B: Robert Copeland, Daniel Merrett, Joel Patfull
HB: Ashley McGrath, Joel Macdonald, Jed Adcock
C: Anthony Corrie, Simon Black, Tim Notting
HF: Michael Rischitelli, Jonathan Brown, Justin Sherman
F: Rhan Hooper, Daniel Bradshaw, Mitch Clark
Foll: Jamie Charman, Luke Power, Albert Proud
I/C: Matthew Leuenberger, Cheynee Stiller, Troy Selwood, Jared Brennan
EMG: Scott Harding, Lachlan Henderson, Tom Collier
In: McGrath, Clark, Selwood, Proud
Out: Travis Johnstone (hamstring), James Polkinghorne (knee), Lachlan Henderson, Scott Harding


NORTH MELBOURNE v WESTCOAST
NORTH MELBOURNE
B: Michael Firrito, Shannon Watt, Josh Gibson
HB: Ed Lower, Drew Petrie, Leigh Harding
C: Matt Riggio, Daniel Wells, Brady Rawlings
HF: Lindsay Thomas, Nathan Thompson, Alan Obst
F: Matt Campbell, Corey Jones, Scott McMahon
Foll: Hamish McIntosh, Daniel Harris, Brent Harvey
I/C: Sam Power, Shannon Grant, Adam Simpson, David Hale
EMG: Jess Sinclair, Ben Davies, Josh Smith
In: Riggio, Gibson, Obst, McMahon
Out: Pratt (groin), Brown, S Thompson, Josh Smith
New: Alan Obst (Central Districts)


WESTCOAST
B: Brett Jones, Darren Glass, Will Schofield
HB: Mark Nicoski, Jamie Graham, Adam Selwood
C: Andrew Embley, Matt Priddis, Matt Rosa
HF: Chad Fletcher, Josh Kennedy, Brad Ebert
F: David Wirrpanda, Quinten Lynch, Mark Seaby
Foll: Dean Cox, Tyson Stenglein, Chris Masten
I/C: Michael Braun, Ryan Davis, Ben McKinley, Brent Staker
EMG: Steven Armstrong, Scott Selwood, Beau Wilkes
In: Davis, Priddis, Seaby, Staker
Out: Chad Jones (ankle), Beau Waters (thigh), Jamie McNamara (thigh), Steven Armstrong
New: Ryan Davis (NorthShore, NSW)



ADELAIDE v MELBOURNE
ADELAIDE
B: Graham Johncock, Ben Rutten, Nathan Bassett
HB: Michael Doughty, Nathan Bock, Scott Stevens
C: David Mackay, Scott Thompson, Nathan van Berlo
HF: Simon Goodwin, Brett Burton, Bernie Vince
F: Jason Porplyzia, Kurt Tippett, Chris Knights
Foll: Jonathon Griffin, Andrew McLeod, Tyson Edwards
I/C (from): Kris Massie, Jarrhan Jacky, Robert Shirley, Ken McGregor, Ivan Maric, Luke Jericho, Brent Reilly
In: Jericho, Maric, McGregor, Reilly, Rutten
Out: Richard Douglas (knee), James Sellar

MELBOURNE
B: James Frawley, Colin Garland, Daniel Bell
HB: Clint Bartram, Jared Rivers, Cameron Bruce
C: Brad Green, Brock McLean, Matthew Bate
HF: Cale Morton, Russell Robertson, Brent Moloney
F: Aaron Davey, Brad Miller, Austin Wonaeamirri
Foll: Jeff White, James McDonald, Nathan Jones
I/C (from): Jace Bode, Simon Buckley, Nathan Carroll, Mark Jamar, Paul Johnson, Shane Valenti, Matthew Warnock
In: Buckley, Bode, Johnson, Valenti
Out: Wheatley (calf)
New: Shane Valenti (Sandringham)



SYDNEY SWANS v ESSENDON
SYDNEY SWANS
B: Tadhg Kennelly, Leo Barry, Martin Mattner
HB: Craig Bolton, Ted Richards, Kieren Jack
C: Jarrad McVeigh, Brett Kirk, Amon Buchanan
HF: Ryan O’Keefe, Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Jarred Moore
F: Paul Bevan, Michael O’Loughlin, Peter Everitt
Foll: Darren Jolly, Adam Goodes, Jude Bolton
I/C (from): Luke Ablett, Ed Barlow, Craig Bird, Luke Brennan, Nick Malceski, Henry Playfair, Nick Smith
In: Ablett, Brennan, Malceski, Smith
Out: Ben Mathews

ESSENDON
B: Darcy Daniher, Mal Michael, Dustin Fletcher
HB: David Myers, Patrick Ryder, Kyle Reimers
C: Brent Stanton, Jobe Watson, Henry Slattery
HF: Sam Lonergan, Jay Neagle, Leroy Jetta
F: Bachar Houli, Matthew Lloyd, Jason Laycock
Foll: David Hille, Andrew Lovett, Mark McVeigh
I/C (from): Ricky Dyson, Tom Hislop, Courtney Johns, Angus Monfries, Adam Ramanauskas, Andrew Welsh, Jason Winderlich
In: Fletcher, Laycock, Lonergan, McVeigh, Ramanauskas, Reimers, Winderlich
Out: Atkinson, Lovett-Murray (suspended), McPhee (suspended), Nash


FREMANTLE v WESTERN BULLDOGS
FREMANTLE
B: Roger Hayden, Luke McPharlin, Paul Duffield
HB: Steven Dodd, Michael Johnson, Scott Thornton
C: David Mundy, Rhys Palmer, Garrick Ibbotson
HF: Shaun McManus, Chris Tarrant, Dean Solomon
F: Jeff Farmer, Matthew Pavlich, Marcus Drum
Foll: Aaron Sandilands, Ryan Crowley, Peter Bell
I/C (from): Kepler Bradley, Robert Warnock, Adam Campbell, Byron Schammer, Brett Peake, Andrew Foster, Heath Black
In: Bradley, Warnock, Campbell, Hayden, Peake, Duffield, Black
Out: Mark Johnson (suspended), Daniel Gilmore, Brock O’Brien, Ryan Murphy


WESTERN BULLDOGS
B: Dale Morris, BrianLake, Tim Callan
HB: Ryan Hargrave, Cameron Wight, Lindsay Gilbee
C: Nathan Eagleton, Matthew Boyd, Daniel Cross
HF: Brad Johnson, Mitch Hahn, Robert Murphy
F: Scott Welsh, Will Minson, Jason Akermanis
Foll: Ben Hudson, Ryan Griffen, Adam Cooney
I/C (from): Dylan Addison, Daniel Giansiracusa, Josh Hill, Farren Ray, Wayde Skipper, Stephen Tiller, Callan Ward
In: Ray, Skipper, Ward
Out: -
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Lions add two cups to trophy cabinet

May 15th 2008 06:38
The Brisbane Lions will add two premiership cups to their trophy cabinet on Friday with the 1898 and 1899 premiership cups won by Fitzroy set to join the silverware earned in their 200-1-2003 three-peat.

The merged club aims to gradually complete its trophy cabinet by buying the retrospective cups for all eight of Fitzroy's VFL premierships before the cup was introduced in 1959.

The Lions were one of the first AFL clubs to organise a retrospective premiership cup when they purchased Fitzroy's 1944 cup from the AFL in 2004.
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Eagles elevate Davis

May 15th 2008 04:54
WEST COAST rookie Ryan Davis looks set to make his AFL debut after being elevated to the senior list.

Davis, a 189cm defender will travel with the squad to the Gold Coast today and is likely to play in Saturday night's clash against the Kangaroos at Carrara Stadium.

The progress of Davis, who joined the club's rookie list courtesy of the AFL scholarship program in NSW, has been remarkable since arriving at the club late last year, with the impressive youngster nominated by his WAFL club for selection to represent Western Australia in an interstate match next month.

The 18-year-old was included in the squad, but is now hoping to become ineligible for that team by virtue of playing in the West Coast senior team.

The Eagles made application last night for Davis to be elevated, with young forward Mitch Brown, who suffered a serious knee injury in a pre-season match, being placed on the long term injury list. The AFL today processed the paperwork.

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Malthouse puts Pies on notice

May 15th 2008 04:30
COLLINGWOOD coach Mick Malthouse has put several players on notice ahead of Friday night's crucial clash against St Kilda at Telstra Dome.

Malthouse said a number of his players whom he declined to name had failed to take the next step this season and were now on 'the last line'.

"There's three or four blokes who have been very handy players for us, but they really haven’t improved this year for one reason or another," Malthouse said at the Lexus Centre on Thursday.

"That means that (other) players have gone past those blokes or they just haven't been able to pick up from where they were last year."

Malthouse said Friday night's match represented an opportunity for several players to show what they are really made of.

"(Friday night) is going to tell us a little bit about a few players … and we may be on the last line with a few blokes who are just going."

"That's a good test for them, a real good test."

In the wake of the Pies' 65-point loss to Hawthorn in round seven, Malthouse singled out defenders Tyson Goldsack and Harry O'Brien whom he said were 'off their game', and forward Travis Cloke who 'didn't get near the football'.

Asked on Thursday to comment on Dale Thomas' form, Malthouse said, "Dale hasn't played as well as he would like."

"He knows he's got to change his fortunes."
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Saints feared player exodus after sacking Thomas

May 15th 2008 04:20
ST KILDA feared it would lose several of its star players following the sacking of coach Grant Thomas in September 2006, a judge heard today.

Thomas agreed today that one of the reasons the club offered to pay him an extra $100,000 when his contract was terminated following the elimination final loss to Melbourne was the perception he was very close to the Saints' stars.

St Kilda's barrister, Leslie Glick QC, put it to Thomas that he was unique in the AFL in that he was not only coach but a defacto football manager and had an important role in dealing with player contracts.

Thomas said he was close to the playing group but denied he had any knowledge about Saints' player contracts that would not be widely available to other AFL clubs.

"There was a perception you were close to certain players in the group?" Mr Glick asked.

Thomas replied: "I was close to them all."

Mr Glick suggested the board had a fear about Thomas's closeness to key players and his knowledge of contracts and they didn't want him having discussions with team members that might undermine loyalty to St Kilda Football Club.

"Part of what you were being paid the $100,000 was not to have an adverse discussions with the players?" Mr Glick asked and Thomas replied "not to destablise the club".

At the time Thomas was sacked there was media speculation key forward Nick Riewoldt was devastated and might leave St Kilda.

On the night of the sacking around 15 players, including Riewoldt, visited Thomas at his Brighton home.

Thomas is suing the Saints for $272,000, he claims he is owed in contractural payments and annual leave entitlements.

The case continues.

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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, St Kilda Saints
   


Fraser fails to train

May 15th 2008 02:40
COLLINGWOOD ruckman Josh Fraser remains in serious doubt for Friday night's crucial clash against St Kilda at Telstra Dome.

Fraser failed to train with the team this morning after injuring his knee while playing for Victoria in last weekend’s Hall of Fame Tribute Match.

Meanwhile key forward Anthony Rocca completed training and looks likely to make his return from an ankle injury which has seen him miss the past two matches.

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Saints reneged on hush money: Thomas

May 15th 2008 02:35
ST KILDA reneged on a deal to pay coach Grant Thomas $100,000 hush money after his sacking, a court has heard.

Thomas told Melbourne's County Court on Wednesday the sum was to be part of a package that included an upfront $270,000 and an agreement to hide from fans and the public that his contract had been terminated.

Thomas was sacked after the Saints lost the 2006 elimination final to Melbourne.

The board wanted Thomas not to disparage St Kilda, and he did not wish the club to disparage him or his family.

Thomas was informed by Butterss, Fraser and Mark Kellett, then director of football, that his services were no longer needed at a meeting at Butterss's Brighton home.

The board wanted him to say he was resigning, but Thomas said they'd look like fools because he had no reason to resign.

"We agreed we would say we had agreed to part company," he told the court. In return, the club had agreed to immediately pay out six months of his contract, plus $100,000 in April if he'd sign a "non-disparaging" clause and keep to it.

"It was an ankle rope. A 'keep your mouth shut' type agreement," Thomas said.

But within days the board began to back-slide, he said, wanting him to sign a 12-page termination deed. The club eventually decided agreement could not be reached and did not pay the hush money.

Thomas has sued St Kilda for $272,000 he claims he is owed in contractual payments and leave.

Thomas said he took no leave in his last three years and there was a long-standing dispute over leave entitlements.

Days before the elimination final, chief executive Archie Fraser interrupted a meeting with his assistant coaches, insisting he sign a document relating to holidays.

Thomas said he signed, threw away his copy and said, "Can we move on?'."

The paper, which Thomas signed, waived his rights to any claims for outstanding annual, sick and public holiday leave.

The court heard he did not know the board had already decided to sack him if they lost.

Cross-examined by the Saints' QC Leslie Glick, Thomas denied Fraser had told him three months earlier that the board was "livid" about his holiday claim and thought it fictitious and opportunistic.

Matthew Stirling, for Thomas, said his client became full-time coach in 2002 and by the time of his fourth contract was on $540,000 a year, with bonuses of $30,000 if the club made the top four, $75,000 if they made the top two, and $100,000 for a premiership.

The hearing continues today.
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, St Kilda Saints
   


Voss moves closer to coaching Gold Coast

May 15th 2008 01:37
FORMER Brisbane Lions captain Michael Voss is one step closer to securing a head coaching job after joining the Gold Coast bid team as a consultant to help build the playing list.

GC17 head John Witheriff described Wednesday's meeting with Voss as a "useful, positive discussion."

“Michael had some very positive thoughts. I doubt he would have agreed to join us if he wasn’t interested in the coaching position," Witheriff said.

Witheriff said the committee was yet to consider other coaching candidates and Voss was no certainty to assume the role.

“It’s too early to say (if Voss will get the job), all I know is it has been a very positive afternoon."

The bid team has until October to meet the AFL's criteria which includes a commitment of 20,000 members before it can be granted a team license
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Irish deliver Rules ultimatum

May 15th 2008 01:19
IRELAND have told the AFL to get the dates sorted by next Friday for the International Rules series or forget it.

Although AFL and Irish officials have agreed in principle that the series will resume in Australia this October, confusion reigns.

The AFL already has the MCG pencilled in, but is struggling to find another suitable venue.

With the Rugby League World Cup and cricket set to take over the major sporting venues, there is growing speculation that the AFL is leaning towards a one-off Test match against Ireland.

However Ireland will not bother to travel to Australia for one game, with the Irish govering body, the GAA, giving the AFL until Friday, May 23, to find another venue.

The International Rules series has not been played since 2006, when the Irish left Croke Park follwing several fiery on-field incidents. The concept was revived after extensive talks in Dubai in January.

GAA director general Paraic Duffy has admitted he is "anxious" about the immediate future of the series and said the series would only continue if two matches were played.

"We would have hoped by now to be in a position to name dates and venues, but we're not," Duffy said.

"We agreed to resume on the basis of a two-game series, but some weeks ago the AFL made soundings to play one game only because of difficulty with rugby league World Cup and cricket.

"We made it clear to them we're not interested in travelling to Australia for one game.

"The AFL is aware of our deadline. We must have categorical dates and venues by Friday week because there is an enormous amount of work in terms of team management and logistics."
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Ablett expected to face Tigers

May 15th 2008 00:39
GEELONG expects Gary Ablett Jnr to play against Richmond at the MCG on Saturday after the classy midfielder completed training at Skilled Stadium yesterday.

Ablett was rated only a 50-50 chance by coach Mark Thompson on Tuesday to take on the Tigers, but trained solidly on Wednesday.

After missing the round-seven clash against Brisbane Lions at Skilled Stadium and the Hall of Fame Tribute game with a small calf tear, Ablett will have had 21 days to recover from his most recent hitout against Fremantle at Subiaco Oval.

Geelong say they will take no risks with its injured players, but was confident Ablett would take his place in the 22.

"He got through with no worries at all. He just has to get through the run on Friday," assistant football operations manager Steve Hocking said.

"We have never really been in too much doubt, but it is a case of him making sure he gets through the sessions. He feels himself like he is going to be right, but the medical staff need to clear him."

Veteran defender Darren Milburn missed much of the Hall of Fame clash with bruised ribs, but is also expected to play.

Small forward Mathew Stokes will miss the game through suspension, with small forwards Shannon Byrnes, Travis Varcoe and midfielder Brent Prismall in the mix to take his place in the side.
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Dons trio tipped to return

May 15th 2008 00:05
ESSENDON has received some good news ahead of Sunday's clash against Sydney at ANZ Stadium with Dustin Fletcher, Mark McVeigh and Adam Ramanauskas set to return.

Fletcher (thigh) and McVeigh (hamstring) are ready to return after missing the past three rounds, while Ramanauskas has recovered from illness.

The senior trio impressed during a solid training session that lasted more than an hour.

Meanwhile key forward Scott Lucas is making steady progress from a serious knee injury and isn't far away from earning a recall.

His straight-line running showed no sign of a limp and he has even advanced to kicking without discomfort.

Lucas trained away from the main group but is on track to be back within two to three weeks.
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AFL set to introduce interchange cameras

May 14th 2008 23:47
THE AFL is considering the introduction of a fixed camera to track every interchange move.

AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson yesterday confirmed a camera similar to the version trialled by Channel 10 in the Hall of Fame Tribute match was a possibility in the future.

The camera would allow every bench change to be time-coded and recorded. The camera would not only pick up breaches, but also provide clear-cut evidence in any 19th-man investigation.

"The question of having footage of the interchange bench is something we'll be looking into further," Anderson said.

League ground operations manager Jill Lindsay has been given the task of investigating the option, which would provide another deterrent to clubs breaching interchange rules.

Any move to cameras is unlikely to come before the end of the season.
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Grand final motorcade to make a comeback

May 14th 2008 23:35
THE Grand final motorcade will make a comeback after being dumped for a new-age celebration last year.

The AFL has admitted parts of last year's pre-match did not work, including the tribute to retiring players.

The pre-match celebration was widely criticised after a major revamp that saw the traditional motorcade cast scrapped.

Instead, the premiership cup was introduced by a woman floating on a giant balloon and past greats held aloft premiership cups.

Previous retirees had been lauded as they circled the MCG in open-topped cars, but last year they were relegated to a minor role on stage.

AFL chief broadcasting and commercial officer Gillon McLachlan admitted the new-age celebrations didn't work.

"I didn't think the way we presented the retiring players worked very well, and maybe the simplicity of the motorcade does work," he said.

"People liked it and it is something we will look at revisiting. People love it and understand it. We tried to over-complicate that and try something different."

Carlton champion Anthony Koutoufides, one of last year's retirees denied the traditional send-off, last night threw his support behind the return of the motorcade.

"I got to experience a (motorcade) in my farewell game against Collingwood and it was magnificent. It was such a buzz. It would have been a great experience to have done it on grand final day," Koutoufides said.

"Speaking to someone like Sticks (Stephen Kernahan), he said it was one of the greatest experiences of his life, and that's coming from someone who wouldn't have been too keen on it.

"We walked out on the field, which was a wonderful experience, but it would have been even more special to be closer to the crowd."

The AFL was briefed by event co-ordinator Peter Jones earlier in the month, and agreed the motorcade should return.

Jones has replaced special effects whiz Kerrie Hayes, who had been in charge since 1986.

McLachlan said some things work and other didn't during last year's pre-match entertainment.

"I thought the balloon and the premiership cup theme worked really well. They tried a lot of different stuff last year and some worked, and some didn't. We will go back to the best bits of that, and revisit the things that didn't," McLachlan said.

McLachlan said football broadcasters were still keen for a night grand final but added that there will no no review of the timeslot this year.

"There is no doubt pre-match entertainment would be better at night and you can do more things at night, and it gives you so many more options in terms of the pre-match," he said.

"We know broadcasters would like the grand final at night. We had a good look at it last year, and we won't be revisiting it this year."
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Goodes labelled a racist

May 14th 2008 23:13
SYDNEY star Adam Goodes has been branded a racist by AFL historian Gillian Gibbs for claiming indigenous players are "born to play" AFL.

Hibbins made the stunning claim on National Indigenous Television (NITV), at the same time debunking any connection between the evolution of Australian football and the Aboriginal activity Marngrook.

Marngrook is a Gunditjmara word meaning 'game ball' and it has long been a popular theory that Australian football's founding father Tom Wills saw a game of Marngrook and thought it would be a good way for Australian cricketers to stay fit during the off-season.
Hibbins has labelled that theory as a 'seductive myth'.

The dual Brownlow medallist expressed his views on Marngrook in an essay on what it means to be an indigenous footballer for the new official history of the game, produced to mark its 150th anniversary.

"I believe in the connection ... I know that when Aborigines play Australian football (they do so) with a clear mind and total focus. We are born to play it," Goodes wrote.

Goodes backed up his view in a recent NITV interview, stating: "When we play football there's that connection to the land that we are on and the way that we play.

"When you see two brothers or three brothers playing on the same team you can just see this natural ability shine through.

"I think that comes from thousands and thousands of years of history there."

Hibbins, a major contributor to the Australian football anniversary publication, labelled these comments by Goodes as "racist".

"If you define racism as believing a race is superior in something, this is basically what he (Goodes) was doing."

Hibbins made the claim on National Indigenous Television (NITV), at the same time debunking any connection between the evolution of Australian football and the Aboriginal activity Marngrook.

Marngrook is a Gunditjmara word meaning 'game ball' and it has long been a popular theory that Australian football's founding father Tom Wills saw a game of Marngrook and thought it would be a good way for Australian cricketers to stay fit in the off-season.

Hibbins has labelled that theory as a 'seductive myth'.

Goodes expressed his views on Marngrook in a heartfelt essay on what it means to be an indigenous footballer for the new official history of the game, produced to mark its 150th anniversary.

"I believe in the connection ... I know that when Aborigines play Australian football (they do so) with a clear mind and total focus. We are born to play it," Goodes wrote.

Hibbins, herself a major contributor to the Australian football anniversary publication, branded these comments by Goodes as "racist".

"If you define racism as believing a race is superior in something, this is basically what he (Goodes) was doing."

Hibbins was speaking on the Marngrook Footy Show, which screens on Foxtel's Channel 180, and was debating the origins of Australian football.

Former Essendon and Swans indigenous star Derek Kickett, who also participated in the debate, said any suggestions that Goodes had been racist was ridiculous.

"I don't know where she (Hibbins) was coming from," Kickett said.

On Sunday, the Swans and Essendon will be playing for the Marngrook Trophy and the following week is the AFL's celebrated indigenous round, highlighted by the 'Dreamtime at the MCG' match between Essendon and Richmond.

Many associated with Australian football have been critical of the AFL for allowing Hibbins to use the anniversary publication to attack the links they are celebrating with such matches.
Kickett and Marngrook Footy Show host Grant Hansen both believe Hibbins's research is flawed.

Hansen said Hibbins argued that if something wasn't written it wasn't true.

"She failed to actually interview any indigenous people about the game ... quite ironic if she's writing an article about Marngrook," Hansen said.
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Eagles' Hansen troubled by hamstring

May 14th 2008 06:26
WEST COAST is struggling to find a solution to key forward Ashley Hansen's ongoing hamstring problems according to coach John Worsfold.

Hansen, a member of the Eagles' new-look leadership group this year, has struggled to make an impact in 2008, booting just one goal in his four outings so far this season.

After an ankle injury struck down forward Chad Jones last week, it had been hoped Hansen might be fit to take on North Melbourne on the Gold Coast on Saturday night.

But Worsfold said Hansen was still not confident that he is completely over his problem, and the Eagles' medical staff were being frustrated in their attempts to find a solution.

"He is not totally confident he is over his problem, he has played with it in the past and it is better," Worsfold said.

"But we are weighing up whether we rest it up and get it completely right, or whether it is not going to get completely right and he has to play with an awareness he has got it.

"We are getting to that point where what they have tried over this last couple of weeks has not had a massive impact, or as big as we would have liked.

"They are looking for what next from there. I do not know if surgery is possible, but they can do injections and those sort of things."

In some rare good news for West Coast, midfielder Matt Priddis is expected to make a comeback from a knee injury, while Dean Cox has pulled up well from the Hall of Fame Tribute match.

Despite a horror start to the season, which sees the Eagles occupying 15th place on the AFL ladder with a 1-6 win-loss record, Worsfold said he was still loving the job and saw his challenges this season much the same as last year when West Coast played in two finals.

"The challenges are pretty similar - to prepare a team to be at its best every week, take in good sides every week, deal with setbacks and injuries," Worsfold said.

"I still attack those challenges head on. And the enjoyment factor, I still love it. I still love my role, and love the challenges ahead.

"I would love it even more if we were winning, but that does not take away from the enjoyment of doing the job.

"You cannot win every week, and you cannot ."
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Injury setback for Coughlan

May 14th 2008 05:27
INJURY prone Richmond midfielder Mark Coughlan has suffered another injury setback.

The 26-year-old returned to the Tigers' VFL affiliate Coburg last weekend after recovering from hamstring soreness associated with two knee reconstructions in the previous two seasons.

Coughlan got through unscathed in Saturday's big win over Collingwood's VFL side, only to experience more hamstring soreness during training on Wednesday.

He is expected to be sidelined for several more weeks.

"The club will continue to investigate all possible methods of rehabilitation to help Mark return to senior football," Richmond said in a statement.

Injuries have restricted the talented Coughlan who won the club's best-and-fairest award in 2003 to just 83 games for the Tigers since making his debut in 2001.

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Sheedy returns to Bombers - as a member

May 14th 2008 02:56
KEVIN Sheedy has returned to Essendon for the first time since the club sacked him as coach last year.

Sheedy was on Wednesday made the club's honorary 40,000th member to celebrate the club passing the milestone for the first time this week.

Club chief executive Peter Jackson said it was fitting Sheedy be given his 27-year association with the club.

Sheedy said he had no hard feelings towards those involved with the club despite being shown the door at the end of last season.

"There's never been sour grapes," Sheedy said.

"When you're a life member, you're a life member. And when you're a life member you'll always be back at the club."

Sheedy admitted it was the first time he had returned to Windy Hill since his departure, saying it was important to allow the club to grow as the Bombers embark on a new era under new coach Matthew Knights.

"It's most important that when you leave, you move away and let the next step of the club grow," he said.
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Thomas suing Saints

May 14th 2008 02:48
FORMER St Kilda coach Grant Thomas is suing the AFL club for unpaid leave and severance entitlements, the Victorian County Court has been told.

Thomas was given documents to sign away leave entitlements on the eve of a 2006 elimination final against Melbourne, the court was told.

St Kilda lost the match and Thomas was dismissed days later.

Thomas' lawyer claimed his client was given the documents in preparation for his sacking.

The trial before Judge Katherine Bourke, continues.
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Blues in no rush to re-sign Fevola

May 14th 2008 02:37
CARLTON is in no rush to re-sign key forward Brendon Fevola despite his impressive start to the season according to coach Brett Ratten.

Ratten said on Wednesday the club would stick by its mid-season window for negotiating a new deal with Fevola, who is in the final year of his current contract.

Fevola's future at Carlton was put in serious jeopardy by a pre-season alcohol-fuelled incident which prompted the club to fine him $10,000 and resolve to sack him if he should re-offend.

The enigmatic forward has responded in the best way possible, both on the field - where he's scored 31 goals in home-and-away martches and six in a best-afield performance for Victoria in last Saturday's Hall of Fame Tribute match - and off it, following his promise to stay off the booze for the remainder of his playing career.

Ratten said Fevola has done everything right by the team following the pre-season incident and expects contract talks to begin within the next month.

"We know Brendan's an outstanding player and what he can do on the field and we all know what he did earlier in the year and that's still hanging over his head," Ratten said.

"Brendan's done everything right by the team - he had that one incident and his form's been outstanding this season."

"We haven't really spoken about many of the contracts so far, I think that will come in the next month leading up to the half-way mark of the season."

Carlton's timetable for sitting down to discuss a new deal has given Fevola time to search for a new management team following his split from former manager Paul Connors late last year.

Ratten also dismissed suggestions the club would offer Fevola recurring one-year deals in a bid to keep him on the straight and narrow.

"I don't know if we offered him a single year, I think that might have got mixed up in the media," he said.

"If we offer Brendan a contract it probably would be more than one year but we'll just wait and see what comes out on the table."

Ratten said Fevola had pulled-up well from the Hall of Fame match along with fellow Victorian reps Jarrad Waite and captain Chris Judd.

"We had just a normal Monday, fairly light, where our boys got back into it - they're fine," Ratten said.
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Craig set to re-sign with Crows

May 14th 2008 00:35
ADELAIDE are set to follow the lead of Hawthorn and re-sign coach Neil Craig, putting him out of the reach of the new Gold Coast AFL franchise.

Adelaide chairman Bill Sanders said the Crows would not take for granted Craig's long-standing claim to be a one-club coach.

"Neil may have said he is a one-club coach but I have been in football long enough to know that if the right offer is made and the right opportunity is presented, things change," Sanders said.

"And we will not be losing anyone at the Adelaide Football Club for financial reasons."

On the same day the Gold Coast steering committee interviewed Brisbane Lions premiership captain and coach-in-waiting Michael Voss, Hawthorn extended Clarkson's contract to the end of 2011 - the first season for the South-East Queensland club.

Craig is contracted to the Crows until the end of next season, with the new deal expected to be extended to the end of 2011 - if not 2012, when the AFL's 18th team is set to be based in western Sydney.

Sanders said the Crows were also keen to retain Craig's support team and avoid any disruptions expected from the AFL's expansion plans.

"We're very much aware of the options that may present themselves to any of our club officials, particularly the coaching staff, with the Gold Coast licence," Sanders said.

"It is no secret in football circles that the Gold Coast steering committee has started putting together the off-field team - and it is sourcing the best-possible people.

"But I am extremely confident we have strategies in place to ensure we do not lose anyone who is required at the Adelaide Football Club - including the coach."

Craig is strongly attached to Adelaide, having joined the Crows as a fitness guru for premiership winning coach Malcolm Blight in 1997.

After Craig was considered by West Coast and Fremantle as a coach in 2002 and an assistant coach at Port Adelaide, Sanders encouraged then Crows coach Gary Ayres to hire Craig as an assistant.

Since mid-2004, Craig has led Adelaide with a 56-32 win-loss record, including two preliminary final appearances.

Despite Craig's long association with the club, Sanders said the Crows can't take for granted that he will stay with Adelaide and that they will do everything possible to ensure all their quality people are retained.

"We have a responsibility to our football club to ensure we keep our best staff - and that we do everything possible to make that happen," Sanders said.

"Our preference is to retain all our valued people - and not take anything for granted."
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Knights not hitting the panic button

May 13th 2008 23:46
ESSENDON coach Matthew Knights says the club will not abandon its long-term rebuilding plan after a disappointing start to the season.

The Bombers have lost four straight games after opening the season with two wins from their first three starts to occupy 13th place on the AFL ladder with a 2-5 win-loss record.

Knights says he wants to follow Hawthorn's lead and bring a group of young players through together and create a winning culture.

"By no means are we looking to go down," he said.

"I've said if you're playing in this league, if you're coaching in this league or you're on a list in this league, you're here to play finals footy whether you've got a mature list or a young list.

"So going to Sydney on Sunday we're going to be cranking right up to try and win the footy game."

The Bombers take on the sixth-placed Swans at ANZ Stadium on Sunday afternoon and Knights said he would continue to back his young players.

"I'm still keen for this young group to keep taking the game on and learning and being creative and then slowly over time bringing a defensive element in," he said.

"I'm solid on that, the board is solid on that. Over time this group will be an evolution working together."
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Essendon Bombers
   


King set to return for Saints

May 13th 2008 22:25
ST KILDA looks set to regain the services of ruckman Steven King for Friday night's crucial clash against Collingwood at Telstra Dome.

King strained his hamstring in round five, but the Saints were yesterday confident he would be back to face the Pies.

With King and former Eagle Michael Gardiner set to share the rucking duties, Justin Koschitzke can replace the injured Nick Riewoldt at centre half-forward and the out-of-form Fraser Gehrig would retain his place at full-forward.

Riewoldt will miss a month with a medial ligament problem, but it will be St Kilda's inexperienced defence which is of most concern to coach Ross Lyon.

It has been decimated by injuries to Matt Maguire, Sam Gilbert and Max Hudghton.

With half his best back-line players out for an extended period, as well as a hamstring injury to Xavier Clarke, Lyon appears certain to recall Leigh Fisher and Jason Blake who were axed against the Tigers.

Nick Dal Santo is expected to play after he withdrew from the Hall of Fame tribute game with a shoulder problem
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AFL interchange rules overhauled

May 13th 2008 21:43
The AFL has has made sweeping changes to the interchange system which will come into effect this weekend in the wake of Sydney briefly fielding 19 men in the round six clash against North Melbourne.

The Swans were fined $50,000 - $25,000 of that suspended - after debutant Jesse White ran on to the ground before ruckman Darren Jolly had left the field at Telstra Dome.

That resulted in Sydney having an extra man on the field during the dying moments in the match which resulted in a draw.

There will be a new interchange holding area in front of the club benches and the AFL will appoint two interchange stewards involved in policing player turnover.

A free kick will be awarded when a team has 19 men on the field, including when a replacement player enters the playing surface before his team mate has crossed the boundary line.

The same penalty will be enforced if a player enters the field before his interchange is approved or doesn't go through the appropriate area.
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Hawks re-sign Clarkson

May 13th 2008 07:03
Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson has signed a new deal which will see him at the club until the end of the 2011 season.

Clarkson guided the currently undefeated Hawks to the finals last season, for the first time since 2001, his third season in charge.

Club President Jeff Kennett said the re-signing of Clarkson is another sign of the strong position that the club is in.

“Alastair enjoys the full confidence of the Hawthorn Football Club Board, management, coaching and playing group,” said Kennett.

“His re-signing for another three years, until the end of 2011, is another sign of the stability and high morale at the Club.”

Clarkson, in his fourth season at Hawthorn, has led the rebuilding of the football department, assembling the best coaching personnel and some of the best young talent in the AFL.

Despite such an impressive start to the season, Clarkson admitted there was still a long way to go.

“Four years ago we started a journey towards the Club’s tenth premiership,” said Clarkson.

“The Club has taken many bold decisions along the way and I look forward to continuing to play an important part in delivering this to the Hawthorn Football Club and its members.”

“Whist we have made a strong start to the 2008 season, both the playing group and coaching staff understand what is necessary to continue to build towards being the most competitive that we can be.”
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Bateman likely to return: Crawford

May 13th 2008 06:43
HAWTHORN's midfield could be bolstered by the return of hard-running onballer Chance Bateman for this weekend's clash against Port Adelaide at Aurora Stadium, according to veteran Shane Crawford.

Bateman has been sidelined with a hand injury but his possible return for the clash against the Power should bolster the undefeated Hawks who are without star Luke Hodge due to a hamstring injury.

"I think Chance Bateman will probably come straight back in for us." Crawford said. "I'm hoping that's the case, anyway.

"He'll need to get through training on Thursday. Obviously with Luke out it's a big loss, but getting Chance back in -- he adds plenty of run and has been playing well."
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Baker unlikely to play: Lyon

May 13th 2008 06:37
ST KILDA tagger Steven Baker is unlikely to play against Collingwood at Telstra Dome on Friday night according to Saints coach Ross Lyon.

Baker was expected to make a quick recovery after injuring his knee in the match against Richmond in roud seven, but Lyon says the knee has healed slower than expected.

“He is in severe doubt. We were more confident early in the week that he would play,” Lyon said.

“He banged his knee and it is still bleeding internally. He is not as fluid as we’d like – that may change later in the week but at this stage it is more unlikely than likely.”

Baker joins Nick Riewoldt, Xavier Clarke and Matt Maguire as casualties from the narrow victory over the Tigers.

Clarke and Riewoldt are expected back in a few weeks but Maguire has been ruled out for the remainder of the season season after injuring his foot.
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Six Tigers in line for recall

May 13th 2008 06:34
SIX Richmond players are a chance to be promoted from the VFL for the Tigers’ upcoming clash with Geelong at the MCG on Saturday, according to Tigers coach Terry Wallace.

Dual best-and-fairest winner Joel Bowden, Kayne Pettifer, Graham Polak, Greg Tivendale, Jay Schulz and Dean Polo all featured in Coburg’s VFL game on Saturday during the AFL’s Hall of Fame bye weekend and did enough to warrant a recall according to Wallace.

“I would have thought at least six players from the affiliate side Coburg that had the ability to knock on my door and say ‘I reckon I’ve done enough to play senior football,” Wallace said earlier today.

“Well six of them aren’t going to get in.”

Trent Cotchin, the No.2 selection in last year’s NAB AFL Draft, is, according to Wallace, close to playing his first game of AFL football after an impressive second-half performance for Coburg.

Cotchin has now featured in four VFL games after recovering from achilles soreness which hampered him during the pre-season.

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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Richmond Tigers
   


Reilly set to return

May 13th 2008 06:23
ADELAIDE midfielder Brent Reilly's chances of returning from a broken wrist to face bottom-placed Melbourne at AAMI Stadium on Sunday are firming by the day.

Reilly has had his cast removed and will be given every opportunity to play against the Demons.

Utility Scott Stevens said a more open-minded attitude to training had allowed Reilly to keep pace with teammates despite having the use of only one hand.

“You've seen over the last couple of weeks him doing pretty much all the training, he was throwing the ball instead of handballing it and working on his one-handed grabs, that's about the only thing that's changed from full training," Stevens said.

Stevens said Reilly would be a welcome return to an Adelaide midfield that has been effective so far this season.

“Brent's been in fantastic form for an extended period of time, his skills are great, he's a hard runner and he wins the contested ball, so he definitely brings a lot to the midfield.”

Another Crow favouring one hand on Max Basheer Reserve was tagger Robert Shirley, victim of a dislocated little finger on the weekend.

Shirley is expected to play but spent most of the session trying to keep the tender digit from harm.

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Egan out for season

May 13th 2008 02:28
GEELONG defender Matthew Egan who tragically missed last year's premiership win has been ruled out for the remainder of the season.

The 2007 All-Australian centre-half back is struggling with the broken foot that ruled him out of last year’s finals series and will have further surgery on the troublesome right foot.

It means he will not be able to train until the start of 2009.

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Bombers won't trade aggressively: Knights

May 13th 2008 02:20
ESSENDON coach Matthew Knights has refuted claims made by club chairman Ray Horsburgh in today's Herald Sun that the Bombers will be "aggressive" in trade week.

Knights said the club will stick to his "vision" of building a Geelong-type dynasty of closely knit players.

"Last year's draft is a good indication of my philosophy which is all about draft picks, and we didn't trade them away," said Knights.

"As a club we will look to add to our list with more youth in this year's draft.

"I wouldn't have thought that we'd be trading aggressively."

Knights also said it was "important for our club to have another good draft this year" as Essendon goes about rebuilding their list.

The Bombers coach also said there may be "six or seven" players to come into consideration for this Sunday's clash with Sydney at ANZ stadium, with veterans Dustin Fletcher, Mark McVeigh and youngsters Sam Loneragn and Kyle Reimers in the mix for a recall.
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Interchange overhaul details to be revealed

May 13th 2008 01:57
AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson will today unveil an overhaul of the AFL's interchange system, some of which may be introduced as soon as Friday night when Collingwood and St Kilda clash at Telstra Dome.

Anderson is expected to outline the changes to the competition's 16 football managers during a teleconference this afternoon.

In response to the round six confusion that saw Sydney briefly field 19 players against North Melbourne in the last quarter of their drawn match, Anderson's department assigned a second interchange steward to each match of round seven and began to more strictly police the three-minute time limit on each notification of a player swap.

More changes are planned, though, with the league considering the introduction of designated interchange gates -- one per club -- and specified holding areas where players can be observed before they take the field.

Another idea is sitting each of the two interchange stewards on a club bench so that they can be more quickly informed of intended interchanges, changes of plan and, being responsible for the traffic of one club, keep a better record of the comings and goings.

The AFL has to be informed of every interchange by a designated club steward who has to first take an instruction from the coach, write it down and then pass on the relevant slip of paper.

Under the current system, all players move on and off the ground through the one interchange gate, and with players, team officials and AFL stewards at times milling in the wing-side area at once, the scene can be quite confusing.

The AFL wrote to the clubs a month into the season expressing concern over the congestion which, it claimed, had on occasions blocked the path of the boundary umpires and created potentially hazardous situations.

Seven players moved through the interchange gate in a four-second period in the confusion that led to Sydney having an extra player on the field against North.

Currently the captain of a team is the only person empowered to approach the umpires and ask for a head count. This rule is also under review, however any change may not be introduced until the end of the season.

In the round six match, the North Melbourne coaches suspected, but were not certain of, a 19th Swans player being on the ground until ruckman Darren Jolly came from the field without being replaced. Had a head count been called by North captain Adam Simpson, it would have found only 18 Sydney players on the ground.

Anderson confirmed changes were coming but said the AFL wanted to discuss the issue with the clubs before going public.

"We are certainly looking at changes. Whether they are immediate I can't say," he said.

"We really have to make a decision on these things. We've spoken to the clubs before and intend to stay in close contact with them, but we want to outline how we are going to improve the way it works."
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Eagles set to welcome back key players

May 13th 2008 01:10
WEST COAST looks set to regain the services of Matt Priddis, Ashley Hansen and Mark Seaby for Saturday night's clash against North Melbourne at the Gold Coast Stadium.

Priddis looks to have overcome a knee injury sustained in the round three loss to Fremantle, Hansen his tight hamstrings and Seaby regained form in the WAFL for West Perth before having the weekend off.

West Coast assistant coach Peter Sumich said the club will see how Priddis and Hansen pull up from training this week while a decision on Seaby will depend on how the Kangaroos line up.

"We will just see how Priddis and Hansen train this week. They are good chances but not certainties," Sumich said.

"We wouldn't have rested him (Seaby) if he wasn't a strong chance. It just depends on their make-up going with (David) Hale and (Hamish) McIntosh. If they both play, then we will most likely play both our big men."

While the likes of Steven Armstrong, Sam Butler, Eric MacKenzie, Scott Selwood and Brent Staker all had good WAFL games over the weekend, the standouts were youngsters Tim Houlihan and Beau Wilkes.

Houlihan was best on ground in East Fremantle's win over Swan Districts, racking up 36 possessions and booting two goals on the wing, while Wilkes continued his dominant form at centre half-back with 31 disposals.

Sumich believes both are close to making their AFL debut.
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Kerr on track for Pies encounter

May 13th 2008 00:28
WEST COAST midfielder Daniel Kerr is recovering well after injuring his ankle in Saturday's Hall of Fame tribute match.

Kerr left the field in the first quarter after rolling his ankle.

The midfielder is suspended for the Eagles' next two matches but assistant coach Peter Sumich says Kerr should be fit to play against Collingwood on May 31.


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Draft plan rattles Lions

May 13th 2008 00:14
The AFL's planned draft concessions for the Gold Coast Football Club are too generous according to the Brisbane Lions and the club will fight for an exclusive access zone to protect their recruiting ground.

The Lions have a week to respond to the AFL's Gold Coast plan, which will give the new club access to 15 Queensland teenagers at the end of 2008 and 2009 and a draft-day spree in 2010, when the new club will get eight picks in the first 24, including the top five.

Lions chairman Tony Kelly said the proposal was unacceptable.

"The Lions' view is that is too beneficial," he said.

The proposed draft concessions will have massive appeal to former Brisbane Lions captain and coach-in-waiting Michael Voss, who meets with Gold Coast tomorrow.

The draft proposal, which will not be ratified until July will hurt the Lions, who have a strong track record of converting rookie-listed Queenslanders into AFL regulars.

Of Brisbane's current side, Josh Drummond, Cheynee Stiller, Joel MacDonald and Scott Harding are all Queenslanders who were developed off the rookie list.

Kelly admitted the Gold Coast side needed to start somehow, but said some balance needed to be found.

"What we are saying is, we have got to be reasonable. This Gold Coast side has got to start
somehow and it has to start with a core of local talent," Kelly said.

"But don't completely deprive us of local talent over the next two years, give us a zone or allow us to introduce a scholarship system or something.

"It is really that concept where all clubs are going to be affected, no one club should be affected more than another. With the proposed access to 15 Queenslanders, the one club that does get affected more is us."
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Brisbane Lions
   


Knee sidelines old Dog again

May 13th 2008 00:03
WESTERN BULLDOGS veteran Scott West is struggling with a degenerative knee injury that will affect his decorated career.

The 33-year-old midfielder won't play against Fremantle at Subiaco Oval on Sunday as he rests what is described by the club as "bone stress".

He is no certainty to be back for the following round against North Melbourne.

West had minor surgery after pulling up sore against St Kilda in round three and missed the next two rounds.

He was a late withdrawal after flying to Sydney the weekend before the Hall of Fame break.

An MRI scan this week revealed the damage had worsened and the latest report from the Dogs ruled him out for up to two weeks.
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Western Bulldogs
   


Johnson and Peverill appear finished

May 12th 2008 23:57
ESSENDON veterans Jason Johnson and Damien Peverill appear finished at senior level with coach Matthew Knights stating last night he had told the two premiership players they faced "limited opportunities", but he had not ruled a line through their names.

Chairman Ray Horsburgh said the pair would not be a part of Essendon's next premiership and it was time for the club to look to the future.

"My understanding is they have been told," Horsburgh said yesterday.

"It's a very hard decision. They are wonderful club boys, Jason is a twice best-and-fairest and premiership player, both are warriors, but you've got to win the flag and they're not going to win us one.

"What Knightsy has told them is they're going to play some games this year, they're not going to be never heard of again, but we're going to play the kids."

At 2-5 and with the worst injury list in the competition, Knights hasn't been able to find a spot for Johnson since round two.

Johnson, 30, has played the past five matches in the VFL, while Peverill, 28, has played two senior and two VFL games this year before suffering a cracked jawbone.

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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Essendon Bombers
   


Docker chief in AFL's sights

May 12th 2008 23:21
OUTGOING Fremantle chief executive Cameron Schwab has been unoffically targeted by the AFL for a new executive position demanding extensive club experience.

Schwab, a veteran of three AFL clubs, spoke to AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou several days ago and later held talks with Demetriou's No. 2 Gillon McLachlan.

Demetriou yesterday confirmed his meeting with Schwab and stressed an executive at head office with several years of club experience could prove crucial in the establishment of new clubs on the Gold Coast and in Western Sydney over the next three years.

"I think as a general principle, a person with a lot of experience with clubs would have a lot to offer our team," Demetriou said.

"It's probably one area we don't have covered and if you can see over a football club, you are talking about football, sponsorship, business plans, the whole operation.

"With the setting up of two new clubs from scratch, Cameron believes he has a lot to offer and he is right about that. I would expect his name to be at the forefront of our thinking."

Schwab will return to Melbourne at the end of this, his seventh season at the helm of the

Dockers, having overseen the eradication of the club's debt and the building of a multimillion-dollar bank account but without an elusive premiership cup.

The 44-year-old has indicated a desire to remain in football, but has ruled out working for one of the 16 clubs in the short to medium term and wants to live in Melbourne, the home of his 10-year-old son.

Schwab told The Age yesterday that he had a professional preference to work at AFL level and that his conversation with Demetriou was centred upon helping the clubs as the competition continues to grow and develop.

"My talk to Andrew was about how the AFL can help clubs at many levels and not only the two new clubs but how the creation of two new clubs will affect the other 16 clubs," Schwab said.

"This is an exciting time for the game and the success of these clubs is crucial to the future of the competition.

"The AFL recently put forward eight priorities and four of those involved clubs, priorities like creating new business, creating opportunities in the community and working extensively in the community, which we have done a lot of work on at Fremantle. It's also about experience, handling the tough times as well as success. All clubs have tough times."

Schwab said he would see out his contract with Fremantle until the end of this season, returning to Melbourne in October.
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Fremantle Dockers
   


Stomach bug stops Malceski proving his fitness

May 12th 2008 23:00
SYDNEY defender Nick Malceski failed to complete a fitness test yesterday as he aims to return from a knee injury due to a bout of the flu.

Malceski had been scheduled to undergo 10 minutes of tackling drills at the end of a light training session on the SCG but felt dizzy after a bout of gastro.

He left the track early and the Swans' coaching and fitness staff will have to wait until tomorrow to see how the hard-running defender fares under duress.

Malceski suffered a knee injury in a pre-season match in Hobart on February 17 and underwent radical surgery during which a synthetic fibre was used to repair his damaged anterior cruciate ligament.
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Sydney Swans
   


Victorian clubs set to target Freo defender

May 12th 2008 22:51
FREMANTLE defender David Mundy is set to become a recruiting target for Victorian clubs, with the 22-year-old having put off contract talks with the Dockers until the end of the season.

Mundy is one of three Victorians at Fremantle whose contracts expire at the end of the season.

Ruckman Robert Warnock has attracted strong interest from Melbourne, where his brother, Matthew, plays, as well as Richmond and Carlton while Ryan Murphy, who has not been an automatic selection in the seniors this year, due to team balance, is the other Victorian coming out of contract.

Mundy's manager Anthony McConville said yesterday that his client had put off talks until season's end.

"At this time, yes, that will be left until the end of the year," McConville said, confirming that the Dockers had been informed of Mundy's decision.

McConville said he expected other clubs to be interested in Mundy, who has played 71
games for the Dockers since making his debut in round five, 2005.

"There's no doubt there would be interest in David, but at this stage, David's preferring to focus on his football and let everything take care of itself at the end of the year."

McConville also manages Murphy, who was promoted back to the seniors for the past two games and has played three of the seven matches this season for only one goal.

"Fremantle are still working out their match-ups and, you know, their forward set-ups," McConville said of Murphy's situation.

"But obviously, they need to look at what they're doing from their point and I suppose we'll only know further down the track."

Mundy would be the clear priority signing for the Dockers, given his running capacity and consitency - he has not missed a game since making his debut.

The 192cm defender has been at his damaging best when playing on the on the third tall forwards and then using his play-reading ability, run and poise to instigate Fremantle's attacking forays forward.

His performances across half-back in 2006 were instrumental in Fremantle's late-season charge towards a preliminary final and resulted in him being selected to play for Australia in the international rules series against Ireland later that year.

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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Fremantle Dockers
   


Wilson set for Power comeback

May 12th 2008 22:39
PORT ADELAIDE veteran Michael Wilson recovered from a ruptured Achilles tendon and is a chance to play against Hawthorn in Launceston on Saturday.

Wilson has been on the sidelines since sustaining the injury during the Power's preliminary final victory against the Kangaroos last year.

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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Port Adelaide Power
   


Headland set for surgery

May 12th 2008 22:35
FREMANTLE midfielder Des Headland will miss six to eight weeks of football after scans showed the midfielder will need surgery on his injured left knee.

Headland met orthopaedic surgeons on Monday and it was determined he would have an arthroscope performed on his knee later this week.



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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Fremantle Dockers
   


Malceski a chance to face Bombers

May 12th 2008 05:47
SYDNEY coach Paul Roos says defender Nick Malceski is a chance to return from a long-injury layoff for Sunday's AFL clash with Essendon at ANZ Stadium if he gets through training this week.

Malceski had experimental knee surgery earlier this year and has made a quicker than expected return to the playing field.

Tadhg Kennelly and Craig Bolton are both expected to be cleared to play.


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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Sydney Swans
   


Key Lions set to return

May 12th 2008 05:23
The week's break from club matches has done Brisbane the world of good with the Lions set to name their strongest side of the season for this week's clash against Carlton at Telstra Dome on Saturday night.

Brisbane skipper Jonathan Brown will return after missing the round seven loss to Geelong while 2002 Brownlow medallist Simon Black could also return after missing the Cats game due to a bout of osteitis pubis.

Classy defender Josh Drummond is also available having missed the past five matches with a quad injury while fellow defender Jason Roe is a chance to play for the first time this season

Travis Johnstone is also expected to face the Blues after missing the Cats clash due to a hamstring injury while goalsneak Ash McGrath should be fit despite injuring his ankle against Geelong.

However veteran midfielder Nigel Lappin will remain sidelined with an Achilles injury.
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Brisbane Lions
   


Matthews: We need four umpires

May 12th 2008 05:11
Brisbane Lions coach Leigh Matthews believes the AFL must introduce four field umpires for home-and-away matches after watching Saturday night's Hall of Fame match between Victoria and the Dream Team at the MCG.

The four-time premiership coach was impressed with the way the game was free of the usual illegal holding tactics that so often restrict the game's star midfield players during the home-and-away season.

Matthews said the fact that the match was controlled by four umpires as opposed to the three umpires that officiate in home-and-away matches definitely had an influence.

"Having four umpires out there (on Saturday night) made a difference," Matthews said on Monday.

"There is a lot of talk in football about hassling and tagging and holding (players) around stoppages and there is no doubt the fourth umpire is necessary."

"It (having four umpires) would have helped with the running of that game on Saturday night."
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Brisbane Lions
   


Mayne signs on

May 12th 2008 04:53
FREMANTLE has secured the services of promising young forward Chris Mayne until the end of the 2010 AFL season.

Mayne, 19, was selected at number 40 in the 2007 National Draft from WAFL club Perth.

He will be considered for selection this week after playing in the Demons' 19-point win over Claremont in the WAFL.
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Brown and Matthews call for two split rounds

May 12th 2008 04:41
BRISBANE LIONS coach Leigh Matthews and skipper Jonathan Brown have called for the AFL to introduce two split rounds from 2009 to help preserve players' increasingly battered bodies.

Matthews said the game had never been so brutal on players and an extra week's rest was essential in keeping them on the field.

The pair believed two split rounds scheduled eight weeks apart in a 24-week regular season would dramatically aid fitness issues as well as ensure a high quality of play for longer.

“I just think the game is getting more brutal,” Matthews said.

“It's not the violent game in the modern era, it's just the speed and intensity they seem to be going at and the pressure it's putting on their joints, and then you get the incidental contact at high speed.

“They're more beat-up and exhausted and fatigued.

“Each year it just seems to be a tougher game on the body.

“The concept of having two split rounds where each club and set of players get two breaks, a third through and two-thirds through, I'm sure the players would be happy and it would help their longevity.”

Brown, who missed the Lions' last match against Geelong with quad tightness, said the break did him the world of good.

“I had my bye last weekend against Geelong and I felt a hell of a lot better going into this week's game than going into the previous two or three weeks, he said.

“That was only six weeks into the season, my body was banged-up.”

Brown, the reigning Coleman Medallist, would rather see the pre-season NAB Cup reduced to add an extra week in the 22-round premiership.

“Maybe they should shorten the pre-season comp so you don't have so much pressure to get up for games in early February and we have longer holidays to get over all the injuries,” he said.

“I definitely think that two byes, even if there's not a (Hall of Fame) game next year, would be good.

“It would keep the quality a lot better and the players would be able to sustain that quality throughout the season.”
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Brisbane Lions
   


Mixed news for Magpies

May 12th 2008 03:11
COLLINGWOOD expects to regain key forward Anthony Rocca from an ankle injury for Friday night's clash against St Kilda at Telstra Dome but is resigned to being without No.1 ruckman Josh Fraser.

Fraser suffered a posterior cruciate ligament injury while clashing knees at a centre bounce with Dean Cox - and initially it was thought he could miss up to six to eight weeks.

The Pies are still awaiting results of a scan on Fraser's knee, but club spokesman Nick Hulett told Sportal the injury was at the lower level.

"We are hoping it might only be one to two weeks (out)," he said.

Meanwhile, Rocca, who has been a late withdrawal from the Pies' past two matches due to ankle soreness is tipped to make his return.

"Having the week off (while the Vics played The Dream Team) will have done him the world of good," Hulett said of Rocca's ankle.
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Collingwood Magpies
   


State carnival the way to go: Kennett

May 12th 2008 03:05
HAWTHORN President Jeff Kennett has labelled the AFL Hall of Fame game "more like touch football than real football" and believes true State of Origin is needed if representative games are to become a permanent fixture in the AFL calendar.

As reported in today's Age, Kennett said his ideal scenario would be an interstate carnival the week after the grand final, with teams representing all states, as well as possibly an indigenous side.

"I think there'd be a lot more passion," Kennett said.

"You could share it around the country so that ... you could have one (match) in Western Australia and you could have one in Adelaide.

"You wouldn't be able to cover all states every year, but you could rotate them, so I think to do it properly you'd need it to be an annual event."
Kennett also said he was against any future representative matches being held in-season,
citing the risk of potentially losing key players.

"It always concerns me when my players or any club's players are involved in a game for which they're not playing for points," he said.

"Because we pay them well, their goal, their mission in any one year is to win a premiership.

"And when you see them doing something else that puts them physically at risk, of course you are concerned.

"I can understand how this morning (Collingwood president) Eddie McGuire must be terribly disappointed at (the knee injury) to Josh Fraser, all for nothing."

Kennett felt the Dream Team concept, made up from the best non-Victorian players, engendered little passion - with no rivalry between the combined team and Victoria it meant fans did not care whether the home side won or lost.

"I'm not sure the Dream Team competition is the best.

"I think if the AFL achieves its goal over time, and I hope they do, and that is to have AFL more vigorously represented in all states of Australia, then I like the concept of a proper state carnival."

Kennett said the carnival should include a team from Tasmania - where the Hawks play four home games - and perhaps an indigenous side, with shortened knockout games ahead of a full length final.

"It may be that you have a real dream team which is made up of an Aboriginal side," he said.

"We've got enough members from the indigenous community now, you might have trouble with a couple of positions, but your Northern Territory team for instance might be a team of indigenous players."
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News
   


Demetriou backs upgrade of AAMI Stadium

May 12th 2008 01:25
AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou has backed the redevelopment of AAMI Stadium and not the construction of a new venue.

Demetriou said a new stadium, which could cost about $1 billion, could not survive without AFL football and the AFL would not play there.

"We're certainly not supportive of a brand new stadium," he told ABC Radio.

"You certainly can't justify spending $1 billion of taxpayers' money on a new stadium.

"We've got a stadium that has served the game well. It does need some significant amount of money to be spent on it to bring it up to the standard we would like.

"(But) we've got no support for a new stadium and, in fact, I think I'm on the record as saying it couldn't possibly survive without football being played there and we wouldn't play there.

"We'd rather have a refurb at AAMI Stadium."

Demetriou conceded that the current AAMI Stadium was in urgent need of repair, but believed the idea of a new stadium was not financially viable.

"I don't think you can make the numbers stack up," he said.

"Our history shows that any investment in a stadium, especially the sort of magnitude you're talking about in South Australia, would be very, very difficult to get any return on the investment.

"I don't think that you can justify spending that sort of money if you're not going to get the return."
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Adelaide Crows
   


Fraser a chance to face Saints

May 11th 2008 21:38
COLLINGWOOD ruckman Josh Fraser is an outside chance to face St Kilda on Friday night despite injuring his knee in a one-on-one clash with an opposition ruckman in the final term of Saturday night's representative game.

As reported in today's Age, Fraser, who was checked yesterday morning after playing for Victoria, could have a grade-one tear to his posterior cruciate ligament.

Early reports suggested Fraser had torn his posterior cruciate ligament and could miss as many as 10 weeks, but swelling around the area was minimal yesterday,

The Pies' football manager Geoff Walsh said that both Fraser and a Collingwood doctor with Victoria's medical team had indicated he is a chance to line up this week, although he is more likely to miss one week and return against Geelong in round nine.

"He'll have a scan tomorrow but the scan will only confirm what our doc thinks — it's a mild strain, or a low grade strain, so it's not too bad," Walsh said yesterday.
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Collingwood Magpies
   


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