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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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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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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 co