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AFL Central - March 2009

Gold Coast granted provisional licence

March 31st 2009 03:37
THE AFL Commission has granted the Gold Coast Football Club a provisional licence to become the league's 17th team from 2011.

The licence is conditional on the finalisation of funding commitments and an agreement between the Queensland Government and the Gold Coast City Council on the transfer of land for the stadium.

It also depends on a decision by the Federal Government on funding to redevelop Carrara Stadium.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said the Queensland Goverment had agreed to contribute $60 million towards the redevelopment of Carrara and to vary the GABBA agreement to allow the Gold Coast Football Club to play home games on the Gold Coast.


Demetriou also said the Gold Coast City Council will contribute $20 million and had agreed to transfer ownership of the land needed for a new AFL stadium at Carrara to the Queensland Government.

AFL Chairman Mike Fitzpatrick said the decision to award the new licence was not made lightly.

"It has been made after a long period of investment in Queensland and a rigorous process over the past two years in which the Gold Coast football, business and wider communities have made clear their support for and ability to sustain an AFL team," Fitzpatrick said.

"It is also a decision that we have made after a rigorous process to validate the business model for a Gold Coast Football Club."

"We are confident that we grant the licence knowing that you have put in place the foundations to build a strong and sustainable club which will serve well the Gold Coast community."

Queensland premier Anna Bligh said the AFL won't regret their decision to grant a licence to the Gold Coast.

"It's great to see a new team in the AFL competition and the second AFL team in Queensland," she said.


"The whole league has done an extraordinary job of procuring public and family support for this new side."

"We have already seen when the Gold Coast gets behind something there's no stopping it. This is a decision the AFL will never regret and another reason for people from Melbourne to bring their families and see their own teams play on the Gold Coast in the middle of July."

The new club, which will be coached by former West Coast champion Guy McKenna, will play in the TAC Cup this year then enter the VFL in 2010 before making their AFL debut in 2011.

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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News
   


Robertson to return

March 31st 2009 02:20
MELBOURNE forward Russell Robertson will make his return to competitive football in the VFL this weekend.

Robertson, who hasn't played since injuring his Achilles tendon against St Kilda in round 10 last year, will line up for the Casey Scorpions in a VFL practice match against Coburg on Sunday.

Demons coach Dean Bailey said Robertson was extremely excited about playing.

"Robbo's bouncing around this week," Bailey said

"He's worked his arse off, his work-ethic has been great."

Bailey also said Robertson would need to play at least two matches in the VFL before being considered for senior selection.

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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Melbourne Demons
   


Brogan, Johnson to contest

March 31st 2009 02:13
PORT ADELAIDE ruckman Dean Brogan and Geelong forward Steve Johnson have elected to contest the charges laid against them by the AFL match review panel.

Brogan is facing a two-match ban after being charged with engaging in rough conduct against Essendon's Andrew Lovett in an off-the-ball incident that was not captured on video during the first quarter break of Sunday's match at AAMI Stadium.

Johnson is challenging a charge of attempting to strike Hawthorn vice-captain Luke Hodge at the MCG last Friday night which attracted a reprimand only.

In other tribunal news, Hawthorn ruckman Sinon Taylor has accepted the two-match suspension given to him for kneeing Geelong midfielder Joel Selwood.

Carlton midfielder Kade Simpson accepted a reprimand and 70.31 points towards his future record for making forceful front-on contact with Richmond’s Daniel Jackson, while Sydney star Adam Goodes has accepted a $1950 fine for negligent contact with umpire Ray Chamberlai.
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Rich wins nomination

March 30th 2009 23:15
BRISBANE LIONS midfielder Daniel Rich has been named the NAB AFL Rising Star nominee for round one.

The impressive 18-year-old was insumental in the Lions' nine-point win over West Coast at the Gabba on Saturday night with 21 possessions.

Brisbane coach Michael Voss said Rich, who was selected with pick seven in the 2008 national draft, had exceeded expectations in his first game for the club.

"His work ethic was probably what impressed me most," Voss said.

"We certainly think he can add something to our midfield in the future."


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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Brisbane Lions
   


Hodge free to play

March 30th 2009 06:50
HAWTHORN vice-captain Luke Hodge is free to play in Saturday night's clash against Sydney after being cleared of striking Geelong forward Tom Lonergan.

The match review panel ruled that Hodge made a legitimate attempt to spoil and had his eyes on the ball when he accidentally made contact to Lonergan's face in a marking contest.

However the news isn't as good for Hodge's teammate Simon Taylor who is facing a three-match suspension for kneeing Geelong midfielder Joel Selwood.

The incident was ruled as intentional, low impact and high contact, which equates to 325 points and a three-match ban.

But if Taylor pleads guilty he can escape with 243.75 points and a two-match ban.

The Hawthorn ruckman was also cleared over another clash with Geelong star Gary Ablett in the first quarter of Friday night's clash at the MCG.

In other tribunal news, the match-day reports against Max Rooke and Andrew Mackie were both thrown out.

Geelong forward Steve Johnson was booked for attempting to strike Hodge but he can accept a reprimand.

Carlton midfielder Kade Simpson can also accept a reprimand for making forceful front-on contact to Richmond's Daniel Jackson, while Sydney star Adam Goodes was fined for making negligent contact with an umpire.

Meanwhile, no action was taken over incidents involving Brisbane's Josh Drummond and West Coast's Ashley Hansen and North's Drew Petrie and Melbourne skipper James McDonald.

The match-day report laid against Port ruckman Dean Brogan for engaging in rough conduct against Essendon's Andrew Lovett is still being investigated.

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Saints duo will play

March 30th 2009 02:05
ST KILDA skipper Nick Riewoldt and midfielder Lenny Hayes will play in Friday night's clash against Adelaide at AAMI Stadium.

Hayes missed Saturday night's 15-point win over Sydney with a hamstring injury while Riewoldt was taken off the field with a leg injury in the final term.

Club spokesman Alistair Hogg said on Monday that Riewoldt was only taken off as a precaution against the Swans due to cramp in the final term.

Meanwhile, experienced defender Max Hudghton is expected to miss another two matches due to a calf injury.

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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, St Kilda Saints
   


Dogs demolish dismal Dockers

March 29th 2009 11:50
THE Western Bulldogs look set for another big year after thumping Fremantle by 63 points at Subiaco Oval on Sunday night.

The Dogs’ superior foot skills and efficiency in front of goal proved to be the difference between the two sides as they cruised to a convincing 25.7 (157) to 13.16 (94) victory.

Last year’s preliminary finalists had 12 individual goal kickers for the match - Mitch Hahn the most effective with five while Lindsay Gilbee, Ryan Griffen and Nathan Eagleton chimed in with three apiece.

Matthew Boyd was influential in the middle with a game-high 34 possessions while Gilbee generated plenty of run from defence with 32 disposals.

For Fremantle, Steven Dodd, Rhys Palmer and Paul Duffield won plenty of the football while Brett Peake kicked three goals.

The Dockers started brightly with exciting youngster Stephen Hill kicking truly in the opening minute before Palmer dribbled one home just moments later.

However, once the Dogs got their running game going they were simply unstoppable as they slammed on five unanswered goals in a nine-minute burst to open up a 16-point lead.

Back-to-back goals from Peake stemmed the flow before Griffen kicked his third to give his side a nine-point advantage heading into quarter-time.

The Bulldogs kicked the first two goals of the second term before two majors in a minute from Michael Johnson got the Dockers back to within 10 points at the eight-minute mark.

But Fremantle’s poor use of the football prevented them from getting any closer with the Dogs punishing them for their sloppy errors by piling on five of the next six goals to take a commanding 35-point lead into the main break.

When Hahn kicked his second two minutes into the third term the margin had blown out to 41 points and it looked as if the Dogs were on course for a big win.

Inspired by Luke McPharlin's presence in the forward line, the Dockers rallied and closed to within 16 points at the 24-minute mark thanks to a brilliant running goal from Peake.

The Dogs hit back with two goals before Nic Suban slotted one home to reduce the deficit to just 22 points heading into the final chance.

Fremantle had their chances to edge closer early in the final term but Paul Hasleby and Josh Head failed to convert set shots.

The Dockers were made to pay with Jason Akermanis kicking the first of eight final term goals for the Dogs.

FREMANTLE: 4.4, 7.5, 12.12, 13.16 (94)
WESTERN BULLDOGS: 6.1, 13.4, 17.4, 25.7 (157)
GOALS: Fremantle: Peake 3, Johnson 2, Murphy 2, Hill, Palmer, Pavlich, Schammer, McPharlin, Suban
Western Bulldogs: Hahn 5, Griffen 3, Gilbee 3, Higgins 2, Eagleton 3, Akermanis 2, Addison, Cooney, Boyd, Cross, Giansiracusa, Ward
BEST: Fremantle: Duffield, Peake, Palmer, Tarrant, Dodd
Western Bulldogs: Boyd, Griffen, Gilbee, Hahn, Higgins, Morris, Eagleton
INJURIES: Fremantle:
Western Bulldogs:
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Fremantle Roger Hayden (back) replaced in the selected side by Marcus Drum. Western Bulldogs Robert Murphy (knee) replaced in selected side by Tom Williams
UMPIRES: James, Stevic, Keating
CROWD: 34,634 at Subiaco

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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Western Bulldogs
   


Port dispose of Dons

March 29th 2009 08:04
PORT ADELAIDE has kicked off its 2009 campaign with a 41-point win over Essendon at AAMI Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Power got the early jump and survived several challenges from the Bombers to prevail 15.17 (107) to 9.12 (66).

Daniel Motlop and Justin Westhoff were damaging up forward, booting four and three goals respectively while veteran Peter Burgoyne was influential in the middle with a game-high 32 touches.

Danyle Pearce was equally as effective with 31 disposals while Josh Carr racked up 23 touches in his comeback game.

For the Bombers, Jobe Watson had a team-high 31 possessions while former Adelaide Crow Hayden Skipworth was impressive on debut with 30 disposals and one goal.

But Essendon’s key forwards failed to have an impact - skipper Matthew Lloyd was held goalless while Scott Lucas and Jay Neagle managed just two goals between them.

Port Adelaide coach Mark Williams promised that the Power would play a more attacking brand of football in 2009 and his side delivered, slamming on the first three goals of the match in an eight-minute burst.

But they managed only more major for the term to take a 20-point lead into quarter-time.

Essendon was more competitive around the ground after quarter-time but they failed to make any inroads on the scoreboard.

The Power was guilty of making sloppy errors in the second term but they still managed to go into the main break with a 28-point lead thanks to two goals from Westhoff and a late major from Brett Ebert.

Port could have easily been further in front at half-time had they made the most of their chances in front of goal - they booted a wayward 4.4 for the quarter.

Back-to-back goals from Brent Stanton and Andrew Lovett saw the Bombers close to within 16 points in the third term but the Power had all the answers with late goals from Robert Gray and Carr giving Port a handy 22-point buffer heading into the final change.

The final term got off to the worst possible start for the Bombers with a David Hille turnover in the midfield resulting in a goal to Gray.

Essendon hit back through Lucas and could have been within three goals with nine minutes left on the clock but a goal to Alwyn Davey was disallowed because the umpires weren’t sure whether Davey’s boot got the final touch on the ball.

It was all the Power from that moment on as they slammed on the last three goals of the contest to cap off a solid start to their season.

PORT ADELAIDE: 4.3, 8.7, 11.12, 15.17 (107)
ESSENDON: 1.1,4.3, 8.8, 9.12 (66)
GOALS: PORT: D.Motlop 4, Westhoff 3, Ebert 2, Gray 2, Pearce, Carlile, P.Burgoyne, Carr
ESSENDON: Stanton 2, McPhee, Neagle, Monfries, Lovett, Skipworth, Dempsey, Lucas
BEST: PORT: P.Burgoyne, Pearce, Krakouer, Salopek, Rodan,Carr
ESSENDON: Watson, Stanton, Skipworth, Hurley, Hocking, Lovett, Hille
INJURIES: PORT: TBC
ESSENDON: TBC
REPORTS: TBC
CHANGES: -
UMPIRES: Dean Margetts, Heath Ryan, Scott Jeffery
CROWD: 28,315 at the AAMI Stadium
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Port Adelaide Power
   


Roos too good for Demons

March 29th 2009 05:50
NORTH MELBOURNE has downed a plucky Melbourne side by 34 points at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.

The Kangaroos were challenged for three quarters by last year’s wooden spooners before taking control in the last term to prevail 15.11 (101) to 10.7 (67).

Leigh Harding was influential with 28 possessions, 12 marks, seven tackles and one goal while ruckman Hamish McIntosh dominated against a Melbourne ruck division led by first-gamer Jake Spencer, finishing the match with 21 disposals and three goals.

Despite the loss, Melbourne’s future appears to be bright with debutants Spencer, Jamie Bennell, Neville Jetta and Kyle Cheney all showing promising signs while defender Matthew Warnock kept David Hale goalless.

The lead changed hands six times in a hard-fought first half but it was the Kangaroos who took a seven-point advantage into the main break thanks to goals from McIntosh and Harding.

Goals from Drew Petrie and Matt Campbell saw the margin blow out to 20 points early in the third term.

The Melbourne of last season would have allowed the Kangaroos to run all over the top of them but the 2009 version refused to give in and hit back through Ricky Petterd - who kicked a brilliant check-side goal from the boundary - and Brad Green who slotted one home from outside 50.

But the Kangaroos had all the answers with Adam Simpson kicking truly at the 21-minute mark after Harding forced a turnover with a brilliant smother before a late goal from McIntosh gave North a handy 14-point lead heading into the final change.

The young Demons wilted in the final term as North slammed on four goals to one to secure the four premiership points.

Melbourne now faces Collingwood next Saturday afternoon at the MCG while North Melbourne will play the Western Bulldogs at the home of football on Sunday.

MELBOURNE: 3.3, 6.5, 9.6, 10.7 (67)
NORTH MELBOURNE: 3.3, 7.6, 11.8, 15.11 (101)
GOALS: Melbourne: Petterd 2, Green 2, Bate, Morton, Moloney, Davey, Jetta, Johnson
North: McIntosh 3, Thomas 2, Campbell 2, Petrie 2, Simpson, Harvey, Harding, McMahon, Firrito, Hale
BEST: Melbourne: Moloney, Warnock, Cheney, Frawley, Petterd, Bruce, Jones
North: McIntosh, Harding, Simpson, Thomas, Campbell, Power, Swallow
INJURIES: Melbourne: Nil
North: Nil
UMPIRES: Grun, McInerney, Mollison
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Nil
CROWD: 28,707 at MCG

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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Kangaroos
   


Round one preview: Fremantle v Western Bulldogs

March 28th 2009 17:58
VENUE and TIME: Subiaco Oval, Sunday 29 March, 7.10pm (AEDT)

HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 17, Fremantle 7, Western Bulldogs 10

LAST TIME: Western Bulldogs 17.12 (114) def Fremantle 17.9 (111), Round 8 2008 at Subiaco Oval

RECENT HISTORY: The Western Bulldogs have won three of their past four against Fremantle but only one of those wins has been at Subiaco Oval.

FORM: Fremantle lost to Richmond by three points in the first round of the NAB Cup then were thumped to the tune of 93 points by the Kangaroos. The Dockers responded with a controversial last-gasp win over West Coast before defeating Carlton in Bunbury. The Western Bulldogs have had a far from impressive preparation, with their only win coming against Melbourne in the last practice match of the pre-season.

MEDICAL ROOM: Fremantle midfielder Des Headland (calf) and forward Chris Mayne (ankle) are at least one to two weeks away while small forward Hayden Ballantyne is at least four weeks away after undergoing surgery on his wrist during the pre-season. For the Bulldogs, key defender Tom Williams (thigh) is a chance to play in round two while forward Scott Welsh (virus) will miss. Brownlow medallist Adam Cooney has had a limited preparation because of ankle problems but will play.

KEY MATCH-UPS: Ben Hudson vs. Aaron Sandilands

Sandilands has had an outstanding pre-season and looms as one of the main men the Bulldogs need to quell his influence if they are going to kick-off their 2009 campaign with a win away from home.

The Fremantle ruckman led the AFL for hit-outs last season with 646. There will be no stopping Sandilands from winning plenty of hit-outs but the Dogs will be hoping that Hudson can at least provide a contest and limit Sandilamnds’ effectiveness in tapping the ball down the throat of Rhys Palmer, Ryan Crowley and co.

For the Dockers it is vital that Sandilands mixes it up a bit and doesn’t become too predictable in where he taps the football - last year Fremantle was one of the worst clearance teams in the competition despite having the tallest player in the AFL on their list.

Brian Lake vs. Matthew Pavlich

Along with Sandilands, Pavlich, is the other player the Dogs must contain if they are going to secure the four premiership points.

The Fremantle skipper looms as the dangerman given that he has booted 14 goals in his past four matches against the Dogs

Lake always gets the opposition’s best forward and you wouldn’t expect it to be any different on Sunday.

Pavlich will fancy his chances of having a big game if Fremantle get the ball in quickly inside 50 because Lake conceded the second most amount of goals of any full-back in the competition last season.

Don’t be surprised if the Dockers clear out the forward 50 for Pavlich early so he can work his magic.

Luke McPharlin vs. Brad Johnson

With Welsh, who booted 43 goals last season on the sidelines, the Bulldogs will need their leading goal kicker in 2008 - Johnson - to have a big game.

Despite standing at just 182cm, Johnson is strong overhead, so McPharlin is the obvious candidate to match-up on the Bulldogs skipper given his athleticism and spoiling abilities.
The Bulldogs lack of a genuine key forward means they need to deliver the football cleanly inside forward 50 rather than bomb it to the square to give their forwards the best chance of kicking a winning score.

With this in mind, the Dockers will need to apply immense midfield pressure and deny the Dogs the time and space to spot up targets inside 50.

Ryan Crowley vs. Daniel Cross

Ordinarily Crowley would go to Adam Cooney but the Brownlow medallist has had a limited preparation.

While Cooney has had an interrupted pre-season, Cross has been impressive and was one of his side’s best in the win over the Demons with 29 possessions and one goal.

The last time these two sides met in round eight Cross played a key role in the Bulldogs’ thrilling three-point win, racking up a game-high 26 disposals.

Cross is damaging with his ability to win the football in close and use it cleanly by hand to find the likes of Ryan Griffen, Jason Akermanis, Nathan Eagleton and co. in space.

If the Dockers are going to be any hope of shutting down the Western Bulldogs’ band of runners they will need to limit Cross’ effectiveness at the stoppages.

Crowley will need to employ a tight tag on Cross and also push forward at every available opportunity and make Cross accountable.

VERDICT: The Dockers may have one of the worst records in the AFL in round one, winning just one of their last eight season openers but they are coming up against a Bulldogs side that has had a far from impressive pre-season. Mark Harvey’s men did plenty of fitness work over the summer so they should be able to match the hard-running Dogs for four quarters. Fremantle lost over 1500 games of experience during the off-season and will need their experienced campaigners such as Pavlich to perform if they are going to overcome a Western Bulldogs side that played in a preliminary final last year. Expect the Fremantle skipper to deliver in spades. Dockers by 14 points.

FREMANTLE V WESTERN BULLDOGS
FREMANTLE
B: Roger Hayden, Michael Johnson, Luke McPharlin
HB: Josh Head, Antoni Grover, Steven Dodd
C: Rhys Palmer, Paul Hasleby, Garrick Ibbotson
HF: Paul Duffield, Chris Tarrant, Byron Schammer
F: Brett Peake, Ryan Murphy, Matthew Pavlich
Foll: Aaron Sandilands, Ryan Crowley, David Mundy
I/C: Andrew Browne, Stephen Hill, Nic Suban, Kepler Bradley
Emg: Marcus Drum, Scott Thornton, Daniel Gilmore,

New: Nic Suban (Bacchus Marsh), Stephen Hill (West Perth)

WESTERN BULLDOGS
B: Dylan Addison, Brian Lake, Stephen Tiller
HB: Lindsay Gilbee, Dale Morris, Ryan Hargrave
C: Daniel Cross, Ryan Griffen, Josh Hill
HF: Robert Murphy, Mitch Hahn, Brad Johnson
F: Shaun Higgins, Will Minson, Jason Akermanis
Foll: Ben Hudson, Matthew Boyd, Adam Cooney
I/C: Callan Ward, Daniel Giansiracusa, Nathan Eagleton, Andrejs Everitt
Emg: Jarrod Harbrow, Tom Williams, Tim Callan
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Round one preview: Port Adelaide v Essendon

March 28th 2009 16:31
VENUE and TIME: AAMI Stadium, Sunday 29 March, 3.10pm (AEDT)

HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 18, Port Adelaide 12, Essendon 6

LAST TIME: Port Adelaide 24.14 (158) def Essendon 15.4 (94), Round 7, 2008 at Docklands.

RECENT HISTORY: Port Adelaide has won four of its past five against Essendon with two of those wins coming at AAMI Stadium.

FORM: Port Adelaide had a solid pre-season, recording wins over Sydney and St Kilda before going down to eventual NAB Cup premiers Geelong by 18 points in a quarter-final. Essendon progressed to the semi-finals of the NAB Cup thanks to hard-fought wins over the Western Bulldogs and Brisbane before losing to Collingwood.

MEDICAL ROOM: Port Adelaide will enter their round one clash against the Bombers at full strength with promising first-year player Jackson Trengove on the sidelines with a hamstring-related knee injury. Meanwhile, Essendon midfielder Mark McVeigh and talented youngster David Myers are unavailable due to ankle injuries. Kyle Reimers (quad) is expected to be on the sidelines for at least three weeks. Brent Prismall (knee), Jason Laycock (foot) and Andrew Welsh (ankle) face extended stints on the sidelines while young forward Scott Gumbleton will undergo surgery on his back which will see him miss 12 weeks.

KEY MATCH-UPS: Alipate Carlile vs. Matthew Lloyd

The Essendon skipper will undoubtedly be keen to perform well on Sunday and help the Bombers get their year off to a winning start in what could be his last season.

Lloyd will head into this match with some confidence given his solid record against the Power in recent times - he has booted 14 goals in four games.

Carlile filled the void left down back by Darryl Wakelin last season, playing all 22 games and averaging 13 possessions per game.

The 21-year-old is likely to line-up on Lloyd in what shapes as being a pivotal match-up in determining the outcome of this contest.

Lloyd is at his most dangerous on the lead so Carlile will need his teammates to apply immense pressure on the ball carrier and prevent the Bombers from delivering the football cleanly inside 50.

If Essendon isn’t precise with their use of the football the likes of Lloyd won’t be able to have an impact and the Bombers will be punished on the rebound by the likes of Nathan Krakeour who has had a stellar pre-season.

Henry Slattery vs. Shaun Burgoyne
The last time these two sides met in round seven Burgoyne was influential with 27 disposals, two goals and five inside 50’s.

The 26-year-old is damaging with his ability to break the lines, kick goals and pump the football inside 50 and create scoring opportunities for the likes of Warren Tredrea, Daniel Motlop, Brad Ebert and co.

If the Bombers are going to record a rare win against the Power they need to shut-down Burgoyne’s run.

Slattery has been given some major defensive assignments during his 52-game career and could well be given the task of tagging one of the competition’s premier midfielders.

Like Chris Judd and Gary Ablett, Burgoyne is capable of turning a game on its head in the space of a quarter, so Slattery will need to be switched on for the full four quarters and not give the Port star any time or space.

Kane Cornes vs. Jobe Watson

Watson had his best year statistically in 2008, averaging 24 disposals per game.

The 24-year-old, who formed a formidable combination with ruckman David Hille in the middle, is an important part of the Essendon side because of his ability to win the football at stoppages and dish it off by hand.

Port will be keen to limit his influence at the stoppages as it will go a long way towards keeping pacy midfielders such as Jason Winderlich and Andrew Lovett quiet, who rely on Watson to feed them the ball.

Cornes is arguably one of the competition’s best taggers and will most likely go head-to-head with Watson in the middle.

Expect Cornes, who averaged 27.9 disposals last season, to push forward at every available opportunity and test out the defensive side of Watson’s game.

VERDICT: Essendon has won its past three round one clashes but it is hard to see them continuing that trend on Sunday. Port simply has too much class through the midfield and should provide their forwards with enough quality supply to kick a winning score. Power by 32 points.

PORT ADELAIDE V ESSENDON
PORT ADELAIDE
B: Michael Pettigrew, Alipate Carlile, Jacob Surjan
HB: Nathan Krakouer, Troy Chaplin, Domenic Cassisi
C: Shaun Burgoyne, Chad Cornes, Steven Salopek
HF: Robert Gray, Justin Westhoff, Peter Burgoyne
F: Brett Ebert, Warren Tredrea, Daniel Motlop
Foll: Dean Brogan, Kane Cornes, Danyle Pearce
I/C: Travis Boak, Josh Carr, Brendon Lade, David Rodan
Emg: Tom Logan, Wade Thompson, Toby Thurstans

ESSENDON
B: Henry Slattery, Michael Hurley, Dustin Fletcher
HB: Heath Hocking, Paddy Ryder, Courtenay Dempsey
C: Bachar Houli, Brent Stanton, Andrew Lovett
HF: Alwyn Davey, Jay Neagle, Adam McPhee
F: Angus Monfries, Matthew Lloyd, Scott Lucas
Foll: David Hille, Jobe Watson, Jason Winderlich
I/C: Tom Bellchambers, Hayden Skipworth, Sam Lonergan, Ricky Dyson
Emg: Jarrod Atkinson, Jay Nash, Tayte Pears

New: Michael Hurley (Macleod)
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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News
   


Round one preview: Melbourne v North Melbourne

March 28th 2009 15:34
VENUE and TIME: MCG, Sunday 29 March, 1.10pm (AEDT)

HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 147: Melbourne 83, North Melbourne 63, Drawn 1

LAST TIME: North Melbourne 14.14 (98) d Melbourne 10.10 (70), Round 17, 2008 at the MCG.

RECENT HISTORY: North Melbourne has won its past four clashes against Melbourne with two of those wins coming at the home of football.

FORM: Melbourne was desperately unlucky to be knocked out in the first week of the NAB Cup - they led all day but lost thanks to a goal from Hawthorn forward Jarryd Roughead in the dying seconds. The Demons showed further promising signs in their NAB Challenge matches, downing the Lions and putting in competitive performances against the Sydney Swans and the Western Bulldogs. The Kangaroos were bundled out of the NAB Cup in round one by Carlton who thumped Dean Laidley’s men by 53 points. The Roos bounced back with a 97-point demolition of Fremantle but stumbled against Port Adelaide before recording a 17-point win over Essendon.

MEDICAL ROOM: Melbourne is still without veteran forward Russell Robertson, who has only just returned to full training after the serious achilles injury which saw him miss the second half of the season. cost him the second half of last season. Ruckman Mark Jamar is also out with a foot injury while defenders Paul Wheatley and Matthew Whelan will miss due to calf injuries. North Melbourne defender Jesse Smith will miss up to eight weeks with a hamstring injury while forward Aaron Edwards (club-based suspension) is unavailable.

KEY MATCH-UPS: Clint Bartram vs. Brent Harvey

The last time these two sides met in round 17 last year Harvey starred with 27 possessions and two goals.

Harvey is damaging with his ability to break the lines, kick goals and set up scoring opportunities for his teammates.

If the Demons are going to kick-off their season with a confidence-boosting win they will need to limit Harvey’s influence on the contest.

Bartram, who has tagged the likes of Brett Deledio, Gary Ablett and Peter Burgoyne during his 45-game career, looms as the obvious candidate to match-up on the North Melbourne skipper.

The 22-year-old will need to employ a tight tag but also be proactive and push forward at every available opportunity and try and make Harvey accountable.

Matthew Warnock vs. David Hale

Hale was impressive in 2008, booting 37 goals for the season - 21 of which came in the last six games.

The 24-year-old, who finished fourth in the club’s best-and-fairest award in 2008, looks set for a big year after being his side’s best player in his two appearances during the pre-season.

Warnock, who showed some good signs during his 17 games last season looms as the likely candidate to match-up on Hale.

The Kangaroos will be hoping that Hale has an impact on Sunday given the absence of Edwards and the loss of key forward Nathan Thompson who retired at the end of last season.

Hale doesn’t need to kick a bag but they do need him to at least provide a contest and bring the ball to ground level which will bring opportunistic small forwards Matt Campbell and Lindsay Thomas into the game.

Michael Firrito vs. Matthew Bate

With Robertson on the sidelines and number one draft pick Jack Watts in cotton wool, the Demons will be relying on the likes of Bate to kick them to a winning score.

However, Bate’s job won’t be an easy one as he will most likely be matched up by Firrito who is better suited to playing against the likes of Bate than the power forwards he is often forced to match-up on given the lack of big key defenders the Kangaroos have.

Bate isn't a power forward that can be relied on to take pack marks so the Demons will need to move the ball quickly through the middle of the ground and be precise with their delivery to give him the best chance of having an impact.

Brady Rawlings vs. Brock McLean

McLean, who was limited to just 14 games last season due to injury, will be hoping to have an injury free run in 2009 and help the Demons climb back up the ladder.

The 22-year-old, who has been touted as a future captain of the club, is highly effective at the stoppages. The Demons will need him to have a big game if they are going to overcome a North Melbourne side that is one of the best in the competition at winning the contested football.

However, McLean faces a tough afternoon at the office as he will most likely be tagged by Rawlings.

Rawlings, who has claimed some big scalps during his 181-game career, will give McLean no time or space in which to operate.

VERDICT: The pre-season has shown that the Demons will at least be better than last year but their lack of experience in defence is a concern. With key talls Drew Petrie and Hale in good form and Thomas and Campbell lurking at ground level, the Kangaroos appear to have a touch too much firepower and should prevail in what shapes as being a hard-fought contest. Kangaroos by 14 points.

MELBOURNE v NORTH MELBOURNE
MELBOURNE
B: Jared Rivers, Matthew Warnock, Clint Bartram
HB: Colin Garland, James Frawley, Brad Green
C: Aaron Davey, Brock McLean, Brent Moloney
HF: Cameron Bruce, Paul Johnson, Cale Morton
F: Brad Miller, Matthew Bate, Ricky Petterd
Foll: Jake Spencer, James McDonald, Simon Buckley
I/C: Jamie Bennell, Kyle Cheney, Nathan Jones, Neville Jetta
Emg: Stefan Martin, Lynden Dunn,John Meesen

New: Jake Spencer (Redlands), Jamie Bennell (Swan Districts), Kyle Cheney (Nth Ballarat, Warrack Eagles), Neville Jetta (Swan Districts)

NORTH MELBOURNE
B: Daniel Pratt, Michael Firrito, Scott McMahon
HB: Leigh Harding, Lachlan Hansen, Josh Gibson
C: Brady Rawlings, Adam Simpson, Andrew Swallow
HF: Ed Lower, Drew Petrie, Lindsay Thomas
F: Matt Campbell, David Hale, Brent Harvey
Foll: Hamish McIntosh, Daniel Wells, Jack Ziebell
I/C: Josh Smith, Sam Power, Gavin Urquhart, Scott Thompson
Emg: Daniel Harris, Benjamin Warren, Nathan Grima,

New: Jack Ziebell (Wodonga)
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Lions overrun Eagles

March 28th 2009 12:23
BRISBANE has celebrated Michael Voss’ official coaching debut with a hard-fought nine-point win over West Coast at the Gabba on Saturday night.

The Lions trailed by more than six goals early in the second quarter but took control of the contest in a dominant third term before holding on for a 14.11 (95) to 13.8 (86) victory.

Luke Power (35 possessions) and Travis Johnstone (37 disposals, two goals) stepped up in the absence of injured star Simon Black while Daniel Rich was impressive on debut with 21 quality disposals

Rhan Hooper helped set up the win for Brisbane, booting three of his four goals in the third quarter while Jonathan Brown and Daniel Bradshaw chimed in with three apiece.

For West Coast, Mark LeCras starred with six goals - five of which came in the first half. Ashley Hansen provided a target across half-forward all night and finished the match with three goals while David Wirrpanda generated plenty of run out of defence.

The Lions kicked the first goal of the match through Bradshaw but the rest of the term belonged to the Eagles with LeCras particularly damaging with three majors.

West Coast continually punished Brisbane for their poor use of the football, moving the football quickly through the middle of the ground as they slammed on six goals to take a 25-point lead into quarter-time.

Further goals to LeCras and Daniel Kerr saw the margin blow out to 38 points and it appeared as if the Eagles were on course for first-up win away from home.

But the Lions refused to be blown away and hit back with late goals to trail by just 25 points at half time.

Brisbane broke the game open in the third term, slamming on seven goals in a stunning 10-minute burst.

They booted nine goals for the quarter to take a handy 16-point advantage into the final change.

West Coast kicked the only two goals of the final term through Hansen and Dean Cox but it was too little too late.

BRISBANE: 2.1, 5.3, 14.6, 14.11 (95)
WEST COAST: 6.2, 9.4, 11.6, 13.8 (86)
GOALS: Brisbane: Hooper 4, Brown 3, Bradshaw 3, Johnstone 2, McGrath, Rischitelli,
West Coast: LeCras 6, Hansen 3, Cox, Kerr, Hurn, Lynch
BEST: Brisbane: Johnstone, Power, Hooper, Rich, Brown
West Coast: Fletcher, Priddis, Cox, Wirrpanda, Hansen
INJURIES: Brisbane: Nil
West Coast: Nil
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Simon Black (Brisbane) replaced in selected side by Jamie Charman, Brett Jones (West Coast) replaced in starting side by Chad Fletcher.
UMPIRES: Kennedy, Stewart, Avon
CROWD: 26,800 at the Gabba
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Saints down Swans

March 28th 2009 11:34
ST KILDA has overcome a slow start to down Sydney by 15 points at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.

The Saints trailed by 27 points at quarter-time but dominated from that moment on, slamming on 11 goals to four to prevail 12.8 (80) to 9.11 (65).

The Swans were held goalless for two consecutive quarters for the first time since 1997.

The win was soured somewhat for St Kilda with Raph Clarke injuring his hamstring in the third term while skipper Nick Riewoldt also limped off in the final term when cramping, but that looked to be merely a precautionary measure.

Two of St Kilda’s off-season recruits were impressive on debut - former Western Bulldogs midfielder Farren Ray racked up 23 disposals while former Hawthorn defender Zac Dawson restricted Barry Hall to just one goal.

Brendon Goddard, Nick Dal Santo and Luke Ball all won plenty of the football while Stephen Milne booted three goals.

For Sydney, Craig Bolton kept Riewoldt goalless while Brett Kirk and Adam Goodes tried hard all night.

The Swans were tipped by many experts to be a big slider in 2009 but they looked to be anything but a team on the decline in the first term as they slammed on the first four goals of the contest in a stunning seven-minute burst.

St Kilda trailed by 27 points at the first change but got themselves back into the contest in the second term with three unanswered goals to close to within eight points at half time.

When Goddard kicked truly at the six-minute mark of the third term the Saints had the lead for the first time of the match.

Further goals to Dal Santo, Andrew McQualter and Justin Koschitzke saw the margin blow out to 27 points heading into the final change.

The Saints put the result well and truly beyond doubt early in the final term with majors to Milne, Jason Gram and Michael Gardiner before the Swans booted the last four goals of the match to add some respectability to the scoreboard.

ST KILDA: 1.1, 4.4, 9.6, 12.8 (80)
SYDNEY SWANS: 5.4, 5.6, 5.6, 9.11 (65)
GOALS: St Kilda: Milne 3, Gardiner 2, Koschitzke 2, Dal Santo 2, McQualter, Gram, Goddard
Sydney Swans: Grundy 2, Hall, Jolly, Goodes, Mattner, O'Keefe, Bevan, Jack
BEST: St Kilda: Dal Santo, Goddard, Ray, Ball, Dawson
Sydney Swans : C.Bolton, Kirk, Richards, Grundy, Goodes, J.Bolton
INJURIES: St Kilda: Clarke (hamstring), Riewoldt (cramp)
Sydney Swans: Nil
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Ablett (Sydney Swans) replaced in selected side by Barlow
UMPIRES: Rosebury, Chamberlain, Kamolins
CROWD: 32,442 at the Etihad Stadium


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Crows win thriller

March 28th 2009 06:52
ADELAIDE has held on for a thrilling four-point win over Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.

The Crows’ 13.12 (90) to 13.8 (86) victory is their first over the Magpies at the home of football in more than a decade.

The Pies were well served by Scott Pendlebury who racked up a team-high 29 possessions while Dane Swan and Shane O’Bree were busy contributors in the middle.

For Adelaide, Bernie Vince was influential with a game-high 33 touches. Andrew McLeod provided plenty of run off half-back with 30 disposals while veterans Tyson Edwards and Simon Goodwin also got plenty of the football while Scott Stevens chimed in with three majors.

Collingwood kicked the first goal of the match through Travis Cloke in the opening minute but the rest of the term belonged to the Crows who slammed on five of the next six to take a 23-point lead into quarter-time.

Adelaide should have been further in front at the first change but they failed to make the most of their chances in front of goal, booting a wasteful 5.5 for the quarter.

The Pies lifted their intensity in the second term and got back into the match thanks to the efforts of Pendlebury and Swan in the middle while John Anthony booted two of his side’s five goals for the quarter to help reduce the deficit to just 13 points at the main break.

Five goals in 15 minutes to the Pies saw the lead blow out to 18 points in the third term and it appeared as if the Magpies were on course for an easy win.

But the Crows found another gear and hit back through promising youngster Jared Petrenko, Nathan van Berlo and Stevens to level the scores heading into the final change.

The final quarter was a dour struggle with the first major not coming until the 14-minute mark when Adelaide midfielder Chris Knights kicked truly.

The Pies looked to have hit back through Dale Thomas but his goal was disallowed because he was deemed to have taken the ball out of play.

Jason Porplyzia slotted one home to give the Crows a handy 11-point break before Pendlebury converted from directly in front with just two minutes left on the clock to set up a thrilling finish.

COLLINGWOOD: 2.0, 7.1, 12.3, 13.8 (86)
ADELAIDE: 5.5, 8.8, 11.9, 13.12 (90)
GOALS: Collingwood: Cloke 2, Anthony 2, Clarke 2, Medhurst 2, Maxwell 2, Swan, Davis, Pendlebury
Adelaide: Stevens 3, van Berlo 2, Porplyzia 2, Walker, Dangerfield, Douglas, Bock, Petrenko, Knights
BEST: Collingwood: Pendlebury, Swan, Cox, Clarke, Thomas, O'Bree
Adelaide : Edwards, Vince, Goodwin, van Berlo, Bock, McLeod, Knights
INJURIES: Collingwood: Nil
Adelaide: Nil
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Nil
UMPIRES: M.Nicholls, Schmidt, Meredith
CROWD: 41,591 at the MCG

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Round one preview: Brisbane v West Coast

March 28th 2009 00:19
VENUE and TIME: The Gabba, Saturday 28 March, 7.10pm (AEDT)

HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 19, Brisbane 6, West Coast 13

LAST TIME: Brisbane 17.11 (113) def West Coast 9.13 (67), Round 16 2008 at the Gabba

RECENT HISTORY: West Coast has won eight of its past ten against Brisbane with four of those wins coming at the Gabba.

FORM: Brisbane held on for a nine-point win over St Kilda in Michael Voss’ first game as coach but were then knocked out of the NAB Cup by Essendon before losing to Melbourne and Richmond. West Coast were bundled out of the NAB Cup in round one by Collingwood who thumped the Eagles by 62 points at Subiaco Oval. John Worsfold’s men then defeated Adelaide in Alice Springs by 10 points and were competitive in losses to Fremantle and Hawthorn.

MEDICAL ROOM: Ruckman Jamie Charman (knee) is likely to miss but could be a late inclusion after being named as an emergency while star midfielder Simon Black will play despite not playing a second of football during the pre-season after enduring a horrid start to the year that featured a broken wrist, back and ankle surgery and a bout of gastro. For West Coast, utility Adam Hunter (shoulder) is lacking match fitness and will come back through the WAFL Promising forward Josh Kennedy (foot), Adam Selwood (knee), Patrick McGinnity (fractured jaw), Luke Shuey (groin), Nick Naitanui (knee) and defender Beau Wilkes (hand) are unavailable while rugged utility Beau Waters will miss the remainder of the season with an ongoing shoulder injury.

KEY MATCH-UPS: Mitch Brown vs. Jonathan Brown

Mitch Brown has been impressive in the pre-season and did a brilliant job curtailing the influence of Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich in the pre-season derby.

Although he has been named to start in the forward line you would expect him to start on the Brisbane Lions skipper in what shapes as being a crucial match-up in determining the outcome of this clash.

Jonathan Brown has an impressive record against the Eagles - he has booted 13 goals in his last three games against the 2006 premiers - and stopping him will go a long way towards securing the four premiership points for West Coast.

The Eagles had the third worst defence in the competition last season - this was largely due to the way the football was coming into the opposition’s forward line.

If Mitch Brown and Darren Glass are going to be any hope of containing Jonathan Brown and Daniel Bradshaw, who combined for 145 goals last season, they will need their midfield to apply plenty of defensive pressure and prevent the likes of Travis Johnstone, Bradd Dalziell and Black from delivering the football cleanly inside forward 50.

Troy Selwood vs. Daniel Kerr

Kerr looked good in the pre-season and appears to be set for a big year after a disappointing 2008 which saw him miss a large chunk of the season due to suspension.

The Eagles are a better outfit when Kerr is on the field and they need him to step up in 2009 and do what he does best - win the football at the stoppages and dish it off by hand to the likes of Andrew Embley, Brent Staker and co.

Selwood managed just 13 games in 2008 and will need to perform this season or he could face the possibility of being delisted.

The 25-year-old has largely been used as a run-with player during his 60-game career and he is likely to be given first crack at Kerr.

If Selwood is able to keep Kerr quiet it is hard to imagine how the Eagles will win enough of the football to kick a winning score.

Tyson Stenglein vs. Simon Black

Although Black will be underdone after a horror pre-season , he is a class player that needs to be watched closely.

The last time these two sides met in round 16 Black was influential with 27 disposals and five inside 50’s.

Like Kerr, Black is damaging with his ability to win the football in close and dish it off to the likes of Jed Adcock, Johnstone and Dalziell.

With Adam Selwood on the sidelines, Stenglein is likely to be given the task of tagging Black.

Like a lot of his teammates, Stenglein struggled in 2008 - the Eagles need him to lead from the front and apply plenty of defensive pressure at the stoppages.

Matthew Leunenberger vs. Dean Cox

Despite playing most of the year with a broken foot, Cox still managed to win the club’s best-and-fairest award and also earn All-Australian honours.

The last time these two sides met Cox was his side’s best player with a staggering 36 disposals and 27 hit-outs.

There is no stopping Cox from getting plenty of hit-outs but if Leuenberger can limit his effectiveness in tapping the football directly to the likes of Sam Butler, Chris Masten, Kerr and co. then it will be a win for the Lions.

Leuenberger will also need to push forward at every available opportunity and force Cox to be accountable, which will help to limit the 27-year-old’s impact on the contest as an extra midfielder.

VERDICT: This is a must-win match for Brisbane if they are serious about playing finals for the first time since they lost the 2004 grand final to Port Adelaide. The Eagles have an impressive record against the Lions but that was when they had the likes of Chris Judd and Ben Cousins at their disposal. West Coast will be competitive for a half but their inability to play four quarters of consistent football will prove to be costly. Lions by 19 points.

BRISBANE LIONS V WEST COAST EAGLES
BRISBANE LIONS
B: Ashley McGrath, Daniel Merrett, Joel Patfull
HB: Luke Power, Joel Macdonald, Josh Drummond
C: Bradd Dalziell, Simon Black, Jed Adcock
HF: Michael Rischitelli, Jonathan Brown, Justin Sherman
F: Travis Johnstone, Daniel Bradshaw, Mitch Clark
Foll: Matthew Leuenberger, Scott Harding, Daniel Rich
I/C: Rhan Hooper, Cheynee Stiller, Tom Collier, Troy Selwood
Emg: Jamie Charman, Tim Notting, James Polkinghorne

New: Daniel Rich (Subiaco)

WEST COAST
B: Brett Jones, Darren Glass, David Wirrpanda
HB: Mark Nicoski, Eric Mackenzie, Shannon Hurn
C: Matt Rosa, Daniel Kerr, Matt Spangher
HF: Brent Staker, Ashley Hansen, Sam Butler
F: Mitch Brown, Quinten Lynch, Mark LeCras
Foll: Dean Cox, Matt Priddis, Chris Masten
I/C: Brad Ebert, Andrew Embley, Mark Seaby, Tyson Stenglein
Emg: Chad Fletcher, Ben McKinley, Scott Selwood

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Round one preview: St Kilda v Sydney

March 27th 2009 23:39
VENUE and TIME: Etihad Stadium, Saturday 28 March, 7.10pm (AEDT)

HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 201, St Kilda 73, Sydney 125, Draws 3

LAST TIME: Sydney 14.18 (102) def St Kilda 9.13 (67), Round 12 2008 at the SCG

RECENT HISTORY: St Kilda has won three of its past five against Sydney with two of those wins coming at Etihad Stadium.

FORM: Both teams were knocked out of the NAB Cup in round one with the Saints going down to the Lions by nine points while the Swans were thumped to the tune of 65 points by Port Adelaide. St Kilda went on to defeat Richmond and the Western Bulldogs before being outclassed by the Power while Sydney recorded victories over Melbourne and the Dogs before going down to Adelaide.

MEDICAL ROOM: The Saints will be without classy midfielder Lenny Hayes who will miss with a suspected hamstring injury. He will be joined on the sidelines by veteran defender Max Hudghton (calf), Sean Dempster (knee), Matt Maguire (foot) and Jarryd Allen (hip).The Swans will be without veterans Michael O'Loughlin (ankle) and Leo Barry (knee) while promising youngster Patrick Veszpremi (finger) will miss eight weeks. Former Geelong forward Henry Playfair (hamstring), Campbell Heath (knee), Matthew Laidlaw (quad), Nick Smith (shin) and Tim Schmidt (knee) are also unavailable.

KEY MATCH-UPS: Sam Fisher vs. Ryan O’Keefe

O’Keefe was influential in Sydney’s 35-point win over St Kilda in round 12 last year with 14 possessions, six marks and three goals - a performance that earned him the three Brownlow medal votes.

The 28-year-old, who was linked with a move to Carlton during the off-season, will be keen to fire on Saturday night and help the Swans get their season off to a flying start.

Fisher has the tank to go with the hard-running O’Keefe and will most likely be given first crack at the classy Swan.

Expect Fisher, who averaged 23 disposals per game in 2008 to try and run off O’Keefe at every available opportunity and try and punish him on the rebound.

Craig Bolton vs. Nick Riewoldt

When Riewoldt fires the Saints invariably go on to win, so stopping him will be a key for the Saints.

Bolton usually gets the job on the St Kilda skipper and you wouldn’t expect it to be any different on Saturday night.

The Swans look a little vulnerable in defence with Tadhg Kennelly gone and Barry on the sidelines, so if the Saints can get the football inside 50 quickly to Riewoldt one-out he could have a big game.

Luke Ball vs. Brett Kirk

Sydney likes to play a scrappy, contested brand of football and will try to turn this contest into a low-scoring, dour struggle while the Saints have a forward line that is capable of kicking a big score

With this in mind, the battle in the middle will have a huge bearing on the outcome of this match.

Ball has had a huge pre-season and looks set for a big year while Kirk is the epitome of consistency.

Both players like to win the contested football and will most likely go head-to-head in the middle.

Whichever player is able to have a greater impact at the stoppages and help their team control the tempo of the game should lead their side to victory.

Jason Blake vs. Adam Goodes

The last time these two sides met Goodes was damaging with 23 possessions, seven marks, two goals and five inside 50’s.

The Saints will be keen to shut-down his run and carry and will most likely give Blake, who has the tank to run with Goodes, the unenviable task of matching up on the dual Brownlow medallist.

If Blake is reactive then Goodes will dominate. It is vital that the 28-year-old Saint wins his own football and also pushes forward and kicks goals.

VERDICT: Sydney usually starts the home-and-away season slowly and I can’t see things changing on Saturday night with the Saints simply having too much firepower up forward. The Swans will keep things tight for two or three quarters but as the match wears on the likes of Justin Koschitzke, Stephen Milne, Adam Schneider and Riewoldt will come to the fore and lift the Saints to victory. Saints by 22 points.

ST KILDA V SYDNEY SWANS
ST KILDA
B: Farren Ray, Jason Blake, Zac Dawson
HB: Jarryn Geary, Sam Fisher, Brendon Goddard
C: Jason Gram, Luke Ball, Nick Dal Santo
HF: Stephen Milne, Nick Riewoldt, Adam Schneider
F: Andrew McQualter, Justin Koschitzke, Sam Gilbert
Foll: Michael Gardiner, Clint Jones, Leigh Montagna
I/C: Steven Baker, Raphael Clarke, James Gwilt, Steven King
Emg: Colm Begley, Ben McEvoy, Robert Eddy

SYDNEY SWANS
B: Craig Bolton, Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Martin Mattner
HB: Rhyce Shaw, Heath Grundy, Kieren Jack
C: Jarrad McVeigh, Brett Kirk, Jared Crouch
HF: Ryan O’Keefe, Ted Richards, Luke Ablett
F: Paul Bevan, Barry Hall, Jarred Moore
Foll: Darren Jolly, Adam Goodes, Jude Bolton
I/C: Craig Bird, Amon Buchanan, Nick Malceski, Jesse White
Emg: Ed Barlow, Matt O’Dwyer, Mike Pyke

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Round one preview: Collingwood v Adelaide

March 27th 2009 15:44
VENUE and TIME: MCG, Saturday 28 March, 2.10pm (AEDT)

HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 29, Collingwood 19, Adelaide 10

LAST TIME: Collingwood 19.11 (125) def Adelaide 14.10 (94), 2008 Elimination Final, at AAMI Stadium

RECENT HISTORY: Collingwood has won three of its past five against the Crows.

FORM: Collingwood made it all the way through to the NAB Cup grand final but were completely outclassed by a Geelong side that romped to a 76-point win. Adelaide were bundled out of the NAB Cup in round one by the Cats then lost to West Coast in Alice Springs by 10 points before recording wins over Hawthorn and Sydney.

MEDICAL ROOM: Heath Shaw will miss the clash against the Crows with a back complaint that forced him to miss the NAB Cup grand final. Key forward Anthony Rocca (ankle) is available but won’t be risked. For the Crows, classy forward Brett Burton will miss at least the first half of the season after undergoing a knee reconstruction. Classy midfielder Scott Thompson will miss after experiencing hamstring soreness during the week. Greg Gallman (collarbone) is still two weeks away from resuming while former Kangaroo Brad Moran (knee) and Brad Symes (broken wrist) are unavailable.

KEY MATCH-UPS: Nathan Bock vs. Travis Cloke

Although Cloke booted 40 goals last season he did struggle at times during the 2008 season as he was basically the only genuine key marking target inside forward 50 given that Rocca missed big chunks of the season through injury.

But with John Anthony stepping up during the pre-season and providing another marking option, less pressure will be on Cloke and you would expect him to take his game to another level in 2009.

Cloke will undoubtedly be keen to fire against the Crows after being kept goalless the last time these two sides met in an elimination final but his task won’t be an easy one as he will most likely be matched up by Bock who had a career-best year last season.

Bock, who averaged 21.5 disposals per game in 2008 will try and run off Cloke at every available opportunity and try and punish him on the rebound.

Simon Prestigiacomo vs. Trent Hentschel

Hentschel has had a perfect pre-season, kicking 10 goals in four games including three in the Crows’ 28-point win over the Swans.

Perhaps more pleasing for Adelaide coach Neil Craig and Crows fans is the fact that Hentschel, who has not played a regular season match since 2006 due to a serious knee injury, now has confidence in his body and is willing to put it on the line in 50-50 contests.

The Crows don’t need Hentschel to kick a bag but they do need him to chime in with two or three goals always provide a contest and bring the ball to ground level as it will help bring the likes of Jason Poryplzia into the game.

Prestigiacomo struggled to get on the park last season, managing just two games in 2008 but he is Collingwood’s most experienced defender and is likely to be given first crack at Hentschel in what shapes as being an intriguing duel between two players on the comeback trail.

Tarkyn Lockyer vs. Simon Goodwin

With Thompson out the onus will be on the likes of Tyson Edwards and Goodwin to win the football at the stoppages.

Goodwin has had an impressive pre-season and is damaging with his ability to win the football in close and pump it inside 50.

The Magpies will be keen to limit Goodwin’s effectiveness in the middle as it will go a long way towards starving Adelaide’s forwards of quality supply.

Lockyer has been Collingwood’s most consistent performer during the NAB Cup and was arguably their best player in the loss to the Cats in the pre-season grand final.

Expect the Magpies to use Lockyer in a run-with role with Goodwin in what shapes as being a crucial match-up in determining the outcome of this match.

Lockyer, who averaged 18.2 disposals per game and booted 21 goals last season, is one of Collingwood’s hardest runners and he will try and push forward at every available opportunity and try and take Goodwin out of his comfort zone, which in turn will limit his impact on the contest.

Dale Thomas vs. Andrew McLeod

With Johncock to miss due to family reasons, the Crows will be relying on McLeod to set up their attacking forays forward from the defensive half.

The last time these two sides met McLeod was among his sides best players with 23 possessions, two goals and four inside 50’s.

Collingwood will want to shut-down his run and creativity off half-back and could put Thomas, who booted 23 goals last season, on him in a bid to make him accountable.

Thomas has been earmarked for a midfield role this season but will most likely start across half-forward on Saturday and push into the midfield for short bursts.

VERDICT: Collingwood has had a good preparation despite the 76-point loss to Geelong and will head into this match with plenty of confidence given their recent record against the Crows. Adelaide is a well-drilled side but their lack of genuine game-breakers in the forward line is a concern - Porpylzia is a class act but he will be underdone after a limited pre-season and Taylor Walker has big wraps on him but you can’t expect a first-gamer to win a game off his own boot. The Magpies appear to have too much firepower with the likes of Alan Didak, Leon Davis, Cloke, Thomas and Anthony all in good form. Magpies by 39 points.

COLLINGWOOD v ADELAIDE
COLLINGWOOD
B: Shannon Cox, Simon Prestgiacomo, Tyson Goldsack
HB: Harry O’Brien, Nathan Brown, Nick Maxwell (c)
C: Martin Clarke, Alan Didak, Alan Toovey
HF: Dale Thomas, Travis Cloke, Paul Medhurst
F: John Anthony, Ben Reid, Shane O’Bree
Foll: Josh Fraser, Tarkyn Lockyer, Scott Pendlebury
Int: Leon Davis, Ben Johnson, Dane Swan, Chris Bryan
Emg: Leigh Brown, Dayne Beams, Danny Stanley

ADELAIDE
B: Michael Doughty, Ben Rutten, Andy Otten
HB: Brent Reilly, Nathan Bock, Andrew McLeod
C: Myke Cook, Simon Goodwin, Chris Knights
HF: Richard Douglas, Trent Hentschel, David Mackay
F: Taylor Walker, Kurt Tippett, Jason Porplyzia
Foll: Ivan Maric, Bernie Vince, Tyson Edwards
I/C: Nathan van Berlo, Scott Stevens, Patrick Dangerfield, Jared Petrenko
Emg: Jonathan Griffin, Jarrhan Jacky, Robert Shirley


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AFL Teams: Round One Final Squads

March 27th 2009 15:28
2009 TOYOTA AFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON

ROUND ONE

Saturday March 28
Collingwood v Adelaide at the MCG, 2.10pm
Brisbane Lions v West Coast Eagles at the Gabba, 6.10pm
St Kilda v Sydney Swans at Docklands, 7.10pm

Sunday March 29
Melbourne v North Melbourne at the MCG, 1.10pm
Port Adelaide v Essendon at AAMI Stadium, 2.40pm
Fremantle v Western Bulldogs at Subiaco, 4.10pm

COLLINGWOOD v ADELAIDE
COLLINGWOOD
B: Shannon Cox, Simon Prestgiacomo, Tyson Goldsack
HB: Harry O’Brien, Nathan Brown, Nick Maxwell
C: Martin Clarke, Alan Didak, Alan Toovey
HF: Dale Thomas, Traivs Cloke, Paul Medhurst
F: John Anthony, Ben Reid, Shane O’Bree
Foll: Josh Fraser, Tarkyn Lockyer, Scott Pendlebury
Int: Leon Davis, Ben Johnson, Dane Swan, Chris Bryan
Emg: Leigh Brown, Dayne Beams, Danny Stanley

ADELAIDE
B: Michael Doughty, Ben Rutten, Andy Otten
HB: Brent Reilly, Nathan Bock, Andrew McLeod
C: Myke Cook, Simon Goodwin, Chris Knights
HF: Richard Douglas, Trent Hentschel, David Mackay
F: Taylor Walker, Kurt Tippett, Jason Porplyzia
Foll: Ivan Maric, Bernie Vince, Tyson Edwards
I/C: Nathan van Berlo, Scott Stevens, Patrick Dangerfield, Jared Petrenko
Emg: Jonathan Griffin, Jarrhan Jacky, Robert Shirley

New: Myke Cook (North Adelaide), Taylor Walker (Broken Hill), Jared Petrenko (Woodville-West Torrens)

BRISBANE LIONS V WEST COAST EAGLES
BRISBANE LIONS
B: Ashley McGrath, Daniel Merrett, Joel Patfull
HB: Luke Power, Joel Macdonald, Josh Drummond
C: Bradd Dalziell, Simon Black, Jed Adcock
HF: Michael Rischitelli, Jonathan Brown, Justin Sherman
F: Travis Johnstone, Daniel Bradshaw, Mitch Clark
Foll: Matthew Leuenberger, Scott Harding, Daniel Rich
I/C: Rhan Hooper, Cheynee Stiller, Tom Collier, Troy Selwood
Emg: Jamie Charman, Tim Notting, James Polkinghorne

New: Daniel Rich (Subiaco)

WEST COAST
B: Brett Jones, Darren Glass, David Wirrpanda
HB: Mark Nicoski, Eric Mackenzie, Shannon Hurn
C: Matt Rosa, Daniel Kerr, Matt Spangher
HF: Brent Staker, Ashley Hansen, Sam Butler
F: Mitch Brown, Quinten Lynch, Mark LeCras
Foll: Dean Cox, Matt Priddis, Chris Masten
I/C: Brad Ebert, Andrew Embley, Mark Seaby, Tyson Stenglein
Emg: Chad Fletcher, Ben McKinley, Scott Selwood

ST KILDA V SYDNEY SWANS
ST KILDA
B: Farren Ray, Jason Blake, Zac Dawson
HB: Jarryn Geary, Sam Fisher, Brendon Goddard
C: Jason Gram, Luke Ball, Nick Dal Santo
HF: Stephen Milne, Nick Riewoldt, Adam Schneider
F: Andrew McQualter, Justin Koschitzke, Sam Gilbert
Foll: Michael Gardiner, Clint Jones, Leigh Montagna
I/C: Steven Baker, Raphael Clarke, James Gwilt, Steven King
Emg: Colm Begley, Ben McEvoy, Robert Eddy

SYDNEY SWANS
B: Craig Bolton, Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Martin Mattner
HB: Rhyce Shaw, Heath Grundy, Kieren Jack
C: Jarrad McVeigh, Brett Kirk, Jared Crouch
HF: Ryan O’Keefe, Ted Richards, Luke Ablett
F: Paul Bevan, Barry Hall, Jarred Moore
Foll: Darren Jolly, Adam Goodes, Jude Bolton
I/C: Craig Bird, Amon Buchanan, Nick Malceski, Jesse White
Emg: Ed Barlow, Matt O’Dwyer, Mike Pyke

MELBOURNE v NORTH MELBOURNE
MELBOURNE
B: Jared Rivers, Matthew Warnock, Clint Bartram
HB: Colin Garland, James Frawley, Brad Green
C: Aaron Davey, Brock McLean, Brent Moloney
HF: Cameron Bruce, Paul Johnson, Cale Morton
F: Brad Miller, Matthew Bate, Ricky Petterd
Foll: Jake Spencer, James McDonald, Simon Buckley
I/C: Jamie Bennell, Kyle Cheney, Nathan Jones, Neville Jetta
Emg: Stefan Martin, Lynden Dunn,John Meesen

New: Jake Spencer (Redlands), Jamie Bennell (Swan Districts), Kyle Cheney (Nth Ballarat, Warrack Eagles), Neville Jetta (Swan Districts)

NORTH MELBOURNE
B: Daniel Pratt, Michael Firrito, Scott McMahon
HB: Leigh Harding, Lachlan Hansen, Josh Gibson
C: Brady Rawlings, Adam Simpson, Andrew Swallow
HF: Ed Lower, Drew Petrie, Lindsay Thomas
F: Matt Campbell, David Hale, Brent Harvey
Foll: Hamish McIntosh, Daniel Wells, Jack Ziebell
I/C: Josh Smith, Sam Power, Gavin Urquhart, Scott Thompson
Emg: Daniel Harris, Benjamin Warren, Nathan Grima,

New: Jack Ziebell (Wodonga)

PORT ADELAIDE V ESSENDON
PORT ADELAIDE
B: Michael Pettigrew, Alipate Carlile, Jacob Surjan
HB: Nathan Krakouer, Troy Chaplin, Domenic Cassisi
C: Shaun Burgoyne, Chad Cornes, Steven Salopek
HF: Robert Gray, Justin Westhoff, Peter Burgoyne
F: Brett Ebert, Warren Tredrea, Daniel Motlop
Foll: Dean Brogan, Kane Cornes, Danyle Pearce
I/C: Travis Boak, Josh Carr, Brendon Lade, David Rodan
Emg: Tom Logan, Wade Thompson, Toby Thurstans

ESSENDON
B: Henry Slattery, Michael Hurley, Dustin Fletcher
HB: Heath Hocking, Paddy Ryder, Courtenay Dempsey
C: Bachar Houli, Brent Stanton, Andrew Lovett
HF: Alwyn Davey, Jay Neagle, Adam McPhee
F: Angus Monfries, Matthew Lloyd, Scott Lucas
Foll: David Hille, Jobe Watson, Jason Winderlich
I/C: Tom Bellchambers, Hayden Skipworth, Sam Lonergan, Ricky Dyson
Emg: Jarrod Atkinson, Jay Nash, Tayte Pears

New: Michael Hurley (Macleod)

FREMANTLE V WESTERN BULLDOGS
FREMANTLE
B: Roger Hayden, Michael Johnson, Luke McPharlin
HB: Josh Head, Antoni Grover, Steven Dodd
C: Rhys Palmer, Paul Hasleby, Garrick Ibbotson
HF: Paul Duffield, Chris Tarrant, Byron Schammer
F: Brett Peake, Ryan Murphy, Matthew Pavlich
Foll: Aaron Sandilands, Ryan Crowley, David Mundy
I/C: Andrew Browne, Stephen Hill, Nic Suban, Kepler Bradley
Emg: Marcus Drum, Scott Thornton, Daniel Gilmore,

New: Nic Suban (Bacchus Marsh), Stephen Hill (West Perth)

WESTERN BULLDOGS
B: Dylan Addison, Brian Lake, Stephen Tiller
HB: Lindsay Gilbee, Dale Morris, Ryan Hargrave
C: Daniel Cross, Ryan Griffen, Josh Hill
HF: Robert Murphy, Mitch Hahn, Brad Johnson
F: Shaun Higgins, Will Minson, Jason Akermanis
Foll: Ben Hudson, Matthew Boyd, Adam Cooney
I/C: Callan Ward, Daniel Giansiracusa, Nathan Eagleton, Andrejs Everitt
Emg: Jarrod Harbrow, Tom Williams, Tim Callan
14
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Cats hold off Hawks

March 27th 2009 12:15
GEELONG has downed reigning premiers Hawthorn by eight points in the grand final rematch at the MCG on Friday night.

The Cats led by 43 points early in the final term and withstood a late charge from the undermanned Hawks to prevail 15.21 (111) to 16.7 (103).

Hawthorn was missing seven players from last year’s premiership side - the retired Shane Crawford plus injured players Robert Campbell (buttock), Xavier Ellis (hip), Trent Croad (foot), Jordan Lewis (shoulder), Rick Ladson (knee) and late withdrawal Stephen Gilham (knee) .

The loss was made worse for the Hawks with vice-captain Luke Hodge reported for striking Tom Lonergan in the third quarter while ruckman Simon Taylor also had his number taken for engaging in rough conduct against Geelong midfielder Joel Selwood.

For the Cats, rugged utility Max Rooke was reported for engaging in rough conduct against Hawthorn skipper Sam Mitchell while hard-running defender Andrew Mackie was also reported for striking ruckman Brent Renouf during a tense final term.

Gary Ablett was at his devastating best with a game-high 35 possessions while Steve Johnson was influential with 27 touches and two goals.

For the Hawks, Mitchell led from the front with 34 disposals while Lance Franklin and Jarryd Roughead booted five and four goals respectively.

The Cats stamped their authority on the contest in the opening term with Ablett simply unstoppable with 15 touches.

But Geelong failed to translate their dominance around the ground onto the scoreboard - they booted a wasteful 4.8 for the quarter to take a 12-point lead into the first change.

The Cats kicked four of the first five goals of the game but Hawthorn responded with six of the next seven to take the lead at the 22-minute mark of the second term.

Their lead was short-lived with majors from Cameron Mooney, Ablett and Mark Blake giving Geelong a two goal lead at half-time.

The Cats broke the game open in the third term, slamming on six goals to two to take a commanding 37-point lead heading into the final change.

The result looked to be beyond doubt when Corey Enright kicked truly to blow the margin out to more than seven goals.

But the Hawks refused to give in and hit back through Franklin and Roughead who booted three goals apiece for the term.

However it proved to be too little too late with the Cats holding on for a hard-fought win.

HAWTHORN: 3.2 8.4 10.6, 16.7 (103)
GEELONG: 4.8 8.16 14.19, 15.21 (111)
GOALS: Hawthorn: Franklin 5, Roughead 4, Osborne 2, Dew 2, Bateman, Rioli, Stokes
Geelong: Gamble 2, S Johnson 2, Mooney 2, Rooke 2, Chapman 2
Mackie, Varcoe, Lonergan, Ablett, Enright
BEST: Hawthorn: Mitchell, Franklin, Tuck, Roughead, Hodge, Sewell, Young
Geelong: Ablett, Chapman, Ottens, Selwood, S Johnson, Corey, Rooke, Mackie
INJURIES: Hawthorn: Osborne (hamstring)
Geelong: Nil
UMPIRES: McBurney, Wenn, Ryan
REPORTS: Hawthorn: Taylor reported for rough conduct on Selwood in first quarter. Hodge reported for striking Lonergan in third quarter
Geelong: Rooke reported for rough conduct on Mitchell in the third quarter. Mackie reported for striking Renouf in the final quarter.
CHANGES: Hawthorn: Gilham (knee) replaced in selected side by Stokes
CROWD: 69,593 at MCG


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


Anthony to miss

March 27th 2009 06:06
NORTH MELBOURNE draftee Liam Anthony will have to wait to make his AFL debut after stress fractures were discovered in his foot on Thursday.

Anthony was named in North's side for Sunday clash against Melbourne at the MCG but soreness after training prompted the club to send him for scans.

North Melbourne's chief of football Donald McDonald said he was unsure when the 21-year-old would be available for selection.

"It's just a matter now of just assessing him next week and Con Mitropoulos, our doctor, will probably look at fitting him in a camwalker (boot)," he said.

"Initially there's going to be a bit of rest because he's going to have to stay off it for the healing process."

"He might only need the one or two weeks running around in the VFL, so we'll just have to wait and see how it all goes," he said.

Andrew Swallow, who played just three games in 2008 takes Anthony's place in the final 22.



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Cousins injury not as bad as first thought

March 27th 2009 04:32
RICHMOND midfielder Ben Cousins will miss at least three weeks after injuring his hamstring during the Tigers' 83-point loss to Carlton at the MCG on Thursday night.

The former West Coast captain suffered a grade one hamstring strain – considered in the low-end category for hamstring injuries – early in the last quarter.

Meanwhile. Andrew Raines is also expected to be sidelined for at least three weeks after suffering a knee injury in the loss to the Blues which was later revealed as a lateral meniscus tear.

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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Richmond Tigers
   


Gumbleton to undergo surgery

March 27th 2009 01:23
ESSENDON forward Scott Gumbleton will undergo back surgery which is set to sidleine him for at least 12 weeks.

Gumbleton, who has a bulging disc which is impinging nerves, will be operated on in 10 days time.

Bombers assistant coach Scott Camporeale said the club is still confident that Gumbleton can be a 10-year player despite the latest setback.

"We've spoken to all the really professional people in the area, we haven't just done it lightly and we've got two or three opinions and we think that he can come back bigger and better," he said.

"There has obviously been a lot of examples of players that have been through it, Brad Ottens had the same thing and he's come back and played a lot of good footy so we think with Scotty's age and his attitude towards getting back to playing again, we think we've got a good player on our hands."


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Round one preview: Geelong v Hawthorn

March 26th 2009 22:34
VENUE and TIME: MCG, Friday 27 March, 7.40pm (AEDT)

HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 141: Hawthorn 67, Geelong 73, Drawn 1

LAST TIME: Hawthorn 18.7 (115) d Geelong 11.23 (89), 2008 grand final at the MCG.

RECENT HISTORY: Hawthorn has won four of its past five against Geelong but only one of those wins has come at the MCG.

FORM: Geelong bounced back from losing the 2008 grand final by winning the NAB Cup with a 76-point demolition of Collingwood in the grand final. The Hawks had a far from ideal pre-season with several premiership players sidelined with injury but importantly star forward Lance Franklin and vice-captain Luke Hodge played in the club’s last practice match against the West Coast Eagles and impressed.

MEDICAL ROOM: The Hawks will be without several premiership players from last year including key defender Trent Croad (foot), Xavier Ellis (hip), Rick Ladson (knee) and Jordan Lewis (shoulder). The Cats suffered a major blow ahead of the regular season with defender Josh Hint suffering a season-ending knee injury in the NAB Cup grand final against Collingwood while skipper Tom Harley is expected to miss up to six week following off-season knee surgery.

KEY MATCH-UPS: Brad Sewell vs. Gary Ablett

Ablett was clearly Geelong’s best in the grand final loss to the Hawks, racking up a game-high 34 possessions and booting two goals.

As hard as it is to believe considering what he has achieved already, the 24-year-old looks set to take his game to another level in 2009 after a stellar pre-season.

Ablett is at his best when he is breaking the lines and the Hawks will be keen to shut-down his creative run and will undoubtedly give Sewell the task of tagging the classy Geelong midfielder.

Sewell, who averaged 23.5 disposals per game in 2008, will need to be switched on defensively for the full four quarters as Ablett is capable of turning a game on its head in the space of 10 minutes and he will also need to get his hands on the football and force the 24-year-old to be accountable.

Cameron Ling vs. Sam Mitchell

Mitchell, who averaged 27.8 disposals per game last season will be keen to have a big game against the Cats on Friday night after managing just a meagre 13 disposals in the grand final win.

The Hawthorn skipper is damaging with his ability to win the football in close and dish it off by hand to the likes of Travis Tuck, Stuart Dew and hard-running midfielder Chance Bateman.

Expect Ling, arguably one of it not the best tagger in the game to be given the task of running with Mitchell in what shapes as being a crucial match-up in determining the outcome of this match.

Ling will give Mitchell no time and space in which to work and don’t be surprised if the Geelong tagger pushes forward and tries to take Mitchell out of his comfort zone.

Max Rooke vs. Luke Hodge

Hodge was instrumental in the grand final win, racking up 26 possessions and pulling down nine marks in a performance that earned him the Norm Smith medal.

The Hawthorn vice-captain is highly effective at setting up the Hawks attacking forays forward and while he has had a limited pre-season he is still a dangerous player that the Cats must contain if they are going to start the 2009 season with a win.

Rooke, who booted two goals in the grand final, is strong overhead and looms as a likely candidate to be used in a defensive half-forward role on Hodge.

The Cats will need to go through Rooke at every available opportunity when going forward in order to make Hodge accountable otherwise the 24-year-old will be able to control the tempo of the game in his customary quarterback role and punish Geelong with his precise use of the football.

Harry Taylor vs. Lance Franklin

Like Hodge, Franklin has had a limited pre-season thanks to a thumb injury but the 2008 Coleman medallist showed he is in for yet another big year after collecting 26 touches and booting four goals in a best-afield performance against the Eagles.

The last time these two sides met in the home-and-away season Franklin completely outclassed Taylor and almost led his side to victory - he finished the match with 13 possessions, eight marks and a wasteful 4.5.

Matthew Scarlett will take Franklin if he plays closer to goal but if as expected he roams across the half-forward line then you would expect Taylor to be given the unenviable task of matching up on one of the game’s biggest stars.

With centre-half back Matthew Egan, Harley and Hunt all injured the Cats are missing three of their six first-choice defenders.

Therefore the likes of Scarlett and Taylor will be relying even more on immense midfield pressure to help contain a potent forward line led by Franklin that was the third most productive in the competition in 2008.

VERDICT: The Hawks may be the reigning premiers but they will struggle to match a Geelong side that will be keen to avenge last year’s heartbreak. The Cats, who are nearly at full strength, have simply had a better preparation and their forwards surely won’t perform as badly in front of goal as they did in last year’s grand final. Cats by 27 points.

HAWTHORN v GEELONG
HAWTHORN
B: Campbell Brown, Stephen Gilham, Brent Guerra
HB: Luke Hodge, Tom Murphy, Grant Birchall
C: Clinton Young, Sam Mitchell, Brendan Whitecross
HF: Michael Osborne, Lance Franklin, Stuart Dew
F: Mark Williams, Jarryd Roughead, Cyril Rioli
Foll: Simon Taylor, Brad Sewell, Chance Bateman
I/C: Brent Renouf, Ryan Schoenmakers, Matt Suckling, Travis Tuck
Emg: Josh Kennedy, Cameron Stokes, Mitch Thorp

New: Ryan Schoenmakers (Norwood), Brendan Whitecross (Zillmere), Matthew Suckling (Wagga Tigers)

GEELONG
B: Darren Milburn, Matthew Scarlett, Andrew Mackie
HB: Joel Corey, Harry Taylor, Max Rooke
C: Jimmy Bartel, Corey Enright, Cameron Ling
HF: James Kelly, Cameron Mooney, Ryan Gamble
F: Paul Chapman, Tom Lonergan, Steve Johnson
Foll: Brad Ottens, Joel Selwood, Gary Ablett
I/C: Mark Blake, Mathew Stokes, Travis Varcoe, David Wojcinski
Emg: Simon Hogan, Tom Hawkins, Shannon Byrnes





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Brilliant Blues belt toothless Tigers

March 26th 2009 12:23
CARLTON has kicked off its 2009 campaign in impressive fashion, disposing of a hapless Richmond side by 83 points at the MCG on Thursday night.

The Blues stamped their authority on the contest in the opening term and were never threatened from thereon in as they cruised to a convincing 23.12 (150) to 9.13 (67) in front of nearly 87,000 fans.

The loss was made worse for the Tigers with star recruit Ben Cousins injuring his hamstring early in the final quarter.

The former West Coast captain was clearly shattered and left the field immediately.

The most positive thing to come out of the win for the Blues was the fact that they booted 23 goals but star forward Brendon Fevola contributed just two majors.

Lively small forward Eddie Betts kicked five goals while promising youngster Mitch Robinson and utility Jarrad Waite chimed in with three apiece.

Carlton skipper Chris Judd led from the front with 23 disposals and two goals while Bryce Gibbs was a busy contributor with 30 possessions.

Mitch Morton played a lone hand up forward for the Tigers, booting four goals from limited opportunities - Richmond entered inside their forward 50 just 36 times.

The contest was played at a frenetic pace early and little separated the two sides before the Blues slammed on six goals from the 19-minute mark of the first term to take a commanding 30-point lead into quarter-time.

The Tigers stemmed the flow somewhat in the second term but their poor use of the football prevented them from making any inroads on the scoreboard with seven of Carlton’s first 11 goals coming as a result of Richmond turnovers.

Carlton took a match-winning 40-point lead into the main break and didn’t take their foot off the pedal in the second half, slamming on 10 goals to three to record an emphatic win that will undoubtedly give the Blues confidence that they can build on last year’s improvement and make the finals for the first time since 2001.

RICHMOND: 3.4, 6.7, 8.10, 9.13 (67)
CARLTON: 8.4, 13.5, 18.9, 23.12 (150)
GOALS: Richmond: Morton 4, Simmonds, Richardson, Tambling, Schulz, Riewoldt
Carlton: Betts 5, Waite 3, Robinson 3, Murphy 2, Judd 2, Fevola 2, Hadley, Russell, Kreuzer, Garlett
BEST: Richmond: Morton, Tuck, Foley, Simmonds
Carlton: Waite, Gibbs, Judd, Robinson, Murphy, Scotland
INJURIES: Richmond: Cousins (hamstring)
Carlton: Nil
REPORTS: Simpson by umpire Vozzo for striking
CHANGES: Nil
UMPIRES: Donlon, Vozzo, McLaren
CROWD: 86,972 at the MCG

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AFL Teams: Round One

March 26th 2009 06:11
2009 TOYOTA AFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON

ROUND ONE
(all times local)

Thursday March 26
Richmond v Carlton at the MCG, 7.40pm

Friday March 27
Hawthorn v Geelong Cats at the MCG, 7.40pm

Saturday March 28
Collingwood v Adelaide at the MCG, 2.10pm
Brisbane Lions v West Coast Eagles at the Gabba, 6.10pm
St Kilda v Sydney Swans at Docklands, 7.10pm

Sunday March 29
Melbourne v North Melbourne at the MCG, 1.10pm
Port Adelaide v Essendon at AAMI Stadium, 2.40pm
Fremantle v Western Bulldogs at Subiaco, 4.10pm

RICHMOND v CARLTON
RICHMOND
B: Chris Newman, Kelvin Moore, Andrew Raines
HB: Joel Bowden, Luke McGuane, Jordan McMahon
C: Shane Edwards, Shane Tuck, Matthew White
HF: Nathan Brown, Matthew Richardson, Jack Riewoldt
F: Ben Cousins, Jay Schulz, Richard Tambling
Foll: Troy Simmonds, Brett Deledio, Nathan Foley
I/C: Will Thursfield, Andrew Browne, Mitch Morton, Daniel Jackson
Emg: Andrew Collins, Dean Polo, Alex Rance

New: Andrew Browne (Murray U18, rookie list), Ben Cousins (West Coast, pre-season draft)

CARLTON
B: Paul Bower, Michael Jamison, Aaron Joseph
HB: Jordan Russell, Bret Thornton, Heath Scotland
C: Kade Simpson, Marc Murphy, Chris Johnson
HF: Ryan Houlihan, Jarrad Waite, Jeff Garlett
F: Cameron Cloke, Brendan Fevola, Eddie Betts
Foll: Matthew Kreuzer, Bryce Gibbs, Chris Judd
I/C: Richard Hadley, Sam Jacobs, Mitch Robinson, Simon Wiggins
Emg: Dennis Armfield, Shaun Hampson, Andrew Walker

New: Jeff Garlett (Swan Districts, rookie list), Sam Jacobs (Woodville-West Torrens, rookie list), Chris Johnson (Melbourne, pre-season draft), Aaron Joseph (Tassie Mariners, rookie list), Mitch Robinson (Tassie Mariners, 2008 NAB AFL Draft)

HAWTHORN v GEELONG
HAWTHORN
B: Campbell Brown, Stephen Gilham, Brent Guerra
HB: Luke Hodge, Tom Murphy, Grant Birchall
C: Clinton Young, Sam Mitchell, Brendan Whitecross
HF: Michael Osborne, Lance Franklin, Stuart Dew
F: Mark Williams, Jarryd Roughead, Cyril Rioli
Foll: Simon Taylor, Brad Sewell, Chance Bateman
I/C: Brent Renouf, Ryan Schoenmakers, Matt Suckling, Travis Tuck
Emg: Josh Kennedy, Cameron Stokes, Mitch Thorp

New: Ryan Schoenmakers (Norwood), Brendan Whitecross (Zillmere), Matthew Suckling (Wagga Tigers)

GEELONG
B: Darren Milburn, Matthew Scarlett, Andrew Mackie
HB: Joel Corey, Harry Taylor, Max Rooke
C: Jimmy Bartel, Corey Enright, Cameron Ling
HF: James Kelly, Cameron Mooney, Ryan Gamble
F: Paul Chapman, Tom Lonergan, Steve Johnson
Foll: Brad Ottens, Joel Selwood, Gary Ablett
I/C: Mark Blake, Mathew Stokes, Travis Varcoe, David Wojcinski
Emg: Simon Hogan, Tom Hawkins, Shannon Byrnes

COLLINGWOOD v ADELAIDE
COLLINGWOOD
B: Shannon Cox, Simon Prestgiacomo, Tyson Goldsack
HB: Harry O’Brien, Nathan Brown, Nick Maxwell (c)
C: Martin Clarke, Alan Didak, Alan Toovey
HF: Dale Thomas, Traivs Cloke, Paul Medhurst
F: John Anthony, Ben Reid, Shane O’Bree
Foll: Josh Fraser, Tarkyn Lockyer, Scott Pendlebury
Int: Leon Davis, Ben Johnson, Dane Swan, Chris Bryan
Emg: Leigh Brown, Dayne Beams, Danny Stanley

ADELAIDE
B: Michael Doughty, Ben Rutten, Andy Otten
HB: Brent Reilly, Nathan Bock, Andrew McLeod
C: Myke Cook, Simon Goodwin, Chris Knights
HF: Richard Douglas, Trent Hentschel, David Mackay
F: Taylor Walker, Kurt Tippett, Jason Porplyzia
Foll: Ivan Maric, Bernie Vince, Tyson Edwards
I/C: Nathan van Berlo, Scott Stevens, Patrick Dangerfield, Jared Petrenko
Emg: Jonathan Griffin, Jarrhan Jacky, Robert Shirley

BRISBANE LIONS V WEST COAST EAGLES
BRISBANE LIONS
B: Ashley McGrath, Daniel Merrett, Joel Patfull
HB: Luke Power, Joel Macdonald, Josh Drummond
C: Bradd Dalziell, Simon Black, Jed Adcock
HF: Michael Rischitelli, Jonathan Brown, Justin Sherman
F: Travis Johnstone, Daniel Bradshaw, Mitch Clark
Foll: Matthew Leuenberger, Scott Harding, Daniel Rich
I/C: Rhan Hooper, Cheynee Stiller, Tom Collier, Troy Selwood
Emg: Jamie Charman, Tim Notting, James Polkinghorne

New: Daniel Rich (Subiaco)

WEST COAST
B: Brett Jones, Darren Glass, David Wirrpanda
HB: Mark Nicoski, Eric Mackenzie, Shannon Hurn
C: Matt Rosa, Daniel Kerr, Matt Spangher
HF: Brent Staker, Ashley Hansen, Sam Butler
F: Mitch Brown, Quinten Lynch, Mark LeCras
Foll: Dean Cox, Matt Priddis, Chris Masten
I/C: Brad Ebert, Andrew Embley, Mark Seaby, Tyson Stenglein
Emg: Chad Fletcher, Ben McKinley, Scott Selwood

ST KILDA V SYDNEY SWANS
ST KILDA
B: Farren Ray, Jason Blake, Zac Dawson
HB: Jarryn Geary, Sam Fisher, Brendon Goddard
C: Jason Gram, Luke Ball, Nick Dal Santo
HF: Stephen Milne, Nick Riewoldt, Adam Schneider
F: Andrew McQualter, Justin Koschitzke, Sam Gilbert
Foll: Michael Gardiner, Clint Jones, Leigh Montagna
I/C: Steven Baker, Raphael Clarke, James Gwilt, Steven King
Emg: Colm Begley, Ben McEvoy, Robert Eddy

SYDNEY SWANS
B: Craig Bolton, Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Martin Mattner
HB: Rhyce Shaw, Heath Grundy, Kieren Jack
C: Jarrad McVeigh, Brett Kirk, Jared Crouch
HF: Ryan O’Keefe, Ted Richards, Luke Ablett
F: Paul Bevan, Barry Hall, Jarred Moore
Foll: Darren Jolly, Adam Goodes, Craig Bolton
I/C: Craig Bird, Amon Buchanan, Nick Malceski, Jesse White
Emg: Ed Barlow, Matt O’Dwyer, Mike Pyke

MELBOURNE v NORTH MELBOURNE
MELBOURNE
B: Jared Rivers, Matthew Warnock, Clint Bartram
HB: Colin Garland, James Frawley, Brad Green
C: Aaron Davey, Brock McLean, Brent Moloney
HF: Cameron Bruce, Paul Johnson, Cale Morton
F: Brad Miller, Matthew Bate, Ricky Petterd
Foll: Jake Spencer, James McDonald, Simon Buckley
I/C from: Jamie Bennell, Kyle Cheney, Nathan Jones, Neville Jetta, Stefan Martin, Lynden Dunn,John Meesen

New: Jake Spencer (Redlands), Jamie Bennell (Swan Districts), Kyle Cheney (Nth Ballarat, Warrack Eagles), Neville Jetta (Swan Districts)

NORTH MELBOURNE
B: Daniel Pratt, Michael Firrito, Scott McMahon
HB: Leigh Harding, Lachlan Hansen, Josh Gibson
C: Brady Rawlings, Adam Simpson, Liam Anthony
HF: Ed Lower, Drew Petrie, Lindsay Thomas
F: Matt Campbell, David Hale, Brent Harvey
Foll: Hamish McIntosh, Daniel Wells, Jack Ziebell
I/C (from): Daniel Harris, Sam Power, Andrew Swallow, Gavin Urquhart, Scott Thompson, Nathan Grima, Josh Smith

PORT ADELAIDE V ESSENDON
PORT ADELAIDE
B: Michael Pettigrew, Alipate Carlile, Jacob Surjan
HB: Nathan Krakouer, Troy Chaplin, Domenic Cassisi
C: Shaun Burgoyne, Chad Cornes, Steven Salopek
HF: Robert Gray, Justin Westhoff, Peter Burgoyne
F: Brett Ebert, Warren Tredrea, Daniel Motlop
Foll: Dean Brogan, Kane Cornes, Danyle Pearce
I/C from: Travis Boak, Josh Carr, Brendon Lade, Tom Logan, David Rodan, Wade Thompson, Toby Thurstans

ESSENDON
B: Henry Slattery, Michael Hurley, Dustin Fletcher
HB: Heath Hocking, Paddy Ryder, Courtenay Dempsey
C: Bachar Houli, Brent Stanton, Andrew Lovett
HF: Aaron Davey, Jay Neagle, Adam McPhee
F: Angus Monfries, Matthew Lloyd, Scott Lucas
Foll: David Hille, Jobe Watson, Jason Winderlich
I/C (from): Tom Bellchambers, Hayden Skipworth, Sam Lonergan, Tayte Pears, Ricky Dyson, Jarrod Atkinson, Jay Nash

FREMANTLE V WESTERN BULLDOGS
FREMANTLE
B: Roger Hayden, Michael Johnson, Luke McPharlin
HB: Josh Head, Antoni Grover, Steven Dodd
C: Rhys Palmer, Paul Hasleby, Garrick Ibbotson
HF: Paul Duffield, Chris Tarrant, Byron Schammer
F: Brett Peake, Ryan Murphy, Matthew Pavlich
Foll: Aaron Sandilands, Ryan Crowley, David Mundy
I/C (from): Marcus Drum, Scott Thornton, Nick Suban, Kepler Bradley, Stephen Hill, Daniel Gilmore, Andrew Browne

WESTERN BULLDOGS
B: Dylan Addison, Brian Lake, Stephen Tiller
HB: Lindsay Gilbee, Dale Morris, Ryan Hargrave
C: Daniel Cross, Ryan Griffen, Josh Hill
HF: Robert Murphy, Mitch Hahn, Brad Johnson
F: Shaun Higgins, Will Minson, Jason Akermanis
Foll: Ben Hudson, Matthew Boyd, Adam Cooney
I/C (from): Tim Callan, Nathan Eagleton, Andrejs Everitt, Jarrod Harbrow, Daniel Giansiracusa, Callan Ward, Tom Williams
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Smith to miss up to eight weeks

March 26th 2009 02:29
NORTH MELBOURNE defender Jesse Smith will miss up to eight weeks due to a recurrence of a hamstring complaint.

The club's doctor Con Mitropoulos said the latest flare-up is directly related to Smith's degenerative ankle.

"He runs with a bit of a limp and so when you have to protect a sore ankle for a long period of time you can put other soft tissues at risk and particularly the hamstring on that side, he said.

"If you can at least give him the next month or two just to get himself back to essentially where he was a few weeks ago where he'd had a good, solid five or six months of no injury, feeling good and solid training, at that stage you'll probably see him play a few games at (VFL team North) Ballarat and then come good."

Meanwhile, promising youngster Jack Ziebell and mature-aged recruit Liam Anthony, who were selected with picks nine and 43 respectively in last year's national draft will make their debuts against Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday.
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Gumbleton could require surgery

March 26th 2009 00:40
ESSENDON has suffered a major blow with promising young forward Scott Gumbleton's back injury worse than first thought.

Scans revealed that the injury prone 20-year-old has a bulging disc in his back.

"The bulging disc in Scott's back is impinging on nerves," Essendon football operations manager Paul Hamilton said.

"The decision now lies between taking the conservative approach and giving him a period of rest or having surgery which would sideline him for at least 12 weeks."

The number two draft pick in the 2006 national draft has been plagued by injuries throughout his career, only managing five games in two years at the club.

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Round one preview: Richmond v Carlton

March 25th 2009 22:06
VENUE and TIME: MCG, Thursday 26 March, 7.40pm (AEDT)

HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 201, Richmond 85, Carlton 115, Draws 2

LAST TIME: Carlton 17.16 (118) def Richmond 12.16 (88), Round 14 2008 at the MCG

RECENT HISTORY: Richmond has won three of its past five against the Blues.

MEDICAL ROOM: The Tigers will be without former captain Kane Johnson (knee), exciting youngster Trent Cotchin (Achilles) and forward Kayne Pettifer (knee) while injury prone midfielder Mark Coughlan (hamstring) may play in the VFL

For the Blues, spearhead Brendan Fevola (heel) will play as will Heath Scotland (groin). Utility Andrew Walker has had a limited pre-season and will miss while midfielder Andrew Carrazzo (arm), former Fremantle ruckman Robert Warnock (foot) and veteran Nick Stevens (suspended) are unavailable.

FORM: Both sides had a solid pre-season, winning two games apiece. The Tigers defeated Fremantle at Subiaco Oval in the first round of the NAB Cup but were knocked out a week later by Collingwood. Carlton were defeated by pre-season premiers Geelong in the semi-finals then lost to the Dockers in a NAB Challenge match in Bunbury.

KEY MATCH-UPS: Kelvin Moore vs. Brendon Fevola

Fevola is the main man the Tigers must stop if they are going to kick-off their 2009 campaign with a win.

The 28-year-old has a pretty good record against Richmond - he has booted 26 goals in nine games.

If Richmond is able to contain Fevola, who booted 99 goals last season, then it will go a long way towards securing the four premiership points as the Blues are heavily reliant on their star forward - the next best on the goal-kicking table for Carlton in 2008 was Eddie Betts and Brad Fisher - who won’t play against the Tigers - with 25 majors apiece

Moore was impressive in defence last season, playing all 22 matches and averaging 15.7 disposals per game.

The 24-year-old is likely to be given first crack at Fevola in what shapes as being a crucial match-up in determining the outcome of this match.

Fevola is at his most dangerous on the lead so Moore will need the Richmond midfield to apply plenty of pressure and prevent the Blues from delivering the football cleanly inside forward 50.

Daniel Jackson vs. Chris Judd

Judd has a stellar pre-season and looks set to return to his explosive best.

Most fans will be hoping for a duel between Judd and former West Coast teammate Ben Cousins but the days of star midfielders lining up on each other for extended periods of time are a thing of the past.

Jackson has been given some big run-with roles during his 47-game career and looms as a likely candidate to tag Judd.

The 2004 Brownlow medallist is particularly damaging at the stoppages and at his best he is capable of turning a game on its head in the space of a quarter, so Jackson will need to play tight, accountable football all night.

However, Jackson also needs to make sure he isn’t too reactive and also gets his fair share of the football and force Judd to worry about his direct opponent.

Jarrad Waite vs. Matthew Richardson

Richardson had a career-best year last season, averaging 18.2 disposals, 11.1 marks and 2.4 goals per game.

The 34-year-old, who fell agonisingly short of winning the Brownlow medal, looks set for another big year after an impressive pre-season.

When these two sides met in round one last year Richardson proved to be the difference between the two sides, collecting 15 disposals, pulling down 11 marks and booting five goals to lift his team to a 30-point win.

Waite has the height and athleticism to go with Richardson while Jordan Russell is another option for Carlton coach Brett Ratten.

Whoever is given the job on Richardson will need to push forward and make the Tigers veteran accountable.

However, in order for this to work the Blues will need to make sure they don’t become too Fevola conscious when going forward, otherwise Richardson will simply roam around at will, plug the space in front of Fevola and help the Tigers set up their attacking forays forward.

Bryce Gibbs vs. Brett Deledio

Deledio came of age in 2008, winning the club’s best-and-fairest award after averaging 24.4 disposals a game and booting 28 goals.

The last time these two sides met in round 14 Deledio was one of his side’s best, racking up 30 possessions and booting one goal in a performance that earned him one Brownlow medal vote.

The Blues will be keen to shut-down Deledio’s run and ability to pump the ball inside 50 and will most likely throw young gun Bryce Gibbs the task of running with Deledio in what shapes as being an intriguing contest between two of the games brightest young stars.

Gibbs is more than capable of winning plenty of the football and is also effective in shutting down some of the game’s best players - highlighted by his performance in round 16 last year when he racked up 26 possessions and restricted Sydney star Adam Goodes to a meagre seven disposals.

VERDICT: Two teams that are expected to be the big improvers in 2009 will face-off on Thursday night in front of an expected crowd of 80,000 plus. The Blues will have four players make their AFL debut against the Tigers and how well they cope with the pressure of playing in front of such a big crowd will play a key role in determining the outcome of this clash. Both sides have classy midfields and young, developing backlines but it is in the forward line where Richmond appears to have a slight edge. While the Blues rely heavily on Fevola, the Tigers boast the likes of Deledio, Richardson, Nathan Brown, Mitch Morton and Jack Riewoldt who are capable of kicking multiple goals. Richmond’s even spread of goal-kickers should prove to be the difference in what shapes as being a hard-fought contest. Tigers by 15 points.

RICHMOND v CARLTON
RICHMOND
B: Chris Newman, Kelvin Moore, Andrew Raines
HB: Joel Bowden, Luke McGuane, Jordan McMahon
C: Shane Edwards, Shane Tuck, Matthew White
HF: Nathan Brown, Matthew Richardson, Jack Riewoldt
F: Ben Cousins, Jay Schulz, Richard Tambling
Foll: Troy Simmonds, Brett Deledio, Nathan Foley
I/C: Will Thursfield, Andrew Browne, Mitch Morton, Daniel Jackson
EMG: Andrew Collins, Dean Polo, Alex Rance

New: Andrew Browne (Murray U18, rookie list), Ben Cousins (West Coast, pre-season draft)

CARLTON
B: Paul Bower, Michael Jamison, Aaron Joseph
HB: Jordan Russell, Bret Thornton, Heath Scotland
C: Kade Simpson, Marc Murphy, Chris Johnson
HF: Ryan Houlihan, Jarrad Waite, Jeff Garlett
F: Cameron Cloke, Brendan Fevola, Eddie Betts
Foll: Matthew Kreuzer, Bryce Gibbs, Chris Judd
I/C: Richard Hadley, Sam Jacobs, Mitch Robinson, Simon Wiggins
EMG: Dennis Armfield, Shaun Hampson, Andrew Walker

New: Jeff Garlett (Swan Districts, rookie list), Sam Jacobs (Woodville-West Torrens, rookie list), Chris Johnson (Melbourne, pre-season draft), Aaron Joseph (Tassie Mariners, rookie list), Mitch Robinson (Tassie Mariners, 2008 NAB AFL Draft)


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Five debutants for Blues

March 25th 2009 05:05
CARLTON will have five players make their debut in Thursday night's clash against Richmond at the MCG with four of them being first-gamers.

The Blues confirmed that former Melbourne utility Chris Johnson would make his club debut while ruckman Sam Jacobs, Mitch Robinson, the club's third round selection at last year's national draft and elevated rookies Aaron Joseph and Jeff Garlett will make their AFL debuts.

Meanwhile, Carlton assistant coach Mark Riley dismissed reports that star forward Brendon Fevola, who suffered a bruised heel in the club's final practice match against Fremantle in Bunbury, would be playing 'sore' against the Tigers despite being confined to some light kicking drills in less than 15 minutes on the track during Wednesday's light session.

"He'll be fine … he trained really well the last time we trained two days ago," Riley said.

"He had no worries and there was no follow up then so he's sweet."

Riley also said that utility Andrew Walker and Heath Scotland, who have endured injury-interuppted pre-seasons, were a chance to face the Tigers with Scotland the more likely to play after strong peformances in the VFL.






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Mooney to face Hawks: Thompson

March 25th 2009 04:51
GEELONG forward Cameron Mooney is a certain starter for Friday nighr's grand final rematch against Hawthorn at the MCG, according to coach Mark Thompson.

Thompson said Mooney was ready to face the Hawks despite the fact that he has not played in any of the Cats' pre-season matches.

"Even though he hasn't been playing he has been doing a lot of training and there hasn't been much wrong with him," Thompson said.

"Obviously it's not ideal and you would have liked him to have played one match but I imagine there'll be a lot of guys out there this weekend that have had limited preparations."

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Ten to broadcast season opener live

March 25th 2009 01:19
CHANNEL Ten will broadcast Thursday night's blockbuster clash between Richmond and Carlton at the MCG live into Victoria after coming under fire for initially announcing that the match would be shown on delay.

The network had planned to show the match on a 30-minute delay because it was offically sold out on Tuesday but Ten bowed to pressure and will begin its broadcast at 7.30pm local time.
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Demons, Pies sign new sponsors

March 24th 2009 05:08
MELBOURNE and Collingwood have signed new sponsors on the eve of the 2009 AFL season.

The Demons have joined forces with betting agency Betezy while the Magpies have linked up with Aussie Home Loans.

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire said the partnership with Aussie Home Loans made sense.

"It is an absolute privilege to be associated with John Symond, and with Aussie, one of the great success stories of Australian business," McGuire said.

"This is a great fit – Australia's biggest sporting club and Australia's biggest and most successful non bank financial services group and we look forward to a long, enjoyable and successful partnership."

Meanwhile, the Demons signed their third deal this month with Betezy agreeing to a one-year partnership.
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Johncock to miss round one

March 23rd 2009 06:31
ADELAIDE defender Graham Johncock will miss the Crows' round one clash against Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday following the death of his mother last week.

Johncock has returned home to Port Lincoln and will attend her funeral on Friday,

Adelaide chief executive Steven Trigg said in a statement that the club will give Johncock all the support he needs.

"Our thoughts are with Graham and the rest of the Johncock family at this difficult time," Trigg said.

“Losing someone in your family, for anybody, is a pretty tough time, so we’ll give Graham all the support and time that he needs.”

The Crows expect the 26-year-old to return to training next Monday.

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Fevola will play: Ratten

March 23rd 2009 05:40
CARLTON spearhead Brendon Fevola will play in Thursday night's season opener against Richmond at the MCG despite speculation he is struggling for fitness due to a bruised heel, according to coach Brett Ratten.

Fevola bruised his heel in Carlton's last practice match against Fremantle in Bunbury but Ratten said the injury isn't serious.

"It's just a bruised heel, he bruised it at Bunbury and it just takes a little bit of time to get over," he said.

"Imagine just trying to keep Brendan out of a game in front of 80 or 90,000 people - he will be first at the ground and the first to run on probably and he is certainly in the team."



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North induct Carey into Hall of Fame

March 22nd 2009 04:41
TWO-time premiership captain Wayne Carey was inducted into North Melbourne's Hall of Fame on Saturday night.

Denis Pagan, John Lewis, Laurie Dwyer, Albert Mantello, John Francis (Jack) Adams and Barry Cheatley were the other new inductees into the Hall of Fame.

Carey, who left the club in controversial circumstances in 2002 after it was discovered he was having an affair with the wife of teammate Anthony Stevens, expressed regret for his actions and said he is slowly getting his life back on track.

"I'm sincerely sorry for all the pain I've caused over the past years to so many people in so many ways," Carey said.

"It's a huge honour to be here tonight but nonetheless I have been a failure as an emotionally mature man. And for this I take full responsibility. I offer no excuses and expect no sympathy tonight or at any time."

"I blame no one for my past actions other than myself and have much work to do in rebuilding not only in life but my self-respect."

"For the first time in a very long time I can tell you that I'm a very, very, very much healthier and emotionally fit person."

Carey, who booted 671 goals in 244 games for the Kangaroos, was a four-time best-and-fairest winner and five-time leading goalkicker.

Meanwhile, dual Brownlow medallist Keith Greig and champion full-back David Dench were elevated to legend status.
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Hawks induct four

March 20th 2009 23:12
HAWTHORN legend Dermott Brereton was one of four inductees into the club's Hall of Fame on Friday night.

Peter Crimmins, John Peck and administrator Brian Coleman were the other three inclusions, which were announced at the club's season launch.

Brereton, who is regarded as one of the greatest centre-half forwards of all time played 189 games for the Hawks and won five flags.

Former rover Crimmins was a part of the 1971 premiership and captained the Hawks in his final two years at the club.

Crimmins, who played 176 games for the Hawks contracted cancer in 1974.

He fought back to play again but succumbed to the disease again and died aged 28, just days after the team won the 1976 premiership.

Peck still holds the record of being the youngest Hawk to make his debut, playing his first game at the age of 16 in 1954.

He booted 475 goals in 213 games and won the Coleman Medal three successive times from 1963-1965.

Coleman was an influential adminstrator for over 45 years.

The club's Hall of Fame which was established in 2003 now has 28 members.

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AFL approves rushed behind rule

March 20th 2009 06:52
THE deliberate rushed behind rule will be introduced for the 2009 AFL home-and-away season after its successful trial during the NAB Cup.

A free kick will be awarded for a deliberate rushed behind from where the ball was rushed but the rule also states 'the benefit of the doubt must be given to the defender.'

The other new rule that has been introduced for the regular season is the awarding of a 50-metre penalty 'against players who tackle, hold or make high contact against an opponent after the opponent has disposed of the football, for the purpose of preventing them from taking part in the next contest.'

However the no-go zone behind umpires at centre bounces which was trialled during the NAB Cup will not be introduced but AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson said players would still be free-kicked and reported if they made contact to umpires during play to ensure the safety of umpires

Anderson also said the two new rules would help improve the quality of the game.

"The Commission's view was that the deliberate rushed behind rule and the 50m penalty for tackling a player after disposal rule had worked well in the pre-season period, and would benefit the game," he said.

"The quality of football that has been played over the 2007 and 2008 seasons has been outstanding, and the AFL remains committed to ensuring the game remains an exciting and free flowing spectacle.

“The Laws Committee has been monitoring the increasing trend of deliberate rushed behinds in recent seasons and last year, the clear majority of coaches indicated that deliberate rushed behinds would continue to increase and supported the trial of a rule to discourage the tactic.”

“The strong feedback the AFL received was that more and more deliberate rushed behinds would occur if the rule was not changed. The clear majority of coaches, players and fans expressed the view that the new rule would benefit the game."


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Waters to miss entire season

March 20th 2009 03:09
WEST COAST utility Beau Waters will miss the entire 2009 season due to ongoing problems related to a dislocated elbow he suffered late last season.

The 22-year-old, who was a part of the 2006 premiership side, had been training with the senior group until early last month when the club's medical staff sought expert advice on his elbow.

The Eagles are hoping that by giving him 12 months to rest and recuperate he will be right for the 2010 season.
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Dees sign new sponsor

March 20th 2009 03:02
MELBOURNE has capped off a successful week off the field with the signing of a three-year, multi-million sponsorship deal with Russian-based IT company, Kaspersky Lab.

It comes just seven days after the Demons announced Hankook Tyres as the club's major sponsor for the next three years.

The deal with Kaspersky Lab includes signage, coaches' sponsorship, website advertising, corporate hospitality and other match day benefits and the Kaspersky logo will feature prominently on the back of the Demons guernsey.

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Injury blow for young Swan

March 20th 2009 02:42
SYDNEY SWANS youngster Patrick Veszpremi will miss the first eight weeks of the 2009 season after being booked in for finger surgery.

Veszpremi, who ruptured his finger flexor tendon against Adelaide last Friday night at AAMI Stadium, will undergo surgery early next week and is expected to be able to participate in running activities within 10 days after surgery.

The 19-year-old, who was the Swans' first round selection at No.11 overall in the 2007 national draft, made six senior appearances in his debut season last year.

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Harley on the way back

March 19th 2009 08:57
GEELONG captain Tom Harley has all but ruled himself out of action for the first six weeks of the home-and-away season after a longer-than-expected rehabilitation from knee surgery last year.

But the 2007 premiership skipper said he can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

"Like any player will tell you, any long-term injury is really frustrating and you just wonder where that light at the end of the tunnel is," he said.

"I feel like I'm through the hardest part but it's just about getting the condition and getting the games in to play AFL footy."

Meanwhile, Josh Hunt will miss the entire season after opting to undergo a traditional knee reconstruction rather than the radical new procedure used successfully last year by hard-running Sydney defender Nick Malceski.

Fellow defender Matthew Egan, who missed the 2007 finals series and all of last year due to a broken navicular bone in his right foot, will find out next Monday when he visits his surgeon whether his career is over.




.

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Black unlikely to play

March 19th 2009 08:32
BRISBANE LIONS star Simon Black is likely to miss the round one clash against West Coast at the Gabba, according to Lions assistant coach Justin Leppitsch.

Black, who has missed the pre-season with a broken hand, is one of 18 players at the club recovering from a bout of gastroenteritis.

Leppitsch said on Thursday that Black was unlikely to play against the Eagles given his lack of match practice.

"I would have thought he was highly unlikely to play," Leppitsch said.

"I don’t think it's ever handy, but I think we'd rather it came this week than next."

"Being Simon Black and the sort of player he is, if I was tempted I'd probably play him, but you'd have to say he hasn't had any match minutes."

"It's been done before, playing in Round 1 not having had any minutes, and if anyone can probably do that, it's Simon Black."

Leppitsch said the club will wait until next Monday to assess where Black is at.

"If he's cleared by the doctors that will have to be heavily discussed on Monday…how bad is the injury, what can he add, how is he going to perform," he said.

"If it is going to really detract from his performance, you might as well play someone else, it's a real jigsaw puzzle with Simon, but we'll look at those pieces on Monday and see what we've got."

Leppitsch also admitted the illness that had swept through the club was a distraction but was confident that it would not impact Brisbane's preparation for their season opener against the Eagles.

"It's definitely a distraction but you would rather it this week then next," said Leppitsch.

"I don't think it's ever handy but if there was any week it could have come this is not a bad one."

"It's not too bad, just the sort of thing that is highly contagious, 12 blokes got hit within a day, we sent them away and then another drab of a couple more and a couple more got it."


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Demons suffer injury blow

March 19th 2009 00:21
MELBOURNE has suffered a major injury blow with ruckman Mark Jamar to miss eight weeks with a stress fracture in his foot.

The Demons have elevated young ruckman Jake Spencer to replace Jamar who has been placed on the long-term injury list.

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey said Spencer, who has played in all the club's pre-season matches, deserved to be elevated.

"This is a good reward for Jake," Bailey said.

"He has been one of the players who has really impressed since we returned to pre-season training, way back on 13 October 2008."

"He's a young ruckman who - with some experience - we think can be really exciting for us."

Meanwhile, promising young midfielder Jack Grimes is set to miss at least three weeks after developing a stress injury in his lower back.

The Demons are also expected to be without Matthew Whelan (calf), Paul Wheatley (calf), Daniel Bell (thumb), Russell Robertson (Achilles) and James Strauss (ankle) for the round one clash against North Melbourne at the MCG.



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Port fans lend support

March 18th 2009 06:11
PORT ADELAIDE supporters have responded to the club's financial crisis with approximately 1000 people becoming members in the past 24 hours.

The Power, which is about $3.5m in debt, announced on Tuesday it would be seeking financial support from the AFL but the league said it will wait to see what benefits come from a new AAMI Stadium agreement between Port and the SANFL.

Port chief executive Mark Haysman said the spike in membership was pleasing.

"We had a really good day with membership yesterday ... we took $100,000 in turnover through membership, which was a big day for us," he said.

"I haven't got the actual number (of members). We are up to about 25,000 in terms of seat-allocated members, nearly a thousand in a day, so we are very happy with that."

Port hasn't found a major sponsor to replace Vodafone after this season but existing sponsor Reebok has agreed to extend its commitment until 2012 while brokerage company BBX and betting agency Betezy will contribute 'six-figure' amounts on an annual basis.

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Stevens suspended

March 17th 2009 08:26
CARLTON midfielder Nick Stevens will miss the opening two rounds of the home-and-away season after being suspended by the AFL Tribunal on Tuesday night.

Stevens, who was set to miss the round one clash against Richmond because of a suspension rolled over from last season, will now also miss the following match against the Brisbane Lions after being found guilty of striking Fremantle youngster Nic Suban during a NAB Challenge match at Bunbury on Saturday.

The 29-year-old unsuccessfully argued that his action was a push rather than a strike but the tribunal agreed to downgrade the offence from intentional to reckless which reduced the penalty for striking Suban from two matches to one.

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Blues promote rookies

March 17th 2009 07:29
CARLTON has promoted ruckman Sam Jacobs and midfielder Aaron Joseph to its senior list.

The Blues have no veterans on their list, meaning they were able to apply to the league to have Jacobs and Joseph available for senior selection from round one.

"We have decided to take advantage of the new guidelines introduced by the AFL for this year. As we do not have any veterans we have been applied to elevate two rookie list players, Sam Jacobs and Aaron Joseph, as nominated rookies for 2009," General Manager of Football Operations Steven Icke said.

Joseph, who was picked up in last year's rookie draft, impressed in a run-with role with Geelong star Gary Ablet in a NAB Cup semi-final while Jacobs is in his third year at the club after being selected in the 2006 rookie draft.

Jacobs has also impressed during the NAB Cup and looks set to get some game time early in the season with the Blues opting not to promote a third rookie to replace former Fremantle ruckman Robbie Warnock who is on the club's long-term injury list.

Meanwhile, Hawthorn has promoted defender Matthew Suckling and small forward Cameron Stokes to its senior list.

Stokes played nine games for the Hawks in 2008 while Suckling is yet to debut,

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Cox right to play

March 17th 2009 06:36
WEST COAST ruckman Dean Cox is a certain starter for the round one clash against Brisbane despite nursing a broken cheek.

Cox fractured his cheekbone in the Eagles' pre-season win over Adelaide in Alice Springs last month and has not played since.

But Eagles coach John Worsfold said the fracture is only minor and that Cox would be right to face the Lions.

"Coxy has a small, little fracture and we had medical opinion that said surgery wasn't required," Worsfold said.

"(But) he's done enough work and could have gone straight back out onto the ground and kept playing if he had of wished, so it shows how well he's ready for Round 1," Worsfold said.

Worsfold also said he was confident that utility Andrew Embley (knee) and Adam Hunter (shoulder) would be available despite not playing any matches during the pre-season.

"He's (Hunter) improved a fair bit over the weekend," he said.

"He had some more treatment last Friday which has made a difference so we're certainly hopeful that he'll feel pretty fresh at training later this week and declare himself available to play as well."

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Port seeks financial support from AFL

March 17th 2009 04:50
PORT ADELAIDE has revealed it has asked the AFL for millions of dollars in emergency funding.

Port chief executive Mark Haysman said the club would be seeking an amount in the 'seven-figure region' per annum for the next three years.

The Power recorded a $1.4m loss last year and Haysman said the club wanted assistance while it looks to renegotiate a deal with AAMI Stadium.

Port, who averaged crowds of about 23,000 last season, will need close to 28,000 people to attend games just to break even in 2009.

"The biggest single challenge is around our stadium economics, we have a robust-based business but our stadium economics need to change," Haysman said.

"It's about getting the right share of the pie and that pie is what is generated out of the footy economy in this state."

"The Port Adelaide Football Club is obviously critical to footy in this state. We have our challenges that we need to sort out and we are working through those."

Haysman also dismissed suggestions that building company Bianco would struggle to deliver its $750,000 commitment to the club.

"Bianco are a terrific business and a great supporter of sport in this state and in particular the Port Adelaide Football Club," he said.

"They are rock solid. We have a payment plan in place with them and there is no doubt that they will be paying so they're definitely on the guernsey for 2009 and 2010, so there's no question about that.

"That speculation coming out of Melbourne of where Bianco are at is mischievous and not helpful. They are working through some challenging times, as all businesses are right now, but there's no doubt that they will be paying and there's no doubt about their commitment to this footy club."

Haysman did confirm that Vodafone won't be renewing their sponsorship next year.

A decision on whether or not Port will receive funds from the league is expected to be made by the AFL commission in the next six to eight weeks.

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Stevens to contest

March 17th 2009 03:26
CARLTON midfielder Nick Stevens will contest the striking charge laid against him at the AFL Tribunal on Tuesday night.

Stevens, who faced a one-match ban for striking Fremantle youngster Nic Suban had he accepted an early guilty plea, risks a two-match ban if found guilty.

Meanwhile, Melbourne's Clint Bartram has accepted a reprimand for making forceful front-on contact with Bulldog Daniel Giansiracusa during last Saturday's NAB Challenge match at Casey Fields.

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


Dockers elevate rookies

March 17th 2009 03:19
FREMANTLE has promoted rookies Greg Broughton and Matt de Boer to its senior list.

Dockers coach Mark Harvey said he felt both De Boer and Broughton, who has won three premierships with Subiaco, are capable of handling the rigours of AFL football.

"We'd like to think that they're both exciting young kids," said Harvey.

"We think that they're physically prepared for AFL (and) it just gives these guys an opportunity to press for selection now that they're on our list."

"So hopefully there's more exciting times ahead for those particular players."

Harvey also said the club would request permission from the AFL to play the underdone Garrick Ibbotson (bruised shin), Paul Duffield (broken hand) and Chris Mayne (ankle) in the WAFL this weekend.

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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Fremantle Dockers
   


Hunt forced to wait on decision

March 16th 2009 07:00
GEELONG defender Josh Hunt must wait for swelling to subside before he can decide what procedure to undertake on his injured left knee.

Hunt, who injured his knee in the first quarter of the NAB Cup grand final against Collingwood last Friday night, met with an orthopedic surgeon on Monday who confirmed the initial diagnosis of a ruptured ACL as well as minor damage to the medial ligament .

The Cats said in a statement that the surgeon's advice was "to wait two weeks for swelling to subside in the knee before performing the reconstruction".

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


Stevens hit with two-match ban

March 16th 2009 06:57
CARLTON midifielder Nick Stevens could miss the start of the home-and-away season after being with with a two-match ban by the match review panel.

Stevens was charged with striking Fremantle youngster Nic Suban during the third quarter of their NAB Challenge match at Bunbury on Saturday.

The incident was assessed as intentional conduct (three points), low impact (one point) and body contact (one point), which equates to 125 demerit points and a one-match ban but due to his poor record and 68.75 points carried over from within the last 12 months, the penalty was increased to 206.25 points and a two-match suspension.

But Stevens can escape with a one-match ban if he enters an early guilty plea.

In some good news for Carlton, the match-day report laid against Carlton's Simon Wiggins for engaging in rough conduct against Fremantle's Greg Broughton was thrown out.

The match review panel believed that Wiggins initiated his tackle while Broughton was in possession of the ball and would not have been able to see the ball spill free. No high contact was made with the ground and the tackle by Wiggins was a single motion and not two separate actions.

Melbourne midfielder Clint Bartam is free to play in round one if he accepts a reprimand for the charge laid against him during Saturday's match against Western Bulldogs.

Bartram was charged with making forceful front-on contact with Daniel Giansiracusa but has no existing good or bad record so an early plea reduces the penalty to 93.75 points and a reprimand.

Meanwhile, Collingwood ruckman Chris Bryan was cleared over making high contact to Geelong's Joel Selwood.

It was the view of the panel that the the bulk of contact was made to Selwood's shoulder and that the impact was negligible.

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


Classy Cats claim Cup

March 13th 2009 13:10
GEELONG has claimed its second pre-season trophy in four years with a 76-point demolition of Collingwood in the NAB Cup grand final at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

The Cats broke the game open in a dominant second term before cruising to a convincing 0.18.19 (127) to 1.6.6 (51) victory.

The win was soured somewhat for Geelong with defender Josh Hunt suffering a knee injury late in the first term.

Hunt, who was carried off the field on a stretcher but later returned to the sidelines on crutches, will have scans on Saturday to determine the extent of the injury.

Geelong young gun Joel Selwood looks set for a big year after winning the Michael Tuck medal for best afield.

Selwood was particularly damaging early, racking up 19 of his 33 touches in the first half.

He received good support from Gary Ablett who collected 35 possessions and booted three goals.

Tarkyn Lockyer was Collingwood’s best with 20 possessions while Scott Pendlebury and Dale Thomas tried hard all night.

Scores were level after a hard-fought first term before the Geelong midfield took control of the contest in the second term.

The Cats had 113 possessions to 61 for the quarter and entered inside their forward 50 23 times to just four for the Magpies.

Geelong translated their dominance around the ground onto the scoreboard, slamming on six unanswered goals in a stunning 12-minute burst to skip out to a match-winning 40-point lead heading into the main break.

Such was their dominance Collingwood failed to score a goal between the 17-minute mark of the first term and the 13-minute mark of the third term.

The focus of both sides will now switch to round one of the home-and-away season with Geelong to meet reigning premiers Hawthorn while Collingwood will play Adelaide at the MCG.

COLLINGWOOD: 1.2.2, 1.2.3, 1.4.5, 1.6.6 (51)
GEELONG: 0.3.5, 0.9.10, 0.13.17, 0.18.19 (127)
SUPER GOALS: Collingwood: Bryan
Geelong:
GOALS: Collingwood: Thomas 2, O'Bree, Clarke, Beams, Cloke
Geelong: Ablett 3, S Johnson 3, Selwood 2, Chapman 2, Stokes 2, Lonergan 2, Varcoe, Gamble, Tenace, Bartel
BEST: Collingwood: Lockyer, Cox, Pendlebury, Thomas
Geelong: Selwood, Ablett, Mackie, Johnson, Enright, Taylor, Bartel, Chapman, Varcoe, Corey
INJURIES: Collingwood: Nil
Geelong: Hunt (knee)
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Nil
CROWD: 37,277 at Etihad Stadium

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


Blues suffer injury blow

March 13th 2009 08:36
CARLTON has suffered a major blow with ruckman Robbie Warnock expected to miss at least the first part of the season because of a hitch in his recovery from a foot stress fracture.

The Blues have applied to the AFL to transfer Warnock from the primary list to the long term injury list.

Carlton football operations manager Steven Icke said the club won't be rushing the former Fremantle Docker back.

"Obviously it is disappointing for Rob and for Carlton," Icke said.

"But we are looking after his long-term interests in ensuring he fully recovers from this injury before he returns to training."

"It is certainly a setback but we have always believed Rob is a 10-year player for the Carlton Football Club and it is important we continue to look at the benefit we believe he will bring to the club in the long-term."

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Dees suspend Sylvia

March 12th 2009 10:33
MELBOURNE utility Colin Sylvia has been suspended for the club's NAB Challenge match against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday after not complying with club expectations.

Sylvia was out late on Sunday night and failed to meet the standard of behaviour in relation to post-game recovery and rehabilitation.

It is not the first time that Sylvia has failed to comply to Melbourne's team curfew, with the with the 23-year-old breaking a 1am curfew and failing to turn up to a compulsory recovery session 12 months ago which resulted in him being hit with a one-match suspension and a $5,000 fine.



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Demons sign new sponsor

March 12th 2009 03:16
MELBOURNE chief executive Cameron Schwab says the club is not out of the financial woods just yet despite signing a three-year deal with Hankook Tyres on Thursday.

As part of the deal the Hankook logo will appear on the front of the jumper while the club is still searching for a sponsor to feature on the back of the jumper.

The Hankook deal is believed to be worth around $2 million over three years but Schwab said the club still had a long way to go to secure its future.

"One sponsor doesn't secure the future of a football club," Schwab said.

"What this is about is this is a very important step in an overall process to making sure this club never finds itself in this position ever again."

"The critical thing is we operate at a profit or close to a profit and had it not been for our debt demolition last year would have lost over $3 million but at this stage we are tracking okay but we have got a season to play yet."

Melbourne president Jim Stynes said signing a major sponsor had taken a lot of pressure off the club.

"Obviously there has been a fair bit of pressure and the last three months everyone has been asking how are you going with (signing) a sponsor," he said.

"And we are confident we will have a second joint partner on board before the season starts."

"But it is a great relief, the players have been playing without a logo on the jumper and it just gives more confidence knowing they have got some strong support behind them."

Stynes also said he was confident that the club could turn its fortunes around on the field after a promising pre-season.

"Last year was obviously one of the worst years in our history and we have been very critical of ourselves," Stynes said.

"But the one thing we are looking for this year is improvement and the boys know that and they have already shown that in pre-season."

"And I would say every player that has had a run in last three weeks has shown improvement and that is a great place for us to be in."
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Tigers set new membership record

March 11th 2009 04:21
THE decision to recruit self confessed drug addict and former West Coast captain Ben Cousins has already paid handsome dividends for Richmond with the club announcing on Wednesday that it has set a new membership record.

The Tigers' current membership tally stands at 31. 052 compared to last year's 30,800.

Richmond chief executive Steven Wright said the club is hoping for even more members to come on board.

"It is very exciting time at the club and we're really pleased that our passionate supporter base is taking this journey with us," Wright said.

"We still have a number of members who are yet to renew, so we encourage them to get on board to ensure we can reach our goal of 35,000 by June 30 and hopefully 40,000 in the not too distant future."
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NAB Cup Round Four Teams

March 11th 2009 03:41
2009 NAB CUP
ROUND 4

GRAND FINAL AND NAB CHALLENGE FIXTURES

**Bold denotes NAB Cup grand final**

Friday March 13
Geelong v Collingwood at Etihad Stadium, 7.45pm AEDT

Collingwood B: Nick Maxwell, Simon Prestigiacomo, Tyson Goldsack
HB: Shannon Cox, Nathan Brown, Dale ThomasC: Dayne Beams, Scott Pendlebury, Martin ClarkeHF: Paul Medhurst, Travis Cloke, Steele SidebottomF: Shane O’Bree, Jack Anthony, Ben ReidFoll: Chris Bryan, Leon Davis, Dane Swan
I/C: Chris Dawes, Alan Didak, Ben Johnson, Tarkyn Lockyer, John McCarthy, Alan Toovey, Sharrod Wellingham, Cameron Wood

Emg: Ryan Cook, Brent Macaffer, Danny Stanley

Geelong B: Darren Milburn, Matthew Scarlett, Andrew MackieHB: Joel Corey, Harry Taylor, Josh HuntC: Jimmy Bartel, Corey Enright, Cameron LingHF: Max Rooke, Tom Lonergan, Ryan GambleF: Paul Chapman, Tom Hawkins, Steve JohnsonFoll: Brad Ottens, Joel Selwood, Gary Ablett
IC: Mark Blake, Shannon Byrnes, Dan McKenna, Travis Varcoe, David Wojcinski, Simon Hogan

Friday March 13
Hawthorn v West Coast Eagles at Visy Park, 3.30pm AEDT

Hawthorn: Jarryd Roughead, Sam Mitchell, Mark Williams, Clinton Young, Brad Sewell, Simon Taylor, Luke Hodge, Beau Dowler, Brent Guerra, Mitchell Thorp, Travis Tuck, Lance Franklin, Ryan Schoenmakers, Liam Shiels, Garry Moss, Tom Murphy, Stuart Dew, Josh Kennedy, Cyril Rioli, Brent Renouf, Jarryd Morton, Jordan Lisle, Brendan Whitecross, Matthew Suckling, Will Sierakowski, Cameron Stokes, Riley Milne, Haydn Kiel, Luke Breust.

West Coast: Mitch Brown, Mark LeCras, Daniel Kerr, Tyson Stenglein, Mark Nicoski, Chad Fletcher, Scott Selwood, Matt Priddis, Jamie McNamara, Chris Masten, Mark Seaby, Tom Swift, Eric Mackenzie, Brad Ebert, Quinten Lynch, Matt Rosa, Shannon Hurn, Sam Butler, Ben McKinley, Ashley Hansen, Matt Spangher, Will Schofield, Tony Notte, Callum Wilson, Brett Jones, Will Sullivan, Brent Staker, Ryan Davis, Adam Cockie.

Friday March 13
Port Adelaide v St Kilda at AAMI Stadium, 3.30pm ACDT

Port Adelaide: Domenic Cassisi, Josh Carr, Steven Salopek, Daniel Motlop, Brendon Lade, Danyle Pearce, Peter Burgoyne, Shaun Burgoyne, Jacob Surjan, Travis Boak, Marlon Motlop, David Rodan, Warren Tredrea, Robert Gray, Kane Cornes, Dean Brogan, Matt Thomas, Matthew Westhoff, Alipate Carlile, Toby Thurstans, Nathan Krakouer, Troy Chaplin, Brett Ebert, Chad Cornes, Michael Pettigrew, Wade Thompson, Justin Westhoff, Jason Davenport, Tom Logan.

St Kilda: Jason Gram, Steven King, Xavier Clarke, Leigh Fisher, Lenny Hayes, Max Hudghton, Steven Baker, Leigh Montagna, Nick Riewoldt, Adam Schneider, Luke Ball, Michael Gardiner, Colm Begley, Brendon Goddard, Sam Gilbert, Farren Ray, Justin Koschitzke, Sam Fisher, Nick Dal Santo, Jason Blake, Tom Lynch, Matthew Maguire, Andrew McQualter, James Gwilt, Jack Steven, Clint Jones, Jarryn Geary, Zac Dawson, Stephen Milne.

Friday March 13
Essendon v North Melbourne at Bendigo, 4.30pm AEDT

Essendon: Jay Neagle, Ricky Dyson, Jobe Watson, Brent Stanton, Angus Monfries, Leroy Jetta, Jason Winderlich, David Zaharakis, Andrew Lovett, Sam Lonergan, Courtenay Dempsey, Jay Nash, Matthew Lloyd, David Hille, Henry Slattery, Hayden Skipworth, Michael Hurley, David Myers, Scott Lucas, Darcy Daniher, Alwyn Davey, Patrick Ryder, Dustin Fletcher, Adam McPhee, Jarrod Atkinson, Heath Hocking, Nathan Lovett-Murray, Bachar Houli, Tom Bellchambers.

North Melbourne: Hamish McIntosh, Ed Lower, Brady Rawlings, Sam Power, Lachlan Hansen, Adam Simpson, Daniel Wells, Michael Firrito, Lindsay Thomas, Gavin Urquhart, Ben Ross, Scott Thompson, Nathan Grima, Josh Smith, Jack Ziebell, Drew Petrie, Corey Jones, Todd Goldstein, Levi Greenwood, Brent Harvey, Daniel Pratt, David Hale, Matt Campbell, Benjamin Warren, Shannon Watt, Josh Gibson, Leigh Harding, Scott McMahon, Liam Anthony.

Friday March 13
Adelaide v Sydney Swans at AAMI Stadium, 7.30pm ACDT

Adelaide: Nick Gill, Brent Reilly, Kurt Tippett, Scott Thompson, Jonathon Griffin, Richard Douglas, Tyson Edwards, Jarrhan Jacky, Michael Doughty, Robert Shirley, Taylor Walker, David Mackay, Bernie Vince, Graham Johncock, Ivan Maric, Chris Knights, Andrew Otten, Andrew McLeod, Scott Stevens, James Sellar, Rory Sloane, Patrick Dangerfield, Jared Petrenko, Myke Cook, Simon Goodwin, Trent Hentschel, Tony Armstrong, Nathan Bock, Chris Schmidt.

Sydney Swans: Barry Hall, Rhyce Shaw, Jarrad McVeigh, Ryan O’Keefe, Craig Bolton, Nick Malceski, Ed Barlow, Patrick Veszpremi, Craig Bird, Kieren Jack, Darren Jolly, Jesse White, Luke Ablett, Jude Bolton, Ted Richards, Jared Crouch, Martin Mattner, Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Brett Kirk, Amon Buchanan, Jarred Moore, Ryan Brabazon, Adam Goodes, Mike Pyke, Heath Grundy, Brendan Murphy, Paul Bevan, Matt O’Dwyer, Jake Orreal.

Friday March 13
Brisbane Lions v Richmond at Gold Coast Stadium, 7.30pm AEST

Brisbane Lions: Mitch Clark, Albert Proud, Travis Johnstone, Scott Harding, Luke Power, Jed Adcock, Tim Notting, Daniel Rich, Justin Sherman, James Hawksley, Lachlan Henderson, Matt Tyler, Jonathan Brown, Matthew Leuenberger, Joel Patfull, Joel Macdonald, Troy Selwood, James Polkinghorne, Cheynee Stiller, Rhan Hooper, Bradd Dalziell, Michael Rischitelli, Daniel Bradshaw, Josh Drummond.

Richmond: Will Thursfield, Brett Deledio, Andrew Raines, Troy Simmonds, Nathan Brown, Jack Riewoldt, Shane Edwards, Joel Bowden, Matthew Richardson, Jordan McMahon, Luke McGuane, Chris Newman, Alex Rance, Mitch Morton, Shane Tuck, Daniel Jackson, Jay Schulz, Richard Tambling, Ben Cousins, Matt White, Kelvin Moore, Nathan Foley, Andrew Browne, Angus Graham.

Saturday March 14
Melbourne v Western Bulldogs at Casey Fields, 2.00pm AEDT

Melbourne: Simon Buckley, Jack Grimes, Cameron Bruce. Nathan Jones, Brad Green, Stefan Martin, Clint Bartram, Colin Garland, Aaron Davey, Brock McLean, Daniel Bell, Matthew Warnock, Matthew Bate, Brent Moloney, Neville Jetta, Brad Miller, James McDonald, Rohan Bail, James Frawley, Kyle Cheney, Jake Spencer, Cale Morton, John Meesen, Jamie Bennell, Lynden Dunn, Jared Rivers, Shane Valenti, Ricky Petterd, Michael Newton.

Western Bulldogs: Robert Murphy, Andrejs Everitt, Daniel Cross, Matthew Boyd, Brad Johnson, Shaun Higgins, Mitch Hahn, Lindsay Gilbee, Nathan Eagleton, Tom Williams, Daniel Giansiracusa, Callan Ward, Ben Hudson, Ryan Griffen, Adam Cooney, Josh Hill, Jason Akermanis, Dylan Addison, Ryan Hargrave, Will Minson, Scott Welsh, Tim Callan, Stephen Tiller, Brian Lake, Dale Morris, Jarrod Harbrow.

Saturday March 14
Fremantle v Carlton at Hands Oval, Bunbury, 4pm AWDT

Fremantle: Byron Schammer, Paul Hasleby, Dean Solomon, Brett Peake, Nic Suban, Marcus Drum, Rhys Palmer, Antoni Grover, Ryan Crowley, David Mundy, Luke McPharlin, Clayton Hinkley, Chris Tarrant, Scott Thornton, Steven Dodd, Kepler Bradley, Daniel Gilmore, Ryan Murphy, Matthew Pavlich, Zach Clarke, Aaron Sandilands, Stephen Hill, Andrew Browne, Michael Johnson, Michael Walters, Casey Sibosado, Paul Duffield, Josh Head, Roger Hayden, Greg Broughton

Carlton: Andrew Walker, Jordan Russell, Marc Murphy, Bryce Gibbs, Chris Judd, Kade Simpson, Matthew Kreuzer, Chris Johnson, Richard Hadley, Chris Yarran, Brad Fisher, Steven Browne, Shaun Grigg, Paul Bower, Eddie Betts, Mark Austin, Shaun Hampson, Nick Stevens, Brendan Fevola, Dennis Armfield, Cameron Cloke, Jarrad Waite, Bret Thornton, Ryan Houlihan, Simon Wiggins, Jeffery Garlett, Sam Jacobs, Michael Jamison, Aaron Joseph

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GC one step closer

March 9th 2009 08:15
THE Gold Coast Football Club is one step closer to being admitted into the AFL after the Queensland government announced a $60 million commitment to the upgrading of Gold Coast Stadium at Carrara.

The cash injection will go a long way to ensuring the ground is suitable to host a Gold Coast-based team and will complement a $20 million contribution from the Gold Coast City Council as well as funding from the league.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said that talks were ongoing with the federal government over securing its support for the project as well.

Demetriou also added that he expected the Gold Coast's bid to be at the top of the agenda at the March 21 meeting.

The Gold Coast Football Club will participate in this year's TAC Cup competition, progress to the VFL next year before being scheduled to enter the AFL in 2011.

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Hille, Selwood cleared

March 9th 2009 07:59
ESSENDON ruckman David Hille and West Coast midfielder Adam Selwood are set to be available for the start of the home-and-away season after the match review panel decided that neither player had a case to answer after their involvement in separate incidents on the weekend.

Hille came under video scrutiny after appearing to lay a heavy bump into the region of Collingwood veteran Shane O'Bree's head during the third quarter of the Bombers' 43-point loss to the Magpies in their NAB Cup semi-final on Friday night.

But the panel ruled that most of the contact made by Hille was to O'Bree's shoulder before minimal high contact was made.

Selwood's report for striking Fremantle' Clayton Hinkley during West Coast's practice match against Fremantle at Subiaco Oval on Saturday evening was thrown out.

The panel decided that Selwood’s contact with Hinkley was with the bicep, rather than the fist, and there was no forceful high contact.



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Cats down gallant Blues

March 7th 2009 11:37
GEELONG is through to next Friday’s NAB Cup grand final against Collingwood after downing a gallant Carlton outfit by 17 points at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.

The Cats were challenged all night by a Carlton side that was missing their first-choice midfield and spearhead Brendon Fevola but they always managed to keep their noses in front and eventually prevailed 2.9.12 (84) to 0.9.13 (67).

Paul Chapman was Geelong’s best with 26 possessions and two goals, including a super-goal. Harry Taylor was damaging in defence with a team-high 29 disposals while Cameron Ling was a busy contributor in the middle with 28 touches.

For the Blues, Shaun Grigg looks set for a breakout year after racking up 29 disposals while rookie Arron Joseph impressed in a run-with role with Geelong star Gary Ablett.

The Cats led by 15 points after a scrappy first-half and threatened to run away with the contest when they kicked the three of the first four goals of the third term to skip out to a 29-point lead at the 16-minute mark.

But the Blues refused to give in and hit back through Grigg, Cameron Cloke and Simon Wiggins to trail by just 11 points heading into the final change.

Geelong got the crucial first goal of the final stanza through Chapman before the Blues replied through Eddie Betts who kicked truly from a tight angle.

The margin blew out to 21 points midway through the term when Chapman landed a super goal.

Carlton responded with a major of their own but the Cats had all the answers with Tom Lonergan kicking truly to seal a hard-fought win for Geelong.

GEELONG: 0.3.3, 1.4.7, 1.7.9, 2.9.12 (84)
CARLTON: 0.1.2, 0.3.7, 0.7.7 0.9.13 (67)
SUPERGOALS: Geelong: Laidler, Chapman
Carlton: Nil
GOALS: Geelong: Lonergan 2, Chapman, Kelly, S.Johnson, Hawkins, Ablett, Simpson, Rooke
Carlton: Cloke 2, Betts 2, Hampson, Browne, Wiggins, Grigg, Yarran
BEST: Geelong: Chapman, Ling, Taylor, Kelly, Ablett
Carlton: Grigg, Stevens, Cloke, Betts, Hadley, Russell, Thornton
INJURIES: Geelong: Nil
Carlton: Nil
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Nil
UMPIRES: McLaren, Donlon, Jennings
CROWD: 15,305 at Etihad Stadium

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Pies through to grand final

March 6th 2009 12:08
COLLINGWOOD has booked its place in the NAB Cup grand final with a convincing 43-point win over Essendon at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

Magpies forward John Anthony was the difference between the two sides, booting a career-best seven goals to lift his team to a 1.17.5 (116) to 3.6.10 (73) victory.

Marty Clarke and Dane Swan were influential with 24 possessions apiece while promising youngster Steele Sidebottom impressed in his first game for the Pies, racking up 19 disposals and taking eight marks.

For the Bombers, Ricky Dyson and Bachar Houli tried hard all night.

The Magpies stamped their authority on the contest in the first term, slamming on five goals and a super goal from youngster Dayne Beams to take a 25-point lead into the first change.

Essendon got off to an ideal start in the second term with Paddy Ryder slotting home a super goal from 55m after being gifted a 50m penalty.

But Collingwood had all the answers, piling on four of the last five goals of the term to take a commanding 34-point lead into half-time.

The Bombers closed to within 25 points in the third term thanks to a major from Scott Lucas and a super goal from Dyson.

It would prove to be as close as the Dons would get as the Magpies slammed on three goals in a stunning five-minute burst.

Anthony showed his class in the third term, booting three goals to help his side to a match-winning 40-point lead heading into the final change.

The result was well and truly beyond doubt but Anthony didn't take his foot off the pedal, booting another two goals to cap off an impressive performance.

The Pies will now face the winner of Saturday night’s clash between Geelong and Carlton.

COLLINGWOOD: 1.5.1, 1.9.4, 1.14.4, 1.17,5 (116)
ESSENDON: 0.2.3, 1.3.6, 2.5.9, 3,6,10 (73)
SUPERGOALS: Collingwood: Beams
Essendon: Ryder, Dyson, Lloyd
GOALS: Collingwood: Anthony 7, Didak 2, Bryan 2, Thomas 2, Davis, Lockyer, Pendlebury, Cloke
Essendon: Dyson, Williams, Hille, Lucas, Dyson, Bellchambers
BEST: Collingwood: Anthony, Cox, Bryan, Sidebottom, Swan, Clarke
Essendon: Dyson, Houli, Lonergan, Ryder
INJURIES: Collingwood: Nil
Essendon: Nil
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Nil
UMPIRES: Ryan, Jeffery, Nicholls
CROWD: 26,154 at Etihad Stadium

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


Johnson undergoes knee surgery

March 6th 2009 00:06
RICHMOND midfielder Kane Johnson is set to miss the start of the season after undergoing knee surgery on Thursday.

The former Tigers skipper underwent an arthroscopy after suffering ongoing issues with his knee which he injured in the NAB Cup loss to Collingwood at Etihad Stadium last Thursday night.

"He has sustained only minor damage to his cartilage but it will require a clean up," said club doctor Greg Hickey.

"I would expect he would be out of action for several weeks."

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North to induct Carey into Hall of Fame

March 5th 2009 05:40
NORTH MELBOURNE has confirmed that two-time premiership captain Wayne Carey will be inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame later this month.

Chairman James Brayshaw said on Thursday that the Kangaroos were keen to welcome Carey back to the club after his departure in 2002 following an affair with the wife of teammate Anthony Stevens.

"We are very keen to have Wayne feel welcome at the club," Brayshaw said.

"He's a legend, the greatest player we've ever had, and I can tell you that Wayne will be inducted into the North Melbourne Hall of Fame."

"We're delighted that he will - I think it's a terrific decision by the selectors, because he's a great of our football club, and should be recognised as a Hall of Fame member."

Brayshaw also said the 37-year-old, who has been undergoing drug rehabilitation after admitting last year he was addicted to cocaine, could return to the Kangaroos in a mentoring role.

"I think Wayne's the sort of person that once his life is sorted out he could have an enormous role in guiding young people on the right track," Brayshaw said.

"The thing with footballers is at a young age they become famous, they become rich, they become in a lot of ways an idol … but there are a lot of pitfalls along the way as we've seen with a raft of AFL footballers."

"No-one knows more about that than the 'Duck' and I think he could have a huge role, not only with footballers from our club, but footballers around the league."

"Leadership was always something Wayne had in spades and I think maybe for the next 10 or 15 years he could be a real leader in that area."

The Kangaroos Hall of Fame induction will be held on March 21.
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NAB Cup Round Three Teams

March 4th 2009 05:53
2009 NAB CUP
ROUND 3
SEMI-FINALS AND NAB CHALLENGE FIXTURES

**Bold denotes semi-finals**

Friday March 6
St Kilda v Richmond at Deakin Reserve, Shepparton, 7pm AEDT

St Kilda: Jason Gram, Steven King, Xavier Clarke, Leigh Fisher, Lenny Hayes, Max Hudghton, Steven Baker, Leigh Montagna, Adam Schneider, Luke Ball, Michael Gardiner, Colm Begley, Brendon Goddard, Sam Gilbert, David Armitage, Farren Ray, Justin Koschitzke, Sam Fisher, Nick Dal Santo, Jason Blake, Andrew McQualter, James Gwilt, Jack Steven, Clint Jones, Jarryn Geary, Zac Dawson, Stephen Milne, Luke Miles.

Richmond: Will Thursfield, Andrew Raines, Graham Polak, Shane Edwards, Joel Bowden, Jordan McMahon, Dean Polo, Luke McGuane, Alex Rance, Dean Putt, Mitch Morton, Shane Tuck, Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls, Jay Schulz, Tom Hislop, Tyrone Vickery, Richard Tambling, Adam Thomson, David Gourdis, Jarrod Silvester, Jayden Post, Robin Nahas, Daniel Connors, Andrew Collins, Andrew Browne, Angus Graham, Jake King.

Friday March 6
Brisbane Lions v Melbourne at Cazaly Stadium, Cairns, 7.30pm AEST

Brisbane Lions: Mitch Clark, Albert Proud, Travis Johnstone, Scott Harding, Luke Power, Jed Adcock, Daniel Rich, James Hawksley, Lachlan Henderson, Matt Tyler, Jonathan Brown, Jared Brennan, Tom Collier, Matthew Leuenberger, Joel Patfull, Joel Macdonald, Troy Selwood, Jason Roe, Jack Redden, James Polkinghorne, Cheynee Stiller, Rhan Hooper, Bradd Dalziell, Michael Rischitelli, Daniel Bradshaw, Matt Austin, Josh Drummond, Scott Clouston, Aaron Cornelius.

Melbourne: Simon Buckley, Nathan Jones, Clint Bartram, Brock McLean, Matthew Bate, James Frawley, Cale Morton, Paul Johnson, Colin Sylvia, Lynden Dunn, Ricky Petterd, Colin Garland (emg), Daniel Bell, Brent Moloney, Kyle Cheney, John Meesen, Jared Rivers, Michael Newton, Cameron Bruce, Stafen Martin, Trent Zomer, Aaron Davey (emg), Matthew Warnock, Neville Jetta, Rohan Bail, Jake Spencer, Jamie Bennell, Shane Valenti, James Strauss (emg).

Saturday March 7
Collingwood v Essendon at Docklands, 7.40pm AEDT
Collingwood: Leon Davis, John McCarthy, Alan Didak, Harry O’Brien, Jack Anthony, Scott Pendlebury, Shane O’Bree, Shannon Cox, Dale Thomas, Anthony Corrie, Leigh Brown, Nathan Brown, Dayne Beams, Martin Clarke, Cameron Wood, Ben Reid, Steele Sidebottom, Tarkyn Lockyer, Ben Johnson, Ryan Cook, Brent Macaffer, Chris Dawes, Travis Cloke, Alan Toovey, Simon Prestigiacomo, Dane Swan, Heath Shaw, Chris Bryan, Jaxson Barham.

Essendon: Jay Neagle, Ricky Dyson, Scott Gumbleton, Jobe Watson, Brent Stanton, Angus Monfries, Leroy Jetta, Jason Winderlich, David Zaharakis, Sam Lonergan, Courtenay Dempsey, Jay Nash, Matthew Lloyd, David Hille, Henry Slattery, Hayden Skipworth, Michael Hurley, David Myers, Scott Lucas, Darcy Daniher, Alwyn Davey, Patrick Ryder, Adam McPhee, Tyson Slattery, Jarrod Atkinson, Heath Hocking, Nathan Lovett-Murray, Bachar Houli, Tom Bellchambers

Saturday March 7
North Melbourne v Port Adelaide at Visy Park, 1.30pm AEDT

North Melbourne: Hamish McIntosh, Ed Lower, Brady Rawlings, Sam Power, Lachlan Hansen, Adam Simpson, Daniel Wells, Andrew Swallow, Michael Firrito, Lindsay Thomas, Gavin Urquhart, Ben Ross, Scott Thompson, Nathan Grima, Jack Ziebell, Todd Goldstein, Levi Greenwood, Brent Harvey, David Hale, Matt Campbell, Benjamin Warren, Shannon Watt, Josh Gibson, Leigh Harding, Scott McMahon, Liam Anthony.

Port Adelaide: Domenic Cassisi, Josh Carr, Steven Salopek, Daniel Motlop, Brendon Lade, Danyle Pearce, Peter Burgoyne, Shaun Burgoyne, Jacob Surjan, Marlon Motlop, Paul Stewart, David Rodan, Robert Gray, Kane Cornes, Nick Salter, Dean Brogan, Matthew Westhoff, Alipate Carlile, Toby Thurstans, Nathan Karkouer, Troy Chaplin, Brett Ebert, Chad Cornes, Michael Pettigrew, Wade Thompson, Justin Westhoff, Jason Davenport, Danny Meyer, Tom Logan.

Saturday March 7
Adelaide v Hawthorn at Berri Park, Berri, 4pm ACDT

Adelaide: Nick Gill, Brent Reilly, Kurt Tippett, Jonathon Griffin, Richard Douglas, Tyson Edwards, Jarrhan Jacky, Michael Doughty, Robert Shirley, Taylor Walker, David Mackay, Bernie Vince, Graham Johncock, Ivan Maric, Chris Knights, Andrew Otten, Andrew McLeod, Scott Stevens, James Sellar, Rory Sloane, Patrick Dangerfield, Jared Petrenko, Myke Cook, Simon Goodwin, Trent Hentschel, Tony Armstrong, Brodie Martin, Nathan Bock, Chris Schmidt.

Hawthorn: Simon Taylor, Beau Dowler, Mitch Thorp, Ben McGlynn, Travis Tuck, Ryan Schoenmakers, Liam Shiels, Garry Moss, Josh Kennedy, Brent Renouf, Jarryd Morton, Brendon White cross , Luke Lowden, Matthew Suckling , Will Sierakowski, Cameron Stokes, Riley Milne, Haydn Kiel, Luke Bruest.
Box Hill Hawks inclusions: Ed Curnow, Sam Gibson, Sam Isles, Steve Kenna, Lukas Markovic, Lachlan McQueen-Miscamble, Ben Smithwick.
* Due to an extraordinary low level of player availability, Hawthorn has obtained permission from the AFL and Adelaide Football Club to include Box Hill Hawks players in the squad.

Saturday March 7
West Coast v Fremantle at Subiaco Oval, 5.10pm AWDT

West Coast: Mitch Brown, Mark LeCras, Daniel Kerr, Tyson Stenglein, Mark Nicoski, Chad Fletcher, Scott Selwood, Matt Priddis, Jamie McNamara, Chris Masten, Mark Seaby, Eric Mackenzie, Josh Kennedy, Quinten Lynch, Darren Glass, Shannon Hurn, Sam Butler, Ben McKinley, Ashley Hansen, Matt Spangher, Will Schofield, Tony Notte, Adam Selwood, Brett Jones, Brent Staker, Beau Wilkes, David Wirrpanda, Ryan Davis, Adam Cockie.

Fremantle: Byron Schammer, Brett Peake, Nick Suban, Marcus Drum, Rhys Palmer, Antoni Grover, Ryan Crowley, David Mundy, Clayton Hinkley, Chris Tarrant, Scott Thornton, Steven Dodd, Kepler Bradley, Daniel Gilmore, Ryan Murphy , Matthew Pavlich, Zac Clarke, Aaron Sandilands, Stephen Hill, Chris Hall, Tim Ruffles , Andrew Browne, Michael Johnson, Michael Walters, Paul Duffield, Josh Head, Roger Hayden, Jay van Berlo, Greg Broughton.

Saturday March 7
Sydney Swans v Western Bulldogs at Bruce Purser Reserve

Sydney Swans: Barry Hall, Rhyce Shaw, Jarrad McVeigh, Ryan O’Keefe, Craig Bolton, Nick Malceski, Ed Barlow, Patrick Veszpremi, Craig Bird, Kieren Jack
16. Darren Jolly, Jesse White, Luke Ablett, Jude Bolton, Ted Richards, Kristin Thornton, Jared Crouch, Martin Mattner, Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Brett Kirk, Amon Buchanan, Jarred Moore, Ryan Brabazon, Adam Goodes, Michael Pyke, Heath Grundy, Paul Bevan, Matt O’Dwyer.

Western Bulldogs: Jarrad Grant, Robert Murphy, Andrejs Everitt, Brad Johnson, Shaun Higgins, Mitch Hahn, Lindsay Gilbee, Callan Ward, Ben Hudson, Ryan Griffen, Adam Cooney, Brennan Stack, Josh Hill, Jason Akermanis, Dylan Addison, Ryan Hargrave, Will Minson, Scott Welsh, Easton Wood, Tim Callan, Stephen Tiller, Brian Lake, Dale Morris, Malcolm Lynch, Jarrod Harbrow, Liam Picken.

Saturday March 7
Geelong v Carlton at Etihad Stadium, 7.10pm AEDT

Geelong: Jimmy Bartel, Travis Varcoe, Brad Ottens, Harry Taylor, Josh Hunt, James Kelly, Kane Tenace, Joel Corey, Trent West, Tom Lonergan, Ryan Gamble, Shannon Byrnes, Nathan Djerrkura, Steve Johnson, Scott Simpson, Thomas Gillies, Tom Hawkins, Mathew Stokes, David Johnson, Gary Ablett, Matthew Scarlett, Dan McKenna, Max Rooke, Simon Hogan, Paul Chapman, Brodie Moles, Jeremy Laidler, Darren Milburn, Cameron Ling.

Carlton: Jordan Russell, Matthew Kreuzer, Chris Johnson, Richard Hadley, Chris Yarra, Brad Fisher, Steven Browne, Shaun Grigg, Paul Bower, Eddie Betts, Rhys O’Keeffe, Mark Austin, Shaun Hampson, Nick Stevens, Joe Anderson, Dennis Armfield, Cameron Cloke, Bret Thornton, Simon Wiggins, Darren Pfeiffer, Jake Edwards, Jeffery Garlett, Sam Jacobs, Michael Jamison , Lachie Hill, Luke Stanton, Arron Joseph, David Ellard, Greg Bentley.


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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News
   


Saints name new CEO

March 4th 2009 05:10
ST KILDA has appointed former player Michael Nettlefold as its new chief executivce officer.

Nettlefold, who played 43 matches for the Saints and 31 for Fitzroy between 1979 and 1985, replaces Archie Fraser who re-signed last month.

The 49-year-old first joined the St Kilda board in 2000 but was only involved for about 12 months before resigning during a tumultous period for the club.

St Kilda president Greg Westaway said Nettlefold, who returned to the club last year, was the ideal replacement.

"The St Kilda board believes that Michael brings proven business acumen and a strong football pedigree to the role. He is an ideal replacement for Archie Fraser," Westaway said in a statement on Wednesday.

"The board acted swiftly to replace Archie and while these are big shoes to fill we believe we've found the best person for the job. Michael's experience, management style and existing relationships are a great asset for the St Kilda Football Club."

"Michael has been close to the club for many years and thoroughly understands our strategy and processes. We've been impressed with his commitment and passion for St Kilda. I am confident that all projects maintain the required momentum."

Saints coach Ross Lyon said Nettlefold would play a key role in helping the club continue to grow.

“Michael's proven track record and understanding of how a football club operates will ensure that St Kilda grows and builds on the progress achieved already," he said.

Nettlefold will take over the job full-time on April 27.





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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, St Kilda Saints
   


No timeframe put on Gilham's return

March 3rd 2009 01:24
HAWTHORN defender Stephen Gilham could miss the start of the home-and-away season with bone bruising to his femur and tibia as the result of a hyperextension of his knee.

Gilham, who hyperextended his knee in a marking contest with Carlton spearhead Brendon Fevola during Sunday's NAB Cup quarter-final clash, has been cleared of ligament damage.

The Hawks said in a statement that they were unsure when Gilham would return.

“The injury will require a few weeks to settle and will be assessed further during this time,” the club said.

Meanwhile, All-Australian defender Campbell Brown will miss two to three weeks with an ankle sprain while running defender Grant Birchall will be sidelined for three weeks with a hamstring injury sustained in the loss to the Blues.

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


O'Bree fined

March 3rd 2009 01:06
COLLINGWOOD midfielder Shane O’Bree has been fined $900 for using abusive language toward an emergency umpire during the NAB Cup quarter-final between the Magpies and Richmond on Thursday night.

O’Bree had the fine reduced from the original $1200 amount due to an early guilty plea.

In other tribunal news, Port Adelaide's Danny Meyer was cleared of any wrongdoing for his front-on contact against Geelong's David Johnson during the first quarter of Saturday's quarter-final with the match review panel ruling that no forceful high contact was made.

Other incidents deemed acceptable by the panel included Hawthorn ruckman Simon Taylor's push on Carlton midfielder Marc Murphy and Carlton defender Jarrad Waite's tackle on Josh Kennedy.

Hawthorn foward Jarryd Roughead was also cleared for his block against Carlton midfielder Nick Stevens.

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


McVeigh a chance for round one: Dons

March 2nd 2009 06:54
ESSENDON midfielder Mark McVeigh could be fit for the start of the home-and-away season after scans scans today revealed no serious damage to the ankle he injured on Friday night against Brisbane.

The scans showed that McVeigh had suffered a ligament strain in the tibia-fibula joint.

Essendon football operations manager Paul Hamilton said there was now a chance McVeigh could return in time for the round one clash against Port Adelaide on March 29.

"It will depend on how he reacts once we put him on his feet and get him moving on it," he said.

"It could be two weeks, it could be four weeks. We'll find that out as we go along."



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Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL News, Essendon Bombers
   


Blues overrun Hawks

March 1st 2009 09:48
CARLTON has booked a semi-final showdown with Geelong after beating Hawthorn by 24 points at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

The Blues recovered from a slow start to prevail 2.13.16 (112) to 2.10.10 (88).

The loss was made worse for the Hawks with Campbell Brown injuring his foot while fellow defender Stephen Gilham tweaked his knee just before half-time.

Nick Stevens and Bryce Gibbs were busy contributors with 26 and 28 possessions respectively while spearhead Brendon Fevola kicked four goals including a super goal.

For the Hawks, Travis Tuck collected a game-high 29 touches while Jarryd Roughhead booted six majors.

The Blues had the better side on paper but it was the Hawks who made all the running in the opening term, slamming on five goals to one to take a 25-point lead into quarter-time.

Hawthorn could have easily been further in front at the first change but they failed to make the most of their chances in front of goal, booting a wayward 5.5 for the quarter.

Fevola helped get the Blues back into the contest in the second term.

First he won a loose ball inside 50 and dished it off to skipper Chris Judd who handballed it to Jarrad Waite who kicked truly.

Then minutes later he took a strong mark on the lead and slotted home a super goal from 55m.

But two goals from Roughead ensured the Hawks would go into the main break with a nine-point advantage.

The Blues came out firing in the third term, slamming on the first three goals of the second half including a super goal from Marc Murphy to skip out to an 11-point lead.

Hawthorn regained the lead midway through the term thanks to super goals from Hayden Kiel and Chance Bateman but the Blues had all the answers, booting the last three goals of the term to take a seven-point lead into the final change.

Carlton got the crucial first goal of the final term through promising youngster Mitch Robinson but the Hawks replied almost immediately through Roughead.

Hawthorn failed to fire a shot from that moment on as the Blues booted the last two goals of the contest through Cameron Cloke and Shaun Hampson.

The sealer came in controversial circumstances when a ball kicked through by Hawthorn midfielder Jarryd Morton was credited as a goal to Hampson.

CARLTON: 0.1.4, 1.4.8,2.10.11, 2.13.16 (112)
HAWTHORN: 0.5.5, 0.7.8, 2.9.10, 2.10.10 (88)
SUPERGOALS: Carlton: Fevola, Murphy
Hawthorn: Kiel, Bateman
GOALS: Carlton: Fevola 3, Simpson 2, Cloke 2, Waite, Murphy, Betts, Judd, Robinson, Hampson
Hawthorn: Roughead 6, McGlynn, Kennedy, Thorpe, Moss
BEST: Carlton: Fevola, Stevens, Simpson, Jacobs, Gibbs, Murphy
Hawthorn: Roughead, Tuck, Mitchell, McGlynn, Bateman
INJURIES: Carlton: Nil
Hawthorn: Brown (foot), Gilham (knee), Birchall (hamstring)
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Nil
UMPIRES: McLaren, Chamberlain, Jennings, Dalgleish
CROWD: 19,111 at Etihad Stadium



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


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