• Skip to Navigation
• Skip to Content

FootyGoss :: AFLNT

Related Articles

There are no related articles available.

NTFL Results Round 2 Saturday

Posted Oct 20, 2008 - 11:35 AM

Palmerston 3.3 6.8 8.9 12.11 (83)
Darwin 3.2 4.8 8.10 10.13 (73)
Goals: Magpies - D.Ewing 7, G.Hibberd 1, A.Johnson 1, T.Graham 1, M.Berts 1, P.Liddle 1,
Buffaloes - R.Russell 4, K.Miller 2, D.Gordon 1, L.Philpott 1, J.Cole 1, B.Dhu 1
Best: Magpies - D.Ewing, P.Liddle, M.Berts, T.Graham, A.Johnson
Buffaloes - R.Russell, D.Pickett, D.Dhu, B.Talbot, D.Harding

St. Marys 3.5 9.12 14.15 17.18 (120)
Waratahs 5.3 6.4 10.8 14.11 (95)
Goals: Saints - K.Lohde 5, R.Tungatalum 2, H.Labastida 2, I.Vallejo 1, J.Ilett 1, C.Parsons 1, C.Ilett 1, D.Flesfadar 1, A.Loughman 1, J.Puautjimi 1, N.Daniels-Heenan 1
Warriors - G.Boyd 4, J.Percy 3, B.Percy 2, J.Munday 2, M.McCallum 1, J.Schaper 1, D.O’Sullivan 1
Best: Saints - I.Vallejo, K.Lohde, J.Ilett, R.Tungatalum, C.Ilett
Warriors - D.O’Sullivan, M.Witkowski, J.Cunningham, M.Reinke, D.May

NTFL Round 2 Sunday

Posted Oct 20, 2008 - 10:43 AM

Southern Districts 3.1 4.1 7.5 12.10 (82)
Nightcliff 3.4 7.7 9.9 11.12 (78)
Goals: Crocs - A.Wedding 4, T.Carroll 3, D.Staunton 2, M.Cannard 1, J.Kestle 1, D.Kent 1,
Tigers - J.Bonson 4, M.Derksen 1, S.Carr 1, J.Kickett 1, J.Croker 1, W.Berto 1, A.Wilson 1, A.Corrie 1
Best: Crocs - M.McLean, B.Feeney, C.Roberts, L.Lawler, J.Kestle
Tigers - J.Bonson, S.Andrews, W.Berto, R.Campbell, M.Neave

NTFL Round 2 results, Friday night

Posted Oct 18, 2008 - 11:24 AM

Tiwi Bombers 3.5 9.7 16.10 20.11 (131)
Wanderers 5.4 9.9 10.13 10.18 (78)
Goals: Bombers - R.Kantilla 4, S.Munkara 3, S.Mungatopi 2, E.Tipungwuti 2, K.Bruce 2, D.Kantilla 2, A.Tipungwuti 2, R.Farmer 1, B.Palipuaminni1, A.Kerinaiua 1
Eagles - S.Thompson 2, M.White 2, B.Motlop 1, R.Roberts 1, N.Mansell 1, Z.McDonald 1, S.Hayes 1, A.Beaumont 1
Best: Bombers - S.Mungatopi, S.Munkara, B.Palipuaminni, R.Kantilla, F.Vigona-Daniels
Eagles - R.Roberts, C.Schild, H.Calma, A.Beaumont, S.Motlop

Wanderers add strike power

Posted Oct 16, 2008 - 10:14 AM

From NT News

NTFL club Wanderers has boosted its playing list with the addition of Wodonga full forward Adam Prior and Mt Gambier ruckman Zach McDonald.
Prior, a former Sydney rookie, has won the goalkicking award in the strong Ovens and Murray League.
And McDonald is an award winning ruckman from Mt Gambier in South Australia.
Eagles president Steve Olsson expects McDonald to play against the Tiwi Bombers this week.
“He’ll be in town this week and hopefully we can get him right for the Tiwis,” Olsson said.
“We did pretty well with half a team last week, so hopefully we can start building a better side from here.”
Big-marking forward Shane Thompson played his 100th game for the Eagles last week.
The milestone came as a relief for the popular Eagle, who has struggled with knee and hand injuries in recent years.
Utility Mark White will join him on that number when he lines up against the Tiwis on Friday night.
North Adelaide midfielder Shannon Motlop is only two weeks away from resuming and he has promised Wanderers officials a handful of top-line recruits.
“We’ll be a competitive side with the calibre of recruits we’ve got coming to Darwin,” Olsson said.
“When Prior and McDonald get settled and Shannon is right to go you’ll see the real Wanderers side.”

NTFL Results - Saints vs Magpies

Posted Oct 15, 2008 - 12:29 PM

St. Marys 5.6 10.11 17.15 24.22 (166)
Palmerston 4.2 7.3 8.5 9.7 (61)

Goalkickers: Saints - J Ilett 5, Lohde 3, Tungatalum 2, Parsons 2, Stapleton 2, A Vallejo 2, Pauatjimi 2, Flesfadar 2, Hebbard 1, Garling 1, C Ilett 1, Middleton 1. Magpies - Graham 2, Millard 1, Johnson 1, Hills 1, Horsley 1, Berts 1, Graham 1, Hibberd 1

Best: Saints - C. Ilett, J.Ilett, Hebbard, Stapleton, Parsons. Magpies - Ewing, Graham. Millard, Berts, Horsley

NTFL Round 1 winners

Saint Marys continued their title defence with a big win over Palmerston Magpies, Tiwi Bombers scored a hard fought two goal win over last years grand finalists, Waratah. Southern Districts defeated a much improved Buffaloes outfit and Nightcliff defeated Wanderers in a lacklustre game between two clubs expected to occupy the bottom spots on the ladder. The clubs Reserve grade teams took part in the Defence jobs carnival with Nightcliff defeating Waratahs in the final. Reserves and Junior grades kick off this weekend.
Full results and best players coming soon.

Imalu Tigers win the chance to play at the MCG

AFL Northern Territory wishes to advise that the Imalu Tigers have won the opportunity to play at the M.C.G. after winning the Norforce Community Division of the 2008 Defence Jobs AFL Carnival. While 18 teams competed in three divisions (Navy N.T.F.L., Norforce Community, RAAF Women’s), it was the chance to play at the M.C.G. that enticed 8 communities from all four corners of the Territory.

Having travelled to Darwin to compete in the three day Carnival, the side from Melville Island will now travel to Melbourne, to play a match at the M.C.G. This follows Santa Teresa’s match in May this year, when they played the Fitzroy All-Stars in the curtain raiser of the AFL’s Dreamtime at the G match.

In a pulsating Grand Final against last year’s champions Santa Teresa, the Tigers - who won the 2007/8 Tiwi Islands Football League - ran away deserved victors 7.7 (49) to 1.3.6 (33).

The side, unbeaten in all 7 games, now eagerly await the scheduling of their match as the AFL finalizes the fixture for the 2009 Toyota AFL Premiership Season.

In the two other Divisions, Nightcliff were impressive in easily accounting for a young St. Mary’s side, to take out the Navy N.T.F.L. Division. In the RAAF Women’s Division, Waratah exacted revenge on St. Mary’s, beating last year’s champions in a replay of the 2007 Grand Final.

Former Bomber becomes a Saint

Merv Neagle, the former Essendon star player and father of current Essendon player, Jay. has been appointed to take over the reins as Senior Coach with St. Marys in the NTFL. Neagle replaces premiership mentor, Brett Hand who has moved to the NTIS AFL role and will coach the NT under age teams from 2009 onwards. Neagle has a good record in country Victoria and NSW in bringing teams up from the bottom of the ladder to be competitive. With Saint Marys he will be in charge of one of the NTFL powerhouses, a club which won the Seniors, Reserves, Womens and U16’s flags in the 2007/08 season. Saints started the new season off brilliantly with a demolition job of Palmerston Magpies last night at TIO Stadium. Full details and scores of the other NTFL games will be up soon.

New team begins the search for a coach

The Northern Territory Football Club has been established to assemble a team to compete in the AFLQ commencing from the 2009 season.
We are now asking for expressions of interest from suitably qualified individuals to fill the important full time position of HEAD COACH.
The Northern Territory Football Club is looking for a well rounded individual with a strong coaching and development background, including demonstrated knowledge of modern training and match day coaching techniques and who also possesses exceptional leadership and people skills to take on this rare, exciting start up role.

A job and person specification for the position may be downloaded from http://www.afl.com.au/careers or contact Tanya Kalinowsky at AFLNT on 08 8980 4819 or to obtain a copy.

Telephone enquiries may be directed to Stuart Totham on 0416 099 607.

Applications Close on Wednesday 29th October 2008.

Darwins biggest week end of Footy is here

AFL Northern Territory is delighted to announce that Darwin’s “Biggest Weekend of Footy” is here. For the first time the TIO NTFL Season will coincide with the Defence Jobs AFL Carnival, with both competitions running from Friday October 10th to Sunday October 12th, exclusively at TIO Stadium.

The 2008/09 TIO NTFL Season is set to be the most exciting ever, with the Territory’s premier football competition providing a breeding ground for players to promote themselves as potential inclusions in the inaugural Northern Territory Football Club team.

Tony Frawley, Chief Executive Officer AFLNT said, “The establishment of the NTFC, which will compete full-time in the 2009 AFL Queensland competition, has already attracted established stars from outside of Darwin, such as Liam Jurrah from 2008 AFL Central Australia premiers Yuendumu, to Darwin to participate in 2008/09 TIO NTFL Season. AFLNT is delighted that players of the calibre of Jurrah are moving to Darwin, as it strengthen the TIO NTFL competition and the eight TIO NTFL football clubs.”

TIO NTFL Round 1 kicks off on Friday night with Southern Districts facing a revitalized Darwin at 7.30pm. Saturday October 11th is a double header with Waratah vs. Tiwi Bombers at 3.30pm, followed by Nightcliff and Wanderers at 6.00pm. All matches will be played on TIO Stadium Oval 1.

Richard Harding, Chief Executive TIO said, “TIO is proud to be the Premier sponsor of AFL in the Northern Territory. Football is an intrinsic part of our community in the Northern Territory and TIO is delighted to support the ongoing expansion and success of the game.”

The 2008 Defence Jobs AFL Carnival is set to be as fantastic as ever, with a record around 20 teams competing in three divisions (Navy NTFL, Norforce Community, RAAF Women). The 2008 competition has an international flavor, with AFL Northern Territory delighted to announce that the DFR Timor All-Stars will be competing as an exhibition team. The team will feature at least 8 Timorese footballers, including 4 who will travel from East Timor to Darwin to play, with members of the Australian Defence Force assisting to fill the rest of the positions in the team.

Santa Teresa, winners of the 2007 Army Community Division, will attempt to go back to back, in the hope of again winning the opportunity to play at the M.C.G. After winning last year’s competition as the highest placed Indigenous Community side, Santa Teresa travelled to Melbourne in May 2008 to compete in a curtain-raiser match to the Dreamtime at the G Match at the M.C.G., as part of the AFL’s 2008 Indigenous Round.

Timor-Leste to field AFL team

The “Timor-Leste Crocs‟ will be represented in an exhibition team during a Football Carnival, from Friday October 10th to Sunday October 12th, at TIO Stadium in Darwin.

Initially the Crocs were invited to compete as a team in their own right however this was not possible and the team concentrated on preparing a delegation of players from Timor-Leste to combine with Timorese players that live in Darwin. As a sponsor of the Carnival, Defence Force Recruiting is assisting the initiative by providing players to fill the rest of the positions in the team.

Luke Gosling, a representative of the Timor Crocs says, “The Timorese players are very happy to be coming to Darwin and playing their newly adopted sport of Australian Rules Football. One of the Timor-Leste players to watch is Amaro da Silva who is also a very good soccer player. With strength, natural agility and hand-eye coordination, Amaro and the other Timorese players have taken to the sport quickly.”

In Timor-Leste and in representative games played in Indonesia the team has played the smaller „9 a side‟ game played on a soccer field. This is the first time the players will play on the much larger AFL field.

Gosling says, “In many ways the Timorese players are quick and agile like the Territory‟s indigenous players however they lack the many years of practice that comes from growing up with a footy in their hands. The Timor-Leste players have a great opportunity to learn from playing the community teams and from their own Timor-Leste and Australian teammates.”

Sydney sign up a rugby player

The Swans have signed up a Canadian rugby union player on a two-year international rookie deal.

Mike Pyke, who scored an incredible try for his team against the All Blacks before the 2007 World Cup has just completed a two year deal with French club US Montauban.

The 200 cm tall, 105kg 24-year-old completed a one-week trial period with the club at the end of June and will continue to work hard with the coaches to develop his AFL skills in time for the 2009 pre-season in November.

Mike McGuire

Former Saints coach remembers ground invasion

Former Saints coach Grant Thomas has said that the traditional ground invasion after Fraser Gehrig’s 100 goal in 2004 played a big part in preventing St Kilda gain a Grand final berth.

The Saints were leading Port Adelaide by 14 points and looked well in control at AAMI Stadium in the prelimanary final.

Fraser Gehrig then booted his 100th of the season ten minutes into the first term resulting in hundreds of Saints fans running onto the pitch to celebrate with him. The big man was forced from the ground for almost three minutes and when play continued the Saints had lost their momentum.

Port Adelaide kicked the next four goals and made the most of the lucky break.

Thomas said if it was not for that event, the Saints might have been Grand finalists.

Mike McGuire

Another baby Eagle on the way

West Coast preimership players David Wirrapanda and Ashley Hansen will add to the Eagles injury problems as they look certain to miss Saturday’s clash with Melbourne.

Hansen rolled his ankle in the Essendon game last Sunday whilst Wirrapanda suffered a serious corked thigh injury.

Coach John Worsfold has hinted that the Eagles might have to play another debutant to cover for the loss of the two crucial players. James Thompson, 20 and Tony Notte, 18 are the two players that could make their debut come Saturday.

Worsfold explained that forward Notte is more likely to play, because he is the only tall option they have to replace Hansen with.

According to the coach, Notte is like all teenagers in that he still needs to develop mentally and physically over the next few years but is good enough to play AFL football at this moment.

Mike McGuire

Craig to keep on coaching Crows

Adelaide has signed Neil Craig up until the end of 2011, which will make him the club’s longest serving coach.

Craig came up with his 62nd win in his 100th game with the Crows on Sunday, resulting in him being the most successful coach in regards to wins/losses compared to the other present coaches’ first 100 games.

The 52-year-old said surving his first four years in the highly demanding coaching role was a huge boost for him.

Craig explained that he wanted to be a one-club coach but did not know how long he would carry on with his career at the Crows.

Mike McGuire

Thompson wants to keep fighting

North Melbourne star forward Nathan Thompson wants to keep on playing next season , despite an injury ravaged year in 2008.

With a full pre-season training period him, Thompson is confident of playing his 12th year of AFL footy in 2009.

Thompson made a positive come-back to the side this season after missing the whole of last year due to a knee reconstruction but his knees have limited his time on field this year as well.

The 30-year-old is hopeful about playing in the game against the Blues this Sunday after injuring his ankle early in the game against the Bulldogs last weekend.

Thompson played out the game against the Dogs and finished with two important goals.

Mike McGuire

Fans will celebrate with their heroes

Fans will run onto the ground and celebrate the 100-goal milestone if reached by Hawthorn’s Lance Franklin and Carlton’s Brenden Fevola despite the threat of fines and evictions from the AFL.

AFL spokesman Patrick Keane said yesterday that the AFL wants to put an end to the traditional 100-goal celebration due to the safety of players and fans.

Keane said fans that are caught running onto the ground could be evicted as well as face big fines.

Despite this warning, Hawthorn cheer squad president Darren Wallen predicted that if Franklin reached the milestone there would be no stopping Hawks fans from running onto the field.

Carlton cheer squad spokeswoman also explained that her mates would not hesistate to jump the fence and celebrate with their hero, Fevola.

Franklin has 91 goals for the season, while Fevola has eighty-four.

No player has kicked 100 goals in a season since Tony Lockett in 1998.

Mike McGuire

Cats hand Demons a lesson in footy

The ruthless Cats have thrashed the Demons by 116 points at the MCG last night.

Melbourne failed to score in the first term, effectively losing the game before three quarters were to be played, the end score was Geelong, 24.13 (157) to Melbourne, 5.11 (41).

In what was a celebration of 150 years of football, coach Dean Bailey stated that the Demons were handed a ruthless lesson in football. The Demons first score was a rushed behind nine minutes into the second quarter.

Melbourne finally kicked their first goal of the game later on in second quarter through Austin Wonaeamirri, it made no difference however, as they went into half-time down by 70 points.

Joel Selwood scored the first goal of the game for the Cats, as they then piled on another seven goals in the first term.

In what were wet, slippery conditions Geelong entered it’s attacking fifty 69 times to only forty for the Demons.

Tom Lonergan and Matthew Stokes each bagged four goals for the Cats, with midfielders Joel Selwood and James Kelly putting in excellent performances, Matthew Scarlett was as usual unstoppable in setting up constant attacking moves from defence.

Brownlow Medal favorite Gary Ablett played his first game in a month and pulled up well, chipping in with two goals.

Geelong’s massive win only agrees with most betting men that they will defend their 2007 premiership come September action. For Melbourne, it proves that they will be worthy winners of the 2008 wooden spoon.

Mike McGuire

Thompson back for Roos but with death threats

North Melbourne will be welcoming back Nathan Thompson this week, but there are other issues surrounding the talented forward......it has been revealed that he had received a a number of death threats via the mail earlier this year.

On the bright side of things for him, his AFL rival’s Adam Goodes and Andrew McLeod are the other players identified on Friday as also receiving death threats at the same time as Thompson.

There are believed to be two other players from Essendon and Carlton in the same boat.

The letters have been sent to the police for investigation.

Thompson said that he doesn’t think he has too many enemies out there but added that not everyone is going to like him.

He explained that he has received a few attacking letters over the years, but this was the worst one and decided to pass it over to the chief executive for the club to look over.

Hopefully for Thompson and his team, the letters won’t distract him for what should be a thrilling contest against the Bulldogs on Sunday.

Mike McGuire

Warnock to miss rest of season, but Dockers keen to keep him

Fremantle ruckman Robert Warnock will miss the rest of the season due to a shoulder injury.

The young ruckman will undergo surgery on Friday.

The Dockers will try and retain the talented player’s services within the next few weeks, as he recovers in time for the pre-season.

Newly elected CEO Steve Rosich highlighted the importance of retaining Warnock, saying that he is young and talented, and that the club is working through a process to see him stay at the club.

Fraser taken off injury list

St Kilda has removed Fraser Gehrig from the long-term injury list with the club reporting the veteran has trained well in recent weeks after recovering from hand surgery earlier this year.

The news does not mean Fraser will play AFL footy this year, with a club spokesman stating that his return to the senoir list was a precautionary move taken to provide cover in case of further injuries to key forwards.

Coach Ross Lyon said it was a really positive step taken by Gehrig to resume full training.

Fraser said that the club has supported him well in his recovery and he realises it will not be an easy task to break his way back into the team.

He added that he has worked hard to remain focused and stay fit in his bid to return to AFL footy.

The playing group is reported to be encouraged by Fraser’s return to the training track.

Mike McGuire

Fraser recovering well

Collingwood ruckman Josh Fraser is getting closer to returning to AFL football.

Fraser, injured a posterior cruciate ligament in the Hall of Fame match in May resulting in him not playing an AFL game since. However, he has played the past two games in the VFL to regain match fitness.

When asked about his side’s form , Malthouse said that they had played some good football sides over the last few weeks and are missing key players.

The coach also mentioned that people had underrated the teams that have beaten them, especially Essendon who he thinks have been the second best team in the last month of AFL footy.

Clarkson apologises to umpire Schmitt

Hawthorn coach Alistair Clarkson has apologised to umpire Justin Schmitt over the critical remarks which resulted in him copping a $5,000 fine from the AFL.

Clarkson said he should have kept quiet and that he stepped outside the line of regulations that are in place.

Clarkson had sarcastically made a reference to Schmitt in his post-match media conference after the Geelong game, saying: “He’s a good player for the Cats that No.17, wasn’t he? He’s a ripper.”

There were no no.17s for either team, with Schmitt wearing the No.17 umpire’s shirt.

Mike McGuire

Fevola to receive three year deal

Brendan Fevola will be signing a new three-year contract deal with Carlton, ending one of the most talked about topics this season.

A week ago, Carlton stated that contract talks were off until the season’s end but the Blues resumed discussions with Fevola’s management on Monday and agreed to offer Fevola close to $2.1 million fpr three years.

It is understood that an announcement will take place as soon as possible.

Hawthorn coach fined for critical remarks

Hawthorn have copped a $5000 fine for coach Alastair Clarkson’s critical and sarcastic comments about the umpiring in last week’s encounter with Geelong.

Clarkson was asked about the umpiring and responded by saying, “He’s a good player that no.17, wasn’t he?He’s a ripper.”

There was no no.17 for Geelong, which meant he was clearly referring to umpire Justin Schmitt.

AFL acting football operations manager Jill Lindsay explained that the Hawthorn Football Club has been punished for a breach of the AFL Player Regulations.

Mike McGuire

Ablett still recovering

Geelong star Gary Ablett has been ruled out of Saturday night’s clash with Richmond at Telstra Dome.

The club’s medical staff confirmed Ablett would be unavailable this weekend, the decision was made after the Cats’ training session on Wednesday.

The Brownlow Medal favorite has missed the past two games with an ankle injury, suffered in Geelong’s round 15 win against the Dockers at Skilled Stadium.

In more positive news for the Cats, defender Darren Milburn looks good to return against the Tigers, and tough midfielder Cameron Ling will face a fitness test to determine whether he is ready to return after suffering a cheekbone fracture also against the Eagles in round 15.

Mike McGuire

Saints list receives boost

St Kilda are likely to welcome the return of Justin Koschitzke for the clash against Port Adelaide at Telstra Dome this Sunday, Saints captain Lenny Hayes also said that Max Hudghton would be included in the team.

Hayes said that Koschitzke would come straight back into the team after missing the loss against the Eagles. According to the skipper, the side is a much better one when Koschitzke is in it.

In regards to Hudghton, who injured a calf in the first term of last Saturday’s game, Hayes is hopeful that the side will regain the efforts of the reliable defender.

AFL injury list

CLUB-BY-CLUB injury list ahead of Round 18.

ADELAIDE
Trent Hentschel (hamstring) - test
Jarrhan Jacky (ankle) - test
Luke Jericho (hamstring) - test
Brent Reilly (knee) - test
Myke Cook (hamstring) - indefinite
Rhett Biglands (knee) - season
Brett Burton (knee) - season

BRISBANE
Nigel Lappin (Achilles) - TBC
Matt Austin (Achilles) - 1 week
Haydn Kiel (hamstring) - 1 week
Joel Macdonald (ankle) - 1 week
Matthew Leuenberger (knee) - season

CARLTON
Paul Bower (shoulder) - test
Richard Hadley (groin) - test
Ryan Houlihan (hip) - test
Aaron Joseph (appendicitis) - 1 week
Setanta O’hAilpin (calf) - 2-3 weeks
Jordan Bannister (hamstring) - season

COLLINGWOOD
Simon Prestigiacomo (groin) - available
Kevin Dyas (hamstring) - 4-6 weeks
Ben Reid (foot) - 4-6 weeks
Anthony Rocca (ankle) - 4-6 weeks
Sean Rusling (shoulder) - season
Brad Dick (knee) - season

ESSENDON
Tayte Pears (hip) - TBA
Andrew Lee (shoulder) - 1 week
Jason Johnson (calf) - 1 week
David Myers (foot) - 1 week
Scott Gumbleton (collarbone) - 2 weeks
Mark McVeigh (knee) - 2-3 weeks
Alwyn Davey (knee) - season
Bachar Houli (groin) - season
Courtney Johns (knee) - season
Jay Neagle (ankle) - season
Jason Winderlich (back) - season

FREMANTLE
Heath Black (shoulder) - test
Daniel Gilmore (migraines) - test
Matthew Pavlich (knee) - test
Roger Hayden (hamstring) - 1 week
Brock O’Brien (hamstring) - 3 weeks
Andrew Foster (back) - season
Paul Hasleby (knee) - season

GEELONG
Darren Milburn (virus) - available
Gary Ablett (ankle) - test
Cameron Ling (cheekbone) - test
David Wojcinski (Achilles) - test
Tom Hawkins (foot) - 2 weeks
Paul Chapman (hamstring) - 2-3 weeks
Matthew Egan (foot) - season

HAWTHORN
Stuart Dew (hamstring) - available
Shane Crawford (knee) - test
Michael Osborne (corked buttock) - test
Tim Boyle (groin) - 2 weeks
Ben McGlynn (quad) 2-3 weeks
Max Bailey (knee) - season
Beau Muston (knee) - season

MELBOURNE
Kyle Cheney (hand) - test
Austin Wonaeamirri (soreness) - available
Brad Green (hamstring) - test
Paul Wheatley (calf) - test
Brock McLean (ankle) - season
Brent Moloney (shoulder) - season
Jared Rivers (groin) - season
Russell Robertson (Achilles) - season

NORTH MELBOURNE
Ben Ross (ankle) - 1-2 weeks
Aaron Edwards (leg) - 2-3 weeks
Hamish McIntosh (knee) - 2-3 weeks
Jesse Smith (hamstring) - 3-4 weeks
Leigh Adams (knee) - season
Nathan Grima (knee) - season

PORT ADELAIDE
Troy Chaplin (ankle) - test
Robbie Gray (ankle) - test
Damon White (hamstring) - test
Nathan Krakouer (hamstring) - 2 weeks
Michael Wilson (knee) - 2 weeks
Chad Cornes (knee/shoulder) - season
Steven Salopek (Achilles) - season
Warren Tredrea (shoulder) - season

RICHMOND
Travis Casserley (hamstring) - test
Daniel Connors (hamstring) - test
Cleve Hughes (back) - test
Graham Polak (acquired brain injury) - indefinite
Kayne Pettifer (knee) - season

ST KILDA
Jayden Attard (knee) - test
Xavier Clarke (hamstring) - test
Max Hudghton (calf) - test
Eljay Connors (shoulder) - season
Matt Maguire (foot) - season

SYDNEY
Ed Barlow (hamstring) - test
Leo Barry (hamstring) - test
Nic Fosdike (hamstring) - test
Nick Malceski (calf) - test
Adam Goodes (groin) - 1-2 weeks
Michael O’Loughlin (ankle) - 3-4 weeks
Henry Playfair (hamstring) - 3-4 weeks
Matthew Laidlaw (hamstring) - indefinite
Tim Schmidt (knee) - indefinite
Nick Davis (knee) - season
Brett Meredith (shoulder) - season
Daniel O’Keefe (groin) - season
Kristin Thornton (knee) - season

WEST COAST
Darren Glass (thigh) - test
Josh Kennedy (knee) - 1 week
Matt Rosa (ankle) - 2-3 weeks
Shannon Hurn (leg) - 3-4 weeks
Mitchell Brown (knee) - season
Adam Hunter (shoulder, knee) - season
Brett Jones (knee) - season
Chris Masten (groin) - season
Beau Waters (elbow) - season

WESTERN BULLDOGS
Tim Callan (hamstring) - TBA
Tom Williams (shoulder) - TBA
Scott West (knee) - 1-2 weeks
Wayde Skipper (knee) - 2 weeks
Dylan Addison (knee) - 8 weeks
Jarrad Grant (groin) - season

Polak released from hospital

Richmond’s Graham Polak has been released from hospital and will continue his recovery from home.

The former Docker was hit by a tram in late June and suffered a medically induced coma. He has improved steadily over the last few weeks and was even allowed to gome for a few hours to watch his team play a couple of weekends ago.

Coach Terry Wallace said Graham still has a long way to go in his recovery but this is a very positive step.

Wallace also mentioned that Polak’s recovery will be conducted at the footy club within the next fortnight.

Dockers vow to give their best for McManus

Fremantle defender Luke McPharlin says the club will use Shaun McManus’s final game as a driving force for Sunday’s western derby clash with arch rivals West Coast.

McPharlin mentioned that McManus had been an inspiration at the club and that a loss against the Eagles would be an unacceptable send-off.

McManus will appear in his 228th and final AFL game on Sunday.

McPharlin said the players would do their utmost to give him an honourable send-off.

Mike McGuire

Thompson closer to playing again

Kangaroo star Nathan Thompson will be on the sidelines for another week allowing his knees to regain the strength they lost after two operations.

Thompson required season ending knee surgery last year and had a knee arthroscopy last month.

The forward missed only two weeks after his knee arthroscopy, and was then dropped after the Round 15 game against Port Adelaide.

Coach Dean Laidley said Thompson had lost his ability to break away from his opponent and hoped another week of recovery would give him the chance to be picked next week against the Bulldogs.

AFL admits to umpiring blunder

The AFL has admitted to a making a scoring mistake in Saturday night’s game between the Swans and the Crows and is powerless to fix it. The goal umpire failed to credit the Swans with a behind and is facing the axe but the history books will show the wrong score forever.

On paper the Crows were 24-point winners but with-out the mistake, would only be 23-point winners against the Swans.

Sydney will only look to challenge the incident if it affects their overall ladder position.

Goal umpire Tristan Symes failed to signal Brett Rutten’s rushed behind late in the third term because he did not receive the official go-ahead from field umpire Shane McInerney.

The incident has raised concerns about goal umpire’s ability to remain focused for the entire game.

Mike McGuire

Crows upset Swans

Adelaide snapped a five-game losing streak with a 24-point win against the Sydney Swans at the SCG on Saturday night.

Andrew McLeod produced one of his better games this season with skillful creativity and was well supported by Chris Knights and Tyson Edwards who added spark to the midfield.

Barry Hall returned from suspension for the Sydney Swans but never played a big part in the game due to been well held by Adelaide’s Ben Rutten.

The Loss means Sydney failed to jump further ahead in fourth position, whilst Adelaide will be relieved to be back on the winner’s wagon.

Mike McGuire

Young Eagles beat Saints

The Eagles have produced a wonderful effort to beat St Kilda at Subiaco Oval on Saturday afternoon.

West Coast trailed by more then four goals during various stages of the game, but through another brilliant effort by Dean Cox and significant contributions from Brad Ebert, Brent Staker and Quintin Lynch, they won the game by 17 points.

The win against the odds improve West Coasts chances of avoiding their first wooden spoon ever, running away with the game in the final term with the final score being West Coast, 15.13 (103) to St Kilda, 12.14 (86).

What was more impressive about one of the few wins for the Eagles this year was the fact that the Saints needed to win the game to enhance their chances of breaking into the top four. The Saints were careless in the first quarter when they were in control, failing to blow the Eagles away.

The young Eagles side would have gained a lot of confidence from the win which will be handy heading into next week’s derby against the improving Dockers.

West Coast now have 3 wins and 14 losses.

The West Coast camp would have been scared when Dean Cox limped from the ground, but luckily it was just cramp that the champion ruckman suffered, with the medical staff sorting him out.

Both the Dockers and Eagles have found form over the last week and the future for both clubs looks bright, and as for the derby next week....its war!

Mike McGuire

Essendon upset Magpies

Essendon have beaten the Magpies by 48 points at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.

The Bombers had too much pace for their opponents and finished the game off impressively with a seven-goal last quarter as they won 19.14 (128) to 11.14 (80).

Jobe Watson gathered 41 possessions for the Bombers, with skipper Matthew Lloyd and Andrew Welsh both booting four goals, Travis Cloke kicked three majors for Collingwood.

Essendon 5.7 7.10 12.11 19.14 (128)
Collingwood 1.3 6.7 9.10 11.14 (80)

GOALS
Essendon: Welsh 4, Lloyd 4, Reimers 3, Monfries 2, McPhee 2, Jetta, Lovett-Murray, Stanton, Hille
Collingwood: Cloke 3, Didak 2, Anthony 2, Davis 2, Medhurst 2

Black still unsure about his future

Fremantle midfielder Heath Black’s future with the club remains uncertain with Black no closer to sorting out a deal.

Black has a contract with the Dockers until the end of the 2009 season, but has revealed he wants to retire and is in the process of sorting out a settlement with the club.

There is still the possibility that the 192-game veteran will change his mind and continue to play on next season.

Coach Mark Harvey said the situation with Heath Black is unclear at the moment, and nothing is set in stone.

Mike McGuire

Ablett still Brownlow favorite

Geelong star Gary Ablett remains firm Brownlow Medal favorite despite missing last weekend’s win over the Bulldogs and likely to also miss this weekend’s showdown with the Hawks.

Many football experts believe Ablett has already got the medal in his bag, even if he wasn’t to play another game this season.

In 2005, when Ben Cousins won the medal with 20 votes, he polled only in nine games. Adam Goodes polled his 26 votes in just 10 games when he won the medal in 2006.

In saying that, TAB sportsbet have shortened Ablett’s odds to $2.50 from $2.

Brisbane stars cleared to take on Eagles

Brisbane stars Jonathan Brown and Simon Black have been cleared to take their places on the footy field against the West Coast Eagles at the MCG on Saturday night.

Brown trained strongly and looks to have overcome his hip concerns, whilst Black was subjected to an intense tackling session from assistant coach Chris Johnson.

Johnson tackled Black for ten minutes to make sure his injured shoulder was repaired and ready for action.

Brisbane coach Leigh Matthews is confident both players will play.

Roos skip into sixth on the ladder

North Melbourne have produced a come-from-behind 18-point win over Collingwood at Telstra Dome on Friday night.

North Melbourne are now sitting at sixth spot after starting the round in ninth. They are half a game ahead of Adelaide, Brisbane and St Kilda.

The Kangaroos booted 12 goals to the Magpies seven in the second half, as they ran away to a 17.12 (114) to 14.12 (96) victory.

The Roos were trailing by 13 points at half-time and never looked like improving much, but they came out and kicked the first four goals of the third term and overcame the Magpies control over the game.

The Magpies never stopped fighting and kicked three quick goals to lead by seven points, the kangaroos kept on coming though and booted the last three goals of the term to take a 10 point lead into the last quarter.

For North Melbourne, Drew Petrie, Daniel Wells and Matt Campbell were inspirational as they led their team to one of their best wins of the season.

Paul Medhurst, who kicked five goals for the Magpies last week, had little impact on the game, as he and the other Collingwood forwards were well held by Roos defenders Michael Firrito and Josh Gibson.

Magpies close in on top four after easy win

The Magpies are closing in on a top-four position after they beat Adelaide by 32 points at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.

The Crows have lost four in a row now and to make matters worse, look like they will be without the services of forward Brett Burton for the rest of the season who suffered a knee injury.

Collingwood forward Paul Medhurst continued his good form with five goals whilst midfielder Rhys Shaw picked up 32 disposals. For Adelaide, Brett Burton kicked four majors in the first half.

After the 15.16 (106) to 14.8 (74) loss, the Crows could drop out of the top eight if they lose against Port Adelaide in next Sunday’s match.

The Magpies will be hoping fourth-placed Sydney lose against the Hawks tomorrow as they are only half a game behind them.

Mike McGuire

Classy Cats pounce all over Dockers

Geelong have beaten Fremantle by Seventy-four points at Skilled Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Cats were challenged strongly by Fremantle’s strong physical presence in the early stages of the first quarter, with Cameron Ling being forced from the field by a ferocious head-high bump from Docker’s bad boy, Dean Solomon, who was reported for the incident. Ryan Crowley started well on Geelong star Gary Ablett, getting under his skin and preventing him from venturing on his usual punishing runs from out of the pack. Ablett injured his ankle midway through the second term and was on the the sideline for the rest of the game.

Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich got off to a good start kicking the first goal of the match but unfortunately for him and his team failed to make a contribution for the rest of the game, with ineffective and careless disposals in what was his worst effort of the season so far.

The Cats went into the second term with a thirteen-point lead and extended it when Travis Barko, Gary Ablett and Jimmy Bartel booted a goal each. Bartel kicking his on the half-time siren putting Geelong up by thirty-three points.

In the third quarter Geelong’s defense was to strong for Fremantle who only managed one goal. Captain Tom Harley lead the way, cutting off six errant forward entries by the Dockers. Geelong had thirty-one to the Dockers twelve disposals in the opening seven minutes of the term and capitalized through goals to Brad Ottens, Tom Longerhan, Corey Enright and Joel Selwood.

The Cats went into the last term with a fifty-one point lead and continued to pile on the points when Tom Longerhan kicked his fourth to go with his thirteen possessions and seven marks. Chris Tarrant responded well for the Dockers with his third of the game and Matthew Pavlich had a chance to kick a rare two in a row for his team, but missed easily with just his second shot on goal for the match.

Underrated Cat’s midfielder Corey Enright was sensational in the middle with over thirty-five possessions. He was well supported by the efforts of Jimmy Bartel and Paul Chapman.

A positive that the Dockers can take out of this game is that Geelong have now won their last five games by a average margin of eleven goals, so it’s not just them that have received a Cat mauling.

Mike McGuire

Cats looking too strong

Geelong lead the Dockers by 33 points at the main break at Skilled Stadium.

The Dockers started well with skipper Matthew Pavlich kicking the first goal of the match from outside fifty and the rest of the team playing good hard footy.

At quarter time it was the Cats who weathered the Dockers aggressive style of play to grab a 13-point lead.

In the second term, Fremantle’s Garick Ibbotson narrowly missed a shot on goal from outside fifty and that was the closest the Dockers would get to scoring for the rest of the quarter.

With twenty-eight forward entries the Cats clicked into gear, at half time it’s the Cats 7.7 (49) leading the Dockers 2.4 (16).

Hawks eager to show their muscle

Hawthorn believe Sunday’s top-four clash with the Swans will test their growing strength and maturity, areas which in the past have been dominated by the Swans.

The Hawks have lost their last six matches against Sydney, including a 72-point thrashing at the SCG last year.

Hawthorn’s assistant coach Todd Viney says the team has since developed the necessary combination of muscle and tenacity to compete well with the Swans’ strength in one-on-one contests.

Demons excited about future

Melbourne are encouraged by improvements on and off the field and are looking forward to the challenge of taking on the Western Bulldogs at Telstra Dome on Saturday.

The Demons were thrashed by 95 points in round two but found form in their upset win over the Lions last round.

The appointment of new club president Jim Stynes last month has also given the club a greater sense of optimism.

Mike McGuire

Saints add to winning streak over Blues

St Kilda have beaten Carlton by 32 points at the MCG on Friday night.

The Saints extended their winning streak over the Blues to eleven as they accounted for a familiar fourth-quarter fight-back by Carlton to win 18.11(119) to 12.15 (87).

Saints skipper Nick Riewoldt led well with 23 possessions and 12 marks, giving his opponent Jarrad Waite major problems.

The story for the night was Carlton were careless and inaccurate in front of goal while the Saints made the most of their chances.

AFL team lists for Round 15

ALL the ins and outs for this weekend’s matches as they are named.

Friday July 11

Carlton v St Kilda
MCG @ 7.40pm

CARLTON
B: Andrew Carrazzo, Michael Jamison, Bret Thornton
HB: Bryce Gibbs, Jarrad Waite, Steven Browne
C: Kade Simpson, Nick Stevens, Heath Scotland
HF: Marc Murphy, Brad Fisher, Simon Wiggins
F: Eddie Betts, Brendan Fevola, Matthew Kreuzer
Foll: Cameron Cloke, Adam Bentick, Chris Judd
Int: Joe Anderson , Jake Edwards , Shaun Grigg, Jordan Russell
Emg: Setanta O’hAilpin, Darren Pfeiffer , Andrew Walker

In: Judd
Out Setanta O’hAilpin (omitted)

ST KILDA
B: Sean Dempster, Max Hudghton, Jason Gram
HB: Brendon Goddard, Sam Gilbert, Sam Fisher
C: Andrew McQualter, Nick Dal Santo, Lenny Hayes
HF: Robert Harvey, Nick Riewoldt, Robert Eddy
F: Clint Jones, Justin Koschitzke, David Armitage
Foll: Steven King, Luke Ball, Leigh Montagna
Int: James Gwilt, Jason Blake, Stephen Milne, Jarryd Allen
Emg: Charlie Gardiner, Aaron Fiora, Adam Schneider

In: Hayes
Out: Charlie Gardiner

Saturday July 12

Collingwood v Adelaide
MCG @ 2.10pm

COLLINGWOOD
B: Heath Shaw, Shane Wakelin, Tarkyn Lockyer
HB: Martin Clarke, Nick Maxwell, Harry O’Brien
C: Ben Johnson, Scott Burns, Rhyce Shaw
HF: Scott Pendlebury, Travis Cloke, Chris Bryan
F: Alan Didak, Nathan Brown, Paul Medhurst
Foll: Cameron Wood, Dane Swan, Dale Thomas
Int: Shane O’Bree, Tyson Goldsack, Leon Davis, John Anthony
Emg: Danny Stanley, Sharrod Wellingham, Alan Toovey

No change

ADELAIDE
B: Graham Johncock, Ben Rutten, Nathan Bassett
HB: Kris Massie, Nathan Bock, Brad Symes
C: Michael Doughty, Robert Shirley, Nathan van Berlo
HF: Chris Knights, Brett Burton, Tyson Edwards
F: Jason Porplyzia, Kurt Tippett, Richard Douglas
Foll: Ivan Maric, Simon Goodwin, Scott Thompson
Int: Jonathon Griffin, Bernie Vince, Scott Stevens, Bryce Campbell
Emg: Nick Gill, Andrew Otten, Luke Jericho

In: Griffin, Campbell
Out: Brent Reilly (knee), Gill (omitted)

Geelong v Fremantle
Skilled Stadium @ 2.10pm

GEELONG
B: Tom Harley, Matthew Scarlett, Andrew Mackie
HB: Darren Milburn, Max Rooke, Corey Enright
C: James Kelly, Cameron Ling, Jimmy Bartel
HF: Steve Johnson, Cameron Mooney, David Wojcinski
F: Paul Chapman, Tom Lonergan, Mathew Stokes
Foll: Brad Ottens, Joel Corey, Gary Ablett
Int: Josh Hunt, Mark Blake, Joel Selwood, Travis Varcoe
Emg: David Johnson, Harry Taylor, Brent Prismall

No change

FREMANTLE
B: Scott Thornton, Antoni Grover, Michael Johnson
HB: David Mundy, Luke McPharlin, Steven Dodd
C: Garrick Ibottson, Ryan Crowley, Andrew Browne
HF: Jeff Farmer, Chris Tarrant, Chris Mayne
F: Mark Johnson, Matthew Pavlich, Robert Warnock
Foll: Aaron Sandilands, Byron Schammer, Josh Carr
Int: Josh Head, Dean Solomon, Rhys Palmer, Clayton Hinkley,
Emg: Brett Peake, Brock O’Brien, Kepler Bradley

In: McPharlin, Johnson, Farmer, Browne
Out: Peter Bell (retired), Roger Hayden (injured), Ryley Dunn (injured), Peake (omitted)

Essendon v Brisbane Lions
Telstra Dome @ 7.10pm

ESSENDON
B: Adam Ramanauskas, Dustin Fletcher, Nathan Lovett-Murray
HB: Henry Slattery, Patrick Ryder, Jay Nash
C: Kyle Reimers, Jobe Watson, Leroy Jetta
HF: Sam Lonergan, Scott Lucas, Andrew Lovett
F: Matthew Lloyd, Jay Neagle, Adam McPhee
Foll: David Hille, Mark McVeigh, Brent Stanton
Int: Damien Peverill, Angus Monfries, Jason Laycock, Andrew Welsh
Emg: Jarrod Atkinson, Ricky Dyson, Heath Hocking

In: Slattery, Neagle
Out: Dyson (omitted), Myers (foot)

BRISBANE LIONS
B: Josh Drummond, Daniel Merrett, Joel Patfull
HB: Cheynee Stiller, Jared Brennan, Travis Johnstone
C: Anthony Corrie, Simon Black, Tim Notting
HF: Michael Rischitelli, Jonathan Brown, Ashley McGrath
F: Robert Copeland, Daniel Bradshaw, Mitch Clark
Foll: Jamie Charman, Luke Power, Jed Adcock
Int: Tom Collier, Troy Selwood, Rhan Hooper, Matthew Leuenberger,
Emg: Lachlan Henderson, Bradd Dalziell, Justin Sherman

In: Johnstone, Stiller, Leuenberger
Out: James Polkinghorne (omitted), Sherman (omitted), Joel Macdonald (ankle)

Port Adelaide v North Melbourne
AAMI Stadium @ 7.10pm

PORT ADELAIDE
B: Michael Pettigrew, Alipate Carlile, Nick Lower
HB: Jacob Surjan, Troy Chaplin, Nathan Lonie
C: Domenic Cassisi, Adam Thomson, Kane Cornes
HF: David Rodan, Warren Tredrea, Brett Ebert
F: Justin Westhoff, Daniel Motlop, Chad Cornes
Foll: Dean Brogan, Shaun Burgoyne, Danyle Pearce
Int: Greg Bentley, Fabian DeLuca, Tom Logan, Damon White,
Emg: Paul Stewart, Mitch Farmer, Adam Cockshell

In: Chad Cornes, Surjan
Out: Robbie Gray (ankle), Stewart (omitted)

NORTH MELBOURNE
B: Josh Gibson, Michael Firrito, Gavin Urquhart
HB: Leigh Harding, Lachlan Hansen, Daniel Pratt
C: Brent Harvey, Adam Simpson, Daniel Harris
HF: Matt Campbell, David Hale, Daniel Wells
F: Lindsay Thomas, Nathan Thompson, Drew Petrie
R: Todd Goldstein, Brady Rawlings, Ben Ross
Inter: Sam Power, Blake Grima, Shannon Watt, Scott McMahon, ,
Emg: Ed Lower, Corey Jones, Alan Obst

In: Ross, Grima, Goldstein, McMahon
Out: Shannon Grant, Corey Jones, Matt Riggio, Alan Obst

New: Todd Goldstein (Oakleigh taken at No.37 in the 2006 national draft)

Sunday July 13

Hawthorn v Sydney Swans
MCG @ 1.10pm

HAWTHORN
B: Brent Guerra, Stephen Gilham, Campbell Brown
HB: Grant Birchall, Trent Croad, Rick Ladson
C: Clinton Young, Sam Mitchell, Jarryd Morton
HF: Michael Osborne, Jarryd Roughead, Shane Crawford
F: Cyril Rioli, Lance Franklin, Mark Williams
Foll: Robert Campbell, Luke Hodge, Brad Sewell
Int (from): Chance Bateman, Tim Clarke, Xavier Ellis, Josh Kennedy, Tom Murphy, Simon Taylor, Travis Tuck

In: Bateman, Kennedy, Sewell, Taylor, Tuck
Out: Jordan Lewis (quad), Brent Renouf (suspended)

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

In: Goodes, Grundy, Schmidt, Smith
Out: Barry Hall (suspended)

Western Bulldogs v Melbourne
Telstra Dome @ 2.10pm

WESTERN BULLDOGS
B: Dale Morris, Brian Lake, Dylan Addison
HB: Ryan Hargrave, Andrejs Everitt, Lindsay Gilbee
C: Daniel Cross, Matthew Boyd, Farren Ray
HF: Brad Johnson, Mitch Hahn, Robert Murphy
F: Scott Welsh, Will Minson, Jason Akermanis
Foll: Ben Hudson, Daniel Giansiracusa, Adam Cooney
Int (from): Nathan Eagleton, Jarrod Harbrow, Josh Hill, Stephen Tiller, Callan Ward, Cameron Wight, Peter Street, Callan Ward

In: Harbrow, Street, Wight, Ward
Out: Ryan Griffen (family reasons)

MELBOURNE
B: Matthew Whelan, Colin Garland, Matthew Warnock
HB: Brad Green, Paul Wheatley, Cameron Bruce
C: Colin Sylvia, Cale Morton, Lynden Dunn
HF: Chris Johnson, Matthew Bate, Simon Buckley
F: Paul Johnson, Brad Miller, Austin Wonaeamirri
Foll: Mark Jamar, Clint Bartram, Nathan Jones
Int (from): Daniel Bell, Jace Bode, Nathan Carroll, Stefan Martin, Michael Newton, Shane Valenti, Jeff White

In: Bell, Carroll, Morton, Newton, White
Out: Brock McLean (ankle), Aaron Davey (club suspension)

West Coast v Richmond
Subiaco @ 2.40pm

WEST COAST
B: Mark Nicoski, Darren Glass, Ryan Davis
HB: Brett Jones, Beau Wilkes, Andrew Embley
C: Michael Braun, Daniel Kerr, Quinten Lynch
HF: David Wirrpanda, Ashley Hansen, Brad Ebert
F: Mark LeCras, Adam Hunter, Josh Kennedy
Foll: Dean Cox, Matt Priddis, Steven Armstrong
Int (from): Tim Houlihan, Eric Mackenzie, Ben McKinley, Jamie McNamara, Will Schofield, Adam Selwood, Tyson Stenglein

In: Braun, B. Jones, Kennedy, MacKenzie, Wirrpanda
Out: Jaymie Graham, Brent Staker

New: Eric Mackenzie (Claremont taken at No.29 in 2006 national draft)

RICHMOND
B: Chris Newman, Kelvin Moore, Jay Schulz
HB: Matthew White, Luke McGuane, Jordan McMahon
C: Joel Bowden, Shane Tuck, Mitch Morton
HF: Brett Deledio, Jack Riewoldt, Richard Tambling
F: Nathan Brown, Cleve Hughes, Trent Cotchin
Foll: Troy Simmonds, Kane Johnson, Nathan Foley
Int (from): Shane Edwards, Jake King, Daniel Connors, Andrew Collins, Dean Polo, Adam Pattison, Greg Tivendale

In: Edwards, Connors, Collins, McGuane, Schulz, Tivendale
Out: Matthew Richardson (hamstring), Graham Polak (head injury), Chris Hyde

New: Andrew Collins (Sandhurst taken at No. 73 in the 2006 national draft)

Voss to join Eagles

In breaking news, Michael Voss has chosen to become an assistant coach with the Eagles, instead of joining the new Gold Coast team.

The former Lions champion has been approached by the GC17 group to lead their team as they join the AFL ranks in 2011.

Voss was adviced by both Lions coach Leigh Matthews and Magpies coach Mick Malthouse to coach at one of the present AFL clubs before taking on the Gold Coast challenge.

Voss will have to hand in his resignation from his current position as AIS coach for the AFL before moving to the West Coast team.

Mike McGuire

Dockers keen to shine after Bell departs

The Fremantle Dockers will look to begin the post Peter Bell era with an upset win over Geelong at Skilled Stadium on Saturday.

Ryan Crowley will try to repeat his outstanding effort against Gary Ablett in the Docker’s brave one point loss to the Cats on Anzac day, at Subiaco Oval.

Perhaps the biggest test the Dockers will face will be trying to penetrate as well as halt Geelong’s impressive back half, who tend to generate a lot of effective counter-attacking moves for the Cats.

Thompson won't be going to jail

Adelaide star Scott Thompson has avoided being jailed after he admitted he fleed the scene of a car accident in which a friend was badly hurt.

On Wednesday Thompson was handed a suspended four-month jail term after pleading guilty to dangerous driving causing serious harm and leaving the scene of an accident.

The midfielder was also handed a $5000 fine from the Crows.

Thompson admitted that it was him who was the dangerous driver that hit a pole in November last year after losing control whilst doing burnouts.

Adelaide officials, together with the players’ leadership group, issued Thompson a suspended fine of $5000 and ordered him to perform 50 hours’ community work with car accident victims.

Nathan Ablett back on the training grounds

Geelong Premiership forward Nathan Ablett is training with the Geelong VFL side, regaining the hunger for the game he lost when he left the club in January.

Ablett, younger brother to Brownlow Medal favorite Gary Ablett, has kept in touch with the club, making appearances at the club throughout the season.

The talented forward has trained with the Cats’ VFL group twice this week in what looks Ablett’s first major steps to returning to AFL.

According to coach Mark Thompson, Cats’ fans will have to wait until the 2009 season to see Ablett play again at AFL level.

Mike McGuire

AFL injury lists

CLUB-BY-CLUB injury list ahead of Round 15.

ADELAIDE
Andrew McLeod (knee) - 1 week
Jarrhan Jacky (knee) - 2 weeks
Brent Reilly (knee) - 3-4 weeks
Myke Cook (hamstring) - indefinite
Rhett Biglands (knee) - season

BRISBANE
Travis Johnstone (hamstring) - available
Scott Harding (knee) - available
Pearce Hanley (hamstring) - test
Albert Proud (chest) - test
Jason Roe (hamstring) - test
Matthew Tyler (back/hamstring) - test
Colm Begley (quad) - 1 week
Pat Garner (hamstring) - 1-3 weeks
Nigel Lappin (Achilles) - TBC

CARLTON
Jordan Bannister (hamstring) - test
Dennis Armfield (finger) - 1 week
Clinton Benjamin (quad) - 2 weeks
Paul Bower (shoulder) - 3 weeks
Richard Hadley (groin) - 3 weeks
Ryan Houlihan (hip) - 3 weeks

COLLINGWOOD
Ryan Lonie (shoulder) - available
Chris Dawes (achilles) - test
Josh Fraser (knee) - test
Sharrod Wellingham (groin) - test
Brodie Holland (achilles) - 2 weeks
Ben Reid (foot) - 6-8 weeks
Anthony Rocca (ankle) - 6-8 weeks
Brad Dick (knee) - season
Sean Rusling (shoulder) - season

ESSENDON
Dustin Fletcher (hand) - available
Henry Slattery (concussion) - available
Mal Michael (ribs) - test
Jay Neagle (ankle) - test
Bachar Houli (groin) - assess
Courtenay Dempsey (leg) - 3 weeks
Jason Johnson (calf) - 3 weeks
Andrew Lee (shoulder) - 3-4 weeks
Scott Gumbleton (collarbone) - 4 weeks
David Myers (foot) - 4 weeks
Alwyn Davey (knee) - season
Courtney Johns (knee) - season
Jason Winderlich (back) - season

FREMANTLE
Ryan Crowley (rib) - test e Daniel Gilmore (migraines) - test
Michael Johnson (ankle) - test
Luke McPharlin (ribs) - test
Ryley Dunn (hamstring) - 1 week
Roger Hayden (hamstring) - 1 week
Des Headland (knee) - 3 weeks
Andrew Foster (back) - season
Paul Hasleby (knee) season

GEELONG
Shannon Byrnes (foot) - test
Liam Bedford (hamstring) - 2 weeks
Matthew Egan (foot) - season

HAWTHORN
Chance Bateman (quad) test
Shane Crawford (knee tendonitis) test
Stuart Dew (hamstring tightness) test
Jordan Lewis (quad) test
Brad Sewell (shoulder/appendicitis) test
Simon Taylor (gash to knee) test
Ben McGlynn (quad) 2-3 weeks
Max Bailey (knee) season
Beau Muston (knee) season

MELBOURNE
James McDonald (groin) test
Kyle Cheney (hand) 2-3 weeks
Jared Rivers (abdominals/groin) season
Brock McLean (ankle) season
Russell Robertson (achilles) season
Brent Moloney (shoulder) season

NORTH MELBOURNE
Aaron Edwards (broken leg) 3 weeks
Hamish McIntosh (knee) 5-7 weeks
Nathan Grima (knee) - season
Leigh Adams (knee) - season

PORT ADELAIDE
Chad Cornes (calf) - test
Peter Burgoyne (hamstring) - 1 week
Toby Thurstans (knee) - 2 weeks
Travis Boak (groin) - 2-3 weeks
Steven Salopek (Achilles) - 2-3 weeks
Nathan Krakouer (hamstring) - 4-5 weeks

RICHMOND
Matthew Richardson (hamstring) - test
Will Thursfield (hamstring) - test
Andrew Raines (hamstring) - 2 weeks
Graham Polak (acquired brain injury) - indefinite

ST KILDA
Jayden Attard (knee) - test
Steven Baker (knee) - test
Xavier Clarke (hamstring) - test
Glenn Chivers (foot) - test
Michael Gardiner (hamstring) - test
Lenny Hayes (hamstring) - test
Adam Schneider (hamstring) - test
Eljay Connors (shoulder) - season
Matt Maguire (foot) - season
Luke van Rheenen (foot) - season

SYDNEY
Nick Davis (back) - test
Nic Fosdike (hamstring) 1-2 weeks
Ed Barlow (hamstring) - 2 weeks
Matthew Laidlaw (hamstring) - indefinite
Brett Meredith (shoulder) - season
Daniel O’Keefe (groin) - season
Kristin Thornton (knee) - season

WEST COAST
Sam Butler (groin) - test
Chad Jones (knee) - test
David Wirrpanda (back) - test
Matt Rosa (ankle) - 4-6 weeks
Shannon Hurn (fractured fibula) - TBA
Mitch Brown (knee) - season
Beau Waters (elbow) - season

WESTERN BULLDOGS
Shaun Higgins (ankle) available
Scott West (knee) 3 weeks
Tim Callan (hamstring) 2 weeks
Tom Williams (shoulder) 2 weeks
Wayde Skipper (knee) 5 weeks

Hall believes Swans have had enough

Former Bomber and Cats star John Barnes claims Barry Hall thinks the Swans have had enough of him and want him to make room for Brendan Fevola.

Barnes makes this claim in his weekly column in today’s Geelong Advertiser.

According to Barnes, a friend of his called him after meeting with Barry over coffee, who is out of the side because of his terrible on-field behavior. Barnes writes that Hall told his friend that the Swans are trying to get rid of him because they have their eyes on something else.

Roos suspend Grant

North Melbourne veteran Shannon Grant has been suspended by the club after behaving badly at a sponsors’ golf day.

The Kangaroos have banned Grant for one game, meaning he’ll miss Saturday night’s clash with Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium.

Grant was part of a group of players who attended the North Melbourne Golf Classic at the Sandhurst Club during the split round, it is understood his behavior at the event angered officials.

On Wednesday night North Melbourne released a statement saying Grant had broken team rules, breaching the club’s player code of conduct.

Mike McGuire

Bombers defence looking strong

Essendon star defender Dustin Fletcher will be available to play against the Brisbane Lions at Telstra Dome on Saturday night.

The Bombers are enjoying a three-match winning streak and will be looking to add to it, which will be more possible now with the reliable services of Fletcher who will help prevent Jonathan Brown and Daniel Bradshaw scoring goals.

It was feared that Fletcher had broken his hand in the Dockers game, but X-rays revealed that was not the case.

Essendon coach Matthew Knights also confirmed defender Henry Slattery would also be playing against the Lions, after recovering from concussion and a minor cheekbone fracture.

Mike McGuire

Stingray sting still stopping Kerr's recovery

West Coast star midfielder Daniel Kerr is struggling to be fit in time for Sunday’s clash with Richmond following an unlucky run of injuries over the last fortnight.

Kerr is still recovering from the effects of a stingray attack suffered at a recovery session at St Kilda Sea Baths after the Eagles loss to the Saints a few weeks ago.

He is also battling a knee injury.

The sting to his ankle left him in what he described as the worst pain he had ever felt and has also restricted the 25-year-old at training.

On top of that, Kerr has also caught a virus this week, leaving Eagles coach John Worsfold unsure whether to risk playing his match-winner against the Tigers.

Worsfold will have a chat to Daniel on Wednesday afternoon to see how he is feeling.

Mike McGuire

McPharlin, Johnson and Farmer to strengthen Dockers

The Fremantle Dockers will be happy to receive back the services of some of their stars ahead of the clash with the mighty Cats at Skilled Stadium this Saturday.

Defenders Luke McPharlin and Michael Johnson are expected to return from injury, while controversial goalsneak Jeff Farmer, who was suspended for the club’s round 14 match against Essendon for disciplinary reasons will defianetly play.

Roger Hayden (hamstring) and Ryley Dunn (hamstring) are still recovering and won’t travel to Melbourne.

Vic Metro claim Under 18s Title

Vic Metro has regained the National Under 18s title following a comprehensive 29-point victory over Western Australia in the final match of the carnival at the Telstra Dome today.

The Vics were in control throughout and led from start to finish, running out winners, 14.9 (93) to 9.10 (64).

The tackling and foot skills of the hosts was a feature of their game as they denied the pacey WA side the time and space they required.

Vic Metro opened the match with five of the first six goals to lead by 18 points at quarter time and held a match-winning lead mid-way through the second term after kicking the first three goals of the period.

There was a late challenge by WA in the final quarter when they bridged the gap to 22 points on the back of some brilliant teamwork from star midfield pair Nicholas Naitanui and Daniel Rich but the Vics steadied through a goal from key forward Jack Watts to seal the result and the title.

Mitchell Banner and David Zaharakis were brilliant through the centre for the victors while Tyrone Vickery had a major impact in the first half as a key forward and as a back-up ruckman.

After a quiet carnival Rich was outstanding for WA, showing why he is expected to be selected early in this year’s AFL Draft.

Clancee Pearce provided great rebound off half back and Naitanui showed flashes of brilliance as he has throughout the carnival.

Despite not having a major influence on today’s clash, Vic Metro’s Jack Watts was announced as the winner of the Larke Medal for the best player in the championships.

The award for WA’s best player of the carnival was presented to Clancee Pearce.

VIC METRO 5.1 8.3 11.6 14.9 (93)
defeated
WA 2.1 3.4 5.7 9.10 (64)

GOALS:
Vic Metro - Vickery 3, Banner 2, Zaharakis 2, McKernan 2, Blease 2, Watts 2, Lynch 1.
WA - Yarran 3, Rich 1, Lucas 1, Jetta 1, Naitanui 1, Hill 1, Klause 1.

BEST:
Vic Metro - Banner, Zaharakis, Vickery, Stanton, Lynch, Shuey.
WA - Rich, Pearce, Naitanui, Walters, Yarran, Hill.

Hawk's list receives strong boost

Hawthorn could receive a boost to their team list, with key players having a good chance of returning, as the Hawks seek to break a big losing streak to Sydney in Sunday’s important clash at the MCG.

On-baller Chance Bateman and ruckman Simon Taylor are almost certain to play after recovering from a corked quad and gashed knee respectively.

The Hawks will also be keeping a close eye on Jordan Lewis, Shane Crawford and Brad Sewell, all three trained on Tuesday.

The return of their three best midfielders will make a huge difference in their bid to beat the Swans.

Mike McGuire

Akermanis's bright idea

Attention-seeking Western Bulldogs star Jason Akermanis wants his side to play matches in Shanghai.

Akermanis said it would be a huge opportunity to pick up some boom recruits over there, as well as increase the club’s membership.

The former Brisbane champion revealed he would have a chat to club president David Smorgon about his idea when he returned from holiday.

AFL Players Association concerned about Hall

The AFL Players Association is concerned about how Sydney are handling Barry Hall.

Psychologist Grant Brecht has been appointed as the Judge and jury of when Barry Hall should return to AFL.

AFLPA chief executive Brendon Gale has questioned the standards the struggling star must reach before returning to the game.

Gale suggested it would be an arbitrary decision of a psychologist that will determine when he would be fine to play again, saying it was all a bit strange.

He added that if Barry Hall was fit, willing and able to play and up for selection, you’d presume Barry Hall on his merits and in-form would be selected.

Mike McGuire

WA U/18s Updates Here on Footygoss

WA take on Vic Metro in the decider of the NAB Under 18s Championships today at Telstra Dome in Melbourne and Footygoss will bring you regular updates throughout the match and a comprehensive wrap after the final siren.

D Day for WA 18s

It all comes down to one game of football for Western Australia’s Under 18s when they tackle Victoria Metro at Telstra Dome on Wednesday in what is effectively the Grand Final of the National Under 18s Chmpionships.

The results of the first four rounds of fixtures have fallen the way that the competition’s organisers were hoping and has left WA and Vic Metro to fight it out for the title in the final match of the championships.

WA are the reigning champions and will retain the title should they defeat Vic Metro on Wednesday.

The Sandgropers trail the undefeated Vics on the table due to their surprise 27-point defeat at the hands of Vic Country in Round 3, however a win over Vic Metro will see the two teams level on points and the title will return west based on the head-to-head record of the two sides.

WA’s campaign started brightly with comfortable victories over NSW/ACT (70 points) and South Australia (65 points) before the hiccup against Vic Country at Subiaco Oval.

On Saturday WA returned to form with an impressive 60-point thumping of Tasmania at Casey Fields.

Meanwhile, Vic Metro were able to sneak past their rivals, Vic Country by three points in the first match and have been untroubled since, keeping Tasmania to just one goal, thrashing South Australia by 55 points and crusing past NSW/ACT last Saturday by 51 points.

Victorian key forward Jack Watts, touted as a possible rival to Nicholas Naitanui and Daniel Rich for the number one position in the 2008 AFL Draft later this season, looms as the danger man having amassed 13 goals in the first four rounds.

Defender Michael Hurley is likely to get the job on one of WA’s key forwards and has been in top form throughout the carnival while Xavier Gotch, son of Collingwood assistant coach Brad Gotch, is one to watch in the midfield.

For WA the two big guns are Naitanui and Rich but there have been others to impress over the past month.

Claremont dynamo Matt DeBoer has been lively in the midfield and his physical style of play will be important against the Vics.

Kane Lucas and Stephen Hill have also enjoyed outstanding carnivals while forward Lance Daly, a smooth mover in the mould of Robert Murphy, could be a wildcard in the forward line having kicked a haul of five goals against NSW/ACT in Round 1.

Swan Districts fans will have seen goalsneak Chris Yarran at his very best earlier this season and WA coach Andrew Lockyer will be hoping that he can recapture some of that form in the biggest match of the carnival.

The match will be televised live across the nation on Fox Sports beginning at 12noon WST as the final game of a triple header at the Telstra Dome.

WA Squad
1. Alistair Smith (P)
2. Steven Potente (SD)
4. Stephen Hill (WP)
5. Matt DeBoer (C)
6. Nicholas Olds (EF)
7. Neville Jetta (SD)
8. Thomas Swift (C)
9. Kane Lucas (EF)
10. Daniel Rich (S)
11. Clint Garlett (SD)
12. Kane Goodwin (P)
13. Brad Sheppard (EF)
14. Joel Fiegert (P)
15. James Klause (C)
16. Dylan Ross (C)
17. Michael Walters (SD)
18. Jesse Laurie (C)
19. Blake Warner (P)
21. Mitch Marsh (SF)
22. Mitchell Duncan (EP)
23. Clancee Pearce (SD)
24. Christopher Luff (PT)
25. Rhys Peedle (P)
26. Hamish Shepheard (EP)
27. John Bennell (PT)
28. Anthony Morabito (PT)
29. Michael Mather (P)
30. Chris Yarran (SD)
41. Lance Daly (SD)
43. Daniel Murray (EP)
44. Nicholas Naitanui (SD)

DAVID LINDSAY

Essendon youngster hits another hurdle

Essendon key position player Courtney Johns has hit a major hurdle in suffering a serious knee injury in the VFL on Saturday afternoon.

It is not yet a hundred percent sure exactly how serious the injury is but there is a good chance he has damaged the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Johns has only played two matches for the Bombers this season with his career total sitting at 21.

The 23-year-old made his debut season in 2005 but suffered a severe hip injury which prevented him from playing regular AFL football.

Mike McGuire

Magpies must win for a chance at top-four

Magpie skipper Scott Burns has marked this Saturday night’s clash with the Swans at ANZ Stadium as a must-win game.

Burns knows that his side will lose touch with the top four if they don’t win. A loss will see them fall 14 points behind the fourth-placed Swans.

The Magpie skipper said his team has been a bit inconsistent this year but he feels the side is not far off from finding that consistency.

Webster on his way back to AFL

Fremantle Docker’s player Luke Webster will play for WAFL team East Perth this weekend in a bid to make a come-back to the AFL ranks.

Webster underwent knee surgery after he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee for the third time on April 5.

Webster knew the surgery was his only option to help him add to the 33 AFL games he has played so far. He said he was confident his repaired knee would survive the demands of top-level football.

Mike McGuire

Crows receive a Cat mauling

Geelong have thrashed Adelaide by 68 points at AAMI Stadium on Friday night.

The Crows had a game plan to attack Geelong but unfortunately for them the plan looked good only on paper, as the Cats outplayed them from the start to win 18.16 (124) to 8.8 (56).

Brownlow Medal favorite Gary Ablett was again in fine form, but perhaps was overshadowed by the efforts of Jimmy Bartel, Joel Selwood and Corey Enright who out-classed the Crows in the middle, while Tom Lonergan impressed with a career-high four goals.

For Adelaide Graham Johncock, Simon Goodwin, Scott Stevens and Kris Massie tried hard all night to limit the damage done to them by the classy Cats but lacked the depth in their team to compete with the 2007 Premiers who now look like becoming the 2008 Premiers in a couple of months.

Adelaide have lost their last three matches.

Mike McGuire

Team lists for second week of Round 14

ALL the ins and outs for the two matches in the second week of the split round.

Friday July 4

Adelaide v Geelong
AAMI Stadium @ 7.40pm

ADELAIDE
B: Graham Johncock, Ben Rutten, Nathan Bassett
HB: Nathan van Berlo, Nathan Bock, Michael Doughty
C: Chris Knights, Scott Thompson, Brent Reilly
HF: Brett Burton, Simon Goodwin, Bernie Vince
F: Jason Porplyzia, Kurt Tippett, Nick Gill
Foll: Ivan Maric, Tyson Edwards, Robert Shirley
Int: Kris Massie, Brad Symes, Richard Douglas, Scott Stevens
Emg: Jonathon Griffin, David Mackay, Luke Jericho

In: Massie, Symes
Out: Andrew McLeod (knee) Jericho (omitted)

GEELONG
B: Tom Harley, Matthew Scarlett, Andrew Mackie
HB: Darren Milburn, Max Rooke, Corey Enright
C: James Kelly, Cameron Ling, Jimmy Bartel
HF: Steve Johnson, Cameron Mooney, David Wojcinski
F: Paul Chapman, Tom Lonergan, Mathew Stokes
Foll: Mark Blake, Joel Corey, Gary Ablett
Int: Josh Hunt, Brad Ottens, Joel Selwood, Travis Varcoe
Emg: Ryan Gamble, Harry Taylor, Brent Prismall

In: Scarlett, Stokes
Out: Taylor, Prismall (omitted)

Saturday July 5

Sydney Swans v Collingwood
ANZ Stadium @ 7.10pm

SYDNEY SWANS
B: Nick Malceski, Leo Barry, Martin Mattner
HB: Craig Bolton, Ted Richards, Tadhg Kennelly
C: Kieren Jack, Jarrad McVeigh, Amon Buchanan
HF: Ryan O’Keefe, Barry Hall, Luke Ablett
F: Paul Bevan, Michael O’Loughlin, Lewis Roberts-Thomson
Foll: Darren Jolly, Brett Kirk, Jude Bolton
Int: Craig Bird, Peter Everitt, Jarrad Moore, Henry Playfair
Emg: Heath Grundy, Ben Mathews, Tim Schmidt

In: Everitt
Out: Adam Goodes (suspended)

COLLINGWOOD
B: Heath Shaw, Shane Wakelin, Tarkyn Lockyer
HB: Martin Clarke, Nick Maxwell, Harry O’Brien
C: Ben Johnson, Scott Burns, Rhyce Shaw
HF: Scott Pendlebury, Travis Cloke, Chris Bryan
F: Alan Didak, Nathan Brown, Paul Medhurst
Foll: Cameron Wood, Dane Swan, Dale Thomas
Int: Shane O’Bree, Tyson Goldsack, Leon Davis, Sharrod Wellingham,
Emg: John Anthony, Danny Stanley, Alan Toovey

In: Cloke, Davis, Wakelin
Out: Anthony Rocca (ankle), Ben Reid (foot), Toovey (omitted)

Crows will attack

Adelaide will employ an attacking game plan against the mighty Cats on Friday night at AAMI stadium.

Crows coach Neil Craig acknowledges that his team won’t win if they are too defensive.

Learning from the Magpies impressive win against the Cats in Round 9, Adelaide will look to chase, tackle and pressure and then break away with pace when they get the ball themselves.

During the Club’s main training session on Wednesday night, Craig only gave his players three seconds to dispose of the ball following a mark.

The game plan sounds good but Adelaide aren’t used to playing an attacking game and the Cats will be more then ready to pounce when the plan falls apart.

Mike McGuire

Judd set to go

Carlton captain Chris Judd is recovering well from his collision with Essendon skipper Matthew Lloyd in round 13.

Judd missed last week’s win over the Tigers.

Assistant coach Mark Riley said the skipper was fit and well and will be playing against the Saints next Friday night.

Bell is good enough to keep playing

Dockers President Rick Hart and coach Mark Harvey are urging veteran midfielder Peter Bell to play on in 2009.

Bell considered retiring at the end of last season but Harvey said if it was possible for him to travel from Geraldton to Perth every week to play in 2008, he should continue to play.

The travel arrangements are no longer a worry for Bell after he moved back to Perth in May.

He is averaging almost 22 possessions a game and is invaluable as the Dockers are feeling the loss of key players Paul Hasleby and Des Headland to knee injuries. Bell has only missed one game this season.

Harvey said Bell is in good enough form to gain a contract extension if he chooses to continue on into his 15th AFL season.

Mike McGuire

Scarlett set to return

Star Geelong defender Matthew Scarlett will make a come-back this Friday night at AAMI Stadium against Adelaide.

Scarlett injured his hamstring in the round 11 clash with North Melbourne and missed Geelong’s wins against Port Adelaide and West Coast.

The 29-year-old said that he is a hundred percent fit and could have even played a few weeks ago against the Eagles but having the extra break has helped him to recover well.

Geelong will be happy to have their Premiership defender back who will only make the Cats a harder team to beat.

Mike McGuire

Brown wanting a long term deal

Jonathon Brown is willing to stay with the Brisbane Lions for the rest of his career if they offer him a long term contract, he would prefer to stay with the Lions then get lured by big sums of money from other clubs.

The Lions will only offer Brown a three-year deal, whether this will be enough for him to stay at the club remains to be seen.

The club has learnt from its mistakes of offering players long term deals only to see those player’s bodies age fast, suffer injuries and never fully recover from those injuries.

Brown wants these negotiations to be the last in his career and would love to be offered a four or even better five year deal.

He turns 27 in October.

Mike McGuire

Collingwood receive boost to their team list

Collingwood is hoping that Josh Fraser and Leon Davis will play for them in this Saturday’s clash with Sydney.

Fraser trained well this morning and Pies assistant coach Brad Scott said he saw encouraging signs.

The ruckman injured his knee during the Hall of Fame tribute match in early May but seems to have recovered well.

Leon Davis also is a strong chance to play, but needed treatment for his injured ankle during the training session.

Crawford struggling with knees

Hawthorn star Shane Crawford is struggling with both of his knees and will be used sparingly for the rest of the season as he crawls towards his 300th game.

Crawford will defiantely miss the first game after the break, maybe more, with the Hawks looking to play him every second week for rest of the home-and-away season.

Soreness in both his knees as well as suspension have kept Crawford out for most of the season so far.

Mike McGuire

Fremantle optimistic about Gilmore's return

Fremantle player Daniel Gilmore stands a good chance to play AFL footy before the end of this season, according to the club’s medical team.

Gilmore, who has played the first seven games of the season has suffered dizzy spells and lethargy since the head-knock he received at training last month.

It is believed he has post-concussion syndrome.

He visited a specialist on Tuesday and will undergo more neurological tests to determine when he can return to the game.

The club is confident he will make a full recovery from the heavy knock.

He will carry on with a light exercise program and be carefully monitored to determine when he can return to full training.

Mike McGuire

Swans player Davis looking for a new club

Sydney Swans player Nick Davis is expecting to be traded by the Swans after this season.

Davis was close to signing a three-year deal in August last year but it didn’t happen and is currently on a one-year deal.

Davis has not played in the Swans last seven games and is unlikely to play in this weekend’s big game against his former team Collingwood at ANZ stadium on Saturday night.

Davis was dropped after the Swans Round six draw against North Melbourne and will find it hard to break back into the side who are enjoying a six-match winning streak.

The 27-year old has only played three games this season and will be hoping to find a new deal with another AFL club for next season.

Mike McGuire

Saints gaining confidence

St Kilda are more confident about making the AFL finals after a morale-boosting win over North Melbourne and the expected return of several key players from injury.

Midfielder Leigh Montagna said the players had acknowledged their final quarter heroics against the Roos had given them another chance to compete in September action after an ordinary start to the season.

St Kilda booted six goals to one in the final quarter and ran away to a 15-point win.

The Saints don’t play this weekend due to the split-round break and after replacing the Roos in the top eight will regroup and look to attack the remaining eight games of the season.

Mike McGuire

Polak confused and tired but making progress

Richmond defender Graham Polak, who was hit by a tram on Saturday night is tired and confused and is expected to sleep for most of Wednesday.

In positive news, the 24-year-old former Dockers player is eating and able to recognise names and faces.

Tigers president Gary March spent some time with Graham’s family at the Alfred hospital on Wednesday morning and said that Polak has a long way to go in his recovery.

March said the club is keeping positive and are encouraged by the support from their fans and the general community.

Injury list

CLUB-BY-CLUB injury list ahead of Round 14.

ADELAIDE
Andrew McLeod (knee) TBC
Trent Hentschel (ankle) test
Jarrhan Jacky (knee) 3-4 weeks
Myke Cook (hamstring) indefinite
Rhett Biglands (knee) season

BRISBANE LIONS
Travis Johnstone (hamstring) available
Scott Harding (knee) test
Jason Roe (hamstring) test
Albert Proud (chest) test
Matthew Tyler (back/hamstring) test
Pearce Hanley (hamstring) test
Colm Begley (quad) 1 week
Pat Garner (hamstring) 2-3 weeks
Nigel Lappin (Achilles) TBC

CARLTON
Chris Judd (concussion) available
Jordan Bannister (hamstring) test
Clinton Benjamin (quad) 2 weeks
Dennis Armfield (finger) 2-3 weeks
Ryan Houlihan (hip) 3 weeks
Paul Bower (shoulder) 4 weeks
Richard Hadley (groin) Indefinite

COLLINGWOOD
Ryan Lonie (shoulder) test
Josh Fraser (knee) test
Leon Davis (ankle) test
Brodie Holland (Achilles) 1-2 weeks
Ben Reid (foot) 6-8 weeks
Anthony Rocca (ankle) 6-8 weeks
Sean Rusling (shoulder) season
Brad Dick (knee) season

ESSENDON
Tom Hislop (shoulder) available
Heath Hocking (groin) available
Henry Slattery (cheekbone) 1 week
Darcy Daniher (back) 1-2 weeks
Bachar Houli (groin) 1-2 weeks
Courtenay Dempsey (leg) 3 weeks
Andrew Lee (shoulder) 3-4 weeks
Jason Johnson (calf) 4 weeks
Scott Gumbleton (collarbone) indefinite
Alwyn Davey (knee) season

FREMANTLE
Ryley Dunn (hamstring) test
Daniel Gilmore (concussion) test
Roger Hayden (hamstring) test
Michael Johnson (ankle) test
Shaun McManus (knee) test
Luke McPharlin (ribs) test
Luke Pratt (calf) test
Luke Webster (knee) 1 week
Ryan Crowley (ribs) 1 week
Des Headland (knee) 4 weeks
Andrew Foster (back) season
Paul Hasleby (knee) season

GEELONG
Shannon Byrnes (foot) - 1 week
Liam Bedford (hamstring) - 3 weeks
Matthew Egan (foot) - season

HAWTHORN
Trent Croad (bruised hip) available
Chance Bateman (corked quad) test
Tim Clarke (quad) test
Shane Crawford (knee) test
Simon Taylor (knee) test
Cameron Stokes (hamstring) 1 week
Brad Sewell (shoulder) 1-2 weeks
Beau Muston (knee) season
Max Bailey (knee) season

MELBOURNE
James McDonald (groin) 1 week
Brock McLean (ankle) season
Brent Moloney (shoulder) season
Jared Rivers (groin) season
Russell Robertson (Achilles) season

NORTH MELBOURNE
Robbie Tarrant (shoulder) 2 weeks
Aaron Edwards (broken leg) 2 weeks
Hamish McIntosh (knee) 7-9 weeks
Nathan Grima (knee) season
Leigh Adams (knee) season

PORT ADELAIDE
Peter Burgoyne (hamstring) 1 week
Chad Cornes (calf) 1 week
Travis Boak (groin) 3-4 weeks
Toby Thurstans (knee) 2-3 weeks
Steven Salopek (Achilles) 3-4 weeks
Nathan Krakouer (hamstring) 4-5 weeks

RICHMOND
Matthew Richardson (hamstring) test
Will Thursfield (hamstring) test
Luke McGuane (hamstring) test
Mark Coughlan (hamstring) indefinite
Graham Polak (brain) indefinite

ST KILDA
Jayden Attard (knee) test
Steven Baker (knee) test
Xavier Clarke (hamstring) test
Glenn Chivers (foot) test
Michael Gardiner (hamstring) test
Lenny Hayes (hamstring) test
Adam Schneider (hamstring) test
Eljay Connors (shoulder) season
Matt Maguire (foot) season
Luke van Rheenen (foot) season

SYDNEY
Ed Barlow (hamstring) test
Peter Everitt (hamstring) test
Nic Fosdike (hamstring) 1 week
Matthew Laidlaw (hamstring) indefinite
Daniel O’Keefe (groin) season
Kristin Thornton (knee) season

WEST COAST
Josh Kennedy (knee) test
Chad Jones (ankle) test
Matthew Spangher (shoulder) test
Adam Selwood (throat) test
Shannon Hurn (fractured fibula) 1-2 weeks
Matt Rosa (ankle) 4-6 weeks
Mitchell Brown (knee) season
Beau Waters (elbow) season

WESTERN BULLDOGS
Shaun Higgins (ankle) test
Ryan Griffen (finger) test
Scott Welsh (finger) test
Tom Williams (shoulder) test
Tim Callan (hamstring) 1 week
Wayde Skipper (knee) 2-3 weeks
Brennan Stack (ankle) TBC
Scott West (knee) 4 weeks

Umpires are tough on Franklin

Lance Franklin’s reputation as a bad boy has been enhanced with stats revealing in his last four games he has conceeded 16 free kicks whilst only been awarded two.

The star Hawthorn forward has a 0-7 free kick record in his past two games against North Melbourne and West Coast.

The Hawks are not angry at their man however, instead saying he has been unlucky on a couple of occassions.

Hawthorn football manager Mark Evans said that Lance is always in such a good position as a forward, he is suprised that he hasn’t received a few more free kicks himself.

The Hawks have lodged a complaint to the umpiring department, with the recent figures Franklin will defianetly be watched like a Hawk.

Mike McGuire

Kerr struck by grumpy ray

West Coast star midfielder Daniel Kerr has been stung by a stingray during a recovery session at St Kilda this morning.

Kerr was in the shallow water outside the St Kilda Sea Baths when the ray struck, leaving a puncture mark on his ankle.

Eagle’s spokesman Gary Stocks said Kerr had told him it was the worst pain he had ever experienced, luckily for him, the team doctor injected him with a pain-killing local anesthetic.

The night before, the Eagles suffered a 57-point loss to the Hawks, with Kerr been West Coast’s best player, nothing seems to be going right for them this season, even Mother nature is against them.

Mike McGuire

Carlton blow away Tigers in last quarter

Carlton have beaten Richmond by 30 points at the MCG On Saturday afternoon.

The game was up for grabs going into the last quarter but Carlton booted seven goals to two in another impressive last quarter effort by them, as they won 17.16 (118) to 12.16 (88).

Carlton played the better footy when it mattered most, lead well by Nick Stevens who finished with 26 touches and Brenden Fevola who kicked four majors.

The loss for Richmond means they will struggle to make the finals series whilst the Blues will continue to challenge the top eight and with captain Chris Judd set to return next round they will be confident of winning more games.

Mike McGuire

Hawks brush aside Eagles

Hawthorn have beaten West Coast by 57 points in Friday night’s match at the MCG.

The Hawks now have 12 wins from 14 games and have secured a place in finals action this year with an easy 18.18 (126) to 9.15 (69) win.

Hawthorn forwards Jarryd Roughead and Lance Franklin returned to form this week with Roughead booting six goals and Franklin five.

For the Eagles, Daniel Kerr was exceptional with a career-high 40 disposals whilst Matt Priddis gathered an incredible 45 possessions.

For both teams, they put in a much improved performance from last week and will be looking forward to a few weeks break as this week is the AFL’s split round.

Mike McGuire

Butler suffers another blow

West Coast premiership midfielder Sam Butler has suffered another setback to his AFL return with a recurrence of his chronic groin injury.

The news is not terrible, with John John Worsfold revealing he expected Butler to be back after the split round.

The 22-year-old has played the last three games for the Eagles after being out of the side with injury for almost two years.

Hille cleared of spitting at a fan

Essendon ruckman David Hille has been cleared by the AFL of spitting at a fan during the Bombers’ win over the Blues in Round 13.

Football operations manager Adrian Anderson stated that the AFL had looked into a complaint from a fan that Hille had spat at them during the final term of last weekend’s match.

It was found that Hille did spit while in the area of the person who forged a complaint but it wasn’t directed at anyone.

Mike McGuire

Kirk is a chance for the Brownlow

Sydney coach Paul Roos says he wouldn’t be surprised if Brett Kirk did well in this year’s Brownlow Medal count.

Adam Goodes won’t win an amazing third medal due to been suspended this week, but Kirk at the ripe age of 31 continues to play crucial roles in every game he plays.

Leading Brownlow Candidates such as Goodes, Lance Franklin and Sam Mitchell are out of the race due to suspension, which will further enhance the Sydney co-captain’s chances of giving the likes of Gary Ablett and Adam Cooney some strong competition.

Crawford and Croad add to Hawk's artillery

Key Hawthorn players Shane Crawford and Trent Croad will make a welcome return to their team for the clash against West Coast on Friday night at the MCG.

Crawford has not played since round eight, out with a knee injury, whilst hip problems have sidelined Croad for the past fortnight.

Coach Alistair Clarkson said that Croad is such a versatile defender, being able to play on bigger or smaller opponents.

Shane Crawford will bring vast experience into the Hawk’s team as they look to show no mercy to the struggling Eagles.

Mike McGuire

Cousins likely to play for Port Melbourne

Ben Cousins is getting closer to playing for Port Melbourne this year.

It is not yet clear what role he will have at the club, with an announcement on his future expected later today.

Rumors are that Cousins has revealed he is ready to begin the process of returning to AFL.

Farmer goes missing

Jeff Farmer has been dropped by Fremantle for missing a compulsory recovery session in Melbourne last Saturday after the side’s loss against the Saints the night before.

It is Unclear why he missed the session. Farmer will miss Sunday’s clash against Essendon.

The erratic forward is in the last year of his contract and was warned by coach Mark Harvey just three weeks ago that he needed to make more of a contribution in each game until the end of the season before he could receive a new deal.

Farmer turned 31 on Tuesday and with this latest incident and Fremantle looking to inject youth into their side, it looks like his playing days are coming to an end.

Mike McGuire

Judd likely to play

Chris Judd looks to have recovered from his big bump with Essendon’s Matthew Lloyd last weekend and according to Blues coach Brett Ratten will play in Carlton’s clash with Richmond on Saturday.

Judd didn’t pulled up well after the heavy clash with Lloyd during the Blues loss to the Bombers, but did play for most of the game.

Ratten has given his captain until Friday to make up his mind about playing against the Tigers.

Both the Tigers and Blues are in contention to make the top eight and Judd’s fitness could decide the outcome of the game.

Mike McGuire

Worsfold cools down after on-air spat

West Coast coach John Worsfold has said that he did not mean to question AFL Brownlow Medallist Brad Hardie’s character in Monday night’s awkrawd on-air incident.

Worsfold, speaking on Perth radio on Monday night, was over-sensitive and aggressive when Hardie questioned West Coast’s tactics and team selection after the horrible loss to Geelong on the weekend.

The Eagles coach told Hardie he was building a team that could one day win a premiership and that it took special character to be part of such a team, before adding that Hardie didn’t possess such character.

Worsfold has since said that Hardie had every right to question team selection, admitting he may have ove-reacted.

Mike McGuire

West faces race against time

Western Bulldog’s star Scott West is continuing to battle hard against injury problems, with his club hopeful he’ll return to the team a few games before finals action.

West has struggled to recover from a stress fracture in his knee and has been told to stay off his feet for the next fortnight.

The aim is for him to return in round 17 or 18, giving him a few games to find his fitness before the finals.

Mike McGuire

Welcome back Ben

Disgraced formal Eagles player, Ben Cousins is likely to play state football this year, which is his first step towards an AFL return next year.

Rumors say that Cousins will register for a VFL team before Monday’s deadline.

Cousins will decide which one of the twelve VFL teams he wants to play for as he looks to start a new life in Victoria.

Bassett beats charge

Key Adelaide defender, Nathan Bassett has beaten a striking charge at the AFL Tribunal on Tuesday night.

It was an important win for the Crows as they will be missing another All-Australian back-man, Andrew McLeod against the Cats on Friday night.

McLeod is battling a knee injury.

Bassett flew to Melbourne to plead his case that he didn’t intentionally strike Brisbane Lion, Jed Adcock at the Gabba on Saturday night. 

G-train back on track

ST Kilda power forward, Fraser Gehrig is recovering well from injury and looks like making a return to AFL in the next couple of weeks.

Gehrig joined his team-mates for a light training session yesterday.

According to Saints football operations manager Matthew Drain, there is no time frame on his return and will play again when he, the coaching staff and the medical staff believe he is ready for action.

Gehrig has undergone surgery for arthritis on his right hand and will rely on medical personnel for advice on how to manage the arthritis in both his hands.

Mike McGuire

Cats destroy Eagles

Geelong have thrashed the West Coast Eagles by 135 points handing them their second biggest loss in their history at Subiaco Oval on Saturday night.

Geelong won, 28.14 (182) to 5.17 (47), and to make matter worse one of West Coast’s best players this season, Adam Selwood was rushed to hospital with a suspected throat injury suffered in the first quarter.

Geelong star midfielder and Brownlow Medal favorite, Gary Ablett was superb with 37 possessions and two goals, further enhancing his Brownlow hopes.

Paul Chapman and Cameron Mooney each booted five goals for the Cats, whilst Mark LeCras was the only positive for West Coast, booting three of his own.

West Coast turned the ball over regularly which resulted in at least ten goals for the Cats.

West Coast will be murdered by the West Australian media this coming week, for Geelong, they will return home still number one on the ladder.

Mike McGuire

Tigers creep over the line against Power

Richmond have kept their season alive with a nail-bitting four-point win against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Saturday Afternoon.

Port Adelaide kicked five quick goals in the last quarter, but were beaten by the clock as the Tigers won, 20.7 ( 127) to 19.9 (123), which leaves the Power with just four wins after making last year’s Grand Final.

With five wins, the Tigers will now have belief that they can earn a spot in the hotly contested top eight.

Richmond looked like comfortable winners after leading by 27 points going into the last quarter until Port Adelaide came back strongly, luckily for the Tigers, time was against the Power who kicked five straight goals and were left wandering what an extra minute or two could have meant for their season.

Port Adelaide look out of finals contention, whilst Richmond will battle hard against the likes of Carlton and St Kilda for a top eight berth.

Mike McGuire

North Melbourne out-class Hawks

North Melbourne have produced a stunning 27-point-win against Hawthorn at the MCG, on Saturday afternoon.

Lindsay Thomas with his highest haul of four goals and reliable veteran Brent Harvey who racked up possessions in every quarter and chipped in with a few goals of his own, inspired their team to a memorable victory.

Hawthorn’s usually dangerous duo of James Franklin and Jarryd Roughead could only manage three goals and eight behinds between them, as North Melbourne scored, 15.13 (103) to Hawthorn’s 10.16 (76).

It was a committed and disciplined performance from the Roos, who seemed to have recovered well from last week’s bad loss to Fremantle.

The Hawks were behind from the start of the game, wasting regular scoring opportunities, with Lance Franklin being the main culprit, hitting the post at the start of the last quarter before the Roos ran away with the game.

Hawk’s star Luke Hodge was one of his team’s best, booting an inspirational running goal from sixty meters out in the last term and was his side’s unexpected leading goal scorer with three goals for the game.

North Melbourne however, had control for most of the game and at one stage in the third quarter had seventeen disposals in a row as they seemed to have more hunger and energy than their rivals.

Dean laidley will be hugely impressed with his boys who have managed to keep their season alive with one of their best wins, just a week after one of the club’s worst losses last weekend.

For Hawthorn hopefully the loss will give them a kick up the butt as they fight to stay near the top of the table.

Mike McGuire

Roos jump ahead at half-time

North Melbourne are leading the Hawks by two goals at half time at the MCG.

The Hawks controlled the game early on, but failed to put the scoreboard pressure on, something which the Roos managed, kicking the first two goals of the match through Matt Campbell and Shannon Grant, the latter returning from being rested last week.

Hawthorn got to within a point of the Roos at the end of the first quarter when captain Sam Mitchell and Vice-captain Luke Hodge showed the way with a goal each, but North Melbourne replied at the start of the second term through Matt Campbell’s second major of the match.

Hawks star Lance Franklin then kicked his first goal of the game, only for the Roos to forge ahead again this time through goals to Daniel Harris and Brent Harvey.

Half time score - North Melbourne, 7.8 (50) lead Hawthorn 5.8 (38).

Dockers to target young Saint

Fremantle coach Mark Harvey has said that his side will target St Kilda debutant, Ben McEvoy when the two teams meet on Friday night at Telstra Dome.

Saints coach Ross Lyon has already made it clear McEvoy, 18, will play his first AFL Game against the Dockers on Friday night.

McEvoy will face the tough task of trying to stop Fremantle’s in-form giant ruck-man Aaron Sandilands.

Harvey suggested that his team will test the youngster’s toughness with the likes of Joss Carr and Dean Solomon.

Mike McGuire

« Back

Mailing List

Get top footy news in your inbox.

Email: