Tyson Edwards

Grand Final Day Events and Timeline 2010

admincms — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 14:56:12 -0500

The following is the time line for the the Grand Final day events including key times for match and TV related activities.   All times are listed first in Australian AEST and then in US EDT. This is based on information from the AFL, AFANA, press reports and past history. :This story will be periodically updated with late information.

Time AEST/US EDT Event
11:40 AM / 9:40 PM Gillette AFL Grand Final Sprint heats
12:10 AM / 10:10 PM AIS Academy Squad / TAC Cup presentation and photo
12:55 PM / 10:55 PM Delivery of match footballs to Umpires
1.00 PM / 11:00 PM On-field pre-match set up
1.10 PM – 1.25 PM / 11:10 PM – 11:25 PM Preliminary on-field warm-up opportunity for competing clubs
1:25 PM / 11:25 PM Stage and sound set in centre square
1:30 PM -- 2:00 PM / 11:30 PM --12:00 MN Pre-match entertainment featuring INXS. Welcome to country by Wurundjeri elder Joy Murphy Wandin.
1:30 PM / 11:30 PM International TV feed begins including coverage on ESPN Classic, TSN2, and ESPN3.com. The host broadcaster is Channel 7 and the announcers will be lead by Bruce McAvaney and Dennis Cometti.
1:31 PM / 11:31 PM Team highlights on screen and on banners
1:35 PM / 11:35 PM INXS performs.
1:46 PM / 11:46 PM Legends, retiring players, medallists, and greats introduced (time approximate)
1:51 PM / 11:51 PM Performance of team songs by Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
2.00 PM / 12:00 MN Pre-match entertainment concludes
2:00 PM – 2:08 PM / 12:00 MN – 12:08 AM Arena cleared and reset
2:08 PM / 12:08 AM TBA
2:10 PM / 12:10 AM Qantas A380 fly-over
2:12 PM / 12:12 AM Cheer squads and banners set
2.15 PM / 12:15 AM Umpires enter the arena on cue (Brett Rosebury, Ray Chamberlain, and Shaun Ryan)
2.16 PM / 12:16 AM St Kilda enters the arena on cue / team photo
2.19 PM / 12:19 AM Collingwood enters the arena on cue / team photo
2.27 PM / 12:27 AM Australian National Anthem ("Advance Australia Fair") sung by Cameron and Taylor Henderson
2.28 PM / 12:28 AM Two sirens sound and Toss of Coin
2.30 PM / 12:30 AM 2010 Toyota AFL Grand Final commences
3:00 PM / 1:00 AM Coverage on ESPN2 begins, all other coverage continues.
3.40 PM / 1:40 AM approx Half-time (22 mins) – Gillette AFL Grand Final Sprint; NAB AFL Auskick kids perform; Gillette promotion
5:15 PM / 3:15 AM approx End of match; AFL Grand Final presentations
Peter Matera (1992 Norm Smith medalist) presents Norm Smith Medal to Best on Ground player; David Parkin presents Jock McHale medal to winning coach
Runners-up team captain to dais; Norm Smith Medallist to dais; Winning team captain to dais, Premiership medallions presented by NAB AFL Auskick competitors. Premiership Cup presented by either Kevin Neale (if St Kilda) or Peter McKenna (if Collingwood) to winning team; and team photo.
5:30 PM / 3:30 AM Coverage on TSN2 concludes, ESPN continues
6:00 PM / 4:00 AM Post match events and television coverage concludes including on ESPN Classic, ESPN2, ESPN3, and TSN2.
6:00 PM / 4:00 AM After Match Concert begins at Federation Square featuring McKenna, INXS
6:10 PM / 4:10 AM Media Conference - Runners Up
6:25 PM / 4:25 AM Media Conference - Premiers
7:30 PM / 5:30 AM Premiers depart MCG for presentation at Federation Square (if St Kilda) or Sidney Myer Music Bowl (if Collingwood; a few Collingwood players make brief appearance at Federation Square)
8:00 PM / 6:00 AM Presentation of Winning Team at Federation Square or Myer Music Bowl

HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES, RETIRING GREATS, MEDALLISTS, and AWARDS

Hall of Fame
Kevin Murray

Retiring Greats
Matthew Richardson
Max Hudghton
Nick Stevens
Trent Croad
Ben Cousins
Jason Akermanis
Brad Johnson
Shane O’Bree
Nathan Eagleton
Brett Kirk
Simon Goodwin
Tom Harley
Tyson Edwards
Josh Carr
Warren Tredrea
Brett Burton
Andrew McLeod
Paul Hasleby
Mathew James – Umpire
Scott McLaren – Umpire

Coleman Medallist
Jack Riewoldt

Brownlow Medallist
Chris Judd

Rising Star
Daniel Hannebery

Burton Follows Goodwin Exit

Lisa Albergo — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 11:45:16 -0500

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Just ahead of Round 13, Adelaide's Brett Burton announced he would retire at the end of the season. He is the third Crow veteran to do so. Tyson Edwards retired after Round 11 while Simon Goodwin also said 2010 would be his last season. Burton, 32, debuted in 1999. The Round 13 game against Melbourne was his 178th game. Ahead of that game, Burton has 264 goals to his name.

Burton was an instant hit in his debut season, playing 21 games and kicking 25 goals. He won a nomination for the Rising Star award and finished second in the final voting behind Sydney's Adam Goodes. Known as the "Birdman" for his spectacular aerial skills, he won Mark of the Year (best catch of the ball) in 2009 and led Adelaide's goal kicking in 2002 and 2008.

He injured his knee late in 2008 which required a reconstruction and missed most of 2009. He returned strongly late in 2009 to play seven games, including two finals. He suffered a setback in Adelaide's first preseason game this year but was back playing early in the season. However, more surgery on his troublesome knee after Round Seven and Goodwin's announcement made Burton consider his future. He said he knew it was time to hang up the boots. He still hopes to come back to finish out the season strongly and leave the game on his own terms.

Adelaide CEO Steven Trigg described Burton as a wonderful player for the Crows and one of the most exciting in the league. Trigg praised Burton for his professionalism and preparation and his ability to bounce back from injury.

Coach Neil Craig said the mark he took in Round 22 last season - which earned him the award - was something he would always remember. He conceded that at the time, he thought Burton was struggling with a hamstring injury and was considering taking him off the ground but decided against the move. Burton subsequently soared over a pack of players to take the amazing grab.

He may not grace the playing fields and thrill fans with his aerial feats after this year but Burton will not be lost to the game. Over the years, he has suffered a number of injuries and used his time on the sidelines to earn a degree in sports science and would like to pursue a career as a fitness coach. He has already established a fitness business near AAMI Stadium. He is also planning to stay involved with the AFLPA as a player advocate. He is the union president and has been the club's AFLPA delegate for the past five years as well as serving on the executive committee.

Source: Herald Sun; David Burtenshaw, Club Media Release

Crows And A Tiger Announce Retirements

Lisa Albergo — Sat, 29 May 2010 10:58:00 -0500

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Adelaide captain Simon Goodwin announced last week that 2010 would be his final season. In making the announcement, he said he had spoken with Coach Neil Craig after the Round Nine match and felt it was the right time. He also said he still felt good mentally and physically but that might not be true next year. He conceded he was slowing down a bit while the game was getting faster. He has been considering retirement for the past month and decided he wanted to go out on his own terms and feel as if he were leaving with a "...bit left in him". He also opted to make the announcement now so he could focus on leading the team and not be distracted by speculation about his career.

Goodwin also acknowledged and thanked the club for their help and support when he was battling a gambling addiction. In 2007, he was fined $40,000 with $20,000 suspended for placing bets on AFL games. He said his gambling had been getting out of control and if it were not for the club, especially Coach Neil Craig and CEO Stephen Trigg, he is not sure where he would be. With the club's help, he went through intensive counseling and rehabilitation and said it helped him turn his life around.

Craig said that Goodwin was the greatest captain in the club's short history, not only because of his playing achievements, but also because of what it took for him to arrive where he is today on both a playing and personal level. Craig also praised Goodwin's professionalism and described him as exceptional in the way he is leading the club through what is probably their worst season since joining the AFL in 1991 (to date their worst was 1999 when they finished in 13th place after winning the 1998 Grand Final - ed.)

SIMON GOODWIN
Drafted via 1995 Preseason Draft
DEBUT: 1995
GAMES: 269 (through Round 10)
GOALS: 160 (through Round 10)
HONORS: Best & Fairest 2000, 2005-06; Best & Fairest runner-up 2007-08; All-Australian 2000-01, 2005-06, 2008; International Rules 2000-01; premierships 1997-98; preseason premiership 2003; Michael Tuck Medal 2006 (best on ground in preseason Grand Final); captain since 2008

Just a few days after Goodwin announced he would retire, teammate Tyson Edwards was told that he was not going to be selected for the Round 10 match against St. Kilda. As a result, he decided to retire immediately. Struggling for form this season, the 33-year old was also told by Coach Neil Craig that his poor form did not warrant selection for a farewell game against Fremantle next week. However, supporter backlash, the fact that Adelaide has no chance of making the finals, and a chat with both Edwards and club CEO Stephen Trigg, Craig had a change of heart. Normally a stickler for his own strict selection criteria, Craig said giving Edwards a farewell game and a chance to say goodbye to supporters and give supporters a chance to cheer him off was the right thing to do. In making the announcement that Edwards would play, Craig said, "''In an industry that is cut-throat, highly professional and shows..little sentiment...we have the capacity to show care and a...sense of belonging..."' .

Edwards himself admitted that he was unable to get back to his best and that it would be better for the club that he retire and allow a younger player to come in and develop. He also said he just wanted to enjoy his final game, soak up the atmosphere of it, thank the fans, and try to play his best in his final match. He would like to be remembered as consistent and reliable.

Trigg had nothing but praise for Edwards, describing him as one of the greats of the game who would be remembered for his consistency, durability, and talent. He also said that Edwards had been an exemplary player and person who is well-loved by all at the club.

TYSON EDWARDS
Drafted from SANFL club West Adelaide in 1995
DEBUT: 1995
GAMES: 320
GOALS: 190
PREMIERSHIPS: 1997, 1998, 2003 (preseason)
HONORS: Best & Fairest runner-up 2002-2004, International Rules 2002

Tiger Troy Simmonds played his last game against Port Adelaide in Round 10. Simmonds said a chronic knee problem which has plagued him for the past 18 months led to the decision to call it quits. He believes he has gotten the best out of himself and leaves the game with no regrets, despite falling just 3 games shy of 200. Although he will be focusing on his own business which he started several years ago, he also wants to help mentor the club's young ruckmen Tyrone Vickery, Angus Graham, and Andrew Browne.

Simmonds said he learned a lot about himself when he had a serious health scare in 2007. After battling an ankle injury which restricted him to just 10 games for the year, he missed the last four after being diagnosed with a blood clot in his lungs. He says the near-fatal scare gave him a whole new outlook on life and that it taught him not to take anything for granted.

Simmonds also said he would like to be remembered for his character and who he is. Of all the players he has played with in his three-club career (Fremantle, Essendon, and Richmond), he nominated retired Tiger Matthew Richardson as the best player he played with and said that former Bulldog ruckman Luke Darcy and Docker giant Aaron Sandilands were two of his toughest opponents.

Simmonds was originally selected by Melbourne in the 1999 Preseason Draft. He was then traded to Fremantle at the end of 2001. Fremantle traded him to Richmond at the end of 2004.

TROY SIMMONDS
DEBUT: 1999
GAMES: 39 at Melbourne, 64 at Fremantle, 94 games at Richmond
GOALS: 192 goals

Source: sen.com.au, theage.com.au, 2010 AFL Season Guide

Pre NAB Cup News

Lisa Albergo — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 19:46:02 -0600

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

AFL Awards Life Memberships
The league is set to hold their annual AGM in March, at which time they will present 10 past and present players with AFL life memberships.The announcement was made recently with seven current players reaching the required 300 games. They are Adelaide's Tyson Edwards, North Melbourne's Brent Harvey, Sydney's Michael O'Loughlin, Richmond's Matthew Richardson, Melbourne's Adem Yze and senior field umpires Shane McInerney and Stephen McBurney. The other three to be honored are AFL Hall of Fame Legend Darrel Baldock, former AFL Commissioner Colin Carter and former Hawk president Ian Dicker. For service to the game as a player, coach and administrator, St. Kilda's Gary Colling will receive the Jack Titus Service Award, named for the Richmond champion.

Honoree details:

Tyson Edwards: 289 games, 30 preseason games, one State of Origin game, two International Rules games, 1997 & 1998 premierships

Brent Harvey: 264 games, 27 preseason games, two State of Origin games, nine International Rules games, 1999 premiership; club best & fairest 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008; All-Australian 2000, 2005, 2007, 2008 (captain), 1999 EJ Whiten Medal (best on ground for Victoria in State of Origin), 2003 Jim Stynes Medal (best on ground in International Rules)

Stephen McBurney (AFL Umpire): debuted 1993, 287 games, one State of Origin, two International Rules games, 35 preseason games; Grand Finals 2002, 2003, 2007; All-Australian Umpire 2003, 2007, International Rules Series 2008

Shane McInerney (AFL Umpire): debuted 2003, 268 games, 38 preseason games, Grand Finals 2004 & 2007

Michael O'Loughlin: 286 games, 14 preseason games, two State of Origin games; four International Rules games, 2005 Premiership, 1998 club best & fairest, club leading goalkicker 2000-2001, club games record holder, All-Australian 1997 & 2000, 1998 Fos Williams Medal (best on ground for South Australia in State or Origin), Indigenous Team of the Century

Matthew Richardson: 276 games, 20 preseason games, four Four State of Origin games, two International Rules games, 2007 club best and fairest; club leading goalkicker 1994, 1996-99, 2001-2008; All-Australian 1996, 1999, 2008; 1996 Jesaulenko Medal (best on ground for Allies in State of Origin ((Allies team from states other than Victoria, SA or WA- Richardson from Tasmania)) ; Richmond Team of the Century

Adem Yze: 271 games, 25 preseason games, four International Rules games, 2001 club best and fairest, 2002 All-Australian

Darrel Baldock: 71 games for Played 71 games for East Devonport (Tasmania) 1955-58, 158 games for LaTrobe 1959-61 & 1969-74, 119 games & 237 goals for St. Kilda 1962-68, 4 games for New Norfolk 1975, 10 games & 23 goals for Victoria, 15 games for Tasmania, East Devonport best and fairest 1955-57; St. Kilda best and fairest 1962, 1963, 1965; St Kilda premiership 1966; LaTrobe premierships 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972; St Kilda captain 1963-68, St Kilda leading goalkicker 1962-65 All Australian 1961 & 1966 (captain), St Kilda Team of the Century (center half-forward and captain), Tasmanian Team of the Century (half forward and captain).

Colin Carter: AFL Commissioner 1993-2008; Geelong FC Director 1987-93. Major achievements: Prepared the report 'Establishing the Basis for Future Success', adopted by the VFL Commission as the strategy for the competition, encompassing equalization, ground rationalization and growing the national competition. Initiated the project that led to the eventual relocation of the AFL Members from Waverley to the MCG and the building of the Great Southern Stand. Led the AFL's review of football development and grassroots football in 2001.

Ian Dicker: Hawthorn FC President 1996-2005. In his time as president, the club reached record membership levels, shifted home games from Waverley to the MCG, eliminated debt,.introduced educational and life skills programs for players to prepare them for life after retirement, built strong ties with VFL affiliate Box Hill, entered agreement to play "home" games in Tasmania

Source: Patrick Keane, AFL Media Release

Australia Day Honors
January 22 is Australia Day and, on that day, annual honors are awarded. AIS/AFL Academy High Performance Coach Alan McConnell was awarded the Australian Sports Commission 2009 Australia Day Achievement Medallion. McConnell, who has been with the Academy since 2005, oversees the programs which help identify young football talent. One of those programs is the annual draft camp. It is these programs from which players are drawn for the Under-16 tournaments. Other programs help prepare young players for the draft and the transition to AFL ranks. Some current players who came through those prgrams include Western Bulldog Adam Cooney (2008 Brownlow Medal winner), Hawk Lance Franklin (2008 Coleman Medal and premiership), and Hawk Luke Hodge (2008 Norm Smith Medal for GF best on ground). Eight of the ten top draft picks at the 2008 November draft were Academy graduates. The Academy, which has been going for 12 years, has produced 240 AFL players and at least 75% of Academy graduates are offered AFL contracts.

According to league CEO Andrew Demetriou, McConnell was "....recognized.....for his outstanding contribution to the...development of talented athletes....". Demetriou also said the AFL was "...thrilled to have had a person of Alan's qualities to guide...talented junior players....". Demetriou also praised McConnell's leadership within the development programs.

McConnell, who played 38 games with the Bulldogs 1980-82, was a physical education teacher with a strong AFL coaching background. He He spent six years with Fitzroy as an assistant and served as "caretaker" senior coach in 1995 after Bernie Quinlan was fired and again in 1996 when Mick Nunan was fired as senior coach. After Fitzroy merged with Brisbane at the end of 1996, McConnell went to Geelong where he served as an assistant coach 1997-2003.

Source: Patrick Keane, AFL Media Release

2009 NAB Cup Trial Rules
Two new rules will be introduced in this year's preseason competition, while another, introduced in 2008 will continue. The rules are:

- a free kick will now be awarded for any deliberate rushed behind

- umpires will award a 50 meter penalty (55 yards) in addition to a free kick for players who tackle or hold an opponent after the opponent has disposed of the football, for the purpose of preventing them from taking part in the next act of play or being able to get to the next contest

- continue the trial of the no-go zone behind umpires at center bounces to decrease the incidents of player-umpire contact. This rule was introduced in 2008 and will again be used to monitor the incidents of player contact with umpires at center bounces.

AFL Operations Manager Adrian Anderson explained that these rules were introduced after extensive consultation and discussion of options. According to Anderson, the issue of rushed behinds was raised by clubs and coaches, with some believing the tactic negatively impacted the game. It became a very hot topic after the 2008 game between Essendon and Richmond in which defender Joel Bowden deliberately took the ball over the line for a rushed point twice in the dying minutes of the game. Anderson also said that since free kicks already are awarded for deliberately putting the ball out of bounds around the ground, the league decided to use that criteria for rushed points.

Regarding the free kick after disposal of the ball, Anderson said this was in response to a trend which sees players who have disposed of the ball being unfairly hindered by an opponent. Anderson also said that in such cases, a free kick has not always been an effective deterrent.

As always, the trial rules will be evaluated and feedback from the clubs will be sought. The league will then decide whether or not to introduce those rules for the season proper.

Source: Patrick Keane, AFL Media Release

Tribunal Changes
The AFL and the Tribunal will introduce stiffer penalties for high tackles and have made changes to the discount rule for cases which go directly to the Tribunal. The crackdown will be on players who sling opponents to the ground or into a boundary fence as well as players who push an opponent into the path of another player to cause a reportable offense. Previously, a player was only penalize for body contact if he had grabbed an opponent around the waist and then took him to ground. Now, if the opponent is "slammed" to the ground, the tackling player will be penalized with a stiffer penalty, especially if the opponent's head hits the ground as a result. Also, a player who pushes an opponent into the path of a third person can be held responsible for illegal contact rather than the initial shove.

As for the 25% discount for a player's guilty plea, the AFL has clarified this even more. The discount issue came to a head last year after Sydney's Barry Hall's hit on Eagle Brent Staker. The severity of the hit meant that the case was referred directly to the Tribunal rather than Hall having an option of accepting a decreed penalty. A remorseful Hall still got only seven weeks instead of 10 for pleading guilty and that caused a storm of controversy. This season, any case referred to the Tribunal will not be automatically allowed a discount for a guilty plea.

Since the introduction of the penalty system, a player would only face a fine for abusive, insulting, threatening or obscene behavior toward an umpire. This season, such behavior will result in a report and a Tribunal appearance.

Source: theaustralian.com.au

ADELAIDE
Injury Update:
Brett Burton, (knee) reconstruction), has resumed running
Brad Symes (wrist/thumb), will remain in a cast several weeks
Jason Porplyzia, shoulder, non-competitive training until March
Phil Davis, shoulder, non-competitive training
Richard Douglas, hip, will be eased back into full training over the next two weeks

Source: David Burtenshaw, Club Media Release

BRISBANE
Midfielder Simon Black will be sidelined for six weeks, ruling him out of the preseason competition. Black suffered a broken hand at a training session on February 2.

Source: foxsports.com.au

ST. KILDA
Star forward Nick Riewoldt underwent arthoscpic surgery on his knee at the end of January and will miss all of thr preseason. The knee began troubling hin recently during preseason training but the expects him to be fit and ready by the start of the season proper.

Source: Matt Schmidt, Club Media Release