DId color clash cause missed free?

G'Day Footy Fans -

WE GOOFED, SAY AFL & UMPS
The AFL has conceded it made a mistake in allowing a jumper clash between the Western Bulldogs and West Coast to occur during their Round 1 match. AFL operations manager Adrian Anderson said the league should have ordered West Coast to avoid wearing a uniform dominated by royal blue. The Eagles wear their original royal blue and yellow guernseys for away games.
The Eagles' home jumper features a darker blue than their royal blue strip, which was difficult to distinguish from the Bulldogs' predominantly blue uniform.
This week, the AFL ordered the Saints to wear their heritage guernseys to avoid a similar problem against Essendon.

And the umpiring department conceded Bulldog Steven Koops should have been awarded a free kick and shot on goal late in the match against West Coast.
Umpires coach Rowan Sawers said umpire Corin Rowe had missed the free kick because he had been caught behind the players as the ball was kicked in to the Dogs' forward line, and was unable to tell when the ball had spilled from Koops' hands. Camera angles clearly showed Koops being held by Eagle Dave Wirrpunda as he bent to pick up the ball just 35 meters from goal. A goal would have given the Bulldogs a four-point lead; instead, West Coast swept the ball to the other end of the ground and goaled.
Rowe told umpiring coach Rowan Sawers that had he had the camera view of the incident, he would have awarded Koops the free kick.
Sawers emphasized that umpires had not been advised to influence close games by not calling free kicks. Sawers also warned that umpires would crack down on "tunnelling" - players bumping opponents out of a contest with no eye for the ball.

GENERAL NEWS
Another Aussie Joins NFL
Former Brisbane and Hawthorn defender Nathan Chapman has signed as a punter for the Green Bay Packers. A veteran of 60 matches with the then Bears after being taken at No.2 in the 1992 National Draft - the same year that Justin Leppitsch was drafted by the Bears - before playing another 16 matches with the Hawks - 28-year-old Chapman's AFL career was cut short by several serious injuries.
But having played in Australia's American Football League before moving to the United States, Chapman has agreed terms with the Packers to become the second Australian in the NFL.
Former West Coast and Melbourne full-forward Darren Bennett has been a punter for the past decade with the San Diego Chargers, playing in several Pro Bowls. Bennett signed up with the Minnesota Vikings last month.
Chapman has signed a 14-week deal and will try out against two other kickers in a bid to replace the outgoing Josh Bidwell, a free agent who has signed with Tampa Bay. The early signs are that Chapman is favorite for the job, which would earn him about $325,000 in the first year, with a $15,000 signing-on fee. He will have to compete with Travis Dorsch and Travis Hale for the kicking spot.
Chapman, the man that Chris Connolly as Hawthorn assistant coach used to tease as the "step ladder" who allowed Demon Shaun Smith to take one of the greatest marks of all time against Brisbane at the Gabba in 1995, was always regarded for his long precision kicking.
In his first year at Hawthorn in 1998, Chapman was used as the designated kick-off taker in defence because of his accuracy.
Robert Walls, who coached the youngster from Kangaroo Flats (near Bendigo) at Brisbane between 1993-95, remembers Chapman as an "undersized, skinny full-back" who used "sweet timing" to execute his thumping kicks.
But Walls said that Chapman, who played 60 games with Brisbane after being the second draft pick in 1992, would probably be disappointed with his AFL career, which finished injury-ridden at the end of 2000 after he was traded to Hawthorn as part of the John Barker-Brad Scott Hawthorn-Brisbane trade.
Hawthorn coach Peter Schwab virtually opened the door for Chapman in the US, after the 28-year-old had spent the past couple of years trying to establish himself in Queensland's American Football League. In 2003 he won the punter-of-the-year award.
Hawthorn officials had last year been to Green Bay and three weeks ago a friend of Chapman's heard Schwab talking about the meetings on television. Chapman then used the connection to open doors with Green Bay scout John Dorsey.
After watching videos of Chapman, the Packers' coaching staff were impressed by Chapman's control, leg strength and hand-eye coordination, and rushed to sign him.
According to his close friend Leppitsch, Chapman took his quest to play NFL very seriously. The pair caught up with Bennett during the 1996 end of season trip. Bennett arranged for the two to attend a game and later gave them kicking session.
Leppitsch said he had watched Chapman play for the Bayside Ravens in the Brisbane gridiron competition, and thought he was pretty good. Leppitsch said he wasn't sure how Chapman would handle the freezing cold and snow of Green Bay.
If he does make it, he will be the 4th Australian to play American football.
Former Carlton VFL player Colin Ridgeway was the first Australian to play the sport at the highest level, with the Dallas Cowboys in the mid-1960s. Another Australian, Colin Scotts, played for the Phoenix Cardinals and Houston Oilers in the 1980s.

West Australian Hall of Fame
Players such as Barry Cable, Graham "Polly" Farmer, Maurice Rioli, Ken Hunter, and others made a name for themselves outside of WA, they all had their footy roots in WA. Several weeks ago, they were among 81 inductees into the WA Hall of Fame. Other inductees included Mal Brown (RICH), George Doig (a Fremantle icon), Haydn Bunton Jr, Haydn Bunton Sr, John Todd, John Worsfold, Gary Buckenara (HAW), Mike Fitzpatrick (CARL), Ross Glendinning (WCE), Guy McKenna (WCE), Robert Wiley, Albert Thurgood (ESS 1899-1902)

AFL Foundation Funds For Perth Youth
The recipient of the AFL Foundation's first charitable donation for 2004 is World Vision. The cheque for $45,000 was presented by Michael Long, AFL Indigenous Programs Manager, to World Vision CEO Tim Costello in a ceremony at Perth's Subiaco Oval last week. World Vision will utilize the donation to partially fund its capacity building program in a local Perth indigenous community.
The AFL Foundation, with the assistance of the Pratt Foundation, will be making donations to three of its nominated charities in 2004.

The project, run in partnership with the ATSIC Perth Noongar Regional Council, aims to tackle the causes of the social exclusion encountered by indigenous youths.
World Vision currently works in the Northern Territory communities of Epenarra and Papunya; promoting healthy lifestyles, building capacity and increasing opportunities for young people. Youth programs incorporate AFL KickStart, which has similar health and lifestyle messages in a broader sports development program.

Country Kids On Show
When the first ball is bounced in next week's V/Line Under 15 Championships in Melbourne, it is almost certain that a number of the young footballers competing will be taking their first serious step towards a career in the AFL. Since the competition (formerly known as the Victorian Schoolboys Carnival) was first played in 1949, a significant number of players have gone on to become household names. In recent years, these include: Nigel Lappin (Ovens & Murray 1991),
Fraser Gehrig (Ovens & Murray 1991), Jonathan Brown (Hampden 1995), Cameron Ling (Geelong 1996), Aaron Fiora (Wimmera 1996) , Robert Murphy (Gippsland 1997), Josh Fraser (Ghoulburn Murray 1997), Ryan Houlihan (Ovens & Murray 1997).
The annual carnival, staged by the WorkSafe Victorian Country Football League, represents the first phase for country footballers in the pathway to the AFL. The competition includes 13 teams from country Victoria, a team from the Riverina and for the first time in 2004, two teams from metropolitan Sydney.
This year, a number of players will have a head start to their football careers thanks to a family connection to the big-time. These include: Robert Tarrant (Sunraysia) – brother of Chris (Collingwood), Andrew Polkinghorne (NSW) – son on David (165 games for HAW),
Jeremy Mugavin (Hampden) – son of Noel (43 games for RICH & FITZ) and cousin of Jonathan Brown, Ricky Daniher (Riverina) – nephew of Neale, Terry, Chris and Andrew, Nathan Couch (Hampden) – nephew of Paul (GEEL Brownlow medallist), Ben Reid (Ovens & Murray) – son of Bruce (119 games for WB & CARL)
The carnival kicks off on Monday the 5th April and a number of high-profile venues throughout Melbourne will be used for the event.
Some of the competing clubs are Riverina, Bendigo, Ghoulburn Ballarat, Wimmera, Geelong, Hampden, Latrobe, Ovens and Murray, and East Gippsland

New Initiatives From Rising Star Program
The National has introduced a new initiative this year to support its AFL partnership – the National's Rising Star Club Recognition Awards, which recognizes the contribution that local football clubs make to the development of young players.
Through this award, each nominee's junior club will receive: $3500 in a National Community Group Account, Sherrin Footballs, coaches board, AFL training DVD and training manual, and other practical resources.
Each nominee will return to their junior club to present the award in conjunction with the National Australia Bank. The weekly National's AFL Rising Star nominee will also receive a 68cm Magnavox television from the National.

TRIBUNAL
Reported on video evidence: Daniel Ward (MELB) for rough play on Nick Ries (HAW)
Video footage of the incident appeared to show Ward then dropping his body weight onto Ries behind play with the Hawthorn man already on the ground.
NOTE: For all you trivia buffs out there, Ward is the first player to be reported on video evidence by the new VRO, Ian Robinson.

Cat Matthew Scarlett was also booked on video evidence for striking Saint Nick Riewoldt.
On video, Scarlett appeared to collect Riewoldt with his right arm.

Cat Cameron Mooney was cleared by VRO Ian Robinson of any wrongdoing over an incident involving Saint Aaron Hamill.
While television footage appeared to show Mooney delivering a light head-butt to Hamill just before three-quarter-time, Robinson ruled the contact was not forceful and did not warrant a report.

The AFL's crackdown on head-high contact continued with Demon defender Daniel Ward being suspended for three matches for rough play, although Geelong full-back Matthew
The panel ruled that Ward had deliberately lowered his buttocks in to the head of Nick Ries, knocking the Hawthorn onballer unconscious.
Ward told the tribunal he had moved in to block Ries and create "time and space" for Demon defender Matthew Whelan because the club had placed an emphasis on helping teammates with the ball.
Ries was carried from the ground on a stretcher and did not give evidence because he had no memory of the incident. A letter to the tribunal from Hawthorn doctor John Power said Ries had nausea and headaches.
Ward said he had no idea he had made contact with the sliding Ries until play was held up for a stretcher to come on to the ground and the incident was played on the scoreboard.
He said he had approached Ries at "walking speed", had not searched for contact and was braced for a collision when the Hawthorn player fell and slid in to him.
Ward's advocate, Iain Findlay, suggested Hawk Luke Hodge may have caught Ries with an outstretched right arm, hastening his slide in to Ward's path.
But tribunal chairman Brian Collis, QC, described the contact by Ward as unnecessary and reckless.

Geelong defender Matthew Scarlett was cleared of a striking Nick Saint Nick Riewoldt.
The tribunal found there was inconclusive evidence to warrant the charge.
It was found that Scarlett ‘definitely' made contact with Riewoldt's throat, but none of the witnesses was able to specify the force or exact source of the contact.
There was limited video evidence of the exchange between Scarlett and Riewoldt. The investigation before the hearing was conducted by the AFL's investigation officer Rick Lewis.
Riewoldt said in an interview with Lewis before the hearing that he had suffered shortness of breath as a result of some high contact following a centre bounce, but was unable to describe the source of it. After suffering discomfort following the incident, Riewoldt was assessed by a St Kilda doctor and required minimal rest before his symptoms subsided.
When he returned to ground however, Riewoldt approached field umpire Gavin Dore and told him ‘I hope you cite Scarlett for that'. Riewoldt said at the tribunal hearing that he had been told on the boundary line that Scarlett had felled him and that he approached the umpire ‘out of frustration and anger.
Scarlett said he had merely pushed Riewoldt in the chest region with his two open hands and stated that it was possible that his hands had slipped up Riewoldt's body.
Riewoldt said he could not elaborate on the force of the contact, other than to say it was ‘like an arm coming around me'. He said he felt contact to the throat.
St Kilda's doctor Ian Stone attended to Riewoldt within a minute of the incident but told the tribunal he could not accurately assess the severity of the blow, but that the dry-wretching and gagging Riewoldt suffered was consistent with contact to the neck.
The doctor said the throat was an extremely sensitive area. Riewoldt has no lasting injury and did not suffer from any bruising.
Tribunal chairman Brian Collis said Riewoldt's limited evidence, the St Kilda doctor's judgement that the player's discomfort was not the result of a ‘severe blow' and the inconclusive video footage meant Scarlett should be given the benefit of the doubt.

A striking charge against Adelaide ruckman Rhett Biglands was dismissed.
Biglands pleaded not guilty to the charge of striking Drew Petrie and the tribunal agreed, ruling that Biglands was attempting to spoil when he made contact with Petrie.

Carlton's Matthew Lappin was cleared of charging Fremantle onballer Byron Schammer. Lappin told the tribunal he had limited contact with Schammer by cradling his right arm around his body and by falling to the Docker player's side as they hit the ground, but insisted he could not have avoided contact.

MILESTONES
Automatic AFL Life Membership -- Chris Grant (WB) played his 300th official match this week, qualifying him for automatic life membership. Since his debut in 1990, he has played 275 premiership matches, 19 preseason matches and five State of Origin matches
150 games: Andrew Thompson (STK)
150 games umpired: Shane McInerney
100 games: Dean Solomon (ESS), James Walker (FRE), Chad Cornes (PA), Graham Johncock (ADE)
50 games: Jamie Charman (BRIS), Shannon Watt (KANG)
50 games umpire -- Matthew Head

TEAM NEWS

GEELONG
Geelong has announced that it has reduced its debt by a further $600,000 and has now paid $4.4 million off its $5.1 million debt since 1999.
CEO Brian Cook said the club's ability to reduce its debt couldn't have been done without the support of its ‘loyal members and the Bendigo Bank'.
The club enjoyed membership and attendance figures above what had been budgeted for at the start of the season.

The Cats also announced a new associate sponsorship deal with Motorola that will allow the Cats access to similar communications technology to that used by coaches in the NFL.
Motorola will supply the Cats with communications headsets -- the same as the ones used by the New England Patriots coaching staff in this year's Superbowl. They will allow the coaches and match day football staff to conduct multiple and continuous open communication.
Previous technology allowed for only two-way communication, however Motorola's headsets allow for up to seven coaches and officials to liaise at any time during the game.

Geelong has called on the AFL to guarantee clubs a minimum number of free-to-air television matches when it renegotiates the next media-rights deal.
The Cats had only 10 matches televised free to air in Melbourne last year, while Essendon was featured by either Channel Nine or Ten in every home-and-away round and Collingwood only missed out on round 13.
This equated to an audience of about 16 million, or 10 per cent of the total, as opposed to Geelong's audience of 7.27 million, or 4 per cent of the audience. St Kilda was the next-lowest with 12 matches, followed by the Kangaroos with 13.
CEO Brian Cook has met with the AFL and the two broadcasters in an attempt to ensure Geelong receives better coverage this year and also to put a case for changes to the media-rights deal.
Aside from fans being left disappointed, Cook said missing out on free-to-air broadcasts seriously restricted the club's ability to market itself on several fronts: fans miss out unless they subscribe to Foxtel, the team receives less exposure, and sponsors don't get as much television exposure as they potentially want.
Under the terms of the AFL's media-rights contract, the broadcasters have total control over which games are telecast.
Cook admitted that sub-par performances in recent years had not helped, and fixtures also played a part in Geelong's troubles - partly due to its own demands. At their supporters' wish, the Cats request limited Friday night games - the only timeslot guaranteeing free-to-air broadcast. They have one Friday night match this season.
Ben Buckley, AFL general manager, broadcasting and strategy, said the AFL recognized the issue and would consider it before the next round of media-rights negotiations. The current media-rights deal expires at the end of 2006.
David Barham, executive producer of AFL coverage for Channel Ten, said the network scheduled games six weeks ahead, with one basic criteria in selecting matches for broadcast and that is trying to select the best games without playing favorites.

Kane Tenace and Andrew Mackie debuted this week.

Injury Update:
Steven King, ankle. 4 weeks
David Loats, knee 3 weeks
Brenton Sanderson, calf, 1 week
Ben Graham, chest, 1 week
Darren Milburn, knee, 1 week
Will Slade, OP, indefinite
Steve Johnson, ankle 3 weeks
Daniel Foster, back, 1 week
Gary Ablett, OP, 1 week
Peter Riccardi, calf injury suffered at training last week, 1 week

Membership update: 19,875

HAWTHORN
Injury Update:
Chance Bateman, hamstring, 1 week
Kris Barlow, knee, 1-2 weeks
Tim Boyle, broken leg, season
Steven Greene, knee, 1 week
Jonathan Hay, hamstring, 6 weeks
Rick Ladson, wrist, 4 weeks
Doug Scott, ankle, 2 weeks
Rayden Tallis, quadriceps, 2 weeks

KANGAROOS
Injury Update:
Shane Clayton, foot, 1 week
Glenn Archer, groin, 1 week

PORT ADELAIDE
CEO Brian Cunningham will quit at the end of the season, after a 12-year stint that included overseeing the club's entry to the AFL in 1997. Cunningham, who played 263 matches for the Port Adelaide Magpies in the SANFL from 1971 to 1983, and captained 3 flag sides, is the AFL's longest-serving CEO at a single club.
He said his decision was not motivated by any lingering disappointment at being overlooked for the position of AFL football operations manager last year.
Cunningham said he had achieved all but one of his original goals set in 1997 for Port in the AFL. The missing goal, of course, is an AFL premiership.
Cunningham said he needed "fresh challenges and new horizons".
Among Cunningham's achievements during his long tenure at Port were.
- Being a key member of the team that ensured Port won the tender to become South Australia's second AFL club in December 1994

- Developing business plans which converted Port Adelaide from a local, suburban club to a national sporting club with an annual $25 million budget

- Negotiating major and key sponsorships to generate revenue to enable Port to compete in the AFL and recruit its playing list prior to its first season.

- Raising funds to develop and built the club's $4.5 million training and administration headquarters at Alberton.

- Leading Port Adelaide to a strong financial position (Australian Institute of Accountants most profitable club 1997-1999) and to a strong on-field position with finals participation in four of the last five years.

Boulton said Cunningham will remain with Port Adelaide until October this year to enable a smooth transition and help mentor his successor. And he said he did not believe Cunningham's departure would cause instability at a club renowned as one of the most stable in the AFL.

Defender Brett Montgomery escaped being reported and possibly suspended for a vilification taunt against Bomber Adam Ramanauskas last weekend.
Montgomery was fined $2000 for what both he and the AFL deemed inappropriate remarks. Montgomery is believed to have told Ramanauskas: "The chemo's been f------ with your head, you wanker," after Ramanauskas taunted several Port players of the team's poor finals record.
Both clubs had attempted to broker their own private resolution to the incident, with the AFL becoming officially involved only after hearing of the negotiation between the two clubs.
Field umpire Matthew James, who was standing between the pair when the remarks were passed, decided not to award a free kick (Essendon had possession further afield) or lodge a report, but spoke to Montgomery immediately after the incident.
An apologetic Montgomery released a statement in which he said his fine, which for a first offence under the player's code could have been as much as $5000, was "appropriate".
He also said that the comment was made in the heat of the moment and he regretted it immediately. He also tried to apologize to "Rama" on the night and has since sent him a letter of apology.
AFL Operations Manager Adrian Anderson said the league was satisfied by the resolution and that the 2 clubs handled the situation appropriately.
Anderson also recently wrote to clubs and spoke to the AFL Players Association about a tougher stand on abuse between players, an issue that came to a head after microphones at the Wizard Cup grand final recorded St Kilda's Stephen Powell sledging Geelong's Cameron Ling.

Bad news for Port with the shoulder injury to Byron Pickett requiring surgery and putting him on the sidelines for 8 weeks. He badly dislocated his left shoulder in the dying minutes of the match last week. Pickett had surgical repair of his acromio-clavicular joint (A-C joint).

Brett Ebert, the son of SA icon Russell, debuted this weekend.

RICHMOND
President Clinton Casey no longer will be risking $1.7 million of his own once the club receives an emergency bank guarantee from the AFL.
Casey, whose personal guarantee enabled Richmond to extend its bank overdraft, or short-term debt, to $1.7 million, has confirmed that, in effect, the AFL would replace him as the provider of security.
Richmond has applied for a $3.5 million redirection order from the AFL. In practice, this means the AFL guarantees to the club's (ANZ) bank that the Tigers will receive that amount as part of their annual dividend of more than $4 million at the end of the season.
Casey's decision to back the club financially has been central to recent upheaval at board level, with departed vice-president Brendan Schwab opposing the president's intervention before he quit the board. The AFL also had been concerned that Richmond had become reliant upon its wealthy president for support.
Casey said once the AFL's re-direction order was in place, in the next month or so, it would become the "substitute" for his financial support.
Casey said he had provided the $1.7 million in security because "at the time, we didn't have an alternative".
Schwab had proposed the action the club has subsequently taken - a re-direction order from the AFL.
But Casey said the club did not take the AFL option at first because of time constraints. While it will please the AFL, it is unclear what effect the removal of Casey's financial backing will have on Richmond's political situation.
The Tigers initially had sought a re-direction order totaling just over $2 million, but this amount grew to $3.5 million once the AFL informed the Tigers that a new agreement with the players mandated monthly payments to all league players. This meant the Tigers had to find an extra $1.2 million quickly.
Casey is in the process of finding two new board members, one of whom will be responsible for football. The club does not have a director with an AFL-playing background after the resignation of Peter Welsh and the electoral defeat of long-serving Tony Jewell.

Injury Update:
Duncan Kellaway, hamstring, 2 weeks
Rory Hilton, abdomen, 1 week
Matthew Rogers, knee, 3 weeks
Billy Nicholls, buttock, 2 weeks

ST KILDA
Injury Update:
Craig Callaghan, knee, season,
Sam Fisher, shoulder, 4 weeks
Max Hudghton, shoulder, 4 weeks

CARLTON
Former Carlton champion and full-back of the century Stephen Silvagni is giving private tutorials to young Collingwood tall defenders and is also advising a young Melbourne key defender.
Silvagni last week confirmed that he had visited Victoria Park and spent time on the track with young Magpie Tristen Walker and another unnamed young tall with key defensive ambitions.
Brent Hall and rookie list player Justin Crow are understood to be the other Collingwood players Silvagni has agreed to help on an informal, ad hoc basis, while promising young Demon Jared Rivers, who performed well against Hawthorn, is believed to have met the Blues legend. The meeting was brokered by Silvagni's former teammate and Melbourne assistant coach Brett Ratten.
Silvagni, mindful of how any connection with Carlton's arch-foe might be exaggerated, emphasized that his dealings with the Magpies were about assisting players who had sought help.
Silvagni's strongest link at Collingwood is his close friend Mark Kleiman, the club's football manager.
Silvagni has a real estate business and commentates on Channel Ten on weekends. He is also football director, a part-time role, for Xavier College.
Silvagni said he had received several approaches from clubs and players about helping young defenders once he no longer held an official position at Carlton.
Silvagni said his defensive coaching of the young Magpies and others was entirely voluntary, without any payment from the clubs or players.
He said his work commitments meant his involvement with the young players would be limited.
Silvagni was an assistant coach at Carlton in 2002 before he joined the Carlton One, the Ian Collins-led group that successfully challenged John Elliott's board in the election and assumed control of the club after a disastrous year.
Silvagni was mooted as a potential assistant coach at Collingwood late last year, although he said this was "never on".
He tutored young Carlton defenders Bret Thornton and Luke Livingston while he was involved in the coaching panel.

Carlton last week appointed Fremantle's former Victorian manager Wayne Hughes as its new national recruiting manager. Hughes takes over from Shane O'Sullivan who is now Carlton club's football administration and development manager.
Hughes leaves the post he has held with Fremantle since 1994, when he joined the Dockers a year before they entered the competition. Before that role, Hughes worked in recruiting with St. Kilda from 1989-94. He will start his new position with the Blues on March 30.

Anthony Koutoufides is not expected to play until Anzac weekend because of slow progress with a leg injury. Amid rumors that he would miss the entire season, Koutoufides participated in static drills and some light running at training last week.
According to Coach Denis Pagan all the medical exams have indicated everything is structually sound - knee, leg, thigh, etc., but scar tissue has formed at the site of the initial hamstring graft and has limited his flexibility in that area.
Surgeons used a graft of tendon from where the hamstring joins the rear of the knee and used it to repair knee ligament injuries sustained in 2001 and 2002.

Injury Update:
Laurie Angwin, right shoulder bruising, 3 weeks
Blake Campbell, fractured thumb, 1 week
Anthony Koutoufides, hamstring/torn scar tissue, will resume full training in 2-3 weeks
Ricky Mott, foot, 1-2 weeks
Jarrad Waite, stress fracture, left foot, wearing camwalker, reassessment mid-April

WESTERN BULLDOGS
Steven Koops' luckless injury run has continued with him now sidelined for a month with a broken jaw. Scans revealed that Koops sustained a hairline fracture to his jaw during Sunday's game against the West Coast Eagles. Koops underwent surgery to have a plate inserted in his jaw.
Koops suffered several injuries - including a knee reconstruction - throughout his time at Fremantle before joining the Bulldogs and last year hurt his shoulder during the preseason.
Lochlan Veale is still 4 weeks away with a groin injury.
Better news is that Daniel Bandy has recovered from groin injury.

BRISBANE
Coach Leigh Matthews, dual premiership player Chris Scott, Fitzroy legend Kevin Murray and Clen Denning, one of three living members from the Fitzroy 1944 premiership team, will celebrated triplicate premiership success with Lions supporters and members in Melbourne this weekend.
The celebration, called "Welcome to the Jungle" included the Victorian unfurling of the 2003
premiership flag, a presentation of the 2001 and 2002 premiership flags and all three cups.
It was the only time this season that all three flags and cups would be presented.
The evening also showcased highlights of each grand final and provided an insight into the lead up to the grand finals to over 400 patrons.

Luke Power has dodged a bullet with a medical examination clearing of him of major damage to his medial ligament. The injury was described as a sprain. He missed this week, but should be OK for Round 3.
More good news for the Lions is that star forward Jonathan Brown's knee injury is progressing well and he should be available for the Easter Thursday Gabba clash with Collingwood.
Rookie Tom Logan has been cleared to play again after breaking his jaw last month.

Injury Update:
Jonathan Brown, knee surgery/suspension, 1 week
Daniel Merrett, glandular fever pre-Christmas, being closely monitored, indefinite
Chris Scott, rehab after summer groin surgery, indefinite
Llane Spaanderman, rehab from summer surgery, 5 weeks
Troy Selwood, continues to receive treatment for a back problem, indefinite
Matt Pardew (rookie), has not played yet due to hip flexor problems, 1-2 weeks
Daniel Pratt (rookie), stress fractures of the foot, 2-4 weeks
Beau McDonald, continuing his knee rehabilitation, indefinite
Alistair Lynch, quad strain, 1 week

SYDNEY
The 2004 season represents the first time AFL football is being played with a 50 metre centre square, following the introduction of the new law governing the size of the centre square.
The SCG will now be marked with 45 metre forward line arcs, due to the fact the ground measures 148.5 metres in total length from goal to goal.
The AFL did not wish for the forward line markings at the SCG to intersect the centre square and, as the shortest ground in the league, the SCG will feature 45m forward arcs, as against 50m at all other AFL venues.

Sharp-shooting forward Nick Davis, will be sidelined 3-4 weeks with a hip flexor strain suffered against Brisbane last week. Davis fell awkwardly after booting a goal.
He joins Andrew Schauble, Tadhg Kennelly, Ben Fixter and Matthew Nicks on the sidelines.
Stephen Doyle has recovered from his knee injury and played the past 2 weeks in the reserves.

Jarrad Sundqvist is out for the season after he ruptured his right ACL The injury occurred near the conclusion of the Swans final training session for the week. Sundqvist had been named to play in the Swans Reserve game this weekend.

Defender Tadhg Kennelly made a remarkable return to action less than two weeks after arthroscopic surgery to repair torn cartilage in his knee. He injured the knee during a tackling drill at a training session.
While medical staff have declared the knee structurally sound, the only concern was the small but deep wounds where the surgical micro tools were inserted.

Goalsneak Adam Schneider also make a welcome return following a hamstring injury sustained against Carlton in round one of the Wizard Cup. Schneider comes in for the injured Nick Davis.

Injury Update:
Nick Malceski, left ACL knee reconstruction, season
Nick Davis, hip, 3-4 weeks
Ben Fixter, left hamstring strain, 3 weeks
Andrew Schauble, left hamstring strain, 2 weeks
Rowan Warfe, right hip arthroscope, 1-2 weeks
Matthew Nicks, right gluteal exploration, 1-2 weeks

Tony Lockett was recently inducted into the North Ballarat Hall of Fame. Lockett played 120 junior games and a handful of senior matches for the Roosters before joining St. Kilda. His father, the original Plugger, also played and coached the team. Lockett's paternal aunt, Lorna, was inducted last year.
Former Swan teammate Dale Lewis was a guest speaker at the induction dinner.
MELBOURNE
One of Melbourne's greatest players, Percy Beames, passed away last week.
Percy was named as the Melbourne Team of the Century rover, elevated to the Hall of Fame, a triple Premiership player, a Melbourne life member and accomplished journalist.
It was in 1931 when Beames, made his way to the metropolis. He'd only played two senior games with a Ballarat based team, and his knowledge of the VFL was based mainly on knowledge gleaned from newspapers.
It was during the Depression, when the league granted permission for clubs to pay their players 3 pounds per week to help them support their families, as many were unemployed otherwise.
It was a tumultuous introduction for young Percy. After an initial interview with the club authorities, he had to stay overnight, and, even years later, told the tale with a twinkle in his eye of the accommodation chosen by those same gentlemen - a dwelling in East Melbourne that turned out to be ‘a house of ill fame'.
Nevertheless, Beames stuck around, and on the Friday of his first week in Melbourne, received a ticket to his first League game. It was ‘a marvelous privilege' - after all, he'd never seen a League match before. From reading the accounts in the Sporting Globe, all he knew
was that League players were the ultimate - surely he could never join their ranks. But watching Melbourne and Footscray confirmed in Beames' mind that he had a fair chance of making it.
He was set for a long tenure in the game, including State representation in his second season, and was never dropped from the senior side in thirteen years of playing. He later attributed his longevity to the harsh training conditions in Ballarat - it took him through 213 games and 323 goals, not to mention three cricketing centuries for Victoria.

Beames in his No. 24 became part of the fabric of the Melbourne Football Club, part of its story and its achievements. He saw ‘Checker' Hughes take the Club from Fuchsias to Demons in 1933, delighted in being part of the first flight to play interstate in 1934, and took his place as a classy rover in three flag sides in 1939, 1940 and 1941 alongside greats of the calibre of Mueller, Gibbs, Smith, Cordner and La Fontaine. From 1942 to 1944, he coached a fractured wartime side, combining this with captaining duties, and only rescinding the dual role for one game when wartime hero, ‘Bluey' Truscott, returned in 1942 to play and took on the captaincy role for his one last game. Truscott himself was killed in war action.
Post-war, Beames took on a new challenge, joining the ranks of the press, and cementing a reputation as a supreme football and cricket correspondent. Astute in his observations, vivid in his descriptions, the little Ballarat rover was highly respected by all.

Coach Neale Daniher has made an impassioned plea to his club's frustrated supporters not to desert the club in the wake of the Demons' disastrous round one performance against Hawthorn.
The Demons had their only Friday night home game of the season this week – against Richmond – and badly need a decent crowd as they try to improve their financial position.
The Demons, whose roller-coaster form in the past seven years has driven their fans to despair, also had the lowest membership figure of any of the 16 clubs last season - 20,555.
And in the wake of their 49 point first round drubbing from Hawthorn, Daniher is concerned many of the club's fans may now not choose to become members, despite the club's promising Wizard Cup form when they reached the semi-finals.
Daniher said the rebuilding won't happen in 2 weeks, but the side was trying to make progress.
Daniher said in the past Melbourne had been too quick to self-destruct when it was not performing well. Daniher said in an interview, "We have a few losses and it's whose head do we cut off and what board member to we get rid of and what president and what coach."
We need to get a bit of backbone about us on and off the field."
Daniher said Melbourne fans should not underestimate not only the on-field importance of Friday night's game against Richmond but also the off-field importance, with Friday night home games considered the prime revenue matches in the AFL.
Daniher even appealed to Melbourne fans to bring a fan from another club with them on Friday night and make them a "Demon for a day" in a bid to get more support for his embattled club. He said the match represented a way for all fans to help a struggling club.

Injury Update:
Luke Molan, knee, 6 weeks,
Ryan Ferguson, shoulder, 3 weeks

Membership is currently at 19,500 and is 2,000 ahead of last year at the same time.

ESSENDON
Hundreds of primary school children across Canberra are competing in AFL James Hird Cup carnival days.
Over the next three weeks more than 750 children will take part in The James Hird Cup, which is one of the largest primary school competitions in the ACT.
Hird, 31, grew up in Canberra and played for Ainslie Football Club before being recruited to Essendon, where he made his AFL debut in 1992, and has gone on to play 187 AFL matches, including two premierships in 1993 and 2000.
The James Hird Cup is a 9-a-side primary schools competition for boys and girls in grades 5/6, run throughout Canberra.
It is run in a round robin format with carnival days for each zone held throughout March and April.
The games are played on a field 90x 60 metres and have modified rules, such as restricted tackling, in order to ensure the safety of the children, and also to provide an environment where skills can be learnt and the code can be enjoyed.
Grand final day will be held on Wednesday April 7 at Manuka Oval. Schools that compete in the James Hird Cup grand final will also take part in an exhibition match at half time of the AFL Round 4 Sydney Swans v Kangaroos clash on April 18 at Manuka Oval.

Was boosted this week by the return of Aaron Henneman, Mark McVeigh, Mark Johnson, and Mark Mercuri from hamstring injuries, but lost Jason Johnson this week after he aggravated a hamstring injury suffered in Round 1. Mark Alvey took Johnson's place in the side.
Johnson could be out of the side for up to two weeks, but it could be longer if scans reveal a tear

Also back in the side was Dean Solomon (finger tendon).

COLLINGWOOD
Over 1000 people attended the inaugural Collingwood Hall of Fame Dinner held last week.
The dinner was part of a series of events being held to mark the club's move from Jock McHale Stadium at Victoria Park to their new home at Olympic Park.
At the dinner Collingwood formally inducted a group of the first "Greats of Collingwood" to be honored in a Hall of Fame that will be established at the club's new facilities.
Eighteen of the club's greatest players were inducted in a spectacular presentation on stage.
The first inductees are:
Jock McHale, 1903-18 &1920, 261 games, 3 interstate games, 1911 interstate representative, 1912 VFL representative, coach 1912-1939
More than 50 years after his death, Jock McHale remains the most iconic figure in the club's history. First as a player and then as coach he set remarkable records in longevity and commitment that inspired all around him.
His 261 games as a player are often overlooked. But he had an outstanding playing career, mainly in the centre and across half-back, and strung together a record 191 games in succession.
But his playing achievements were dwarfed by what he did as coach, 38 years, 714 matches, eight Premierships, nine times runners-up. It's a record that, even today, still beggars belief.
McHale's strengths as coach lay in his ability to prepare and inspire players, and instill discipline into the team's game plan. No-one dared question him, or his tactics. And he had a hatred of defeat that was legendary. Fortunately, he didn't have to suffer defeats too often. As his record shows, he was truly 'the King of Coaches'.

Dick Lee, 1906-22, 230 day games, 707 goals,17 Interstate, 908-22 Interstate Rep
In an era of low-scoring football, Dick Lee redefined the expectations of full-forwards and set new standards for goalkicking. He regularly produced record tallies for single matches and over whole seasons. He once kicked nine out of the team's 10 goals in a game against Carlton. He bagged 11 against University. He led the competition goalkicking table on no fewer than 10 occasions.
But it wasn't just the goals that Dick Lee kicked - it was the way he played, too. Fast, clever and a deadly kick, Lee became a favorite of the crowds and a hero to thousands of young boys. Most of all, they loved his spectacular high marking - and would begin chanting his name as the ball headed towards him.
Lee redefined forward play, adding an artistry and adventure to the position that had never been seen previously. He attracted crowds that watched only him, as John Coleman would do in the 1950s. He was Collingwood's first true superstar.

Syd Coventry, 1922-34, 227 day games, 62 goals, 27 Interstate, 1927 & 1932 Copeland Trophy, 1925 Austral Trophy, 1927 Brownlow Medal, 1922-33 Interstate Rep
If a football club is defined by the quality of its leaders, then it's no wonder that Collingwood dominated the competition in the late 1920s. For in Syd Coventry it had one of this club's greatest-ever skippers.
Coventry was a wonderful footballer - as evidenced by his Brownlow Medal in 1927 and his two Copeland Trophies. He was a strong-boned and big-hearted ruckman who specialized in playing a kick behind the play, and whose long kicking was a feature.
But he is best remembered for his inspirational leadership that took the club to premierships in each of his first four seasons as captain. The players under whom he played spoke of him with reverence and respect. He was strong, principled, loyal and inspirational.
The leadership qualities he displayed on the field came to the fore again in 1950 when he began a 12-year stint as club president. Syd Coventry, it seems, was born to lead.

Gordon Coventry, 1920-37, 306 day games, 1299 goals, 25 Interstate, 1933 Copeland Trophy, 1934 Third in Copeland Trophy, 1923-35 Interstate Rep, 1934 VFL Rep
Gordon Coventry was simply a goal-scoring machine.
A huge man with a big backside, Coventry couldn't fly like Ron Todd or cover the ground like Dick Lee. But he had the strongest hands in football, wonderful positioning sense and a frame that made him almost impossible for full-backs to get around. Plus he was an accurate, if not always stylish, kick for goal.
That kicking style netted him 1299 career goals. He was the first man to kick 100 goals in a season, set any number of new individual match records and a career tally that seemed insurmountable. He was durable too - still good enough to win the VFL goalkicking title in his 18th, and last, season.
Coventry played a key role in five premierships, and would have played in another but for suspension. He set records that lasted many, many years, and it took another footballing colossus in Tony Lockett to match his prodigious feats. Most of us know how good Lockett was; that gives you some idea of how good Gordon Coventry must have been.

Albert Collier, 1925-30 & 1933-39, 205 day games, 54 goals, 14 Interstate, 1929,34,35 Copeland Trophy, 1929 Brownlow Medal, 1928-37 Interstate Rep, 1926 VFL Rep 1929
Best Victorian
Also played 12 games and kicked 12 goals for Fitzroy in 1941
The Depression years featured some tough footballers, and even tougher football. But nobody in that time was tougher than Albert Collier.
Collier was a formidable presence in the heart of the Magpie defence through no fewer than six premierships. He was massively strong, fast, a good mark and as rugged a foe as you could find. Opponents were genuinely fearful of his uncompromising style of play - and usually with good reason. His teammates, on the other hand, worshipped the ground on which he walked.
For all that, he was not a thug - as evidenced by his Brownlow Medal win in 1929 and his three Copeland Trophies. When work opportunities forced him to Tasmania for two seasons after 1930, it's no coincidence that the team's winning run ended.
But Collier returned to play some of his best football in the mid-1930s, confirming his position among the all-time greats of Collingwood.

Harry Collier, 1926-40, 255 day games, 299 goals, 9 Interstate, 1928,30 Copeland Trophy,
1930 Brownlow Medal, 1932 Austral Trophy, 1928-32 Interstate Rep, 1926 VFL Rep
It's debatable whether any player has ever loved his club more than Harry Collier loved Collingwood.
He grew up near Vic Park, went to school opposite it and spent winter weekends selling footy records outside the ground. He thought it such an honor to pay for Collingwood that he could not believe it when told he would actually be paid for the privilege!
Harry's passion for the club shone through in his play. He was a feisty, fearless rover who won the hearts of all Magpie fans with his brilliance, gameness and love of a scrap. He gave absolutely everything he had, week in and week out. He was superb around goals, and later developed into a great captain who guided the team to back-to-back flags.
In all, that made six Premiership medals for Harry. There was also a Brownlow in 1930, and two Copeland Trophies. But Harry's place at Collingwood was enshrined not on the honor boards, but in the affection the fans had for him. For Harry Collier, that would have been the greatest recognition of all.

Jack Regan, 1930-41 & 1943,1946, 196 day games, 3 goals, 16 Interstate, 1936 Copeland Trophy, 1934,37,41 Runner-up Copeland Trophy, 1934,37 Austal Trophy, 1933-37 Interstate Rep, 1934 Equal Third in Brownlow Medal
Jack Regan has long been regarded by astute judges as the finest full-back in the history of the game. Those who saw him play are convinced there have been none better.
Part of the reason Regan was so admired as a full-back was because of the way he played the position. Rather than being the close-checking type, Regan preferred to back his judgement against opposing full-forwards, resulting in some thrilling one-on-one marking duels with champions like South Melbourne's Bob Pratt. He was a superb aerialist, but also a raking drop kick and, like all good full-backs, extremely cool under pressure.
Jack Regan played football the way the purists believe it should be played - as a battle of skills and wits against his opponent. In an era of outstanding full-forwards, it was an approach that could easily have cost him dearly. That it did not is testament to his greatness.

Phonse Kyne, 1934-44 & 1946-50, 245 day games, 8 Interstate, 1946,47,48 Copeland Trophy, 1938,39,49 Runner-up Copeland, 1936 Third in Copeland Trophy, 1936,38,47 Interstate Rep
Because he piloted the club to its historic Premiership win in 1958, Phonse Kyne is perhaps best remembered as a Collingwood coach.
But before then he'd enjoyed a glittering playing career. He was an outstanding ruckman/forward and much admired leader whose on-field career spanned 18 years. He started as a centre half-forward, where he played in the back-to-back flags of 1935-36. He later moved into the ruck, where he won three successive Copeland Trophies. He was a great palmer of the ball, expert at shepherding and adept at bringing the smaller players around him into the game.
Later, as coach, he tasted premiership success in 1953 as well as 1958. Just as importantly, he also won the respect of those who played under him, and those who coached against him. Kyne was one of the most highly regarded men in football, renowned as a fine and fair sportsman, and a wonderful ambassador for the Collingwood Football Club.

Bob Rose, 1946-55, 152 day games, 214 goals, 15 Interstate, 1949,51,52,53 Copeland Trophy, 1953 Runner-up Brownlow Medal, 1949-54 Interstate Rep, 1953 All Australian
1967 Victorian Coach
Bob Rose is one of the most revered figures in Collingwood's history. Arguably its best-ever player, he continually inspired teammates with his fierce attack on the football, his courage and a fanatical will-to-win. He was a highly skilled player, fast and ferocious and as tough as old boots. Whether roving, in the centre or on a flank, he was just about the complete player; his four Copeland trophies prove it.
As a coach he produced teams of great skill and flair that fans loved to watch. His teams lost three grand finals in famously heartbreaking circumstances, and lost two preliminary finals as well. But Rose's sportsmanship remained exemplary throughout, and the quiet dignity and grace he showed in such moments won him great respect and admiration, even outside Collingwood.
He displayed the same characteristics when dealing with the misfortune that befell his son Robert, rendered a quadriplegic after a car accident in 1974, looking after and caring for him for the next 25 years.
Bob Rose set the example for how Collingwood would like its footballers to play on the field, and conduct themselves off it. No one is more loved and respected at Victoria Park - not only for the way he played and what he achieved, but for the man he was and the way he carried himself. Bob Rose epitomized all that is good about Collingwood, and about football. The legacy he has left will be a lasting one.

Lou Richards, 1941-55, 250 day games, 423 goals, 3 Interstate, 1947,50 Runner-Up Copeland Trophy, 1951 Third in Copeland Trophy, 1947,48 Interstate Rep, 1951 VFL Rep
Lou Richards is one of the most famous figures in football history. Indeed, Lou has developed such a profile through his TV, radio and newspaper appearances that many of his fans probably know little about his outstanding playing career.
Lou was a cheeky, talented rover with a hunger for goals. Not surprisingly, everyone who played with or against him remembers his mouth - he'd yap to umpires, to opponents, to just about anyone. It would drive the opposition to distraction. But his teammates loved it, and it was one of the reasons he made such a superb captain.
He led his team to the 1953 Premiership, providing him with his best moment in football. Two years later he retired and moved into the media - and that, as we all know, was the start of a whole new ball game.

Neil Mann, 1945-56, 179 day games, 155 goals,10 Interstate, 1954 Copeland Trophy,
1948,53 Runner-up Copeland Trophy, 1955 Copeland Trophy, 1954 Runner-up Brownlow Medal, 1953 Third in Brownlow Medal, 1974 Victorian Coach
Neil Mann has been one of Collingwood's most loyal and whole-hearted contributors. As a player he had a fine career, first as a full-forward, then as a defender and later as a ruckman. He was one of the most courageous big men of his day, and one of the best team players. His greatest asset was his unbelievably strong marking - hardly surprising given that his hands were so big he could hold two dozen eggs in one hand.
Mann was also a great clubman, loved around the training rooms for his warmth and his practical jokes. He played a major role in the 1953 Premiership and, as captain, led the team to another grand final in 1956. He became reserves coach the next year and held the post for 15 years, offering loyal support to both Phonse Kyne and Bob Rose. He finally got a crack at the senior job in 1972, and also spent time on the Committee.

Murray Weideman, 1953-63, 159 day games, 262 goals, 5 Interstate, 4 night, 1957,61,62
Copeland Trophy, 1956, 57, 60 Interstate Rep
The Weed was a hero for Collingwood fans in the late 1950s and early 1960s. They loved the tough, uncompromising way he played his football. They admired the way he protected his smaller, lighter teammates. And they hailed him, rightly, for his pivotal role in the 1958 flag. With his strong build and good looks, he was likened to a Roman gladiator leading his troops into battle.
Weideman was not always the side's 'enforcer'. That role only came midway through his career, after he'd earlier won fame as a skillful, high-marking centre half-forward. But as more and more senior players retired, Weideman found himself cast into the position of the team's resident 'protector'. It was a role he seemed to relish.
He won three Copeland Trophies in six years, and became one of the most talked-about footballers in the competition. Opposition fans loved to hate Weideman; one even fired a bullet through the window of his shop. Such was the Weed's star appeal that he was even coaxed into a few bouts of professional wrestling.
Sadly for Collingwood, Weideman retired at just 27, depriving the club of one of its greatest leaders - and one of football's most colorful personalities.

Peter McKenna, 1965-75, 180 day games, 838 goals, 2 night, 7 Interstate, 1970 Copeland Trophy, 1972 Runner-up Copeland Trophy, 1967 Interstate Rep
Also played 11 games and kicked 36 goals for Carlton in 1977
Footy fans have always loved the players who kick the goals. And with his mop-top hairdo, good looks and an insatiable appetite for goals, Peter McKenna was the most popular footballer in the land in the early 1970s.
McKenna was one of the game's first true 'pop stars'. He appeared on TV. He won popularity contests. He even released a couple of records - proving that as a singer he made a great full-forward.
But it was as a goalkicker that McKenna really made his mark. Fast on the lead and a deadly drop punt kick for goal, he won the club's goalkicking eight years in a row, including three successive centuries. He was the perfect spearhead for the teams in which he played, and played a huge part in their successes. Had he not been concussed in the second half of the 1970 grand final ... well, who knows?

Len Thompson, 1965-78, 268 day games, 217 goals, 2 night, 15 Interstate, 1967,68,72,73,77 Copeland Trophy, 1969,76 Runner-up Copeland Trophy,
1966 Third in Copeland, 1972 Brownlow Medal, 1967-78 Interstate Rep, 1972 All-Australian
Played for South Melbourne 1979: 20 games, 39 goals; Fitzroy, 1980, 13 games, 19 goals
Collingwood has produced no finer big man than the mighty Len Thompson. He won five Copeland Trophies, a Brownlow Medal and redefined the art of ruck play.
Thompson was the first of the super-tall, super-mobile ruckmen who dominate today's game. As a ruckman he was one of the best around - a master craftsman who specialized in delicate tapwork that gave his rovers first class service. He was strong enough to withstand wrestling with man-mountains like John Nicholls, and good enough in the air to beat opponents like Gary Dempsey.
Yet Thommo had another dimension to his game - mobility. He combined the physical strength and height of a traditional ruckman with the athleticism of a ruck-rover. It was an awesome combination that was almost impossible for opposition sides to combat.

Peter Daicos, 1979-93, 250 games, 549 goals, 1982,88 Copeland Trophy, 1981,84,88,90 Interstate Rep
Peter Daicos was the idol of Magpie fans in the modern era. Nobody came close to matching his place in the hearts of Magpie fans
Daicos entertained and amazed spectators as few other players have done. Possessed of extraordinary skills and uncanny awareness, he regularly did things which footballing mortals could only dream about.
Everybody remembers the Daicos goals, and everyone has a favorite; the miracle against West Coast in 1990, the preposterous boundary line snap against Richmond at Vic Park in '91, the handball-and-run over Ian Nankervis at VFL Park, the goal against Brisbane from the behind post, the first goal in the 1990 grand final ... the list is endless.
But Daicos left other memories too. The seasons spent in the midfield that brought two Copeland Trophies. The brilliant evasive skills that allowed him to spin and baulk out of the tightest spots, and create space where there seemed to be none. And his control of the oval ball, which had to be seen to be believed.
Peter Daicos is now a match commentator

Tony Shaw, 1977-94, 313 games,159 goals, 1984, 90 Copeland Trophy, 1981 Third in Copeland Trophy, 1984,90,91 Interstate Rep, 1990 Norm Smith Medallist, 1990 premiership captain
If Tony Shaw had only ever played his 1990 season for Collingwood, he would still be a legend at Victoria Park.
In that year he won the best and fairest, and also a Norm Smith Medal. But more importantly, his passionate, determined and committed leadership took us all the way to one of the most important flags in the club's history. More than any other one person, the 1990 flag was down to him. From that moment on, his position in the Collingwood pantheon was assured.
Luckily, Tony Shaw's career encompassed much more than just that glorious 1990 season. He'd shown himself repeatedly to be a courageous, high quality midfielder who loved getting plenty of possessions. He wasn't fast and he mightn't have kicked long, but he just kept getting the footy and dishing it out to teammates. He won another Copeland back in 1984, and finished his career as the club's games record holder. He also coached the club for four seasons.

Gavin Brown, 1987-2000, 254 day games, 195 goals, 5 night, 6 interstate, 1989 Copeland Trophy, 1991 Runner-up Copeland Trophy, 1988(Joint) Third in Copeland Trophy, 1991 Darren Millane Perpetual Memorial Shield, 1989,90 Interstate Rep, 1991 AFL All Australian
It was hard not to love Gavin Brown as a footballer.
He emerged as a skinny kid who played on the wing, looking for all the world like he would be killed at any minute. But he played as if that never crossed his mind - with skill and flair and bravery.
As he matured and his body grew stronger, 'Rowdy' often found himself playing in key positions. Even though he didn't look tall enough to do so, his extraordinary courage and magnificent marking ability ensured he succeeded. His body copped a fearful battering in the process, but Brown never complained. The phrase 'too courageous for his own good' might have been invented for him. No one has played with more heart for the club, or put his body on the line more often.

Nathan Buckley, 1994-present, 163 games & 166 goals (through 2003), Brownlow Medal: 2003 (equal), Copeland Trophy 1994 (equal), 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003, RT Rush Trophy 1997, JJ Joyce Trophy 2001, Captain since 1999
Played 21 games and kicked 20 goals for Brisbane in 1993. Was inaugural Rising Star Winner in 1993.
Last year he set a new club record by winning his sixth Copeland Trophy. He's won a Brownlow, and a Norm Smith Medal to boot. And has become a magnificent Captain.
Buckley has devoted himself to the Magpie cause with complete dedication and professionalism. The rewards for his work have been there for all to see. At times it looked as if he was carrying the team single-handedly, with his phenomenal ball-getting abilities, pinpoint long kicking and commitment to perfection.
There were critics, for a time. But even the doubters have been won over by his extraordinary consistency over more than a decade. No other player has played at a more consistently high level in that time. Now, at last, he's firmly entrenched as one of the club's all-time greats, and one of the best footballers the game has seen in the past 20 years.

Hall of Fame Selection Criteria:
All those chosen for the Collingwood Hall of Fame will be true "Greats of Collingwood."
All those chosen will be men who have made a profound contribution to the on-going success of Collingwood.
All those chosen will have given extraordinary service to the club.
All those chosen will be men who embody the spirit of Collingwood.
All those chosen will have displayed the qualities of a truly great Collingwood footballer – skill, courage, sportsmanship and "teamanship."
The committee will also take into account games played, state representation, premierships, club and individual honors and Copeland Trophies.

Hall of Fame Selection Committee: Eddie McGuire, Wayne Richardson, Kevin Rose, Thorold Merrett, Michael Roberts, David Emerson secretary Director of Marketing (non-voting)

Bo Nixon, Guy Richards, and Tom Davidson debuted this week. It's been a long haul for Davidson who was drafted in 2002, but busted up his knee during a preseason training session last year which required a reconstruction and put paid to any chance of a 2003 debut.

Injury Update:
Tarkyn Lockyer, foot, 5-7 weeks
Zane Leonard, hamstring, 2 weeks

FREMANTLE
Jeff Farmer was charged last week with assaulting his long-time girlfriend following an alleged incident. The club is standing by Farmer, who will faced the Perth Court of Petty Sessions and pleaded guilty. Farmer and his girlfriend have two children.
The Swans gave their assurance that Farmer would not be taunted over the charge during this weekend's match.
AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou publicly warned clubs last week that they could face penalties if players were taunted or vilified on-field. It is believed his warning was given to protect St Kilda's Stephen Milne and Leigh Montagna from taunts during the Round 1 clash. The AFL's rules and the AFL Players Association's code of conduct have penalties for players who attempt to vilify opponents "on the basis of their race, religion, color, s-x,
s-xual orientation or other related characteristics".
Farmer could also face action - from the league, the club and under the players' code of conduct - if he is found guilty of assault.

Fremantle membership continues to set records with the club reaching 29,210 members last week. It is the highest membership in the club's history and an increase of 15.2 per cent on the 2003 membership level. Marketing Manager Steve Rosich said the club was still averaging about 50 new members a day and was on track to meet its target of 30,000 members for the year.

Injury Update:
Luke Webster, , knee, 9 weeks
Scott Thornton, leg, 1-2 weeks

WEST COAST
West Coast will never prise another midyear signature from gun midfielder Chris Judd, who has vowed not to disrupt his football in future seasons by entering into premature contract negotiations.
Judd, who signed a two-year deal with the Eagles after round 16 last year, felt his form dropped off in subsequent rounds, and cannot see the sense in committing to any future deals before his present contract is up.
He said he felt the distraction caused his form to drop and he would rather focus on playing well without any distractions.
Judd was not concerned that he would spend another year answering the same questions about his desire to one day move home to Melbourne. He said that while his contract was for two years, he felt firmly ensconced at the club and in a side he believes is a genuine premiership contender and will remain so for some time.
Since he signed on, Judd has bought a house, started a traineeship with Channel Nine and joined
the board of a start-up software company formed by the family he first boarded with in Perth.
He also feels there is no point in signing a new contract until the current one expires because as he said, he could worth more or less in a year's time. The first option leaves him with a raw deal and the second, he says, brings media criticism of being greedy and taking up too much of a club's salary cap.
Of course, it still leaves one minor problem. Come 2006, should he maintain his current form or improve on it, every club in Australia with room in its cap and looking for a quality midfielder will be persuing him with lucrative offers.

Scans on midfielder Drew Banfield's right knee have cleared him of any damage to the anterior cruciate ligament, but did reveal damage to the lateral ligament and some bone bruising. He'll be out 8 weeks.

Injury Update:
Drew Banfield, knee, 8 weeks
Josh Wooden, collarbone, 4 weeks
Ashley Hansen, shoulder, 3-4 weeks
Darren Glass, shoulder, 1-2 weeks
Travis Gaspar, foot, 1-2 weeks

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Former Bulldog defender is an assistant coach, on the match committee, and having a stint in the forward line for Werribee in the VFL. HE joked that he could place himself anywhere in the team, being a member of the match committee.

GENERAL SILLINESS
Young Brisbane Lions tyro Jamie Charman lined up for his 50th game this weekend, but probably would rather forget his debut game against Fremantle in Round 5, 2001. He rates that debut performance as a 1 out of 10.
Asked to recall that first match Charman said he did not endear himself to Coach Leigh Matthews, giving away several free kicks and having just 2 possessions.
In that game, which was prefaced by Matthews' Terminator quip of "If it bleeds, we can kill it", the Lions stormed over the Dockers with a 13 goal final term which is commemorated with a plaque in the club rooms.