Assistant Coach Paul Roos is now in charge of Sydney

G'Day Footy Fans -

PLUGGER PULLS PIN
ROOS REPLACES ROCKET
Most of you have probably heard the news by now that Tony Lockett and Coach Rodney "Rocket" Eade have both called it quits in Sydney. The resignations came within 24 hours of each other. Lockett decided to step aside to allow a younger player a chance after he spoke to Swan officials at training and was told he would not figure into game plans after the next several weeks. Lockett said he had no regrets and wants to stay involved at the club in a coaching role. Lockett's main motivation in coming back was he felt the club had a serious chance at a Grand Final. But the injury setback and the Swans' poor performance so far this season has led to Locket's decision.

Rodney Eade tendered his resignation when he was told his contract would not be renewed at the end of the season. Eade denied a rift had developed between himself and chairman Richard Colless. Eade said he would like to continue his coaching career somewhere.
And Peter Schwab, head of the new AFLCA, said he was planning on ringing Eade to offer support.

The club originally planned to allow the three assistant coaches - Paul Roos, Steve Malaxos, and John Longmire - to lead the club in this weekend's game against Fremantle but did an about face and appointed retired champion Paul Roos as caretaker coach for the rest of the season. Roos was reluctant at first, wanting a guarantee for next season, but decided to accept the senior role after being told his prospects for a permanent appointment would not be judged solely on how the Swans performed over the next 10 weeks. He said he would not hesitate to call on Eade for advice if he felt it necessary and also said he would give some of the younger players a chance in games.
While the club has offered no guarantees for next year, Roos has expressed an interest in taking on the job next year. But the club will look at all possibilities at the end of the year when it becomes clearer as to who might be available and/or interested.

GENERAL NEWS

More GF Tickets, But Prices Go Up
The AFL has taken 5000 tickets away from corporates and the 16 clubs to make them available to members of the competing clubs.
But prices for all finals tickets are set to go up with premium GF seats to cost as much as $150. This is due to the Ticketmaster surcharges as well as a $3.00 levy on tickets to help fund the redevelopment project, due now to start in October.
The AFL has also restructured finals' tickets into 3 levels - premium, prime, ad standard with prices set accordingly.

Poll Available to All
The AFL is publishing a poll in the AFL Record regarding an extended season. But fear not fans, if you don't get the magazine. The poll is also available at the AFL website at www.afl.com. So even we here in the States can have a say.

Split Round Gets Axed
An internal review of Round 12 has led the AFL to a decision to abandon the concept next year in favor of an across the board break - 2 if the season gets extended to 24 rounds. Free to air networks Nine and Ten also were in favor of dumping the idea as they were unable to telecast some games because of Foxtel's exclusivity clause and also due to the late start times o some of the games.

Tasmanian Push
Opposition leader Bob Cheek says he will spend $15 million over the next 5 years in a bid to lure an AFL team to relocate, with an initial installment o $3 million
available in 2010, sooner if a club decides to relocate before that time. He said the target of 2010 was set to give clubs time to plan a relocation.
But Wayne Jackson said that, with the running of a club costing $20 million or more, he did not believe the Apple Isle could support an AFL club.

Umpires Get Team Of The Century
The AFL Umpires' Association will name its' Umpires' Team of the Century, on Monday, August 19 at a gala at Crown's Palladium Ballroom.

This event will recognize the invaluable contribution that umpires have made to the AFL/VFL over the past 100 years. It will also pay tribute to outstanding individual umpires, highlighting their personal umpiring achievements. A cross-section of the football industry will join past and present umpires in this unique celebration.
An AFLUA selection panel, composed of current and former AFL/VFL umpires, was established to formulate the Umpires' Team of the Century. In arriving at their selections, the panel examined the careers and achievements of every field, boundary, and goal umpire who had officiated at AFL/VFL level since the inception of the VFL in 1897.
Each category of umpiring (Field, Boundary and Goal) will have 10 umpires nominated and recognized, with 4 from each category being named in the Umpires' Team of the Century.

BLUE RIBBON CUP - HAWKS v SAINTS
Over past four seasons, Hawthorn St Kilda have supported the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation by dedicating a home and away game to the Blue Ribbon Cup in memory of Sergeant Gary Silk and Senior Constable Rodney Miller, who were murdered while on duty in August 1998 in St Kilda's suburb Moorabbin The crime shocked Victorians and gave rise to the establishment of Blue Ribbon Day.
Gary Silk and his entire family were devout Hawthorn followers and the club was pleased to initiate the cup in respect of their membership.
The Blue Ribbon Cup and the commitment by the Hawthorn and St Kilda Football Clubs has come to mean a great deal to the families of Gary and Rod and has done much to assist in the healing process by the loved ones who suffered loss through such tragic circumstances.

Unlike many other trophies contested by AFL clubs, the Blue Ribbon Foundation Cup does not involve any sponsors or attempt fundraising in conjunction with the match. It is simply an awareness project for the Blue Ribbon Foundation and an
opportunity for the two clubs to demonstrate their support of a worthwhile community organization.
Both clubs' players and officials will wear blue and white armbands on Sunday in memory of Gary Silk, Rodney Miller and other members of the Victoria Police killed in the line of duty.
The winning team was presented with the Blue Ribbon Cup by Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation chief executive Neil Soullier on the ground immediately after the match.
The best player from each team was also awarded with medals. The best Hawthorn player received the Gary Silk Medal, and the best St Kilda player, the Rodney Miller Medal.
Three journalists, Michael Roberts from host TV broadcaster Channel Nine, Herald Sun sports reporter Scott Gullan and The Age's Jake Niall will vote 3, 2, 1 on their best players for each club.

Ian Silk, brother of Gary, and Blue Ribbon Foundation chairman John Forbes presented the Gary Silk Medal to the best player in the Hawthorn change rooms immediately after the match.

Junior Championships Kick Off
The 2002 AFL Under 18 National Championships begin in Melbourne this week.

June 29 - Division Two
Tas v Qld at Optus Oval, 11.30am
NSW/ACT v NT at Optus Oval, 2pm
 
June 30 - Division One
Vic Metro v SA at Skilled Stadium, 11.30am
Vic Country v WA at Skilled Stadium, 2pm  
 
July 2 - Division Two
Winner Game 1 v Loser Game 2 at Skilled Stadium, 11am
Winner Game 2 v Loser Game 1 at Skilled Stadium, 1.30pm
 
July 3 - Division One
Winner Game 1 v Loser Game 2 at the MCG, 11.30am
Winner Game 2 v Loser Game 1 at the MCG, 2pm 
 
July 5 - Division Two
Loser Game 1 v Loser Game 2 at Optus Oval, 11am
Winner Game 1 v Winner Game 2 at Optus Oval, 1.30pm
 
July 6 - Division One
Winner Game 1 v Winner Game 2 at the MCG, 11am
Loser Game 1 v Loser Game 2 at Punt Road Oval, 2.30pm
 
The U-16s will be in Perth starting on July 27 
Division Two
Tas v NT at Fremantle, 11am
NSW/ACT v Qld at Fremantle 1.30pm
 
July 28 - Division One
SA v Vic Metro at Fremantle, 11am
Vic Country v WA at Fremantle, 1.30pm  
 
July 30 - Division Two
Winner Game 1 v Loser Game 2 at Subiaco, 11am
Winner Game 2 v Loser Game 1 at Subiaco, 1.30pm
 
July 31 - Division One
Winner Game 1 v Loser Game 2 at Subiaco, 9.30am
Winner Game 2 v Loser Game 1 at Subiaco, 12 noon 
 
August 2 - Division Two
Loser Game 1 v Loser Game 2 at Fremantle, 11am
Winner Game 1 v Winner Game 2 at Fremantle, 1.30pm
 
August 3 - Division One
Winner Game 1 v Winner Game 2
Loser Game 1 v Loser Game 2

From the 2001 Championships, 48 players were subsequently drafted by AFL clubs, including the likes of West Coast Eagles’ Chris Judd who captained Victoria Metro, Fremantle’s Graham Polak (WA), Melbourne’s Steven Armstrong (WA), Richmond’s David Rodan (Vic-M), St Kilda’s Xavier Clarke (NT) and Nick Dal Santo (Vic-C), Geelong’s James Kelly (Vic-M), James Bartel (Vic-C) and Gary Ablett (Vic-C), Hawthorn’s Campbell Brown (Vic-M), Collingwood’s Mark McGough (Vic-C), West Coast Eagles’ Quinten Lynch (WA) and Essendon’s Andrew Welsh (Vic-M).Judd, Kelly, Rodan, McGough, Clarke, Bartel and Armstrong have already been selected in 2002 as AFL Rising Star nominees
The Best and Fairest players of the U18 National Championships are awarded the Larke Medal (Division 1) and Harrison Medal (Division 2). Past winners include:Fremantle’s Paul Hasleby (WA, 1999, Div 1)Melbourne’s Brad Green (Tas, 1999, Div 2)Hawthorn’s Daniel Harford (Vic Metro, 1994, Div 1)Fremantle’s Shaun Mc Manus (WA, 1993, Div 1)Brisbane Lions’ Michael Voss (Qld, 1992, Div 2)Sydney’s Paul Williams (Tas, 1990, Div 1)

TRIBUNAL
Ruckman Greg Stafford pleaded not guilty to striking Port's Adam Kingsley, saying he was only trying fend him off as Kingsley came in to tackle him as he had the ball. Reporting umpire Bryan Sheehan refuted Stafford's claim, stating he believed Stafford saw Kingsley coming and deliberately raised his arm. Stafford said he was trying to handball to a teammate and fend off Kingsley and said he was unsure of where he made contact with Kingsley. Kingsley supported Stafford's statement but did say he felt contact to his jaw.
Panel chairman Brian Colless said the action was reckless, indiscriminate and had the potential to cause injury. Stafford was suspended for two weeks.

After a video review of the RICH/PA game, Port's Gavin Wanganeen, Josh Francou, Stewart Dew, Peter Burgoyne, and Roger James and Tigers Ray Hall, Ty Zantuck, and Andrew Kellaway were charged under the melee rule.
Tiger Wayne Campbell was also charged with wrestling Port's Brent Guerra.
Francou, Wanganeen, Zantuck, and Campbell were all cleared.
James, Kellaway, and Hall pleaded guilty.
The melee erupted after Tiger Jason Torney crashed into a goalpost following a tackle from Guerra. The Tigers argued that they rushed in to assist their teammate whom they felt was the victim of rough play. Wanganeen, Burgoyne, and Francou said they rushed in to extract Dew from a Kellaway headlock and to remove others from the fracas. Burgoyne later became involved in several other skirmishes.
Burgoyne was fined $2500, Hall $3500, Kellaway and James $3000, and Dew $2000.

MILESTONES
100 games: Mark Merenda (WCE), Shane Clayton (KANG), Troy Cook (FRE)
50 games: Shannon Motlop (KANG), Andrew Embley WCE)
50 club games: Kingsley Hunter (WB)
100 consecutive games: Joel Bowden (RICH)
The other players with current 100 game or more streaks are Adem Yze (MELB 121 games), Byron Pickett (KANG 109 games), and Simon Beaumont (CARL 101 games)
Games Guernsey Record: Stewart Loewe (STK). Loewe is set to play his 303rd league game this week wearing number 23 (he played 10 games in 1986 and 1987 wearing number 50), beating the former record of 302 games held by Hawthorn's Don Scott.

TEAM NEWS

BRISBANE
Was fined $22,500 by the league for a breach of contract rules. The fine is for late lodgment of contracts for this season and last.

And Jason Akermanis' comments about switching to rugby league raised a fair bit of debate. Akermanis said he would listen to any offers. Coach Leigh Matthews said he believes Akers comments to be a bit tongue in cheek and Akermanis also said the same thing later on, but rugby officials were considering talks with the Lion midfielder. Some believe he could succeed with a bit o practice at rugby tackling. Others don't believe AFL players are strong enough to play the code and unless a player had followed the game for some time, would find the transition from footy to rugby difficult.

Injury Update:
Michael Voss, OP, underwent surgery on 6/12. Ran lightly on Saturday without any discomfort and hopes to resume in Rd15, 3 weeks
Nigel Lappin, thigh, 1 week

Ruckman Beau McDonald (ankle) returned this week. So did Tim Notting.

ESSENDON
The club is certain to retain Coach Kevin Sheedy for life with a new contract signing imminent. The new contract will expire at the end of 2004. But there is also a separate contract which will see Sheedy remain with the Bombers in some capacity after his coaching days have ended. The second deal will involve marketing, education, corporate training, and media components.

The club has also sent its wish list to the AFL for 2003. It has requested fewer night home games, after indications that it could again lose members next year because of the heavy night scheduling. The team plays 15 night games this year. The biggest drops came from junior, family, and elderly ranks who found night games difficult to attend.
The club's membership numbers has been corrected from over 33,000 to over 35,000. A clerical error was the reason.

After receiving a letter from a supporter in Sydney, who informed him that the match against Melbourne was not shown until 5 AM, chairman Graeme McMahon said the AFL is wasting money on trying to develop the game up north. He accused Nine and Ten of treating footy like a "poor relation" to rugby.

Injury Update:
James Hird, facial fractures, 1 week
Matthew Lloyd, ruptured finger tendon, 1-2 weeks
Joe Misiti, broken wrist, 3 weeks
Marcus Kenny, shoulder, season
Dean Solomon, knee, season
James Hird is confident that he will be ready to start against the Bulldogs next week, as is Matthew Lloyd.
Lloyd was given the all clear to begin handling the ball with his right hand but had the injured ring finger taped over his middle finger to protect it.
Dean Rioli returned from suspension and Garry Moorcroft returned from a hip injury.

CARLTON
The club has distanced itself from claims by former champion David Rhys-Jones in his new book that drug use was rife in his playing days, especially cocaine and marijuana. Rhys-Jones also claimed there rumors running rampant about steroid use at several clubs, including Fitzroy and West Coast in the 80s. Rhys-Jones admits to not having any proof, only stating the rumors he heard.
The allegations were angrily dismissed by Eagle chairman Michael Smith while Carlton's Don Hanly said the issue was irrelevant as it is something that is 15 years in the past.

Injury Update:
- Scott Freeborn, fractured right medial clavicle, 7-10 weeks
- Matt Allen, stress fracture in foot, season, finally off the crutches! Matthew is enjoying his new found mobility with a specially made foot brace. Officially on the long-term injury list
- Darren Hulme, knee, 6 weeks. Officially on the long-term injury list. Continuing his rehab. Anthony Koutoufides, knee, 2-3 weeks, stepping up his training regime. Kouta is looking sharp on the track, however the fitness staff are keen to hold him back for at east a couple more weeks.
- Glenn Manton, calf, will resume in the VFL this week
- Lindsay Smith, fractured coccyx, 5-7 weeks, has commenced light rehab work
- Trent Sporn, ankle, 2-3 weeks, has commenced light running and gym work.

COLLINGWOOD
This week the club paid tribute to Collingwood legend Thorold Merrett.
Thorold was presented to the crowd at Colonial Stadium during the prematch activities with a short video package on the scoreboards highlighting his outstanding football career.
Thorold Merrett: 180 games, 148 goals; Copeland Trophy 1958, 59; Vice- Captain 1960; Interstate representative 52, 55, 57,59; Committee 1977-82; Life Member

A new supporters group, the Collingwood Wheelies, was launched this weekend. The new group is for fans in wheelchairs and has come about through the club's association with the TAC and also the Robert Rose Foundation.
The launch was hosted by match by John Maclean who hand cycled from Brisbane to Melbourne, a journey of over 2000 km and taking 29 days. The trip raised over $300,000 for kids in wheelchairs. 
Collingwood will host special events and investigate better facilities and opportunities for wheelies attending Collingwood matches.

Performing at Saturday night's prematch President's Dinner was the internationally
acclaimed Celtic Musical show "Heart Quest." The Irish dancing group is
performing in Melbourne. Collingwood is hosting the Ireland Australian Rules Football Team competing the International Australian Football Cup in August.

Jarrod Molloy (broken toe) and Brodie Holland (hamstring) were still out this week.
Scott Cummings returned to the side this week

HAWTHORN
With over 33,000 members this year, the club is already planning its campaign for next year with a goal of 35,000. Targets for next year will include 9000 from the suburban areas affected by the loss of Waverley Park, further development of the Chinese market, and a push into the Sri Lankan community.

Michael Georgiadis debuted this week.

Injury Update:
- Chance Bateman (hamstring) 1-2 weeks
- Robert Campbell (OP) is restricted to standing skills for the next 3 weeks
- Tim Hazell (OP) has received a setback in his recovery and is likely to miss the next six to eight weeks.
- Rick Ladson, knee, 4-6 weeks
- Luke McCabe, shoulder, had surgery last Friday and is expected to be sidelined for the next six to eight weeks. McCabe had a tendon repaired in his right shoulder.
- Bill Nicholls, hamstring, 3 weeks
- Joel Smith, hamstring, 4 weeks
- Nick Holland, thigh, 1 week
- John Barker, back, 1 week
- David Loats, leg, 1-2 weeks
Returning from injury are Nathan Thompson (knee), Shaun Rehn (leg), and Daniel Harford (ankle), and Tony Woods (hamstring). Woods has been playing in the VFL for the past several weeks.

Georgiadis and fellow rookie Michael Osborne were elevated to the Hawthorn senior list earlier this season after Tim Hazell and Rick Ladson were put on the AFL long-term injury list.

KANGAROOS
Sacked CEO Michael Easy is suing the club for $1 million, claiming a breach of contract. He said the idea was worth a base of $700,000 for 3 years with bonus incentives for finals, leadership results, and a profit turnaround. He did state that the agreement was partly written and partly verbal.
The club has vowed to fight the claim stating Easy received ample compensation at the time of his dismissal. Easy was dismissed after just 6 months, after an unfavorable review from an AFL instigated corporate investigation.
Easy's predecessor, Greg Miller, is also believed to be owed several thousand dollars.

Coach Denis Pagan, who has been asked to take a hefty paycut, has refused to negotiate until the end of the season.

The club has yet to receive a decision from the league regarding a loan against its share of the Waverley sale or the special assistance grant of $1 million.

The club has denied that Winston Abraham has walked out on the club. They have said that he and his pregnant wife have returned to Perth so both can be with family and that he is continuing his knee rehab in WA. Abraham injured his knee in Round 1 last year and has not played senior football since. He has made several attempts at VFL level.

John Blakey was also sidelined after having surgery to correct an infected vein in his leg.

While the Demons and Hawks have expressed an interest in Wayne Carey, other clubs have proclaimed a definite not interested attitude. Sydney, Carlton, Collingwood, Geelong, and St. Kilda all said they were concentrating on youth.
Brisbane's Leigh Matthews called the idea of Carey joining the Lions an "absolute "furphy".

And the league adjusted its goalkicking stats shortly after the Kangaroo match last week. Originally, Byron Pickett had been credited with 3 goals, but it was discovered that one of those had been kicked by Stuart Cochrane, his only goal for the season.
Pickett now has 24 for the year.

RICHMOND
Injury Update:
Darren Gaspar, calf, 1 week
Ben Holland, ACL rupture, season
Rory Hilton, shoulder dislocation, indefinite
Marc Dragicevic, knee, ACL rupture, season
But in a further blow to the club’s big-man stocks, young ruckman Scott Homewood injury his shoulder for the second time and will not play again this season.

Brad Ottens (calf) returned this week as did Royce Vardy (groin).

Out of form Matthew Knights would have played his 100th consecutive game for the 2nd time in his career this week, but was dumped to the VFL.
He would have been just the 3rd player to twice achieve the mark. He played 105 consecutive matches 1989-93.
Others on the list are Richmond's Kevin Bartlett (173 games from 1975-82 and 150 games from 1966-72) and Fitzroy's Kevin Murray (168 games from 1967-74 and 110 games from 1959-64)
100 consecutive games - Joel Bowden, Richmond. The other players with current 100 game or more streaks are Adem Yze (Melbourne, 121 games), Byron Pickett (Kangaroos, 109 games) and Simon Beaumont (Carlton, 101 games).
Games Guernsey Record - Stewart Loewe, St Kilda.  Loewe is set to play his 303rd league game this week wearing number 23 (he played 10 games in 1986 and 1987 wearing number 50), beating the former record of 302 games held by Hawthorn's Don Scott.

FREMANTLE
Dale Kickett has announced his retirement The match against Port next week will be his last. That match will put into the 200 Club. Kickett joined the club in its debut season 1995. Kickett has played with 5 clubs over 12 years: 15 games with Fitzroy 1990, 2 games with WCE 1991, 21 games at StK 1992, WAFL 1993, and 8 games with Essendon 1994.

Injury Update:
Anthony Jones, pectoralis major tear, season
Clive Waterhouse & Luke Webster, knee, season

Fabian Francis injured his knee in a WAFL game and will require a knee reconstruction for a ruptured his PCL
Francis was unable to join the club last year after it promised to select him in the preseason draft due to salary cap penalties. The club did make arrangements to assist Francis who had relocated from Adelaide to Perth. The club also had promised he would be drafted this year. But that could now be up in the air with the 29 year old Francis out for the season

GEELONG
David Spriggs, knee, season
Jason Snell, ankle, indefinite
Brad Sholl, back, 1 week

SYDNEY
After 2 years on the list, Luke Ablett finally debuted this week. Luke is the nephew of Gary Ablett and a cousin to Geelong's Gary, Jr.

Injury Update:
Brad Seymour, ankle, 1 week
Stuart Maxfield, knee, season
Adam Schneider, glandular fever, indefinite
Heath James is out for the season. He was conducting a clinic at a juvenile detention center when he landed awkwardly while attempting to take a mark. He ruptured the patella tendon in his left knee. Since his debut in 1999, he has played just 5 games due to injury. His last appearance was Round 10 last year when he tore a hamstring. He was showing promise this year in the SFL.

Leo Barry (spleen), Paul Kelly (hamstring) and Stephen Doyle returned from injury.

PORT ADELAIDE
has lost Derek Murray for the year to a broken leg. Murray was playing in the SANFL last week and broke both the fibula and tibia.

MELBOURNE
The club is set to sign Neale Daniher to another 2 year contract when his manager returns from holidays.

After a 32 possession BOG performance in the VFL, midfielder Stephen Powell was recalled to the seniors this week.

Coach Daniher believes young forward Darren Jolly can help ease the load on David Schwarz. To that end, he is considering more ground time for Jolly.

Adem Yze isn't the only talented footballer in the family. His brother, Damien, turned in a blinder last week, kicking 25.6 for Kyabram District League club Ardmona. The tally equaled a league record and brought Damien's total for the year to 75. Damien's cousin Perry Meja kicked nine to bring his career tally to 1994. Meja, 36, was hoping to boost his tally to 2000 this weekend.

Michael Clark, thumb. 2 weeks
Luke Molan, ankle, 6 weeks
Guy Rigoni, back, indefinite, long term injury list
Alistair Nicholson, knee, season

ADELAIDE
A flu bug he played with against Carlton last week has turned into a minor case of pneumonia for Nigel Smart and he missed this week. He now falls one game behind Mark Bickley (241). The duo were hoping to celebrate the 250 milestone together against Fremantle in Round 22.

Forward Scott Welsh missed his 3rd consecutive week with a bout o OP. The club is hoping he can return next week.

Martin Mattner was promoted from the rookie list to the senior list this week – replacing Ryan Fitzgerald, who has gone on to the long-term injury list
Mark Stevens injured a calf at training last week and missed.

ST KILDA
The biggest news out of Moorabbin is the announcement that Stewart Loewe will retire at the end of the season. Loewe expressed relief at finally making the decision and said he will focus on enjoying the last 10 games. He said the mind was willing but the body was faltering.
He was considering retirement at the end of last season, but decided to play on this year after a season-ending knee injury in Round 11 last year.
Loewe would like a role with the club next year, but also will concentrate on his building company and family. He also has said he would like to climb Mt. Everest someday.

Coach Grant Thomas said he would step aside if the club wished to persue Rodney Eade. He said he would like to see out his 3 year contract, but would not have a problem handing over the reins if the club believed it to be in its best interests.

The club has gained permission from the AFL and Hawthorn to play 2 games in Tasmania next year. The league has granted an extension to the club for its 2003 scheduling submission. The club is hoping to secure a 3 year deal worth $1.5 million.
The club would add two away games to its membership tickets as compensation to supporters.

Speaking of supporters, the club has arranged a town hall meeting, inviting both current and lapsed members for a discussion regarding fans' wants and needs. The initiative is being done to examine why the club's membership has fallen so drastically. The club will attempt to take on board the insights and develop more attractive membership and merchandise programs. The forum will be attended by president Ron Butterss and CEO Brian Waldron.
Waldron said there were about 55,000 supporters in the club's database who had been members at some stage over the past 5 years.

The Japanese Samurais have arrived. The Japanese Australian Rules Football national team arrived in Melbourne for a training camp last week in preparation for the International Cup series. Members of the Samurai team attended training of their host club St Kilda.

Max Hudghton has signed a new contract keeping him at the club through 2005. Peter Everitt also recently signed a new 2 year deal.

Max Hudghton missed this week with a hamstring injury suffered at training.
Justin Koschitzke remained out with a back problem.
Brett Moyle (hamstring) also missed.
Also out of the side were Aussie Jones (hamstring), Stephen Milne (elbow), and Justin Peckett (groin)

Fraser Gehrig (OP, adductor strain) returned this week.

WEST COAST
Regained Michael Gardiner from a hamstring strain. Gardiner has missed the past 6 weeks.

GENERAL SILLINESS
Wayne "The Dominator" Johnstone's nickname may have been justified for his onfield actions, but the former Carlton champ has revealed that is not how he got the nickname. According to Johnstone, he and several teammates were out one night and he had a VIP table in an upstairs area of the night club with about half a dozen girls for company. He told his teammates that he was "dominating", that he had everything under control, and that the girls would be "ours".
At about 3 AM, Johnstone woke up in the street alone. His mates were gone, the girls were gone, he had fallen asleep, and the bouncers tossed him out at closing time.
The boys stuck the nickname on him at the next training session. Eventually, cheeky former Magpie rover and media celeb Lou Richards got wind of it and it spread from there.

Retiring Docker says Swan Tony Lockett beat him to a quote. Lockett, in his retirement statement, said he wanted to give a chance to a younger player. Kickett claims he was going to use the same line, but Lockett got it first.

18 year Saints' veteran Stewie Loewe well remembers when he was just a kid training with the junior squad. He says on the first night of training with the U-19s, they had to wait until about 7:30 for the seniors to finish. When the kids got onto the ground, Loewe says it was mud from goal end to goal end, with not a blade of grass in sight.

And the website The Bladder posted my submission. If you want a good laugh - at Carlton's expense no less - here is the link. Just paste it into your browser and have a look. You can even rate it if you want. There are hundreds of postings by other fans at the site.
http://thebladder.com.au/content/contribution/default.asp?fullreport=1477&ContributionType=1&ordering=&sportID=&AuthorID=