Dale Lewis stated last week that a number of players use recreational drugs
G'Day Footy Fans - FORMER PLAYER SAYS DRUG USE COMMON All parties concerned believe that Lewis needs to substantiate his claim with proof. Lewis, in a later statement, said he never saw drug use at the Swans during his time there. There have only been 4 players who have tested positive for banned substances over the years: 1997 - Justin Charles (RICH) was caught and admitted to steroid use to overcome a chronic hip injury. He was suspended for 17 weeks. 1999 - Nicholas Stone (WCE) - tested positive for amphetamines, but contended a drink had been spiked without his knowledge. Suspended 6 weeks. 1999 - Steven Koops (FRE) - tested positive but the club fought to have the charge dropped as Koops' name was pulled for a random test less than 24 hours after he'd come from hospital after knee surgery. The only other drug case involved Brisbane's Alistair Lynch in 1998. He turned himself in after discovering a medication he was taking for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome was banned. Lynch was cleared. He had been tested several times while taking the drug, but always tested negative. The reason for this was that the drug, DHEA, helped his body produce and maintain normal levels of testosterone. GENERAL NEWS Media vs The MCG Ten is involved in a battle with Seven over the Kangaroos' annual GF breakfast. Seven has managed to poach the event from 10 and the AFL has threatened to withdraw its support of the 30-year old event if Seven persists. AFL Looks for New Sponsor TRIBUNAL Bulldog Robert Murphy pleaded guilty and was suspended 2 weeks for striking Port's Dominic Cassisi. Murphy said he was only trying to spoil an attempted mark. He admitted his action was clumsy. Cassisi testified he was momentarily dazed and did not finish out the final term after the blow. He did say he could have returned to the game if required. Tiger Ray Hall and Blue Brendon Fevola were cleared of wrestling each other. The pair admitted to getting into a bit of a push and shove after Hall kicked a goal on Fevola and sarcastically remarked "good contest". He said Fevola gave him a shove and grabbed his jumper. Hall said he was only trying to fend Fevola off. Both said they did not believe the incident constituted wrestling as they did not go to ground or attempt to throw each other to the ground. Panel chairman Brian Collis said that a "hard tussle" could be interpreted as wrestling under the laws of the game. Kangaroos Brent Harvey and Sav Rocca were cleared of making contact with umpires. In both cases, the umpires' dept. reviewed videotape and deemed the contact as unavoidable. Bomber Coach Kevin Sheedy plans to raise the issue of player/umpire contact at the TEAM NEWS SYDNEY Paul Kelly has again been named captain. It is 10th year as skipper, which equals Bob Skilton's record. Kelly will break Skilton's games record as captain in Round 2. He is currently on 164 games. Skilton captained the side for 164 games. Andrew Dunkley has stepped aside as VC, [preferring to concentrate on his own game. The club has named Michael O'Loughlin, Matthew Nicks, and Stuart Maxfield as co-VCs. The club is unsure who will emerge as leaders when Kelly retires. The above trio are clear leaders now, but the club believes there are a number of others who could emerge. Jason Ball could miss up to 6 weeks with a tendon injury suffered last weekend. FREMANTLE The club has received permission from the AFL to elevate rookie Andrew Siegert to the seniors to replace Robert Hadrill. PORT ADELAIDE Brendon Lade and Che Cockatoo-Collins returned to the side from injury. ESSENDON Matthew Lloyd is out with a groin tear. The club is confident he will be OK by Rd. 1 WESTERN BULLDOGS Injury Update: CARLTON RICHMOND The club will seek advice from medical specialists in an effort to learn why Mark Dragicevic's reconstructed knee buckled the way it did last weekend. Mark had been training well and all tests showed his knee was fully recovered. According to Coach Frawley, Mark had been putting more stress on the knee in training than the pivoting action he did just before it gave out. He will miss all of this season with another reconstruction. Ben Holland got through training last week but the club took the cautious approach and rested him this week. Rory Hilton returned from injury, while rookie list player Simon Hart was recalled to the squad. Royce Vardy also returned to action after serving out his club suspension Darren Gaspar missed this week with injury. BRISBANE Injury Update: Marcus Ashcroft will play his 300th game in Round 1. He has played 268 premiership games, 23 preseason games, and two for Australia. He is the current games record holder at the club and played 170 consecutive games between 1992-2000. That puts him 6th on the all-time list for consecutive games. ST KILDA Only three St Kilda players remain from that match – skipper Robert Harvey, Stewart Loewe and Nathan Burke. Tony Lockett was also part of that winning side, kicking six goals. Ironically the Saints’ coach on that day was Ken Sheldon, who has returned to the club this year as assistant to senior coach Grant Thomas. The stats for that final game: CROWD: 27,736 FITZ: CROWD: 27,736 WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Delisted Bulldog Paul Dooley has returned to his former VFL side Williamstown. Former Swan/Bear Warwick Capper will once again don his trademark tight shorts in a one-off appearance with his old suburban club Oakleigh. The game and his "Dumb And Dumber" act with Mark "Jacko" Jackson afterward will be on April 27. The game and the show will raise money for the club. Ex-Fitzroy forward Mick Conlan has been appointed coach for VAFA side University Blues. A number of other former AFLers are coaching in the VAFA: GENERAL SILLINESS Some young Magpies recently had reason to be nervous. No, not an anticipated spray from the coach, not a grueling training session, not the Tribunal, not even a drug test. They were attending a workshop on how to deal with the media. A local sports presenter advised them on proper speech, presentation, gestures, dress codes and other fine points of how to conduct themselves. They were then subjected Many Saint fans happily relived memories of games at Moorabbin. And the scoreboard also cooperated with less than stellar technology of days gone by. At one stage it read 4.4 for the Kangaroos equaling 82 points rather than 28. Match scores to follow.
Retired Swan Dale Lewis raised a media furor last week when he wrote in a newspaper column that up to 75% of players indulged in recreational drugs. He said speed and ecstasy were popular. He contended that players who used knew of masking agents to get around the periodic drug tests. He also said some were savvy as to how long the drugs would remain in their systems.
The AFL, the Swans, and the ASDA were not happy to say the least. The AFL will be sending him a "please explain" letter. Andrew Demetriou, player managers, and the ASDA denied the allegations, saying the strict drug code and testing ensured that footy was one of the "cleanest" sports going around.
Demetriou called the allegations naive, stupid, and an insult to the footy community.
AFLPA CEO Rob Kerr believes that Lewis' allegations are based on rumor and innuendo.
The Sydney Swans said they were very disappointed in their former player making such accusations. All parties would be interested in him naming names, but he will not.
An ASDA spokesperson did concede that some players may have tried drugs or been exposed to them, especially when they "let their hair down" at season's end, but denied that players were regular users.
The ASDA tested over 500 players last year and no one tested positive for any banned substances. The ASDA can also test for masking agents.
A positive test for social drugs can result in up to 12 weeks' suspension for a first offence. A second nets a two year ban. Players arrested on a drug charge could face penalties under the code of conduct.
1996 - Ilija Grgic (WCE) after he had taken an over the counter cold remedy. The club was fined.
Channel Ten is pushing for matches to be shown live against the gate. They have already made a proposal to Brisbane and will do the same to Sydney to test the waters.
However, the MCG is against the idea and would want 10 to underwrite attendances at the ground if they broadcast games live. VFL director Ken Gannon rejected the idea, especially for finals. He believes live finals broadcasts would severely impact
crowds at VFL games.
The league is already seeking a new sponsor for the preseason competition next year. Wizard paid $500,000 for the rights this year, but are unlikely to sign on for next year at the AFL's asking price of $1.5 million. Ansett paid $1.4 million annually for the rights. It is believed the league is seeking a 3 year deal.
Carlton's Darren Hulme was reported on video evidence for striking Tiger Clinton King.
Hulme was suspended for 2 matches. Hulme, one of the shortest players in the league and about the same size as King, testified that he stuck out his forearm to fend off a shepherd from King. He said had it been any other player, he probably would have made contact at shoulder or chest level rather than the head. Hulme admitted his action was careless, and the Tribunal ruled that the action had the potential to cause injury. It is Hulme's first suspension in over 100 games at reserve
and senior level. Hulme said it was not his intention to cause harm. King testified that the blow had no effect on his performance.
Harvey's incident occurred as he gathered the ball and ran for goal, making contact with the umpire who was running back into the play.
Rocca had taken a handpass in the goalsquare and collided with the umpire as he kicked the goal. The umpire appeared to be running towards the spot where the ball had crossed the goal line.
next coaches' meeting. He believes the rule is wrong and needs to be reviewed.
This weekend's match was Tony Lockett's 300th official game, automatically giving him AFL life membership. The breakdown is 278 premiership games, 17 preseason games, and 5 State of Origin games.
Stephen Doyle also missed this week with a calf strain. The absence of the pair left the rucking duties to rookie Ricky Mott and Adam Goodes.
Wayne Schwass (hernia) returned to the side this weekend.
Injury Update:
Brad Bootsma: knee injury, one week from full training
Brad Dodd: knee injury, one week from full training
Robert Haddrill: knee injury, placed on long-term injury list
Luke McPharlin: groin injury, four weeks from full training
Daniel Metropolis: knee injury, four weeks from full training
Scott Thornton: groin injury, two weeks from full training
Simon Eastaugh: minor knee injury, will miss two practice games
Injury Update:
Scott Bassett, wrist fracture, 3-4 weeks
Paul Koulouriotis, hamstring, 3-4 weeks
Stephen Paxman, knee reconstruction last year, 3-4 weeks
Injury Update:
Steve Alessio (achilles), 3 weeks
Scott Lucas (strained thigh), 2 weeks
Danny Jacobs (knee), 2 weeks
Dean Rioli (jarred knee), missed this week
After threatening legal action, the club has finally obtained all documents pertinent to Chris Grant. The AFL had only given them a copy of the insurance policy. President David Smorgon is confident that, with the new information, the club can resolve the situation in Grant's favor.
The documents clarify Grant's legal and medical status in the eyes of the insurer, Liberty Mutual.
While the club is not pressing, the AFL wants Grant to see yet a 4th specialist. At first Grant was reluctant, but has agreed. He will be allowed to choose, but the AFL must approve of his choice. The results of the exam will be sent to Andrew Demetriou and the league will then make a decision.
Even if Grant is again given an all-clear by the exam and the AFL agrees, it is no guarantee that Liberty Mutual will agree to provide coverage.
Wayde Skipper, foot, 2-3 weeks
Luke Penny, foot, missed this week
Paul Dimattina, hamstring, 2-3 weeks
Speaking of insurance wrangles, the club could face a million dollar payout to former
player Adrian Whitehead. Whitehead is suing the club and club doctor for damages
resulting from him playing with painkillers to an injured foot in 1997. He ended up fracturing a bone in the foot. The injury required 3 surgeries and ended his career in 1999. He has had 3 more surgeries since then and even a round of golf troubles the foot.
Liberty Mutual has already told the courts that it will not cover the payout should Whitehead win the case.
Injury Update:
Mark Chaffey, groin, 1 week
Craig Ednie OP, 1-3 weeks
Mark Coughlan, groin, 1-2 weeks
Brad Miller, groin, 1-2 weeks
Duncan Kellaway, thigh, should be ready for Round 1.
Greg Stafford, OP, played in a practice game on the weekend.
Leigh Matthews handed over the coaching reins to assistant Gary O'Donnell this week. O'Donnell oversaw training, devised match strategy, coached the team this weekend, and handled the post-game press conference. Matthews, who hand-picked the former Bomber captain for the job, said O'Donnell has all the qualities needed to be a senior coach. Matthews also quipped that O'Donnell was too humble for self-promotion so Matthews did it for him.
Nathan Clarke, knee, 2-3 weeks
Damian Cupido, patella tendonitis, played first game in a practice match in AFLQLD
Chris Johnson, ankle, 2-3 weeks
Clark Keating, foot, 3 weeks
Tim Notting, patella tendonitis, played in practice match last Monday and was in this week's game
Chris Scott, OP, played in practice match last Monday and was in this week's game.
The Saints must now brace themselves for the absence of Peter Everitt. He damaged the medial ligament in the same knee he hurt in 2000. He tripped over a pothole in his backyard as he ran for the phone. The rupture requires surgery and Everitt will be sidelined 3-4 months. He may follow in the steps of teammates Burke, Loewe, and Harvey into the coaches' box during his rehab.
Robert Harvey made his long-awaited comeback to football this weekend, playing 3 quarters at the Moorabbin Oval. It was the first time a game has been played at the old suburban ground since the Saints shifted to Waverley in 1992. The last game there was a win against Fitzroy.
Rd. 20, 8/1/92
ST K 5.3 7.8 9.13 14.17 (101)
FITZ 3.4 3.10 7.19 10.24 (84)
GOALS – STK - Lockett 6, Devonport 3, Winmar, Bowey, Loewe, Georgiou, Kickett; FITZ - Osborne 4, Roos, Dundas, Armstrong, O’Connell, Johnston, Fleming
BEST: STK - Ralphsmith, Bowey, Burke, Shanahan, Harvey, Devonport, Lockett; FITZ - Wynd, Lynch, Broderick, Seecamp, Roos, Blakey
STK
B: McAdam Frawley Shanahan
HB: Ralphsmith Morris Grant
C: Daniels Harvey Winmar
HF: Burke Loewe Georgiou
F: Dale Kickett Lockett Dwyer
FOL: Vidovic Pekin
ROV: Bowey
INT: Greig Devonport
COACH: Ken Sheldon
B: Guard Lynch Morrish
HB: Seecamp Roos Broderick
C: Rowe J. Wynd Armstrong
HF: Baldwin Stephens Caven
F: Fleming Osborne Abbott
FOL: O’Connell Blakey
ROV: Cormack
INT: Dundas Johnston
COACH: Robert Shaw
Other than the names mentioned above, if some look familiar they should. John Blakey joined the Kangaroos after Fitzroy merged with Brisbane. Paul Roos departed for Sydney in 1995 (as did Lockett). Lynch joined Brisbane in 1995. Osborne had stints with Sydney, Footscray, and Collingwood and was a Channel Seven boundary rider after he retired in 1998.
Frawley is none other than current Richmond Coach Danny. Jamie Shanahan played briefly for Melbourne before retiring several years ago.
Dale Kickett is now at Fremantle while Peter Caven crossed to Adelaide where he played in the Crows' 2 premierships before being delisted in 1999.
And Robert Shaw went on to coach Adelaide 1995-96. His brother is former Collingwood coach Tony and his nephew Rhyse is playing for the Magpies.
Paul Broderick joined Richmond in 1994, retired in 2000.
The above mentioned Whitehead is now an assistant coach at Port Melbourne. Delisted Blue Jacob Anstey, who played under Whitehead at Yarra Glen, has also joined Port Melbourne.
Dooley, a ruckman, had limited chances behind ruck stars Scott Wynd and Luke Darcy. He managed only 14 games between 1997 and last year, but says he has no regrets over his limited AFL stint.
Garry Foulds (Ess, 1974-89), former Wayne Harmes (Carl), Dean Anderson (Haw, StK), Mick Dwyer (StK, Fitz), Norm Goss (So. Melb, Haw) are all with amateur clubs.
Peter Everitt managed to keep his sense of humor after his knee injury. He joked that his daughter got to have carry-out for lunch instead of his cooking.
to mock interviews, complete with microphones, cameras, and spotlights. The interviews were taped and then played back for critique. The session was designed to help them learn interview techniques and build confidence.
Home * TV Info * AFL Reports * Local Footy
*
Merchandise * Footy FAQ * Links * BBS *
Chat * Calendar * Search * Subscribe *
AFANA
Info * Feedback
Copyright © 1997 - 2003, The Australian Football Association of North America.