Bulldog Coach Terry Wallace dropped a bombshell on the club

WALLACE QUITS DOGS
CAREY CHOOSES CROWS
Coach Terry Wallace announced last week that he no longer had the passion to coach the Bulldogs. It came as a complete surprise to all and sundry in the west.
Wallace said he felt he could no longer coach the team with any passion and felt burnt out. He also did an about face regarding his opinion of the playing list, which he has perviously stated could go on to win a Grand Final.
While both Wallace and club president David Smorgon both put on positive attitudes during the Tuesday press conference announcing the news, later reports confirmed that Smorgon was very disappointed. There were also rumors, strongly denied by the Swans, that Sydney had approached him, through his manager, Craig Kelly, during the year after Rodney Eade's resignation. This would have been in direct violation of the contract Wallace had with the Dogs, which contained a clause prohibiting any contact regarding a rival job by either him or another club until his contract expired in two years.
There was also a disputed story between Kelly and Smorgon regarding the timing of the announcement. Both contend that it was the other who decided to make the announcement prior to this weekend's match rather than wait until next week.

The club board met last week with Wallace and Kelly to work out a deal releasing Wallace from his contract and reaching a financial settlement. Had the club taken a hard line, they could have forced Wallace to sit out the remaining two years which would have prevented him from taking another job.
Now that he is a free agent, it is widely rumored that he could be bound either for Sydney or Carlton, where Coach Wayne Brittain's position will be reviewed.
The Swans have stated that they have every intention of meeting with Wallace, despite strong support from the Sydney playing group for caretaker Coach Paul Roos. Sydney officials said they would be derelict in their duty to the club if they did not at least speak to Wallace. Their decision regarding the coaching job will not be made until mid-to late September. There are reports that some Sydney sponsors have threatened to withdraw their support unless Paul Roos is appointed coach.

In another twist, a senior playing group including Chris Grant, Brad Johnson, Nathan Brown, Rohan Smith, Scott West, Luke Darcy, Steve Kretiuk, Ben Harrison, Paul Dimattina, and Simon Garlick voted to have Wallace stood down immediately and replaced for this weekend's game against Collingwood. He was replaced by assistant coach and former Carlton/Melbourne player Peter Rohde.
Team captain, Chris Grant, said that, considering Wallace's comments at the announcement, the players felt it would be inappropriate for him to coach the final game.

The early list of candidates includes the usual suspects: Bomber assistant Mark Harvey, Melbourne assistant Brian Royal (a former Bulldog player), Brisbane assistant Gary O'Donnell (former Bombe player), and Rodney Eade.

And the other major news is that Wayne Carey has selected Adelaide as his club of choice. He said his reasons were that the Crows had been the first ones to make an offer and had been there from the beginning. He also was impressed with the club when he visited recently. A move to Adelaide would not be unfamiliar to him as he played his junior football there and, as a result of playing alongside team captain Mark Ricciuto in the Irish games, had become friends with Ricciuto. Carey also felt a fresh start intestate would be better than staying in Melbourne and believed the Crows can win premiership in the next few years. He and Ricciuto had spoken prior to Carey's decision with the Crow skipper telling Carey of what it was like to play in a two-team town and how laid back Adelaide is compared to Melbourne. It is believed the club has offered him a two year deal.
However, his move to SA won't be a done deal unless the club can work out an agreeable trade with the Kangaroos who are demanding a high price for their former champion. Negotiations in this area are unlikely to happen until the two teams' respective finals' campaigns are finished. But there is already talk that Crow midfielder Kane Johnson, who is keen to return to Melbourne, could be in the mix trade wise.
Carey and his manager Ricky Nixon have also "kissed and made up" with Carey accepting an apology from Nixon. Carey has also denied that he and wife Sally have split, saying they are set to go on holiday in an effort to patch things up.

GENERAL NEWS
ACCC Says No To MCG Squabble
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has dismissed an optimistic bid by the South Australian and Queensland governments to scupper the MCG preliminary final deal. The SA premier had written to the commission in an effort to get them involved and possibly put an injunction in place against the one-final-per-weekend deal.

Umpire Retires
Senior umpire and AFL Life Member Chris Mitchell retired as of this weekend, his last an umpire. Chris, 41, is one of just nine umpires in the history of the game to have reached the 300-game milestone
CHRIS MITCHELL
Born: 14/4/61 Number: 4
AFL matches to date: 339
Career background:
Recruited from Footscray District League and joined the VFL cadet squad in 1979.
VFL senior umpiring debut in 1985.
14 AFL finals games
5 State of Origin games.
3 International exhibition matches.
Became the 8th umpire to reach 300 games in Rnd 1, 2001.
Occupation: Project Manager
Mitchell said injury concerns were taking their toll.

Top 10 VFL/AFL Matches:
Rowan Sawers 410 Peter Cameron 306
Ian Robinson 353 Jack McMurray snr 303
Bryan Sheehan 348 Kevin Smith 303
Chris Mitchell 338 David Howlett 302
Peter Carey 307 Jack Elder 295

TRIBUNAL
Kangaroo Byron Pickett was reported on video evidence for an off the ball incident of striking Hawk Richard Vandenberg. Umpire Scott McLaren said the two players grappled in what he called a "show of strength" and that Pickett had made contact with Vandenberg's face. Vandenberg described the contact as slight. The panel ruled also that it was a glancing blow. Pickett pleaded guilty to the charge.
Coach Denis Pagan gave character testimony, describing Pickett as a key member of the team and praised his work in the Aboriginal community. Pagan also said, despite his tough style of play, Pickett had never been questioned by the umpires.
This was Pickett's first charge and conviction for striking. His past offences were two fines for a melee and wrestling.

Hawk Nathan Thompson accepted the automatic $1200 fine for his first wrestling offence. He and Kangaroo Mick Martyn grappled with each other early in last week's game.

The tripping charge against Magpie Leon Davis was withdrawn after the umpire reviewed footage of the incident.

The charge of rough play against David Neitz was also withdrawn after the umpire reviewed video footage which showed the Neitz and Swan Ben Matthews collide during a marking contest.

ROUND 21 MILESTONES
150 games: Ang Christou (CARL)
100 games: Nick Stevens (PA), Kane Johnson (ADE)]
50 games: Shannon Motlop (KANG)
50 club games: Andrew Schauble (SYD), Matthew Robbins (WB)

ROUND 22 MILESTONES
200 games: Shane Crawford (HAW)
150 games: Nick Holland (HAW)
50 games: Brent Guerra (PA), Ben Johnson (COL), Kent Kingsley (GEEL)
 
TEAM NEWS 

HAWTHORN
Sean Rehn has joined the growing list of retirees this year. He announced that this weekend's game would be his last. Rehn thanked the Hawks for giving him a "lifeline" after his departure from Adelaide.
Playing honors: B&F and All-Australian in 1994, Adelaide premierships 1997-98, International Rules series 1998.
Rehn suffered the first of 3 serious knee injuries in 1995. The second came almost a year to the day in 1996, and the 3rd in a preseason game in 1999. He joined the Hawks in 2000 but had an injury interrupted season last year.

Injury Update:
- John Barker (groin) is out for the remainder of the season with groin soreness. He has not played for the past four weeks.
- Glen Bowyer (lower leg) is out for the rest of the VFL season.
- Robert Campbell (broken collarbone) is out for the rest of the season.
- Adrian Cox (foot) has a stress fracture injury similar to the one sustained by Angelo Lekkas earlier in the season. He missed this week'
- Daniel Harford (stomach muscles) was cleared of any major problems in his lower abdominal area following scans last week. Also missed this week.
- Tim Hazell (osteitis pubis) is out for the rest of the season.
- Michael Osborne (concussion) missd this weekend's VFL elimination final against Sandringham after receiving a severe knock last week
- Joel Smith (hamstring) is out for the season.
- Nick Stone (hip) missed this week.

CARLTON
Board member George Varlamos, the one who abstained from the vote last week, has resigned. While praising embattled president John Elliott for his contributions, he also said he believed Elliott was no longer an effective president and that the club needed new a leader with a new approach in dealing with the media, sponsors, members and supporters, players, recruitment, staff, and the AFL.
He said he did not resign right away as he felt at the time he could help to seek a resolution regarding the presidency but realized after talks with other board members that he was in the minority.

On the same subject, the Unofficial Supporters Group continued their bid for strength in numbers by passing out prepared voter registration forms outside the MCG this weekend. It is an effort to get as many members as possible registered to vote in the upcoming election. The group said it will also accept proxies from anyone unable to attend the extraordinary meeting to be held on Oct. 9.

Coach Wayne Brittain has received support from ruckman Corey McKernan and chairman of selectors Steve Kernahan, who is also a board member and assistant coach.

Injury Update:
No changes from last week, though Craig Bradley missed again this week with his rib injury.

FREMANTLE
Reached several attendance milestones these past 2 weekends
... The 11,336th patron in the ground (Colonial in Round 21) was the 4,000,000th person to attend a Fremantle home or away game.
... The 16,101th attendee broke Fremantle's home attendance record for a season.
... The 17,325th patron in the ground was the 2,000,000th person to attend a Fremantle home game.

Stalwart Jason Norrish has announced his retirement after a ten-year, 147-game AFL career. He played his 148th and last match this weekend against Adelaide.
The 30-year-old Norrish has been a quiet achiever throughout his career, but it should be remembered that his early promise led to him being selected by Melbourne at no. 5 in the 1991 National Draft, ahead of luminaries like Shane Crawford, Andrew Dunkley, Glenn Manton, Fabian Francis and the Sholl brothers.
After 20 games in two seasons with Melbourne, Jason was a priority selection as an uncontracted player for the newly formed Dockers in 1995. He has gone on to play 127 games for Fremantle and is one of only six original squad members - including captain Peter Bell who spent five years at the Kangaroos - still at the club. He ranks third on Fremantle's all-time list for games played, behind Shane Parker and Dale Kickett.
Jason was an automatic selection when fit throughout his career with Fremantle, which was highlighted by his popular win in the 1998 club championship and his leadership qualities were recognized with vice-captaincy roles in 1999-2001. He continued his good form through to his retirement, missing only two games this season - one of them so that he could be present at the birth of his twin daughters.
Norrish did a lap of honor at the conclusion of Sunday's match.

Injury Update:
Roger Hayden: Hamstring (1 week)
Andrew Browne: Ankle (season)
Daniel Haines: Fractured fibula (season)
Brendon Fewster: Ankle (season)
Graham Polak: Shoulder (season)
Anthony Jones: Tendon damage (season)
Clive Waterhouse: Knee (season)
Luke Webster: Knee (season)

PORT ADELAIDE
After years of struggling with a chronic back problem, Bowen Lockwood has retired. He was named to the interchange bench and as an emergency several times last year, but spent most of the season in the SANFL. He played just 4 games last yew and none this year.
Lockwood, 24, debuted in 1997 and played just 50 games.

Regained Peter Burgoyne (ankle) and Jarrad Schofield (back) this weekend.

GEELONG
The Geelong Football Club is pleased to announce a new protected sponsor - Reward Insurance.
The company, much to the delight of club officials, approached them about the sponsorship deal.

Injuries:
Spriggs, knee, season
Milburn, shoulder, season
Joel Corey, shoulder, season: Corey required surgery to repair the AC joint after being injured last week

Brenton Sanderson returned this week after missing 6 with an ankle injury.

WEST COAST
Philip Matera took exception to some close checking by teammate Richard Taylor during a training session last week and the two came to blows, forcing Taylor from the ground with a bloody nose.
Coach John Worsfold was bemused by it all, saying it only showed the determination and competitive spirit of the players. He also joked he was glad there was no tribunal for training sessions.

Lost David Wirrpunda (foot), Andrew Embley (knee) and Trent Carroll (ankle) this week, but did regain Troy Wilson (shoulder).

KANGAROOS
Coach Denis Pagan is yet to sit down and review the revised contract offer the club pitched to his management last week, but remains keen for a quick resolution.
Pagan's manager Michael Quinlan met with club chairman Dr Allen Aylett and chief executive Geoff Walsh and a new two-year deal was put on the table.
While he would like a quick resolution, he does not want to lose focus on the team's finals campaign.

Glenn Archer (ribs) missed this week.

ESSENDON
Has sought permission from the AFL to allow players returning from injury to play in a practice match against an A-grade amateur team. The club has already spoken to several teams. The Bombers are the only team in the finals not to have a VFL team in the finals. They are only one of 3 teams to field a VFL side independently, but that could change next year as they are considering an alignment with either Bendigo, North Ballarat or the Northern Bullants. An alignment would save them up to $100,000 as it is more expensive to field a stand-alone team.

Injury Update:
Marcus Kenny, shoulder, season
Dean Solomon, knee, season

SYDNEY
Paul Kelly and Andrew Dunkley both announced their retirements last week. Kelly has played 234 games in 13 seasons, but his tough, uncompromising ways have taken their toll in injuries as "Captain Courageous" has struggled the past two seasons with knee and hamstring problems.
He is also reported to have developed arthritis in his back.
Kelly has won 4 B&Fs, was Australian 1995-97, and won the Brownlow in 1995. He has captained the side since 1993. He also broke Bob Skilton's record for games as club captain, notching 182 as skipper.

Dunkley has played over 200 games with the Swans since 1992.

In another departure, CEO Kelvin Templeton has resigned his position, citing it was a "career decision" to move on. His deputy, Colin Seery, is expected to take over.

Injury Update:
Jason Ball, groin, season
Stuart Maxfield, Lewis Roberts-Thomson,  & Heath James, knee, season
Daniel Hunt, shoulder, season                       
Rowan Warfe, finger, season

RICHMOND
Injury Update:
Marc Dragicevic & Ben Holland, ACL rupture, season
Rory Hilton, shoulder, indefinite                   
Scott Homewood, shoulder, season

MELBOURNE
Debuted rookie Michael Clark this weekend.

Luke Molan, Troy Broadbridge, Alistair Nicholson, Guy Rigoni, Craig Ellis and Scott Thompson have injuries that will prevent them playing for the remainder of this season.

ST KILDA
The club has signed a new, three-year deal with midfielder Lenny Hayes, and extended by two years agreements with youngsters Nick Riewoldt and Justin Koschitzke, whose present contracts run out at the end of 2003.
St Kilda chief executive Brian Waldron said the trio had received individually tailored deals that recognized their achievements and "reinforce our absolute belief and faith that they will be outstanding players on the field for us and individuals of great quality."
An industry insider last night said Riewoldt's three-year contract was probably pushing $1 million, while Hayes and Koschitzke were estimated to be on about $150,000 a year.
Riewoldt, a favorite to take out this year's AFL Rising Star award, said the new contract proved his commitment to the club.
"Obviously, with us three just signing, it shows that we're all committed to the club. And I'm really excited about our future going forward," he said.
"We've got just a great group of people down here and a great set-up to really achieve some great success in the next few years. Hopefully, we can really take the club somewhere in the not-too-distant future."
His housemate, Koschitzke, who was embroiled in controversy earlier this year after the AFL launched an investigation into claims he played in St Kilda's round-four loss to Geelong while injured, said he was excited about the new deal.
"I'm rapt to put pen on paper and be here and for the next three years and beyond and with these guys," he said.
The 2001 AFL Rising Star winner, Koschitzke has been restricted by a back injury this season, playing only four matches. He said the experience had left him hungrier than before. "With the back and a hard year, I've felt like I've learnt a lot this year than I maybe would have playing. I've realized how easily it can be taken away from you and probably learnt to appreciate the game a little bit better," he said.

BRISBANE
Captain Michael Voss has won The Age Footballer of the Year award. At the beginning of Round 22, Voss was trailing Port Adelaide midfielder Josh Francou by a solitary vote. But while Francou did not poll a vote as the Power sank the reigning premier by a goal, Voss - who battled with Josh Carr in the middle and also spent time as a target up forward - tied with teammate Simon Black as the Lions' best. Voss' eight votes took him to 88, seven clear of Francou. The Age's football writers considered Voss the league's most outstanding player for the second year in succession. He has won a trip for two up the Sunshine Coast to the Emerald Luxury Apartments at Noosa. Hawthorn captain Shane Crawford's best-on-ground display against the Cats lifted him ahead of Western Bulldog Brad Johnson for third.

Justin Leppitsch has agreed to terms for a new 5 year deal, guaranteeing he stays a Lion for life. He rejected lucrative offers from St. Kilda and Carlton to stay put and help build a winning tradition with the club.

Five Lions players are on target to complete the 22-game home-and-away season this year without missing a game - Marcus Ashcroft, Simon Black, Mal Michael, Martin Pike and Brad Scott. Craig McRae had played every game until he missed Round 21 against Geelong.

Injury Update:
Damian Cupido, shoulder, was placed on the long-term injury list on 11 July after a season-ending shoulder reconstruction. He 'popped' his shoulder in the Reserves in June. It was third time he'd suffered the same injury. He also did it in Round 7 last year against Sydney and missed 8 weeks after a reconstruction, and in the Reserves in the week of Round 3 this year, when he avoided surgery but was sidelined for 4 weeks.

COLLINGWOOD
At the Collingwood President's luncheon on Saturday a special presentation was made to Bob Rose. The Pratt Foundation will presented a check for over $200,000 to the Robert Rose Foundation. The funds will be used to establish a new counseling program to support the victims of serious spinal injuries and their families.
The foundation was started by Bob Rose in honor of his late son Robert, who became a quadriplegic as the result of an auto accident in 1974. A cricketer on the verge of playing for Australia, Robert was also a footballer at Collingwood when his father coached the Magpies. When Bob left Collingwood to coach Footscray, Robert followed him. A short time later the accident occurred.
Even though Bob is a Collingwood man, Footscray holds a special place in his heart. He offered to resign as coach when Robert had his accident but the Dogs would not listen. Then, in the second game of the 1975 season against Fitzroy, one of his players, Neil Sachse, was injured in a tackle. For the second time in 14 months, Bob was spending time at the Austin Hospital, seeing the torment of other families.
After Robert passed away in 1999, Bob was approached to help the Para-Quadriplegic Association, but he declined. It was only two months after his son had died and emotions were too raw, too close. But it was not long before he knew he had to help. The more he thought about all the injured people he had seen in the various wards, the harder the plea for help became to ignore. From that began the Robert Rose Foundation and through that the Robert Rose Cup, which is played between Collingwood and the Bulldogs, this year for the third time.

Collingwood this week paid tribute to Bob Rose, who did a lap of honor before the game. Career Stats:
Games: 152
Goals: 211
Copeland Trophy 1949, 51, 52, 53
Leading Goal kicker 1953, 54
Coach 1964-71
Life member
Team of the century

GENERAL SILLINESS
Kangaroo Mick Martyn says his greatest fear is looking into the mirror
NOTE: With his mug, I don't blame him - Lisa

Collingwood's Shane Wakelin is one of the 8 finalists in the 2nd annual Hottest Players Competition. But for some strange reason, twin brother Daryl did not make the final cut. Shane says his teammates are getting great benefit out of it all, as they can tease him about it. But reminding them that first prize is a car shuts them up pretty quickly, according to Wakelin.
Even Coach Malthouse is an influence as Wakelin said the nomination gives the Coach some ammunition if he doesn't play well.
Teammate Paul Licuria is also in the mix and the pair have agreed to share the car if one of them wins.
To help out, Wakelin's fiancee has been sending in messages, hoping it will help Wakelin win.

Few players can boast that they have played in the same side with a farther and son. Retiring Cat Tim McGrath is one who can, having played with Gary Ablett Snr and now his son. Tim recalls young Gary and his brother Nathan hanging around the club when Dad was there and getting under foot at training. McGrath says he and the other players at the time would spear passes at the youngsters in an effort to make them move out of the way. Did it work? Nope. According to McGrath, young Gary and Nathan would simply mark everything that came at them.