Hawthorn released a statement to announce the passing of club legend Graham Arthur on January 11 at the age of 84. He was a star forward, playing 232 games and kicking 201 goals 1955-1968. He captained the Hawks to their first premiership in 1961.
Researchers at Monash University in Melbourne conducted a study between 2017 and 2019. The study, published in the journal Biomarker Research, carried out baseline blood tests on between 100 and 200 Melbourne University Blacks players in the preseason each year. They then followed up with more blood tests and MRI scans on 28 players who had suffered concussions. Blood samples were then collected at two, six and thirteen day intervals. The researchers found a biomarker protein called Neurofilament light (NfL). Elevated levels of NfL is an indicator for damaged brain cells.
The AFL has released the 2021 schedule but with only confirmed dates and times for the first six rounds. After the entire 2020 season was hugely impacted by COVID-19, the League opted to continue flexible scheduling in 2021 in case of another outbreak in Australia, and to ensure the season would be completed. Exact dates and times for the remaining 17 rounds will be released in four-to-six week blocks with four weeks’ notice. The schedule for Round 7 is expected to be announced at the conclusion of Round 2 on March 28th.
In mid-December during an online forum for members, Collingwood president Eddie McGuire made the shock announcement that he would be stepping down at the end of the 2021 season. It was reported that he was choking back tears when he made the announcement. McGuire said, “I have given everything I have to this position. Now it is time for me to set the platform for the club going forward ... I will ... spend the rest of my time ... setting up a new era ... In conjunction with the change in direction of my media life and the timing of my son’s schooling ending, the time was right and the future strong for our club for me to make this call.” During his time as president, he never once was challenged for the role when he was up for re-election.
The preseason and rookie drafts were held about a week after the National Draft. The rookie list was primarily used to officially relist senior players as rookies. They included Grant Birchall (Brisbane), Sam Reid (GWS Giants), Marty Gleeson (Essendon), Dylan Clarke (Essendon), Roarke Smith (Western Bulldogs), Daniel Venables (West Coast) and Bailey Banfield (Fremantle).
The 2021 AFL Women’s season schedule has been revealed with major changes. The two conference system, which was used last year and this year, has been abolished, with the 14 teams competing for a single ladder. The decision to abandon the conference system has been made in order to maximize the chance of a season being completed should another COVID-19 outbreak occur. The pandemic disrupted the 2020 season so much that it was abandoned after just one week of finals was played, with no premiership awarded.
Just after the AFL Draft. Australian Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg announced that the government would contribute $8.5 million toward a new meatal health facility to be named after the late Danny Frawley . The Victorian government has also committed $7.3 million and there will be other philanthropic contributions to the Danny Frawley Center for Health and Wellbeing which will be located at St Kilda’s home base of Moorabbin Reserve, near the club Danny loved.
The AFL draft was held on December 8. Below are all the players drafted. The listings are club by club so readers can scroll more easily to the club(s) of interest. A few notes regarding the listings: the first number is the draft selection followed by player name (club of origin), age, height in metric (coversion), weight in metric (conversion) and position with the profile below. Many players played for more than one club, but only the primary NAB or other club is listed wtih any others named as necessary. Readers will also note Team Dal Santo and Team Brown.
Collingwood defender Tom Langdon has been forced to retire due to a chronic knee injury. Langdon, 26, was drafted in 2013 and played 89 games for the Magpies. A mainstay of the backline, he was named one of the best on ground in the 2018 Grand Final against the Eagles. He suffered severe cartilage damage just two months into the 2019 season and has not played since. General manager of football Geoff Walsh paid tribute to Langdon, “Tom played some wonderful football ... and it was a sad day when the reality of his premature retirement arrived.
The Swans have moved Robbie Fox and Sam Gray to the rookie list under the new AFL Rules. Both will be listed as Category A rookies for the 2021 season. Under the new rules, the club does not need to wait until the rookie draft period and the pair will be available for senior selection without having to be elevated back to the senior list.
Subscribe to WatchAFL and see every Aussie Rules match live or delayed! Subscribe at .
