by Johnson Leung, reporting for AFANA in Melbourne
Michael Vozzo will officiate his first Grand Final on Saturday, alongside veterans Brett Allen and Darren Goldspink. Allen will line up for his fifth consecutive Grand Final, while Goldspink will be involved in his sixth premiership decider since 1993. Allen is now within sight of the record of seven consecutive VFL / AFL grand held by Bob Scott, who controlled Grand Finals from 1929 to 1935. The all-time GF record for field umpires is 10, held by Jack Elder. South Australian boundary umpire Darren Wilson has been appointed to his ninth consecutive Grand Final, and will be joined by Jonathon Creasey and Adam Coote. Victorians David Flegg and Mark Canning have been named goal umpires.
Source: Melbourne Age
In other Grand Final news:
Midfielder Daniel Kerr sent a shockwave through West Coast's preparations when he left the team's main training section at Subiaco Oval early on Wednesday afternoon. Kerr has been troubled by a calf injury and left training after just 10 minutes. He spoke briefly to the club's head trainer Bill Sutherland before leaving the field. An Eagles spokesman said Kerr and former captain Ben Cousins both had short training sessions but would play on Saturday.
Source: ABC news
Brett Kirk has been named Sydney captain for official match day duties on Saturday. Kirk will join West Coast's Chris Judd for the coin toss. If the Swans win, co-captains Kirk, Barry Hall and Leo Barry will hold the cup on the podium.
Source: Herald Sun
Dual Brownlow medallist Adam Goodes has been officially declared a hero by the New South Wales Government's Aboriginal Local Heroes recognition program. The award allows Goodes to nominate an Aboriginal charity or project to receive a grant of up to $5,000. Goodes also won a National Indigenous Award, known as a Deadly, last week for outstanding achievement in the AFL.
Goodes was also named joint player of the year in 2006 by the AFL Coaches' Association, alongside Adelaide midfielder Simon Goodwin. The duo polled 90 votes in the home and away season. Votes were awarded on a 5-4-3-2-1 basis by the opposing coaches in home and away games.
Source: AAP
Article last changed on Wednesday, September 27, 2006 - 5:46 PM EDT
