News From Around The AFL

by Lisa Albergo reporting from AFANA from Chicago

Collingwood Dumps Three

A drunk driving incident after the Round 18 match has resulted in Heath Shaw and Alan Didak being suspended for the remainder of the season by the club. Shaw was driving under the influence when he hit a parked car. Neither Shaw nor his passenger Didak were injured in the incident. Shaw and Didak were not forthcoming with the truth about the incident and the club decided on the suspensions. Both players were also fined by the club with Shaw  $10,000 and Didak  $5,000. On the same weekend, Heath's brother Rhyce Shaw was also reported to have been out drinking against club rules and fined $5000 as well as incurring a two game suspension. While Heath, who is currently sidelined with a back injury, may have a chance to redeem himself, the club has decided that neither Didak, a serial offender, nor Rhyce will be with the club in 2009. Both will be put on the trade market at the end of the year.

Source: Nick Hulett, Club Media Release

Docker Champ Says Farewell

Shaun McManus retired after the Round 18 game against the West Coast Eagles. McManus leaves the game as the longest-serving Docker, having played 228 matches. He is the last of the inaugural Dockers, having joined the club in their maiden 1995 season. At the time of his announcement, in the week leading up to the game, Coach Mark Harvey and team captain praised McManus, complimenting his courage, passion, commitment, hard work and a resolve to overcome adversity. All those attributes helped him overcome two knee reconstructions in 1997 and 1998. A loss of form in 2005 saw him sent back to the WAFL, but he fought his way back into the seniors.

His best season was in 2006 when the team made it as far as a preliminary final. He went on to play all 22 games in 2007 and was the first Fremantle player to receive a testimonial tribute that year.

Pavlich said McManus was Fremantle and was quoted in a club media release, "When you think Shaun McManus, you think Fremantle.” Pavlich praised McManus for his professionalism and work ethic and said that McManus valued mateship, loyalty and integrity. He also praised McManus' leadership, determination and tenacity, describing his fightback from the knee injuries as inspirational.

Coach Mark Harvey was equally effusive about the hardworking midfielder, saying his desire to compete, tackling and ball-winning ability always impressed the selectors. Harvey said McManus was the type of player who never gave up on the field and helped build the club with his camaraderie and passion for the club.
Incoming CEO Steve Rosich echoed those sentiments, saying there wasn't anyone who had connected more with the club's members and supporters than Shaun.

SHAUN MCMANUS FACT FILE:
DOB: 2/.9/76
Nickname: Macca
Height: 181 cm
Weight: 81 kg
Games: 228 (including round 18)
Finals Games: 4
Goals for FFC: 95
Debut: 1995
Recruited From: East Fremantle
Playing Honors:AFL Rising Star nominee 1995; Fremantle Co-Captain 2000-01; WA State of Origin team 1995, 2003; Fremantle Best Clubman 2002

Source: Luke Morfesse, Club Media Release

Power Comeback Fails

Michael Wilson has been forced to retire due a degenerative knee which has already undergone two reconstructions. Wilson has endured nine surgeries in the past eight years, including the knee surgeries as well as two shoulder reconstructions. He was hoping he could make a comeback, but medical staff advised him that it was not possible.

Michael Wilson:
192 games, 51 goals, 1997–2008
Inaugural AFL Port Adelaide team
AFL Premiership 2004
SANFL Premiership 1995, 1996
Preseason premiership 2001
AFL Rising Star 1997
3rd Best and Fairest 1997 and 2004
Best Team Man 2004
Coach’s Award 2004
Vice captain 2005–2007
Fos Williams Award (players’ choice) 2004, 2005, 2007

Source: Daniel Norton, Club Media Release

Another Krakouer To Jail

Former Tiger Andrew Krakouer and his brother Tyrone have both been sentenced to jail for assault. The incident happened in 2006 in Fremantle. The pair were found guilty of assault on Justin Martin as part of a long-running feud between the two families. According to testimony, Andrew, 25, and Tyrone confronted Martin outside a nightclub and a brawl ensued.

Despite excellent character references from current Richmond players, Andrew was sentenced to 32 months in jail with the possibility of parole after 16 months. His brother received an eight month sentence. Their father, Jimmy, a former North Melbourne player who also did jail time for drug smuggling, was present. Andrew played 102 games for Richmond 2000-2007. He managed only 9 games in 2007 and was delisted at the end of the season.

Source: theaustralian.com.au

Pair Guitly For Records Theft

In August of last year, medical records were stolen from a Melbourne rehab clinic and sold to Channel Seven. The station used the confidential records for a story which implicated several players at an AFL club. It sparked a storm of controversy and station officials were initially told someone had found the documents in the street outside the locked clinic.

Extensive investigations led to a man and woman being questioned and eventually charged with stealing the files. Robert Crouch and Catherine Mitchell, both residents of a Melbourne suburb, will plead guilty to theft charges when they appear in Magistrates Court at the end of this month.

Source: news.com.au

Three Sign With Expansion Team

Several months ago, the AFL put in place plans for two new expansion teams. One will be on the Gold Coast in Queensland and the other will play out of western Sydney. The Gold Coast effort has been proceeding at pace, with a group of investors already in place and the hunt for a senior coach. Both teams are scheduled to debut in 2011 or 2012.. The GC17, as it is currently known until a team name is chosen, has already signed several Queensland players for their inaugural squad. Charlie Dixon from Cairns, Jesee Haberfield and Jack Stanlake from the Gold Coast are all 17 years of age. The trio are the first of 20 Queensland players promised by the AFL to the new team. Those 20 will be drafted to the team in 2009 and 2010 should the GC 17 plan be acceptable to the AFL and a license granted. Any and all players tentatively signed will play in the TAC Cup junior competition or the VFL until they are drafted. If the AFL's criteria is not met, any and all contracts signed by potential Gold Coast players would be void and they would then be eligible for the AFL Draft.

Source: Michelle Morgan, AFL Qld Media Release

Young Man Goes West

I t was previously reported that former Eagle Ben Cousins would play with VFL team Port Melbourne. Cousins recently met with senior coach Gary Ayres. However, last week, Cousins decided not to sign with Port Melbourne, preferring to continue training with WAFL clubs Perth and East Fremantle. Recent reports are that Cousins, who is still hoping he can resurrect his AFL career, will play for WAFL club Perth. While in Melbourne, he also had a series of meetings to discuss a self-produced documentary about his battle with drug addiction.

Source: afl.com.au