by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago
Former AFL player Saverio Rocca left Australia last year to take a chance on being an NFL punter. Known for his booming kick, he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as a rookie and began training with them. He was up against five year veteran punter Dirk Johnson. The two were competing for one spot on the Eagle squad. Whoever performed best through training camp, two exhibition games was likely to get the gig.
by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago
Geelong president Frank Costa has urged the AFL to adopt a "two-strike" policy. He also wants clubs to be told of player substance abuse sooner than the current policy allows. He said clubs, charged with the welfare of players far from home, could not help unless they were informed. Costa used Cat player Steve Johnson as an example, saying the club, knowing of his alcohol problems, was able to provide counseling to help him overcome the problem. Johnson was suspended at the start of the season, but has since been a key contributor to the team's success and has remained on the wagon. Costa said that while the Geelong players were angry and disappointed at Seven's decision to air the story, he believes a boycott is wrong.
by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago
Jay Neagle made his long-awaited debut for Essendon this week. Neagle, whose father Merv played for Essendon, has battled stress fractures in his ankles since joining the club at the end of 2005. Coach Kevin Sheedy also coached Merv, a member of the 1984 premiership team.
The Eagles opted to rest Chris Judd this week, hoping he can recover from a groin problem for the finals.
Bulldog Jason Akermanis missed this week with an ankle injury.
by Janet Linn reporting for AFANA from Subiaco Oval
by John Loffler
(Last week 6 from 8 total 103 from 168 = 61.8%)
Well footy fans and tipsters another season of home and away games comes to a close on Sunday night. I suppose at the start of the season the AFL, when setting the fixtures, thought there might be some interest in a Carlton against Melbourne match at the ‘G’ as the last game of the season but alas, they got that wrong. Here’s a game during which the Carlton supporters will be barracking for the Demons, there won’t be a single fight or altercation between the fans as they will have a common bond and rumour has it that the umpires have all nominated to do this game on the basis that each and every one of their decision will be applauded, except, of course, if there is a free kick given to the Blues in front of goal, but as that has been a rare occurrence during the year anyway don’t expect it to change for this match!!
by Tim Murphy
Jet-lag, work, the conspiracy of it. Better late than never, I s’pose.
At Docklands:
St. Kilda 5.5 9.8 10.9 14.14.98
West Coast 1.1 6.4 11.9 16.10.106
Big result as the Weegs confirmed a top-four finish and potential home final in week one (depending on what Port do next week) while the Stainers slid out of the eight, their fate is now out of their hands. They need Collywood to beat the Camrys tomorrow night or they’re done. The Weegs came in as outsiders here,
Scott Lockhart reporting for AFANA from Subiaco Oval, Perth.
Fremantle have given retiring duo Shane Parker and Troy Cook the perfect sendoff after defeating Melbourne by 59 points in front of an appreciative Subiaco Oval crowd.
The pair, who announced their retirement together during the week, were given a lap of honor following a convincing performance by the Dockers who will still fail to make the Finals after a disappointing and inconsistent season.
Luke McPharlin was the star for Fremantle kicking five goals in a dominant 22 goal showing up forward by the Dockers, who now sit one game outside the Top Eight with just a game remaining in the home and away season.
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