Brad Symes

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Young West Coast midfielder Tom Swift has stunned the club by walking away from the AFL to study medicine. Swift informed the club of his decision in early October shortly before the club's awards ceremonies. Swift, 22, was a second round draft selection in 2008 and played 34 games. He was out

Brent Guerra took his case to the Tribunal to challenge the reckless classification and succeeded. Guerra and his advocate argued that he heard the umpire call "advantage" (which allows a player of the infringed team to play on when they are in possession of the ball so as not to disadvantage them by stopping play for a free kick) after his tackle on Malceski, but that he did not hear the umpire's whistle to stop play for a 50 meter (55 yards) penalty. He and his advocate convinced the panel to listen to audio of the match commentary which aided Guerra's case.

Four weeks ago the Adelaide Crows and the West Coast Eagles were both near the bottom of the table looking at the Wooden Spoon. What a difference a month makes. Since then Adelaide had won their last three games and climbed slowly up the ladder while the Eagles had slipped to last place. On a wintry Perth day Adelaide had the chance to win four on the trot and virtually cement the Eagles in bottom position.