Dean Cox

The AFL began announcing its annual Hall of Fame inductions at the beginning of June. Due to the pandemic, the usual gala ceremony could not be held. The announcements were made gradually over a period of days and everything had to be done remotely. Brisbane premiership teammates Jonathan Brown and Simon Black were inducted, joining fellow teammates Michael Voss (2011), Jason Akermanis (2015), and Nigel Lappin (2016). Their admissions reinforce Brisbane's status as one of the most dominant teams of the early 2000s. Beloved St Kilda stalwart Lenny Hayes was another inductee. Also inducted were two greats of the Port Adelaide Magpies in the SANFL: John Albey and Greg Phillips; as well as former Eagle ruckman Dean Cox and beloved commentator Dennis Cometti. Coaching great John Kennedy Sr was elevated to legend status. Kennedy was one of the inaugural inductees as a coach in 1996. AFL boss Gil McLachlan visited Kennedy and his wife at their home to inform Kennedy of his elevation.

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

The annual presentation of AFL Life Memberships will take place during the League's AGM in March. Of the 13 candidates, ten automatically qualified during the 2014 season by reaching the 300 game milestone in their careers. The  ten are Jimmy Bartel, Leon Cameron, Kane Cornes, Dean Cox, Nick Dal Santo, Corey Enright, Nick Riewoldt, Brenton Sanderson, Justin Schmitt and Brad Scott. Life Membership was also recommended under the provision of "Special Service to the Game" to long-time club administrators Graeme Allan, Greg Miller and former AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou.

Jamie Kloeden reporting for AFANA from Australia

After two long weeks of matches, Round 18 was finally coming to a close as Collingwood hosted Adelaide in an immensely important Sunday game. Following the Gold Coast Suns' thrashing by crosstown rivals Brisbane, a win for Adelaide would see them enter the Top Eight for the first time this year, leapfrogging both the Suns and their opponents Collingwood. On the flip side, a Collingwood win would have them sitting two games clear of the Crows and a strong chance for Finals' action.

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Just ahead of the Round 18 match against Richmond, Eagle ruckman Dean Cox announced that 2014 would be his final season. Cox, 33, admitted that it takes him two or three days to recover after games and that he felt it was time to retire. He also said the current form of ruck partners Nic Nainatui, Scott Lycett and Callum Sinclair had made the decision easier. While he admitted it would have been nice to be the first Eagle to reach 300 games he said he had never planned on hanging around just to reach a certain number of games. Cox is planning on moving into a coaching role and has spent much of this season working with his fellow ruckmen in a coaching capacity.

Rick Browner reporting for AFANA from Patersons Stadium, Perth

Richmond continued to show some late season form in the second half of Round 18, winning their fourth consecutive game in a tough encounter on the road against the West Coast Eagles. The match was reduced to a scrum at times with rain falling in torrential bursts, but the Tigers were better in the awful conditions and made the most of their opportunities in a game that was never really in doubt after Richmond got away to a solid start.

The following is the time line for the the Grand Final day events including key times for match and TV related activities. All times are listed first in Australian AEST and then in US EDT. This is based on information from the AFL, AFANA, press reports and past history. This story will be periodically updated with late information. (Revised 9/25/14)

Start Time AEST	Start Time US EDT	End Time AEST	End Time US EDT	Event	US / Can Network Coverage
7:00 AM	5:00 PM	11:00 AM	9:00 PM	AFL Game Day from the MCG (Ch. Seven Australia) Not available in US or Canada.	None
10:00 AM	8:00 PM			3AW radio pregame begins. NAB Academy All-Stars match (Australia Under 17s v Allies Under 18s) at the MCG (streamed online). At half-time of curtain raiser, TAC Cup presentation.	None

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Brisbane's Jonathan Brown, 32, was certain to retire at the end of the season. But another concussion, suffered in Round 13 when his head collided with Giants' Tomas Bugg's hip has seen him retire immediately. Brown was doing what he has always done - throwing himself into a contest and a pack of players. The impact left him dazed and brought down the curtain on an amazing career. Brown was advised by doctors to retire and Brown, who said he was still feeling the effects a week later, admitted it was getting more difficult to bounce back.

Rick Browner reporting from Patersons Stadium, Perth for AFANA

Port Adelaide Power continued in its winning form in Round 5, toppling West Coast at home - always a challenging feat for interstate teams - in a tight and hard fought contest. Port was always considered a chance coming to Perth and the Port players played football as it should be played - tough, unforgiving and hard at the ball. The Power has turned its game style around since the dark days three years ago when it seemed the players couldn’t win a kick in a stampede. Now they are fast and fit and this was exemplified in their speedy breaks through the center of the ground which became their main avenue to goals early in the match. Port had three goals on the board before the Eagles realized that the game had started. Backed up by their hard tackles and solid attacks on the opposition ball carriers, they were a fearsome sight. Ex-Eagle Brad Ebert was in outstanding touch and he made West Coast pay from the get-go. His two goals kick-started the Power and it was clear they were in the hunt for an upset.

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Chris Newman and Brett Deledio (RICH) will play their first finals match in the first week of Finals. Newman has played 232 games without a Finals appearance while Deledio has had to wait 194 games. This puts them fifth and eighth respectively as the longest wait for a Finals appearance.

Most Games, Indigenous Player: Shaun Burgoyne (HAW) will play his 240th game in Round 22, putting him equal with his brother Peter in tenth place for most games by an Indigenous player. Ahead of them are Andrew McLeod (340 games, ADE), Adam Goodes (331 games, SYD), Michael O’Loughlin (303, SYD), Gavin Wanganeen (300 games, ESS and PA), Darryl White (268 games, BRIS), Chris Johnson (264 games, FITZ and BRIS), Peter Matera (253 games, WCE), Nicky Winmar (251 games, StK and WB) and Jeff Farmer (249 games, MELB and FRE).

100 consecutive games: Jack Riewoldt (RICH) has played 99 consecutive games for Richmond since Round 10, 2009. His current streak of consecutive games is behind only Brett Deledio (135 consecutive games for Richmond since Round 18, 2007) and Josh Kennedy (102 consecutive games for Hawthorn and the Sydney Swans since Round 14, 2009).