Leigh Matthews

by Lisa Albergo reporting from AFANA from Chicago

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

The 66-year coaching record of perhaps Collingwood's greatest ever coach Jock McHale will be equaled in Round Four and surpassed in Round Five. Carlton Coach Mick Malthouse will coach his 714th match, putting him equal with McHale. While McHale played and coached only at Collingwood, Mick's record includes 135 games coaching Footscray (now Western Bulldogs), 243 games coaching West Coast, 286 games with Collingwood and 50 games (through Round Four) at Carlton.

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Sydney may have lost the Grand Final to Hawthorn, but Coach John Longmire enjoyed an individual victory over opposition Coach Alistair Clarkson when he was named Coach of the Year, winning the Allan Jeans award by one vote over Clarkson just a few days before the Grand Final. It is the second win for Longmire, the previous award coming in 2012. Port Coach Ken Hinkley won in 2013.

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Fremantle midfielder Nat Fyfe has won the Leigh Matthews Trophy as the AFL Players' Association MVP. The award is decided with players from all clubs nominating three teammates. Each club then tallies the votes for their players. Out of that, the field is narrowed to 54 players. Players then award votes on a 3-2-1 basis for the 54 nominees. Fyfe just edged out Gary Ablett in one of the closest counts in the history of the award.

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Goal-kicking great Jason Dunstall was crowned the seventh Hawk Legend when the club celebrated the 50 year anniversary of their 1988-89 Premierships. He joins John Kennedy Senior and Leigh Matthews (2003), Graham Arthur (2005), Michael Tuck (2008), Peter Hudson (2010) and David Parkin (2013) in receiving the club’s highest accolade.

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)

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.

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA

Shaun Burgoyne (HAW, traded from PA) became the 29th player in League history to win a Premiership with two different clubs after the Hawks won the Grand Final. Most recent players to reach this milestone are Darren Jolly (SYD and COL), Stuart Dew (PA and HAW), Cameron Mooney (NM and GEEL), Jason Ball (WCE and SYD), Byron Pickett (NM and PA), Damian Hardwick (ESS and PA), Gavin Wanganeen (ESS and PA), Martin Pike (NM and BRIS) and Blake Caracella (ESS and BRIS).

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Just days after the conclusion of Round 20, coach Michael Voss was informed by the Brisbane board that his contract would not be renewed. He declined the option to see out the season and assistant coach Mark Harvey was appointed caretaker coach. In making the announcement, chairman Angus Johnson said the club had conducted "a robust, thorough and comprehensive process ... before making the final decision". He also said that Voss had been aware of the process for some months and, having known Voss for 15 years, the decision had been difficult but that the board believed a fresh approach was needed.

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Kevin Sheedy took part in his 900th career match as a player and coach. This is a first in League history. Sheedy played 251 games with Richmond and coached Essendon in 635 games. This was his 14th game as coach at GWS.