Mark Williams

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Less than a week before the start of Round One, former Melbourne coach Dean Bailey passed away after a brief battle with cancer. Bailey joined Adelaide as strategy and innovation coach in late 2011 after leaving the Melbourne Demons. The club granted him a leave of absence after his illness was diagnosed last November. Shortly after the announcement of his passing, tributes poured in from all sectors of the football community. All and sundry described him as a very positive person, fiercely loyal and one who had a great sense of humor. Bailey was 47 and is survived by his wife Caron and sons Darcy and Mitchell.

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chcago

In late May, a Melbourne board meeting led to media speculation that Coach Mark Neeld was going be sacked. That rumor was quashed with Neeld himself saying it was simply a routine meeting. However, at a meeting on June 14, the board decided to tell Neeld his services were no longer required. Recently appointed CEO Peter Jackson held off on delivering the news to Neeld until the Monday following the completion of Round 12 due to concerns that the information would be leaked to the media before Neeld could be told.

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Shortly after Mick Malthouse made his comments regarding the NAB Cup interchange limits, Laws Committee chairman Kevin Bartlett blasted Mick and the criticisms on his SEN radio program. He called the coaches selfish, saying their only interest was to win games and they did not have the wider interest of the game at heart. He accused them of "running roughshod" over the rules committee.

The Western Sydney Giants have signed former Carlton fullback Stephen Silvagni as the club's list manager. Silvagni will play a key role in putting together the team list ahead of their 2012 entry into the AFL. Silvagni has been an assistant coach with St. Kilda for the past four seasons.

Former Port Adelaide ruckman and club captain Matthew Primus has been appointed senior coach of the club. The selection panel interviewed several candidates over a two month period before signing Primus to a three year contract.

After a one hour board meeting several days ago, Matthew Knights was informed that his coaching contract, which will cost the club almost one million dollars in a payout, had been terminated.

Just one day before Port Adelaide was to play Collingwood, Port Coach Mark Williams was summoned to meet club Chairman Brett Duncanson at his home. A long discussion took place in which Duncanson pointed out the toll the club's poor performances - including Round 15, the club has lost eight straight games - has taken on Williams and his family. In the end, Williams agreed with Duncanson that it was time to step down as coach after 15 years.

Rick Browner reporting for AFANA from Subiaco Oval

Port Adelaide Power traveled west in Round 19 after a crushing win over the Hawks last weekend. With their confidence high, they needed to win this game against the lowly ranked Fremantle Dockers to cement their place in the Final Eight. When the nation's two port side teams meet sparks are expected and a tough encounter is the order of the day.

Hawthorn have returned to the Final Eight with a hard fought win against a valiant Fremantle Dockers team. Traveling interstate to Subiaco Oval for the Round 8 match against Fremantle, the Hawks came in with a defense seriously undermanned through injury. The Fremantle Dockers were coming off a morale-boosting three game winning streak and had the home advantage. Tipsters were divided in their predictions and Friday night football looked set to reward fans with an absolute beauty.

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 and past history.  (We have an article on the days events and entertainers with details here.)  (Updated with honored legends, olympians, etc.):

Time AEST/US EDT  Event             
9:00 AM / 7:00 PM NAB AFL U/16 Division 2 Grand Final - Northern Territories v Tasmania (live on AFL.com.au)  Coverage on the AFL web site will commence from 8.50 AM AEST / 6:50 PM EDT and be hosted by Peter Donegan and Jason Bennett. AFL Youth and High Performance Coordinator Jason McCartney and AIS-AFL High Performance Coach Alan McConnell will provide special comments.
10:40 AM / 8:40 PM NAB AFL U/16 Division 2 Grand Final concludes
10:55 AM / 8:55 PM NAB AFL U/16 Division 1 Grand Final - Victoria Metro v Western Australia
11:37 AM / 9:37 PM Division 1 half time - Grand Final Sprint heats
12:39 PM / 10:39 PM NAB AFL U/16 Division 1 Grand Final concludes
12:43 PM / 10:43 PM On-field presentation of Div. 1 and 2 Grand Final awards       
12.55 PM / 10:55 PM On-field pre-match set up
1:10 PM / 11:10 PM Delivery of match footballs to Umpires
1.15 PM – 1.30 PM / 11:15 PM – 11:30 PM On-field warm-up opportunity for competing clubs
Stage and sound set in centre square
1:30 PM / 11:30 PM International TV feed begins including coverage on Setanta