Neil Craig

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Mark Thompson said several months ago he was not interested in coaching the Bombers in 2014. However he has since changed his mind and will be the stand-in coach for the suspended James Hird. At a press conference he said the difference was spending time away, having a rest and coming back refreshed after the off-field turmoil of 2013. Former Adelaide champion Simon Goodwin has been promoted as the senior assistant while former Adelaide coach Neil Craig quit Melbourne with one year to run on a three year contract. Craig has signed a two year deal with the Bombers as coaching director. As of this writing, Essendon is interested in former Crow Nathan Bassett but Bassett, currently coaching SANFL club Norwood, has yet to make a decision. Two other former Crows, Hayden Skipworth and James Byrne, are also on Essendon's coaching staff.

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

The on-field woes of the Melbourne Demons could extend to off-field with the AFL unhappy that the club may not have told officials everything they know about Stephen Dank and his association with their club doctor Dan Bates. In early February, acting AFL Operations Manager Gillon McLachlan contacted Demon CEO Cameron Schwab to ask about any association the club might have with Dank. Schwab denied knowing Dank but later called McLachlan, informing him that Bates had communicated with Dank when the club was considering hiring him. McLachlan advised Schwab to dump Dank immediately.

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Several days after Essendon's fighting win over Fremantle, Coach James Hird was interviewed by League officials and investigators regarding the use of supplements at the club last year. While he was under no obligation to keep the details of the interview confidential, he preferred not to discuss the interview with the media, preferring to let the investigations continue to their eventual conclusion.

All-Australian defender Nathan Bock will not play out the season with the Crows after announcing he had accepted an offer to join the Gold Coast Suns next season. After Bock informed club officials of his decision, Coach Neil Craig said Bock would not be selected for the remaining games.

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.

Just ahead of Round 13, Adelaide's Brett Burton announced he would retire at the end of the season. He is the third Crow veteran to do so. Tyson Edwards retired after Round 11 while Simon Goodwin also said 2010 would be his last season. Burton, 32, debuted in 1999.

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Adelaide captain Simon Goodwin announced last week that 2010 would be his final season. In making the announcement, he said he had spoken with Coach Neil Craig after the Round Nine match and felt it was the right time. He also said he still felt good mentally and