Ricky Petterd

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

St Kilda forward Adam Schneider announced that the Round 22 game against Sydney would be his last. Schneider was originally drafted by Sydney and played 98 games and kicked 99 goals for the Swans 2003-2007 as a small forward and occasional midfielder.

He played in the Swans' 2005 Premiership and the losing Grand Final in 2006. He was traded to St Kilda at the end of 2007 along with teammate Sean Demptster. Schneider played a total of 228 games and kicked 259 goals. He played in the 2009 losing Grand Final side as well as both Grand Finals in 2010. Schneider had struggled with injuries in the past three seasons and was delisted at the end of 2014. The Saints added him to the rookie list for the 2015 season, but he was elevated back to the senior list ahead of Round One.

Brook “Boris” Kilpatrick reporting for AFANA

Richmond players faced St Kilda at the MCG in the final game of Round 22, knowing their fate was well and truly in their own hands. Riding the wave of an incredible seven game winning streak that included on the road wins against the West Coast Eagles and Adelaide Crows, the Tigers had to beat the Saints to keep their slim Finals' chances alive. After Round 14, Richmond held a 3-10 win-loss record, placing them 16th on the AFL premiership ladder. Fast forward to Sunday, and as the Tigers ran out onto the hallowed turf of the MCG, a win would send them to 11-10 and into the Top Eight with one round to play.

Brook “Boris” Kilpatrick reporting for AFANA

Richmond headed home to the MCG to take on the Greater Western Sydney Giants with a four game winning streak at stake. A win against the Giants would keep the Tigers’ slim Finals' chance alive, while any slip up would end their season with regard to post-season action. The Giants came into the game showing improved form, narrowly failing to beat premiership contenders Geelong in the previous round. Richmond coach Damien Hardwick would have been looking for a fast start, knowing that the wet conditions from the West Coast game may produce some weary Tigers as the game wore on. His opposite number Leon Cameron would have been looking for quick delivery into young GWS “twin towers” Jonathon Patton and Tom Boyd, hoping to use the height advantage of the young forwards.

Brook "Boris" Kilpatrick reporting for AFANA

Richmond traveled north to Brisbane to take on the Lions in a massive game for both sides, each struggling for different reasons. Brisbane has had a horror start to the season, failing to register a win and carrying a long list of injuries into the clash with the Tigers. For Richmond, a 1-3 record - including unexpected losses to Gold Coast and the Western Bulldogs - had the Tigers in danger of losing touch with the Top Eight, with the specter of upcoming games against pacesetters Hawthorn and Geelong. This was simply a must-win game for Richmond. Brisbane had plenty to play for despite their ugly start with Lion legend Jonathon Brown playing his 250th game for the club.

Brook "Boris" Kilpatrick reporting for AFANA

Richmond headed north to take on the Gold Coast Suns at a steamy Metricon Stadium in a tough game to predict. The Tigers had enjoyed a solid campaign in 2013 making the Top Eight, while the Suns are a team on the march, full of excellent young talent and led by the competition’s best player in Gary Ablett junior. The Tigers were without their usual Ablett “minder” in Daniel Jackson who remains out of action with a hamstring complaint, while young gun Harley Bennell sat out for the Suns. With a 2-1 edge in wins over Richmond to date, the Suns were confident of getting the season off to a solid start on their home turf.

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Ahead of the late November draft, clubs made changes, delisting some and elevating others from the rookie list. Clubs must use a draft selection to elevate rookies.

Adelaide delisted Ian Callinan and Nick Joyce. Callinan, 30, was a mature age recruit to the rookie list and played 32 games for the Crows in three seasons. He was elevated o the senior list in 2012. Joyce, 20, was drafted at the end of 2011 but did not play an AFL game in two seasons. Also delisted were Richard Tambling, Aiden Riley, Ben Dowdell and rookies Tim McIntyre, Dylan Orval and Tim Klaosen.

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

The AFL preseason draft and rookie draft were held on December 11. Geelong and St Kilda were the only two clubs who did not participate. Player age, height, weight, draft selection and previous club are in parentheses.

ADELAIDE
Nick Joyce

Rick Browner reporting for AFANA from Subiaco Oval

At every West Coast Eagles home game a huge seven foot wingspan Wedge-tailed Eagle flies around the stadium as part of the opening entertainment. Things looked grim for the home team when the eagle did one round of the stadium and wanted to come in to land. Tired? No heart? Was this a harbinger of the Eagles versus Melbourne match to come?