JLT Community Series

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Essendon coach James Hird has decided not to appeal his case against ASADA, despite his strong belief that the original investigation was illegal. He said he made the decision not to appeal so he and the club could focus on a successful 2015. In a statement, Hird said he had been fighting "on principle" and still believes that the players and club staff were not afforded the rights they deserved by ASADA.

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

February 9 to 12, 2015
After a week of uncertainty and speculation, Essendon will field a team in the NAB Cup preseason games. It was rumored that the Bombers might boycott the preseason games, a “one in, all in” scenario. This boycott was for several potential reasons. The first was to protect the anonymity of the “supplements” players (provisionally suspended while the Tribunal considers its decision and ASADA's refusal to leave the suspensions backdated if the players took part in the NAB Challenge). The players involved wanted the suspensions backdated to when they last played in September of 2014.  As a result, they dropped their request to have the provisional suspensions lifted by the AFL Commission which has the power to do so. Bombers Dustin Fletcher and Jobe Watson are already at risk of losing part of the backdating due to the AFL allowing them to play in the International Rules Series late in 2014.

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

A number of AFL coaches have questioned the AFL's trial of limiting bench rotations during the NAB Cup series to 80 per game. Hawthorn Coach Alastair Clarkson said he and his staff were spending more time pre-game trying to prepare for various scenarios based on the rotation limit and more time

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Most Pre-season Games: Brent Harvey (NM) played his 38th pre-season match to put him second on the all-time list behind former teammate John Blakey (45, Fitzroy and NM). Following them are: Wayne Carey (36, NM and ADE), Glenn Archer (36, NM), Darren Milburn (35, GEEL), Robert Scott (34, GEEL and NM), Mick Martyn (34, NM), Anthony Stevens (34, NM), Shannon Grant (33, SYD and NM), Adam Simpson (33, NM) and Nick Stevens (33, PA and Carlton), Tyson Edwards (32, ADE), Chris Langford (32, HAW), Nigel Smart (32, ADEL)

Source: Patrick Keane, AFL Media Release

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

The first week of the NAB Cup was played in extremely hot weather as it is the height of summer "down under". Even with the roof closed at Etihad Stadium and the air-conditioning on, the temperature on the field soared into the 90's. After the game,

Between the end of the NAB Cup series and the start of Round One on March 24, the AFL held the season launch in Sydney. In between the festivities, League officials met with club captains and coaches to discuss the new rules which were tried out in the preseason. One rule which was high on the agenda was the two substitute-two interchange player rule.

The AFL is trying out several new rules in the 2011 preseason competition, which has also been altered in format. Trial rules which are received favorably could be introduced into the season proper.