Demons and Dogs To Canberra

by Lisa reporting for AFANA from Chicago

AFL Canberra Deal
Manuka Oval, abandoned by the Kangaroos, will see AFL football next year with Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs agreeing to play one home game each for the next 3 years. A total of 4 games will be scheduled at Manuka, with a preseason NAB Cup game and one practice game to make up the other 2 matches. The Sydney Swans will be involved in at least one of these games as the away team.

In making the announcement AFL Chief Operating Officer Ben Buckley praised the Bulldogs and Melbourne for their support in helping to retain an AFL presence in Canberra. The Bulldogs have been playing one home game per year against Sydney at the SCG, but that agreement concluded at the end of this season. The AFL is also close to a new 3 year agreement for the Bulldogs to continue one game per season in Darwin.

Originally, the AFL was not going to schedule Melbourne to play a home game at the Gabba next season, but will do so one final time in 2007 to allow both clubs to prepare for the change.   Brisbane officials were seething after the announcement was made with one claiming neither Melbourne nor the AFL contacted them ahead of the public announcement to keep them abreast of what was happening. They are also dismayed at the AFL breaking the Gabba deal which was not due to expire for 2 more years.

Source: Patrick Keane, AFL Media Release & Melbourne Age

GENERAL NEWS

Three Champions, One More Season
James Hird, Glenn Archer, and Anthony Koutoufides have all put to rest speculation that this would be their final seasons by announcing they will continue in 2007. Hird said he had thought about retirement long and hard during his stint on the sidelines due to injury and had "retired" five or six times in his head. He explained that it did not sit well with him to call it a day and had plenty of urging from Coach Kevin Sheedy, his teammates, his wife, and Bomber supporters. And he said he may take a lesson from Nathan Buckley and Collingwood - resting for some games and playing off the bench.

Speculation ran rife and rampant when it was revealed that Anthony Koutoufides had been asked by Carlton to take a massive pay cut. Rumor and innuendo circulated that he would quit rather take the cut. But he, like Hird, had the support of teammates, coaches, and family to play on. However, he is considering giving up the captaincy in favor of a younger player. When asked about the pay cut, he would not comment.

And Kangaroo Glenn Archer, has also decided to play on. He, like Buckley and Hird, will also be rested at times during the season, with the club tentatively planning on omitting him from interstate games.

Source: Melbourne Age

Drug Ruling Soon
The Australian Supreme Court is expected to soon hand down its decision regarding the public naming of players who have tested positive for drug use.

The policy, which protects the confidentiality of the test results and is backed by the AFLPA, is in the final year of its 2 year trial period. The AFLPA still believes that such confidentiality
is beneficial to players, who are required to seek counseling, education, and rehab if they test positive. Both the AFL and AFLPA are concerned about the ramifications if the media begins naming names of those who do test positive.

Under the AFL's anti-doping code, clubs are not notified if a player tests positive a first time for recreational drugs. The player's club is notified in the case of a second positive test.

Third and fourth offenses are referred to the Tribunal, which can suspend a player for up to 12 matches and for a maximum of 1 year for further offenses.

The AFL and AFLPA took several media outlets to court to seek an injunction to prevent them from naming several players who had tested positive. The AFL also brought in federal authorities to find out how the confidential information fell into the hands of the media and the person or persons responsible for the leak. That investigation is still continuing.

Source:The Australian

ABC May Survive
After it was reported last week that ABC Radio was going to possibly lose out on broadcasts in the new radio deal - which is yet to be decided upon - thousands of listeners responded to an on-air plea and sent emails to the AFL and text messages to the national broadcaster in support of continued quality football coverage. With heavyweights Triple M and 3AW putting in massive bids, and newcomer SEN also believed to be putting in a $3 million bid, ABC was going to be relegated to "inferior" games.

The ABC, which paid only $80,000 for this year's AFL radio rights, had originally increased its 2007 bid to just above $100,000. However, the ABC's board is believed to have approved a six-figure increase over the original offer in an effort to receive a share of the best Saturday afternoon games. The ABC also has the support of several senators, one of whom blasted the AFL when it was learned that the ABC was going to be forced to " play second fiddle to the commercial networks".

Jon Faine, the morning host on 774, has also pushed the station's cause on his program, and the ABC's senior No.1 caller, Gerard Whateley, is believed to have passionately argued the station's cause in a long conversation with Ben Buckley 2 weeks ago.

The ABC's chief of sport, Peter Longman, is understood to have put forward a compromise proposal last week. Key points of that proposal are:

Would agree to call every 1 PM Sunday game involving a Victorian team

Have exclusive access to non-Victorian Saturday night games involving Victorian teams

Would call every Sunday game in the new regular twilight timeslot

Wanted to remain in the rotation for the best game each Saturday afternoon when there was more than one game scheduled

The AFL may also agree to give the ABC's Melbourne station 774 Monday afternoon games on public holidays.

Source: Melbourne Age

Two Win Grounds Suit
Former Eagle Trent Cummings and former Docker Paul Maher have both won 6 figure settlements for career ending knee injuries suffered on the hard playing grounds in Perth.

Both suffered anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures at Subiaco, which had a patch of turf known as "Cruciate Corner" because of the all the knee victims it claimed in 1998. The settlements were paid by both the AFL and the WAFL. Both players claimed the AFL, WAFL and their clubs knew Subiaco Oval was too hard.

Cummings never played elite football again, while Maher managed two games in 1999 before being delisted at the end of 2000 and continuing his career in the WAFL, and played in the WAFL last season.

They were represented by Adelaide lawyer Greg Griffin of Griffin Hilditch, the firm that also represented Crow Shaun Rehn when he filed suit over the knee injury he suffered as the result of slipping on a center disc under the turf at Football Park.

Griffin said the settlement would open the way for more players to seek compensation through the courts for being asked to play on grounds known to be inappropriate and he believes there are many more players or ex-players who could be entitled to claims and that Subiaco has had a disproportionate number of injuries, especially to ACLs, over the years.

Robert Harvey, Anthony Stevens, Ben Holland, Phil Read, Chad Morrison, Brad Dodd and Michael Prior are among those players who have suffered serious knee injuries at Subiaco.

Griffen pointed to Dr. Hugh Seward's injury reports, compiled annually for the AFL, as support for the higher risk of injury on harder interstate grounds compared to the softer Victorian grounds.

Griffen was also critical of the penetrometer testings which are supposed to measure the hardness of grounds, saying the measurements were misleading and that the AFL has yet to establish what is or is not a suitable hardness. He suggested the AFL set the parameters and ensure that a ground deemed to be too hard be watered to soften to acceptable levels.

Source: The West Australian

Proposed List Changes
All AFL clubs are likely to have to take a full complement of players on their rookie list next year in exchange for at least $5 million each as their share from the new television rights deal. The additions to the lists would include 6 players who are either rookies or veterans.

Under the plan, clubs could have a maximum of 2 veterans and 4 rookies but clubs without a player who qualified for the veterans' list would be required to make up the balance to six players with rookies.Each rookie-listed player will cost about $60,000, while half of a veteran's salary is excluded from the salary cap.

And the league may relax its criteria for rookies. Currently, the cut off age for rookies is 22, but the AFL is expected to now allow at least one rookie player to be 23 or older, something for which many clubs have been pushing for several years.

It is believed the AFL has also accepted Richmond's idea of topping up the finances of clubs who have poor stadium deals with MCG tenants Hawthorn, Richmond, and Melbourne to benefit. Telstra Dome tenant St. Kilda might also be a beneficiary.
Source: Melbourne Age

SANFL Hall of Fame
As well as SANFL stars being inducted, several former AFL champions who began their careers with SANFL clubs were also inducted. The inductees were:

Craig Bradley: played 98 SANFL games with Port Adelaide, 1981-85; 375 VFL/AFL games with Carlton, 1986-2002; 19 games for South Australia and nine games for Australia.

Honors: 1981 SANFL premiership with Port Adelaide; 1987 VFL and 1995 AFL premiership with Carlton; best-and-fairest with Port Adelaide 1982, 1984, 1985 and Carlton 1986, 1988, 1993; All-Australian, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1993-95, 1997, 2000-2002; captain of South Australia, 1997 and 1999; Port Adelaide's Greatest Team, 1870-2000; Carlton Team of the Century; Michael Tuck Medal as best afield in AFL preseason cup final, 1997; Fos Williams Medal as best-afield for SA in 1985, 1986, 1991 and 1993; inducted AFL Hall Of Fame 2006.

Rick Kinnear: Umpired 354 SANFL games, including 5 SANFL Grand Finals and 9 state games

Honors: Golden Whistle as SANFL's best umpire in 1983, 1985-87, 1990

Robert Simunsen: 71 SANFL reserves games with Woodville before its league entry; 145 SANFL games with Woodville, 1964-1971; four games for South Australia.

Honors: Best-and-fairest with Woodville 1963, 1964, 1966 and 1967; Tomkins Medal, 1959; reserves Magarey Medal, 1961 and 1962

Neville Roberts: Played 95 SANFL games with West Torrens, 1973-74 and 1978-1981; 48 VFL games with Richmond, 1975-77; 108 SANFL games with Norwood, 1982-87; five games for South Australia and one for Victoria

Honors: 1982 and 1984 SANFL premiership with Norwood; leading goalkicker at Norwood in 1982, 1983 (111 goals), 1984, 1985; SA state captain, 1984, 1985; West Torrens captain, 1980-81; Norwood captain, 1985-86; Norwood coach, 2000-01

Shaun Rehn: Played 21 SANFL games with West Adelaide, 1990-93; 147 AFL games with Adelaide, 1991-2000; 33 AFL games with Hawthorn, 2001-02; two games for South Australia

Honors: 1997-98 AFL premierships with Adelaide; best-and-fairest with Adelaide, 1994; All-Australian, 1998; Adelaide Team of the Decade, 2000; West Adelaide coach, 2003-05

John Lynch: Played 147 SANFL games with West Adelaide, 1948-58; 16 games for South Australia

Honors: All-Australian, 1953; best-and-fairest with West Adelaide, 1952; Advertiser Team of the Year, 1952-54; West Adelaide Hall of Fame, 2005

John Forester, Administrator: Secretary North Adelaide, 1948-58; treasurer North Adelaide, 1959; president North Adelaide, 1965-1968; SANFL league director, 1947-1962; SA delegate to Australian National Football Council, 1951-1962

Achievements: MBE for services to football, 1970; SANFL life member, 1957; ANFC life member, 1962

Darren Jarman: Played 144 SANFL games with North Adelaide, 1985-90; 109 AFL games with Hawthorn, 1991-95; 121 AFL games with Adelaide, 1996-2001; 12 games for South Australia

Honors: 1987 SANFL premiership with North Adelaide; 1991 AFL premiership with Hawthorn; 1997-98 AFL premierships with Adelaide; best-and-fairest with North Adelaide, 1990; All-Australian, 1992, 1995, 1996; Adelaide Team of the Decade, 2000; leading goalkicker at North Adelaide in 1990 and at Adelaide in 1998, 1999 and 2001.

Hall of Fame selection committee: Max Basheer (chairman), John Halbert, Bob Hank, Barrie Robran, Murray Ducker, Neil Kerley, Dave Boyd, Bob Hammond, Michelangelo Rucci, Leigh Whicker (non-voting executive), Glen Rosser (non-voting secretary).

(Ed. note): Max Basheer is in the AFL and SANFL Hall Of Fame for his services as an administrator in the SANFL; Barrie Robran is a member of both the AFL and SANFL Hall Of Fame, Neil Kerley is also in the Hall and is a current day match commentator, Bob Hammond was chairman of the Adelaide Crows before joining the AFL Commission in 2001 and was responsible for the comprehensive Umpires Report several years ago, also a member of SANFL Hall Of Fame; Michelangelo Rucci is a sports journalist.

Induction Criteria: The charter of the SA Football Hall of Fame is to recognize and enshrine players, coaches, umpires, administrators and journalists who have made a most significant contribution to the game of Australian football in SA since 1877. A player is eligible for induction after he has retired from playing all football for a minimum of three years. Coaches, umpires, administrators and journalists can be considered on retirement.

Other Hall of Fame members who were involved in VFL/AFL football: Malcolm Blight (North Melbourne, Adelaide coach 1997-99), John Cahill (inaugural AFL Port Adelaide coach), Graham Cornes (inaugural coach of Adelaide Crows), Neil Craig (current Adelaide Crows coach); Russell Ebert (North Melbourne), Wayne Jackson (former AFL CEO), Steve Kernahan (Carlton, current Carton board member and vice-president), Chris McDermott (member inaugural Adelaide Crows team and inaugural captain), Tony McGuinness (member inaugural Adelaide Crows team, succeeded McDermott as captain, current assistant coach at Port Adelaide), Mark Mickan (Brisbane/Adelaide), Michael Nunan (Richmond, coached Fitzroy for part of 1996), Jack Oatey (South Melbourne), John Platten (Hawthorn), Mark Williams (Collingwood/Brisbane, current Port Adelaide coach & son of SA legend Fos), Fos Williams (never played VFL/AFL football, but is in AFL Hall of Fame for services rendered as SA player and coach)

Source: Adelaide Advertiser

Mark and Goal of the Year
There have been some spectacular marks and goals this year with several players earning multiple nominations. Each week, there are 3 nominees for goal and mark, with one declared the overall winner in the two categories. At the end of the season, one winner for goal and mark is then named out of the 22 weekly winners. Some highlights from the first 18 rounds of the season include:

Tiger Kayne Pettifer winning Mark of the Week on in 3 consecutive rounds (Rounds 7-9), wit his towering Round 8 grab against Adelaide particularly good.

Collingwood’s Dale Thomas winning both the Mark and Goal of the Week in Round 4 (ANZAC Day)

Demon Aaron Davey being nominated for Goal of the Week 4 times and winning 3

Great marks from Trent Croad (Round 3), Brad Ottens (Round 5) and Russell Robertson (Round 15)

Great goals from Tiger Patrick Bowden (Round 2), Cat Gary Ablett (Round 5) and Magpie Alan Didak (Round 15)

This season, the weekly winners are being determined by a combination of expert and fan votes, designed to give everyone the chance to have their say on the game's highlights. The votes are first cast by a panel of experts each week - these votes are then posted on the Toyota Engine Room website at afl.com.au/toyotaengineroom for footy fans to cast their vote. The expert and fan votes are then combined to determine the weekly winners.

The overall winners at the end of the year will receive a crystal trophy for mark and goal, the Alex Jesaulenko Medal (mark) and Phil Manassa Medal (goal), the use of a Toyota Aurion for 12 months, and $10,000 for their grassroots Club. All prizes will be presented by Toyota, the league's major sponsor and sponsor for the Mark and Goal of The Year.

For more information on the 2006 Mark of the Year and Goal of the Year awards, or to view the nominations and vote on the weekly selections visit afl.com.au/toyotaengineroom.

Winners to Date:
Round 1: Mark - Dale Thomas (Collingwood); Goal - Barry Hall (Sydney)
Round 2: Mark - Jarad Rooke (Geelong); Goal - Patrick Bowden (Richmond)
Round 3: Mark - Trent Croad (Hawthorn); Goal - Brett Burton (Adelaide)
Round 4: Mark & Goal - Dale Thomas (Collingwood)
Round 5: Mark - Brad Ottens (Geelong); Goal - Gary Ablett (Geelong)
Round 6: Mark - Brad Johnson (Bulldogs); Goal - Aaron Davey (Melbourne)
Round 7: Mark - Kayne Pettifer (Richmond); Goal - Jared Brennan (Brisbane)
Round 8: Mark - Kayne Pettifer (Richmond); Goal - Leon Davis (Collingwood)
Round 9: Mark - Kayne Pettifer (Richmond); Goal - Chris Hyde (Richmond)
Round 10: Mark - Andrew McLeod (Adelaide); Goal - Peter Bell (Fremantle)
Round 11: Mark - Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda); Goal - Jason Akermanis (Brisbane)
Round 12: Mark - Brendan Fevola (Carlton); Goal - Shaun Burgoyne (Port Adelaide)
Round 13: Mark - Richard Tambling (Richmond); Goal - Aaron Davey (Melbourne)
Round 14: Mark - David Mundy (Fremantle); Goal - Aaron Davey (Melbourne)
Round 15: Mark - Russell Robertson (Melbourne); Goal - Alan Didak (Collingwood)
Round 16: Mark - Daniel Kerr (West Coast); Goal - Anthony Koutoufides (Carlton)
Round 17: Mark - Luke McPharlin (Fremantle); Goal - Steven Armstrong (West Coast)
Round 18: Mark - Aaron Fiora (St Kilda); Goal - Brendan Fevola (Carlton)

Round 19 nominations:
Mark: Mark Johnson (Essendon), Luke Ablett (Sydney), Mark McVeigh (Essendon)

Goal - Brendan Fevola (Carlton), Brent Harvey (Kangaroos), Lance Franklin (Hawthorn)

Source: Michelle Clyne, AFL Media Release

TRIBUNAL
Charges Laid:
Daniel Chick (WCE), striking Kangaroo Jess Sinclair: negligent conduct (1), low impact (1), in play (0), and high contact (2), equaling four points, a Level 1 offense, 75 demerits, and a reprimand. He has no applicable good or bad record but does have 93.75 residual points carried over from within the last 12 months, increasing his penalty to 168.75 demerits, and a 1 game suspension. He entered an early plea, reducing the penalty 25% to 126.56, still a 1 game suspension.

Peter Bell (FRE), striking Crow Nathan Bassett: intentional conduct (3), low impact (1), in play (0), and body contact (1), equaling 5 points, a Level 2 offense, 125 demerits, and a 1 game suspension. His good record reduces the penalty 25% to 93.75 demerits and a reprimand. He accepted, which reduced the penalty a further 25% to 70.31 demerits, still a reprimand with the demerits held over toward his future record.

The match day report laid against Essendon's Andrew Welsh was reviewed. It was the view of the Match Review Panel that Welsh and Collingwood's Nick Maxwell collided as Maxwell shepherded Welsh. Contact between the two players was unavoidable and although Welsh made high contact, it was considered to be a pushing action and not a strike and therefore not reportable.

The match day report laid against Sydney's Paul Bevan was reviewed. It was the view of the Panel that Bevan's contact was considered to be a push in the back and not a charging action. It was therefore not considered to be a reportable offense.

The match day report laid against Melbourne's David Neitz was reviewed. It was the view of the Panel that Neitz made a lead towards the ball and that he made a legitimate attempt to mark. At all times, his eyes appeared to be focused on the ball and while contact was made to Sydney's Adam Goodes, it was considered accidental and not a reportable.

Contact between Collingwood's Scott Burns and umpire Derek Woodcock was reviewed. The panel said Burns collided with umpire Woodcock after a center bounce. The umpire made a sudden sideways movement and contact was unavoidable, and not reportable.

Source: Patrick Keane, AFL Media Release

MILESTONES
Most Games Coached, Top 10 in History: Leigh Matthews (BRIS) coached his 415th senior game, comprising 224 games with Collingwood 1986-95 and 191 games with the Brisbane Lions since 1999. This will take him past Percy Bentley (414 games with Richmond and Carlton 1934-55) and into the top 10 in history. Ahead of Matthews are Jock McHale (714 games with Collingwood), Kevin Sheedy (620 games with Essendon), Allan Jeans (575 games with St Kilda, Hawthorn and Richmond), Mick Malthouse (535 games with Footscray, West Coast and Collingwood), Tom Hafey (522 games with Richmond, Collingwood, Geelong and Sydney), David Parkin (518 games with Hawthorn, Carlton and Fitzroy), Ron Barassi (514 games with Melbourne, Carlton, North Melbourne and Sydney), Norm Smith (449 games with Fitzroy, Melbourne and South Melbourne) and Dick Reynolds (415 games with Essendon)

250 games: Justin Peckett (StK)
200 games umpired: Martin Ellis
Club Record Games Captained: Nathan Buckley (COL) led the pies for the 154th time, breaking the previous record of 153 games set by Syd Coventry between 1925-34

150 games umpired: Justin Schmitt
100 games:Paul Wheatley (MELB), Andrew Welsh (ESS), Paul Medhurst (FRE)
100 games at two clubs: Sav Rocca (KANG) became 28th player in the history of the game to record 100 games at two separate clubs, having played 156 games with Collingwood. The full list is Bernie Quinlan 366 games (177 Western Bulldogs, 189 Fitzroy), John Blakey 354 games (135 Fitzroy, 219 Kangaroos), David Cloke 333 games (219 Richmond, 114 Collingwood), Gary Dempsey 329 games (207 Western Bulldogs, 122 Kangaroos), Barry Round 328 games (135 Western Bulldogs, 193 Sydney), Paul Salmon 318 games (218 Essendon, 100 Hawthorn), Roger Merrett 313 games (149 Essendon, 164 Brisbane), Alastair Lynch 306 games (120 Fitzroy, 186 Brisbane), Paul Williams 306 games (189 Collingwood, 117 Sydney), Russell Greene 304 games (120 St Kilda, 184 Hawthorn), Gavin Wanganeen 300 games (127 Essendon, 173 Port Adelaide), Sav Rocca 255 games (156 Collingwood, 99 Kangaroos), Greg Williams 250 games (34 Geelong, 107 Sydney, 109 Carlton), Robert Scott 245 games (132 Geelong, 113 Kangaroos), Peter Bell 245 games (123 Kangaroos, 122 Fremantle), Paul Hudson 245 games (134 Hawthorn, 107 Western Bulldogs, Four Richmond), Darryl Wakelin 243 games (115 St Kilda, 128 Port Adelaide), Matthew Clarke 243 games (130 Brisbane, 113 Adelaide), Stephen Paxman 240 games (102 Fitzroy, 138 Port Adelaide), Dean Rice 234 games (116 St Kilda, 118 Carlton), Anthony Daniher 233 games (115 Sydney, 118 Essendon), Fraser Gehrig 231 games (115 West Coast, 116 St Kilda), Darren Jarman 230 games (109 Hawthorn, 121 Adelaide), Ian Hampshire 224 games (113 Geelong, 111 Western Bulldogs), Tony McGuinness 222 games (109 Western Bulldogs, 113 Adelaide), Tim Pekin 219 games (107 Fitzroy, 112 St Kilda), Earl Spalding 211 games (109 Melbourne, 102 Carlton), Leigh Colbert 209 games (105 Geelong, 104 Kangaroos)

50 games: Charlie Gardiner (GEEL), Mark McGough (STK), Shane Birss (WB), Rick Ladson (HAW)
50 club games: David Teague (CARL)

Source: Michelle Clyne, AFL Media Release

TEAM NEWS

COLLINGWOOD
Chris Tarrant, who is carrying a shin injury, was rested this week. Tarrant has been carrying the injury all season and it gotten worse in recent weeks, affecting his capacity to run and turn. It is believed the physical restrictions caused by the injury have also dented his confidence. It has also forced him to lighten his training load.

Source: Melbourne Age

Alan Didak was asked to leave a popular Melbourne nightclub after a very loud and heated argument with his girlfriend and a confrontation with another patron. Didak allegedly lunged at a man at Boutique Nightclub in suburban Prahran just before midnight last Saturday and witnesses said the trouble started after Didak's girlfriend, Cassie Lane, who was a contestant on the reality show Temptation Island, had been speaking with the man. Club security intervened and Didak left the club without further incident.

Collingwood CEO Greg Swann said Didak had done nothing wrong in the eyes of the club, which had received a report from the nightclub's security which verified that Didak had gotten into a public argument with his girlfriend and then left the club when asked to do so.

Source: Adelaide Advertiser

WEST COAST
Chris Judd, should the Eagles make the Grand Final this year, will be one of a growing band of interstate players who refuse to compromise their GF preparations to fly to Melbourne for the Brownlow Dinner, which takes place the Monday prior to the big game.

Judd, along with Adelaide's Simon Goodwin and Bulldog Scott West, is a favorite to win again this year. Last year's winner Ben Cousins even turned down the offer of a chartered private jet, preferring to remain in Perth to prepare for the game.
Other interstate favorites whose sides are also vying for finals berths are Crow Tyson Edwards and Swan Adam Goodes. The Swans also stayed home in NSW last year, rather than jeopardize their own GF preparations.

The Brownlow Medal has been won by a player competing in the grand final in five of the past six years. Jason Akermanis and Simon Black received their medals at functions in Brisbane, Ben Cousins was in Perth last year, while Shane Woewodin and Nathan Buckley were present in 2000 and 2003. Buckley's co-winners in 2003 were Adam Goodes and Crow Mark Ricciuto and both were present in Melbourne as their teams did not contest the GF in 2003.

AFL spokesman Patrick Keane said the league understood why players didn't want to travel early in grand final week and wouldn't put extra pressure on them, a turnaround from a few years ago, when the league fined clubs for not sending their stars.
St. Kilda's Nick Riewoldt is also a favorite at 8-1 odds.

Injury Update:
Brad Smith, knee, season
Damien Adkins, broken leg, season
Mark Nicoski, ankle, 2 weeks
Adam Hunter, knee, 1-2 weeks
Travis Gaspar, foot, 2 weeks
Matthew Spangher, groin, 1 week
Ashley Hansen, calf, 1-2 weeks

Source: West Australian & Gary Stocks, Club Media Release

FREMANTLE
Defender Antoni Grover, out for 8 weeks with a shoulder injury, returned this week.

Source: afl.com.au

ST KILDA
The Saints regained Leigh Fisher (hamstring) and Steven Baker (suspension) this week.

Injury Update
Matthew Ferguson, quad tightness, ongoing assessment
Aaron Hamill, knee, 1 week
Lenny Hayes, ACL reconstruction, season
Matt Maguire, fractured leg, season
Troy Schwarze, hamstring tightness, 1 week

Source: afl.com & Georgie Fidge, Club Media Release

ESSENDON
Scott Lucas signed new 2 year contract, which could see him finish his career as a Bomber.

Injury Update:
Jason Winderlich, fracture fibula, 1 week
Patrick Ryder, ankle, 2-3 weeks
Andrew Lovett, hand, season
Henry Slattery, quad, season
Jay Neagle, fractured ankle, season
Tim O’Keefe, shoulder, season
Jason Laycock & Lachlan McKinnon, & Aaron Henneman, shoulder reconstruction, season
Heath Hocking, foot, season
Matthew Lloyd, hamstring,. season
Adam Ramanauskas, cancer, indefinite

Source: Melbourne Age & Emma Robinson, Club Media Release
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Injury Update:
Luke Darcy, Robert Murphy, Mitch Hahn, Tim Walsh, Adam Morgan, knee, season
Tom Williams, ankle, season
Shaun Higgins, elbow, 2-4 weeks
Brett Montgomery, calf, 1-2 weeks
Travis Baird & Daniel Giansiracusa, hamstring, 1-2 weeks
Nathan Eagleton, hamstring, ongoing assessment

Source: Shaun Anderson, Club Media Release

CARLTON
Rookie Jesse Smith debuted this week.

Source: Carlton website

Injury Update:
Troy Longmuir, shoulder, 3 weeks
Ian Prendergast, knee, 3 weeks
Josh Kennedy, collapsed lung, 3-5 weeks
Justin Davies, back, season
Craig Flint, fractured tibia, season
Marc Murphy, shoulder, season
Jason Saddington, knee, season

Source: Stephen Wilson, Club Media Release

KANGAROOS
Jonathan Hay, fined and suspended for breaking team rules by being out drinking the night before a VFL game, is in hot water again after missing a compulsory training session last week. Hay, who is still playing in the VFL, was told by Coach Dean Laidley to clean up his act or the club would have to reconsider his future.

Hay played for Tasmania, the Kangaroos' VFL affiliate, against Werribee last Sunday but made no great impact. Since joining the Kangaroos last October on a 3 year contract reportedly worth more than $1 million, he has managed just 8 senior games this season and has not been seen at AFL level since Round 9.
Club official Tim Harrington said Hay had said he was unaware of the session, but Harrington said that was not good enough, while Coach Dean Laidley admitted that Hay had been performing and training well - prior to this latest indiscretion - in an effort to earn a recall to the senior team.

Hay is contracted for two more years after this season and for a guaranteed sum of approximately $700,000, which complicates the club's position should they decide not to retain Hay on their list.

Former Hawthorn football manager John Hook, who has remained close to Hay over the years, believes that Hay needs time off to consider his future. According to Hook, who described Hay as a "good kid", Hay is mentally exhausted and needs time to come to terms with not only his first - and unsuccessful - season with the Kangaroos, but also his final years at Hawthorn which were plagued by injury and poor form. Hook said he had never seen a player slide as badly as Hay, and was quoted in The Melbourne Age, "If he wants to keep playing football, he has to do it not because of the money but because he genuinely wants to remain at the highest level and repay some of the Kangaroos' faith. But if those aren't the reasons, then he's only going to go through exactly the same horrors. If he doesn't want to play for the right reasons, he's got to walk away. For his sake. The major key here is his mental state and it could be the best thing for him to do something else, start the next stage of his life."

Injury Update:
Tim Hutchison & Adam Simpson, groin, season
Jesse Smith, ankle, season
Shannon Grant, knee, season
Cameron Thurley, shoulder, season
Callum Urch, hamstring, season
Blake Grima, hamstring, 2 weeks

Source: Melbourne Age & Matt Harrington, Club Media Release

RICHMOND
Forward Nathan Brown caused a sea of controversy last week when he said players should be allowed the controlled use of steroids to overcome serious injuries. However, former Tiger Justin Charles refuted that notion, saying there is no place for banned substances in football. Charles, who was caught using steroids to overcome a hip injury and suspended for 16 games in 1997, said he sympathizes with Brown, who has been battling his way back from a serious leg break suffered last year.
Coach Terry Wallace, club doctor Greg Hickey and the AFL have all distanced themselves from Brown's controversial comments.

The Tigers were on the verge of selecting Nathan Brown this weekend, despite previous reports that he would sit out the remainder of the season. Brown, who has been training well since his recovery from a hamstring strain 3 weeks ago, pulled up sore after a midweek session. Brown will now definitely miss the last few games as he will undergo surgery to have the rod in his leg removed. The surgery was originally going to be done post-season.

Injury Update:
Darren Gaspar, knee, 3 weeks
Andrew Kellaway, hamstring, 1 week
Danny Meyer, foot, season
Will Thursfield & Mark Coughlan, knee, season
Chris Newman, broken leg, season
Brent Hartigan, foot, 2 weeks
Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls, fractured collarbone, season

Source: Melbourne Age & Glynis Smalley

BRISBANE
The next player to debut for the Brisbane Lions will be the 100th to represent the club. The Lions recently presented commemorative guernseys to every player who has represented the club since the merger with Fitzroy as part of the 10 year anniversary celebrations. While the guernseys were specially embroidered with the players’ names, games and goals, they also bore the order number in which they became a Brisbane Lion.

Injury Update:
Mitch Clark, OP, season
Ash McGrath, hamstring tear, 1 week
Richard Hadley, Joel Macdonald, Pat Garner, Anthony Corrie, knee reconstruction, season
Jonathan Brown, hip, season
Jamie Charman, dislocated shoulder, season
Chris Scott, hip, season
Beau McDonald, has had knee soreness since midseason hamstring injury, indefinite
Nigel Lappin, ankle, on long term injury list, season

10 Years Ago
The ‘new’ Brisbane Lions faced West Coast twice in 1997, and neither game holds fond memories for the Lions. Their first clash 10 seasons ago saw the Eagles wallop the Lions at the Gabba by 79 points, their worst loss of the year. Justin Leppitsch kicked three goals and was easily the Lions’ best, while Fraser Gehrig kicked five goals and Chris Lewis dominated with 31 possessions for the Eagles.

In the re-match at the WACA in Round 22, an injury-ravaged Lions battled hard but were worn down and lost by 39 points. Alastair Lynch and Justin Leppitsch were the Lions’ best, and were delighted as three other results went their way for the Lions to limp into eighth place.

Source: Julie Rackstraw, Club Media Release

MELBOURNE
Injury Update:
Byron Pickett, hamstring, 1 week
Ryan Ferguson, PCL, 3-5 weeks
Paul Wheatley, back, 2-4 weeks
Paul Johnson & Andre Gianfagna, shoulder, season
Heath Neville, groin, season

Source: Leigh Newton, Club Media Release

HAWTHORN
Jordan Lewis has been cleared of any wrongdoing in a brawl at Grand Final day party several years ago. After the hearing, a relieved Lewis told reporters he was only trying to come to the aid of a man under attack.

Lewis' lawyer said the prosecution case was based on the uncorroborated assertions of one person and should never have gone to trial and praised Lewis for showing dignity and restraint for the 3 years the incident has been hanging over him.  The court heard last week that Philip Emeny, then 18, was attacked when he arrived at a party on September 27, 2003. Witness James Stuart Brunt, now 21, said Lewis went berserk and threw "left and right combos" as the group attacked Mr Emeny. Lewis pleaded not guilty.

Defence counsel Dermot Dann, in cross-examination, accused Brunt, of Box Hill, of falsifying his story out of jealousy over Lewis' sporting prowess. Brunt denied the claim.  Judge Morrish told the jury that Brunt was the only one of 65 people at the party who saw Lewis throwing a flurry of punches. She said not even Emeny claimed Lewis attacked him.

Experienced forward John Barker announced last week that he would retire at the end of this season. Barker cited the inability of his body to prepare well enough for senior football as the factor behind his decision to retire. Barker, 31, was drafted by in 1992 and debuted in 1994.

He played 47 games with Fitzroy, including their last in 1996. He was one of 8 players to join Brisbane in the merger, but played only 8 games there before being traded to Hawthorn at the end of 1997. When fit, he was a very reliable center half back with excellent skills and, according to Coach Alistair Clarkson, always created a contest and gave 110%.

A succession of injuries - OP, quad, hamstring, and knee - have restricted him to just 30 games over the past 3 years. Barker played a central role in Hawthorn’s finals appearances from 2000-2001, kicking a near impossible goal in the 2001 semi final to help the Hawks to the preliminary final that year.

Barker said he fond memories of his time at all 3 clubs, and thanked his first coach Robert Shaw (Fitzroy 1991-94) as well as former Hawk coach Peter Schwab and Clarkson. Clarkson
praised Barker for his positive attitude and his mentoring of the younger players at the club.

Barker is under VFL suspension this week, but hopes to regain enough form and fitness to play at least one more game.

John Barker:
Recruited from: Pascoe Vale/Northern U18/Fitzroy/Brisbane
1994-96: Fitzroy - 47 games, 12 goals
1997: Brisbane - 8 games, 1 goal
1998 -: Hawthorn - 112 games, 113 goals
Player honors - Hawthorn: Leading Goalkicker 2001, Third Best and Fairest 2001, Most Improved Player 2000. AFL Rising Star nominee 1994

Coach Alistair Clarkson was handed a suspended $5000 several weeks ago for approaching several umpires on a flight back from Perth. Clarkson had been analyzing the loss to Fremantle on his laptop during the flight and wanted clarification on several decisions made by the umpires, who were on the same flight. The umpires, Kieron Nicholls and Scott McLaren, refused to discuss the matter with Clarkson and filed a report upon reaching Melbourne.

The Hawks regularly have umpires visit the club to discuss rule interpretations, but Clarkson decided to approach the umpires in case he didn't have a chance later on. Clarkson explained that although he knew the rules and knew the proper forum for asking such questions, he felt he had developed a good enough rapport with the umpires to, as he put it "....cross the boundaries in an area I knew I shouldn't."

After learning of the AFL's decision, he admitted to being out of line in doing what he did, and described himself as a "peanut" for disregarding the rules and said he'd never do it again.

Club president Jeff Kennett believes Carlton should be forced to play "interstate Home games" in return for the AFL's financial assistance. But Kennett wasn't singling out Carlton and said it should apply to all clubs getting assistance and should do so to help promote the game.

Kennett, who was being interviewed on radio, also said the Hawks were prepared to play up to 3 games a year in Tasmania, but in return, wanted the rest of their home matches at the MCG.
He also said Hawthorn was hopeful of retaining ruckman Peter Everitt but added that the club wouldn't budge on its offer of a one-year contract.

Ben Dixon, Robert Campbell, and Simon Taylor have all signed new contracts with the 29 year old Dixon accepting a 1 year deal and the others signing up for 2 more years.

Injury Update:
Peter Everitt, ankle, season
Danny Jacobs, hamstring, season
Michael Osborne, foot, season
Luke Brennan, knee, season

Source: Herald Sun, Melbourne Age; Sarah Kalaja & Kristi High, Club Media Release

PORT ADELAIDE
Port Adelaide has launched a new website dedicated to younger fans. PlanetTeal.com.au features columns by Port players Stuart Dew, Steve Salopek, and Jacob Surjan. There are also contests for prizes, games, video and ipod downloads, a blog section, and areas where fans can email the players.and upload pictures of themselves with players.

Dean Brogan has been charged with assault over an incident which happened when he was walking his dog last October. He is alleged to have attacked an oral surgeon who was also out with his dog. Brogan was not required to appear at the hearing last week and his lawyer asked for and received a continuance. The next hearing will be Sept. 25.

Prosecutors are still deciding whether he will also be charged with assaulting an Adelaide Crows fan at Adelaide Airport in June. Brogan, who later apologized and was fined by the club, claimed to have been provoked by the fan, who harassed him and loudly abused him verbally.

Port Adelaide signed its first NSW Scholarship Player. Sydney based Dave Linsen visited the club over the weekend and attended this week's match. His scholarship program will officially begin on January 1.  Linsen, 17, will continue his footy education in NSW, but will also spend time at Port Adelaide over the next year.

Linsen, a midfielder, plays with the Western Suburbs Football Club in the Sydney Football League. He also played in the combined Sydney FC side against Canberra in a 2006 state game.

Injury Update:
Peter Burgoyne & Michael Wilson, hamstring, season
James Ezard, OP, season
Josh Francou, knee, ongoing assessment
Nathan Lonie, Michael Pettigrew, & Daniel Motlop, shoulder, season
Warren Tredrea, knee, season

Source: Herald Sun & Hitaf Rasheed, Club Media Release

ADELAIDE
Brett Burton has opted for rehabilitation treatment for his badly torn hamstring rather than risk missing out on the finals by having surgery, although he admitted that he could still miss
out with the finals just a few weeks away. The club's medical staff are optimistic about Burton's chances and that the injury will heal on its own in time for him to play again this year. He will be monitored closely and be reassessed in several weeks.

Source: Melbourne Age

SYDNEY
The Swans are very concerned at the loss of spectators and revenue next year as the SCG Trust is planning a major redevelopment project which will knock out 11,500 seats next year when work on a new grandstand gets underway. There is also a concern of how it will affect the marketing of the game in the tough northern market.

Club chairman Richard Colless said the club could face a multi-million dollar loss and believes the SCG Trust should compensate the Swans for some of the loss. However, it is believed the Trust has already said it felt no obligation to compensate the Swans. Colless, who supports the 18 month upgrade project, he also said the club would consider shifting games to the larger Telstra Stadium. However, this could cause more problems in the form of the contractual obligations the club has with the SCG.

Swan CEO Myles Baron-Hay believes the SCG could still accommodate current members, but if membership continued to grow as it did this year on the back of the Grand Final win (up 21%), then accommodating all fans would be problematical.  According to Dale Holmes, CEO of NSW/ACT AFL, both the Swans and the AFL will suffer in general ticket sales if the Swans have to turn away casual fans. This could impact on the club as it would lose potential fans and members and this, in turn, would impact on the game's development in the area.

Source: Sydney Daily Telegraph

GENERAL SILLINESS

Shortly after Nathan Brown made his controversial comments regarding the use of steroids, he may have been wishing he had kept quiet. According to former Hawk Jason Dunstall, with whom Brown appears on Fox Footy's The Gospel, Brown sent a text message to Dunstall. Brown's told Jason that he was cruising ebay in search of a new brain.

Source: Melbourne Age

Television commentator Dennis Cometti cane up with an interesting quip during an early season Bulldogs game. Noting the lack of tall Bulldog forwards, he quipped that singer Randy Newman would love the Bulldog forward line.

Source: match broadcast

On to the scores:

COL  6.5  10.10  10.13  12.17 (89)
PA   3.4    9.6   12.8  12.15 (87)
GOALS: COL - Rusling 3, Buckley 2, T. Cloke, Didak, Fraser, Johnson, Lockyer, O'Bree H. Shaw; PA - Ebert 4, S. Burgoyne 2, C. Cornes, K. Cornes, Lade, Logan, Salopek, Thurstans
BEST: COL - Buckley, H. Shaw, O'Bree, Rusling, Johnson, R. Shaw; PA -S. Burgoyne, Ebert, C. Cornes, Lade, Salopek, Chaplin
INJURY: COL - Wakelin (ankle), O'Brien (suspected broken leg)

REPORTS: COL - Licuria for attempting to trip Surjan

UMPIRES: James, Quigley, Schmitt

ATTENDANCE: 30,281 at AAMI Stadium

Young forward Sean Rusling came in for the injured Tarrant and Rocca started on the bench.

The opening minutes of the game boded a goal for goal shootout with both sides registering 2 goals each before Travis Cloke and Rusling broke the trend when they popped through 2 in
succession. Chad Cornes got one of those back for Port but Collingwood booted the next two through Heath Shaw and Rusling again to lead by 19 points at 1/4 time.

A blowout looked imminent when Fraser and Rusling opened the 2nd term with goals for the Pies, extending their lead to 33 points. But Port came back strongly with Lade and Brogan
dominating the ruck duels and Shaun Burgoyne displaying some clean disposal skills.

Johnson booted one for the Pies on either side of goals to Burgoyne and Logan before Ebert bobbed up with 3 in the space of seven minutes and then set up Salopek for another to cut
the Magpie lead. A goal to Buckley, helped by a 50-metre penalty after he had been tackled heavily by Surjan and Ebert had played on, seemingly not hearing the umpire's whistle, put the Magpies 11 points clear. Salopek's poster made it a 10 point margin at 1/2 time.

Port really began to get on top in the 3rd term, despite Surjan on the bench nursing a sore shoulder. They were helped by Collingwood's poor kicking at goal and a number of disposal  errors. Rocca opened the scoring but it was only a point. The Pies won ball out of the middle, but young Bentley's tackle forced a turnover with Burgoyne racing the ball forward and finding Thurstans who goaled to slash the Pie lead to 5 points. In an effort to protect their lead, Clement was shifted onto Ebert, who promptly missed his next shot for goal. It left Thurstans clear to lead out to a wing to take a mark from Burgoyne. Burgoyne then dashed forward to get the ball back and kicked long to the square where Kane Cornes goaled to give Port a 2 point lead. Then Johnson gifted Port a goal when his late and clumsy spoiling attempt earned Lade 50 meters. The Pies conceded a behind before Rocca missed another set shot from 50. Johnson missed as well, leaving Port 7 points in front at 3/4 time.

Whether it was the youth in the two sides or pressure applied in the scrap, there were over 80 clangers between the 2 teams to the final break.

The final term was a battle of desperation with Port hungry for the win and the Pies desperate to hold onto their chance for a top four finish. The first 2 shots on goal were spoiled, the first  as Kane Cornes punched through Didak's long kick, then Heath Shaw saved a certain Port goal with a diving lunge onto Salopek's soccer kick. Neither side could get a clear advantage  over the other with Ebert, Pearce, and Didak all kicking points. Dew and Bentley also missed consecutive shots. The Pies wasted their next opportunity as Rusling missed from 45  meters after Lade was pinged at a throw-in. The Pies won the ball minutes later and raced forward and Buckley literally rose to the occasion with a strong mark over young defender Chaplin.

The goal cut Port's lead to just 3 points. The Pies won the ball at the next bounce and again raced into attack where Burns got the ball at close range but on an angle. For some inexplicable reason, which surely had Malthouse fuming in the coach's box, opted not to pass to a teammate in better position and hit the post. From the kick-in, Port ran the ball to the other end only for Ebert's kick from 50 meters to fall short. Collingwood cleared the ball out of the danger zone and Rocca, who was leading hard up the ground for much of the game, got the ball and kicked long into Collingwood's attacking zone and Didak goaled to give the Pies a 3 point lead with just seconds remaining. From the next bounce, the Pies won the ball but Burns turned the ball over and Lade let loose from 70 meters only for the ball to drift to the wrong side of the goals, leaving the Pies 2 points in front as the siren sounded seconds later.

For Collingwood, Buckley (26/9) seemed unfazed by a niggling injury as he was at his captain's best, with plenty of help from O'Bree (18/8), Burns (18/6), Lockyer (16/9), and Jason Cloke (18/10). Johnson (30/10) and Heath Shaw (33/11), and Rhyce Shaw (19/5) were prolific ballwinners in defense to propel Collingwood into attack, while Rusling (8 kicks, 7 marks) and Clement (27/9) did well up forward. |

For Port, Lade (14 hitouts, 16/9) and Brogan (20 hitouts) combined well to dominate against Fraser, while Shaun Burgoyne (28/8) seemed to be everywhere. Kane Cornes (29/6) and Salopek (24/8) were busy in the center, while Chaplin (21/5) worked hard in defense and Ebert (15 kicks, 7 marks) and Kane Cornes (25/9) were best up forward.

WB   3.4   5.5    11.7   16.9 (105)
ADE  1.4   6.11   10.12  14.14 (98)
GOALS: WB - Cooney 5, Johnson 3, Smith 2, Robbins 2, Griffen, Boyd, Ray, McMahon; ADE - Hentschel 4, Welsh 3, Bode 3, Biglands 2, Bock, Edwards
BEST: WB - Cooney, West, Boyd, Cross, Harris, Robbins, McMahon, Power, Johnson; ADE - Goodwin, McLeod, Edwards, Hentschel, Bode, Biglands, Johncock, Van Berlo, Shirley, Ricciuto
INJURY: ADE - Skipworth (hamstring)

UMPIRES: Rosebury, Allan, Jeffery

CROWD: 29,988 at the MCG

They've got an injury list as long as the Great Ocean Road ( just 26 players to choose from), they should have been flattened from the heat of Darwin last week, and were coming up against a side hell bent on holding onto top spot and rebounding from 2 losses out of the past 3 games. But the Dogs seem to have an indemonstrable spirit and determined will to win. They dominated the opening term as West, Cooney, and Cross ensured a steady supply of the ball into their forwards. Adelaide was the first to score, but it was only a point to Bode. Griffen also missed an early shot before the Dogs rushed a point. But the hard-running Dogs were matching Adelaide's blue chip midfield and forced a turnover and the Dogs capitalized with a goal to Johnson. Ray followed soon after. Robbins had a chance to really boost the Dog lead, but missed, and it wouldn't be the only time for the term. Bode got another for the Crows as Ricciuto, who started on the bench, came on and headed for the middle, but it was the Dogs who kept on running with Cooney blasting through a goal on the run from 50 meters out. Robbins was having a term he would prefer to forget with a yet one more missed shot. Then Biglands missed from 50 on the boundary and poor old Robbins was at it again a minute later, also from 50, leaving the Dogs just 2 goals clear at 1/4 time.

The Crows lifted in the 2nd term as Johncock and McLeod provided plenty of run from defense while Edwards and Goodwin worked their way into the game out of the middle. Bode goaled to cut the Dog lead to just one goal, and points to Van Berlo and Welsh trimmed the margin just that little bit further. Griffen goaled to stem the tide but the Crows got on a roll with Welsh kicking one and Hentschel jagging 2 in row midway through the term to give Adelaide the lead. Cooney goaled to get the Dogs back within 4 points. A point to Hentschel, and a rushed behind, and a late goal to Bode had the Crows up by 12 points at 1/2 time, but the run came at a cost with Skipworth down for the count with a hamstring injury.

It was a different story as the second half got underway. The Crows seemingly found another gear, the Dogs looked to have run out of gas, or perhaps it was a bit of both as the Crows slammed through 4 of the next 5 goals and stormed out to a 31 point lead. But the Dogs caught their breath and stormed right back as Cooney and Smith booted two goals each. When Johnson marked and goaled just before the siren, the Dogs were within a point at 3/4 time.

Robbins made amends for his earlier inaccuracy with the first goal of the final term. Boyd grabbed the next to give the Dogs a 14 point lead before Welsh kept the Crows in it. Robbins replied at the other end, but the Crows grabbed the lead with the next 3 goals, including two in a row to Biglands, His first, a stunner on the run near the boundary, is certain to be a contender for mark of the week. His second came when Street conceded a 50 meter penalty. But the Dogs rallied and surged one final time, and regained the lead when McMahon burst from the center and goaled on the run from the edge of the square. His kick bounced through as both Johncock and Hart fell over trying to get fingers to the ball it. Then with just seconds remaining, Cooney crumbed the ball from a pack at a throw in and kicked the sealer to all but secure a finals berth for the Dogs, their first since 2000.

For the Bulldogs, veteran West with a staggering 45 possessions and 11 marks. Cooney (33/10) and Cross (31/7) were close behind. Harris (7/3) and McMahon (23/7) were solid in defense, while Robbins (9 kicks, 3 marks), Johnson (20/6), and Power (14/4) combined well in attack.

For Adelaide, Goodwin (35/7), Edwards (27/5), Shirley (20), and Ricciuto (15/5) kept the Crows in the game, while McLeod 25/8) and Johncock (27/7), and Van Berlo mopped up in defense. Biglands (7 kicks, 6 marks) did well off the bench and rotating between ruck and forward. Hentschel (11 kicks, 7 marks) and Bode (16 kicks) were dangerous in attack.

GEEL   5.3  7.4  11.5  14.6 (90)
SYD    3.1  6.2   7.4   9.9 (63)
GOALS: GEEL - Ottens 3, S Johnson 2, Milburn, Lonergan, Prismall, Bartel, Hunt, Mooney, Ablett, Rooke, Corey; SYD - O'Loughlin 3, Grundy 2, O'Keefe 2, J Bolton, Richards
BEST: GEEL - Rooke, Chapman, Milburn, Scarlett, Mooney, Ottens, Corey, S. Johnson; SYD - Goodes, O'Keefe, Jolly, Kirk, Buchanan, J. Bolton, L. Ablett

INJURY: GEEL - Ling (groin strain), Byrnes (groin strain)

UMPIRES: McBurney, Chamberlain, Ryan

CROWD: 21,775 at Skilled Stadium

Both sides were hard it from the outset with fierce tackling and pressure. It was the Cats who started the better through a strong pack mark and goal from the oft-maligned Ottens. On his way up, his knee caught Jude Bolton in the head as the latter was backing into the pack. He spent a bit of time getting tended to before returning to the fray late the term. The skill errors reflected the pressure being applied by both teams, but it was the Cats who had the better run and starved the Swan attack, where Scarlett was getting the job done on Hall. Grundy broke free for Sydney's first goal, but Milburn and Lonergan kept the Cats in front. O'Keefe replied for the Swans, only for Ottens to do so again for the Cats. Grundy got it back, only for Prismall to goal, leaving the Cats 14 points in front at 1/4 time.

Bartel put the Cats up by 26 points early in the second term, as the Cats continued to dominate despite the Swans lifting their workrate. Goals were at a premium for the term as the midfield battle raged. Bolton and Hunt traded goals midway through the term and it wasn't until time on before the next goals were registered through O'Keefe and Richards to cut the Geelong lead to 8 points at 1/2 time.

Goals were again hard to come by for much of the third term. It took until the 10 minute mark for the first of the term - to O'Loughlin which leveled the scores. It was another 10 minutes before Steve Johnson bobbed up for the next. From there, the Cats put on a late burst with goals to Mooney, Gary Ablett, and Steve Johnson and Geelong was 25 points up at 3/4 time.

O'Loughlin opened the final quarter to peg the deficit back to 19 points, but the Cats responded with goals to Rooke and Ottens to stave off a Swan rally. O'Loughlin got one late but Corey finished off to keep Geelong's finals hopes alive.

For Geelong, Rooke (18/4) was excellent running with Goodes, as was Corey (26/6). King (21 hitouts) and Ottens (20 hitouts, 6 kicks, 3 marks) were excellent in the ruck, while Scarlett (9 kicks, 1 mark) sacrificed his game to shut down Hall (6/2, scoreless). Milburn (20) was also superb in defense, while Mooney (14/4) and Steve Johnson (10 kicks, 5 marks) made the most of their chances in attack.

For the Swans, Goodes (28/4), Kirk (22, 10 tackles), and Luke Ablett (20/5) worked hard in the midfield, while Jolly (34 hitouts) held his own in the ruck. Buchanan (18) tried hard in defense, while O'Keefe (16 kicks, 3 marks) and Jude Bolton tried to spark a deprived forward line.

The win ended Sydney's 4 game winning streak and it is the first time Geelong has defeated Sydney since Round 16, 2004. The Cats must now win its final 2 games by fairly large margins and hope Fremantle or the Bulldogs drop one.

And bad boy Cameron Mooney is likely to come under scrutiny for an apparent strike to the stomach of Swan Amon Buchanan. Mooney has already been suspended 3 times this year.

HAW   8.5   16.7   18.8   19.10 (124)
ESS   3.2    6.6   9.14   15.16 (106)
GOALS: HAW - Roughead 4, Dixon 3, Vandenberg 3, Franklin 3, Williams 2, Ladson, Crawford, Bateman, Clarke; ESS - Lucas 4, Monfries 3, Hird 2, Watson, McVeigh, Peverill, Stanton, Rioli, Bolton
BEST: HAW - Crawford, Mitchell, Bateman, Hodge, Smith, Brown, Dixon, Birchall, Vandenberg, Roughead; ESS - Hird, Watson, Stanton, Hille, Dyson, Lucas, Monfries

INJURY: ESS - Fletcher (hamstring)

CHANGES: HAW - Murphy replaced in selected by Lewis; ESS - Camporeale replaced in selected side by Jolley

UMPIRES: Kennedy, Stevic, Avon

CROWD: 44,275 at Telstra Dome

This was a match of 2 contrasting halves. The Hawks dominated the opening half with hard running, a cohesiveness rarely seen this year, and creative and direct play. The Bombers did the same in the second half.

Hawthorn didn't waste any time making clear their intentions with a fine running goal from Bateman in the opening minutes of the match. Essendon looked likely to match the Hawks when Watson won the next clearance and got the ball into Monfries for a quick goal. From the next bounce, first year ruckman Bailey smashed the ball out to Crawford who set up Roughead for the next goal. Then Peverill goaled from a free kick. Rioli came off the bench had trotted to full forward in game number 99. He may as well have stayed on the bench, as the Hawks attacked relentlessly and rarely gave the Bombers a sniff of the ball. Roughead and Franklin banged on two in succession. The Bombers had rare chance when Solomon won a throw in but his kick was picked off by Gilham and the Hawks rattled on 2 more through Crawford and Williams when Sewell won a free kick at the next bounce. Essendon blew it again when Guerra won a free deep in defense and cleared the ball but the Bombers rushed the point. Another attacking move by the Bombers was thwarted when Lucas turned the ball over. Again, the Hawks briefly failed to capitalize as Dixon managed only a point and while Rioli popped through a goal late in the term and the Hawks went to 1/4 time with a 33 point lead.

Essendon had the ball again at the start of the 2nd term, but Johns turned it over and the Hawks again moved it quickly with Dixon getting on the end of it to extend the Hawk lead. Then disaster hit with Fletcher hobbling off with a hamstring injury. Johns was shifted to the back line but looked lost in unfamiliar territory as Dixon goaled a minute later. Shortly after, Dixon was in it again with a great diving mark. Franklin added another before Essendon finally added a pair through Hird and Stanton. The Hawk reply was equally swift and deadly as they booted 3 of the next 4 goals to set up a commanding lead. Dyson then marked with just seconds remaining, but sprayed the shot after the siren and the Hawks were 61 points in front at 1/2 time.

The Bombers were a transformed outfit in the 2nd half, as they seemed to find their run and a bit of form. They worked their way on top of the Hawks to halt their run. However, it looked like they would fail on the scoreboard with McVeigh missing and then hitting the post and Lucas also missing. Watson stopped the run of outs with a goal and Lucas then redeemed himself.

Vandenberg kicked a steadier for the Hawks midway through the term. Watson couldn't follow up as he sprayed his next shot. From the kick-in, the Hawks raced forward again. A long kick from Clarke was marked by Williams right on the goal line. He set himself on the mark, then took a few steps sideways to open up the angle and goaled. Brown then rushed a point and Lucas wasted a free kick. Dixon failed to make any inroads as well when he missed from 48 meters, but the Hawks still led by 48 points at 3/4 time.

After Vandenberg booted the opening goal of the final term, the Bombers really lifted in the final term and threatened to stage one of the great comebacks of all time, as Monfries, Lucas, and Bolton rammed on 3 goals to whittle down the lead. The Hawks had time on their side and kept the Bombers at bay until late in the term when the Bombers again rallied with 3 more goals, but ran out of time.

For the Hawks, Smith (20/8), Vandenberg (18/8), Mitchell (34/13) dominated the midfield, while Hodge (34/12) had a great battle with Hird. Brown (21/3) was best in defense, while Roughead (7 kicks, 4 marks), Dixon (7 kicks, 4 marks), and Crawford (19/7) were excellent in attack.

For the Bombers, Hille (19 hitouts, 19/5) did well in the ruck, while Hird (29) battled across half forward and through the middle. Watson (21/5), Stanton (27/5), and Dyson (16) also worked hard in the middle. Lucas (19/11) and Monfries (11 kicks, 6 marks) stood tall in attack.

FRE    6.4   9.5   14.10   17.12 (114)
STK    2.1   2.4    5.8     7.14 (56)
GOALS: FRE - Farmer 4, Pavlich 3, McManus 3, Longmuir 2, Headland 2, Schammer 2, M. Carr; STK - Gehrig 2, Koschitzke, Riewoldt, Harvey, Dal Santo, Goddard
BEST: FRE - McManus, McPharlin, Bell, Sandilands, Farmer, Mundy, Black; STK - Harvey, Riewoldt, S. Fisher, Goddard, Gram, L. Fisher

INJURY: FRE - Hayden (left hamstring), Farmer (right hamstring); STK - Thompson (quad)

CHANGES: FRE - Murphy replaced in selected side by Webster; Ackland replaced in selected side by Blake

UMPIRES: Woodcock, McInerney, Goldspink

CROWD: 39,069 at Subiaco Oval

Fremantle has continued its best run of wins since entering the comp and has shot into the top 4 with a comprehensive domination of the Saints. They tackled hard, moved the ball well, and played without the hesitancy which has sometimes plagued them.

A downpour just prior to the opening bounce ensured a scrappy contest early, and it was St Kilda who made the best of the early going with two goals inside the opening four minutes of the match. But from there it was all Freo as Pavlich threw himself into a contest and tapped the ball out to Longmuir for the Dockers' first. Longmuir added another before relinquishing center stage to Farmer. Framer, often criticized for going missing in games, was in it from the start as he chased, hustled, and threw himself into everything. In the space of 11 minutes, he kicked 4 goals to help the Dockers to a 27 point lead at 1/4 time.

With Sandilands feeding the ball out to the likes of Pavlich, Bell, the Carr brothers, and McManus and the Docker defense smothering the Saints up forward, the dominance continued in the 2nd term as the Dockers added 4 goals to nil to blow the lead out to 43 points at 1/2 time.

Farmer was sidelined for the second half and the Saints tried to limit the damage as Harvey and Gehrig booted a pair goals, but Pavlich nailed two of his own as the Dockers continued to do as they pleased. From there, they kicked 3 of the next 4 goals to be 56 points clear at 3/4 time.

The rain started up again in the final term, but the Dockers paid no heed as they added a further 3 goals to 2 and cruised to an easy win.

For the Dockers, Bell (23/6) and McManus (28/8), and Black (27/4) led the way in the midfield, while McPharlin (28/20) and Mundy (24/9) starved the Saint forward line of the ball. Farmer (7 kicks, 1 mark) was at his dynamic best in attack.

For the Saints, Harvey and Goddard were best in the midfield, while Sam Fisher 24/8) tried hard in defense. With Gehrig (5 kicks, 1 mark) well contained and Milne (13/6, 0.3) woefully off target, it was left to Riewoldt (16 kicks, 14 marks) and Leigh Fisher 18/5) up forward.

MELB   2.3   6.4   14.9  20.12 (132)
KANG   4.3   9.6   11.8  12.10 (82)
GOALS: MELB - Neitz 8, Davey 4, Yze 2, Robertson 2, Green, Ward, Bruce, Godfrey; KANG - Thompson 2, Hale 2, Rocca 2, Lower, Harding, Firrito, Sinclair, Sansbury, Green
BEST: MELB - Neitz, Green, McLean, Davey, Jones, Ward, Whelan; KANG - Harvey, Firrito, B. Rawlings, Sinclair, Petrie, Hale

INJURY: MELB - Rivers (jarred knee), Bate (injured knee)

CHANGES: KANG - Archer (shoulder) replaced in selected side by Makepeace

UMPIRES: McLaren M. Nicholls, Head

CROWD: 29,457 at the MCG

The Kangaroos jumped a flat and lackluster Demon outfit early with Thompson posting the first 2 goals of the match and Lower getting the next. Petrie was all over Neitz early on and the Kangaroo midfield, led by Harvey and Brady Rawlings dictated terms. Neitz and Davey goaled late to keep the Demons in touch, but a goal to Hale had the Kangaroos 12 points in front at 1/4 time.

Goals to Rocca and Sinclair extended that lead early in the 2nd term before Ward and Green hit back with two for the Demons, only for Firrito and Harding to do the same at the other end. Sansbury got one sandwiched between two to Neitz, and the Roos could have been further ahead but for several missed shots. As it was, they still held a 20 point lead at 1/2 time.

After the match, Coach Neale Daniher refused to comment on what he said at half time, but hinted that it was a fearful spray which had the desired effect. And it was the pint-sized pocket dynamo Davey who inspired the comeback. He intercepted a Brown kick and nailed the first goal for the Demons. It was a typical Davey shot - across his body from 45 meters out. McLean, Brad Green, and Jones lifted in the midfield and Neitz was working to break free of Petrie. After Kasey Green goaled for the Kangaroos, Davey inspired again. The pint-sized pocket dynamo chased and harassed Harding into coughing up the ball, got a hold of it and goaled. Yze goaled to cut the Roo lead even further and then Neitz burst into action. He tore away from Petrie to kick 3 goals succession and the Demons had their tales up. Davey bobbed up for another before Hale managed one more the Kangaroos. Rocca had a chance to stem the tide but missed a sitter. Neitz then took a strong pack mark and goaled after the siren to give the Demons with a 19 point lead at 3/4 time.

The Demons really cut loose in the final term, as they tore the Kangaroos apart. Despite losing defender Rivers and young midfielder Bate to injury, the Demons had too much momentum and a finals berth at stake and rammed on 6 goals to 1 in a barnstorming finish.

WCE   1.5   8.8   11.15   16.18 (114)
BRIS  1.2   5.6     6.8    7.10 (52)
GOALS: WCE - Lynch 8, A. Embley 3, Seaby 2, T. Selwood, R. Jones, Stenglein; BRIS - Bradshaw 3, Black 2, Drummond, T. Selwood
BEST: WCE - Lynch, Braun, Cousins, Cox, Wirrpanda, Butler, A. Selwood; BRIS - Black, T. Selwood, Power, Moody, Voss

UMPIRES: Donlon, Meredith, Wenn

CROWD: 23,764 at the Gabba

Brisbane kicked the first goal of the clash in the opening minute through Josh Drummond. With Lynch being well held for the term, and some poor kicking from the rest, the Eagles only goal for the term didn't come until 20 minutes had elapsed. Stenglein' shot gave them a 3 point lead at 1/4 time.

The Eagles took control in the 2nd term with goals to Seaby, Rowan Jones, and 2 to Lynch giving them a hefty advantage. But the Lions fought back in the latter stages of the term after Bradshaw bagged their first for the term. Embley nailed one for the Eagles, but Black kicked 2 for the Lions and a good old-fashioned shootout seemed about to unfold. Lynch got one back for the Eagles before Kerr tangled with Troy Selwood, resulting in a free kick which closed the gap to 15 points. He then conceded a free to Power, who missed. Lynch goaled late to give the Eagles a 20 point lead at 1/2 time.

The Eagles dominated the low-scoring 3rd term with 3 goals to 2. Kerr was at it again in late in the term, this time tangling with young Lion Hooper before being dragged and spending the rest of the game cooling his heels (and presumably his head) on the bench and the Eagles were 37 points up at 3/4 time.

The Eagles ended the game as a contest with the first 3 goals of the final term - 2 of them to Lynch and coasted to victory with 2 of the final 3 goals of the match.

RICH   4.3  13.5   16.13   21.14 (140)
CARL   5.2   8.6    13.7   14.11 (95)
GOALS: RICH - Stafford 4, Richardson 3, Krakouer 3, Schulz, Pettifer 2, Tivendale 2, Deledio, Raines, Simmonds, Tuck, Foley; CARL - Fevola, Whitnall 2, Waite 2, Walker, French, Betts, Bryan, Houlihan, Bentick, Koutoufides
BEST: Raines, Johnson, Deledio, Bowden, Bowden, Stafford; CARL - Koutoufides, Whitnall, Walker, French

INJURY: CARL - Wiggins (concussion)

REPORTS: CARL - Wiggins for charging Deledio

UMPIRES: Grun, Ellis, Hendrie

CROWD: 37,094 at Telstra Dome

The Tigers opted for a tall forward structure with Richardson, Stafford, and Simmonds all in their forward 50 to stretch the Blue defense. Carlton looked sharp at the start as French was winning the center bounces and the Blues, despite Fevola being shut down by the Tiger defense, kicked 4 of the first 5 goals of the game. But the Tigers kicked into gear with 3 of the next 4 to be within 5 points at 1/4 time.

The Tigers seized complete control in the 2nd term and simply outplayed and outgunned Carlton. They blasted through 7 unanswered goals to race out to a 38 point lead. Fevola broke free late in the term to kick Carlton's first since the first term and then kicked two more after Krakouer put one through for the Tigers. Stafford goaled to put the Tigers 29 points in front at 1/2 time.

Again, Richmond broke clear at the start of the 3rd term with 4 goals to take a 45 point lead. But the Tigers then appeared to become a little too cute with their disposal and the Carlton midfield pounced, helping to rally the side as they kicked the next 4 goals to reel in the Tigers, whose lead was cut to 24 points at 3/4 time.

The Tigers regrouped after some stern words from Coach Terry Wallace at the break and stopped mucking about to kick 3 goals in less than 10 minutes to again pull away. Bentick's goal was the only one for Carlton in the term as the Tigers booted the last 2 for a handy percentage booster.

STANDINGS 

                  W   L  D   FOR   AGST   %    PTS
WEST COAST       16   4      2023  1671  121.0  64
ADELAIDE         15   5      2098  1451  144.5  60
MELBOUNRE        13   7      1958  1711  114.4  52
FREMANTLE        13   7      1810  1760  102.8  52
SYDNEY           12   8      1865  1546  120.6  48
COLLINGWOOD      12   8      2050  1782  115.0  48
ST KILDA         12   8      1824  1603  113.7  48
WEST'N BULLDOGS  12   8      2072  1906  108.7  48

GEEL             10  10      1816  1775  102.3  40
RICH             10  10      1720  1959   87.8  40
PA                7  13      1744  1919   90.8  28
BRIS              7  13      1747  2034   85.8  28
KANG              7  13      1647  1970   83.6  28
HAW               7  13      1643  2032   80.8  28
ESS               3  16  1    1783  2193  81.3  14
CARL              3  16  1    1635  2123  77.0  14

GOALS
Brendon Fevola (CARL) 80
Barry Hall (SYD)      62
Brad Johnson (WB)     59
Daniel Bradshaw (BRIS)57
Fraser Gehrig (STK)   57
Matthew Pavlich       56
David Neitz (MELB)    56
Scott Lucas (ESS)     56
Nathan Thompson (KANG)53
Nick Riewoldt (STK)   52

Source: Melbourne Age, Herald Sun, author notes from live broadcasts

Tiger Nathan Foley is the Round 19 Rising Star nominee
Nathan’s nomination is reward for taking the long road to secure a place on an AFL list. The 177cm midfielder overcame limited opportunities and several knee operations to be the fourth player selected in the 2004 Rookie Draft (held in December 2003). After a full season playing for the Coburg Tigers in the VFL, he was the only Tiger rookie retained for the 2005 season.

The hard-working ex-Geelong Falcon was elevated to senior ranks in Round 10 last year, replacing David Rodan who was placed on the long-term injury list. Nathan’s six AFL matches in 2005 were enough to win him a permanent place on the senior list. He made the most of the opportunity, missing only one match in 2006. Nathan’s 19 possessions in Richmond’s 82-point victory over the Brisbane Lions reflected his consistency this season. He is averaging over 15 possessions a game.

From Colac, Nathan gave Richmond fans a sample of his ability last year with a 48-possession game for Coburg against Williamstown in wet conditions. In 2003, Nathan won the Geelong Falcons’ Best and Fairest award, was named in the TAC Team of the Year and represented Vic Country in the 2003 Under 18 Championships.

Source: Michelle Clyne, AFL Media Release

And that's it for this week.

GO BLUES!!

Lisa
AFANA
Chicago