Recent news

Time AEST/US EDT  Event              
10:05 AM /  8:05 PM TAC Cup Grand Final
10:30 AM / 8:30 PM 2007 Toyota AFL Premiership Cup leaves Federation Square; walked to MCG by James Hird         
11:10 AM /  9:10 PM approx  TAC Cup half time; Grand Final Sprint Heats; Auskick; NAB Experience; CUB Race       
12.40 PM/ 10:40 PM approx TAC Cup concludes; TAC Cup presentation           
12.45 PM / 10:45 PM On-Field pre-match set up; Delivery of match balls to Umpires
1.10 PM – 1.25 PM / 11:10 PM - 11:25 PM On-field warm-up opportunity for competing clubs
Stage and sound set in centre square

by Johnson Leung reporting for AFANA in Melbourne

American Singer Kelly Clarkson and  Melbourne university lecturer Anthony Bedford have both tipped Geelong to win this year's AFL Grand Final.

A huge sports fan, Clarkson performed at Channel Nine's Footy Show Grand Final Spectacular at Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena on Thursday. She arrived in Australia earlier this week to promote her new album My December. During her visit she will also perform at the Australian Idol Verdict Show at Sydney's Fox Studios on October 1.

by Johnson Leung reporting for AFANA in Melbourne

Geelong and Port Adelaide have each made one change to their respective teams for Saturday's AFL Grand Final. The Cats recalled former skipper Steven King at the expense of youngster Mark Blake, While Port picked defender Brad Symes to replace injured veteran Michael Wilson.

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Geelong's Jimmy Bartel has become the first Cat since Paul Couch in 1989 to win the prestigious Brownlow Medal. His win came as the result of eight best on ground performances netting three votes each. All up, Bartel polled 29 votes to take out the honor. Prior to this season, Bartel had polled a total of 27 votes since his debut in 2002.

by Tim Murphy

Geelong and Port, first and second on the ladder. It rarely lies. The Cats are deserved favourites, but it should be good.

Your 2007 All-Geelong, er, All-Australian side:

B: Matthew Scarlett (Geel), Darren Glass (WC), Darren Milburn (Geel)
HB: Andrew McLeod (Adel, c), Matthew Egan (Geel), Campbell Brown (Haw)
C: Kane Cornes (PA), Jimmy Bartel (Geel), Chad Cornes (PA)
HF: Steve Johnson (Geel), Jonathan Brown (Bris, v-c), Brent Harvey (NM)
F: Brad Johnson (Foot), Matthew Pavlich (Frem), Cameron Mooney (Geel)
Foll: Dean Cox (WC), Daniel Kerr (WC), Gary Ablett (Geel).
Inter: Brendon Lade (PA), Dustin Fletcher (Ess), Joel Corey (Geel), Cameron Ling (Geel).

by Johnson Leung reporting for AFANA in Melbourne

The pre-match entertainment line-up for Saturday's Grand Final between Geelong and Port Adelaide has undergone a significant revamp. In a pre-match show that overturns tradition and emphasizes "multimedia elements", some familiar features have been omitted. The AFL, working with new event producer Peter Jones Special Events (replacing Kerrie Hayes Productions), have ditched giant banners, the Roulettes formation flyers, and the traditional motorcade of retiring players. Peter Jones Special Events boss Peter Jones said that the rendition of Waltzing Matilda, a traditional element for 20 years, might also not be retained for this year.