Adam Selwood

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 Chicago

Melbourne's Joel MacDonald and Eagle duo Adam Selwood and Mark Nicoski have all announced their retirements. Neither MacDonald nor Nicoski will see out the season as injury has taken a toll. Selwood will see out the year.

MacDonald has not played a senior game since Round 10 due to hamstring, foot and groin injuries. MacDonald, a running defender, was originally drafted by Brisbane as a rookie and elevated to the senior list in 2003. He played 80 games with the Lions before being delisted at the end of 2009. The Demons picked him up in the preseason draft and he has played a further 44 games with Melbourne.

The following is the time line for the the Grand Final day events including key times for match and TV related activities. All times are listed first in Australian AEST and then in US EDT. This is based on information from the AFL, AFANA, press reports and past history. This story will be periodically updated with late information. (Revised 9/26/13 We have had major reductions in US coverage.Awaiting word on Canada. See our note here.)

Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Dustin Fletcher (ESS) has played in 219 career wins for Essendon. The Bombers' next win with him in the side will put him equal with Craig Bradley (CARL), Gordon Coventry (COL) and Leigh Matthews (HAW) in fifth place for most wins in League history. Ahead of them are Michael Tuck (302 wins from 426 games), Kevin Bartlett (260 wins from 403 games), Bruce Doull (238 wins from 356 games) and Simon Madden (223 wins from 378 games).

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

The Selwood brothers will play a combined total of 503 games in Round Nine, putting them in tenth place on the League's all time list of combined games by brothers and ahead of the Shaw brothers. The breakdown is 182 games for Adam (WCE), 75 games for Troy (delisted by Brisbane), 142 games for Joel (GEEL) and 99 games for Scott (WCE).

Rick Browner reporting for AFANA from Patersons Stadium, Perth

Nic Naitanui’s towering mark and goal after the siren gave the West Coast Eagles an unlikely come from behind win against North Melbourne in their Round 8 Friday night clash at Patersons Stadium. The Eagles kicked the last three goals to pinch the win after a dour struggle. In a free flowing game that looked over for them with minutes to play, Naitanui's miracle pack mark saved the day for West Coast and robbed the deserving Kangaroos of a win on the road.

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

500 games, brothers: the Selwood brothers will become the 11th set of brothers in League history to reach a combined total of 500 games in Round Eight. The breakdown is 182 games for Adam (WCE), 75 games for Troy (delisted by Brisbane), 142 games for Joel (GEEL) and 99 games for Scott (WCE).

The leading families in history are Daniher 752 games (Terry 313, Neale 82, Tony 233 and Chris 124); Madden 710 (Simon 378, Justin 332); Morwood 611 (Paul 170, Tony 229, Shane 212); Nankervis 578 (Ian 325, Bruce 253); Coventry 533 (Syd 227, Gordon 306); Richardson 518 (Wayne 277, Max 241); Ablett 515 (Geoff 229, Kevin 38, Gary Sr 248; Wakelin 513 (Shane 252, Darryl 261); Cornes 506 (Chad 255, Kane 251) and Shaw 502 (Ray 146, Tony 313, Neville 43).

Rick Browner reporting for AFANA from Patersons Stadium, Perth

In Round 13 these two teams met in what was a top of the table clash. Collingwood knocked the West Coast Eagles off their top of the ladder perch in a bruising encounter, winning by a slender three points in what many thought was a preview of the Grand Final. Both teams have had a horror patch over the last couple of months, the Eagles having the worst of it and sliding way down from the top of the Ladder to sixth position. Collingwood had no trepidation about the trip west, having not lost a game there since 2007. Dubbed the “House of Pain” by opposing coaches due to the loud roars of parochial hometown fans, Patersons Stadium was packed to the rafters with supporters hoping to see another thriller.

Rick Browner reporting for AFANA from Patersons Stadium, Perth

Much was at stake when the West Coast Eagles took on the visiting Geelong Cats. The winner would still be in contention for a double chance in the Finals, while the loser risked drifting towards elimination from the Top Eight. The Cats were hot from their win last week against definite Premiership favorite in Hawthorn. It was all up for grabs as the ball was bounced.

West Coast got off to a great start with Dean Cox making the most of the ball landing in his hands to slot the opening goal. Fast movement through the middle of the ground had the Eagles’ second on the board when Quinten Lynch scored. The Eagles looked pumped but were soon brought back to earth when Tom Hawkins scored the Cats’ first goal from a free kick.

Peter (241 games) and Shaun (210) Burgoyne became the 12th pair of brothers in League history to reach a combined total of 450 games. The leaders are: Madden (710 games - Simon 378, Justin 332), Nankervis (578 - Ian 325, Bruce 253), Coventry (533 - Syd 227, Gordon 306), Richardson (518 - Wayne 277, Max 241), Wakelin (513 - Darryl 252, Shane 261), Rocca (499 - Saverio 257, Anthony 242), Matthews (487 - Leigh 332, Kelvin 155), Cornes (483 - Chad 248, Kane 235), Hocking (473 - Stephen199, Garry 274), Collier (470 - Harry 253, Albert 217), Voss (459 - Michael 289, Brett 170), and the Burgoynes.