Gary Ablett Sr

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Round 19 was Kevin Sheedy's 1000th game. He is the only person in League history to be involved in 1000 games as a player or coach. Sheedy's career began at Richmond where he played 251 games, eight pre-season games and eight State of Origin games as a Victorian representative. His coaching career includes 653 games with Essendon and GWS, 72 pre-season games, four State of Origin games and four International Rules games.

There was no shortage of tributes during the week from all sectors for Sheedy. A large contingent of former Richmond and Essendon players attended the game and the pre-game program included tributes as well. All fans attending the game received commemorative flags marking the occasion. After the game, Sheedy and the players were available on the ground for a special kick-to-kick with fans as well as photos and autographs.

Several weeks ago, the MCG hosted its 2500th football game. At the start of the season, AFL historian Col Hutchinson and his team did some extensive research to estimate the MCG would celebrate another milestone in 2012 as the ground would see its 100 millionth footy fan walk through the turnstiles. At the time, it was determined that the milestone would be reached in the Round Nine game between Richmond and Hawthorn.

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Round 4 saw the MCG host its 2500th game when Carlton and Essendon faced off. In a way, it was fitting that two of the League's foundation clubs played this historical game. Indeed the milestone could well have been reached some years ago except for the fact that the powers that were way back in 1896 refused to allow the new game of Aussie Rules to be played on the ground for fear it would ruin the surface for summer cricket. The first game of footy was played at the hallowed ground in 1879.

The Western Sydney Giants have signed former Carlton fullback Stephen Silvagni as the club's list manager. Silvagni will play a key role in putting together the team list ahead of their 2012 entry into the AFL. Silvagni has been an assistant coach with St. Kilda for the past four seasons.