Jason Gram

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

With free agency in full swing, the AFL also set up a process which allowed delisted free agents to be signed by other clubs. Hawthorn wasted no time in signing midfielder

Brook “Boris” Kilpatrick reporting from Etihad Stadium for AFANA

A glorious sunny afternoon welcomed spectators to Etihad Stadium for the final appearance of both Carlton and Saint Kilda for the 2012 AFL season. The Carlton faithful turned out to see Brett Ratten’s last day at the helm of the Blues, their loss to the lowly Gold Coast Suns in Round 22 putting an end to Carlton’s Finals hopes and with it, any hope of Ratten retaining his job with the impatient Carlton hierarchy. For first year St Kilda coach Scott Watters, the game would give him an opportunity to look forward to 2013 after disappointingly missing the Finals, despite some positive signs from a team that finally blooded some new talent to support a solid core of veterans.

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

200 games: Brendon Goddard (St K)
150 games: Andrew Carazzo (CARL)
150 club games: Jason Gram (St K)
100 games: Jarrod Harbrow (GC)
100 games: Tom Logan (PA)
100 games: Cyril Rioli (HAW)
50 games: Matthew Broadbent (PA)
50 games: Rory Sloane (ADE)

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Kevin Sheedy coached his 650th game in Round 16. He coached Essendon in 635 games 1981-2007. The leading ten coaches in the game’s history are Jock McHale (714 games with Collingwood), Michael Malthouse (664 games with Footscray, West Coast and Collingwood), Kevin Sheedy (650 games with Essendon and the GWS Giants), Allan Jeans (575 games with St Kilda, Hawthorn and Richmond), Tom Hafey (522 games with Richmond, Collingwood, Geelong and the Sydney Swans), David Parkin (518 games with Hawthorn, Carlton and Fitzroy), Ron Barassi (515 games with Melbourne, Carlton, North Melbourne and the Sydney Swans), Leigh Matthews (461 games with Collingwood and the Brisbane Lions), Norm Smith (449 games with Fitzroy, Melbourne and South Melbourne) and Dick Reynolds (415 games with Essendon).

Rick Browner reporting for AFANA from Patersons Stadium, Perth

Critics of the West Coast Eagles have been silenced after a hard fought win over St Kilda. Commentators had declared the Eagles soft, saying their successful season start was because they had only played teams outside the Top Eight. In Round 8, with a forward line decimated through injury, the Eagles stood up and regained their position on top of the table. Not that it was easy, with the Saints mounting a solid challenge interstate.

TRIBUNAL
Paul Chapman (GEEL), striking Bulldog Liam Picken: assessed as intentional conduct (three points), low impact (one point), and body contact (one point), equaling five activation points, a Level Two offense, 125 demerits, and a one game suspension.

At the third term break in the game between St Kilda and Brisbane, an all-in brawl broke out. Seven players from each club were charged by the Match Review Panel for first time offenses and fined $1600.

Janet Linn, reporting for AFANA from Etihad Stadium, Melbourne

A withering display of class and teamwork boosted St Kilda’s Premiership rating sky high on Easter Saturday. The Saints were in outstanding touch, completely wrong footing a disappointing and ineffective West Coast Eagles side. Coach John Worsfold must be shaking his head in dismay over the lack luster performance of his senior players who capitulated in dismal fashion under a devastating football lesson handed out courtesy of the unstoppable Saints brigade.