Shaun Grigg

Just days after the conclusion of Round Eight, Tiger Shaun Grigg announced his immediate retirement. Grigg, a member of the 2017 premiership side, has been struggling with knee and hip injuries this year and had yet to play a senior game. Grigg said he had a "horrible preseason" and knew he would be unable to get himself right to play. After discussions with Coach Hardwiick and medical staff, it was up to him to make the decision whether or not he could continue, “... As much as I would love to get back out there … I just couldn’t do it.”

Brook "Boris" Kilpatrick reporting for AFANA

The Sunday special this week belonged to Richmond and St Kilda, two clubs with differing fortunes and vastly different short term futures. The Saints, only a couple of years removed from a Grand Final appearance, seem to have bypassed their potential Premiership window as their older players move away from their prime. The Tigers on the other hand, have put a dark recent past behind them, forging a bright future on the back of 60,000 plus members and a three game winning streak that should help them build towards their first Finals appearance since 2001. The sideshow to every St Kilda versus Richmond clash is the match up of gun forward cousins in Nick (St Kilda) and Jack (Richmond) Riewoldt, with Jack having the better of the spoils over the last few contests including a seven goal haul the last time these two teams met. Tiger young gun Nick Vlastuin was a late withdrawal prior to game time, while St Kilda were without feisty goal sneak Stephen Milne after off field issues that could potentially end a tumultuous but effective career.

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Joel Corey (GEEL) will qualify for AFL Life Membership in Round 15 with his 300th game. He has played 265 season games, one State of Origin match, 31 preseason games and two International Rules Matches. Other Round milestones include:

200 games: Campbell Brown (GC) and Justin Koschitzke (StK)
150 games: Will Minson (WB)
100 games: Josh Hill (WCE), Liam Picken (WB), Shaun Grigg (RICH), Josh Kennedy (SYD) and Jake King (RICH)
50 games: Jamie Macmillan (NM), Allen Christensen (GEEL) and Danny Stanley (GC)

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Stephen Milne (StK) will play his 264th senior game in Round Seven, putting him equal with James McDonald for the most games played by anyone in the game’s history who began his career on a Rookie list.