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Thursday, August 28th, 2008 at 8:11 am
BY MATTHEW O’REILLY
ADELAIDE Crows Cheif Executive Officer Steven Trigg, has claimed the father-son rule is heavily weighted against South Australian and West Australian clubs.
“We’re not bitter and twisted at all that Geelong has eight players running around at the moment, or something of that number, who have been selected under the father-son rule and we have none,” said Trigg.
Trigg believes over time the rule will be become fair for all clubs.
“The Jarman sons are looking okay. The Edwards sons are looking okay. I’ll be a veteran by the time they start running around, but there’s some hope we might get something out of it eventually,” said Trigg.
FOOTYHEADS: Is the father-son rule fair?
Have your say, FootyHeads!
Thursday, August 28th, 2008 at 8:00 am
BY MATTHEW O’REILLY
SPORTSBET will give the West Coast Eagles the biggest starting margin ever when they play Geelong on Saturday.
72.5 points start is what you will get for backing the Eagles.
Eagles Coach John Wosrfold denied it would be a one sided game.
“It’s a great learning environment for a lot of our players, and it’s a great learning environment for me, ” said Worsfold.
Always playing the mind games Worsfold was quick to throw the pressure on his opposition coach.
Worsfold said, he looks forward to seeing how the mighty Cats handle the pressure heaped on them, not only this week but during the finals as well.
FOOTYHEADS: Do you think the Eagles will get within 72.5 points?
Have your say, FootyHeads!
Thursday, August 28th, 2008 at 7:43 am
BY MATTHEW O’REILLY
DESPITE being out of the running for this years finals, Carlton is on the verge of extending Brett Ratten’s contract.
Chief Executive Greg Swann said, the blues are happy with the clubs 10 wins this season and would be looking at long term deal for Ratten.
“We would certainly be looking very favourly at extending Brett’s contract because the club has improved tremendously and we think there’s more improvement to come,” said Swann.
It is believed the club and Ratten will continue contract talks after there Round 22 clash with Hawthorn on Saturday night.
Ratten is contracted to the end of 2009 season.
FOOTYHEADS: Has Brett Ratten done enough to have his contract extended?
Have your say, FootyHeads!
Wednesday, August 27th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
Wednesday, August 27th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
BY ALANA LAKELAND
ST KILDA coach Ross Lyon is not deterred by the fact that his team will have the shortest possible break before the finals after they take on Essendon in a night twilight match on Sunday.
“The concern is you come off that and you hope you get a seven day break but we can’t control that,” Lyon said today.
“There are that many possibilities of who could end up where. You can’t think about that.”
“We’ve got a job at hand. Those peripheral issues I’ll leave to people who’ve got time for it,” he said.
Lyon said the Saints would not slack off in the last round of the home-and-away season as they are one of five teams within one game of each other.
FootyHeads, Where do you think St Kilda finish on the ladder?
Have your say, FootyHeads!
Wednesday, August 27th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
BY ALANA LAKELAND
ADELAIDE’S Jason Porplyzia is still a chance to line up against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday despite re-injuring his shoulder at training today.
Porplyzia has been sidelined for the last three weeks after a sickening collision that left him with brain bruising and concussion.
After receiving clearance from his neurologist to resume competitive training, Porplyzia dislocated his shoulder in his session back on track with the main group.
Coach Neil Craig said Porplyzia was well versed for dealing with his shoulder injury having been plagued by it since the middle of the season.
“Since Jason’s had the injury, every week that he’s played he’s either hurt it or dislocated it and that’s not going to change,” Craig said today.
“If he plays on the weekend, I reckon you can guarantee it will get dislocated again.
“It’s more about the capacity for Jason to; one, get the shoulder back in, which we think we can and; two, his capacity to perform it,” he said.
Have your say, FootyHeads!
Wednesday, August 27th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
BY ALANA LAKELAND
ST KILDA midfielder Luke Ball is set to remain on the sidelines when his team lines up against Essendon on Sunday at the Telstra Dome.
Ball has not pulled on the boots for the Saints since injuring his hamstring against Port Adelaide in Round 18.
Coach Ross Lyon said Ball was still in the mix for selection but said the club would not take any risks
“He’ll go through the process but he’s more unlikely than likely at this stage,” Lyon said today.
“He’s running pretty strongly but I’ll wait until the end of the week (to decide),” he said.
Lyon was reluctant to speculate when Ball would return to the Saints’ line-up, particularly in light of their imminent finals campaign.
“(He’ll play) when he’s fit and available - we think he’s going to be very close this week,” Lyon said.
“We’ll go through the week and when we sit down next week we’ll talk about next week,” he said.
Have your say, FootyHeads!
Wednesday, August 27th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
BY ALANA LAKELAND
CARLTON today unveiled plans for an $18 million rebuilding of their training base at Princes Park, which is to be renamed Visy Park after a three-year deal was signed with the recycling giant.
Blues captain Chris Judd will also assume the role of Visy’s community environmental ambassador as the club looks towards a greener future.
Carlton chief executive Greg Swann said the club was excited about the new partnership and the direction it would take the club.
“We have gone down the environmental path and this is a perfect fit for us and Visy,” Swann said.
“This gives our relationship some real substance and this is something they are at the forefront of, so we can push their message to the community and the kids,” he said.
The new sporting facility will house a large gymnasium, an altitude room, hydro facilities, and a warm-up area but Swann has denied the boutique stadium would be used for AFL games.
Have your say, FootyHeads!
Wednesday, August 27th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
BY ALANA LAKELAND
FREMANTLE utility Luke Webster has decided not to seek a contract extension with the Dockers but is yet to confirm whether he will pursue his playing career at a rival club.
The 26-year-old has been plagued by knee injuries, undergoing three knee reconstructions and most recently rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament while playing for East Perth in the WAFL.
Webster said he understood the Dockers were moving in a new direction and he didn’t want to impede their progress.
“I’ve had great times at the club and the Fremantle Football Club has been supportive of me throughout the years, particularly during the various setbacks I’ve had in my career,” Webster said today.
Webster amassed 33 games for the Dockers and cites the club’s first final against Essendon and their first preliminary final against Sydney in 2006 as his career highlights.
Have your say, FootyHeads!
Wednesday, August 27th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
BY ALANA LAKELAND
IN-FORM Western Bulldogs midfield Adam Cooney says that while the loss of veteran Scott West in the lead up to the finals is a blow to the team, their on-field performance will not be affected.
The 22-year-old said news that West had finally succumbed to a long-term knee injury was disappointing for the whole team.
“He’s been around for so long and he’s given his all to this club, and for him to not be playing for the rest of the year is really disappointing for the guys,” Cooney said today.
“But having said that, we’ve managed without him all year, so we’ll keep going with that,” he said.
Cooney, who is one of the players to have stepped up in West’s absence, said he was confident that the veteran could play on provided he could get his body in order.
FootyHeads, Which player do you think has best filled the the void left by Scott West?
Have your say, FootyHeads!
Wednesday, August 27th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
BY ALANA LAKELAND
CARLTON captain Chris Judd says the Blues are set to help Brendan Fevola reach his 100th goal for the season against the Hawks on Saturday night at the Telstra Dome.
Fevola needs eight goals to reach the milestone and Judd said the players would be looking to help the spearhead clock up a ton.
“It would be great to see it happen - he’s kicked eight goals before this year, so I dare say a few of us will have the blinkers on going inside forward 50,” Judd said today.
“But the main thing for us is still to perform strongly as a group, and if Fev was to kick eight that’d be the icing on the cake,” he said.
Have your say, FootyHeads!
Wednesday, August 27th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
BY ALANA LAKELAND
MELBOURNE youngster Jack Grimes is set to take to the field for his first senior game when the Demons farewell veterans Adem Yze and Jeff White and their season entire.
Grimes was picked up at Number 14 in last year’s draft but has so far been plagued by groin and back injuries.
Melbourne football operations manager Ross Monaghan said Grimes was being considered for selection after amassing 24 touches for VFL club Sandringham on the weekend.
“He would be some sort of change (of debuting),” Monaghan said today.
FootyHeads, Does the Demons’ future look bright with their mix of youngsters coming through the ranks?
Have your say, FootyHeads!
Wednesday, August 27th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
BY ALANA LAKELAND
WHILE the prospect of a contract extension is appealing to Carlton coach Brett Ratten, talk of impending negotiations are nothing more than media speculation according to Ratten.
“I think it’s be great, but the first I heard of it was when I grabbed a coffee on the way to training and I looked at the paper,” Ratten said today.
Ratten signed a two-year deal at the end of 2007 and was the only new coach last year not to secure a three-year contract.
Blues chiEf executive Greg Swann said the club’s on-field performance this season would weigh favourably in Ratten’s case when his contract is reviewed at the end of the season.
“Look, at the end of the season we do a review like we do every other year, and part of that is what we do with the senior coach.
“We’d certainly be looking very favourably at extending Brett’s contract because the club’s improved tremendously and we think there’s more improvement to come, so that’ll be done in due course,” Swann said today.
Have your say, FootyHeads!
Wednesday, August 27th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
BY ALANA LAKELAND
THE Western Bulldogs are another man down for the finals series after the club today confirmed Tom Williams would be out of action come September.
The defender, who was touted as a possible finals opponent for Lance Franklin, will undergo shoulder surgery next week.
The Bulldogs will be undermanned heading into the finals series after veteran Scott West finally succombed to a knee injury, but coach Rodney Eade said the club wasn’t too worried about covering the loss of Williams.
“It’s a bit of a blow, but I think people are making more of a kid who’s 20 years of age and has played 19 games,” Eade said today.
“It would have helped our structure, but having said that he’s only played seven or eight games this year and we have coped okay without him.
Have your say, FootyHeads!
Wednesday, August 27th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
BY ALANA LAKELAND
HAWTHORN will be hoping to receive some expert advice from Stuart Dew as they enter their 2008 finals campaign after the former Port Adelaide premiership player was added to the Hawks leadership group.
The 29-year-old’s experience in September action is expected to bolster the leadership group and guide the players as they head towards the finals series.
“They’ve put them in the leadership group over the past few weeks just to give some advice about finals footy and how to go about things,” Hawks defender Brent Guerra said today.
“He’ll be important for the next few weeks for us…Dewy’s our only premiership medallist so it’s good to have him in there,” he said.
Have your say, FootyHeads!
Wednesday, August 27th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
BY ALANA LAKELAND
ADELAIDE veteran Nathan Bassett has announced he will retire from AFL football at the end of the 2008 season.
Bassett broke the news to the playing group at a team meeting this morning and currently has 208 AFL games to his name.
The club thanked Bassett for his service to the Crows in his 11 seasons at the club.
“We’ll always remember the animated ‘Bass’ responses, the selfless acts of courage and the long runs out of defence which were trademarks of his 11 years as a player,” Adelaide chief executive Steven Trigg said today.
Bassett was drafted as a rookie by Melbourne in 1997 before moving to Adelaide at the end of that same year.
Bassett became the eight Crow to play 200 games when he notched up the milestone in Round 13 this year.
Bassett made all-Australian selection in 2006 and was runner up in Adelaide’s club champion award in 2005.
FootyHeads, Do you have a favourite memory from Nathan Bassett’s career?
Have your say, FootyHeads!
Tuesday, August 26th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
BY ALANA LAKELAND
GEELONG are prepared for any tactics or game plans their opposition throws at them during the finals series, according to coach Mark Thompson.
The Cats have spent the last few weeks adding extra elements to their already impressive arsenal and have the flexibility to unleash their new tactics on any team they face in September.
“What we’ve been doing for about the past six or seven weeks is just throwing little things into our game to play a variety of oppositions,” Thompson said today.
“It’s sort of an ongoing thing but it’s nothing specific that you can say, ‘Yeah, we’re going to do this against this team’,” he said.
The Cats will be forced to wait until the completion of the final home-and-away round to find out who they will face in the first week of finals, with potential opponents including North Melbourne, Collingwood, Adelaide and St Kilda.
FootyHeads, Can any of the finals contenders challenge Geelong for the premiership?
Have your say, FootyHeads!
Tuesday, August 26th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
BY ALANA LAKELAND
MELBOURNE coach Dean Bailey has paid tribute to Adem Yze and Jeff White, who the club dumped today, saying that their professionalism has been unwavering despite being relegated to the VFL this season.
“Their integrity and dignity is beyond reproach,” Bailey said today.
“They’re outstanding people and they’ve been outstanding players for the Melbourne Football Club,” he said.
Bailey lauded the veterans for their perseverance and commitment to the club.
“The last 12 months have been tough for them, but through it the Melbourne Football Club has been at the fore front in their mind and we really appreciate that - not only from a coaching point of view, but also from a playing point of view,” Bailey said.
Bailey said the decision to drop the duo was purely based on the club’s youth policy as they strive for on-field success.
“The club is bigger than any individual but having said that, it was a very tough decision,” Bailey said.
FootyHeads, Do you think Yze or White will be picked up by another AFL club?
Have your say, FootyHeads!
Tuesday, August 26th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
BY ALANA LAKELAND
AS reported earlier by FootyHeads, the AFL Tribunal will not sit tonight after all players charged by the Match Review Panel accepted their sanctions.
Geelong’s Max Rooke has accepted a one-match ban for a level three offence of engaging in rough conduct.
The Cats were expected to challenge the sanction after they claimed last night that there was a 50-50 chance of beating it.
North Melbourne’s Michael Firrito has been fined $900 after entering an early plea for his charge of making an obscene gesture to an umpire in the Kangaroo’s loss to Geelong on Sunday.
Have your say, FootyHeads!
Tuesday, August 26th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
BY ALANA LAKELAND
ROUND 21 NAB AFL Rising Star nominee Bradd Dalziell is proof that persistence pays off.
The Brisbane Lions picked the 21-year-old up at number 52 overall in last year’s national draft after he was overlooked in 2005 and 2006.
“I think definitely in 2005, I think I was really disappointed in not being able to make the grade,” Dalziell said on SEN tonight.
“2006 was a bit of a learning period for me, trying to develop my game and trying to set myself for 2007 to really give it a shot and get picked up and lucky I did,” he said.
The midfielder who was recruited from East Fremantle picked up 32 possessions in his debut game against West Coast in Round 16. Since then Dalziell has averaged 26 possessions per game.
The youngster said his transition to AFL level had been all the more smoother thanks to the coaching of Leigh Matthews.
“I think Leigh’s one of the people that when he talks you listen,” Dalziell said.
“I think everyone’s got great respect for Leigh and he’s my favourite coach that I’ve played under and he’s got a wealth of experience and he’s been around for a while and he knows what he’s talking about,” he said.
Have your say, FootyHeads!
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