ABC Sport: May 2012

Thursday, May 31, 2012

We're on the right track, Dees boss insists

Updated May 30, 2012 21:06:22

Melbourne president Don McLardy says the Demons are breaking their necks to improve their on-field performances and he insists they are on the right path to future success.

McLardy has kicked off a series of meetings with supporter groups to brief them on what he calls the facts, rather than the newspaper headlines, about the club being in crisis after an 0-9 start.

Melbourne won eight-and-a-half games in 2011 and is widely regarded as having gone backwards this year, although McLardy says this will only inspire the Demons to prove people wrong.

"No doubt some of the papers will again run with something that we've got a crisis meeting," McLardy said on Wednesday night.

"It was the first of probably a series of five or six meetings.

"We've done this because we're a little bit tired of all the incorrect information that is put out about our football club.

"Pathetic and disgusting, that's what's on the back page of the paper about our footy club and our supporters read that and we highly object to it.

"So we've just started a range of meetings with all our key supporters, foundation heroes, coterie groups, to bring them in over the next six to eight weeks.

"We'll put me, along with (chief executive) Cameron Schwab, the coach (Mark Neeld) and (sports performance director) Neil Craig in front of them.

"They can ask us whatever they like and we'll detail them on what our plans are, how we're going about things and why we think we're on the right path.

"If last night is anything to go by, it will be a great thing to do and we got some great support out of it."

McLardy said he was not dismissing what has been happening on the field.

"We are breaking our necks and working as hard as we can to fix that," he told Radio 3AW.

"Clearly we have significant issues on the ground. I am not putting my head in the sand over that.

"What is happening is absolutely not acceptable.

"It was a very open and honest discussion and I think everyone left feeling a lot better.

"We have a plan going forward which is revised all the time."

McLardy said the Demons had worked closely with the AFL in the past four years to rebuild Melbourne from a financial embarrassment to a strong, credible football club.

One of the major criticisms levelled at Melbourne has been the decision to appoint 20-year-old Jack Trengove as co-captain.

"His form's not very good so everyone's going to say 'it's the captaincy'," McLardy said.

"Time will tell."

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, australia

First posted May 30, 2012 21:06:22

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Where else but Queensland?

Alister Nicholson

Updated May 31, 2012 12:45:50

Mark Neeld, Matthew Primus - you need some sun.

The Melbourne and Port Adelaide coaches have endured a torrid start to the 2012 AFL season with their teams underperforming in the eyes of fans and the media in their footy mad states.

Football is a brutal industry. Coaches are usually the first men blamed for the on-field failings of a club. But not always.

In Queensland, the recently re-appointed Guy McKenna and Michael Voss are largely left to go about their business.

The Gold Coast and Brisbane coaches have avoided similar sustained scrutiny, despite also overseeing poor starts to the season.

After seven rounds last year, fledgling Gold Coast had banked eight precious premiership points.

This season the Suns, like Melbourne, are winless after nine rounds and could remain that way for several more weeks.

The club insists strides have been made - the team is competitive for longer in games and isn't receiving as many thrashings - but an honourable loss mentality can no longer be accepted.

Brisbane has three wins to its name but the Lions have only beaten the bottom teams on the table.

When Voss played, the so called Gabbatoir was a slaughter ground for opposition sides, but now, as coach, he watches the visitors regularly carving up his Lions.

Since Brisbane made the finals in 2009, the club has won only 14 of 53 games under Voss, a winning ratio of 26 per cent.

Supporters, who have grown to expect success, are losing interest and crowds have suffered.

I am not for a second suggesting Voss and McKenna should lose their jobs.

McKenna is building a team from scratch and Voss is re-building after previous costly decisions. But I can sympathise with Neeld and Primus.

Evidence suggests that the coaching records of both would be deemed perfectly adequate in football's northern frontier, but in the AFL strongholds of Melbourne and Adelaide, no way.

In any marriage between a club and a new coach there is a honeymoon period, but Neeld's detractors are already calling for a Kim Kardashian style divorce.

He can't be blamed for all of Melbourne's failings; the former Collingwood assistant has inherited a playing list with its share of deficiencies.

Early draft selections haven't met the lofty expectations - Colin Sylvia, Cale Morton and Jack Watts are examples - Brock McLean, who the Demons took with pick 5 in 2003, is now an occasional player at Carlton.

Neeld is attempting to implement a new game style and the players are struggling to grasp it. Maybe they never will.

But while there are mitigating factors, there is no escaping the facts.

Neeld has made some mistakes - starting the game against Geelong with co-captains Jack Grimes and Jack Trengove on the bench rightly raised the ire of supporters.

He is a man presiding over a team that hasn't won a game this season and doesn't look like doing so any time soon. In football's main market, the wolves are circling.

The passion for AFL in Melbourne is matched in Adelaide, where a population of footy ferals reside.

The Power coach is no longer lauded as a former captain but lambasted for a lack of wins.

Competitive showings against second-placed Essendon, Sydney (5th), Collingwood (4th) and Adelaide (3rd) were conveniently overlooked and emphasis placed on a bad loss to Richmond.

Primus' head was publicly called for but two wins on end should earn him a stay of execution.

In Queensland that type of form might earn you a contract extension.

It shows that despite the best efforts of the AFL, Lions and Suns, the code is still a passing interest for most in the sunshine state.

Maybe it's not that people don't notice the Lions and Suns aren't winning, they just don't care as much and aren't as inclined to look for someone to blame.

Perhaps that's a good thing - if you're a coach at least.

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, carrara-4211, qld, australia, brisbane-4000, melbourne-3000, vic, adelaide-5000, sa

First posted May 31, 2012 12:08:48

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Shuey to miss Lions clash

Updated May 28, 2012 18:54:36

West Coast will be without Luke Shuey for its round 10 encounter with Brisbane after the star midfielder was charged with striking in Sunday's Western Derby.

Shuey was booked for an intentional hit on Fremantle's Paul Duffield in the final term of the Eagles' eight-goal win at Subiaco.

He has a clean record but the level three charge carries a two-match ban which can be lessened to a one-week suspension if he enters an early guilty plea.

If Shuey contests the charge and loses he will be effectively without football for three weeks with West Coast having the bye in round 11, meaning he would serve the second match of his ban when the Eagles face Carlton on June 14.

But it is likely the club will enter a guilty plea so that John Worsfold will have his midfield ace back to face his touted Blues counterparts in round 12.

Bombers forward David Zaharakis can avoid a one-week suspension of his own if he pleads guilty to striking Greater Western Sydney's Tomas Bugg on Saturday night.

The absence of prior incidents on Zaharakis' record means an early plea can cut his sentence to a reprimand and carryover points.

His Essendon team-mates Jake Carlisle and Alwyn Davey can accept fines for wrestling incidents in the Bombers' win at Showgrounds Stadium, as can their Giants opponents Jeremy Cameron and Taylor Adams.

North Melbourne's Luke Delaney, Levi Greenwood, Scott Thompson, Michael Firrito, Jamie MacMillan and Nathan Grima and Lions players Jonathan Brown, Daniel Merrett, Aaron Cornelius, Rohan Bewick and Billy Longer all face financial punishment for their roles in a melee between the Kangaroos and Brisbane on Sunday afternoon at Docklands.

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, perth-6000, wa, australia

First posted May 28, 2012 18:54:36

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Rising reward for Bombers big man

Updated May 29, 2012 08:46:19

Essendon defender Jake Carlisle has been recognised with the round nine Rising Star nomination.

The 20-year-old took seven marks and gathered 13 possessions in the Bombers' 11-goal win over Greater Western Sydney on Saturday night.

Carlisle, who has played seven matches this season to go with his 10 from last year, has been an influential figure in the Essendon's much-improved defence.

"His football in the back half of last year and so far this year has been very good, so it's a credit to him to get the nomination," Bombers coach James Hird said.

"I think Jake reads the game very well and his ability to take a mark as a defender and use the ball very well helps create our attack.

"We've played him forward and back so it's great to have that versatility in the team.

Carlisle was taken with pick 24 in the 2009 draft.

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, essendon-3040, vic, australia

First posted May 29, 2012 08:46:19

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Kangaroos get much-needed win at Docklands

Updated May 27, 2012 17:05:23

North Melbourne returned to the winner's list with a 16-point victory over Brisbane at Docklands on Sunday.

But the Kangaroos did little to increase confidence in the team, as Chris Scott's men let the Lions back into the game after leading by as much as 58 points.

The spectre of the Kangaroos' last quarter fadeout to lose to Port Adelaide last week was fresh in the memory, and there were some worrying moments for North before the team came away with the win, 17.10 (112) to 15.6 (96).

Kieran Harper told Grandstand that there was relief in the North Melbourne rooms to have held on for the four points.

"They were pretty nerve-racking moments (for us),'' he said.

"We've got to put four quarter effort in, we seem to be able to put three quarters in, but we just can't seem to knock out four quarters straight.

"We'll get there, it might take a bit of time."

Losses to the Bulldogs and Port Adelaide had put the Kangaroos club under pressure, and Harper said his team had to kickstart its season after the win.

"The last couple of weeks have been pretty tough around the club," he said.

"Certainly now we've got the four points we can try and get a run along here, and build our season from here."

The first half was a nightmare for Brisbane, which managed only 14 forward 50 entries in the first two quarters.

At the other end North Melbourne was scoring at will, with trebles to Sam Wright and Drew Petrie and doubles to Kieran Harper and Aaron Black.

By half-time, the Kangaroos were out to a 52-point lead.

Perhaps inspired by a half-time spray from the coach Brisbane fought back, even after allowing the first goal of the third quarter to Wright.

Led by the run of Ashley McGrath, and the involvement of players like Jack Redden (25 disposals, two goals), Tom Rockliff (22 disposals, one goal) and Aaron Cornelius (four goals), Brisbane edged back into the contest.

The Lions halved the deficit to 26 points going into the last quarter.

The final term was a bitter struggle for the opening 10 minutes, and when the crucial first goal came it was a special one.

Harper wrestled the ball free in a contest, burst free of tackles and ran toward the boundary line deep in the right forward pocket before kicking truly from an impossible angle for his third of the day.

Late goals to Johnathan Brown and Cornelius closed the margin, but North Melbourne survived to register its fourth win of the year.

Brisbane's Jack Redden told Grandstand that the Lions had left themselves too big a task in the second half.

"There were good signs for us in the second half, we started slow, and I don't think we're a good enough side to start slow like that," Redden said.

"When we clear the ball and we get inside 50s we score, it's a big effort for us to get the ball out of the middle, but when we do .. it shows we can put points on the scoreboard."

The Roos would have liked the look of Aaron Black, who kicked three goals after being drafted in from VFL side North Ballarat.

Black was hard at the ball, marked strongly and had a good eye for goal in just his second game of AFL football.

Kangaroos: 17.10 (112) - Wright 4, Petrie 3, Harper 3, Black 3, Ziebell, Swallow, Harvey, Greenwood.

Lions: 15.6 (96) - Cornelius 4, Redden 2, Brown 2, Green 2, Rich, Rockliff, Zorko, Merrett, Bewick.

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, north-melbourne-3051, australia, qld, vic

First posted May 27, 2012 16:16:25

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Blues keen to bring home Boak

Updated May 31, 2012 12:12:16

Carlton coach Brett Ratten says the Blues are very keen to talk to Travis Boak if the star midfielder indicates he wants to leave Port Adelaide.

Boak, from the Victorian costal town of Torquay, will play his 100th game on Saturday night at Football Park when 15th-placed Port host Ratten's Blues.

While Ratten continues to juggle a large injury list, including the absence for a third successive week of key forward Jarrad Waite, the Blues coach is also keeping an eye on plans for 2013.

Boak, 23, was equal-first in Port's best and fairest last year and is weighing up a possible return to Victoria.

"He's a very good player, Travis," Ratten told reporters on Wednesday.

"If he was prepared to come home, we'd be very interested to have a chat with his management.

"That's something that (Carlton's football operations manager) Andrew McKay will chase behind the scenes.

"We'll earmark some players and pursue them if they're keen to come home or change state.

"We could go close, depending on what type of figure we're talking. I think we'll have some (salary-cap) room to manoeuvre there if someone popped up."

While Boak would add to Carlton's star-studded midfield, Ratten says he is pleased with the efforts of Aaron Joseph, Brock McLean and two-game teenager Josh Bootsma in the absence of players such as defender Jeremy Laidler and midfielders Marc Murphy and Andrew Carrazzo.

Ratten said Lachie Henderson (hip tightness) was unlikely to return this week, while fellow defender Chris Yarran (toe) would be fit to play for the sixth-placed Blues.

Nick Duigan (calf) will miss another week while Andrew Collins (jarred knee) will face a fitness test.

Waite, who was rested from the round-six clash with Greater Western Sydney with a hip complaint, played the following week against St Kilda but has since been troubled by a back injury.

"It's becoming serious because of the length of time that he's out for," Ratten said.

It has been a frustrating time for Waite, who had hip surgery last year and played only 12 games.

"We gave him an opportunity to freshen up (in round six) so he could get through and maintain a full season of football and now he's had this interruption as well," Ratten said.

"Hopefully he gets up for the Cats (on June 8).

"We don't know when he's going to be right. We're really mindful of getting him back.

"When you're trying to get to the pointy end of the season, getting your best players and your talent out on the field is so critical."

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, carlton-3053, vic, port-adelaide-5015, sa, australia

First posted May 30, 2012 22:02:56

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Dockers' Lyon hits back at critics

Updated May 31, 2012 15:41:13

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon says it is not time to panic despite his team's worrying form slump, claiming he and his players are crystal clear on the areas they need to improve.

The Dockers have been hit hard by fans, past players and the media following back-to-back thumpings at the hands of Hawthorn and West Coast, with Lyon's defensive tactics coming under particular scrutiny.

Tenth-placed Fremantle (5-4) could slip even further down the ladder over the coming month, with Saturday's home clash against third-placed Adelaide to be followed by games against Richmond (MCG), Essendon (home) and Collingwood (MCG).

But Lyon was confident his team would rebound from a disastrous fortnight.

"There's really no panic, but as I always say to my players ... if you're ever under any anxiety or stress, whatever you're feeling, emotions are just feelings," Lyon said on Thursday.

"So whether you're happy, confident or stressed, focus on what's important - that's getting into action.

"We do as a club, that's what I do as a coach."

When asked what he thought of Carlton great Mark Maclure's claim that he was destroying the game with his defensive tactics, Lyon replied: "I don't think I'll dignify that with a response."

But he was more forthcoming when asked about Kevin Bartlett's view the Dockers had become "unwatchable".

"Kevin's been banging on for a long time. I wish when the teams I coach played great football the headlines were as loud," Lyon said.

"At the end of the day there's a lot of minnows out there that like to get heard above the pack, and there's clearly some heavy hitters in journalism that have an opinion.

"You guys are trying to get heard. How do you do that? I don't think you get heard if you're vanilla.

"Everyone's entitled to their opinions.

"I don't think I'll dignify that with a response either."

Lyon said he and his family hadn't been overly affected by the criticism, saying he had been in a "vacuum" while he attended his day-to-day family duties.

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, australia, wa, perth-6000

First posted May 31, 2012 15:37:42

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Bombers burn Giants on home debut

Updated May 26, 2012 23:14:29

Essendon claimed top spot on the ladder with a 66-point win over Greater Western Sydney on Saturday night, but it was nowhere as easy a triumph as the margin suggests.

A one-sided second-half helped the Bombers ease to a 18.11 (119) to 7.11 (53) victory in the maiden match at Skoda Stadium, the revamped showground facility at Sydney Olympic Park.

James Hird's charges were put under immense pressure by the league's newcomers for large sections of the opening half.

The Bombers lead at half-time was still a comfortable 28 points - the advantage coming from clinical work in the forward line and the Giants' contrasting profligacy at the other end.

The Giants had more scoring shots than the Bombers at the major break but only two goals to show for it.

Remarkably the Giants had registered nine behinds before its first goal at home in the 19th minute of the second quarter when Dylan Shiel sprinted into the goalsquare unopposed.

Adam Treloar had another major with 46 seconds remaining in the second term to conjure memories of round three this year, when the Bombers flirted with disaster in a 17-point win over expansion side Gold Coast.

But unfortunately for Kevin Sheedy his side could not maintain the attack on the ball after half-time when there was even more space opening up for the likes of Stewart Crameri and Alwyn Davey to run into.

Sheedy may have been dealt an 11-goal loss in his first match against the club he coached for 27 seasons, but it was a result with positives.

Jeremy Cameron continued his strong season with three goals and a couple of spectacular efforts, while fellow young guns Treloar (25 disposals, six tackles) and Shiel (21 disposals, six tackles) were also among the Giants' best.

The biggest disappointment for the new club came off the field - an underwhelming crowd of 11,887.

The Bombers booted 5.7 in the third term to take control of the contest and slotted another five goals in the final quarter.

Crameri, Davey and Tom Bellchambers all kicked three goals, with Angus Monfries kicking two and Ben Howlett, who was slated to start as the substitute until the last minute scratching of Kyle Hardingham (calf), had 27 disposals while David Zaharakis had a game-best 32.

Bombers: 18.11 (119) - T Bellchambers 3, S Crameri 3, A Davey 3, P Ryder 2, A Monfries 2, J Watson, D Zaharakis, T Colyer, J Melksham, M Hurley.

Giants: 7.11 (53) - J Cameron 3, J Giles, J McDonald, D Shiel, A Treloar.

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, homebush-2140, nsw, australia, essendon-3040, vic

First posted May 26, 2012 22:40:19

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Keeffe the latest Pie with ACL injury

Updated May 28, 2012 19:30:08

Collingwood's disastrous season of knee problems has continued with key defender Lachlan Keeffe requiring surgery on a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

Keeffe went down with the injury in the final quarter of the Magpies' win over the Crows in Adelaide on Saturday night and is likely lost for the season after he undergoes a knee reconstruction.

The 22-year-old has played all of Collingwood's games so far this season in the 2011 grand finalists' march to a 7-2 record through nine rounds due to the absence of fellow defenders Ben Reid, Chris Tarrant and Nathan Brown.

He is the fourth Magpie to suffer an ACL injury this season after Andrew Krakouer, Brent Macaffer and Luke Ball all went down and ultimately under the knife.

Collingwood director of football Geoff Walsh said it is a tough loss for the football club.

"It's really disappointing for Lachlan and the club, especially considering he's been such a good contributor for us in 2012 so far," he told the Magpies website.

"He'll undergo a knee reconstruction and we expect him to be available to play early in the 2013 season."

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, collingwood-3066, vic, australia

First posted May 28, 2012 18:39:07

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Sports Jobs

Shaw joins Magpies' injury list

Updated May 31, 2012 20:12:52

Collingwood's injury-hit defence has taken another blow, with Heath Shaw to miss Sunday's clash with Gold Coast with a calf injury.

While the Magpies hope the experienced backman will miss just one match, it adds to the unsettled state of a defence which also lost young full-back Lachlan Keeffe for the season with a knee injury.

The good news for the Magpies was Nathan Brown was named at full-back to return from the latest in his series of knee injuries.

But fellow tall defenders Chris Tarrant and Ben Reid were not in the 25-man squad and Brownlow medallist Dane Swan is still sidelined.

Magpies football manager Geoff Walsh says it is uncertain whether Shaw will return for the round 11 Queen's Birthday match with Melbourne.

The struggling Suns dropped ruckman-forward Zac Smith.

Reigning premiers Geelong regained midfield gun James Kelly and named two AFL debutants, Jordan Schroder and Lincoln McCarthy, for Saturday's Kardinia Park meeting with Greater Western Sydney.

As forecast, forward Tom Hawkins will miss the match after minor knee surgery.

The Giants also named a first-gamer, last year's number seven draft pick Nick Haynes.

Essendon welcomed back veteran Dustin Fletcher, fellow backman Kyle Hardingham and small forward Leroy Jetta for Saturday night's MCG encounter with Melbourne, but lost Mark McVeigh (hip).

Midfielder-forward Colin Sylvia was recalled for the winless Demons.

Fremantle made three changes after last Sunday's Derby to West Coast, dropping Jonathon Griffin, Alex Silvagni and Jay van Berlo for Saturday's match with Adelaide and including debutant Hayden Crozier.

Star forward Taylor Walker returns from suspension for the Crows.

Brisbane will find it harder to combat West Coast star ruck pairing Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui after losing Billy Longer (back) for Sunday's Gabba clash, along with Simon Black (knee).

The Eagles lost Luke Shuey (suspension) and Sam Butler (hamstring).

Hawthorn dropped Stephen Gilham, after last round's thrashing by Richmond, adding midfield run by replacing him with first-year player Bradley Hill for Saturday's Launceston meeting with North Melbourne.

The unchanged Kangaroos are still missing injured ruckman Hamish McIntosh.

Sydney hope ruckman Shane Mumford proves his recovery from a back injury at training on Friday, after naming him on their extended bench for Sunday's SCG fixture with Western Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs added defender Easton Wood and forward Ayce Cordy to their squad.

Carlton regained running backman Chris Yarran for Saturday night's Football Park meeting with Port Adelaide, but are still without key defender Lachie Henderson and key forward Jarrad Waite.

Richmond welcomed back Jake Batchelor for Friday night's pivotal match with St Kilda, who lost Jarryn Geary to injury and remain without Sam Fisher.

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, collingwood-3066

First posted May 31, 2012 19:29:48

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Pies into top four with Crows win

Updated May 26, 2012 23:47:16

Collingwood won the final quarter, and with it a critical win, defeating Adelaide at Football Park by 26 points on Saturday.

The Magpies had not won a final quarter this year, but they produced the goods when it counted to win 10.15 (75) to 6.13 (49) in front of a sell-out crowd in Adelaide.

Collingwood's Steele Sidebottom told Grandstand it was a big boost to the team to get the win, which puts Nathan Buckley's men into the top four.

Sidebottom said the focus for Collingwood had been winning contested possessions, and that the team had struggled all night until the final quarter.

"We were huge in the last quarter, it might have just ticked us over into the positive (over Adelaide)," he said.

"It's a huge win, we play well away from home ... hopefully we've got a few more (wins) to come."

It was by no means a pretty game to watch, but it was hard to look away, as both sides put their bodies on the line in an outstanding display of sustained pressure.

Goals were at a premium in the first half, with tenacious defence by both sides.

Collingwood's Dayne Beams was best on ground, earning 36 possessions, five marks, five tackles and two goals.

Sidebottom (31 disposals, five tackles, two goals) and Dale Thomas (29 disposals, seven tackles) were also influential.

For Adelaide, captain Nathan van Berlo racked up 13 tackles, while Rory Sloane and Brent Reilly had strong games.

Kurt Tippett looked dangerous up forward, but was wasteful for the Crows, kicking 2.4 for the night.

The Magpies led at quarter time (one point) and half-time (seven points) but the game remained in the balance.

Adelaide started the second half the stronger, but some errant kicking by Jason Porplyzia and David Mackay kept Collingwood close.

Ricky Henderson kicked a huge goal from the edge of the centre square late in the quarter to lift the Crows, only for the home side to give away a 50-metre penalty for an interchange infringement.

Unfortunately for Collingwood, ruckman Darren Jolly's kick sailed left and the chance was lost.

Adelaide kicked 2.5 to 0.4 for the term and held the lead by one straight kick at the final break.

In the final quarter, however, it was Collingwood's stars who came through, with Scott Pendlebury, Dayne Beams, Didak and Sharrod Wellingham kicking majors to seal the win.

Didak's goal was crucial - with 10 minutes of game time to go, he took a mark in the right forward pocket, wheeled round to his left and swung his kick perfectly to give Collingwood a winning three-goal lead and break Adelaide hearts.

"It's been great to get Dids, he's been back a couple of weeks and he's been finding his feet, going forward and kicking goals," Sidebottom said.

"Just before (the kick) when he got the footy, he had a few boos from the Adelaide fans, so for him to kick the goal and give (them) a little back was good."

The Crows managed only three behinds for the term.

Collingwood's win was soured, after defender Lachlan Keeffe was taken from the ground on a stretcher with a suspected ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.

Crows: 6.13 (49) - Tippett 2, Smith, Wright, Petrenko, Henderson.

Pies: 10.15 (75) - Goldsack 2, Beams 2, Sidebottom 2, Shaw, Pendlebury, Didak, Wellingham.

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, sa, australia, vic, collingwood-3066

First posted May 26, 2012 22:45:36

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Ryder re-commits to Bombers

Updated May 30, 2012 22:15:26

Essendon has pulled off a signing coup by securing the services of star ruckman Paddy Ryder for a further four seasons.

The 24-year-old will be a Bomber until the end of the 2016 season, ending speculation that he could return to his native Western Australia.

"I love this place and everyone that's involved in this footy club, I've also got great mates here and coaches that I really look up to," Ryder said in a statement on the club website.

"I'm a big family man and it has always been on my mind about going home and being closer to my family but I've made the right decision for my family in Melbourne, my partner and also because I know the Essendon Football Club is the place for me to get the best out of myself."

Coach James Hird said that Ryder's influence for Essendon is felt both on and off the pitch.

"We're very excited that Patrick has decided to stay with Essendon for another four years and hopefully help us have some success at this great club," he said.

"It's not just his form on the field but also what he does off the field that's impressive. He's a really important part of our team and our culture.

"Most importantly, it's exciting to have re-signed so many of our core group with David Zaharakis, Michael Hurley, Jake Melksham and now Paddy Ryder all committing to the club in long term deals recently."

The Bombers drafted 126-game Ryder seventh overall in 2005.

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, essendon-3040, vic, australia

First posted May 30, 2012 22:15:26

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Saturday, May 26, 2012

Port punishes winless Suns

Updated May 26, 2012 18:47:59

Port Adelaide gate-crashed Gold Coast Suns' home ground birthday party with a 48-point win at Metricon Stadium on Saturday.

Barely 12 months after becoming the Suns' first scalp, Port ensured history did not repeat by thumping in seven unanswered goals in a stunning third quarter.

The 17.16 (118) to 10.10 (70) win in front of 12,416 fans dashed the Suns' hopes of marking the one-year milestone of their Carrara venue with a first home victory.

They looked on track by juggling the lead before a slow-starting Power grabbed a one-point half-time advantage.

Then all hell broke loose.

Seven third-term goals in 14 minutes - including five majors in just six - ensured Port had doubled its half-time score by the final interval.

Remarkably Port racked up 22 inside 50s to the Gold Coast's 11 in the third term alone to help it grab a match-winning 14.14 (98) to 7.8 (50) lead.

For Port, Travis Boak was inspirational with three goals and 28 touches.

Travis Boak finished with three goals and 28 touches while Kane Cornes (24 possession and two goals) limited Suns skipper Gary Ablett to just 24 disposals.

Brad and Brett Ebert and Matthew Broadbent all kicked two goals each for the Power while Danyle Pearce was busy with 28 possessions and a major.

For Gold Coast, Sam Day finished with three majors while Harley Bennell, Sam Iles and Danny Stanley all had 25 disposals.

Gold Coast had hoped to break an 11-game losing run at home.

Instead the Power marked only their second away win in 14 games since 2011.

Port's initially inaccurate kicking ensured Gold Coast booted the opening two goals - including one in the opening seconds to an impressive Day.

The Power finally woke up in the 15th minute when they kicked their opening major and the floodgates opened as the visitors snatched a 4.4 (28) to 2.5 (17) lead at the first break.

Day opened the second term with two straight goals as both sides juggled the lead before Port held onto a 7.7 (49) to 7.6 (48) advantage at the main break.

Port's pressure and unforgivable Suns turnovers led to the third-quarter mauling that turned the match on its ear.

Gold Coast gave the true believers a glimmer of hope by kicking the first three majors of the fourth term but normal service resumed as Port notched back-to-back victories for the first time since round 22 in 2010.

Power: 17.16 (118) - T Boak 3, K Cornes 2, Brad Ebert 2, Brett Ebert 2, M Broadbent 2, D Pearce, J Westhoff, J Trengove, J Schultz, D Stewart, J McCarthy.

Suns: 10.10 (70) - S Day 3, A McQualter 2, G Ablett, C Brown, K Horsley, M Rischitelli, A Sexton.

ABC/AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, carrara-4211, qld, australia, adelaide-5000, sa

First posted May 26, 2012 16:57:49

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Tigers arrive with Hawks hammering

Updated May 26, 2012 19:13:18

The Tigers signalled its arrival as a danger team in the AFL by demolishing the fancied Hawks by 62 points at the MCG on Saturday.

Richmond delighted its fans and sent a message to the league with the 21.11 (137) to 10.15 (75) belting, reversing a trend of honourable losses early this season.

With much of the match played in wet conditions, only one team had the skills and the endeavour to win.

Hawthorn's Josh Gibson told Grandstand his team-mates were extremely disappointed by their performance but said it does not stop the Hawks momentum.

"I'd say it's a bit of a speed hump,'' he said of the defeat.

"We've got really high expectations of ourselves and we didn't meet those today.

"We've had a few wins lately but today we got beaten by a team that beat us at the hunt.''

Hawthorn came into the game on the back of an easy win over Fremantle, while Richmond had pushed the Bombers to the limit before coming up short last weekend.

The Tigers jumped the Hawks, however, kicking four goals to one in the opening quarter and the pressure never eased on Alistair Clarkson's men.

Richmond were dominant in contested possessions, and as the match wore on, Hawthorn's defence failed to come to grips with Richmond's forward line.

Jake King was the early target up forward, but as Richmond established its dominance, spearhead Jack Riewoldt came to the fore.

He finished with six goals, while at the other end the Hawks' Lance Franklin had a day to forget with a return of 1.3.

The Tigers' Steven Morris was important at the back, blanketing Hawthorn dynamo Cyril Rioli.

Morris told Grandstand the Tigers weren't taking anything for granted as they get ready to play St Kilda, Fremantle and GWS.

"I wouldn't say there's any easy games in the AFL, this year has proved that," he said.

"We've got to be on our game next week (against St Kilda) and give it our best shot."

The match ended as a contest when Richmond kicked seven goals without reply between the 28-minute mark of the third term and the nine-minute mark of the last.

Hawthorn could not find a way back, and the eight-goal-to-two final quarter set the seal on a fantastic day for the yellow and black faithful.

Gibson said that the Hawks' defence would have to look closely at its performance.

"It's all about halving those contests (inside defensive 50),'' he said.

"I don't feel we did that today, and even the contests we did halve, they beat us at the hunt at ground level."

Tigers: 21.11 (137) - Riewoldt 6, King 3, Edwards 2, Jackson 2, Martin 2, Morris, Tuck, Maric, Cotchin, Nahas, Deledio.

Hawks: 10.15 (75) - Breust 3, Rioli 2, Roughead 3, Young, Smith, Franklin.

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, australia, vic, melbourne-3000

First posted May 26, 2012 16:48:13

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Smashing Saints do it for Lenny

Updated May 26, 2012 20:18:12

The Saints celebrated Lenny Hayes' 250th game in style, beating the Sydney Swans by 28 points at Docklands on Saturday.

The Saints ran roughshod over Sydney, kicking 13 goals to eight from quarter-time to win 16.15 (111) to 12.11 (83).

For St Kilda the positives ranged from the exciting group of young talent, including Ahmed Saad, Arryn Siposs, Tom Simpkin and Terry Milera, to the excellent games from team leaders like Nick Riewoldt, Nick Dal Santo and Stephen Milne.

Scott Watters' men looked to have set themselves for a huge effort for Hayes, who had 25 touches in a strong outing.

Hayes told Fox Sports that it was great to get to his milestone game after missing most of last year with a ruptured ACL.

"You really miss the game a lot," he said.

"The most exciting thing is there's so many young blokes coming through, it's really exciting for the club, it's in really good hands (for the future).

Hayes said the most pleasing aspect of the win was getting some consistency in the performance.

"We'd struggled a bit to put together four quarters this year, we had the win against Carlton a couple of weeks ago, we were inconsistent last week (against West Coast), but I thought we did all right tonight," he said.

The headaches keep coming for Swans coach John Longmire, as his team continues to show it is in dire trouble without key players Adam Goodes and Shane Mumford.

Sydney was smashed at the clearances, thumped for contested ball and had almost no avenue to goal for much of the match.

The Saints had nearly double the inside 50s for long periods, and only a late comeback by the Swans evened up the count to 55-42 in favour of St Kilda.

St Kilda spread the load up forward, with three goals to Milne and two to Jack Steven, Dal Santo, Riewoldt and Saad.

For Sydney, Lewis Jetta kicked three, and Ben McGlynn, Kieren Jack and Sam Reid had two each.

More to come.

Saints: 16.15 (111) - Milne 3, Steven 2, Dal Santo 2, Riewoldt 2, Saad 2, Cripps, Blake, Siposs, Milera.

Swans: 12.11 (83) - Jetta, 3, McGlynn 2, Reid 2, Jack 2, Kennedy, Bolton, Roberts-Thomson.

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, australia, vic, docklands-3008

First posted May 26, 2012 19:33:29

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Friday, May 25, 2012

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Hird plays down Sheedy match-up

Updated May 25, 2012 12:56:54

Essendon coach James Hird says emotion will not be a factor when he takes on former mentor Kevin Sheedy in Saturday's match with Greater Western Sydney.

Hird stressed that the Giants' first match at the revamped Showground at Homebush will be all about the 44 players on the park, not the "romantic story" between Sheedy and Hird, who formed a formidable partnership as coach and captain at the Bombers.

"I think coach versus coach is definitely overrated, it's about the players," Hird said.

"I haven't spent any time thinking about Sheeds, it's been more about (Stephen) Coniglio, (Dom) Tyson, who our players will be up against.

"I suppose it's a little bit of a romantic story if you like - myself against Sheeds - but in the end our influence on the game will be very small."

The weekend will feature Hird clashing wits with Sheedy, the man who oversaw his entire AFL career starting with the 1990 draft.

Of more concern to the second-year coach is the chance for his side to entrench themselves in the top four.

The Bombers' eighth victory is considered a fait accompli against the youthful Giants, but Hird is confident his charges, whose only loss came in a tense Anzac Day fixture, will not see it that way.

"I can't see why our guys would be complacent. We're trying to do something, we're trying to go somewhere," he said.

"We're not anywhere near there yet, and we haven't been there for a long time.

"This club hasn't won a final, hasn't been competitive in the top end of the season for probably 12 or 11 years.

"You just can't afford to be complacent. You can build a year and we're trying to build that. Our guys understand that."

While downplaying the nature of his maiden match against Sheedy, Hird admits the four-time premiership coach had left a distinct impression on the Bombers' coaching team.

"His philosophies, my philosophies, Mark Thompson's philosophies and Sean Wellman's philosophies - (they) have some similarities to them and he's had a lot of influence on us," he said.

"He knows a lot of our players. He knows I'd imagine how our club thinks. It's a matter of stopping that.

"I think you can get romantic about football when you finish, and not while you're in the midst of it. It's a brutal game and you've got to concentrate on the task at hand."

Hird says veteran defender Dustin Fletcher (groin) should return next week against Melbourne, while young gun Dyson Heppell will be given possibly two weeks to overcome his knee knock.

AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, essendon-3040, blacktown-2148, sydney-2000

First posted May 25, 2012 12:56:54

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McKenna signs new Suns deal

Updated May 25, 2012 08:28:53

Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna has signed a contract extension to keep him at Carrara Stadium until the end of 2014.

The Suns' inaugural coach has been at the club since 2008 moulding together a playing list that joined the AFL in 2011 and won three games in their first season.

The second year has been difficult thus far and, with the exception of a creditable performance against Essendon in week three, there have been few high points and a thrashing from the Brisbane Lions in the Q Clash and defeat to first-year outfit Greater Western Sydney notable lows.

Despite this, Gold Coast chairman John Witheriff insists the club still believes McKenna, whose previous deal ran out in 2013, is the right man to turn the young side into a competitive outfit.

"Phase one started four years ago when we set up the foundations of the club, building an administration, fan base, playing group and Metricon Stadium. Phase two is about success and that will be reflected in Guy's approach as senior coach," he said.

"The reality for us is we're moving into phase two and phase two means in the next four years we've got to win consistently.

"Guy has been charged with the unique challenge of bringing together a playing group that predominantly consisted of talented teenagers who were yet to play a senior game of AFL football and transforming them into an elite team.

"That transformation was always going to take longer than Guy's original contract period and the board was unanimous in its belief that Guy deserves the opportunity and time required to complete this challenge."

McKenna, a two-time flag winner and captain at West Coast Eagles, is happy to be able to given the opportunity to bring the Suns to the next level.

"I was extremely comfortable with the process and I am thrilled that I will have the opportunity to continue as senior coach of the Gold Coast Football Club," he said.

"Everyone has a role to play in the evolution of our club. I am proud of what the club has achieved so far and it's my challenge to ensure we now deliver a winning attitude at the club in the coming years."

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, nerang-4211, carrara-4211

First posted May 25, 2012 08:28:53

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Johnson helps Cats claw past Dogs

Raman Goraya

Updated May 25, 2012 23:27:44

Geelong relied heavily on the influence of Steve Johnson to avoid slipping dangerously out of finals contention with a hard-fought 20-point victory over a wasteful Bulldogs on Friday night.

The welcome 14.11 (95) to 11.9 (75) win arrested a two-game losing skid for the reigning premier, but after yet again being well beaten in contested possessions and clearances, the Cats were let off the hook thanks to some costly misses in front of goal by the Dogs.

Geelong jumped out to an early three-goal lead with Johnson running free off half-forward in the first half before the classy veteran turned half-back orchestrator in the second to hold off the Bulldogs' surge.

Johnson finished with 36 disposals and 14 marks while fellow premiership star Paul Chapman also stood tall with two goals and 27 touches as the Cats moved to 5-4 and into the eight.

Cats defender Harry Taylor said Johnson's elite work rate was on full display.

"He really set himself to have a good game for us tonight," Taylor told Grandstand.

"I noticed him up and about during the week in training, particularly our main session. He seemed to be covering the ground similar to what he was tonight.

"He is an elite player in terms of fitness. It is probably underestimated a little bit how fit he is."

Captain Matthew Boyd (34 possessions) led a terrific midfield performance by the Bulldogs, ably supported by young guns Mitch Wallis and Tom Liberatore, which bettered the Cats by 18 in contested possessions and 16 in clearances.

But the advantage was nullified up forward with the Dogs, now 4-5, registering just 20 scoring shots from 48 inside 50s - the same number of entries as Geelong.

Down by 23 points half-way through the second term, the slow-starting Bulldogs responded with four of the next five goals to trail by just seven points at the main break.

The margin shrunk to just a point early in the third quarter, and despite two goals in the space of 90 seconds by Chapman, the Dogs looked like running over the top of the worried Cats.

But the Bulldogs relinquished their chance to pounce after two set-shot misses by Jordan Roughead and another by fellow forward Liam Jones either side of the final change and Geelong duly made them pay with consecutive majors.

Three goals in a many minutes to Daniel Giansiracusa (three goals), Shaun Higgins (three goals) and substitute Zephaniah Skinner miraculously helped the Dogs close the gap to just three points.

But the pace of Steven Motlop (three goals) proved pivotal late on as he grabbed his second for the last term, before the uncharacteristically quiet Jimmy Bartel and forward James Podsiadly goaled to seal the points.

Cats coach Chris Scott called his charges in for a meeting after the final siren, something Taylor described as unusual.

The dominating topic, however, did not come as a surprise.

"There wasn't any panic stations in there, we just wanted to re-iterate the fact that we struggled in the contested ball area again," Taylor said.

"We did fight back and the last quarter was better. But unfortunately we got beaten around the ball a bit too easy in the first three quarters."

"I don't think it is a lack of effort. We are certainly going in hard at the ball as per usual.

"Unfortunately the numbers show we just aren't winning them."

Geelong takes on GWS next week while the Bulldogs travel to Sydney to take on the Swans.

Cats: 14.11 (95) - S Motlop 3, T Hawkins 3, P Chapman 2, A Mackie, J Bartel, J Selwood, J Podsiadly, J Hunt, T West.

Bulldogs: 11.9 (75) - D Giansiracusa 3, S Higgins 3, M Wallis, T Dickson, L Jones, T Liberatore, Z Skinner.

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, geelong-3220, footscray-3011, vic, australia

First posted May 25, 2012 22:52:45

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Saints moving towards NZ Anzac clash

Updated May 25, 2012 17:17:46

St Kilda coach Scott Watters has thrown his support behind his club's bold plan to play an Anzac Day match in New Zealand as soon as next year.

The Saints have confirmed they are closing in on a deal to take a home-and-away match to Wellington.

If the plan became reality, it would be the first AFL match played overseas for competition points.

The match would be played at Westpac Stadium, the 36,000-capacity home of A-League soccer club Wellington Phoenix and Super Rugby's Hurricanes.

The venue has also been successfully used for Rugby World Cup matches and rugby league Tests.

Watters said Saints players were excited about the prospect of taking AFL overseas, and officials at the club viewed the New Zealand experiment as important for the Saints' future.

"It certainly looks really positive at the moment - there are negotiations taking place and everything's moving towards a really positive outcome," Watters said.

"It would be another strong pillar on which this club can build from. There's a lot of work being put into taking this club to another level and New Zealand is a key cornerstone of that.

"What it can actually deliver this club on a number of levels could actually relaunch this club into becoming the powerful club it needs to be."

Watters said he was not fazed with the extra travel which would be involved in an already tightly-packed home-and-away schedule.

"I played most of my footy at West Coast where I travelled every second week, and we delivered some fantastic results on the back of that," Watters said of his part in the successful Eagles teams of the early 1990s.

"I'm not intimidated or scared of travelling. International teams in international competitions don't see travelling as a negative."

The AFL would have to approve the deal, and the venue for the match, before it could go ahead.

But Westpac Stadium has already successfully hosted AFL exhibition matches, the last a preseason clash between Brisbane and Adelaide in 2001.

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, st-kilda-5110, new-zealand

First posted May 25, 2012 14:53:42

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Thursday, May 24, 2012

Honest Hayes weighing up retirement

Updated May 23, 2012 18:37:33

Much-loved St Kilda veteran Lenny Hayes says this could be his last AFL season, but he has not given up on a farewell premiership.

Hayes, 32, who has made a strong comeback from a knee reconstruction this season, will play his 250th match in Saturday's clash with Sydney at Docklands.

While the courageous midfielder said he still loved playing and ideally would continue next year, he was wary of going on too long.

"It's always a hard one. I suppose when you get to my age, I could be another serious injury away from retirement. I'm not taking anything for granted," Hayes told reporters on Wednesday.

"At the moment, I am pretty much a week-to-week proposition.

"As long as I can keep stringing games together and the body holds up, my mind's still really keen and loving it.

"Who knows? I haven't looked too far ahead. It's just get through this year. Hopefully we can have some success and then weigh it up."

A member of losing grand-final sides in 2009 and 2010, Hayes was desperately close to being a premiership hero when he won the Norm Smith Medal in the 2010 drawn grand final against Collingwood.

While the Saints (4-4) are outside the top eight, Hayes believes they can win this year's flag.

"I probably wouldn't be playing if I didn't think we were still a chance to make that final weekend," he said.

"I don't tend to reflect back too much, but I still have a lot of faith in this team and where we're going.

"I think we've added a bit this year - we've still got that core group of players ... it's a pretty open year."

He expects the clash with the Swans, fresh from their 101-point win over Melbourne, to be a good test of St Kilda's credentials.

The battle of second-string ruckmen could be pivotal.

The Swans used Mike Pyke as their main ruckman in his first game of the season against the Demons, in the continued absence of Shane Mumford.

The Saints are without preferred options Ben McEvoy and Rhys Stanley, meaning Justin Koschitzke is likely to do much of the ruckwork.

That could hamper a St Kilda attack which started the year including Koschitzke and Stanley both backing Nick Riewoldt, although Hayes said Koschitzke could fill both roles.

"Kosi might play ruck then head up forward and hopefully kick some goals for us," he said.

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, st-kilda-3182, vic, australia

First posted May 23, 2012 18:37:33

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Demons Davey, Sylvia hit by selection axe

Updated May 24, 2012 21:34:02

Melbourne dropped Aaron Davey again and Colin Sylvia also paid for his poor form as the Demons reacted to the new low in their disastrous season.

Cale Morton was the third omission, following last Saturday night's 101-point thrashing against Sydney.

That left the Demons languishing at the bottom of the ladder with no wins and no feasible prospects of an immediate recovery.

Liam Jurrah's ankle fracture meant Melbourne will make at least four changes for the Sunday clash against Carlton at the MCG.

Davey, also axed in round two, and Sylvia are two of the experienced Melbourne players who have come under increasing scrutiny for their mediocre form.

Sylvia also was caught on camera sharing a laugh with Sydney's Josh Kennedy last Saturday night after the final siren.

While the Blues are unbackable favourites, they have also made four changes after their shocker against Adelaide.

Apart from Marc Murphy (shoulder) and Nick Duigan (calf), they reacted to two-straight losses by dropping Jordan Russell and Bret Thornton.

Geelong defender Josh Hunt retained his senior berth for Friday night's big match against the Western Bulldogs, despite several moments in the loss to Collingwood he would rather forget.

The Cats regained key defender Matthew Scarlett and promoted utility Jonathan Simpkin for his AFL debut, but lost top midfielder James Kelly with a calf injury and dropped Billie Smedts.

Daniel Pearce will also play his first senior game as the Bulldogs regained Brownlow Medallist Adam Cooney.

The Dogs have reorganised their attack, dropping key forwards Liam Jones and Jarrad Grant.

Clay Smith was also left out, while Dylan Addison is suspended.

Jordan Roughead and Patrick Veszpremi will return to the side.

Collingwood promoted Marley Williams and Jamie Elliott for their first games in the Saturday night clash against Adelaide.

They replace big names Dane Swan (hamstring) and Ben Reid (quad) as the Crows recalled Richard Douglas for Tom Lynch.

St Kilda regained James Gwilt from his extended absence after a knee reconstruction and also recalled Aaryn Siposs for Saturday night's clash against Sydney.

Rhys Stanley's hamstring injury adds to their lack of ruck options, but the Swans did not recall Shane Mumford and are unchanged.

St Kilda also left out Beau Wilkes.

Richmond regained Tyrone Vickery from a calf injury for the Saturday clash against Hawthorn, while gambling on Ben Griffiths as a key
defender following Dylan Grimes' hamstring injury.

The Tigers also dropped Brad Miller while the Hawks are unchanged.

Greater Western Sydney made six changes for Saturday night's match against Essendon, with Toby Greene's suspension the only forced change.

Rhys Palmer was among the axings as the Giants regained James McDonald and young stars Tomas Bugg, Curtly Hampton, Dylan Shiel, Devon Smith and Adam Kennedy.

Essendon utility Dyson Heppell (knee) will miss his first game since he debuted last year, while Dustin Fletcher (leg) and Leroy Jetta (suspension) are also out of the side.

The Bombers regained Mark McVeigh, Tayte Pears and Travis Colyer.

Gold Coast and Port Adelaide made one change apiece for their Saturday match.

The Suns rested Luke Russell for Luke Magin and the Power brought in Daniel Stewart for John Butcher (hip).

North Melbourne and Brisbane both named extended squads with Aaron Edwards and Sam Wright the big inclusions for the Roos and Aaron Cornelius for the Lions.

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, australia, carlton-3053

First posted May 24, 2012 19:36:51

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Wins coming in second for Lions

Updated May 24, 2012 19:40:46

Brisbane coach Michael Voss has revealed victory has become a secondary focus for the battling Lions.

Heading into a litmus test against an under-pressure North Melbourne, Voss admits the Lions have concentrated on getting the basics right to fix their execution woes.

A 92-point win over Greater Western Sydney at the weekend has not changed the Lions' preparations for Sunday's match at Docklands, where they have not won for two seasons.

Voss says the last-start victory was borne out of better efforts on the training paddock to build the trust within his side following twin hidings at the hands of Essendon and Collingwood.

With the Kangaroos holding the same 3-5 record, the Lions are looking forward to testing themselves against a middle-of-the-road club following a flurry of matches against the top and bottom sides in the competition.

"We get a more important indicator about us, that's for sure," Voss said.

"We've certainly played some top six teams (and) some bottom-four teams so we have that opportunity in front of us and it's something we need to make the most of.

"For us, the win has become secondary over the last couple of weeks.

"We've just been making sure we get the training right, that we become predictable with one another and, if we can do those things, despite the pressure of the venue and what we get done, I know what the result will look like at the end.

"We got the win last week based out of the fact things like training have become important to us and being predictable with each other is important throughout the game.

"We need to bring that same predictability and intensity."

The Lions' 62-point loss to the Bombers in round seven was their fourth-straight defeat at Docklands and ninth in their past 11 matches at the venue, with an average losing margin of 45 points.

"It's an area we have to get right," Voss said.

"When you travel, it's something you have to get right and, in recent times, that's (the venue) where we seem to struggle the most."

But Voss says more pressure will be on the Kangaroos, coached by former team-mate Brad Scott, following their painful upset loss to Port Adelaide on the weekend.

AAP

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First posted May 24, 2012 17:03:37

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Dockers go tall for Eagles derby

Updated May 24, 2012 21:23:26

Fremantle is set to throw caution to the wind by playing three ruckmen in Sunday's western derby against West Coast.

Three-times All-Australian Aaron Sandilands and 201cm tap specialist Jonathon Griffin are yet to play in the same side as each other since Griffin's switch to the Dockers at the end of 2010.

Sandilands has been the preferred ruckman over that time, with Griffin only getting a chance whenever the 211cm giant has been injured.

But with the Eagles boasting a formidable ruck duo of Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui, Dockers coach Ross Lyon said he was "more likely than unlikely" to include Griffin alongside Sandilands this week.

And fellow ruckman Zac Clarke is set to keep his spot after being named in a forward pocket in Fremantle's 25-man squad, with Griffin slotted in on the extended interchange bench.

Lyon said the inclusion of Griffin would allow Sandilands to spend more time in attack, where his height could stretch West Coast's defence.

"It will be a threat if we can supply the ball to Aaron in the forward line, no doubt about that," Lyon said.

The Dockers included Griffin, defender Alex Silvagni, Nick Suban, Jesse Crichton and Hayden Crozier, while Dylan Roberton and Garrick Ibbotson were dropped.

The Eagles welcomed back Matt Priddis from concussion and goalsneak Ashton Hams from suspension, with ruckman Scott Lycett also added to the extended squad.

Although the focus has been on the ruckmen this week, Eagles coach John Worsfold said the fight at ground level was just as important.

The Dockers can attest to that after winning the hit-outs 52-25 but losing the clearances 48-24 in last week's 56-point loss to Hawthorn.

Lyon admitted his team's midfield were annihilated against the Hawks.

But he leapt to the defence of 174cm speedster Hayden Ballantyne, who has struggled to hit top form this season after spending more time in the midfield.

Ballantyne's best football has come while playing as a small forward who pinch-hits in the midfield, but Lyon said he was keen for the 24-year-old to continue the experiment of spending prolonged periods on the ball.

"You'll see Hayden in the midfield," Lyon said.

"Kevin Sheedy was all about flexibility in his great teams and we want to build to be a great team, so we need to have flexibility.

"It's easy to look at peoples' failures, but (Ballantyne) was a catalyst for our round one win (over Geelong) and (against) the Saints in the last quarter.

"He's a key driver of our team."

Fremantle tagger Ryan Crowley is expected to get the job on gun Eagles on-baller Daniel Kerr.

Kerr complained earlier this week about the unfair attention he and fellow key midfielders around the league were copping from taggers.

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, perth-6000, wa, australia, fremantle-6160

First posted May 24, 2012 21:21:59

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Burton joins AFL laws panel

Updated May 23, 2012 17:54:12

Former Adelaide Crows forward Brett Burton has been appointed to the AFL's laws of the game committee.

Burton, who retired in 2010 after playing 177 senior matches for the Crows, will replace Fremantle captain Matthew Pavlich.

He has been working with Brisbane Lions as the club's physical performance manager and also served as AFL Players' Association president in 2010.

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, adelaide-5000

First posted May 23, 2012 17:54:12

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Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Jetta to challenge striking charge

Updated May 22, 2012 12:24:14

Essendon forward Leroy Jetta will challenge a one-match ban for striking at the tribunal on Tuesday night.

Jetta was booked by the match review panel for a punch to the stomach of Richmond defender Dylan Grimes during Saturday night's clash at the MCG.

Due to his previous poor disciplinary record, Jetta could not get the one-match ban reduced with an early guilty plea.

But he has pleaded guilty to a separate charge of staging in an attempt to draw a free kick and been issued with a written reprimand.

Western Bulldogs' utility Dylan Addison has accepted a one-match ban for striking Gold Coast livewire Harley Bennell.

Greater Western Sydney's Toby Greene will miss Saturday's clash against the Bombers after pleading guilty to a rough conduct charge involving Brisbane's Jed Adcock.

North Melbourne skipper Brent Harvey has accepted a reprimand and 93.75 carryover points for striking young Port Adelaide star Chad Wingard.

Kangaroos' team-mate Lindsay Thomas was fined $900 for making an obscene gesture in the narrow loss to the Power.

In another incident from the same match, Port's Jackson Trengove accepted a reprimand and 93.75 points for making forceful front-on contact against Kieran Harper.

West Coast's Daniel Kerr has been fined $900 for making negligent contact with an umpire during Sunday's win over St Kilda.

AAP

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First posted May 22, 2012 12:24:14

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Tribunal finds Jetta guilty

Updated May 22, 2012 19:01:47

The AFL tribunal has upheld Leroy Jetta's one-game suspension after finding him guilty of striking.

The three-man jury only needed one minute of deliberation on Tuesday to dole out some more bad news for Jetta, who the day before suffered the embarrassment of becoming the first AFL player to be charged with staging.

Jetta received no more than a written reprimand for the staging incident because it was his first offence and the Bombers decided against challenging that charge as well.

"Clearly there have been a lot worse examples (of staging) in recent weeks," Essendon football manager Paul Hamilton said.

"From our point of view, we weren't going to fight a charge like that.

"The AFL have to make a stand at some stage, so we understand that - that's why we haven't appealed it."

Footage of the incident that led to Jetta's suspension showed Richmond defender Dylan Grimes doubling over and dropped to the ground after the Bombers small forward made contact with his midriff.

Asked after the hearing if he thought Grimes could also have been booked for staging, Hamilton laughed and replied: "I'd better not get into that whole staging debate."

Essendon argued the contact was negligible rather than low and Jetta said in his evidence that it was "very minimal".

"I thought there wasn't any force at all and I was surprised with how he (Grimes) reacted to it," Jetta said.

In summing up, Essendon advocate Dermot Dann said the tribunal should be "very careful" about what weight it put on Grimes' reaction to the blow.

But the extremely quick deliberation indicated the jury had no doubt at all about Jetta's guilt.

"He (Jetta) is disappointed because he thought it was really on the minor end of the scales," Hamilton said.

"At no stage has he denied that contact was made, that wasn't the point.

"He just thought it was negligible, but the jury were clearly of the opposite opinion."

Essendon could not reduce the one-match ban to a reprimand with an early plea, so there was no risk in taking the case to the tribunal.

AAPThe AFL tribunal has upheld Leroy Jetta's one-game suspension after finding him guilty of striking.