Stynes to be honoured with minute's applause

Updated March 28, 2012 13:15:44

Melbourne Football Club has announced the MCG will stand for a minute's applause instead of silence before this weekend's match against Brisbane, to honour Demons legend Jim Stynes.

Gaelic football fans at Ireland's Croke Park were encouraged to do the same during the week in honour of their countryman.

The practice has become regular in the United Kingdom, especially in memory of football legends like Sir Bobby Robson and George Best.

Coach Mark Neeld says Melbourne's players could use Saturday's opening match as an outlet for their emotions following the death of club icon Stynes, who was buried after a massive. state funeral on Tuesday.

He said he will harness the emotion and talk about it before the MCG match against Brisbane, but will also allow the players to deal with it as they want.

"It'll be a tough time for the club," Neeld said on Wednesday.

"We have a clearly defined role for the players, that's to perform, so that could be a really good outlet for them.

"There are people in our admin section who have worked on a daily basis with Jim for years, they don't have that outlet.

"That's probably going to be difficult for those guys to deal with, but it may just be something that the players need, to get out and have an outlet."

Meanwhile, Neeld said he could not give a definitive answer on whether the underperforming Jack Watts would play on Saturday after a modest preseason.

The former number one draft pick was sent back to VFL club Casey last week to push for selection against Brisbane.

"I thought he played OK in the VFL, so he's certainly given himself a chance to be selected," Neeld said.

Neeld said co-captain Jack Grimes has overcome a shoulder injury and will be fit to play on Saturday.

Upgraded rookie James Magner is in line for a debut after a solid preseason from the midfielder.

"He'll certainly be in and around the mark," Neeld said.

"It's a big decision to promote a rookie to the primary list and, when you do that, you're probably thinking very strongly he might play."

Neeld also said Liam Jurrah was still with the rehab group as he recovers from a wrist injury and was still a month away.

ABC/AAP

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

First posted March 28, 2012 12:49:21

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Blues take points from Roos after Prime nails goal with minutes to go

A very low scoring match saw Tumby Bay Blues take the honours by the minute margin of one point over the Lock Roos.

In an entertaining game, there was plenty of play and a real commitment of players to their team and a will to win - traits that have been sadly lacking from the Roos over in the past few rounds. Lock was pleased to have Clint Beard back to take over rucking duties from the injured A Pearce and the Tiller duo in defence and mid field.

The game was fast and the ball moved the length of the big Lock oval numerous times as both defence lines stood up to challenges. Agars at half forward for Lock was being tested by I Lebrun with Clarke and Milton his chief lieutenants. Arbon was giving Prime a bath across the half back line continually repelling attacks and running the ball into the centre.

Morton and K Tiller ably backed him with Z Tiller and Britza carrying the ball to the forward line. First blood came to Lock through Agars and Morton bundling the ball to A Hetzel, a feat he was able to repeat a few minutes later due to the desperation of C Beard, Northcott and Britza.

The ball continued to see saw with Chard and Southern leading the midfield for the Blues, Curtis, J and I Lebrun continually under pressure and R Clarke giving his all. Lock's third goal was posted through Longmire with the Blues finally making a mark at the 22 minute mark through scrambly play finally giving Butler the chance to find the big sticks.

At 3-1 to 1-1 Lock should have been further ahead at quarter time, they had more forward chances but could not capitalise with opposition midfield pressure playing its part on the less than accurate disposal towards the fifty metre arc.

The second quarter was a repeat of the first. Beard was valuable in the centre contests and his ability to use his body all over the ground gave the Roos added advantage one kick behind the play. K Tiller and Clarke were having a great tussle as were Hentschke and Kelly. Kelly was able to shake his opposition on the outer flank at the ten minute mark and bring up the Blues second goal. Not to be outdone, the racing Z Tiller placed a bullet speed pass onto Longmire's chest, to see him goal for Lock.

The ball continued to be hotly contested with numerous handpasses and short kicks in an attempt to gain some advantage until good work from Southern, Curtis and Chard found fourteen year old Partington who made no mistake in goaling for his first A Grade match.

With three scoring shots each, Lock went into the long break with a slender lead 4-3 to Tumby Bay 3-2. An injury to Morton on the siren saw him take no further part in the game.

In the highest scoring quarter, Agars stepped up another notch to brilliant as he snatched overhead marks and was the go-to forward for Lock. He majored very early and with Heath, Northcott, C Pearce and K Tiller defending stoutly supported by Z Tiller, Hetzel was able to add his third goal. Lock then eased the pressure and Tumby pounced.

Sharking the pack Southern made no mistake when given the chance. Cross, J LeBrun and Chard sped through the midfield and half way through the quarter finally found Prime who had been moved to full forward. From fifty metres on the outer flank he made no mistake with a repeat from the same position three minutes later.

A clever clearance from the centre through Butler found Southern on his own who made no mistake to put the Blues in front for the first time and lead at the final break 7-3 to 6-6.

Lock came out of the blocks early through Northcott, Z Tiller, Britza and Agars, culminating in a goal from Northcott's less favoured side to see the Roos back in front. Both teams rose above 'tractor legs' with running, ferocious tackling, shepherding and slogging yard by yard advances for their team.

A double one-two from Britza and Agars enabled Agars to post another major for Lock at the fifteen minute mark and one may have thought it was game over. Tumby Bay then locked the ball into their forward line through sheer perseverance with Chard, Southern, Curtis and Clark digging deep.

Chard was able to prevail at the nineteen minute mark with another attempt resulting in a minor and Lock hanging on by a whisker. Both sides continued to throw everything they had at the ball; Locks disposals letting them down once again until Primus was able to make one of his few getaways with only minutes remaining and nail it.

It was enough to get Tumby Bay over the line at 9-3 to Lock 8-8. Chard and Southern played exceptionally well on the run for the Blues, as did D Clark, I LeBrun and Butler, with Prime's 3 goals after half time a match winning contribution.

The strength and leadership from Agars and Arbon for the Roos was a treat, Z Tiller and Britza's speed and agility fantastic with K Tiller and Hetzel winners for Lock.

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Minute's silence planned for Bob Davis

Updated May 18, 2011 18:55:00

The AFL has confirmed Geelong and Carlton players will observe a minute's silence on Friday night to honour Bob Davis.

The AFL Hall of Famer, whose 189-game playing career with the Cats included two premierships, coached Geelong to the 1963 flag.

Davis died after a recent battle with illness on Monday night, aged 82.

A video tribute will be screened before the match at Docklands and Geelong players will wear black armbands.

"As well as players, coaches and officials, I'm sure all football supporters attending the game on Friday will remember Bob and his family and his wonderful contribution to Australian football," AFL chief Andrew Demetriou said.

Former Geelong dual-premiership captain Tom Harley has also mourned the passing of Davis, paying tribute to the icon's ability to transcend generations.

Harley was presented with the AFL premiership cup by Davis in 2009 and described his death as "devastating news".

"He was just an iconic Geelong person and had this innate ability to relate to all generations," Harley said.

"He was very contemporary, I fondly remember talking about current football issues with Bob, and for him to present us the trophy in 2009 was just a real highlight of my career.

"To hear Bob say it was for him too was a really touching moment."

Harley said the loss of Davis will be felt by many.

"There's a whole gamut of Geelong supporters who remember Bobby the player, then another group who remember Bobby the coach, and then as a media identity, through the work he did with World of Sport."

The Cats will be keen to continue their undefeated start to the 2011 season after last week's dramatic victory over reigning premiers Collingwood.

Harley was impressed with what he saw in the three-point win.

"They out-Collingwooded Collingwood, they put the press on the Pies and put unbelievable pressure on them, they out-tackled them," he said.

"So for all the punters who think it's a one horse race, it's clearly not."

However Harley was not getting carried away with his old club's form, pointing to the fact the bookmakers are still backing the Magpies.

"I didn't check the premiership odds the day after, but I'd assume Collingwood are probably still the premiership favourites, and rightly so," he said.

"Having been in a team that has been up for a long time myself, you do go in peaks and troughs a bit, and Geelong got Collingwood at a good time, no doubt about that."

"But that's not taking anything away from the Cats, they played exceptional footy."

- AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, australia, vic, carlton-3053, geelong-3220

First posted May 18, 2011 18:51:00

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