Demon Jurrah to stand trial in March

Updated September 03, 2012 10:58:23

Melbourne Demons footballer Liam Jurrah has appeared briefly in the Alice Springs Supreme Court, where it was confirmed he will face trial in March next year.

Jurrah is charged with three counts of aggravated assault and one count of unlawfully causing serious harm.

The charges relate to an incident at an Alice Springs town camp earlier this year.

Jurrah's bail conditions were also amended to allow him to live in South Australia with family.

Tags: courts-and-trials, assault, australian-football-league, alice-springs-0870, melbourne-3000

First posted September 03, 2012 10:57:21

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Good signs for Hayes after trial game

Updated February 10, 2012 18:45:30

St Kilda coach Scott Watters says Lenny Hayes is on track to play in the preseason cup after recovering from a knee injury which restricted the ex-skipper to just two games last AFL season.

On-baller Hayes played the first three quarters of an intra-club trial game at St Kilda's Seaford training base on Friday.

The 32-year-old ran laps of the oval during the last quarter with other key players including goal sneak Stephen Milne and captain Nick Riewoldt.

Watters says Hayes is having an excellent preseason.

"He's very keen to play. We've just got to hold him back a little bit at the moment," Watters said.

"He's going well. It has been a really solid preparation for him and he has got a lot of confidence out of it.

"He'll play some of it (preseason cup). He won't play all of it.

"We've got to prepare him for round one and hopefully to play early in the season so it will be the right preparation to get him ready for round one."

Horsham Demons teenager Seb Ross was handed the big task of tagging dual All-Australian Brendon Goddard in midfield.

"He kicked a good goal at the end, Seb. I thought Seb was really solid," Watters said.

"He's a really mature young kid. He has already probably got a body that can handle AFL football.

"He's really composed in a contest. He did his selection chances no harm at all today."

Watters said he was impressed with mature-aged recruits Ahmed Saad, 22, and Terry Milera, 24.

"Both of them were good. Beau Wilkes (a 25-year-old who has played 23 games with West Coast) was really solid down back," Watters said.

The 194cm Wilkes can play at either end but, at this stage, he is being primed for the backline, Watters said.

While the first-year coach said he was happy his squad avoided any major injuries on Friday, one concern was utility Nicholas Winmar who left the field with suspected mild concussion.

"We got through healthy. That's probably the most pleasing thing," Watters said.

"It was a good solid hit-out."

Watters said he was almost certain Winmar did not suffer a facial injury.

"He's dazed - maybe mild concussion," Watters said.

The Saints play Geelong and Sydney in the first round of the preseason cup on February 24 at Docklands.

St Kilda travel to Football Park to take on Port Adelaide in round one of the AFL season on April 1.

AAP

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

First posted February 10, 2012 17:14:58

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Kreuzer flies high in Carlton trial

Updated February 17, 2012 16:22:52

Ruckman Matthew Kreuzer lifted the spirits of Carlton fans with a dazzling performance on Friday as he dominated an intra-club AFL trial match.

Kreuzer's stunning effort in wet conditions at the Blues' training ground proved he was no longer troubled by the foot complaint which kept him out of both of Carlton's finals games last September.

"If you saw the way he moved today, you'd have to agree," Blues senior assistant coach Alan Richardson told reporters on Friday.

"He's right to go. He's flying."

The 2007 number one draft pick was strong in the air and at ground level, as the Blues ponder whether to play the 22-year-old on the ball or up forward this season.

"He was outstanding. He's a bit like another onballer when the ball hits the deck so we were pleased with 'Kreuz'," Richardson enthused.

"He'll play a lot of footy in the ruck.

"We have the luxury of having three quality ruckmen in (Robbie) Warnock and (Shaun) Hampson as well.

"Certainly at times, he will play forward but predominantly he'll play ruck.

"On today's performance, both he and Hampson were really good.

"Certainly, those three guys could play in the one team."

The Blues open their preseason cup campaign at AAMI Stadium on February 26 against Port Adelaide and the Crows.

Skipper Chris Judd (shoulder), big forward Jarrad Waite (hip), key defender Michael Jamison (back) and Warnock (shoulder) were among those who rested on Friday but they are expected to be fit for round one against Richmond on March 29.

Carlton's 2011 club champion Marc Murphy was one of the star players in Friday's game while key forward Bret Thornton, onballer Andrew Carrazzo and young key defender Matthew Watson were also prominent.

Richardson said Kane Lucas, Paul Bower and Jordan Russell, who struggled with injuries last year, were also impressive.

Watson showed promise on Friday but Richardson warned the 19-year-old is still learning the game after playing three matches in 2011.

"Given that (Lachie) Henderson and Jamison didn't play today, you can see we've got a bit of depth back there now," he said.

The Blues recruited former Norwood player Nick Duigan and ex-Cat Jeremy Laidler in 2010 to bolster their backline.

"'Watto' is going to have to work really hard to get a game," Richardson added.

Judd is being aimed at round three of the pre-season cup on March 10.

Richardson said senior coach Brett Ratten was keen to give young players opportunities in the preseason cup.

Andrew Walker and Chris Yarran were also rested on Friday.

AAP

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

First posted February 17, 2012 16:22:52

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