Hill unlikely starter against Bombers

Updated June 21, 2012 14:40:36

Fremantle is set to make at least four changes for Saturday's clash with Essendon in Perth after midfielder Stephen Hill's bid to recover from an ankle injury fell short.

Hill tweaked his ankle early in the June 9 match against Richmond, but battled on through the pain to play a crucial role in the two-goal win.

But last week's bye was not enough for Hill to sufficiently recover from the injury, with the Dockers confirming the 22-year-old is unlikely to face the Bombers.

Hill's absence comes at a bad time for the Dockers, who also need to find replacements for ruckman Aaron Sandilands (turf toe), defender Zac Dawson (knee) and goalsneak Hayden Ballantyne (suspended).

Kepler Bradley and Zac Clarke will battle it out to replace Sandilands, while Alex Silvagni is set to come in for Dawson.

Michael Walters, Jayden Pitt, Nick Lower and Paul Duffield are all in the selection mix for the other two spots, but midfielder Anthony Morabito will spend at least another week in the WAFL building match fitness.

The Dockers sit 11th on the table with a 6-5 record, while the Bombers have an 8-3 return, but enter Saturday's match on the back of two straight losses.

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, fremantle-6160

First posted June 21, 2012 14:40:36

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Police unlikely to reopen Milne case

Updated May 03, 2012 12:29:59

Victoria Police will review a file detailing rape allegations against St Kilda football player Stephen Milne, but say it is extremely unlikely the case will be reopened.

Police investigated allegations Milne raped a woman at the home of his team-mate Leigh Montagna in 2004.

No charges were laid.

In 2010, a former detective said he had been pressured by officers to drop the case and evidence had gone missing.

An investigation by the Office of Police Integrity (OPI) found his concerns were reasonable, but there was no evidence of interference.

Deputy Police Commissioner Graham Ashton says the OPI found the file had been poorly kept and it will be reviewed by the sex crimes squad.

"They will go through that material, so if there is anything missing anything that needs to be done they will do that," he said.

"From what I have been told there is no new evidence or new information at all, that suggest the case be reopened," he said.

He says unless they find something was overlooked in the investigation, the case will remain closed.

Tags: police, crime, sexual-offences, australian-football-league, melbourne-3000

First posted May 03, 2012 12:29:59

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Watson close but unlikely for Bombers

Updated June 2, 2011 11:24:00

Essendon coach James Hird says captain Jobe Watson will probably be named for Friday night's AFL clash with Melbourne but he is unlikely to play.

The midfielder missed the Bombers' last match against Richmond with a hamstring injury.

Hird said on Thursday Watson was on the verge of being ready to return but might just miss out.

"He's probably unlikely to play, but if he gets through training today well and doesn't pull up with any soreness, then he will play," he said.

"We'll probably select him and see how we go.

"Twenty days after a hamstring is a little bit of a risk, but it's a very important game for us and obviously Melbourne's midfield have got good strength there, so we need someone strong around the ball to compete with them."

He said key forward Michael Hurley, who has been out with a foot injury, was similarly placed.

"If it was a Sunday game they'd definitely play, it's a Friday game, they're a bit touch and go," Hird said.

The Bombers coach said his club would expect a physical approach from the Demons, who were accused by Carlton players of playing "bruise-free football" in last Friday night's loss to the Blues.

But Hird dodged a question on whether he believed that assessment of Melbourne's performance was justified.

"Our opinion on how we play is what we're here to talk about, Carlton and Melbourne I'm sure will sort that out," he said.

- AAP

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

First posted June 2, 2011 11:15:00

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