Thursday
October 28, 2004
Week 442

updated every day

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Hawthorn AGM
NO COMPROMISE – IT'S DICKER v SCOTT
Hawthorn's Annual General Meeting on December 20 is likely to be one of the most closely contested in club history.

President Ian Dicker announced yesterday that attempts to reach a compromise with former captain and his strongest critic Don Scott had failed and the members will decide who will run the club.

The Age reported Scott insisted he and his "Operation Recovery" group had tried to accomodate the current board. The sticking point in the deal, appears to be what Scott describes as "off-field infrastructure" and the club calls "the most critical part of the agreement".

Scott has been critical on how the club employs people, and resigned from the board partly in protest at the hiring of recruiting manager Gary Buckenara.

ABC News Online reported that Dicker's message to Hawthorn's 31,000 members is "our ticket will provide stability, ensure continued financial security of the club, total support of the players, coaches and management and work tirelessly to help restore the club's on-field performance."

Hawthorn's interim chief executive Jason Dunstall will act as the board's spokesman in the lead-up to the December election.

Last November, Hawthorn posted its seventh year of consecutive profits, in spite of three years of losses at its VFL affiliate Box Hill and organisational restructuring – it profited by $104,347 on a turnover of $27 million in season 2003.

Dicker who has been president of the club since 1996 claims the club will finish in the black again, and he is backed with the full support of his board.

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JESS SINCLAIR RE-SIGNS WITH KANGAROOS
The Kangaroos have re-signed Jess Sinclair for a further two years. The 26-year-old midfielder has played 70 games with the Roos since switching to Arden Street from Fremantle in 2001. He played 17 of the 22 matches this year.

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TRENT KNOBEL QUITS ST KILDA
After playing 24 games this year, ruckman Trent Knobel has walked out on St Kilda, considering their offer for 2005 was a poor reflection on his contribution.

The Age reports Jason Blake is also looking at his future with the Saints.

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Wednesday, October 27

KNEES BRING DOWN DAVID LOATS
Geelong's David Loats has announced his retirement due to persistent knee injuries. Medical advice to the 23-year-old is that his knees are too damaged for his career to continue.

It brings his premature departure after only one senior match with the Cats this year against the Kangaroos in Round 12 at Kardinia Park. Though he grew up in Leopold, David was drafted by Hawthorn where he played 11 matches in 2002-03.

A run of back luck for Geelong vice-captain Brenton Sanderson continues. Following his return from holiday on Friday, Sanderson had his appendix removed at Geelong Hospital on Monday. He missed the Cats' finals campaign in September because of a heart problem called atrial fibrillation.

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TY ZANTUCK DEAL NOT DEAD
When Richmond starts its pre-season work tomorrow, Ty Zantuck will be missing. The disgruntled defender who wanted to be traded to another club has been excused from training. Though a deal could not be worked out during the timeframe of the recent trade week, to either Melbourne, the Kangaroos or Essendon, the prospect of an arrangement may still be possible.

The Age reports Zantuck is contracted to Richmond for 2005 on about $250,000, however, a club which commits to draft him will override his current agreement.

A deal is still being worked out, with the Roos and the Bombers the likely targets.

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HAWKS INTO CAMP AT SORRENTO
New Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson will gather his group in a three-day training camp at Sorrento next week, from Wednesday to Friday.

The Age reports the younger Hawks returned to training last week, with senior players such as captain Shane Crawford, John Barker, Simon Beaumont, Trent Croad, Ben Dixon, Peter Everitt, Jonathan Hay, Nick Holland, Angelo Lekkas and Joel Smith to begin their pre-season at next week's camp.

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INTERNATIONAL RULES GETS SEAL OF APPROVAL
Jim O'Sullian reports in the Irish Examiner: AFL and GAA bosses have voiced their support for the future of the International Rules despite Ireland’s 50-point victory over the champions at Croke Park.

The Australians lost the series on a 132 to 82 aggregate score line, and were roundly criticised in the media in both hemispheres.

GAA president Seán Kelly admitted to being pleased that the second test had been more competitive, and for that reason, much more entertaining for the 60,515 crowd.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou also described the series as a success and slammed allegations that the visitors treated the trip as little more than a junket and as a glorified end of season trip.

Demetriou said the AFL could not fault the effort of the players and coaches and lauded Ireland for having learned some lessons from the past. But he said he would continue to work to make the series more appealing to the league’s best players and said it would be a point of discussion with AFL coaches at their next conference. Officials, who held a review meeting on Friday, confirmed arrangements for next year’s tour, which will feature tests in Perth (first) and Melbourne. Longer-term, both associations are interested in playing games outside of Dublin, such as Belfast, Limerick, Galway and Killarney.

Dublin goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton was voted as the Irish player of the series and leading scorer Nathan Brown was picked as the top Australian player over the two games.

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COLLINGWOOD DELIST McKEE
The Magpies have delisted its 2000 grand final ruckman Steve McKee, together with Luke Mullins and Luke Shackleton.

2004 TRADED, RETIRED, DELISTED, ACQUIRED ... more ...

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UPDATE TO "FULL POINTS FOOTY"
John Devaney has advised that several new updates have appeared. "Full Points Footy" is always worth discovering at the following link ...
John Devaney – Full Points Footy

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Monday, October 25

International Rules – Second Test
Ireland claim the series

Ireland wrapped up the International Rules series against Australia in a physical Second Test played on Sunday afternoon at Croke Park in Dublin before a crowd of 60,515.

ROHAN CONNOLLY reported from Dublin in The Age: The Irish were jumped at the start by the fired-up visitors, stung by a barrage of criticism both here and at home after last week's dismal performance. But after looking rattled for a while, the home team's superior skills again shone through, while Australia, despite a far more aggressive attack on the football this time, once more struggled to use the unfamiliar round ball.

It was a far more switched-on Australia than last Sunday, the visitors' tackling intense, and Nathan Brown again on fire. The clever small forward scored three overs in the first quarter after Luke Ball had opened the scoring. Australia quickly established a six-point lead, but the Irish eventually found their feet.

While Australia played its best football last week in the third term, it was the home side that did so this week, its decisive burst ensuring that it not only won the battle, but the war as well.

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BEN GRAHAM – WHAT IS THE FUTURE?
The future of Ben Graham will be determined this week, whether he stays with Geelong or gambles on a try in the glamourous National Football League.

Only a handful of Australians have made it into the big-time of American football – Pat O'Dea, Darren Bennett, Colin Ridgway, Colin Scotts and Mat McBriar.

What did each of these five accomplish?

*Aussies in American football* – see the story below ...

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Sunday, October 24

International Rules
AFL MOVE ON DEATH THREATS
In the lead-up to the Second Test of the International Rules series to be played at Croke Park in Dublin today the AFL has taken measures to cope with death threats to Australian captain James Hird and abusive phone calls to his Essendon teammate Mark McVeigh

Hird received the threats the night before last Sunday's 77-41 loss to Ireland in the First Test.

"Right before the first game I received three or four phone calls on Saturday night just saying you will be lucky to walk off Croke Park. And, "you'll get your head knocked off and there might be a bullet going your way."

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said the problems were being addressed and every measure had been taken so that players do not get call.

But coach Garry Lyon was not worried about the phone calls. "Any coward can ring up and do that. James is not worried about and I am not worried about it," he said.

Australia need to win the Second Test by an unlikely 37 points at Croke Park to claim the two-match series on aggregate.

ROHAN CONNOLLY reports today in The Age that Australia will take less than a fully fit squad into the last meeting against the Irish.

Adam McPhee has been selected despite a knee injury that prevented him from training this week. Coming into the side are Collingwood's Alan Didak and Sydney's Jude Bolton, who both missed with injuries last week.

Those who could not be considered for the starting line-up are Jason Johnson, Matthew Lappin and Jared Crouch who is already back in Sydney and went under surgery last Wednesday to repair the broken left collarbone he suffered last week against Ireland.

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GRAHAM DUFF TO KANGAROO BOARD
The head of Racing Victoria, Graham Duff, has been voted on to the board of the Kangaroos. The 61-year-old Duff is a long-time supporter of the Roos and is a member of a Kangaroos coterie, the Vice-President's club.

Duff is a likely successor to president Allen Aylett, who is expected to retire at the end of 2005.

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BLUES RE-SIGN FISHER AND DAVIES
Carlton have signed new deals with Brad Fisher and Justin Davies. Club g.m of football operations Grant Williams said the club was delighted with the commitment of Fisher and Davis, both of whom have played 31 senior games.

Luke Livingstone has returned from holidays and is expected to complete his negotiations to continue with the Blues next week.

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GEHRIG FINED FOR URINATING ON WOMAN
The Age reports today that St Kilda full-forward Fraser Gehrig will have counselling and be fined up to $5000 by the club after urinating on a woman at the Mentone Hotel in the early hours of Thursday morning.

No charges have been made, but the father of the woman who is a policeman is considering taking the matter further.

Gehrig won the John Coleman Medal this season for kicking 90 goals in the home-and-away series. He finished with 103 after the finals.

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PORT TAKE PREMIERSHIP CUP ON TOUR
Port Adelaide players and officials are taking the much-treasured AFL Premiership Cup on a tour of regional South Australia where a public reception will be held in each centre.

The tour embraces –
Saturday, October 30 – Port Lincoln 12 noon
Monday, November 1 – Whyalla 10.30am, Port Augusta 2.30pm
Wednesday, November 3 – Renmark 12.30pm
Friday, November 5 – Mount Gambier 12.30pm

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WANGANEEN TAKES TOP INDIGENOUS AWARD
ABC News Online reports Port Adelaide's premiership player Gavin Wanganeen was among the athletes honoured when Australia's Indigenous community celebrated their Deadly Awards at the Sydney Opera House on Friday night. The awards are held annually to recognise indigenous achievements in sport, music and the community.

Wanganeen won the Deadly for Outstanding Achievement in AFL football.

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Friday, October 22

SHOULDER SURGERY STOPS SIMON BLACK
Brisbane's Simon Black is unlikely to play in the 2005 season until late-April following shoulder surgery.

The 2002 Brownlow Medallist faces six-months of rehabilitation.

The AFL website reports Black had initially been booked for surgery to have floating bone removed from his ankle, and also went under exploratory surgery on his shoulder. Surgeons recommended a reconstruction which took place on Tuesday.

Black was already facing a delayed start to the new season after being suspended for three matches on two striking charges in the September 25 grand final against Port Adelaide.

Other Brisbane Lions to undergo recent surgery include Jonathan Brown to repair cartilage in his right knee; captain Michael Voss in a clean-up to his right knee and Blake Caracella had operations to his shoulder and ankle.

The good news for Brisbane is that their two ruckmen, Beau McDonald and Jamie Charman are both progressing well from their knee injuries.

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ADELAIDE RE-SIGNS TYSON EDWARDS
The Crows have inked the 28-year-old dependable utility Tyson Edwards to a new three-year deal which should see him through to the end of his career.

Since his debut against Footscray in Round 11 of 1995, Edwards, named "Mr Consistency", has missed just nine matches and will pass 200 games early in the new season.

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DELISTINGS CONTINUE
TURNOVER MOUNTS AT PUNT ROAD
Carlton have announced the delisting of Anthony Franchina after 105 matches with the Blues since 1997.

Richmond have cut Tim Fleming and Luke Weller. The Tigers have now delisted eight from the 2004 list.

Mark Stevens reports today in the Herald Sun that Richmond has shown interest in former Hawthorn defender Mark Graham who at 31, was retired by his club after 223 games (1993-2004).

Meanwhile, the disgruntled Ty Zantuck even though he has one year to run on his contract, appears to have played his last game for the Tigers and is expected to nominate for the draft. Zantuck would have now been an Essendon player had there not been a monumental stuff-up of paperwork on the last day of trading.

2004 TRADED, RETIRED, DELISTED, ACQUIRED ... more ...

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PORT HAVE NEW FITNESS COACH
Darren Burgess has been named as Port Adelaide's new fitness coaching following the return to Victoria for family reasons by Andrew Russell.

Burgess has worked with Parramatta Power soccer club, the Australian Olympic soccer in the lead-up to the games in Athens and the Sydney Swans.

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NYLEX CLOCKS PLANNED FOR DOCKLAND
Caroline Wilson reports today in The Age that a Melbourne icon – the Nylex clock – is likely to be replicated at Docklands Stadium.

Ian Collins the chief of Docklands, has been been germinating the idea for five years and is set to sign a long-term deal with the plastics company to build two large digital clocks at either end of the ground.

The sticking point however, is the lack of approval by the League to display the remaining game time – when not even the AFL telecasters can agree – Nine and Foxtel show it, while Network Ten reverts to normal time with five minutes remaining on the clock. Stadium scoreboards are forbidden to show the time when taking feeds from networks and are directed to black out the time remaining in the corner of the screen.

The landmark Nylex clock, atop silos on the Richmond side of the Yarra River adjacent to the South-Eastern Freeway is heritage-listed and must operate regardless of who own the silos beneath it.

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Friday, October 1

Draw for 2005
The draw for season 2005 was released on Thursday, September 30 ... more ... the file includes the match and venue summary from Martin Windsor-Black ...

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LINKS TO OTHER FOOTY FEATURES

Martin Windsor-Black –
Pertinent Observations  

  Bruce Kennedy –
Perspective 2004

WHERE TO GET THE AMAZING  *FOOTY WORKS* ... more

 NSW HISTORY – more

John Devaney –
Full Points Footy

Robert Meredith –
Mero's Jumper Madness  

Rhett Bartlett – Rhettrospective

Dockerland – Fremantle FC

IN THE ARCHIVES
Past issues of the News Diary
Worth repeating

FOOTYSTATS – SEASON 2004
Match Review, details of every game, every round
Stats Update from every round

The 16 club-by-club history files
from links below

Ade	Bri	Car	Col	Ess	Fre	Gee	Haw
Mel	NMK	PA	Rch	StK	Syd	WC	WB

All–Time League Match Records, 1897–2004

Goalkickers, club-by-club history files
from links below

Ade	Bri	Car	Col	Ess	Fre	Gee	Haw
Mel	NMK	PA	Rch	StK	Syd	WC	WB

Coaches – every club, every game
200-Game Coaches, 1902-2004
Key Stats of Season 2004
Best of the Best, 1897–2004
The Big Ladder of 2004
Matches Played at 37 venues, 1897–2004
Tribunal – 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001
Draw & Results – 2004, 2003, 2002
2003 Financial Results
The Brownlow Medal, 1924-2004
VFL-AFL Graph, 1897-2004
Membership numbers, 1984-2004
Attendances, 1991-2004
Rising Star Award, 1993-2004
Australia v Ireland, 1967-2004

2004 Wizard Home Loans Cup series

The Carlton Crisis File
Teams of the Century

Other *Archive* files ...
Chronology of the Game, 1858-2004
Consecutive Wins and Losses
The One-Point Result, all 284
Drawn Matches, all 133
Behinds, 2 to 9
Behinds, 25 or more behinds
Cliffhangers, the closest games
Least Accurate
Premiers, 1897-2004
Minor Premiership, 1897-2004

Footystats Diary, October 22-28, 2004 — Week 442
sources include:
afl.com.au, newslimited, The Age,
The West Australian, abc.net.au, sportal.com.au
Footystats™ is assisted by income from
Channel Nine, Fox Footy Channel

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