Week 2: NAB Cup quarter-finals, practice games ...

Thursday, February 21

l Geelong take out another two awards
Geelong has taken out two honours at the 28th National Sport Awards.

They were were named National Team of the Year after a dominant season culminated in their first flag in 43 years, while CEO Brian Cook was named Sports Executive of the Year.

The Australian Sport Awards recognise achievements across all sports in all areas of the sporting sector and were announced Wednesday via a special online video presentation in conjunction with media partner SBS Television.

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l Terse reminder from AFL chairman
Clubs were told of expansion plans last November
The AFL moved to bring into line recalcitrant clubs challenging its northern expansion plans, with League chairman Mike Fitzpatrick on Wednesday issuing a terse memo to presidents reminding them of a detailed briefing they were given three months ago on a national blueprint for a 17th team on the Gold Coast and an 18th in western Sydney.

Chip Le Grand noted in The Australian: The AFL has been lampooned by several presidents in recent days, most prominently by Hawthorn's former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett, following Fitzpatrick's comment in a weekend interview with Fairfax newspapers that the league could become an 18-team competition as early as 2012; the first year of the next broadcast rights agreement.

In a briefing document attached to Fitzpatrick's email and presented to the clubs on November 20 last year, the AFL clearly states its "opportunity" to establish a club in western Sydney during the term of the next broadcast rights agreement (2012 to 2016).

The document also outlines the AFL's resolution to expand by issuing two new licences instead of relocating existing clubs.

Stab Kicks ...
n Lachlan Pryor has become North Melbourne's second NSW AFL Scholarship player with the announcement of signing the North Shore Bomber. Pryor joins James Wilsen who was taken by the Kangaroos after the NSW-ACT Under 18 zone trials held at Coffs Harbour in January. Wilsen has since been rookie-listed by the Kangas.

n In an effort to heal the wounds, Carlton are planning to farewell its former skipper Lance Whitnall with a motorcade around the MCG when the Blues play Richmond in the opening round of the premiership on Easter Thursday.

n Robert Crouch and Catherine Mitchell, both of Ivanhoe, appeared in Heidelberg Magistrates Court on Wednesday charged with stealing the confidential medical records of two AFL players. It is alleged they sold the records to Channel Seven, which used them in a news story last August.

Police told the court Channel Seven's Dylan Howard is not a relevant witness at this stage but is still being investigated. Crouch and Mitchell will return to court later this year to contest the charges – ABC Sport Online

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Wednesday, February 20

l Chris Judd appointed captain of Carlton
Former West Coast skipper Chris Judd will captain Carlton in 2008, the Blues announced on Tuesday afternoon.

The 2004 Brownlow medallist takes the reins from Lance Whitnall who was delisted by the Blues at the end of 2007.

Judd arrived from West Coast in the 2007 trade period after leading the Eagles to the 2006 premiership.

The former Eagle said he was honoured to lead his new club, but admitted he was better prepared this time around compared to when he took over the job from fallen star Ben Cousins at the Eagles at the start of 2006.

“Essentially the lessons I learnt at West Coast will apply pretty well at the Carlton Footy Club,” the 24-year-old said.

“It’s always a challenging job leading any AFL side, but I think it’s a pretty exciting time for the footy club and I’m very confident in the strength of the leadership group as a whole.”

Judd will be supported by Nick Stevens who was announced as the club’s vice-captain.

Judd and Stevens will be supported by Kade Simpson, Heath Scotland, Brendan Fevola and Andrew Carrazzo in the Blues’ leadership group this season.

l Steve Johnson loses driving licence for 12 months
Geelong premiership player Steve Johnson has lost his driving licence for 12 months and been fined $500 for speeding at close to 80 km/h over the limit.

Johnson pleaded guilty to one count of speeding after being caught driving at 128km/h in a 50km/h zone in Geelong last month.

Magistrate Stephen Myall ordered Johnson to attend a road trauma awareness program in May.

Geelong FC had already ordered Johnson to perform 50 hours of road trauma education with accident victims and their families.

l Geelong star Peter Pianto dies
Geelong legend Peter Pianto has passed away aged 78.

The Geelong Advertiser reports the Cats team of the century member lost his battle with cancer in Geelong Hospital on Monday night. His death came less than three months after doctors removed a leg and part of his hip in a last ditch effort to save his life.

Friends, former teammates and public figures yesterday paid tribute to the dual premiership player, 1953 best and fairest winner and former club coach.

Pianto was one of the country's finest footballers during the 1950s, playing in the Cats' 1951 and 1952 premiership sides and finishing runner-up in the 1956 Brownlow Medal during his 121-game career. He was 1953 best and fairest and coached the club.

He also represented Victoria nine times and was named an All Australian in 1956.

Pianto later coached Claremont in the WAFL, as well as Coragulac in the former Polwarth Football League. He was a revered figure in Colac, both as Coragulac coach and as the owner of a successful sporting goods store in Murray St.

He returned to Perth for a brief period before taking the reins at Geelong from 1966 to 1970, leading the Cats to the 1967 grand final.

Many lauded Pianto's speed, elusiveness and spearing drop kicks but also remembered a charismatic character who also loved to sing, fish and cook.

Premiership teammate and former Cats president Ron Hovey said the death of his great mate was sad news for the city and for the football community.

"He'll be missed, Peter. He was a great chap and a great footballer but also a great family man,'' he said.

l Cracked fibula sidelines Farren Ray
A weekend of heavy injuries was added to on Monday when it was realised Western Bulldogs' Farren Ray suffered a cracked fibula during the match against North Melbourne in Darwin on Friday night. Recuperation is expected to be four to six weeks.

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l League opposes Nixon's ambitious Irish plan
AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou backs the return of the Irish coming to Australia, but the league opposes player manager Ricky Nixon's ambitious plan to have scouts in Ireland's 32 counties, who would report to a co-ordinator. The players, aged 14 to 20, would be put in a central database for the league to access for an annual fee of about $30,000 (Diary, Feb 14).

Darryl Timms notes in the Herald Sun that Nixon's plan comes as the AFL and the Gaelic Athletic Association met in Dubai this month about resurrecting the International Rules Series, which Ireland abandoned after a violent second Test in Dublin in 2006.

Demetriou will make a recommendation on the future of the series at next month's commission meeting.

Irish newspapers have reported the series will go ahead in Australia in October.

International Rules
l Dubai talks with GAA point to stronger penalties
A strong stand to removing the biff out of Ireland-Australia matches is a key to the return of the International series between the two countries following discussions in Dubai early this month between the GAA and AFL.

Colm Keys reported in Dublin's Irish Independent newspaper on Tuesday that players will serve any suspension accrued in the series during the National Leagues as part of the deal brokered between the GAA and AFL in Dubai aimed at re-floating the series in the (northern) autumn.

In contrast, suspended AFL players will feel the full force of a new disciplinary system in their parent code with parallel sanctions commensurate with infractions committed in the AFL showpiece, the Grand Final. Because it is the showcase game, misconduct in the Grand Final is treated more seriously than any other game and International Rules misconduct will fall into line with that standard.

The GAA and AFL hope that such a standard will act as a sufficient deterrent to wipe out the thuggery that marred the last two series.

But whether the proposed changes will be enough to sell the concept again to concerned counties remains to be seen.

The GAA has urged counties to have discussions about the re-establishment of the International Rules series after it was frozen in the wake of the 2006 Croke Park test.

The document, which has been sent to counties for discussion, proposes changes in the disciplinary system and an overhaul of the relationship between the teams.
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A raft of changes under how International Rules will be revived would significantly bring removal of the type of tackle that felled the GAA's Graham Geraghty into a state of concussion during the controversial second test in 2006. Slinging, slamming or driving an opponent into the ground when executing a tackle will now merit a straight red card. The use of one-handed tackles will be removed. There is also the prospect that a rugby league-style video referee may be introduced to review incidents.

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Tuesday, February 19

The Gillard report
l League awaits West Coast response
AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou expects a response from West Coast within a week over the Gillard report – and he expects that response to be extensive.

Retired Supreme Court judge William Gillard QC tabled his report into the Eagles' off-field problems with the AFL Commission.

The Commission will go over the Eagles' response at its next meeting on March 14 before the league makes any public comment.

Asked if the Eagles will need to explain parts of the report, Demetriou replied: "I'd think they would want to."

"The club (is) expected to respond to some questions on which the AFL seeks clarification," the club said in a statement.

"The West Coast Eagles will answer those questions, but the process going forward will be determined by the AFL.

Demetriou said he was pleased with the job that Justice Gillard had done.

"He's produced a fairly-detailed report (of some 95 pages), comprehensive, we're pleased with it," he said.

Last week, the Eagles released a summary of their own investigation into the club's much-publicised problems.

That report reviewed 35 incidents of poor behaviour by 13 players in the six years up until December last year.

Meanwhile, West Coast's No.1 draft pick Chris Masten was fined $750 in court for drunkenly punching another man in the face during a scuffle at Perth's Australia Day fireworks.

The club had already fined him $2000 and banned Masten from the NAB Cup pre-season competition – Yahoo! Sport

l Knee injuries end season for Hasleby and Malceski
After only one NAB Cup match the season is over for Fremantle's Paul Hasleby and Sydney's Nick Malceski. Reconstructions of the anterior cruciate ligament for Hasleby (left) and Malceski (right) are required.

Match Review Panel
l Reprimands accepted by Jack and Harding
Sydney’s Kieran Jack and North Melbourne’s Leigh Harding have each escaped with a reprimand after both players were charged by the Match Review Panel after the weekend’s NAB Cup matches.

Jack was charged with making front-on contact with Hawthorn’s Luke Hodge in Sunday’s contest in Launceston, while Harding was charged with rough conduct against Western Bulldogs’ playmaker Jason Akermanis on Saturday night in Darwin.

Both players accepted the reprimand with an additional 93.75 demerit points.

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Stab Kicks ...
n Brad Fisher, a key to Carlton's forward zone, yesterday had a pin inserted in his thumb after the NAB Cup game against Port Adelaide on Saturday and will be sidelined for eight weeks, meaning he will miss the first three or four weeks of the home-and-away season.

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Monday, February 18

l Hawks down Swans by two points
Hawthorn defeated Sydney by two points in a nail-biting preseason cup clash in Launceston on Sunday afternoon.

The Hawks held on for a slender 3.2.0.13–52 to 0.7.1.5–50 win in the low scoring affair.

Jarryd Morton was impressive for the Hawks kicking two goals.

Sydney coach Paul Roos opted to rest half of his first choice players as both sides struggled to hit the target during the opening quarter.

But the Swans started to find their range in the second period but were dealt a big blow with the loss of key half-back Nick Malceski with a serious knee injury.

The Hawks led by five points heading into the final term and despite the Swans scoring the only goal for the quarter, Hawthorn were able to hold on in the dying stages.

l Knee injury dampens Freo's win over Eagles
A left knee injury to star midfielder Paul Hasleby has soured Fremantle’s convincing 44-point NAB Cup win over West Coast at Subiaco Oval on Sunday night.

The 26-year-old had to be stretchered off the ground in the third term after collapsing in pain on the outer wing.

It was the only down point for the Dockers as they climbed all over the Eagles to win 2.12.0.14–104 to 1.7.0.9–60 in front of a healthy derby crowd.

An undermanned Eagles’ line-up were led at every change by the Dockers with ruckman Mark Seaby and clever defender David Wirrpanda among their better players.

New recruits Brad Ebert and Scott Selwood showed glimpses of why they were nabbed by the Eagles at last November’s draft, but it was top Fremantle pick-up Rhys Palmer who excited the Dockers’ faithful with an impressive first showing.

Palmer, who was a star at the NAB Under-18s Championships last year, gathered 14 disposals and kicked a goal, looking at home at AFL level.

Des Headland amassed 21 disposals for the Dockers, while Josh Carr (21 possessions) and Dean Solomon (22) were also creative.

n NAB 2008 Match Review and results – more

The Stats that Matter – Footystats Diary
n Geelong in its 79th pre-season *night* competition match booted a new club-high score of 160 points topping 146 points against the Western Bulldogs in 2003 at Kardinia Park ...
n the score is equal-8th best of highest scores in the pre-season *night* competition since 1956 ...
n the Q1 tally of 49pts is a second-best club score to the 8.2-50 versus West Coast in 1992-QF at Waverley ...
n the 71 point margin is two points short of Geelong's biggest win at pre-season level – the Cats beat Carlton by 73 points in the semi-final of 1989 at Waverley ...
n the Hawks two-point win in Launceston ensured Sydney held on to its record – not since 2002 have the Swans won in a  First Round pre-season game ...

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l Sydney set to lose Malceski for season
Sydney have had a nightmare start, with key midfielder Nick Malceski set to miss the entire season after seriously injuring his knee in the Swans' NAB Cup defeat in Launceston on Sunday. Malceski damaged his knee in the third term of the Swans' two-point loss to Hawthorn.

Coach Paul Roos said the 23-year-old had a suspected torn anterior cruciate ligament after changing direction to avoid a tackle, with his right knee buckling underneath him.

Scans on Monday are likely to confirm the Swans' worst fears, with Malceski expected to need a full knee reconstruction which will end his season.

l Quarter-finals and practice games
Matches on the NAB series at the weekend –

all times are AEDT
NAB Cup:
Friday February 22
Western Bulldogs v Essendon, Docklands, 7.40pm (Seven)
Saturday February 23
St Kilda v Geelong, Manuka Oval, 3.40pm (Fox)
Hawthorn v Carlton, Docklands, 7.10pm (Ten)
Sunday February 24
Adelaide v Fremantle at Football Park, 5.10pm (Fox)

NAB Challenge:
Friday February 22
Kangaroos v Brisbane Lions, Princes Park, 4.30pm
Richmond v Melbourne, Cazaly Oval, Cairns, 8.30pm
Saturday February 23
West Coast v Collingwood, Albany, 4pm
Sydney Swans v Port Adelaide, Homebush, 7pm

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Sunday, February 17

NAB Cup – balance of First Round
l Potent Cats flatten the Demons
Geelong showed no early signs of a premiership hangover with a powerful win against Melbourne in the opening round of the NAB Cup at Kardinia Park in the late Saturday afternoon match

The Cats belted the Demons by 71 points with Norm Smith medallist Steve Johnson bagging six goals, while ‘comeback kid’ Tom Lonergan booted two majors. Lonergan was playing his first senior game since a serious kidney injury in 2006.

Nathan Jones and Adem Yze were among the Demons’ best.

l Promising start by Carlton to just edge out Port
Defending NAB Cup holders Carlton won their way through to the quarter-finals with a strong win over Port Adelaide in warm 34C conditions at Football Park on Saturday night.

The Blues had several impressive players in the win with former Adelaide player Darren Pfeiffer and talented midfielders Kade Simpson and Andrew Carrazzo showing good skills in the early part of the year.

After Port led by seven points at the main change, the Blues added five goals to nil in the third term to take the ascendancy.

No. 1 recruit Matthew Kreuzer kicked a goal for the Blues, but was otherwise quiet, while Steven Salopek proved he is one of the AFL’s most improved midfielders with a solid display for the Power.

l New Bomber game plan clips the Lions at Carrara
Essendon's game plan under new coach Matthew Knights worked a treat at Carrara on the Gold Coast on Saturday night resulted in the Bombers defeating Brisbane by 27 points.

Bomber big man David Hille bagged three goals for the Bombers, while Jared Brennan thrilled the crowd with two super-goals and a six-point major.

The only real sour note for the Bombers was a serious hamstring injury to young gun Scott Gumbleton.

Former Peel Thunder player Kyle Reimers was in fine form for the Bombers, while veterans Damian Peverill and Jason Johnson were also

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Saturday, February 16

NAB Cup – balance of First Round
l Tigers no match for young St Kilda outfit
St Kilda easily accounted for Richmond in the first round NAB Cup match under the open roof at Docklands on Friday night, running out convincing 40-point winners, 111 points to 71.

The Saints had the upper hand with veteran forward Fraser Gehrig and pocket dynamo Stephen Milne bagging three goals apiece. Ex-Geelong player Charlie Gardiner was impressive in his first outing for the Saints collecting 21 possessions, while former South Fremantle best and fairest Clint Jones was also handy with 21 touches.

The Tigers were well served by star midfielder Nathan Foley who gathered 23 disposals, while Brett Deledio and Nathan Brown kicked two goals apiece.

l Bulldogs edge out North in Darwin
The Western Bulldogs progressed to the second phase of the NAB Cup after they edged out North Melbourne by 11 points (54-43) in a low-scoring affair in Darwin on Friday night. Both teams lacked sharpness in their first hit-out of the season.

Scores were close throughout the night with the Bulldogs holding narrow leads at the end of each of the first three terms.

The margin was 13 points in favour of the Dogs as the two teams began the final quarter, but a nine-point super-goal to Kangaroos’ forward Drew Petrie in the opening minutes of the term gave them a sniff.

The game was in the balance as time ticked away, but an answering super-goal to Dogs’ defender Lindsay Gilbee was enough to hold out the Kangas.

Adam Cooney (26 possessions) and Scott West (24) were dynamic for the Bulldogs all night, while Kangaroo skipper Adam Simpson gathered 18 disposals for the losers.

In further bad news for the Kangas, slick midfielder Daniel Wells suffered a thigh strain early in the contest, but on a positive note, forward Nathan Thompson emerged unscathed from his first match back after a serious knee injury.

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l Carey fails to appear in Florida court
Miami-Dade County Judge Rosa Rodriguez on Friday was surprised when former AFL player Wayne Carey failed to appear before her when he was accused of kicking one US police officer and elbowing another during a brawl at a five-star Miami hotel last October.

The judge adjourned the case to April 18 so Carey, who remains in Australia, could be present in court.

A warrant could be issued for Carey's arrest if he fails to show.

A trial has been tentatively set for April 28.

Carey faces two felony charges of aggravated battery of a police officer and a charge of resisting arrest with violence.

Miami police were called to the Mandarin Hotel last October after Carey's girlfriend, Kate Neilson, complained Carey had smashed a glass in her fact, causing cuts to her mouth and neck.

When officers entered Carey's hotel room they alleged he "kicked one of the officers in the face with his foot" and "elbowed another one in the side of the face" – Sydney Morning Herald online

Stab Kicks ...
n North Melbourne are mothballing the No.18 guernsey after the club found no takers for the number once worn by Wayne Carey. Brad Moran was the last player in 18 but he was traded to Adelaide at the end of last season – Herald Sun

n St Kilda has been fined $10,000 for breaching the salary cap rules through an administrative error. The Saints had voluntarily disclosed the break as soon as it was discovered which the League took into account when the penalty was handed down – Herald Sun
 

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Friday, February 15

l Bulldogs ban Liberatore after SEN outburst
Western Bulldogs legend Tony Liberatore has been banished by the club after a savage verbal attack on chief executive Campbell Rose. "Libba" won't be welcome at Whitten Oval until he apologises to Rose, the football club and members, according to president David Smorgon.

The Herald Sun reports: "If you want to come back to the club, you owe us an apology for an unmitigated, unsubstantiated, completely unfair attack not only on Campbell Rose but by extension everyone at the Bulldogs," Smorgon said yesterday. "You've let yourself down, you've let your family down."

Liberatore yesterday lashed Rose on SEN radio and didn't back down last night when contacted. The 1990 Brownlow medallist and Bulldogs Team of the Century member said last night he had nothing to apologise for.

He accused Rose of being more concerned with the club's finances than winning matches. Liberatore said Rose was the reason senior football staff – Matthew Drain, Sean Wellman and Chris Bond – had left the club over the summer.

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Stab Kicks ...
n Beau McDonald, after 91 games (1998-2007) and two premierships with the Brisbane Lions has retired. The 28-year-old ruckman from Swan Districts battled countless injuries for most of his career.

n Darren Goldspink will blow the whistle for the last time in the Richmond-St Kilda NAB Cup match at Docklands. The 43-year-old retires after 371 premiership matches in a senior career dating back to 1989. He umpired 37 finals including six Grand Finals, the most recent being 2005 and 2006.

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