Thursday, July 3

Graham Polak still tired and confused
Richmond defender Graham Polak, who was hit by a tram, remains "tired and confused".

A spokeswoman for the AFL club says the 24-year-old who was hit by a tram on Saturday night was eating and able to recognise names and faces.

"Graham is still very tired and confused and is expected to spend most of today sleeping," said Tigers spokeswoman Judith Donnelly yesterday.

"A major milestone is that he is now eating and he is continuing to recognise some names and faces during the brief time he is awake."

Tigers president Gary March met with the Polak family at The Alfred hospital on Wednesday morning.

"Graham still has a very long way to go in his recovery," Mr March said.

"However, the club remains optimistic and we have been buoyed by the support of our supporters and also the general community."

The club has received more than 600 messages of support for Polak and his family.

Polak awoke from an induced coma on Monday after suffering brain bruising when he was hit by the tram while crossing Dandenong Road in the Melbourne suburb of Armadale on Saturday night.

uuuu

uuuu

Stab Kicks ...
n Former AFL player Wayne Carey has won a three-month delay to his trial of assaulting two Miami policemen last year. A US judge in Miami has agreed to delay Carey's trial from late this month until October 14. Carey has pleaded not guilty of kicking one policeman in the lower lip and elbowing another in the face – ABC News

n Even though they are languishing at 14th place with just two wins from 14 games, Fremantle have posted a record membership tally for the sixth consecutive season – 43,366.

n The 23-year-old Essendon midfielder Jobe Watson has signed a new two-year deal to the end of 2010.

n There's always another story ...

uuuu

l Footy Works updates – available
Round 13 updates are the most recent – posted on June 25th
Please direct software questions to Sorensen Technologies

The ultimate fan site
where passionate supporters gather!

Wednesday, July 2

Ankle injury
Demons lose Brock McLean for season

In a savage blow for Melbourne, midfielder Brock McLean will miss the rest of the season after injuring his ankle in the club's rousing one-point victory on Sunday.

Martin Boulton reports in The Age: McLean, 22, was forced off the ground in the first term, but returned after half-time, against the Brisbane Lions, to play a valuable role in the Demons' second victory of the year.

Scans on Monday revealed ligament damage at the front of his left ankle and McLean said two screws would be inserted into the bone to help the ligament heal.

McLean expects to be fully recovered in time for the start of pre-season training – more ...

uuuu

uuuu

Stab Kicks ...
n June was one of Melbourne's driest on record.
In 2006 only 8.6 millimetres of rain fell – just edging over the 8mm that fell in June 1858.
This year a marginal improvement was still however a disastrous 14.2mm – drier June’s in the past 50 years also include 1974 – 13.2mm, 1972 – 12.4mm, 1969 – 11.2mm.
Victoria had the third-lowest average rainfall for June – 22mm – since 1901. Melbourne's dam levels are down to a worrying 29.5 per cent. Sydney by comparison is at 66.7 per cent ...
(This entry corrects an earlier posting).

n There's always another story ...

uuuu

Worth noting ...
n Martin Windsor-Black's *Full Picture* – more
n Tribunal 2008 – more
n NAB Cup 2008 Match Review and details – more
n Traded, Retired, Delisted, Acquired – more
n 2007 financial forecasts and results – more
n Footystats Classifieds – more

Tuesday, July 1

1pm update
Match Review Panel – split Round 14
Brent Renouf takes two weeks suspension
Five fined $1200 each for Friday night melee
Fevola fined $3000 for wrestling Kelvin Moore

Charges and verdicts from the first part of Round 14:

HAWTHORN v WEST COAST
l Brent Renouf (Haw) was reported by umpire Chris Donlon with striking Adam Selwood (WCE) in Q3. The MRP noted the charge as drawing 325 demerit points and a three-game suspension for an incident assessed as reckless, of high impact and high contact. The MRP offered a two-match suspension with an early plea. Renouf admitted guilt and accept the MRP suspension of two matches,
l Lance Franklin (Haw), Mark Williams (Haw), Trent Croad (Haw), Darren Glass (WCE) and Adam Hunter (WCE) were cited for engaging in a melee in Q2. The five players admitted guilt and each accepted fines of $1200 imposed by the MRP.

RICHMOND v CARLTON
Brendan Fevola (Car) was cited for wrestling Kelvin Moore (Rch) in Q3. The MRP imposed a $3000 fine on Fevola for his actions. The player admitted guilt and accepted the MRP fine.
__________

8am report
Match Review Panel – split Round 14
Hawks become MRP regulars
Renouf, Williams and Croad this week
Fevola booked with wrestling

The Match Review Panel on Monday charged young Hawthorn ruckman Brent Renouf with striking West Coast's Adam Selwood in the third quarter at the MCG on Friday night in an incident assessed as reckless, of high impact and high contact. Renouf faces a three-game suspension.

Yahoo! Sport reports the charge drew 325 demerit points and a three-game suspension, but Renouf, who has only played three games, can reduce that to a two-game ban with an early guilty plea.

The season has not been kind to the Hawks with Shane Crawford and Jordan Lewis suspended and Sam Mitchell and Lance Franklin ruled ineligible for the Brownlow Medal because of reprimands.

Franklin and teammates Mark Williams and Trent Croad were also booked from Friday's game, for engaging in a melee in the second quarter.

The trio can plead guilty and pay $1,200 fines, while Eagles Adam Hunter and Darren Glass can accept the same penalties after being reported on the same charge.

In the only other report from the weekend, Carlton full-forward Brendan Fevola was charged with wrestling Richmond's Kelvin Moore in the third quarter at the MCG on Saturday. He can agree to a $3,000 fine.

Reports against Jake King and Carlton's Bret Thornton for wrestling each other were thrown out after it was ruled there was "no serious grappling for any length of time to constitute a wrestle".

Renouf was also cleared of any wrongdoing after he made contact with an open hand against Eagle Brad Ebert during a tackle.

The MRP also took no action against Port Adelaide's Daniel Motlop, who clashed with Western Bulldogs Dylan Addison and Daniel Cross in Darwin last Saturday night, and Port's Danyle Pearce, who made contact with an open hand on Bulldogs captain Brad Johnson.

l Graham Polak out of intensive care
Doctors are pleased with the progress of Richmond's Graham Polak. He was moved out of intensive care on Monday evening and into a ward, a spokesman from The Alfred hospital, John Heselev, said.

Polak was hit by a tram in Melbourne on Saturday night, leaving him with brain injuries.

The AFL webpage reports the Alfred's trauma director Mark Fitzgerald said Polak appeared to have no brain swelling at this stage.

"He's continuing to improve, he's obeying commands this morning, we're reasonably happy with his progress," associate professor Fitzgerald told Melbourne radio station 3AW.

Dr Fitzgerald said Polak was doing a lot better than expected.

Richmond doctor Greg Hickey said there had been a number of signs of improvement, however it would be some time before medicos would know the full prognosis.

l Mick Malthouse to coach Australia against Ireland
l IR suspensions will carry into AFL schedule
Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse has been appointed Australian coach in this year's international rules series against Ireland.

Australia will play two matches against Ireland, at Subiaco Oval on either October 24 or 25 and at the MCG on October 31.

Malthouse said he was humbled and indebted to the league by the appointment, and promised that he would reinforce to his players the need for sportsmanship and clean, fair matches.

The hybrid concept was suspended last year following the on-field violence which marred the 2005 and 2006 series.

The AFL has also moved to further prevent on-field violence by warning that any suspensions incurred in the international rules series would be served in the following home and away season.

Australia will tour Ireland next year to play two matches, but the AFL and the GAA hope to stage the series every two years after 2009 – Fox Sports

l AFLQ games may be played in Alice Springs
The Northern Territory AFL says Central Australian football hopefuls will have resources and coaching opportunities in Alice Springs as the league gears up for entry to the Queensland competition next season.

Chief Executive Tony Frawley says it is possible three games in next year's Queensland competition cycle could be played at Traeger Park in Alice Springs. He says the competition will provide Central Australian rookies with a chance to try out for the team.

"[There'll be] not just the games itself, we'll have a coaching structure based in Alice Springs and a training centre there as well based around the Institute of Sport. Any kid or any young footballer will have a chance to have a go at this team which is exciting for Central Australia."

l Cousins registers with Port Melbourne
The 30-year-old Ben Cousins registered with VFL club Port Melbourne yesterday. But the 2005 Brownlow medallist and 2006 West Coast premiership player will not train with the Borough until at least the middle of this month, according to his Flying Start management. Cousins is training with WAFL clubs Perth and East Fremantle.

The Age notes the former West Coast captain was deregistered by the AFL last year for bringing the game into disrepute after a well-documented struggle with drugs.

Stab Kicks ...
n The first six games of the split 14th round drew 180,659, tipping the scales for 2008 to 4,148,543 ...

n Gold Coast rivalry – the North v St Kilda match drew 9,128 to the 7.10pm Saturday bounce down at Carrara Oval. At the nearby rectangular arena at Robina for the 5.30pm start a crowd of 26,453 watched Gold Coast 22 lose to St George Illawarra 26 in the rugby league competition ...

n There's always another story ...

uuuu

Monday, June 30

Hit by a tram
Graham Polak remains in an induced coma
The condition of Richmond player Graham Polak, who was hit by a tram in Melbourne on Saturday night, has improved slightly overnight.

But a hospital spokeswoman said he remained in an induced coma after suffering head injuries, Yahoo! Sport reports.

Polak is in Melbourne's Alfred Hospital, where his family and partner Alyce are at his bedside.

The spokesman told AAP his condition was serious but stable.

Polak was crossing the intersection of Orrong and Dandenong roads at Armadale around 11pm (AEST) Saturday when he was hit.

Team mates Cleve Hughes and Jordan McMahon were with Polak at the time.

Polak has played 11 games for Richmond this season for a career total of 106 and was part of the team who lost to Carlton at the MCG.

uuuu

Stab Kicks ...
n Apart from the narrow defeat, Melbourne followers of the Brisbane Lions would have been disappointed not seeing the historic colours of Fitzroy on Sunday when playing at the MCG, rather than the insipid version of a cleaning rag. The line on clash guernseys and kow-towing to TV interests is not pleasing a lot of fans – but who cares about them?

Colour, light and movement – to hell with history.

uuuu

Sunday, June 29

Blues kick away to rain on the Tigers parade
Saints fightback flattens Kangaroos
Port no match for determined Bulldogs
Demons surprise Lions to clinch their second win
Bombers hold out brave Dockers

*The Stats that Matter* – *Match Review* ... more u The season in scores and results – Stats Update 2008

uuuu

Interchange blunder at Carrara
Kangas get momentary free kick boost
St Kilda fought back bravely in the second half to record what could be a vital win over the Kangaroos in a round 14 match marked by an interchange blunder at Carrara on the Gold Coast on Saturday evening.

With just over 10 minutes remaining in the match the Saints were penalised for having 19 men on the field, and the ensuing free kick to Daniel Harris from 30m out resulted in a North Melbourne goal that put the Saints two points behind.

But, St Kilda continued on what was a superb second-half comeback to run out convincing 15-point winners in a match that could prove crucial in the race for finals football.

l Graham Polak critical after being hit by a tram
The Age reports Richmond player Graham Polak is in a critical but stable condition in the Alfred Hospital after being hit by a tram while crossing the Orrong and Dandenong Roads intersection in Armadale around 11.30pm on Saturday night and suffering head injuries.

l Daniel Kerr bitten by stingray at St Kilda beach
During post-game recovery on Saturday morning in knee-deep water at St Kilda Sea Baths, West Coast midfielder Daniel Kerr stepped on a stingray and received a puncture wound to his ankle.

A pain-killing local anaesthetic was administered at the scene and Kerr later in the day flew back to Perth with his teammates. He is expected to train in the coming days.

uuuu

Saturday, June 28

Split Round 14
Hawks coast to easy win over West Coast

Hawthorn 18.18-126
West Coast 9.15-69

Hawthorn's injury woes continued as they overwhelmed West Coast by 57 points on Friday night at the MCG – 29,138 attended.

Key Hawk forwards Jarryd Roughead kicked 6.4 and Lance Franklin 5.2, in the convincing win. However, Jordan Lewis and Shane Crawford were forced off, while Luke Hodge returned after receiving treatment.

Eagles midfielder Daniel Kerr had a career-high 40 disposals, teammate Matthew Priddis racked up an incredible 45 possessions and West Coast forward Ashley Hansen kicked four goals.

The teams combined for a massive 820 possessions – 422 to Hawthorn and 398 to the Eagles.

*The Stats that Matter* – *Match Review* ... more u The season in scores and results – Stats Update 2008

uuuu

l Gold Coast to get 20 players of draft age
Andrew Demetriou announced Friday that the new Gold Coast club would have exclusive access to sign up to 20 Queensland players of draft age over the next three years.

ABC News Online noted: Further draft concessions will be decided by the AFL in the coming months, with the team scheduled to join the league in 2011.

The 16 existing clubs will be allowed to register two additional rookies for the 2009 and 2010 seasons as compensation for the new zonal arrangement.

With the new club now able to sign players, Demetriou expects an imminent announcement on GC17's first coach.

l Richmond centenary celebrations
Richmond celebrated some of the golden moments of their League centenary in the VFL-AFL at a gala dinner held on Friday night in Melbourne at Crown Palladium.

More than 1,000 people attended, as the club announced their best moments and achievements of the century, as voted by fans and members.

The best individual performance of the century was awarded to club games record holder and former Tigers coach Kevin Bartlett.

Bartlett won for booting 21 goals in three games of the 1980 finals series, including seven in the grand final thrashing of Collingwood.

Mark of the century was awarded to Michael Roach for his huge hanger against Hawthorn at the MCG in 1979.

Indigenous player Michael Mitchell won goal of the century for his seven-bounce run against Sydney at the SCG in 1990.

The 1967 flag was nominated as the best of the club's 10 premierships, coming at the end of their first finals series in 20 years.

The celebration came on the eve of today's bumper clash against Carlton at the MCG.

The event will continue a big weekend for fans when the Tiger Centenary Experience on Sunday will continue at Punt Road Oval from 10.30am.

l John James, CEO at Port Adelaide resigns
John James, chief executive at Port Adelaide since late 2004 has resigned. He will head to the United States joining the Vanguard Group, a global fund management company, and will be based in New York starting September 1.

The Australian notes that James is the third senior staff member to depart Alberton in a matter of months.

l Carey's bid for soft justice fails
Former AFL player Wayne Carey appeared at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Friday for an interview with diversion program co-ordinators.

Katie Bice reported in the Herald Sun, the scheme allows first time offenders to avoid a conviction if they accept responsibility for the offence and agree to fulfil conditions that may include payment to the court fund or community work.

The gravity of the offence and any criminal record are considered in deciding whether to grant a diversion.

After a long morning at court, Carey's application was refused.

The former 36-year-old football star has been charged with three counts of assaulting police and resisting arrest at his Port Melbourne apartment on January 27.

After Carey had called police to remove girl-friend Kate Neilson and another woman from his home he was subdued with capsicum spray and escorted from his penthouse after allegedly assaulting police at his front door.

Carey is due to return to court on the matter in August.

Stab Kicks ...
n Ben Cousins is expected to sign with Port Melbourne by Monday's cut off date for registrations – he turns 30 on Monday ...

uuuu

Friday, June 27

Team selections Round 14 (split)
Kane Johnson, Will Thursfield in for Tigers
Crawford and Croad back for Hawthorn

Richmond and Hawthorn have recalled key players for the AFL split round as St Kilda also beefed up their line-up.

Yahoo! Sport reports the VFL punishment only lasted one week for star Saints midfielder Nick Dal Santo and their leading goalkicker Stephen Milne, who joined Justin Koschitzke in returning to the side for Saturday's big test against North Melbourne to be played at Carrara Oval on the Gold Coast. Koschitzke has missed the last two games with a knee injury.

While Hawthorn, Richmond and St Kilda recalled important players, slumping sides Port Adelaide and West Coast made 12 changes between them.

The Tigers welcome back captain Kane Johnson (knee) and key defender Will Thursfield (hamstring) from injury for Saturday's blockbuster against Carlton at the MCG. Thursfield is Richmond's No.1 option for in-form Carlton fullback Brendan Fevola. Luke McGuane has a hamstring injury and Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls was dropped.

The Blues named Jake Edwards in place of Dennis Armfield (broken finger), while captain Chris Judd remains in the side. Judd suffered concussion early in Sunday's loss to Essendon and was well off his best form for the rest of the game.

The Hawks recalled veteran onballer Shane Crawford and key defender Trent Croad for Friday night's MCG game against the Eagles, leaving out Travis Tuck and Tim Boyle. Their returns follow last Saturday's loss to North Melbourne, which meant the Hawks slipped from second to third on the ladder.

While the Hawks welcomed back a couple of big names, the Eagles dropped veterans Michael Braun and Chad Fletcher amid five changes. David Wirrpanda (back), Sam Butler (groin) and Brett Jones (knee) are also out of the side.

The Eagles, who suffered a 135-point smashing from Geelong last weekend, brought back Steven Armstrong, Ryan Davis, Jaymie Graham, Jamie McNamara and Brent Staker.

In the range of changes, North Melbourne recalled Sam Power for Ed Lower. The Saints will be without key midfielder Lenny Hayes, who suffered a hamstring injury in last Friday night's win over Fremantle, while they left out Ben McEvoy and Jarryn Geary.

Port Adelaide dropped veterans Michael Wilson and Brendon Lade for Saturday night's game at Marrara Oval in Darwin against the Western Bulldogs amid a whopping seven changes.

Out injured are Travis Boak (groin), Chad Cornes (calf), Peter Burgoyne (hamstring) and Steven Salopek (Achilles), while Matt Thomas is suspended.

The Power recalled Greg Bentley, Fabian Deluca, Nathan Lonie, Paul Stewart, Adam Thomson, Justin Westhoff and Damon White.

The in-form Bulldogs have named Stephen Tiller and Josh Hill for Tom Williams (shoulder) and Callan Ward.

l Players Association denies hair testing reports
The AFL Players Association (AFLPA) has moved to distance itself from reports it has agreed to allow the league's drug testers to take hair samples from players after their off-season breaks.

The Age on Thursday reported that the Association had agreed to the tests, which would apparently give the testers an indication of whether players had used illicit drugs during their holidays.

The reports say this is because hair samples retain evidence of illicit drug use for months following the actual use, unlike blood or urine tests which must be taken soon after.

But in a statement released yesterday, the AFLPA denies the reports and says the negotiations are ongoing – ABC Online

l Jason Winderlich out for the season
Essendon's horror bout with injury continues with midfielder Jason Winderlich ruled out for the rest of the season with a serious back complaint.

The 23-year-old Winderlich will have surgery Monday, to repair a prolapsed disc, an ongoing problem which has troubled him all season. Surgery now was judged as the best option for his long-term future.

l Heath Black and Jeff Farmer dropped to WAFL
Jason Chadwick reports in Fox News that Fremantle's Heath Black and Jeff Farmer will line-up for South Fremantle in the WAFL this weekend.

Farmer missed a recovery session in Melbourne following Friday night's loss to St Kilda and Black failed to attend a training session at a later date.

It has been reported that Farmer was at Melbourne's Showgirls nightclub with teammate Antoni Grover until the early hours of Saturday morning.

l David Hille cleared on spitting allegation
Essendon ruckman David Hille has been cleared by the AFL of spitting at a fan during the Bombers’ win over the Blues in Round 13.

Football operations manager Adrian Anderson stated on that the AFL had looked into a complaint from a fan that Hille had spat at them during the final term of last weekend’s match.

It was found that Hille did spit while in the area of the person who forged a complaint but it wasn’t directed at anyone.

l David Dench jailed on fraud charges
Former North Melbourne premiership player David Dench spent his first night in jail after a County Court jury yesterday found him guilty of fraud and bribery over his part in a multimillion-dollar scam on Victoria University.

The Age reported: After an eight-week trial the 56-year-old Dench was found guilty of nine charges of obtaining property by deception and two of aiding and abetting a secret commission. He faces a maximum of 10 years' jail on each count.

Dench played 275 matches for the Kangaroos between 1969 and 1984 and was a member of their 1975 and 1977 premierships.

l Ricky Nixon to meet GAA about Irish draft network
The AFL webpage reported Wednesday that Flying Start topper Ricky Nixon has flown to Ireland to meet with the Director General of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) Paraic Duffy about the recruitment network which is set to create a draft like system for clubs interested in investing in the Irish experiment. Nixon has said that six clubs have shown interest so far.

Nixon says he is looking forward to the opportunity to discuss the project with the GAA and although he is hopeful that the two can work together, he says his plans will go ahead regardless of whether he gains their blessing.

Stab Kicks ...
n The Bulldogs eventually got into Darwin – not at lunchtime as intended – but late on Thursday afternoon after a seven-hour-plus epic when their direct flight from Melbourne did not have enough room for all their baggage. Sportal reported the aircraft was forced to land in Alice Springs, unload some bags, which meant a one-hour delay, then on to the Top End.

n The "rest" of John (Sam) Newman announced by Channel Nine on May 29 was short-lived. He returned to the AFL Footy Show program on June 26 ...

n Port Adelaide dumped out-of-form veteran Brendon Lade back to the SANFL after 106 consecutive matches which began 2004-R4 ...

uuuu