Thursday, September 4

NAB Rising Star – Ron Evans Medal
Fremantle's Rhys Palmer a worthy winner

Fremantle's 19-year-old young gun Rhys Palmer has been named the 2008 AFL Rising Star at a gala function held at Crown Casino in Melbourne on Wednesday.. He beat out Hawthorn's Cyril Rioli for the Ron Evans Medal which recognises the AFL's best young player.

The Herald Sun reported the young Docker topped the poll with 44 votes, one off the maximum, ahead of Rioli on 37. Richmond's Trent Cotchin was third with 21 votes.

Eight of the nine Rising Star judges gave Palmer the maximum five votes and Rioli four. The only judge to disagree with the order of the top two was AFL operations manager Adrian Anderson who gave Rioli five votes and Palmer four.

Other players to get votes included Blue Matthew Kreuzer (11), Freo's Garrick Ibbotson (7), Eagle Ben McKinley (6) and Magpie Nathan Brown (3).

Palmer is the second Docker to win the award, following Paul Hasleby in 2000.

Taken with the seventh overall selection in the 2007 draft, Palmer played 20 games this year, averaging 13.5 kicks, 5 marks and 9.5 handballs a game.

Final voting –
44 – Rhys Palmer (Fremantle)
37 – Cyril Rioli (Hawthorn)
21 – Trent Cotchin (Richmond)
11 – Matthew Kreuzer (Carlton)
  7 – Garrick Ibbotson (Fremantle)
  6 – Ben McKinley (West Coast)
  3 – Nathan Brown (Collingwood)
  3 – Cale Morton (Melbourne)
  2 – Alipate Carlile (Port Adelaide)
  1 – Austin Wonaeamirri (Melbourne)

The NAB AFL Rising Star was voted by: Andrew Demetriou (chairman), Adrian Anderson, Rod Austin, Gerard Healy, Mark Bickley, Kevin Bartlett, Robert Walls and Kevin Sheehan.

u Full details and history of the AFL-NAB Rising Star award ... more

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l All Australian squad of 40 named
Geelong's magnificent season is set to result in them dominating the All Australian AFL side for the second year running, with the Cats filling a quarter of the 40-man squad.

A record nine Geelong players made the final 22 last year, with the 10 in the running this year including four players who have not been All Australians before – skipper Tom Harley, fellow defenders Andrew Mackie and Corey Enright and second-year midfielder Joel Selwood.

As expected, Gary Ablett, Jimmy Bartel and Joel Corey were all nominated in the midfield, while defenders Matthew Scarlett and Darren Milburn and forward Steve Johnson were also included.

Apart from Geelong, no team has more than four nominees, the number earned by fellow top four sides St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs, with Essendon and Melbourne the only clubs not represented.

Yahoo! Sport reports the final side will comprise six of the 12 forwards named, six of the 12 defenders and six of the 16 midfielders/ruckman, with another four players to be named on the bench to fit team balance as if playing a match.

Squad:

Defenders: Nathan Bock (Ade), Corey Enright (Gee), Sam Fisher (StK), Tom Harley (Gee), Luke Hodge (Haw), Max Hudghton (StK), Luke McPharlin (Fre), Andrew Mackie (Gee), Darren Milburn (Gee), Dale Morris (WB), Daniel Pratt (NM), Matthew Scarlett (Geelong).

Forwards: Jonathan Brown (Bri), Daniel Bradshaw (Bri), Brendan Fevola (Car), Lance Franklin (Haw), Brent Harvey (NM), Steve Johnson (Gee), Paul Medhurst (Col), Daniel Motlop (PA), Robert Murphy (WB), Ryan O'Keefe (Syd), Matthew Pavlich (Fre), Nick Riewoldt (StK).

Midfielders-ruckmen: Gary Ablett (Gee), Jimmy Bartel (Gee), Simon Black (Bri), Adam Cooney (WB), Joel Corey (Gee), Dean Cox (WC), Daniel Cross (WB), Brett Deledio (Rch), Lenny Hayes (StK), Chris Judd (Car), Brett Kirk (Syd), Sam Mitchell (Haw), Drew Petrie (NM), Matthew Richardson (Rch), Aaron Sandilands (Fre), Joel Selwood (Gee).

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Stab Kicks ...
n Longtime Port Adelaide match committee member Phil Walsh, once the most influential figure in the Power coaches box has resigned, and joins president Greg Boulton, chief executive John James, media manager Hitaf Rasheed, finance manager David Bartlett and commercial operations manager Steve Olech as senior figures to have left Alberton this year – The Age

n There's always another story ...

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l Footy Works updates – available
Round 21 updates are the most recent – posted on August 29th
Please direct software questions to Sorensen Technologies

The ultimate fan site
where passionate supporters gather!

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

Wednesday, September 3

MRP, Tribunal – Round 22
Tribunal clears Charman of striking charge
Carlton's Nick Stevens out for one game

Brisbane ruckman Jamie Charman was cleared of a striking charge at the AFL Tribunal on Tuesday night, freeing him to play in the Lions' opening game of next season.

Charman was charged over contact made with his left forearm to the back of Sydney co-captain Brett Kirk, which caused the Swans midfielder to fall to the ground during the second quarter of Saturday night's match at the SCG.

But Lions football operations manager Marcus Ashcroft, speaking on behalf of Charman, successfully argued that the hit was not of sufficient force to constitute a strike.

He will now be able to play in the Lions' first game under newly appointed coach Michael Voss in 2009.

Charman's escape means the only suspension stemming from the final round of the home and away season was a one-game penalty for Carlton's Nick Stevens.

Stevens will miss the Blues' 2009 season-opener, after pleading guilty to striking Hawthorn's Rick Ladson during Saturday night's game at Docklands.

Wider detail of Round 22 charges in our Mid-Morning Edition.

CARLTON v HAWTHORN
l Nick Stevens (Car) was charged with a Level Three striking offence against Rick Ladson (Haw) in Q2.
In summary, he can accept a one-match sanction with an early plea.
The incident was assessed as intentional conduct (three points), low impact (one point) and high contact (two points). This is a total of six activation points, resulting in a classification of a Level Three offence, drawing 225 demerit points and a two-match sanction. He has no existing good or bad record. An early plea reduces the penalty by 10 per cent to 168.75 points and a one-match sanction.
Stevens accepted guilt and the MRP penalty of a one match suspension.
l Chance Bateman (Haw) was charged with a first offence for wrestling Nick Stevens (Car) in Q2.
In summary, he can accept a $900 sanction with an early plea.
A first offence for wrestling is a $1200 sanction. An early plea reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to a $900 sanction.
Bateman accepted guilt and the MRP penalty of a $900 fine.
l Nick Stevens (Car) was charged with a first offence for wrestling Chance Bateman (Haw) in Q2.
In summary, he can accept a $900 sanction with an early plea.
A first offence for wrestling is a $1200 sanction. An early plea reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to a $900 sanction.
Stevens accepted guilt and the MRP penalty of a $900 fine.

SYDNEY v BRISBANE
l Jamie Charman (Bri) charged with a Level Two striking offence against Brett Kirk (Syd) in Q2.
In summary, his previous poor record means that his one-match sanction cannot be reduced, even with an early plea.
The incident was assessed as intentional conduct (three points), low impact (one point) and body contact (one point). This is a total of five activation points, resulting in a classification of a Level Two offence, drawing 125 demerit points and a one-match sanction. He has an existing bad record of one match suspended within the last three years, increasing the penalty by 10 per cent to 137.50 points. An early plea reduces the sanction by 25 per cent to 103.13 points and a one-match sanction.
Brisbane sought the adjudication of the Tribunal which sat to consider the charge on Tuesday night. Brisbane football operations manager Marcus Ashcroft, successfully argued that the hit was not of sufficient force to constitute a strike.
The Tribunal struck out the charge.
l Jude Bolton (Syd) was charged with a Level One engaging in rough conduct offence against Albert Proud (Bri) in Q4.
In summary, his previous five-year good record means that he can accept a reprimand and 70.31 points towards his future record with an early plea.
The incident was assessed as negligent conduct (one point), low impact (one point) and high contact (two points). This is a total of four activation points, resulting in a classification of a Level One offence, drawing 125 demerit points and a one-match sanction. He has an existing five-year good record, reducing the penalty by 25 per cent to 93.75 points and a reprimand. An early plea reduces the sanction by 25 per cent to a reprimand and 70.31 points towards his future record.
Bolton admitted guilt and accepted the MRP penalty of a reprimand.

MELBOURNE v RICHMOND
l Mitch Morton (Rch) was charged with a first offence for wrestling Brad Miller (Mel) in Q2.
In summary, he can accept a $900 sanction with an early plea.
A first offence for wrestling is a $1200 sanction. An early plea reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to a $900 sanction.
Morton accepted guilt and the MRP penalty of a $900 fine.
l Brad Miller (Mel) has been charged with a second offence for wrestling Mitch Morton (Rch) in Q2.
In summary, he can accept an $1800 sanction with an early plea.
A second offence for wrestling is a $2400 sanction. An early plea reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to a $1800 sanction.
Miller accepted guilt and the MRP penalty of an $1800 fine.

Other Incidents Assessed:
l The match day report against Matthew Stokes (Gee) for striking Chad Fletcher (WCE) was assessed. It was the view of the panel that Stokes had his eyes on the ball for the entire time in the lead-up to the contact. His action was deemed a legitimate attempt to spoil. No further action was taken.
l The match day report against the Brian Lake (WB) for striking Scott Stevens (Ade) was assessed. Lake's right arm came into contact with Stevens' left shoulder, before slipping up to make high contact with the Adelaide player. Lake's movement was not a striking action and the high contact was deemed to be accidental. No further action was required.
l Contact between Barry Hall (Syd) and Daniel Merrett (Bri) in Q1. The impact was below that required to constitute a reportable offence. No further action was taken.
l Contact between Amon Buchanan (Syd) and Michael Rischitelli (Bri) in Q3. Buchanan ran into the contest with his eyes on the ball. At the last moment, he turned to see Rischitelli approaching from the other direction. At that stage, he realised contact was unavoidable and Buchanan jumped into the air and raised his arms to protect himself and to try and influence the contest. The action was not considered reportable and no further action was taken.
l Contact between Barry Hall (Syd) and Daniel Merrett (Bri) in Q3. Hall made contact to Merrett's arm and slight contact to the body. The impact was below that required to constitute a reportable offence. No further action was taken.

l Brisbane appoint Michael Voss as coach
The Brisbane Lions on Tuesday appointed triple premiership winning captain Michael Voss as the AFL club's new senior coach.

Voss met with Lions officials yesterday after Leigh Matthews confirmed he would be resigning his post after a 10-year tenure which was, of course, highlighted by the clubs premiership three-peat from 2001-2004.

Don Koch reports in The Australian: The 33-year-old Voss, who has signed a three-year deal, will begin with the Lions, after completing his current job as a match commentator with the Ten Network for the upcoming finals series.

A board meeting on Monday evening ratified Voss as the clubs unanimous selection to replace Matthews at the helm of the club.

The news comes as a disappointment for the rebuilding West Coast Eagles, who had secured Voss services as an assistant to John Worsfold for the next two years after he had rejected overtures from Essendon, Carlton and the new GC17 (Gold Coast) franchise.

Voss' appointment will be the start of a significant overhaul of the Lions football department, with the club likely to search for at least one new assistant to help groom the former Brownlow medallist in his formative coaching years.

The Lions highly-respected and long serving football manager Graeme Allan will assume a far broader role and there has been speculation the club may even look at appointing a director of football to assist Voss.

However, one thing that does appear certain is star forward Jonathan Brown's ascension into the role as the clubs sole leader in 2009.

The gun centre-half forward, who is in contention to secure All-Australian selection for the second year in succession, agreed to terms with the Lions over the weekend after a protracted contract negotiation process.

Along with the new four-year deal, reportedly worth around $3.5million, Brown will assume the captaincy of the club next year a role he has shared with several team-mates for the past two seasons.

l Jeff Farmer retires
Fremantle forward Jeff Farmer announced his retirement on Tuesday after holding discussions with coach Mark Harvey and football operations manager Chris Bond, where it was decided it was in the club's best interest to part ways.

Farmer, an All-Australian in 2000, played 249 League games and booted 483 goals during his decorated career, which started with Melbourne in 1995.

The 31-year-old moved to the Dockers at the end of 2001 but his career in the west has been tainted by numerous on and off-field controversies.

l Nathan Ablett quits footy
Reluctant Geelong forward Nathan Ablett is over, with the 2007 premiership player quitting football to pursue a career in the building industry.

Ablett, the youngest son of Geelong legend Gary Ablett senior, was considering a return to football after resuming training with the club's VFL side in early July.

The Geelong club explained an ankle injury sustained playing basketball thwarted his attempt at a comeback and he told the team's leadership group a fortnight ago that he was not interested in adding to his 32 game career.

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Stab Kicks ...
n Added today are the *Stats and Facts* that Bruce Kennedy has found, which surround the Elimination and Qualifying Finals – the link is at the top of today's issue.

n To all those who cheered him so wildly on Sunday night as he neared a century of goals. Page 7 of Tuesday's print edition of Melbourne's Herald Sun against a photograph carried the text ...
Blues star Brendan Fevola shocked patrons at a city bar after parading in a nightie with a sex toy protruding from his pants during Mad Monday celebrations yesterday ... even the Victorian Premier John Brumby lashed out at the drunken disgrace.
The Herald Sun reported Wednesday: The AFL had no comment last night but police have not ruled out laying a charge of offensive behaviour against Fevola.

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Tuesday, September 2

Dramatic days for Brisbane Lions
Leigh Matthews walks – with a year left to go
Jonathan Brown remains a Lion with new deal
Lions seek out Michael Voss as likely coach

AFL legend Leigh Matthews' shock resignation on Monday has set the scene for the Brisbane Lions to usher home favourite son Michael Voss.

Yahoo! Sport reports that within hours of Matthews stunning the football world by stepping down with one year to run on his coaching contract, his triple premiership-winning skipper emerged the strong favourite to succeed him in charge at the Gabba.

Voss, contracted to West Coast as an assistant coach under John Worsfold in 2009-10, will be interviewed by the Lions in the coming days after being granted permission by the Eagles to speak with his former club.

The 1996 Brownlow medallist refused to comment about his coaching aspirations, preferring to highlight the "enormous" contribution Matthews made to the Lions and football in Queensland.

"That's where the focus should be, it's not about Michael Voss today, it's about the contribution that Leigh Matthews actually made to the football club," Voss told current employer Channel 10.

Less than 24 hours after Matthews revealed to Lions chairman Tony Kelly he wouldn't see out the last year of his contract, the club privately sounded out Voss.

The club's board met on Monday night to discuss options and set in track their process for an appointment well before players return from their post-season holiday in late October.

Neither Brisbane officials nor Matthews would comment about the likelihood of a Voss return but it would be a perfect fit for the one-city club in the highly-competitive Brisbane football market.

Other former Lions being touted as potential successors to Matthews are current Brisbane assistants Craig Lambert and Justin Leppitsch.

Matthews said the timing was right for himself to resign after 10 straight years, ending with a disappointing 10th-placed finish following just two victories in the last nine rounds of the season.

Jonathan Brown had no idea that friend, mentor and coach Leigh Matthews would quit his Brisbane post, but denied it would have changed his mind to become a Lion for life.

The major silver lining on a momentous day for Brisbane was spearhead Brown's decision to re-sign with the club that helped him become a triple premiership player before he turned 22.

The power forward revealed he agreed to terms on Saturday to a new multi-season deal, just a day before Matthews told the Lions he was cutting short his 10-year tenure.

Although disappointed Matthews won't finish the last year of his three-year contract, Brown denied he was fazed at being given no indication of the stunning resignation.

Match Review Panel – Round 22
l Players in finals get good news from MRP
The Match Review Panel had good news on Monday for several AFL finalists, with no players in action this weekend facing suspension.

The Age reports the MRP charged Sydney onballer Jude Bolton with rough conduct against Brisbane's Albert Proud, but he can accept a reprimand with an early plea.

Striking charges against Western Bulldogs key defender Brian Lake and speedy Geelong forward Mathew Stokes were overturned.

The report against Lake was particularly important as the Bulldogs defence prepares to take on goal-kicking centurion Lance Franklin and Jarryd Roughead in Friday night's qualifying final against Hawthorn.

Apart from Bolton, the panel also decided to take no action against Swans team-mates Barry Hall and Amon Buchanan after they make contact with opponents during Saturday night's win over the Lions.

Brisbane ruckman Jamie Charman faces a one-game ban at the start of next season for striking Sydney captain Brett Kirk. Charman's poor record means that he receives the suspension even if he accepts an early plea.

Carlton vice-captain Nick Stevens was also charged with striking Hawthorn utility Rick Ladson on Saturday night. He faces a two-match ban, but can reduce it to one with an early plea.

Hawks midfielder Chance Bateman and Stevens were fined $1200 apiece for wrestling each other, although that will drop to $900 if they accept the penalty.

Melbourne forward Brad Miller and Richmond's Mitch Morton were also penalised for their wrestling incident. Miller is up for $2400 because it is his second offence, although that will drop to $1800 with the early plea.

Morton can take the $900 punishment.

l Grand final presenters named
The League on Monday announced the four-time premiership coach Ron Barassi will present the Jock McHale Medal to the winning coach of the Grand Final on September 27, while 1990 premiership captain of Collingwood, Tony Shaw, will present the Norm Smith Medal to the player judged best afield.

Former North Melbourne champion Glenn Archer will be the Premiership Cup Ambassador.

Stars of the successful musical production WIcked, now playing to packed houses at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne – Amanda Harrison and Lucy Durak – will sing the national anthem prior to the Grand Final.

l Worthy of your attention ...
Stephen Rielly has a great piece on Leigh Matthews today in The Australian – more ...

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Stab Kicks ...

n Tomorrow in the Diary – Bruce Kennedy delivers the *Stats and Facts* covering the Elimination and Qualifying finals on the weekend – while Michael Rogers starts a series which will provide a unique compilation of club-by-club stats analysis for each of the 16 teams.

n Brisbane's Simon Black has won the ABC Footballer of the Year award. He polled 24 votes, ahead of Gary Ablett (Gee) on 21, with three on 19 votes – Lance Franklin (Haw), Matthew Richardson (Rch) and Brent Harvey (NM).

n Bruce Kennedy notes: Carlton's Brendan Fevola is the only player to have finished a season on 99, one short of three figures. The closest prior to this season is 98, the most recent to have stopped on that total is John Longmire (NM) in 1990.

n Crowds for Round 22 totalled 272,885 – a total of 6,511,255 for 176-game premiership minor round.

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Monday, September 1

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

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Stab Kicks ...
n It's true, you should only use a "good idea" once – which is why, I suppose, *Septopia* has been shelved for this season – perhaps, for another day?

n Hawthorn's Lance Franklin now has 102.84 and is within 10 behinds of that kicked by South Melbourne's Bob Pratt who in 1934 booted the record 150 goals 94 behinds – which followed Pratt's 109.93 in 1933.

n St Kilda beat Essendon by 108 points on Sunday night at Docklands – it's the fourth 100+ point victory the Saints have posted at the venue in the past five seasons.

n St Kilda's Stephen Milne kicked seven goals at Docklands for the second time this year – his best at the Dome is the memorable 11-straight in 2005.

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Sunday, August 31

Port hammer North; Cats demolish Eagles
Adelaide nearly lock up 4th spot; Dogs fail again
Hawks too good for Blues; Franklin gets his 100
Sydney get a new life with solid win over Lions
Richmond humiliate Melbourne
Slick Saints rip 4th place off the Crows
Record 6,511,265 attend 176 games of minor round

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

l Josh Carr hopeful for a return to Port
Fremantle midfielder Josh Carr has advised the club that he wishes to be traded back to Port Adelaide in the off-season.

Sportal reports the 28-year-old told coach Mark Harvey and General Manager of Football Operations Chris Bond of his decision on Saturday.

Bond and the club was disappointed by Carr's decision, saying that he was a member of the leadership group and was a required player and a key element of Fremantle's plans for 2009.

"The club made a significant investment four years ago to bring Josh back to Perth, so obviously we are disappointed," Bond said.

But Port Adelaide coach Mark Williams has played down the prospect of a second stint at Alberton for Carr.

"He's been a wonderful player for us and went back for family reasons to Perth, but he's 28 now and ... I really doubt that he's in our age group to be a viable option," Williams said after Port's victory over the Kangaroos.

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Saturday, August 30

Round 22
Dockers blow away Pies' chance to top four

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

Fremantle 12.8-80
Collingwood 8.8-56

With a double finals chance to the top four on the line, Collingwood went back to their bad old ways, surrendering meekly to Fremantle by 24 points on Friday night at Subiaco Oval in front of 35,106 fans.

Yahoo! Sport identified that if the 24-point loss wasn't a worry for Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse, the nature of it certainly should be.

The Pies were devoid of passion throughout the night and if it wasn't for the first-half heroics of Leon Davis, the 14-point deficit at the long break would have been even greater.

Time and again Collingwood butchered the ball while their finishing in front of goal was nothing short of painful, although the Dockers weren't completely innocent either.

After the Pies conceded five straight goals to end the first quarter, Davis sparked the visitors into life in the second term with a contender for goal of the year.

After putting two tackles on Des Headland, Davis scooped up the ball one-handed, did a 360-degree spin to shake off Andrew Browne's tackle and then kicked truly from 48m out tucked on the boundary line.

That goal, along with superb marks from Luke McPharlin and Roger Hayden, were rare highlights in a scrappy and at times comical first half.

Hopes of a more skilful second half were dashed within three minutes when Rhys Shaw, John McCarthy and Davis all sent balls out on the full.

Travis Cloke's goal in the dying stages of the third quarter closed the margin to 19 points at the final break.

But the game was effectively over seven minutes into the final term following a trademark Farmer goal from the boundary line and Adam Campbell's first goal of the match, which stretched the lead to 31 points.

For the Pies, there was no way back as Fremantle convincingly posted their sixth win of the year.

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Friday, August 29

Round 22 selections
Prestigiacomo back for Collingwood
Crows regain Porplyzia, Tippet and Vince
Hawks rest Crawford

Veteran Collingwood defender Simon Prestigiacomo will play his first AFL game in more than a year as one of four changes for tonight's clash with Fremantle.

Yahoo! Sport reports: The 30-year-old last played at the top level in round 19 last season, before being sidelined by a nagging foot injury and twice undergoing surgery.

He has since played six games for Collingwood's VFL side to regain match fitness ahead of what will be his 194th AFL game, at Subiaco.

He adds a vital dose of experience to a Collingwood backline missing Shane Wakelin due to a groin injury.

Also back in the side is midfielder Rhyce Shaw, for the first time since his two-match club-imposed suspension, after he was overlooked for last weekend's clash with Sydney.

Nathan Brown, back from a week out with soreness, and Danny Stanley were the other inclusions.

But, as expected, skipper Scott Burns was forced out with a calf injury, while Dale Thomas (calf) will again miss and Sharrod Wellingham (groin) and Alan Toovey (foot) are also out injured.

The Dockers made two changes, Clayton Hinkley and Andrew Browne replacing Steven Dodd and Brett Peake.

The Western Bulldogs surprised by naming 18-year-old Queensland midfielder Sam Reid for his AFL debut for Saturday's Football Park clash with Adelaide.

Classy defender Lindsay Gilbee returned to the side, with youngster Callan Ward and backman Andrejs Everitt making way.

The Crows made three changes, welcoming back forward Jason Porplyzia, who had been out with brain bruising for the past three games.

The talented goalkicker returned despite dislocating his shoulder again at training on Wednesday, in what has become a constant occurrence.

Fellow forward Kurt Tippett and midfielder Bernie Vince also returned, with Brent Reilly, Brad Moran and Patrick Dangerfield the players to make way.

Hawthorn will rest veteran Shane Crawford, who has played just 11 games this season as he battles knee soreness, for Saturday night's clash with Carlton at Docklands.

The Hawks also left out ruckman Simon Taylor (general soreness), but fellow big man Robert Campbell returned from injury to replace him, while star Luke Hodge is back from suspension.

The Blues were unchanged.

Sydney left out superstar Adam Goodes, who has been struggling with a groin injury, for Saturday night's meeting with Brisbane at the SCG.

Youngster Adam Veszpremi was dropped, with Luke Ablett and Nick Malceski the inclusions.

The Lions made six changes after last weekend's fadeout loss to Carlton, with Ashley McGrath (quad) and Matthew Moody (groin) out injured, but Travis Johnstone, Robert Copeland, Rhan Hooper and James Hawksley all dropped.

North Melbourne regained forwards Matt Campbell and Aaron Edwards for their match against Port Adelaide at the MCG on Saturday, with Jess Sinclair and Scott Thompson the players omitted.

The Power's only change was the inclusion of Robbie Gray at the expense of Troy Chaplin (knee).

Speedy Geelong forward Mathew Stokes is back from a groin injury, while Ryan Gamble was recalled for the top-placed Cats' encounter with West Coast at Kardinia Park on Saturday.

Shannon Byrnes was dropped, while Max Rooke is serving a one-game suspension.

The Eagles included Mark LeCras and Will Schofield, in place of the retired Michael Braun and youngster Tony Notte.

Melbourne included Jack Grimes in their squad for what will be his AFL debut, when the Demons farewell Jeff White and Adem Yze against Richmond at the MCG on Sunday.

The Tigers recalled veteran Greg Tivendale for a farewell game, and named Alex Rance on an extended bench for what would be his debut.

Essendon have lost Adam McPhee (ankle) and Andrew Welsh (hamstring) for Sunday's clash with St Kilda at Docklands, with the Saints yet to make any cuts from their squad.

l Pie players nominate Didak for AFLPA MVP award
Despite his much-publicised off-field misdemeanour early this month, Alan Didak has been chosen by his Collingwood teammates for the AFL Players Association most valuable player award. Presently under a club-imposed suspension, he finds himself one of three Magpie contenders for one of the game's most respected awards.

Forward Paul Medhurst has also been nominated, demonstrating he has well and truly earned the respect of his fellow Magpies after crossing from Fremantle last year.

Geelong have overlooked reigning Brownlow medallist Jimmy Bartel and the game's undisputed premier fullback Matthew Scarlett.

Gary Ablett, Joel Corey and second year player Joel Selwood were favoured for the Cats' three nominations.

Among the chances to vie for the award with Ablett are Hawthorn forward Lance Franklin, Bulldogs midfielder Adam Cooney and North Melbourne's Brent Harvey.

Sydney captain Brett Kirk was his side's nominee for the Robert Rose award for the most courageous player.

He will battle it out with others including Brisbane captain Jonathan Brown, Hawthorn's Luke Hodge and Richmond's Matthew Richardson.

Fremantle's Rhys Palmer, Richmond's Trent Cotchin, Carlton's Matthew Kreuzer, Geelong's Harry Taylor and Hawthorn's Cyril Rioli are among the nominees for the best first year player award – Yahoo! Sport

l Tougher drug tests to be trialled; three-strikes stay
The AFL is introducing a trial of hair tests and tougher sanctions as part of changes to its illicit drug policy.

ABC Sport reported the League is sticking with its three-strike policy after the number of failed drug tests dropped from 4 per cent in 2005 to 1.2 per cent last year. Under the changes, players will be subjected to hair tests over the holiday period.

There will also be an increase in the sanctions which will see players suspended for 18 matches after a third strike. That is up from 12 matches under the previous policy. There will also be more tests ensuring that all 1,500 players are examined.

Club medial officers will be notified of all positive tests.

The AFL will keep the three-strikes component of its policy, pointing to a reduced percentage of players who tested positive last year as proof the policy works.

Fourteen AFL players failed recreational drug tests in 2007, with three of those testing positive for the second time.

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Stab Kicks ...
n Updated file added – Leading Goalkickers, since 1897 ...

n Greg Tivendale will play his last game for Richmond against Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday. He's struggled for opportunities this year, spending most of the time in the VFL – playing only two senior games. He leaves Punt Road as the fifth most experienced Tiger with his current tally of 187 games (and 19 pre-season) behind only Joel Bowden, Matthew Richardson, Nathan Brown and Kane Johnson. Tivendale was a key member of Richmond's last finals campaign in 2001 and enjoyed his best season in 2003 when he finished third in the Jack Dyer Medal award.

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How the Final Eight works