SEPTEMBER 2000

First flag for Central District
SEPTEMBER 2000 – The SANFL Bulldogs gained their first premiership success when they defeated Woodville-West Torrens before a crowd of 34,819 at Football Park on Sunday (10th). Centrals who entered the SANFL in 1964 won by 22pts, 8.13-61 to 5.9-39.

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Stab Kicks ...

Trade moves
As of Monday night (11th) the official moves in trading were — SHAUN REHN (Ade) to Hawthorn ... KENT KINGSLEY (Kan) to Geelong ... PAUL WILLIAMS (Col) to Sydney ... EVAN HEWITT (Kan) to Adelaide ...
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St Kilda sign Hamill and Capuano
Media reports via Southern Cross Radio News on Tuesday afternoon (12th) reported St Kilda had signed Carlton's AARON HAMILL and the Kangaroos' ruckman MATTHEW CAPUANO. The deal for Hamill was in exchange for the #4 draft pick and youngster SAM CRANAGE. CAPUANO, the Roo premiership ruckman is a swap for midfielder JOE McLAREN who heads to Arden Street. The Saints have also taken STEVEN LAWRENCE from Brisbane in exchange for a third round selection—Steven is son of former Saint captain Barry Lawrence who played 126 games (1969-76).

In other moves, the Kangaroos have obtained Fremantle's JESS SINCLAIR and drafts picks 6 & 8 in exchange for Roo best & fairest winner PETER BELL ... Richmond's MARK MERENDA has been taken by West Coast in exchange for draft pick 40 ... Hawthorn's RICHARD TAYLOR and MICHAEL COLLICA have been traded to West Coast ... MITCHELL WHITE (WCE) will become a Geelong player ...
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Mal Michael to Brisbane Lions
Collingwood's MAL MICHAEL will return home to Queensland with the Brisbane Lions in exchange for JARROD MOLLOY who shifts to Victoria Park ... also moving to the Magpies is Geelong's CARL STEINFORT in exchange for a draft pick ... RICKY OLARENSHAW will move again, this time back to the Kangaroos where he played in the 1992 Reserves premiership under Denis Pagan.
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Stone to front Tribunal on drug test
NICK STONE (West Coast) who was delivered an infraction notice on August 30 after testing positive for substances amphetamine and methamphetamine is scheduled to appear before the AFL Tribunal on October 4.
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Paul Williams to Sydney; Fraser Gehrig to St Kilda
In exchange for two draft picks, Collingwood's 190-game veteran PAUL WILLIAMS was traded to Sydney ... St Kilda concluded the deal for FRASER GEHRIG on Monday (11th) — West Coast will exchange Gehrig for DAVID SIERAKOWSKI and draft pick #18 — Gehrig will play for the Saints on a four-year deal reportedly worth $2 million ... NICK DAFFY will stay with Richmond after being touted as being axed — BEN HARRISON instead will be sacrificed and heads to the Bulldogs (his third club) in exchange for a draft pick ... JUSTIN MURPHY will head for his third AFL club after Carlton traded him to Geelong ... the Saints traded DARRYL WAKELIN to Port Adelaide in exchange for what will result in St Kilda having three picks of the first four picks at the October 29 draft.
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Round 22 ump votes clinched Brownlow
MIKE SHEAHAN noted in the Herald Sun, Melbourne's SHANE WOEWODIN won the Brownlow by two votes from SCOTT WEST of the Bulldogs. Woewodin's two votes came in the final round which broke the deadlock when both were on 22 votes. In the count for the Melbourne club best & fairest, the Demon voting panel of coach NEALE DANIHER and his assistants BRIAN ROYAL, CHRIS FAGAN and TODD VINEY and JIM STYNES voting as a pair in the 22nd round win against the Eagles in Perth cast their votes as — ADEM YZE with 36, JEFF WHITE and DANIEL WARD each with 30, STEPHEN POWELL 23, GUY RIGONI 15, CAMERON BRUCE 14 and DAVID NEITZ 7. Umpires of the day voted for the Brownlow, Yze three, Woewodin two, Powell one.
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Buckley's fifth Copeland
NATHAN BUCKLEY won his fifth Copeland Trophy with Collingwood this year — a record which he now shares with Magpie great LEN THOMPSON.
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Hawks to play Crows at York Park
Hawthorn will play a home game at Launceston's redeveloped York Park next season. GREG DENHAM reported in The Age, probably against Adelaide in the April meeting in round six. The match has been underwritten by the Tasmanian Government which should net the Hawks about $350,000. Hawthorn has agreed to play one home game in Launceston for the next three years. The $6.4 million upgrade of York Park is AFL specifications — the oval is several metres longer than the MCG and only two metres shorter on the wings.
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Heuskes and Burgoyne ordered to answer charges
ADAM HEUSKES who played with Sydney, Port Adelaide and Brisbane and Port Adelaide player PETER BURGOYNE on September 7 were represented by lawyers at Adelaide Magistrates Court when facing charges of rape and indecent assault to an alleged incident in Adelaide in the early hours of August 17. The men were ordered to answer the charges on November 17.

Stab Kicks ...

Changes at St Kilda
The appointment of MALCOLM BLIGHT as coach of St Kilda resulted in assistant coaches KEVIN MORRIS, ANDY COLLINS and PETER BANFIELD being told their "services were no longer required."
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Olympics return to MCG
After an absence of 44 years, the MCG welcomed back the Olympic Games on Wednesday September 13 when the Australia-Italy soccer game was staged to a crowd of 93,252. Matches that evening were also played at the Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide, the Brisbane Cricket Ground and Canberra's Bruce Stadium.
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Nick Stone among delistings by Eagles
NICK STONE who is due to face the AFL Tribunal on October 4 on recreational drug charges was delisted by West Coast, together with BRANDON HILL, MICHAEL O'BRIEN and TODD HOLMES ... Fremantle cut five players from their list – MARK GALE, TRENT CARROLL, GARTH TAYLOR, MATTHEW CLUCAS and PAUL MAHER ... Port Adelaide have delisted five players – STEVE BROSNAN, PAUL EVANS, DANNY MORTON, DONALD DICKIE and STEPHEN DANIELS ...
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Homebush not ready for AFL until 2002
The Olympic Stadium at Homebush will not be ready for AFL football until at least 2002. Works costing $50 million following the XXVII Olympiad will reduce capacity from 110,00 to about 80,000. The stadium's managers notified the Australian Stock Exchange on September 13 they were in dispute with the AFL over the $5 million agreement to stage matches at the venue.
The AFL draw for 2001 has programmed 14 matches at the SCG.
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SACA consider challenge
The South Australian Cricket Association is considering a challenge through the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission on being denied the opportunity to have AFL matches played at Adelaide Oval.
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AIS draft camp starts September 20
The country's elite youngsters will enter the AFL draft camp at the Australian Institute of Sport on September 20. From the 16 clubs, 95 representatives are expected to watch the process when 109 hopefuls will be assessed on their athletic potential, personalities and character. The League have precluded player agents from attending the camp.
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Blues get Internet rights for games – to members
An out-of-court settlement on September 12 gave Carlton the right to show its matches on the Internet, but only to club members where the games are not shown live on free-to-air or pay TV.

Last March, Carlton in a Supreme Court writ claimed damages for trespass and breach of contract over the presence of Channel Seven cameras at Carlton on Labor Day March 13 this year when the Blues played Brisbane. Carlton accepted a $7500 payout from Channel Seven for trespass and there was no adverse finding against the station. Legal costs were understood to have reached $500,000.
Carlton has agreed to provide unrestricted access to the ground for all media approved by the AFL.

Stab Kicks ...

Record crowd at Homebush is 112,524
A record crowd for the Olympic Stadium at Homebush was established on Monday, September 25 when 112,524 were in attendance to see CATHY FREEMAN win the women's 400m final. Her feat recorded Australia's 100th gold medal in the modern Olympics.
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Kangas strike deal with Docklands
Of their 11 'home' matches next season, the Kangaroos will play five at Colonial Stadium. The management of the Docklands venue struck a deal with the Kangas who reportedly will reap $50,000 per game in advertising money. The remaining "home" games by the Kangas will see two in Sydney and two in Canberra.
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Jarman to go round again
DARREN JARMAN will play one more season, adding to his 210 League games since 1991 with the Crows and Hawthorn. The 33-year-old has signed a one-year contract ... TYSON EDWARDS and ANDREW ECCLES have also been re-signed by Adelaide ... WINSTON ABRAHAM who had sought to be traded back to Fremantle has decided to serve the remaining year of his contract with the Kangaroos ...
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Jonas to assist Blight
PETER JONAS a member of the staff who coached Central District to their first SANFL premiership will be assistant coach to MALCOLM BLIGHT at St Kilda. Though breaking through the 37-year drought and contracted to the SANFL Bulldogs for another year, Centrals will not stand in his way. Jonas was the Adelaide runner in Blight's 1997 premiership year. He played 82 games for North Melbourne in eight injury-plagued seasons (1981, 1983-88), twice breaking his leg.
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Coaching changes
GARRY LYON and TODD VINEY will not be part of the Melbourne's coaching panel next season ... retired Lion CRAIG LAMBERT will become an assistant coach at Brisbane, joining GARY O'DONNELL and SCOTT McIVOR under LEIGH MATTHEWS.
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Dogs to stay with the Bees
The Western Bulldogs ties with the VFL next season will align with only the Werribee club – Williamstown has been dumped by the Dogs ...
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McFooty is no more
After seven years "McFooty" is no more. In 1993, Footystats Diary recorded — "Saturday-Sunday, September 4-5 – The food-chain logo of McDonald's Family Restaurants – a golden 'M' – found its place in football, on the Tom Sherrin balls ..."
The "M" was bounced in the 1993 finals series and has been an AFL feature since then.

The Big M will no longer appear on AFL match balls as McDonald's maintains its sponsorship focus on "junior development, and grassroots sporting, cultural and environmental programs".

McDonald's have also concluded a similar arrangement with the NRL.
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Voss and Fletcher withdraw from Ireland squad
The International Rules squad to play two Tests in Ireland in October suffered its second withdrawal. Brisbane captain MICHAEL VOSS withdrew following the birth of twins to his wife Donna. Essendon's DUSTIN FLETCHER has also withdrawn for personal reasons. Replacements named are – LUKE POWER (Bri), BLAKE CARACELLA (Ess) and JUSTIN BLUMFIELD (Ess). The squad will freshen-up on the rule changes to the round-ball at a four-day camp to be conducted at Colonial Stadium on September 30. The Australian team, together with coach DERMOTT BRERETON and All-Australian umpire BRETT ALLEN leave for Ireland on October 4. Two Tests will be played against Ireland at Croke Park in Dublin on October 8 and 15.
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Magpies: Only four remain from 1997
Collingwood's website reveals how far the clean-out of players has extended over the past two seasons — only four players from their 1997 squad remain — Captain NATHAN BUCKLEY, defenders SCOTT BURNS and MARK RICHARDSON and forward ANTHONY ROCCA.

Last year 13 players were dumped, this year another 15 will depart.
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McKenna will assist Judge
The retired West Coast veteran GUY McKENNA will remain with the Eagles as an assistant coach to KEN JUDGE in 2001. McKenna had been sought by both Melbourne and the Kangaroos in a support role, but the loyalty factor proved too strong for him.
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St Kilda: Harvey replaces Burke; Don Hanley exits
Continuing the extensive changes at Moorabbin, ROBERT HARVEY will captain St Kilda next season. The dual Brownlow Medalist replaces NATHAN BURKE who led the Saints for the past five years. The 30-year-old Burke will play out the final two years of his contract.

St Kilda chief executive DON HANLY announced his departure on Monday (2nd) after six years in the post.
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Carlton re-sign Porter; Bradley undecided
The Blues are understood to have re-signed promising ruckman MARK PORTER for a further two years. CRAIG BRADLEY will make his decision to play on when he returns from the International Rules series in Ireland. Bradley who turns 37 on October 23 has played 333 games and is the second-longest serving to BRUCE DOULL's 356 matches.
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Rape charges dropped
South Australia's Director of Public Prosecutions dropped rape charges against a former AFL footballer and a current player. It was determined there was no reasonable prospect of conviction on any criminal charge.
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Fitzroy-Coburg link in doubt
The future of the Coburg-Fitzroy Lions looks bleak. Hopes have faded that the financially-strapped club could strike a deal with the Kangaroos. Without a deal, the Coburg-Fitzroy Lions' assets would be liquidated and the club's licence to play in the Victorian Football League competition rescinded.
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Farmer dumped from Ireland squad
Melbourne's JEFF FARMER failed to attend training sessions for the All-Australian squad and was axed from the team to play Ireland in Dublin. Essendon's CHRIS HEFFERNAN was named as the replacement. Farmer was known to be in Western Australia but could not be contacted.
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Cats back in the black
GEELONG have pulled themselves back from the brink of disaster and are expected to announce a profit of almost $100,000 at their AGM in December. Only 10 months ago, Geelong posted a loss of $1.1 million, owed Westpac $5.5 million and other creditors $2 million.

Through a combination of increased membership (21,000 to 26,000), new sponsors, fund raising, on-field success and shrewd management by chief executive BRIAN COOK has resulted in the spectacular improvement. The "Stand Up and Fight" fundraising unit alone brought in $350,000 through a series of money-making schemes.
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Byron Pickett pleads guilty to drunk-driving
Kangaroo player BYRON PICKETT pleaded guilty to speeding and drink-driving charges in Kalgoorlie Magistrates Court on September 26. He was fined $1000 and his licence suspended for six months. Last November, Pickett was disqualified from driving in Victoria for 10 months following an accident in Melbourne.

OCTOBER 2000

Australia open in style
Less than 24 hours following their arrival in Dublin, the All-Australian’s squad played a trial on  Thursday afternoon (October 5th) at Parnell Park against a combined Dublin side.

A third-quarter blitz enabled the Aussies to record a comfortable win. ROHAN CONNOLLY noted for The Age: While the opposition contained only a handful of senior Dublin players, the rest enthusiastic youngsters, the Australians held their own not only physically but also worked hard to carry the ball into good scoring positions. Many of the visiting squad are growing rapidly in confidence as they become more sure with their kicking of the round ball, for the Australians still the most difficult skill to be learnt.

AUSTRALIA 2-18-14—80 (Caracella 11pts, Yze 11, West 9) best, West, Bradley, B.Johnson, DUBLIN 2-10-5—47 (V.Murphy 17, G.O’Connell 9) best, V.Murphy, B.Kelly, S.Ryan.
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Exhibition Match
Demons remain unbeaten
Melbourne defeated Adelaide in the annual exhibition match played at The Oval in London on Saturday, October 7. The match was played in drenching rain with only 4,500 attending.

The scrappy game did little more than provide a highlight for many homesick Australians. The Crows were goalless at half-time and though there was little excitement generated there was still a great atmosphere at the famous cricket ground.

The result maintained Melbourne's undefeated record in six overseas exhibition games since the UK concept began in the early 1980s.
MELBOURNE 5.10-40 (Robertson 2) best, Walsh, Brown, Beams, ADELAIDE 3.3-21, best, MCGregor, Stevens, Biglands.
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Internationl Rules
Late charge swamps Ireland
The All-Australian squad stormed home in the dying minutes to defeat Ireland 55-47 in the First Test played at Croke Park in Dublin on Sunday.

ROHAN CONNOLLY for The Age reported:
It seemed the home side might have had more than enough of a buffer early on, Ireland racking up four `"overs'' (worth three points) before Australia had scored, and important forward MICHAEL O'LOUGHLIN carried off with concussion, TRENT CROAD almost conceding a disastrous own goal, and goalkeeper ANDREW KELLAWAY forced into a great save from Irish playmaker GRAHAM GERAGHTY when six points and perhaps an uncatchable lead beckoned.

The change in fortunes came, conceded Australian coach DERMOTT BRERETON, almost by accident. The small Irish forwards attempted to drag key defender JUSTIN LEPPITSCH up the ground, succeeding so well that when Leppitsch marked late in the second term, he was within kicking distance. A light bulb went on.

"ROBERT WALLS (selector) said he'd like him to stay up there, and with O'Loughlin going off, we looked back across their full-forward line and they were playing three small, so we thought 'why not','' Brereton said.

Leppitsch and Essendon's BLAKE CARACELLA, whose cool, precise kicking with the difficult round ball seemed merely a continuation of his seamless year with the Bombers, would end up sharing eight of Australia's crucial 14 three-pointers.

None was as spectacular as the sole goal scored by Geraghty, the result of a slick chain of passes between Irish stars LARRY REILLY, captain TREVOR GILES, and ending with a sublime little flick from the equally classy PETER CANAVAN, allowing Geraghty to punch the ball into the back of the net. But the increasingly regular supply of scoring chances wore down the Irish not long after that highlight, Aussie captain JAMES HIRD starting to exert a real influence, JASON AKERMANIS and DAMIEN HARDWICK full of spirit in defence, and WAYNE CAMPBELL and BRENT HARVEY the hard runners as the visitors made the very most of their eight-man interchange. Even KEVIN SHEEDY would have had trouble topping the 60-plus interchanges the Australians pulled, but the effectiveness of the mass rotations showed in the final-quarter, Australia finishing with five overs and six behinds as Ireland stopped to a walk, managing only a wasteful one over and four behinds.

Caracella, who scored three overs in the last quarter, gave Australia the lead for the first time with just eight minutes remaining. Harvey put through another over to give Australia a seven-point lead, and when Caracella ran down DERMOT EARLEY, who was dashing into goal, the game was up.

It was Australia's first victory since the hybrid game was revived in 1998 and sets up the prospect of as many as 60,000 attending the Second Test on Sunday October 15 at Croke Park.

The modified game embraces a mix of Australian Football (AFL) and Gaelic football (GAA) — a goal in the net is worth six points, an over between the main goal posts is worth three points and a behind is worth one point.
AUSTRALIA 0-14-13—55 (Leppitsch 17pts, Caracella 14) best, Leppitsch, Caracella, Akermanis, IRELAND 1-11-8—47 (G.Geraghty 14, D.Earley 7) best, Cullen, Lockhart, Gehaghty.

STAB KICKS …

Watson back on Seven
TIM WATSON returned to TV, signing back on with the Seven Network on October 6. Watson joins PETER MITCHELL on Melbourne's weekend news, while JIM WILSON will move to the weekday sports desk replacing SANDY ROBERTS.
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1940 Brownlow passed in at auction
The 1940 Brownlow Medal won by South Melbourne's HERBIE MATTHEWS was passed in at Christie's auction of sporting memorabilia in Melbourne on October 4. Despite more than $1 million being outlayed on sporting treasures including boxing trophies of Lionel Rose, cricket bats of Sir Garfield Sobers and a 1924 Olympic Medal won by jumper NICK WINTER, bidding for the football icon stopped at $28,000, well below the pre-auction estimate of $40,000 to $60,000.
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Dogs reach agreement at Docklands; St Kilda close ...
The Western Bulldogs reached agreement with Colonial Stadium management on financial compensation where several matches at the new venue were affected by operational problems. St Kilda are also close to being satisfied on the same matter.
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No footy at Homebush in 2001
The Olympic venue at Homebush will be without either the AFL or NRL next season. The Canterbury rugby league team have opted to play at the adjacent 22,000-capacity Showground for four years before moving to their proposed complex at Liverpool in 2005. Reconfiguration to remove the north and south grandstands at Homebush will take all of 2001 – the $68 million project will have yet to be determined capacity of between 65 and 90,000

Some 43,000 volunteers may see an AFL match next year. In post-Games spirit, the Sydney FC announced they would give every Olympic volunteer two tickets to a 2001 Swans home game.
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Lindsay Fox gives old teammates a trip
Millionaire trucking magnate LINDSAY FOX is about to enjoy the ultimate footy trip with most of the side he played with more than 40 years ago. Mr Fox recently looked at a colour photograph of the 1959 St Kilda FC and noted five of the clan had passed on. On October 27, 16 former players and a couple of friends will depart Melbourne to be guests of Lindsay Fox to stay at the luxurious Outrigger Hotel in Waikiki. He was quoted by the Herald Sun: "I thought time was getting on and maybe it was time to do something about it." The generous gesture for flights and accommodation is likely to cost $75,000.
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Carlton re-sign their stars
CARLTON have re-signed ANDREW McKAY, MATTHEW ALLEN, MARK PORTER and SCOTT FREEBORN while CRAIG BRADLEY, DARREN HULME and ANTHONY FRANCHINA are near to penning a deal. The Blues insist that FRASER BROWN has not been delisted and is expected to resume training on November 20 ...

They said it ...
AFL.com.au, Monday, October 16
DUBLIN: Australian and Irish officials have agreed to continue the International Rules football series between the two countries for at least another five years.
The game, a hybrid form of Australian and Gaelic football, was revived in 1998 after an eight-year hiatus, with both nations agreeing to the annual series until at least 2001.
But, following the unquestionable success of the game, the series will continue until 2005.
The AFL and GAA decided to stick with a two-Test series, held at the end of each countries' season in October.
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PATRICK SMITH, The Australian, Tuesday, October 17 – AUSTRALIA have wrapped up the International Rules series against Ireland 2-0 and that is wonderful. More than 57,000 people turned up to watch Sunday's match at Croke Park in Dublin and barracked raucously. Wonderful, too.
Australian captain James Hird said afterwards that he was proud to represent his country and that his team-mates had worked assiduously over the past fortnight to ensure that Australia would return triumphant. They deserve our heartiest congratulations. They were quite brilliant.
Right on the end of the first quarter of Sunday's game, Australia's Jason Akermanis stood toe-to-toe with his Irish opponent Peter Canavan and traded blows. A conservative estimate has Akermanis throwing a minimum of seven left hooks. Both players were sent off. That was disgraceful and shameful.
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ROHAN CONNOLLY, The Age, Tuesday, October 17
Australia's emphatic win in the international rules series against Ireland on Sunday, its first for 13 years, may have created a monster. The question now is can the Irish catch up in a code in which they appear to have been left behind.

The touring AFL team's 17-point defeat of Ireland at Croke Park was a tribute to the way the Australian players have come to grips with the difficulties of the round ball and the strategies peculiar to Gaelic football, upon which international rules is based.

But the Australians' improvement in the natural skills of the game has also magnified their considerable edge over the Irish in terms of fitness and strength. And the 2-0 win has raised serious doubts about whether the amateur Gaelic Athletic Association players and clubs can now make up the ground.
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DERMOTT BRERETON, The Australian, Tuesday, October 17
"They are amateurs by their status in that they don't get paid a wage," Brereton said, describing Ireland as semi-professional, or as players were in the then-Victorian Football League in the mid-80s.
"The defeat will be good for them to realise that professionally their fitness levels will have to be better."
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Stab Kicks ...

Willy and Collingwood combine
VFL club WILLIAMSTOWN who are now affiliated with Collingwood will retain its blue and gold strip but will play in Pie colours in some feature matches ...
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AFL makes no call on Madam Fleiss
A Sydney-based callgirl agency which has escorts available at $1500 an hour, has been denied sponsorship of AFL clubs. The Madam Fleiss agency were offering $300,000 per year.
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Swans re-sign veterans
ALEX BROWN in Sydney's Sun Herald reported: the Swans have re-signed veterans STUART MAXFIELD and TROY LUFF to two and one-year contracts respectively. Veteran DALE LEWIS and the promising SIMON FEAST have also re-signed while Fitzroy and Sydney champion PAUL ROOS of 356 matches has been appointed a full-time assistant coach. Paul joins GEORGE STONE and STEVE MALAXOS on the Swans' coaching staff under RODNEY EADE.
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Dogs and Demons revive Irish experiment
=Melbourne and the Bulldogs will revive the Irish experiment in the most meaningful way, reported STEPHEN RIELLY in The Age. The Demons will sign the 18-year old Dubliner KEVIN DEVINE while the Dogs have their eyes set on an un-named 190cm talent who will be listed as an international rookie before the pre-season draft in December.
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Fred Campbell returns to the Alice
FRED CAMPBELL the 20-year old who played 12 AFL games with Sydney (5 in 1999) then St Kilda (7 in 2000) has quit the Saints and returned to life in Alice Springs.
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Bits 'n pieces
SHAUN REHN will continue to wear the No.52 guernsey with his new club Hawthorn ... under the father-son rule, Collingwood have claimed the 18-year-old JASON CLOKE (son of David), taking him with their second round selection at No.19 overall in the draft ... Hawthorn similarly will grab STEVEN GREENE (son of Russell) at selection No.28 ... Brisbane have drafted 17-year-old former Nudgee College student and All-Australian ruckman JAMIE CHARMAN on a Queensland recruiting priority — the Lions have four remaining draft picks at No.13, 22, 29 and 59 ... an imminent announcement is expected from Punt Road that WAYNE CAMPBELL will succeed MATTHEW KNIGHTS as captain of Richmond ... former Melbourne player KELLY O'DONNELL (80 games, 1979-84) is a new assistant coach at Fremantle. Kelly who has been coaching the Murray Bushrangers for the past eight years will join CHRIS WATERMAN and TERRY BRIGHT under DAMIAN DRUM ... Melbourne is the only club still to settle its coaching staff for 2001 — interviews for Demon assistants include former Essendon and Brisbane player PETER BANFIELD and former Collingwood defender ALLAN RICHARDSON ...
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Get a seat at Subi – for 75 years
The West Coast Eagles are offering seats at Subiaco Oval – for 75 years. Members under a $795 investment plan can reserve a seat until 2075. Normal annual membership and seating fees will still apply — as reported in The Sunday Times, October 22.
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Book launch: "Second-chance winners"
Essendon supercoach KEVIN SHEEDY has collaborated with HARRY ('The Big H') BEITZEL to produce a motivational book titled "Second-Chance Winners". The book which took three years to develop was launched in Melbourne on October 23 when media personality SAM NEWMAN and AFL commissioner GRAEME JOHN spoke.
The book serves as a return to the public spotlight by Beitzel, well-known for his broadcasting work as a commentator with 3KZ and 3AW, as publisher of "Footy Week" and generating the touring Galahs which took our code into the arena of International Rules in 1967. Harry Beitzel at 21 in 1948 was then the youngest man to umpire a League match.
AAP noted Beitzel served eight months of an 18-month term after pleading guilty to one count of obtaining a financial advantage by deception. He served his term in 1994-95.
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Tribunal to meet on Irish charges
The Age reported: Brisbane's JASON AKERMANIS will face a specially convened Tribunal in the next fortnight to face charges arising from the Second Test against Ireland at Croke Park on October 15. If Akermanis and Ireland's PETER CANAVAN are found guilty by the AFL and Ireland's governing body the GAA they will be automatically suspended for one Test match. Both players were sent off in the Second Test following an exchange of punches at the end of the first quarter. A telephone hook-up with the GAA will occur on the return to Australia of umpire BRETT ALLEN.
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They said it ...
MARK RUSSELL, The Advertiser, October 21 — The AFL is threatening to take legal action against Internet website owners running footy tipping competitions.

In a letter sent to Internet companies this week, the AFL's legal services manager, Andrew Dillon, warned about unauthorised use of the AFL's intellectual property rights.

''The AFL invests substantial time, money, skill and effort in creating the AFL fixture each year,'' Mr Dillon said in the letter.

''As a result, copyright subsists with the AFL in the AFL fixture and the AFL holds all rights over the reproduction of the AFL fixture in whole or in part.''

He said companies could not list fixtures without the written consent of the AFL. Unauthorised use would lead to legal action.

An AFL spokesman said the organisation had no concerns about an office or local pub running a footy tipping competition. But the AFL did have a problem with Internet companies using fixtures for commercial gain.

They said it ...
MIKE SHEAHAN, Herald Sun, Monday October 30 — More than 1700 footballers, untried or discarded by AFL clubs, aged between 17 and high-20s, were up for grabs yesterday. Fewer than 80 were claimed.
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WAYNE CAMPBELL on his appointment as captain of Richmond — "Just before I went overseas to Ireland I watched a video called The Tigers of Old and that stirred the spirit. There was a lot of Jack Dyer, KB, Tom Hafey, these sorts of people ... and to be hopefully remembered in six years', seven years' time or 50 years' time in the same light as what they have been would certainly be an honour".
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PATRICK SMITH, The Australian, October 31 — When Essendon were fined more than $250,000 last year for salary payment breaches, Carlton president John Elliott called them cheats. He shouldn't have done that. Silly man.

Elliott also demanded that since Essendon's fiddling with the books included 1993 — the year the Bombers beat Carlton for the AFL premiership — Essendon should hand that premiership over to Carlton. Elliott shouldn't have said that either. Silly, silly man.

Today the AFL will announce that Carlton have been fined more than $100,000 for breaches of the total player payment rules in 1998. Part of the penalty also provides for Carlton to be fined again and lose draft picks if they re-offend. So far their dealings for 1999 and 2000 have passed AFL scrutiny.
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Stab Kicks ...

Everitt arrested at Phillip Island
PETER EVERITT, the 26-year-old 147-game veteran and a candidate for the St Kilda captaincy had another charge added to his sheet of indiscretions when police arrested him among the 56 race-goers charged with alcohol-related incidents after the Australian motorcycle grand prix held at Phillip Island on Sunday (29th). He was charged with discharging a missile and being drunk in a public place. Everitt is expected to plead not guilty when he appears in Korumburra Magistrates' Court to answer the charges on December 21.
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Power to play Buffaloes in Darwin
PORT ADELAIDE will play the Northern Territory Buffaloes in an Australia Day match at Marrara's Football Park in Darwin on January 26. Port will also conduct clinics in Darwin and outlying communities on days before and after the match.
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Taggers will targeted
At their annual post-draft meeting with the AFL on Sunday, coaches were warned the AFL will clamp down next season on illegal tactics employed by taggers. GREG DENHAM reported in The Age: AFL football operations manager ANDREW DEMETRIOU told coaches that umpires would be harsher on players who hang on to opponents or use illegal blocking tactics.

NOVEMBER 2000

Stab Kicks ...

Central Highland FL players convicted
The Ballarat Courier reported Friday (3rd) that three players of the Hepburn club had been convicted from incidents which occurred during a Central Highlands FL match against Dunnstown in central Victoria on April 15.

Ballarat magistrate ROWAN McINDOE sentenced Hepburn's on-field leader MATTHEW DAVID BROWN to four months jail over an attack of "naked brutality" on Dunnstown player JARROD BICKLEY. Teammates of Brown, DARREN HARRIS and SHANE COLLINS were each fined $1500 for their part which involved more than 40 first and reserve grade players and spectators. Brown appealed the sentence and was allowed bail.
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Brisbane Lions to extend Matthews' contract
MIKE SHEAHAN reported in the Herald Sun on Friday (3rd) that LEIGH MATTHEWS will sign for an extra two years as coach of Brisbane. Matthews in 2001 will have the assistance of full-timers GARY O'DONNELL, CRAIG LAMBERT, SCOTT McIVOR, while CRAIG BRITTAIN will coach the Lion Cubs in the QAFL.
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Eagles discover a late bloomer
A powerful forward from East Perth may be a late bloomer for West Coast. The Eagles, seeking a key position replacement for the departed MITCHELL WHITE and FRASER GEHRIG invited the 28-year-old TROY WILSON to train with them – he turns 29 in January and has performed consistently with the Royals at WAFL level. Wilson has joined the Hawthorn pair MICHAEL COLLICA and RICHARD TAYLOR, former Dockers GREG HARDING and TRENT CARROLL for the pre-season. Others from the WAFL to try out are ZAC BECK (East Perth), ANTHONY BEATTIE (Subiaco), STEVEN DEWAR (South Fremantle), DEAN BUSZAN (Peel Thunder) and the East Fremantle duo KRIS MILLER and ANDREW McCARREY.
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Swans back training at the SCG
Collingwood veteran of 189 games PAUL WILLIAMS is training well with Sydney, but the Swans are cock-a-hoop how well skipper PAUL KELLY is enjoying his first injury-free pre-season for three years. After being denied use of the SCG for the past 20 years because of cricket, the Swans now have their own summer training ground in parkland just outside the SCG across Driver Avenue.

The Sydney newsletter reports: Vice-captain ANDREW DUNKLEY spent quite a bit of time of the surgeon's table after the season, undergoing ankle, shoulder and hand operations — the good news he will be doing modified weights and ball-work for the next couple of weeks.
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Bits 'n pieces
** MARK RICCIUTO takes over the captaincy of the Adelaide Crows from MARK BICKLEY who has stepped aside ... ** following a brief dalliance with Tasmania, ST KILDA will field its own side in the 16-club VFL, joining three other stand-alone's Carlton, Essendon and Geelong ... ** alignment with RICHMOND will create the "Coburg Tigers" in the VFL next season – playing home games at Coburg, Punt Road and occasionally at the MCG the team will wear the Richmond guernsey when it plays AFL clubs, and use the Coburg jumper when it meets old VFA sides ... ** in rugby league, one out, one in – SOUTH SYDNEY failed in its legal bid to be reinstated to the NRL on the same day the MELBOURNE STORM announced they will play a minimum of 13 games at Colonial Stadium in 2001, three Monday night, two Friday night and five Sunday afternoon games. The Docklands venue will host 43 AFL games, six Ansett Cup matches, 13 rugby league games and a rugby union Test when Australia play England on Saturday night July 7 ...
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Telstra striving for Internet
Details of Telstra's bid to develop exclusive Internet coverage of the AFL competition were provided to League club CEO's on Friday (3rd). The presentation was made by BEN BUCKLEY, the AFL's gm of commercial operations. The deal requires the approval of at least 12 of the 16 member clubs and may require side deals to be completed with other participants in the field.

Sportsview whose investors include STEVE VIZARD and EDDIE McGUIRE hold 10-year deals for the Internet sites of Carlton, Collingwood, Hawthorn and the Bulldogs, while *Multimedia.com* a 23% shareholder of Sportsview manage sites for Melbourne and Richmond.

Parkin returns to Glenferrie
DAVID PARKIN has returned home to Glenferrie Oval when he will be director of football for the next three years. He will be responsible for developing player facilities and player welfare for the club.

The 58-year-old Parkin after 10 years with Carlton will start his new position at the beginning of December. David played 211 games with Hawthorn (1961-74), leading the Hawks 1969 to 1973 including the premiership win of 1971.
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Bombers switch to Orange
Reigning premier ESSENDON kicked off their pre-season training schedule on Monday (13th) with the announcement of one of the biggest sporting sponsorship deals — a three-year deal with telecommunications giant ORANGE worth an estimated $4 million.

The Bombers are poised to announce a profit from their premiership season of at least $1.2 million.

The sponsorship by Orange will not include alteration to the Essendon guernsey.
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Stab Kicks ...

SANFL bans swearing, alcohol and smoking
The Herald Sun reported Tuesday (14th) — Swearing will be banned in so-called safe havens at South Australia football grounds.

SANFL clubs will set aside areas where swearing, alcohol and smoking will be banned in a bid to keep families attending matches next year.
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** CHRIS GRANT has been appointed captain of the WESTERN BULLDOGS. Grant replaces SCOTT WYND — SCOTT WEST will be vice-captain, BRAD JOHNSON the deputy ... ** discarded Geelong forward PAUL LYNCH has been invited to complete the pre-season with COLLINGWOOD ... ** RIC CHARLESWORTH, the legendary Hockeyroos coach has joined the Fremantle football department — a desire to stay in Perth and close friendship with Freo CEO DAVID HATT were reasons given for him joining the Dockers ...
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Norm Dare to assistant coach at Geelong
NORM DARE, assistant coach with the Kangaroos for the past five years has been appointed as assistant to MARK THOMPSON at Geelong. Dare played 72 games with Fitzroy (1968-74 & 1977) and also coached Brisbane in 1990.
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Extra time for Crawford to refresh
Hawthorn have given their captain SHANE CRAWFORD an extra six weeks off to mentally freshen up for next season — the 1999 Brownlow Medalist will spend most of his time overseas.
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Tribunal postponed
Due to the heavy rains experienced in the UK, a joint hearing scheduled for November 8 between the Gaelic Athletic Association and the AFL was postponed by a week. The hearing is to hear the charges of the incident which occurred between Ireland's PETER CANAVAN and Brisbane player JASON AKERMANIS during the Second Test played in Dublin on October 15.
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Report: AFL TV rights $100 million; rugby league $13 million
Reports that the AFL TV rights bid by Nine and Foxtel put the worth at upwards of $100 million a year for five years bear comparison — a ball-park figure for rugby league telecast rights per season is about $13 million.

Changes at Seven
In: Walls, Out: Dunstall
Amid the speculation of who will gain the telecast rights starting in 2001, the Seven Network still have one AFL season to run on its current contract.

To maintain their leadership, the Seven Network have inked ROBERT WALLS to a one-year deal. The former coach of Fitzroy, Carlton, Brisbane and Richmond will leave Channel Nine's Sunday Footy Show to join BRUCE McAVANEY and DERMOTT BRERETON on Seven's Friday Night Football. The 259-game veteran player with Carlton (1967-78) and Fitzroy (1978-80) will also be part of Seven's Sunday morning football panel.

CAROLINE WILSON reported on November 18: Walls' media career has continued to climb since he joined The Age as a columnist four years ago and said he would continue his special commentary role on 3AW.

JASON DUNSTALL's departure from Friday Night Football is his second blow since the end of the 2000 season. He recently learnt that he had been dumped from The Game and his contract with Seven expires before the start of season 2001.
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Stab Kicks ...

WAFL's Peel Thunder under threat
The Mandurah-based PEEL THUNDER club is under threat. KIM HAGDORN reported in The Sunday Times on November 19, it is believed a meeting of club president's will call for Peel's instant dismissal after four turbulent years in existence, in which it has won just six of 78 games.
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John Cahill: another court action
Port Adelaide legend JOHN CAHILL is suing for unspecified damages after an August 7, 1996 car accident left him depressed and with ongoing physical and psychological problems. PAUL KERMODE in the Sunday Mail on November 19 reported: the 60-year-old Cahill was consulting psychological and psychiatric specialists while coaching the fledgling AFL team. Cahill is seeking damages for past and future economic loss, medical expenses, legal costs and interest. The claim is set for trial on December 11.
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Stefan Carey retires
STEFAN CAREY announced his retirement from AFL football. Brisbane will delist the former Pennant Hills and Sydney player before the December 19 pre-season draft — Carey played 45 games with Sydney (1996-99) and just three for the Lions in 2000 ...
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International Rules tribunal
Brisbane utility JASON AKERMANIS received a two-match suspension while his Irish opponent PETER CANAVAN was ruled out for one game at the specially convened telephone hook-up involving GAA and AFL officials on November 14. Charges arose when the two players traded punches late in the first quarter of the Second Test in Dublin on October 15. It was the first suspension for Akermanis after seven years of AFL, while Canavan had never been sent off in 15 years of senior Gaelic football.

Stab Kicks ...

Bits 'n pieces
** PAUL HUDSON and JOSE ROMERO have agreed to one-year deals with the Bulldogs, leaving only TONY LIBERATORE at the club without a contract ...  ** former Essendon and Sydney player RYAN O'CONNOR is training with the Kangaroos, together with Geelong's PAUL LINDSAY ... ** JIM PLUNKETT (WB) and CRAIG JACOTINE (Col) are doing pre-season with Carlton ... ** the under-utilised former Collingwood player SHANE WATSON at 26, is training by invitation at Windy Hill ... ** a notable absentee when Carlton commenced pre-season training on Monday (20th) was ANTHONY KOUTOUFIDES who has sought acupuncture to his troublesome right knee which was first operated on in early September – MICHAEL STEVENS reported Tuesday in the Herald Sun: It is understood Koutoufides required further surgery in October to remove tissue that was causing inflammation to the knee. The Blues' top playmaker previously had fluid drained from the knee at least twice ... ** also missing on Monday were STEPHEN SILVAGNI who is holidaying at Noosa and CRAIG BRADLEY who still has not completed negotiations ...
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Jim Watts leaves St Kilda
JIM WATTS, the successful businessman and caretaker CEO since DON HANLEY departed six weeks ago is St Kilda's new chief executive.
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Settlement reached over Waverley catering
A confidential settlement was reached between the AFL and AVS Catering. AVS in the Supreme Court had sought redress of $7 million compensation over lost catering rights following the closure of Waverley Park. AVS md JONATHAN TRIBE was quoted: "Both parties are committed to the success of AFL football at Colonial Stadium and we anticipate a long partnership."
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John Elliott loses driving licence
Carlton president JOHN ELLIOTT lost his driving licence for two years on Monday (20th) after being convicted of a drink driving charge. Mr Elliott had pleaded guilty to refusing to remain at a breath test station for a breath test. He was found to have alcohol in his blood when pulled over on Royal Parade about 8.30pm on Saturday, June 17. Mr Elliott was also fined $500 and ordered to pay $35 costs.

Ansett Australia Cup
Rules to be trialled in 2001
A faster, more efficient blood rule and a larger circle for centre bounces will be among rules to be trialled when the Ansett Cup series gets under way on February 16.

> In an attempt to remove jostling at centre bounces and prevent knee injuries among ruckmen, the centre circle will be larger, the centre line will be removed, thus allowing ruckmen to contest the bounce from any angle.

> When a player with blood on his uniform or his body is detected he will no longer have to depart through the interchange gate but will leave the field by crossing the nearest boundary line and his replacement can then go on immediately.
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STAB KICKS …

Bits 'n pieces
** ALAN RICHARDSON has been appointed coach of Richmond's VFL offshoot COBURG. The former Collingwood defender (114 games, 1987-96) who is now 35, coached his club of origin East Burwood, to the last two premierships in the Eastern Football League ... ** COLLINGWOOD and WILLIAMSTOWN players enjoyed a seaside bonding session on Saturday (25th) – the Magpies have embraced the Seagulls as their VFL partner ... ** LEE WALKER has started a skills role with the FREMANTLE Dockers – the 27-year old ruckman had his career destroyed with four knee reconstructions and was restricted to just 16 games with Collingwood, 7 in 95, 8 in 96 and one in 1997. Lee will also be the off-field eye for player welfare ... ** XAVIER TANNER, North Melbourne's centreman in the 1977 Premiership win will take up coaching the Under 18 MURRAY BUSHRANGERS – Xavier replaces KELLY O'DONNELL who has moved to the Fremantle Dockers coaching panel under DAMIAN DRUM ...
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Wanganeen yields captaincy to Primus
GAVIN WANGANEEN has relinquished the Port Adelaide captaincy and following tradition the No.1 guernsey to MATTHEW PRIMUS. Gavin has been allocated the famous No.4 which he wore with Essendon in 127 games (1991-96). Wanganeen won the 1993 Brownlow Medal with the Bombers before returning to his club of origin Port Adelaide as captain in their AFL debut season in 1997.
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Bits 'n pieces
** TRAVIS JOHNSTONE has signed a two-year deal with MELBOURNE where he has played 42 matches (1998-2000) ... ** former high-profile Aboriginal footballers will become mentors to young indigenous players, possibly in time for the 2001 season, under a scheme adopted by the AFL Players Association ... ** Collingwood FC president EDDIE McGUIRE confirmed the Magpies had acted on complaints on how captain NATHAN BUCKLEY had spoken to some teammates during matches — Buckley is expected to be saying less in the new season and will join other players in work to improve leadership skills ... ** Infusion of a further $350,000 from JOE GUTNICK has completed his 1996 pledge to give $3 million to the MELBOURNE club. The Age reported the Demons president saying: "I haven't committed for next year, but I will consider it once the year continues. But it is important that Melbourne stands on its own feet. Three million dollars is a very hefty contribution to a club, but I will always be there for Melbourne."
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Groin surgery for Scott Cummings
SCOTT CUMMINGS had further surgery in Perth on Saturday (25th) for a groin injury which ended his 2000 campaign for West Coast in July after kicking 47 goals in 13 games. The 26-year-old Cummings suffered an accident at training last week and went under what club officials reported as a "precautionary procedure". Cummings is unlikely to resume training until January.
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Ex-players sought as umpires
AFL umpires chief JEFF GIESCHEN is hopeful of attracting the recently retired MATTHEW DENT and MARK FRASER to umpiring ranks. While not confirming who, Gieschen was quoted: "I can say that our talks have been very promising."
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Cats seek live TV against gate
GEELONG are aiming for live TV games against the gate next season – the Cats are understood to have asked Channel 7 that three Sunday matches drawn at Kardinia Park, Round 1 v West Coast, R5 v Port Adelaide and R21 v Brisbane be given live to air cover.
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Tingay appears in Sydney
Melbourne discard STEPHEN TINGAY who only weeks ago was mooted to be doing a pre-season at Punt Road instead, has turned up in Sydney and is training with the Swans — a persistent hip injury restricted him to only nine games with the Demons in the past two seasons.
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Bulldogs to play Gaelic rules against Storm
Dockland co-tenants the WESTERN BULLDOGS are booked to play Gaelic football against rugby league club MELBOURNE STORM at Colonial in mid-January – "Crackers" KEENAN is assisting the Storm on the finer points of the Irish code ...
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Hawks hold family day at York Park
HAWTHORN held a family day at York Park in Launceston on Sunday (26th) as part of a weekend in Tasmania which included a sports night on Friday at the Vista Hotel in Hobart and a family fun day on Saturday at John Turnbull Park, Lenah Valley.
Hoping to build on the 1200 members gathered from Tasmania in 2000, the Hawks will play an Ansett Cup game against Richmond at York Park on Sunday February 18 and will meet Adelaide there for premiership points on Sunday May 6.
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ASIC sues John Elliott
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) is suing businessman JOHN ELLIOTT and two other directors (WILLIAM HARRISON and BERNARD PLYMIN) of companies running the Waterwheel mill at Bridgewater in central Victoria. The civil action is due to be heard in the Supreme Court on December 15.
ASIC alleges they let the companies incur debts after becoming insolvent, and is seeking up to $5 million compensation on behalf of secured creditors and each director to be fined up to $400,000. The Herald Sun on November 28 reported: Mr Elliott in a brief official statement, Mr Elliott blasted court action as "unwarranted, unfounded and gratuitous".
Mr Elliott has been a director of the Carlton FC and its president since October 1983.
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AFL extends NZ development
The AFL has budgeted a further $450,000 to the development of the code in New Zealand. A League press release detailed that since November 1997 New Zealand AFL Inc. has delivered a junior development program, the highlights of which were:
> Over 17,000 children participated in the program from 70 schools in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland in the past three years.
> 502 coaches completed the Level 0 accreditation course and 70 the Level 1 course.
> 66 umpires completed the Level 0 course and 15 the Level 1.
> Live AFL games gaining strong viewership on Prime TV and Sky.

NZ AFL general manager since November 1997, WILL McKENZIE is shifting to Melbourne, and a replacement structure for the General Manager's position will be announced shortly.

Mark Fraser turns to umpiring
AFL Director of Umpiring JEFF GIESCHEN on November 30 confirmed that former Collingwood and Essendon player MARK FRASER will move to umpiring.

The 29-year-old Fraser who played 110 League games (1992-2000) will move through the ranks. The most recent AFL player to take up the whistle was STEPHEN RAE. After his 75 games for Richmond and St Kilda between 1969 and 1973, Rae gained his most senior appointment with the Under 19s.

In the early history of the League many retired players graduated to umpiring ranks. LARDIE TULLOCH during his span of 130 League matches with Collingwood (1897-1904) also captained the Magpies to their premierships of 1902-03. He umpired 65 VFL matches between 1905-11 and was the central umpire in the 1907 Grand Final.

Another Collingwood player to follow was ALEX MUTCH who in his 144 matches with Collingwood (1911-21) was a member of two Pie premierships in 1917 and 1919. Mutch then umpired and enjoyed a swift elevation when in only his ninth game with the whistle controlled the 1923 Grand Final between Essendon and Fitzroy. Alex Mutch went on to umpire 47 League games as the man in the middle.

Another early notable who made the transition was LES LEEDS. He played 27 games for Carlton in 1903-04-05. In 1904 he retired and actually umpired one League match before being recalled by the Blues. He returned and played with Carlton in their 1904 Grand Final loss to Fitzroy.

DECEMBER 2000

Financial forecasts
Financial figures from season 2000 continue to be tabled by AFL clubs. Expectations and the latest updates –

ADELAIDE
<> The Crows profited by $1,439,976 on season 2000. The distribution of 80% of the profit to SANFL clubs amounting to $1,099,265 brings Adelaide's 10-year contribution to the SANFL to $11,043,228. Gross revenue for the season was $13,408,230 (down from $15,772,102 in 1999). Club merchandise sales reflected poor on-field results falling from $1,123,098 in 1999 to $665,808 this year. On Thursday (14th) BOB CAMPBELL was appointed chairman of Adelaide FC as BOB HAMMOND's successor. Hammond together with Campbell and CEO BILL SANDERS were awarded life memberships. Inaugural players of the club since 1991, BEN HART and SHAUN REHN were also made life members.

CARLTON
<> The Blues are expected to announce a modest profit of $120,000. Legal fees of some $200,000 have bitten into the operation. The separate Carlton Social Club profited by $650,000. No challenges will mean the board will be re-elected unopposed.

COLLINGWOOD
<> COLLINGWOOD, who finished 15th on the ladder still managed to turn their figures around from the 1999 loss of $1.261 million to a profit of $103,991. Marketing revenue was up by almost $1 million, while gate receipts gained a $150,000 boost, however running the football department increased by $1.3 million this year. The AGM is on December 14. In the Annual Report, president EDDIE McGUIRE stated the Magpies will have a designated social club with 18,000 seats in the new northern stand development at the MCG.

48-year-old NICK THOEDOSSI, a prestige car dealer and 17 year member of Collingwood who was an assistant to former coach TONY SHAW together with RICK SCIESSERE, a civil engineer and PAUL MURPHY, a finance consultant will run for positions on the CFC board at the December 14 election — three board members seeking re-election are, BRAD COOPER, ALEX WAISLITZ and JACK KENNEDY.

ESSENDON
<> Premiers ESSENDON on an income of $20 million will profit $1.6 million with an estimated $1 million worth of merchandise sold since the September 2 win over Melbourne. The Bombers enjoy the highest membership in Victoria, a rise of 15 per cent took them to 34,278 members. The anticipated profit is believed to be a record for a Victorian AFL club. No elections are required, five directors of the 10-man board will be returned unopposed — Pat Legget, Brad Teal, Neville Gay, Alec Epis and Ben Dunn. The AGM is on December 21.

GEELONG
<> GEELONG following their $913,000 loss in 1999 are poised to announce a profit of about $77,000. This is a staggering turnaround in a time when debt of $6 million has been halved. The Cats also had a 21 per cent growth in membership and raised $400,000 through the Stand Up and Fight campaign. The AGM is on December 19.

HAWTHORN
<> HAWTHORN will record a $501,000 profit for the 2000 season. The club had originally hoped for a profit close to $1 million. Social club and membership suffered downturns by the move from Waverley to the MCG but was overwritten by an undisclosed compensation payment from the AFL. A confidentially agreement prevents disclosure of the AFL payment. Hawthorn profited by $720,000 in their last year at Waverley Park in 1999.

MELBOURNE
<> The MELBOURNE Football Club recorded a 17 per cent increase of revenue to $14.2 million to return a moderate profit of $105,539. Football costs increased, however the $1.6 turnaround from the crippling loss of $1.494m in 1999 is an achievement. In spite of their runner-up season, the Demons' membership of 18,000 remains a concern, ahead of only the Bulldogs and the Saints. Major sponsors LG and Tooheys have each signed for another three years.

KANGAROOS
<> The Kangaroos are expecting a loss of about $600,000 — cash flow problems have caused the Roos to miss a deadline to finalise player match payments of up to $110,000 by the end of November. Low returns from gate revenue are chiefly to blame for the losses even though the AFL contributed $850,000 covering the club's involvement in Sydney. In the new gates-receipts agreement which started in 2000, home clubs keep all gate revenue, but also have to pay any losses. The AGM will be held in February.

PORT ADELAIDE
<> The League have granted relief to Port Adelaide — $1.6 million remains of the $4 million entry fee and the remaining two payments will now be spread over the next five years. Port's figures are still to be tabled but are likely to dip sharply following their disappointing 2000 season – winning only one of the first 12 matches cut deeply into gate receipts at Football Park. Last year Port's AFL operations profited by over $300,000.

RICHMOND
<> RICHMOND while yet to announce its final result is expecting a substantial loss of about $500,000. The Tigers suffered declines in membership (30,000 to 27,000), gate receipts and heavy spending which saw $1.5 million being spent on football operations. Unexpected injury payments also contributed to the loss.

ST KILDA
<> The Saints mirrored their disappointing season with a drop in profit from a surplus of $130,000 in 1999 to a profit of $45,229 for the period ending October 31. Membership dipped to 17,800 but the Saints are committed to make Colonial Stadium work for it. New CEO JIM WATTS praised the previous administration led by president ANDREW PLYMPTON and the recently depart chief executive DON HANLY. The board has voted outgoing president ANDREW PLYMPTON with life membership. The AGM will be held at Moorabbin Town Hall on December 20.

WEST COAST
<> An early prediction forecasts the Eagles will profit near to $4 million for the season — SCOT PALMER, Herald Sun, Punchlines, December 3 ...

WESTERN BULLDOGS
<> Bulldog president DAVID SMORGON indicated his club would post a modest profit of between $25,000 and $30,000 to the AGM to be conducted in February. The positive was that the Bulldogs achieved a 25 per cent increase in home ground attendances at Docklands and in spite of the problems associated with the venue, an extra 70,000 fans watched their games at Colonial.
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Stab Kicks ...

Tigers head for the Grampians
RICHMOND will go to the rugged Victorian Grampians for a three-day training camp from December 17-20. For two nights, the group will be required to find their own shelter, bedding, food and water — roll on Christmas ...
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Demons sign Internet deal with Sportsview
MELBOURNE signed a 10-year deal for SPORTSVIEW to run their Internet website. It adds the Demons to the Eddie McGuire and Steve Vizard group who already prepare the websites of Carlton, Collingwood, Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs.
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Bayes to runner for Brisbane Lions
MARK BAYES, the former Sydney veteran of the near-record 246 games with the Swans (1985-1998) is the new runner and part-time skills coach for the BRISBANE LIONS — he takes over from DANNY CRAVEN who is coaching AFLQ club Mt Gravatt, replacing WAYNE JOHNSTON — Baysey and his family moved to Brisbane two years ago and was keen to rekindle his association with the game ...
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Russell Athletic add Brisbane
The 99-year-old giant United States manufacturer of sporting apparel RUSSELL ATHLETIC has joined the BRISBANE LIONS as the club's new official uniform supplier for the next three years. The 'athleisure' and teamwear company are earnest in their desire to forge a prominent place in the Australian sportswear industry. Russell Athletic will play a very visible role in the AFL with similar deals struck with the KANGAROOS and FREMANTLE.

AUSTRALIAN SPORTS MEDAL
I am very happy to record, I have received the Australian Sports Medal.
On going to their post boxes in recent weeks many would have been curious at first then pleasantly surprised, as I was, on opening a large box from the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia.
Inside was a letter, and a warrant on behalf of The Queen signed by the Governor-General, Sir William Deane, and the Prime Minister, John Howard, together with a boxed set of a medal bearing a gold and green ribbon suitably inscribed with my name and a miniature.
The letter advised me I have been awarded the Australian Sports Medal in recognition for my services to Australian Football.
Mr Martin Bonsey, the secretary to the Governor-General detailed that the Australian Sports Medal is being awarded during the year 2000 to commemorate Australian sporting achievement and has been established as a commemorative award within the Australian honours system. The medal has been created to recognise the contributions of both current and former sports participants and for those who have provided support services to sport. The medal is a unique way for Australia to recognise the wide-ranging efforts of those who have made Australia a great sporting nation.
The letter continued – The Governor-General authorises all awards within the Australian honours system and nominations for the Australian Sports Medal have been recommended by the Prime Minister; Federal, State and Territory sports ministers; Senators; Members of the House of Representatives; or peak sports bodies recognised by the Australian Sports Commission.
I am obliged to those who put forward my nomination and accept the award with pleasure.
KEVIN TAYLOR.

Bradley continues with Carlton
Protracted negotiations between CRAIG BRADLEY and the Carlton club have been concluded.

The 37-year old had been seeking a two year deal but the veteran of 333 games and captain for the past three seasons accepted a one-year contract. In his 15 years with the Blues Bradley has won three best & fairest awards, was runner-up on four occasions and third twice.

His 333 matches is second only to the Carlton record of 356 played by BRUCE DOULL (1969-1986). Bradley also played 98 games with Port Adelaide in the SANFL before crossing to Carlton in 1986.
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New stand benefits Manuka Oval
Improvements to facilities at Manuka Oval in Canberra have increased the prospects of more AFL football being played in the nation's capital.

Prior to the recent meeting of the Prime Minister's XI and the West Indies, the new Sir Donald Bradman Stand at Manuka costing $4.3 million was opened as part of the $9 million joint commitment to the venue by the ACT and Commonwealth governments.

Appointments for players and the media at Manuka are now second-to-none.

The Kangaroos emphasised their intentions on December 8 with a media conference at the Hyatt Hotel in Canberra, with the Roos agreeing to play one Ansett Cup match and two regular season games at Manuka Oval for the next three years. The Kangaroos have not abandoned Sydney, though their home games at the SCG in 2001 will be reduced from four to only two.

Games in Canberra will be underwritten by about $400,000 per year, compared with the $250,000 they received from the AFL for each Sydney game last year.

Manuka Oval in 2001 will host the Kangaroos v St Kilda on February 24 and Sydney v Essendon on March 3 in the Ansett Cup, while the Roos in premiership matches will play St Kilda on May 10 and Port Adelaide on June 30.
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Stab Kicks ...

Cats seek control of Kardinia Park
GEELONG are seeking to take over the management of Kardinia Park following problems with the playing surface. The Age reported half the grass has died in the past month as a result of fungal and acidity problems with resodding and turf replacement necessary.

Surprisingly, Kardinia Park does not have a full-time curator and is looked after by three people who work on the whole of the park complex which includes cricket, netball, St Mary's FC, the park and recreation and the main footy ground. Geelong's first major engagement at home is the 3rd round Ansett Cup fixture against Port Adelaide on March 3.
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Libba will play a 16th season
Though a contract still has to be signed TONY LIBERATORE will play on into his 16th season with the Western Bulldogs — he turns 35 in February and the veteran has agreed to a one-year deal ... it was confirmed the planned Gaelic match between the Bulldogs and the Melbourne Storm for mid mid-January will not take place — maybe in 2002 ...
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Bombers off to Gold Coast
ESSENDON players are spending a week at the secluded Couran Cove resort on South Stradbroke Island off Queensland's Gold Coast – it's a $100 million, state-of-the-art athletics facility managed by running legend RON CLARKE ...
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Ansett Cup changes
BRISBANE succeeded in having early Ansett Cup matches changed so they would not be required to play successive weeks in hot conditions. Geelong will now play Sydney at Marrara Oval in Darwin on February 16 with the Adelaide and Brisbane moving to Westpac Stadium in Wellington on February 17.
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Draft age may be increased
ROHAN CONNOLLY in The Age reported: The minimum age for the AFL draft could be increased to 18 again after an apparent rethink by many of the clubs who so vehemently opposed the same idea two years ago.
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Spotless win MCG catering rights again
The Spotless Group which have held the catering rights at the MCG for 15 years have successfully tendered for the next five years, with an option for another five — estimated to be worth some $40 million a year ... ST KILDA are investigating the possibility of aligning with Springvale in the VFL next year.
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Cooling vests for all clubs
To combat early season heat stress, 352 cooling vests costing about $250 each are being distributed by the League to the 16 member clubs — the vests contain a gel developed by the CSIRO which can keep the skin cooler by up to 25 degrees. Former Geelong player ANDREW BEWS for the distributors Arctic Heat,  predicted that a vest that players wear while playing may soon be available.

They said it ...
FINOLA BURKE, The Australian, December 6 — The Australian Football League has upped the ante in the battle for its television and online rights, signalling to Seven Network it expected to almost double the money it receives for its broadcast rights.
Sources close to negotiations yesterday said Seven was reeling from the AFL's suggestion that it could get substantially more than the $38 million Seven will pay for the rights in 2001.
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The West Australian, December 7 — The State league will undergo its seventh name change in 116 years when it reverts to the WA Football League for the 2001 season.
__________

MR RON EVANS, AFL Commission Chairman, December 7 — I have read with interest a report in The Age newspaper this morning claiming that I am expected to announce my retirement as Chairman of the AFL Commission.

The Chairman is appointed by members of the AFL Commission who are elected in turn by our 16 clubs. Australian football is making outstanding progress, I will not be retiring, and I am looking forward to continuing in my present role if that is the wish of my colleagues.

I do not intend to make further comment on this subject.
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JOHN QUINN, Essendon fitness coach, The Age, December 8 — "The days of football just being about getting fit, getting out there and handling the ball are over. We're talking about life skills here, about preparing these players. They're role models for society, and if we can make them better people, more well-rounded, then they play better football and football becomes a better game as a result.''
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Stab Kicks ...

Draft review to start in January
Major changes may be made to the Draft in 2001. An exhaustive six-month review will begin in January with a working party under AFL gm of football operations ANDREW DEMETRIOU. The panel will comprise representatives from clubs, the AFL Players Association and accredited player agents. Under consideration will be the increase of the draft age from 17 to 18 (as of June 30 in the year of the draft), the duration of the trading period, zoning and the timing of the national and pre-season drafts. The working party is expected to have a maximum of 10 members.
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Lynch steps aside from Brisbane captaincy
ALASTAIR LYNCH has stepped aside as joint captain of Brisbane, paving the way for MICHAEL VOSS to become the sole skipper — Lynch who served four seasons in tandem with Voss kicked 68 goals for the Lions this year and will continue as a player.
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Bits 'n pieces
** Port Adelaide opted to retain CHE COCKATOO-COLLINS on their list — the injury-prone goalsneak after his 109 games for Essendon (1994-98) has played 12 matches in 1999 and only two in 2000 ... ** PEEL THUNDER seem set to be retained for the 2001 season at least — the WAFL draw for next season when released on December 12 included the Thunder in a nine-team competition ... ** if St Kilda align with VFL club Springvale, it may deliver a lifeline for the inclusion of a side from Tasmania to make up a 16-team comp. ... ** with a new Foxtel-NRL $400 million six-year deal in place, rugby league are set to dump Saturday afternoon 2.30pm matches in favour of those starting at 5.30pm and 7.30pm ...
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Tattersall's part of footy tipping consortium
SportsToday.com.au announced Tuesday (19th) that the Victorian Government has chosen Footy Consortium Ltd, a joint venture between Tattersall's and a private company owned by EDDIE McGUIRE and ED GORDON CLARK to conduct a national footy tipping competition beginning next year.

McGuire, the Collingwood FC president and TV compere of The Footy Show and Who Wants to be a Millionaire on Channel Nine was recently selected by the Herald Sun as Victoria's TV Personality of the year. The News Ltd tabloid front-paged news today that McGuire and his wife Carla were now the proud parents of a healthy son, Joseph, born Monday afternoon at a Melbourne hospital.

Pre-season and rookie drafts
Tingay for Swans; Dent to Hawthorn
The pre-season and rookie drafts were held in Melbourne on Tuesday December 19th, when the key movements were —

Round One
1 St Kilda — Brett VOSS (from Brisbane)
2 Collingwood — Chad RINTOUL (West Coast)
3 West Coast — Troy WILSON (East Perth)
4 Fremantle — Simon EASTAUGH (Essendon)
5 Adelaide — Chris LADHAMS (Essendon)
6 Sydney — Stephen TINGAY (Melbourne)
7 Western Bulldogs — Nicholas BRUTON (Diggers Rest)
8 Hawthorn — Matthew DENT (Bulldogs)
9 Brisbane — Dylan McLAREN (Gippsland)
10 Melbourne -- Nick GILL (Oakleigh)
 
Round Two
11 St Kilda – Pass
12 Adelaide – Adam RICHARDSON (West Adelaide)
 
ROOKIES
The following are the first round selections —
Round 1
1. St Kilda — Christopher OLIVER (NSW-ACT Rams)
2. Collingwood — Christopher ODELL (Dandenong Stingrays)
3. Port Adelaide — Christopher HALL (South Adelaide)
4. West Coast — Dean BUSZAN (Peel Thunder)
5. Fremantle — Deren UGLE (South Fremantle)
6. Adelaide — Kane McLEAN (Norwood)
7. Sydney — Michael SWAN (Port Melbourne)
8. Richmond — Garth TAYLOR (Fremantle)
9. Western Bulldogs — Bernie COLLINS (Casteltowsend, Ireland)
10. Geelong — Paul CHAMBERS (Western Jets)
11. Hawthorn — Michael OSBORNE (Labrador)
12. Brisbane —- David MAPLESTON (Morningside)
13. Kangaroos — Leigh HARDING (Geelong)
14. Carlton — Ian PRENDERGAST (Carlton)
15. Melbourne — Kevin DEVINE (Clontarf, Ireland)
16. Essendon — Marcus KENNY (Eastern Ranges)

Bold new MCG facelift planned
The Melbourne Cricket Ground Trust on December 22 announced the biggest development in the ground's 150 year history — a $400 million, three and-a-half year project to replace the Northern, Members and Ponsford stands with a single stand sweeping the northern half of the ground from scoreboard to scoreboard. Rebuilding will be completed in time for the 2006 Commonwealth Games to be staged at the MCG.

Funding for the project has still to be negotiated, with the AFL expected to play a key role and the Victorian Government underwriting the project.

The promise that the famous Long Room in the Members' Stand built in 1927 would be replicated in the new development drew protests from the National Trust, that "the MCG will lose its character, its individuality, and look just like another doughnut."

 A telephone poll by the Herald Sun brought a voter response of only 500 calls, with 310 against and 190 in support of the question "Should the Members' Stand be knocked down for MCG redevelopment?"

New features of the planned development will include —
> escalators between levels of the stands
> a glass roof extension giving 60 per cent of seats protection from the weather
> bucket seats with 15 per cent more leg room
> permanent cafes outside the ground
> the Gallery of Sport to be rebuilt
> a Collingwood FC social club and seating area
> bronze Cordner gates and Olympic panels

During construction, capacity for major events including AFL Grand Finals is expected to be reduced to about 70,000. The present 96,500 capacity will be retained in the new development.

The MCC will place the plans and a model on display for public comment.
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CEO resigns at Carlton
JOHN GURRIERI, chief executive officer of Carlton FC for only 12 months announced his resignation effective February 16. Mr Gurrieri resigned for personal and family reasons.

Stab Kicks ...

Cats retain leaders
GEELONG will continue with the same on-field leaders in 2001 — captain BEN GRAHAM, vice-captain PETER RICCARDI and deputy vice-captain TIM McGRATH ...

Bits 'n pieces
** dual premiership player TONY EVANS who retired in 1998 through injury after 108 matches will be honoured as West Coast Eagles No.1 ticket holder for season 2001 ...** ALINTAGAS have signed on as Fremantle's major sponsor for the next three seasons in one of the biggest commercial deals in WA sport ... ** former Carlton veteran MARK MACLURE will join St Kilda's match committee in a part-time capacity for next season – Maclure will join coach MALCOLM and two assistant KEN HINKLEY and PETER JONAS in the four-man team ...
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Rumours ...
Around the traps, two rumours persist — that Foxtel will apply a pay-for-view surcharge of $4 for AFL matches from 2002 and, the prospect that if Seven do not gain the AFL rights they may sell off their broadcast rights for 2001 to the News Ltd consortium ...
__________

Saints stick with Springvale
ST KILDA on December 22 confirmed it will align with VFL club Springvale in 2001—the side will play home games at both Moorabbin and Shepley Oval.
__________

Young Kangas for the cup
WAYNE CAREY and COREY McKERNAN are not expected to take part in the Ansett Cup pre-season competition – two Kangas who may get their chances in the Cup are WA rookies, DIGBY MORRELL (West Perth) and ROD TREGENZA (East Fremantle). The 21-year-old Tregenza has led the WAFL goalkicking the past two years and kicked 10 goals against Tasmania in a 1998 State game ...
__________

Kangas lose Vic Health
The KANGAROOS in 2002 will lose the sponsorship of VICHEALTH who have modified their commitment to sport ... prior to Christmas, the Roos met outstanding payments to players with an advance of funds from the AFL.
__________

Freo asks "is salary cap working?"
Fremantle chief executive DAVID HATT has written to the AFL asking it to revisit the salary cap process. Hatt was quoted: "It is significant to us that some clubs that have been penalised for encroachment over the designated levels remain very strong in the competition. We'd like the AFL to investigate fully whether the system is working well enough for everybody involved."

Stab Kicks ...

Farmer guilty of drink-driving
Melbourne player JEFF FARMER pleaded guilty to driving under the influence on December 30 and was fined $600 plus $38 costs in Perth Magistrates Court on January 3. Farmer who returned a blood level of 0.11, more than double the legal limit, was disqualified from driving for four months.
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Obituary
Frank Sparrow passes
FRANK SPARROW, a noted commentator in the Perth media passed away on December 31 aged 74. Sparrow is well-remembered in partnership with PERCY JOHNSON on 6PR between 1958 and 1995, when Frank called the first season of Fremantle in the AFL.

He played 200 WAFL games for East Perth, Swan Districts and West Perth, and also coached the Swans from 1953 to 1955 and West Perth in 1956-57. Sparrow also made 17 State appearances and was a handy cricketer as well.

JANUARY 2001

Players seek long service leave
"Boris" started it and now two former Bulldogs, DOUG HAWKINS and STEVEN KOLYNIUK have joined Essendon's DARREN BEWICK in seeking long service leave compensation from their former clubs.

Bewick wants a pro-rata payment of some $50,000, having served more than the minimum 10 years required at Windy Hill — he played 238 matches with the Bombers (1988-2000). Hawkins played 329 games in 17 seasons with the Bulldogs (1978-1994) before concluding his career with 21 games with Fitzroy in 1995; Kolyniuk played 177 for the Doggies (1987-2000).

GUY McKENNA, the 267-game West Coast veteran (1988-2000) weighed in with his firm opinion in the West Australian on January 10, that former players who tried to cash in on the wealth of the game were risking disaster — "If they feel they are hard done, by then so be it, I personally don't. I chose to play football, I understood what the benefits were and what the disadvantages were".

Perth journalist CRAIG O'DONOGHUE in his article said: The AFL Players' Association is approaching the issue with caution, saying the industry needs to review the matter of long service leave before making any decisions.

The association has already established retirement funds for players. Those who play AFL football for 10 years receive $120,000 after retiring. McKenna said such a lump sum significantly outweighed benefits paid to an employee who worked in any other business.
__________

Trevor Poole back with the Tigers
Richmond FC on Friday (12th) announced the appointment of former player TREVOR POOLE as its football operations manager from March.

The 36-year-old Poole duties will include negotiating contracts, overseeing of recruiting, and players welfare. He will work in tandem with the club's present football manager GARY O'SULLIVAN who will be retained as football administration manager.

Trevor Poole played 99 games for Richmond (1984-89) before moving to Geelong for a further 54 games (1990-93) including the 1992 grand final.
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Elliott backs AFL in MCG dispute
In an intriguing twist to the bid for television rights, the MCG Trust have made direct approaches to TV networks seeking payment for access to the MCG. This supports the belief of the MCC that it is entitled to a portion of the $500 million AFL television rights because it owns access to the MCG – the AFL disagrees.

Approaches were made to both the Seven and Nine networks, but it is understood the Trust "received no joy" from the Packer network and Seven signalled its resistance.

The Age reported on January 11: Carlton president JOHN ELLIOTT supported the AFL in its current dispute with the MCG Trust which is seeking a bigger slice of the AFL's $500 million television rights revenue.

Elliott, who also said that the Blues would only play "a minimum" of games at the MCG until planned development to the stands were completed, argued broadcasting should remain within the control of the AFL.

"The State government will have to intervene to resolve the matter and it can't be done at the expense of football which keeps all these grounds. including the MCG, going," he said.

Elliott was speaking at the announcement of the Blues' new major sponsor, MAYNE NICKLESS. As Mayne, the company is relaunching its brand as a private healthcare provider and logistics operator. The new deal is believed to be worth about $2.5 million to the Blues over three years.
__________

Bob Pratt farewelled
Swan legend BOB PRATT was farewelled at a one-hour funeral service conducted in Burwood on Thursday (11th) attended a large group of mourners which included Brownlow medalists BOB SKILTON and PETER BEDFORD. Also present were Sydney FC chief executive KELVIN TEMPLETON, Collingwood champion BOB ROSE, Hawthorn's PETER HUDSON together former players from the 50s and 60s and a sizeable contingent from Pratt's large family. He was later cremated at a private ceremony.
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Stab Kicks ...

Bits 'n pieces
** West Coast full-forward SCOTT CUMMINGS appears to be on track for a successful comeback, but PHIL MATERA looks like missing the start of the premiership season. His recovery from left shoulder surgery has been slower than hoped for ... ** GLEN JAKOVICH and BEN COUSINS are the leading candidates to succeed the retired GUY McKENNA for captaincy of the Eagles — the 27-year-old Jakovich is recovering from a left ankle injury suffered during a social cricket match in November at Waroona. He will continue with swimming and cycling for another month before returning to full training ... ** former Richmond forward MARK MERENDA is shaping well for a place in the Eagles line-up with good work in training ... ** across at Fremantle, coach DAMIAN DRUM suggested ADRIAN FLETCHER and SHAUN McMANUS are likely to continue as joint leaders of the Dockers ... ** Subiaco Oval on February 7 will host a function to formally launch Carlton & United Breweries' $30 million sponsorship of WA football for the next 10 years ... ** former Essendon and Sydney player RYAN O'CONNOR who trained pre-season with the Kangaroos has been signed and will play the 2001 season in the SANFL with the Port Adelaide Magpies. O'Connor played 87 AFL games, Essendon 64 (1994-98) and Sydney 24 (1999-2000) ...
__________

On the comeback trail ...
On the comeback trail following injuries in season 2000 are — Carlton's ANTHONY KOUTOUFIDES and STEPHEN SILVAGNI ... CLARK KEATING and CRAIG McRAE (Brisbane) and STEPHEN TINGAY (Sydney) ...
__________

Swans fine Jason Ball
Sydney fined injury-prone JASON BALL for his part in a New Year's Eve food fight involving former West Coast teammate FRASER GEHRIG at Cafe Laguna in Yallingup, about 250km south of Perth. It is believed Ball was fined half of the maximum fine provision by the AFLPA code of conduct rules for player behaviour. St Kilda were satisfied that Gehrig was not at fault in the incident.
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Profit and losses, season 2000
The following are financial results of member clubs for season 2000 —

Tassie joins VFL
The board of Football Victoria on Thursday (18th) announced a team from Tasmania would compete as the 16th club in the 2001 season of the Victorian Football League (VFL) competition.

The agreement however is conditional for one season only, during which Tasmania must prove its viability. Next October, Football Victoria will decide whether a full licence is granted. This year, Football Tasmania will pay the travelling costs of visiting teams for matches expected to be played in Hobart, Launceston, Burnie and Devonport.

Though un-named and without a team list, the Tassie side is scheduled to play its first VFL match against Sandringham in Melbourne, on Saturday, April 7.

The State Wide League (SWL) which originated in 1986 as the premier competition of the Apple Isle and expanded the former Tasmanian Football League (TFL) has collapsed, leaving three Hobart-based clubs Hobart, Clarence and Glenorchy to join the Southern Football League (SFL) which will play a 15-team competition.

Meanwhile, former SWL members North Launceston, Burnie and Devonport have joined the Northern Tasmanian Football League (NTFL) which will have 12 clubs for the 2001 season.
__________

Stab Kicks ...

Turley to West Perth
Bell to wear Freo's 32
Denham back to Bombers
West Coast premiership and former Melbourne player CRAIG TURLEY has returned to the West Perth club where he played 90 games, accepting an assistant coaching role to ANDREW LOCKYER with the WAFL Falcons for 2001 ... PETER BELL back at Fremantle from the Kangaroos in 2001 will sport the #32 guernsey he wore for two games with the Dockers in 1995 ... SEAN DENHAM is back in the Bomber camp, assisting TERRY DANIHER in preparing the Essendon VFL side for which Denham will be a top-up player — the AFL premiership rover said: "coaching is something I've thought about for a while and this is the right place to start."
__________

In training ...
Sydney are happy with their pre-season work — one of the few sidelined is rookie LUKE ABLETT with a knee strain, however the good news is the freedom in which captain PAUL KELLY is moving, while the explosive PAUL WILLIAMS (from Collingwood) is enjoying his first injury-free pre-season in three years ... at Collingwood, JOSH FRASER has has his pre-season interrupted on contracting chicken pox ... the BRISBANE LIONS are also enjoying an almost injury-free pre-season — the exceptions are ruckman CLARK KEATING (knee), half-forward CRAIG McRAE (foot), defender MICK MARTIN (groin) and CHRIS JOHNSON (hamstring) who are all expected to miss the Ansett Cup opener against Adelaide in Wellington on February 16 ... former Sydney  and Geelong utility SIMON ARNOTT has signed on with reigning SANFL premiers CENTRAL DISTRICT for season 2001 — Arnott won the 1998 Gardiner Medal as the best-and -fairest player in the AFL Reserves ...
__________

Wayne Carey marries Sally
=In a simple, but elegant ceremony, Kangaroo captain WAYNE CAREY married SALLY McMAHON at St Andrew's Uniting Church, in Wagga Wagga on Saturday, January 20. Both Wagga born and bred, Wayne and his long-time sweetheart Sally were cheered outside the church by about 300 onlookers. When Kangaroo coach DENIS PAGAN was asked what advice he had given Carey before the match of his life, he quipped: "You only get 20 years for murder." Following a reception which lasted until dawn, the couple departed to honeymoon at an Australian island resort.
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Cats mothballs #5
Geelong will keep the #5 guernsey in mothballs. The web site of the club received 2,345 participants to their recent poll with 56 per cent voting to keep the jumper for one of Gary Ablett's sons. 23% said it should be used immediately, with 21% voting to retire it forever in honour of Ablett, GRAHAM 'Polly' FARMER and GARY MALARKEY who all wore the #5 with distinction. Farmer, the great innovative ruckman who played in the 1960's with Geelong when he also captained the side and was later its coach, stands beside Ablett, as does Malarkey who in his 172 games (1977-86) was recognised as one of the great full-backs of his time.
__________

They said it ...
Daily Telegraph, Monday. January 22 — Sydney Swans Friday and Saturday night home games would be shown live in Sydney on free-to-air TV under the AFL broadcast rights deal, it was claimed yesterday.

The claim was made as Channel 7 digested details of the bid by the News Limited-led consortium comprising channels 9 and 10, who would share the free-to-air rights.

The Channel 9/10 bid offered to show all Sydney games live in Sydney on Friday or Saturday nights.

Channel 7 has until this Friday to make a counter offer matching the superior cash deal of the News bid.

Port down Buffaloes in Darwin
Port Adelaide's superior defence paid off in Darwin's humid conditions on Friday night (26th) to defeat the Northern Territory All Stars by 34 points at Marrara Oval.

Essendon's DEAN RIOLI returning from injury, played four quarters for the NTFL All Stars and survived a strenuous test on his shoulder. Playing in his usual half forward role, Rioli showed no signs of favouring his shoulder in several bursting tackles. Though still lacking match fitness, Rioli is set for a return to AFL ranks.

The Port Adelaide website reported that NATHAN STEINBERNER was named best by NTFL officials and the media, whilst JARED POULTON, NICK STEVENS and JOSH FRANCOU were not far behind. Of the rookies which took part, KANE CORNES (who started on the back flank on Rioli), SHAUN BURGOYNE, DOMENIC CASSISI and ALLAN MURRAY all showed promise.
PORT 15.13-103 (Tredrea 4, Dew 2, Chad Cornes 2, Stevens 2), NTFL 10.9-69 (Burns 2).
__________

Stab Kicks ...

Swans and Dons at North Sydney Oval
Sydney will play Essendon in a trial starting at 4.30pm at North Sydney Oval on Saturday, February 10 when the Swans are expected to use upwards of 30 players.

Around the traps ...
** MICHAEL VOSS at 25 will be the sole captain of Brisbane this season — Voss has shared the duties with ALASTAIR LYNCH for the past four years. NIGEL LAPPIN and DARYL WHITE will join CHRIS SCOTT and JUSTIN LEPPITSCH as vice-captains in the Lions' leadership group of five ... ** former St Kilda and Melbourne full back JAMIE SHANAHAN will coach Ainslie in the ACT AFL this season where he will be joined by another ex-Demon MARCUS SEECAMP ... ** TONY LIBERATORE has signed a one-year contract with the Western Bulldogs and will line up for his 16th season. 'Libba' who turns 35 on February 11 is the second oldest player in the AFL – as well, he has accepted a full-time job with the club, working in the club's membership and corporate sales programs ... ** former Melbourne hero JIM STYNES was named Victorian of the Year by the Herald Sun newspaper – the award recognises the work Stynes has done helping more than 120,000 young Victorians through Reach Youth, a program he co-founded in 1994 ...
__________

Draft overhaul
The AFL has appointed a working party to look at many issues of the draft with a return to the minimum age of 18 for this year's national draft a likely outcome.
__________

Hockey duo
Hockey with an Olympic flavour is now present at both Perth AFL clubs. Following the appointment of Hockeyroos' coach RIC CHARLESWORTH as West Coast's consultant, Fremantle have inked Australian men's hockey (the Kookaburras) coach TERRY WALSH as a video technology consultant.
__________

Cat fans want Saturday
Sixty nine per cent of Geelong supporters want their club to primarily play matches on Saturdays. A poll to the Cats' website brought 21% in favour of Friday night while only 10% supported Sunday.
__________

Ump punch earns 15 month jail
An amateur footballer has been jailed for 15 months for punching an umpire in the face during a match last August. GEORGE COYNE, 33, who pleaded guilty was sentenced by a Perth magistrate on January 24. Coyne attacked umpire MARK GILDAY fracturing his jaw in three places. It occurred in the fourth quarter of a D-reserves game when Coyne was about to be sent off.
__________

Nathan Brown strikes back problem
MIKE SHEAHAN revealed in the January 30 Herald Sun that a back problem alarmingly similar to the condition that forced Test faster bowler BRETT LEE out of cricket for six weeks has struck stylish Bulldog NATHAN BROWN.

The problem flared about two weeks before Christmas and Nathan is no more than hopeful of starting the AFL premiership season on March 31.

FEBRUARY 2001

Don Hanley is new Carlton CEO
With a background of a quarter of a century in football administration, DON HANLY is the new CEO of the Carlton club. Blues president JOHN ELLIOTT announced the appointment on February 2.

The 46-year-old Hanly spent 20 years with the League before his six seasons as CEO at Moorabbin. He was one of several casualties during the clean out which the St Kilda club went under last October. Hanly who starts with the Blues on Wednesday (7th) replaces JOHN GURRIERI who resigned in December after heading the Carlton administration for only 10 months.
__________

Three new League life members
The League at its Annual General Meeting on March 22nd will elevate BOB HAMMOND, GREG SEWELL and RON RICHARDS to Life Membership.

Hammond served as the inaugural chairman of the Adelaide club (1991-2000) following a distinguished career in the SANFL as a three-time premiership player with North Adelaide in his 234 games for the Roosters, plus 14 with Norwood and 7 State matches. Bob in six years at Norwood coached the Redlegs to flags in 1975 and 1978. He also coached Sydney for eight matches after a mid-season disruption of the Swans in 1984.

GREG SEWELL played 171 games for Essendon (1952-61) and later served as vice-president and its president (1981-87).

RON RICHARDS played 143 games for Collingwood (1947-56) including the 1953 premiership win under the captaincy of his famous brother Lou. Ron following his playing career coached the Magpie Under 19 side, then the Reserves and has been Chairman of Selectors for the club since 1984.

Stab Kicks ...

Back to the *WAFL*
As the Perth competition returned to its time-worn name as the *WAFL* the future of SWAN DISTRICTS seemed more secure when they announced a season 2000 profit of $412,139, a figure assisted with the inclusion of $178,103 from the Project 2000 fundraiser and a write-off of the $187,500 debt from the WA Football Commission.
__________

Kangas lose Tregenza for season
East Fremantle recruit ROD TREGENZA will be lost to the Kangaroos for season 2001 after he tore the cruciate ligament in his knee in a collision during an intra-club trial – Tregenza twice topped the goalkicking in the WAFL ...
__________

Trent Croad in hospital
Hawthorn's highly-rated TRENT CROAD was hospitalised with an infection to his right knee which may have stemmed from a kick to his lower leg during a game last year. A mosquito bite during a January backpacking trip to Thailand was thought to have contributed to the infection. However, Trent returned to training on Monday (5th) and will proceed with light work after confirmation he had staphyloccus aureas, which causes boils and internal abscesses – it was a painful recurrence of an earlier infection ...
__________

Complaints on Bomber website
Following complaints, Essendon has been forced to monitor and remove offensive postings to its website chat room ...
__________

Heady as Eagles runner
BRETT HEADY will be a runner for West Coast — the 156-game veteran (1990-99) will run in tandem with ANDY LOVELL ...
__________

Port players in pub brawl
Of 13 Port Adelaide players at Adelaide's General Havelock Hotel on Saturday night (3rd) several became involved in a brawl with hotel bouncers when staff tried to eject some players – STEVE BROSNAN is understood to have suffered a broken nose, while PETER BURGOYNE was sporting a black eye. Burgoyne was suspended on Monday by the club, while other players were fined ...
__________

Free commuter news sheets in Melbourne
Following a successful overseas trend in London, New York and Stockholm, rival newspapers in Melbourne launched free commuter CBD editions on Monday (5th) – the Herald and Weekly Times with a run of about 60,000 copies published MX in the afternoon with a focus on lifestyle and entertainment, while John Fairfax, publisher of The Age, produced their morning tabloid Melbourne Express which highlights entertainment and sport.
__________

NBC-TV launches *XFL* in United States
The NBC television network in partnership with World Wrestling Federation Entertainment Inc, launched a more brash and aggressive form of football on network TV in the United States on Saturday night – a sort of World Championship Wrestling meets Gridiron, called the XFL football league.

NBC used a "skycam" and in the broadcast from Las Vegas, 26 players in the game wore microphones. The XFL season is planned for 10 regular-season games, playoffs and a championship game. Teams which took part in the debut were, the New York-New Jersey Hitmen, Las Vegas Outlaws, Orlando Rage and Chicago Enforcers.
_________

Mark Fraser with the whistle
The man with the whistle – at Optus Oval on the weekend when the Bombers went through an intra-club trial, blowing the whistle in the centre was MARK FRASER ...
__________

They said it ...
GLENN McFARLANE & DAMIEN BARRETT, Sunday Herald Sun, February 4 — As we have seen, anything can happen. Who would have thought Channel Seven would have lost the TV rights after committing $20 million for the rights to bid last? Supporters must not be allowed to be lulled into a false sense of security regarding their club, either. Their current apathy needs to be addressed.

Their clubs – particularly those most vulnerable in St Kilda, Geelong, the Kangaroos and Western Bulldogs – desperately need them to buy memberships.
Season tickets remain the lifeblood of a team and provide massive cash flow. New Saints president Rod Butterss felt compelled to make this point this week in a desperate plea of his club's supporters.
__________

ROD BUTTERSS, St Kilda president, AAP, Thursday, February 1 — "Unless we get up to 25,000 (members) we could end up as the Southport Saints and we don't want to do that.".
__________

Subscriber PETER COATMAN from Melbourne responding to the 'Visions of the Past' question (Diary #254), noted that the sports section of Thursday's Age (Feb 1) in Geoff McClure's Sporting Life feature carried a par relating to David Barham of AFL Films quitting as boss of  Seven's footy coverage, which said:

"Truth is that no-one is perfectly sure how the archives issue will be sorted out because although the AFL owns all matches since 1987, all pre-1987 tapes are the property of Channel Seven which, to complicate matters further, also has a 40 per cent-plus share in AFL Films."

Peter's note concluded, "I don't know whether this clarifies anything or not!"

AFL takes up rugby league slack
ABC Radio on their key stations in Sydney and Brisbane will now carry regular broadcasts of AFL matches on Saturday. Australian Football will benefit following the withdrawal from afternoon matches by rugby league.

While the announcement was made on Wednesday (7th) that this change would occur, it was not made clear if the limited cover of Sunday AFL matches carried last year by the ABC News Radio frequencies will continue in the states above the Murray and in the Northern Territory.
__________

Kangaroos' $1.14 million loss
Serious financial problems for the Kangaroos were exposed on February 10 when MIKE SHEAHAN in the Herald Sun revealed the club will report a trading loss of $1.14 million for the 2000 season.

This follows a $68,000 profit in the Roos' premiership year of 1999.

Sheahan reported the financial predicament was so acute late last year when there was a shortfall on player payments, two directors including chairman ANDREW CARTER injected $250,000 of their own money to revive the cash flow.

The Kangas suffered a significant shortfall in several areas for which they had budgeted – membership was down by $330,000, gate receipts by $550,000 while returns from reserved seating at Colonial Stadium was short by $150,000. Figures reported by Mike Sheahan included the loss of $38,000 on the Round 10 game against Fremantle at the MCG, while the late-season Round 21 game versus Collingwood at Docklands cost the Roos $701 to stage when only 30,003 attended on Sunday July 30.

Though the Kangaroos received $836,000 in AFL grants for playing four matches in Sydney last year, the exercise is on hold with the club opting to play only two games at the SCG in 2001, with a further two at Manuka Oval in Canberra.
The trend is not bright as supporters of the blue-and-white are traditionally late in signing on as members for a new season. Only 8500 of a target of 25,500 have so far registered for 2001.

MCG plans unveiled
The AFL, cricket authorities and MCG tenant clubs received their first comprehensive look at the $400 million plan to redevelop the Melbourne Cricket Ground last Thursday (8th).

KAREN LYON reported in The Age: Under the ambitious plan, the Olympic and Ponsford stands, as well as the members' pavilion, will be razed and rebuilt in time for Melbourne to host the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

Under the plans, the famous Long Room will be rebuilt, becoming more spacious, with more room to exhibit the club's impressive memorabilia collection. Redevelopment of the MCG will also increase the crowd capacity of the ground by about 5000.
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Demons may lose heavily on pokies
MELBOURNE FC are facing a financial loss of at least $850,000 from the decision of the Victorian government to ban licences for new poker machines in five key state areas – Maribyrnong, Greater Dandenong, Darebin and regional areas of Bass Coast and La Trobe.

For five years the Demons have planned a social club, investing some $2.5 million in the venture. Their current location in the northern Melbourne suburb of Fawkner falls within the City of Darebin, which is one of the areas the government designated as one of the state's most economically deprived and one of the five areas falling under the government cap where no new pokie venues can open.
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Stab Kicks ...

Mayne reinstated to AFLQ
MAYNE, Queensland's oldest club has been reinstated to the State League expanding the 2001 competition to 10 clubs. AFL Queensland chairman DARRYL BRAY was reported as saying the readmission of Mayne was not due to any decision of the Federal Court, however a Wednesday (7th) decision was in favour of the Mayne club which was awarded a settlement of $40,000. The club was cut in 1999 for failing to meet AFLQ requirements and fought the League through the courts for reinstatement. Two licences remain to be taken and three Brisbane-based clubs, including MOUNT GRAVATT have applied. The AFLQ competition is slated to start its 2001 season on April 7.
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Around the traps ...
** The Game, Channel Seven's flagship one-hour program moves to Friday night at 7.30pm when it returns on March 30 ... ** Nine on Feb 7 sacked STEVE PERKIN, producer for the past three years of the top-rating FOOTY SHOW and replaced him with COS CARDONE, the 31-year old former South Australian TV sports journalist who is also ear-marked as production boss of Nine's AFL coverage which begins in 2002 ... ** have the northern states seen the last of Rex Hunt's FOOTY PANEL on Sunday? – rugby union highlight packages of the Super 12s are programmed at 11am from February 25 through May 27 which by then we'll be heading into Round 10 ... ** seems as though we can also farewell GAMEDAY following Seven's axing of JOHN LONGMIRE and TODD VINEY ... PAUL SALMON is a new addition to the Seven commentary roster – the Fish will also host AROUND THE GROUNDS on Saturday afternoons ... ** COLLINGWOOD launch their new-look Ansett Cup strip —a larger Magpie on the guernsey which VFL club Williamstown will wear when it plays in Collingwood curtain-raisers ... ** West Coast voted DEAN KEMP and BEN COUSINS as joint captains for the new season; GLEN JAKOVICH, DAVID WIRRPUNDA and PETER MATERA will be vice-captains ... ** Fremantle have stuck with ADRIAN FLETCHER and SHAUN McMANUS, their leaders of 2000; the returning PETER BELL will share vice-captaincy with JASON NORRISH ... ** coach PETER SCHWAB has confirmed that SHANE CRAWFORD will lead Hawthorn for a third season, with NICK HOLLAND and MARK GRAHAM continuing as vice-captains.
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Hawks promote John Hook
HAWTHORN have promoted JOHN HOOK to business operations manager. The 48-year-old Hook has been football manager since 1988. Hook will work closely with chief executive MICHAEL BROWN and will also oversee the operations of the VFL Box Hill club, the Hawks' social club as well dealing with major AFL issues and salary cap management.
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WAFL retains Peel Thunder
The WAFL rejected a move by the West Australian Football Commission to reduce the Perth-based competition to eight clubs at the end of 2001. Peel Thunder which joined the WAFL in 1997 was felt to be the most likely club to be cut. The WAFL board on Monday (12th) ruled the only way the competition can be reduced is if two clubs merge or one of the nine clubs closes its doors. The WAFC has offered financial incentives of $750,000 to any clubs prepared to merge.
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Swans narrowly beat Essendon
Though marred by persistent rain, 12,460 attended the boutique-sized North Sydney Oval on Saturday (10th) when Sydney and Essendon okayed an often frantic 15-a-side trial in which the Swans ended eight points in front, SYDNEY 13.9-87, ESSENDON 11.13-79.
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They said it ...
DAMIAN BARRETT, Sunday Herald Sun, February 11 — Sustained abuse of AFL umpires will not be tolerated in 2001, with the game's controllers being ordered to toughen the penalties imposed on players who dispute their decisions.
Umpires director Jeff Gieschen said players had been allowed for too long to verbally attack umpires and that continuation of a lenient approach would send the wrong message to players in junior competitions.

'Roos to rattle the tins
The cash-strapped Kangaroos in an appeal to its supporters are poised to launch their BEWARE campaign. With a logo designed as a road sign, the BEWARE operation aims to lift membership to stabilise a financial predicament.
Last week it was estimated that the Kangaroos will report a loss of $1.14 million for season 2000.

MARK ROBINSON in the Herald Sun reporting on the activity quoted Kangaroo chief executive GREG MILLER: "The campaign is a call to arms of all our supporters and members out there who have enjoyed watching the club over the past decade, over the past 100 years I guess, to be aware of the situation."

The Roos BEWARE campaign wants to lift this season's membership to about 29,000 and attract 100 to the corporate Vice-Presidents club at $8500 each.

CAROLINE WILSON for The Age reported that Miller could leave the Roos as early as the end of this season — Miller, who said he had taken responsibility for the club's $1.14 million loss in 2000, told The Age: "I'm only going to be here for the short term. My goal is to identify new leaders for the club and finding a replacement with a view to stepping back after one more season or perhaps two.
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Ansett Australia Cup

Week One – Fri-Sat-Sun, February 16-17-18.
<||> In torrential rain on Friday night, Geelong and Sydney played the Ansett Cup opener in some of the worst conditions experienced for a game. The Swans with import PAUL WILLIAMS in great form were too efficient at Marrara Oval in Darwin and swam home by 13 points. In the tropical conditions both sides made extensive use of eight interchange players.
SYDNEY 6.11-47, best, Maxfield, Schwass, Dunkley, GEELONG 4.10-34, best, Burns, Corey, Graham, At Marrara: 7,739.

<||> With both teams without many regulars the Friday night contest in good conditions at Subiaco Oval turned the spotlight on former Collingwood forward SAVERIO ROCCA. The 'Big Sav' provided four last half goals as the Kangaroos powered away for a convincing win by 49pts over the Eagles. From a spirited first half, five players will face the Tribunal.
KANGAROOS 14.12-96 (Rocca 4, Abraham 2) best, Harvey, Pickett, Colbert, WEST COAST 6.11-47 (Peter Matera 2) best, Wirrpunda, Glass, Banfield. At Subiaco: 16,905. Reports: Dylan Smith (K) for striking Peter Matera (W) in the first quarter. Trent Carroll (F) for striking Leigh Colbert (K) in the second quarter. Jess Sinclair (K) and Adam Simpson (K) for wrestling Peter Matera (W) in the second term. Peter Matera (W) for wrestling Adam Simpson (K) in the second term. At Wednesday's Tribunal, TRENT CARROLL (W) was suspended two matches for striking LEIGH COLBERT (K) while DYLAN SMITH (K) was cleared of striking PETER MATERA (W). On wrestling charges PETER MATERA (W), JESS SINCLAIR (K) and ADAM SIMPSON (K) accepted first-charge fines of $1200 each. From a video review, five players pleaded guilty for involvement in a melee. BRENT HARVEY (K) and BYRON PICKETT (K) were both fined $2000 while TROY MAKEPEACE (K), DANIEL KERR (W) and CHAD FLETCHER (W) were each fined $1200.

<||> Collingwood in perfect conditions at Colonial Stadium on Friday night impressed as they steam-rolled St Kilda. The anticipated 'magic' of the Malcolm Blight-coached Saints was hard to find and they could not contain the spirit of the Magpies led in brilliant fashion by NATHAN BUCKLEY who collected 34 possessions. St Kilda's forward line, so ineffective last season, was hardly any better. BARRY HALL (St Kilda) became the first to be booked for the year – for striking Collingwood's JARROD MOLLOY in the last term.
COLLINGWOOD 12.14-86 (Tarrant 3) best, Buckley, O’Bree, Betheras¸ ST KILDA 10.8-68 (Burke 2, Davis 2) best, Thompson, Loewe, Burke. At Docklands: 30,472. Report:  Barry Hall (S) for striking Jarrod Molloy (C) in the fourth quarter On Tuesday, BARRY HALL (S) was cleared of the charge.

<||> MELBOURNE, last year's premiership runners-up easily defeated he Dockers at Subiaco Oval on
Saturday night in fine conditions. Key interest was the use of JEFF FARMER in an on-the-ball role for the Demons, with the Wizard vying for honours with GUY RIGONI on the night. Fremantle, apart from promising signs from TONY MODRA (three goals) and TROY COOK still have a way to go — Melbourne should be up near the top for another season.
MELBOURNE 14.14-98 (Schwarz 3) best, Rigoni, Farmer, White, FREMANTLE 8.9-57 (Modra 3) best, Cook, Bell, Fletcher. At Subiaco: 11,392. Report: Leigh Brown (F) for tripping David Schwarz (M) in the fourth quarter. At the Tribunal on Tuesday, LEIGH BROWN (F) was suspended for two matches for tripping DAVID SCHWARZ (M).

<||> Port Adelaide devastated Essendon on Saturday night in good conditions at Football Park. Striving to atone for their last season's poor showing Port were determined, sharper and match primed to hand the Bombers their biggest thrashing in two years. It opened the way for all clubs and sent a wake-up call to the reigning premiers. What's that old saying? — "heads as big as boarding-house puddings" ...
PORT 16.25-121 (Cockatoo-Collins 2, Harwood 2, James 2, Tredrea 2, Wanganeen 2) best, James, Kingsley, Dew, ESSENDON 5.12-42 (Lloyd 2) best, J.Johnson, Rioli. At Football Park: 19,498.

<||> Only for wayward kicking, the Brisbane Lions would have put Adelaide away much earlier in their late Saturday match played at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington to a disappointing 7,920 which may spell doom for future games in NZ. Brisbane with a great defence anchored by JUSTIN LEPPITISCH were too strong for the Crow forwards. Leppitsch however strained a hamstring likely to sideline him for some weeks. DANIEL BRADSHAW was on target with five goals in a very easy win for the Lions.
BRISBANE 16.18-114 (Bradshaw 5, Brown 2) best, Voss, Akermanis, Black, ADELAIDE 10.13-73 (K.Johnson 2) best, K.Johnson, Bode, McLeod. At Westpac, Wellington: 7,920.

<||> Carlton in the Saturday afternoon outing at Colonial Stadium were lifted to a 14pt win when JIM PLUNKETT a discarded Bulldog rose to taunt his former teammates when the Dogs was caught flat-footed in the early part. Plunkett, taken as a rookie by the Blues in December collected 24 midfield possessions and was devastating in the first half against SCOTT WEST. Chief cause for satisfaction by Carlton was the performance of their youngsters, filling gaps left by seasoned stars. BRENDON FEVOLA gave further hopes with a four goal showing, when he combined well up forward with MARK PORTER.
CARLTON 16.10-106 (Fevola 5, Allan 2, Freeborn 2) best, Camporeale, Plunkett, Fevola, BULLDOGS 14.8-92 (Johnson 6, Fuller 2) best, Johnson, West, Croft. At Docklands: 15,815.

<||> LUKE McPHARLIN was instrumental to Hawthorn's 44pt win over Richmond on Sunday afternoon at York Park in Launceston which is to become the League's 35th venue. The best crowd since 1960 turned out with 13,958 attending. The 19-year-old McPharlin who played four senior games in his debut season last year, booted five goals for the Hawks after being moved to centre half-forward in the second quarter. Richmond's BEN HOLLAND from an accidental clash in the second quarter with teammate MARK CHAFFEY suffered a fractured cheekbone below his left eye which was reported as relatively minor. The Tigers had problems at both ends, not helped by their injury list.
HAWTHORN 13.11-89 (McPharlin 5) best, McPharlin, Tallis, Croad, RICHMOND 6.9-45 (Holland 2, Rogers 2, Tivendale 2) best, Ottens, Knights, Tivendale. At York Park: 13,958.
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Stab Kicks ...

K-Rock leads the way from Darwin
Geelong's K-ROCK.FM displayed initiative with a match broadcast of the Friday night game from Darwin which was also available through the Geelong FC website. SAM KEKOVICH, PETER LE GRAND and MICHAEL TURNER provided the commentary for the welcome return of King Footy to a legion of starved footy fans across the Internet.
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Everything old is new again
The "new-look" Collingwood guernseys will in fact see a return to the one worn in 1917 and 1928-29. The traditional white-on-black stripes reverse the black-on-white stripes worn since the 1930s. A new Ansett Cup jumper features a swooping Magpie emblem and will also be worn by Collingwood's sister VFL club Williamstown.
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Hockey and netball boots footy in Tassy
ABC-TV in Tasmania will not telecast local matches this season, moving to televise Southern A Grade hockey and Tasmanian Netball League matches instead ...
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Two-a-day at Docklands
The transfer of the 3rd round Ansett Cup Geelong-Port Adelaide fixture on Saturday March 3 from Kardinia Park to Docklands will result in two matches being played at the venue on the same day. Geelong will play Port starting at 12.40pm with the Kangaroos versus Collingwood fixture that night at 7.40pm.

During the summer a poisonous weed ravaged the playing surface at Geelong. It still needs further time to be ready for the start of the season. The Cats are due to play West Coast at home on Sunday, April 1.
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Polly to sell his awards
To finance his retirement, footy legend GRAHAM FARMER is putting his vast collection of awards up for sale. The 65-year Farmer who had heart surgery several months ago and now lives on a pension hopes a sale may bring as much as $1 million. He has three Sandover (1956, '57 and '60) and four Simpson Medals (1956, '58, '59 and '69), the 1956 Tassie Medal and 10 fairest-and-best awards, seven from East Perth, two from Geelong and one from West Perth. Collingwood's LEN THOMPSON sold his 1972 Brownlow two years ago for $74,000 while last year South Melbourne's FRED GOLDSMITH raised $43,700 for his 1955 Brownlow.
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Cold? – when Tommy wore a cardigan ...
Chatting with master statsman COL HUTCHINSON on Monday, that conditions at Marrara Oval on Friday night for the Geelong-Sydney contest in Darwin were among the worst experienced for any VFL-AFL match – Col said "probably not". He went on, "what about the night in 1977 when Geelong played Hawthorn when KEVIN SHEEHAN playing for the Cats was treated for frostbite" – I asked Col if it was cold? – he said "it was so cold that night at Waverley, TOMMY HAFEY was wearing a cardigan!" ... Col also pointed me to the fact that four umpires are running a rotation for the three-man system during the early round-robin part of the Ansett Cup series. The panel will revert to three umpires for the semi-finals and grand final ... another note for statophiles, the correct score for West Coast at half-time against the Kangaroos on Friday was 4.10 — some reports stated 4.9 ... in consultation with Col, and to remove confusion, it was determined that reports for the Ansett Cup series would note the Group under which the match was being played, but make no reference to a match number ...
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15 metres billboard for Lions
The BRISBANE LIONS launched an aggressive advertising campaign when they unveiled a 15m billboard on Sandgate Road in Clayfield featuring captain MICHAEL VOSS and the club's new slogan "AFL ... Better Action, Better Venue, Better Live ... Better Get a Ticket". A series of billboards with the same focus will be displayed at prominent locations throughout Brisbane.
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** A torn hamstring will keep St Kilda captain ROBERT HARVEY out of the early Ansett Cup action ... ** Carlton confirmed the appointment of CRAIG BRADLEY as Captain with STEPHEN SILVAGNI as vice-captain ... ** it was announced on Monday by Port Adelaide that STEPHEN PAXMAN will join WARREN TREDREA as vice-captains to MATTHEW PRIMUS ...
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Underwriting York Park games
ABC Online reported the Tasmanian Government could spend up to $500,000 underwriting the two Hawthorn matches being played at York Park in Launceston this year. Depending on tickets sales and sponsorships the funding could reach half a million dollars. Response to the Ansett Cup match on Sunday drew the biggest crowd in the state for 30 years when 13,958 attended boosting hopes for the next Hawk visit on May 6 when they play Adelaide in a premiership match.
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Further matches in NZ on hold
League officials were disappointed to the response of only 7,920 which attended the Saturday Ansett Cup game at Westpac Stadium in Wellington. The AFL will closely review the scheduling of more games in New Zealand.

Reports in finals to be tougher
AFL Football Operations Manager ANDREW DEMETRIOU on Monday (26th) announced the AFL Tribunal would follow two new recommendations for the 2001 season when dealing with players found guilty of a reportable offence.

The AFL Tribunal panel met Sunday to discuss all matters relating to the game's judiciary system and Mr Demetriou said all clubs had now been advised of the following alterations:

1 – Any player found guilty of a reportable offence in the Grand Final will receive a more severe penalty than the penalty he would have received if found guilty of a similar offence during a Home and Away match.

2 – Any player found guilty of a reportable offence in a Home and Away or Finals match, and subsequently suspended, may not necessarily be permitted to serve that suspension during the pre-season competition only.

"There was a strong belief from the meeting that the Grand Final is our showpiece game for the year and, especially with the stakes involved for clubs in the pursuit of a premiership, must not be allowed to be decided by on-field violence as against the skill of the teams," Mr Demetriou said.

"As such, illegal incidents will be treated much more severely to recognise the fact that the Grand Final should be the high point to the AFL year," he said.
Mr Demetriou said Ian Hill QC had also been appointed to the AFL Tribunal as a panel member for 2001.

Finally, spitting has been deleted from those charges where a player may take an automatic monetary penalty. Any future cases of spitting will now be referred to the tribunal for a hearing.
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Commissioner under challenge?
Two AFL Commissioners, TERRY O'CONNOR and BILL KELTY are likely to stand for re-election at the AFL's AGM on March 22. Both have indicated they want another three-year term.

However, lobbying was expected to result in a challenge to WA's O'Connor at a meeting called by Carlton president JOHN ELLIOTT to be held on Tuesday (27th) at the Australia Club in Melbourne. O'Connor, a QC, has been a Commissioner since 1993.

PATRICK SMITH in The Australian on February 21 said: "O'Connor's sins as perceived by some clubs are these: he has never supported Victorian football, alienated Victorian football people with his abrasive manner, offended many presidents with his verbal savaging of Gutnick at the final presidents-commission information meeting last year, and was unimpressive in his role as head of the study of football in NSW and the ACT. Just why that means non-Victorian clubs would move against him is unclear."
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Ansett Australia Cup

Week Two – Fri-Sat-Sun, February 23-24-25.
<||> Port advanced when they outlasted a fighting Sydney to win by five points in good conditions at Football Park on Friday night. Port dominated the first half after which the Swans fought back but inaccurate kicking for goal proved costly. After kicking three goals, star Port forward WARREN TREDREA was stretchered in third term with a dislocated left kneecap. Sydney also suffered injuries to ANDREW DUNKLEY (hip and thigh) and GREG STAFFORD (twisted left ankle).
PORT 17.10-112 (Wanganeen 4, Tredrea 3) best, Dew, Kingsley, Montgomery, SYDNEY 15.17-107 (Williams 4, O’Loughlin 2) best, Williams, O’Loughlin, Kelly. At Football Park: 15,709.

<||> The Bombers slipped to their second successive loss when Geelong exploited Essendon's lack of height in the backline in good conditions at Colonial Stadium on Friday night. The Cats won the game in the second term with five straight goals while the Dons until half time had only one goal from 12 shots. Things are unlikely to improve for the Bombers with MARK MERCURI (groin), JOE MISITI (knee), JUSTIN BLUMFIELD (thigh), DAVID HILLE (ankle) and ADAM RAMANAUSKAS all nursing wounds at the end of the match.
GEELONG 17.10-112 (Mooney 4, Burns 4) best, Sholl, King, Milburn, ESSENDON 12.18-90 (Lloyd 4) best, Mercuri, Rioli, M.Johnson. Reports: Adam Houlihan (G) for tripping Damien Peverill (E) in the first quarter. ADAM HOULIHAN (G) was suspended for one match. At Docklands: 22,829.

<||> The Crows while controlling play in the first half never broke away from Carlton in the Saturday afternoon game played at Optus Oval in fine conditions. The Blues lifted in the third term when their trio of stars, McKay, Bradley and Camporeale ran the ball against little pressure and it was enough to get them over the line. Adelaide at least showed improvement on their previous outing against Brisbane in Wellington.
CARLTON 10.12-72 (Whitnall 3, Hulme 2) best, McKay, Christou, Camporeale, ADELAIDE 9.12-66 (Bassett 2, Edwards 2) best, Edwards, McLeod, Stenglein. At Princes Park: 7,291.

<||> Warm conditions were the order at Manuka Oval for the mid-Saturday afternoon contest in Canberra where COREY McKERNAN again gave promise for the Roo fans with four goals. The lead see-sawed throughout with the Kangas just shading an improving St Kilda. The Saints however were on the back foot when veteran STEWART LOEWE left in the first half, suffering a hamstring injury.
KANGAROOS 14.12-96 (McKernan 4) best, King,  (McKernan 4) best, King, McKernan, Grant, ST KILDA 12.9-81 (Burke 2, Hayes 2) best, Burke, Delaney, Hayes. At Manuka Oval: 8,157.

<||> Battling both the Bulldogs and the pelting rain from Cyclone Abigail proved too much for the Brisbane Lions on Saturday night at Cazaly Oval in Cairns. Earlier, torrential rain threatened to postpone the game and the crowd was well down on expectations. Brisbane continued their puzzling off-target dilemma landing a mid-game 11 successive behinds before their fifth goal late in the last quarter. Even so, the Bulldogs had not wrapped it up until ADAM CONTESSA's match-turning smother on a clearing kick from MARCUS ASHCROFT in the last term went to BRAD JOHNSON who goaled with a long bomb. Soon after NATHAN EAGLETON sealed it for the Doggies with another long shot which went through an unguarded goal.
BULLDOGS 9.7-61 (Eagleton 3) best, Eagleton, Murphy, S.West, BRISBANE 5.15-45, best, Leppitsch, White, Voss. At Cazaly Oval, Cairns: 5,894.

<||> The Eagles were guilty of another second-half fade-out and ended being clipped by Collingwood in the closest Ansett Cup finish so far this year. Played on a firm Subiaco surface, the Pies swept back in the second term when a strong marking JARROD MOLLOY came under notice. The second half became an arm wrestle as goals were traded. Collingwood ruckman JOSH FRASER who was out on his feet, gained the crucial deciding goal moments before the siren. The Magpies' NICK DAVIS became another knee victim — he was carried off before half-time.
COLLINGWOOD 12.8-80 (Molloy 2, Holland 2, Scotland 2) best, Wakelin, Buckley, Fraser, WEST COAST 12.6-78 (Peter Matera 3, Fletcher 3) best, Morrison, Peter Matera, Gardiner. At Subiaco: 16,090.

<||> The Dockers comprehensively beat the Hawks in a boilover on Sunday night in good conditions at Subiaco. PETER BELL confirmed the value of his transfer back to Freo from the Roos as he combined with Cook, Norrish and Fletcher to outclass Hawthorn's midfield. Though kicking only one goal in the last half, Fremantle gave signs of marked improvement. Whether they can carry that across the Nullarbor is another thing. Hawthorn were most disappointing.
FREMANTLE 10.12-72 (Modra 2, Pavlich 2, Bell 2) best, Cook, Bell, Black, HAWTHORN 5.16-46 (Holland 2, Crawford 2) best, Lord, Harford, Smith. At Subiaco: 9,193.

<||> The old-firm of WAYNE CAMPBELL, MATTHEW KNIGHTS and NICK DAFFY combined to provide Richmond's forward drive to bring the Tigers their first pre-season win (after five losses) since the 1999 opener. Played in good conditions on Sunday afternoon at Optus Oval, the Tigers also exploited the Ansett Cup only trial ruck rule – no line through the centre circle – to double-team on Melbourne's JEFF WHITE, preventing him from competing at bounces. The Demons spent much of the game struggling to find any real winners. JEFF FARMER (Mel) was reported in the first 10 minutes of the match for charging NICK DAFFY (Rch).
RICHMOND 14.13-97 (Campbell 3, Rogers 3) best, Campbell, Bowden, King, MELBOURNE 9.11-65 (Farmer 3, Neitz 2) best, Williams, Brown, Nicholson. Report: Jeff Farmer (M) for charging Nick Daffy (R) in the first quarter. JEFF FARMER was suspended for two matches.At Princes Park: 7,875.
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Stab Kicks ...

Salary cap rises
It is expected that the $5.2 million salary cap for season 2001 will rise to $5.6m in 2002 and $6.2m in 2003.
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90 minute "happy hour" at Docklands
In a bid to draw spectators earlier to Colonial Stadium matches, management for last Friday night's Essendon-Geelong match introduced a "happy hour" between 4.30pm to 6pm. Extra gates were opened, and more open ticket booths were added. Even though the effect was 'marginal' the concept is likely to continue.
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Tasmania's Southern FL aligns with Kangaroos
The 15 clubs of Tasmania's Southern Football League have formed an alliance with the North Melbourne Kangaroos, reports the SFL website. In return for each team providing at least 50 members, the Kangaroos will offer their resources to send players and staff to Hobart for functions, clinics and fund raising. The SFL are the first league in Australia to form such an alliance. The Roos aim to have 123 clubs throughout Australia either calling themselves the Kangaroos or wearing the Roo colours.

Tigers win surprise compensation
Easing their loss of $640,000 on last season, RICHMOND won a surprise $200,000 compensation payout from the AFL. The League agreed to several claims by the Tigers including losses suffered when the Round 13 Friday match against Adelaide had been transferred to Docklands. The move enabled the Essendon-Kangaroo match to be played at the MCG on Sunday when 67,152 attended. Richmond in 2000 suffered the transfer of four games to Colonial Stadium; three from Princes Park and one from the MCG.
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Lions worried about Gabba restrictions
The Brisbane Lions are concerned that tougher parking restrictions to the precinct surrounding the BCG at Woolloongabba will threaten membership numbers and walk-up sales on AFL match days. Brisbane president GRAEME DOWNIE was quoted: "Night time is a real issue and we are working hard to have the restrictions minimised." The Brisbane City Council brought in the new restrictions last September.
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Swans king-hit in pub brawl
Sydney players LEO BARRY and ADAM GOODES received cuts and bruises when they were attacked and king-hit during a brawl at a Coogee nightclub early on Sunday morning. The two players were in different parts of the nightclub when they were reportedly simultaneously king-hit. A large group of Swans had attended a function to celebrate the 21st birthday of JUDE BOLTON and HEATH JAMES. Police were not called to the incident. An internal investigation cleared Sydney players of any wrongdoing.
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Around the traps ...
** Collingwood's NICK DAVIS and JAMES CLEMENT were cleared of major knee damage. Davis hyperextending his knee while trying to mark on Saturday night against the Eagles at Subiaco — Clement has a slight tear to his medial ligament — the two lengthened a worrying injury list at Victoria Park which includes: DAMIEN ADKINS (osteitis pubis), SCOTT BURNS (back), PAUL LICURIA (fractured eye socket), MARK RICHARDSON (soreness) and DANNY ROACH (groin) ... ** St Kilda's 32-year-old veteran STEWART LOEWE is expected to recover from a grade two hamstring injury in time for the start of the premiership season ... ** Melbourne's TROY SIMMONDS has a broken bone in his right ankle expected to sideline him six to eight weeks ... ** it was reported that Channel 9 and Western Bulldog midfielder JOSE ROMERO settled a defamation suit by Brisbane Lions' doctor PAUL McCONNELL for an undisclosed sum of money ... ** subscriber JAMES HOTHERSALL reports from Adelaide that SANFL wooden spooners Glenelg played AFLQ club Southport at the Max Basheer Reserve adjacent to Football Park on the weekend. With a noticeable difference in class, Glenelg dealt severely with the Sharks; the SANFL Tigers won 20.9-129 to 4.6-30.

CUB rejects Seven
CARLTON & UNITED BREWERIES, the AFL's premier sponsorship partner for 2001 has rejected a package to place advertisements during League games televised by Channel Seven this season.

CUB's vice president of marketing PAUL KENNEDY was quoted: "It's a commercial decision, we did not see the value in Seven's offer."

Channel Seven confirmed that rival brewer LION NATHAN would be chief sponsor of the network's 2001 AFL telecasts. Lion Nathan which produces Tooheys and Hahn Premium beers is understood to have inked a deal with Seven worth some $4 million. Lion Nathan will also sponsor Rugby coverage on Seven.

In the highly parochial Victorian market Lion Nathan recently won the naming rights to the Melbourne Cup from CUB.'

MARCH 2001

Sydney profits by $146,000
Sydney FC chief executive KELVIN TEMPLETON announced on Thursday (1st) his club had profited for a fifth successive year.

On an operating revenue of $19.8 million (up from $18.2m), the Swans profited in season 2000 by $146,000.

The club maintains a significant investment in developing the code with costs of $300,000 incurred where the Swans reached 100,000 students in 260 schools last year. This raised the investment by the club over the last four years to $1.25m in development work in Sydney and across NSW.

A reconfiguration of seating at the SCG will provide Sydney with an additional 3,000 seats this season, raising general admission seats from 7,000 to 10,000. Sydney following a four per cent rise in members last year will again cap their membership at 26,000 for a fourth successive year.
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Roos still in financial trouble
The Kangaroos launched their BEWARE campaign to supporters on Saturday night at Colonial Stadium before the Ansett Cup match against Collingwood (March 3).

The membership drive for cash and supporters came amid further fears to the financial problems surrounding the Roos.

CAROLINE WILSON reported in The Age on Monday (5th): The depth of the Kangaroos' financial crisis intensified yesterday when it was revealed that the club had not yet paid at least five of its 2001 draft picks and still owed significant amounts to a small group of its senior players for performances last season.
AFL chief executive WAYNE JACKSON on Monday said the League had been having regular meetings with the Kangaroos for some time.
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Ansett Australia Cup

Week Three – Fri-Sat-Sun, March 2-3-4.
<||> St Kilda enjoyed its first win since last July when they defeated a depleted West Coast in good conditions at Docklands on Friday night. The forward set-up of PETER EVERITT and AARON HAMILL clicked as Hamill kicked four goals and set up several others. The Eagles were without Cousins, Kemp, Peter and Phillip Matera, Jakovich, McIntosh, Cummings and Carroll. Replacement forward TROY WILSON kicked four goals for the Coasters in a promising outing.
ST KILDA 19.9-123 (Everitt 5, Hamill 3, Callaghan 3) best, Moyle, Callaghan, Voss, WEST COAST 15.7-97 (Wilson 4, Gardiner 3) best, Gardiner, Wilson, Wirrpunda. At Docklands: 8,642.

<||> In a low-scoring slog at Football Park on Friday night, Adelaide had the better of the Bulldogs in good conditions. The Crows boasted two left-foot forwards who scored well, former North Adelaide player CHRIS LADHAMS after two years without a senior game with Essendon kicked four goals while ADAM RICHARDSON (West Adelaide) bagged three. Key interest was the playing of 34-year-old veteran DARREN JARMAN off the Crows' half-back flank. After a slow start, things did not improve for the Bulldogs in the second half.
ADELAIDE 11.11-77 (Ladhams 4, Richardson 3) best, Recite, Jarman, Ladhams, BULLDOGS 9.5-59 (Grant 2, Johnson 2, Fuller 2) best, Romero, Grant, Johnson. At Football Park: 20,169.

<||> BRENDON LADE made his much-awaited comeback for Port Adelaide in good conditions at Docklands on Saturday afternoon. Lade, returning from a broken leg suffered in Round 2 last year played well in the first half kicking two goals. Early in the third term Lade tragically broke his right leg again. In spite of a successful return for Geelong by GARRY HOCKING who picked up 32 possessions, the Cats were flat.
PORT 16.9-105 (Burgoyne 4, Dew 3) best, Dew, Burgoyne, Mead, GEELONG 12.15-87 (Burns 5, Sholl 2) best, Sholl, Burns, Corey. At Docklands: 4,474.

<||> Reigning premiers Essendon showing little of their champagne style, remained winless for the year when Sydney accounted for them in fine and warm conditions on Saturday afternoon at Manuka Oval. The Swans lost PAUL KELLY after only eight minutes of the match when the Sydney captain suffered a grade one hamstring injury. However, the Swans were well served by RYAN FITZGERALD, SIMON FEAST, ADAM GOODES, together with MICHAEL O'LOUGHLIN and PAUL WILLIAMS. The lengthy Bomber injury list was added to when key forward MATTHEW LLOYD suffered a problem with his buttock.
SYDNEY 11.17-83 (Ball 2, Fitzgerald 2, Schwass 2) best, O’Loughlin, Cresswell, Goodes, ESSENDON 8.11-59 (J.Johnson 2, Alessio 2) best, Alessio, J.Johnson, Hardwick. At Manuka Oval: 12,358.

<||> The Kangaroos came out victors by 28pts in a hard-fought contest against Collingwood on Saturday night in good conditions at Colonial stadium. WAYNE CAREY in his first match appearance for the year had an impact in the second half when the Magpies threatened — Carey combined well with SAV ROCCA who kicked four goals for the Roos. Though Buckley, O'Bree and Ukovic were prominent for the Pies, the Kangas held the edge.
KANGAROOS 18.12-120 (King 5, Rocca 4) best, King, Stevens, McCartney, COLLINGWOOD 14.8-92 (Buckley 3, Lane 3, Tarrant 3) best, Buckley, Ukovic, O’Bree. At Docklands: 28,983. Reports: DAVID KING (K) for striking ANDREW DIMATTINA (C) in the third quarter. King at Tuesday's tribunal was suspended for one match. From video, ANTHONY STEVENS (K) for striking NATHAN BUCKLEY (C) in the second quarter. Stevens was suspended for one match.
An AFL investigation resulted in a further Tribunal hearing on Wednesday at which DAVID KING was suspended a further two matches for interfering with Collingwood runner PETER HARRINGTON. The Tribunal deemed one match be served concurrently with the striking charge brought down against King on Tuesday night. ANTHONY STEVENS was found guilty of interfering with Collingwood club doctor PAUL BLACKMAN and fined $3,500.

<||> Brisbane gave a polished team display to defeat Carlton by 13pts in good conditions on Saturday night at the Gabba. The game marked the successful return from long-term injury by Lions' ruckman CLARK KEATING. While ANDREW McKAY picked up a game-high 26 possessions for the Blues and BRENDON FEVOLA kicked four goals, Brisbane controlled proceedings through their running midfield led by Voss, Power, Hart and the tireless SIMON BLACK.
BRISBANE 10.14-74 (Black 2, Bradshaw 2) best, Leppitsch, Black, Keating, CARLTON 9.7-61 (Fevola 4) best, McKay, Camporeale, Christou. At the BCG: 22,957.

<||> The Tigers by their emphatic 94pt blitz of Fremantle in fine conditions of the early Sunday afternoon contest at Princes Park had seemingly clinched a place in the Ansett semi's — as would later unfold, Hawthorn went six points better. Richmond's forward strength of BRAD OTTENS was a standout, however Freo's overall defence and midfield efforts were very disappointing.
RICHMOND 22.13-145 (Ottens 6, Hilton 3, Tivendale 3) best, Ottens, Tivendale, Hilton, FREMANTLE 7.9-51 (Schell 4) best, Black, Schell, Parker. At Princes Park: 4,391. Report: WAYNE CAMPBELL (R) for charging DANIEL METROPOLIS (F) in the first quarter. Campbell was cleared of the charge.

<||> Needing a huge victory to make the semi's, Hawthorn responded with a sustained effort to thrash last year's premiership runner-up Melbourne by 100 points in good conditions at Docklands stadium on Sunday afternoon. The Hawks dominated proceedings with the stats telling the story, Hawthorn 331 disposals, Melbourne 203.
HAWTHORN 21.17-143 (Thompson 6, Dixon 5) best, Thompson, Dixon, Smith, MELBOURNE 6.7-43, best, Thompson, Yze, Brown. At Docklands: 9.813.
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Stab Kicks ...
** Surgery to trim cartilage in the left knee of WINSTON ABRAHAM will keep him out of the Kangaroo line-up for six to eight weeks ... ** Port's BRENDON LADE was expected to undergo surgery Tuesday (6th) to repair his right leg, broken a second time on Friday night at Colonial – Lade is expected to return to Adelaide later in the week from a Melbourne hospital ... ** DEAN KEMP was of many West Coast players to miss on the weekend following surgery to an old hamstring injury, bringing him doubt for the season opener against Geelong on April 1st ... ** WARREN TREDREA one of the major casualties at Port Adelaide had successful surgery on the knee injured in the February 24 Ansett Cup match, but during the surgery additional minor bone damage was discovered — his recuperation is expected to last some 6-8 weeks.
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Draft review
ABC News Online reported the AFL has launched a review of the competition's Draft procedure. A working part will examine whether all aspects of the Draft are promoting the Commission's equalisation policy among clubs. Key areas include player mobility between clubs, equalisation boundaries, list sizes, the timing of the draft and the age of draftees.
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Clash of colours debate emerges
Under new AFL rules, the 'away' club this season may be forced to wear their Ansett Cup strips where a clash of colours occur, such as Collingwood and the Roos, or Richmond and Essendon – colours to be worn will be confirmed to all clubs in the week before each match.
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Plugger scores big with greyhound – but ...
The League's greatest goalkicker TONY LOCKETT scored a first prize $100,000 as part-owner of his greyhound called Brett Lee in the Australian Cup run at The Meadows in Melbourne on Saturday night. Brett Lee's triumph took his stake earnings to $192,736 in 19 wins and three placings from just 23 starts. Days later is was discovered Lockett’s name was not officially entered as a part owner. An inquiry was slated for April 2.
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They said it ...
CHIP Le GRAND, The Australian, February 28 — Carlton, Melbourne and Hawthorn led the revolt against O'Connor, who appears set to become the first AFL commissioner effectively sacked by the clubs. He was not available for comment.

Symbolically, it was Carlton president JOHN ELLIOTT, flanked by other club presidents on the steps of Melbourne's establishment Australian Club, who announced the outcome of the ballot after an hour-long meeting.
Sydney, Fremantle and West Coast did not attend but informed the meeting of their voting intentions.
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JANE SCHULZE, The Age, March 1 — Mr Stokes denied the loss of the AFL rights would harm Seven.

"Our problem with the AFL was that in some ways it was regarded as our crown jewels," he said. "The facts are we have removed a crown of thorns and freed us up on a national basis."

Demons to write off a million?
MELBOURNE is the latest football club to give concern to its financial stability.

The Demons are set to write off more than $850,000 from an investment in a club venue in Melbourne's northern suburb of Fawkner that is likely to be scrapped after the Victorian State Government introduced a cap on new poker machine installations.
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Ex-Blue fined $23,000 over tax
A test-case judgement against STEPHEN OLIVER who played 14 senior games with Carlton in 1993-94 has resulted in the former player being penalised nearly $23,000 by the Australian Tax Office for underpaying tax.

The Carlton FC was accused in a federal Administrative Appeal Tribunal judgment of contriving with player-manager PETER JESS to breach the AFL salary cap with secret payments to players.

The tribunal's written decision quoted Mr Jess as saying Carlton had sought advice from him specifically for the purpose of disguising payments from the football payments commissioner.

At least six Carlton players including Brownlow Medalist GREG WILLIAMS and two Collingwood players are believed to have been issued with assessments for allegedly unpaid tax.

GEOFF WILKINSON reported in the Herald Sun on Saturday (10th): Carlton could be hit with a bill of up to $500,000 for unpaid fringe benefits tax if the Oliver decision is applied in all outstanding cases.

Ansett Australia Cup

Semi-Finals – Friday-Saturday, March 9-10.
<||> Port Adelaide enjoyed its first success over the Roos at any level and won their way through to their second Ansett Cup grand final when they accounted for the Kangaroos by 16pts in warm Friday night conditions at Football Park. Port had plenty of run in the free flowing affair with Roo speedster BRENT HARVEY and SHANNON GRANT always threatening for the visitors. Port deserved their win, as Kanga coach DENIS PAGAN conceded — "they deserved to win, they were the better side on the night, they were far more disciplined."  Both WAYNE CAREY and COREY McKERNAN were casualties for the Roos.
PORT 15.12-102 (Wanganeen 4) best, Francis, James, Wilson, KANGAROOS 13.8-86 (Grant 2, Rocca 2, Archer 2) best, Harvey, Grant, Blakey. At Football Park: 18,615. Reports: MICHAEL WILSON (P) for abusive language. The charge was dismissed when the Tribunal ruled proper proper procedure was not followed when the player was informed he had been reported.
BRENT HARVEY (K) for interfering with an umpire in the third quarter. Harvey was found guilty of making inappropriate contact with field umpire SHANE McINERNEY and suspended for two matches. The club appealed the sentence. On Thursday, the AFL Appeal Board found Harvey's contact was inexcusable and was far from convinced the two match ban was excessive and dismissed the appeal.

<||> Both the Lions and the Hawks impressed on Saturday night under the closed roof at Docklands. The Brisbane Lions hit back hard to win by 15pts after letting an early five-goal lead slip through their fingers. Hawthorn dominated the third term and seemed set to take the game but the Lions saved their most explosive and very best football for the last.
BRISBANE 14.10-94 (Power 2, Cupido 2, Lappin 2) best, Voss, Pike, White, HAWTHORN 12.7-79 (Dixon 3) best, Rehn, Barker, Clarke. At Docklands: 15,866.
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Practice matches
AFL approved trial matches, Saturday-Sunday, March 10-11 —
<> ESSENDON v MELBOURNE — at Optus Oval on Saturday, Melbourne sent the Bombers to another pre-season defeat in a trial which resulted in no major injuries for either side, MELBOURNE 19.8-122 (Neitz 4, Green 3, Farmer 3), ESSENDON 13.12-90 (Fletcher 3, Alessio 3).
<> BULLDOGS v RICHMOND — the Dogs with a good start and eight goals in the third term were given a boost with good form from their key position players at Whitten Oval on Saturday when they cruised to a very easy win over the Tigers who played poor football, BULLDOGS 16.16-112 (Grant 4, Hudson 3), RICHMOND 4.12-36 (Bowden 2), crowd: 4,000.
<> SYDNEY v COLLINGWOOD — the Swans won well over Collingwood on Saturday in Newcastle but suffered three serious injuries – DALE LEWIS broke his right arm while RYAN FITZGERALD tore a cruciate ligament in his left knee which ends his season and BEN FIXTER suffered ligament damage, SYDNEY 14.9-93 (Ball 3, Ahmat 3), COLLINGWOOD 11.10-76 (Tuckey 3), crowd: 5,250.
<> FREMANTLE v GEELONG — the Dockers at Fremantle Oval faded badly against the Cats on Saturday and suffered another thumping. Compounding Freo's woes CLIVE WATERHOUSE broke his left collarbone during the second quarter, GEELONG 17.15-117 (Mensch 5), FREMANTLE 9.7-61 (Schell 3), crowd: 4,200.
<> ADELAIDE v WEST COAST — on Saturday at Football Park, the Crows easily had the measure of the Eagles which prompted former Adelaide captain CHRIS McDERMOTT to say on local radio, "They're a rabble, this mob. There are real worrying signs for them." — ADELAIDE 14.12-96 (Richardson 2, Ladhams 2, McLeod 2), WEST COAST 6.10-46 (Munro 2), crowd: 5,236.
<> CARLTON v ST KILDA — the two met at Bendigo's Queen Elizabeth Oval on Sunday afternoon with the Saints getting up to pip the Blues, ST KILDA 13.15-93 (Harvey 2, Everitt 2), CARLTON 12.13-85 (Fevola 3), crowd: 12,000 (approx.).
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Stab Kicks ...

Serious injuries for the Swans
Sydney suffered serious injuries to DALE LEWIS, RYAN FITZGERALD and BEN FIXTER in the trial match played at Newcastle on Saturday — Lewis who in the past two years suffered two breaks in his left arm, on this occasion broke his right arm (10 weeks); Fitzgerald ended his season when he tore the cruciate ligament in his left knee which will require a reconstruction; Fixter first thought to have broken his right leg suffered ligament damage which will sideline him four to six weeks ... Fitzgerald missed 1999 with surgery to both shoulders ...
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West Coast lose Read and Embley
=PHILLIP READ will miss West Coast's 2001 season following a knee reconstruction ... more bad news for the Eagles, ANDREW EMBLEY will miss up to eight weeks with a right shoulder injury suffered in the Saturday trial versus Adelaide at Football Park ...
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Contract time ...
Essendon have signed DUSTIN FLETCHER to a new deal for seasons 2002 to 2004 believed to be worth close to $1.3 million, tying the All-Australian full-back to the Dons until his 29th birthday at least ... MARK JOHNSON and PAUL BARNARD have also agreed to two further seasons after 2001 ... MARK MERCURI and MATTHEW LLOYD come out of contract with the Bombers at the end of this season ... 27-year-old four-time club champion GLEN JAKOVICH has signed a three-year $1.2 million agreement with West Coast for seasons 2001-02-03 ...
__________

Hawks try short sleeves
Hawthorn in the Ansett Cup semi versus Brisbane on Saturday at Docklands wore the rugby-style strip with short sleeves but switched to the sleeveless traditional brown-and-gold stripes in the second half — the Hawks explained to the League it was caused by the humid conditions under the Colonial Stadium roof.
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$40,000 painting stolen
A life-size $40,000 painting of Collingwood's MICK McGUANE stolen from AFL House at Docklands the previous weekend turned up on Nine's Footy Show on Thursday night (8th) with the man responsible for its return. Later, police interviewed two men who were expected to be summonsed at a later date. The painting by Melbourne artist LEWIS MILLER forms part of the AFL's centenary art collection.
An inquiry is likely to take place on April 2.
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Talking Footy bounced to late-Tuesday
ROBERT FIDGEON reported on Saturday (10th) in the Herald Sun that Talking Footy, once a flag-bearer of Channel 7's AFL coverage has been bounced to Tuesday night at the later time of 11.30pm when it returns on April 3. The Monday 10.30pm slot once the domain of the footy program for seven seasons will be filled by the return of Roy and HG who were a popular late-night item last year during Sydney's Olympic Games.
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Gary Ablett at inquest on death of girlfriend
The former Geelong footballer GARY ABLETT was a witness at the inquest into the death of his 20-year-old girlfriend Ms Alisha Horan.

The inquest held on March 5-6 at the Coroner's Court in Melbourne heard Ablett and Ms Horan spent five days drinking and partying in Melbourne last year before Ms Horan collapsed into unconsciousness in their Hyde Park Hotel room on Thursday February 17 2000. She died the following day without regaining consciousness. A post mortem found traces of heroin and ecstasy in Ms Horan's body. Coroner Noreen Toohey reserved her findings.
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Saints get timely cash injection
JAKE NIALL reported Tuesday in The Age: that St Kilda had finally received the compensation they had negotiated with the AFL and Stadiums Operations Ltd, the Colonial Stadium operator, late last year ... while the money, believed to a six-figure sum, was counted in the club's result for the last financial year, its settlement has given the Saints a timely cash injection.
__________

Sean Charles suspended
St Kilda suspended SEAN CHARLES from playing with the club for four weeks. A media release reported Football Operations gm BRIAN WALDRON saying "this action has been taken following Sean's constant failure to comply with training requirements."
__________

Oops
The AFL's recent change of major sponsor from Coca Cola to Carlton and United Breweries has brought its difficulties. In Melbourne's major circulation Sunday Herald Sun, a premiership fixture and tipping chart still bore the old logo. Tickets for all games including the Anzac Day blockbuster between Essendon and Collingwood which were due to go on sale a week ago are being reprinted with the CUB logo.

Ansett Australia Cup 2001
Port slaughter Lions

Port Adelaide won their first AFL trophy when they thrashed a disappointing Brisbane by 14 goals on Saturday night (March 17) at Football Park — the first VFL-AFL premiership to be be decided outside of Victoria drew 35,304. Following an intense first quarter Port in the good conditions piled on a match-winning 8.2-50 in the second term to go to an unassailable lead.

ALAN SHIELL reported for The Age: NICK STEVENS'  cool snap from the right foot pocket gave Port its second goal just over a minute into the second quarter. Four minutes later, the floodgates burst open as STUART DEW sank three long goals within three minutes. It was a brilliant, inspirational cameo by the solidly built left-footer, who at only 21, is one of the longest and most accurate kicks in the AFL, as his hapless opponent CHRIS SCOTT would testify. It was a horror night for Scott, who was reported for striking CHAD CORNES.

Apart from the first term, it was never a contest as the disparity of disposals attest — Port had 308, the Lions 179. Brisbane coach LEIGH MATTHEWS said: "You can't get more comprehensively beaten that that — we had only five guys who had 10 or more possessions.

ADAM KINGSLEY was best afield for Port Adelaide with 21 kicks, taking 11 marks and serving out eight handballs — he was presented with the MICHAEL TUCK MEDAL from its 426-match namesake when post-match presentations were made.

From the prize pool of $600,000 provided, the winner of the Ansett Cup 2001 received prize money of $125,000 and the runner-up $95,000.

The five matches won by Port in the Ansett Cup — against Essendon by 79 points, Sydney (5pts), Geelong (18), Kangaroos (16) and Brisbane (85) may bring a re-evaluation of their prospects for the premiership season which starts for the Power on March 31 when Brisbane returns to Footy Park – this time for match points.

Practice matches
AFL approved trial matches, Saturday, March 17 —
<> The trial game on Friday night at Lavington was abandoned following torrential rain, which disappointed the 8000 fans who turned up. Many less on Saturday morning watched on at a windy Sandringham Oval which marked the successful return from injury of Richmond's MATTHEW RICHARDSON. In a sloppy, rain-marred game, ESSENDON 9.6-60 (Mercuri 2, J.Johnson 2, Jacobs 2), RICHMOND 7.8-50 (Ottens 4) ...
<> In sparkling sunshine, 3000 fans at the SCG watched Sydney go to a 69pt lead by half-time. The Blues with a last half fight back cut the margin to only 8pts but the Swans held on to win by 16, SYDNEY 16.17-113 (Fosdike 2, Goodes 2, Cresswell 2, Crouch 2), CARLTON 13.19-97 (Whitnall 3, Ratten 3) ...
<> 4,500 in Hamilton watched a generally poor standard match – scrappy and low scoring in cold and blustery conditions. An inexperienced Hawk squad upset a strong Cat line-up by one goal, HAWTHORN 9.12-66 (Bowyer 2, Thompson 2, Greene 2) GEELONG 7.18-60 (Bizzell 2) ...
<> Injury woes continued for the Eagles when DAVID WIRRPUNDA in the second quarter suffered a hamstring injury on Saturday night at Subiaco. The Doggies may have been without 12 regulars, even so, West Coast posted a confidence boosting win, WEST COAST 17.11-113 (Munro 3, Cousins 3), WESTERN BULLDOGS 7.18-60 ... from video, SCOTT CUMMINGS (WC) was booked for charging MATTHEW ROBBINS (WB) in the third quarter. The Tribunal cleared Cummings of the charge.
<> On the pocket-sized North Hobart Oval, Melbourne were three-goal winners over the Magpies who made their first appearance in Hobart for 30 years. Brownlow winner SHANE WOEWODIN played his first full game of the season for the Demons – he picked up 23 possessions, MELBOURNE 16.9-105 (Neitz 4, Beams 3), COLLINGWOOD 13.9-87 Tarrant 3, L.Davis 3) at North Hobart, 7649 ... BRENT GRGIC (Melbourne) charged with abusive language to a field umpire during the practice match versus Collingwood at North Hobart Oval on Saturday. Grgic pleaded guilty to the charge and was fined $1200.
<> It was cold and windy, with frequent showers on Saturday afternoon at Carlton when the Kangas handed yet another thumping to the Dockers. To rub salt in the wounds, among the best were two Docker discards, MATTHEW BURTON and JESS SINCLAIR who played well for the Roos. A rare bright spot for Freo was the form of Rising Star winner PAUL HASLEBY, KANGAROOS 17.10-112 (Harvey 4, Rocca 3), FREMANTLE 7.6-48 (Hasleby 3, Koops 2) ...
<> At Port Augusta on Saturday, conditions were windy and tough for the Crows as their old coach ran in an easy win, ST KILDA 11.13-79 (Milne 2, Voss 2), ADELAIDE 4.10-34 (Richardson 2).
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Volkswagen is new ball sponsor
Ansett extends to Rising Star award
German car manufacturer Volkswagen is the League's new match-day ball sponsor. The announcement was made on Tuesday (20th) when AFL chief executive WAYNE JACKSON was quoted: "Volkswagen is regarded as the people's car, we'd like to think we are the people's game."

The distinctive VW logo is the third on the Sherrin — McDonald's were first during the 1993 finals, followed by Challenge Bank in 1994-95, then McDonald's returned in 1996 for another five seasons. The two-year deal with Volkswagen is reported to be worth $900,000 for each season.

Ansett Australia have extended their commitment to the Australian game beyond their sponsorship of the pre-season competition as reported by GREG DENHAM in The Age: Ansett is expected to inject a further $900,000 into football by sponsoring the AFL's rising star award, the national draft, the AIS draft camps and the national Under 16 and Under 18 championships.
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Tribunal
Lions' pair suspended
Brown wins reprieve on appeal
The Brisbane Lions lost two players from the opening to the premiership season next week when the AFL Tribunal on Wednesday (21st) handed down suspensions to both vice-captain CHRIS SCOTT and 19-year-old half-forward JONATHAN BROWN. The charges came from the Ansett Cup grand final played on Saturday night at Football Park.

> CHRIS SCOTT (Brisbane) for striking CHAD CORNES (Port Adelaide) in the last quarter. Scott was suspended for one match.
> From video, JONATHAN BROWN (Brisbane) for striking FABIAN FRANCIS (Port Adelaide) in the first quarter. Brown was suspended for three matches. The Brisbane Lions appealed the penalty on JONATHAN BROWN. The AFL Appeal Board after a two-hour hearing on Friday (23rd) lifted Brown's three match suspension. It is the fourth occasion a penalty by the Tribunal has been overturned. Appeal chairman PETER O'CALLAGHAN, QC, pointed out the decision to overturn the ban relied on his board viewing the video evidence against Brown completely differently from the way the tribunal had interpreted the video from Brown had been charged.
> From video, SCOTT CUMMINGS (West Coast) for charging MATTHEW ROBBINS (Western Bulldogs) in the third quarter of the Saturday practice match at Subiaco. The Tribunal cleared Cummings of the charge.
> BRENT GRGIC (Melbourne) charged with abusive language to a field umpire during the practice match versus Collingwood at North Hobart Oval on Saturday. Grgic pleaded guilty and was fined $1200.
__________

Stab Kicks ...
THE MEDICAL ROOM — ** BRAD SEYMOUR has been added to Sydney's string of injuries – the reliable defender will miss the first four games with cartilage damage to his knee ... ** Kangaroo captain WAYNE CAREY has another tear to his right calf which will cause him to miss the opening two matches – The King suffered the injury at training on Monday (19th); it is a fresh tear unrelated to when Carey was kicked in the same region during the Ansett Cup semi-final against Port ... ** Hawk ruckman BRETT O'FARRELL jarred his knee during the practice match against Geelong in Hamilton, and though not serious, O'Farrell is in doubt for the opening round ...
__________

Nathan Brown booked
In his return from a serious back problem, Western Bulldogs midfielder NATHAN BROWN playing with VFL club Werribee on Saturday was reported with striking Geelong Amateurs' TIM CLARKE — the VFL Tribunal on Tuesday (20th) cleared Brown of the charge ...
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1992 shares back with the Kangaroos
A parcel of shares in the North Melbourne club purchased by Carlton in 1992 have been sold to Kanga white-knight JOHN MAGOWAN; the Roo board member paid $150,000.
__________

Jackson hits the stop button
League supremo WAYNE JACKSON swiftly hit the *stop* button to remove a countdown clock from the scoreboard at Colonial Stadium. He was quoted in the Herald Sun: "The AFL controls the video scoreboard at the ground for AFL matches so we'll determine how the game is presented, not the venue manager."
__________

Support staff numbers
Top scribe MIKE SHEAHAN noted in the Herald Sun that pressure is mounting on coaches to cut the number of support staff on the ground during games. Mike quoted AFL football operations manager ANDREW DEMETRIOU: "We will monitor things this season to see whether we need one or two runners in future."
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Tribunal to sit interstate
The AFL Tribunal is booked to sit at interstate venues on four occasions during season 2001. DARRYL TIMMS reported in the Herald Sun: The League will fly its three-man panel to Perth, Brisbane, Sydney and Adelaide. AFL reporting officer RICK LEWIS, the tribunal secretary and player advocates will also fly interstate for the four hearings, which will be held on a Tuesday or Wednesday instead of the traditional Monday.
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Melbourne president suffers business glitch
The Melbourne FC expressed its full support for president JOSEPH GUTNICK as his Centaur Mining and Exploration company went into voluntary administration on March 14 with debts of around $A500 million. Mr Gutnick was re-elected president of the club for a further two-year term last December.
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Drug tests clear
The Australian Sports Drug Agency confirmed on Wednesday (14th) that no AFL player tested positive to banned drugs in the final three-month period of testing from September 1 to December 31. The only player to test positive during the 2000 season was West Coast's NICK STONE who admitted to the presence of stimulant recreational drugs amphetamine and methylamphetamine known as "speed" which was detected from a random test at training on June 19. Stone was suspended for six weeks and has since been delisted by the Eagles.
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AFL warned on run-down Waverley
Homebush in "dire" financial difficulties
Two stadiums came under notice – the AFL were warned by the Victorian State Government of its responsibility to maintain the appearance of Waverley Park where vandals have broken windows and scrawled graffiti on the walls of the disused stadium ... Stadium Australia at Homebush was reportedly in "dire" financial difficulties only six months following the most successful Olympics ever — the stadium has failed to attract enough major events to pay its debts. The Sydney Morning Herald reported the company has liabilities of $196 million and little cash flow.
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Geelong fined $5000 over ASDA tests
GEELONG has been fined $5000 for recently breaching guidelines during testing by the Australian Sports Drug Agency. BRIAN COOK, the Cats' CEO admitted his club were at fault when they failed to allow ASDA officials to continually observe a player once he had been selected for a urine test during a pre-season training session.
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They said it ...
PETER HANLON, Sun-Herald, March 18 — Only time will tell, but football has a history of turning March champions into the jokes of July.
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STEPHEN RIELLY & GREG DENHAM, The Age, March 21 — Carlton president John Elliott yesterday claimed to have held merger talks with the Kangaroos in 1999. Elliott said he had ''extensive discussions'' with Roos' chairman, the late Ron Casey, about a merger mid-way through the season.

''We actually decided in the middle of the year that we'd seriously get down to it at the end of the season and the odd thing was Carlton finished up playing North Melbourne in the grand final,'' Elliott said yesterday on Sport 927.

''We put it on ice because it was too hard again ... It would have been too hard to pull off. If two teams play off in the grand final, are the AFL going to sanction those two teams to do a merger?

''It was one of those odd years when Carlton finished playing North Melbourne in the grand final, so we had to call it off again.''

The Kangaroos dismissed Elliott's merger claims and described them as fanciful.

Obituary
Daniel Hulm passes
DANIEL HULM, the 26-year-old captain in the 2000 season SANFL premiership success by Central District died in London on March 12 after he was struck by a train near his home in Surbiton, just outside London. Ernst & Young's London office paid tribute to Danny, saying his death was a great tragedy.

Hulm was recruited to the SANFL Bulldogs in 1997 from the Tasmanian club Clarence where he played 78 matches. In his four seasons of 77 games at Elizabeth, Hulm carved out an impressive reputation, not only at Central, but throughout the SANFL, as proven with his selection as SA captain for the State League match against Western Australia last May.

Possibly his proudest achievement was to lead Centrals to their first SANFL premiership by their defeat of West Torrens-Woodville on September 10 after which Danny was named Coach of the Year.

A funeral service in Hobart on Friday March 23, was followed by a private cremation.
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AFL Commission
Out: O'Connor, In: Hammond
At the League AGM, BOB HAMMOND was voted on to the AFL Commission, replacing TERRY O'CONNOR, a commissioner since 1993.

BILL KELTY retained his place as a Commissioner.
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Carlton fines three players
The Carlton club on Monday (26th) moved swiftly to deal with a widely publicised incident involving players MATTHEW LAPPIN, BRENDAN FEVOLA and ANDREW MERRINGTON.

Lappin and Merrington were arrested by police early on Friday morning and later charged for being drunk in a public place after a series of incidents at Victoria University's campus at Maidstone. They spent four hours in a cell. The two were bailed and are due to appear in Sunshine Court on April 9.

Fevola who was not arrested is alleged to have sprayed a woman in the face with a fire extinguisher and tried to fight security guards.

Carlton club president JOHN ELLIOTT described the drunken rampage as pathetic and embarrassing behaviour. The club did not suspend the three players but imposed a fine, ordered them to complete community development work, attend alcohol and anger management courses and do extra training sessions.
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Umpires win pay increases
The AFL Umpires Association has won pay increases from a new collective bargaining agreement with the League.
Payments for central umpires will rise to $1550 for one match, and will become $1750 in 2003. Umpires also collect a base payment, which will be between $23,000 and $33,000 in 2001 depending on seniority, rising to $25-$35,000 two years later.
A grand final umpire will be paid $11,500 this season.
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NRMA sponsors injury buggy
Five years after the Adelaide club were banned from using a motorised injury buggy, the AFL on March 23 announced a sponsored version which will be used at all matches this season.
The NRMA, the motoring and insurance group based in Sydney will sponsor and have provided eight of the buggy's which will driven out on the field to collect players who otherwise would have been carried off on hand-held stretchers.
When not in use, the buggy will not be allowed to remain on the ground.
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The age of footy litigation
(1) Rombotis starts proceedings against Richmond
SCOT PALMER in his Punchlines feature in the Sunday Sun Herald reported: Richmond has been given 14 days to deal with a damages claim by former player JOHN ROMBOTIS before he starts legal proceedings against the club. The notice sent to the Tigers claims that the nature of the injury Rombotis, 25, suffered to his right shoulder in Round 2 last year was such that he was unlikely to play AFL in "the foreseeable future". There has been mention of what could be permanent disability.

(2) Adrian Whitehead questions 1997 shot
ADRIAN WHITEHEAD lodged a writ in the Supreme Court for unlimited damages over medical treatment he claims halted his AFL career. The 1995 Carlton premiership player was given an injection before the game against Geelong in Round 20, 1997 which only masked the pain and he went on to injure his right  foot severely. The Herald Sun reported on March 28: As football's governing body, the AFL have been joined in the matter as a defendant.
Whitehead, also refer Diary, Week 481, July 22-28, 2005
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Stab Kicks ...

AFL report names Carey, Hird and Buckley as highest earners
The 104th Annual Report of the League revealed three players are now earning more than $500,000 from football which excludes the $330,000 marketing component each club can pay one or more players. Though no names were given, the top earners are believed to be WAYNE CAREY, JAMES HIRD and NATHAN BUCKLEY. The report said seven players earn between $401,000 and $500,000 and another 80 receive between $200,001 and $300,000. The most common pay range is in the $100,001 to $200,001 bracket which 245 players receive.
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Port's "Greatest Team" postponed
Port Adelaide's naming of the "Greatest Team of the Greatest Club Celebration" was postponed when it clashed with the Port-Brisbane Ansett Cup Grand Final on March 17. The function will now be held on June 16.

Roof at Docklands jams again
Brownlow to be public to Colonial?
A "technical hitch" left the roof of Colonial Stadium open for a rugby league game on Sunday (25th) — the glitch should be fixed in time for the AFL opening ... also at Colonial Stadium, will the 2001 Brownlow Medal count become a public event? – the idea has been put to the AFL by stadium boss IAN COLLINS, but early indications are it will not receive the blessing of the AFL ...

Around the traps
** 2000 Brownlow winner SHANE WOEWODIN has been named vice-captain of the Demons – replacing DAVID SCHWARZ; deputy's will be JEFF WHITE and ANDREW LEONCELLI ... ** 57 have paid $8500 and signed on with the new Kangaroos' coterie group, the Vice-President's Club – they include players WAYNE CAREY, ANTHONY STEVENS and GLENN ARCHER ... ** for $170,000, the Kangaroos have relinquished management rights to their Round 3 "home" match against Sydney at the SCG – the Swans will promote the game as an opportunity for their fans to "Boo a Roo".
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Age polls
In the week before the March 30th start of the season, The Age in Melbourne came out with several Saulwick polls –

(1) a telephone survey of 1000 people revealed 43 per cent (22% "very interested", 21% "somewhat interested") supported AFL football ...
(2) 35 per cent believe that EDDIE McGUIRE has a conflict of interest in being Collingwood president and his role in the broadcast and written media; another 21% believed McGuire "probably" had a conflict ...
(3) three-quarters of AFL fans believe TV coverage of the game will improve or at least stay as good when Nine-Ten-Foxtel takes over from Seven next year — 44% expected the coverage will not alter ...
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tests
=JOSH FRASER who won Collingwood's best first year player award last season has signed on with the Magpies for another two years – the rangy 19-year-old is expected to make $250,000 a season for 2002 and 2003 ...
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Roy Allen celebrates 100th birthday
102-year-old Melbourne veteran discovered
=ROY ALLEN celebrated his 100th birthday on March 27 – he played two games with Collingwood in 1924 and was thought to be the oldest living League player.

The Melbourne club however have discovered 102-year-old HARRY SELOVER living in a nursing home in Carrum. Harry played three matches and kicked two goals in 1919 for the club when it was known as the Fuchsias in the season after World War One – Mr Selover has spanned three centuries, he was born on July 24, 1898.
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Hawthorn and St Kilda share $2.7 million Waverley compensation
The AFL Annual Report revealed that HAWTHORN and ST KILDA have shared a $2.7 million compensation package from the AFL for leaving Waverley Park, where the Hawks had an agreement to play home games for 30 years. The Hawks now play home games at the MCG while the Saints chose Colonial Stadium.
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Opening round breakthrough for TV
GEOFF McCLURE reported in Wednesday's Age newspaper: History will be made during this weekend's AFL opening round when Melbourne football fans will be able to watch two Victorian matches on television live against-the-gate simultaneously.

Not only will Sunday's MCG match between Melbourne and Richmond be shown on Optus pay-TV channel C7, but the AFL is expected to announce today that the Geelong-West Coast match at Shell Stadium will be screened live on free-to-air Channel Seven.

And in a further breakthrough for Seven, it will screen Saturday night's Western Bulldogs-St Kilda match starting at 7.40, only on a 40-minute delay, not an hour as has been the custom.
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New ABC Radio show
ABC Radio 774 in Melbourne will add a new football program titled "When Saturday Comes" – hosted by FRANCIS LEACH, it will be heard for two hours from 10am to noon.
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Jibe generates $10,000 bet
A jibe on which club would provide the greater number of fans at the Round 1 game at Docklands has resulted in Bulldog president DAVID SMORGAN wagering $10,000 from his own pocket with his St Kilda counterpart ROD BUTTERSS.

After 209 days without footy
Bombers start as they finished
Kangas slump to 16th; lowest ever

ROUND 1 — Fri-Sat-Sun, March 30-31, April 1.
MILESTONES — The Kangaroos slumped to 16th on the ladder, the lowest placing of their 1,555 match League history — previous lowest was 14th place after the opening round of 1988 when they were defeated at Windy Hill by Essendon 25.14-164 to 12.10-82 and last season when the Roos lost in Round 1 to West Coast at the MCG, 24.10 to 16.15 …

Field umpire CHRIS MITCHELL officiated his 300th match, the eighth man in League history to reach the benchmark … CHE COCKATOO-COLLINS played his 100th (85 Ess 1994-98, 15 PA 1999-01) … 50th games by BRAD SCOTT (Bri), JADE RAWLINGS (Haw), SHANE CLAYTON (13 Fit 1996, 5 Bri 1997-98, 32 Kan 1999-01) … LEIGH MATTHEWS coached Brisbane for the 50th time … Carlton and Fremantle recorded the 269th one-point margin — the Dockers over the past 12 months have figured in three of the six one-pointers …
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<||> After 209 days without footy, Essendon started the new season just as they finished the last with a resounding MCG victory in near perfect conditions on Friday night before 56,028 spectators. The Dons with 13 goalkickers were remarkably accurate, booting 23.8 for the night.

LEN JOHNSON reported for The Age: Dominant for all but one of the four quarters, Essendon powered its way to a 85-point win. For the injury-hit Kangaroos, it was not quite as bad as the 125-point thrashing the Dons handed them in last year's qualifying final to precipitate their exit from the finals campaign, but worse than the 50-point loss to Melbourne in the preliminary final which ended it.

Essendon was able to indulge several of its stars, notably skipper JAMES HIRD, who nursed his calf through the game. Hird started on the field and played almost all the first half, but left midway through the third for good. Before he did, he produced a typical Hird piece of play, diverting on his course to the interchange bench to sprint 120 metres into defence and dive full-length to touch a shot for goal by JESS SINCLAIR.

The Kangaroos started with a depleted list - WAYNE CAREY and MICK MARTYN out injured, BRENT HARVEY and DAVID KING out suspended – and things rapidly got worse. SHANNON WATT and WINSTON ABRAHAM were both off by the end of the first term, Watt freakishly, Abraham perhaps predictably given that he was a surprise inclusion. Abraham injured his knee when he rushed in to prevent Hird from playing on after taking a mark on the wing. For his troubles, he copped a shoulder in the face and appeared to re-injure his knee – ESSENDON 23.8-146 (Lloyd 4, Barnard 4) best, Blumfield, Solomon, Misiti, KANGAROOS 9.7-61 (McKernan 2) best, Stevens, Blakey, Harris.

<||> Terrific conditions on a warm and sunny Saturday afternoon drew 52,190 to the MCG where Collingwood had more of the ball, six more scoring shots, and put the ball into their 50-metre arc 24 times more than the Hawks — the Pies lost by four points in a fast and fiery game which brought three players to the Tribunal.

Even though there were many errors by both, it was a great opener and confirmed the rebuilding program the Hawks have undertaken in the past 18 months.

JAKE NIALL observed for The Age: You could see the benefits of Hawthorn's edge in maturity and experience in the helter-skelter of the final two minutes of the match, when Collingwood was storming, but simultaneously, making bad decisions with the footy. Collingwood had several players who might have been lauded had it got home. Recruits CHAD RINTOUL, CARL STEINFORT (who tagged Shane Crawford), SHANE WAKELIN and first-gamer RYAN LONIE (who held his own on Ben Dixon) did fine work.

DANIEL CHICK, the spirited on-baller whom Hawthorn went to such extraordinary length to retain last year, was another key contributor. In past clashes between these clubs, NATHAN BUCKLEY has played at a level far above the other 43 on the field – despite typically solid stats (31 touches), the Collingwood captain was reduced to a good on-baller's game, while Chick has his share of constructive balls – HAWTHORN 13.7-85 (Holland 3) best, Smith, Bowyer, Rawlings, COLLINGWOOD 11.15-81 (Molloy 3) best, Lockyer, Molloy, Rintoul.

<||> Carlton, who for two quarters looked as though they had no right to win, called on all of their reserve to deny a persistent Fremantle in a nail-biter in good conditions for 23,716 patrons at Subiaco on Saturday night.

MARK DUFFIELD for Fairfax reported: It was a spirited but scrappy opening quarter, but the Blues seemed to have survived Fremantle's early onslaught when they kicked two clear at the 20-minute mark. From there until half-time, the Dockers completely controlled the game. With ADRIAN FLETCHER the most prolific midfielder on the ground, gathering 22 first-half possessions and TROY COOK and PAUL HASLEBY also prominent, the Dockers for half a game at least, took on and beat the Blues at their strength. Freo's 7-goal second quarter was almost too good to be true, with the question lingering, were they good enough to sustain their first-half excellence.

The Blues appeared to answer that question when they stormed to within seven points in a 20-minute third quarter burst. In a last-man-standing effort after Freo kicked away again, STEPHEN SILVAGNI stretched his 33-year-old legs and broke Freo's heart by sinking a 50-metre drop punt only four minutes from the end. And Silvagni wasn't alone as the 37-year-old CRAIG BRADLEY proved again that age is no barrier to excellence – CARLTON 18.11-119 (Lappin 3, best, Koutoufides, Allen, Ratten, FREMANTLE 18.10-118 (Modra 5) best, Fletcher, Cook, Jones.

<||> The between-season activity seemed all worth it for St Kilda at the end of the Saturday night match at Docklands. The Saints had a dramatic five point win over the Western Bulldogs but as coach MALCOLM BLIGHT offered: "Tonight was really the first dance. We're a long way from the Albert. There's a million miles to go, and the players know it." A crowd of 30,047 had watched a spirited encounter played on a soon to be replaced sub-standard Colonial surface.

PETER HANLON reported for The Age: For a club so publicised in the off-season for its new blood, the real heroes came from old hands. ROBERT HARVEY was magnificent; NATHAN BURKE not far behind him and PETER EVERITT again showed he can be all things to all people, and all in the space of the same match.

The Bulldogs horribly missed the retired SCOTT WYND however, while LUKE DARCY battled valiantly in the ruck, the Saints held sway in the hard, close-in contests, an area in which Wynd reigned supreme. Former Tiger BEN HARRISON had a strong first outing for the Dogs, keeping new Saint AARON HAMILL out of harm's way – Hamill finished the game better than he had started, but kicked only three behinds. CRAIG CALLAGHAN was the best of the Saints recruits, particularly after half-time. The balance of the on-ball divisions was also tipped St Kilda's way by the fine blanket job STEVEN BAKER did on SCOTT WEST, who had just 12 touches – ST KILDA 16.16-112 (Everitt 5) best, Everitt, Callaghan, Harvey, BULLDOGS 16.11-107 (Grant 4, Kingsley 4) best, Grant, Smith, Darcy.

<||> Port Adelaide stretched their unbeaten 2000 run when they stormed back in the second half to capture a six-point win over the Brisbane Lions — 25,948 watched Port repeat their Ansett Cup final win in good conditions on Saturday night at Football Park.

The Lions hit Port with everything – and quickly – leaving no doubt they would be a tougher proposition than a fortnight before. The Lions dominated everywhere but on the scoreboard and in the first half put the Power under pressure. At half-time Port made wholesale changes to restructure their side with BOWEN LOCKWOOD moving to centre half-forward and CHAD CORNES at full-forward. With MATTHEW PRIMUS taking control at centre bounces the impact was dramatic as Port slammed on 10.5 for the third quarter, their best term of 90 AFL matches.

From thereon the match became a shootout as Brisbane moved JUSTIN LEPPITSCH forward where he kicked two of their three last quarter goals. In a tense finish, GAVIN WANGANEEN goaled for Port at the 24-minute mark to secure a hard-earned victory for the Power – PORT 14.15-99 (Cockatoo-Collins 3, Guerra 3) best, Primus, Carr, Schofield, BRISBANE 14.9-93 (Cupido 4) best, Lappin, Keating, Cupido.

<||> Geelong displayed new aggression in their 66-point win over West Coast in fine, sunny conditions at Shell Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The Cats displayed vigour at the ball, tackled with reckless abandon and harassed a new-look West Coast outfit out of the contest. The Eagles introduced eight new players to the colours – the biggest number of additions since their admission to the League in 1987.

Geelong was served by an even spread of talent as CHARLES HAPPELL from The Age noted: Ten players contributed goals, no one kicked more than three. Indeed, there can be few teams in the competition that boast such a small gap in ability between the best and worst player.

The Cats dominated all over the ground with 341 disposals to 297, taking 110 marks to 83. PETER RICCARDI was a standout with 25 disposals. A late, rushed behind to the Eagles tilted the calculations with the Cats just failing to unseat Essendon from top place on the ladder for the first time in three seasons. The downside for Geelong was the vigour they employed resulted in three of their players facing the Tribunal on Tuesday – GEELONG 17.13-115 (Bizzell 2) best, Riccardi, Bizzell, Sholl, WEST COAST 7.7-49 (Cummings 3) best, McIntosh, Kerr, Cummings.

<||> The tall marking power of Richmond's forward line proved too much for MCG co-tenants Melbourne to overcome, in the Sunday afternoon clash played in fine, sunny conditions at headquarters before 44,466. The Tigers were boosted by the return after injury of crack forward MATTHEW RICHARDSON who kicked five goals and survived the contest without trouble.

Though there were periods of uncertainty, Richmond controlled most of the contest with one of the main contributors being their captain-denied MATTHEW KNIGHTS who was responsible for a crucial goal on the three-quarter time siren which broke the back of a Demon fightback.

Melbourne found themselves chasing the Tigers as Richardson and BRAD OTTENS shared five of the first eight goals during a marking spree, well served by accurate delivery upfield that exposed Melbourne's defensive vulnerability. Both Schwarz and Neitz ending in attack for the Dees but it was outweighed by their absence at the other end. In a long season, Richmond can stand tall at the start. For the Demons, a 37-year wait since their last premiership, may stretch further – RICHMOND 20.14-134 (Richardson 5, Ottens 3, Campbell 3) best, Campbell, Knights, Hilton, MELBOURNE 15.13-103 (Schwarz 4) best, Schwarz, Bruce, Leoncelli.

<||> Warm, sunny conditions were the order on Sunday afternoon at the SCG where 31,174 attended. A pre-game motorcade of Swans' players from 1982 celebrated the 20th competitive season as the Harbourside club. Sydney honoured their veterans with a dominant display to defeat Adelaide by 52 points.

Sydney's old guard made a mockery of their birth certificates as evergreen midfielders DARYN CRESSWELL, 29, and WAYNE SCHWASS, 32, notched 27 and 30 possessions respectively. Midway in the second quarter, the Crows led 40-33 but the Swans kicked 11 of the next 12 goals and went through for a convincing victory.

With MICHAEL O'LOUGHLIN at his silky best up forward and while STUART MAXFIELD, BEN MATTHEWS and ROWAN WARFE gave Sydney strong midfield support; it was the superb authority by which captain-of-the-day 32-year-old ANDREW DUNKLEY controlled the backline. Even if Adelaide had been able to include the injured DARREN JARMAN, PETER VARDY and KANE JOHNSON it is doubtful the result would have gone the other way. The Crows are likely to struggle this season – SYDNEY 19.12-126 (Cresswell 4, Ball 3, Goodes 3) best, Cresswell, Dunkley, Schwass, ADELAIDE 10.14-74 (Stenglein 2, Welsh 2, Perrie 2) best, Edwards, Bickley, Goodwin.

St Kilda's Barry Hall booked by police
St Kilda's BARRY HALL celebrated the five-point win at over the Bulldogs on Saturday night. In the early hours of Sunday, Hall was involved in a brawl outside the Metro nightclub in Bourke Street and later charged at Prahran police station with being drunk in a public place. It is believed Hall became involved with several bouncers after a friend was ejected from the nightclub. Hall was released from the Prahran lock-up about 4am into the custody of St Kilda manager BRIAN WALDRON.

The St Kilda club on Sunday decided not to fine or suspend Hall, but he would undergo counselling to help avoid a repeat of the incident. The next day St Kilda found itself under pressure in defending its discipline policy. STEPHEN  RIELLY of The Age reported on Tuesday: St Kilda president ROD BUTTERSS said he was totally comfortable with the club's three-strikes policy that stipulates counselling for all first offenders.

BRIAN WALDRON supporting Butterss said that as much as the club was embarrassed to be dealing with another off-field indiscretion, the suggestion that St Kilda's disciplinary standards might not be as high as elsewhere in the league was unfounded.

Hall will face a Melbourne Magistrate in two weeks.
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Trams & footy travel together
Think Melbourne, think football ... think Melbourne, think trams — National Express, one of the two private contractors who operate the tram system in Melbourne have put the two together.

RON BARASSI, the legendary premiership player, captain and coach is the first to lend his name to a fleet of refurbished trams which were unveiled by the Victorian Transport Minister PETER BATCHELOR on March 28.

Barassi is the first of 12 football heroes to be honoured. The Herald Sun said KEVIN SHEEDY, TONY LOCKETT, DOUG HAWKINS, BOB DAVIS and PETER HUDSON will be among those featured on the new trams to be rolled out each month.

The move supported by the AFL will see a footy jumper with the player's number painted near the driver's window on the revamped Z and B-class trams.
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Magpies seek game moves to MCG
COLLINGWOOD have asked the AFL to move its four home games at Docklands this season to the MCG.

Speaking on ABC Radio in the Saturday pre-match segment, Collingwood president EDDIE McGUIRE said that the club did not want to play its games at Colonial Stadium, providing customers and financial support to Delaware North, money that in turn would be used to sue the club.

Delaware North are suing Collingwood for $1.5 million, over the lapse of a 1992 contract. The company has taken over the catering contract at Colonial Stadium from Nationwide Venue Management and was contracted to cater at Victoria Park before the AFL's ground rationalisation.

The AFL on Saturday (March 31) confirmed that Collingwood's request to shift the Round 2 match versus Fremantle on Saturday night had been rejected.

Stab Kicks ...
Shorts deal for Kangas
The Kangaroos signed a new shorts sponsorship deal with Internet company *iPrimus* ...

Docklands resurface on hold
Plans costing some $1.5 million to completely resurface the 19,000 square metres playing surface of Colonial Stadium have been put on hold until at least the end of April (Age, March 29) – in Round 2 the Docklands venue will host AFL games on Friday and Saturday nights and on Sunday afternoon; rugby league club Melbourne also play NRL homes games at Colonial ...

TipStar in slow launch
The State Government and AFL-sponsored tipping competition, TipStar, had an inauspicious launch at the weekend, with less than $200,000 wagered and dividends much lower than those paid by rival TAB Sportsbet (Age, April 3).

AFL ask clubs to lodge dates
=The AFL has asked all 16 clubs to lodge their arrangements for the ever-increasing number of club sponsor days and on-field presentation of trophies. PATRICK KEANE of AFL Media said the League was intent on safeguarding the interests of their official corporate sponsors (Herald Sun, April 1).

Inquiry follows torrid MCG start
13 players booked – fines total $29,500
Hawks first win since 1991 at Carlton
Swans reach 900 League wins

ROUND 2 — Fri-Sat-Sun, April 6-7-8.
MILESTONES — The Swans as South Melbourne-Sydney recorded their 900th win in League company, 1897-2001 ... ANTHONY INGERSON (Mel) played his 150th game ... HEATH BLACK (Fre) his 50th ... TODD CURLEY played his 150th club game for Footscray-West.B'dogs, also 3 Col 1994 ... MALCOLM BLIGHT suffered his 100th defeat as a League coach ...
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<||> Port Adelaide made a brave attempt but failed to halt the Essendon juggernaut on Friday night when 34,918 saw the Bombers in a comprehensive display sweep to a 38-point victory in dry conditions. The event brought the unfurling with little ceremony of the 2000 premiership pennant as the Dons went through their pre-match warm-up. In the opening 15 minutes, Port matched the Bombers for force at the ball and put pressure on the premiers in defence and attack, but Essendon weathered the passage.

The Dons kicked the last six goals of the first quarter and turned an 11-point deficit into a 27-point lead in little more than 10 minutes. The Essendon engine room provided their forwards with plenty of chances and although star forward MATTHEW LLOYD could not get into the game until the third term, skipper JAMES HIRD with flawless skills made amends with three superb first-half goals.

Port didn't surrender but lacked the class and marking strength to match the Bombers. The Power were well served by STUART DEW (6 goals) and CHE COCKATOO-COLLINS (4 goals) who dominated their scoring. In contrast, Essendon again were on target with 23.7 and 14 players sharing their goals.

A seven-goal third quarter by the Bombers put paid to any thought of a come-from-behind Port win. The Power from 55 points down gained some respectability in a lack lustre final term when Hird, Fletcher and Blumfield were rested. Essendon are the heavyweights and a formidable combination – ESSENDON 23.7-145 (Lloyd 4, Hird 3, McVeigh 3) best, Hird, McVeigh, Fletcher, PORT 16.11-107 (Dew 6, Cockatoo-Collins 4, Tredrea 3) best, Dew, Cockatoo-Collins, Francou.

<||> Hawthorn posted their first Princes Park win over Carlton for 10 years in warm, humid and overcast conditions on Saturday afternoon – 27,597 attended. Apart from the opening 15 minutes when the Blues kicked four of the first five goals, the Hawks mastered the midfield and dominated proceedings. Indeed, Hawthorn kicked 10 unanswered goals across the first, second and third quarters. Winning just once from the past 13 contests, Hawthorn's crop of young key position players demonstrated they had come of age.

LEN JOHNSON for The Age reported: Once again, Hawthorn demonstrated that man-for-man it is as strong as any team in the competition ... LUKE McPHARLIN was strong at full-back against Fevola; JADE RAWLINGS had much the better of Whitnall at centre half-back; SHANE CRAWFORD was the best of several players working the centre of the ground; and JOHN BARKER, with three goals, NICK HOLLAND (while he was on) and TRENT CROAD were effective forward targets.

Carlton were under great pressure and while Ratten, Camporeale and Bradley got their usual share of the ball, they were not allowed to use it with their usual efficiency. ANTHONY KOUTOUFIDES did well for the Blues and was thrust into a variety of roles to plug gaps. The Hawks up by 49pts, took their foot off the pedal and a five-goal to one finish flattered the Blues – HAWTHORN 16.11-107 (Barker 3) best, Hay, Croad, Thompson, CARLTON 11.15-81 (Hickmott 2, Camporeale 2, Fevola 2, Beaumont 2) best, Koutoufides, Hickmott, Ratten.

<||> Stung by the pundits during the week, the Bulldogs responded with characteristic aggression against Richmond in good but overcast Saturday afternoon conditions at the MCG before 36,427 fans. In the opening minutes, a targeted, bloody-headed MATTHEW KNIGHTS was off for six stiches to a wound above the right eye; he was soon followed by WAYNE CAMPBELL, which unsettled the Tigers – the Dogs kept up the pressure throughout the match to win by 42 points. Thirteen players were cited for a melee in the first quarter, when TONY LIBERATORE (WB) was booked for striking MATTHEW KNIGHTS (R).

ROHAN SMITH, CHRIS GRANT, BRAD JOHNSON, along with SIMON COX and former Tiger BEN HARRISON were the architects who laid the foundations of a ferocious Bulldog win. Richmond nearly had as much of the football, but they were never in control and their expected dominance of the air never eventuated – they kicked it high and wide, but seldom handsome.

JAKE NIALL summed the game up for The Age: The difference in finish was evident, not only in delivery to forwards, but in scoring attempts. The Tigers missed too many, while the Dogs, led by long-range missiles from Smith's boot, kicked some beauties. When it was over, (Terry) Wallace was asked about the game, giving his vertically challenged defence "confidence". The coach, as ever, was quick with the jab. "We've got a lot of confidence. We don't have to go looking for it. It's others that perhaps need confidence in us." – BULLDOGS 17.9-111 (Grant 4, Smith 3) best, Smith, West, Grant, RICHMOND 9.15-69 (Richardson 2) best, Hilton, Tivendale, Cameron.

<||> Collingwood put their first points on the board with captain NATHAN BUCKLEY getting 46 possessions (32 kicks and 14 handballs) against Fremantle at Colonial Stadium on Saturday night – a modest 26,067 went through the gate. The Dockers were competitive but never seriously threatened. Buckley may have had the stats, but the winners for the Pies were JOSH FRASER, STEVEN McKEE, CHRIS TARRANT and PAUL LICURIA.

KEN PIESSE observed the match for the Sunday Sun Herald: Malthouse's move of rucking Steven McKee non-stop, with Josh Fraser a permanent forward, paid handsome dividends with both being among the best afield – Fraser kicking four goals. The Magpies used Fraser and Tarrant as marking targets – the pair taking 18 marks between them. Former Docker BRODIE HOLLAND was lively with three early goals, while JARROD MOLLOY was again a force, despite poor disposal.

MATTHEW PAVLICH, playing only his 20th game, was clearly best for the Dockers with five goals, including three after three-quarter time. Fremantle kicked the first two goals of the final term through Pavlich and Hasleby to move to within 16 points, before Buckley finished proceedings in mid quarter with a set shot from a difficult angle – COLLINGWOOD 15.15-105 (Fraser 4, Holland 3) best, Buckley, Fraser, Tarrant, FREMANTLE 13.10-88 (Pavlich 5, Modra 3) best, Bootsma, Bell, Longmuir.

<||> Wet and slippery conditions at Football Park on Saturday night drew 35,653 patrons for a match decided with only three seconds remaining. Melbourne's ANDREW LEONCELLI kicked a dramatic goal to lift his side to a thrilling three-point win over Adelaide. The Demons had cleared the ball from the centre bounce as the final siren sounded.

Adelaide in the rain staged a spirited last-half comeback after being outclassed by Melbourne in the first half when Leoncelli produced a brilliant onball display. Down by 35 points at the long break, the Crows though outscoring the Dees eight goals to two narrowly took the lead with a goal through SIMON GOODWIN, 30 seconds from the end of the game.

In a desperate finish, Leoncelli grabbed the ball from a boundary throw-in and kicked accurately to give Melbourne their first win of the season. Adelaide remain winless but buoyed that injuries will mend and add strength to the line up. In Saturday's match, 11 of the 22 players had made few than 25 AFL appearances – MELBOURNE 12.11-83 (Robertson 3) best, Leoncelli, Robertson, Yze, ADELAIDE 11.14-80 (Welsh 4) best, Welsh, Bickley, Ladhams.

<||> The Kangaroos endured another crushing defeat when the Brisbane Lions proved too powerful in good but overcast and muggy conditions on Sunday afternoon at the Gabba – 22,970 were in attendance. The Lions won by 10 goals, and added to the thrashing suffered at the hands of Essendon in the opening round, which brought a starting deficit of 24 goals in two games against the Roos.

Though dominating, inaccurate kicking by the Lions reared its head early when six straight behinds resulted in a first quarter of 3.8 to 2.3. The Kangas stayed in the game to half-time chiefly from the three goals kicked by SAV ROCCA in the second term. When Rocca kicked his fifth (and last) early into the third, the floodgates opened as onballer SIMON BLACK gathered 14 touches for the term and Brisbane banged on six unanswered majors, three of them from JUSTIN LEPPITSCH.

The Roos were unable to risk WAYNE CAREY, still suffering from a calf injury, while an injured MICK MARTYN and the suspended BRENT HARVEY were also absent. Brisbane were well served by JONATHAN BROWN, the young, emerging centre half-forward and CLARK KEATING who, from the ruck, gave them first use of the ball. Keating topped his effort to kick three goals late in the game to be one of 11 goalkickers for the Lions – BRISBANE 17.16-118 (Keating 3, Leppitsch 3) best, Keating, Brown, Ashcroft, KANGAROOS 8.10-58 (Rocca 5) best, Stevens, Harris, Pickett.

<||> Masking Melbourne's wet Sunday afternoon; the roof was closed at Docklands when 33,687 saw Geelong slam on eight goals to one in the third quarter to overrun St Kilda's first half promise. Before the long break, AARON HAMILL, CRAIG CALLAGHAN and PETER EVERITT were spot on with their conversion, taking the Saints to a 22-point lead.

After half-time, with PETER STREET spending more time in the ruck, Geelong got their act together, with PETER RICCARDI working hard to clear his tag, with STEVEN BAKER and GLENN KILPATRICK winning plenty of the ball. RONNIE BURNS was irrepressible in the forward pocket and ended with five goals (he could have had eight). The Cats were again served with an even spread of goalkickers, following up from their 10 of last week, with nine sharing the 17 goals at Colonial. Defeated coach MALCOLM BLIGHT was scathing in his criticism, rating PETER EVERITT's performance against Geelong as "terrible, it was terrible." Everitt had three kicks, one handball and two marks – he kicked two goals – GEELONG 17.13-115 (Burns 5, Mensch 3) best, King, Burns, Scarlett, ST KILDA 13.8-86 (Hamill 3, Harvey 3) best, Harvey, Loewe, Moyle.

<||> Warm and sunny Subiaco conditions were present for the local timed midday start (12.10pm WST) with a good roll-up of 32,673 patrons. West Coast can count itself unlucky not to have won their contest against Sydney. However, the Eagles were always going to play catch-up footy going in with a long list of injuries, with more suffered during the game as Braun, Jakovich, Morrison and Munro were forced to retire.

With PAUL WILLIAMS displaying outstanding form, MICHAEL O'LOUGHLIN at his dashing best and WAYNE SCHWASS ruling the midfield, Sydney were dominant for most of the second quarter when they slammed on 8.6-54, their best score for the stanza in six seasons. But from there on, though the Eagles wasted many scoring opportunities, they fought back with true grit from 47pts down and just fell agonisingly short of their first win.

BEN COUSINS provided the Eagles with an inspirational 38 possessions, 20 of which came after half-time; he received great support from CHAD FLETCHER and newcomer DANIEL KERR. Sydney may have faltered but a win in Perth no matter by what margin, is always a big plus – SYDNEY 15.14-104 (Goodes 3, Ahmat 3) best, Saddington, Goodes, Maxfield, WEST COAST 13.11-89 (Taylor 3) best, Cousins, Gardiner, Fletcher.
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Heritage council lists MCG
The Heritage Council has given the Melbourne Cricket Ground its highest level of protection.

The Herald Sun on April 7 reported that the Council singled out the Melbourne Cricket Club members' stand as an important building to be conserved. Any alteration or demolition requires a permit from the Council.

The ground and surrounds were put on the register, largely for their social and cultural importance.

In December, a $400 million redevelopment was announced to replace three stands including the members' stand in time for the 2006 Commonwealth Games. The MCC and MCG Trust said 7500 seats could be lost if the members' stand remained. If the stand was demolished the ground would retain its present capacity of 97,500.
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Liberatore admits contact with Knights
In an unexpected aftermath to an incident which occurred early in the first quarter of Saturday's match at the MCG, Western Bulldog onballer TONY LIBERATORE during a five-minute press conference at the club's Footscray headquarters on Monday, admitted to making contact with Richmond's MATTHEW KNIGHTS.

The Herald Sun reported Liberatore, reading from a prepared statement said: "I reacted in self-defence to Matthew Knights running at me. I lifted my arm and this made contact with Matthew.

"The act was not premeditated and it was a spontaneous reaction and I acted instinctively.

"I certainly regret the outcome of the incident, however contact was certainly not deliberate.

"I apologise to Matthew for the outcome."
Knights, under the blood rule, left the ground soon after the clash with a gash to his forehead which required six stitches.
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Stab Kicks ...
Charges against Lappin and Merrington dismissed
Charges of being drunk in a public place against Carlton players MATTHEW LAPPIN and ANDREW MERRINGTON were dismissed in Sunshine Magistrates' Court on April 9. The charges resulted from incidents at Victoria University in the early hours of March 23. Neither player was in court to hear their charges dismissed.

The Medical Room
** Adelaide's MATTHEW BODE making his first appearance for the Crows since transferring from Port, broke three bones in his right hand against Melbourne on Saturday night — the goalsneak will miss at least six matches ... ** Carlton's MATTHEW ALLEN has his leg in plaster with a stress injury to his right foot – prognosis, 8 weeks ... ** St Kilda's DAMIEN RYAN early in the week was in hospital and in a neck brace after injuring his neck playing with VFL club Springvale on Saturday – the Saints are confident he is in no danger and will resume in a couple of weeks ... ** Fremantle's CLIVE WATERHOUSE has made rapid progress from a broken collarbone and will return soon ...

Helmet in a match – the first?
Master statsman COL HUTCHINSON in conversation this week recalled that BRIAN McGOWAN would have been the first player recorded to have worn a bicycle helmet in a League match. The South Melbourne player (1955, 1957-63, 118 games, 171 goals) as the Swans' longest serving with 103 consecutive League matches (1958-63) is overtaken in Round 3 by DARYN CRESSWELL.

To maintain his unbroken run of matches for the red-and-white, Brian suffered a head injury and in order to continue playing turned to the protection of a helmet. The practice has been followed more recently by St Kilda's NATHAN BURKE, Brisbane's SHAUN HART, and let us not overlook the other great Lion, Fitzroy rover GARRY WILSON.

Bits 'n pieces
** The Saints have passed 20,000 in memberships, up from 17,855 last year (Age, April 10) ... ** Richmond are seeking $3.5 in development funds from the AFL, members and Melbourne City Council for a multi-level building at the Punt Road Oval to house changes rooms, training and warm-up areas, medical rooms, coaches and a heated swimming pool – the project is planned to be finished by the 2002 season (Herald Sun, April 11) ... ** the Kangaroos in their efforts to be perceived as a national club could play a home game at York Park in Launceston as early as next year (Age, April 7) ... ** Sydney announced on April 4 it had signed MICHAEL O'LOUGHLIN until the end of season 2003. New contracts were also sealed with young guns JARED CROUCH, JASON SADDINGTON and NIC FOSDIKE ... ** meanwhile in the Sydney camp, the Swans will be without captain PAUL KELLY with his hamstring injury for at least another week ...

Magpies settle with Vic Park caterer
SCOT PALMER reported in his Herald Sun "Punchlines" feature on Sunday, April 8 — "... the Magpies have reached settlement finally in their $1.5 million contract with former caterers at Victoria, Delaware North, with the club making agreed payments over the next three years. The parties could link up again in the future."

Medical procedures under review
The AFL Medical Officers Association has formed a working party to develop a future policy on the medical management of players and, in particular, the use of local anaesthetics to treat injuries. The move to protect club doctors followed the recent Supreme Court action taken by former Carlton player ADRIAN WHITEHEAD who claims his career was prematurely ended after a painkilling injection (Age, April 5).
Whitehead, also refer Diary, Week 481, July 22-28, 2005

Tooheys return as Swans clubhouse goes to Fox Studios
The Sydney Swans have a new official clubhouse next door to the SCG. After a 14-year hiatus TOOHEYS have returned to the club as a major sponsor for the next three years, with the Fox & Lion Hotel at Fox Studios becoming the official clubhouse of the QBE Sydney Swans. The venue will be used for functions both pre and post match.

They said it ...
PATRICK SMITH, The Australian, April 9 — What sort of game is Australian football if it requires melees and punch-ups to add colour and thrills; that it needs gratuitous violence to raise it above the mundane? Not much at all. We've been kidding ourselves.

Brilliant Blues upset Essendon
Port take over as king of Adelaide
Swans play 2000th match

ROUND 3 — Thu, Sat-Sun-Mon, April 12 & 14-15-16.
MILESTONES — The Swans as South Melbourne-Sydney played their 2000th League match … 200 games for MICHAEL MANSFIELD (181 Gee 1990-99, 19 Car 2000-01) and ASHLEY McINTOSH (WCE, 1991-2001) ... 150th by PETER EVERITT (StK, 1993-2001) … 100 games for ANTHONY ROCCA (22 Syd 1995-96, 78 Col 1997-2001) … 50th for ADAM HOULIHAN (Gee, 1997-2001)… DARYN CRESSWELL (Syd) establishing a new Swans' club record playing his 104th consecutive game …
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<||> Carlton produced a stunning upset when it defeated Essendon by 17 points in good conditions at the MCG on the evening of Maundy Thursday — 63,088 attended. Pre-match losses by the Blues made the Bombers almost unbackable favourites — Allan was out with a foot injury, while Bradley, Silvagni and Koutoufides withdrew hours before the game.

CHARLES HAPPELL reported for The Age: Carlton's heroes on a night to remember were headed by midfielders SCOTT CAMPOREALE and BRETT RATTEN, with MATTHEW LAPPIN providing brilliant support both in the middle of the ground and as a crumbing forward. In a low-scoring match, the Blues trailed by a goal at half-time, hit the lead briefly in the third quarter when BRENDAN FEVOLA score a goal, but went into the final break 11 points down.

Essendon seemed to have shaken off Carlton when MATTHEW LLOYD kicked his fifth goal in the first minute of the last term put the Dons 17pts clear. But the Blues responded with successive goals to Camporeale, Fevola, Houlihan, Ratten, Fletcher and Whitnall to sweep to what Carlton president JOHN ELLIOTT commented: "I think it's one of the best home-and-away wins I can remember." The Bombers lost only their second game in 28 starts and had led the ladder for 31 successive premiership weeks – CARLTON 14.9-93 (Fevola 3, Houlihan 3, Camporeale 3) best, Ratten, Camporeale, Porter, ESSENDON 11.10-76 (Lloyd 5, Misiti 3) best Hardwick, Lloyd, Misiti.

<||> Saturday was a warm mid-20s afternoon when a disappointing 31,688 turned out at the MCG. Those that missed the contest may have been fortunate as the first half at times was downright ugly. The Tigers marginally improved after half-time and went away with a 22 point win over the Brisbane who failed yet again, giving the club an appalling 5-35 win record at headquarters.

Both teams struggled to find their targets, fumbles and turnovers ruining the match as a spectacle, reported KAREN LYON for The Age. From the eight-minute mark of the third quarter the Tigers turned on the spark; they kicked seven unanswered goals – emerging ruck talent RAY HALL and half-forward AARON FIORA each providing two goals in the quarter and MATTHEW ROGERS ran free. Richmond went out to a 40pt lead before the Lions kicked three goals in the first three minutes of the last term to put life back into the game.

The Lions whittled it back to only 12 points yet they ran out of steam and late goals to Hilton and Richardson secured a confidence building win for the Tigers after a messy media aftermath of the Liberatore-Knights clash from the week before. Lions coach Matthews summation — "We're overrated" – RICHMOND 17.14-116 (Richardson 3, Hall 3) best, Cameron, Tivendale, Bowden, BRISBANE 14.10-94 (Keating 4) best, Voss, Scott, Notting.

<||> Collingwood may be emerging from years in the wilderness by the manner in which they chopped up the more favoured Bulldogs by a thumping 12 goals in the Saturday night fixture played at Colonial Stadium attended by 37,598 patrons. The Bulldogs clearly missed the in-and-under abilities of the suspended TONY LIBERATORE and played as if the continuing controversy about their playing style was finally eating into their morale.

LEN JOHNSON from Docklands noted for The Age: CHRIS TARRANT kicked five goals for the Magpies, but he was only one focal point in a multi-pronged attack. JOSH FRASER was used mainly at centre half-forward, even staying there when STEVEN McKEE went off with an arm injury in the third quarter. JAMES CLEMENT and JARROD MOLLOY were also effective forward targets.

Collingwood kicked their best third quarter for 10 years, with their 10.2 beating its previous best for the term against the Bulldogs set in 1926. The Bulldogs were shocked by the fluency and skills exhibited by the Pies. After being dropped to the VFL, ANTHONY ROCCA returned for his 100th senior game, gaining 12 possessions in the last half and stood out among a host of players who impressed for the Magpies – COLLINGWOOD 23.15-153 (Tarrant 5, Clement 3) best, Buckley, Rintoul, Tarrant, BULLDOGS 12.9-81 (Bartlett 2, Grant 2) best, West, Bartlett, Johnson.

2011 note: It was noted that in 2001-R3 the Collingwood club recorded 14 goalkickers in a match for the first time.

Sydney shot to top place on the ladder when they maintained their undefeated run with an 80-point victory over the bedraggled Kangaroos in fine Saturday night conditions at the SCG. It was the Swans' 2000th League match. The Roos' 'home' fixture was managed for a $150,000 fee paid by the Swans – 22,395 attended.

Sydney fans didn't seem that bothered to "Boo a Roo" as the Swans broke away from a 14pt half-time lead to flatten the Kangas, booting 10 goals to one in the final stanza. STUART MAXFIELD was one of the best all night for the Swans, with DARYN CRESSWELL in his 104th consecutive game and GREG STAFFORD prominent, while MATTHEW NICKS in his return from injury quickly became a key playmaker.

Many other Swans contributed – MICHAEL O'LOUGHLIN and JASON BALL each kicked three goals, while ADAM GOODES, WAYNE SCHWAS and PAUL WILLIAMS were always dangerous. The Kangaroos, one of the most successful combinations of the past decade have suffered a horror start to this season, dropping three games by 85, 60 and 80 points – SYDNEY 23.13-151 (O’Loughlin 3, Ball 3) best, Maxfield, Cresswell, Stafford, KANGAROOS 11.5-71 (Carey 4, King 3) best, King, Harvey, Colbert.

<||> Port Adelaide became 'king of the heap' when they scored their second successive win over Adelaide when Showdown IX was decided in fine conditions in front of 40,296 fans at Football Park on Saturday night – the match was also a live local telecast. The Power recorded their best win and their highest score against their cross-town rivals.

The victory by the Power was a thorough team effort, compared with the Crows who are clearly in rebuilding mode. The Crows again left too much to too few against a confident Power performance. Port captain MATTHEW PRIMUS combined well with the brilliance of JOSH FRANCOU (31 touches) and NICK STEVENS (26), setting up the victory while GAVIN WANGANEEN was the forward focus with a return of six goals.

PETER VARDY in his first match of the season was a lone beacon for Adelaide in the unusual role of full-forward after coming off the interchange bench in the first term to kick 4.2. In four-quarter work, SIMON GOODWIN was best for the Crows while both MARK BICKLEY and ANDREW McLEOD battled hard against the odds – PORT 23.15-153 (Wanganeen 6, Carr 3, Burgoyne 3) best, Francou, Stevens, Wanganeen, ADELAIDE 13.10-88 (Vardy 4) best, Goodwin, Vardy, Bickley.

<||> West Coast put their first points on the board with an 18-point win over St Kilda in the Sunday sunshine at Docklands — only 19,496 were present. The Eagles 29-year-old recruit TROY WILSON was the star of the day when led beautifully then beat off four opponents to kick an outstanding 7 goals 5 from 19 kicks and 15 marks.

PETER MATERA showed his old spark was back, helping his brother PHILLIP to four goals with pin-point passes. St Kilda had a solid start but quickly wilted and were overtaken by the Eagles whose backline led by ASHLEY McINTOSH (playing his 200th) and GLEN JAKOVICH recalled days of the early 1990s.

The Saints has some winners and there were encouraging signs in the first half when AUSTINN JONES had an outstanding three-goal, 13-possession effort. Two imports for the Saints, AARON HAMILL and FRASER GEHRIG (against his old side) are struggling to find form. For West Coast, relief arrived; for the Saints, the honeymoon is over and plenty of hard work is ahead of them – WEST COAST 19.11-125 (Wilson 7.5, Phillip Matera 4, Merenda 3, Williams 3) best, Wilson, Peter Matera, Phillip Matera, ST KILDA 16.11-107 (Callaghan 4, Jones 3, Harvey 3) best, Harvey, Jones, Callaghan.

<||> Disgruntled Perth supporters left the Subiaco stadium less than half full when a bare 20,703 attended another near-noon start on Sunday. Cloudless skies, 27 degrees and the offer of a live telecast of the Eagles game from Melbourne provided the opportunity to stay away from supporting the Dockers — and they did.

Hawthorn's unbeaten run remained intact when they survived a brave third quarter fight back by Fremantle when they got to within three points. Earlier it had been a pretty-tame affair with plenty of skill errors.

ANDREW HAMILTON in Perth for The Age noted: "when CLIVE WATERHOUSE and SHAUN McMANUS collided at half-forward, leaving the Hawks to run the ball out of defence and mount an attacking raid that netted LUKE McPHARLIN a goal. From there the momentum was back in the Hawks' favour and they were able to run away in the final quarter, adding two goals and keeping the Dockers scoreless as Modra and Waterhouse both kicked out on the full. Fremantle can blame only its inability to hit a target by foot or hand and the usual poor decision-making – HAWTHORN 11.16-82 (Barker 3, Dixon 3) best, Harford, Rawlings, Barker, FREMANTLE 8.11-59 (Modra 3) best, Carr, Black, Waterhouse.

<||> It was warm in the high 20s on Easter Monday – 48,551 patrons were at the MCG for what was a terrific game, close, exciting, with plenty of skills on show. Geelong fired only briefly and lost out to Demon onballers in the midfield and the more-efficient Melbourne attack.

JAKE NIALL who reviewed the match for The Age reported: There were some outstanding individual displays of skill – including the mandatory couple of freak shots from RONNIE BURNS and an even better goal from SHANE WOEWODIN, who rediscovered the touch and run that netted him an unexpected Brownlow. Geelong were dogged, hard-at-it and actually played well enough to beat most opposition, but didn't quite have the same polish.

Melbourne, after a sluggish start against Richmond and Adelaide were a shade more impressive than the Cats and the Dees look as though they have gone to the level which made them a grand final team last year – MELBOURNE 18.16-124 (Robertson 3, Green 3) best, Woewodin, Yze, Snell, GEELONG 15.14-104 Burns 3, Mensch 3) best, King, Hocking, Milburn.
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Bulldogs demand a Tiger apology
A lengthy telephone discussion on Tuesday (17th) between Western Bulldog president DAVID SMORGON and his Richmond counterpart CLINTON CASEY appeared to have started the process of reconciling the two parties over comments made after the Tony Liberatore-Matthew Knights incident.
However, the Herald Sun reported Wednesday (19th) that Richmond president CLINTON CASEY the previous day had received a letter from a major Melbourne law firm — "The letter outlined the Bulldogs' anger at comments made by Casey and was accompanied by a full-page retraction and apology for Casey to sign".
The Bulldogs set a deadline of 2pm Friday for an apology from the Richmond president.

Waverley Park set for sale
The Herald Sun on Wednesday (18th) reported the way ahead for the sale of Waverley Park appears to be clearing.

It was reported the City of Monash has agreed in principle for the sale of the football landmark. Plans to demolish the stadium and redevelop the site have been put to the council, as well as the option of retaining the ground for elite sport.

While Heritage Victoria wishes to retain the playing surface and other key features of the ground, the AFL is expected to invite expressions of interest from developers as early as next month.

The League is hopeful of attracting at least $80 million from the sale of  Waverley Park.
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Racial taunt draws apology
Mediation took place on Wednesday (18th) between Melbourne's DAVID SCHWARZ and Geelong's JUSTIN MURPHY over Schwarz's alleged racial taunt during the first quarter of Monday's game at the MCG. An apology saved Schwarz from a racial vilification charge for calling Murphy a "coconut".

Public comments by Melbourne president JOE GUTNICK on Tuesday stating "I don't believe David has racist attitudes" drew the ire of the AFL and the request for an explanation, as well as a possible $20,000 fine. To this, Gutnick accused the AFL of acting like "communist Russia".

By Friday, most fans were looking forward to the next game of football.
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Stab Kicks ...
Perth fans rebel against starting times
Complaints by fans from across the Nullarbor to the starting times of Perth matches are growing in number. To parallel required TV broadcasting times for the eastern states, matches have been starting in midday Perth heat at 12.10pm (WST).

One of the reasons by Channel Seven in their last season of AFL broadcasts is the determination not to program Sunday double-headers which proved so popular in previous seasons — a 12.40 start (12.10 CST) at Football Park, then a 3.20pm (1.20 WST) bounce-down at Subiaco. Double-headers for season 2001 have disappeared from Seven's schedule.

With forecasts that Perth will have regular Saturday matches from next season by both the Eagles and the Dockers, it seems that Perth fans will not only have to adjust their sets, but also their football-going habits.

Sheedy and Walls end the slanging
The public slanging match over some days between Essendon coach KEVIN SHEEDY and 3AW's ROBERT WALLS ended with their appearance on Channel Seven's Talking Footy on Tuesday (17th). Sheedy admitted they had been behaving "like two old guys with a hose over the fence". Both had once been neighbours.

The Medical Room
** Essendon's JOE MISITI on Tuesday (17th) was operated on for a significant tear in the posterior cruciate ligament of his left knee – he will miss at least 10 weeks ... ** St Kilda's NICK RIEWOLDT had further surgery on his right knee and will not be available until Round 7 ... ** fellow Saint JASON TRAIANIDIS will be out for up to two weeks after sustaining an ankle injury in the loss to West Coast ... ** Fremantle's DAVID SIERAKOWSKI will miss the rest of the season following a knee reconstruction for an injury suffered against Geelong in Round 1 ... ** tests on Adelaide's MARK RICCIUTO revealed he suffered a cracked rib a month ago in the Ansett Cup fixture against the Bulldogs when he collided with a teammate – Ricciuto left the field in Saturday night's game against Port with breathing difficulties ... ** Geelong forward JASON SNELL will miss at least 12 weeks – he landed awkwardly in the third quarter of the Demons-Cats game on Monday, breaking the tibia bone low down on his left leg and dislocated his ankle ...

First charge for Lloyd
The charge of rough play against Essendon's MATTHEW LLOYD was a first — he had not been previously reported on a striking or similar booking. In his 35 reserve and 109 senior matches, his only indiscretion was a $2000 fine for engaging in a melee in last year's Grand Final.

International Rules — Youth Tests
Aussies too strong in two Tests
The Australian Under 17 team won the first two of three Tests against a visiting Irish team under International Rules. The First Test was played as the curtain raiser to the Carlton v Essendon match on Thursday April 12 which resulted —
Australia: 1 goal 18 overs 13 behinds (73), Ireland: 2 goals 10 overs 7 behinds (49)

In the Second Test played at the MCG on Easter Monday before the Melbourne v Geelong game, the green and gold proved too powerful for the visitors, winning 121 points to 25.
Australia: 1 goal 32 overs 19 behinds (121), Ireland: 2 goals 3 overs 4 behinds (25)

Hawks on top; first time since 1993
Violent storm affects Blues-Crows
Kangaroos break through for a win

ROUND 4 — Fri-Sat-Sun, April 20-21-22.
MILESTONES — HAWTHORN remain the only undefeated club, and took over top place on the ladder for the first time since 1993-Round 18 … JASON NORRISH played his 100th club match with Fremantle (1995-2001) also 20 Mel 1993-94 … PAUL HUDSON passed 450 goals from his 224 career matches with Hawthorn and the Bulldogs … Geelong's RONNIE BURNS passed 200 goals in game 106 … Carlton's MATTHEW LAPPIN passed his 100th goal in game 108 … BEN COUSINS (WCE) passed 100 goals in game 104 … GEELONG posted their lowest score of 134 contests since 1925 against the Roos .… as well, it was Geelong's second lowest score in 533 matches at Kardinia Park since 1941 … for the round only 1233 points were scored for the eight matches — the lowest tally since 1241 points in 1997-R21 …
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<||> Richmond made it three wins from four starts when they held off Collingwood's last quarter comeback in fine and cool conditions on Friday night at the MCG. The best crowd of the season, 78,638, were in attendance. The Magpies were 33 points down at the last change, then kicked five goals to draw to within one point of the Tigers — then two quick goals to PAUL BRODERICK for Richmond killed off the challenge.

Most of the key playmakers for both sides were held across the game – DUNCAN KELLAWAY did well to contain NATHAN BUCKLEY while MATTHEW KNIGHTS, BRAD OTTENS and MATTHEW RICHARDSON (who played with his left knee taped) were all quiet.

DWAYNE RUSSELL noted for The Sunday Age: "... despite the build-up of steam and a one-point quarter time lead, the Magpies failed to burn anyone but themselves. Richmond did not win because it was too highly skilled, or because it had dominant forwards who kicked an unbeatable score. The Tigers won a low-quality contest because Collingwood was not good enough." – RICHMOND 13.8-86 (Hilton 2, Cameron 2, Broderick 2) best, Hilton, Andrew Kellaway, Campbell, COLLINGWOOD 10.11-71, best, Fraser, Molloy, Rintoul.

<||> Steady rain proved no obstacle for Essendon on Friday night when the biggest SCG crowd for two seasons, 40,131, watched Sydney disintegrate and suffer a 47 point thrashing. The Bombers were not phased by the absence of Lloyd (suspended), Misiti (knee injury) and the late withdrawal with a virus of both Blumfield and Jacobs. First-gamers ROBERT FORSTER-KNIGHT and DAMIEN PEVERILL confirmed Essendon's depth with Peverill cutting Sydney's WAYNE SCHWASS out of the game.

PETER HANLON reported for The Age: Eleven unanswered goals from the two-minute mark of the second quarter defied all — not the least the weather. The Swans had gone in without JASON BALL, and lost ROHAN WARFE after MARK JOHNSON used him as a step-ladder on the members' wing. Warfe went down hard with what appeared to be a shoulder injury. Sydney simply couldn't find a way past the moving forcefield that is DUSTIN FLETCHER. Essendon kicked the last five goals of the first half and the first six of the second, and led by 68 points when MARK MERCURI casually slotted his second and the Bombers 14th. By then, JOHN BARNES was kicking exclusively with his left foot, and his teammates were kicking goals that would have severely tested Eade's manners.

Finally, 52 minutes after their second, ADAM GOODES soccered the Swans' third goal. Even then it was at the third swing of his leg ... Sydney dropped from top to third place, while the Dons move to second position, with the best percentage of the 16 clubs – ESSENDON 15.12-102 (Caracella 3, Hird 3, Mercuri 2) best, Ramanauskas, Mercuri, Mark Johnson, SYDNEY 6.19-55 (Ahmat 2) best, Cresswell, Schwass, O’Loughlin.

<||> The Carlton ground was deluged with heavy rain from a violent electrical storm for most of the first half on Saturday afternoon – 21,110 braved the day. Timekeeper clocks and the scoreboard at Optus Oval suffered from a power failure but the deepest wound was inflicted by Adelaide who with tough, intimidated pressure gained only their second win over the fancied Blues at Carlton since 1991.

The Blues were without their best running player SCOTT CAMPOREALE, a late withdrawal due to a hamstring injury. BRETT RATTEN with 37 possessions was best-afield while ANDREW McKAY was always prominent, but many others struggled. Carlton's key playmakers had days to forget, as the overhead sound of lightning cracking overhead seemed to act as a spur for the Crows.

Adelaide played veteran DARREN JARMAN off the half-back line and his roaming presence proved he is one of the most gifted players of recent times. MARK RICCIUTO was a beacon for the Crows, aided beautifully when he was needed, by MATTHEW ROBRAN, and three match-winning goals from PETER VARDY. Adelaide following three successive defeats gained their first points for the season and a memorable victory in the dreadful conditions – ADELAIDE 9.8-62 (Ricciuto 4, Vardy 3) best, Jarman, Hart, Smart, CARLTON 8.8-53 (Lappin 4) best, Ratten, Hickmott, Lappin.

<||> The benefit of the Docklands stadium was proved on Saturday afternoon when two minutes before the match started the roof was closed, in protection from the violent thunderstorm overhead. Only 20,322 saw the Western Bulldogs hand the Brisbane Lions yet another hiding on a visit to Melbourne. Spotlight of the day fell on veteran PAUL HUDSON who kicked 8.2 for the day, passing 450 goals for his 224 match career with Hawthorn and the Dogs.

PETER HANLON from Colonial reported for The Age: The Bulldogs' dominance started in the middle, when LUKE DARCY gave BEAU McDONALD a bath. Their prolific running brigade did much of its work unnoticed, but SCOTT WEST was still in their best few, and BRAD JOHNSON moved steadily through the gears to provide the finish. JOSE ROMERO's job on SIMON BLACK was also meritorious, the Bulldog denying himself the pleasures of possession in typical fashion for the team gain of reducing one of the Lions' playmakers to a virtual spectator.

Not for the first time, the Lions best players were MICHAEL VOSS – even with only five last-half touches – followed by Voss, Voss and Voss. Moving forward in an attempt to offer some sort of option, he found it hard to find the ball without having Voss streaming forward to kick it to him. The Lions with a 1+3 start will need all of their remaining 11 home games at the Gabba to be in anyway a chance this season – BULLDOGS 21.14-140 (Hudson 8.2, Johnson 3) best, Darcy, Hudson, Johnson, BRISBANE 12.15-87 (Headland 3) best, Voss, Headland, Picken.

<||> A crowd of 38,804 witnessed another Western Derby in good Saturday night conditions at Subiaco Oval. Seemingly home and hosed in the third quarter when West Coast went to a 31 point lead, the Dockers led by their midfielders ADRIAN FLETCHER, SHAUN McMANUS, PAUL HASLEBY and MATTHEW CARR kicked four unanswered goals to draw level at three-quarter time.

However, Freo ran out of steam as BEN COUSINS and MICHAEL GARDINER had last quarter blinders for the Eagles, kicking them to a four-goal win. Overall, West Coast were well served by ruckman MICHAEL GARDINER with five goals, DREW BANFIELD who cut loose with 30 possessions and three goals, with fine outings from ASHLEY McINTOSH and PETER MATERA.

Fremantle's attack was hampered by the injury to CLIVE WATERHOUSE. Returning from a broken collarbone, Waterhouse marked well in the opening stages then suffered a hamstring injury and took no part after half time. Fremantle dropped back to bottom place — the Eagles with 2+2 have started much better than a lot expected – WEST COAST 16.16-112 (Gardiner 5, Banfield 3) best, Gardiner, Banfield, Cousins, FREMANTLE 13.10-88 (McManus 3) best, Fletcher, McManus, Hasleby.

<||> Port Adelaide with a 6.6 to two behinds start, kicked themselves to their second 10-goal-plus victory in as many weeks when St Kilda were no match on Saturday night at Football Park; following early rain, ground conditions were generally good — 27,017 attended. The Saints slumped back to their old ways and lost their third successive game.

The tone of the match was set in the first quarter, ALAN SHIELL reported for The Age, when Port probably never played better and St Kilda rarely has played worse. The Saints were made to look slow, scrappy and loose by Port's quick, skilful play-on game, which flourished through the endeavour of its lively midfielders, led by NICK STEVENS, FABIAN FRANCIS, STUART DEW, JOSH CARR, JOSH FRANCOU and PETER BURGOYNE. Inevitably, (coach Malcolm) Blight blasted his players at quarter-time. And he asked them some questions, to which they replied by raising their right arms.

The Saints then charged back for their best period of play, then after half time added but one goal in each of the remaining quarters. Port did as it pleased for most of the match, and are looming as a serious contender for the Final Eight. For the record, it was Port's first win over St Kilda – PORT 17.12-114 (Burgoyne 4, Dew 4, Wanganeen 3) best, Burgoyne, Dew, Francou, ST KILDA 7.8-50, best, Voss, Harvey, Milne.

<||> Though scoring only two goals after quarter time, the Kangaroos enjoyed a 20-point victory in some of the worst conditions experienced for years. Heavy rain and driving wind at Geelong lasted most of the match, which ended in near darkness. Against live TV cover of the game, the crowd of 14,298 was the lowest for 10 years at Kardinia Park, meaning the cash-poor Cats suffered a financial loss of almost $50,000 on the day. The Weather Bureau at 9am Monday reported 117mm of rain had fallen in the Geelong area in the previous 24 hours.

Geelong was unfortunate to strike the winless Roos on such a day. The Kangas played no nonsense, wet weather footy, which Geelong was too slow to adapt to. The Roos won the game in the first quarter and were backed by a pair of Kings as MICHAEL HORAN noted in the Herald Sun, WAYNE CAREY and DAVID KING who each took his turn at showing classy hands.

The Roos knew how to pick up a greasy ball, and gained distance with their kicks. JAKE NIALL in The Age suggested – "The only consolation, perhaps, is that the Cats didn't have to attempt the trip back to Melbourne. The Kangas must have been stuck in Lara and Little River for hours, but, as the lovers of adversity, you get the feeling they wouldn't mind." – KANGAROOS 7.11-53 (King 3) best, King, Harvey, Carey, GEELONG 4.9-33 (Burns 2) best, Sholl, Spriggs, Burns.

<||> Steady rain and wind marred the Sunday afternoon match at the MCG, with only 30,113 present—against live TV cover of the game from Geelong. Much of the game was at ground level with no-frills, wet-weather footy. Hawthorn created their fourth victory of the year in the first quarter when a 22-point margin was huge in the conditions.

Hawthorn's midfield was dominant, where the match-up of the day between DANIEL CHICK (H) and SHANE WOEWODIN (M) was a beauty. AARON LORD kicked five goals with Dixon and Barker getting a couple each. JOEL SMITH was given the job on JEFF FARMER; though the Wiz had a forgettable day, he didn't help himself with dropped marks.

Melbourne trailed all day, yet fought back to within 12 points early in the last term before a critical umpiring decision went Hawthorn's way. BEN DIXON received 50m from a late spoil by Melbourne's ANDREW LEONCELLI. The easy goal from the square broke the heart of the Demons and the Hawks went on to record a solid win by 39 points.

The unbeaten Hawthorn went to top place for the first time since the 18th round in 1993 – HAWTHORN 11.17-83 (Lord 5) best, Chick, Lord, Harford, MELBOURNE 5.14-44 (Neitz 2) best, Walsh, Woewodin, Nicholson.

Turf replacement begins at Docklands
A $1.4 million returfing program of the Colonial Stadium at Docklands began on Monday (23rd).

HG, the new turf contractor using the Motz system which has rye grass with couch sewn into it on a synthetic base started the 19,000 square metre task, first replacing the centre corridor.

The western wing will be resurfaced after Round 5 matches and the following week the eastern wing will be replaced.

Obituary
Ian Drake and Micky Crisp pass
IAN DRAKE, the architect of St Kilda's only premiership in 1966 passed away on April 14, aged 71.

Drake as secretary of St Kilda and in partnership with club chairman GRAHAM HUGGINS recruited the talent which brought premiership glory to Moorabbin.
He was farewelled at The Necropolis at Springvale on April 19.

WILLIAM EDWARD CRESSWELL 'Micky' CRISP, centreman of Carlton's 1938 premiership team passed away peacefully at his home in Kirra, Queensland on April 15, aged 92.

Crisp played 183 matches with Carlton between 1931 and 1941, winning the club best & fairest award in 1934 and 1938 and was vice-captain of the Blues in 1935-36.

Stab Kicks ...
Concern for player safety in Saturday storm
Sidelights to the violent thunderstorm when both sheet and fork lightning blanketed Princes Park on Saturday was a genuine concern of player safety. Media reports noted that at one a rivulet running down the gutter next to the interchange bench swept away the spare boots and water bottles of the Carlton team.

Not too many kilometres away at Thomastown, six players from a soccer game were taken to hospital after a lightning strike. ABC-TV interrupted their cover of the VFL match from Williamstown where the Seagulls were playing Coburg with concerns to workplace safety where cameramen were working from scaffolding – a power failure brought in the use of a police car to replace the siren at Willy until supply returned.

Charges against Barry Hall dropped
Charges against St Kilda's BARRY HALL and his friend JOE ALESSI of being drunk in a public place laid on April 1 failed to reach court. The matters were discharged before reaching the courtroom.

New GG is Lions fan
No 1 ticket holder for the Brisbane Lions is PETER HOLLINGSWORTH, current Anglican Archbishop of Brisbane who becomes Australia's new Governor-General in June.

Federal government grants $90 million for MCG upgrade
The Federal Government is expected to contribute a grant of $90 million toward the $400 million plans to revamp the stands at the MCG in time for the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

Anzac Day glory to the Bombers
Hawks remain unbeaten
Lions' 64pt comeback in 27 minutes
Two new longest quarters

ROUND 5 — Wed, Fri-Sat-Sun, April 25, 27-28-29.
MILESTONES — Brisbane, kicking an amazing 13.6-84 against Fremantle at the Gabba recorded the fourth highest last quarter in 11,952 League matches – it was an astonishing 64-point turnaround in 27 minutes of football ... JASON McCARTNEY played his 150th League match – 38 Col 1991-94, 37 Ade 1995-97, 75 Kan 1998-2001 ... 150th by BRAD JOHNSON (FWB) 1994-2001 ... 50th by LUKE POWER (Bri) 1998-2001 and PAUL LICURIA, 10 Syd 1997-98, 40 Col 1999-2001 ... DENIS PAGAN steered the Kangaroos in his 200th game as coach, as did MARK WILLIAMS at the helm of Port Adelaide in his 50th AFL match ... MATTHEW RICHARDSON (Rch) passed his 400th goal ... PAUL BRODERICK played his 150th club game for Richmond (1994-2001), also 93 Fit (1988-93) ... JOHN BARKER played his 50th club game for Hawthorn (1998-2001) also 47 Fit (1994-96), 8 Bri (1997) ... BEN GRAHAM played his 50th consecutive game for Geelong ... DAVID NEITZ (Mel) passed 250 goals in game 163 ... new longest quarters were recorded – Saturday's second term at Colonial lasted 40 minutes, 39 seconds, and the last quarter on Sunday at the Gabba was timed at 37 minutes, two seconds ...
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<||> A bumper crowd of 83,905 attended the MCG on the Anzac Day Wednesday afternoon in cool, overcast conditions. The traditional contest was played on a remarkably good surface and a credit to the ground staff in light of the heavy rains experienced in the days before. The match followed ceremonies to honour the fighting men and women who served our nation in conflicts over the past 100 years. The game was highly entertaining and was played with inspirational style both by Essendon and Collingwood.

The scores changed five times in a tight-as-a-drum contest. Twice the Magpies led by three goals – once in a seven-goals-straight second quarter, again in the third – but they never could find the extra one to put Essendon away. Under intense pressure, the Dons twice rose to the challenge, coming back to trail by less than a kick at half-time, then again to lead by a goal at the final change. In the last term, in every respect a championship quarter, Essendon remained under siege, but was never headed.

STEVE ALESSIO in the ruck for Essendon played a huge part in the last half when they lifted their workrate and in the thrilling closing stages went on to capture an eight point win. It was the third successive win by the Dons in the traditional Anzac Day event and their sixth on-the-trot over the Pies. Though the Magpies lost, they never surrendered and won a lot of hearts.

After the match, RSL Victorian president BRUCE RUXTON presented the RSL Trophy to Essendon captain JAMES HIRD, while League legend RON BARASSI presented the RSL Medal to Collingwood CHRIS TARRANT as best player afield – ESSENDON 15.13-103 (Barnard 4) best, Barnard, Caracella, Mercuri, COLLINGWOOD 14.11-95 (Tarrant 5, Lockyer 3) best, Tarrant, Lockyer, Licuria.

<||> Subiaco Oval was near perfect with only a slight breeze present on Friday night when a big 38,424 saw Richmond power away in the last quarter to win easily from West Coast – it was the first victory over the Eagles by the Tigers in eight visits to Subi since 1987.

West Coast suffered the late withdrawal of full-back ASHLEY McINTOSH; the replacement was GREG HARDING, in for his first game of the season. The forward-line strength of MATTHEW RICHARDSON (six goals) and MATTHEW ROGERS (five) was a deciding factor. West Coast with PHILLIP MATERA prominent threatened to blow the game apart with a sensational third quarter when they swept back from a 38 point deficit to be only 13pts down at the last change.

Proving that good sides win their interstate clashes, Richmond held the Eagles to a goal in the last stanza and were comfortable 39 point winners. Richardson, in spite of conceding three 50m penalties, that last of which saw him dragged, provided the Tigers with something special when needed. Richmond were further blessed with fine showings by WAYNE CAMPBELL (32 touches), MARK CHAFFEY (29) and JOEL BOWDEN (18) – RICHMOND 17.7-109 (Richardson 6, Rogers 5, Bowden 3) best, Bowden, Richardson, Rogers, WEST COAST 11.4-70 (Phillip Matera 4) best, Fletcher, Phillip Matera, Williams.

<||> It was fine weather, but slippery conditions were present at Optus Oval on Saturday afternoon when 24,385 attended – there was also a passage of rain early in the last half. Though St Kilda gave some sign their large number of imports are starting to come together in the game plan, they were no match in the long haul for Carlton.

EMMA QUAYLE noted for The Age: ...it was a more serious and skilled St Kilda side that didn't let the Blues believe they had won until the final phase of the game. Carlton's early dominance was born in midfield, with the likes of BRETT RATTEN, DARREN HULME and CRAIG BRADLEY getting at the bottom of MARK PORTER's ruck work to set up BRENDAN FEVOLA, ANTHONY KOUTOUFIDES and Ratten himself. The problem for the Saints was that when Carlton relaxed, they started making mistakes too, almost as if they had no idea what to do should they possibly get in front.

The Blues broke the Saints in the last quarter and only for wayward kicking (7.9 in the last) the margin should have been greater. Following much media speculation, the focus was on AARON HAMILL in his return to Princes Park — late in the last quarter he reminded Blues fans what he could do – kicking the goal, nine minutes in, that at least kept his Saints in the game, however his impact was minimal – CARLTON 17.23-125 (Koutoufides 4, Hickmott 3, Fevola 3) best, Porter, Ratten, Hulme, ST KILDA 14.8-92 (Hall 5) best, Beetham, Hall, Hudghton.

<||> A crowd of 34,400 on Saturday afternoon at Colonial Stadium watched an entertaining, high-scoring contest under a closed roof. The conditions were good, on the relaid turf down the centre corridor. The match ebbed and flowed with Hawthorn twice taking control and withstand the always-spirited Bulldog fight back. The 29-point win maintained the Hawks unbeaten run and top place on the ladder.

LEN JOHNSON reporting for The Age noted that Hawthorn's fitness and resilience survived a searching examination when they were put under siege both physically and mentally by the Bulldogs. Hawthorn were 46 points in front late in the second quarter – the Bulldogs with three goals pulled it back to 28 points at the long break. The Tricolours by the 20-minute mark of the third had produced a 47-point turnaround to take the lead by a point. Hawthorn seemed to be past the crisis point with two goals and went into the last term up by 12 points.

The Hawks kicked five of the first six goals in the final quarter and went on to win by 29 points. Hawthorn's AARON LORD from five goals in the wet of the MCG the previous week, kicked six on the firm Docklands surface. NATHAN BROWN battled hard all day for the Dogs, and in spite of the influence SHAUN REHN had for the Hawks, LUKE DARCY was a good player for the Westerners – HAWTHORN 24.11-155 (Lord 6, Barker 5, Croad 4, Rehn 3) best, Rawlings, Rehn, Barker, BULLDOGS 19.12-126 (Hudson 4, Brown 3, Hunter 3) best, Darcy, Brown West.

<||> Football Park had a dewy surface and a fair breeze to the northern end in the fine Saturday night conditions when an audience of 37,596 cheered Adelaide on to their second close victory in as many weeks. The Crows would not lie down; winning back control after the Kangaroos attacked strongly in the early part, but both WAYNE CAREY and SAV ROCCA failed to translate that to the scoreboard. The defeat to the Roos came in DENIS PAGAN's 200th coaching game, and the 1+4 start keeps them down at 15th place.

ANDREW McLEOD and SIMON GOODWIN led the way for Adelaide in the second half, with MATTHEW CLARK's clever tapwork giving the Crows first use of the ball, while BRYAN BEINKE's three goals after half-time were crucial to the result. In his 150th League game JASON McCARTNEY shone at centre half-back for the Kangas; BRENT HARVEY was a lively onballer, DAVID KING provided great run out of the centre and WAYNE CAREY produced four goals.

The Roos were always within a goal or two in the frantic last quarter, but the Crows prevailed to win their first over the visitors at Football Park since 1995, and only their second in the past eight meetings – the other was the 1998 Grand Final – ADELAIDE 12.18-90 (Beinke 3) best, Goodwin, McLeod, Edwards, KANGAROOS 10.14-75 (Carey 4) best, King, Carey, McCartney.

<||> Fremantle led the Lions by 15 points at the 10-minute mark of the last quarter yet lost the game by 49 points. Producing an astonishing 64-point turnaround in 27 minutes of football, Brisbane in the last term kicked 13.6-84, the fourth-highest final quarter in 11,952 matches, in what was the longest last quarter on record, 37 minutes, two seconds. Only 20,059 were at the Gabba on a fine and warm Sunday afternoon.

It was a remarkable game of contrasts; Fremantle just couldn't go the distance against a Brisbane side who was deplorable for almost three and-a-half quarters. Statistically, JASON AKERMANIS and TIM NOTTING for the Lions both collected 31 possessions, and shared 13 uncontested marks. PETER BELL was the most effective afield for the Dockers with 36 disposals, HEATH BLACK had 30 touches, MATTHEW CARR (26) while DANIEL BANDY and TROY COOK each had 21 possessions.

The Lions had 11 goalkickers including ALASTAIR LYNCH with five goals, who was benched in the last term with CHRIS SCOTT taking over at full froward. JONATHAN BROWN also went back to the interchange for the final stanza, with MICHAEL VOSS going to centre half-forward. What a remarkable game – BRISBANE 25.21-171 (Lynch 5, Notting 4, Lappin 3, Akermanis 3, Scott 3) best, Akermanis, Notting, Power, FREMANTLE 19.8-122 (Pavlich 4, Hasleby 3, Bandy 3) best, Bell, Pavlich, Carr.

<||> Port Adelaide in a stunning performance led Geelong by 80 points in the third quarter before easing back to win by a comfortable 46 points on a fine Sunday afternoon, though it was cloudy at times – only 18,736 were on hand at Kardinia Park, the match was also televised live into the Victorian area. The result brought Port's first win at Geelong on their third visit.

The first term was tight when the lead changed on five occasions. When GARRY HOCKING goaled early in the second term, the Cats went to a one point lead. Then the floodgates opened with Port ramming on six goals in the next 11 minutes to stun Geelong – Port players were lining up at goal as if it were a training drill.

Geelong were more physical in the second half but it failed to stem the flow as the Power with eight goals to two held a 68 point lead at the last change. Geelong kicked seven goals to four in the last quarter but the reduction of the margin was only cosmetic and failed to mask the fact that Port Adelaide had recorded a big and very important win in Victoria.

Port Adelaide's STUART DEW regularly kicked out from goal yet booted 6.3, which shot him to goal leader after five rounds with 18.5. In one instance, Dew kicked the ball from full-back before bolting up forward, where he gained possession and, in what is quickly becoming a trademark style, pumped it home from 50 metres that's from one who had a question mark over his fitness level and played only 13 games last year – PORT 23.10-146 (Dew 6, Schofield 5, Tredrea 4) best, Dew, Schofield, Tredrea, GEELONG 15.12-102 (Murphy 3) best, King, Murphy, Sanderson.

<||> Melbourne captain DAVID NEITZ gave his side a dream start against Sydney, kicking four goals in the first 12 minutes of the Sunday afternoon match at the MCG played in fine conditions. While the Swans led at the first change, the absence of a five-pack in Stafford, Kelly, Warfe, Barry and Lewis bit deeply, as did the loss from a shoulder injury by half time of SIMON FEAST, the ruckman who had replaced the injured Stafford.

The Demons surged ahead in the second term with JEFF FARMER kicking three goals before he was taken out of the game late in the quarter with a hamstring injury. Following a closely fought third quarter, Sydney broke loose and with five goals went to a 10pt lead (15.14 to 14.10) midway through the last. What the Swans couldn't counter was RUSSELL ROBERTSON — he had already kicked one in the first minute of the last, but after Sydney had taken the lead, Robertson popped through another three goals in five minutes – one from a screamer of a mark 20m from goal over former Tassie Mariner teammate GERRARD BENNETT of the Swans. Neitz with his sixth for the day kicked the sealer.

Melbourne's JEFF WHITE clearly won the centre hit-outs over Sydney stand-in rucks ADAM GOODES and JASON BALL ... GUY RIGONI and DANIEL WARD with 24 each were top possession winners for the Dees, with close-at-hand STEVEN FEBEY (24), ANDREW LEONCELLI (23) and DAVID SCHWARZ (20) ... best to serve the Swans were JARED CROUCH (26), WAYNE SCHWASS (24), MATTHEW NICKS (23) and DARYN CRESSWELL (21) – MELBOURNE 18.11-119 (Neitz 6, Robert-son 4, Farmer 3) best, White, Schwarz, Ingerson, SYDNEY 15.14-104 (Goodes 2, Stevens 2, Nicks 2) best, Bolton, Nicks, Goodes.

Gutnick plans board reduction
A report that the Melbourne FC presidency of JOSEPH GUTNICK was under threat from high-profile businessman RON WALKER drew a swift reaction from the Demons' benefactor.

On Sunday (29th) at the Melbourne-Sydney MCG match day, Gutnick speaking on ABC Radio 774 (3LO) revealed his plans to cut the size of the Melbourne board by almost half at the end of the season. Gutnick who later joined Demon fans to watch his team said: "I think I've got the support of the members, but I don't know if I've got the support of the upper end of Collins Street."

The Melbourne board presently has 11 directors, of which Gutnick is one, and any alteration would require the agreement by three-quarters of directors.
The Age reported on May 1 that over the five years of Gutnick's presidency, three chief executives and 20 directors have served the club. There is a belief that an underlying tension remains between pro and anti-merger directors from the time of the aborted marriage with Hawthorn in 1996.

Mr Gutnick since rising to the presidency in 1996 has contributed some $3 million to the Melbourne FC.

The talking point drew the AFL website in a poll to ask the question – "Are you sick of hearing about club president's?" – the last check showed 92% of 1361 respondents voted in the affirmative.

Stab Kicks ...
ACB searching for Malcolm Speed replacement
Several AFL CEO's including Geelong's BRIAN COOK, Collingwood's GREG SWANN and Richmond's MARK BRAYSHAW are attracting the interest of the Australian Cricket Board as they seek to replace the highly respected MALCOLM SPEED who will soon take up his appointment as the London-based ICC chief executive.

Sixty years later ...
AFL master statsman COL HUTCHINSON in conversation on Tuesday noted that he would have to delve back at least 60 years to when forbears of the two captains of Sunday's Kardinia Park game led respective sides against each other. Geelong captain BEN GRAHAM is the grandson of South Melbourne icon JACK GRAHAM, while Port Adelaide captain MATTHEW PRIMUS is the grandson of the Cats' most famous son REG HICKEY, who was captain, captain-coach and later coached Geelong until BOB DAVIS took over in 1960.

Incidentally, JACK GRAHAM is the last man to kick 10 goals at Kardinia Park — he did so for the Swans against the Cats back in Round 8 1948. His feat is one of the oldest extant records on the books.

Short odds for Drum
The Herald Sun on Monday noted that Centrebet has withdrawn the market on *the first coach to be sacked* — Damien Drum was $2.25 when betting ceased.

Charging rule to be reviewed
Speaking on ABC Radio 774 (3LO) on Sunday, AFL football operations manager ANDREW DEMETRIOU said the AFL's contentious charging rule could be the subject of a mid-season review. The review by a discussion group will take place during Round 12 which will be split over 10 days.

Swans and Demons for Anzac Day?
The Sydney and Melbourne clubs have put a submission before the AFL for the two to play an Anzac Day fixture next season at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Trial: SANFL goal umpires wired for TV
At the Adelaide Oval on Anzac Day, ABC-TV during its telecast of the Central District v Woodville-West Torrens grand final rematch trialled goal umpires wearing a small television camera attached to their hats. A report noted the camera looks similar to a lipstick case and sits just above the umpire's ear. One camera was in operation on Wednesday, with each umpire wearing it for half a game.

Call for ground managers to be responsible
AFL Players' Association chief executive ROB KERR went on record saying, ground managers and not field umpires should be entrusted with stopping matches when there is a threat of lightning. This followed in the wake of violent electrical storms experienced in Melbourne at the Saturday match played at Princes Park in Round 4. The AFLPA will formally express its views to the League.

Hume Council demands on Kangaroos
Following the Kangaroos' loss of $1.14 million last year, The Age on Thursday (3rd) reported the social club had received a statutory demand from the Hume City Council for unpaid rents totalling between $100,000 and $200,000. CAROLINE WILSON and CHRISTOPHER WEBB in their story suggested the Kangaroos face the near-certain failure of their $1.6 million Broadmeadows Social Club venture.
__________

They said it ...
GREG BAUM, The Age, May 2 — Confusingly, the laws that decree ''intentional, reckless or negligent'' contact to be a free kick elsewhere rule that ''intentional, reckless or negligent'' contact is reportable.

In the recent controversy over the charging rule, no one could say unequivocally what was the difference between a legal bump, a free kick and a reportable offence. Fine lines are not the game's strong suit.

It is difficult to see what will be gained by putting Curley before the tribunal. If he is suspended, it will appear to be heavy-handed. If he is cleared, it will give rise in all minds to the idea that the incident was scarcely even worth a free kick in the first place. It's a curly one.

Melbourne's 2000th match
Stewart Loewe reaches 300 game
Federation Cup to Collingwood
10.4 by Matthew Lloyd

ROUND 6 — Fri-Sat-Sun, May 4-5-6.
MILESTONES — MELBOURNE played their 2000th League match ... St Kilda's STEWART LOEWE played his 300th match (1986-2001), the 38th League player to achieve the milestone; Loewe equalled the St Kilda club record of BARRY BREEN (1965-82) ... BRISBANE played the 100th VFL-AFL premiership match at the Brisbane Cricket Ground (1981-2001) ... 100 games by SHANE
WAKELIN, 94 StK 1994-2000, 6 Col 2001 – LUKE McCABE (Haw) 1995-2001 – SHANE WOEWODIN (Mel) 1997-2001 which have been consecutively since his debut, only the fifth player to achieve this feat ... 50 games by ANDREW WILLIAMS (WCE) 1998-2001 and DAVID WIRRPUNDA (WCE) 1996-2001 ... DAMIAN DRUM coached his 50th League match ... York Park in Launceston became the 35th venue of VFL-AFL football ... MATTHEW LLOYD with 10.4 against West Coast became the first double-digit goalkicker at the Docklands venue ... COLLINGWOOD captured the Centenary of Federation Cup with an eight point win over Carlton ...
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<||> Richmond made it five wins from six matches when they dominated the final quarter to score a decisive 51 point win over the Kangaroos on Friday night under the closed roof of Colonial Stadium. The Tigers retained fourth place on the ladder behind the leaders Hawthorn 24pts, in parallel with Essendon and Port Adelaide on 20 premiership points.

It was a fair struggle for three quarters with Richmond's tall forward duo of BRAD OTTENS and MATTHEW RICHARDSON always threatening — Richardson finished with four goals from 13 marks. The Roos painfully missed the suspended WAYNE CAREY while COREY McKERNAN remained ineffectual, prompting his coach DENIS PAGAN to describe his efforts as "tragic". McKernan's zero-stats for the night were, no kicks, no marks, no handballs and just five of the 28 hit-outs contested.

One of the few winners for the Kangas was veteran DAVID KING (162 games) – his bursts out of the middle gave the lead which were not taken up by most of his teammates. The exception was former Geelong captain LEIGH COLBERT who as Carey's replacement at centre half-forward who at last is finding form – RICHMOND 19.15-129 (Richardson 4, Rogers 3, Bowden 3) best, Knights, Richardson, Chaffey, KANGAROOS 12.6-78 (King 3) best, Stevens, King, McLaren.

St Kilda played inspirational football in celebration of STEWART LOEWE's 300th League game and were thorough victors by 26 points over Sydney on a fine Saturday afternoon at Docklands stadium – 28,933 were in attendance. Loewe played an outstanding game, finishing with 29 possessions, 11 marks and three goals.

With WAYNE SCHWASS providing a fiery game the Swans played well in passages, with their second term putting them a good position, only to see the Saints whip back through goals from Loewe (2), Burke, Everitt and Hayes to take and eight point lead at the long break. Golden opportunities were presented to Sydney in the third but renewed pressure by the Saints forced the Swans into costly errors.

Imports to St Kilda showed great improvement with FRASER GEHRIG's efforts at full-back suggesting he has found a home in defence for the season, while AARON HAMILL's straight-ahead approach added bite to the forward line both in the air and at ground level. But, it was an old-stager BARRY HALL who stepped up to kick three last quarter goals in 10 minutes to seal the Saints' second win for the season – ST KILDA 18.12-120 (Hall 5, Milne 3, Loewe 3) best, Milne, Jones, Hall, SYDNEY 14.10-94 (Schwass 3) best, Schwass, Saddington, O’Loughlin.

<||> Melbourne in their 2000th League game sent Fremantle crashing to their seven straight defeat on Saturday night at Subiaco Oval for a modest 19,775 was around for the remainder of the night. The Demons suffered the late withdrawal with a knee injury of key ruckman JEFF WHITE.

The Dockers seemed hungry for victory, however an off-target start nullified the midfield dominance enjoyed by PAUL HASLEBY, ADRIAN FLETCHER and TROY COOK when they led the Dees 4.10 to 2.6 early in the second term. Melbourne sensing the occasion were snapped into life by a long goal from GUY RIGONI, eight minutes into the third quarter.

SHANE WOEWODIN continued his strong work in his 100th consecutive match as the Dees took control. The last-quarter capitulation by Fremantle for the second week in a row was hard to believe as Melbourne breezed away with 8.4 to finish all over the Dockers by 45 points. The pressure on Fremantle coach DAMIAN DRUM in his 50th League game was obvious as he suggested that his board "Sack me, or back me". JOHN WORSFOLD, the former Eagle player and current assistant coach at Carlton was said to be waiting in the wings – MELBOURNE 18.11-119 (Green 4, Robert-son 3) best, Ward, Yze, A.McDonald, FREMANTLE 9.20-74 (Modra 3), best, Bell, Hasleby, Cook.

<||> Port Adelaide confirmed they are the "big improvers" of this season when they registered a comfortable 43 point win over the Western Bulldogs before 30,197 on Saturday night at Football Park – it was the 50th premiership match under lights for the Bulldogs.

The Westerners were depleted without the suspended trio Darcy, Curley and Liberatore, while Romero, Croft and Dimattina were sidelined by injury. Coach TERRY WALLACE was reduced to employ flooding tactics to counter deficiencies and that provided an ugly spectacle. CHRIS GRANT was used mainly at centre half-back to counter WARREN TREDREA with regulars SCOTT WEST, NATHAN BROWN, BRAD JOHNSON and ROHAN SMITH all working hard. But, by three-quarter time it was evident by just how far Port would stretch their lead.

CHE COCKATOO-COLLINS impressed for Port while MATTHEW PRIMUS asserted his authority around the ground. Defender DARRYL WAKELIN provided great rebound out of defence with his cool approach and clever reading of the play. Port with a great 5+1 start hold third place alongside Essendon and Richmond, behind the undefeated leaders Hawthorn – PORT 20.9-129 (Burgoyne 3, Cockatoo-Collins 3, Chad Cornes 3, James 3) best, Francou, Primus, Francis, BULLDOGS 13.8-86 (Johnson 3) best, Johnson, Eagleton, Grant.

<||> Brisbane and Geelong played the 100th VFL-AFL match at the Gabba in fine conditions on Saturday night – 25,881 attended. The Lions were in command throughout and swept to a 55 point victory while the Cats after such a promising start to the season plummeted to their fourth successive defeat. Centre half-forward JONATHAN BROWN kicked seven goals as the Brisbane team produced their best team effort of the opening six matches.

BILL McDONALD reported for The Age: Brown played the game of his life to see off three opponents – BEN GRAHAM, JASON MOONEY and TOM HARLEY – by half-time, and had two more goals (five) than the Cats' total. JASON AKERMANIS, MICHAEL VOSS, SIMON BLACK and NIGEL LAPPIN were ruthless and provided direct penetration into their forward line with monotonous regularity by hand and foot. When LUKE POWER and CRAIG McRAE chipped in, the Cats' DAVID SPRIGGS, DAVID CLARKE, DARREN MILBURN and co, took on the appearance of revolving doors.

All too often the Cats were too slow, and the rebounding ball was converted at the other end with ease as the Lions revelled in the open space, compounding a monumental problem for coach MARK THOMPSON. The Lions ran away, kicking 14 of the last 16 goals to celebrate the 100th game since the merger with Fitzroy – BRISBANE 17.14-116 (Brown 7.0) best, Akermanis, Brown, Voss, GEELONG 8.13-61 (Houlihan 2, Burns 2) best, Spriggs, Bizzell, Sholl.

<||> The Centenary of Federation Cup was at stake when traditional rivals Collingwood and Carlton met for the 222nd occasion on a beautiful autumn Sunday with 73,572 present at the MCG. The match paralleled a meeting between the two clubs on the same weekend 100 years ago when Federal Parliament sat for the first time in Melbourne. This time the result was the same though the margin was much closer.

LEN JOHNSON reported the occasion for The Age: Twice within the dying minutes the Collingwood spearhead ANTHONY ROCCA kicked for the game to the scoreboard goal from virtually the same spot. The first time he steered his shot just wide; the second time he drove the ball through for his sixth goal and a crucial 10-point lead to the Magpies. A rushed point to the Blues and another point to BRETT RATTEN later, Collingwood had won by eight points. Both the final scoreline, 15-13-103 to 14.11-95 and the margin were the same as the Anzac Day blockbuster against Essendon. Then, the Magpies were on the wrong side of the margin; now, deliriously, they were on the right one. Win me a big game, Michael Malthouse had challenged his players during the week, and they had.

For much of an enthralling last quarter the match had been slipping out of Collingwood's grip. Other parallels with Anzac Day were emerging; Collingwood again led at half-time; again took control of the game in the first part of the third quarter; and again appeared to run out of steam towards the end of it. In the end, Collingwood won the match because it made, and took, enough half-chances and – as he done with his season – when Anthony Rocca got a second chance he took it – COLLINGWOOD 15.13-103 (Rocca 6) best Buckley, Rocca, Freeborn, CARLTON 14.11-95, best, Porter, Camporeale, McKay.

<||> From late in the first quarter when Eagles' ruckman MICHAEL GARDINER limped off with a bad ankle injury it was only a matter of time when Essendon would overwhelm West Coast. The Bombers went away to win by a massive 88 points on Sunday afternoon in fine conditions at Docklands when 33,829 were present.

The fortunes of West Coast were dealt a further blow when captain BEN COUSINS went off after being crunched by DEAN RIOLI, and although Cousins later returned he was not effective. Essendon did as they pleased, as Sheedy rotated players through the interchange to preserve them for more telling challenges to come. MATTHEW LLOYD following first term errors was on-target in the remaining quarters kicking 3.3, 5.0 and 2.1 to finish with 10.4, the first player to kick double-digits at Docklands. It was a second-best career tally for Lloyd who kicked 13.4 against Sydney in 1999.

While West Coast received good service from PETER MATERA and TROY WILSON who kicked 5.3, the task before them was too great. Interestingly, DUSTIN FLETCHER had a poor day at full-back for the Dons – Wilson was too much of a handful, and several undisciplined free kicks resulted in Fletcher seeing out the game on the bench – ESSENDON 24.14-158 (Lloyd 10.4, Rioli 3) best, Lloyd, Hird, Peverill, WEST COAST 10.10-70 (Wilson 5) best, Taylor, Wirrpunda, Kerr.

<||> York Park in Launceston became the 35th venue of League premiership matches when a record 17,460 spectators were present on a fine and sunny Sunday afternoon. In beating Adelaide by 13 points the Hawks have become the first side from Glenferrie to win its first six matches of a season. And importantly, from a club perspective, the club also set a Tasmanian AFL attendance record, surpassing the 15,230 who witnessed the Tasmania-Victoria state match in June 1960 at York Park.

The Launceston experiment was a huge success and GEOFF McCLURE for The Age noted: ... apart from an 11-minute burst in the second quarter when they kicked six unanswered goals, the Hawks were never in complete control and late in the game looked as though they could even lose the match when the mercurial DARREN JARMAN booted two quick goals. Jarman, the former Hawk who switched to Adelaide in 1996, was the star of the match, winning accolades from both coaches, Schwab and Adelaide's Gary Ayres, for his 39-possession performance that included 13 marks and then three goals when he was switched from defence into attack in the second half.

Hawthorn were indeed sluggish at times and coach Schwab said after the match: "It wasn't a convincing effort." NICK HOLLAND on his return from three weeks of injury time lasted only the first 10 seconds of the game when he laid a tackle on Jarman, dislocating his left shoulder — surgery will sideline him 4-6 weeks – HAWTHORN 16.8-104 (Barker 3) best, Dixon, Barker, Chick, ADELAIDE 12.19-91 (McLeod 4, Jarman 3) best, Jarman, McLeod, Welsh.
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Drum holds on at Fremantle
A lengthy board meeting of the Fremantle FC on Tuesday (8th) confirmed the Dockers will undertake a complete review of the clubs coaching options for season 2002. They will also focus on the structure of the football department.

DAMIAN DRUM therefore seems certain to last the distance as coach of the club, at least until the end of the season.

The West Australian reported on Wednesday: "Although it appears Drum has lost the support of the majority of the Dockers board about continuing for more than the short term, the board baulked at the thin list of potential replacements for the remaining 16 weeks of the 2001 season."

News from around the traps indicate there is no one immediately holding up their hand for the position — JOHN WORSFOLD, currently assistant coach at Carlton is unlikely to shift from the Blues before the end of this season while others suggested, PETER SUMICH, MARK RILEY or STAN MAGRO are happy with their current coaching positions with WAFL clubs South Fremantle, Claremont and Perth.

Other AFL personalities DENIS PAGAN and DAVID PARKIN have categorically ruled they have no interest in the position.

Fremantle with six defeats have registered the worst start of any year and together with a loss to Brisbane in the final round last season, have lost seven in-a-row. The Dockers last victory was on July 20 over West Coast in the 12th Western Derby.

Since he took the helm in 1999, of their 50 matches under Drum, Fremantle have won 13.

Stab Kicks ...
Consuming passion of Fitzroy fans
(Stephen) 'Phillips Australia', reported to the Diary that a new record was set on the night of Fitzroy's announcement of their Team of the Century. The staff of the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Melbourne were caught off guard when 82 slabs of heavy beer was consumed by the 1400 guests before 8.40pm. Back-up supplies of a further 60 slabs were rushed in to satisfy the consuming passion of guests.

Around the traps
** The Herald Sun on Friday (4th) reported: Richmond want to play a blockbuster with Collingwood as the first game of each season ... ** Essendon are close to finalising a multi-million deal to wear the * i7 * logo of the Internet arm of Channel 7 on its shorts from next year ... ** DARREN JARMAN has indicated he's willing to go around for another season with the Crows in 2002 when in January he turns 35 ... ** great to see the supporters rolling up to SANFL footy – Friday night at The Parade drew 13,745 to see Norwood play Sturt ... ** Puma produced a special one-off guernsey with a small *300* woven on the front and back for St Kilda's STEWART LOEWE to wear last Saturday — Puma will do the same for Burkey in a fortnight's time ... ** the Adelaide squad in Launceston last Sunday contained 17 SA-bred players who started their careers with SANFL clubs ...

Sean Charles quits Saints
25-year-old SEAN CHARLES resigned from the St Kilda club on Monday – after missing weekend training sessions he was destined to be chopped – Charles played 56 League matches, 47 with Melbourne 1992-97, one with Carlton in 1998 and eight for the Saints in 2000 ...

The Medical Room ...
** NICK HOLLAND, Hawthorn's key forward had an arthroscopy on Tuesday to determine the damage to his left shoulder suffered in the opening seconds of the match against Adelaide in Launceston on Sunday – Nick damaged the same shoulder six years ago and now may be absent for the best part of two months ... ** following knee surgery last Friday, Essendon's MICHAEL LONG has returned to hospital on Tuesday with a high temperature and infected tonsils ... Richmond's MARC DRAGICEVIC faces a total knee reconstruction after injury suffered against the Kangaroos last Friday night at Docklands ... ** will PAUL KELLY finally make it back in two weeks? – if he does it would be at the SCG against the Bulldogs when TONY LIBERATORE is over his five-week suspension ...

TV plans for 2002
Talks on TV coverage for next season with the new consortium indicate that Sydney viewers to Channel 10 in Saturday night prime time will see at least four or as many as 11 Swans matches live, depending on the draw ... discussions with the SANFL also suggest that the Crows and Port will play several of their 2002 AFL matches on Saturday afternoons at Football Park ...

Port crush the Eagles
Dons too good for Tigers
Swans on the slide
Collingwood loses 800th match

ROUND 7 — Fri-Sat-Sun, May 11-12-13.
MILESTONES — MARCUS ASHCROFT (Brisbane) played his 250th League match (1989-2001) … 100th games by JUSTIN BLUMFIELD (Ess, 1996-2001) and RAYDEN TALLIS (Haw, 1994-2001) … 50 matches by CHRIS TARRANT (Col, 1998-2001) and BEN MATHEWS (Syd, 1997-2001) … NATHAN BUCKLEY played his 150th club match with Collingwood (1994-2001), also 20 Bri 1993 … two players passed the 250-goal milestone at the MCG; Essendon's MATTHEW LLOYD in 74 games and Richmond's MATTHEW RICHARDSON ... BRAD JOHNSON (FWB) passed 150 goals in game 152 ... CHE COCKATOO-COLLINS reached 150 goals in game 106 for Essendon and Port Adelaide … RICHMOND played their 500th premiership match at the MCG since 1908 ... COLLINGWOOD suffered its 800th defeat in League football since 1897 ... STEWART LOEWE played his 301st League match to become the longest-serving player for St Kilda … though the weather was fine at all venues and conditions were good over the three days of Round 7, the highest score recorded was Port Adelaide 17.19-121 over West Coast at Subiaco Oval.
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<||> A rainless Friday night and good conditions were in order for the MCG clash when 32,299 were present. The Bulldogs returned to the winners circle and kept themselves in touch with the top bracket by a comfortable five goal victory over the more-favoured Melbourne. The Dogs found their targets all evening and in spite of a wasteful first half, always looked the better side. It was the sixth successive win by the Bulldogs, the best-ever between the clubs – they have not lost to the Dees since 1996, before the name change from Footscray.

LEN JOHNSON noted for The Age: Certainly, a loss would imply negative consequences for both teams. The Bulldogs would have been left at 2+5 and with a lowly percentage, their finals' campaign badly holed, if not totally sunk. Melbourne boasted a 4+2 record coming in, but had hardly been impressive in the first six rounds, to all appearances a good team struggling for consistent form. The Bulldogs led by 12 points at the end of a first half strangely devoid of passion. It was as if both teams were more fearful of losing than fired up to win.

The Bulldogs couldn't finish off the Demons due to their wasteful kicking at goal. The Demons suffered several injuries – a returning JEFF WHITE had leg problems again, while BRAD GREEN badly bruised his arm in the second quarter. Generally the Melbourne field play was sloppy, while the Bulldogs work rate remained high and more efficient with their deciding goals coming at the proper time – even a goal after the siren by BRAD JOHNSON who finished with 2.5 for the Dogs – BULLDOGS 15.17-107 (Brown 4) best, Brown, West Penny, MELBOURNE 12.5-77 (Bruce 3, Robertson 3) best, A.McDonald, Ward, Bruce.

<||> Expectations of the Saturday afternoon meeting between Richmond and Essendon were the same as those before Round 17 last year — same venue, similar conditions, same result, though the margin was smaller. It was fine and overcast with 77,576 in attendance at the MCG. The Bombers again exposed the Tigers as pretenders with a ruthless 46 point victory. Essendon came through their biggest test to date and won in almost every aspect of the game, though the count of behinds for Dons was lopsided.

The Tigers, so keen to match themselves against the Bombers were out of the contest by quarter time as Essendon continued to stretch their lead by points instead of goals because of inaccurate kicking. MELISSA RYAN reported for The Age: The Bombers had bombarded the goals to rack up a wasteful 4.10 by quarter time. Only in the last term did they kick more goals than points. Their forward pressure was a telling force all day, as MATTHEW LLOYD was bulldozing around the ball to set up teammates such as DANNY JACOBS, the youngster redeeming an easy miss early in the game, and providing good support.

The first roar from the stunned Tiger fans came almost six minutes into the second quarter when LEON CAMERON scooped up the ball from a DEAN SOLOMON transfer out of defence to kick the team's first goal. The much-vaunted Richmond midfield had been invisible, but captain WAYNE CAMPBELL generated some spark in the second quarter. But the ball in Richmond's attacking zone was a rarity. The final margin flattered the Tigers, as it may well have been three figures had Essendon converted more efficiently – ESSENDON 16.24-120 (Lloyd 4, Lucas 3) best, Lucas, Wellman, Peverill, RICHMOND 10.14-74 (Krakouer 2) best, Ottens, D.Kellaway, Campbell.

<||> The future of Fremantle coach DAMIAN DRUM was placed into further question when his charges faded yet again to suffer a seventh loss of the year and the worst start of their seven AFL seasons on Saturday night at Football Park. In fine, though cool conditions, Adelaide went on to post a 20 point win before the watchful eyes of 38,292.

The Crows looked set to blow the match apart with a dominating first quarter when the Dockers kicked a woeful 1.8. But Freo fought back bravely in the second stanza when they started winning the ball in the midfield with Hasleby, Black, Fletcher and Bootsma giving their forwards opportunities. However, ANDREW McLEOD in a tireless, match-long performance gave the Crows something special. SIMON GOODWIN, NIGEL SMART and MATTHEW ROBRAN (until injured) delivered the thrust required for Adelaide.

Giving credit where it is due, the Dockers came back on three occasions and were only two points adrift of the Crows 18 minutes into the last quarter when a lengthy hold up occurred to remove the injured Robran who was accidentally struck in the back of the head by the knee of Freo's JUSTIN LONGMUIR during a marking contest. The break halted Fremantle's momentum and goals for Adelaide quickly followed from Beinke, Edwards, McGregor and Smart as the Crows seized the initiative to capture their third win – ADELAIDE 14.19-103 (Robran 2, Ladhams 2, Goodwin 2) best, McLeod, Goodwin, Jarman, FREMANTLE 12.11-83 (Waterhouse 4) best, Longmuir, Waterhouse, Black.

<||> Hawthorn retained top place on the ladder with their seventh-straight victory on Saturday night on the fully replaced Colonial Stadium grass surface. A robust 37,940 saw St Kilda with nagging persistence apply pressure to the Hawks with the lead changing 11 times during the match.

EMMA QUAYLE reporting for The Age said: Hawthorn started the match as though it had arrived straight from the MCG intending to do everything Essendon had done in its win over Richmond earlier in the day, including inaccurate kicking for goal. While the JONATHAN HAY-led backline was giving the likes of AARON HAMILL and BARRY HALL grief – new games record holder STEWART LOEWE was the only St Kilda forward on top of his opponent – the Hawks could not match their efficiency in attack and finished the opening with as many points as it had goals, NATHAN THOMPSON being the major offender.

The Saints won the centre breaks all night, with PETER EVERITT magnificent, only to see the Hawthorn half-backs, led by JOEL SMITH constantly rebound. Playing his 299th game, NATHAN BURKE was a tireless worker for the Saints, collecting 29 possessions, more than anyone else. When the Saints pressed, Hawthorn refused to panic when JOHN BARKER and TRENT CROAD became the rock and coming from behind by kicking five of the last six goals the Hawks survived undefeated – HAWTHORN 16.14-110 (Barker 5, Croad 4) best, Smith, Tallis, Thompson, ST KILDA 15.9-99 (Loewe 3) best, Burke, Everitt, Begley.

<||> Though it was fine & sunny weather, the Docklands roof was closed on Sunday afternoon – a disappointing 34,600 were reported as seeing a tense struggle with the Kangas surviving by two points over Collingwood, which may be the turning point of the season for the financially-embattled Roos. The match was a game-long struggle with margins at breaks - 7, 8, 4 and 2 pts.

Early, the Pies found it impossible to open up the game to play their own brand of football – the Roos kept the game tight and by flooding their defence when they needed to, slowed the Magpies down. The Kangas were not only frustrating their opposition into overusing the ball, but also kept the game flowing in a style they're used to.

The match, though, would ultimately be decided by the players who, going into the match, found most eyes focussed on them. When the ball flew over Shannon Grant's head just into time-on, former Magpie SAV ROCCA found himself sitting on the end of it and popped the ball through the goals to push the Roos ahead by three points. Less than two minutes later, the ball found itself at the other end of the ground in the arms of Sav's brother, Anthony. The shot on goal, which narrowly missed and would certainly have won Collingwood the game, would have made for some interesting Mother's Day discussion back at the Rocca household. (EMMA QUAYLE, The Age). ALAN DIDAK on debut for Collingwood kicked a goal with his first kick – KANGAROOS 15.9-99 (Carey 4, Grant 3) best, Grant, Harvey, Kickett, COLL’WOOD 14.13-97 (Tarrant 5) best, N.Davis, Licuria, Fraser.

<||> Only 29,150 were at the MCG on Mother's Day when Carlton in fine & sunny conditions sent Geelong tumbling to their fifth successive loss. The Blues made every use of their scoring opportunities whereas Geelong were confused and dispirited on their forward line where nine separate players kicked their goals.

LANCE WHITNALL returned to centre half-forward in his 98th game for Carlton and was a critical factor in the result, which proves the Blues are a better side when he is on-song. He played a wonderful game taking 10 marks. Whitnall was ably supported in the forward zone by ADRIAN HICKMOTT who delivered three goals from his 17 touches. However, the thumping possession count by BRETT RATTEN (29), SCOTT CAMPOREALE (24), MATTHEW LAPPIN (22) and the class of ANTHONY KOUTOUFIDES (25) provided Carlton's dominance.

PETER RICCARDI, a key playmaker for Geelong from a clash of heads with Blues ruckman MARK PORTER suffered a fractured cheekbone after only two possessions, with the two David's CLARKE and SPRIGGS stepping into the breach and both recording 25 possessions. From captain BEN GRAHAM down, the Cats are badly out of touch and as MIKE SHEAHAN recorded in the Herald Sun: "Simply don't have the class to cut it with the big boys." Next up for Geelong, the winless Fremantle at Subiaco – CARLTON 17.6-108(Whitnall 4, Hickmott 3) best, Whitnall, Camporeale, Franchina, GEELONG 9.14-68, best, Spriggs, Clarke, King.

<||> The SCG was fine & sunny, with good conditions and a light breeze on Sunday afternoon when a less than expected 22,390 arrived to watch on Mother's Day – most fans preferring to see what happened on live TV. Brisbane, in spite of wayward kicking were comfortable winners by 32 points over Sydney who etched another black day into the book of records – some reports went as far to describe the Swans as "hopeless".

From the "big improvers" atop the premiership ladder after the first three rounds, Sydney is going backwards. The Swans were very lucky – lucky that Brisbane was so inaccurate. The Lions had 37 scoring shots but kicked only 15 goals. In the final quarter, when the game was in the balance, Brisbane kicked 4.7 to Sydney's two behinds. Swans coach RODNEY EADE estimated: "We probably should have lost by 12 goals." But changes to the Harbourside squad are unlikely, as the depth on the sidelines is either injured or not there.

Brisbane would be lifted by their 'away" win with JASON AKERMANIS playing an outstanding role with a 30 possession game from 19 kicks, 11 handballs and seven marks. SIMON BLACK was the busiest Lion with 32 touches, while MICHAEL VOSS (24) and NIGEL LAPPIN (24) were efficient with the ball while BEAU McDONALD provided a willing physical presence against a struggling GREG STAFFORD – BRISBANE 15.22-112 (Lynch 3) best, Akermanis, Black, Voss, SYDNEY 12.8-80 (O’Loughlin 4, Goodes 3) best, Mathews, Barry, Goodes.

<||> Port Adelaide continued their winning run with a resounding 71-point victory over West Coast in fine and sunny conditions at Subiaco Oval on Sunday afternoon. It was a bleak day for West Coast, hit by injury both before and during the match. The tenor of the match was so devastating many supporters left before half time. Only 28,026 were on hand, less than Port's first visit to play the Eagles in 1997 when 29,723 watched the R15 game.

Ruckman MICHAEL GARDINER with an ankle and PETER MATERA with a calf injury were late withdrawals before the start – ASHLEY McINTOSH limped off in the first term; MICHAEL PRIOR with a knee injury requiring a reconstruction was off by half time; CHAD MORRISON was lost in the third term while DEAN KEMP with back soreness was on the bench by three-quarter time. This however did not mask a comprehensive Port Adelaide success who had winners on every line.

MATTHEW PRIMUS dominated the ruck, NICK STEVENS and FABIAN FRANCIS were rampant in the midfield, WARREN TREDREA was too quick for GLEN JAKOVICH while CHE COCKATOO-COLLINS was at his creative best across half-forward. So complete was Port's dominance, 11 Eagles failed to have double-figure disposals. It was only when Port eased off in the last quarter to allow West Coast to kick four goals which enabled them to record 7.8 for the game. Eagles coach KEN JUDGE suffered his heaviest defeat at Subiaco since taking charge at the start of 2000. The coming weeks with matches against Collingwood (FP), Melbourne (FP), Hawthorn (MCG), Sydney (SCG) and Carlton (FP) will define the season for Port Adelaide – PORT 17.19-121 (Burgoyne 4, Francis 3, Tredrea 3) best, Francis, Stevens, Primus, WEST COAST 7.8-50 (Wilson 3) best, Fletcher, Merenda, Banfield.
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Freo's Fletcher suspended for contract with umpire
Fremantle co-captain ADRIAN FLETCHER became the third player this season to be suspended on the most controversial of charges, that of *making contact with an umpire*.

It followed a last quarter incident on Saturday night at Football Park when Fletcher had a free kick awarded against him when he collided with field umpire MATTHEW HEAD. Head from a ball-up was running backwards when the 31-year-old veteran of 217 games experience ran into the back of Head. From 40m away, fellow field umpire SHANE McINERNEY paid a free kick which resulted in Adelaide's DARREN JARMAN having a set-shot for goal.

Fletcher was cited on Monday following a video review. Already this season, BRENT HARVEY of the Kangaroos and the Western Bulldog TODD CURLEY have been suspended for two matches for making contact with an umpire.

At the hearing conducted in Perth on Wednesday, the Tribunal found ADRIAN FLETCHER had been negligent in his actions and suspended him for one match.

Another collision occurred in Round 7 when West Coast captain BEN COUSINS collided with umpire BRYAN SHEEHAN at Subiaco Oval on Sunday afternoon after a ruck-bounce. Cousins escaped penalty.

MICHELANGELO RUCCI in The Advertiser on Tuesday reported: Essendon coach KEVIN SHEEDY supported Fremantle coach DAMIAN DRUM's call for the free-kick for accidental contact with umpires to be scrapped.

Sheedy said umpires should call play on, note when they had collided with a player and then make a decision after a video replay on whether to lodge a report.

The contact with umpire Head by Fletcher comes only days after ROB ANDERSON, the CEO of the AFL Umpires Association disappointed by the ambiguous Tribunal verdict of Todd Curley's clash with Kieron Nicholls, warned that his body could be forced to take future incidents of player contact to court.
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Legend suggests five umpires
LEIGH MATTHEWS, coach of Brisbane claims to have the answer to the incidence of players colliding with field umpires. Matthews' plan is to have five umpires control the game.

He calls for one central umpire and four others running a quarter of the ground along the boundary lines, serving the dual capacity of umpire and boundary.

The Hall of Fame Legend explained, "The central umpire would control the middle corridor and the other four would do a quarter of the ground each, including throwing the ball in. They would get a good view and they would be out of the road."

Stab Kicks ...
Relaying of turf finished at Docklands
IAN COLLINS, the CEO of Colonial Stadium speaking on ABC Radio's Saturday pre-game confirmed the replacement of the turf surface had been completed during the week. In answer to a question from DWYANE RUSSELL, Collins stated two football-sized ovals of back-up turf is on hand by HG TURF in country Victoria outside of Alexandra, ready to be relaid if needed.

The Medical Room
** A recurring calf injury hampered WAYNE CAREY on Sunday yet he still kicked four goals against Collingwood – Carey will continue on a restricted training regime ... ** an update on Swans captain PAUL KELLY – in spite of claims "he may not play again" Sydney doctor NATHAN GIBBS said Kelly's hamstring had virtually recovered but he had developed problems in his lower back and was suffering sciatic nerve pain down his leg – Gibbs predicted Kelly should be back in "three to four weeks" ... ** knee surgery on Tuesday (15th) to Essendon's MARK MERCURI and Hawthorn's JADE RAWLINGS will have them out for the next four weeks ... ** the season is over for MICHAEL PRIOR after Port Adelaide's CHE COCKATOO-COLLINS fell across his leg on Saturday night; Prior is the third West Coast player to have a knee reconstruction this season ... Adelaide's MATTHEW ROBRAN has a sore head but was not concussed in the match versus the Dockers; x-rays cleared him ... ** a torn calf muscle to Sydney's DARYN CRESSWELL from the match against Brisbane on Sunday threatens his club-record 108 consecutive games played for the Swans – he is in doubt for the crucial clash against the Dogs.

What to do with Peverill?
AFL rules threaten the immediate future of Essendon's 21-year-old rookie DAMIEN PEVERILL. Elevated to the senior list when JOE MISITI was placed on the long-term injury list, Peverill has performed very well in successive games against Sydney's WAYNE SCHWASS, NATHAN BUCKLEY (Col), BEN COUSINS (WCE) and the Richmond pair WAYNE CAMPBELL and MATTHEW KNIGHTS. The injured Joe Misiti is expected to return soon, which under the rules means Peverill must be dropped back to the rookie list from where he cannot play senior footy. The Bombers are already two players short because of the salary cap.

In a line ...
** Colonial Stadium has been booked for Australia-India one-dayers between September 14-18 ...** the Kangaroos-St Kilda game on Saturday at Manuka Oval will clash with a rugby union Super 12 final expected to draw 28,000 that night at Bruce Stadium  ... ** the AFL agreed with a request by the Bombers not to move the Round 9 Essendon-Hawthorn event from Docklands to the MCG ... ** new contracts, CHRIS SCOTT with the Brisbane Lions to the end of 2004; ADAM SIMPSON with the Roos until the end of 2004, while in the west, MICHAEL GARDINER and DAVID WIRRPUNDA re-signed with the Eagles on three-year deals ... ** the North Melbourne Football Club Social Club applied to the Supreme Court for an order to set aside the demands for $100,000 for rent allegedly owing under a lease of the Broadmeadows Town Hall ... ** WA sports minister ALAN CARPENTER has called for an overhaul of the board of the two Perth-based AFL clubs – Carpenter wants the WAFC's commissioners elected by nominations from the general public, not political appointees ... ** Channel Seven's TIM WATSON will return to Windy Hill in a leadership role under KEVIN SHEEDY – in 1997 before coaching St Kilda, the Bombers viewed Watson as a successor to Sheedy ... ** Geelong's MARC WOOLNOUGH played two VFL quarters on Sunday, his first match time in two years ... ** CRAIG BRADLEY on Saturday in game 340 becomes only the third Carlton player to captain the Blues in 100 games – the others are STEPHEN KERNAHAN (226) and JOHN NICHOLLS (187) ... ** 1999 Norwich Rising Star ADAM GOODES will play his 50th for the Swans on Sunday ... ** SIMON COX who made his debut with two games (R9 and R10) in 1995 finally reaches 50 games for the Bulldogs on Sunday ... ** NATHAN BURKE plays his 300th for St Kilda at Manuka Oval on Saturday, having missed only 13 matches from a possible 313 ... ** SIMON PRESTIGIACOMO for Collingwood has sat on the interchange bench maybe longer than any other player this season – in the past two matches he has been required for only 25 seconds ...

A friendly "pat" ...
So-called high-jinks between WAYNE CAREY and NATHAN BUCKLEY in the Collingwood-Kangaroos match when both patted the other's face, prompted AFL Umpires' director JEFF GIESCHEN to write to the 16 clubs with the warning "we do have a concern when players push, grab, touch or rub opponents' heads and faces." Fear of retaliation which may bring the *game into disrepute* is the essence of concern.

Obituary
Gil Langley passes
GIL LANGLEY, the noted SANFL footballer and Test cricketer passed away in an Adelaide nursing home on Monday night after a long illness aged 81. Langley played 160 matches over 11 seasons with Sturt which he captained in 1947. He was the Best & Fairest winner of the Two Blues in 1945 and 1946 and its leading goalkicker in 1948. He also represented South Australia on 15 occasions.

As the Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers records, GIL LANGLEY played in a VFL Grand Final. During World War 2, as a munitions worker he was transferred to Melbourne and in one of the four late season games he played for Essendon, he was named as 19th man for the 1943 Grand Final won by Richmond at Princes Park.

Brought up in Colonel Light Gardens, Gil's sporting career embraced both cricket and football. Langley took up the gloves for SA in the Sheffield Shield in 1947/48 and performed so well he was selected to tour South Africa in 1949/50 as understudy to RON SAGGERS. By the following season Langley had become Australian keeper and took seven wickets in his first Test against the West Indies in 1951/52 and 21 wickets in the series. Langley kept wickets for Australia for the next five series in a total of 26 Tests for the baggy green.

Langley had the distinction of captaining both the cricket and football clubs of Unley Oval. After sport, Mr Langley was a Labor member of the South Australian parliament for 20 years during which time he rose to Speaker.

Dees pressure the Dons
300th for Nathan Burke
Bulldogs back in the eight
Cats blitz the Dockers

ROUND 8 — Fri-Sat-Sun, May 18-19-20.
MILESTONES — NATHAN BURKE became only the third to play 300 matches for St Kilda (1987-2001), missing only 13 of a possible 313 games ... DUNCAN KELLAWAY (Rch) reached 150 games (1993-2001) ... 100 matches by five players – PAUL BARNARD, 11 Haw 1994-95, 89 Ess 1996-2001; SCOTT LUCAS (Ess) 1996-2001; JOEL SMITH, 58 StK 1995-97, 42 Haw 1998-2001; MATTHEW BURTON, 70 Fre 1995-99, 30 Kan 2000-01; AARON HAMILL, 92 Car 1996-2000, 8 StK 2001 ... 50 games by five players – TRENT HOTTON, 17 Col 1994-96, 33 Car 2000-01; NATHAN THOMPSON (Haw) 1998-2001); ADAM GOODES (Syd) 1999-2001; SIMON COX (FWB) 1995-2001 ... CRAIG BRADLEY in his 340th game captained Carlton for the 100th time ... COREY McKERNAN (NMK) passed 200 goals in game 168; LANCE WHITNALL (Car) passed 200 goals in game 99; ANTHONY KOUTOUFIDES (Car) passed 150 goals in game 175 ...

FROM THE ROUND  — Geelong supporter COL HUTCHINSON was in Perth on Sunday. It was the 850th consecutive occasion Col has seen his beloved Cats play in a League premiership match. His unique and maybe world record started in Round 11 of 1963 when he was 19 years-old. When the draw is released each year, Col at his own expense plans his journeys to any part of Australia, usually flying out and back the same day. He needs to return and be at his desk each working day – Col has been the AFL statistician since 1992. While Col saw the 1963 Geelong premiership victory, he has since endured five grand final defeats in 1967, 1989, 1992, 1994 and 1995.

<||> Adelaide in a stunning second-half comeback produced some its best football in years when they blitzed the Tigers with eight goals in 13 minutes on a cool Friday night at the MCG with 29,073 in attendance. A shower during the second quarter only slightly hampered the teams. The Crows kicked nine goals to one in the third term, and swept back after an inaccurate and scrappy first half which left them 22 points down at the long break.

Richmond received a reality check the previous week when they were ruthlessly exposed by Essendon and the Adelaide revival further compounds the problems facing the Tigers. To top off a woeful night for Richmond, MATTHEW RICHARDSON in the last term suffered a hamstring injury to his right leg. Almost unable to buy a goal in their 5.12 first half, the Crows perversely could not miss in the third term with nine straight goals, falling just one point short of their best-ever third-quarter tally.

Adelaide's BRETT BURTON wearing a substantial left knee brace marked well and was back to his 2000 form when he clinched the match for the Crows with his 5th goal late in the final quarter. Though off-target with six behinds, ANDREW McLEOD played a pivotal role for the Crows and was too skilful around the ground the ball. DARREN GASPAR and LEON CAMERON were the best for the Tigers with Cameron kicking a personal-best 4.1. After being tipped to win the wooden spoon, Adelaide have won four of the past five and go forward with a 4+4 record – ADELAIDE 17.18-120 (Burton 5, Robran 3) best, McLeod, Goodwin, Burton, RICHMOND 14.8-92 (Cameron 4, Richardson 3) best, Gaspar, Cameron, Richardson.

<||> Carlton took a while to get going on Saturday afternoon at Princes Park where occasional sunshine and good conditions were experienced. A modest 21,997 saw the Blues go from strength to strength, extending their lead at each change to thrash the Brisbane Lions by 74 points. It was another disappointing visit to Melbourne by the Queenslanders.

ALASTAIR LYNCH kicked two early majors for Brisbane, then Carlton piled on 10 of the next 11 goals and it was curtains for the Lions who were toothless. The control over proceedings was emphasised by ANTHONY KOUTOUFIDES who racked up a 36-possession game, taking 11 marks and kicked three goals, yet, he was not the best afield. That laurel belonged to SIMON BEAUMONT who shut down the highly-rated Brisbane centre half-forward JONATHAN BROWN and delivered an endless supply to the Blues' forwards. In support came ADRIAN HICKMOTT, MATTHEW LAPPIN and LANCE WHITNALL.

It was a convincing performance by Carlton and while Brisbane was disadvantaged by the late withdrawal of both LUKE POWER and CRAIG McRAE the Lions had neither the pace nor the avenues to goal to compete seriously. Only SIMON BACK and MARCUS ASHCROFT provided any midfield drive, with skipper MICHAEL VOSS typically at his efficient best. Brisbane may stay in touch with four of their next five games programmed for the Gabba but they continue to struggle badly on the road – CARLTON 21.16-142 (Whitnall 3, Lappin 3, Fevola 3, Koutoufides 3) best, Beaumont, Koutoufides, Hickmott, BRISBANE 9.14-68 (Black 3, Lynch 3) best, Ashcroft, Voss, Notting.

<||> The good conditions and frequent sunshine at the MCG on Saturday afternoon gathered a lowly 22,988 as Hawthorn maintained their undefeated run with an effortless 80 point win over an injury-ravaged West Coast. Before the match the Eagles reported 17 players injured from their list of 38. Only when the Hawks relaxed in the last quarter did West Coast double their score to end with a modest 8.10 for 120 minutes of footy.

As MELISSA RYAN noted for The Age: With Hawthorn looking ahead to the much-anticipated  meeting with reigning premier Essendon next Saturday — the ease with which JOEL SMITH (his 100th match), ANGELO LEKKAS, JONATHAN HAY (before his injury) and MARK GRAHAM mopped up in defence was staggering, and captain SHANE CRAWFORD and RAYDEN TALLIS were also destructive in this area. KRIS BARLOW, a late replacement for LANCE PICIOANE (hamstring), did not let his opportunity slip by (20 possessions), kicking three goals, two of which came in a particularly strong third term.

No matter how many times the West Coast powers tried to make repairs, little was achieved. Ex-Hawthorn player RICHARD TAYLOR for the Eagles won praise from his former teammates with a 30 possession game, while West Coast captain BEN COUSINS though making several glaring errors had much of the ball in his contest against DANIEL CHICK. The Hawks gained their confidence-boosting eighth win but the loss with an ankle injury of JONATHAN HAY will further deplete their stock of talls for the crucial match-up against the Bombers – HAWTHORN 21.12-128 (Barlow 3, Lekkas 3, Thompson 3) best, Crawford, Smith, Lekkas, WEST COAST 8.10-58 (Embley 2) best, Wirrpunda, Cousins, Kemp.

<||> A crowd of 10,958 in fine, sunny and windless conditions at Canberra's Manuka Oval welcomed the third AFL match for premiership points to be played in the national capital. The two highlights of the day were NATHAN BURKE's 300th match for St Kilda and the return to form by the Kangaroos who won for the third time this season.

Apart from an even first quarter, the Roos took the younger Saints apart and widened the margin as the game grew longer. One player who tried hard to win the milestone match for his mate was STEWART LOEWE, making the most of his chances playing out of the goalsquare to kicked 7.2 for St Kilda. COREY McKERNAN for the Kangas came back from his recent run of the horrors and in a powerful return to form kicked 4.3 from 18 possessions.

In an otherwise ordinary game, DAVID KING with characteristic authority dominated the midfield; BYRON PICKETT in the absence of the injured Carey attacked the ball with vigour in the forward line, while SHANNON GRANT with 39 disposals and three goals was in superb touch. The tough and disciplined Roos will be tested when they meet Carlton on Friday night. Meanwhile as coach MALCOLM BLIGHT observed, the Saints have plenty of ground to make up – KANGAROOS 19.24-138 (McKernan 4, Pickett 3, Grant 3) best, Harvey, Stevens, Grant, ST KILDA 13.11-89 (Loewe 7.2, Hamill 3) best, Loewe, Milne, Burke.

<||> It was fine and cool, with good conditions on Saturday night at Football Park when 34,232 were treated to a thrilling finish. While Port Adelaide started well leading by 10 points at the first change, Collingwood kicked eight goals before their first behind to take control through the mid-game quarters. Overall, it was an entertaining struggle.

The Pies went out to a 34-point lead seven minutes into the last term, then Port slammed on four goals in six minutes. When CHE COCKATOO-COLLINS kicked his third for the quarter (4th for the night) the Power got to within two points of Collingwood. As Port captain MATTHEW PRIMUS lay in the centre of the ground clutching his right knee, LEON DAVIS gave the Woods breathing space with a goal. Play was held up for several minutes before Primus was stretchered off with what was later diagnosed not as a cruciate, but medial ligament damage to his knee which was reconstructed in 1999.

On resumption, Port hit back with a goal, then the sealer came as Port defender BRAD JOHNSON attempted to handpass over the head of Collingwood's JOSH FRASER – the costly interception brought the Pies' 18th goal. This was soon followed by a behind from ANTHONY ROCCA for a final margin of nine points to break Port's five-game winning streak and Collingwood's first success over the Power since 1997 – COLLINGWOOD 18.11-119 (Tarrant 5, Lonie 3) best, O’Bree, Buckley, Tarrant, PORT 16.14-110 (Wanganeen 5, Cockatoo-Collins 4) best, Stevens, James, Wanganeen.

With never much more than a goal between the two sides, 47,452 at the MCG under an overcast sky on Sunday afternoon witnessed an intense struggle as Essendon and Melbourne faced each other for the first time since last year's grand final. The Demons went into the game with the pre-match media tag of being "soft".

There were those who felt Essendon did just as much as they had to in the match – it didn't look that way in the first term as Melbourne went hard at it and held the Bombers goalless until the 23rd minute of the first quarter. With two early goals in the second term, Essendon grabbed the lead and were never headed again — but gee, it was close. As MARK STEVENS noted for the Herald Sun: It was full of one-on-one battles and often frustratingly sloppy. There was no room for fancy, free-running footy. No pure highlights that will feature in end-of-season wraps.

One of the intriguing battles of the day came when Brownlow medalists JAMES HIRD (Ess) and SHANE WOEWODIN (Mel) were opposed. Hird kicked four goals from half-forward, two in five minutes early in the third term at a critical time when the Demons were pressing. Woewodin collected 22 possessions and even outmarked the decorated Bomber on a couple of occasions. Each would be satisfied; Hird moreso, leading the Dons to a tight six point result – ESSENDON 12.13-85 (Hird 4, Lloyd 3) best, Wellman, Hird, J.Johnson, MELBOURNE 11.13-79 (Neitz 3, Green 3) best, Whelan, Yze, A.McDonald.

<||> The Western Bulldogs played another "home" game against Sydney at the SCG. It was a sunny and fine Sunday afternoon with 22,874 in attendance. In spite of a more productive effort by the Swans, the midfield battles were clearly won by the Bulldogs. They collected back-to-back wins for the first time this season and a return to the top eight following an absence of three weeks.

The Dogs played their usual gritty style of non-nonsense footy, with the trio of SCOTT WEST, BRAD JOHNSON and NATHAN BROWN doing well in the middle. PAUL HUDSON finished off their work up forward with five fine goals for the day. The 21-point win was also due to the ruckwork and around the ground effort by LUKE DARCY.

Down by five goals, the Swans dug deep in the last quarter and seemed poised to pull off a miracle win when PAUL WILLIAMS kicked three booming goals but a silly free kick in favour of PAUL HUDSON stopped the momentum. MICHAEL O'LOUGHLIN turned in another good performance answering Hudson's five with a like tally for the Swans. GREG STAFFORD had another bad day for Sydney, with JASON BALL shouldering the ruck and did well, before running out of puff. The Swans from their fifth successive defeat slipped to 11th place – on April 16 they were in top place – BULLDOGS 18.14-122 (Hudson 5, Johnson 3) best, Johnson, West, Brown, SYDNEY 15.11-101 (O’Loughlin 5, Williams 3) best, Ball, O’Loughlin, Fosdike.

<||> The matching of the winless Fremantle against Geelong, losers of their past five games, attracted a poor crowd of 20,231 on a fine Sunday afternoon at Subiaco Oval. One can imagine the desperate plight of embattled Fremantle coach DAMIAN DRUM when at half-time his team with only two first half goals trailed the Cats by 53 points.

The stats reveal that of 74 kicks Fremantle had to half time (to Geelong's 118), 12 of the player squad had registered either none, one or at best two kicks in a half of footy. ADAM HOULIHAN before injuring his groin had kicked five goals for Geelong to the 13th minute of the second quarter. Predictably the Dockers returned and performed more willingly in the second half, reducing the deficit to 36 points at three-quarter time and on the back of three unanswered goals edged to within 17 points before Geelong's DAVID MENSCH sealed Freo's fate with a goal, typically achieved courtesy of two errors on the goal-line by Fremantle's BRENDAN FEWSTER and ASHLEY PRESCOTT, deep in time on.

STEVEN KING's ruck dominance for Geelong against Freo's youngster JUSTIN LONGMUIR was understandable and with much improved BEN GRAHAM leading an even younger LEIGH BROWN a merry dance in the half-forward line was half-expected. But the no-shows by Fremantle's key forwards TONY MODRA (6 possessions, one goal) who was trounced by MATTHEW SCARLETT and CLIVE WATER-HOUSE (7 touches, two goals) beaten thoroughly by BRENTON SANDERSON left the winless Dockers without hope – GEELONG 14.11-95 (Houlihan 5, Graham 4) best, Graham, Spriggs, McGrath, FREMANTLE 10.13-73 (Waterhouse 2) best, Hasleby, Kickett, Toia.

Tribunal
Three players suspended
Shannon Motlop appeal rejected

Charges abd verdicts from Round 8 —

Kangaroos v St Kilda
From video, SHANNON MOTLOP (K) for striking BRETT VOSS (S). Motlop was suspended for two matches. The club appealed. On Thursday May 24, the AFL Appeal Board upheld the verdict of the Tribunal.

Melbourne v Essendon
DAVID SCHWARZ (M) for striking GARY MOORCROFT (E) during the third quarter. This charge was later withdrawn.

Western Bulldogs v Sydney
From video, ROHAN WARFE (S) for "misconduct" for making contact with a leg to SCOTT WEST (WB). Warfe was found guilty and suspended for one match. From video, JOHN STEVENS (S) for kneeing PAUL HUDSON (WB). Stevens pleaded guilty and was suspended for one match.

Hall of Fame
Barrie Robran named a Legend
The AFL announced on May 21 that former South Australian star and three-time Magarey Medalist BARRIE ROBRAN had been made a 'Legend of the Game'.

Robran was named as only the 17th 'Legend of the Game', the highest honour which can be bestowed within the sport, at the annual Australian Football Hall of Fame induction dinner in Melbourne.

Robran is the first player to be named as a 'Legend' without having played some part of his career in the then-VFL or now-AFL competition.

A further eight former players – Essendon captain KEN FRASER, Carlton captain STEPHEN KERNAHAN, Brownlow Medalist BARRY ROUND, dual Hawthorn premiership captain DON SCOTT, East Fremantle and East Perth premiership player JACK SHEEDY, Footscray Brownlow Medalist NORM WARE, Richmond captain DALE WEIGHTMAN and dual Brownlow Medalist GREG WILLIAMS – were inducted into the Hall of Fame.

The Australian Football Hall of Fame was established in 1996 and serves to recognise players, coaches, umpires, administrators, and media representatives who have made an outstanding contribution to Australian football.
AFL Commission Chairman Ron Evans at a dinner at the Regent Theatre Ballroom made the presentations to the eight new inductees into the Hall of Fame and the announcement of Robran as a Legend of the Game.
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Obituary
'Big Bob' Johnson passes
Harry Selover dies at 102

ROBERT B JOHNSON, better know as "Big Bob" and one of football's well-known personalities of the 1960s and 1970s passed away at his Southport home on Monday, May 21 aged 65.

Bob was the son of a famous Demon, Bob Johnson Sr, who played 113 games for Melbourne between 1926 and 1933.

The lanky Big Bob followed in the footsteps of his father, playing 140 matches with Melbourne between 1954 and 1961 in seven grand finals and the premierships of 1955, 1956, 1957, 1959 and 1960.

The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers describes Bob as a "real character who infuriated opposing fans with his penchant for staging for frees".

At 27, Bob left Melbourne, coaching East Fremantle in the WAFL to four successive grand finals, including a flag in 1967. During his stay in Perth, Johnson was selected for WA, adding to the nine interstate matches he played for the Big V – the WAFL selectors were mindful of his great competitive record. Johnson in 1967 did not let WA down at the MCG where he kicked 5.2 in WA's tally of 11.16-82 that fell short of Victoria's 20.15-135.

When Bob returned east, he coached Hamilton, Oakleigh in the VFA, McKinnon in the Federal League and Greensborough in the DVFL where he retired aged 43.

HARRY SELOVER, who was the oldest living League footballer passed away peacefully on Friday, May 18, aged 102.

Harry played three matches for the Melbourne FC in 1919.

The mantle of the longest surviving League player passes to ROY ALLEN who played two matches for Collingwood in 1924. Mr Allen recently turned 100. He became an umpire and later a goal umpire and was the man who reported Essendon full-forward JOHN COLEMAN in the last home-and-away match in 1951. The Tribunal suspended Coleman for four matches, causing him to miss the 1951 grand final, when Geelong defeated the Bombers by 11 points.
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Stab Kicks ...
Bulldogs to keep SCG "home" game
The Western Bulldogs are certain to continue playing one "home" game a year at the SCG against the Swans. Last year the Doggies made $150,000 from the trip, and $250,000 from last Sunday. The Swans can market and extend their deal for supporters to 12 games a year.

Post-match kick-to-kick under threat
The traditional kick-to-kick enjoyed after the match at the MCG is under threat – not for reasons of cutting up the hallowed turf but from soaring insurance premiums. Public liability for the MCC jumped 55 per cent this year and is tipped to be $1.1 million by 2002-03. MIKE SHEEHAN in the Herald Sun noted: The MCC's problem is complicated by the growing propensity of victims to take action.

The Medical Room
** 24-year-old Melbourne midfielder ROBERT POWELL will not play this season — afflicted by osteitis pubis he has not recovered following an operation last October – the painful condition has also affected WAYNE CAREY and MATTHEW KNIGHTS ... ** MATTHEW RICHARDSON (Rch) will miss two matches with a hamstring injury ... ** Port Adelaide are satisfied that MATTHEW PRIMUS has only a strained medial ligament and may miss only two or three ...

AFLPA want "ump-bump" confusion removed
The AFL Players Association is seeking clarification from the League of the confusing rule on the controversial "ump-bump" topic. AFLPA chief executive ROB KERR is concerned that the words "negligent" and "reckless" in the rule regarding contact with umpires are causing confusion and deep concern among the players. The Tribunal can find a player's contact with an umpire was accidental, but he can still be rubbed out if his actions are deemed to be reckless or negligent. "If they come out and say, 'You've got to avoid umpires at all costs,' then at least the players know," Kerr said.

Matthew Lloyd – "$6000 a goal" ...
Essendon's MATTHEW LLOYD signed a new two-year deal with the Bombers, believed to be worth around $1.3 million – which SCOTT GULLAN (Herald Sun)
suggested may be worth around $6000 a goal ...

Umps meet Bulldogs to smooth things out
In a positive step by both parties, umpires chief JEFF GIESCHEN and senior umpires DARREN GOLDSPINK and JOHN HARVEY met with the players and coaching staff of the Western Bulldogs at Whitten Oval on Tuesday to hear each other's point of view.

Essendon thrash Hawthorn
Amazing MCG comebacks
Crows climb to eighth place

ROUND 9 — Fri-Sat-Sun, May 25-26-27.
MILESTONES—LEON CAMERON played his 200th League match, 172 FWB 1990-99, 28 Rch 2000-01 ... 150th by TROY LUFF (Syd) 1990-2001 ... 100 games for LANCE WHITNALL (Car) 1997-2001 who at 21 years 275 days is the youngest to achieve this milestone for the Blues ... 50 games by TYSON LANE, 19 FWB 1995-98, 31 Col 1999-2001 – SHANE O'BREE, 19 Bri 1998-99, 31 Col 2000-01 ... ALASTAIR LYNCH passed 400 career goals in game 235 for Fitzroy (1988-93) and Brisbane (1994-2001) ... DARREN JARMAN passed 350 career goals in game 216 for Hawthorn (1991-95) and Adelaide (1996-2001) ...
FROM THE ROUND — The WESTERN BULLDOGS at Subiaco versus West Coast had a club-record 13 goalkickers, which tops 12 goalkickers on six previous occasions in their 1535 League matches since 1925.
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<||> The Friday night opener was played at the MCG under slightly greasy conditions following the rain of previous days – a crowd of 43,624 attended. Playing gritty and disciplined footy, the troubles of the Kangaroos seemed to have melted away in the first half as LEIGH COLBERT held a seemingly unfit ANTHONY KOUTOUFIDES, SHANNON GRANT had the better of SCOTT CAMPOREALE and ANTHONY STEVENS shaded the effectiveness of BRETT RATTEN.

In a surprising turnaround, Carlton after an insipid first half came back from 37pts down, kicked five unanswered goals to trail by only five points at three-quarter time, then went away to win by 13. LEN JOHNSON noted for The Age: It was the unsung players who kept Carlton in the match. DARREN HULME won a lot of the ball when it was hardest to get. SIMON BEAUMONT was strong in defence and created opportunities running in attack. SCOTT FREEBORN initiated many attacks from the wing.

A goal from Beaumont seven minutes into the last put the Blues in front for the first time followed two minutes later by one from Hulme, it was 10.8 to 9.7. While the Roos flirted briefly with a comeback, any chance was snuffed out by a goal from LANCE WHITNALL playing his 100th for the Blues, and another from MATTHEW LAPPIN which sealed the amazing comeback – CARLTON 12.10-82 (Mansfield 2, Lappin 2, Camporeale 2 (Best, Camporeale, Mansfield, Whitnall, KANGAROOS 10.9-69 (Rocca 2, McKernan 2) best, Burton, Blakey, McKernan.

<||> It was a cool Saturday afternoon at the MCG which was damp after overnight rain. The always-promising contest between the Saints and Pies was played under heavy cloud-cover with a cold swirling breeze – a good crowd of 49,937 was present – lights were on in the first quarter for the rest of the match. The contest closely resembled the one played at the G the night before. At half time, Collingwood were staring at a six-goal deficit, Carlton had been 35pts behind – in the end, the Pies won by 18, the Blues had done so by 13 points.

MELISSA RYAN reported for The Age: Much as with the Kangaroos, St Kilda enjoyed a first half in which everything it touched turned to gold. While Collingwood started the game with wasteful shots in front of goal, St Kilda's attack was incisive and the pressure applied to bring about goals was proving difficult for Collingwood to contain.

As with Carlton's second half restructure on Friday, Collingwood's had immediate effect. ANTHONY ROCCA, benched for part of the second quarter as he underperformed in the forward line, was put into the ruck and had the ball forward within 30 seconds and the first goal four minutes later – NICK DAVIS shifted the momentum to wreak havoc as Collingwood steadily reeled in St Kilda. Though the Saints held a 19pt lead at the last break, three critical injuries in the space of 10 minutes – the Saints lost Gehrig with a groin injury, Jones (hamstring) and Capuano (strained knee) – six unanswered goals to Collingwood brought the curtain down on St Kilda – COLLINGWOOD 14.14-98 (Molloy 3, N.Davis 3) best, O’Bree, N.Davis, Fraser, ST KILDA 12.8-80 (Voss 2, Loewe 2, Powell 2, Milne 2) best, Jones, Burke, Gehrig.

<||> Saturday night at Subiaco Oval was fine, with good conditions and a good roll up of 30,063 fans. The Bulldogs went a long way to burying their Perth 'hoodoo' downing the Eagles for a third occasion from 13 visits since 1987. Chief architect of the victory was NATHAN BROWN who was targeted for special attention, but the 23-year-old was able to break the shackles to ignite the Dogs' second half charge. After a shaky start to the season it was the third on the trot for the Bulldogs who moved to 6th place in the eight.

The Eagles already down on their luck with injuries also lost experienced midfielder DREW BANFIELD whose right knee gave way in the third quarter – he suffered bruising to the femur bone and minor damage to the medial cartilage and thankfully will not become the fourth knee reconstruction casualty of the season. The Bulldogs overall produced a great team effort with a club-record 13 goalkickers sharing the spoils of their 18.17 for the night. LUKE DARCY gave a stand-out performance in the ruck once again for the Bulldogs, ably assisted by the fast emerging 20-year-old LUKE PENNY in defence and at ground level by SCOTT WEST and BRAD JOHNSON, particularly in the second half.

West Coast captain BEN COUSINS was well held in the first half by SIMON GARLICK but burst to life after half time and although DEAN KEMP and at times PETER MATERA provided support, the Eagles were simply missing too many of their stars to challenge the Bulldogs – BULLDOGS 18.17-125 (Brown 4, Johnson 3) best, Darcy, Brown, Johnson, WEST COAST 11.11-77 (Cousins 2) best, Cousins, Kemp, Phillip Matera.

<||> Saturday night at the Gabba was fine, and the match was played in good conditions – 24,122 watched Adelaide hold out to snatch a thrilling win over the Lions. It was a high class and free-flowing encounter – never more than a goal separated the two at each break.

The Crows trailed for most of the match but dominated the second half to win their fifth from its past six matches with ANDREW McLEOD, DARREN JARMAN and BRETT BURTON the key playmakers. BILL McDONALD reporting for Fairfax from Brisbane said: Adelaide's BRETT BURTON, the hero of last week's win over Richmond, did it again with three match-winning goals in the last quarter, one of them after a towering mark in the goal square, that put paid to Brisbane's hopes of keeping their unbeaten record intact at the Gabba this year.

PETER VARDY sprung to life in the last term when Adelaide kicked 4.1 in six minutes. Critical injuries during the match for Brisbane – LUKE POWER (groin) and MICHAEL VOSS (ankle) did not assist their cause, nor when MARCUS PICKEN had a 70-metre shot after the siren to grab what would have been an unbelievable victory for the Lions but, not surprisingly, failed to make the distance. Adelaide moved into the top eight for the first time this season and may well look back at this result as one of their turning points of the season – as Brisbane may well do – ADELAIDE 19.13-127 (Burton 4, Beinke 3) best, Edwards, McLeod, Burton, BRISBANE 18.14-122 (Lynch 4, Lappin 4, Keating 3) best, Ashcroft, Lappin, Akermanis.

<||> The largest crowd of 50,701 to attend the 63 matches at Colonial Stadium were shielded from the outside rain by a closed roof on Saturday night – when 55,240 tickets were sold the match was granted live TV cover by Channel Seven in Victoria. The undefeated Hawthorn faced an Essendon without nine injured players from the 2000 grand final – Fletcher, Wallis, Heffernan, Misiti, Caracella, Mercuri, Long, Bewick (retired) and Alessio – which on the final margin may have been a blessing. The Bombers regained top place on the ladder.

Essendon were comprehensive 65-point winners and repeated the shell-shock tactics they recently employed against the Tigers – hit 'em fast and hit 'em hard – they kicked four goals in the opening nine minutes. The Bombers rained in 7.4 in the first quarter to Hawthorn's 4.1. The Hawks were always expected to struggle without the height of the injured NICK HOLLAND, JONATHON HAY and JADE RAWLINGS, but they could have at least been expected to match the Bomber's running division. MARK GRAHAM took the key defence role and had MATTHEW LLOYD in a near-faultless evening kick eight goals-straight.
Essendon were impressive and performed a ruthless dissection of the Hawks, emphasising the amazing depth of the playing squad that the Dons have built. It is a sobering thought to consider how the Bombers may play when they have a full side to present. As DAVID 'Swan' McKAY on ABC Radio noted – Essendon have made 'keepings-off', an art form ...

Both sides suffered further injuries – Essendon's JUSTIN BLUMFIELD (knee) and Hawthorn's SHANE CRAWFORD (medial knee and ankle injury) will be sidelined for several weeks – ESSENDON 18.14-122 (Lloyd 8.0) best, Lloyd, Hird, Wellman, HAWTHORN 8.9-57 (Thompson 3) best, Thompson, Bowyer, Johnson.

<||> Football Park had a bit of everything on Sunday afternoon – wet and windy then patchy sunshine. Only 22,423 turned out to watch Port Adelaide post their seventh win from nine starts. They met a Melbourne side probably affected by the distraction of a boardroom battle. Demon coach NEALE DANIHER certainly considered so when speaking post-match, when he pleaded for an election to be shelved until after the playing season.

SAM LIENERT's report in The Age noted: "The Power won the match based on quality midfield performances by NICK STEVENS and ADAM KINGSLEY and the ability of small forwards CHE COCKATOO-COLLINS, GAVIN WANGANEEN, PETER BURGOYNE and ROGER JAMES to handle the conditions." After falling five goals behind, Melbourne showed plenty of spirit in the third quarter when they came from 29 points down with CAMERON BRUCE kicking tow goals in two minutes, then NATHAN BROWN and ALISTAIR NICHOLSON added their names to the scoresheet.

But, Port's response was emphatic – Cockatoo-Collins, Wanganeen and WARREN TREDREA goaled and STUART DEW's 55-metre kick after the siren was the perfect end to the term. Melbourne now have a 4+5 record and may have to be more worried with their off-field battles rather forthcoming matches with St Kilda, Collingwood and Brisbane – PORT 13.10-88 (Wanganeen 3, James 3, Tredrea 3) best, Stevens, Kingsley, Tredrea, MELBOURNE 9.14-68 (Bruce 4) best, Bruce, Whelan, Yze.

<||> An overcast, and brisk day turned to an afternoon of sunshine at Kardinia Park on Sunday where before 27,421 spectators, the Cats and Tigers were locked in a battle lasting three and-a-half quarters. Geelong in a barnstorming finish of the concluding 15 minutes ended seven goals in front of Richmond who lost their third successive match. In 20 years, the Tigers have won only twice at Geelong, in 1982 and 1990.

With little more than a goal separating the two at the end of each break the finish was an amazing contrast. BRAD OTTENS with four first quarter goals for Richmond threatened a blowout, but for Ottens, the Tigers would not have stayed in touch for as long as they did. MICHAEL STEVENS noted in the Herald Sun: Richmond was outclassed in the ruck, where STEVEN KING did as he liked, and in the critical midfield contests, where captain WAYNE CAMPBELL was a solid four-quarter contributor. King's input was sensational, against BRENDAN GALE, RAY HALL and Ottens, from halfway through the last term when the match was fading out of the Tigers' reach.

Richmond's only goal in the final 30 minutes of play came from ANDREW KELLAWAY early in the quarter, and then from a free kick. In the end, Richmond lost because Geelong had a much more even all-round contribution. The Tiger's always seemed to be under pressure and consequently kicked poorly. The loss raises a real question mark about the Tigers' prospects this season, and how competitive they are without MATTHEW RICHARDSON. As Cat coach MARK THOMPSON commented "that was probably our best win of the season." – GEELONG 17.16-118 (King 4) best, King, Kingsley, Graham, RICHMOND 11.10-76 (Ottens 6) best, Campbell, D.Kellaway, Tivendale.

<||> Only 20,611 fans enjoyed the Sunday sunshine at the SCG where it is possible they witnessed one of the poorest opening quarters of football played at the ground since the first game in 1903. DOUG STEWART reported in the Daily Telegraph that nine-time club champion BOB SKILTON was overheard to say if he had ever seen a worse game then he could not remember it. The match deserved the lowest attendance to a Swans home match since 1996-R5 when 20,227 saw Sydney play Hawthorn at the SCG.

In spite of the good conditions the first quarter was a comedy of errors and produced only three goals. JOHN McGRATH noted in The Age: The lowest point came midway through the term when Fremantle's CLIVE WATERHOUSE missed everything from a set shot 40 metres out and then Sydney's kick-in also went out on the full. In an effort to find a positive from the game, Sydney by a 19 point margin, broke a five-match losing streak against a still winless Fremantle which chalked up its 10th successive home-and-away defeat.

The return for Sydney from injury of DALE LEWIS, DARYN CRESSWELL and MATTHEW NICKS carried the day for the team, together with the marginally improved form of big man GREG STAFFORD who kicked three goals, and JASON BALL who was reported for tripping. However, the Swans were far from convincing winners and nearly threw it away when they let the Dockers get to within a goal in the last quarter. Sydney was relieved by two deft touches from veteran DANIEL McPHERSON – SYDNEY 12.12-84 (Stafford 3, Cresswell 3, Nicks 3) best, Cresswell, Barry, Nicks, FREMANTLE 10.5-65 (10 singles) best, Fletcher, Cook, Black.
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Carlton honour Stephen Silvagni
More than 1800 guests attended Crown Casino on Saturday night to honour Carlton's STEPHEN SILVAGNI in his testimonial year. Stephen, who turns 34 on May 31, was named five years ago at full back in the AFL's Team of the Century.
Guests of the packed assembly included former Melbourne skipper GARRY LYON and dual Richmond premiership player REX HUNT. Host of the occasion was Channel Seven's SANDY ROBERTS.

ROBERT WALLS recorded in The Age: "A highlight of the night was when BRUCE DOULL stepped on stage. The ovation he received showed that he, above all, is the favourite of the favourite sons.

Bruce is the only Carlton player to have had the privilege and longevity to have played alongside both Serge and Stephen.

Well-known Melbourne surgeon David Young was also there. He knows the family well, having operated at one time or another on every member of the Silvagni household. Old Serge thinks he has personally funded Mr Young's latest house extension. Over 17 seasons, SOS has had an amazing 15 operations.
As each operation was explained, a red dot was placed on the graphic showing him in his football outfit. By the end of the 15th explanation, there was more red than blue on the battle-scarred veteran."

Stephen has played 298 games and on Sunday, June 10, against Richmond at the MCG will become only the fourth Carlton player to reach the 300-match milestone. BRUCE DOULL with 356 games, CRAIG BRADLEY (now 341) and JOHN NICHOLLS with 328 games lead the honour board of the Blues.

Stab Kicks ...
Driest May since 1984
The Melbourne area had its driest May since 1984 with only 14mm of rain compared with the average 68mm. All districts in Victoria, except East Gippsland, received less than half of their usual May rainfall.

Rumours, rumours
Two items which circulate about next season — the umpires will not be wearing white – *green* is a possible choice ... the Roos have been pressing for Good Friday footy ever since they were just plain North – they will get their wish in 2001 ...

The Medical Room
** Hawthorn's SHANE CRAWFORD who was hurt in the first quarter on Saturday night had scans on Monday – he has a strained medial ligament in his left and ligament damage to his left ankle – the Hawk captain is expected to miss four matches ... ** strained knee ligaments is likely to keep JUSTIN BLUMFIELD out of the Essendon side for four weeks ... ** LUKE POWER (Brisbane) will be out for until mid-July after scans confirmed a 2cm tear to the groin-abductor muscle – a check whether surgery is required is awaited ... ** Sydney defender ROWAN WARFE will have surgery to his shoulder which will end his season ...

Grass, at $75.00 a square metre
Have you ever considered how much your front lawn is worth? Colonial Stadium boss IAN COLLINS on ABC Radio on Sunday responding to a question from anchorman MICHAEL CHRISTIAN told listeners, a square metre of the much talked-about surface costs $75.00 – there's 19,000 square metres at Docklands – that totals $1,425,000.

In a line ...
** Seems that (thankfully) INDIA have turned down an invitation to play one-dayers at Colonial Stadium and the Gabba in September ... ** Essendon's membership has reached 36,055, the first Melbourne-based club to top 36,000 ... ** with $4 million in the bank, Essendon is about to start $2 million worth of building work at Windy Hill, including extensions to the players' gym, new auditorium and new merchandise and administration facilities ... ** AFL chief executive WAYNE JACKSON is recovering with six broken ribs after falling on Monday from a trailer loaded with hay at his farm property near Keith in South Australia ... ** Fremantle chief executive for the past seven seasons DAVID HATT will quit the Dockers in four weeks to take a position with the WA government's Department of Planning and Infrastructure ... ** Hawthorn coach PETER SCHWAB highlighting the many injury woes of clubs called for the shortening of games or the season itself ... ** the pre-season draft is set for a complete overhaul – a ballot between the four bottom clubs is set in 2003 to replace the old system that uses the reverse of the finishing order to determine selections ... ** PORT ADELAIDE will play their 100th AFL match against Sydney at the SCG in Round 11 on June 10 ... ** the Gabba ground record of 34,743 set against Carlton last year is likely to be broken on Saturday night when the Lions play Essendon – capacity is 37,500 ... Geelong's Team of the Century will be announced on June 22 ... ** PORT ADELAIDE plays five of its next seven games interstate – in Melbourne (Hawthorn), Sydney (Swans), Canberra (Kangaroos), Perth (Fremantle) and Brisbane (Lions) ...

Dreary AFL Friday 's ahead for TV fans north of the Murray
As Channel Nine confirmed AFL matches will not get to air in NSW and Queensland on Friday nights in 2001 before 11pm, and after the NRL, TONY PEEK, g.m. of AFL corporate affairs and communications confirmed that Foxtel will also be blacked out for Friday AFL games ...

Tiger fan dumps a load at Punt Road
On Monday, in an obvious protest to recent performances by the Tigers who have lost the past three matches, a Richmond supporter who only wanted to be known as "Gecko" dumped a $600 load of chook manure outside the Punt Road offices of the club.

Glenorchy *storms* Football Tasmania
Tasmania's GLENORCHY FC launched a $348,850 damages claim over the demise of the Statewide League. The club is taking Football Tasmania to the Federal Court to recoup money, it says the club lost after the SWL's death last year. Following the collapse of the SWL, Glenorchy joined the 15-club Southern Football League as the "Storm" where it is undefeated in its first seven matches.

Everitt guilty of charges
St Kilda's PETER EVERITT appeared in Moe Magistrates' Court on Tuesday and Wednesday where he pleaded not guilty to charges arising from incidents at Cowes on Phillip Island in the early hours of October 29 last year. Everitt was convicted for offensive behaviour and being drunk in a public place and fined $250. Magistrate Edwin Batt suggested Everitt "needed to take a good hard look at himself." The magistrate dismissed charges of littering and discharging a missile to endanger persons.

They said it ...
Herald Sun, editorial, May 24 – Ablett, a dilemma — The passionate debate over whether Gary Ablett should or should not be in the AFL Hall of Fame has obscured one fundamental issue.

Football stars these days have been elevated to the status of deities.
They inspire others — particularly young people — to fierce unquestioning loyalty, adoration and emulation.

Gary Ablett in his heyday was a gifted player. His personal decline has been a tragic matter of public record.

Recently, Ablett, 39, was involved in a coronial inquest into the death of a 20-year-old girl who died of a drug overdose while in his company.
The coroner said Ablett could have saved her life had he not been so drunk and probably drug-affected. No charges have been laid.

Sadly, raising Ablett to the Hall of Fame would be the equivalent to those who favour eliminating "fairest" from the Brownlow citation.
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DAVID MURPHY, ABC Radio, May 27 – the Swans are in an unusual position – they lead at three-quarter time.
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SAM NEWMAN, The Footy Show, May 24 — "... as sincere as Madonna saying 'ouch' on her wedding night ..."
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MICHELANGELO RUCCI, The Advertiser, May 29 — Controversial Carlton president John Elliott has been dumped as a guest speaker at an official SANFL luncheon because of a slur against new Australian football legend Barrie Robran.
Mr Elliott was to have been SANFL president Max Basheer's guest speaker on Friday, August 10, the eve of the Crows-Carlton match at Football Park.

But SANFL chief executive Leigh Whicker wrote to Mr Elliott yesterday, withdrawing the invitation to the monthly function that usually attracts 400 paying guests.

Mr Basheer, a member of the Australian Football Hall of Fame selection committee, said Mr Elliott's presence was now inappropriate.

"Inappropriate in all circumstances," he said. "Inappropriate certainly after an outburst against one of our game's truest champions."

Mr Elliott, however, will face his first SA audience at a Port Adelaide Magpies vice-president's dinner on July 13.

The Magpies yesterday chose to keep Mr Elliott as guest speaker for the $50-a-head function at the Port Club at the Port club at Alberton Oval.
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Swans coach RODNEY EADE, The Age, May 31 — "... Sydney loves a winner but they also love the smell of a rotting carcass  ..."

Gutnick puts his challenge on hold
Givoni to fill vacancy
JOSEPH GUTNICK on Thursday night (31st) conducted a public rally at his Kimberley Gardens hotel and function centre in East St Kilda, where he announced he will delay his challenge to the current Melbourne FC board until the end of the playing season.

Though the meeting was called for 7pm, Gutnick's address to members did not come until 9.40pm when he went live on the Channel Nine Footy Show program. Many of the 300-odd supporters in the function room were surprised when he failed to name the people who would share his ticket, and declared he would not be proceeding with his call for an extraordinary meeting.

Gutnick said on Nine: "It has become increasingly clear to me that the playing fortunes of the club must come first. While it is clearly evident to me that I would win an election if it is held immediately, and I have a wealth of contenders for my ticket, I have now decided to move for an election as soon as possible after the end of the season". Cheering followed his words.

It is understood a deal between Gutnick and the Melbourne board had been struck before the meeting, when the ex-president was offered the right to fill the vacancy he created with his resignation on May 24. MICHAEL GIVONI, a marketing manager with the Spotless Catering Group, will be co-opted as a director at the next board meeting on June 18.

For several days, Melbourne's press and radio, even the Internet, had been inundating with matters of the Melbourne boardroom affair. A telephone poll conducted by Melbourne's Channel 7 attracted 7500 respondents. 71 per cent voted in favour of Gutnick being returned as president of the Melbourne FC.

The Herald Sun on Wednesday conducted a poll by fax message to which 202 responded, of which 150 as requested included their membership details which were verified with club records. The Herald Sun poll resulted in 74 per cent voting "yes" to the question "would you vote for Joe Gutnick at an extraordinary general meeting".

Brisbane stop the Bombers
Sydney back in the race
Dons, Port & Hawks are equal top

ROUND 10 — Fri-Sat-Sun, June 1-2-3.
MILESTONES—150th matches by MARTIN PIKE, 24 Mel 1993-94; 36 Fit 1995-96; 81 NMK 1997-2000; 9 Bri 2001, also GLENN MANTON, 21 Ess 1994-94; 129 Car 1995-2001 ... 100 games by CRAIG CALLAGHAN, 1995-2000; 5 StK 2001 – JUSTIN MURPHY, 12 Rch 1994-95; 79 Car 1996-2000; 9 Gee 2001 – GLENN FREEBORN, 55 NMK 1995-98; 45 Col 1999-2001 ... 50th matches by BRAD DODD (Fre) 1998-2001 and JASON JOHNSON (Ess) 1997-2001 ... CHRIS GRANT (FWB) passed 450 goals in game 240 ...

FROM THE ROUND — The Roos posted their biggest finish for 21 years against the Bulldogs … the 119pt win by Carlton was the biggest of 24 meetings against West Coast with the final score second only to the 29.17-191 kicked in 1987-R4-PP ... the Eagles 3.12-30 was its lowest score against the Blues … brothers CHAD and KANE CORNES were together for the first time in the Port side – both are the sons of former SANFL champion GRAHAM, now of 5AA fame, who called the match … the Cats were scoreless in the 2nd quarter for the first time since 1971-R9-AS against North … master statsman COL HUTCHINSON confirmed the 17-season span between scoreless quarters by Geelong is a League record – the last occasion Geelong were pointless for any quarter was 84-R22-P … the Dockers lost their 11th consecutive premiership match, equalling their worst losing run 1998-99, R18-22, R1 to 6 ... Freo with 6.10-46 kicked their lowest score in 10 meetings against Richmond.
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<||> The Kangaroos kept their hopes alive for a ninth successive finals series when they blitzed the Bulldogs in the last quarter to run out 46 point victors under a closed roof at Colonial Stadium on Friday night – 32,793 attended.
LEN JOHNSON reported for The Age: After the Bulldogs drew within two goals at the end of the final term, the Roos exploded with a nine-goal-to-three final term. Overcoming a sluggish start, the loss of WAYNE CAREY with a serious ankle injury in the second quarter and a third-term comeback by the Bulldogs that evoked nervous memories of the second-half fadeout against Carlton a week ago, the Kangaroos bolted away to record their fourth win in 10 rounds.

COREY McKERNAN readdressed the horrors of his season with a six-goal performance, BRENT HARVEY had one of his best games as a midfielder, JOHN BLAKEY completely shut down the Bulldogs' most dangerous forward BRAD JOHNSON, and DAVID KING ran tirelessly through the lines. The Bulldogs were best served by SCOTT WEST who in the third term continually pumped his team forward, CHRIS GRANT, LUKE DARCY and KINGSLEY HUNTER but they had to carry a lot of baggage by a team possibly sapped by two consecutive interstate trips – KANGAROOS 19.11-125 (McKernan 6, Rocca 3) best, Stevens, McKernan, Pickett, BULLDOGS 11.13-79 (Grant 3, Brown 3) best, Grant, Hunter, Darcy.

<||> For West Coast, it was a day of records, for all the wrong reasons as Carlton thumped the Eagles by 119 points in good conditions on Saturday afternoon at Princes Park. The slight cross breeze did not affect proceedings for the lowly crowd of only 19,757. It was little more than a glorified training run for the Blues as West Coast with a crippling injury list, sunk to the lowest depth they have experienced since 1989, suffering their third-worst defeat in their 15-year history.

The Age noted: The lopsidedness of the contest can be demonstrated with a few statistics. Carlton had three times as many scoring shots, 44 to 15. The Blues has 100 more possessions, 300 to 235, and half as many marks again as the Eagles, 96 to 67. Moves inside the attacking 50  were the order of 50 to 20. MICHAEL GARDINER, BEN COUSINS (the only Eagle to have more than 20 possessions), DANIEL KERR, GREG HARDING and a handful of others tried hard for West Coast, but were bereft of structure and system.

As one report noted: ... the Blues had the luxury of STEPHEN SILVAGNI (his 299th game) shepherding and clearing the way for LANCE WHITNALL. And the luxury of sitting BRENDAN FEVOLA on the bench most of the day until taking seven marks and kicking three goals in the last quarter. Whitnall's confidence has returned since Silvagni came back and they kicked five goals between them in the first half. By three-quarter time with the difference 84pts, Silvagni and CRAIG BRADLEY were able to retire to the bench. The only   match-up which did not finish in a knockout win to the Blues was the ruck duel between MARK PORTER and MICHAEL GARDINER. Porter won clearly on points, but Gardiner can hold his head high, he toiled honestly all day. Too many of his mates cheated – CARLTON 21.23-149 (Whitnall 3, Beaumont 3, Fevola 3) best, Porter, Beaumont, Whitnall, WEST COAST 3.12-30, best, Kerr, Jakovich, Gardiner.

<||> Saturday afternoon at the MCG was generally overcast, with patches of sunshine when 28,228 attended to watch Port Adelaide enjoy the rarity of playing at headquarters. In a far from pleasing, often scrappy affair, Port were thorough victors over Hawthorn by 43 points – the Power took over second position on the premiership ladder with an 8+2 record, the equal of Essendon and Hawthorn.

EMMA QUAYLE reported for The Age: Most who arrived at the ground would have expected the game to be a fairly tight and tough encounter and, there seemed little reason why it would unfold any other way. JONATHAN HAY lined up on WARREN TREDREA, STEPHEN PAXMAN took TRENT CROAD and, with SHAUN REHN unavailable to take on MATTHEW PRIMUS, only the centre bounces seemed certain to veer the Power's way. But as is often the case, this wasn't the case.

The dominating performance of Primus in the ruck – he had a hand in 32 of Port Adelaide's hit-outs while the combined Hawthorn tally came to just 21 – was the only thing that went remotely as expected. It wasn't until the second half that Port blew the Hawks right away, but the game sat in the Power's hands virtually all day. Hawks coach PETER SCHWAB took little time to try a more defensive approach. His decision to flood succeeded in slowing down the game and the scoreboard, but it didn't take the Power long to learn how to handle the tactic. CHE COCKATOO-COLLINS and another former Bomber, GAVIN WANGANEEN, have spent most of the season proving how explosive they can be as forwards and they proved themselves equally calm, threading the ball carefully through the gaps. The game opened up in the second term and stayed that way until the end of the match. But that merely resulted in an ongoing display of errant handballs, hospital kicks and other skill errors that bordered on boring – PORT 17.14-116 (Stevens, Burgoyne 3, Wanganeen 3) best, Stevens, Primus, Cockatoo-Collins, HAWTHORN 10.13-73 (Hay 2, Croad 2, Lekkas 2) best, Smith, Hay, Rawlings.

<||> Though it was fine outside the roof was closed (as required by the AFL) on Saturday night at Docklands – 30,497 were on hand. The match was played in good conditions as Melbourne stemmed a three-match losing streak by over-turning a 19pt three-quarter time deficit with a supercharged 10 goal to two finish which buried the Saints.

For three quarters, St Kilda were sensational, answering every challenge in an entertaining match. The flood was nowhere to be seen as both teams went on the attack. KAREN LYON noted in The Age: In a pattern that was repeated for most of the night, the Saints surged forward only to be pegged back by a determined Demon outfit. Dual Brownlow medalist ROBERT HARVEY, tagged all night by SIMON GODFREY, was the spark behind the Saints. He was in fine touch, creative around the packs and penetrated into the forward line.

However, the undermanned Saints could never shake the Demons and were never more than 20 points ahead. For the sixth time in 10 games after leading at three-quarter time, St Kilda were overrun again. Coach MALCOLM BLIGHT employed a most unusual post-game tactic by returning the entire team and the coaching staff to the centre of the ground where he gave the team a 10-minute pep talk. Blight said he was not humiliating his players but trying to stop the club's horror run of soft-tissue injuries. Knee injuries suffered, will sideline dual 300-gamers STEWART LOEWE for some two months and NATHAN BURKE for up to four weeks, adding to Gehrig, Jones, Capuano and Hudghton – MELBOURNE 22.12-144 (Green 4, Neitz 4, Bruce 3) best, Yze, Whelan, Brown, ST KILDA 17.11-113 (Callaghan 3) best, Harvey, Everitt, Hamill.

<||> A new AFL record crowd of 36,149 attended the Gabba on a fine Saturday night when the locals in full roar cheered the Brisbane Lions to a comfortable 28 point win over Essendon.  In one of the major upsets of the season, the Bombers never looked like winning as the Lions meticulously stuck to their game plan.

At each centre bounce, the Lions posted eight men in defence, cramping the Bombers' forwards, making it known early what terms the premiers were playing on. It forced Essendon's midfield to bomb the ball in long to contests where they were outnumbered both in the air and on the ground. Lions coach LEIGH MATTHEWS had obviously planned his attack for quite a while, because his tactics and match-ups reaped huge dividends against the club which had won at their previous five meetings. The heavily depleted Essendon line-up was further eroded when Barnes and Moorcroft were lost from the side posted on Thursday night.

CHRIS SCOTT made SCOTT LUCAS ineffective; MAL MICHAEL took MATTHEW LLOYD out of the equation, while MARCUS ASHCROFT superbly threw a blanket over JAMES HIRD. Essendon's two goals to half-time were testimony to the effectiveness of Brisbane's plan, and a final score of 10.14-74 was the lowest kicked by the Dons since 3.5-23 versus the Eagles, 1999-R4-S – BRISBANE 15.12-102 (Lynch 4, Brown 3) best, Black, Ashcroft, C.Scott, ESSENDON 10.14-74 (Lloyd 3) best, M.Johnson, Peverill, Wellman.

<||> A clear sky and lush conditions drew 40,466 to Football Park on Sunday afternoon. It is therefore difficult to understand why only 17 goals were kicked all day. As the winning Adelaide coach GARY AYES commented: "For a perfect day, conditions-wise, I don't think that would have gone too far in a video-highlights package."

ALAN SHIELL was moved enough to rate the game for The Age: as – "a surprisingly low-scoring, error-ridden scrap ... one of the worst spectacles seen for a long time ..."  Geelong swamped Adelaide's forward line at almost every opportunity, yet when MARK THOMPSON was asked, he seemed to absolve himself from any responsibility. Ayres was not amused: "If that's good for football, I think we're not doing ourselves justice. I don't think that's a great advertisement for where we want our game to go."

MATTHEW CLARKE challenged STEVEN KING in the ruck which was crucial to stopping him from dominating around the ground. BRETT BURTON, TYSON EDWARDS, ANDREW McLEOD, KANE JOHNSON and to a lesser extent SIMON GOODWIN and MARK RICCIUTO had their productive moments, which amounted to more than the Cats could muster – ADELAIDE 9.12-66 (Edwards 2, Goodwin 2) best, Hart, Burton, McLeod, GEELONG 8.7-55 (Graham 2, Mensch 2) best, Spriggs, Murphy, Houlihan.

<||> On a beautiful sunny day in Melbourne, the roof at Docklands was closed on Sunday afternoon (as required by the AFL) for the Magpie-Swans match. Sydney produced one of their gutsiest efforts of recent years when with they finished with only 15-fit players to down the more-favoured Collingwood by three goals. Sydney captain of the day ANDREW DUNKLEY was off at three-quarter time after Collingwood's JARROD MOLLOY landed on him from a great height, after a grab which would have been a candidate for Mark of the Year, had Pie teammate ANTHONY ROCCA not infringed nearby into the back of ANDREW SCHAUBLE. Two 50-metre penalties resulted, but a kick for goal by Sydney's JASON SADDINGTON on the siren was off line.

Sydney went into the last term just 21 points in front, and with a full bench of Dunkley, Cresswell, James and Fosdike who would take no further part. In addition, Goodes (finger), Kirk (knee) and Matthews (concussion) though wounded, would play on. MATTHEW NICKS was also under pressure after heavily colliding with umpire SCOTT JEFFREY in the first quarter. Jeffrey backed into the fast-moving Nicks when he was leading to a pass off the wing from MICHAEL O'LOUGHLIN. Fellow umpire MARK McKENZIE penalised Nicks with a free kick, yet on Monday, umpire Jeffrey admitted he had been in the "wrong place". No report resulted from the ump-bump.

Though Collingwood got to within a goal of the Swans at quarter time, it would be the closest the Pies would be for the rest of the match. The tactics by Sydney of running hard and swarming the Magpies forward half bamboozled the young Pies, who constantly missed targets and turned the ball over. Both sides were frequently sloppy with flooding and possession the tactics in a far from pretty display. PAUL WILLIAMS (his 199th game) was best afield against his old side, with WAYNE SCHWASS also a top contributor for the Swans – SYDNEY 11.7-73 (McPherson 2, Goodes 2) best, Williams, Stafford, Barry, COLLINGWOOD 7.13-55 (Tarrant 3) best, Tarrant, Molloy, Licuria.

<||> A mid-week change of coach failed to spark greater support for the winless Fremantle who faced Richmond of a fine Sunday afternoon at Subiaco Oval — only 19,626 were present. New Docker coach BEN ALLAN had a few ideas with the inclusion of two players recently overlooked - JAMES WALKER was resurrected from the WAFL's South Fremantle side and gave a good 21-possession performance off the wing, while ASHLEY PRESCOTT eclipsed former Richmond teammate MATTHEW KNIGHTS. It was however a case of, if you haven't got the cattle ... Freo went into the match as predictable underdogs when both CLIVE WATER-HOUSE and ANTHONY JONES didn't come up and then mid-game injuries were suffered by BRAD DODD and LEIGH BROWN. Still, the Dockers were fierce at the opening and shocked the Tigers with their attack on the ball. While Richmond's big man strength, particularly BRAD OTTENS, would always trouble them, the Dockers were still in touch early in the last term until Ottens kicked two goals to put the game out of reach.

SHAUN McMANUS was a midfield leader for Freo and played one of his strongest matches of the season and handled the task of curbing JOEL BOWDEN. But it was the strength of performances from DARREN GASPAR, JASON TORNEY and ANDREW KELLAWAY which gave the Tigers the edge. With the return from injury of forward MATTHEW RICHARDSON and powerful midfielder CLINTON KING to the line up, Richmond now on 6+4 can only get better – RICHMOND 12.12-84 (Ottens 3) best, Ottens, Tivendale, Campbell, FREMANTLE 6.10-46 (Dodd 2, Schell 2) best, McManus, Walker, Prescott.
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22-round season to remain
The rubber stamp of the AFL Commission is about to be applied to a set of recommendations to cover AFL seasons for at least the duration of the new five-year TV agreement with Nine-Ten-Foxtel —

> 22-round home-and-away season
> Matches on
Friday night (one game)
Saturday afternoon (two)
Saturday night (two)
Sunday afternoon (three)
> Five matches each round on free-to-air (Nine & Ten)
> Three matches on Foxtel pay-TV

The next season will commence on Easter Thursday (March 28) with a split round to include Easter Monday. No football will be played on Good Friday in season 2002.

The 2002 Ansett Cup will start on Friday February 15. To provide a more equitable travel load, the pre-season competition will be linked to the premiership season, where each Victorian team would travel at least once to Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth and Sydney.

Cheaper seats at Footy Park
Football Park will open its new $12.5 million 7000-seat northern grandstand on July 22 when Adelaide plays Sydney. Capacity at the venue will be increased to 52,000.

MICHELANGELO RUCCI revealed in The Advertiser that both the Crows and Port Adelaide will test the reasoning that entry prices are keeping fans away from AFL matches — tickets for the new grandstand will cost $20.00, less than a ticket bought at the gate to the outer where the basic charge is $23.00.
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Ump-bumps
Nicks & Garlick escape bookings
Two players from Round 10 came under video scrutiny following collisions with umpires at the weekend.

On Monday, field umpire SCOTT JEFFREY admitted he was in 'the wrong place' when he was bumped by Sydney's MATTHEW NICKS in the first quarter at Docklands on Sunday afternoon. No report was made as a result of the incident.

The AFL's response on Monday was, under Law 15.5 (c) – penalising any contact with an umpire – Nicks should have stopped to avoid Jeffrey.

Western Bulldog player SIMON GARLICK collided with umpire BRYAN SHEEHAN in the third quarter of Friday night's match against the Kangaroos at Colonial Stadium. Sheehan said he felt both parties had contributed to the contact and as it was not severe, and unavoidable, the matter was closed.

Roy Morgan Research
Australia's favourite footy team
Swans can count on 1.3 million fans

The Herald Sun in Melbourne in a front-page story on June 6 published a ROY MORGAN RESEARCH poll of 24,508 people over the age of 14, which revealed the Sydney Swans are Australia's favourite footy team.

Herald Sun feature writer TERRY BROWN quoted the ROY MORGAN survey which showed —

> The Swans have 1.3 million fans
> The Bulldogs, Demons and Port are the AFL also-rans
> Essendon is well clear of Collingwood as Victoria's top club
> More than half of Australians barrack for an AFL team.

For the record, the ROY MORGAN figures from the survey were –

Stab Kicks ...
Alan Stockdale quits Melbourne FC board
The Herald Sun on Saturday June 2 front-paged the story that ALAN STOCKDALE had quit the Melbourne FC board. His departure, together with a stinging attack on renegade president JOSEPH GUTNICK came only 24 hours following a Thursday night "ceasefire". The newspaper devoted three pages for Stockdale to air his views.

Special merchandise for Silvagni's 300th
Stephen Silvagni plays his 300th league match against the Tigers on Sunday. The Carlton club released a special range of merchandise celebrating the occasion. On offer – an unlimited supply of 300-game caps; 300 signed Silvagni guernseys, featuring a 300-game logo; prints signed by Carlton's four 300-gamers, Silvagni, Craig Bradley, Bruce Doull and John Nicholls, and a testimonial print featuring four photographs that track SOS' 1998 mark of the year.

The Medical Room
** poor news for St Kilda fans, STEWART LOEWE will miss up to two months with knee damage to the posterior ligament while NATHAN BURKE with lateral ligament damage will be out for a month – as well, STEVEN LAWRENCE  has suffered a recurrence of a hamstring and may miss a further month with the injury ... ** Fremantle's BRAD DODD damaged the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in the second quarter of the Richmond game and underwent knee reconstruction surgery on Monday – he will miss the rest of the season ... as well, the Dockers' LEIGH BROWN hyper-extended his elbow during the Richmond game and will miss three weeks ... ** MURRAY VANCE (Carlton) has a tear to his posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and is expected to miss the next six weeks ... ** scans are awaited to reveal the extent of knee damage to Richmond's CRAIG BIDDISCOMBE ...

Gutnick sues Dow Jones
A case involving recently resigned Melbourne FC president JOSEPH GUTNICK is being heard in the Victorian Supreme Court. Mr Gutnick has taken out a defamation action against US publisher Dow Jones Inc. for an article published in the October 2000 issue of "Barron's" and the material published also on the magazine's website. London-based GEOFFREY ROBERTSON, QC, is appearing for Dow Jones Inc. in Melbourne before JUSTICE JOHN HEDIGAN.

In a line ...
** one brewer is suing Melbourne star DAVID SCHWARZ for selling a rival beer at his Crockford Bay Hotel in Port Melbourne ... ** football operations manager ANDREW DEMETRIOU confirmed the roof of Colonial Stadium at Docklands will be closed for all premiership matches ... ** Colonial Stadium are pressuring the League to improve its fixture list next year to gain crowds to average 40,000 and meet the criteria of the original user agreement, otherwise a compensation claim may be lodged ... ** Richmond stand a good chance of hosting the Easter Thursday opening in 2002 against Collingwood at the MCG – the Tigers wants the match to be a fixture of the fixture ... ** the Fremantle board came under scathing criticism for their handling of the sacking of coach DAMIAN DRUM – a leak had the media breaking the news, before the meeting which sent Drum on his way.

Obituary
Alan Killigrew
The little bloke they called the "hot gospeller" passed away in Perth on June 10, aged 82.

Killigrew at only 163cm (5ft 4in) roved in 78 matches with St Kilda, 1938-41 and 1943-45 where he was club champion in 1940. He served with the navy in the Pacific during World War 2. As recorded in The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers, after the war he suffered tuberculosis of the spine and triumphed when not expected to live.

After running a pub in Ballarat where he coached Ballarat East and Golden Point, Alan landed the coaching job at St Kilda in 1956 where he cleaned out 26 players. During his time at Junction Oval, the Saints may have won only 19 of 54 matches in 1956-57-58 but he produced successive Brownlow medalists, BRIAN GLEESON (1957) then NEIL ROBERTS (1958) and was widely credited with laying the foundation stone for the success the club would enjoy in the 1960s. Killigrew departed when he felt he did not have the total support of the St Kilda committee and was appointed coach of Norwood. He steered the successful SANFL Redlegs to successive grand finals in 1960 and 1961 and went close to becoming the first Victorian to coach a club to a SANFL premiership. Norwood were preliminary finalists in 1962, then Killigrew returned to the VFL as coach of North Melbourne for the next four seasons following the retirement of WALLY CARTER. It was during this time, a bloody clash between Killigrew and Geelong's GEOFF ROSENOW in the players' race at Kardinia Park in 1964 became a legend of VFL history.

After coaching Victoria to their success in the 1966 Carnival in Hobart, Alan went to WA where he coached the Subiaco club in 1967, his last senior coaching appointment.

Wally Carter
The man who coached North Melbourne to their first VFL grand final in 1950, passed away in Melbourne on June 6 aged 92.

Wally in all, coached North in 214 League matches and is the longest serving coach of the club. He played 137 matches with the Shinboners between 1929 and 1940 and was regarded as one of the best ball players of the era. He was the winner of the inaugural Syd Barker Trophy for best and fairest in 1937.

Carter had a brief exposure to coaching North first in 1940, then took the reins of coaching the Third 18s to the 1946 premiership followed the next season with success for a Second 18 flag. He became senior coach in 1948, with North making the preliminary final in 1949. The club first became known as the Kangaroos in 1950 when the club made their first VFL grand final only to be beaten by Essendon.

Carter coached the Kangas to the end of 1953 then migrated across to the VFA where he coached Williamstown to triple premierships of 1954-55-56 defeating Port Melbourne on each occasion. The VFA Seagulls seemed destined to be the first to win four successive Association premierships in 1958, only to lose both the second semi-final and preliminary and finish third. The following year, Carter returned home to North Melbourne with the club finishing third in the VFL competition in 1958. However, the remainder of his five seasons to the end of 1962 was a period spent in the lower order.

Wally Carter became a life member of the League in 1999.

Stab Kicks ...
Talking points
Listening to talk-back callers on ABC Radio during Round 11, the following were highlighted —

> an agreement between the AFLPA and the umpires there will be no further bookings on *ump-bumps* unless the hit is clearly deliberate ...
> the hard, unforgiving surface of Colonial, causing foot problems to players and greater likelihood of concussion incidents – Essendon captain JAMES HIRD was quoted, the surface could even reduce the career of many footballers if they play frequently at Docklands ...
> the long-held pride has been lost and poor bouncing-of-the-ball ability by many umpires is a major concern – will the bounce become a casualty and be lost from our game ...
> the time-worn criticism on interpretation of rules by umpires – that more than one umpire means twice the mistakes and with three, well you get what I mean ...
> that most coaches and players suggest, leave the rules alone, that in time *flooding* will look after itself ...

Honour for ABC statistician Jack Cameron
Congratulations are in order for JOHN DANIEL CAMERON, the resident statistician on cricket and football for ABC Radio in Melbourne since November 1955. Jack was named in the Queen's Birthday honours, receiving the Medal of the Order of Australia for his service to cricket.

Special TOTC jumper for Geelong
Geelong against Hawthorn on Saturday wore a one-off, special-edition guernsey in honour of their Team of the Century. The guernseys will be auctioned for the next week at the Geelong club website. By late Tuesday, Gary Hocking's jumpers attracted bids of $1725 and $1850, while Ronnie Burns's jumper has reached $1525.

Carlton pioneered this form of sponsorship. On Sunday, April 3 1997, in the match against Adelaide at Princes Park as Footystats Diary recorded: The Navy Blues in their 1,995th League game, became the Pale Blues and received $250,000 for the trouble in sponsorship for a new M&M blue-coloured sweet—the white logo on a mid-blue background was unchanged but the familiar white numbers were replaced by black ones.

The Roos in Round 21 of 2000 also went down this path on Sunday July 30 which the Diary recorded — The Kangaroos in their challenge to survive broke further ground in the game against Collingwood at Colonial Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The traditional blue stripes and kanga motif were coloured a pale orange in a sponsorship deal with the telecommunications company Orange. The Kangaroos intend to use the alternate strip to avoid clashes in future matches next season.

Ross Henshaw – 167 games, but never a Brownlow vote
MIKE SHEAHAN's answer to a reader's letter in Saturday's Herald Sun carried an interesting piece of trivia — ROSS HENSHAW played 167 matches with North Melbourne (1971-83) including the 1975 and 1977 premierships without recording one vote in the Brownlow Medal. Ross holds the record for playing the most number of VFL-AFL matches without polling a single Brownlow vote.

Tigers honour Silvagni
After Sunday's match at the MCG, the Richmond team in a simple but powerful gesture formed a guard of honour for STEPHEN SILVAGNI to depart through following his 300th League game.

The Medical Room
** St Kilda's NATHAN BURKE will miss the rest of the season following surgery to repair lateral ligament damage to his left knee suffered during his 302nd game in the Round 10 match against Melbourne at Docklands on June 3 ... his veteran partner STEWART LOEWE is expected to miss eight matches from injury to a knee ... ** double-injury woes for the Blues – BRENDAN FEVOLA (Carlton) will miss up to six weeks with posterior cruciate ligament damage to his right knee – whether surgery is necessary will be decided today – KRIS MASSIE suffered a broken leg against Richmond last Sunday ... ** Brisbane's JUSTIN LEPPITSCH stayed over in Perth following the Saturday night match when he suffered a recurrence of a hamstring injury for the fourth time this year – he has been receiving trigger-point injections from a Perth specialist ...

31 years later, Jezza gets a settlement
SCOT PALMER in his Punchlines feature in the Herald Sun revealed on Sunday that both Jezza and Jerker have reached settlements with a confectionery company for the use of the image without their permission of the famous mark taken during the 1970 grand final. ALEX JESAULENKO was the first to act then GRAEME JENKIN did, and to the satisfaction of all parties, 31 years after the event, the matter has been closed.

WA brace themselves for a $1 million loss
The on-field failure of both West Coast and Fremantle this season will have an impact on local football – the WA Football Commission is bracing itself for a loss of up to $1 million ...

Mother's Day loss for Cats
The Mother's Day match at the MCG on May 13 against Carlton when only 29,150 attended cost Geelong a loss of some $80,000 ...

Bulldogs in amazing comeback
Lions toss Demons in ‘away’ game

ROUND 12 — Fri-Sat-Sun, June 15-16-17 (split round).
MILESTONES—DAVID MENSCH (Gee) played his 150th game ... 50th for LENNY HAYES (StK) 1999-2001 ... MATTHEW LLOYD (Ess) passed 400 career goals in game 117 ... KINGSLEY HUNTER (WB & Fre) reached 100 goals in game 70 ... MELBOURNE played a 'home' game at the Gabba versus Brisbane ...
FROM THE WEEKEND
<> The Bulldogs staged their second-best recovery on record – against Geelong they were 47 points down 15 minutes into the second term and won by seven points … the recovery is topped only by the 52pt revival from a 2nd quarter deficit at the 22 minute mark of the 1978-R5 game against Essendon at Western Oval which the Dogs won by 17 points, 15.20-110 to 13.15-93 …

<> ALASTAIR LYNCH kicked 8 goals for the 8th occasion in Brisbane's 328-game League history since 1987. His 8.1 closely parallels the last occasion it occurred for the club when Lynch kicked 8.3 versus St Kilda, 94-R4-BCG — the 9.6 by BRAD HARDIE, 89-R10-PP versus Carlton remains the top goalkicking feat for the club ... the 8.1 by Lynch is the best versus the Demons and tops the 7.1 of JARROD MOLLOY, 97-R12-MCG ...
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<||> A solid 38,816 attended Docklands on Friday night to start the first half of the split round. Under the closed roof, Adelaide showed the early initiative with a strong attack on the ball and if anything Essendon were a little off the boil. Bomber captain JAMES HIRD lasted only the first half. He was hospitalised with concussion and was kept overnight at Epworth after a wound to the right temple was reopened in a clash – this was first suffered in the Brisbane match on June 2.

The Bombers took time to reach top pace but when they did, they proceeded to carve up the Crows in clinical style. While MATTHEW CLARK won the ruck duels for Adelaide, Essendon were superior at ground level where JASON JOHNSON led the way sweeping the ball out of the centre, and if he didn't get it, a teammate did. DAMIEN PEVERILL in his last senior game this season and who because of the rules will return to the rookie list was another strong contributor for the Dons.

The superiority of teamwork and Essendon's unselfish ability to find a teammate in a better position was clearly on display in the second half during which they were in front by 61 points. MATTHEW LLOYD led the forward line brilliantly, kicking his 400th career goal and his 50th for the season from his 6.2 on the night. The opportunity to apply "flooding" never occurred in the game, almost as if there was a gentleman's agreement between the two coaches. SIMON GOODWIN along with Clarke and ANDREW McLEOD were good performers for the Crows, who lost MATTHEW ROBRAN with a serious right knee injury early in the second quarter. Peverill who limited the brilliance of McLeod on the night, and for his efforts in the past nine matches was clapped off the ground by his Essendon teammates in a fine show of sportsmanship – ESSENDON 18.14-122 (Lloyd 6, Rioli 3) best, J.Johnson, Lloyd, M.Johnson, ADELAIDE 11.7-73 (Vardy 3) best, Goodwin, Stevens, Shirley.

<||> After a murky morning, the clouds broke up for weak sunshine to come through on Saturday afternoon at Kardinia Park, which was a little soft underfoot from the rain of the week. It was however curious that all three umpires failed to bounce, but threw the ball up at every opportunity during the match. The Western Bulldogs in a strong and gritty performance produced one of the great comebacks in League football to defeat Geelong by seven points.

CLINT BIZZELL's goal at the 15-minute mark of the second quarter put Geelong 47 points in front. The Bulldogs clawed their way back to be only 17 points behind by half time. Geelong who had one of their best openings of the season kicked seven goals when they dominated the first quarter. While the Cats added another three in the second, the Dogs kicked five goals in 14 minutes to be back in the game. It was however in the third quarter when the Bulldogs restricted Geelong's use of a two-to-three goal breeze to the city end where the match was decided.

Though still trailing by three goals at the last change, the Dogs defended strongly when Geelong attacked persistently against the breeze early in the last term. SCOTT WEST who gained 37 possessions (for the second time this season), NATHAN BROWN and BRAD JOHNSON who were effective all day came into their own for the Bulldogs who engineered six goals to one and deny Geelong a victory in a match they should never have lost. West was outstanding for the Dogs, while BEN GRAHAM was a powerful Cat captain with 16 marks, three goals and 19 possessions – BULLDOGS 15.4-94 (Johnson 3) best, West, Johnson, Brown, GEELONG 13.9-87 (Graham 3, Bizzell 3) best, Graham, McGrath, Milburn.

<||> The Saturday night match at Subiaco was played in generally good conditions following a light drizzle in the afternoon — 19,857 attended. After a five match losing streak, St Kilda recorded its third win of the season when they outlasted the winless Fremantle. The win however came at a serious cost. Dual Brownlow winner ROBERT HARVEY was stretchered off 15 minutes into the last quarter and will undergo a reconstruction of his right knee which will take him out of the game for up to 12 months. His injury when added to those knee injuries already suffered by veterans STEWART LOEWE and NATHAN BURKE will seriously jeopardise recovery plans for the club.

St Kilda exposed Freo's lack of defensive height in the first half when AARON HAMILL was too quick and became the most dangerous player afield. With PETER EVERITT the key player in the ruck with 17 hit-outs alone in the first quarter, the Saints dominating the contest. Recently installed Docker coach BEN ALLAN made some moves which improved Fremantle in the last half, when SIMON EASTAUGH went into the ruck and JUSTIN LONGMUIR earned a break by going to centre half-forward.

ASHLEY PRESCOTT continued his task in holding Harvey after he had been moved on to the champion. While the Dockers edged ahead by three-quarter time, many of their thrusts into the forward line lacked co-ordination and inaccuracy proved costly. ANDREW THOMPSON added to his already impressive possession count with STEPHEN MILNE stepping up in the last term to carry the Saints over the line by 10 points – ST KILDA 12.18-90 (Hamill 3, Milne 3) best, Thompson, Hamill, Everitt, FREMANTLE (Modra 4) best, Black, Modra, J.Longmuir.

<||> Melbourne on Sunday afternoon at the Gabba, for a financial return of some $300,000, played the first of what will be five "home" games over the next five seasons. On a warm Brisbane day of 21 degrees, for a crowd of 23,740, the Lions were impressive over a badly out of form Demons outfit who have lost five of their past six matches.

Brisbane's major plays came out of the centre through SIMON BLACK, NIGEL LAPPIN and MICHAEL VOSS. But the focus was on the forward line where on the eve of his 33rd birthday ALASTAIR LYNCH booted 8.1 for the day. It was his second haul of eight goals for Brisbane and a career third – he kicked 8.1 for his alma mater Fitzroy versus Footscray, 93-R18-WO.

While Melbourne improved immeasurably from their poor showing against Collingwood, they often used the wrong option, were sloppy in their execution and turned the ball over to the Lions too frequently. A saving grace was the return from injury of JEFF FARMER who contributed three goals, two of them in vintage "wiz" style. The Demons were well in it when they crept within 10 points of the Lions four minutes into the third term. However, Brisbane kicked the next four goals and 16.4 overall in the second half to be convincing winners – BRISBANE 23.10-148 (Lynch 8.1, Bolton 3, Bradshaw 3 (best, Black, Lappin, McDonald, MELBOURNE 14.15-99 (Yze 3, Farmer 3) best, Yze, Nicholson, Neitz.