There’s fears Sydney veteran Josh Kennedy has played his last match after suffering another hamstring injury in the VFL.
Plus the Saints’ sweat on Dan Hannebery’s fitness after the luckless midfielder goes down once again.
Get the latest AFL injury news in our Round 21 Casualty Ward!
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SYDNEY veteran Josh Kennedy could potentially be “pushed into retirement” after another hamstring injury; this time suffered in the VFL on Sunday.
Kennedy missed 10 matches after a horror hamstring tendon injury suffered against Carlton back in Round 10.
He made his return as the medi sub last round, but didn’t get on the field.
So the Swans made the call to send Kennedy back to the VFL. But he has now injured the hamstring on his opposite leg.
Kennedy limped off the ground in the second term after trying to lay a tackle on North’s Tarryn Thomas.
“It’s disastrous developments,” Fox Footy’s Jon Ralph said.
“It seemed to be a really serious hamstring injury.
“The worst case scenario for a hamstring tear at the high end scale or a tendon injury probably puts him out for the rest of the season and potentially pushes him into retirement.”
Riewoldt on ‘mind-boggling’ McEvoy trade | 01:14
PORT ADELAIDE star connor rozee will undergo scans after a knee scare in Saturday night’s loss to Richmond, but club doctors are confident the mercurial midfielder has avoided significant damage.
The 22-year-old limped from the ground in the second quarter at Adelaide Oval after his left leg twisted awkwardly under him as he attempted a quick change of direction.
He was clearly in pain as he was assessed on the sideline and was taken to the changerooms for treatment before half-time, then shortly emerged with the knee heavily strapped to play out the second half.
The Power was playing for pride only, having been knocked out of finals contention by Collingwood, but coach Ken Hinkley was comfortable with the decision not to put the young star in cotton wool.
“What you do when you manage a player is you have good conversations with the medical team and they were very certain and sure that there was not going to be any further damage done,” Hinkley said.
“It was about whether the pain was manageable for Connor and he seemed to think it was.
“You wouldn’t take a risk with a player like Connor, and we never do, regardless of the state of the season.
“(The medical staff) said structurally it’s all fine so that should give us confidence.”
RICHMOND are waiting on the results of scans on defender Nick Vlastuin after he was subbed out of the win over Port Adelaide.
Vlastuin sustained rib damage in a collision with Charlie Dixon, with Richmond coach Damien Hardwick conceding it is unlikely the important defender will be fit to take on the Hawks on Sunday.
He could also be in doubt to face Essendon in Round 23.
Tigers down Port to keep finals alive | 01:09
GEELONG are taking a cautious approach with star Patrick Dangerfieldafter the veteran was a late withdrawal from Saturday’s win over St Kilda.
But Cats coach Chris Scott is confident Dangerfield will be fit to face the Gold Coast next weekend.
“The feedback I’ve got from him and the medical staff is that he’s fine,” Scott said.
“He just felt some awareness (of calf tightness) in the warm-up and I think in the past he’s pushed through these things thinking he’d be fine.
“And even if there was a one per cent chance that he might do some damage, he wasn’t prepared to take it. So it seemed a logical call.”
ST KILDA coach Brett Ratten says Dan Hannebery is in a race to be fit for the must-win clash with Brisbane on Friday night.
The injury-prone Hannebery was subbed out of the loss to Geelong with an ankle injury.
He’s managed just 17 games for the Saints since crossing from Sydney at the end of 2018 due to ongoing soft tissue injuries.
Hannebery is also out of contract at the end of this season.
“We’ve just got to look after him,” Ratten said.
Geelong stay top with massive Saints win | 02:30
“It was a risk to put him back out there; we’re not taking a risk with a player we are trying to get up for next week.
“He might not even get up this week. We’ve just got to work through what it will look like for Dan post this game.
“He’ll be a test all the way until the last day. It’ll be tight.”
Ratten conceded Hannebery was in “a bit of discomfort” post match but said if he provided himself fit, he’ll keep his spot in the line up to face the Lions.
FREMANTLE‘s Matt Taberner is racing to be fit to face West Coast in next weekend’s Western Derby after being subbed out of the win over the Western Bulldogs.
Taberner failed to see out the match once again, this time with a calf issue, after being restricted to just 12 games in 2022 due to back and hamstring complaints.
Coach Justin Longmuir said the latest setback was disappointing.
“He was looking dangerous again so it’s disappointing for him and us,” he said.
“We’ll rehab it and see what the rest of the year looks like.
“We’ll see what the scan says and see what the doctors recommend for his time out but there’s not much of the season left to be too cautious so we’ll see how it pans out over the next couple of days.”
There is “no reason” why Collingwood can’t win the 2022 premiership, according to David King, with the club even compared to the ‘Baby Bombers’ of 1993.
The Magpies are running hot on a 10-match winning streak to sit in third – just one win off top spot after 20 rounds.
And while the criticism has been that they’ve beaten 11th, 12th, 14th, 15th, 16th and 18th in that run of victories, there’s also been wins over Fremantle, Carlton and Melbourne.
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“You can say what you like about the numbers, the stats, the possessions,” King said on AFL360.
“They turn up for each other – this is building something quite special.
“There’s no reason why they can’t do it this year – we saw Chris Scott do it first year, we saw Rodney Eade make a grand finale his first year, (Luke) Beveridge and (John) Longmire win it in their second year – this is big, come with it.”
AFL360 co-host Mark Robinson laughed as he admitted: “I’m on the dark side already, I’m all in on Collingwood”.
“It might be the Baby Bombers of ’93 all over again,” he said.
Tim Watson with the 1993 premiership cup.Source: Supplied
The Essendon premiership side were dubbed Baby Bombers for having 12 players aged under 25 years in that winning team.
Against Port Adelaide last weekend, the Pies had 10 players under the age of 25, and two players currently aged 25.
King highlighted the fact Collingwood are outrunning their opponents as one of the best features of their game.
“I don’t know how you can just put a line through them,” he said.
“They are doing this better than the comp – they are gut running. Their running and power running is enabling them to end up with an extra number.
“Their run and link, kick forward, their demand for corridor we all see. But we don’t recognize their desire to just work harder than the opposition.
“This is a club in sync.”
King said every club needed a point of difference to win the AFL premiership.
It’s clear to see the love for coach Craig McRae. Picture: Michael WillsonSource: Getty Images
“Maybe (Collingwood’s) is not in the stats, it’s on effort. It’s on a buy-in. (Craig McRae) may just be a special coach,” King said.
“What I do love is what they are doing for each other.”
Statistics show that the Pies share one similar trait with the premiers of the past two seasons – Melbourne and Richmond – and it’s their ranking for what they without the footy.
The Magpies are currently the best ranked team in the competition – like Melbourne were in 2021, while Richmond were ranked fourth when they took the flag in 2020.
Collingwood do have a tough run home with games to come against Melbourne, Sydney (away) and Carlton – who could be battling for finals by Round 23.
Australia has suffered a historic three-goal loss to Jamaica at the Commonwealth Games, rocking their gold medal campaign in Birmingham.
The Diamonds had been expected to sail through their Pool A matches and meet the second ranked team in Pool B in the semi finals.
But they coughed up a six-goal lead heading into the final term to suffer their first ever loss to the Sunshine Girls.
A brilliant 47 goals from international superstar Jhaniele Fowler and some remarkable defensive efforts from Shamera Sterling ensured Jamaica nailed a 57-55 win.
Fox Netball’s Catherine Cox said the Diamonds “just shut up shop” in the last quarter as Jamaica ran home with the win.
“Australia couldn’t win the ball back – it was some brilliant defensive work from Jamaica. They really just lifted another level in the fourth quarter,” she said.
Questions will be asked of coach Stacey Marinkovich’s selections, with just Sunday Aryang entering for four minutes in the second term and Sarah Klau coming on to a rejigged defensive line with four minutes remaining in the match.
Gretel Bueta finished the pick of the Diamonds attack, despite being silenced in the final quarter by Sterling, with 36 goals from 39 attempts.
Steph Wood’s night ended with 19 goals at 86%.
QUARTER BY QUARTER MATCH REPORT
Australia opted to start Gretel Bueta at goal shooter, with Steph Wood and Liz Watson out in front of her. Kate Moloney got the nod at center with Ash Brazill, Jo Weston and Courtney Bruce rounding out the defensive trio.
For Jamaica, Jhaniele Fowler started at GS, with Beckford and Williams at GA and WA respectively. Nicole Dixon-Rochester was center with Super Netball trio Jodi-Ann Ward, Latanya Wilson and Shamera Sterling the starting defenders.
The world’s best shooter started the match with a bang, with five quick goals to open up the first break of the match for Jamaica.
Courtney Bruce kept her West Coast Fever teammate in Fowler as high as she could, but Shanice Beckford was brilliant around the edges to keep feeding from close range.
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Browning finishes 0.06 off a medal! | 00:25
Bruce and Jo Weston got early tips, but it was Jamaica who were able to convert while down the other end the connection to Gretel Bueta just fell away.
“The Diamonds are stunned here,” commentator Sue Gaudion said.
Australia scored just three goals in the opening seven minutes, before Steph Wood went from range and leveled up scores.
A Jodi-Ann Ward intercept gave Jamaica the lead once again as the long ball caught Weston’s eyes down.
“They exposed the Diamonds defense again,” Gaudion said.
A quick double play by Bueta ensured the Aussies took the lead with less than two minutes remaining in the first term.
Coach Connie Francis was left less than impressed when the Sunshine Girls threw away a brilliant Sterling intercept.
“But that is the issue – the conversion of those brilliant moments,” commentator Cath Cox said.
By the first break, it was Australia leading by one goal.
The Aussies went unchanged for the second term – the first time this tournament coach Stacey Marinkovich has opted for no changes after a break.
A big Sterling rebound gave Jamaica the first opportunity, but they couldn’t convert as Courtney Bruce’s brilliant hands over disrupted play.
“There’s plenty of feeling out there,” Cox said.
“Courtney Bruce giving the death stare to Beckford.”
The Aussies chanced their luck feeding Bueta with Sterling in hot pursuit but the move continued to pay off.
When Shanice Beckford found the top of the circle, the Sunshine Girls opted for a rare straight ball feed to Fowler.
“On the circle edge, feeding to Fowler – unbeatable,” Cox praised.
A rare mistake by Bueta saw the replay called, but once again Jamaica couldn’t convert as Khadijah Williams was penalized for footwork.
“It’s the simple things letting Jamaica down isn’t it,” Cox said.
Sunday Aryang was introduced at goal defence, joining her Fever teammates Bruce and Fowler in the goal circle.
And she almost had the immediate impact, getting a tip on a high ball to Fowler, but ultimately couldn’t stop the conversion.
Beckford had a brilliant intercept in front of Ash Brazill and suddenly the margin was back to one.
“Connie Francis willing them on,” Gaudion praised.
Wood backed her teammate Bueta when she went with the feed from the transverse, and the Firebird didn’t let her down with beautiful hands.
“The courage to let that go over the best goal keeper in the game… look at that take,” Cox praised.
By half time, it was Australia leading 30-29.
Weston returned to the court as some bad hands by Wood allowed the Sunshine Girls to draw level early in the third.
Jamaica managed to pull down another deflection but once again threw it away in the midcourt.
“That long outlet ball, if they just shortened it up and do one safety ball, I reckon they’d get themselves on the attack,” Cox said.
A rare shooter contact call on Fowler handed Australia the chance to pull away. Sterling’s cheeky pickup when Bueta put the ball down to set the penalty didn’t go unnoticed by the umpire as suddenly the lead was back out to four.
The physicality stepped up in the third, with Brazill getting under the skin of Adean Thomas and sent sprawling into the goal circle off the ball.
Once again, a Ward pick up on the circle edge ended up sailing over Fowler’s head as another turnover was wasted.
A second straight rejection from Sterling was called for obstruction as the crowd started to find their voice.
A misdirected midcourt ball ensured another turnover as the Diamonds extended the lead to six – the biggest of the match.
A strong take by Bueta over Sterling in the dying seconds pushed Australia out to a 46-40 lead at the final change.
Marinkovich went unchanged once again for the final term as Jamaican wing defender Jodi-Ann Ward came through with the deflection to help her side close within three.
Williams’ return at WA lifted the Sunshine Girls’ attack in the final term as they looked to find their rhythm to Fowler once more.
And when Wood couldn’t regather the short ball, and got done for replay, Jhaniele Fowler made the Aussies pay seconds later to close within one goal.
Liz Watson overcooked the lob to Bueta, and remarkably the Sunshine Girls took the lead with eight minutes to play.
“We haven’t seen that this game – that is the pressure. Mistakes like that have been few and far between for the Diamonds,” Cox said.
Despite Jamaican assistant coach Rob Wright pleading with his defenders to shut down Wood’s influence, it was Bueta they silenced as Wood had to step up.
And the Lightning star was up to the challenge with three successive mid-range shots.
Another Diamonds turnover, this time from Weston to her Vixens’ teammate Watson, gave Jamaica a two-goal buffer as injury time was called.
Weston headed to the bench, Bruce pushed out to GD and Sarah Klau was introduced for her first minutes of the night.
When Shamera Sterling came up with the big rejection and regather, Jamaica pushed out the lead with just a minute to play.
And in remarkable scenes, the Sunshine Girls held on in the thrilling final seconds with Shanice Beckford landing the final goal of the match.
In the end, it was Jamaica who claimed the win 57-55.
Carlton’s loss to Adelaide has been compounded by a string of injuries.
Plus the latest on a star Richmond duo.
Get the latest AFL injury news in our Round 20 Casualty Ward!
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CARLTON has suffered some significant injury blows after the loss to Adelaide.
corey durdin is set to miss a week with a shoulder injury he suffered during the game, while George Hewett’s back issue will see him miss a second straight game, which this one being a crunch clash against Brisbane at the Gabba.
Nick Newman is set to miss the rest of the regular season after sustaining a shocking cut to his knee.
Newman was injured by his opponent’s footy boots which dragged across his leg as he attempted to lay a tackle.
late in the contest matt kennedy was assisted from the field after a head knock, with scans revealing he suffered a fractured jaw, which will see him sidelined for at least a fortnight.
Crows surprise Blues at Adelaide Oval | 01:31
RICHMOND admits it is “doubtful” star defender Dylan Grimes will play again in the home-and-away season after his latest hamstring injury.
Grimes suffered the injury in the second half of Sunday’s thrilling win over Brisbane, adding to a streak of soft tissue injuries for the 31-year-old.
Tigers fitness boss Peter Burge said on Tuesday that Grimes’ injury required “further investigation”.
“At this stage it’s probably looking doubtful that he’s going to play in the last three home and away games of the season.
“So, we’re going to need to have a look at what lies beyond that. We’ll gather some information over the next couple of days and we’ll give everyone an update.“
Meanwhile, Dustin Martin remains in a “holding pattern” with his hamstring injury.
The club says it’s “hopeful” a round 23 return is still on the cards, but admits, “if we’re not able to progress significantly in the next week or so, that starts to become a little less clear.”
The Lions Also Lost Zack Bailey in the first half of Sunday’s contest, with the mid-forward taken to hospital with a chest issue after a collision with Richmond’s Marlion Pickett.
Remarkably, despite Bailey spending Sunday night in hospital as his teammates returned home without him, the Lions are yet to rule him out of Round 21.
Scans cleared the 22-year-old of any serious injury and he was able to be discharged.
“Bailey spent the night in hospital in Melbourne after receiving a knock to his sternum in Sunday’s match with Richmond at the MCG,” the Lions said in a statement.
“Bailey was released from hospital on Monday and cleared to fly home to Brisbane.
“He will be further assessed to determine his availability for Sunday’s match against Carlton at the Gabba.”
COLLINGWOOD will be without star taylor adams for the remainder of the home and away season after he limped off in the win over Port Adelaide.
Coach Craig McRae confirmed Adams’ suffered a groin injury.
After scans, the club released a statement confirming the extent of the injury layoff.
“Collingwood vice-captain Taylor Adams will miss the remainder of the AFL home and away season after scans revealed a strain to his groin,” the statement read.
“The 28-year-old will be assessed further in the coming weeks.”
But there is good news for defending Jeremy Howeafter he suffered a heavy knock.
“Howey just got a knee in the backside and unfortunately just couldn’t function,” McRae said.
“He’ll be fine but he just couldn’t get back on the ground.”
Howe was able to complete a pool recovery session with teammates on Monday.
“He is expected to complete limited training on Tuesday before being assessed on Thursday,” the club said.
Brodie Grundy is no certainty to receive an AFL call up for Round 21, while Brody Mihocek is in a race to provide his fitness after missing Round 20 with a hip injury.
Grundy made his return in the VFL last weekend after 13 weeks on the sidelines with a PCL injury.
“Grundy played into the fourth term and collected the typical bumps and bruises sustained during a first game back,” the club said.
“He will also be assessed on Thursday.”
GEELONG are set to be without Gary Rohan for the clash with St Kilda after he was subbed out with a head knock.
Coach Chris Scott was unsure if Rohan was officially concussed, but said he was told Rohan “couldn’t go back on”.
“He said to me he’s perfectly fine, so that’s a good sign,” Scott said post-match.
“You never know how these guys are going to pull up.
“You know when it’s bad… but this isn’t one of those if appearances are anything to go by.”
Feet pip Port to the points at the MCG | 02:20
HAWTHORN coach Sam Mitchell is counting the cost of the loss to St Kilda.
The Hawks gallantly fought back in the final term, despite being down to three on the bench.
mitch lewis injured his knee early in the contest but tried to run it out, Josh Morris suffered a shoulder injury while Jacob Koschitzke suffered a cork.
“We lost three today,” Mitchell said.
“Tank Morris, he was going really well. I was sad for him – he finally got his chance. He’s put together a really good month of footy.
“He popped his shoulder, it came back in but obviously wasn’t going to come back on the field.”
Mitchell said the club wasn’t going to risk Lewis even though he tried to play on with his knee injury.
“Mitch Lewis has had a little bit of a sore knee for a while and just landed on it awkwardly,” he explained.
“It wasn’t OK to keep going.
“It’s one of those injuries where there’s a small amount of risk to it… the game was put away so we weren’t going to risk an important player like him.”
Mitchell praised Koschitzke’s ability to play on despite being clearly hampered by injury.
Saints survive fast-finishing Hawks | 01:00
“Kossie really worked hard. He has got a really nasty corky – he could hardly walk even to half time but we were already three on the bench so we needed him to soldier on,” he said.
“I have committed to that and gave us what I could. He couldn’t run or lead very much but he gave us a reply.
“Sometimes as a young player having to fight through when your body is nowhere near its best is an important lesson to learn.”
MELBOURNE coach Simon Goodwin says young ruckman Luke Jackson will be right to go against Collingwood after passing his concussion test in Perth.
Jackson came from the ground in the win over Fremantle appearing to be dazed but was given the all clear.
“He just had a little knock late in the game. He was checked by the docs and got the all clear,” Goodwin said.
“There’s nothing wrong with him, he’ll be fine. He’ll be ready to go next week.
“He got checked and passed his test.”
Goodwin also said Christian Salem would be able to back up after a blow to his face left him bleeding from the nose.
“Salem had a bit of a cut to his face, but we’ve come through unscathed,” Goodwin said.
james hames (concussion) and ben brown (knee soreness) will both need to provide their fitness to face the Pies on Friday night.
“Brown, following two weeks on the sidelines due to knee soreness, has ramped up his training program this past week and will also look to be available for selection,” the club said.
Joel Smith played his first VFL minutes since suffering a serious ankle injury back in Round 7.
the WESTERN BULLDOGS are sweating on star Adam Treloar‘s fitness ahead of this weekend’s must-win game against Fremantle.
Treloar has been battling a calf complaint and finished his past two matches early.
“Adam suffered some calf tightness in the game against Melbourne,” Dogs head of sports medicine Chris Bell said.
“He still wasn’t 100% during his fitness test last Thursday, so was unavailable for selection.
“We will again assess Adam as this week progresses and make a call on his availability towards the back end of the week.”
Anthony Scott (concussion) and hayden crozier (ankle) remain in the hunt for selection.
Scott was now “symptom-free” after being convicted in the clash with Sydney in Round 17, while Crozier has made steady progress since his ankle injury suffered in the VFL a month ago.
“We couldn’t be happier with how he has progressed over the last two weeks since coming out of the CAM boot,” Bell said.
“He will start to integrate back into training this week and we will determine if he returns to playing this weekend or next.”
Jarrod Brander‘s first season with GWS is over after the utility injured his hamstring playing the VFL.
Jacob Wehr is also unavailable for selection this weekend through injury.
Wehr suffered a calf strain against the Swans, ending his run of 10 straight game since debuting in Round 10.
Matt Flynn (ankle) and Conor Stone (hamstring) will have to provide themselves fit to face Essendon on Saturday.
In some good news for the club, Bobby Hill has been medically cleared to return after undergoing surgery for testicular cancer.
Hill hasn’t played since his shock diagnosis back in May.
PORT ADELAIDE are confident Travis Boak may back up against Richmond, despite fracturing his hand in the loss to Collingwood.
The 34-year-old was able to play out the match, after suffering the injury in the second term.
“He will be monitored throughout the week with an expectation that he will be able to take on the Tigers,” the club said in a statement.
Darcy Byrne-Jones will need to pass a fitness test after spraining his ankle early in the clash with the Pies.
The club expects Riley Bonner to be available for selection after he clears the AFL’s Health and Safety protocols, while dan houston could come into the mix after serving his 12-day concussion break.
FREMANTLE will be without skipper Nat Fyfe until at least Round 23 as he recovers from a hamstring injury.
Fyfe hasn’t played since the Round 19 draw with the Tigers and remains no guarantee to play before finals.
“We’ve got a target of round 23 for Nat, obviously there’s a bit of work to do before we get there but that’s our target,” Dockers footy boss Peter Bell said.
Sam Switkowski is another Docker pushing to return before finals, as he recovers from a serious back injury.
“Sam’s a really important player for us, so if he is to come back it will be really positive,” Bell said.
The club it was still to put a line through Jye Amiss despite the rookie’s kidney injury landing him in hospital.
“Jye is going pretty well, we’ll be in constant dialogue with the specialist,” Bell said.
“Every day he’s getting better, it’s great to have him back out there. We haven’t put a line through him for the season, that’s for sure, so he’s training well.”
AFL fans will know whether Tasmania becomes the 19th team in the competition by the end of this month, Fox Footy’s Jon Ralph believes.
Just a week after reports the Tassie bid had stalled over exactly who would fund a new stadium, Ralph said there’s confidence that a “new vision” for the stadium would broker the 19th license for 2027 and beyond.
Under new estimates, the venue would cost less than $500 million – rather than the initial $750m – and could once again change attitudes towards the potential new club.
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“There will be a vote by the end of the month,” Ralph said on Fox Footy.
“The Tasmanian Government they can secure funding for a stadium believe that’s less than $500m.
“The feasibility study that’s underway with the current taskforce and government won’t be completed by the end of April, but they believe if you have a $500m bill, it would be dollar for dollar.
“Federal government, State government, there’d be some private partnership investment, with a hotel, convention centre, parking of course which would attract some visitors.
“My understanding is the other work streams are basically done, basically ticked off. None of them are game changers. The stadium is the massive issue.
Giants keen to ‘correct their cap’ | 04:04
“So the plan will go to the AFL committee, let’s call it mid-month. It will go back to the presidents to go back their own boards, and then presidents like Jeff Kennett will come to a consensus view.
“We will have a decision either way.”
The new stadium would be based upon the Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville, which was built for $295m two years ago.
For that venue, $140m came from State funding while a further $100m was provided from the Federal government.
Ralph said Tasmania’s stadium would also include a Perspex roof, like Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium, that would not be retractable.
“We are at the most official, the most important month in the history of the AFL in Tasmania,” Ralph said.
Fox Footy’s Nick Riewoldt, who is a Tasmanian AFL taskforce member, said now was the time for the AFL to choose a side on the 19th licence.
“Most arrogant performance!” | 03:02
“Now its incumbent on the AFL to, if they strongly believe Tasmania deserve a 19th license, to lobby that in front of the presidents,” he said.
“We know it’s mixed, some (club presidents) put their flags in the ground before the report had even been tabled.”
The Colin Carter report, on Tasmania’s bid for an AFL team, found the feasibility “stacks up”.
“Gillon McLachlan has said to them, funding will be conditional as long as you are turning sod on the new stadium by the time the team runs out for its first game, that’s acceptable,” Ralph added.
“Before finals, we’ll know (if they get a license).”
GWS need to follow Collingwood’s lead and commit to a salary cap dump in a bid to rejuvenate a list that’s missing “an A-grader”, according to journalist Jon Ralph.
The Giants are languishing in 16th position with just five wins for 2022 – with coach Leon Cameron an early casualty.
Speaking on Fox Footy’s On The Couch, Ralph said the GWS salary cap reset was “officially on”, with a host of players set to be put up for trade.
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“I think rather than an exodus of players wanting to flee this club, I think it’s a really calculated decision by this club (that) we need to fix this salary cap issue once and for all,” he said.
“If you are going to do it, over three or four years, do it now with really tough decisions.
“Josh Kelly’s contract hits $1.2m at some stage – it’s back-ended, Nick Haynes next year is on over $800,000 – back-ended. That’s a decision the club’s made, but you can fix it right now.
“The inside mids will depart; Jacob Hopper, Tanner Bruhn, Bobby Hill as a small forward, I think to Collingwood.
“The Giants would love to keep Tim Taranto who can play as a medium forward, but he wants to play as an inside mid but they will not push him out.
“I think if someone wanted to pay Haynes’ salary, I think he’d be available.”
Super Swans clobber sub-par Giants | 01:02
Ralph said rumors of a Lachie Whitfield exit were incorrect, and said Tom Green would remain at the club too.
“Lachie Whitfield will not be part of a trade … he’s had an ankle that’s been so bad since Round 8 he’s needed surgery but he’s battled on,” he said.
“Tom Green, happy, contracted, part of those 14 players (called out by caretaker coach Mark McVeigh) and that brings the speculation that he won’t be there.
Collingwood missed the flag. Two years later, the salary cap exodus. I think it’s taken one more year but they are going to do something about it and it’s going to cause a ripple effect.
“Over a million bucks of cap space over next year and potentially years to come as well.”
GWS Giants press conference | 10:43
Ralph said the exits of Hopper, Bruhn, Hill and Taranto would still leave the Giants with the likes of Stephen Coniglio, Kelly, Green and Whitfield.
And it would free up some space to target an “A-grader” like Collingwood’s Brodie Grundy.
“They’ve got three ruckmen who are probably worth $1 million (combined) – none of them are A-graders,” Ralph said.
“Would you make strong decisions to bring in Brodie Grundy, pay him his $1 million and you’ve got A-graders, difference makers.
“You might create space for the key position forward. It’s not they’ve got too many stars, it’s they are an unbalanced list which is why they want to bring in a key position forward and maybe a ruckman.”
Dockers great Matthew Pavlich claims Luke Jackson is Fremantle’s “answer for the future” and believes the club should be “going hard for him”.
Plus the Pies are confident on a new deal for a star for 2023 and beyond.
Get the latest player movement news and updates in AFL Trade Whispers!
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WHY JACKSON IS FREMANTLE’S ‘ANSWER’
Fremantle should be “going hard” for Luke Jackson, according to Dockers great Matthew Pavlich as he believes the 20-year-old is the “answer” for the future.
Jackson is out of contract at the end of this season, and has put talks on hold with the Demons. It’s fueled speculation he wants to return home to WA for 2023 and beyond.
While there’s plenty of debate over just how much the young ruckman is worth per season, with some estimates at $800,000, Pavlich says a partnership between Jackson and Sean Darcy is one Fremantle fans should get around.
“There’s the now and then there’s the future,” he said on SEN WA.
“The now, Luke Jackson would be a pretty good player in that Fremantle side. If you take out, I guess you’d have to give something to get something. So is it Rory Lobb for Luke Jackson? Is that part of the deal? I don’t know.
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“Whether he’s the answer right now, he’s a great player. We know what he’s capable of. He’s 20.
“In the context of young developing ruckmen, he’s a great young developing ruckman.
“Is he a great player yet? No. He’s got the potential to be a really great player.
“He’s the answer for the future. He can help Fremantle long-term.
“I would absolutely be going hard for him… him and Sean Darcy as a combination between ruck/forward – that’s a threat for a long time if you’re a Fremantle supporter.”
But what would the Dockers have to offer and where would Jackson fit into the line up?
Pavlich says Darcy would still remain the number one ruck in his eyes.
“What they miss is a dynamic leading forward at the moment,” he said.
“But if you wanted to look at Luke Jackson in a Fremantle jumper on Friday night then you’d take out something and it’d have to be one of the key forwards from the Fremantle line up.”
Despite all the contract talk surrounding Luke Jackson, Melbourne captain Max Gawn is confident his premiership teammate will knock back a huge offer to join Fremantle.
“Luke’s a talent and he’s got every right, as every player does, to look at any offer that’s coming his way,” Gawn told reporters on Monday.
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“I’m pretty confident he’s going to be a Melbourne player still and I know that’s very far from what the consensus is out in the media.
“He was the happiest person I’ve ever seen (last Friday night) beating Fremantle, who is the team that he’s supposed to be going to.
“I love playing with him, I love being his leader, I love being his friend, I love coaching him and I love seeing little bits that I’ve told him during the week come out on game day.
“I’m really excited, especially for the next seven weeks, to play with Luke and then hopefully for the next few years.”
Local fans in Perth taunted Melbourne players last Friday night by hanging a Fremantle jersey with “Jackson” written on it over the race. The jersey was snatched and then thrown away by Jackson’s teammate Jake Melksham.
FEET STAR SET TO LOCK IN NEW DEAL
Collingwood are looking to lock in Round 19 hero Jamie Elliott on a new deal for 2023 and beyond.
Elliott becomes an unrestricted free agent after 11 seasons with the club.
Magpies CEO Mark Anderson on Monday said he was pleased with progress on a new deal for Elliott.
“Discussions are going well with ‘Billy’,” Anderson said on SEN.
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“Graham Wright heads up that area and does a great job in that space.
“Discussions with Billy are going well.”
But he refused to be drawn into talk about potential offers for Lion Dan McStay or Giant Tim Taranto.
“We’re focused on our current playing group with four rounds to go,” he said.
“We’ve got a great list and they’re performing.
“So we are staying focused.
“We don’t talk about players at other clubs and it wouldn’t be appropriate to do so.”
Collingwood have a host of players out of contract including Jordan De Goey, the Brown brothers Callum and Tyler, Steele Sidebottom, Mason Cox and young Josh Carmichael.
FRINGE DOCKER URGED TO STAY PUT
Bailey Banfield is having a great season for the Dockers, and sits inside their top five goal scorers in 2022.
But the 24-year-old remains on the fringe, as an unused medi sub on five separate occasions and activated as the sub in other matches.
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WA commentator Tim Gossage argued Banfield would get a game at “four or five other clubs and play 20 games a year” if he left the Dockers in search of a more permanent role.
But Fremantle great Matthew Pavlich urged Banfield to “stick it out”.
“Would he get personal satisfaction and would he get a sense of purpose of being in a group and building and working his way into a team? No he would n’t (if he he left), ”Pavlich sad on SEN.
“He could go to, you’re right, half a dozen clubs, 12 clubs and be playing most weeks.
“But all his effort, his leadership, he’s rated really highly down there. It would not be necessarily worth his time if he chose to leave.
“He’s put all this effort in… I would stick it out but that’s just the way I look at those things.”
While statistics show Banfield has kicked 18 goals from 19 matches, he didn’t get on the field for five of those games.
Banfield was snapped up with pick five in the 2018 rookie draft after being named Claremont’s best and fairest in the WAFL in 2017.
“Fuming” Port Adelaide club president David Koch believes he has “been played” by Collingwood after the Power’s request to wear their heritage prison bar jumper was again knocked back by the Magpies.
Speaking on FIVEaa radio, Koch said Port did “the right thing” and put the jumper request into the AFL back in March to wear for the Round 23 Showdown.
Koch didn’t hold back when asked about claims the Magpies told him Port’s jumper request would be denied back in March.
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“That is the greatest load of rot I’ve ever heard,” Koch said.
“In fact, two weeks ago the Collingwood president Jeff Browne rang me out of the blue and said: ‘Kochie look mate, we’re taking your request really seriously, we understand how important it is to your members, we understand the history of it … I’ve been canvassing opinions both in Melbourne and South Australia and I’m putting it to my board (last week) and I don’t want to get your hopes up, but I’m quietly confident we could have good news for you.’
“So that was just two weeks ago the president of the Collingwood Football Club rang me out of the blue and told me this.”
A Port fan holds up a prison bar jumper sign during the Round 8, 2021 Showdown. Picture: Sarah ReedSource: Getty Images
Koch claimed the club had been taken advantage of by Collingwood as debate continues to rage over whether the Power should be allowed to wear their heritage prison bar strip.
“Remember Collingwood have always said: ‘We own black and white in the AFL/VFL. They are our colours’ – as if you can own two colours. Don’t get me started on that,” he said.
“On the weekend, Collingwood VFL played the Southport Sharks in the VFL who are black and white. So why can’t we play in our traditional prison bar guernsey, Showdown in Adelaide, that’s all. Not against Collingwood. Not for the rest of the year. I don’t think it’s unreasonable.
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“I can’t help but feel that we’ve been played in this for being nice and a bit mislead by the club and also conversations I’ve had with the president.
“It just shows, dare I say, the pettiness of this which has got completely out of hand. I don’t know whether it’s a case of the big Victorian clubs once again going: ‘Hey, you just keep in your place you interstates, South Australian clubs. We run this competition, you do as we say.’”
An agreement was put in place when Port Adelaide entered the competition in 1997 that the prison bar jumper was only to be worn in the AFL’s Heritage round.
But there is no longer one dedicated round by the AFL, with clubs opting to do their own heritage celebrations each year.
“Yes, an agreement was signed when we came into the AFL – that’s 30 years ago. Times have changed and clubs are celebrating their heritage,” Koch said.
Port Adelaide Power press conference | 05:23
“Why can’t we declare a Showdown as celebrating our heritage?
“I’m fuming because we have done the right thing, we’ve just quietly gone about it, and I can’t help feel as though that good nature has been played.
“You look at virtually every AFL club being allowed to play in their heritage guernsey this year … but we’re not allowed to do the same.”
Koch later added in a statement: “Surely we’re past these trivial arguments and acknowledge this is one of these things where it’s time for change and we progress the game, as a truly national competition which acknowledges the rich heritage we all bring.
“We’re not asking to wear it every week, it’s for Showdowns, in Adelaide, to celebrate the rich heritage of Port Adelaide and of South Australian football. It just feels logical, harming no body and promoting the history of Australian football.
“At a time when the number 1 issue in the game is fan engagement and attendance, it’s such an easy solution.
“What we are asking for is entirely reasonable. To wear our iconic Prison Bar Guernsey in Showdowns to celebrate the heritage of Port Adelaide and South Australian football. Not against Collingwood, just two times a year, in Adelaide. I don’t see how it impacts anyone negatively at all.”
Last year, the Power were threatened with the loss of premiership points if they wore the prison bar jumper for the Showdown, against the AFL’s ruling.
So the team waited until post-match to change out of their playing strip and into the prison bar Guernsey.
Mark McVeigh’s brutally honest assessment that his players “checked out” in the 73-point Sydney derby loss could cost him the Giants’ senior coaching job, Fox Footy’s Nick Riewoldt has warned.
McVeigh did not hold back in his post-match criticism, as he labeled the performance “embarrassing” and “extremely disappointing”, while stating only eight players “went to the wall” for four quarters.
Speaking about McVeigh’s stunning statement, Riewoldt said he feared the comments could cost the caretaker coach the full-time gig in 2023.
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“I think it puts a line through it (his coaching aspirations at GWS),” he said on Best on Ground.
“If that’s the concession that you’re making as a coach, that you think some of your players have checked out and you are responsible for getting the players up every week, I think it becomes very difficult for the club to say: ‘You ‘re the man going forward’.”
McVeigh remains in the running for the full-time job next season, reportedly alongside four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson, Melbourne’s Adem Yze and Richmond’s Adam Kingsley.
Fellow panelist and former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley said he admired McVeigh’s honesty.
“That’s the first time I’ve heard those comments,” he said.
“That’s as honest as you can get.
GWS Giants press conference | 10:43
“That comment… I love to see that because that is absolutely honest. If that’s his opinion of him, and you’ve got to take that at face value, it’s a real challenge.
The Giants were smashed in all the stats that mattered, down -117 in disposals, -33 in inside 50s and -24 in tackles – including laying just six inside 50 for the match.
Riewoldt said the result isn’t a direct reflection on McVeigh’s ability as a coach, but raised questions about his connection with the players.
“It doesn’t mean that he can’t coach. But the ability to get this group up … how can the Giants, if they think the players have checked out under his coaching, how can they have confidence to make that appointment?” Riewoldt said.
“I think it puts them in a really difficult position to go and appoint him after that.”
Buckley said he now wanted to see what sort of response the Giants players had in the clash with Essendon.
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“The next couple of weeks will be what tells you about Mark McVeigh’s bona fides as a coach and his connection with those players because they will respond to that? Because there’s always something to play for,” he said.
“The response is going to say more than the comment.”
Earlier this month, McVeigh confirmed he would enter the race to become the Giants coach for 2023 and beyond.
(The club hierarchy) have been very open with me and terrific, they’ve been amazing and they’ve supported me,” he said.
“There are other coaches that they’ll be talking to, which is absolutely right (to do), and I’m just another one of those that are trying to win the role.
“I certainly know where it sits and I’m very clear on the approach going forward.”
GWS will face Essendon, the Western Bulldogs and Fremantle in the final three rounds.
Essendon has recorded an eighth straight win over North Melbourne, with a 48-point victory at Marvel Stadium.
The Bombers led from start to finish with Jake Stringer the hero with a season-high five goals in the 17.12 (114) to 9.12 (66) win.
North Melbourne struggled to find avenues to goal on Sunday as the Bombers easily rebounded from defence.
The only sour note for Essendon’s win was a calf injury to Jye Caldwell, who was subbed out in the third term.
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QUARTER-BY-QUARTER MATCH REPORT
Both teams were forced to make crucial pre-game changes.
Bombers midfielder Dylan Shiel was a late withdrawal due to a hamstring injury, with Archie Perkins replacing him. Jye Menzie made her debut as the medi sub.
The Kangaroos were hit by Covid, with Jack Mahony and Lachie Young withdrawn and replaced by Kayne Turner and Phoenix Spicer.
The Bombers were on the board first through Jake Stringer after the forward found himself at the back of the pack.
Stringer competed in the air and landed quickly on his feet as the ball bounced toward goal.
Despite Aidan Bonar’s best efforts to knock the ball through, he slapped it onto Stringer’s boot.
After a quick score review, it was confirmed Essendon had the first for the day.
But the Roos had all the run for the next five minutes as Bailey Scott slotted his first and Nick Larkey missed a great chance to get himself on the scoreboard.
Stringer almost had his second with a snap from the goal square but it was ruled touched. A minute later, he found himself one-out with Roo Jaidyn Stephenson and he took full advantage.
Stringer converted his set shot from 40m to register his 300th career goal.
He added his third goal for the day from the resulting center clearance after a brilliant pick up by Matt Guelfi.
“If you leave Jake Stringer with a bit of space inside forward 50, he will make you pay every time,” commentator Jordan Lewis said.
“(Hugh) Greenwood is accountable at some point, but who picks him up from there?” Fox Footy’s Jonathan Brown questioned.
Cam Zurhaar had the immediate response for North Melbourne after Jack Ziebell drew a free kick.
Zurhaar took full advantage as the ball got to the back and the Roos closed the margin to five points.
Ben Rutten’s decision to shift James Stewart forward to taken advantage of the height difference with Bonar paid off when the swingman pulled down a big contested grab.
He calmly went back to slot his first for the year.
“There’s just too much space there. It was a really dangerous kick … but (North were) disorganized inside the defensive 50,” Lewis said.
Some great desperation from Nick Hind denied the Roos their third goal of the day as the Bombers enjoyed a 15-point buffer at the first change.
Stringer had a hand in Essendon’s sixth goal when he tried to crash through the contest and propelled the footy forward.
Stewart got on the end of it for his second for the day.
“He’s a raging bull at the moment. Like a front rower in rugby crashing through,” Brown praised.
“He’s the hottest player on the ground,” Lewis added.
Will Snelling paid a heavy price for his movement on the mark when called to stand, and was hit by a 50m penalty.
“The rules are rules. That’s a 50-meter penalty every time,” Brown said.
Kayne Turner made no mistake with the set shot as the margin closed to just eight points.
Harry Jones pushed the lead back out as North became “a little messy” with ball in hand, but it was a lapse in concentration that really hurt the Roos.
With Archie Perkins just out of range at 55m out, no one went to Mason Redman as he charged past the mark.
The handball was given and Redman easily slotted the goal on the run.
“You have to go and man him up – that’s just a lapse in concentration,” Lewis said.
“He was celebrating early … as soon as it left his boot, the finger was up,” Brown added, laughing.
Perkins blew a gold opportunity to cement their dominance as North Melbourne were struggling to find a way out of the defensive 50.
But when Sam Durham put the foot down and sped down the wing, Kyle Langford slotted the goal to push the Bombers out to a 30-point lead minutes out from half time.
Despite finding plenty of footy in the third, the Roos just couldn’t make it count on the scoreboard.
Phoenix Spicer and Nick Larkey couldn’t convert their chances but down the other end, the Bombers were able to hit targets.
Zach Merrett and Matt Guelfi added their first goals for the day as debutant Jye Menzies entered the game.
Jye Caldwell was subbed off with a calf injury and went straight down to the rooms, but the change did little to slow Essendon’s momentum.
When Peter Wright kicked his second goal for the night, he edged closer to his first-ever 50-goal season.
The big man now sits at 47 for the year in just his second season at the club.
By three quarter time, the Bombers had pushed the lead out to 33 points.
The final quarter simply belonged to the Bombers as they racked up their highest score in season 2022.
Essendon kicked four goals to two, including three straight to really blow the margin out.
By full time, it was Essendon 48-point winners with Jake Stringer kicking a season-high five goals.
THE 3-2-1…
3. DON’T DISCOVER WINNING RUN
Essendon’s defense was savaged early in 2022 when described as “witches hats”. But against the Roos on Sunday, it was the Bombers’ back line that kept them in the contest.
Without Dylan Shiel, who was a late withdrawal from the clash, the Bombers were belted in the center clearance count.
Despite not getting first hands on it and starting on the back foot, Essendon’s back six stood tall and continually turned defense into attack.
But three quarter time, seven of Essendon’s 13 goals came directly from defence.
“They don’t rush Essendon, they just built up the play and then go once they get forward of centre,” Fox Footy’s Jonathan Brown praised.
“They’ve scored three goals from defensive 50 today (to half time). They’ve moved the ball really well end to end.
“It’s been a real strength of theirs in the last seven weeks Essendon.”
While Brown said the transition strength was out of necessity due to the lost clearance count, he said he found the movement “sensational”.
By three quarter time, Essendon had scored 7.0 from defensive half compared to North’s 0.1.
Fox Footy’s Jordan Lewis praised Essendon’s taken ability to score from the back half without “a lot of risk”.
“They’ve been able to transition far too easily. They’ve got a good understanding of when to go quick and when to slow it down,” he praised.
2. THE BIG PROBLEM PLAGUING NORTH
Nick Larkey is North Melbourne’s most successful forward in 2022, with a team high 29 goals heading into Sunday’s clash at Marvel Stadium.
But the big forward just couldn’t get his hands on it against the Bombers with Fox Footy’s Jonathan Brown questioning who was to blame.
Too often Larkey was caught in a one on two, or the ball delivery wasn’t where he needed it to be.
“How many kicks do you see go to Larkey and they’ve gone to the top of his head?” Jordan Lewis questioned.
But Brown said the responsibility didn’t always lie solely with the kicker.
“I wonder if he’s getting out of the blocks too quickly? His timing of him (could be off), ”Brown replied.
By three quarter time, Larkey had just three disposals.
“He’s just maybe starting his lead a bit early. Get a bit desperate and want to get involved in the game,” Brown said.
“But you can rush the kicker and then the ball goes over your head too often.”
Statistics showed the Roos went to Larkey 13 times in the first three terms – compared to the next best Cam Zurhaar with just three targets.
“The amount of ball that go over his head, he’s got to ask himself the question – why is that happening?” Brown said.
“Don’t just put it on the kicker. He needs to understand where he’s positioned, how he’s contributing to that.”
Lewis agreed Larkey was getting caught too high up trying to get his hands on the footy early.
“I just reckon the North Melbourne forwards are getting too high, especially Larkey, He needs to be that deeper option.”
It should be noted opponent Brandon Zerk-Thatcher had a brilliant day, with a one-one-one diving spoil on Larkey the highlight of the contest.
Larkey finished his day with seven touches, four marks and 0.3 from his shots.
1. SENSATIONAL STRINGER BREAKS GAME APART
Jake Stringer essentially put North Melbourne away by quarter time.
The dangerous Bomber had three goals in the opening term, including two in the spare of two minutes.
But it was his ability to get to the footy and loom large that made him most dangerous.
With Dylan Shiel a late out, Stringer spent more time in the middle, opposed to Roo Hugh Greenwood.
But when he’d sneak forward, it was then up to Luke McDonald to make that transition.
And it was during that handover that Stringer took advantage.
“It’s hard when Stringer is up and about. We know he was at the end of last year – he’s got that look about him today,” Jonathan Brown praised.
“He just puts himself in really dangerous positions and makes the defender really jumpy.
“He’s been the hottest player when the ball has gone inside forward 50.”
Brown praised Stringer’s “really dynamic” approach to the footy against the Roos.
“He’s looked really dangerous form the get-go,” Brown said.
“He’s had that look today that he’ll break the game wide open.
“I’ve liked his energy, his enthusiasm for the contest.
“Six tackles as well shows where his mindset has been at today.”
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