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Jason Horne-Francis dropped for North Melbourne clash with Adelaide Crows, strange call

Post author By mangakiko
Post date August 11, 2022
No Comments on Jason Horne-Francis dropped for North Melbourne clash with Adelaide Crows, strange call

AFL pundits have been left surprised by North Melbourne’s decision to drop No. 1 pick Jason Horne Francis for Saturday’s clash against the Crows in Adelaide.

The Kangaroos have named three inclusions for the match against Adelaide, with star veteran Ben Cunnington to make his highly-anticipated AFL return after beating cancer. Cunnington is joined on the side by key defender Ben McKay and father-son draftee Jackson Archer.

But the Roos also made a statement with their exclusions, dropping Horne-Francis, recruit Hugh Greenwood and key defender Josh Walker, while Flynn Perez was the club’s unused medical sub against Sydney last Sunday.

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Horne-Francis also wasn’t named in the emergencies, which is made up of Walker, Greenwood Atu Bosenavulagi and Josh Goater.

The 2021 No. 1 draft pick played in 12 of North’s first 13 games this season before copping a two-match suspension and returning via the VFL. But in his past four AFL games, Horne-Francis has kicked one goal and averaged 14.3 disposals.

Speaking on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 Plus on Thursday night, St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt thought the call to drop Horne-Francis was “strange”.

“There’s two games to go in the year, I would think you’re trying to get games into these guys to expose them as much as you possibly can, give a potential coach like Alastair Clarkson a look at the young players and the game’s in Adelaide – that’s where all his family and friends (are). He was desperate to get back there earlier in the year, which created some issue,” Riewoldt told Fox Footy.

Dual premiership Kangaroo David King was also surprised by the decision.

“Why would you drop Horne-Francis? He’s going back to Adelaide to play in front of family and friends, why wouldn’t you give him that opportunity? I don’t understand that,” King told SEN.

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“Just put him there in front of his friends and family because he’ll want to perform.”

Brownlow Medalist Gerard Healy told 3AW’s sports day that Horne-Francis’ non-selection for the Crows game was “a bookend to a pretty disappointing season”.

As well as reports Horne-Francis flew home to South Australia without the club’s awareness earlier this season, he also copped criticism for liking a ‘fake trade’ post on social media that involved him heading to Port Adelaide, while an on-field interaction with club great Todd Goldstein was also picked apart by footy commentators.

Jason Horne-Francis of the Kangaroos. Picture: Michael WillsonSource: Getty Images

There’s also been speculation around Horne-Francis’ future and talk he could return to South Australia after putting off contract talks with the Kangaroos on a new deal beyond 2023.

While dual All-Australian Leigh Montagna thought it was an “unusual” selection move, he told AFL 360 Plus “tough love can hold you in better stead in the long term”.

“I think that’s the general consensus, ‘why not just play them’, but we’ve seen with Jamarra Ugle-Hagan sometimes some tough love in the short-term can actually hold players in better stead in the long-term,” Montagna told Fox Footy.

“Maybe there are still elements in his game that we don’t know about that he’s working on or he’s not buying into some goals that they want.”

Sports

Ken Hinkley will coach Port Adelaide in 2023 says David Koch, Power contract

Post author By mangakiko
Post date August 11, 2022
No Comments on Ken Hinkley will coach Port Adelaide in 2023 says David Koch, Power contract

Port Adelaide president David Koch has emphatically declared Ken Hinkley will see out his current contract and coach the club in 2023.

A question mark had been hovering over Hinkley and his position at the Power, despite being contracted to the club until next year and his defiant AFL 360 interview on Monday night where he said he expected to be at Alberton next year.

Amid mounting criticism over Hinkley’s coaching from fans, Koch said earlier this week “every single person’s role” would be assessed at the end of the season, which has seen the Power drop out of finals contention after back-to-back preliminary final runs.

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Koch spoke on 5AA radio on Monday and conceded the club was “not afraid to make change.” His comment from him, “turn it around or watch out”, fueled speculation there could be sweeping changes to the club’s football department.

But Koch confirmed to 7 News Adelaide on Thursday night Hinkley would remain at Alberton.

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley with Chairman David Koch.Source: Twitter

“Obviously, for all of us, this season has been a major disappointment … (and) as we always do, we’ll thoroughly assess our football program at season’s end,” Koch told 7 News Adelaide.

“But, as the club has maintained all year, Ken Hinkley is contracted and will be our coach in 2023

“Prior to this season, Ken led us to two consecutive preliminary finals.

“Some will argue we should make a change based on our performance this season alone and that Ken has never taken the team to a grand finale.

“But we base decisions on all the information in front of us.

“We believe Ken gives us the best chance of successfully rebounding next season, of successfully attracting new talent and football department resources to make us better.”

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Speaking on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 on Thursday night, St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt said it was a “big backflip” from Koch that should never have happened.

“I like it from the point of view that it provides fodder for all of us to talk about, but Ken Hinkley must get to the end of the week and think: ‘What did I just go and endure – and for what?’” a passionate Riewoldt said on AFL 360.

“So Kochie comes out on Monday saying what he said after the CEO, the footy manager, everyone else in the club has been on the same page – and five days later he backflips on the statement? He could’ve said on Monday what he said tonight, but he chose not to – and by omission, he put Ken Hinkley under ridiculous, undue pressure this week. It was really poor.

“I think Ken’s probably got a reasonable tolerance for it now after all of this time, but I’d be scratching my head.”

Hinkley is Port’s second longest serving coach, behind the club’s sole AFL premiership coach in Mark Williams.

In his 10 seasons in charge, Hinkley has steered the Power to finals in four seasons and has a 60.8 per cent win rate from his 212 games as coach.

When asked directly on AFL 360 if he felt any uncertainty as coach after Koch’s “turn it around or watch out” comments, Hinkley replied: “No, no I don’t”.

Koch statement awkward for Hinkley? | 01:36

“David (Koch) himself has said that he expects me to be coaching Port Adelaide in 2023, as I do and that’s what I am preparing for,” he said.

“I think I’ve been given enough assurances (he’ll see out his deal) through the season, not that I needed them to be fair.

“We all get there’s a finish line for everyone at some point.

“But as I sit here tonight, I’m more than confident that that won’t be at the end of 2022.”

Hinkley said despite the outside pressure, his players “100 per cent” continued to back him in for an 11th season in 2023 – and final year of his current contract — saying:

“My players, they play for me every week. They play for us every week.

Sports

Brisbane Lions, defense, Harris Andrews, Marcus Adams, finals, pressure, David King, Mark Robinson, AFL360, bruise-free

Post author By mangakiko
Post date August 11, 2022
No Comments on Brisbane Lions, defense, Harris Andrews, Marcus Adams, finals, pressure, David King, Mark Robinson, AFL360, bruise-free

Brisbane’s defensive woes have been laid bare just two games out from finals, with one star in particular accused of playing “bruise-free footy”.

In the past six weeks, the Lions are ranked 13th for opposition scores per inside 50, and 14th for pressure, midfield intercepts and opposition from defensive 50 to inside 50 – with only Richmond’s pressure worse for any team in the top eight.

“I think they’ve got massive problems down back… huge problems that are going to render their campaign done,” Fox Footy’s David King has warned.

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What could ladder look like at finals? | 02:58

And King singled out Lions star Harris Andrews for some brutal criticism, demanding he “play like a man.”

“The first move down there being Harris Andrews, he’s playing bruise-free footy at the moment. He’s not playing with physicality,” he said.

“Forwards are just leading around him too easily, there’s no engagement, there’s no body checking, no blocks – there’s nothing. It’s pure intercept or he gets beaten.

“But he’s playing against big boppers in the AFL now and your big boys need to play big boy footy and I don’t think he is.

“He’s a two-time All Australian. We know what he can be, but this is too easy. He’ll get beaten more often than not with that sort of intent.”

Absolute scenes! Cunnington to play AFL | 02:57

Andrews is leading the way for the Lions in a number of areas including intercepts (129), marks (127), disposal efficiency (89%), one percenters (180 – 71 more than the next closest in Marcus Adams) and time on ground , and second in contested marks (24 – one behind Dan McStay).

But on AFL360, King showed vision of Andrews allowing opponent Harry McKay to dictate terms – and the two-time premiership winner called for coach Chris Fagan to put a stop to it.

“He doesn’t deny him anything,” King said.

“They are giving up too many luxuries.

Harris Andrews has to play like a man. You can’t have a guy 200cm play like that – that takes you nowhere.

“That beats some teams during the home and away season and you have a nice year, but you don’t win prelims or grand finals and they continually come up short and that’s why.

“All time Swans great” Emotional goodbye | 03:24

“So fix it or move aside.”

Andrews will be left to hold down the Lions’ defensive end this weekend with teammate Marcus Adams now sidelined under the AFL’s concussion protocols.

AFL360 co-host Mark Robinson said Fagan had spoken about the Lions’ backline efforts more than a month ago and was concerned it doesn’t appear to have been addressed.

“He’s been talking about that, the coach. They spoke about it and that’s still the profile six weeks later,” he said.

“Why aren’t they fixing it? (They’ve) gotta get nasty.”

The Lions have a tough final two games against St Kilda and Melbourne as they remain in the fight for a top four finish – a feat they’ve achieved for the past three years but never made the grand finale.

Sports

Essendon Bombers review, changes, tension between Adrian Dodoro and Josh Mahoney, coaching staff, Ben Rutten future, Blake Caracella, latest

Veteran journalist Caroline Wilson reports off-field changes loom at Essendon following the completion of the club’s review amid tensions emerging between list boss Adrian Dodoro and head of football Josh Mahoney.

The Bombers recently completed an in-depth review of their football department — the club’s second in three years — in a bid to address the 2021 finalists’ drop off this season — currently sitting 14th on the ladder with a 7-13 record.

Wilson reports Ben Rutten’s position is safe despite pressure on the senior coach earlier this year in just his second campaign at the helm, however she states there’ll be other moves made to the footy department including uncertainty around Blake Caracella’s position.

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“The review’s been done … there will be changes,” Wilson told Channel 9’s Footy Classified.

“The coach is safe, Ben Rutten will remain, there will be movement beneath Ben Rutten.

“I’m told there are still real problems there, we know (CEO) Xavier Campbell is still under the pump.

“There is some genuine tension between Adrian Dodoro and Josh Mahoney, which is disappointing.

“I’m not sure where Blake Caracella is going to be next year, but he also has a rock solid two years left on a highly paid contract, but he will definitely be in a different role next year if he’s there at all.”

Wilson reports there’s tension between Dodoro and Mahoney (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)Source: FOX SPORTS

Asked for more context around the strain between Dodoro and Mahoney, Wilson said: “Lack of support for each other.”

Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd revealed he’s heard the club will bolster its coaching staff and support Rutten with another assistant coach for next year.

Wilson added that despite Campbell earlier this season signing a two-year extension, she held concerns about his future if the Bombers don’t bounce back in 2023.

Campbell took over as Essendon chief in 2014, with the club playing finals in four of the nine campaigns since but failing to record a win in the post-season.

“I think Essendon needs to have a good next year. I know he’s just signed a new contract, and I like Xavier Campbell, I’m a supporter of Xavier Campbell. I thought the personal attacks on him earlier this year were really unfair,” she said.

“But 2-3 three ears ago he was Gillon McLachlan’s man most likely (to succeed him as AFL chief). There are now four or five CEOs ahead of him for the top job at the AFL.

“I just think his performance as CEO, particularly where the footy has been concerned, has been pretty woeful. The decisions haven’t worked out for him, a lot of footy managers who haven’t worked out.”

It comes as the Bombers this week announced an all-time membership record of 84,778 in 2022.

Sports

Port Adelaide chairman David Koch slammed for comments on Ken Hinkley coaching future

Post author By mangakiko
Post date August 10, 2022
No Comments on Port Adelaide chairman David Koch slammed for comments on Ken Hinkley coaching future

Port Adelaide chairman David Koch has been slammed by AFL journalist Caroline Wilson and former coach Ross Lyon for bending to the will of the club’s fan base.

The Power have had a shocker of a season, the worst under Ken Hinkley’s tenure, leading to calls for the coach’s head.

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Certain supporters even plastered a “sack Hinkley” poster over a sign near the club’s headquarters last week.

Port Adelaide has just eight wins from 20 matches and sits 12th on the AFL ladder with two rounds remaining.

But while many footy pundits expect Hinkley to still be in charge at Port in 2023, Koch sparked a furore when he appeared to deliver a warning for his coach.

“Obviously this year will be the worst finish that we’ve had in the last 10 years and something’s got to change. We’ve got to get better. We’ve got to make some hard decisions,” Koch told FIVEaa on Monday.

“It’s not just about one individual person, it’s the whole program. Turn it around or watch out.

“Every single person’s role will be assessed at the end of the year, as we do each year.”

Speaking on Channel 9’s Footy Classified on Wednesday night, Wilson said Koch’s comments didn’t sit well with everyone at the Power and he will address them this week.

“I gather there will be some comments made regarding what he said on Monday night, comments that really inflamed the football club and really put Ken Hinkley under enormous pressure,” she said.

“I don’t think I know of another footy club in the AFL who is so beholden to their supporters as Port Adelaide.

“What this has done is forced some pretty robust conversations with the chairman and some of his senior people. I think hopefully, for Ken Hinkley’s sake, his job will be guaranteed tomorrow (Thursday) night.

“Until that happens, I’m still not convinced GWS, if they miss out on Alastair Clarkson, they won’t make a late play for Ken Hinkley.

“I should also mention Chris Davies, who is the head of footy at Port Adelaide, and a big Ken Hinkley supporter and has put this program together, North (Melbourne) have had a crack at him. They’re not the only club.

“I don’t think Chris Davies will go anywhere as long as Ken Hinkley stays at Port Adelaide. But what an environment to be going into next year.”

Ex-Fremantle and St Kilda coach Lyon said Koch’s comments threatened to divide the club in an attempt to appease outspoken fans.

“I think everyone in the AFL now talks about connection, harmony, environment,” Lyon told Footy Classified. “And David, for the sake of a sugar hit for his supporter base, to make them feel better that we’re ruthless and we’ll turn them over, the damage to the people that work there, grind their way through an AFL season , it’s disappointing.

“It comes from the top. It’s symbolic of how you feel about the people working for you.”

Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd said although it was not the ideal way to share the message, he agreed with Koch’s sentiment.

“He may not have said that publicly, but I agree with everything he said,” Lloyd said.

“Even if Ken Hinkley stays, what he (Koch) said there, it may have to look at the support staff, recruiting.”

But Lyon argued: “That should be a given you do that every year.

“You don’t need to sugar hit the door publicly and insult your people. He’s injured staff that have committed and for a long period of time have gone close. Not necessary.”

Koch was also slammed earlier in the week by Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes.

“Either make a call or back him (Hinkley) in … ‘turn it around or watch out’, what a ridiculous thing to say,” Cornes told SEN on Tuesday.

“The thing that David Koch needs to do is make a call, is he your coach or is he not your coach?

“And if he’s not your coach, you have to tell him now so that he has the opportunity and you give him the respect to go and find another job.

“There are two vacant coaching jobs right now that Ken Hinkley would absolutely be in the mix for it, but he can’t be in the mix for it if he thinks he’s going to be coaching Port Adelaide next year.

“Conversely, if he is your guy and you’ve contracted him for next year, which they have, back him in now. There’s nothing to be learned in the next two weeks that you don’t already know and you haven’t already discovered in the last 10 weeks.

“It was a stupid thing to say, it sent the media into a spin and it now has everyone questioning if Ken Hinkley will be there next year.”

Read related topics:Adelaide

Sports

Essendon Bombers, Gold Coast Suns

Post author By mangakiko
Post date August 10, 2022
No Comments on Essendon Bombers, Gold Coast Suns

Essendon captain Dyson Heppell doesn’t “owe” Essendon anything and the club wouldn’t begrudge him joining Gold Coast next season, according to Bombers coach Ben Rutten.

The Suns have reportedly tabled a four-year deal to the out-of-contract defender, comprising two years as a player and two as an assistant coach.

But Essendon have also offered Heppell a new contract, believed to be far inferior to the Suns’ deal, and Rutten said the Bombers weren’t putting a timeline on when they needed Heppell to make a decision on his future.

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“He is really clear on where he stands with us and we’d love to have him around next year. He knows that,” Rutten said at Tullamarine on Wednesday.

“He’s been a great servant for our footy club, he doesn’t owe us anything, so we’ll be really supportive of Dyson and all of our players whatever decisions they make.”

While Rutten said there would be “something special” about seeing Heppell finish his career as a one-club player, he tempered that by saying it wasn’t “the be all and end all” in the modern era – a view backed up by the likes of Hawthorn premiership heroes Luke Hodge, Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis all finishing their glittering careers at other clubs.

Dyson Heppell competes with Sam Durham at training. Picture: Darrian TraynorSource: Getty Images

Meanwhile, veteran defender Michael Hurley won’t play against Port Adelaide on Sunday evening despite continuing to make progress after overcoming a nasty hip infection that has sidelined him for the past two seasons.

He has now played four VFL games, and while he might be a chance to play Richmond in the final round, Rutten still couldn’t guarantee that or whether Hurley would be offered a new contract for next year.

“It’s something we are thinking through, the dynamics of that, there’s still some uncertainty around ‘Hurls’ moving forward,” Rutten said.

“We haven’t made a decision on what we’re doing there but there’s plenty of options for us.”

“All time Swans great” Emotional goodbye | 03:24

Rutten admitted the uncertainty surrounding Hurley’s playing future could affect his prospects of playing against the Tigers next week.

“There’s a fair bit to weigh up from our end, from Hurls’ end, which we’re talking through all the time,” Rutten said.

“He understands the rigors of AFL footy and the demands that you have to be up for.

“At the moment, he’s getting through a game and a half a training session – that’s not sustainable for him, or for anyone, to play a full season of footy.

“I think he’s still got the passion to play and the desire, (but) marrying that up with the physical part of it is the bit he and we are working through at the moment.”

One factor that might earn Hurley a new contract is Essendon being light on for experienced players.

Feet rebound from cap scandal | 02:10

There are only three players aged 30 or older at the Bombers this year – Hurley, Heppell and ruckman Andrew Phillips.

“They’re certainly the things that we’re considering, that’s all part of the bigger picture for us,” he said.

“It’s important that we best support our less experienced players through the early parts of their career.

“In his time out, he’s spent a lot of time with our younger key position players in particular, and he’s now loving playing with them and they’re loving playing with him.”

Sports

Wayne Carey, Anthony Stevens, altercation, North Melbourne, 25-year premiership reunion, affair, scandal, cheated, Yarraville Hotel, celebration, wife, Glenn Archer

AFL commentator Wayne Carey has hit out at the journalist who reported he “came to blows” with ex-teammate Anthony Stevens at the club’s 25-year premiership reunion last weekend.

SEN’s Sam Edmund broke the story on Monday that Carey and Stevens – whose then-wife Carey infamously cheated with back in 2002, had an altercation at the Yarraville Hotel on Saturday night.

Edmund said witnesses had told him the pair were “separated”, with fellow ex-Kangaroos left “stunned” by the verbal attack.

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But on Wednesday, Carey came clean on what sparked the “firm conversation” he had with Stevens, and labeled Edmund a “dill.”

“The first story said came to blows and that’s factually incorrect. There were no blows,” he said on Triple M.

“There was a firm conversation – altercation I think is even too firm to say that occurred.

“I wanted to have a conversation about Stevo, I was worried about him. I said ‘I’m worried about you’ and he obviously took a little bit of umbrage to say I was worried about him.

“I said I’m worried about, I want him to look after himself like people want me to look after myself.

Greene to miss the rest of the season | 00:43

“To say that it was a massive altercation and it came to blows and then we left there and everyone was upset with everyone and it was a big thing is totally incorrect – that’s the disappointing thing about it.

“It wasn’t a story and still isn’t a story.

“I hope I’ve just cleared up that once again this has been blown into something it wasn’t.

“I’m not sure why it should always be talked about – it doesn’t make sense.

“(Sam’s) let himself down with this.

“You know what Sam? We all have bad days. You’ve had a shocker.”

Carey admitted it was well known he and Stevens “aren’t best mates”, but felt Edmund only reported half the story on Monday.

“What he did leave out was at the end of the night or the evening or late afternoon or whatever it was, Stevo and I actually had a couple of beers together and left together,” he said.

Jamie Elliot signs with Feet until 2025 | 00:37

“We were standing out the front both waiting for our respective Ubers to leave the particular venue. I have left that out.

“It sounds like we’ve had this massive blow up and an altercation and as he said we came to blows which was clearly factually incorrect.”

Carey said the fact Stevens failed to show for Sunday’s motorcade celebrations – in which 17 players including Carey and coach Denis Pagan were present at Marvel Stadium – was unrelated to the “firm conversation” as far as he knew.

“I don’t know whether Stevo was upset the next day or not, and that’s why he didn’t come to the motorcade,” Carey said.

“What I do know about that, and my understanding and I’ve spoken to Arch (Glenn Archer) and I’ve spoken to Kingy (David King) and I’ve spoken to heaps of other players that are close with Stevo and some of those players I’m close with and Stevo wasn’t well.

“He’d had a reasonable night. It would be fair to say. We all had a reasonable day. Stevo maybe bigger than others so he didn’t attend the Sunday.

“If there was a big issue and this big thing happened and it had upset all these ex-teammates of mine and everyone else, on Sunday I sat there with Darren Crocker, I sat there with Danielle Laidley, sat with Glenn Archer, sat there with Sholly (Craig Sholl), all and some of them really mutual friends of both of ours – if I’d upset the apple cart or they were really disappointed with what occurred that day then that next day would not be happening.”

Crows apology for camp a little too late | 02:12

Admitting the story didn’t “disappoint” him, Carey said felt for the two families involved every time the 2002 scandal – which cost Carey his North Melbourne career and saw him finish up in Adelaide – gets brought up.

“This is what really hurts every single time. So when dill’s like Sam overexaggerate something that’s happened, who affects it,” he said.

“What he doesn’t realize is it affects Stevo’s daughters, my daughters – not my son because he’s really young. It affects family members and everyone else. That’s what these types of things do.

“Who cares if Stevo and I had a firm conversation together? How is that an actual story?”

Carey had spoken earlier this year on Channel 7 about the affair that rocked North Melbourne, labeling it the “biggest regret of his adult life” and admitting it had “haunted me for over 20 years”.

Sports

AFL 2022 news: Wayne Carey on Anthony Stevens stoush, North Melbourne reunion, cheating scandal

Post author By mangakiko
Post date August 10, 2022
No Comments on AFL 2022 news: Wayne Carey on Anthony Stevens stoush, North Melbourne reunion, cheating scandal

AFL legend Wayne Carey has broken his silence on the reported verbal stoush he had with former teammate Anthony Stevens during North Melbourne’s premiership reunion.

More than 20 years after Carey’s cheating scandal with Stevens’ then-wife forced him out of the Kangaroos, SEN journalist Sam Edmund reported the pair clashed at a gathering of former North players on Saturday night.

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According to Edmund, there was an “ugly altercation” between Carey and Stevens at North Melbourne’s 1996 premiership gathering at the Railway Hotel in Yarraville.

“It’s a pretty sad sequel,” Edmund said on SEN’s Dwayne’s World.

“Witnesses said, Dwayne, that Carey went at Stevens, accusing him of talking behind his back, telling people not to bother trying to catch up with him but then being fine in-person.

“Witnesses said Carey went at Stevens, accusing him of talking behind his back and telling people he couldn’t be contacted and to not bother trying to catch up with him, but then being fine in-person.”

On Wednesday, Carey broke his silence on the reports and explained what really went down on Saturday night.

“The first story said came to blows and that’s factually incorrect. There were no blows,” Carey said on Triple M.

“There was a firm conversation – altercation I think is even too firm to say that occurred.

“I wanted to have a conversation about Stevo, I was worried about him. I said ‘I’m worried about you’ and he obviously took a little bit of umbrage to say I was worried about him.

“I said I’m worried about, I want him to look after himself like people want me to look after myself.

“It wasn’t a story and still isn’t a story.

“I hope I’ve just cleared up that once again this has been blown into something it wasn’t.

“I’m not sure why it should always be talked about – it doesn’t make sense.

“(Sam’s) let himself down with this.

“You know what Sam? We all have bad days. You’ve had a shocker.”

Carey admitted it was well known he and Stevens “aren’t best mates”, but felt Edmund only reported half the story on Monday.

“What he did leave out was at the end of the night or the evening or late afternoon or whatever it was, Stevo and I actually had a couple of beers together and left together,” he said.

“We were standing out the front both waiting for our respective Ubers to leave the particular venue. I have left that out.

“It sounds like we’ve had this massive blow up and an altercation and as he said we came to blows which was clearly factually incorrect.”

Stevens didn’t appear on Sunday when the North Melbourne premiership players held a motorcade celebration for fans. Carey doesn’t believe that decision had anything to do with the conversation the two had.

“I don’t know whether Stevo was upset the next day or not, and that’s why he didn’t come to the motorcade,” Carey said.

“He’d had a reasonable night. It would be fair to say. We all had a reasonable day. Stevo maybe bigger than others so he didn’t attend the Sunday.

Carey admitted the report didn’t frustrate him, he felt more for the families every time the scandal, since 2002, gets brought up.

“This is what really hurts every single time. So when dills like Sam overexaggerate something that’s happened, who affects it,” he said.

“Who cares if Stevo and I had a firm conversation together? How is that an actual story?”

Read related topics:melbourne

Sports

Brodie Grundy Melbourne meeting, Collingwood contract, Cameron Zurhaar Essendon, Dyson Heppell Gold Coast

Post author By mangakiko
Post date August 9, 2022
No Comments on Brodie Grundy Melbourne meeting, Collingwood contract, Cameron Zurhaar Essendon, Dyson Heppell Gold Coast

Brodie Grundy’s link to the Dees has strengthened after three key Melbourne figures met with the Pies ruck.

Plus while Essendon remains in negotiations with its skipper, it’s flagged preliminary interest in a North forward.

Get the latest player movement news and updates in AFL Trade Whispers!

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NEW FOX FOOTY PODCAST — Finals fight down to 10 amid a Blue’s big bump and Crows camp fallout

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KEY DEES TRIO MEET WITH PIES STAR

Not only is Melbourne interested in Brodie Grundy, the club has met with the star ruckman, according to Sportsday reporter Sam McClure.

the Herald Sun reported on Tuesday night that the Demons, as well as Geelong, had emerged as “potential new suitors” for Grundy, who’s now central to ample trade speculation despite being contracted to the Pies until the end of 2027 on a deal reportedly worth around $1 million per season.

Giants football boss Jason McCartney was seen meeting Grundy’s manager last month, while Port Adelaide has also been linked to the dual All-Australian.

Speaking on 3AW’s sports day on Tuesday night, McClure said the Dees had been proactive and met with Grundy “in recent days”.

“Simon Goodwin was definitely there, Alan Richardson was definitely there and Max Gawn was definitely there,” McClure told 3AW.

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“Clearly Melbourne are of the belief that Luke Jackson is going to Fremantle, so they are on the lookout early and are getting in early in the queue for a direct replacement.”

While Jackson appears increasingly likely to request a trade to Fremantle, the Demons are keen to continue with a two-ruck strategy — and pairing Gawn and Grundy would bring together two of the AFL’s premier ruckmen in the past decade.

Collingwood coach Craig McRae declared on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 last month he wanted Grundy at the club next season, but remained tight-lipped on whether he was up for trade.

Grundy, who hasn’t played an AFL game since Anzac Day due to a knee issue, had been nearing a return to the AFL before suffering a stress fracture in his ankle in a VFL match, ruling him out for the rest of the home and away season.

BOMBERS EYE OFF-CONTRACT ROO

Gun Kangaroos goalkicker Cameron Zurhaar has received “preliminary” interest from Essendon, SEN reports.

Zurhaar, who’s been one of the Kangaroos’ most important forward 50 players over the past four seasons, in May put off contract talks, with his manager Anthony McConville telling the Herald Sun the timing was “not right to have fruitful discussions”.

That call to park negotiations, though, came before North parted ways with senior coach David Noble. And Zurhaar has been in excellent form under caretaker coach Leigh Adams, booting 13 goals from his past four games — including four from 18 disposals and seven marks against Essendon in Round 20 — to take his season tally to a career-high 32.

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SEN reported the Bombers had “some interest” in Zurhaar, but the Roos also had hope he would re-sign with them after a senior coach is appointed.

The report also suggested the Bombers are looking to acquire a big-bodied midfielder during the AFL exchange period.

Zurhaar, 24, has blossomed at North since being selected as a rookie in 2016.

He’s been among the top two leading goalkickers at the club for the past four straight years, including topping the table in 2020 with 18 majors from 16 games.

HEPPELL GRILLED OVER FRESH SUNS LINK

Essendon skipper Dyson Heppell has been quizzed about his playing future amid reports of a juicy Gold Coast offer.

As Heppell weighs up a one-year offer to stay at Essendon, the Suns have reportedly upped their offer to the veteran defender and are prepared to offer him a two-year deal with the potential of a coaching future at the club post-playing career. .

While no formal deal had been tabled yet, SEN reported on Tuesday the Suns were preparing a four-year offer that would likely entail two seasons as a player then two as an assistant coach.

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Speaking to TV reporters on Tuesday, Heppell said his manager and the Bombers were “working through” negotiations, adding he was hopeful “something will be sorted soon.”

Asked if he was torn on his decision, Heppell told reporters: “We’re working through that at the moment. I’m really just honing in on trying to finish off the year well with the Dons and see how we go from there.”

Asked if a longer term deal would be more appealing, Heppell said: “Who knows at the moment? Everything will get sorted ASAP. I’m just trying to lead the club as best as I possibly can.”

As an unrestricted free agent, Heppell could walk to another club without a trade being made.

Sports

Port Adelaide Prison Bar jumper feud with Collingwood, teal stripes offer, David Koch vs Eddie McGuire

Post author By mangakiko
Post date August 9, 2022
No Comments on Port Adelaide Prison Bar jumper feud with Collingwood, teal stripes offer, David Koch vs Eddie McGuire

The ongoing Prison Bar jumper feud has taken a fresh twist, with Collingwood reportedly prepared to offer a teal-coloured alternative to Port Adelaide.

Power president David Koch was fuming earlier this month when he claimed he’d “been played” by the Magpies after the Power’s request to wear their heritage jumper, which features thin black and white stripes in a panel, was again knocked back by the Victorian club.

But the Herald Sun reported on Tuesday night the Pies were prepared to make a minor concession and allow the Power to wear their prison bar jumper once a season … if Port was happy for the white in the panels of the jumper to be replaced by teal stripes.

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Collingwood believes the compromise would allow Port to combine its proud SANFL heritage, which includes 36 SA league premierships, with its 25-year AFL history as teal has featured heavily in many Power jumpers since they entered the competition in 1997.

An agreement was put in place when Port Adelaide entered the AFL that the Prison Bar jumper could only be worn in AFL heritage rounds. But as there’s no longer one dedicated AFL-driven round by the AFL, the Power want to don their Prison Bar guernsey for one Showdown against the Crows per year – a request the Magpies have so far denied.

Connor Rozee wearing the Prison Bar strip at training in 2021. Picture: Dean MartinSource: News Corp Australia

“We always have discussions,” Magpies chief executive Mark Anderson told SEN last month, Port is a great football club and we do have great respect for them, so (we are) always happy to sit down and have a conversation and we have since signing that agreement as well,” he said.

“But as we stand here now, the agreement is the agreement.”

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Koch said earlier this month he was hopeful clubs could move “past these trivial arguments”, saying the club’s request was “logical, harming nobody and promoting the history of Australian football”.

“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,” he said.

Last year, the Power were threatened with the loss of premiership points if they wore the Prison Bar jumper against the AFL’s ruling for a Showdown.

Cheekily, the team waited until post-match to change out of their playing strip to don the heritage jumper.

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