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Essendon Bombers v Port Adelaide Power, big loss, record, coach Ben Rutten, Alastair Clarkson, David King, First Crack, fan anger, criticism, AFL standard

Essendon Bombers v Port Adelaide Power, big loss, record, coach Ben Rutten, Alastair Clarkson, David King, First Crack, fan anger, criticism, AFL standard

The Essendon hierarchy will “rue” the decision not to pursue four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson, Fox Footy’s David King has warned as the Bombers hit a new low on Sunday.

Players were booed by their own fans as they left Marvel Stadium after the 84-point loss to fellow non-finals contender Port Adelaide.

King said questions needed to be asked of the decision to implement the Ben Rutten handover from John Worsfold back in 2020.

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“For six months, if not 12 months, Alastair Clarkson has been sitting idle ready to be grabbed by a football club,” King said on First Crack.

“Why haven’t Essendon taken that step?

“Right now they lack system, they lack motivation and they lack standards as a footy club and I reckon the Essendon faithful are sick of it.

“Why are they gambling on a coach that is still developing when the absolute finished product is there?

“OK you’ve got to jump through a lot of hoops to get over the line, but if (Clarkson) signs at North Melbourne this week and Essendon could have got him with the list they’ve got right now, I think it’s a mistake they will rule for years.”

Essendon Press Conference | 03:59

Rutten remains contracted until the end of 2023, but has managed just seven wins this season.

The loss to Port Adelaide is their worst for 2022, and both the worst defeat and the most points conceded under Rutten.

King said matches late in a season showed the faith in a coach and the set up at a club when there was nothing but pride to play for.

“It’s very hard to get motivated and that’s when you find out what sort of football club you’ve got,” he said.

“That’s when you find out, can your coach continue to drive standards and continue to enforce non-negotiables?

“I’m looking at the Essendon hierarchy – are they ruthless enough from the top down?

“The 2020 Worsfold handover year, six and a half wins – Rutten was in charge of the tactical side of the game then. They won 11 games last year, they’ve won six this year.”

King showed vision from the second quarter when Bombers players were walking and allowing their opponents to get forward of the ball.

“This is Essendon in a nutshell,” King lamented.

Port Adelaide Press Conference | 03:57

“How lax is this? Have a look at them just standing around, ambling around. This is the forward 50. There’s 10 players within arms reach of this stoppage. That (game style) is going nowhere.

“I can’t understand what they look at when they review games at the moment if that is the output of a weekend.

“We can only judge the actions they put in front of us – that is not AFL standard.”

King said now was the time for “honest conversations” at the club after 2021’s surprising finals finish.

“I’m not just talking about the captain and vice-captain, I mean the whole football club,” he said.

“These guys have signed Ben Rutten – if they have to assess their own role in the football club and move on well so be it.

“When was the last time Essendon were genuinely ruthless as a football club? It was a long time ago.”

Speaking after the shocking loss, Rutten apologized to the club’s fans for the lack of effort on Sunday.

“It was the sort of game that our members and supporters who came to the game or were watching on TV… it’s not the sort of thing they should have to watch,” he said.

“It was an embarrassing effort from our guys. It’s not something we want to stand for and not something our members and supporters should have to watch at any stage.”

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AFL 2022: Melbourne defeat Carlton, Kysaiah Pickett goal, video, finals race, ladder

AFL 2022: Melbourne defeat Carlton, Kysaiah Pickett goal, video, finals race, ladder

Melbourne have broken the hearts of Carlton fans by snatching victory from the jaws of defeat in the final 15 seconds.

The Blues had their hands on a finals berth for the first time since 2013, holding onto a one point lead in the dying seconds when Melbourne surged forward.

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A long bomb inside 50 from Jayden Hunt went to ground and Kysaiah Pickett got on the end of a Jake Melksham loose ball get and sent a mongrel punt floating goalward.

As it sailed through you could pinpoint the moment Carlton’s fans hearts break.

The win launches Melbourne back to second spot on the ladder and leaves Carlton in a perilous position entering the final round of the home and away season.

“I’m speechless really I don’t know what to say, it’s good to be back on the winning list. We went down last week and to bounce back this week is unreal,” Pickett said after the win.

Dees skipper Max Gawn didn’t even kick his post-game interview off properly before asking just how long was left on the clock.

“That’s pretty clutch. Kozzie is a good player and he’s been playing some good footy this year and that was his moment, ”Gawn said.

“We were on the wrong end of the moments last weekend and we studied it a lot. The last 10 minutes of the Collingwood game we watched it a lot and you saw some good stuff in those last minutes, we were able to hold our nerve.”

Jake Melksham was a standout in front of goal for Melbourne, ending the night with four goals and kicking the second last goal of the contest to bring the Demons back to within a point.

The Blues held the ball with around 60 seconds left to play and looked assured of victory, but one simple miss kick opened the door and the Demons pounced.

Carlton need to secure a win against Collingwood in round 23 or pray Hawthorn can topple the Western Bulldogs next Sunday.

A loss next weekend and a Bulldogs win and the Blues will once again miss out on September action.

“It leaves already gutted, it leaves already disappointed. But I’m also really proud at the same time and I thought our players were really brave right through our whole night,” Blues coach Michael Voss said.

“It hurts. Important game for us but we didn’t quite get it right at the end but as far as the whole game goes I just thought the boys played really brave and played a great style of footy and it’s something we want to keep replicating.”

Fans watching on Saturday night simply couldn’t believe the ending they had just witnessed.

7 News reporter Emma O’Sullivan wrote: “I don’t even barrack for the Demons or the Blues but my heart is still in my mouth, that was wild.”

The Advocate editor Alex Fair wrote: “That was epic. Simply epic. What a reply.”

Broadcaster Darren Parkin wrote: “Nothing can kick you in the pills quite like footy can it? That’s brutal for the Blues.”

Former Brisbane and Port Adelaide player Tom Rockliff believes the final moments played into Melbourne’s hands.

“I think it was a clear tactic from Melbourne to load the corridor. Lever kicks to a 3 vs 1 in middle of ground. Doesn’t happen by chance, something they have trained – Carlton set up well down the line,” he wrote.

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AFL 2022: Jason Horne-Francis axed, reason revealed, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, contract

AFL 2022: Jason Horne-Francis axed, reason revealed, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, contract

The reason behind Jason Horne-Francis’ shock axing has been revealed with the young star failing to meet standards at the club.

North Melbourne’s decision to drop the number one draft pick ahead of his first AFL game back in South Australia, his home state, left fans around the league scratching their heads.

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On Friday night however the reasons behind the decision to ax him where detailed by Channel 7 journalist Mitch Cleary.

Cleary said the 18-year-old was left out of North Melbourne’s squad for “disobeying his coach” last weekend.

“The star teenager was called out by interim coach Leigh Adams and senior players on Sunday for failing to complete his proper ice baths and recovery in front of their very eyes,” Cleary reported.

“I have spent this morning with a dozen teammates training in Melbourne (instead of traveling with the squad).”

Horne-Francis will now run out in the VFL after failing to live up to the club’s “Monday to Friday” expectations.

Former North Melbourne great Brent Harvey opened up on the Horne-Francis axing.

“There’s some stuff that we call Monday to Friday, it’s preparation stuff – you need to tick the boxes,” Harvey said on RSN Radio.

“This is not just about Jason … (Caretaker coach) Leigh Adams has got very good standards, I’ve got to be a little bit careful … but we’ve got players not playing in our team and I’ll name one right now : Kayne Turner.

“He would run through brick walls for every single one of his teammates and every single one of his supporters – he does everything right.

“If he’s not playing, he’s playing in the reserves at the minute, you’d want to be doing everything right to make sure you’re holding up your end of the bargain. We call that Monday to Friday and if you haven’t got your Monday to Friday in order, that’s just not good enough right now.

“Was it good enough in Round 3, Round 4, Round 5? Maybe.

“But with Leigh Adams in charge, the standards have gone to another level and players have to play their part. Monday to Friday is just as important as performing on game day for us.

“There’s not just one incident where we’ve just said (to Horne-Francis): ‘Nah, you’re not playing because of this’. It’s not that at all, everything comes into calculations, the form side of it, what he’s doing after stoppage. There’s so much that comes into it.”

Horne-Francis immediately postponed contract extension negotiations after he was drafted by the club last year.

His two-year draft deal expires at the end of the 2023 season and both Adelaide and Port Adelaide are said to be heavily circling the teenage star.

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North Melbourne, Alastair Clarkson, coach, return, lengthy offer, contract, GWS Giants, race, David Noble, Leigh Adams

North Melbourne, Alastair Clarkson, coach, return, lengthy offer, contract, GWS Giants, race, David Noble, Leigh Adams

North Melbourne has reportedly tabled a “lengthy offer” to mastercoach Alastair Clarkson for 2023 and beyond.

The Age reports a contract of at least five years has been put to Clarkson to join the Roos and take over from caretaker Leigh Adams.

Fox Footy’s Mark Robinson said he believes the Clarkson-Kangaroos deal is “past the post.”

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“Everyone’s a little bit scared to declare it because Alastair Clarkson has got the ability to change his mind and say: ‘I’m not coaching’,” he said on 3AW.

“But the further this goes on, I find that can’t happen.”

Commentator Tim Lane said a deal between Clarkson and North Melbourne would be “exciting”.

“North Melbourne people will be ecstatic by this,” he said on 3AW.

“For them to get Clarkson back to the club, where he began his career, he also won a premiership in 2008 with a team that won before its time and that should never be forgotten.

McRae reiterates hope to re-sign De Goey | 00:36

“Clarkson’s won four flags – no ones won more since Norm Smith.

“To have him in the firing line and back at that battling club is brilliant.”

North Melbourne and GWS are both vying for four-time premiership coach’s services after he finished up at Hawthorn at the end of 2021.

Both clubs have met with Clarkson in recent weeks, with the Hawks’ mentor set to make a final call before the end of the home and away season.

It is understood the Giants are yet to officially present Clarkson with an offer.

They are reportedly still speaking with other candidates like Adem Yze (Melbourne), Adam Kingsley (Richmond) and their current caretaker Mark McVeigh.

Robinson said he believes Yze is the frontrunner to take the reins at the Giants, while Leigh Matthews said he didn’t think GWS were going as hard as the Roos for Clarkson.

Hinkley set to remain Port coach | 01:01

“North are head hunting Alastair Clarkson,” he said on 3AW.

“I don’t think the Giants are doing that.”

Clarkson has previously said he’d make a call on his future in August, which has just over a fortnight to run.

Former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire said the Roos had gone “all in” trying to sign Clarkson earlier this month, and said the club was a “real chance” of landing his signature.

Clarkson’s manager James Henderson told McGuire that the meeting went “very well” and that it was “a worthwhile experience”.

“There is no Plan B (for North) at the moment,” McGuire said at the time.

North parted ways with former coach David Noble a month ago after just 38 games in charge and Leigh Adams has been caretaker in Noble’s absence.

Just last month reports emerged Clarkson was demanding a whopping $1.6 million a season to return to coaching, but he responded to that by calling the figure “bulls**t”.

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North Melbourne Kangaroos, Jason Horne-Francis, contract, future, South Australian, homecoming, axed, teams, Brent Harvey, selection, teams, dropped, pick one, draft

North Melbourne Kangaroos, Jason Horne-Francis, contract, future, South Australian, homecoming, axed, teams, Brent Harvey, selection, teams, dropped, pick one, draft

Jason Horne-Francis’ failure to complete his “proper ice bath and recovery” is what led to his shock axing from the side to face Adelaide, 7NEWS has revealed.

Horne-Francis was left out of the Kangaroos’ line up for what would have been his first homecoming to play in front of family and friends since being snapped up with North’s first number one draft pick.

7NEWS journalist Mitch Cleary said the prized draft pick was omitted for “disobeying his coach” last weekend.

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“The star teenager was called out by interim coach Leigh Adams and senior players on Sunday for failing to complete his proper ice baths and recovery in front of their very eyes,” Cleary reported.

“I have spent this morning with a dozen teammates training in Melbourne (instead of traveling with the squad).”

He’ll now play in the VFL after failing to live up to the club’s “Monday to Friday” expectations.

With Horne-Francis putting off contract extension talks earlier this year, there’s fears the 18-year-old could be preparing to depart the ‘Roos at the end of 2023 – when his initial two-year draft deal expires.

But North Melbourne great Brent Harvey says the club will not be “held to ransom” by Horne-Francis’ uncertain future.

“I think there’s always a risk (when dropping him),” Harvey said on RSN on Friday.

“He’s going to have the spotlight on him because he’s the number one draft pick… (but) he hasn’t gone out and robbed a bank, he hasn’t done anything bad; teammates love him, staff love him, the coaches love him – he hasn’t done anything bad. This is just part of the development of a young boy to get his preparation right and everybody else. Not just Jason.

“The risk is there (that he departs)… we know the risk, everybody knows the right. Not just Jason. It could be draft pick number five, not number one and they’re from Adelaide or Perth – the going home factor is always going to be there. Same as a Perth club that drafts a Melbourne boy – it’s always going to be there.

“But you can’t get held to ransom for these little things. You’ve got to make sure your culture is number one and that’s what our coach is doing right now and I absolutely love it.”

McRae reiterates hope to re-sign De Goey | 00:36

The decision to ax Horne-Francis shocked the AFL community, with Fox Footy’s Nick Riewoldt labeling the move “strange”, while David King questioned the call given the teen would have motivation to perform in front of his support network.

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

But Harvey opened up on the decision to ax Horne-Francis, who was also left in the VFL for a week after returning from suspension earlier this season.

“There’s some stuff that we call Monday to Friday, it’s preparation stuff – you need to tick the boxes,” he said.

“This is not just about Jason … (Caretaker coach) Leigh Adams has got very good standards, I’ve got to be a little bit careful … but we’ve got players not playing in our team and I’ll name one right now : Kayne Turner.

“He would run through brick walls for every single one of his teammates and every single one of his supporters – he does everything right.

“If he’s not playing, he’s playing in the reserves at the minute, you’d want to be doing everything right to make sure you’re holding up your end of the bargain. We call that Monday to Friday and if you haven’t got your Monday to Friday in order, that’s just not good enough right now.

Koch keeps Hinkley for 2023! | 02:49

“Was it good enough in Round 3, Round 4, Round 5? Maybe.

“But with Leigh Adams in charge, the standards have gone to another level and players have to play their part. Monday to Friday is just as important as performing on game day for us.

“There’s not just one incident where we’ve just said (to Horne-Francis): ‘Nah, you’re not playing because of this’. It’s not that at all, everything comes into calculations, the form side of it, what he’s doing after stoppage. There’s so much that comes into it.”

Harvey, who played 432 games for the Roos and was a premiership winner in 1999, said the club needed to instill the best culture possible in Horne-Francis and the Kangaroos squad moving forward.

“The end of the day, we’ll always come back to what’s best for the football club and what’s best for the culture,” Harvey said.

Cripps free to play, ban overturned! | 00:35

“He’s 18 years old, there are going to be little mistakes along the way.

“Any draftee that comes is not perfect, they are never perfect… he’s come over from interstate, straight into an elite environment.

“Our job is to teach them. Then they’ve got to learn themselves.

“I think he’s done fantastic in his first year away from mum and dad.

“(But) if you compromise on your culture, things go pear shaped real quickly.”

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

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.”

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Taylor Walker speaks on Adelaide Crows pre-season camp, former captain, fractures in playing group, Eddie Betts, Josh Jenkins, Bryce Gibbs

Taylor Walker speaks on Adelaide Crows pre-season camp, former captain, fractures in playing group, Eddie Betts, Josh Jenkins, Bryce Gibbs

Adelaide veteran Taylor Walker says it’s “upsetting” to hear the distress past players feel towards the infamous 2018 pre-season camp, but insists he did everything he could as captain at the time to address “fractures” within the group.

The Crows in a lengthy open letter to the club’s fans on Monday night apologized to Eddie Betts, Josh Jenkins and others who had a “negative experience” at the controversial camp following last week’s shock new revelations — revelations that prompted the AFLPA to indicate it’ I’ll reopen its investigation into the event.

Reflecting on the fallout at West Lakes in 2018, Walker acknowledged it was a turbulent period at the club despite his best efforts.

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“I can put my head on the pillow at night, and put my hand on my heart and say that I did everything I could,” he told Triple M.

“I knew something was not right post the camp, I knew blokes weren’t feeling that great about it, there were fractures within the group like some of the boys have said… and I was having one-on-one meetings, I was having some confidential meetings at my house to try and work out exactly the path to take, and I can honestly say that I did everything I could to try and fix it.”

Walker leads the Crows out the race alongside Betts (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)Source: FOX SPORTS

Betts and Jenkins were among the former Crows to last week detail their distressing first-hand experiences at the Gold Coast Coast-based camp in 2018 that led to several players, including Betts, and officials to depart the club in the following years.

Walker maintains that he still took a “positive experience” away from it, but admitted it was tough hearing his ex-teammate’s disturbing accounts.

“Yeah I sit here as captain at the time of the footy club, and those boys being past players… not great to be honest. It’s quite upsetting to hear that those guys are still feeling the effects of the camp,” Walker said.

“What I will say is that, the camp, a lot of people took different things out of it and I personally, I’ve said it, I took a positive experience out of it… but that does not take away from the feelings of hurt that those boys are going through at the moment.”

Adelaide overcame the intense spotlight on the club last week to defeat the West Coast Eagles by 16 points at Optus Stadium.

And Walker suggested the scrutiny hadn’t affected the vibe at the Crows, estimating “10-2o per cent” of people who attended the camp remained at the club.

“Our mantra is prioritizing others and we’re certainly doing that to the best of our ability,” he said.

“As a footy club we still have to work through this, because sitting here you don’t like hearing that past players are feeling that way,” he said.

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Wayne Carey, Anthony Stevens, separated, hotel, verbal spat, altercation, cheating, reunion, premiership, 1996, Glenn Archer, Denis Pagan, North Melbourne Kangaroos

Wayne Carey, Anthony Stevens, separated, hotel, verbal spat, altercation, cheating, reunion, premiership, 1996, Glenn Archer, Denis Pagan, North Melbourne Kangaroos

The drama between former North Melbourne premiership teammates Wayne Carey and Anthony Stevens has taken a twist, with reports the duo had to be “separated” at a club reunion on the weekend.

More than 20 years after Carey’s cheating scandal with Stevens’ then-wife rocked the Kangaroos and ended with the skipper departing the club, an SEN report on Monday suggested the duo clashed at a gathering of former North players on Saturday night.

SEN reporter Sam Edmund told Dwayne’s World there was an “ugly altercation” between Carey and Stevens at North Melbourne’s 1996 premiership gathering at the Railway Hotel in Yarraville.

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“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,” Edmund told Dwayne’s World.

the Herald Sun reported the conversation centered around Stevens’ mental health, with Carey discussing how he dealt with his own issues following the affair scandal. Carey told Channel 7 earlier this yer the affair was the “biggest regret of his adult life” and had “haunted me for over 20 years.”

Edmund said witnesses had told him the pair were “separated”, with fellow ex-Kangaroos left “stunned” by the verbal attack. the Herald Sun reported there was no potential of violence and that the pair “moved on and shared a beer together” afterwards.

Stevens then didn’t attend the club’s 1996 reunion parade at Marvel Stadium on Sunday — where 17 players took part in a motorcade before the Roos’ clash with Sydney — as he was left “shattered by the heated exchange”.

The Roos told the Herald Sun that Stevens, who’s also a club director, didn’t attend Sunday’s event because he was ill.

Stevens had played a crucial role in organizing the celebrations, but ultimately saw fit to stay away from Sunday’s event.

“It’s a pretty sad sequel,” Edmund said.

While Stevens was absent on Sunday, Carey was in a vehicle with ex-teammate Wayne Schwass and premiership coach Denis Pagan for the lap around the Docklands stadium.

Also in attendance was Glenn Archer, who famously uncovered the affair at his house back in March 2002.

The scandal saw Carey resign in disgrace before moving across to play his final two years at Adelaide – and famously coming up against former teammates like Archer.

North Melbourne’s 1996 premiership reunion at Marvel Stadium on Sunday. Picture: Michael WillsonSource: Supplied

Last weekend’s gathering was to celebrate the club’s 25-year anniversary, but due to Covid restrictions in 2021 the meeting was pushed back to last weekend.

Six players were presented life membership at the club – Stuart Anderson, Mathew Capuano, Glenn Freeborn, Mark Roberts, Robert Scott and Peter Bell.

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Lance Buddy Franklin Brisbane Lions, puts contract talks with Sydney Swans on hold, Kane Cornes labels star selfish

Lance Buddy Franklin Brisbane Lions, puts contract talks with Sydney Swans on hold, Kane Cornes labels star selfish

It was the curveball statement that has cast further doubt over Lance Franklin’s footy future.

But it’s the timing of the superstar’s declaration that he’s delayed contract talks until season’s end that pricked the ears of several AFL commentators – and not in a good way.

Franklin, a premiership Hawk, four-time Coleman Medalist, eight-time All Australian and one of just six players in AFL/VFL history to kick 1000 goals, remains one of the biggest names in the AFL world, both on and off the field .

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His management on Saturday morning released a statement, confirming the superstar’s contract talks with the Swans had officially been “paused” so he can “put all my focus on playing footy”.

“I am still undecided and need time after the season to make a family decision about whether I continue to play next year,” said Franklin, who’s coming to the end of a nine-year, $10 million deal and, therefore, a restricted free agent.

Buddy likely to stay in Sydney? | 00:35

In the days prior, Franklin had been strongly linked to Brisbane, while there were also suggestions he was more likely to remain with Sydney after the club had made financial ground in negotiations.

The statement, which was described as “provocative” by veteran AFL journalist Damian Barrett on The Sunday Footy Showwas released just over 24 hours before the Swans, who are now right in the 2022 premiership mix, were to face North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium.

Swans coach John Longmire said on Saturday the club supported Franklin’s decision, labeling it a “really sensitive” move considering his stage of his footy career. Swans chairman Andrew Pridham told 7NewsMelbourne the Swans were “very supportive” of Franklin’s approach, adding: “I see no need to rush an outcome.”

But speaking on Channel 9’s The Sunday Footy Showfour-time Power best and fairest winner Kane Cornes suggested the timing of Franklin’s statement was selfish and “really strange”.

“It was a very ‘me, me, me’ thing to do, I thought, from Buddy Franklin when the Sydney Swans are flying,” Cornes said on Sunday morning.

Lance Franklin of the Swans against the North Melbourne Kangaroos. Picture: Michael WillsonSource: Getty Images

“They’ve paid him $10 million over nine years … I understand that (he’s delivered on his contract), but I’m not sure you need to release a statement prior to the game. What was the point of Buddy doing that?

“It didn’t alleviate any of the talk… It made the talk fester more.”

It all comes after it was reported last month Franklin could leave the Swans – or even call time on his career – with the key forward left frustrated by a low-ball contract offer.

Reports have indicated that he wants between $700,000 and $800,000 next season, but the Swans, who want Franklin to play on, initially offered him a deal between $500,000 and $600,000. Herald Sun reporter Jon Ralph suggested if Franklin was paid close to the $800,000 mark, it “makes it hard to keep that (Sydney) list together.”

Asked if it was selfish for Franklin to ask for as much as $800,000 next year, triple premiership Lion Jonathan Brown told Fox Footy: “It’s hard to say ‘selfish’ because he’s brought a lot of value to that football club. However you need to have an expectation late in your career that your salary is going to come down.

Is Buddy going back to Brisbane? | 00:33

“You’d probably look at the Tom Brady comparison. Tom Brady always played well below market value provided he had weapons and tools around him – and he’s gone on to win seven Super Bowls.

“You feel like the legacy for Buddy to win another premiership and end his career is more important than an extra $100,000 to $200,000.”

St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt said it was a “mature” decision by Franklin considering the premiership opportunity the Swans have this year, but said it was now doubtful the left-footer would be wearing red and white in 2023.

“I don’t think it necessarily augurs that well for him being at Sydney next year,” Riewoldt told Fox Footy’s Best On Ground.

“Whether that’s at another club or retirement, it puts that little seed of doubt in. But they’re not going to talk about it now.”

Seven-time All-Australian Nathan Buckley added: “He’s had success at both clubs, he’s been an established player over a long period of time, he’s contributed heavily to both of his organisations.

“If for family reasons or personal reasons he wants to go and play somewhere else or not play at all – which he might be considering – he’s entitled to it.”

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Sports

Jason Dunstall’s savage sledge for Luke Darcy, Sam Darcy, Western Bulldogs vs Fremantle Dockers

AFL news 2022: Jason Dunstall's savage sledge for Luke Darcy, Sam Darcy, Western Bulldogs vs Fremantle Dockers

AFL great Jason Dunstall has never shied away from sledging a fellow former star of the game and on Saturday he was at his best.

In the first quarter of the game between the Western Bulldogs and Fremantle at Marvel Stadium, Dunstall took aim at Luke Darcy.

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Darcy was riding high in the days before the game after his son, Sam, was named to make his AFL debut for the Bulldogs.

Sam recorded his first touch of his career in the early minutes after an intercept mark.

Not long after he had his second disposal of the game and Dunstall saw an opportunity and took it with both hands.

“He’s already had one more possession than his father did on debut,” Dunstall savagely said on Fox Footy..

The remark drew some laughs from within the commentary box before Dunstall remarked: “Maybe too soon.”

Sam has outshone his dad on debut. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
The first touch of his career. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

Luke Darcy’s debut came in round 21, 1994 when the Bulldogs defeated St Kilda 117-72, Darcy ended the contest with two handballs to his name.

Sam eclipsed his disposal tally in the second quarter when he recorded his third kick of the contest.

The 19-year-old was taken as the second pick in the 2021 AFL Draft as a father-son selection with his debut announced on Thursday afternoon.

Standing at a towering 205cm tall, the teenager produced a stunning display last weekend in the VFL with 20 disposals and pulled down 14 marks.

He becomes the third generation from the Darcy family to pull on the Dogs guernsey, Luke had a stellar 226 game career with David Darcy playing 133 games.

Luke presented Sam with his jumper in a heartwarming video uploaded to social media by the Bulldogs on Friday.

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