Victory – Page 16 – Michmutters

Tag: Victory

Categories
Sports

Chris Fagan speaks on Alastair Clarkson whispers, Brisbane Lions coach, handover, latest

Chris Fagan speaks on Alastair Clarkson whispers, Brisbane Lions coach, handover, latest

Brisbane Lions boss Chris Fagan has downplayed rumors he could hand over the reins to free agent coaching great Alastair Clarkson at season’s end.

There was some talk last month about a possible handover from Fagan to Clarkson for 2023 as the latter weighs up a returns to the coaches box, having recently met with GWS and North Melbourne about their openings.

The pair have previously worked together closely when Fagan was Hawthorn’s footy boss during its golden era including winning four premierships from 2008-2015 while Clarkson was coach.

Watch every blockbuster AFL match this weekend Live & Ad-Break Free In-Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

NEW FIRST CRACK PODCAST — R20 wrap: ‘Arrogant’ Blues torched, Danger’s best flag chance

Listen below or subscribe in Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Asked on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 if he’d made “private plans to hand the job over to an old colleague,” Fagan responded with a laugh:“It’s not my job to hand over in the first place … is not the firm answer to that question.”

Fagan said he was unconditionally committed to coaching Brisbane next year.

“I’ve got a contract for next year and hopefully the team can continue to do well and the club is keen to keep me for a while longer,” he said.

“I love coaching the Lions and that’s what I’ll be doing next year unless someone knows something I don’t know.”

It comes after some pundits have put a line through Brisbane’s premiership chances after its second-half fade out loss to Richmond on Sunday that saw the Lions fall down to fifth position on the ladder.

But Fagan insisted the club wasn’t listening to the outside noise as it stays focused on its final three home and away matches against Carlton, St Kilda and Melbourne.

“I understand people want to comment on the game and they’ve got to have strong opinions, because that’s why people want to watch and listen to media,” the Lions boss said.

Clarkson and Fagan at Hawthorn (Picture: Colleen Petch)Source: News Corp Australia

“But we can’t get caught up in that. This time last year we had to win our last three games to finish in the top four and even that wasn’t guaranteed… you just take each win as it comes.

“It’s a really tough and tight competition. If we can get back to our really best form, which we showed a strong glimpse of (against Richmond) in the first half, then there’s no reason why we can’t be really competitive come September.

“We’re not a perfect team, we’ve got strengths and weaknesses like every other team. But when we play at our best we’re pretty hard to beat.”

A key criticism towards Brisbane’s fading flag prospects has been its leaky defence.

Since Round 10 the Lions rank 16th in the competition in the most points conceded, 18th in most points conceded from their defensive half and have been the 15th easiest team to score against once the ball is inside 50.

Fagan said sharpening their defense has been the “main focus” at training over the last six weeks, but also highlighted the club’s inconsistent personnel down back due to injury.

“It’s a work in progress for us, we have had a fair turnover of players particularly in our backline since the Melbourne game (in Round 15),” he said.

“I think we’ve had 14 different players down there play for various reasons, not that defense is just about the backline, but we haven’t had a lot of continuity with our boys.

“Hopefully we can build that back up over the next few weeks and have the same seven or eight players playing there each week.”

.

Categories
Business

China mocks Scott Morrison, Australia’s ‘arrogance’ after ACCC gas report

China mocks Scott Morrison, Australia's 'arrogance' after ACCC gas report

China has branded Australia “laughable”, mocking the Government and former prime minister Scott Morrison in the wake of a “damning” gas report.

The comments were made as part of a scornful article published by the CCP-controlled Global Times.

The piece mocks a suggestion that Australia could step in and help with supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to European allies impacted by the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

At the start of 2022, the then-prime minister Mr Morrison said his government was looking at options that would allow Australia to fill international demand for gas if Russia stops exporting to Europe.

“Awkwardly, some in Australia are now warning of a potential shortage in the country and urging to set aside gas for Australia’s own electricity network before selling to the rest of the world,” the Global Times article noted.

Stream more finance news live & on demand with Flash. 25+ news channels in 1 place. New to Flash? Try 1 month free. Offer ends October 31, 2022 >

On Monday, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) gas inquiry 2017-2025 interim report warned businesses could shut down and there could be a record shortage of gas in the southern states next year unless something is done about the nation’s energy crisis.

The ACCC predicted a 56 petajoule shortfall in east coast gas supply by 2023, a figure it called a “significant risk to energy security” that was equivalent to 10 per cent of expected domestic demand.

China said the situation currently facing Australia was both “laughable and serious”.

“Laughable, because this reflects Australian officials’ overconfidence and arrogance in making empty promises it cannot deliver; serious, because a potential move could significantly affect already disrupted global energy supplies, given that Australia is known as one of the world’s top LNG exporters,” the newspaper noted.

Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine has seen international demand for LNG soar, with Beijing claiming a decision from Australia to impose export restrictions could “hurt some of its European and Asian allies the most”.

The article blasted Mr Morrison for his “empty promises” for saying Australia will help its allies when they are in need.

“It is clear that a possible reduction in Australia’s LNG exports would further exacerbate the global energy crisis and push up prices, while increasing the energy anxiety in countries that used to see Australia as a reliable source of supplies,” the Global Times said.

“Some of its allies may also be annoyed by Australia’s inability to actually offer help in areas where it apparently has an advantage.”

The article noted that China has recently made efforts to diversify its energy imports following recent tensions with Australia, with Beijing last year signing new LNG contracts with the US instead.

However, the outlet assured readers that any decision by Australia would not “fundamentally undermine” China’s energy security.

Government reacts to ‘damning’ gas report

Australia’s Resources Minister Madeleine King branded the new ACCC report as “damning” of gas exporters after it found they were not engaging locally “in the spirit” of the heads of agreement.

“We remain concerned that some (liquefied) natural gas LNG exporters are not engaging with the domestic market in the spirit in which the heads of agreement was signed,” the report said.

“LNG producers will need to divert a significant proportion of their excess gas into the domestic market.”

Ms King said gas producers “know” the report is “damning for them”.

“The ACCC report is damning, no doubt about it,” she said.

“It sets out patterns and instances of behavior that are clearly not acceptable in an environment where we do have an international and domestic energy supply crisis.”

The ACCC described the outlook for 2023 as “very concerning” with gas prices likely to increase.

“The outlook for 2023 is very concerning and is likely to place further upward pressure on prices, which could result in some commercial and industry users no longer being able to operate,” the report said.

“It could also lead to demand having to be curtailed.”

This shortfall will mainly affect NSW, Victoria, South Australia, the ACT and Tasmania, where “resources have been diminishing for some time”, though Queensland may also be impacted.

– with NCA NewsWire

.

Categories
Sports

Luke Jackson future at Melbourne Demons, Fremantle Dockers, Dan McStay, Brisbane Lions, Collingwood Magpies, Jordan De Goey, St Kilda Saints

Luke Jackson future at Melbourne Demons, Fremantle Dockers, Dan McStay, Brisbane Lions, Collingwood Magpies, Jordan De Goey, St Kilda Saints

Melbourne and Brisbane have been quizzed on the futures of two their respective out-of-contract stars as rumors swirl.

Plus the latest on a suitor’s Jordan De Goey bid as well as Dan Hannebery’s future.

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

Watch every blockbuster AFL match this weekend Live & Ad-Break Free In-Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >

NEW FIRST CRACK PODCAST — R20 wrap: ‘Arrogant’ Blues torched, Danger’s best flag chance

Listen below or subscribe in Apple Podcasts or Spotify

DEES, LIONS CONFIRM HONEST CHATS WITH OFF-CONTRACT STARS

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin has admitted he’s had “honest chats” with out-out-contract star Luke Jackson about his future, saying the youngster faces a massive call ahead.

Jackson has put off contract talks until the end of the season and been heavily linked with a move to Fremantle as he weighs up returning to his home state of Western Australia.

Speaking on Fox Footy’s AFL 360, Goodwin implored the 20-year old to not be distracted by his future plans and keep his focus on helping the Demons’ bid for back-to-back premierships.

“I’ve had some great chats with Luke and some were honest chats about we just want him to perform for the Melbourne footy club, however long that may be,” Goodwin told Fox Footy.

“That’s what our focus has been, whether that’s 10 weeks, whether that’s the next 10 years, and he’s been really open … he’s fully committed to Melbourne.”

Jackson rucking against Freo (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)Source: FOX SPORTS

“Our responsibility as a club is to be mature in our approach towards that end, and get the best out of the Luke for however long he’s at our footy club… those conversations have been held with Luke and he’s embraced it.

“He needs time to make his decision… we’ve said to Luke all along, ‘you take as much time as you need’.

“He’s got the chance to go home at some stage throughout his career and he’s got a footy club that he loves at the moment, so it’s a big decision for him to make.”

Brisbane faces a similar situation with key forward Dan McStay, who’s been heavily linked to Collingwood on a five-year, $3 million deal.

And like Goodwin, Lions coach Chris Fagan just wanted to see McStay put his best foot forward while wearing the Brisbane jumper.

Fagan addresses Clarko whispers | 00:43

“I’d have a couple of chats with Daniel during the season. These are challenging times for players when they’ve got to make decisions about their futures,” Fagan told AFL 360.

“I just wanted to make sure Daniel felt supported and also to encourage him to play the best football he can for the rest of the year.

“Whatever decision he makes he makes, hopefully he decides to stay with the Lions, but if he doesn’t he’s given us great service and we’re grateful for what he’s contributed to the club.”

Asked if players and clubs should announce moves ahead of time, like in the NRL, Fagan said: “That probably seems the mature way to do it, I just don’t know whether we’re ready for that and whether all clubs will be comfortable.

“Some players might feel like if they say they’re going, that would endanger their chances perhaps for selection for the rest of the year or the club might turn in a different direction.

“I don’t know whether we’ve arrived at that level of maturity with football yet, I’d like to think so.”

SAINTS WANT MORE BY GOEY CLARITY

St Kilda’s board has requested its football department for more information on Jordan De Goey before it ticks off making a formal push for the free agent Magpies star, reports TheAge.

The Saints have been linked to De Goey, who was discussed at the club’s board meeting on Thursday night as it weighs up an aggressive pursuit of the 26-year old.

It’s believed the board wants to be satisfied he’s the “right fit” for the club both on and off the field including its leadership and values ​​and whether he could help the club win a premiership.

De Goey’s future at Collingwood is in doubt after the Pies pulled their most recent contract offer to him following his Bali exploits — a two-year deal with a trigger for another two years, totaling $3.2 million.

De Goey returned from a quad injury on the weekend (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)Source: FOX SPORTS

Geelong is also interested in the midfielder/forward, while St Kilda coach Brett Ratten confirmed in June his club would want to look at “all the evidence” around De Goey’s off-field indiscretions before ruling out a play for the out-of-contract Collingwood star.

“We’d have to do our homework and have a look at exactly what has happened and taking all the evidence as you do when you bring in any player, especially opponents from another club,” Ratten said.

“You’re looking at the on-field performance, and you’re looking at what you’re trying to build as a football club and culture and that as well. So we take in both sides of the equation, and then we make decisions around there and all those free agents will be singled out and sort of maybe targeting one or two, if it’s possible.

“We do assess everything they do on and off the field.”

HANNEBERY ‘PRETTY KEEN’ TO PLAY ON

Herald Sun journalist Jon Ralph reports Dan Hannebery is “pretty keen” to play on in 2023, but believes the out-of-contract Saint may have to settle for a rookie list spot.

Hannebery enjoyed a strong return to the field against Hawthorn — an inclusion that raised the eyebrows of some pundits — racking up 27 disposals and booting one goal in the St Kilda’s 12-point win in his first game since Round 23 last year.

However the injury-plagued 31-year old, who’s coming towards the end of a four-season deal worth around $800,000 per season — a contract renegotiated to a reduced figure this year — has struggled to stay on the park in recent years, playing just 16 senior games in four campaigns due to several setbacks.

Giants keen to ‘correct their cap’ | 04:04

Speaking on Fox Footy’s on the couch, Ralph provided the latest on Hannebery’s future.

“Officially out of contract, pretty keen to go again — probably needs to make the next three weeks a winner.

“He funded his own trip over to ‘Healing Hans’ the German soft tissue expert… he’s taken multiple hundreds of thousands of dollars pay cut.

“I think one possibility is if he gets through the year, you go onto the rookie list or you spend a summer trying to train yourself up — and if you can get through it, it gives you another year as a summer rookie.”

.

Categories
Business

Egg shortage: Latest product to vanish from supermarket shelves

Egg shortage: Latest product to vanish from supermarket shelves

Australians are being hit with a national egg shortage, as consumers move towards free-range eggs amid rising production costs, extreme weather events and worker shortages.

Supermarkets across the country are back to implementing purchase limits, with farmers grappling to keep up with demand after they decreased their chicken numbers during lockdown.

Owner of Chooks at the Rooke, a free-range egg farm southwest of Melbourne, Xavier Prime told 3AW Radio that part of the problem was the cold weather that affected how often the birds laid eggs.

“Part of it is the time of the year as well.” he said.

“Free-range eggs, in that sort of space the birds are open to the elements, and with the daylight hours being shorter, that has a lot to do with how many eggs the chickens lay.”

Mr Prime said “to lay the optimum”, hens needs 15-16 hours of daylight every day, but at the moment they are experiencing just 10-11 hours.

A Woolworths spokesman said the scarcity of eggs was due to a production shortage on farms, with the cost of young hens laying eggs increasing by 20 per cent.

“The market-wide supply of locally produced eggs in some regions has recently been impacted by reduced production on a number of farms,” they said.

“While we continue to deliver eggs to our stores regularly, customers may notice reduced availability at the moment and we thank them for their patience and understanding.

“We’re in close contact with our suppliers and are working to increase the availability of eggs in stores as soon as possible.”

The supermarket giant has installed a two-carton limit in some stores.

Mr Prime said he hoped the supply shortages did not push consumers back to caged eggs.

But free-range eggs aren’t the only product Australian shoppers are being stripped of, with supermarkets reporting bare shelves for other household items such as chickpeas, lentils, lettuce, tissues and cold and flu tablets.

“We’re experiencing reduced availability across some of our lentil and chickpea products due to supply chain delays,” a Woolworths spokesman said.

The supply chain issues are a combination of the war in Ukraine, flooding and other extreme weather events on Australian shores.

Read related topics:Weather

.

Categories
Sports

AFL news 2022: David Koch unloads over prison bar jumper, Port Adelaide, Collingwood

AFL news 2022: David Koch unloads over prison bar jumper, Port Adelaide, Collingwood

Port Adelaide president David Koch has gone nuclear after his club was once again denied the opportunity to wear the famous prison bars.

Koch let rip after it was revealed the club’s request to wear the prison bar Guernsey’s for the round 23 showdown against Adelaide had been denied.

Watch every blockbuster AFL match this weekend Live & Ad-Break Free In-Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

The Power were famously denied the chance to wear their black and white stripes in 2021, and warned they could be stripped competition points if they went against the AFL’s wishes.

Instead they produced an act of elite-level trolling in the dressing rooms after the game when the club changed their jumpers to the club’s controversial black and white stripes Guernsey.

The heritage jumper has been at the center of one of football’s most petty feuds and it’s back in the limelight after Koch’s latest spray as he shut down suggestions the club was advised back in March their request would be denied.

“That is the greatest load of rot I’ve ever heard,” Koch said on FIVEaa radio.

“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.”

Koch said they had been taken advantage of by Collingwood as the ugly saga drags over into another season.

“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.

“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.’”

Port Adelaide entered the AFL in 1997 with an agreement in place the prison bars could only be worn during heritage round. The league no longer has a dedicated heritage round with clubs holding their own 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.

“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.”

Read related topics:Adelaide

.

Categories
Business

BTS: Coles now selling K-Pop band’s Hot Brew coffee

BTS: Coles now selling K-Pop band's Hot Brew coffee

K-Pop fans are excited over a new coffee range inspired by boy band BTS that has landed in Coles for half price.

One eagle-eyed shopper took to TikTok to share that they had spotted the range at their local supermarket in Melbourne last week.

A clip posted to TikTok that showed the two different beverage options stirred excitement among fans, with many claiming they would rush to the supermarket.

“Going to cabbages asap,” one social media user said.

Another added: “We’ve come such a long way. Growing up I would have screamed in excitement seeing someone looking like me represented on tv which was so rare!”

A third said: “Only time I’ll ever drink coffee.”

Another added: “OMG we need to get down to Coles right now.”

There are two beverages in the range – a ready-to-drink Vanilla Latte and a delicious cold brew Americano coffee in specially designed bottles featuring the band.

Coles Senior Category Manager Dave Evans said: “Coles is the first national Australian supermarket to offer our customers the popular Korean pop band, BTS’s Hot Brew Vanilla Latte 270mL and Cold Brew Americano 270mL coffee.

“BTS is one of the biggest Korean pop acts in the world including in Australia where their passionate fans love to engage with the group, and a key reason why we wanted to offer our customers – and fans of BTS – a unique and special BTS branded product.

“The ready-to-drink coffee range is aromatic and sweet with authentic espresso-based hot brew extract, flavored with vanilla to create the perfect balance.

“BTS Hot Brews and Cold Brews are available at around 220 selected Coles supermarkets, for a limited-time only and while stocks last.”

This week, the drinks are just half price at $2.75 each.

Read related topics:melbourne

.

Categories
Business

Real estate: Property investment firm under fire for ‘cringe’ email celebrating rising rent repayments

Real estate: Property investment firm under fire for 'cringe' email celebrating rising rent repayments

A property manager has come under fire after appearing to boast about upping rent in an email to tenants.

Property investment firm Ironfish sent an email to its customers last week stating the highest weekly increase and average rent increase in Melbourne in June.

“Achievement in June: Biggest rent increase – $225 per week,” the email states, before adding that the company leased 1,103 properties in the last financial year.

The email also includes two references, one from a landlord and another from a renter, which suggests there was no target demographic for the email.

A renter who received the email posted a screenshot to reddit, with the caption: “My rent just went up $400 a month and the agency sent me an email bragging about it.”

The email is accompanied with a photo of two young children jumping on a bed, having a pillow fight with smiles on their faces.

It’s caused a stir online, with both tenants and landlords disapproving of the email, and many left shocked after reading its contents.

“As an owner and provider that’s cringe. If my real estate (agent) boasted like that I’d be out,” one user said.

“I received the same email and had the same disgusted feeling, and I’m an owner (just not with them),” said another.

“That’s just disgusting. They are literally celebrating ripping off desperate people. It’s just deplorable,” a third commented.

Meanwhile others have raised concerns about how much the rent had increased by.

“Can they actually do that large an increase? I mean legally? What do they have in your lease on how it’s calculated? Fairly sure Tenants Victoria may have a bit more to say about it,” one user commented.

“How can a $225 rent increase be justified?” another user questioned. “Heck, even $98 is a lot.”

“So nuts. Ours tried to raise it by $90 a month which I thought was ridiculous and we just said no and they agreed to stay the same if we signed a 12-month lease,” another said.

News.com.au has contacted Ironfish for comment on the email.

According to Consumer Affairs Victoria, landlords are not allowed to increase rent during a fixed-term agreement unless stated otherwise, and have to give tenants at least 60 days’ notice.

The law doesn’t state how much a landlord can increase weekly repayments by however it should be changed in line with the consumer price index, average rent prices, by a fixed percentage or by a fixed dollar amount.

Renters also have the right to challenge their increase if they believe their repayments have been raised too high.

Despite the sharp increase stated in the email, data from CoreLogic suggests Melbourne has the cheapest rental market with a typical home costing a renter $480 a week.

The rising cost of living, low vacancy rates and increasing interest rates are some of the reasons why landlords are choosing to hike weekly rent repayments.

.

Categories
Sports

Nelson Asofa-Solomona elbow, Match Review Committee ruling, Luke Patten, Wayde Egan elbow, judicial changes, escaped sanction, news

Nelson Asofa-Solomona elbow, Match Review Committee ruling, Luke Patten, Wayde Egan elbow, judicial changes, escaped sanction, news

NRL Match Review Committee manager Luke Patten has outlined why Storm prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona escaped punishment for an ugly elbow on Wayde Egan — explaining there was only “minor contact”.

Asofa-Solomona’s elbow came down hard on the dummy-half’s chin, forcing him to leave the field in the fourth minute.

The hulking front rower was placed on report for the incident, but escaped sanction — which has since been heavily scrutinized by the rugby league community.

Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

Patten, who played 282 NRL games, explained the MRC first cleared that the incident didn’t include a crusher tackle.

“There was a number of things for the MRC to consider,” Patten said.

“First of all we identified that there was an extra player, Kaufusi, contributing to the force of the tackle as he joins.

“Two big men, on a smaller man, we identified that Nelson creates space, so there is no crusher force or pressure applied to Egan’s neck here.”

Patten went on to explain that there was “clear separation” between Asofa-Solomona’s elbow and Egan’s head, meaning the MRC cleared a head slam.

Big Nelson drops dodgy elbow? | 00:40

MORE NRL NEWS

TALKING PTS:Silver lining in Panthers’ Clearly nightmare; Bellamy’s big fear laid bare

TEAM TIPS: Kevvie’s Broncos headache amid star’s ban, Panthers’ new look halves

‘LAUGHABLE’: Five incidents that highlight NRL’s staggering foul play inconsistencies

TRANSFER WHISPERS: Eels’ desperate call to land Manly star; Roosters’ rake switch

‘COULD NOT UNDERSTAND’: Manly’s crisis meeting as angry text messages revealed

‘SILLY THING TO SAY’: O’Brien under fire for talking himself up amid Knights slump

“There was a couple of other things that we needed to clear in this tackle, firstly it was the head slam, we see that there is clear separation from Nelson’s right arm as Wade Egan sort of gets thrown to the ground,” Patten said.

“Nelson has a good grip with his left arm, but there is clear separation, whereas in a head slam you’d see that arm isolate the head and really slam it into the ground.

Then, Patten moved on to the dangerous contact aspect — the exact charge that was handed down to Roosters prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves for a similar incident.

The Tricolours prop dropped his elbow onto the head of debutant Zac Fulton, earning a $3,000 fine with an early plea.

Patten said that in this instance there was only “minor contact” with Egan’s neck, and therefore no further action was taken.

King eye gouge raises questions! | 00:41

Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!

“We have cleared that because his arm does separate from Egan, secondly was the dangerous contact aspect that we had to clear here,” Patten said.

“As I mentioned previously, Nelson has a grip with his left arm and there is clear separation, in one of the back angles you can see Nelson gets a grip under Egan’s left arm, under the underarm.

“We believe that Nelson’s right arm was diagonal from that grip, so diagonally across his chest and that there might be possible minor contact at the end of the tackle with Nelson’s forearm to possibly the neck and chin area.

“But that was only minor contact, it was a forceful tackle which unfortunately resulted in Egan’s head going into the ground.

“But these were all the things that we considered when we ruled that this accidental incident was ruled NFA for us.”

.

Categories
Australia

Foot-and-mouth disease threat prompts Victoria to form emergency animal disease task force

Beef cattle line up under a blue sky

The Victorian government will establish an Emergency Animal Disease (EAD) task force to prepare for an incursion of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), which is currently circulating through parts of Indonesia.

The task force would be co-chaired by Agriculture Victoria chief executive officer Matt Lowe and the Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp, taking advice from Victoria’s Chief Veterinarian Graeme Cooke.

The Australian government has ramped up biosecurity measures to prevent foot-and-mouth and lumpy skin disease entering the country, since it was discovered in Bali, Indonesia a month ago.

Experts fear the exotic livestock diseases could cost the economy billions if it made it into Australia.

“We want to get a focus and targeted government response to a whole range of things we need to put in place in terms of being prepared and to prevent an outbreak,” Victorian Agriculture Minister Gayle Tierney said.

“[The task force] will be looking at things like developing an EAD response plan and will also be looking at access to sufficient personal protective equipment and the supply chain issues that we have in respect to testing, tracing, destruction, disposal and vaccination.”

‘No delay’ in task force formation

Ms Tierney said there had been a “lot of work already underway” that would help mitigate any EAD threats, including coordinating with the national process for service and infrastructure continuity.

a cow, with someone holding its tongue out.
The symptoms of foot-and-mouth disease on the tongue of an Indonesian cow.(Supplied: Dok. Kementan)

“It’s clear that there is anxiety within the farming community, people are wanting to know more and we’ve been able to give very practical advice through webinars,” she said.

“This is a good time [to] have those conversations at a grassroots level that give farmers the opportunity to turn that anxiety into very positive practical measures.

“We have a very clear understanding of what the risks are and what we need to do to ramp things up to ensure our preparedness is the best it could possibly be.”

Three hundred biosecurity staff were being trained through Agriculture Victoria to prepare for an FMD outbreak in the state, learning about scenario planning and emergency exercises.

Ms Tierney said despite Indonesia having FMD present in the country for months, the taskforce was a “rapid response”.

.

Categories
Sports

Port Adelaide Power, Collingwood Magpies, prison bar jumper denied, David Koch, Eddie McGuire, Jeff Browne, Showdown

Port Adelaide Power, Collingwood Magpies, prison bar jumper denied, David Koch, Eddie McGuire, Jeff Browne, Showdown

“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.

Watch every blockbuster AFL match this weekend Live & Ad-Break Free In-Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

“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.

NEW FIRST CRACK PODCAST — R20 wrap: ‘Arrogant’ Blues torched, Danger’s best flag chance

Listen below or subscribe in Apple Podcasts or Spotify

“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.

.