MILLER SACKING CONFIRMED
Greg Miller was informed of his sacking by president Gary March via telephone late Friday night and had his dismissal confirmed face to face last night, reports The Herald Sun. His eventful six-year stay at Punt Rd ended at a meeting in Melbourne with March and club chief executive Steve Wright. The architect of Richmond's on-field revival leaves on the weekend the Tigers won their fifth game in six rounds and emerged as a genuine final eight contender. Miller, 55, said he had been told the club needed a more contemporary figure to oversee the football department. Yet, he was remarkably philosophical about his removal. "I had a heart attack last year," he said. "I'm alive, I've got a wife (Danielle) who loves me - I think - and I've got great kids. I've had 38 years (as a player, recruiting manager and administrator); I'm lucky." Miller said he was disappointed rather than angry. "Gary apologised that it came out like it did (in Saturday's Herald Sun and Australian),” he said. "We've spent six years trying to get some respect in the footy world and it can be undone by removing the very person who tried to fix that."
HARVEY VERBAL IRKS DUNN
Brent Harvey yesterday revealed his verbal attack on Melbourne's Lynden Dunn provoked the tagger to be reported twice in 30 seconds, reports The Herald Sun. Dunn was reported by umpire Scott McLaren twice for striking Harvey six minutes into the third quarter after the pair exchanged heated words. Harvey told Dunn he was selfish for refusing to help his teammates during play, and repeated his accusation post-match. Dunn's first strike was a swinging punch to the midriff, although his second report - a hip-and-shoulder - is likely to be thrown out. It came as Harvey collected 27 possessions and two goals, figures that are likely to see him shorten into an outright $3 second favourite for the Brownlow Medal this morning. "I was letting him know what I thought of him," said Harvey of the verbal. "I thought he played a little bit of a selfish game. He was tending to watch me rather than going for the ball and he probably could have stopped a couple of goals, or put pressure on the boys.
CLARKSON FACES ‘PLEASE EXPLAIN’
The AFL will decide today whether to issue a ‘please explain’ to Alastair Clarkson over comments about umpires after Friday night's loss, reports The Herald Sun. And league umpires' director Jeff Gieschen will investigate two controversial goal umpiring decisions that cost Sydney a total of six points against Adelaide. Clarkson was angered by several controversial decisions at the MCG on Friday night, singling out umpire Justin Schmitt, who wore No. 17 on his shirt. "He's a good player that No. 17, wasn't he? He's a ripper," said Clarkson when asked about the umpiring. Hawthorn lost the free-kick count 24-28. Gieschen will this afternoon examine the bizarre goal-umpiring decisions that occurred at the SCG on Saturday night. Swans defender Martin Mattner appeared to kick a fine running goal from the boundary line, only for the goal umpire to signal it as a behind. Replays showed the ball sailed through for a goal. Sydney was also robbed of a clear point when Adelaide rushed a behind that was not counted.
MALTHOUSE UNDER FIRE
“Michael Malthouse says Collingwood doesn't have "the cattle". I say that's a cop-out,” writes The Herald Sun’s Mike Sheahan. “Collingwood was 9-6 and fifth on the ladder after 15 rounds, having beaten Geelong by 86 points, having beaten Sydney in Sydney by 29. Having given Adelaide a five-goal start at the MCG in Round 15 and winning comfortably. No, it's simplistic to blame "the cattle", as Malthouse referred to his players on Saturday night.”
Greg Miller was informed of his sacking by president Gary March via telephone late Friday night and had his dismissal confirmed face to face last night, reports The Herald Sun. His eventful six-year stay at Punt Rd ended at a meeting in Melbourne with March and club chief executive Steve Wright. The architect of Richmond's on-field revival leaves on the weekend the Tigers won their fifth game in six rounds and emerged as a genuine final eight contender. Miller, 55, said he had been told the club needed a more contemporary figure to oversee the football department. Yet, he was remarkably philosophical about his removal. "I had a heart attack last year," he said. "I'm alive, I've got a wife (Danielle) who loves me - I think - and I've got great kids. I've had 38 years (as a player, recruiting manager and administrator); I'm lucky." Miller said he was disappointed rather than angry. "Gary apologised that it came out like it did (in Saturday's Herald Sun and Australian),” he said. "We've spent six years trying to get some respect in the footy world and it can be undone by removing the very person who tried to fix that."
HARVEY VERBAL IRKS DUNN
Brent Harvey yesterday revealed his verbal attack on Melbourne's Lynden Dunn provoked the tagger to be reported twice in 30 seconds, reports The Herald Sun. Dunn was reported by umpire Scott McLaren twice for striking Harvey six minutes into the third quarter after the pair exchanged heated words. Harvey told Dunn he was selfish for refusing to help his teammates during play, and repeated his accusation post-match. Dunn's first strike was a swinging punch to the midriff, although his second report - a hip-and-shoulder - is likely to be thrown out. It came as Harvey collected 27 possessions and two goals, figures that are likely to see him shorten into an outright $3 second favourite for the Brownlow Medal this morning. "I was letting him know what I thought of him," said Harvey of the verbal. "I thought he played a little bit of a selfish game. He was tending to watch me rather than going for the ball and he probably could have stopped a couple of goals, or put pressure on the boys.
CLARKSON FACES ‘PLEASE EXPLAIN’
The AFL will decide today whether to issue a ‘please explain’ to Alastair Clarkson over comments about umpires after Friday night's loss, reports The Herald Sun. And league umpires' director Jeff Gieschen will investigate two controversial goal umpiring decisions that cost Sydney a total of six points against Adelaide. Clarkson was angered by several controversial decisions at the MCG on Friday night, singling out umpire Justin Schmitt, who wore No. 17 on his shirt. "He's a good player that No. 17, wasn't he? He's a ripper," said Clarkson when asked about the umpiring. Hawthorn lost the free-kick count 24-28. Gieschen will this afternoon examine the bizarre goal-umpiring decisions that occurred at the SCG on Saturday night. Swans defender Martin Mattner appeared to kick a fine running goal from the boundary line, only for the goal umpire to signal it as a behind. Replays showed the ball sailed through for a goal. Sydney was also robbed of a clear point when Adelaide rushed a behind that was not counted.
MALTHOUSE UNDER FIRE
“Michael Malthouse says Collingwood doesn't have "the cattle". I say that's a cop-out,” writes The Herald Sun’s Mike Sheahan. “Collingwood was 9-6 and fifth on the ladder after 15 rounds, having beaten Geelong by 86 points, having beaten Sydney in Sydney by 29. Having given Adelaide a five-goal start at the MCG in Round 15 and winning comfortably. No, it's simplistic to blame "the cattle", as Malthouse referred to his players on Saturday night.”
HALL MUST STEP UP
THE focus is on troubled Swans forward Barry Hall to step up and kick goals if Sydney is going to hold on to its spot in the top four, reports The Telegraph. With the Swans' forward line cruelled by injury, it's time for Hall repay the enormous faith coach Paul Roos and the club has shown him this season, starting in Sunday's crucial clash against the Western Bulldogs. In his first game back from a club-imposed suspension, Hall was held to just one goal in Sydney's 24-point loss to Adelaide on Saturday night.
BLOW FOR DOGS
The Western Bulldogs fear they have lost defender Dylan Addison for the rest of the season, reports The Herald Sun. Addison was helped from the ground in the third term of last night's 28-point upset loss to Carlton at Telstra Dome after injuring a knee. Initial examination in the rooms after the game were not good for the 20-year-old. "It's probably a grade three medial we think at this stage. If that's the case, he'll miss the rest of the season," Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade said.
CHAPMAN HAMSTRING WOES
Geelong will find out today the extent of Paul Chapman's hamstring problem in the latest injury to hit the Cats, reports The Herald Sun. Chapman appeared to strain his left hamstring when kicking towards goal in the second quarter of Friday night's epic against Hawthorn. He did not return. The 2006 best-and-fairest winner is expected to have scans today, with the Cats certain to again adopt a cautious approach with one of its star players.
‘I’M NOT PUPPET: STYNES’
Melbourne president Jim Stynes yesterday dismissed talk that club legend Garry Lyon was the power behind the throne at the Demons, and said he would have no role in appointing a new chief executive, reports The Herald Sun. Stynes used his first president's address since sacking chief executive Paul McNamee to push the line that the club was on track to turn around its flagging fortunes. He said consultants The Slade Group were already seeking candidates for the chief executive role and that radio star Hamish Blake would spearhead the club's membership campaign next year. But the Demons president was upset at suggestions confidant and former teammate Lyon controlled the club while Stynes was the front man. He said while Lyon was always welcome at the club, the former captain did not have too much influence. "I want to make very, very clear that there will only be one past player involved in the process of finding a new CEO," Stynes said. "Contrary to what has often been stated in the media, that player will be me. I want to make sure you understand that. Garry, is a great, great legend of our club and a great media person, but Garry's support of the Melbourne football club is on field and it will stick to that.”
DIDAK UNDER SCRUTINY
Collingwood is in danger of losing clever forward Alan Didak after a crackdown on the jumper punch, reports The Herald Sun. Didak is sweating on a striking charge that could rule him out of Friday night's clash with Hawthorn at the MCG. And teammate Leon Davis is also awaiting the AFL match review panel's assessment today of a match-day report for a front-on bump, one of the more serious offences in football. Didak had his number taken after a scuffle with Essendon's Henry Slattery in which both players grappled while holding on to each other's guernseys.
LAIDLEY WARNS ON FINALS FIXATION
North Melbourne coach Dean Laidley yesterday warned his players not to become September experts after their win against a mediocre Melbourne saw the Roos jump from 10th to fifth, reports The Herald Sun. The Roos are a chance to make the top four after blowing away the Demons with a seven-goal first quarter, setting up a key clash with the Brisbane Lions at Carrara on Saturday night. But after banking the four points, Laidley told his players the moment they started pondering the complicated finals equation they would lose focus. Hanging on to eighth spot entering Round 17 and 10th before the clash yesterday, a host of upsets have opened up the season for the Kangaroos. Laidley hailed the contributions of key forward David Hale and goalsneak Lindsay Thomas (five goals), and said the Roos' destiny was in their own hands.
AFL TO KEEP FINAL EIGHT
The AFL appears set to resist the temptation to expand its finals format to a top nine or even a top 10 as part of its expansion to an 18-team competition, reports The Herald Sun. It confirmed this week it had been presented with several options for nine or 10-team final series. But AFL chief operating officer Gillon McLachlan said it was most unlikely the finals series would change. "We always review things and our procedures after every year," McLachlan said. "But we're very comfortable with the finals. We think it's fair, easy to understand and works well. I doubt it will change."
EADE NOT WORRIED ABOUT FADEOUTS
Despite the Western Bulldogs' second last-quarter fade-out in as many weeks, coach Rodney Eade doesn't see reason to panic just yet but admits the lapses are "certainly an area of concern", reports The Age. Last night, the Bulldogs looked set to notch their 14th win of the season when they led Carlton by 37 points midway through the third term but fell away to lose by 28 points, the Blues kicking the last nine goals of the match, six after three-quarter time, while keeping the Bulldogs goalless in the final term. Last round was a similar outcome, the Cats booted 8.5 to the Bulldogs 1.1 in the last quarter to run out easy 61-point winners. The loss by the Bulldogs means every team from second to seventh going into this round was unable to win. Brisbane Lions, Sydney, Collingwood, Hawthorn and St Kilda all went down. Eade said his side stopped doing some of the basics right and allowed Carlton back into the game, but wasn't sure whether his players were tired or going through a flat period. He added that the "ladder doesn't give an accurate picture of the evenness of the competition" and that this season there were no "easy games". "(The fade-out) is something we'll need to look at. I'm not too sure of the reason at this stage, but certainly that's an area of concern we need to address, no doubt," Eade said.
WORRIES FOR GOODES
While Sydney coach Paul Roos was rueing the Swans' inability to account for Adelaide at the SCG and cement fourth spot on the AFL ladder, his main concern was the injury to star midfielder Adam Goodes, reports The Sunday Age. While Goodes has been affected by groin soreness in recent weeks, Roos said he didn't know the exact cause of the injury, saying he may have jarred his hip last night, but insisted he would not play next week. "It's frustrating for him obviously. He's a great player. It's a little bit sad to watch," Roos said. "You'd be mad if you put him on the ground next week. He couldn't compete at all. I think we've got to make sure we're going into next week with a healthy team. That's our biggest challenge." But Roos promised Swans fans that Barry Hall would improve after failing to dominate in his first game back from a two-game club suspension. "Hall wasn't great, but he's going to get better obviously," Roos said.
