News from around the AFL on Monday, November 22...

The Herald Sun

Bombers announce $1.5 million loss
Al Paton

ESSENDON'S decision to axe Matthew Knights has contributed to an operating loss of more than $1.5 million for 2010.

The Bombers this morning announced an operating loss of $1,528,682.

Chief executive officer Ian Robson said a number of factors contributed to the loss including "the decision to implement a new coaching model".

Pies assistant Mark Neeld's brain scare
Staff writer

COLLINGWOOD assistant coach Mark Neeld delayed a potentially life-saving brain operation to help the Magpies win the Grand Final.

Neeld revealed today he risked his life by putting surgery on hold until after the Grand Final.

The Magpies assistant was diagnosed with a brain condition after suffering severe headaches during the season.

Eagle-eyed Victorians in hunt for Ashley Hansen
Scott Gullan

MELBOURNE is likely to be the first of several Victorian clubs to sound out West Coast Eagles premiership forward Ashley Hansen.

The shock axing of Hansen less than 24 hours after the national draft has been the talk of recruiting circles over the weekend as clubs look towards next month's pre-season and rookie drafts.

While the Eagles claim they don't trust Hansen's injury-prone body, the 27-year-old is likely to look at a return home to Victoria to continue his 78-game career.

Eddie McGuire hopes success will go Pie high
Mark Robinson

COLLINGWOOD president Eddie McGuire says the Magpies are growing stronger and can become back-to-back premiers.

McGuire said the recruitment of Chris Tarrant and Andrew Krakouer had strengthened the playing list and, off-field, the club posted a $5.4 million profit this year.

The Age

AFL denies financial retribution on Hawks
Caroline Wilson

THE AFL threatened to withdraw funding from Hawthorn's 2011 community camp after the Hawks scuttled the AFL-North Melbourne proposal to relocate seven Kangaroos' home games to Tasmania.

In a move that incensed Hawks president Jeff Kennett, AFL development boss David Matthews wrote to Hawthorn chief executive Stuart Fox several hours after the club had struck its lucrative and controversial five-year deal with the Tasmanian government, suggesting the AFL would no longer financially support the club's Launceston-based community camp next February.

Kennett reportedly slammed the email from Matthews as retaliatory and small-minded.