Here follows the AFL news list for this week.
1 PROGRAM OF MATCHES (all times are local)
Saturday October 1
2016 Toyota AFL Grand Final, Sydney Swans v Western Bulldogs at the MCG, 2.30pm
Curtain Raiser
NAB AFL All Stars - Judd v O’Loughlin Under-17s, 10am
2 IMPENDING MILESTONES
Longest Wait For Premiership – Footscray / Western Bulldogs. The Western Bulldogs have played 1344 matches since the 1954 Grand Final victory, which is the longest current wait for any club and the second-longest wait for any club in VFL/AFL history for a premiership. The longest waits in the game’s history are South Melbourne/Sydney Swans (1476 games between r1, 1934 to preliminary final, 2005); Footscray/Western Bulldogs (1344 games currently active since r1, 1955); St Kilda (1201 games between r1, 1897 to preliminary final, 1966); Melbourne (1154 games currently active since r1, 1965); St Kilda (1126 games currently active since r1, 1967).
Longest Player Wait To Play in Grand Final – Matthew Boyd, Western Bulldogs. Matthew is due to play his 282nd game this week, which represents the fifth-longest wait for any player in VFL/AFL history for any player before his first Grand Final. The longest waits in history are Paul Roos (314 games, Sydney Swans 1996); Shane Crawford (305 games, Hawthorn 2008); Paul Williams (294 games, Sydney Swans 2005), Matthew Pavlich (291 games, Fremantle 2013) and Matthew Boyd (currently 281 games, Western Bulldogs 2016).
Premiership in consecutive seasons with different clubs – Matt Suckling, Western Bulldogs. Matt can become the third player in the game’s history to be part of premiership sides with different clubs in consecutive seasons, after playing in Hawthorn’s successful 2015 team. Jim Martin played in Essendon’s 1912 premiership and Fitzroy’s 1913 premiership while Tom Fitzmaurice was part of Essendon’s 1923-24 premierships and Geelong’s 1925 premiership. He would be the 30th player in the game’s history to play in a premiership with two separate clubs.
Premiership with Two Clubs – Lance Franklin, Sydney Swans. Should the Sydney Swans win this week, Lance Franklin would become the 30th player in the game’s history to play in a premiership with two separate clubs. Players in the history of the game to have played in a flag with two clubs: Eddie Drohan (Fitzroy and Collingwood), Mick Grace (Fitzroy and Carlton), Frank Caine (Carlton and Essendon), Jim Martin (Essendon and Fitzroy), Charlie Norris (Collingwood and Fitzroy), Tom Fitzmaurice (Essendon and Geelong), Horrie Edmonds (Collingwood and Richmond), Jack Carney (Geelong and Carlton), Brighton Diggins (South Melbourne and Carlton), Gordon Abbott (Geelong and Essendon), Keith Stackpole (Collingwood and Fitzroy), Peter McLean (Melbourne and Carlton), Ian Stewart (St Kilda and Richmond), Barry Davis (Essendon and North Melbourne), Doug Wade (Geelong and North Melbourne), Brent Crosswell (Carlton and North Melbourne), Barry Rowlings (Hawthorn and Richmond), Bryan Wood (Richmond and Essendon), Darren Jarman (Hawthorn and Adelaide), Martin Pike (North Melbourne and the Brisbane Lions), Blake Caracella (Essendon and the Brisbane Lions), Gavin Wanganeen (Essendon and Port Adelaide), Damien Hardwick (Essendon and Port Adelaide), Byron Pickett (North Melbourne and Port Adelaide), Jason Ball (West Coast and the Sydney Swans), Cameron Mooney (North Melbourne and the Geelong Cats), Stewart Dew (Port Adelaide and Hawthorn), Darren Jolly (Sydney Swans and Collingwood) and Shaun Burgoyne (Port Adelaide and Hawthorn).
Brothers in Premiership Teams – Richards family. Should the Sydney Swans win this week, Xavier and elder brother Ted (2012 Swans’ premiership) would become the 42nd pair of brothers in VFL/AFL history to both play in a premiership. The full list of premiership brothers is on page 808 of the AFL 2016 Season Guide.
Father / Son Multiple Premiership Players – Kennedy family. Should the Sydney Swans win this week, Josh Kennedy (2012, Sydney) and John Kennedy (Hawthorn, 1983, 1986, 1988, 1989) would become the sixth father/son combination in VFL / AFL history to both play in at least two premiership teams. The Kennedys would be the only combination to have done so at different clubs after the Brown (Ted 1914,’15 and Vin 1945, ’47 with Carlton), May (Charlie 1923-24 and Wally 1949-50 with Essendon), Pannam (Charlie H 1902-03 and sons Charlie E 1917, ’19 and Alby 1935-36 all with collingwood), Rawle (George 1923-24 and Keith 1946, ’49 with Essendon) and Silvagni (Serge 1968, ’70 and Stephen 1987, ’95 with Carlton) families earlier achieved the feat.
Most Finals Goals – Lance Franklin, Sydney Swans. Lance Franklin needs one goal to draw level with Stephen Kernahan and Alastair Lynch to move into the top five finals goalkickers in VFL/AFL history. The leading goalkickers in finals are Gordon Coventry (111 for Collingwood), Jason Dunstall (78 for Hawthorn), Jack Titus (74 for Richmond), Leigh Matthews (72 for Hawthorn), Stephen Kernahan (65 for Carlton), Alastair Lynch (65 for Brisbane), Gary Ablett senior (64 for Geelong), Lance Franklin (64 for Hawthorn and the Sydney Swans), Doug Wade (64 for Geelong and North Melbourne), Kevin Bartlett (62 for Richmond), Dick Lee (62 for Collingwood), Jack Meuller (62 for Melbourne), Peter Sumich (62 for West Coast).
3 TRIBUNAL MATCH REVIEW PROCESS
The expected process for the 2016 AFL Season under the AFL Match Review system is that the AFL will issue a media release late on the Monday after each round detailing the penalties to be offered to players for incidents from that round of matches, or the reasons why no further action was to be taken.
The clubs and players then have until 11am on the Tuesday morning to decide whether to accept the penalty on offer, or whether they wish to contest the charge at a Tribunal hearing, to usually be held on the Tuesday night. The AFL will formally detail all instances on the Tuesday of whether cases will proceed to the Tribunal or not.
There were no players reported from the weekend’s matches.
4 TRIBUNAL HEARING LOCATION
The AFL Tribunal is held in the AFL media room on Level LB2 at Etihad Stadium. The AFL wishes to advise that all media covering the Tribunal hearings at Etihad Stadium need to park in the B2 car park (entry off the Bourke St extension) and report to the Etihad Stadium security office to gain admittance via the internal ring road. There will be no access via AFL House to any AFL Tribunal hearing through the season, as our offices will have closed by 6pm each day.
5 ANNOUNCEMENT OF 2016 TOYOTA AFL GRAND FINAL UMPIRES
The umpires for the 2016 Toyota AFL Grand Final will be announced tomorrow, Tuesday September 27, at a media conference at AFL House at 10.30am. Please note this will be the only general opportunity to chat to the match day officials this week. All media are welcome to attend.
6 CURRENTLY SUSPENDED PLAYERS
The AFL wishes to advise the players that have completed and currently serving MRP suspensions across the competition are as follows:
Completed:
Simon Tunbridge, West Coast. Three matches from round 21. Now eligible to play at start of 2017 season.
Steve Johnson, GWS Giants. One match from First Qualifying Final. Now eligible to play at start of 2017 season.
Currently Suspended:
Nil.
7 BROWNLOW MEDAL – INELIGIBLE PLAYERS
The AFL advises the following players are ineligible for the 2016 Brownlow Medal, after having served a suspension at some point through the home and away season: Rory Sloane (Adelaide Crows); Daniel Merrett (Brisbane Lions); Levi Casboult (Carlton); Steele Sidebottom (Collingwood); Mark Jamar (Essendon), David Zaharakis (Essendon); Zac Dawson (Fremantle); Tom Hawkins (Geelong Cats); Steven May (Gold Coast Suns); Jon Ceglar (Hawthorn), James Sicily (Hawthorn); Neville Jetta (Melbourne), Bernie Vince (Melbourne), Jack Viney (Melbourne); Lindsay Thomas (North Melbourne); Tom Jonas (Port Adelaide), Jackson Trengove (Port Adelaide); Alex Rance (Richmond); Scott Lycett (West Coast), Simon Tunbridge (West Coast); Matthew Boyd (Western Bulldogs), Lin Jong (Western Bulldogs), Jack Redpath (Western Bulldogs).
8 NAB AFL All Stars Matches
Two NAB AFL All Stars matches will be played in Grand Final week, to bring together the best Under-17 and Under-18 talent. The teams in both matches will be named after former AFL champions Chris Judd and Michael O’Loughlin.
NAB AFL Academy coach Brenton Sanderson will coach the Chris Judd teams and NSW/ACT and Allies coach Tadhg Kennelly will coach the Michael O’Loughlin teams.
1.30pm Friday September 30 - Grand Final Eve
Judd v O’Loughlin Under-18s at Punt Road Oval
This match will be broadcast LIVE on FOX FOOTY
10am Saturday October 1 – Toyota AFL Grand Final Day
Judd v O’Loughlin Under-17s at the MCG
9 GOLD COAST SUNS SANCTION – AFL PLAYER RULES
The AFL wishes to advise the Gold Coast Suns FC has been sanctioned $5000 after the late lodgement of paperwork for the return of player David Swallow to the senior list, from the long-term injury list.
Player Swallow returned to play in the state league in round 21 and his reinstatement to the list should have been lodged before that weekend of matches. The club’s good record was taken into account when considering this was an administrative error around paperwork requirements.
10 GRAND FINAL SEATING REQUESTS NOW CLOSED
As advised over the weekend, the AFL has filled all media positions for the 2016 Toyota AFL Grand Final and cannot accept any more application requests.
11 NOMINATED ROOKIE PROMOTIONS
The AFL wishes to advise the following players have been promoted to the senior list for the finals teams under the various provisions of the rookie rules:
Western Bulldogs – Roarke Smith (mid-season rookie promotion).
12 LONG TERM INJURY LIST
The AFL wishes to advise the following changes are in place to player lists for teams contesting the finals, via the long-term injury list rules:
Sydney Swans – Tom Papley is currently upgraded from the rookie list in place of Alex Johnson.
Sydney Swans – Harrison Marsh is currently upgraded from the rookie list in place of Michael Talia.
Western Bulldogs – Jed Adcock is currently upgraded from the rookie list in place of Josh Prudden.
13 KEY DATES, NAB AFL TRADE PERIOD / DRAFT PROCESS
Please find below the INDICATIVE key dates for the 2016 season around club list requirements, NAB AFL Trade Period and the NAB AFL Draft Process:
Thursday 6 October – Sunday 9 October – AFL Draft Combine
Friday 7 October - AFL Restricted Free Agency Offer and Unrestricted Free Agency Period Commences
Monday 10 October 10am - NAB AFL Trade Period Commences
Sunday 16 October 5pm - Close of AFL Restricted Free Agency Offer and Unrestricted Free Agency Period.
Wednesday 19 October - AFL Restricted Free Agency Matching Offer Three-Day Period Ends
Thursday 20 October 2pm – NAB AFL Trade Period Closes
Friday 21 October 5pm - Application to Relist a Player Close
Monday 31 October 2pm - List Lodgement (1) ; Rookie Promotion to Primary List; Retained 2nd & 3rd Year Rookies; International Scholarship Player; Alternate Talent Player Nominations; Club Notification of Rookie Players Not Accepting a Contract of Offer; Nomination of Draft Eligible Father/Son Players Lodged; TPP Pre-Season Estimates (1).
Tuesday 1 November - AFL Delisted Player Free Agency Period (1) Commences
Tuesday 8 November - AFL Delisted Player Free Agency Period (1) Closes, Out of Contract Listed AFL Primary List Players Draft Nomination Form and Player Request for Removal from List Form Lodged with AFL
Wednesday 9 November 2pm - List Lodgement (2); TPP Pre-Season Estimates (2)
Thursday 10 November - AFL Delisted Player Free Agency Period (2) Commences
Friday 18 November 2pm - Delisted Primary List Draft Nomination Form Lodgement; Non–Retained Rookie Players Draft Nomination Form Lodgement; Players Not Registered or Played for Three years Rookie List Form lodgement; New or Expired (after 3 years) Draft Nomination Form Lodgement, AFL Father-Son Bidding Nominations.
Friday 18 November 5pm - AFL Delisted Player Free Agency Period (2) Closes
Friday 25 November - NAB AFL Draft Selection Meeting (Sydney) including Father/Son & Academy Players Bidding.
Saturday 26 November - AFL Delisted Player Free Agency Period (3) Commences
Sunday 27 November 2pm - AFL Delisted Free Agency Period (3) Concludes
Monday 28 November - AFL Club List Lodgement (3).
Monday 28 November 4pm - NAB AFL Pre-Season Draft Selection Meeting (Telstra Webex)
Monday 28 November 4.05pm - Notification of Pre-Selected Rookies if not selected in the Pre-Season Draft.
Monday 28 November 4.10pm - NAB AFL Rookie Draft Selection Meeting (Telstra Webex)
Wednesday 30 November 2pm - Final AFL Club List Lodgement; Final TPP Pre-Season Estimates
14 2016 NAB AFL DRAFT – TRADED FUTURE SELECTIONS
As a reminder to all media, the following selections at this year’s 2016 NAB AFL Draft were traded during last year’s trade period.
Round One
Gold Coast Suns received Melbourne round one selection.
GWS Giants received Collingwood round one selection.
GWS Giants received Geelong round one selection, via Carlton on-trade.
Round Two
Brisbane Lions received St Kilda round two selection, via Collingwood on-trade.
Gold Coast Suns received Fremantle round two selection.
Gold Coast Suns received Port Adelaide round two selection.
Gold Coats Suns received Richmond round two selection.
GWS Giants received Adelaide Crows' round two selection.
Round Three
Brisbane Lions received North Melbourne round three selection.
Carlton received Western Bulldogs round three selection.
Geelong Cats received Brisbane Lions round three selection.
Round Four
Western Bulldogs received Carlton round four selection.
Western Bulldogs received Sydney Swans round four selection.
Round Five
Geelong Cats received GWS Giants round five selection.
