Here follows the AFL news list for this week.

1 PROGRAM OF MATCHES (all times are local)

Round Eight
Friday May 22
Geelong Cats v Carlton at Etihad Stadium, 7.50pm

Saturday May 23
St Kilda v West Coast at Etihad Stadium, 1.45pm
GWS Giants v Adelaide Crows at Spotless Stadium, 2.10pm
Gold Coast Suns v Collingwood at Metricon Stadium, 4.35pm
Fremantle v North Melbourne at Domain Stadium, 5.40pm
Hawthorn v Sydney Swans at the MCG, 7.20pm

Sunday May 24
Essendon v Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium, 1.10pm
Melbourne v Western Bulldogs at the MCG, 3.20pm
Port Adelaide v Richmond at Adelaide Oval, 4.10pm

NAB AFL U18s CHAMPIONSHIPS
Division One, Round One
Saturday May 23 – WA v SA at Lathlain Park, 11am
Sunday May 24 – Vic Metro v Vic Country at Simonds Stadium, 11am

2 IMPENDING MILESTONES

Most Career Goals – Lance Franklin, Sydney Swans. Lance has kicked 675 career goals and needs two goals to reach Bob Pratt (681 goals for South Melbourne) in equal 21st spot in the game’s history.
650 goals – Matthew Pavlich, Fremantle. Matthew needs three goals to reach 650 career goals.
300 games – Kane Cornes, Port Adelaide. Kane is due to become the first player since the club joined the AFL in 1997 to reach 300 games and the 69th player in VFL/AFL history to reach this mark.
AFL Life Membership - Paul Chapman, Essendon. Paul is due to qualify for AFL Life Membership this week with his 300th official game since his debut in 2000, comprising 275 premiership games, 23 pre-season games and one State of Origin game.
AFL Life Membership – Chris Judd, Carlton. Chris is due to qualify for AFL Life Membership this week with his 300th official game since his debut in 2002, comprising 277 premiership games, 19 pre-season games, one State of Origin game and two International Rules games.
AFL Life Membership – Shaun Burgoyne, Hawthorn. Shaun is due to qualify for AFL Life membership this week with his 300th official game since his debut in 2002, comprising 276 premiership games, 20 pre-season games, one State of Origin game and two International Rules games.
Most club games – Jarrad McVeigh, Sydney Swans. Jarrad is due to play his 251st game for the Sydney Swans this week since his debut in 2004. This will take him level with Mark Browning in sixth spot on the all-time club list. The most games in Sydney / South Melbourne history are Adam Goodes (356 games, 1999-current), Jude Bolton (325 games, 1999-2013), Michael O’Loughlin (303 games, 1995-2009), Ryan O’Keefe (286 games, 2000-14), John Rantall (260 games, 1963-72; 1976-79), Mark Browning (251 games, 1975-87), Jarrad McVeigh (250 games, 2004-current), Stephen Wright (246 games, 1979-92), Mark Bayes (246 games, 1985-98), Daryn Cresswell (244 games, 1992-2003).
Most club games – Scott Thompson, Adelaide Crows. Scott is due to play his 231st game for the Adelaide Crows this week since his debut with the club in 2005. This will take him level with Michael Doughty in eighth spot on the all-time club list. The most games in Adelaide Crows’ history are Andrew McLeod (340 games, 1995-2010), Tyson Edwards (321 games, 1995-2010), Mark Ricciuto (312 games, 1993-2007), Ben Hart (311 games, 1992-2006), Nigel Smart (278 games, 1991-2004), Simon Goodwin (275 games, 1997-2010), Mark Bickley (272 games, 1991-2003), Michael Doughty (231 games, 2000-12), Scott Thompson (230 games, 2005-current), Ben Rutten (229 games, 2003-14).
Most Games, Rookie List Player – Michael Firrito, North Melbourne. Michael is due to play his 238th league game this week, taking him level with Mal Michael in sixth spot for most games by any player who began his career on an AFL rookie list. The most games by rookie list players are - Dean Cox (290 games, 2000 Rookie Draft), Stephen Milne (275 games, 2000 Rookie Draft), James McDonald (264 games, 1997 Rookie Draft), Matthew Boyd (244 games, 2002 Rookie Draft), Brett Kirk (241 games, 1999 Rookie Draft), Mal Michael (238 games, 1997 Rookie Draft), Michael Firrito (237 games, 2003 Rookie Draft), Darren Jolly (237 games, 2001 Rookie Draft), Michael Doughty (231 games, 2000 Rookie Draft), Ben Rutten (229 games, 2002 Rookie Draft).
200 games – Scott Pendlebury, Collingwood
Most Games Club Captain – Matthew Pavlich, Fremantle. Matthew is due to captain Fremantle for the 175th time in this round, which will draw him level with David Neitz (175 games as Melbourne captain) in tenth position for most games as a club captain in VFL/AFL history. The most games in history as captain are Stephen Kernahan (226 games as captain), Dick Reynolds (224 games as captain), Ted Whitten (212 games as captain), Michael Voss (210 games as captain), John Nicholls (188 games as captain), Nick Riewoldt (187 games as captain), Wayne Carey (184 games as captain), Paul Kelly (182 games as captain), Danny Frawley (177 games as captain), David Neitz (175 games as captain), Matthew Pavlich (174 games as captain).
100 games – Nat Fyfe, Fremantle
100 games – Ben Stratton, Hawthorn
100 games – Ben Reid, Collingwood
50 games – Taylor Adams, Collingwood
50 games – Dylan Grimes, Richmond
50 club games – Brendon Goddard, Essendon
50 games umpired – Brendan Hosking

3 TRIBUNAL MATCH REVIEW PROCESS

The expected process for the 2015 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.

The following players were reported from the weekend’s matches:

Jarrad Waite, North Melbourne, reported by Ray Chamberlain for striking Zach Merrett, Essendon, during the third quarter of the Round Seven match between North Melbourne and Essendon, played at Etihad Stadium on Friday May 15, 2015.

Nat Fyfe, Fremantle, reported by umpire Matt Stevic for tripping Koby Stevens, Western Bulldogs, during the third quarter of the Round Seven match between Fremantle and the Western Bulldogs, played at Etihad Stadium on Sunday May 17, 2015.

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 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:
Jordan Lewis, Hawthorn. Two matches from round five.

Currently Suspended:
Stephen May, Gold Coast Suns. One match remaining. Three matches from round five.
Luke Hodge, Hawthorn. One match remaining. Three matches from round five.

6 LONG-TERM INJURY LIST CHANGES

The AFL wishes to advise the following recent changes have been made to the long-term injury list.
Gold Coast Suns have placed Jarrod Garlett on the long-term injury list with no replacement named from the rookie list at this time.
Port Adelaide has placed Jared Polec on the long-term injury list with no replacement named from the rookie list at this time.
Richmond has placed Nathan Drummond on the long-term injury list with no replacement named from the rookie list at this time.

7 APPLICATIONS FOR DAY PASSES FOR AFL MATCHES

The AFL wishes to advise it has updated its system for the production of day passes for late accreditation applications to cover single matches during the Toyota AFL premiership season. Day passes are now printed with a headshot, meaning any application must be lodged by Wednesday 5pm in the week of the match being requested, with a suitable headshot. Please contact Patrick Keane for any further queries.

8 NOMINATED ROOKIE PLAYERS

The following list changes were made in the lead-up to round one under the AFL player rules regarding Nominated Rookie Players, who can play during the premiership season:
Carlton – Ciaran Sheehan and Cameron Wood.
Collingwood –Jack Frost.
Gold Coast Suns – Greg Broughton and Adam Saad.
Richmond – Kane Lambert.

9 2014 LAWS OF THE GAME – INSTRUCTION DVD

A video on the AFL Umpiring Department approach to the 2015 Toyota AFL Premiership Season can be found at this link - http://www.afl.com.au/video/2015-02-18/how-the-game-will-be-umpired-in-2015 . In 2015, umpires have a number of cues to look for when paying a stricter interpretation of Holding the Ball, and also how to adjudge blocking / shepherding in marking contests when it is a 2v1 contest. The full explanation is detailed here for all interested media.

10 GWS GIANTS EXPANSION COMPENSATION PICK

As a reminder to all media, the AFL wishes to advise the following GWS Giants expansion compensation pick MUST be used at this year’s 2015 NAB AFL Draft. Expansion picks were able to be activated in any of the five drafts in the period 2011-2015 and the following selection remains available.
Gold Coast Suns, end round one selection. Received from Fremantle (compensation for the loss of Rhys Palmer) via a trade to the GWS Giants in 2011 and then a trade to the GC Suns in 2012.
The club is able to trade this selection in the 2015 AFL Exchange Period.

11 2015 NAB AFL U18s CHAMPIONSHIPS

Please find attached the fixture for the 2015 NAB AFL Under 18s Championships. Please note the fixture is subject to change (all times are local).

Division One, Round One
Saturday May 23 – WA v SA at Lathlain Park, 11am
Sunday May 24 – Vic Metro v Vic Country at Simonds Stadium, 11am

Division One, Round Two
Saturday May 30 – SA v Vic Metro at AAMI Stadium, 10.45am
Sunday May 31 – WA v Vic Country at Medibank Stadium, 12pm

Division One, Round Three
Saturday June 6 – SA v WA at AAMI Stadium, 12pm
Sunday June 7 – Vic Country v Vic Metro at Simonds Stadium, 12pm

Division One, Round Four
Saturday June 13 - WA v Vic Metro at Domain Stadium, 11.20am
Sunday June 14 – SA v Vic Country at AAMI Stadium, 11am

Division Two, Round One
Saturday June 20
NSW/ACT v Tasmania at Gold Coast, 10am
Queensland v NT at Gold Coast, 12.30pm

Division One, Round Five
Friday June 26
Vic Country v SA at Simonds Stadium, 12.35pm
Vic Metro v WA at Simonds Stadium, 2.35pm

Division Two, Round Two
Saturday June 27
Tasmania v Queensland at Simonds Stadium, 12pm
NSW/ACT v NT at Simonds Stadium, 2.10pm

Division One, Round Six
Wednesday July 1 – Vic Metro v SA at Etihad Stadium, 5.05pm
Thursday July 2 – Vic Country v WA at Simonds Stadium, 1.15pm

Division Two, Round Three
Wednesday July 1 – NT v Tasmania at Etihad Stadium, 3.05pm
Thursday July 2 - NSW/ACT v Queensland at Simonds Stadium, 11.05am

12 2015 NAB AFL U16s CHAMPIONSHIPS

Please find attached the fixture for the 2015 NAB AFL Under 16s Championships. Please note the fixture is subject to change (all times are local).

Round 1
Saturday July 4
WA v Vic Country at Metricon Stadium, 9am
SA v Vic Metro at Metricon Stadium, 11.20am

Sunday July 5
Tas v NSW/ACT at Southport, 11am
Qld v NT at Southport, 1.30pm

Round 2
Tuesday July 7
Vic Country v Vic Metro at Metricon Stadium, 12pm
WA v SA at Metricon Stadium, 2pm
Boomerangs v World XV111 at Metricon Stadium, 4pm

Wednesday July 8
Qld v Tas at Southport, 11am
NT v NSW/ACT at Southport, 1pm

Round 3
Friday July 10
Vic Country v SA at Southport, 10am
Vic Metro v WA at Southport, 12pm
Boomerangs v World XV111 at Southport, 2pm

Saturday July 11
NT v Tas at Metricon Stadium, 10am
Qld v NSW/ACT at Metricon Stadium, 12pm

13 2015 AFL KEY DATES

Please find below the INDICATIVE key dates for the 2015 season around club list requirements, AFL Trade Period and the NAB AFL Draft Process:

Friday 9 October - NAB AFL Restricted Free Agency Offer and Unrestricted Free Agency Period Commences.
Friday 9 October by 2pm – NAB AFL Father-Son Bidding Nominations; Academy Bidding Nominations lodged with AFL.
Monday 12 October 10am - Father/Son & Academy Players Bidding Meeting; NAB AFL Trade Period Commences.
Sunday 18 October at 5pm - Close of NAB AFL Restricted Free Agency Offer and Unrestricted Free Agency Period.
Wednesday 21 October - NAB AFL Restricted Free Agency Matching Offer Three-Day Period Ends
Thursday 22 October at 2pm – NAB AFL Trade Period Closes.
Friday 30 October by 2pm - List Lodgement (1); Rookie Promotion to Primary List; Retained 2nd & 3rd Year Rookies; Scholarship Players; Alternate Talent Player Nominations, TPP Estimates.

14 MEDIA ENTRY TO THE MCG

The Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) wishes to advise all media working at matches at the MCG they should enter the ground through Gate 3, unless they have underground parking for particular matches. Access control at the ground does not allow entry at Gate 2, for AFL accreditation passes. Further, the MCC also wishes to advise that any equipment being taken up to the host radio boxes or television broadcast boxes should be taken up via goods lift 8, and not the patron lifts 5-7.

15 MEDIA ENTRY TO ETIHAD STADIUM, PRIOR TO PUBLIC GATE TIMES / COLLECTION OF AFL RECORDS

All media who require entry to Etihad Stadium before public gates are open can do the following: Media may enter via Gate 9 from Level B3 (carpark) and Level 1 (concourse) one and a half hours prior to gate entry time. There will be a staff member at each entry point who will check AFL accreditation and will grant access to the Corporate Suites Level where they can access the Press Box, Radio Boxes and TV Broadcast area. A match day AFL record can be collected (one per person) from the customer service staff on the corporate suites level.