Here follows the AFL news list for this week.
1 PROGRAM OF MATCHES (all times are local)
Round One (All times are local)
Friday March 14
Collingwood v Fremantle at Etihad Stadium, 7.50pm
Saturday March 15
GWS Giants v Sydney Swans at Spotless Stadium, 4.40pm
Gold Coast Suns v Richmond at Metricon Stadium, 6.40pm
Sunday March 16
Carlton v Port Adelaide at Etihad Stadium, 7.40pm
Thursday March 20
Geelong Cats v Adelaide Crows at Simonds Stadium, 7.10pm
Friday March 21
North Melbourne v Essendon at Etihad Stadium, 7.50pm
Saturday March 22
Hawthorn v Brisbane Lions at Aurora Stadium, 4.40pm
St Kilda v Melbourne at Etihad Stadium, 7.40pm
Sunday March 23
West Coast v Western Bulldogs at Patersons Stadium, 4.40pm
2 IMPENDING MILESTONES
Club Record Games – Dustin Fletcher, Essendon. Dustin is due to play his 379th game in round one, breaking the previous mark of 378 games held by Simon Madden. This will also take him to outright fourth position in VFL/AFL history, behind only Michael Tuck (426 games) Kevin Bartlett (403 games) and Robert Harvey (383 games).
AFL Life Membership – Dean Cox, West Coast. Dean will qualify for AFL Life Membership with his 300th official game since his debut in 2001, comprising 273 premiership matches, 25 pre-season games and one State of Origin match.
Most Club Games – Nick Riewoldt, St Kilda. Nick is due to play his 260th game since his debut in 2001, taking him level with Nick Dal Santo in eighth spot in the club’s history. The most games in St Kilda history are Robert Harvey (383 games, 1988-2008), Nathan Burke (323 games, 1987-2003), Stewart Loewe (321 games, 1986-2002), Barry Breen (300 games, 1965-82), Lenny Hayes (277 games, 1999-current), Stephen Milne (275 games, 2001-current), Gary Colling (265 games, 1968-81), Nick Dal Santo (260 games, 2002-current), Nick Riewoldt (259 games, 2001 - current), Kevin Neale (256 games, 1965-77).
250 games – Jimmy Bartel, Geelong Cats
250 games – Robert Murphy, Western Bulldogs
Most Games, Rookie List Player – Quinten Lynch, Collingwood. Quinten is due to play his 228th league game this week, taking him level with Russell Robertson in eighth spot for most games by any player who began his career on an AFL rookie list. The most games by rookie list players are - Stephen Milne (275 games, 2000 Rookie Draft), Dean Cox (273 games, 2000 Rookie Draft), James McDonald (264 games, 1997 Rookie Draft), Brett Kirk (241 games, 1999 Rookie Draft), Mal Michael (238 games, 1997 Rookie Draft), Darren Jolly (237 games, 2001 Rookie Draft), Michael Doughty (231 games, 2000 Rookie Draft), Russell Robertson (228 games, 1997 Rookie Draft), Quentin Lynch (227 games, 2001 Rookie Draft), Tarkyn Lockyer (227 games, 1998 Rookie Draft).
150 games – Paddy Ryder, Essendon
100 games – Lachlan Hansen, North Melbourne
100 games – Eric Mackenzie, West Coast
100 club games – Rhyce Shaw, Sydney Swans
50 games – Jake Carlisle, Essendon
50 club games – Robert Warnock, Carlton
50 consecutive games – Ryan O’Keefe, Sydney Swans. Ryan has played 49 consecutive games for the Sydney Swans since round two, 2012.
50 club games coached – Ross Lyon, Fremantle
Most Games, Family of Brothers – Selwood Brothers. The Selwood brothers (Adam, Troy, Joel and Scott) are due to reach a combined tally of 534 games, taking them past the Coventry brothers and into fifth spot in VFL/AFL history for the most games by a family of brothers. The most games by brothers are Daniher (752 games comprising 313 games for Terry, 82 for Neale, 233 for Tony and 124 for Chris), Madden (710 games comprising 378 games for Simon and 332 for Justin), Morwood (611 games comprising 170 games for Paul, 229 for Tony and 212 for Shane), Nankervis (578 games comprising 325 games for Ian and 253 for Bruce), Coventry (533 games comprising 227 games for Syd and 306 for Gordon), Selwood (532 games comprising 187 games for Adam, 75 games for Troy, 160 games for Joel and 110 games for Scott), Cornes (523 games comprising 255 games for Chad and 268 games for Kane), Richardson (518 games comprising 277 games for Wayne and 241 games for Max), Ablett (515 games comprising 229 games for Geoff, 38 for Kevin and 248 for Gary senior), Wakelin (513 games comprising 252 games for Shane and 261 for Darryl).
Oldest Coaches – Michael Malthouse. For Sunday’s match between Carlton and Port Adelaide at Etihad Stadium, Michael Malthouse will be 60 years and 211 days old, making him the fifth oldest man in VFL/AFL history to coach a senior game. The oldest coaches in the game’s history at the date of their last game are Checker Hughes (71 years, 148 days in 1965), Jock McHale (66 years, 266 days in 1949), Kevin Sheedy (65 years, 252 days in 2013), John Kennedy (60 years, 246 days in 1989), Michael Malthouse (60 years, 211 days at rd 1, 2014), Jack Worrall (60 years, 40 days in 1920), Denis Pagan (59 years, 301 days in 2007), George Sparrow (59 years, 291 days in 1929), Ron Barassi (59 years, 188 days in 1995), Allan Jeans (58 years, 341 days in 1992).
Most Seasons Played – Dustin Fletcher, Essendon. Dustin, having made his senior debut in 1993, will become the first man in VFL/AFL history to play a match in 22 separate seasons with his first game in the 2014 season.
Most Seasons Played – Brent Harvey, North Melbourne. Brent Harvey will play a 19th season in 2014, making him the 11th player in VFL/AFL history to play 19 or more seasons. The most seasons in the game’s history are Dustin Fletcher (22, Essendon), Robert Harvey (21, St Kilda), Michael Tuck (20, Hawthorn), Ted Whitten (20, Footscray), Jack Dyer (19, Richmond), Dick Reynolds (19, Essendon), Kevin Bartlett (19, Richmond), Simon Madden (19, Essendon), Roger Merrett (19, Essendon and Brisbane Bears), Paul Salmon (19, Essendon and Hawthorn.
3 TRIBUNAL MATCH REVIEW PROCESS
The expected process for the 2014 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 practice matches played in the last seven days:
Michael Walters, Fremantle, reported by umpire Luke Farmer for engaging in rough conduct against Brant Colledge, West Coast, during the fourth quarter of the practice match between Fremantle and West Coast, played at Patersons Stadium on Thursday March 6, 2014.
Jake Carlisle, Essendon, reported by umpire Shane Stewart for misconduct (kneeing) Steve Morris, Richmond, during the second quarter of the practice match between Essendon and Richmond, played at Punt Road on Friday March 7, 2014.
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 AFL INJURY LIST
The AFL wishes to advise the following recent changes have been made to the long-term injury list:
Hawthorn – Placed Brendan Whitecross on the long-term injury list, with no replacement named at this stage.
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:
Nil.
Currently Suspended (for the premiership season):
Patrick McGinnity, West Coast. One match. One match to serve in 2014 from the NAB Challenge.
Lenny Hayes, St Kilda, One match. One match to serve in 2014 from the NAB Challenge.
Maverick Weller, St Kilda. One match. One match to serve in 2014 from the NAB Challenge.
Nick Suban, Fremantle. One match. One match to serve in 2014 from the Grand Final.
Cyril Rioli, Hawthorn. One match. One match to serve in 2014 from the Grand Final.
Leigh Montagna, St Kilda. One match to serve at start of 2014 season. One match from round 23.
Jake Melksham, Essendon. Two matches to serve at start of 2014 season. Two matches from round 23.
Brian Lake, Hawthorn. Three matches. Three matches to serve in 2014 from the Grand Final.
7 UPGRADE OF NOMINATED ROOKIES TO SENIOR LIST
The AFL wishes to advise the following list changes have been made in the pre-season period under the AFL player rules regarding Nominated Rookie Players. Under the Nominated Rookie Rule, a club is eligible to nominate a rookie player who can play during the premiership season and finals series if a club has 38 players on its list (not including veteran players) and it satisfies the Total Player Payments requirements.
Carlton – Jaryd Cachia.
Carlton – Heath Scotland.
8 GOLD COAST SUNS EXPANSION COMPENSATION PICKS
As a reminder to all media, the AFL wishes to advise the following Gold Coast Suns’ expansion compensation picks MUST be used at this year’s 2014 NAB AFL Draft. Expansion picks were able to be activated and used in any of the five drafts in the period 2010-2014 and the following three still-unused selections must therefore be used this year.
Gold Coast Suns, round one selection. Received from the Geelong Cats (compensation for the loss of Gary Ablett) in a trade in 2012.
GWS Giants, end round one selection. Received from the Brisbane Lions (compensation for the loss of Jared Brennan) via a trade to the GC Suns in 2010 and then a trade to the GWS Giants in 2012.
Gold Coast Suns, round three selection. Received from Collingwood (compensation for the loss of Josh Fraser) via a trade to West Coast in 2010 and then a trade to the GC Suns in 2013.
Clubs are able to trade these selections during the 2014 AFL Exchange Period.
9 GWS GIANTS EXPANSION COMPENSATION PICK
As a reminder to all media, the AFL wishes to advise the following GWS Giants expansion compensation pick can be used at either this year’s 2014 NAB AFL Draft or next 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 any AFL Exchange Period in 2014/15.
10 2014 AFL KEY DATES
Please find attached the key dates for the 2014 season around club list requirements, Gillette AFL Trade Period and the NAB AFL Draft Process:
Friday 1 August by 2pm - Draft Eligible Academy Player Nominations Lodged.
Friday 3 October - Gillette AFL Restricted Free Agency Offer and Unrestricted Free Agency Period Commences.
Friday 3 October by 2pm - Gillette AFL Father-Son Bidding Nominations; Academy Bidding Nominations lodged with AFL.
Monday 6 October 10am - Father/Son & Academy Players Bidding Meeting; Gillette AFL Trade Period Commences.
Monday 13 October at 5pm - Close of Gillette AFL Restricted Free Agency Offer and Unrestricted Free Agency Period.
Thursday 16 October - Gillette AFL Restricted Free Agency Matching Offer Three-Day Period Ends
Friday 17 October at 2pm - Gillette AFL Trade Period Closes.
Friday 31 October by 2pm - List Lodgement (1); Rookie Promotion to Primary List; Retained 2nd & 3rd Year Rookies; Scholarship Players; Alternate Talent Player Nominations, TPP Estimates.
Saturday 1 November - Gillette AFL Delisted Player Free Agency Period (1) Commences.
Wednesday 12 November - Gillette 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; New or Expired (after 3 years) Draft Nomination Form Lodgement.
Thursday 13 November by 2pm - List Lodgement (2).
Friday 14 November - Gillette AFL Delisted Player Free Agency Period (2) Commences.
Wednesday 19 November - Delisted Primary List Draft Nomination Form Lodgement; Non–Retained Rookie Players Draft Nomination Form Lodgement; Players Not Registered or Played for Three years Rookie Nomination. Gillette AFL Delisted Player Free Agency Period (2) Closes.
Monday 24 November – SUBJECT TO CONFIRMATION - NAB AFL Draft Selection Meeting (Gold Coast Convention Centre).
Tuesday November 25 – Gillette AFL Delisted Free Agency Period (3) Commences.
Wednesday 26 November - Gillette AFL Delisted Player Free Agency Period (3) Concludes
Wednesday November 26 by 2pm - AFL Club List Lodgement (3) and TPP Estimates.
International Players Inclusion on Rookie List Form; Scholarship Players Rookie List Form Lodged; Father-Son and Academy Pre-Selected Rookie Nominations.
Friday 28 November - NAB AFL Pre-Season Draft Selection Meeting (11am, Telstra Webex); Notification of Pre-Selected Rookies Nominated on Monday November 25 if not selected in the Pre-Season Draft (11.05am); NAB AFL Rookie Draft Selection Meeting (11.10am, Telstra Webex).
Monday 1 December – Final Club List Lodgement.
Friday 12 December by 2pm - International Players Inclusion on Rookie List.
11 AFL INTERCHANGE CAP – IN-MATCH TRACKING OF ROTATION NUMBERS
The AFL has introduced an interchange cap at all matches in the 2014 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. The AFL Commission has determined that a cap of 120 interchanges per match will apply for Seasons 2014 and 2015. The AFL will be electronically counting interchange numbers through all matches with the information relayed in real-time to clubs, media and the football public via Champion Data's normal statistical service. All media should note that any interchanges made at quarter breaks and due to the blood rule will not counted. An interchange as a result of a substitution, stretcher, concussion or other medical assessment will also not be counted, with that player not allowed back on the field for 20 minutes (and in the case of the substituted player, not at all). All media should note that AFL Interchange Officials have been instructed to count all interchange rotations during the match, with the scenarios listed above (where a player is not counted) subsequently recorded. All media should note that this will mean the interchange count will decrease by one on some occasions during matches. For example, where a team activates their substitute, the substituted player will be counted when leaving the field of play and, subsequent to that, the count will be decrease by one when the AFL Interchange Official is formally notified of the substitute.
12 2014 LAWS OF THE GAME – INSTRUCTION DVD
The 2014 Laws of the Game video is also now available on the AFL site for any interested media to view: http://www.afl.com.au/afl-hq/laws-of-the-game.
13 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.
14 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.
Ends
Patrick Keane
AFL Media Manager
