DEMONS LOSE MAJOR SPONSOR
Cash-strapped Melbourne Football Club will almost certainly lose its major sponsor at the end of this year, reports The Age. The Demons said yesterday that telecommunications company iPrimus had advised them it was unlikely to renew its contract as naming rights partner, which is in its fifth and final year. However, the club said negotiations were underway with a view to the company continuing as a lower-level partner in coming seasons, with talks also being held with other potential sponsors. "I would like to take this opportunity to thank iPrimus for their outstanding support and partnership over the last five years, and I am pleased that iPrimus would like to continue with us in some form," Demons president Jim Stynes said. "Anyone who partners with our club now will be joining a club that is heading into an exciting new era." The loss of the sponsorship deal is a blow to the club, which has recently made significant headway into erasing its $5 million debt. The Demons raised more than $2 million at a fundraising dinner earlier this month to kick off their debt-demolition campaign.
CROWS EXTEND CRAIG CONTRACT
Adelaide has extended coach Neil Craig's contract by two years, taking him to the end of 2011 and making him, potentially, the club's longest-serving coach, reports The Age. Craig coached Adelaide for the 100th time on Sunday, for his 62nd win, making him the most successful coach in terms of wins/losses compared with the other current coaches' first 100 games. Craig, 52, said the demands on AFL coaches were incredibly high, and surviving his first four years gave him his "greatest pleasure". "It's a highly competitive industry and it grows each year with the skills you need to have as a senior coach," he said. "Sometimes, you think 24/7 is the way to go and you fall into that trap, which is a bit of my personality to think that more is better. "It's clearly not the case and there's a tipping point, like most things in life, and I probably found that last year. There is a better balance in what I do here now. We make sure players have time off and it's important for coaching groups and everyone involved in the industry, too, because it's such an intense, long program and getting that balance in what you do is critical."
Cash-strapped Melbourne Football Club will almost certainly lose its major sponsor at the end of this year, reports The Age. The Demons said yesterday that telecommunications company iPrimus had advised them it was unlikely to renew its contract as naming rights partner, which is in its fifth and final year. However, the club said negotiations were underway with a view to the company continuing as a lower-level partner in coming seasons, with talks also being held with other potential sponsors. "I would like to take this opportunity to thank iPrimus for their outstanding support and partnership over the last five years, and I am pleased that iPrimus would like to continue with us in some form," Demons president Jim Stynes said. "Anyone who partners with our club now will be joining a club that is heading into an exciting new era." The loss of the sponsorship deal is a blow to the club, which has recently made significant headway into erasing its $5 million debt. The Demons raised more than $2 million at a fundraising dinner earlier this month to kick off their debt-demolition campaign.
CROWS EXTEND CRAIG CONTRACT
Adelaide has extended coach Neil Craig's contract by two years, taking him to the end of 2011 and making him, potentially, the club's longest-serving coach, reports The Age. Craig coached Adelaide for the 100th time on Sunday, for his 62nd win, making him the most successful coach in terms of wins/losses compared with the other current coaches' first 100 games. Craig, 52, said the demands on AFL coaches were incredibly high, and surviving his first four years gave him his "greatest pleasure". "It's a highly competitive industry and it grows each year with the skills you need to have as a senior coach," he said. "Sometimes, you think 24/7 is the way to go and you fall into that trap, which is a bit of my personality to think that more is better. "It's clearly not the case and there's a tipping point, like most things in life, and I probably found that last year. There is a better balance in what I do here now. We make sure players have time off and it's important for coaching groups and everyone involved in the industry, too, because it's such an intense, long program and getting that balance in what you do is critical."
MELBOURNE WANT TO WIN
Jim Stynes says Melbourne's determined to leap-frog 15th-placed West Coast this year, even if it costs the first national draft selection, reports The Herald Sun. The Melbourne president yesterday implored supporters to turn up to Saturday afternoon's MCG battle of the wooden spoon and support the club "unconditionally". Melbourne is two games and healthy percentage behind the Eagles, and will receive picks 1, 17, and 18 if it loses this week. But if it wins all three games - it faces Fremantle and Richmond in the last fortnight - it will lose its post first-round priority selection. Stynes yesterday scoffed at talk the Demons would be better off losing against the Eagles to maximise draft picks. "This is 15th against 16th. It is the battle for the wooden spoon and we don't want to win that spoon," he said.
FANS WANT TO CELEBRATE
Fans plan to defy the threat of fines and evictions as the AFL plans to stop the traditional ground invasion to celebrate 100-goal milestones, reports The Herald Sun. As Hawthorn's Lance Franklin and Carlton's Brendan Fevola close in on centuries, the league is in talks with stadium officials over how to prevent spectators running on to the ground. AFL spokesman Patrick Keane said yesterday the league wanted the time-honoured celebration to stop, fearing fans or players could be hurt. "We advise everyone to stay off the ground because you can be evicted and also face heavy fines," Keane said. "It's for the safety of both players and supporters. We would say to everyone, stay off the ground." But Hawthorn cheer squad president Darren Wallen predicted many Hawks supporters would defy the fan ban if Franklin reached the ton.
WAKELIN REACHES MILESTONE
Shane Wakelin did something yesterday that only two other AFL players could have done this year - blow out 34 or more birthday candles, reports The Herald Sun. Former St Kilda teammates Robert Harvey and Sydney's Peter Everitt are the only two older AFL players. But neither have had the chance to celebrate a birthday in the style that Wakelin will this weekend. The durable Magpie defender will play his 250th game against Port Adelaide - the club where he played SANFL 15 years ago - with a host of family and friends, including identical twin Darryl, a retired member of Port's 2004 premiership side who posted 264 games. The always affable Magpie was happy to savour a week that a couple of years ago looked highly unlikely. "It's a real honour. If you'd have asked me 18 months ago, this was the last thing on my mind," Wakelin said.
Jim Stynes says Melbourne's determined to leap-frog 15th-placed West Coast this year, even if it costs the first national draft selection, reports The Herald Sun. The Melbourne president yesterday implored supporters to turn up to Saturday afternoon's MCG battle of the wooden spoon and support the club "unconditionally". Melbourne is two games and healthy percentage behind the Eagles, and will receive picks 1, 17, and 18 if it loses this week. But if it wins all three games - it faces Fremantle and Richmond in the last fortnight - it will lose its post first-round priority selection. Stynes yesterday scoffed at talk the Demons would be better off losing against the Eagles to maximise draft picks. "This is 15th against 16th. It is the battle for the wooden spoon and we don't want to win that spoon," he said.
FANS WANT TO CELEBRATE
Fans plan to defy the threat of fines and evictions as the AFL plans to stop the traditional ground invasion to celebrate 100-goal milestones, reports The Herald Sun. As Hawthorn's Lance Franklin and Carlton's Brendan Fevola close in on centuries, the league is in talks with stadium officials over how to prevent spectators running on to the ground. AFL spokesman Patrick Keane said yesterday the league wanted the time-honoured celebration to stop, fearing fans or players could be hurt. "We advise everyone to stay off the ground because you can be evicted and also face heavy fines," Keane said. "It's for the safety of both players and supporters. We would say to everyone, stay off the ground." But Hawthorn cheer squad president Darren Wallen predicted many Hawks supporters would defy the fan ban if Franklin reached the ton.
WAKELIN REACHES MILESTONE
Shane Wakelin did something yesterday that only two other AFL players could have done this year - blow out 34 or more birthday candles, reports The Herald Sun. Former St Kilda teammates Robert Harvey and Sydney's Peter Everitt are the only two older AFL players. But neither have had the chance to celebrate a birthday in the style that Wakelin will this weekend. The durable Magpie defender will play his 250th game against Port Adelaide - the club where he played SANFL 15 years ago - with a host of family and friends, including identical twin Darryl, a retired member of Port's 2004 premiership side who posted 264 games. The always affable Magpie was happy to savour a week that a couple of years ago looked highly unlikely. "It's a real honour. If you'd have asked me 18 months ago, this was the last thing on my mind," Wakelin said.
TAMBLING PLAYS KEY ROLE OFF FIELD
The surrounds were stiflingly formal but Richard Tambling was unperturbed. He had a story to tell and he would tell it in his way, reports The Age. It was his own story of a boy who grew up in the shade of a gum tree outside Darwin in a small community of tumbledown houses amid violence and alcohol. Across from him in Canberra's Parliament House sat some of the most important figures in Australian politics. They listened in respectful silence. By the time Tambling and his Richmond colleagues departed Canberra, they had received a commitment for $8.75 million in federal money for an indigenous learning centre to be built at Punt Road. The money will also in large part underwrite the $20 million total reconstruction of the club's headquarters, which will elevate Richmond to the elite of AFL club facilities. "The idea for the centre was (Richmond chief executive) Steven Wright's, but it is fair to say Richard was extremely important in the whole process and securing the federal money," president Gary March said. Tambling became the club's champion for the cause because he essentially was their cause. Or at least kids such as him.
The surrounds were stiflingly formal but Richard Tambling was unperturbed. He had a story to tell and he would tell it in his way, reports The Age. It was his own story of a boy who grew up in the shade of a gum tree outside Darwin in a small community of tumbledown houses amid violence and alcohol. Across from him in Canberra's Parliament House sat some of the most important figures in Australian politics. They listened in respectful silence. By the time Tambling and his Richmond colleagues departed Canberra, they had received a commitment for $8.75 million in federal money for an indigenous learning centre to be built at Punt Road. The money will also in large part underwrite the $20 million total reconstruction of the club's headquarters, which will elevate Richmond to the elite of AFL club facilities. "The idea for the centre was (Richmond chief executive) Steven Wright's, but it is fair to say Richard was extremely important in the whole process and securing the federal money," president Gary March said. Tambling became the club's champion for the cause because he essentially was their cause. Or at least kids such as him.
SEVEN TO TELECAST GAMES LIVE
Seemingly taken by surprise that the Olympics had arrived during an AFL season, Channel Seven has secured a change to its broadcasting schedule to show Sunday's Carlton-North Melbourne match live against the gate, reports The Age. The AFL acceded to Seven's request to show the match live so that the station could better accommodate its Olympic Games commitments. Friday night's clash between Collingwood and Port Adelaide from Adelaide will also be shown live on television in Victoria, starting at 8.10pm — half an hour earlier than normal. Seven also televised live last Friday's Melbourne-Geelong match. The change to the broadcasting of Sunday's Blues-Roos match has the potential to reduce the gate, which makes it more surprising that the home club, Carlton, was not consulted about the change by the AFL.
Seemingly taken by surprise that the Olympics had arrived during an AFL season, Channel Seven has secured a change to its broadcasting schedule to show Sunday's Carlton-North Melbourne match live against the gate, reports The Age. The AFL acceded to Seven's request to show the match live so that the station could better accommodate its Olympic Games commitments. Friday night's clash between Collingwood and Port Adelaide from Adelaide will also be shown live on television in Victoria, starting at 8.10pm — half an hour earlier than normal. Seven also televised live last Friday's Melbourne-Geelong match. The change to the broadcasting of Sunday's Blues-Roos match has the potential to reduce the gate, which makes it more surprising that the home club, Carlton, was not consulted about the change by the AFL.
THOMPSON WANTS TO PLAY ON
North Melbourne forward Nathan Thompson is hopeful he can put a frustrating year of injury behind him and play on next season, reports The Age. The 30-year-old is out of contract at the end of the year, but said he is confident he can enter a 12th AFL season with a full pre-season of training. After a knee reconstruction sidelined him for all of last year, Thompson made a successful return to the side before knee problems twice forced him out of the team. Last Sunday he injured his ankle early in the match against the Bulldogs, but finished the game and is hopeful of playing against Carlton on Sunday. "It (the ankle) was pretty sore and pretty tough work for the last three quarters, but it was a great win for the club and I'm glad I could contribute in a small way," he said. Thompson finished the game with two goals, including a crucial kick after the three-quarter-time siren to stretch North's lead to four goals. In his fourth season with the Kangaroos since crossing from Hawthorn, Thompson said all he could do was "try and get fit" and deal with contract talks further down the track.
North Melbourne forward Nathan Thompson is hopeful he can put a frustrating year of injury behind him and play on next season, reports The Age. The 30-year-old is out of contract at the end of the year, but said he is confident he can enter a 12th AFL season with a full pre-season of training. After a knee reconstruction sidelined him for all of last year, Thompson made a successful return to the side before knee problems twice forced him out of the team. Last Sunday he injured his ankle early in the match against the Bulldogs, but finished the game and is hopeful of playing against Carlton on Sunday. "It (the ankle) was pretty sore and pretty tough work for the last three quarters, but it was a great win for the club and I'm glad I could contribute in a small way," he said. Thompson finished the game with two goals, including a crucial kick after the three-quarter-time siren to stretch North's lead to four goals. In his fourth season with the Kangaroos since crossing from Hawthorn, Thompson said all he could do was "try and get fit" and deal with contract talks further down the track.
WALLACE SEES PRESSURE COMING
Although his contract is secure until the end of 2009, Richmond coach Terry Wallace yesterday acknowledged that if the Tigers did not make the finals next season, speculation on his future at the club would resume with renewed vigour, reports The Age. But he suggested that "legitimate" followers of the club would still be "reasonably happy with the fact they now see the right young men are in, playing for their footy club" as a result of the 25 changes he and his staff had made to the playing list. Asked whether he believed finals success or failure would affect the amount of speculation, Wallace was frank: "Absolutely. And after a five-year period and term, why wouldn't that be the case? "We've got to be mature enough to handle that and deal with it coming into the last year of a contract, with speculation and everything else that will go on over that six-to-eight-month period. That's no problem, we're all big boys. We know that that's exactly where it is going to sit. We don't shy away from that at all." Wallace said although the Tigers were in roughly the same ladder position they were when he took over (in 2005), it was with a young list rather than an old one.
Although his contract is secure until the end of 2009, Richmond coach Terry Wallace yesterday acknowledged that if the Tigers did not make the finals next season, speculation on his future at the club would resume with renewed vigour, reports The Age. But he suggested that "legitimate" followers of the club would still be "reasonably happy with the fact they now see the right young men are in, playing for their footy club" as a result of the 25 changes he and his staff had made to the playing list. Asked whether he believed finals success or failure would affect the amount of speculation, Wallace was frank: "Absolutely. And after a five-year period and term, why wouldn't that be the case? "We've got to be mature enough to handle that and deal with it coming into the last year of a contract, with speculation and everything else that will go on over that six-to-eight-month period. That's no problem, we're all big boys. We know that that's exactly where it is going to sit. We don't shy away from that at all." Wallace said although the Tigers were in roughly the same ladder position they were when he took over (in 2005), it was with a young list rather than an old one.
