Trekking Lions, improving Dogs and TV rights are among the AFL-related items making news in Australia's daily newspapers on Wednesday, 21 December 2005.Herald Sun: Channel nine executives have moved closer to submitting their promised $140 million-a-year bid for AFL broadcast rights.Rodney Eade says the Bulldogs can improve on 2005 by making the finals next year.Essendon last night announced a $806,372 profit for 2005.The Adelaide Advertiser: Brett Burton may no longer be part of the Crows' leadership group but when the talking stops and the running starts have no doubt, the Birdman leads.Port Adelaide has embarked on a global search to improve training techniques and practices.The Australian: When police told AFL star Graham Johncock his Holden Commodore had ploughed into two parked cars, the Adelaide Crows player panicked and told them it had been stolen.The Brisbane Lions' walk along Papua New Guinea's Kokoda Track was a special experience for all involved, but for ruckman Beau McDonald, completing the five-day journey without a mishap took on a whole new meaning.The West Australian: Christmas has come early for East Fremantle with confirmation that 2000 Brownlow medallist Shane Woewodin will return as captain and assistant coach at the club which helped launch his decorated AFL career.The Age: Confusion prevails in the football world over the next broadcast rights deal, with AFL boss Andrew Demetriou rejecting the Seven and Ten networks' recent proposal.The Geelong Advertiser: Geelong fans are rushing in to sign up for season 2006 on the back of a record membership year.