THE GOOD, BAD AND UGLY FOR BUDDY
There are three most likely outcomes of Lance Franklin’s report for making front-on contact to the head of Michael Doughty, reports The Age. Franklin will escape suspension and be eligible for the Brownlow Medal only if the match review panel says he has no case to answer. He will be ruled out of Brownlow contention but not suspended if the panel deems the impact was low and conduct negligent, resulting in a level-one offence and 125 activation points. If Franklin makes an early guilty plea, he would be able to play this week. If the review panel comes to any other conclusion, the rough conduct charge will be at least a level-two offence and Franklin will miss at least one match.
There are three most likely outcomes of Lance Franklin’s report for making front-on contact to the head of Michael Doughty, reports The Age. Franklin will escape suspension and be eligible for the Brownlow Medal only if the match review panel says he has no case to answer. He will be ruled out of Brownlow contention but not suspended if the panel deems the impact was low and conduct negligent, resulting in a level-one offence and 125 activation points. If Franklin makes an early guilty plea, he would be able to play this week. If the review panel comes to any other conclusion, the rough conduct charge will be at least a level-two offence and Franklin will miss at least one match.
BROWN COULD INCUR FINE
Brisbane Lions captain Jonathan Brown has risked the wrath of the AFL and a $5000 fine by criticising the report laid on Hawthorn star Lance Franklin for a high bump, reports The Age. Brown said the policy that the head is sacrosanct was robbing the game of some of its spectacle and should only apply if there was a risk of spinal damage. He said Franklin's report for rough conduct after bumping the head of Adelaide's Michael Doughty in the second quarter of Saturday's match was unwarranted. "There's got to be some sort of force over the contact, fair dinkum, it was like a fly hitting his head," Brown said on Channel Nine. "(It) was only glancing and, if anything, he missed him. No doubt the review panel will asses the contact, how heavy it was, but … you would have thought it's at the 'minor-ist' of contacts or the lowest scale." Brown's comments come just a week after AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson sent a memo to clubs threatening fines of up to $5000 if they broke the rules by commenting on charges or reports before the tribunal.
AKERMANIS BAITS LIONS
Western Bulldogs media favourite Jason Akermanis says the club is tough enough to win a grand final and more skilful than his former club, the Brisbane Lions, were during their three premierships, reports The Age. Speaking on Channel Seven the day after the Bulldogs humiliated Brisbane by 63 points, the outspoken Akermanis said his team were applying the same pressure that won the Lions premierships in 2001, 2002 and 2003. "I think that's going to be the difference, come finals," he said. "Our side can win against anyone, anywhere, from any position." He said the Bulldogs' belief in their ability to win was similar to Brisbane's old confidence in its all-conquering talent. "We've had a really healthy list and our midfield is up and flying," Akermanis said. "We've got some really good recruits in Hudson and Welsh and they're all adding to the mix. You're seeing such an even spread, even our forward line is potent." He said the Bulldogs are more skilful than Brisbane was in its prime and had become just as hard, after lacking toughness in previous seasons. "With Brisbane, we had so many hard guys that were experienced guys," he said. "I thought the skills sometimes actually let us down a little bit towards the end of games. (The Bulldogs) have come from being a really skilful team, which is quite good, and they've made it a lot harder."
BAILEY BACKS RICHARDSON FOR BROWNLOW
On the back of Matthew Richardson's 18-mark, 13-kick and five-goal game yesterday, Melbourne coach Dean Bailey said the Tiger veteran was playing good enough football to win the Brownlow Medal, according to The Age. Richardson had yet another dominant match in Richmond's 22-point win over the Demons and, to Bailey, he was probably the difference between the sides. Without his own forwards in David Neitz (retired) and Russell Robertson (injured), Bailey admitted his side probably could have won had it had a key marking target in the forward line. Not that Richardson spent all his time in attack. The 33-year-old played as much on the wing and, at times, pushed deep into defence. "Yes," said Bailey when asked if Richardson could win the medal. "He's all that. He's unpredictable but he's very exciting. I think he took one mark, ran from half-back and just almost launched himself lateral to the ground and I think took a mark running inside 50. He's got some special qualities, no doubt about that. To kick five in a game and how he played all over the ground, he's well on the way."
CROWS BOSS SHATTERED
Adelaide coach Neil Craig looked a shattered man following his side's four-point loss to Hawthorn on Saturday night, reports The Age. So much so that during his four years as Crows boss, it is difficult to recall him ever being quite so ashen-faced in the aftermath of defeat. Craig's expression told much the same story as the statistics, which chronicle a game the Crows should have won. They are unlikely to get a better opportunity to beat the Hawks for quite some time. Adelaide had more disposals, more inside-50-metre entries, more clearances, more marks, more free kicks and much, much more time in possession of the lead. The Crows also had a team plan that succeeded in slowing the Hawks down, while also limiting the attacking effectiveness of Lance Franklin, despite his somewhat misleading return of 1.6 — many of those shots taken from wide angles under pressure.
FEV REVELS IN VICTORY
After kicking four last-quarter goals, and eight in total, to lead Carlton to rousing victory over Collingwood at the MCG yesterday, Brendan Fevola turned to Collingwood cheerleader Jeff "Joffa" Corfe and mouthed this question: "Where's your jacket now, Joffa?" We know this, reports The Age, not from witnesses, nor from an interview with Fevola — he doesn't stoop — but because he proudly and loudly boasted about it while warming down in the change rooms. Fevola was, as the Blues were, exultant. Two wins over the Magpies in eight weeks, 15 goals for Fevola in those games; these surely were records in terms of making short work of their old foes, and the room was abuzz. Coach Brett Ratten added that his side deserved to be where they were.
MCG LOOKS AT NEW OVERHAUL
The Melbourne Cricket Club has begun investigating options for a potential refurbishment of the Great Southern Stand, reports The Herald Sun. The MCC has advertised for a manager to oversee the information-gathering process as it seeks input this year from the AFL, its cricket stakeholders and tenant clubs. But MCC chief executive Stephen Gough said no plans had yet been made regarding a possible make-over. "We have had some discussions at looking at what sort of refurbishment might be done," Gough said. "There is no decision made at what we might do yet, we are just working through the options. It's an exercise looking at what could be done and then we've got to make a decision about whether we do anything or not, whether we can afford to, or what is possible." It's been almost 18 years since the Great Southern Stand was finished in December, 1991.
STYNES HAS BIG TASK AHEAD
Jim Stynes admitted distress when he saw the true state of Melbourne's finances on Friday, $4.5m in debut, reports The Herald Sun. But the new Demons chairman must have been mortified last night when he realised his football coffers were virtually empty. He has high hopes the once-proud Demons will trade out of their financial plight, but any accountant in his football department would file for bankruptcy. With an eye only on the scores, it's arguably harsh to put a line through a team that lost by just 22 points and loomed within a couple of kicks midway through the final term. But when you dissect the nature of the defeat, it is nothing but fitting. Stynes the player was ferocious. He never gave anything less than 100 per cent and expected nothing less from those around him. His face must have been ashen last night when Richmond effectively played 20 minutes of footy to roll over the hapless Dees, who again relied on far too few to get the job done.
Brisbane Lions captain Jonathan Brown has risked the wrath of the AFL and a $5000 fine by criticising the report laid on Hawthorn star Lance Franklin for a high bump, reports The Age. Brown said the policy that the head is sacrosanct was robbing the game of some of its spectacle and should only apply if there was a risk of spinal damage. He said Franklin's report for rough conduct after bumping the head of Adelaide's Michael Doughty in the second quarter of Saturday's match was unwarranted. "There's got to be some sort of force over the contact, fair dinkum, it was like a fly hitting his head," Brown said on Channel Nine. "(It) was only glancing and, if anything, he missed him. No doubt the review panel will asses the contact, how heavy it was, but … you would have thought it's at the 'minor-ist' of contacts or the lowest scale." Brown's comments come just a week after AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson sent a memo to clubs threatening fines of up to $5000 if they broke the rules by commenting on charges or reports before the tribunal.
AKERMANIS BAITS LIONS
Western Bulldogs media favourite Jason Akermanis says the club is tough enough to win a grand final and more skilful than his former club, the Brisbane Lions, were during their three premierships, reports The Age. Speaking on Channel Seven the day after the Bulldogs humiliated Brisbane by 63 points, the outspoken Akermanis said his team were applying the same pressure that won the Lions premierships in 2001, 2002 and 2003. "I think that's going to be the difference, come finals," he said. "Our side can win against anyone, anywhere, from any position." He said the Bulldogs' belief in their ability to win was similar to Brisbane's old confidence in its all-conquering talent. "We've had a really healthy list and our midfield is up and flying," Akermanis said. "We've got some really good recruits in Hudson and Welsh and they're all adding to the mix. You're seeing such an even spread, even our forward line is potent." He said the Bulldogs are more skilful than Brisbane was in its prime and had become just as hard, after lacking toughness in previous seasons. "With Brisbane, we had so many hard guys that were experienced guys," he said. "I thought the skills sometimes actually let us down a little bit towards the end of games. (The Bulldogs) have come from being a really skilful team, which is quite good, and they've made it a lot harder."
BAILEY BACKS RICHARDSON FOR BROWNLOW
On the back of Matthew Richardson's 18-mark, 13-kick and five-goal game yesterday, Melbourne coach Dean Bailey said the Tiger veteran was playing good enough football to win the Brownlow Medal, according to The Age. Richardson had yet another dominant match in Richmond's 22-point win over the Demons and, to Bailey, he was probably the difference between the sides. Without his own forwards in David Neitz (retired) and Russell Robertson (injured), Bailey admitted his side probably could have won had it had a key marking target in the forward line. Not that Richardson spent all his time in attack. The 33-year-old played as much on the wing and, at times, pushed deep into defence. "Yes," said Bailey when asked if Richardson could win the medal. "He's all that. He's unpredictable but he's very exciting. I think he took one mark, ran from half-back and just almost launched himself lateral to the ground and I think took a mark running inside 50. He's got some special qualities, no doubt about that. To kick five in a game and how he played all over the ground, he's well on the way."
CROWS BOSS SHATTERED
Adelaide coach Neil Craig looked a shattered man following his side's four-point loss to Hawthorn on Saturday night, reports The Age. So much so that during his four years as Crows boss, it is difficult to recall him ever being quite so ashen-faced in the aftermath of defeat. Craig's expression told much the same story as the statistics, which chronicle a game the Crows should have won. They are unlikely to get a better opportunity to beat the Hawks for quite some time. Adelaide had more disposals, more inside-50-metre entries, more clearances, more marks, more free kicks and much, much more time in possession of the lead. The Crows also had a team plan that succeeded in slowing the Hawks down, while also limiting the attacking effectiveness of Lance Franklin, despite his somewhat misleading return of 1.6 — many of those shots taken from wide angles under pressure.
FEV REVELS IN VICTORY
After kicking four last-quarter goals, and eight in total, to lead Carlton to rousing victory over Collingwood at the MCG yesterday, Brendan Fevola turned to Collingwood cheerleader Jeff "Joffa" Corfe and mouthed this question: "Where's your jacket now, Joffa?" We know this, reports The Age, not from witnesses, nor from an interview with Fevola — he doesn't stoop — but because he proudly and loudly boasted about it while warming down in the change rooms. Fevola was, as the Blues were, exultant. Two wins over the Magpies in eight weeks, 15 goals for Fevola in those games; these surely were records in terms of making short work of their old foes, and the room was abuzz. Coach Brett Ratten added that his side deserved to be where they were.
MCG LOOKS AT NEW OVERHAUL
The Melbourne Cricket Club has begun investigating options for a potential refurbishment of the Great Southern Stand, reports The Herald Sun. The MCC has advertised for a manager to oversee the information-gathering process as it seeks input this year from the AFL, its cricket stakeholders and tenant clubs. But MCC chief executive Stephen Gough said no plans had yet been made regarding a possible make-over. "We have had some discussions at looking at what sort of refurbishment might be done," Gough said. "There is no decision made at what we might do yet, we are just working through the options. It's an exercise looking at what could be done and then we've got to make a decision about whether we do anything or not, whether we can afford to, or what is possible." It's been almost 18 years since the Great Southern Stand was finished in December, 1991.
STYNES HAS BIG TASK AHEAD
Jim Stynes admitted distress when he saw the true state of Melbourne's finances on Friday, $4.5m in debut, reports The Herald Sun. But the new Demons chairman must have been mortified last night when he realised his football coffers were virtually empty. He has high hopes the once-proud Demons will trade out of their financial plight, but any accountant in his football department would file for bankruptcy. With an eye only on the scores, it's arguably harsh to put a line through a team that lost by just 22 points and loomed within a couple of kicks midway through the final term. But when you dissect the nature of the defeat, it is nothing but fitting. Stynes the player was ferocious. He never gave anything less than 100 per cent and expected nothing less from those around him. His face must have been ashen last night when Richmond effectively played 20 minutes of footy to roll over the hapless Dees, who again relied on far too few to get the job done.
