BUCKLEY WON’T COACH NEXT SEASON
Former Collingwood captain Nathan Buckley has rejected overtures for him to be an assistant coach at an AFL club next season, reports The Australian. Buckley was responding to West Coast identifying him as a possible assistant coach in 2009 as a support for senior coach John Worsfold, who is experiencing the Eagles' worst season in their 22-year existence. The highly decorated Buckley, who retired as a player last season, told The Australian he would be honouring media contracts that extended to 2009 and he had no intention to coach next year. Buckley, who has a heavy media schedule in television, radio and print in his first year out of the game, said he would not make a decision on a future involvement with a club for another 12 months. "I'll be better placed about this time next year to consider other options, and obviously whether I want to pursue a coaching career," Buckley said. The 2003 Brownlow medallist is also writing a book about his life and career at Brisbane and the Magpies, which is scheduled for release before Christmas.
Former Collingwood captain Nathan Buckley has rejected overtures for him to be an assistant coach at an AFL club next season, reports The Australian. Buckley was responding to West Coast identifying him as a possible assistant coach in 2009 as a support for senior coach John Worsfold, who is experiencing the Eagles' worst season in their 22-year existence. The highly decorated Buckley, who retired as a player last season, told The Australian he would be honouring media contracts that extended to 2009 and he had no intention to coach next year. Buckley, who has a heavy media schedule in television, radio and print in his first year out of the game, said he would not make a decision on a future involvement with a club for another 12 months. "I'll be better placed about this time next year to consider other options, and obviously whether I want to pursue a coaching career," Buckley said. The 2003 Brownlow medallist is also writing a book about his life and career at Brisbane and the Magpies, which is scheduled for release before Christmas.
MAGPIES COY ON FRASER
Collingwood is keeping everyone guessing, in particular Sydney, on what it will do with ruckman Josh Fraser this week, according to The Herald Sun. A fit-and-firing Fraser provides the Magpies with team flexibility, but they can't afford to risk him breaking down. He trained yesterday with no obvious discomfort from the knee he injured in the Hall of Fame tribute match in early May. Should the selectors decide he is ready to resume against Sydney on Saturday night, he could be either the marking replacement for sidelined forward Anthony Rocca or reclaim the No. 1 ruck role. One certainty is that 2007 best-and-fairest winner Travis Cloke will be back as a forward target at ANZ Stadium after his one-match suspension.
WATSON COMMITS TO BOMBERS
Midfielder Jobe Watson has signed a two-year deal with Essendon until the 2010 season, reports The Herald Sun. The improving Watson, 23, has played 64 games for the Bombers since he was taken as a father-son selection with pick 40 in 2002. Bombers team manager David Calthorpe said Watson was developing into a damaging ball winner and club leader. "We believe he will play a big role in our next premiership tilt," Calthorpe said. "This year he was added to our leadership group for the first time which shows how highly he is rated at the club. He has the respect of the playing group and many of our younger players really look up to him."
WATSON COMMITS TO BOMBERS
Midfielder Jobe Watson has signed a two-year deal with Essendon until the 2010 season, reports The Herald Sun. The improving Watson, 23, has played 64 games for the Bombers since he was taken as a father-son selection with pick 40 in 2002. Bombers team manager David Calthorpe said Watson was developing into a damaging ball winner and club leader. "We believe he will play a big role in our next premiership tilt," Calthorpe said. "This year he was added to our leadership group for the first time which shows how highly he is rated at the club. He has the respect of the playing group and many of our younger players really look up to him."
SCARLETT TO RETURN
Matthew Scarlett has confirmed he will line-up for the Cats on Friday night against Adelaide, reports The Herald Sun. The star full-back has missed the Cats' past two matches after injuring his hamstring in the win over North Melbourne in Round 11. Writing in his regular column on the Geelong website, gfc.com.au today, Scarlett said he had fully recovered from the injury and he would take his place against the Crows. "My hammy is now fine. I probably could have played a couple of weeks back against West Coast had I really needed to, but now I’ve had an extra break it’s feeling great," he said. He also paid tribute to Geelong's form in his absence.
POLAK RECOGNISES FAMILY
Richmond defender Graham Polak has recognised friends and family, eaten and taken his first steps after being hit by a tram, reports The Herald Sun. Polak has asked for water and taken his first assisted steps during brief waking periods as he continues a remarkable recovery from critical head injuries. But Richmond president Gary March met family members at the Alfred Hospital this morning, but the club said Polak’s condition had not changed overnight. “There has almost been no change to Graham’s condition in the last 14-15 hours and doctors say this is not uncommon in these situations,” club spokeswoman Judith Donnelly said today. But despite positive signs, doctors say Polak is “tired and confused” and is expected to sleep most of today. As Polak continues his recovery, fans and well-wishers have bombarded the football club with messages of support. The club has received more than 600 messages.
POWER-WOW
Port Adelaide's coaches and on-field leaders will meet today to determine exactly what went wrong in the Power's 2008 campaign, reports The Age. Stats will be pored over, frank opinions sought, and the first sketches of a new game plan drafted in preparation not just for the rest of this year but also for the long-term future. By Monday, the ideas thrown around will have been converted into bite-sized snippets of information for the Power's squad to focus on as it embarks on eight games that will determine the future of numerous players and more than a few club supporters. Power midfielder and leadership group stalwart Dom Cassisi said that while the mid-year meeting was part of the usual schedule, it had been given an added edge by the Power's dismal performance so far.
Matthew Scarlett has confirmed he will line-up for the Cats on Friday night against Adelaide, reports The Herald Sun. The star full-back has missed the Cats' past two matches after injuring his hamstring in the win over North Melbourne in Round 11. Writing in his regular column on the Geelong website, gfc.com.au today, Scarlett said he had fully recovered from the injury and he would take his place against the Crows. "My hammy is now fine. I probably could have played a couple of weeks back against West Coast had I really needed to, but now I’ve had an extra break it’s feeling great," he said. He also paid tribute to Geelong's form in his absence.
POLAK RECOGNISES FAMILY
Richmond defender Graham Polak has recognised friends and family, eaten and taken his first steps after being hit by a tram, reports The Herald Sun. Polak has asked for water and taken his first assisted steps during brief waking periods as he continues a remarkable recovery from critical head injuries. But Richmond president Gary March met family members at the Alfred Hospital this morning, but the club said Polak’s condition had not changed overnight. “There has almost been no change to Graham’s condition in the last 14-15 hours and doctors say this is not uncommon in these situations,” club spokeswoman Judith Donnelly said today. But despite positive signs, doctors say Polak is “tired and confused” and is expected to sleep most of today. As Polak continues his recovery, fans and well-wishers have bombarded the football club with messages of support. The club has received more than 600 messages.
POWER-WOW
Port Adelaide's coaches and on-field leaders will meet today to determine exactly what went wrong in the Power's 2008 campaign, reports The Age. Stats will be pored over, frank opinions sought, and the first sketches of a new game plan drafted in preparation not just for the rest of this year but also for the long-term future. By Monday, the ideas thrown around will have been converted into bite-sized snippets of information for the Power's squad to focus on as it embarks on eight games that will determine the future of numerous players and more than a few club supporters. Power midfielder and leadership group stalwart Dom Cassisi said that while the mid-year meeting was part of the usual schedule, it had been given an added edge by the Power's dismal performance so far.
