Essendon :shock:
Outstanding, Bulldogs looked second rate.

I haven't fucking missed this feeling. Not one bit.

We got absolutely dogged. Some absolutely shocking umpiring decisions in that last ten minutes.

That said - a pleasant surprise how well we played. God we look so much better without Fev.

Lecras is on the stretcher. Big big loss for the Eagles

Karmichael Hunt a PR stunt: Wayne Carey

Matt Windley From: Herald Sun March 30, 2011 3:53PM

NRL convert Karmichael Hunt is only a token selection for the Gold Coast Suns debut game on Saturday night, according to Wayne Carey.
"If it was anyone else, he wouldn't be getting a game,'' Carey said.

"I don't think he's done enough. I haven't seen him get any more than 15 possessions in a match yet.

"If he's goes in there purely to negate someone as a defender, and he does that, is that good enough in today's footy to justify his position? That might have been the case 10 years ago, but not any more.

"Down in defence - that's where the drive comes from - you've got to get a bit of the ball yourself.

"I'm just not sure Gold Coast will be switching play across the field to Karmichael Hunt through the corridor and expecting Karmichael to pin-point a pass through the midfield.

"Yes, he is a long-term project, but you have to earn your spot. At the moment, I'm not sure he's up to playing in their team.''

Carey said on sport website Back Page Lead the selection issue could cause friction among Suns players if Hunt continues to get games ahead of players with more football ability.

"What it will do eventually is that other talented players who've been playing the game their whole life will see Karmichael getting a game ahead of them, and they'll say: this bloke can't kick left foot, and he can't handball or mark as well as me.

"That could cause a rift.''

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/karmichael-hunt-a-pr-stunt-wayne-carey/story-e6frf9jf-1226030837699

Retired Demons star Daniel Bell seeking brain damage compensation

Staff writers From: Herald Sun March 31, 2011

FORMER Demons player Daniel Bell is seeking compensation from his former club after he was diagnosed with brain damage, it has been reported.

He claims the injury has been linked to a history of concussions he sustained during his career. A neuropsychologist found his cognitive function has deteriorated significantly.

Mr Bell, who played 66 games with Melbourne, told Fairfax he now struggles to remember words and names when he is tired or he feels strained.

The 25-year-old reportedly lodged a claim with the AFL Players' Association which will go before the AFL Grievance Tribunal.

Bell is seeking damages worth 50 per cent of his last contract, which is less than $100,000.

He has been warned against playing football as another concussion could increase his chances of developing Alzheimer's disease or dementia later in life.

Since his diagnosis in October last year he has shown signs of improvement through his use of an online brain training program.

Mr Bell's claims follow the AFL opening round which saw Geelong's Joel Selwood and other players receive head injuries.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/retired-demons-star-daniel-bell-seeking-brain-damage-compensation/story-e6frf7jo-1226031105638

Drive to cut Port debt upsets players

Michelangelo Rucci From: The Advertiser April 01, 2011 12:09AM

PORT Adelaide players are meeting to discuss their role in clearing the club's $3 million debt.

PORT Adelaide's 2004 premiership players - including offended captain Warren Tredrea - will meet next week in the hope to end division on their role in clearing the AFL club's $3 million debt.

And current captain Dom Cassisi and vice-captain Dean Brogan are to do the same with their group that also includes players reluctant to contribute.

Port's "Foundation Leaders" campaign - which calls for a minimum $5000 contribution - became divisive yesterday when Tredrea declared he would not contribute.

Tredrea yesterday afternoon met Power president Brett Duncanson in the club's attempt to "give Warren a better understanding" of the campaign.

At the same time current board member Darryl Wakelin released the text message he sent to 15 of his 2004 premiership team-mates asking to give "a little bit back to the club".

Wakelin also dismissed reports the text to Tredrea was sent without the champion forward knowing of the club's debt-busting campaign by letter or telephone messages.

Wakelin did not send the text to 2004 coach Mark Williams, who is now at Greater Western Sydney, or any team-mate at a rival AFL club - such as Shaun Burgoyne at Hawthorn.

However, Josh Mahoney and Brendon Lade, now assistant coaches at Melbourne and Richmond respectively, have told Wakelin they intended to help Port.

Premiership midfielder Jarrad Schofield responded he was impressed with the "passion to take the club back to the top" of the AFL order.

Fellow West Australian Josh Carr was the first to respond with a commitment to contribute. He also declared no concern with Wakelin's text which he described as sent "with the right intentions".

Carr also intends to make a passionate statement at the Foundation Leaders' black-tie function on Friday, April 15 where Wakelin, by his text, says there would be "an amazing impact/statement to everyone involved in this campaign if (all the 2004 premiership players) were to join up".

Wakelin has signed up to the campaign - and as a club director is charged with finding other contributors. But in his text he told his teammates: "This is not something the club has put me up to."

Current coach Matthew Primus, who missed the 2004 AFL grand final through injury, has contributed.

The commitment of former players is highlighted by 1950s premiership hero Alan Greer leaving his estate to the club.

But not every 2004 player - and some current Power players - is in a position to contribute as the Richmond players did earlier this month when they put up $125,000 for the "Fighting Tiger Fund".

Byron Pickett, the winner of the Norm Smith Medal as the best-afield in the 2004 grand final, yesterday returned to the club unable to sign a cheque but keen to contribute.

He was part of the club's launch and signing of its pictorial Since 1870.

"Everyone has different ways of giving back to the club," said one Port official last night.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/drive-to-cut-port-debt-upsets-players/story-e6frecj3-1226031689655

AFL has a contest on its hands

Aaron Langmaid From: Herald Sun April 01, 2011 11:03PM

FEMALE footy players have warned the AFL to prepare for a gritty locker-room battle of the sexes if it pushes ahead with a proposal to scrap the Victorian Women's Football League.


AFL Victoria is yet to decide if it will give suburban leagues power over the women's division a move it hopes will ultimately help boost participation.

Players have cautiously welcomed the proposal, which promises to offer better management and facilities to women's teams.

But many are worried senior men's sides and reserve teams will be a higher priority for local chiefs.

"Our concern is that they would just forget about us," one insider said."It could definitely work well if support was there."

AFL Victoria's Peter McDougall said he understood the concept was a sensitive one, but it was part of a bolder plan to create a solid structure for a state women's competition.

"The benefits far outweigh leaving things as they are," Mr McDougall said.

"And I think the penny has dropped for the leagues. They can appreciate how it would work better."

He said integration would take the pressure off women's clubs, which will be able to plug into a wider pool of resources, from coaching and umpires to tribunal staff.

The proposal was a key recommendation of AFL Victoria's Female Football Future Direction Review.

Western Bulldogs board member Susan Alberti said a merger should ultimately be up to the players.

"They will need to retain their own identity," Ms Alberti said.

"I think it's a little sad that as a separate league, they can't get the support they need."

VWFL president Debbie Lee said women were open to the idea, but wouldn't be walked over.

"It will allow us to profile women's football in a greater arena but the question will be what priority will women be given?"she said

"We need assistance that is genuine and meaningful."

langmaida@heraldsun.com.au

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/afl-has-a-contest-on-its-hands/story-e6frf9jf-1226032306426

another draw! wtf