COLLINGWOOD coach Mick Malthouse has taken pole position in the Coach Ratings this week after polling a perfect 100 per cent from our readers for its performance against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Saturday night. The Pies kept the Power to just 3.3 (21) in the 138-point win. It was a relentless and hard

WITH its season virtually over if Essendon and Sydney post wins on the weekend, North Melbourne should look at bringing excitement machine Majak Daw in for his AFL debut over the remaining three games of the season. Sydney and Essendon, seventh and eighth respectively, are already a game and a half ahead of the Roos,

HAWTHORN is set for an important return for its clash against Port Adelaide with defender Ryan Schoenmakers best on ground for the Box Hill Hawks in the VFL on the weekend. While only 20 years old, Schoenmakers is a pivotal return for the Hawks considering they have lost key defenders Stephen Gilham and Ben Stratton

NORTH Melbourne will weigh up what value out-of-favour ruckman Hamish McIntosh is to the team in the remaining month of the season but those from the outside such as former coach Dean Laidley believe McIntosh is likely to be traded. McIntosh will resume in the VFL from general soreness this week in a bid to

FN’s roving reporter DANIEL PAPROTH previews all the action for Round 20 of the AFL. He also provides some helpful hints for last-minute changes to your Dream Team or Supercoach teams. St Kilda vs Fremantle, Friday 7:40, Etihad Stadium After a horrific start to the season St Kilda are right back in the hunt, with

PUNTERS have backed West Coast to over come an injury-ravaged Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium tomorrow. The Eagles have their own injury problems with Josh Kennedy out because of a freak accident at training led him to an eye injury. He joins Nic Naitanui and Daniel Kerr on the sidelines. But the Dogs are worse

FN’s roving reporter DANIEL PAPROTH previews all the action in Round 19 of the AFL. He also provides some hints for last minute changes to your Dream Team or Supercoach teams. North Melbourne vs Carlton, Friday 7:40, Etihad Stadium Both sides had emphatic victories last week, but it was perhaps Carlton who came away with

ST KILDA has confirmed that it will play injury-prone ruckman Michael Gardiner in the VFL for one more week despite the veteran impressing on return last week for Sandringham. The Saints have taken a cautious approach on the big man, who promises to be a major boost to the Saints finals hopes in the run

GEELONG veteran Cameron Mooney will be tested on return in the AFL over the next fortnight and is expected to be named as soon as this week’s clash against Melbourne. Mooney has spent the past two months in the VFL in order to regain form and fitness following a chronic knee injury that has hampered

GOLD Coast is out to the longest odds for the season to knock off reigning premier Collingwood at home on Saturday night. According to IASbet.com, punters are shy at backing the Suns who are rank outsiders at $21.00 to knock off the Pies. Collingwood is meanwhile the shortest priced favourite of the season at $1.01

FN’s  roving reporter DANIEL PAPROTH previews all the action in Round 18 of the AFL. He also provides some helpful hints for last minute changes to your Dream Team or Supercoach Team. St Kilda vs Adelaide, Friday 7:40, Etihad Stadium Adelaide will head into this match with some confidence; one of their four wins this

GEELONG has praised midfielder Simon Hogan for working back into AFL contention so rapidly after spending two months out of the game dealing with depression. Hogan made his return against the Brisbane Lions last week but was dropped ahead of this week’s clash against Richmond only to make way for some returning senior experience. Geelong

ST KILDA coach Ross Lyon tops the Coach Ratings this week after the Saints impressive 21-point win over West Coast at Etihad Stadium. Our pollers have rated Lyon at 97.5 per cent after the Saints flicked the switch back on in the final term to withstand an Eagles comeback. Lyon has executed a stellar game

GEELONG forward Cameron Mooney is being strategically held back in the VFL team according to development coach Dale Amos despite booting four goals in an impressive display on Saturday. But the odds may be against Mooney returning to form from such a long stint in the VFL after Collingwood’s experienced players couldn’t re-adjust to the

NORTH Melbourne skipper Brent Harvey was the catalyst to his teams’ stunning final quarter revival against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium yesterday. Harvey set up two goals for Drew Petrie and kicked an important one himself which ended up being the sealer; not bad for a player who wasn’t supposed to play yesterday because

HAWTHORN will finally begin to slowly shrink its injury list with Clinton Young, Jordan Lewis and Rick Ladson almost certain to be recalled for the clash against Melbourne on Sunday. Along with those three names, comes Brad Sewell (knee), Cyril Rioli (hamstring) and Chance Bateman (quad) who are also expected to be in contention for

FN’s roving reporter DANIEL PAPROTH previews all the action in Round 17 of the AFL. He also provides some helpful hints for last minute changes to your Dream Team or Supercoach teams. Adelaide vs Essendon, Friday 8:40, AAMI Stadium It was Richmond that started Essendon’s “downfall”, and despite a period last week where they appeared

WEST Coast coach John Worsfold takes pole position for Coach of the Week after leading his team to an impressive nine-point win over Geelong at Patersons Stadium on Friday night. In our exclusive Coach Ratings system – a first from any media outlet – you have the opportunity to vote for your coach and any

CARLTON midfielder Brock McLean is likely to be rested this week after suffering an ankle injury in the VFL on the weekend. McLean, who has been out of favour at the Blues selection table this season, was one of better players for the Bullants on Saturday before the injury. It’s a further blow for the

FOOTBALL Nation gives you the chance every week to rate your teams’ coach or even opposition coaches in our exclusive coach ratings tool. This week, Essendon coach James Hird ranked with a perfect score of 100 per cent to take out Coach of the Week after his teams’ upset of the season win against Geelong.

FN’s roving reporter DANIEL PAPROTH previews all the action in Round 16 of the AFL. He also provides some helpful hints on last minute changes to your DreamTeam or Supercoach teams. West Coast vs Geelong, Friday 7:40, Patersons Stadium West Coast head in to this game favourites with some markets, and it is really no

GEELONG forward Tom Hawkins is likely to be recalled for Friday night’s clash against the West Coast Eagles following a season-ending injury to young forward Mitch Brown. Hawkins was among the best in the VFL for the Cats on the weekend and is likely to receive a call-up ahead of Cats veteran Cameron Mooney. Cats

HAWTHORN premiership midfielder Xavier Ellis will return from a calf strain in the VFL today to help lighten the lengthy casualty list at the club heading into finals. Ellis, who has missed the past month with injury, has been named for today’s clash against for Box Hill against Collingwood at Box Hill City Oval Hawks

FN’s roving reporter DANIEL PAPROTH previews all of the action for Round 15 in the AFL. He also gives a few handy hints on last minute changes to your Dream Team or Supercoach teams. Western Bulldogs vs Melbourne, Friday 7:40, Etihad Stadium A big clash here as both sides will be fighting for the lower

ST KILDA’S injury-prone ruckman Michael Gardiner suffered a setback at training after failing to pass a fitness test in order to return in the VFL on the weekend. Gardiner, who hasn’t played since the drawn grand final against Collingwood last season because of a chronic knee injury, suffered a setback with his hamstring and will

COLLINGWOOD ruckman Darren Jolly appears likely to be in the mix to return against Hawthorn on Sunday after a nine-week lay off. Jolly starred with 23 disposals and 29 hit-outs in 80 per cent game time in his return for the Pies VFL team against Sandringham on Sunday. Jolly spent most of the match rucking

COLLINGWOOD coach Mick Malthouse believes there are more injuries in the game since the new substitute rule was introduced at the start of the season. Clubs such as Fremantle and Hawthorn were suffering with a long list of injuries, while Collingwood has also had its injury concerns and sent a few off to Arizona for

PUNTERS have backed Hawthorn to beat Essendon tonight despite a hefty list of injuries and its star forward Lance Franklin on the sidelines through suspension. According to IASbet.com, the Hawks are at $1.64 to defeat the Bombers, while Essendon is at $2.30 in what is expected to be a blockbuster clash. Hawthorn is missing some

FN’S roving reporter DANIEL PAPROTH previews all the action for round 14 of the AFL. He also takes a look at some possible last minute changes to your Dream Team or Supercoach teams. Hawthorn vs Essendon, Friday 7:40, MCG Given that Hawthorn has lost twice to the undefeated Geelong, they are travelling nearly as well

GEELONG midfielder Simon Hogan made a successful return to football in the VFL on Saturday since his admission that he was suffering from depression. The 22-year-old, who has been receiving treatment in a designated welfare program for a mental health issue, is back on track and could be a surprise inclusion to the league leaders

FN’S roving reporter DANIEL PAPROTH previews all the action in the AFL in Round 13.  He also gives a few handy hints for last minute changes to your Dream Team and Supercoach teams. Western Bulldogs vs Adelaide, Friday 7:40, Etihad Stadium Who would have thought that midway through the season, this clash would be fought

FREMANTLE’S wretched run on the road and in particular in Melbourne is once again set to be tested on Sunday at the MCG against the Demons. The Dockers were in the match and led for most of the game against the Hawks a fortnight ago before Hawthorn surged in the final half of the last

ST KILDA forward Justin Koschitzke’s fitness is back on track after recent health scares have contributed to his down fall in form. Koschitzke played the full match for Sandringham against the Bendigo Bombers in the VFL on Sunday where he impressed “fitness wise” according to Zebras coach Brett Lovett. “He wasn’t in our best six

GEELONG veteran Cameron Mooney showed plenty of signs to suggest that he wasn’t ready to pull the pin just yet on his career after an impressive display in the VFL against Werribee yesterday. The 31-year-old rebuilt some lost confidence in his body with two goals and eight marks over around three quarters of game time

HAWTHORN withdrew ruckman-cum-forward David Hale out of the VFL yesterday in the wake of a season-ending Achilles injury for Jarryd Roughead. Hale’s recruitment to the Hawks is now seen as even more pivotal as he is likely to return from a knee injury against the Gold Coast next week. The former Kangaroo showed great signs

HAWTHORN forward Lance Franklin is likely to miss Saturday night’s clash against Geelong with a calf injury. Franklin has pulled up sore from training this week and it is believed a final training session tomorrow will tell the tale whether is he is ready to return. But the Hawks aren’t likely to take a risk

FN’s roving reporter DANIEL PAPROTH previews all the action in Round 11 of the AFL. He also gives you a few hints on some last minute changes to your Supercoach or DreamTeam teams. Essendon vs Melbourne, Friday 7:40, MCG The bye has proved to be more of an adversary to teams this season, rather than

ST KILDA midfielder Jason Gram says he is hopeful of being recalled for Saturday night’s clash Collingwood at the MCG to help extract some revenge for the grand final loss last year. Gram was axed from the Saints a fortnight ago but showed plenty of signs at Sandringham on Sunday, with 20 disposals, that he

ESSENDON defender Tayte Pears will play at least another VFL game for Bendigo after its bye this week to allow him to gain further match fitness after returning from a serious foot injury. He had spent the past 12 months on the sidelines before an impressive return for Bendigo against Geelong at Skilled Stadium on

FN’s roving reporter DANIEL PAPROTH previews all the action for round 10 of the AFL and gives his predictions on who to watch in the Supercoach and Dreamteam ranks this week. Melbourne vs Carlton, Friday 7:40, MCG Carlton have a decent record against Geelong in recent times, and whilst Brett Ratten and the club will

COLLINGWOOD midfielder Dane Swan will carry a sore thigh into this week’s clash against West Coast but will play according to coach Mick Malthouse. Malthouse said it was the norm that players carried injuries into games in the modern game. “Dane is probably like seven or eight players [in our team] who can play but

VERSATILE North Melbourne recruit Cameron Pederson is likely to earn a senior recall against Sydney on Saturday after an eight-goal haul for Werribee in the VFL on the weekend. Pederson was taken as a rookie by the Kangaroos over the pre-season after making an impressive in the VFL at the Box Hill Hawks in consecutive

CARLTON ruckman Matthew Kreuzer appears likely to make his AFL return against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium in round 11 after beginning his comeback from a knee reconstruction in the VFL on the weekend. Kreuzer played a half for the Northern Bullants and kicked two goals from nine disposals. He is likely to play a

TONIGHT’S match between Geelong and Carlton will have huge ramifications on the Blues top four prospects.  Our roving reporter DANIEL PAPROTH previews the match and reveals who to watch in Supercoach points tonight. GEELONG v CARLTON, Tonight at Etihad Stadium WE had the clash of the ladder leaders last week, and again on a Friday

BLUES ruckman Matthew Kreuzer will return from a knee injury in the VFL for the Northern Bullants against the Werribee Tigers in the VFL on Saturday. The Blues have taken a cautious approach with Kreuzer, who was expected to return in the VFL this weekend. Kreuzer remains a chance to return for the round 11

CARLTON will welcome back midfielder Brock McLean for this Friday night’s clash against Geelong after a long time in the VFL. The former Demon hasn’t played a senior match since round 10 last season and has struggled to find a path back in the team due to a spate of injuries along with the addition

WESTERN Bulldogs recruit Patrick Veszpremi says he will be pushing hard for senior selection in the second half of the season after returning in the VFL from a broken finger injury. By his own admission, his return game from injury for Williamstown on the weekend “wasn’t the best of games” but believed with further match

WESTERN Bulldogs midfielder Mitch Wallis put his hand up for a senior recall following a supreme effort for Williamstown in the muddy conditions. “Mitch was one player that was able to handle the conditions and the ball really well,” Bulldogs development coach Peter German said. “It wasn’t like an Etihad game where you’ve got to

FN’S roving reporter DANIEL PAPROTH brings you an exclusive preview to all of the round eight action in the AFL. He also gives a few hints for last-minute Supercoach or Dreamteam changes to your team.   Geelong vs Collingwood, Friday 7:40, MCG The most anticipated game of the season. Both sides this week have tried

FN’s roving reporter DANIEL PAPROTH previews all the action in round seven of the AFL and includes who to watch in the Supercoach and Dreamteam ranks for this week. Any late changes to your team? Take a look at some handy hints below.   Port Adelaide vs Hawthorn, Friday 8:40, AAMI Stadium Port Adelaide are

CARLTON’S mature age rookie Wayde Twomey would be the next rookie elevation is the Blues needed him according to development coach Darren Harris. “I’ve been rapt with Wayde Twomey. I reckon he’s been fantastic with what he’s offered us. He’s improved every week. He has a big impact whether he’s scoring goals or whether he’s

FN’s roving reporter DANIEL PAPROTH previews all the action in round five of the AFL. He also looks at who to watch in the Supercoach and Dreamteam ranks and predicts who will win the Anzac Day Medal in the blockbuster Essendon v Collingwood clash… Brisbane vs St Kilda, Gabba, Thursday 7:40 Both teams had the

WESTERN Bulldogs young gun Mitch Wallis is likely to make his AFL debut against Fremantle at Patersons Stadium on Monday. Wallis appears an almost certain addition to replace injured midfielder Daniel Giansiracusa who is in doubt for the clash after pulling up sore at training last night. Bulldogs development coach Peter German was impressed by

MAJAK Daw played his best game of football “by a mile” for the Werribee Tigers at Victoria Park on Saturday according to coach Paul Satterley. He also concluded the game with perhaps goal of the year in the VFL as he took four bounces through the midfield running into an open goal from around 40m

HAWTHORN ruckman Max Bailey, who finished the match with five disposals and 26 hit-outs, impressed for Box Hill in the VFL yesterday. It was his third consecutive match back from injury in which he has had three knee reconstructions. Carroll admits a cautious approach was being taken with Bailey given his past history. “He (Bailey)

FN’s roving reporter DANIEL PAPROTH previews all the action in round four of the AFL and also provides tips on who to watch out for in Supercoach and Dreamteams. Richmond vs Collingwood, MCG, Friday 7:40 After a gallant effort in their opening two games, Richmond were blown away last week by the might of the

PROMISING Hawthorn ruckman Max Bailey is hoping for fourth time lucky when he aims to return for round one of the AFL season proper. Bailey has suffered three knee reconstructions in four years at his time with the Hawks and although only minor, suffered swelling in the knee during this pre-season. He remains unlikely to play

Name: Brendon Goddard Position: DEF/MID Price: $633,700 Chance to play Round 1: 110% The most expensive player in the league, but Goddard is a must have for any serious Supercoach team. An amazing defender with exception skills, he often drifts up the ground and amasses huge numbers. Pick #1 from the 2002 draft, he averaged

NORTH Melbourne’s sudanese talent Majak Daw has been named in Sunday’s NAB Cup clash against Geelong and the Western Bulldogs. Daw, from Wyndham Vale in Melbourne’s West, has developed his game and gained some physical power since being snared in the 2009 AFL rookie draft by the Roos. He played sparingly in the ruck for VFL

WESTERN Bulldogs father-son selections Mitch Wallis and Tom Liberatore will both play in the NAB Cup this weekend and are likely to assume senior positions early on in the main season. Both youngsters have impressed over pre-season practice matches with Wallis inparticular continuing on from his fine season at the Calder Cannons as a ball-magnet.

JACK Watts appears likely to be a solid third year player given his initial NAB Cup workout for Melbourne on Friday night. Watts, a controversial number one draft pick ahead of Nic Naitanui at West Coast, has had a slow start to his AFL career but it is earmarked that this year; a much more

Name: Andrew Krakouer Position: MID/FWD Price: $200,600 Chance to play round 1: 99% Picked up by the Pies in the 2010 draft via the Suns, Andrew Krakouer looks like a Supercoach ‘must have’. Coming in at $200,600, he is a cheap MID/FWD that looks set to play most of the year as part of the

Richmond may be sitting dead last on the AFL ladder, and staring at yet another wooden spoon for their silverware cupboards, but there have been a few shining lights. One of these shining lights have been young gun Jack Reiwoldt, and his slow development of being one of the games big improvers. The skinny red

Kicking goals isn’t everything in Supercoach rankings, and in fact just because you kick a bag, it doesn’t mean you will score well. For North Melbourne star forward Lindsay Thomas, this theory is a case of true one week, false the next. A fortnight ago the small forward kicked five goals five behinds in the

For Dreamteam users, the name Travis Johnstone has been doing the rounds for a few weeks now. He bearded Brisbane Lion has been the hottest property for at least the past three rounds, averaging a massive 113. On the weekend, even in a losing side, the midfielder was clearly the player of the round, amassing

Let me ask you Supercoah experts a question. Who is the leading points scorer in the AFL coaching websites 2010 season so far??? Gary Ablett? Brendan Fevola? Dane Swann? Brian Lake?? Well, the answer is none of the above. At the mid point of the AFL season, it is none other than Brendan Goddard who

2010 was widely tipped as the year a few big names stand up and be counted. Nic Natanui was the pre-season bolter, and it was no surprise to see him installed as one of the firmest favourites in the history of the Rising Star award. But, there were a few others who seemed ready to

Essendon fans were given reward for their patience on the weekend when their youthful running side finally showed signs of promise in the future. One of the young guns that were recruited years ago is Leroy Jetta. The indigenous speedster was tipped for great things in his first few years, but failed to deliver, until

After the completion of round 9 last week, there has been a number of movers and shakers in the Supercoach ratings this week. While Tony Armstrong was looking like one of the top 3 downgrade options after scoring 119 in round 8, he wasn’t included in the team that beat Brisbane. Gary Ablett had another

The player of the round for Supercoach lovers was clearly Brian Lake from the Western Bulldogs. The gun defender had a field day against North Melbourne, racking up a massive 179 points. Lake did so without kicking a goal, laying only two tackles and scoring only one free kick. So, where did all the points

There have been many Supercoach flops this year, but none more so that Cameron Wood from Collingwood. The Magpies picked up Wood form Brisbane in 2009 with the hope his ruck work could elevate Josh Fraser further up the ground, and start to actually win some hitouts. But, the plan didn’t work, and the pies

Matt MacGuire was staring down the end of his AFL career seven months ago after his former club St Kilda delisted him, stranded on 99 games. The ‘Goose’ had been one of the most important players in the Saints line up for many years, and had it not been for a horrible run of injuries,

One of the most talked about players in 2010 would have to be Michael Barlow. The Fremantle recruit was one of many players picked up under the new mature age recruit system introduced by the AFL, and has shown that the hill has many years to climb after 24 years of age. In particular he

Michael Voss was one of the most important players in his Brisbane outfit during his playing days, and it wasn’t just because of his awesome playing skills. The former Brownlow medalist was constantly touted for his amazing leadership qualities and ability to inspire others. It was no surprise then to see him fit easily into

One thing is for sure so far this season – there is no certainties in 2010. Going into the past three years there were always a few sureties. Everyone thought Geelong would be there on the last Saturday in September, and they weren’t wrong. We all knew Richmond would be lousy, and they were. This

Everyone is jumping on the James Podsiadly train for the Coleman Medal, and it seems to be the main talking point when you mention his name these days. But, as well as kicking goals, the mature age rookie also does a good job of accumulating Supercoach and Dreamteam points. For any online coach or manager,

When it come to players to buy for you Dream Team, Lindsay Gilbee is one that comes to mind very quickly. The Western Bulldogs midfielder has been a quiet achiever for the past five years, and is one of those players who really doesn’t receive the recognition he deserves. Gilbee is nothing short of class