NORTH Ballarat young gun Ryan McKenzie has signed a lucrative contract with Port Adelaide Magpies in the SANFL. McKenzie joins Matt Tyler (Horsham) on the outer at the Roosters. However, defender Michael Searle returns along with Paul McMahon, who has spent a couple of seasons in the Ballarat Football League. Best and fairest winner Myles

DOM Gleeson will join Geelong’s VFL team in a playing and part-time assistant coaching role from next season. The Werribee skipper, who broke the team’s games record of 136 games during the finals series, said he will be looking forward to the challenge of coaching but dismissed the notion of perhaps following in the footsteps of best

UPDATE: IT is believed the name change of the Carlton’s VFL affiliate from the Northern Bullants to the Northern Blues, has officially gone through after a members vote. Carlton will have more of a say on what goes on with its alignment next season under new coach Robert Hyde. JUST a month after parting ways

ST KILDA has given an opportunity to three Sandringham players to train with it over the pre-season in the lead up to the rookie draft. Former Bomber Marcus Marigliani, James Magner and Michael Lourey will train with the Saints, while ex-Hawk Beau Dowler has also been invited by the Saints. Dowler will join Sandringham as

UPDATE: JUST a month after parting ways with Sandringham, Brett Lovett is tipped to become the next coach of the Casey Scorpions. It is not known whether he would be employed part-time or full-time. Lovett is seen as a good fit for the Melbourne affiliate considering he is a former Demon. Casey is on the

Football Nation’s VFL enthusiast BEN CARBONARO discusses the value of clubs looking at mature aged players from state league competitions. Having been involved in the VFL competition as a club official and journalist since 2005, I’ve seen a number of success stories with players who were previously told they were not good enough. Or simply overlooked.

CASEY Scorpions defender Tim Mohr will be a valuable addition to Greater Western Sydney after he was signed as a mature age recruit this week. Mohr, who has been a revelation for the Scorpions in the VFL this season, will be a huge asset according to GWS list manager Stephen Silvagni. “He’s a strong key

UPDATE: BRETT Johnson has retired from Williamstown in the VFL to coach Montrose in the EFL. Johnson, the former Blue and Hawk, has enjoyed a long and decorated career in the VFL. He is regarded as a Seagulls great after serving the club as captain. GEELONG has appointed former Essendon coach Matthew Knights as the

FORMER Essendon coach Matthew Knights has been appointed the new Geelong VFL coach following the promotion of Dale Amos to assistant coach at the Cattery. Knights’ appointment is a shock signing for the VFL as the coaching merry go round hits fever pitch. The Cats are rapt to snare Knights as a development coach. “Matthew

CLAREMONT premiership coach Simon McPhee is the new coach of Sandringham. The race was believed to be down to two with St Kilda assistant Paul Hudson, the other in the race. McPhee will be recruited as a Saints development coach and Zebras coach. St Kilda will effectively appoint the coach in what will be a

UPDATE: GEELONG has appointed former Essendon coach Matthew Knights as the coach of its VFL team for next season. SANDRINGHAM has appointed Claremont premiership coach Simon McPhee as its coach for next season. McPhee will be the Saints new development coach.  It was believed Paul Hudson was also a key candidate for the role after

HAWTHORN is confident former Western Bulldogs defender Jarrad Boumann will be the perfect back-up for its defence next season after gaining him in a trade for next to nothing last week. With injuries to key defenders Stephen Gilham and Ben Stratton last season, the Hawks weakened defence appeared to be one of the reasons they came

HAYDEN Skipworth has been appointed the new Bendigo coach for 2012. The 28-year-old, who played at both Adelaide and Essendon, said he was looking forward to the opportunity of coaching his own side. “I am extremely excited about the opportunity to coach the club’s VFL affiliate and to further develop my coaching career,” Skipworth told essendonfc.com.au

BOX Hill Hawks skipper Sam Gibson and defender David Mirra are likely to follow team-mate Jarrad Boumann to an AFL club in the rookie draft next month. Box Hill coach Damian Carroll yesterday backed the pair to get drafted and believes there would be a lot of interest considering they had been involved in the

EXCLUSIVE FORMER Western Bulldogs champion midfielder Scott West has signed as the new Werribee coach in a major signing today.  Werribee President John Nicol said he was excited that a Bulldogs champ is at the helm. “Scott is someone I have admired for his ability on the field, his work rate and commitment and his preparation.

THREE-time TAC Cup premiership coach Robert Hyde is the new coach of the newly-named Northern Blues, Carlton’s VFL affiliate. Hyde was announced as coach of the Preston-based VFL club yesterday after being sounded out by Carlton coach Brett Ratten. Last year’s Bullants coach Darren Harris was promoted to a full time development role at the

UPDATE: FORMER Western Bulldogs champion midfielder Scott West has signed as the new Werribee coach in a major signing today.  Werribee President John Nicol said he was excited that a Bulldogs champ is at the helm. The Northern Blues have announced Robert Hyde as their new coach. Hyde, 56, will take over from Darren Harris who

ST KILDA has snared Northern Bullants goalsneak Ahmed Saad and gun Port Magpies forward Terry Milera as part of an exchange of picks with Greater Western Sydney today. Saad, who was featured on Football Nation’s The F Word last month, is regarded as one of the best players in the VFL and was a certainty to

FORMER AFL star Brendan Fevola and delisted Hawk Travis Tuck is yet to attract any interest from clubs in the lead up to next month’s AFL draft. Tuck’s manager Liam Pickering remained confident over the weekend that he would be picked up after impressive with great attitude and on-field performances for Werribee in the VFL

SANDRINGHAM has split with part-time coach Brett Lovett after one season and is in consultation with AFL Victoria about extending the dimensions of Trevor Barker Beach Oval to satisfy AFL partner St Kilda for a long term deal. The Zebras are hopeful of extending their alignment with the Saints – which exists until 2014 –

SANDRINGHAM has parted ways with coach Brett Lovett just a day after the club best and fairest due to its aligned partner St Kilda’s wishes to have a full-time coach. Lovett was employed as a part-time coach at the Zebras – and similarly to ex-Werribee coach Simon Atkins last year – the club has opted

ESSENDON and VFL partner Bendigo have agreed to end its long-lasting alignment at the end of next season. Essendon’s decision to complete the contract requirements with Bendigo next season bodes well for both teams according to AFL Victoria, as it provides an opportunity for Bendigo to financially prepare to go stand alone in the VFL, while

JADE Rawlings, a former Richmond care-taker coach, has been appointed an assistant coach at Melbourne and will be in charge of the Dees defence after a stint at the Brisbane Lions. Rawlings was a candidate for the Tigers coaching position before being trumped by Damian Hardwick. “It’s very exciting to be involved with Melbourne. I’ve

PORT Melbourne capped off a perfect undefeated season to win its first flag in 29 years after a dominant 56-point win over Williamstown in the VFL grand final at Etihad Stadium yesterday. It was Port coach Gary Ayres’ first coaching premiership after winning five flags as a Hawthorn player. He rates it  ”pretty high” among

THIS week’s grand final edition of The F Word features the press conferences of the TAC Cup and VFL grand finals from Etihad Stadium. It will feature coaches and captains of the competing teams as well as a five-minute bumper preview show with The Sunday Age’s Brent Diamond, Sunday Herald Sun’s Howard Leigh and VFL

THE Werribee Tigers’ third placing for the season is likely to qualify them for the Foxtel Cup; a national competition between the top state league teams. Williamstown was crowned the inaugural winner this season. It appears that Port Melbourne will also be another addition to the Foxtel Cup mix next season. Because Werribee finished in

WILLIAMSTOWN’S 83-point demolition of the Werribee Tigers has pitted the two best teams together for Sunday’s blockbuster grand final against the undefeated Port Melbourne at Etihad Stadium. It will be the first time since 1964 that the two traditional rivals will do battle in a grand final and if yesterday’s scintillating showing from the Seagulls

IT’S preliminary finals week on The F Word and the latest episode is set to provide you with a little more excitement as we draw closer to that last ‘Sunday’ in September in VFL terms. Our special guests include AFL player manager Marty Pask, who reveals some key contract signings in his stable and takes a look

WERRIBEE Tigers are bracing themselves for a solid battle against arch-rival Williamstown in a preliminary final on Sunday after belting the Casey Scorpions by 62-points in a semi-final. Certainly Ben Ross, who was delisted from North Melbourne this week, had a point to prove and was brilliant on the big stage. He kicked three goals

PORT Melbourne coach Gary Ayres has implored AFL clubs to continue to look closely at VFL draft prospects after he was named as VFL Coach of the Year on Monday night. “You’d like to think that recruiters do their work and take it very seriously,” Ayres said. “You’ve seen in previous years Robin Nahas, Michael

SHANE Valenti is a ball-magnet and now a two-time J.J Liston Trophy Medallist for the best and fairest in the VFL; considered to be the best competition outside the AFL. There’s a compelling argument that he has returned bigger and better to the VFL after being delisted from Melbourne and now appears to be in

THE fourth installment of our new hit web TV show The F Word will be available for viewing tonight. Our special guests include AFL player manager Marty Pask, who reveals some key contract signings in his stable and takes a look at which VFL players can get picked up by AFL clubs in the upcoming

PORT Melbourne midfielder Shane Valenti was a surprise runaway winner of his second consecutive J.J Liston Trophy Medal for the VFL’s best and fairest last night. The former Melbourne-listed player, who was a joint winner with Greater Western Sydney rookie Stephen Clifton (North Ballarat) last season, has almost certainly enhanced his chances of being plucked

PORT Melbourne coach Gary Ayres says it would be a shame to see Brendan Fevola miss going out on his “own terms” if he doesn’t receive an AFL lifeline at the end of the season. Fevola has worked diligently to get his career back on track after being sacked by the Brisbane Lions at the

THE Northern Bullants have named Carlton forward Jarrad Waite in their semi-final clash against North Ballarat at TEAC Oval on Sunday in a last-ditch bid to be part of Carlton’s flag hopes. Waite’s season is still alive despite a hip complaint sidelining him over the past month and missing Sunday’s elimination final for Carlton against

CASEY Scorpions coach Brad Gotch says he will take a lot out of their last win against the Werribee Tigers just three weeks ago when they confront each other in a semi-final showdown at TEAC Oval tomorrow. The Scorpions were belted by Port Melbourne in last week’s qualifying final but were quietly confident entering the

IN the third edition of The F Word, our expert panel previews the JJ Liston Trophy to be held on Monday night, The Fothergill-Round Medal and of course the VFL finals in semi-finals week. We speak to Northern Bullants’ gun and AFL draft prospect Ahmed Saad, who reveals a players’ perspective of the changing of

THIS week’s episode of The F Word will preview the JJ Liston Trophy, the VFL’s highest individual honour, and all of the VFL finals action heading into semi-finals week. We also take a look at the young guns and analyse who will take out the Fothergill-Round Medal for the best young talent in the VFL

THE Northern Bullants prevailed by 28-points but not before an almighty scare from the Bendigo Bombers in yesterday’s elimination final at Visy Park. The Bullants produced six unanswered goals after Bendigo threatened to take the points early in the final term through Ben Duscher’s incredible goal-sense and attack. It was Rohan Kerr’s amazing snap at

WERRIBEE Tigers recruit Travis Tuck is on track to being offered an AFL lifeline at the end of the season after an impressive season at his new VFL home. His seasoned body is one that perhaps a young Greater Western Sydney may pounce on come the end of the season and yesterday he was among

DESPITE how the Werribee Tigers fare in the year’s VFL finals series, the team has achieved much more than what it could have imagined under first year coach Paul Satterley. The Tigers, who appeared to have lost hunger and faith in their game plan – albeit with a lengthy injury list season, have embraced a

THE Box Hill Hawks have everything against them when they take on the Werribee Tigers in a cut-throat elimination final at Avalon Airport Oval tomorrow. As if the challenge wasn’t enough of beating the hoodoo that is Werribee’s home ground and a dangerous Tigers outfit, the Hawks have also lost eight regulars who would have

IN this week’s episode of The F Word, we firstly preview week one of the VFL finals with Sunday Herald Sun’s veteran reporter Howard Leigh and Sunday Age reporter Brent Diamond. In our second segment, Diamond caught up with special guest – former Collingwood and Fremantle player Brodie Holland – to talk about the Pies’

THIS week’s episode of The F Word will feature former Collingwood and Fremantle midfielder Brodie Holland along with an AFL draft prospect from the VFL in the lead up to the AFL and VFL finals. Holland, who is now a co-host of hit webTV show Uncle Jimmy’s Pool Room with former Demon Russell Robertson, will

THE return of Casey Scorpions skipper Kyle Matthews has inspired his team on the eve of the finals as they trumped the Northern Bullants for fourth spot with an emphatic 100-point win on Saturday. The Scorpions will take on the undefeated Port Melbourne in a qualifying final at TEAC Oval on Saturday in what is

LEADING by 37-points at the last change against Geelong, it appeared that Sandringham finals hopes were glistening with only the prospect of needing Port Melbourne to defeat Box Hill by a healthy margin to steal a finals spot. But despite what appeared to be a match-winning lead, the Cats toppled the Zebras at Skilled Stadium

BRENDAN Fevola’s plea for another AFL lifeline lifted to another level today when he kicked 10 goals in his best VFL game of the season in the Casey Scorpions’ 100-point win over the Northern Bullants at Casey Fields. The former AFL star has now kicked 43 goals in the past six matches and signalled after

HAWTHORN ruckman Brent Renouf says he is looking forward to his return in a VFL seniors match for the Box Hill Hawks tomorrow in the VFL. Renouf played 40 minutes in the VFL reserves last week after missing the past two months following a gall bladder operation. He said he flew back to his family

BRENDAN Fevola is proving that he’d be a worthy catch for an AFL club if his on field performances were anything to go by according to former AFL coach Gary Ayres. While Greater Western Sydney is the logical choice being the new franchise, coach Kevin Sheedy was adamant the fallen AFL star was not on

THE Box Hill Hawks will be a keen observer of the Geelong-Sandringham clash on Saturday as they aim to restrict Port Melbourne’s dominance in a blockbuster day of VFL matches for the final round. The Hawks, who are perched in eighth spot, require Sandringham to lose against the Cats or they face a mad scramble

We regret to inform that poor sound has slightly marred the first issue of ‘The F Word’ but we will endeavour to bring the next four episodes during the finals series with crisp and clear sound and sight. Below is a full transcript of the first show in which former AFL coach Gary Ayres provides an

A NEW footy show has arrived in town just in time to preview the AFL and VFL finals series. In its first week, The F Word features former AFL coach Gary Ayres – the successful coach of Port Melbourne who is top of the VFL table heading into September – as its special guest. Hosted

HAWTHORN midfielder Xavier Ellis was been cleared of any major damage following a neck injury in his comeback game in the VFL reserves for Box Hill on Saturday. However, Ellis remains in doubt to return this season as he faces the prospect of being on the sidelines this week with concussion. Ellis made his return

FRANKSTON won just its second game of the season by 67-points over the Coburg Tigers at Frankston Oval yesterday. It gives the Dolphins hope heading into next season in which coach Simon Goosey was adamant the club had improved even though their only two wins had come against an inconsistent Coburg Tigers. Remarkably, each of

THE Box Hill Hawks stepped up a gear late in the game to edge out Sandringham – who were playing for the season – by two points at Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Sunday. The Hawks take on Williamstown and Port Melbourne in the final two rounds; two massive assignments to retain their spot in

SEVERAL AFL clubs are expected to look closely at recruiting mature aged midfielder Sam Gibson from the Box Hill Hawks in this year’s rookie draft. Perhaps, one of those clubs this time may be Box Hill’s AFL affiliate Hawthorn, who have since made the mistake of bypassing some in its own backyard including Ed Curnow

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,

PORT MELBOURNE coach Gary Ayres remains optimistic about his teams’ chances of keeping its flawless undefeated season alive against arch-rival Williamstown in a top of the table blockbuster at Werribee on Saturday. “You never under estimate a team that’s coached by Peter German and with the Bulldogs potentially being out of the finals race…to go

WILLIAMSTOWN has been crowned the inaugural Foxtel Cup champions after defeating Claremont in the grand final by 21-points at Patersons Stadium on Saturday night. Former Essendon rookie Ben Jolley was the match-winner for the Seagulls with 30 disposals, while key Western Bulldogs-listed players Jordan Roughead, Christian Howard and Nathan Djerrkura kicked two goals each. With

WERRIBEE Tigers coach Paul Satterley rated Sunday’s 51-point demolition of Sandringham as his teams’ best performance of the season. He doesn’t like looking too far ahead but a spot in the top four now appears likely and anything can happen from there. “I reckon that’s the first time I’ve mentioned top four to the players

WILLIAMSTOWN is expected to field a strong contingent of Western Bulldogs players as it aims to become the inaugural Foxtel Cup premier in the grand final against Clarence at Patersons Stadium on Saturday. While the competition is largely one for AFL recruiters to get a gauge on young talent – with 14 players from the

ESSENDON’S aim to field a stand alone team in the VFL may yet be thwarted as AFL Victoria attempts to convince the Bombers to retain a partial alignment or at least retain a presence with Bendigo for at least another three years. AFL Victoria general manager Grant Williams said there would be “an ongoing consultative

PORT Melbourne’s 24-point win over Sandringham was a tribute to skipper Ryan ‘Shooter’ McMahon’s 200th match. Certainly McMahon reaching 200 games in the VFL is unheard of in the current climate where most teams are dominated by AFL alignments and the turnover of players at every club – stand alone or not – is enormous.

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

ST KILDA midfielder Andrew McQualter suffered a suspected broken collarbone in the final term of a VFL match for Sandringham today against Port Melbourne. He was sent to hospital for scans. McQualter was the Zebras best with 28 disposals before the injury. Sandringham lost to Port Melbourne by 24 points. “He (McQualter) played on the

GEELONG staged an impressive come-from-behind victory over the Coburg Tigers by 15-points at Skilled Stadium on Saturday. The Cats run of goals came in the final term as Jordan Schroder put the home team in front, while Jackson Sheringham, who played a blinder, passed to Cameron Mooney who dribbled through another goal to extend the

AFTER what appeared to the end of an era for triple reigning premier North Ballarat, it has instead become a year of opportunity for the Roosters under wonder coach Gerard FitzGerald. FitzGerald, who is regarded as one of the finest state league coaches in the system, has re-shaped a young team to be in the

COBURG Tigers recruit Willie Wheeler appears destined for the AFL draft after a stunning debut season in the VFL. Wheeler, the nephew of former Bulldogs coach Terry Wheeler, has become one of the finds of the season for the Tigers. As a rotating inside midfielder, Wheeler was again in the best for Coburg in its

ESSENDON District Football League general manager Marc Turri confirmed former AFL star Wayne Carey is expected to play his first match for Maribyrnong Park against Avondale Heights on August 6. Carey was named for the clash against Strathmore yesterday but coach Craig Clinnick was keen to hold him back for another fortnight as the club

BRENDAN Fevola booted 11 goals for the Casey Scorpions against Frankston at Frankston Oval today to help boost his chances of an AFL lifeline at the end of the season. It has taken more than half a VFL season for Fevola to shape up and dominate a match but that is largely due to Casey’s

COBURG Tigers recruit Mick Tanner was best on ground in their upset 64-point win over the Bendigo Bombers at Highgate Recreation Reserve in Craigieburn yesterday. Tigers coach Adam Potter praised Tanner, a former Williamstown player, for his ability to run off Essendon defender Scott Gumbleton, who kicked just three behinds, and lead a solid defensive

COMMENT: By Brent Diamond THE Foxtel Cup was initiated at the start of the season as a competition to further showcase young football talent in the hope of one day getting drafted as well as a competition to pit the best state football teams against one another. Amazingly on Saturday night at Etihad Stadium, Williamstown,

BOX HILL HAWKS skipper Sam Gibson has been identified as the clubs’ greatest prospect to make it on an AFL list next season. Gibson, who racked up another 35 disposals in last week’s thrilling win over the Pies, could follow the likes of Ed Curnow (Carlton), Cameron Pederson (North Melbourne) and Lukas Markovic (Western Bulldogs)

AFTER the success of James Podsiadly and Michael Barlow at AFL level, the Werribee Tigers will begin to market their new breed of mature-age talent to recruiters in time for this year’s AFL draft. Among those candidates is Kyabram’s Brad Mangan, who has been a revelation in his second season at the club as a

WESTERN Bulldogs midfielder Justin Sherman will play the next three weeks in the VFL for Williamstown as he continues to serve a ban from the AFL for racially abusing Gold Coast Suns rookie Joel Wilkinson. Bulldogs development coach Peter German, also the Williamstown coach, said the club would continue to support Sherman through a difficult

CASEY Scorpions’ Michael Collins was the only player to face a one-week suspension in the VFL as he began what was a three minute melee against Werribee on Saturday. Collins collided with Werribee’s Leigh Harding and will miss this week’s clash against the Box Hill Hawks. There were up to 40 players in the all-in-brawl

THE Werribee Tigers remain a top four chance after dismantling the Casey Scorpions by 12-points at Avalon Airport Oval in Werribee on Saturday. Although the match was marred by a three minute melee that included 40 players in the final minutes of the match, the Tigers withstood a gritty comeback with tired legs and skipper

PORT Melbourne coach Gary Ayres believes former Western Bulldogs midfielder Malcolm Lynch can make it back into the AFL after his dominant start to the season in the VFL. Ayres believes Lynch has taken on a greater responsibility in the midfield since arriving at Port Melbourne at the end of 2009. “One he’s been able

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

CASEY Scorpions captain Kyle Matthews is expected to return before the end of the season from a leg fracture according to coach Brad Gotch. Matthews, who was knocked out unconscious outside a Hawthorn pub two years ago, has courageously fought back from a near-death experience to be back on the footy field against the odds.

WEST COAST and Fremantle has had their bid to become stand-alone teams in the WAFL rejected after a joint proposal was conjured between the two parties earlier this year. The WAFL commission believe having the addition of West Coast and Fremantle as stand alone teams – rather than the current system which sees its players

COLLINGWOOD VFL-listed forward Brett Eddy suffered a knee injury against Sandringham yesterday that may derail his AFL draft hopes. Eddy, who was a dominant player with three goals in the opening half, will have scans this week that will determine the extent of the injury but those close to the club believe it may be

PORT Melbourne’s Jarrod Dalton and Collingwood’s Kris Pendlebury appear to be the pick of the defenders that will be closely looked at by AFL recruiters in the lead-up to this year’s AFL draft. Mature age defenders have been prone to being selected by AFL clubs in recent drafts with Fremantle pair Peter Faulks and Alex

PORT Melbourne has answered another challenge after crushing reigning premier North Ballarat by 64-points at Eureka Stadium in Ballarat on Saturday. The Roosters had won five consecutive matches coming into the contest and appeared to be a genuine challenger to Ports’ premiership bid. But it wasn’t to be. In fact, the loss for North Ballarat

LEADING teams Geelong and Collingwood are of the belief that having stand-alone clubs in the VFL has greatly benefited towards its success in the AFL. Cats development coach Dale Amos, who is the clubs’ VFL coach, is the latest to praise the breakaway mould in the competition. Amos said the club can tailor individual programs

GEELONG forward Cameron Mooney continued to gain match fitness and form in the VFL against the Northern Bullants on Saturday at Skilled Stadium. Mooney gathered 13 disposals and six marks but was held goal-less. However, the 31-year-old had the chance to kick the winning goal late in the final term but missed from 20 metres

PORT Melbourne’s Sam Dwyer is one that will be on the radar for AFL recruiters this season after appearing rejuvenated from a knee injury sustained last year. Still only 24, Dwyer oozes class and is one of the reasons the Borough have stamped their authority as the number one team in the competition this season.

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

NORTH Melbourne forward Ben Warren kicked six goals for the Werribee Tigers – including the match-winner – to hold off the fast-finishing Cats, 15.13 (103) to 12.20 (92) on Sunday. Geelong had hit the lead through Mitch Brown’s goal in the final term. “Just for us going into the bye next week and consolidating our

NORTH Ballarat’s Gerard FitzGerald has reinforced why he is the master coach of the VFL after again taking his team into the top four – dismantling Williamstown by 13-points on Saturday. FitzGerald has been approached by several AFL clubs about an assistant coaching role but has knocked it back and has signed on to coach

Grassroots footy special – FN’s roving reporter DANIEL PAPROTH goes behind the scenes at Trentham Football Club. WITH ten minutes to go in a tense game against Carisbrook, the ball deep in Trentham’s forward 50, one of the field umpires gets caught up in the play and hits the ground, grabbing his knee. The stretcher

THE Casey Scorpions controlled a spectacular last quarter with the strong breeze to win by 10-points over Sandringham at Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Sunday. The Zebras led by eight-points at the last change but it wasn’t enough to defend against a strong breeze with Bate being the difference, while James Wall was brilliant in

ESSENDON forward Scott Gumbleton will return from a hamstring injury after a nine-week lay-off for the Bendigo Bombers in the VFL on Sunday. The young forward, who has been troubled by injuries since his arrival at Windy Hill, suffered a recurrence of a hamstring strain in the VFL in round three and has been a

NORTH Melbourne’s Sudanese-born rookie Majak Daw admitted he was hurt by the racist comments of  a spectator while playing with the Werribee Tigers in a VFL match against Port Melbourne at TEAC Oval on Saturday. ”It definitely did [hurt]. I was pretty flat in the first quarter and that carried on throughout the day and

CASEY Scorpions coach Brad Gotch says that AFL clubs should judge recruit Brendan Fevola at the end of the season on his merit after another impressive performance for the Scorpions on the weekend. Fevola kicked three goals but appears that he has his mojo back and has steered away from any off-field indiscretions and media

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

WILLIAMSTOWN is in second position behind league leaders Port Melbourne after registering another impressive win by 40-points over the Casey Scorpions on Saturday at Werribee. The Seagulls stamped their authority on the match within six minutes late in the third term that undone Casey’s relentless work at taking the lead. It meant the Gulls’ took

CARLTON, North Melbourne, Essendon and Hawthorn appear likely to be the only Victorian-based AFL teams prepared to maintain alignments with VFL clubs in the short term future under a second tier football review. Some believe the VFL competition is likely to revert back to a similar competition as it was in 2000 when there were