Rising Star Nominee Round 7: Nick Vlastuin (Richmond)

Posted on May 14th, 2013 by Alex Catto

RICHMOND’S Nick Vlastuin, the club’s top pick of the 2012 National Draft, has been rewarded for hi efforts in Saturday’s victory over Port Adelaide with the Round 7 Rising Star nomination. Vlastuin’s efforts in the the Tigers’ 41 point win over the Power included 23 disposals, 11 marks and one goal. Vlastuin was the ninth

Hawks extend Roughead’s contract

Posted on May 14th, 2013 by Football Nation

HAWTHORN has announced that they have signed a new deal with yet another star player not named Lance Franklin, after revealing this morning that Jarryd Roughead has agreed to a two year contract extension. With one year still remaining on his current contract, the new deal will see the Hawks forward remain with the club

What we learnt AFL Round 7: GWS Giants v Adelaide

Posted on May 12th, 2013 by Football Nation

AFTER losing Taylor Walker the question that hung over this Adelaide Crows team was who would step up and provide the team with it’s target in the forward line.

After handing the GWS Giants a 135 point loss, the Crows would seem to have found the answer to that question with Tom Lynch having a career day with a 10 goal performance.

Lynch, 22, was traded from St Kilda to Adelaide after the end of the 2011 season as part of a three-way deal with Richmond, which saw Ivan Maric go to the Tigers, and with the Saints getting the Crows’ second-round draft pick

Let the Majak continue against West Coast

Posted on May 12th, 2013 by Brent Diamond

NORTH Melbourne coach Brad Scott said he is in awe of Majak Daw after his break-out performance against the Western Bulldogs and won’t deny the hype ahead of the Daw and Nic Nat show against West Coast next week. “I’ve got no problem with the inevitable hype and excitement,” Scott said. “We’ve just got to

Vics lose to WA for first time since 1991

Posted on May 12th, 2013 by Brent Diamond

VICTORIA’S 17-point loss to Western Australia in Northam on Saturday was the first time the Vics lost to WA since 1991. Frankston coach Simon Goosey, who was an assistant to head coach Gary Ayres, said Victoria was disappointed in the end result, knowing that it led the match for most of the day. “It was disappointing.

Bombers re-sign Dyson Heppell

Posted on May 8th, 2013 by Football Nation

THE Essendon Football Club has announced that Dyson Heppell has agreed to a two year contract extension with the club. Heppell, 20, won the Ron Evans Medal in 2011 as the NAB Rising Star award winner for that season and has been a star midfielder for the Bombers ever since they selected him with the 8th pick

Boyd stars as Ranges outclass Tasmania

Posted on May 6th, 2013 by Tao Baker

THE Tasmanian under 18′s have suffered a 59 point loss to the Eastern Ranges in their first game this year as part of their lead up to the 2013 NAB National Championships. In very cold conditions the match started out as a scrappy affair with Eastern eventually settling their nerves better and setting up a

What we learnt AFL Round 6: GWS Giants v Essendon

Posted on May 5th, 2013 by Football Nation

IT was first against worst according to the AFL ladder but the game proved to be far more interesting than any would have expected.

Maybe it was Kevin Sheedy finding a little something extra against his old club or maybe it was just complacency by the Bombers, but in a game of two very different halves, Essendon had to shake off a 21 point halftime deficit to defeat the GWS Giants by 39 points

Jaryd Cachia to debut for Blues

Posted on May 4th, 2013 by Football Nation

THE Carlton Football Club has announced that Jaryd Cachia will make his senior debut for the club in tomorrow’s game against Melbourne at the MCG with vice-captain Andrew Carrazzo being withdrawn due to a corked calf. Cachia, 21, was elevated from the club’s rookie list earlier this week after Nicholas Graham, the club’s third round draft pick and

Crows re-sign three players

Posted on May 1st, 2013 by Football Nation

THEY may not be getting the results on the field so far this year but the Adelaide Crows are getting things done in the office with an announcement this afternoon that they have re-signed Brent Reilly, Tom Lynch and Cam Ellis-Yolmen. “The blend of the list is very healthy at the moment, so to have Brent’s experience,

VFL Quarterly Review

Posted on April 30th, 2013 by Andrew Calleja

FOUR Rounds into the 2013 VFL season, Geelong and the Casey Scorpions remain undefeated while pre-season fancy Werribee is floundering after heavy defeats against Williamstown and Sandringham. Regular contributor Andrew Calleja takes a look at how your side is faring and the month ahead.   Bendigo Gold Went into Round 1 with a side averaging just

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Rising Star Nominee Round 5: Jaeger O’Meara (Gold Coast)

Posted on April 30th, 2013 by Alex Catto

GOLD Coast prodigy Jaeger O’Meara has taken out the NAB AFL Rising Star nomination for Round 5. O’Meara came into the league upon a wave of expectation and has more then lived up to the hype. Sometimes compared to a young Chris Judd, O’Meara had 25 touches, 4 tackles, 2 goals and a mammoth 11

Port outrun Blues

Posted on April 29th, 2013 by Justin Cooper

IN mild conditions at Preston City Oval on Sunday, Port Melbourne outgunned a gallant Northern Blues outfit to take a 16 point win. The Borough had a ripping start, kicking six goals to the Blues’ two, to take a 26 point buffer into quarter time. It wasn’t all smooth sailing for Port, with key forward

What we learnt AFL Round 5: Brisbane v Melbourne

Posted on April 28th, 2013 by Jack McClane

THE Brisbane Lions secured their second win of the season after a hard fought win over the Melbourne Demons at The Gabba in front of a disappointing crowd of just 19,018.

In a scrappy affair that won’t make too many 2013 highlight reels, Brisbane did just enough to see off the plucky Dees who were hoping to get their second win in succession

Magpies’ Toovey done for the year

Posted on April 27th, 2013 by Football Nation

COLLINGWOOD has revealed that defender Alan Toovey will miss the rest of the season after tests confirmed that he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in the last quarter of the club’s 46 point loss to Essendon on ANZAC Day. Also on Football Nation: What we learnt Round 5: Essendon v Collingwood Toovey is now likely

Kepler Bradley’s season likely to be over

Posted on April 27th, 2013 by Football Nation

FREMANTLE held on for a thrilling one-point victory over Richmond but is now likely to be without Kepler Bradley for the rest of the season after he injured his knee in the second quarter of the game. The club now fears that Bradley has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee after an

Lake looking forward to debut against Roos

Posted on April 26th, 2013 by Brent Diamond

HAWTHORN’S prized recruit Brian Lake says versatility will be key to his game when he makes his debut for the Hawks against North Melbourne on Sunday. Lake’s debut comes at the expense of Ryan Schoenmakers, who suffered a season-ending ACL injury last week. “It’s not like four or five years ago where you had your

Tigers rookie Vlastuin primed for debut

Posted on April 23rd, 2013 by Football Nation

FLAGGING changes to a team that lost to Collingwood by 34 points, Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has given the strongest signal so far that Nick Vlastuin, the club’s top draft pick, may have his debut this week. “He’s in the mix, there’s no doubt he’s been in the mix for quite some time,” said Hardwick

Michael Johnson re-signs with Fremantle

Posted on April 23rd, 2013 by Chris Cantatore

FREMANTLE has secured the services of defender Michael Johnson for a further two years. Johnson, a life member at the Dockers, is an integral part of the sides backline. The defender was a top 10 draft pick in 2003 and made his debut for Fremantle in 2005. “Michael has grown into a terrific defender,” said

Daily One Liners: 22 Apr 2013

Posted on April 22nd, 2013 by Football Nation

(DAILY ONE LINERS) Pictured: Greater Western Sydney CEO David Matthews says the club is ‘obliged’ to consider luring Hawthorn superstar Lance Franklin to the Giants when he is out of contract at the end of

Suns lose Warnock

Posted on April 22nd, 2013 by Football Nation

THE Gold Coast Suns have revealed that Matthew Warnock will need to undergo surgery after he fractured  his left radius in the club’s loss to Port Adelaide last Saturday night. Warnock, 29, broke his arm after falling awkwardly and will require surgery in order to have a plate inserted. “Matthew was transported to hospital immediately

Hawks sign extension with David Hale

Posted on April 22nd, 2013 by Football Nation

HAWTHORN has continued re-signing every player not named Lance Franklin, announcing a one-year contract extension with David Hale. The new deal will see the ruckman/forward remain with the club through until at least the end of the 2014 season. Hale, 28, joined the Hawks in a trade with North Melbourne for draft picks at the

Hawks’ sign Luke Breust to a contract extension

Posted on April 19th, 2013 by Football Nation

HAWTHORN has announced that it has signed a new deal with Luke Breust. It is understood that the new deal is for two additional years that will see the young forward staying with the club until, at least, the end of the 2015 season. “It’s good to be sticking around at Hawthorn for a couple

Start of something big for heroic Dolphins

Posted on April 17th, 2013 by Andrew Calleja

A WEEK is a long time in football may be a well worn cliché but it aptly describes the change in fortunes between Round’s 1 and 2 for the Frankston Dolphins. Bullish about their 2013 season prospects, Frankston were blown away by the Casey Scorpions in the season opener. The Dolphins lacked cohesion, looked slow

Rising Star Nominee Round 3: Jed Anderson (Hawthorn)

Posted on April 16th, 2013 by Alex Catto

HAWTHORN youngster Jed Anderson has been selected as Round 3′s AFL Rising Star nominee. Anderson played a pivotal role in Hawthorn’s massive win on Sunday against Collingwood at the MCG. In front of nearly 73,000 people, the young midfielder didn’t shy away from the big stage like most youngsters, in fact he was exceptional against

Was Geelong’s premiership window ever really closed?

Posted on April 15th, 2013 by Brent Diamond

SOME leading commentators said after Geelong’s finals loss to Fremantle in September last year that its premiership window was well and truly closed. But the Cats have a talented young brigade that has them charging back up the ladder quicker than expected,

VFL Wrap Round 2: What is happening at Port Melbourne?

Posted on April 15th, 2013 by Brent Diamond

IT is no surprise to see reigning premier Geelong undefeated and sitting in third spot behind the Northern Blues and Casey Scorpions, but what has happened to the other grand finallist, Port Melbourne

Giants’ Patton to miss the rest of the season

Posted on April 14th, 2013 by Football Nation

GWS Giants forward Jonathon Patton is set to miss the rest of the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee during last night’s game against St Kilda at Manuka Oval. Patton, 19, went down during the second quarter after he was tackled by St Kilda’s Rhys Stanley. In obvious pain the

Papsphere: AFL Round 3 2013 Preview

Posted on April 12th, 2013 by Daniel Paproth

  Football Nation’s roving reporter DANIEL PAPROTH gives us his take and his picks on all of the games in Round 3.   Fremantle vs Essendon Friday 6:40pm Patersons Stadium It’s been a horror week for Essendon off the field, with parts of the media calling for James Hird’s head. The question is whether this will affect

Saints extend contract of Daniel Markworth

Posted on April 11th, 2013 by Football Nation

ST KILDA has extended the contract of Daniel Markworth, tying him to the club through to the end of the 2014 season. It’s good news for the second year Saint that the club has shown faith in him as he works on his rehabilitation from pre-season surgery after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament during

Demons drop Watts, three others for Eagles clash

Posted on April 11th, 2013 by Football Nation

AFTER a week in hell, the Demons have decided that their best chance at salvation this week is without the talented but much-maligned Jack Watts. Announcing their team for Saturday afternoon’s game against the West Coast Eagles, Melbourne has omitted the first overall draft pick from the 2008 National Draft. Per the Melbourne website, football

Hawks re-sign Hodge

Posted on April 11th, 2013 by Football Nation

WAS there ever any doubt that the Hawthorn Football Club would re-sign its captain Luke Hodge? The Hawks have announced that they have signed a contract extension with Hodge that will see him with the club through t the end of 2014 and in doing so have taken him out of this year’s free agency

And Lions lose Claye Beams

Posted on April 10th, 2013 by Football Nation

  IT’S been a bad afternoon for injury news with news out of Brisbane confirming that Lions midfielder Claye Beams ruptured his ACL during training this morning. “Claye had an outstanding pre-season and was consolidating his position in our best 22, so understandably he’s devastated by this setback,” said the club’s General Manager -Football Operations, Dean

Swans extend contract of Daniel Hannebery

Posted on April 10th, 2013 by Football Nation

THE Sydney Swans have announced that they have signed Daniel Hannebery to a three year contract extension that will see him remain with the club until the end of the 2016 season. Hannebery, 22, was drafted by the Swans with the 30th overall pick of the 2008 National Draft out of the Oakleigh Chargers (VIC). And

Dark Days in Demonland

Posted on April 10th, 2013 by Alex Catto

HOW did they get here?

Right now I think I would rather be Julia Gillard’s election campaign manager then an executive at the Melbourne Football Club.

Winning is built on a culture, a way of life for professional sportsmen (and apparently Charlie Sheen) who have good training habits and generally have the will and determination to win

Daily One Liners: 9 Apr 2013

Posted on April 9th, 2013 by Football Nation

(DAILY ONE LINERS) Pictured: Cats forward STEVE JOHNSON is a chance to return against Carlton on Saturday night, while Jared Rivers has been ruled out for up to three more weeks

Infographic: Cobba’s Round 2 Footy Graph

Posted on April 9th, 2013 by Jake Stevens

IF the AFL’s Round 1 was as thrilling as Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, than Round 2 was as sad as James Cameron’s Titanic. (the part where Kate Winslet decides to let Leo die even though there was clearly enough space for two) I am of course referring to both the moving tribute to the late John McCarthy, and the displeasing

Rising Star Nominee Round 2: Aaron Mullet (North Melbourne)

Posted on April 9th, 2013 by Alex Catto

THE AFL has announced that North Melbourne defender Aaron Mullet is the AFL’s second round NAB rising star nominee in 2013 Mullet, 21,  has had an impressive start to this season averaging 21.5 disposals at a high efficiency rate and his 20 disposals and 6 tackles against the Cats in the nail biter at Etihad

Williamstown’s sacrificial approach to team selection

Posted on April 4th, 2013 by Brent Diamond

NEWS today that Williamstown is shelving some of its Western Bulldogs-listed players in the VFL reserves is in fact old news considering the same thing was happening last season. There appeared to be discontent among the partners last season and that led to both teams deciding to field stand alone teams in the competition next

Are the Cats still in the hunt?

Posted on April 3rd, 2013 by Alex Catto

JUST 18 months since their last premiership victory the football public had largely assumed that Geelong would be the underdog against Hawthorn last Monday. Underdog or not they took care of business and the Hawks yet again.

It’s amazing how quickly we forget

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Lions extend Patfull’s contract

Posted on April 3rd, 2013 by Football Nation

THE Brisbane Lions have announced that they have signed a contract extension with Joel Patfull which will see him remain with the club through to the end of the 2015 season. “Joel has always been an integral member of the team and we’re thrilled to have him extend his time at the Club.” said the club’s

Dawes to miss more time

Posted on April 3rd, 2013 by Football Nation

THE Melbourne Football Club has revealed that Chris Dawes will miss up to four weeks of football after re-injuring his hamstring in training. “Chris is unfortunately having some ongoing issues with his hamstring,” said Demons football manager Josh Mahoney in a quote on the club’s website. “He’s injured it again during training last week, so at

Daily One Liners: 2 Apr 2013

Posted on April 2nd, 2013 by Football Nation

(DAILY ONE LINERS) Pictured: The Swans know the key to their round two AFL match will be taming Gold Coast’s GARY ABLETT

Rising Star Nominee round one: Ollie Wines (Port Adelaide)

Posted on April 2nd, 2013 by Brent Diamond

PORT Adelaide midfielder Ollie Wines has won the nomination of round one for the AFL Rising Star award. Wines, who was linked to Melbourne early in the draft, dominated against the Demons with 24 disposals including 16 contested, in the 79-point drubbing. On debut, Wines was brilliant but had also showed great form over the

Jets, Dragons run out impressive winners

Posted on April 1st, 2013 by Tao Baker

WITH the stars of the competition leaving for their tour of Europe with the AIS-AFL Academy, Sunday’s TAC Cup round two double header was a chance for some of the other AFL draft hopefuls to step up and put their names forward. Western Jets 17.7.109 defeated Northern Knights 15.12.102 The Western Jets faced off against

TAC Cup wrap: Kennedy-Harris shines in Chargers’ victory

Posted on April 1st, 2013 by Brent Diamond

OAKLEIGH Chargers co-captain Jay Kennedy-Harris was outstanding in the Chargers’ seven-point win over the Calder Cannons yesterday. Kennedy-Harris is one to watch this season considering he played an impressive role in last year’s TAC Cup grand final. He played 15 TAC Cup matches last season and appears to have continued from where he left off.

Future AFL stars kick off TAC Cup season at Visy Park

Posted on March 25th, 2013 by Tao Baker

THIS year’s Victorian AFL draft hopefuls were on display for the first time in 2013 on Sunday at Visy Park as the TAC Cup season kicked off with a triple header featuring all six metro teams. Northern Knights 15.7 (97) def Calder Cannons 11.9 (75)  Game one saw the Calder Cannons take on the Northern

Daily One Liners: 25 Mar 2013

Posted on March 25th, 2013 by Football Nation

(DAILY ONE LINERS) Pictured: The Demons face tough decisions on million-dollar forwards Mitch Clark and CHRIS DAWES this week after they combined for just 100 minutes of football in the pre-season

Port Adelaide re-signs four players

Posted on March 25th, 2013 by Football Nation

ON the eve of the start of their 2013 season, the Port Adelaide Football Club has just announced that they have re-signed Alipate Carlile, Jackson Trengove, Andrew Moore and John Butcher. “With all four of these talented young players committing to the club together, it’s just a great show of faith in what we’re trying to

What we learnt AFL Round 1: Adelaide v Essendon

Posted on March 23rd, 2013 by Brent Diamond

ESSENDON’S 35-point win over Adelaide at AAMI Stadium last night was full of emotion considering the dark months at Windy Hill leading up to the match

Daily One Liners: 22 Mar 2013

Posted on March 22nd, 2013 by Football Nation

(DAILY ONE LINERS) Pictured: Saints defender James Gwilt believes youngster ARRYN SIPOSS has what it takes to fill the void left by the departure of Brendon Goddard

Dream Team 2013: First Year Draftees & Mature Age Recruits

Posted on March 22nd, 2013 by Brendan Lucas

IT has been a long time between drinks, but finally the real football season is almost upon us. It is time to stop fantasising and knuckle down with selection.

With the NAB Cup done and dusted for another year, fantasy football die-hards have had a great opportunity to scope the talent. But have you missed something

Daily One Liners: 21 Mar 2013

Posted on March 21st, 2013 by Football Nation

(DAILY ONE LINERS) Pictured: Collingwood’s DALE THOMAS could make a last-ditch bid for Round 1 selection if he returns in the VFL tomorrow night

Liam Jurrah found not guilty of assault

Posted on March 21st, 2013 by Nick Ciantar

IN emotional scenes at a Alice Springs court today, former AFL star Liam Jurrah, was found not guilty of assaulting his cousin last year. The verdict has given some hope to re-ignite Jurrah’s AFL career. Jurrah was found not guilty of “unlawfully causing serious harm to his cousin Basil Jurrah” in March last year. The former

David Armitage signs three year deal with Saints

Posted on March 21st, 2013 by Football Nation

ANOTHER day, another contract extension and another player taken out of the free agency mix. Although in this case it’s next year’s free agency class with the St Kilda Football Club announcing that they have signed David Armitage for a further three years. “I just always wanted to be a one-club player. I’ve stuck by the

VFL 2013 Season Preview: Northern Blues

Posted on March 20th, 2013 by Justin Cooper

Northern Blues Coach: Luke Webster Key Player Arrivals: Lee Dale (Myrtleford), Kieran Delahunty (Minyip-Murtoa), Declan Foot (Swan Hill), Bradyn Taglieri (Eltham), Ben Toman (Assumption College), Jacob Bollard, Keenan Posar, Anthony Bonaddio, Jarryd Coulson, Sean Bolger (Northern Knights), Daniel Watson (Geelong Falcons), Hayden Drew (North Ballarat Rebels) Key Player Departures: Alex Benbow (Belgrave), Dan Toman (Bendigo

VFL 2013 Season Preview: Casey Scorpions

Posted on March 20th, 2013 by Justin Cooper

Casey Scorpions Coach: Rohan Welsh Key Player Arrivals:Michael Boland (Cranbourne), Jake Best (Leongatha), Ben Hughes (Warragul), Jarryd Drew, Tom Fusinato, Darcy Irwin, Daniel Jackson (Gippsland Power), Jackson Anderson (Eastern Rangers) Key Player Departures:Matthew Fieldsend (Port Melbourne) Last Year’s Finish: 1st (14-4 105.7% 56 pts) This year’s prediction: 10th And why?: Casey finished as the minor premier

VFL 2013 Pre-season Preview

Posted on March 20th, 2013 by Brent Diamond

LAST year Geelong rose to top to take out the VFL premiership.  Who will it be this year? Our award-winning VFL expert BRENT DIAMOND is joined by contributors DANIEL PAPROTH, ANDREW CALLEJA, JAMIE MORGAN and JUSTIN COOPER to give you our comprehensive preview for the 2013 season.    WERRIBEE, Essendon, Frankston and Williamstown have been the

Two Roos jump on new contracts

Posted on March 20th, 2013 by Football Nation

NORTH Melbourne has just revealed that they have re-signed Scott McMahon and Robbie Tarrant. Both players have signed two-year contract extensions keeping them with the Roos through to the end of the 2015 season. McMahon, 26, was originally rookie listed by North Melbourne back in 2005, and has now played in 106 games for the

VFL 2013 Season Preview: Collingwood

Posted on March 20th, 2013 by Jamie Morgan

Collingwood Coach: Dale Tapping Key Player Arrivals: Ben Moloney ( Werribee ) Tim Allan ( Port Melbourne ) Tom Tyquin ( Sandringham Dragons ) Sam Dwyer ( Port Melbourne ) Kyle Martin ( Frankston ) Jack Frost ( Williamstown ) Ben Hudson ( Brisbane Lions ) Brodie Grundy ( Sturt ) Ben Kennedy ( Glenelg

VFL 2013 Season Preview: Sandringham Zebras

Posted on March 20th, 2013 by Daniel Paproth

Sandringham Coach: Simon McPhee Key Player Arrivals: Ryan Minahan (Upper Ferntree Gully), Cameron Banfield (Sandringham Dragons), Kenny Ong (Sandringham Dragons) Key Player Departures: Jackson Coleman (Frankston), Michael Sikora (Essendon), Matthew Stapleton (Bendigo) Last Year’s Finish:8th This year’s prediction: 8th And why?: With the loss of two very promising players in Jackson Coleman and Michael Sikora, and

VFL 2013 Season Preview: Frankston Dolphins

Posted on March 20th, 2013 by Andrew Calleja

Frankston Coach: Simon Goosey Key Player Arrivals: Michael Lourey [Sandringham VFL], Sam Lloyd [Mt Eliza MPNEL], Jackson Coleman [Sandringham VFL], Scott Simpson [Mt Eliza MPNFL], Jayden Cass [Box Hill Hawks], Tom Purcell [Box Hill Hawks], Damien Garner [Rowville EFL], Ziggy Alwan [Noble Park EFL], Chris Irving [Sandringham VFL], Josh Dyson [Brisbane Lions AFL], Russell Gabriel

VFL 2013 Season Preview: North Ballarat Roosters

Posted on March 19th, 2013 by Jamie Morgan

North Ballarat Coach: Gerard FitzGerald Key Player Arrivals: Lucas Cook ( Melbourne ) Steve Clifton ( GWS Giants ) Sam Scott ( Geelong Falcons ) Nick Rippon ( Ballarat Rebels ) David Morris ( Ballarat Rebels ) Tony Lockyer ( Ballarat Rebels ) Key Player Departures: Derick Micallef ( North Juniors ) Marc Creig (

VFL 2013 Season Preview: Bendigo Gold

Posted on March 19th, 2013 by Jamie Morgan

Bendigo Gold Coach: Austinn Jones Key Player Arrivals: Alik Magin ( Gold Coast ) Troy Kelm ( Kerang ) Matt Stapleton ( Sandringham ) Pat Flynn ( Collingwood VFL ) Ricky Thompson (  Lalbert ) James Brooker  ( Montmerency ) Nathan McCarty ( Rochester ) Jackson Bolton ( Box Hill ) Che Walls ( Bendigo

VFL 2013 Season Preview: Coburg Tigers

Posted on March 19th, 2013 by Andrew Calleja

Coburg Coach: Tim Clarke (new) Key Player Arrivals: Adam Saad [Calder Cannons TAC], Ricky Petterd, Sam Lonergan, Orren Stephenson Key Player Departures: Willie Wheeler [Williamstown VFL], Leigh Masters [Williamstown VFL], James Saville [East Fremantle], Pat Contin, Rhett Jordan [Norwood EFL], Angus Graham Last Year’s Finish: 12th This year’s prediction: 13th And why?: With a young,

Looking ahead: GWS Giants Top 22

Posted on March 19th, 2013 by Rowdy One

Guest contributor RowdyOne continues his series looking at each club’s best 22 players for the upcoming 2013 season. Is it premature to be saying that the GWS Giants have already passed the Gold Coast Suns? Maybe. But one thing seems pretty sure and that is that within a few years we will all be be talking about

Nathan van Berlo signs three year extension

Posted on March 18th, 2013 by Football Nation

NATHAN van Berlo has joined the list of players signing new deals with the Adelaide Crows announcing today that their captain has signed a three-year contract extension. The new deal will see the 26 year old van Berlo committed to the club until the end of the 2016 season and takes him out of play

Young Sun Lonergan done for now

Posted on March 18th, 2013 by Football Nation

JESSE Lonergan will have to wait a little longer for his AFL debut after the Gold Coast Suns announced that he had sustained a broken wrist in Saturday’s practice match against Melbourne. He is expected to be out of action for four to six weeks. Lonergan , the Gold Coast Suns’ top selection, number 13

Ben Hudson to be promoted off rookie list

Posted on March 18th, 2013 by Football Nation

WHEN is a rookie too old and too experienced to be called a rookie? We don’t know but it would seem 161 AFL games, four clubs, two retirements (and two un-retirements) and being 34 years old is still not enough to escape the label as the Collingwood Football Club has announced that it would promote

Team by Team Pre-Season Previews

Posted on March 17th, 2013 by Football Nation

Now that the NAB Cup competition is over, one thing is for sure: the real footy season is about to start! Football Nation’s team of writers have prepared a pre-season preview for the 2013 season for each and every club and we have been  posting them to our website each day for the last week. We’ve

One on One: Shae McNamara

Posted on March 17th, 2013 by Daniel Paproth

FROM the AFL to the South East Australian Basketball League, from life coaching to book writing, American Shae McNamara has had a busy year. But life is about to slow down a little bit for the former Collingwood player. After being delisted by the Magpies he signed with SEABL club Sandringham Sabres, but was cut

2013 AFL Pre-season Preview: Adelaide

Posted on March 17th, 2013 by Daniel Paproth

ADELAIDE fans can look forward to another bumper season in 2013. The Crows were incredibly brave against Hawthorn, continuing to fight until the very death before ultimately going down by less than a kick

2013 AFL Pre-season Preview: Brisbane Lions

Posted on March 17th, 2013 by Jack McClane

AFTER pre-season success in the NAB Cup competition, wherein the team went undefeated, the Brisbane Lions will have a real fight this year once the season proper begins.

2013 AFL Pre-season Preview: Carlton

Posted on March 17th, 2013 by Brent Diamond

THERE is so much hype around Carlton since Mick Malthouse took over the reins and a NAB Cup final appearance (albeit a loss) has done nothing to abate it. In spite of this we can expect to see a much hungrier line-up this year

2013 AFL Pre-season Preview: Collingwood

Posted on March 16th, 2013 by Sam Mills

COACH Nathan Buckley will be looking to take this highly-talented squad two steps further in 2013 and it is certainly achievable. The mix of experience and youth in the team is exciting and will guarantee Collingwood as a contender for years to come

2013 AFL Pre-season Preview: Essendon

Posted on March 16th, 2013 by Brent Diamond

A HORROR pre-season off the field but the Bombers are hopeful of turning it around and providing fans – who have shown some faith – with some excitement.

Freo locks in Dawson and Mayne

Posted on March 15th, 2013 by Football Nation

THE Fremantle Dockers have just announced that they have signed contract extensions with Zac Dawson and Chris Mayne. Dawson, 27, joined the Dockers last year and had previously played for Ross Lyon at St Kilda. The 195cm tall defender played in 18 games last year and he has signed a two-year extension that will have

2013 AFL Pre-season Preview: Fremantle

Posted on March 15th, 2013 by Chris Cantatore

THE Fremantle list is the strongest it’s been since the club made the 2006 Preliminary Final. The Dockers were unlucky against Adelaide in last year’s semi final going down late despite being in the contest for three and half quarters.

2013 AFL Pre-season Preview: Geelong

Posted on March 15th, 2013 by Daniel Paproth

IT will be interesting to see how season 2013 plays out for the Cats. Most had them pencilled in for a mouth-watering preliminary final clash with Hawthorn in September last year but they were beaten by a more determined Fremantle side.

Daily One Liners: 14 Mar 2013

Posted on March 14th, 2013 by Football Nation

(DAILY ONE LINERS) Pictured: Demons wunderkind JACK VINEY remains a Round 1 lock, despite not playing since the first round of the NAB Cup

Top 50 VFL players – 2013 Pre-season

Posted on March 14th, 2013 by Brent Diamond

IT’S that time of the year where we make predictions about where the pecking order may stand for VFL-listed players. It’s important to remember that list is created and judged on a three tier criteria. Firstly, their 2012 form is looked upon, secondly we look at their importance to the team they’re at, and the

2013 AFL Pre-season Preview: Gold Coast

Posted on March 14th, 2013 by Brent Diamond

THERE is still plenty of improvement to come from the Gold Coast but the story of the season may be how patient the club and its fans can be.

UPDATE: VFL 2013 pre-season recruiting

Posted on March 14th, 2013 by Brent Diamond

  14/3/13 – ESSENDON has continued its massive pre-season of recruiting in its inaugural season with Trent Shinners coming across from Bendigo. It has also snared Temora’s Sam Tagliabue. 7/3/13 – GEELONG is set to include delisted Gold Coast youngster Piers Flanagan on its final list this week. He has been training with the VFL

2013 AFL Pre-season Preview: Greater Western Sydney

Posted on March 13th, 2013 by Football Nation

DRAFT picks and talent can only get you so far and Kevin Sheedy is the perfect fit for the Giants at the moment but he will also instil this list with a key ingredient and that’s guts and determination from a young age.

Blues name Marc Murphy as captain

Posted on March 13th, 2013 by Football Nation

AFTER a long and somewhat drawn out process the Carlton Football Club has settled on star midfielder Marc Murphy as the new team captain. The announcement was made this morning at a press conference at VISY Park that was also streamed from the club’s website. While the press conference was conducted by Stephen Kernahan and Mick Malthouse, it was

Hawks lock in Lewis

Posted on March 13th, 2013 by Football Nation

CONTRACT season is well and truly in full swing and the Hawthorn Football Club have gotten into the act this morning with a two year contract extension with Jordan Lewis. Lewis, 26, would have been eligible for free agency at the end of this season if he was out of contract but the Hawks made

Crows sign 3 year deal with Daniel Talia

Posted on March 13th, 2013 by Football Nation

THE Adelaide Crows have extended the contract of 2012 Rising Star award winner Daniel Talia through to the end of the 2016 season. Talia, 21, had an impressive year for the Crows one in which he regularly saw himself matched up, and successful, against some of the biggest name forwards in the AFL conceding on

Carrazzo signs two-year extension with the Blues

Posted on March 12th, 2013 by Football Nation

The Carlton Football Club has announced that Andrew Carrazzo has signed a new contract extension that will keep the midfielder with the Blues until the end of 2015 season. Carrazzo, 29, entered the AFL through the National Draft on two occasions. Initially drafted by Geelong in the 2002  Rookie Draft he was never able to crack a

2013 AFL Pre-season Preview: Hawthorn

Posted on March 12th, 2013 by Brent Diamond

HAWTHORN will be looking to re-ignite its premiership hopes after losing to Sydney in last year’s grand final. That alone will provide it with plenty of motivation heading into the 2013 season and it may be about how many players want to taste that success and how hungry they will be to achieve it

Daily One Liners: 11 Mar 2013

Posted on March 11th, 2013 by Football Nation

(DAILY ONE LINERS) Pictured: New Richmond captain TRENT COTCHIN has prepared himself to lead the club through an unlikely alliance with cricketer Simon Katich

2013 AFL Pre-season Preview: Melbourne

Posted on March 11th, 2013 by Brent Diamond

THE Demons were extremely active in the draft and trade period adding a good mix of veteran and young talent but now faces the task of finding a way of getting the right combination of players onto the field.

Swans’ Kennedy signs on for four more years

Posted on March 11th, 2013 by Football Nation

THE Sydney Swans have announced that they have signed Josh Kennedy to a four-year contract extension that will keep the star midfielder with the team until at least the end of 2017. “Last year we showed we can be a successful team and I want to be part of that. Once you’ve tasted that success

2013 AFL Pre-season Preview: North Melbourne

Posted on March 11th, 2013 by John Barbagiannis

NORTH Melbourne was perceived to have had a so called ‘easy’ draw in 2012 and made the finals accordingly and for some they may now be seen as the most vulnerable to slide out of the 8 this season. But not for us

Kochie to turn Port back into a Powerhouse

Posted on March 11th, 2013 by Sam Mills

IT’S an exciting time if you’re a Port Adelaide supporter. It may not seem like it, but it definitely is.

As a Collingwood supporter, I would know. What is happening at Alberton now is almost a carbon copy of the change that swept through Victoria Park towards the end of the previous century

2013 AFL Pre-season Preview: Port Adelaide

Posted on March 9th, 2013 by Sam Mills

                Team: Port Adelaide Coach: Ken Hinkley Player Losses: Retired: None Delisted: Jacob Surjan, Simon Phillips, Jarrad Irons, Daniel Webb, Mitch Curnow, Mitch Banner, Ben Jacobs, Steven Salopek Traded: David Rodan (Melbourne), Free Agency: Troy Chaplin (Richmond), Danyle Pearce (Fremantle) Deceased: John McCarthy Player Additions: Traded:  Angus Monfries

Goodes signs extension, steps away from captaincy

Posted on March 9th, 2013 by Football Nation

YESTERDAY was a big day for the Swans and for Adam Goodes in particular as he announced that he is handing over the team captaincy on the same day that he revealed that he had signed a contract extension with club that will see him remain there through to the end of the 2014 season.

Looking ahead: Essendon Bombers Top 22

Posted on March 8th, 2013 by Rowdy One

Guest contributor RowdyOne continues his series looking at each club’s best 22 players for the upcoming 2013 season. Suddenly we all know far more about “peptides” than we ever thought we would. This off-season for the Bombers has indeed been tough and the recent controversy that has surrounded the club has overshadowed an off-season that saw the

2013 AFL Pre-season Preview: Richmond

Posted on March 7th, 2013 by John Barbagiannis

WE all know that the Tigers had a lot of close losses in 2012 and their inconsistent, you could even say horrendous, kicking for goal was a big part of that.

Don’t Argue: Risk vs Reward (Supercoach mid-price defenders)

Posted on March 7th, 2013 by Ben Woods

In years gone by I have tended to favour a superstars and rookies Supercoach strategy. It served me well. However, gone are the compromised drafts, which means that so too are the abundance of Supercoach rookie bailouts that the expansion teams provided. This means we are going to have to pay more attention to the

Daily One Liners: 6 Mar 2013

Posted on March 6th, 2013 by Football Nation

(DAILY ONE LINERS) Pictured: Melbourne midfielder NATHAN JONES says no-one should expect Jimmy Toumpas and Jack Viney to dominate for a while yet