The WAFL season is one round down and this year is shaping to be one of the biggest for the West Australian league. Here’s our team by team preview and our expected order of finish

Round 1 (Split Round)  Saturday 30th March Port Melbourne vs. Werribee Tigers (Rd 16) North Port Oval 2:00 PM Sunday 31st March Geelong vs. Williamstown Spring Creek Reserve 2:00 PM Friday 5th April Bendigo Gold vs. Essendon Queen Elizabeth Oval 6:30 PM Saturday 6th April Collingwood vs. North Ballarat Victoria Park 1:00 PM Werribee Tigers

GEELONG will join Bendigo, Werribee and Casey in hosting night matches in the VFL fixture for next season. The Cats have upgraded Simonds Stadium to host night matches in both the VFL and AFL. “It is pleasing to see VFL Clubs looking at different times to fixture their matches. Geelong will be utilising the recent

THE prize money for the Foxtel Cup has been increased to $100,000 to help attract the top-line clubs from each state league. Next season both of the top teams, Norwood and West Adelaide, from the SANFL will play in the competition in contrast to this year where several SANFL teams declined to play. AFL general

IN 2013, only 10 teams will participate in the Foxtel Cup, an AFL initiative which is a state league based competition involving the best teams of the previous season. The Foxtel Cup will be telecast on Fox Sports live on Thursday nights during the season.   Those teams are: VFL Port Melbourne, Werribee SANFL Norwood,

ST KILDA has snared one of the top mature age recruits in Claremont’s Tom Lee with its first selection in this year’s draft. The Saints departed with pick 12 in exchange for Lee and picks 24 and 43 from Greater Western Sydney. Lee is considered to be among the top 10 state league draft prospects.

BRENT DIAMOND rates the top 10 ready-made players that are almost certain to be drafted from state league clubs this season. 1. Adam Marcon (Northern Blues VFL) – Almost certain to go as a rookie with feeder club Carlton in the mix for his services. Has really established himself as a midfielder this season and

WERRIBEE coach Scott West says some undisciplined acts from players was a contributing factor towards its 44-point loss to WAFL’s Claremont in the Foxtel Cup grand final on Thursday night. “There were some undisciplined acts and when you’re playing against quality opposition, you just can’t give away easy goals and expect to come back,” West

CLAREMONT was a runaway winner of the Foxtel Cup with a comfortable 44-point win over Werribee at Patersons Stadium last night. Claremont, who was defeated by Williamstown in last year’s Foxtel Cup, was clearly the better team this time around with Tom Lee best afield with six goals. Lee is likely to be on the

WERRIBEE will look at ways to manage its list in the lead up to finals ahead of the Foxtel Cup grand final clash against Claremont on August 2 at Patersons Stadium. The Tigers consolidated their spot in the top four with a hard-fought 24-point win over Coburg on Sunday but reflected upon how testing the

With six Home and Away rounds remaining in the VFL, nine sides remain in contention for finals. Coburg can still mathematically make the eight though that appears unlikely. Most interest centres on Port Melbourne’s quest for back-to-back premierships and who the likely challengers may be. Casey Scorpions Currently 1st, 11 Wins 2 Losses Remaining Games: Bye, Frankston

CLAREMONT is likely to host the Foxtel Cup grand final against the Werribee Tigers after smashing VFL’s reigning premier Port Melbourne by 50-points in a semi-final at Patersons Stadium last night. The Borough admittedly fielded a team that resembled almost their seconds team, given their eye is well and truly on back to back flags

WERRIBEE has cruised through to its first Foxtel Cup grand final after a dominant 71-point win over Morningside in a semi-final on Saturday at the Gabba. Werribee is expected to meet Port Melbourne in an all-VFL grand final if the Borough defeat Claremont next week. Mature age North Melbourne recruit Cameron Pedersen was best on

THE Werribee Tigers are beginning to show signs that they will be tough to beat come September after pounding second-placed Casey by 78-points at Avalon Airport Oval yesterday. Not only was the result emphatic and has the Tigers up and about, but they will be strong favourites to advance to the Foxtel Cup grand final

CHECK in from 2pm today for our live VFL blog as head around the grounds for the latest news as it happens below. You can also leave comments and interact with us during our blog. 2:00pm – Welcome to our live blog as we cross around the three VFL games in progress…firstly to do the

MAKE sure you check in as we go around the grounds in the VFL on Saturday June 2 with five games scheduled on a Super Saturday. We take a look at the big news and events during the day as AFL players such as Collingwood’s Chris Tarrant, Essendon’s David Hill and Geelong’s Daniel Menzel return

PORT Melbourne cruised into the second round of the Foxtel Cup after an 87-point demolition of NT Thunder in Darwin on Saturday. Sam O’Sullivan booted seven goals in a career-high, while Mitch Woofendin snared 30 disposals in the 21.11 (137) to 7.7 (49) win. This win was enormous considering Port were without 10-first picked players,

ADELAIDE and Port Adelaide have joined a chorus of AFL teams wanting their own stand one teams in state league competitions, which has further been enhanced by selection issues. State league clubs have been forced to have scheduled byes mainly because of the Foxtel Cup, an initiative by the AFL. Already in the VFL, Collingwood

Join Football Nation for our VFL match of the round between the Werribee Tigers and the Northern Blues on Saturday afternoon at Avalon Airport Oval from 1:00pm. Tune into our coverage and our VFL expert Daniel Paproth will be on deck to answer any questions you may have during our live updates.   Final word

WE will go around the grounds live tomorrow to check out the big news during VFL matches right here on Football Nation. The Werribee Tigers host the Northern Blues from Avalon Airport Oval in a massive game for both teams. The Blues have been super competitive in most games, except for the smashing to Port

PORT Melbourne coach Gary Ayres has admitted the VFL powerhouse won’t be at full strength when it travels to take on NT Thunder in Darwin in its Foxtel Cup clash on Saturday. Ayres will rest those stars included in the state representative game against Tasmania next week – Billy Burstin, Chris Cain, Dean Galea, John

The suspension of Geelong premiership defender David Wojcinski for three weeks, effectively five weeks after byes are taken into account, brought into question the VFL draw which sees teams allocated four byes and a week off for the VFL representative game against Tasmania on the 26th May. Frankston, Casey, Box Hill, Coburg and Sandringham all

WILLIAMSTOWN has bowed out of the Foxtel Cup after a shock five-point loss to South Adelaide at the MCG today. In a low-scoring affair, the Seagulls struggled to reduce the gap in the last term as they failed to capitalise on shots at goal. South Adelaide is now expected to take on Port Melbourne in

WILLIAMSTOWN could meet Port Melbourne in an all-VFL clash on Saturday June 23 if both of the favourites get through to the second round as expected. The match is likely to be played at either Etihad Stadium or the MCG in what would be a blockbuster curtain raiser for any AFL clash. Both teams met

THE Foxtel Cup is a terrific initiative but is it actually worth the hurdles it has added to state league fixtures?, asks BRENT

PORT Melbourne is not only the hot tip to take out its second consecutive VFL flag this season but has also stormed into become a steamy favourite for its first Foxtel Cup crown. The Borough are at $2.50 to take out the competition in their first year participating ahead of last year’s winner Williamstown on

PRIZED Werribee Tigers recruit Nathan Ablett will make his long-awaited debut for the Werribee Tigers in the development team againt Williamstown on Sunday at Avalon Airport Oval. It has been a slow and stagnant start to the season for Ablett, who was delisted by Gold Coast at the end of last season, and will now

WE look at those pushing for selection at your AFL club in the lead up to round four

THE Box Hill Hawks are confident of knocking off reigning premier Port Melbourne for the first time in 25 matches when they host the Borough at Box Hill City Oval tomorrow. The Hawks were the last team to defeat the Borough in the 2010 finals series and have played out several classic matches since; not

(DAILY ONE LINERS) Adelaide: Star defender Ben Rutten says the Crows are developing into a team with the X-factor to match the four big Victorian sides of Collingwood, Geelong, Hawthorn and Carlton.

NORTH Melbourne’s Majak Daw was tonight cleared of his rough conduct charge on ex team-mate Daniel Pratt. After a tribunal hearing of one hour and 15 minutes, Daw pleaded not guilty to the charge and was subsequently cleared to play in Saturday’s Foxtel Cup match for the Werribee Tigers against Burnie at Etihad Stadium. Video

NORTH Melbourne rookie Majak Daw will face the VFL tribunal tonight for a rough conduct charge on former team-mate Daniel Pratt, despite the club hoping the report would be thrown out. Daw, in his return from injury for Werribee in the VFL on Saturday, was involved in several physical and verbal clashes with Pratt, the Box

OUR award-winning VFL expert BRENT DIAMOND previews the 2012 season and gives his premiership prediction. IT has been a journey that has had plenty of highs and lows, but the time is now for the Werribee Tigers to build for their greatest shot at premiership glory. While they have lost a youthful coach on the rise in Paul Satterley

  THE NAB Cup can produce only glimpses of what we can expect in the season proper. Surely, we can’t be worried by Carlton’s inability to post a signifiant victory or Collingwood’s indifferent form. Or surprised of Hawthorn’s impressive form, Melbourne’s rise, Greater Western Sydney’s struggle or Geelong’s versatility and new breed. But one thing

THE VFL’s long-standing partnership with ABCTV is under increasing doubt as state league fans around the country wait on a commercial decision to be made within the next fortnight. With just under six weeks until the start of the VFL season, an agreement between the two parties remains in limbo. And even if the VFL

UPDATE: THE Northern Blues have signed former Hawthorn high-flyer Carl Peterson, who has cited he wants to return to the AFL ranks as soon as next season. Peterson played 17 games with the Hawks in 2010 but struggled with fitness issues and was delisted at the end of the season. The Blues, who unveiled their

UPDATE: FRANKSTON has signed former Sandringham and Box Hill Hawks player James Orr. UPDATE: THE Werribee Tigers have added former Collingwood rookie Jye Bolton to its list of star-studded recruits. UPDATE: WILLIAMSTOWN has lost promising midfielder Dane Rampe as he returns home to New South Wales. PORT MELBOURNE has added two more quality recruits to its premiership

THE new Fox Footy Channel on Foxtel will be unleashed on February 17 with the triple header of NAB Cup games. Also beginning that week will be footy show AFL 360 which was a huge hit last season. It is believed to be extending to a four night a week show hosted by Gerard Whately

UPDATE: PORT MELBOURNE has added two more quality recruits to its premiership team over the pre-season agfter signing former Northern Bullants defender Ryan Gale and former Fremantle player Clayton Hinkley. Gale had a sensational 2010 with the Bullants but struggled to gain a regular spot last season with the presence of Carlton-listed Paul Bower and Mark

WHILE the Werribee Tigers have gained some top recruits over summer, the club has also lost some experience headlined by skipper Dom Gleeson, rising midfielders Flinn Chisholm and Michael Rockefeller and fringe players Rhyce Prismall, Brant Dickson and Sean Tighe. Gleeson, Chisholm and Rockefeller have been the usual faces of the midfield for so long

UPDATE: COBURG Tigers forward James Lawton has signed at Central District in the SANFL, meaning that another quality player has been lost from the VFL. He joins delisted Richmond midfielder Ben Nason, who spent plenty of time at Coburg last season, at Central District. THE Box Hill Hawks have continued their recruiting surge by signing

2012 NEAFL FIXTURE ROUND 1 UWS Giants v Sydney Swans 24 Mar 3:50pm ANZ Stadium Hills Eagles v Sydney Uni 25 Mar 2pm Bruce Purser Ainslie v Belconnen 25 Mar 2pm Ainslie Queanbeyan v Tuggeranong 25 Mar 2pm Dairy Farmers BYE – Eastlake ROUND 2 Hills Eagles v Queanbeyan 31 Mar 2pm Bruce Purser Sydney Uni v Belconnen 31 Mar 2pm

UPDATE: THE Box Hill Hawks have continued their recruiting surge by signing former Melbourne-listed player Danny Hughes. Hughes was dumped from Melbourne’s list at the end of last season. He played the majority of the season at the Scorpions. UPDATE: Sandringham appears likely to gain one of its own – defender Will Johnson – despite

UPDATE: WILLIAMSTOWN has added former Casey defender James Wall to its line-up which was defeated in last year’s grand final by Port Melbourne. The Seagulls have already secured former Eagle Jamie McNamara, defender Michael Stockdale, Clinton Proctor and Sam Myors over the pre-season period. UPDATE: THE Werribee Tigers have snared former Geelong premiership player Nathan

UPDATE: THE Box Hill Hawks have snared perhaps the biggest recruiting coup of the VFL pre-season so far after signing former North Melbourne midfielder Daniel Pratt. Pratt, who played 119 AFL games for North Melbourne and Brisbane, will be a playing assistant coach at Box Hill under Damian Carroll. Carroll said Pratt will be a

UPDATE: GEELONG has lost experienced leader Matthew Firman, who has taken on a coaching role with VAFA team North Old Boys. However, among the latest recruits for the Cats VFL team is delisted Collingwood rookie Jye Bolton and Geelong Falcons trio Lachlan Edwards, Cam Tudor and Jordan Keras. The club has had a massive off-season

BENDIGO has been forced to reschedule its Good Friday clash against Port Melbourne after the local council granted its local team Sandhurst permission to use Queen Elizabeth Oval.   It will now be played on Queen Elizabeth Oval on Easter Saturday after the Bendigo Football League had scheduled a match on Good Friday. The VFL may opt to move one of

THE Werribee Tigers bid for a breakthrough flag may well be far better off after being handed three top-line players from North Melbourne’s rookie list over the pre-season. The Roos opted for mature aged players including Box Hill skipper Sam Gibson, Port Melbourne midfielder Malcolm Lynch and Werribee defender Brad Mangan. All three have been

UPDATE: PORT Melbourne premiership player Nathan Batsanis has crossed to the SANFL for next season after missing out on getting selected in the recent AFL rookie draft. Batsanis joins a huge exodus of experienced Port players after its golden premiership season. UPDATE: WILLIAMSTOWN has signed 2010 Western Jets best and fairest Jordan Mead, Sandringham Dragons

THE newly-named Northern Blues will make their first appearance in new guernsey’s against the Coburg Tigers in the opening match of the VFL season on Saturday March 24 on release of the opening round yesterday. A duel between North Melbourne’s aligned partners North Ballarat and Werribee and a clash between Casey and Williamstown is on the

UPDATE: FORMER Hawthorn premiership player Rick Ladson appears likely to play at Bendigo this season with his brother after taking on a development role at Essendon. Bendigo has yet to be confirm Ladson has joined it but it is believed he is interested in a playing role. Ladson was earmarked to join Greater Western Sydney

UPDATE: FORMER West Coast midfielder Jamie McNamara has joined Williamstown after serving East Fremantle in the WAFL as vice-captain. McNamara, who has played 77 league games in the WAFL averaging 24 disposals and 5 marks a game, will be a great replacement for former Seagulls skipper Brett Johnson. Williamstown believe the 23-year-old is in the

STATE league footy fans could be in for a treat if VFL grand finallists Williamstown and Port Melbourne meet in a quarter final of the Foxtel Cup as the fixture for the national state league knockout competition was released yesterday. While both teams’ have a strong rivalry, the contest would add some spice to the

UPDATE: FORMER North Melbourne midfielder Daniel Pratt is up for grabs among VFL clubs. It is believed Williamstown and Port Melbourne head the list of clubs after his services. It is understood he has ruled out a return to North Melbourne’s affiliate clubs North Ballarat and Werribee. UPDATE: Former Geelong forward Ben Johnson has signed

THE VFL will welcome back state of origin footy from next season when it takes on the Tasmanian State League on either May 26 or 27 next season. Tasmania will host the Vics but a location is still yet to be determined. The interstate games are back on the agenda despite the success of the

PORT Melbourne is on the look out for a major sponsor for next season and beyond as it approaches its first season in the Foxtel Cup. The Borough, the undefeated reigning premier, ended its long association with TEAC last month. TEAC’s association with the Port Melbourne Football Club was established in 1988 and both parties

UPDATE: WILLIAMSTOWN has added to the signings of Michael Stockdale and Clinton Proctor with North Albury’s Sam Myors. Calder Cannons player Robbie Ball has also committed to the Seagulls. It is understood Cameron Lockwood and Matthew Cravino may still sign at the club. Ben Jolley and Brett Goodes have also re-signed for 2012. DELISTED North

UPDATE: DELISTED North Melbourne midfielder Ben Ross is likely to sign at the Werribee Tigers if he isn’t picked up in tonight’s AFL draft or next month’s rookie and pre-season drafts. Ross trained at Chirnside Park last night and would add to Werribee’s cluster of young recruits after several departures headlined by skipper Dom Gleeson. FORMER Western

UPDATE: FORMER Western Bulldogs rookie Eddie Prato has signed with North Ballarat. Prato, a developing ruckman, will bolster the clubs’ ruck stocks under Orren Stephensen. Prato originally played basketball for the Ballarat Nuggets and footy for Maryborough. Prato played the bulk of the season with Williamstown in the VFL last season. THE Dolphins have been the

UPDATE: THE Dolphins have been the bolters in the pre-season recruiting after snaring former Box Hill Hawks forward Leigh Kitchin, Jackson Sketcher and are likely to recruit former Coburg player Travis Ronaldson. UPDATE: FORMER Hawthorn player Travis Tuck, who was the AFL’s first player to register three strikes under the illicit drugs policy, will remain at the

UPDATE: FORMER Melbourne player Brett Lovett has landed the Casey Scorpions coaching role this morning. Scorpions general manager Brian Woodman confirmed to Football Nation that the role will be part-time because the club has “quite a few development coaches”. Woodman also revealed that Peter Dean was never really a serious candidate. Lovett was looking for

UPDATE: The Casey Scorpions will announce their new senior coach on Monday. Scorpions general manager Brian Woodman confirmed yesterday an announcement is due around midday tomorrow for the new coach which is believed to be between Brett Lovett and Peter Dean and will be a part-time position. The Scorpions are the final VFL team in

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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,

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

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

FORMER rugby league star and GWS recruit Israel Folau had only the four touches but “showed a little bit” according to Northern Bullants coach Darren Harris in the Bullants 89-point demolition in a Foxtel Cup match yesterday. It was Folau’s first game at the MCG and coach Kevin Sheedy’s first match back at the ground

WILLIAMSTOWN has advanced to the quarter finals of the Foxtel Cup state league competition after destroying WAFL premier Swan Districts by 37-points at Patersons Stadium last night. The Seagulls had more than half of their team filled with Western Bulldogs players including Nathan Djerrkura who was best on ground. While other Bulldogs including Patrick Veszpremi,

TRIPLE VFL reigning premier North Ballarat has been bundled out of the Foxtel Cup following a two-point loss to East Perth at Patersons Stadium last night.   Roosters ruckman Orren Stephenson put the Roosters two goals ahead early in the final term before the Royals hit back with three unanswered goals to take the points.

IT will be a genuine look to the future in AFL football on Saturday night when the two new licenses Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney make their mark in the NAB Cup against the Sydney Swans. Rugby defector Karmichael Hunt will make his debut in defence along with ex-Hawk hard man Campbell Brown for