The former Port Adelaide star gave Martin a bake on Wednesday after video emerged of the Tigers star snubbing a TV reporter.Martin went in for scans earlier this week after he injured his hamstring during the Tigers win over West Coast.The club confirmed after the scans that Martin will miss the Tigers’ trip to play the Suns on the Gold Coast this weekend.Watch every blockbuster AFL match this weekend Live & Ad-Break Free In-Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >Channel 7’s Mitch Cleary approached Martin on the street ahead of the scan and asked how the 31-year-old was feeling.Martin walked past the reporter and cameraman without giving any response. The display prompted a brutal takedown from Cornes. “It’s pretty petulant, don’t you think? I thought it was petulant from Dustin Martin,” Cornes told SEN SA Breakfast.“You’ve got the game’s biggest star refusing to talk to basically Channel 7’s number one footy reporter, the host broadcaster, and looking at him with genuine disdain and completely ignoring him.“There is a level of respect on how to treat people. A lot of footy fans don’t rate the media and a lot of players don’t too, but I think it’s more about how you treat people and if you’re going to accept a $1.2 million cheque per year basically from media rights, I think there’s a real arrogance about that, and some people would say that’s overdoing it, but he refuses to do on-ground interviews after.“You’re the game’s biggest star, I just reckon it’s not hard to just say, ‘Hey Mitch, I’m not sure mate, we’ll find out later in the week’. That’s all you’ve got to say.“You’re speaking to the supporters as well. You may hate the media — but you’re speaking to the 100,000 Richmond members who never hear (from you).”Collingwood legend Nathan Buckley on Wednesday spoke out in defence of Martin in a post on Twitter.Buckley said the 7 News piece “got what it deserved”.“No comment? Nothing to add to the story? Then what was the purpose of running the vision,” he questioned.“Door stopping is the height of disrespect. It violates personal and private space and is no fun for the journos asked to do it, nor for the targets. “It got the treatment it deserves.”Cleary responded: “Didn’t run on the news, only social media. “You know Dusty is 100-1 to stop but it doesn’t mean 100-1 winners don’t ever get up.“Your former Pies boys often give great content on the doorstop.”Martin has previously been criticised for refusing to speak to reporters, including AFL broadcast rights holders Fox Footy and Channel 7.Martin was earlier this week making headlines for his uncertain future at Richmond and rumoured links to the Sydney Swans. 3AW’s Sportsday reporter Sam McClure said on Monday he wasn’t sure if Martin would stay at Punt Road.“I think as we sit here right now there’s a very large chance Dustin Martin won’t be playing at Richmond next year,” he said on Sportsday.“Sydney keeps getting mentioned … he’s had a love of Sydney and if he wanted to go there, they would move heaven and earth to make it happen.“Damien Hardwick was on record not long ago saying if (Dustin Martin) wanted to go, he would go with (Hardwick’s) blessing.“But he has two years left on his deal, so it’s easier said than done.”
Watch from 11:20am AEST in the player above as under-fire coach David Noble addresses the Kangaroos’ on - and off - field woes.North president hits back at ‘gutless’ benefactor- Jackie EpsteinNorth Melbourne president Dr Sonja Hood has hit out at the club’s detractors, saying she’s in for the long haul and club boss Ben Amarfio has her full support.In the wake of North Melbourne supporter Adrian Kinderis calling for her and Amarfio to resign, she told the Herald Sun:“He’s gutless, he called for my sacking but hasn’t had the guts to call me directly.”It comes after long-time club benefactor Kinderis sent a scathing group email to about 60 past and present staff, board members, and to Amarfio – in emails obtained by the Herald Sun.“We’ve had a lot of change,” Dr Hood said. “I want the guys who are on our list to love coming to work every day. We need strong leadership and that’ what I’m here to provide.”When asked if she backs under fire CEO Amarfio she said: “Absolutely 100 percent.”She said she would await the findings of Geoff Walsh who has been brought to the club in an advisory role.“It’s been way more than I ever thought it would be on every level,” Hood said of the job she took on at the start of the season. “It’s way more challenging but also rewarding. “I’ll wait for Geoff Walsh to tell me his findings.”MORE TO COME.
AFL: Jack Riewoldt wears a mic during his Richmond Tigers' clash with the West Coast Eagles.
It was a Round 23 clash against Richmond and Alwyn Davey Snr had managed just four touches the previous week, but was kept in the side for a final farewell.“He just played 100 on the dot and I remember running out with him,” Alwyn Jnr said.“That was unreal and that’s probably something I’ll never forget.”Given his age, Alwyn Jnr didn’t fully appreciate what his father was able to achieve during his career.SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE FULL TOP 75 LIST But the highlights videos showing some of his 120 AFL goals have come out from time to time in the Davey household.“As soon as we were growing up we were watching all the videos and it actually seemed like he was a really good player back then,” Alwyn Jnr said.“As you mature, you would actually understand about what he did and how he did it, which was really good. You could better understand how he made himself a better player.”Alwyn Snr’s final game has proven a blessing for the Bombers, who now have access to a pair of father-sons this year because of it.Alwyn Jnr is promising midfielder-forward who is part of the NAB AFL Academy this year and likens himself to his uncle – former Melbourne star Aaron Davey.Watch every blockbuster AFL match this weekend Live & Ad-Break Free In-Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >Alwyn Jnr’s twin brother, Jayden is considered to be a “replica” of his father, as a small forward who is sidelined this year with an ACL injury but did enough last year to excite AFL recruiters.The Davey brothers are two of a raft of famous names in this year’s draft pool, which also include some other father-sons as well as brothers of current AFL players and nephews of former stars.Will Ashcroft headlines the list as the son of three-time Brisbane premiership player Marcus Ashcroft.A potential No. 1 pick, Ashcroft is yet to decide whether or not he will nominate for the Lions.Brisbane also has access to Jaspa Fletcher through its Next Generation Academy, who is the son of former Geelong, St Kilda, Brisbane and Fremantle player Adrian Fletcher.Cooper Harvey – the son of North Melbourne champion and AFL games record holder Brent Harvey – is available as a father-son to North Melbourne, while Jerome Lawrence is available for Hawthorn under the same rules as the son of 1991 premiership hero Stephen Lawrence.Oliver Hollands is the son of former Richmond player Ben Hollands and the brother of current Gold Coast midfielder Elijah Hollands.“He (Elijhah) has been a really good outlet to talk to, not even about the footy stuff,” Oliver said.“Just as a mate he has been a great resource. But then if I have any questions about what’s going on at the club and some things to look forward to in hopefully getting drafted, he’s always there to talk about that sort of stuff too. He’s definitely a great resource and I’m very lucky to have him.”An AFL Academy member, Oliver is happy to go anywhere but been interviewed by the Suns.“It’s a dream to be able to play footy but to be able to play with your brother would be pretty incredible,” he said.Adelaide has father-son access to Max Michalanney, who is the son of 200-game Norwood star Jim.AFL Top 75 under-18 elite players
The Phantom and The Eradicator are joined by Simeon Thomas-Wilson and Tom Biddington to talk luxury trades, the bargain buys to finish your KFC SuperCoach team, best strategy from here and take all your questions ahead of Round 17
The Herald Sun can exclusively reveal the Suns have brought forward the negotiations for Dew, who entered the season under massive pressure given the spectre of four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson potentially replacing him at the expansion club.But after a brilliant coaching performance under extreme hardship this season, the Suns believe Dew is their man for the foreseeable future.It is a watershed moment for the Suns who finally look set for a strong period of on-field success after a series of false dawns and the sackings of inaugural coach Guy McKenna and his replacement Rodney Eade.Under Dew’s stewardship, the Suns have assembled a tight-knit group of elite talent that has committed to the future with recent signings including Touk Miller, Ben King and Jack Lukosius.Watch every blockbuster AFL match this weekend Live & Ad-Break Free In-Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >Gold Coast has also put in place a strong team around Dew including football boss Wayne Campbell, list boss Craig Cameron, new development head Rhyce Shaw and elite assistant coaches Steven King and Brad Miller.Despite losing their best player Ben King on the eve of the season, as well as three other ACL victims, the Suns are still in the finals race at 7-8 despite harrowing recent losses to Port Adelaide and Collingwood.Dew’s reappointment comes as the Suns are in line for their highest-ever finish this season.Gold Coast has never finished a season higher than 12th in the 11-completed seasons, with the ever-improving Suns currently in 11th place.Clarkson had been linked by some experts to the Gold Coast role earlier this season, but Dew’s position solidified off the back of his connection to the playing group, the brand of football they have been playing and the backing and support of the Gold Coast board and administration including chairman Tony Cochrane and CEO Mark Evans.Cochrane told the Herald Sun recently that Dew’s absolute investment in the list of players and improving game plan had put him in good stead to continue with the club.“What Mark (Evans) and I said at the start of the year very publicly, and Stu has 100 per cent support on this, he understands it, he sat with the board and discussed this,’’ Cochrane told the Herald Sun’s Sacked podcast recently.“We said to Stu, ‘Don‘t worry about the contract. Let’s have a year where all you do and your only focus is the progression of our group’.So we’ve given Stuey a clear set of instructions about just get on, let’s get progression into the young group, let’s observe that in the back half of the year, and, and we’ll make a decision from there.”Dew is into his fifth season as coach of the Suns and needs one more win to pass his best tally of victories in a season. The Suns take on Richmond at Metricon Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Having won eight of their first nine matches this season, the Lions have a 50 per cent record from their past six matches.Wins over the Giants, St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs have been mixed in with losses to Hawthorn, Fremantle and Melbourne.While their overall record of 11 victories and four losses has them as one of three current top-four teams trailing leaders Melbourne by four points, the Lions are chasing the winning consistency they had earlier this season.With only two wins separating second and ninth on the ladder, McCluggage has promised there won’t be a hint of complacency in Brisbane’s camp against the 16th-placed Bombers, who have won two of their past three matches, including last Saturday’s nine-point upset defeat of the Sydney Swans.“It just feels so tight up there between second to sixth, seventh, and even eighth, ninth, 10th – they’re all pretty close,” the talented midfielder said.“You get a bit of breathing room (after a win), but it can quickly go back the other way if you lose one or two in a row ... all of a sudden you’re back with the pack.“It’s great viewing, and there are plenty of great games that mean so much which is good for footy, but it makes you pretty nervous as a club and as a player.However, they are nerves that McCluggage thrives on.“I think you play better footy when you’re on edge and you must win,” he said.“Every game this year is like that. It’s a little bit like a final every week. “It’s great fun to be playing, and I’m really enjoying the footy this year.”McCluggage rated the Lions’ victory over the Bulldogs at the Gabba last Thursday night among Brisbane’s best wins in his tine at the club as it came despite the early losses of captain Dayne Zorko and experienced defender Daniel Rich, who will both miss Sunday’s match due to hamstring injuries.“When you lose a couple of players, let alone ‘Zorks’ and ‘Richy’, players of the calibre, you have to find another gear,” he said.“We saw it as a real challenge at half-time and we were able to have players step up ... that really drove us in that second half and we had a great win.”Lions forward Eric Hipwood is free to play against the Bombers after avoiding suspension for pushing Bulldogs player Ryan Gardner into field umpire Jacob Mollison.Hipwood was found guilty of careless conduct and fined $2500.
Hipwood was sent straight to the Tribunal after he pushed opponent Ryan Gardner, who then collided with umpire Jacob Mollison, during Thursday night’s win over Western Bulldogs.The Tribunal found Hipwood to have been careless, but said it was not a ‘high’ level of carelessness and imposed a $2500 fine despite the AFL initially arguing for a one-match ban for careless contact or two-match ban for intentional contact.Watch every blockbuster AFL match this weekend Live & Ad-Break Free In-Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >Speaking on AFL 360, Robinson said he was staggered at the Tribunal’s decision.“They found him guilty of carelessly pushing a player into an umpire and they’ve fined him, how can that be?” he asked. “This is not careless contact that we see with an umpire at the centre-square, this is careless contact of you pushing a person into an umpire. It’s a major difference. “I know people disagree with me, but I am staggered again.“They’ve found him guilty of doing something you’re not allowed to do and it’s fallen under ‘oh well, it’s contact with an umpire’, that’s crap.”Robinson was also surprised that the league believed only a two-match ban was preferred had Hipwood have been found guilty of intentional contact.“I’m not headhunting Eric Hipwood, but in a year of looking after umpires - and the AFL at times has let umpires down - to have this happening, I’m a bit bewildered. I might be wrong, but I’m bewildered,” he said.“They couldn’t have found it deliberate because if it is he should be sitting for five or six weeks. If we found out Eric Hipwood deliberately pushed him into the umpire, he’s gone, so I don’t know why we’re asking for two weeks, they should’ve been asking for five weeks.”At the Tribunal, Hipwood pleaded not guilty, arguing the contact was accidental and primarily caused by his opponent running directly towards the umpire and making prohibited contact with him while sprinting towards goal. “Viewed from certain angles this incident looks quite troubling, as it appears that Hipwood intended to push Gardner into the umpire,” Tribunal chairman Jeff Gleeson explained.“However, on viewing the footage from behind the goals and hearing the evidence from Hipwood, the circumstances were very different to what they first seemed.“It is now clear to us that Hipwood was simply running towards goal when his opponent, who was running beside him, deviated and all but stopped in Hipwood‘s path, blocking his run. Hipwood reacted by pushing his opponent, who collided with the umpire.“However, we find that Hipwood ought to have been aware that an umpire was in close vicinity, as he and his opponent were running at speed, he ought to have been aware that the umpire was vulnerable to a high speed collision. In those circumstances, he breached his duty of care by forcefully pushing his opponent into the umpire.“He did have an alternative, he need not have pushed his opponent. He did more than brace for contact. As a result, we find Hipwood was careless.“It was however a reaction and not his action alone that caused the incident and we do not regard the level of carelessness as high. We do not propose to impose a suspension, we have in mind imposing a fine of $2,500.”
AFL: Brisbane Lions star Eric Hipwood had avoided suspension for pushing an opponent into an umpire.
And it‘s the same thing every time.What is Chris Scott doing? Why aren’t they doing anything different? Home and away champs become finals chumps.Don‘t worry, Cats fans are very well versed on that saying that a sure sign of madness is doing the same thing over and over again.That‘s what they’ve been accusing the Geelong coach of doing for much of the past decade, despite him having an extraordinary win/loss record. In fact, Scott’s team has finished worse than fourth only once in the past six years.In anyone‘s language that is a stunning era of success but with no silverware since Scott’s first year in 2011, the natives are restless which brings us to 2022.Once again Geelong are up the pointy end after 16 rounds, sitting pretty in second position ahead of a top-of-the-table clash with Melbourne on Thursday night.Before the cynics jump up and down saying you can‘t read anything into Geelong until September, here are the 10 reasons why these Cats are very different.Watch every blockbuster AFL match this weekend Live & Ad-Break Free In-Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >Are Cats fans too hard on Coach Chris Scott?1. HARD-NOSED MIDDLE MANTom Atkins has brought an edge to the middle of the ground since his move there in Round 11. In the first 10 rounds of the season the small defender played eight per cent game time in the midfield, over the past six weeks that has soared to 88 per cent. His centre bounce attendances have gone from 0.8 to 19.2 per game.2. HAIL KING SAM He won‘t win the Rising Star because Nick Daicos is a freak but Sam De Koning is a lock for runner-up given his ability to stand up at centre half-back has enabled Scott to do so many other things with players like Mark Blicavs in particular. De Koning’s key defender profile has him above average is three categories – disposals (12.8), intercept marks (2.7) and intercept possessions (7.3) – while he is considered elite for contested possessions (6.3).From Round 7-15 the 21-year-old had the third most intercept possessions in the competition (71) one ahead of Hawthorn star James Sicily and only behind teammates Tom Stewart (78) and GWS Giant Sam Taylor (77).3. RUN MARK RUNThere was a time not that long ago where the thought of Mark Blicavs not playing fullback scared Cats fans. After dabbling as a ruckman/follower earlier in his career, he became the key man in the back half. But with De Koning stepping up, the development of Jack Henry and the cool heads of Tom Stewart and Zach Tuohy, the former steeplechaser is no longer required to save the day. Given the ruck position continues to be an issue because of the up and down nature of Rhys Stanley, Scott has been able to use Blicavs as effectively another midfielder/mobile ruckman. Since Round 8 he has played just two per cent game time in defence compared to 68 in Rounds 1-7. His ruck presence has increased from 24 per cent to 59 per cent with the wing increasing from 8 per cent to 35 per cent of game time.4. CHANGING OF THE GUARDThe middle of the ground has seen plenty of new faces go through. The roll call of centre bounce attendees from 2021 to 2022 tells a significant story. Captain Joel Selwood time in the middle is down 16 per cent, Mitch Duncan down 40 per cent while tagger Mark O‘Connor is minus 217 per cent. As mentioned Atkins is up 96 per cent, Brandan Parfitt 24 per cent, Max Holmes 46 per cent with rookie Cooper Stephens averaging 5.4 per game when he’s played. 5. OLD CATS NEW TRICKSMitch Duncan and Isaac Smith are two of the great wingmen of the past decade but they‘re spending less time there. Duncan in particular has gone back to defence with his time there increasing from 10 per cent to 77 per cent between Rounds 8-16. As a consequence his wing presence has gone down from 27 per cent to 11 per cent.Smith is starting forward more, his percentage up from 28 to 41 with the wing coming down from 68 to 56. The veteran‘s midfield forward profile shows how important he is to how the Cats function He is rated elite in uncontested possessions (16.1 per game), metres gained (481), inside 50s (5.1) and marks (6.5) while above average in disposals (21.6).6. SUPERSTAR MANAGEMENT Telling Joel Selwood and Patrick Dangerfield to not play has previously been almost impossible. The reliance on these stars even if they‘ve been banged up has been too strong previously. Selwood has been rested three times this year while Dangerfield was deliberately held back after completing a mini pre-season following a calf problem early in the season. Don’t underestimate the impact of premiership hero Harry Taylor, the new head of medical and conditioning services, in this space.7. ROAM JEREMY ROAMFor starters Jeremy Cameron was never fit last year so this has really been the first time Scott has had his full array of tricks at his disposal. The obvious point with the former Giant is his goals – he‘s leading the Coleman Medal with 46 – but his impact further up the ground has become important. “Releasing Cameron up the ground when you have got (Gary) Rohan and Dangerfield in the side works because then you don‘t lose out up forward,” one opposition analyst said. ”Cameron plays his best footy when he gets up the ground and then races his opponent back. Look at his first All-Australian year, that’s when he’s most comfortable.”8. TERRIFIC TYSONThere are plenty of feel-good stories in the AFL this season but Tyson Stengle is right up the top. He has brought so much to his third club with his pure goal sense (31 goals) something the Cats lacked. His partnership with Brad Close and Gryan Miers, who both play more up the ground, has a far better look than veterans Luke Dahlhaus and Shaun Higgins who previously assumed those positions.9. PLAY THE KIDSThe fans have been screaming this until they are blue in the face and Scott has quietly ensured the next generation are getting plenty of airtime. Geelong has player four debutants which ranks them equal fifth in the competition behind West Coast (9).10. NO ROBOTSFinally the Cats have caught up with the quicker ball movement trend. “What they are doing is getting into practice for the finals,” a rival assistant coach said. ”Instead of playing slow and robotic through the year, then that‘s the only way they can play. I think they are actually working on playing a few modes for when they run into the good sides.“A lot of it is more positional, they have put different guys in different spots who can actually create a bit more.”
The father of three-time Hawthorn premiership forward Jack Gunston had a heart attack on Tuesday morning at his Southbank home at the age of 64.AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan paid tribute to Gunston, who was nicknamed ‘The Wall’ at AFL House because of his inability to say ‘yes’.Gunston was survived by wife Mandy, daughter Kate, granddaughter Scarlett and son Jack.“His work ethic was prodigious and his working day diet famous, surviving on plain Saladas and chewed fingernails,” McLachlan said.“Ray was an extremely valued member of the AFL Executive in the time he worked at AFL House, with both his ability to lead and complete major projects, and for his strong values and ethical framework in how he conducted himself,” McLachlan said.“He was a valuable mentor to a range of leaders across our industry and it was my privilege to both work with him, and to count he and Mandy as friends.”Gunston was parachuted into the Bombers at the height of the supplements saga in May, 2013 after chief executive Ian Robson quit mid-seasonHe helped oversee the appointment of coach Mark Thompson for the 2014 season and was a key figure in the club accepting its penalty from the AFL for bringing the game into disrepute.Gunston joined the AFL in July, 2015, as general manager of finance, corporate and major projects.Previously, he was chief financial officer of the Tatts Group.AFL Commission chairman Richard Goyder also paid tribute to Gunston’s service at league headquarters.“His legacy contributions included the acquisition of Marvel Stadium and raising a credit facility during Covid that helped the industry get through it.” Mr Goyder said.“Ray was also a proud footballing father, attending Jack’s matches for Adelaide and Hawthorn and not being able to sit still in his seat, he was often seen pacing around the stadium concourse during those matches.”Gunston also held executive roles with Westpac, Price Waterhouse, Aluminium Smelters of Victoria, Southern Cross Austereo and the Victorian Government.He was a non-executive director and Chairman of Sigma Pharmaceuticals, Hotel Property Investments and Melbourne Stadiums Limited. He was also a non-executive director AFL Victoria and the Melbourne Renegades.Hawthorn released a statement late on Tuesday offering its condolences to the Gunston family and noted Ray’s big presence at the club.“He was a loving husband, father and grandfather who never missed one of Jack’s matches.He was an important part of the Hawthorn family and our thoughts are with Mandy, Jack and Kate and those close to them at this time.”Gunston was a star for EDFL powerhouse Strathmore, playing in the 1984 premiership team. He lined up for Brunswick in the VFA from 1979-81.
The race to the KFC SuperCoach finals is on, and trading is becoming difficult. So could we trade rookie sensation Nick Daicos back in? The No. 3 ranked coach joins experts Al Paton and Dan Batten to reveal their trade plans, debate the best strategy and captain options.
The father of three-time Hawthorn premiership forward Jack Gunston had a heart attack on Tuesday morning at his Southbank home at the age of 64.AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan paid tribute to Gunston, who was nicknamed ‘The Wall’ at AFL House because of his inability to say ‘yes’.Gunston was survived by wife Mandy, daughter Kate, granddaughter Scarlett and son Jack.“His work ethic was prodigious and his working day diet famous, surviving on plain Saladas and chewed fingernails,” McLachlan said.“Ray was an extremely valued member of the AFL Executive in the time he worked at AFL House, with both his ability to lead and complete major projects, and for his strong values and ethical framework in how he conducted himself,” McLachlan said.Watch every blockbuster AFL match this weekend Live & Ad-Break Free In-Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >“He was a valuable mentor to a range of leaders across our industry and it was my privilege to both work with him, and to count he and Mandy as friends.”Gunston was parachuted into the Bombers at the height of the supplements saga in May, 2013 after chief executive Ian Robson quit mid-season.He helped oversee the appointment of coach Mark Thompson for the 2014 season and was a key figure in the club accepting its penalty from the AFL for bringing the game into disrepute.Gunston joined the AFL in July, 2015, as general manager of finance, corporate and major projects.Previously, he was chief financial officer of the Tatts Group.AFL Commission chairman Richard Goyder also paid tribute to Gunston’s service at league headquarters.“His legacy contributions included the acquisition of Marvel Stadium and raising a credit facility during Covid that helped the industry get through it.” Mr Goyder said.“Ray was also a proud footballing father, attending Jack’s matches for Adelaide and Hawthorn and not being able to sit still in his seat, he was often seen pacing around the stadium concourse during those matches.”Gunston also held executive roles with Westpac, Price Waterhouse, Aluminium Smelters of Victoria, Southern Cross Austereo and the Victorian Government.He was a non-executive director and Chairman of Sigma Pharmaceuticals, Hotel Property Investments and Melbourne Stadiums Limited. He was also a non-executive director AFL Victoria and the Melbourne Renegades.Hawthorn released a statement late on Tuesday offering its condolences to the Gunston family and noted Ray’s big presence at the club.“He was a loving husband, father and grandfather who never missed one of Jack’s matches.He was an important part of the Hawthorn family and our thoughts are with Mandy, Jack and Kate and those close to them at this time.”Gunston was a star for EDFL powerhouse Strathmore, playing in the 1984 premiership team. He lined up for Brunswick in the VFA from 1979-81.He was also a huge horse racing fanatic.He was a part owner in this year’s $5m Golden Slipper winner, Fireburn.Gunston led the filly into the winner’s circle after her win in the big race only four months ago.
Join Glenn McFarlane, Sam Landsberger and Scott Gullan as the coaching merry-go-round starts to heat up - who will Clarko coach in 2023? Plus the leaked emails behind a push to remove the President and CEO from North Melbourne, can Collingwood win 10 in a row and why Geelong can win the flag.
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If you break it down, his last six weeks, The Phantom’s had no continuity in his game and training.He came in on the back of some good training and one podcast, but only lasted a quarter of the show.Unfortunately, he didn’t record the week after due to suspension – family matters - and probably wouldn’t have anyway because of his injury. He hasn’t trained that well, but he’s available this week at reserves level.Ends.Yeah, nah.I’m available, so I’m in. Flynn – I mean Tim – Michell has been great, but you don’t keep a Ferrari in the garage.Did that statement sound familiar? It should. It was Mark McVeigh last week, addressing Braydon Preuss’ non-selection.Who would’ve thought a Giants coach could derail a KFC SuperCoach season.Watch every blockbuster AFL match this weekend Live & Ad-Break Free In-Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >So, you’re back?Yes, sorry. I just needed to vent. In my six weeks of absence, Preuss has played one game, scored 17 and hurt Tim English. But let’s move on…You said Preuss has derailed your season?Well, not yet. After holding onto the Giants big man up until last week, as well as Tim English and Luke Jackson – who I still have – I’ve fallen back outside the top 100, to sit 134th overall after 16 rounds. Don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled to be ranked so high – but it’s been a frustrating few rounds.So, what now?It’s a good question. Thankfully, Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge confirmed English will be available for selection, providing he gets through training on Tuesday.Who would’ve thought Bevo would be the hero in this story.With two trades left, I will – hopefully – be holding this week. But, hey, I said the same thing seven days ago.There will be no luxury trading Patrick Cripps or Tom Green for me – not yet anyway.ROUND 17 TRADE GUIDE: THE BEST BARGAIN BUYS RANKEDShould I be doing that?It all depends on how many trades you have left. Look at all the outs we’ve had over the past month.So, if you’re like me with two or three trades left, I’d hold, even if you are desperate to climb the rankings.Any points you make up by trading Cripps’ 91-point three-round average to, say, Jack Steele, who has posted back-to-back KFC SuperCoach tons since returning, could be wiped when you cannot cover a premium injury later in the year.Whether that be a 0 or the need to play an on-field rookie when others have sideways traded that injured premium.But for those with six or more trades, spending $23k to get to Steele could be money well spent, with a handball-happy Cripps – only 27 of his 87 disposals in the past three matches have been kicks – posting just two KFC SuperCoach tons since Round 8 as Sam Walsh’s influence in the midfield grows.What other luxury trades would you suggest?Hypothetically – as in don’t come after me when it backfires – these are some of the trades I’d consider.Cripps/Tom Green to Callum Mills.After back-to-back scores in the 80s, Mills’ price - $590k with a breakeven of 171 - is falling so, if you’re not ready to commit to a luxury trade just yet, it’s something to consider over the next few weeks. Despite a quiet game against the Bombers, I still expect Mills to outscore Cripps and Green from here, given his enormous ceiling. He’s still in less than 19 per cent of teams, and it’s high-scoring points-of-difference you need to climb the rankings at this stage of the season. Green’s scoring continues to be solid, but he hasn’t scored more than 117 since Round 3.Jayden Short to Jordan Dawson/Jack Sinclair.If you are one of the 71,000 KFC SuperCoaches with Short at D6, and don’t have each of the three defenders averaging in excess of 110 – James Sicily, Dawson and Sinclair – you will battle to make up ground. And Short, who has failed to pass 85 in four of his past five matches, is struggling to have a consistent KFC SuperCoach impact through the midfield. Dawson, on the other hand, has settled into one of the most-friendly KFC SuperCoach roles in the competition, floating across in defence to be Adelaide’s playmaker. He reads the ball brilliantly, allowing him to win it back off the opposition, and his left-foot is a thing of beauty, rarely turning it over and most-often kicking long. And he takes the kick-ins, when not being moved forward to take contested marks inside-50. Although, he may not be as big an aerial threat as Dawson, Sinclair’s role for the Saints is equally as enticing. Short gave up 68 points to Sinclair and 62 to Dawson in Round 16. It will cost you, but it’s likely to be worth it.Isaac Heeney to Tom Liberatore.In a similar story to Short, more than 70,000 KFC SuperCoaches have had to cop seven sub-100 scores from Heeney in the past nine matches, four of them 75 or less. He’s, again, being stationed more inside-50, with no centre bounces attendances since Round 10. Liberatore, on the other hand, was at the restart of play more than any other Bulldog last week and has the second-highest average – 121 – of any KFC SuperCoach forward behind Harry Himmelberg. And the best thing is the clearance machine is only owned by five per cent of the competition, giving you another all-important point-of-difference for the run home.Phant, pls, I have no cash…Well, luckily, I ranked the top 11 trade targets under $500k on Monday. See them here.Great, but who is my best straight swap for Dustin Martin?Like straight-straight? Tim Taranto.Back to Himmelberg, is he the real deal?More Giants!? Fine. I think he is, yes. In the build-up to the past two matches – in and around the Preuss fluff – McVeigh has mentioned the “temptation” to move Himmelberg forward again and the club think he “can play a role there” again this year. But the strong-marking tall lined up in defence again on Sunday, with Phil Davis and Nick Hayes in the line-up, finishing with eight rebound-50s and eight intercepts in difficult decisions. And, importantly, he played on with each of his four kick-ins. Despite going forward and spending time in the ruck against the Bulldogs in Round 14, Himmelberg is averaging seven intercepts – three of them marks – and nine rebound-50s in his past five matches.So, Mark is back in the good books?It’s a love-hate relationship.Phant, all Tim Michell gets for stepping up in your absence is a low-blow Matt Flynn comparison?Yeah, fair point. He did a ripping job with burning Qs while I was away. He gave your more analysis and advice in six weeks than I have all year. I hope you listened, too, because his team is coming home with a wet sail.The race to glory is on.And this Ferrari is back on track.