What the papers say...
Grand final week reaches its culmination, the possible inclusions and exclusions for the big one, and trades and delistings pick up at clubs across the country
Grand final week reaches its culmination, the possible inclusions and exclusions for the big one, and trades and delistings pick up at clubs across the country are among the AFL-related items making news in Australia's daily newspapers on Friday, 23 September 2005.Herald Sun: Sydney coach Paul Roos says the Swans would not be in Saturday's AFL Grand Final if not for forgotten captain Stuart Maxfield.West Coast should not risk goalsneak Phil Matera in the Grand Final because of his poor record in finals, according to two of the game's biggest names.The Sydney Swans have been locked out of their spiritual home for their post-Grand Final party.The AFL again went into damage control on Thursday night over its controversial tribunal system in the wake of the Barry Hall case this week.Any player who has a brain explosion in Saturday's Grand Final will suffer the consequences.The Kangaroos may consider entering a partnership with two VFL clubs next season.Chris Judd had grown used to the dirty deeds of taggers, but nothing could prepare him for the tactics of two obsessed female fans.Young Adelaide forward Fergus Watts quit the club on Thursday, saying he wants to return to Melbourne.The Brisbane Lions still don't have a formal commitment from vice-captain Luke Power for next year and beyond.Andrew Demetriou, you were wrong. Forget about eggs on his face, the AFL chief executive will end up with a double yolk omelette when the Bloodstained Angels grab the cup on Saturday.The Kangaroos have emerged as the clear favourite if, as expected, defender Jonathan Hay leaves Hawthorn.The Australian: Survival of the fittest. For all the pre-grand final hype about midfield match-ups and mind-set, at the end of 120 minutes of brutal football, it will be Darwin's rules played out in the pit of the MCG.West Coast appears certain to go into Saturday's grand final without its two leading goalkickers this season.There's a small room at the end of the Swans' players race. In the room is a video recorder. In the recorder is a tape and on that tape are the secret plans behind the club's attempt to win its first flag since Jack Bissett led South Melbourne to victory in 1933.History shows that big men win big games and, not surprisingly, Sydney coach Paul Roos identified this week the ruck duels as pivotal to the outcome of the grand final.There are no visible scars from Brett Kirk's near-scalping during last weekend's game. The stitches are under the hair line, the 15cm wound is healing and he is ready to go in the grand final.Melbourne's bid to recruit out-of-contract Fremantle forward Paul Medhurst appears set to fail, with the Dockers goalkicker appearing certain to stay in Perth.West Coast Sam Butler is about to have something significant to brag about to his mates in South Australia.It might be a battle between two interstate clubs, but deep in the suburbs of Melbourne, some hearts are beating a little faster with hope for a Swans victory over the West Coast Eagles after 72 long years in the wilderness.Adelaide Advertiser: South Australian teenager Sam Butler will on Saturday play in his first AFL grand final on the advice and faith of West Coast assistant coach Peter Sumich.Neil Craig says Sydney. Mark Williams suggests West Coast. But the Port Adelaide coach adds: "And I'm not surprised Sydney is a popular choice . . . and I wouldn't be surprised if they won."As West Coast coach John Worsfold points out, this is a grand final to prove someone wrong.Young forward Fergus Watts on Thursday told Adelaide one contract with the Crows is enough. The teenager has quit the club saying he will return to Melbourne.They have dipped their toes in travel agencies, a bit of real estate and now the Crows want a money-spinning hotel. But they will not get a share in the Lakes Hotel at West Lakes.Neil Craig returned to the Adelaide Football Club on Thursday morning as his peers' choice for AFL Coach of the Year. But before dust could settle on his trophy, Adelaide's players were telling Craig he could become a better coachThe Age: Kangaroos legend Wayne Carey says Phil Matera has been a let-down in finals football and should be dumped from West Coast's grand final side.All great footballers cultivate meanness, yet never weep for their woes. They can give it and take it. The Swans' Barry Hall belongs to this elite band.The AFL has warned West Coast and Sydney that the points for offences in Saturday's grand final will be double those for the rest of the season.Stuart Maxfield cut a forlorn figure sitting alone in the SCG stands on Thursday, but his role in the rise of the Swans can't be under-estimated.St Kilda's dual Brownlow medallist, Robert Harvey, is likely to play on in 2006 in the hope that his 19th season might bring the premiership that has eluded him in an otherwise glittering career.The West Australian: Brownlow medallist Shane Woewodin's chances of resurrecting his AFL career in Perth could be decided on Friday when Fremantle meet to plan their strategy for next month's trading period.Sydney Morning Herald: When Luke Ablett was drafted by the Swans, the nephew of former Geelong champion Gary Ablett created understandable interest.Denise Haberman was at the Lake Oval when her beloved South Melbourne Football Club played its last game at its ancestral home.In Melbourne on Friday, a bunch of former Swans will meet to have a few drinks, a bite of lunch and to share war stories from the year in which the club's AFL history was reinvented.Swans coach Paul Roos admitted on Thursday that he, like so many critics this season, had underestimated the team that will on Saturday attempt to win Sydney's first AFL premiership.All great footballers carry the seed of cruelty. It's their duty and desire to strip their opponent, undress his weaknesses. The very, very best cultivate this meanness, yet simultaneously never weep for their woes. They are the ones who can give it and take it.The folk of Listowel, a tiny Irish town on the banks of the River Feale in County Kerry, are on the verge of the rarest of sporting doubles this weekend.There wouldn't have been a spectator at the MCG last Friday night who didn't grimace as they watched Brett Kirk make his way from the field with blood trickling down his face.Geelong Advertiser: Walking down the streets of Colac became a whole lot harder for Ann Buchanan this week.Geelong Football Club has swung the axe, cutting two players from its rookie list.Courier Mail: West Coast goalsneak Phil Matera has been named to return from injury for Saturday's AFL grand final, but the Eagles admit their leading goalkicker is no certainty to play.