The Courier Mail (Brisbane)
Lions investigate Brendan Fevola complaint as AFL star’s future hangs in balance
By Anthony Dowsley
Even if controversial footy star Brendan Fevola is cleared after the police investigation into the star allegedly exposing himself to a woman, the AFL may still hold their own investigation. The claim comes after Fevola was accused of indecently exposing himself to a mother of four after luring her to a car with an offer of footballs for her children at a club family day. The Lions forward was suspended from the club indefinitely until the police and AFL investigate the allegations. Fevola has denied the allegations and has vowed to clear his name of any wrong doing. Victorian police have also confirmed that Fevola will not be charged for his antics at the Brownlow last year.
Andrew Mackie in firing line for semi-final against Fremantle
By Jay Clark and Mark Stevens
Mark Blake looks set to join Andrew Mackie on the sidelines against in Geelong’s semi-final against Fremantle tomorrow night. Geelong is poised to make two changes to their line-up to make room for big men Tom Lonergan and forward James Podisiadly. The Herald Sun also revealed that premiership player Andrew Mackie may also be cut from the team after his poor performance in Geelong’s loss to St Kilda last weekend.
AdelaideNow
Port Adelaide Football Club chooses Matthew Primus to replace Mark Williams as coach
By Michelangelo Rucci
Port Adelaide has announced that Matthew Primus is the new coach of Port Adelaide. The former club captain was told at 8.30am this morning that he will be the successor of Mark Williams and has secured a contract for three years. His appointment comes after a 5-2 win-loss record during his 7 game audition and he has stated that it is an honour to coach his former club, which he has been an assistant coach of ever since his retirement in 2005.
Herald Sun (Melbourne)
Etihad Stadium boss Ian Collins claims vendetta
By Jon Ralph and Mark Stevens
Etihad Stadium boss Ian Collins has lashed out over the constant criticism of the venue. Collins said that the players have a vendetta over the venue after AFL players voted the stadium as having the worst surface in the competition. Collins claims that it is not a sports venue, but a multi-purpose venue and has not confirmed whether concerts will be played in the stadium from Christmas day to Round 1 next year. The MCG was voted as having the best surface in the competition.
Footy brawl at Hawthorn MacDonald’s caught on CCTV
By Wayne Flower
Hawthorn has confirmed that they will not be taking any action against the players that were involved in an altercation as McDonald’s yesterday. A man reported to the police that a drunken lout allegedly received a black eye after getting into a late night brawl with AFL footballers in Hawthorn. The police have reviewed the CCTV footage and dismissed the assault allegation. The players alerted the club of the situation amd McDonald’s staff members confirmed the players did not start the altercation.
The Australian
Shane O’Bree in Gold Coast Suns’ sights for coaching position
By Greg Denham
Collingwood veteran Shane O’Bree has announced his retirement from football and is expected to take an assistant coaching role with the Gold Coast Suns. He announced his retirement with another Pies player, Sean Rusling who put his retirement down to having three shoulder constructions in four years, with his last game being Round 1 2008. O’Bree, who played 246 games with Collingwood and Brisbane, has ruled himself out for the remainder of Collingwood’s finals campaign.
AAP
Two byes for clubs in 2011
AAP
The AFL has released that next year’s fixture will have 19 rounds of eight games and five rounds of seven games in order to accommodate the leagues 17th team, the Gold Coast Suns. All clubs must have two-byes in the year to ensure a 22-round season over 24 weekends. This type of fixturing will only be an issue for next year due to Team GWS entering the competition in 2012. Next year’s fixture will be released in late October, with the AFL already confirming that the Suns will have a bye in the first round and then play Richmond at the Gabba in round 2.
