AFL Record First Elimination Final, 2023

ONE WEEK TIME

News from in and around the AFL

FINALS RIVALRY REBORN

The AFL steps back into the future with the opening game of the 2023 nals series. Collingwood and Melbourne was the rivalry that le all others behind for 10 years from the mid-1950s.

They met in ve Grand Finals during that time, with the Demons winning four of them. It was the decade that forged the greatness of Norm Smith and Ron Barassi.

Thursday night will be the 23rd nals clash between them – the equal-second most frequent nals match-up in League history – and the sobering gure for the Magpies is their 5-16-1 record.

They’ve lost 14 of the past 15, with the sole victory coming in the 1958 Grand Final, one of the biggest boilovers ever.

Their last nals meeting was in 1989 at Waverley Park, which partly explains why this game sold out in a matter of hours, with 95,000 fans expected to cram into the MCG for a game that many expect will determine who wins this year’s premiership.

Both served notice in round 24 that they might be getting back to their best. The Magpies destroyed Essendon by 70 points, while the Demons headed to the SCG – with nothing to play for given the clash with Collingwood was already locked in – and beat the Sydney Swans by 21 points.

Key to the Demons was the return of Bayley Fritsch a er a foot injury.

EDITOR’S LETTER MICHAEL LOVETT

He kicked ve goals to give Melbourne’s forward line the edge it had been sorely missing, although he hurt his foot again in the game and will be monitored in the lead-up to Thursday night.

Collingwood will regain skipper Darcy Moore and, apart from Nick Daicos, will be at full strength.

There is almost as much anticipation ahead of Friday night’s Carlton v Sydney elimination nal, with tickets for that MCG clash selling almost as quickly.

It is the rst time back in the nals for a decade for the Blues a er a slow and laborious rebuild replete with a few missteps and some heartbreak along the way.

Their return to the nals has added further magic to an already-exciting month. It pits two of the most improved teams of the second half of the season.

Indeed, a quirk of this year’s nals series is that these two clubs, as well as the GWS Giants, at one stage sat in 15th place on the ladder well into the season.

All eyes will be on Carlton pair Charlie Curnow and Patrick Cripps.

Can Coleman medallist Curnow elevate his game even further? He is already the most exciting player in the game. As for Cripps, he seems to have an inside/outside game that is built for September.

The Swans are the ultimate professionals and have missed the nals just twice since John Longmire took over as coach in 2011.

u With three of the dominant teams post 2015 enjoying a finals-free September, there is a new order in the fight for the 2023 flag.

The Western Bulldogs (premier in 2016, runners-up in 2021), Richmond (premier 2017, 2019, 2020) and Geelong (premier 2022, runners-up 2020) are all in the repair shop getting themselves ready for 2024.

The outlier to the above trio is West Coast, which has been in a tailspin since winning a memorable Grand Final in 2018.

That leaves just 2021 premier Melbourne in the hunt for the ultimate prize this year and the Demons are well placed to win it again.

They take on Collingwood in the opening night of finals in what could be the defining game of the 2023 premiership race.

The Magpies have been the frontrunners all season but hit a mini wall late in the season and will be desperate to get captain Darcy Moore and young gun Nick Daicos back into their line-up as soon as possible. Moore will play, but Daicos won’t be risked.

Carlton is back in the finals for the first time since 2013.

Interestingly, the Blues, St Kilda and Port Adelaide filled ninth, 10th and 11th positions

respectively in 2022 so they have been knocking on the door.

GWS has come from 16th in 2022 – an outstanding performance – and given this will be the Giants’ sixth finals series since 2016, they won’t be overawed.

Sydney and the Brisbane Lions are back again after hitting a red-hot Geelong in 2022 and the Lions in particular are well positioned with two home finals.

ASHLEY BROWNE

We’re really confident that if required he’ll be able to play week two of the finals

COLLINGWOOD HIGH PERFORMANCE MANAGER JARROD WADE ON NICK DAICOS’ INJURED KNEE

GOT YOUR BACK: The Magpies will be strengthened by the return of captain Darcy Moore.

They are tough, smart and incredibly well-coached.

Their brand invariably stands up at the pointy end of the season and they will ask all sorts of questions of the nals novices wearing navy blue.

St Kilda and GWS play the third MCG game for the weekend in Saturday a ernoon’s other elimination nal.

There was a case for the game to played on St Kilda’s home deck at Marvel Stadium, but given it’s their rst nal in Victoria since 2011, there should be few complaints from Saints fans.

Both clubs were widely tipped for the bottom six, so this has been a triumph of coaching.

The Saints were in the top six every week bar one and have been transformed by Ross Lyon ahead of schedule in his rst season back.

The Giants seemed bere at the end of last season, so their transformation under Adam Kingsley in his rst year has been remarkable.

With their outside speed and the mercurial Toby Greene prowling near the goals, they are dangerous.

The Brisbane Lions host Port Adelaide at the Gabba on Saturday night in the other qualifying nal.

This was quite the rivalry two decades ago with a pair of nals wins to the Lions before Port reversed the tables in the ery 2004 Grand Final.

Both have had excellent seasons.

The Lions have given themselves the best chance possible by winning every game at home this year – win two more and they will return to the Grand Final for the rst time since 2004. (Turn to page

AFL Rising Star

EDDIE FORD NORTH MELBOURNE

North Melbourne’s Eddie Ford received the round 24 AFL Rising Star nomination, the last for 2024.

He kicked three goals from 19 disposals and took eight marks in the Roos’ 35-point win against Gold Coast at Blundstone Arena.

Ford kicked 14 goals and averaged 4.2 score involvements a game this season.

He kicked three rst-quarter goals in round 21 against Melbourne and had 20 disposals in round 10 against the Sydney Swans.

Ford was the third North Melbourne player to receive an AFL Rising Star nomination this season, joining

eventual winner Harry Sheezel and George Wardlaw.

The Kangaroos, along with the Brisbane Lions and West Coast, had three nominations each.

Ford played junior football with Point Cook before crossing to the Yarraville-Seddon Eagles in the Western Region Football League, where he played alongside current NBA star Josh Giddey.

He was dra ed with pick 56 from the Western Jets in the 2020 NAB AFL Dra .

86 for a recap of that remarkable game which saw the Power win their rst AFL premiership.)

They have match-winners all over the ground, but it is that forward line headlined by Charlie Cameron, Joe Daniher and Eric Hipwood that can lead them to a premiership a er several years of knocking on the door.

Port owns the longest winning streak of the season – 13 games between rounds four and 17.

Coach Ken Hinkley has pulled all the right levers this season, but the excitement comes from his emerging mid eld stars.

Connor Rozee, Zak Butters and Jason Horne-Francis are the headliners here and they would appear to have all the requisite traits to play deep not just into this September, but many more to come.

Ken Hinkey has pulled all the right levers this season

CAREER

PIE JOINS GAME’S GREATS

ASHLEY BROWNE

AThe greatness of Scott Pendlebury will be ampli ed yet again at the MCG on Thursday night when he plays his 29th nal, the equal seventh most in AFL/VFL history.

And he joins three greats of the game on 29 nals – Leigh Matthews, Bruce Doull and Wayne Schimmelbusch.

The Collingwood champion, games record holder and 2010 Norm Smith Medal winner made his nals debut in the 2007 qualifying nal against Sydney at the MCG and featured in the best players that night.

He has missed only two nals for the Magpies, the 2009 semi- nal and preliminary nal, a er su ering a fractured leg.

And even then, he nearly made a miraculous recovery and only just missed selection for the preliminary nal.

Pendlebury, 35 and re-contracted for next season, said the anticipation and excitement that came with playing in September hadn’t changed a er all this time.

“Finals is just the best time of year,” he said.

“To be playing in the home and away season is great, but this is the best (time for) football by a mile.”

He re ected on last year’s nals series and especially the six-point loss to Geelong in the qualifying nal.

“It’s just next level football,” he said.

“I’ve never experienced anything like that. You’ve heard a few of the Geelong boys say it’s probably the hardest game of football they’ve ever played in their life.

“But yeah, it’s why you play. You want to play in nals, you want to play in big games.”

Geelong great Joel Selwood holds the record with 40 nals played, followed by Hawthorn’s Michael Tuck (39) and Shaun Burgoyne, who featured in 35 nals for Port Adelaide and Hawthorn.

Pendlebury’s long-time teammate Steele Sidebottom will play his 307th game, passing the legendary Gordon Coventry into third place for most games by a Collingwood player.

The only two le ahead of him are Tony Shaw (313) and Pendlebury (380).

Set to play game No. 307 for Collingwood, passing Gordon Coventry into outright third-most games played for the club.

Set to play final No. 29, drawing level with Wayne Schimmelbusch, Bruce Doull and Leigh Matthews into equal seventh position on the AFL/VFL finals played list.

BIG-GAME PIE: Scott Pendlebury will play in his 29th final on Thursday night.

This is Footy Country.

It’s Wednesday night. Under 18’s training. But it’s not just the Under 18’s out there. It’s the little brothers and sisters weaving between their legs on the rst lap of the eld and a couple of oldies following half a length behind. It’s the vice president stocking the canteen fridge.

It’s the same surnames that appear generation after generation, gold gilt on wood. The same golden locks in team photo after team photo.

It’s uniforms getting washed. Programs going to press. Fresh lines marked. And nals and rivals debated over tinnies.

You know it’s not just the Under 18’s out there. Because come Saturday, Everyone in town turns up to play.

Don’t be mistaken,

This isn’t country footy. This is Footy Country.

Supporting footy at the highest level for 20+ years. And now we’re backing the heart of the game, because there’s no footy without country footy.

u EXTRA TIME

PROCESS

1. Goal umpires confirm scores are identical;

2. There is a six-minute break for coaches to speak to their players;

3. Teams change ends;

4. Three minutes of additional time, plus time-on will be played;

5. After the first extra time period, the siren sounds and teams immediately change ends without a break;

6. The ball will be bounced (or thrown up) in the centre and a further three minutes of play (plus time-on) will start;

7. At the end of this period, the siren will sound and the team with the highest score is declared the winner;

8. If scores are still tied, steps 3-7 are repeated until a result is determined.

u INTERCHANGE CAP

u Clubs will receive 10 interchanges for each two three-minute period. Any leftover interchanges from each two-period section of extra time do not carry over into a subsequent period.

KEY DATES FOR 2023 AFL SIGN AND TRADE PERIOD

OCTOBER 6: Restricted and unrestricted free agency period starts.

OCTOBER 9: Trade period starts; NAB AFL Draft nominations open.

OCTOBER 13: Close of restricted and unrestricted free agency period.

OCTOBER 16: Restricted free agency matching offer three-day period ends.

OCTOBER 18: Trade period closes.

NOVEMBER 1: Delisted player free agency period (1) starts.

NOVEMBER 8: Delisted player free agency period (1) closes.

TRADE TALKS RAMP UP

LAURENCE ROSEN

With the nals kicking o this weekend for the eight teams still in premiership contention, 10 other clubs are ramping up trade talks as they look ahead to improving their lists in 2024.

The trade space has grown exponentially in recent years, most notably on the back of AFL Trade Radio, which dominates the footy landscape in October.

While fans of eight teams have their eyes on premiership glory, trade talk for the other 10 clubs was in full swing last week during the pre- nals bye.

The rst domino of the coming trade and free agency period – which starts on October 9 – has fallen a er Liam Henry used his exit meeting at Fremantle to request a trade.

North Melbourne, St Kilda and Hawthorn are all in the running for the No. 9 pick from the 2019 NAB AFL Dra .

Fremantle’s Executive GM of Football Peter Bell didn’t hide his displeasure a er Henry handed in the trade request last week.

“It is disappointing that Liam Henry has opted to explore his options, especially considering we have been involved in his development since he was 15 and he has taken some signi cant steps forward this year,” Bell said in a club statement.

“We made a signi cant investment in Liam, not just through our Next Generation Academy, matching Carlton’s bid under NGA concession rules in the 2019 Dra , and it was pleasing to see his potential come to fruition this year.

NOVEMBER 10: Delisted player free agency period (2) starts at 9am, closes at 5pm.

NOVEMBER 13: NAB AFL Draft nominations close.

NOVEMBER 20: 2022 NAB AFL Draft round one (venue TBC).

NOVEMBER 21: 2022 NAB AFL Draft round two until completion (7pm); delisted player free agency period (3) starts; rookie upgrade period closes; delisted player free agency period (3) closes.

NOVEMBER 22: AFL Pre-Season Draft (3pm); AFL Rookie Draft (3.20pm).

“We will have this investment and his talent as a winger front of mind when looking to facilitate a trade.”

One man who won’t be going anywhere is Western Bulldogs mid elder Bailey Smith.

His manager Paul Connors con rmed on AFL.com.au’s Gettable podcast that Smith would remain a Bulldog.

The news would have come as a relief for Bulldogs fans, as speculation linking him to a move away from Whitten Oval had been bubbling along for weeks.

LIAM HENRY

BAILEY SMITH

FIRST QUALIFYING FINAL COLLINGWOOD v MELBOURNE

Collingwood has been the team to beat for the premiership for most of the year. When the Magpies are up and at their best, what makes them so hard to beat?

u We know they’re Richmond 2.0 with the chaos and the environment and I reckon that gets overlooked, along with 80,000 Collingwood fans.

That’s a very di cult environment for most opponents to go into.

They have a lot of players who kick the ball well and I like that turnover game o half-back when they get a er the footy.

START YOUR ENGINES

Welcome to September, which is the ‘real’ season for those clubs fortunate enough to be competing.

After pausing to catch their breath last weekend at the end of one of the best home and away seasons imaginable, we have enlisted some SEN experts to answer one big question facing each club as they prepare for the opening week of the finals.

They have Nick (when t) and Josh Daicos, Jack Crisp, Brayden Maynard, Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom, Isaac Quaynor and John Noble all running o half-back.

That’s when Collingwood is playing its absolute best and makes it the No. 1 seed.

The forward line is not elite when you look at the personnel, but that speed of ball o half-back allows Jamie Elliott, Bobby Hill and Brody Mihocek to get out the back and get some easy opportunities that they can take advantage of.

The Demons appear stacked through the backline and the midfield, but what about closer to goal? What is the ideal forward set-up?

u It’s been the ongoing challenge throughout the year.

There’s been various iterations and I think the closest they got to where they

needed to be was when Harrison Petty was playing and competing.

He goes out, then they settle with Bayley Fritsch back and Jake Melksham, with Joel Smith as support. And now, Melksham is unfortunately out, so Tom McDonald is probably going to get a look.

The most signi cant thing they can do is just compete – and that’s the area of the game they just can’t do well enough inside that forward 50 when they’re playing poorly.

It’s a plus if Smith and ‘Kozzy’ Pickett can compete hard enough, and Kade Chandler is important as well.

I wouldn’t say I’m absolutely over the moon con dent that it’s a premiership forward set-up, but they’re going to get enough looks because of the way they play and they’ll make it what they will.

For Melbourne fans, your middle and your backline are really, really well served, but you’ll go into this September with your hearts in your mouths a bit from your forward line group.

And that’s what’s going to make it really interesting.

JOSH JENKINS

GARRY LYON

SECOND QUALIFYING FINAL BRISBANE LIONS v PORT ADELAIDE GABBA,

7.25PM, SATURDAY

The Lions have been knocking on the door since 2019. With two home finals at the Gabba, is this the best chance yet for the Lions to win the premiership? Are there any lingering concerns?

u Recent nals experience, coupled with the chance to play two home games at the Gabba, has the Lions perfectly positioned for a tilt at their rst premiership since 2003.

Ranked No. 1 in clearances, No. 2 for scoring and inside the top six defensively suggests they have all bases covered.

From the improving Jack Payne and Harris Andrews in defence to Lachie Neale, Hugh McCluggage and Josh Dunkley through the mid eld providing supply to Joe Daniher, Eric Hipwood and Charlie Cameron, all is in readiness for a big September.

Will Ashcro is a loss, but I’m expecting a big nals series from Dayne Zorko and Cam Rayner.

The time is now for this group.

Of course, recent form at the MCG is a concern but if they play it right, they shouldn’t have to venture there until Grand Final day.

Their last game at the MCG against Melbourne (in round 18) should give them some con dence despite giving up a last-quarter lead.

How does this team compare with the 2020 and 2021 Port Adelaide teams that fell short in September and what needs to

happen for the Power to make the Grand Final and win a premiership?

u For Port Adelaide, it’s more about bringing its trademark heat every minute – and winning contests – than about personnel.

Those Port teams had the personnel to win ags, but the Western Bulldogs blew them away in the 2021 preliminary nal at Adelaide Oval, and the 2020 team that nished minor premier couldn’t overcome a now immortal Richmond.

The Power have stars like Zak Butters, Connor Rozee, Sam Powell-Pepper and Jason Horne-Francis who look primed to rise to the occasion.

And they have a clearance-winning, attacking ball movement and repeat-entry game style that should serve them well in September.

But the other big gun teams also have superstar individuals and game styles suited for success.

In an even season, the di erence might simply be the ability to maintain the rage and minimise the errors that kill you.

FINISHER: Jamie Elliott is a dangerous weapon for the Magpies.

ULTIMATE WINGMAN: With two home finals, the time is now for Hugh McCluggage and the Brisbane Lions.

PRIMED: Connor Rozee is part of an exciting young Power midfield brigade.

K-FACTOR: Demon Kysaiah Pickett’s competitiveness will be crucial.

PAUL HASLEBY

DWAYNE RUSSELL

FIRST ELIMINATION FINAL CARLTON v SYDNEY SWANS

MCG, FRIDAY, 7.50PM

What sparked Carlton’s revival in the second half of the season and is it sustainable for up to four cut-throat finals? And how much is riding on the broad shoulders of Charlie Curnow?

u The spark that saw Carlton’s season turn around remains a mystery, but you’d like to know what was said and by who in that quarter-time break against the Gold Coast Suns at the MCG in round 14.

With the season lurching from one disappointing performance to another through the middle stages of the season, what Carlton has produced since has rede ned the way this team plays its footy. Uncertainty has been replaced by a manic, high-pressure intensity giving it an identity it had found elusive for years.

Suddenly the need for Carlton’s frontline players to carry the load has been replaced by a team- rst, all-in, do-your-job mentality which has proven reliable and repeatable.

If you’re looking for a brand of football to stand up under nals pressure, the sort of football the Blues have been playing appears to be it. Obviously, time will tell.

Having said all that, you still need your match-winners, and in Curnow, Carlton now has a player of genuine transcendent talent.

Thankfully his body is allowing him to play the sort of football his talents have always suggested possible.

Others can speculate about who might be this year’s ‘Mr September’, but Bluebaggers everywhere will be hoping it’s their No. 30.

What is the bigger issue facing the Swans heading into September?

Lack of a hulking key defender or their inability to run out games?

u On the basis of what we’ve seen over the past six weeks, and given

the injuries all year, their defence has held up really well, so I don’t think that is the major issue, even though they’re clearly targeting a key defensive player for next season.

But given the pressure that the backline has been under and the level of injuries at the start of the season, it has done a remarkable job.

Running out the nal quarters is of some interest because it sort of creeps up on you – I mean, you give away a close loss, you don’t tend to see it as a pattern.

But over the course of the year it has become a pattern.

John Longmire said he has some thoughts about it, so we’ll see whether they come to fruition, but to me it certainly indicates the major problem with the Swans is their mid eld.

They’re conceding too many scores into their back half and their ball transition has dropped o a er being their great strength for the past two years.

For me, the biggest issue is in the middle.

Whether you want to call it running out the quarters or not is another matter, but you can’t win if you can’t score in the last quarter.

ANDY MAHER

GERARD HEALY

MR SEPTEMBER: Carlton is looking to Coleman medallist Charlie Curnow to grab the finals series by the horns.

THE SPOILER: Sydney full-back Tom McCartin has the biggest job of this weekend trying to stop the Blues powerhouse.

SECOND ELIMINATION FINAL ST KILDA v GWS GIANTS MCG, 3.20PM, SATURDAY

Do the Saints need a big day out from Max King to stride through September or has Ross Lyon devised a game-plan that will stand the rigours of finals football?

u It’s both. Lyon has always had a game-plan that stands up because of the way that it’s been built and even the way the Saints absorbed that pressure against the Brisbane Lions (in round 24), they looked like they were outplayed for so much of that game, but you looked at the scoreboard and you thought, OK, well they’re still in it.

That’s how he conditions his players to play.

There’s a lot of strength and aggression and hard running and all those sorts of things, but the icing on the cake is Max King.

It’s built around the impact King can have as a marking target and how far he comes up the ground and presents and how clean he is in the air.

In more recent times, he’s kicked bags of goals without looking like he’s really dominated the game.

I think for them to go deep into the nals, he’s going to have to have a major impact on the scoreboard.

Would GWS prefer to play St Kilda at Marvel Stadium or the MCG?

u While a lot of St Kilda fans have debated whether the Saints should be playing this elimination nal at their home ground, it’s fair to assume the

Giants didn’t give – what former Adelaide coach Malcolm Blight would term – a “rat’s tossbag”.

That’s because Adam Kingsley’s merry men in orange and charcoal are the AFL’s version of the Leyland brothers. They’ve travelled all over the countryside!

GWS has won in NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory and the ACT in a 2023 campaign that has also seen them rise from 4-8 and 15th spot on the ladder to an unlikely nals berth.

They’ve also saluted at Norwood Oval in the Adelaide ‘burbs’ and Mars Stadium in Ballarat.

This is a hardened band of brothers, united by Kingsley’s uncompromising approach and the knowledge they sit among the hardest-working teams in the competition – with and without the ball.

Whether it be at Docklands under the lid, or the hallowed turf of Yarra Park, you just know it’s not going to make any di erence to this Giants team.

TIM WATSON

SAM EDMUND

TO THE MAX: Ross Lyon’s game-plan keeps St Kilda in contests, but Max King is the one who can win them.

ALL THE KING’S MEN: Adam Kingsley has the Giants humming at the right time of the year.

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OLD FOES WENT TOE TOE TO --

Carlton is back in the finals for the first time in a decade, but for many of the navy Blue persuasion, the club is simply back where it belongs as a feature act of the September action.

The recently released book Brilliance and Brutality by DAN EDDY recounts an era when the Blues were at their best, 1972 and 1973, when they traded blows with fierce rival Richmond in consecutive Grand Finals.

Carlton entered the 1972 Grand Final as a rank outsider, having lost three times and drawn another against the Tigers. But something extraordinary happened on that afternoon at the MCG.

This excerpt from the book describes how the Blues piled on goal after goal in a magical first half of football.

For the Blues, the goals kept coming, with their last 10 coming at the rate of one every three minutes.

At half-time, they led by 45 points, 18.6 (114) to 10.9 (69), and the crowd – well, half of them – o ered a standing ovation to what had been the most breathtaking hour in Grand Final history.

Only Melbourne, in the 1941 Grand Final, had led by more at the main break – 57 points over Essendon.

Only a late ankle injury to defender Vin Waite could temper Carlton’s jubilation as they headed for the dressing rooms and a well-earned rest.

Ruckman Peter (‘Percy’) Jones later marvelled, “It was amazing, just amazing. It hit you that we were having an a ernoon out, just a day out, where everything fell into place. Everything went our way. Everything was just clicking – the team was playing at its optimum.”

He knew his teammates would not drop back a gear in the second half. “You could sense around the rooms. This was not the mood of a side that would succumb like Magpies,” a not-so-subtle dig at the 1970 collapse by Collingwood, which had led by 44 points, but succumbed to the Blues.

in reference to them beating us in that Grand Final.”

Carlton’s scoring spree throughout that rst half has never been equalled. In the previous 74 Grand Finals, the most any team had scored in the rst half was Melbourne’s 11.9 (75) in 1941; in the 52 Grand Finals played between 1973-2022, the highest rst-half score has been 12.10 (82), by Hawthorn in 1983.

As a standalone quarter, Carlton’s second-term blitz of 10.2 (62) remains the most scored in the second quarter of a Grand Final; the next best is, ironically, Richmond’s 8.3 (51) in 1973.

Of every quarter played in Grand Final history, Carlton’s second term has only been topped twice: Essendon’s third quarter in 1946 (11.8) and the Bombers’ fourth term in 1985 (11.3).

Yet, despite conceding the highest ever half-time score, Richmond’s tally of 10.9 (69) would have seen it in front in 111 of the 127 Grand Finals played throughout League history.

As a combined tally, the 28.15 (183) scored by Carlton and Richmond to half-time remains the most by opposing Grand Final teams. The next closest is 20.16 (136) between Melbourne (10.10) and Collingwood (10.6) in 1939.

Umpire Bill Deller said he was amazed by how few eld bounces he had to make.

“Both sides just attacked with everything and it went from end to end like greased lightning. They could almost have played the game without me.

“Footy was really starting to move by the early 1970s. Every team had good goalkickers and were playing an attacking style, meaning high scoring was the way it was at that time. But we weren’t expecting what took place that day – 28 goals in the rst half! Once you’re out there though, you’ve just got to get through it somehow.”

cramping. Fatigue had me by that time, too. I said a erwards, if I had have known beforehand how the game was going to be played, I don’t know whether I would have been able to get through it.

“It wasn’t that we were satis ed with it or that we were up, we knew they’d keep on attacking us and we had to keep on attacking them, and that was the whole philosophy of the day – we were going to outscore Richmond. At half-time we were in there all yelling at each other, ‘We’re going to outscore them, no matter what,’ and ‘Remember ’69,’

The two boundary umpires that day were Kevin Mitchell (one of his eight Grand Finals) and Geo Lee (two), who, according to Deller, were top professional runners and very t people.

“Yet, by the last quarter, they were going up and down in the one spot and were both

“Because in high-scoring games, there is a lot of running for an umpire and you’d be really spent by

the end – there’d be nothing le in the tank. I was in that situation by three-quarter time!” he laughed.

“You look at the scoreboard and see your name up there and you think, ‘I don’t want to have to go o on a stretcher in the last quarter.’”

For Cameron Schwab, son of Richmond secretary, Alan, the 1972 decider was his rst as a spectator. By the second quarter, a day of dreams had become a nightmare for the eight-year-old.

Rover Adrian Gallagher recalled:

REVERBERATIONS: Alex Jesaulenko, who took one of the most famous marks in VFL history in the 1970 Grand Final (left), starred in the 1972 decider with seven goals.

INTIMIDATING: Carlton captain John Nicholls leads the Blues on to the MCG for the 1972 Grand Final.

BUSINESS MATTERS: Richmond coach Tom Hafey with club secretary Alan Schwab.

“I just remember sitting through the game crying; I bawled my eyes out. I went with my mum’s dad, who was English and didn’t really follow the footy, and he was just laughing at me. He couldn’t believe how much the football result was a ecting me.

“I just cried and cried and cried. It was an extraordinary game, it really was. I mean, the amount of goals being kicked … there wasn’t one player kicking 11, there were all di erent blokes kicking them. The Carlton players just kept coming and coming and we couldn’t stop it. And really good players of ours looked shithouse.”

Richmond’s Barry Richardson said it was the most helpless quarter he ever played in: “Look, it’s not easy to play in. It’s like you’re almost better o losing the preliminary nal and not getting to the Grand Final, because once you’re in a Grand Final it’s really tough.

“You’ve got to be very careful about focusing on the result rather than the process. I think because we’re all taught to be so positive, when you’re about to play in a Grand Final, you go to sleep at night imagining yourself running around the ground brandishing the cup. You don’t ever think of the alternative, because that’s negative thinking – it would mean you’d go into the game non-positive.

“So, when it actually hits you that, ‘Shit, we’ve just blown this’, it’s a big loss to comprehend. That’s why you see players slumped on the ground, no good.

“In my life, I’ve been very lucky: I played in three winning ones and one losing one at Richmond.

one losing one (in the Victorian

Amateur Football Association). I love the winning, but the losing is no bloody good. Particularly when you go in as favourites.”

Once Carlton got into the heads of the Richmond players, the game became as much about the mind as it did the body.

Richardson continued:

“It’s that theme in sport of hunter versus hunted, which can be a very important theme in Grand Finals. How o en do you see teams, at any level, go through the entire season undefeated but lose the Grand Final? Because of that reason.

“You get halfway through the second quarter and the other mob is winning or is close and you start to think: ‘Hang on, that’s not supposed to happen today.’ What happens then is, you actually try harder during that period, but your game-plan falls away.

“You’re all trying harder, but you’re now clashing heads rather than playing to the system that had been so successful throughout the year. And I think that happened a bit in 1972.

“When Carlton got a run on, you started questioning what was happening. Suddenly, halfway through the second quarter you realise it isn’t going to the plan. Then you’ve got panic. But you know what? We still had the belief that we could win at half-time.”

Richmond champion Kevin Bartlett said the Tigers had

tremendous belief that they could overrun Carlton, or any team, late in a game no matter the margin. Perhaps he didn’t realise that, to that stage, the biggest comeback from a de cit at three-quarter time was 44 points, by North Melbourne, in round eight, 1947. In a nal such was unthinkable, although not to the Tigers.

Said Bartlett: “Even at the start of the last quarter, I think all of us thought we could still win because we’d had that great self-belief under Tommy (Hafey) that no matter what, we would still get home.

“We felt if we applied pressure for 100 minutes of the game, no side in the competition could withstand us, and no matter how far behind we were, we would overrun them somehow.

“And we probably could have pulled it o except they kicked 28.9. If they had just had a reasonable percentage of shooting goals to behinds, we probably would still have pulled it o .”

Carlton’s Ian Robertson wrote a er the game: “Don’t think we got con dent and relaxed in the last quarter when Richmond started piling on goals. We didn’t. I got pretty worried then, even though most of you in the crowd thought we had it won.

“I kept remembering our burst of goals in the second quarter and thinking, ‘We can’t let them do what we did to Collingwood in 1970.’”

The Blues had secured a famous victory, although forward David McKay – with his jaw and mouth throbbing – wanted to hear the nal siren before he could celebrate for certain.

“We knew we were playing all right, but until you get to the championship quarter you can never be certain, particularly against Richmond. You were never sure until the nal siren went, because they were always such a competitive side.”

I also coached Old Xavs to three premierships and

I just cried and cried and cried

CAMERON SCHWAB, THEN AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD TIGERS SUPPORTER

SPOILS OF SUCCESS: Alex Jesaulenko and John Nicholls (far left) get up close and personal with the 1972 premiership cup and (left) Nicholls reminisces about the famous victory with the WEG poster in 2009.

LEGEND: Champion rover Kevin Bartlett still believed the Tigers could overrun the Blues.

Teammate Robert Walls remembers the moment he knew he had secured a third premiership medallion from his rst ve seasons in League football.

“I can remember with about three minutes to go, I looked up at the scoreboard and we were probably about 36 points in front, and I just knew that we had it. ‘How good’s this!’ And it’s always nice to play well in a big game.

“I knew John (Nicholls) had kicked a heap, ‘Jezza’ (Alex Jesaulenko) had kicked a heap and I’d kicked a few, so it was probably the best feeling that I ever had a er a game.”

Richmond certainly did not give in, trying desperately late in the game to bridge the gap. Walls snapped for his seventh goal, but was sensationally coat-hangered by Brian Roberts.

Deller could not have been in a better position, just metres away and unimpeded in his view, yet he called play-on – a sure sign that fatigue had set in for the man in white a er such a hectic two hours.

Walls said of the non-decision: “I reckon Bill was so tired he couldn’t be bothered blowing the whistle.”

The Tigers went the length of the eld and Richardson missed a shot on goal. With that nal shot of the day, Richmond’s seven goals to three was not enough to rein in the Blues, but it was enough for them to equal the previous highest score in a Grand Final; yet they trailed at the end by 27 points: 28.9 (177) to 22.18 (150).

It was Carlton’s rst nals victory over Richmond since the 1920 semi- nal, breaking a run of 11 consecutive nals wins (plus a draw) by the Tigers from their previous 12 clashes.

Richmond defender Dick Clay lamented: “We couldn’t recover, and they had their tails up. The game was a bit surreal and having Jesaulenko kick seven goals on me, well, there was nowhere to hide.

“Tommy said a erwards it was down there so o en he (Jesaulenko) should have kicked 12. So, I guess I didn’t do too badly. But it was demoralising and I felt as though I’d let the side down.”

Bartlett was philosophical when re ecting on the game in 2002.

“People think that Richmond didn’t play well in that Grand Final – we played good footy, we played with a lot of heart and a lot of spirit, but we missed goals, and it is in the record books as an extraordinary

shootout with one side not missing.”

There were two people in Bartlett’s life who ensured he was always positive a er a game, no matter the result, his parents.

Tiger teammate Mike Green recalled: “When we’d get beaten, we’d go have a shower and sit around, then you’d walk out of those rooms at the MCG where, in the tunnel waiting outside, the rest of the girls and families would be waiting.

“Mr and Mrs Bartlett would o en be there waiting for ‘KB’ and, a er we’d lost, his mum (Thelma) would say to him, ‘Ah well, you were the best of a bad lot.’ How positive is that?

“Obviously, growing up, his mum and dad (Charlie) were very positive. ‘KB’ was always the best, as far as Mrs Bartlett was concerned.”

Hafey, however, took a more pessimistic view of what he described as a freak sort of a game.

“Particularly by Carlton. I don’t think the scores were any real indication of the play, because I thought they outplayed us by many, many goals. I thought we were struggling all day long. And I know the scoreboard only showed 27 points at the end of the day, but I think we were even a bit blessed to get within that.”

Clay concluded, “It was a waste of a year. We were top dogs and should never have lost it.”

BEN McKAY

DETERMINED: ‘Percy’ Jones flies over Craig McKellar in the 1972 Grand Final, with Trevor Keogh waiting for the crumbs.

It’s always nice to play well in a big game

CARLTON’S ROBERT WALLS, WHO KICKED SIX GOALS IN THE 1972

Brutality, by Dan Eddy, published by Slattery Media (books.slatterymedia. com) and is available from participating bookshops.

GRAND FINAL

WILMOT ON THE RADAR

If you’re not a Brisbane Lions supporter, there’s every chance

Darcy Wilmot is not on your radar when asked to name the most important players in the club’s chase for a rst premiership since the fabled three-peat of 2001-03.

But if you have been taking notice of what is going on at the Gabba, it isn’t hard to make an argument that Wilmot is quickly heading into that territory.

Picked up at No. 16 in the 2021 NAB AFL Dra , Wilmot spent most of last season learning his cra in the Lions’ VFL team, helping them climb from the bottom four to the top four in the space of one season.

His form was such that when Chris Fagan needed to ll a hole for the elimination nal against Richmond, it was an 18-year-old developing mid elder he turned to.

Not overawed, the boy from Montmorency and the Northern Knights, had 11 disposals and kicked a goal on debut as the Lions edged out the Tigers in a thriller.

He hasn’t missed a game since.

Wilmot backed up with 15 touches in the semi- nal upset of Melbourne at the MCG and 12 in the season-ending preliminary

nal loss to Geelong and has played every game this year, averaging 15.5 possessions and 3.8 marks.

He was nominated for the AFL Rising Star a er 19 disposals, four marks and eight rebound-50s in the win over Sydney in round 14.

He has topped 20 disposals ve times, with a best of 23 against Geelong in round 19, and is ranked No. 2 among the Rising Star nominees for kicks and metres gained.

None of which is a surprise if you follow the Lions or know

Wilmot’s history – his father Grant was a tough nut who played ve VFL games for Collingwood in 1980 and picked up three Brownlow Medal votes in a win over St Kilda a er three seasons and a grand nal appearance in the VFA for Preston from 1977-79.

He became a star player and coach in a long suburban footy career.

The younger Wilmot is forging his own path and could very well become an AFL premiership player in a month’s time.

It was an 18-year-old developing midfielder he turned to

YOUNG MAN IN A HURRY: Speedster Darcy Wilmot has not missed a game since making his debut in an elimination final last season.

NICK LARKEY

NORTH MELBOURNE v GOLD COAST SUNS Blundstone Arena, August 26

u When North Melbourne fans needed it most, Nick Larkey delivered big-time.

Down on their haunches and facing a 20-game losing streak, there wasn’t much optimism among Roos supporters.

So one final chance for some hope presented itself in round 24 against Gold Coast.

It was seized by none other than Larkey, 24, who days later earned his first All-Australian blazer.

A star of the competition who finished third in the Coleman Medal in a team that came 17th, the final round produced Larkey’s best game of his career.

A career-high nine goals and two direct assists came alongside 11 marks.

Of his 21 possessions, only five didn’t lead to a score.

Like the Roos, Larkey had a slow start at Blundstone Arena before kicking into gear.

He kicked one goal in the first quarter before firing up and booting six majors across the second and third terms, a period where North Melbourne slammed on 11 goals to six.

All up, Larkey’s 9.3 equated to almost half of North Melbourne’s 20.12 (132) and his influence helped the Kangaroos to their highest score of the year.

In fact, it was the club’s best total since round 22, 2019.

Talk about finishing the season on a high.

SEB MOTTRAM

AFL

TRIVIA QUESTION #20

What is the lowest ever score by a team in an AFL match?

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WHO’S FLYING

Each week throughout the 2023 season we will present Who’s Flying, a series of stories which will encapsulate everything that is good about our great game. It could be a star player, a coach who has inspired his men or a team that is – pardon the pun – flying. BRENDAN RHODES looks at classy Swans youngster Errol Gulden.

Oh Errol, I would give anything, just to play like him ... for younger types, that’s a take on the easy-on-the-ear lyrics from Australian Crawl’s 1981 hit Errol.

And most footy fans (and no doubt many of his peers) who are watching a great career developing before their eyes would agree.

Errol Gulden – the young mid elder Sydney had been excited about since his third year in the Swans Academy at about 14 – was expected to join Braeden Campbell in attracting a top 10 bid in the 2020 NAB AFL Dra .

To everybody’s surprise (and the Swans’ delight), that bid didn’t come until Geelong read his name out at pick 32, a bid Sydney couldn’t match quickly enough.

And what a player he has become.

In just his third season in the competition, Gulden has progressed from a dangerous half-forward to a damaging wingman and mid elder with one of the best le -foot kicks in the game, having already played 66 matches – including a Grand Final – a month a er his 21st birthday.

He is averaging 27 disposals, 5.1 marks, 3.9 clearances, 6.2 inside-50s and 5.0 tackles a game, adding 20 goals to earn his rst All-Australian blazer. He also is ranked No. 1 in the AFL for total metres gained with 554 a game, No. 1

for inside-50s (average and total), No. 3 in kicks (average and total), 13th in uncontested possessions and 17th in disposals and tackles.

If there was any doubt about his selection in the All-Australian team, Gulden put it to bed with a career-best 42 disposals, ve marks, four clearances, four inside-50s and two goals in a losing cause against premiership fancy Melbourne at the SCG in round 24, his ninth tally above 30 for the year and his fourth in his past ve matches.

It topped the 39 he got in round nine against Fremantle, the 37 and 10 marks against Essendon in round 20 and the 37 and 13 marks against Collingwood in round eight, and it wouldn’t surprise to see him feature prominently on Brownlow Medal night in a couple of weeks’ time.

Gulden is the sort of player clubs build premiership teams around and the boy from the Maroubra Saints is sure to excite Swans fans for many years to come.

FOOTY FUN FACTS

AFL teams are allowed a maximum list size of 44 players, which is enough to fill the economy seats in a Boeing 737-800.

GULDEN TOUCH: The Swans have unearthed a beauty in rising star Errol Gulden.

What I’m thinking

with Ashley Browne

No more bagging the Blues

This is not a declaration the younger me would have ever thought of making, especially in such a prestigious publication as this.

Carlton is back in the nals and it is a wonderful thing.

There. I said it. And I feel good about it.

As a child of the ’70s, Carlton has always loomed large in my footy consciousness.

The Blues were the club of several family members and many friends. Eight of the 10 boys in my year four class barracked for Carlton.

The Blues were a damn good footy team. And they knew it. But so too did their supporters, which made so many of them totally insu erable.

The consolation during that time was that my team – Hawthorn – was also pretty good.

The rivalry with Carlton was intense, especially when David Parkin switched camps, but every time the Blues celebrated success, the Hawks would thankfully follow suit.

But fans of battling clubs during much of that period, especially St Kilda, Melbourne, Sydney and Footscray (now the Western Bulldogs), only enjoyed eeting success against the Blues and, for the most part, Carlton supporters lorded over them. In some cases, Blues o cials did as well.

As a working football journalist from the early 1990s, the disdain for the Blues was parked to one side and replaced with fascination.

They have always been an interesting club to report on and write about.

They had their last truly great moment in 1995, when a powerful team dropped just two games enroute to a convincing premiership win.

Yet it became clear not long a erwards that the Blues were set in their ways and not willing to take the necessary steps to adapt to a rapidly evolving football landscape.

It wasn’t just them, either. My club was awfully slow to change its way of doing things. Collingwood was also wallowing until Eddie McGuire came along as president in 1999 and shook the place up.

The major penalties handed down to the Blues at the end of 2002 for repeated salary cap breaches – the loss of the rst two picks at the National Dra and a $1m ne –sent the Blues into the footballing wilderness for two decades.

Fair to say, there was little sympathy for the club given it brought the entire episode upon itself.

Save for the brief performance spike in the rst few years a er Chris Judd joined the club in 2008, the Blues were noteworthy only because of their o - eld instability and their on- eld ineptitude.

It was hard to reconcile the battling football club of the 21st century with the high and mighty Bluebaggers of the ’70s, ’80s and much of the ’90s.

Which brings us to Friday night at the MCG.

The Blues have made the nals for the rst time in a decade.

As they have come good under Michael Voss, with Patrick Cripps winning a Brownlow Medal and Charlie Curnow becoming the most exciting player in the game, their

supporters have come back to the footy in droves and the li in attendances in the past two years is partly attributable to Carlton fans falling in love with the game once again.

One of the best nals series in recent memory was in 2017 when success-starved Richmond supporters literally took over the MCG.

Geelong was the nominal ‘home’ team in the qualifying nal, but the Cats were lustily jeered when they ran on to the ground.

Richmond’s preliminary nal against GWS a fortnight later was unforgettable with 90,000 of the 94,258 in attendance clearly there for the yellow and black.

It will be the same for the Carlton v Sydney game. There will be pockets of red and white smattered among the MCG crowd, but it will be a large, loud and overwhelmingly Carlton house.

It will be a September to remember if they can get on a run from here and perhaps play Collingwood in a nal for the rst time since 1988.

And it would be hard to begrudge Carlton some success a er this unprecedented dark period in the club’s history.

But, with a nod to the younger me, perhaps not too much.

JUGGERNAUT: Carlton celebrates its powerhouse premiership victory over Geelong in 1995. Little did the Blues know they would be still waiting for another flag 28 years later. Can Patrick Cripps (right) and the new breed of Blues change that? @hashbrowne

It would be hard to begrudge Carlton some success

Carlton is back in the finals for the first time since 2013 and there is a smidgen of respect for this all-powerful club.

BIG RACES IN FANTASTIC PLACES

THREE CODES / TERRIFIC EVENTS / ONE BIG TASMANIAN CELEBRATION

DISCOVER SMOOTH

And learn a thing or two about smooth-moving players

This season, why not sub in Jameson’s ready-to-drink cans, o ering a refreshing twist on your go-to dark spirit. Whether you’re cheering on your favourite footy team with mates or simply unwinding a er a long day, Jameson’s expertly-blended and conveniently-packaged drinks are a must-try.

Drawing from the rich heritage of Irish whiskey cra smanship, Jameson has curated a range of ready-to-drink cans that represent the brand’s unwavering commitment to quality.

From the classic Jameson Dry & Lime to Jameson Natural Raw Cola 6.3 per cent range, every sip delivers the unmistakable smoothness that has earned Jameson its global reputation.

Before we look at some of the game’s best smooth-moving players, let’s take a moment to appreciate Jameson’s rich history and heritage.

With roots dating back to 1780 when John Jameson set up shop in Bow Street, Dublin, Jameson’s distillation expertise has been perfected over centuries, resulting in the signature smoothness that has captured the

hearts of whiskey fans for generations. As the No. 1 Irish Whiskey in the world, Jameson’s ability to cra deliciously smooth drinks remains unrivalled.

Whether you’re a seasoned whiskey enthusiast or a curious newcomer, discover the smooth taste of Jameson ready-to-drink cans. Head to your bottle shop today to try the Jameson Irish Whiskey ready-to-drink range for yourself.

THE SMOOTHEST MAKE TIME STAND STILL

They just always seem to have that extra second or two to make a decision – gliding across the grass as if they were oating on air as they hit the next target and set their team on the path to goal.

They are the smoothest movers in the game – think modern-day greats such as Scott Pendlebury, who is still doing it at 35 and a er 380 AFL games.

He is near the top of the list, but there are others – the recently-retired Shaun Burgoyne carried the nickname ‘Silk’ for a reason, Chris Judd was almost impossible to tackle in the 2000s, Adam Goodes did it both as a tall and a small and people paid good money just to watch Andrew McLeod

do his thing for Adelaide on the big stage as he won back-to-back Norm Smith Medals in 1997-98.

Oh, and then there’s Gary Ablett jnr, who o en made opposition players look inferior as he ruled the competition for a decade.

Of those who are still playing, Marcus Bontempelli’s ability to get through tra c could win him a Brownlow Medal this year, while Nick Daicos and Errol Gulden are the heirs apparent and several of this year’s debutants could easily follow suit.

And that’s not even mentioning the plethora of great small forwards – the ones who leave even themselves wondering just how they did it. Jason Akermanis, Eddie

Betts, Je Farmer, Stephen Milne, Steve Johnson in days gone by – not all of them small forwards for their entire careers but certainly a group who spent time hunting and kicking the miraculous goal.

And these days, the likes of Toby Greene, Kysaiah Pickett, Charlie Cameron, Michael Walters, Tom Papley, Izak Rankine and Josh Rachele just to name a few.

It’s hard to imagine anything better than sitting back with a glass of the smoothest Irish Whiskey in the world and watching the most natural exponents of our great game strut their stu .

Just make sure you don’t drop the glass the next time they do something miraculous.

BRENDAN RHODES

SCOTT PENDLEBURY

SHAUN BURGOYNE

JASON AKERMANIS

MAKE A SMOOTH SUBSTITUTE

Blues v Swans Talking points

SLICK SWAN: Nick Blakey storms out of defence in Sydney’s win over Carlton in round 11.

HEAD to HEAD

Played 233: Carlton 131, Sydney Swans 96, draws 6.

Past five: Carlton 3, Sydney Swans 2.

Most recent game: round 11, 2023, Carlton lost to Sydney Swans by 26 points at the SCG.

Highest attendance: 66,016, qualifying final, 1986, at the MCG.

CARLTON

Home record: 79-33-2

Away record: 52-63-4

Highest score: 27.23 (185), round 9, 1982, at Princes Park.

Lowest score: 0.8 (8), round 2, 1902, at the Lake Oval.

Greatest winning margin: 102 points, round 9, 1982, at Princes Park.

Longest winning sequence: 8, round 18, 1970, to round 6, 1974; round 16, 1978, to round 9, 1982.

Most goals in a game: 11, Harry Vallence, round 15, 1929, at Princes Park.

SYDNEY SWANS

SNAPSHOT

FORM: Carl – WWWWL Syd – WWWWL

IN FINALS: Carl 5, Syd 6

KEY OUTS: Carl – Silvagni (knee), Williams (knee); Syd – Reid (hamstring), Sheldrick (ankle)

WAIT AND SEE: Carl – Acres (collarbone); Syd – McInerney (calf), Papley (hamstring)

MILESTONES: Carl – Jack Martin (50 club games), Marc Pittonet (50 club games); Syd – Sam Wicks (50 games)

WATCH OUT FOR: There will be a healthy turnout of Sydney supporters, but tonight at the MCG will be the stage for 10 years of pent up anger and frustration from Carlton fans to be released once and for all. It will be a navy blue cauldron and the Swans will need to hold their nerve.

u Carlton will take two ruckmen into tonight’s game despite the expected wet weather, with Marc Pittonet back to partner Tom De Koning

u Tom McCartin seems the obvious choice to stand Charlie Curnow. He faces a busy evening.

u Carlton’s pressure game seems tailor-made for September. It is the key element that turned the team’s fortunes around in the second half of the season.

u Sydney’s tall forwards are talented but relatively inexperienced. Logan McDonald will have a point to prove after being dropped for the Grand Final last year.

u The Swans have not beaten Carlton in a final at the MCG since 1918.

STARS SET TO SHINE

u The AFL has rolled out rock stars and former champions of the game as part of several Grand Final day announcements during the week.

Rock ’n roll Hall of Famers Kiss, currently touring as part of their global ‘End of the World’ tour, will perform during the Telstra pre-game entertainment.

“Be ready to rock as we’ll be coming full throttle into the ’G,” Kiss said.

The AFL will confirm additional performers for the Grand Final entertainment shortly.

The League also announced 2012 Sydney Swans premiership star Josh Kennedy would be the premiership cup ambassador and have the honour of delivering the cup to the MCG for the Grand Final.

Former West Coast and Carlton champion Chris Judd will present

ASHLEY BROWNE

Prediction: Carlton by 14 points

the Norm Smith Medal to the player judged best on ground.

The dual Brownlow medallist (2004, 2010) and West Coast premiership-winning captain continues the tradition created in 2004 whereby a former winner presents the medal.

Dual Geelong flag coach Mark Thompson will present the Jock McHale Medal to this year’s premiership coach.

Away record: 33-79-2

Home record: 63-52-4

Highest score: 25.12 (162), round 15, 2007, at the SCG.

Lowest score: 0.5 (5), round 8, 1899, at Princes Park.

Greatest winning margin: 92 points, round 22, 2006, at the SCG.

Longest winning sequence: 12, round 14, 2001, to round 4, 2009. Most goals in a game: 11, Bob Pratt, round 12, 1933, at the Lake Oval; round 13, 1934, at the Lake Oval.

Prepare for life on and off the field

*Terms and conditions apply. Ends 27 Sep 2023

POCKET PROFILE 9 Patrick Cripps

Nickname: Crippa

Which current player gave you the biggest bath in junior footy: Jack Martin

Which teammate will become an AFL coach one day: Nic Newman

What time should the Grand Final start: 3.20pm

Ideal length of the home and away season: As it is now

How do you pass the time before a night game when you’re on the road: Coffee, walk, nap

Do you get your hair cut before a big game on TV: No

What sport do you suck at:

Soccer

Favourite subject at school: PE

Former footballer you admire most: Ben Cousins

Dream job after AFL footy: Mindset coach

Sporting event you cannot miss:

NBA Finals

Dog person or cat person: Both

Hobbies or interests outside football: NBA, surfing, golf, beach, outdoors

What advice would you give a first-year player: Be curious and learn off people around you

What’s something you admire about your club: Passionate fans and big crowds

Best advice your mum gave you: Treat others like you would like to be treated

Espresso or cold brew: Espresso

Favourite Shapes flavour: Cheese & Bacon

Three things on your bucket list: Skydive, NBA Finals, Super Bowl

Favourite podcast: Finding Mastery with Dr Michael Gervois

Last book you read: Do Hard Things by Steve Magness

Favourite holiday destination: Western Australia

Who should play your coach in a movie: ‘Weiters’ (Jacob Weitering)

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PLAYER PERFORMANCE SEASON SNAPSHOT

CLUB HISTORY

HIGHEST

(210) v Hawthorn, R2, 1969, Ikon Park

0.6 (6) v Collingwood, R5, 1898, Victoria Park

140 points v St Kilda, R2, 1985, Moorabbin BEST

games – R10, 1995 to R2, 1996

OVERALL RECORD: 2597 games

– 1470 wins, 1092 losses, 35 draws GRAND FINALS: 29 PREMIERSHIPS: 16

RECORD AT CURRENT VENUES

TOP GOALKICKING PERFORMANCES

13 Horrie Clover (v St Kilda, R12, 1921, Junction Oval)

12 Greg Kennedy (v Hawthorn, R21, 1972, Princes Park)

12 Ross Ditchburn (v St Kilda, R6, 1982, Waverley Park)

BROWNLOW MEDALLISTS

Bert Deacon (1947), John James (1961), Gordon Collis (1964), Greg Williams (1994), Chris Judd (2010), Patrick Cripps* (2022)

AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL

HALL OF FAME MEMBERS

LEGENDS: Ron Barassi (also Melb, coach Melb, Carl, N Melb, Syd), John Nicholls (also coach Carl), Alex Jesaulenko (also coach Carl, also player/coach StK), Ian Stewart (coach Carl, also StK, also Rich, coach S Melb)

INDUCTEES: George Coulthard, Harry Vallence, Horrie Clover (also coach Carl), Rod McGregor, Bruce Doull, Geoff Southby, Stephen Kernahan, Stephen Silvagni, David Parkin (also Haw, coach Haw, Carl, Fitz), Craig Bradley, Robert Walls (also Fitz, coach Carl, Fitz, Bris, Rich), Ken Hands (also coach Carl), Peter Bedford (also S Melb), Peter McKenna (also Coll), Greg Williams (also Geel, Syd), Jack Worrall (coach Carl, also Fitz, coach Ess), Dan Minogue (coach Carl, also Coll, Rich, Haw, coach Rich, Haw, StK, Fitz), Sir Kenneth Luke (admin), Ern Henfry, Anthony Koutoufides, Wayne Johnston, Ken Hunter, Mick Malthouse (coach Carl, also StK, Rich, coach WB, WCE, Coll), Chris Judd (also WCE), Mike Fitzpatrick

AFL TEAM OF THE CENTURY

Stephen Silvagni (full-back), John Nicholls (back pocket), Bruce Doull (half-back), Alex Jesaulenko (half-forward), Ron Barassi (ruck-rover), Greg Williams (interchange)

INDIGENOUS TEAM OF THE CENTURY

Syd Jackson (half-forward flank)

LEADING GOALKICKER MEDALLISTS

1906: Mick Grace (45)

1918: Ern Cowley (35)

1922: Horrie Clover (54)

1931: Harry Vallence (72)

JOHN COLEMAN MEDALLISTS

1961: Tom Carroll (54)

2006: Brendan Fevola (84)

2009: Brendan Fevola (86)

2021: Harry McKay* (58)

2022: Charlie Curnow* (64)

2023: Charlie Curnow* (78)

NORM SMITH MEDALLISTS

Wayne Harmes (1979), Bruce Doull (1981), David Rhys-Jones (1987), Greg Williams (1995)

PREMIERSHIP COACH MEDALLISTS

Jack Worrall (1906-08), Norman Clark (1914-15), Brighton Diggins (1938), Percy Bentley (1945, 1947)

JOCK McHALE MEDALLISTS

Ron Barassi (1968, 1970), John Nicholls (1972), Alex Jesaulenko (1979), David Parkin (1981-82, 1995), Robert Walls (1987)

MICHAEL TUCK MEDALLISTS

Craig Bradley (1997), Brendan Fevola (2005), Nick Stevens (2007)

JIM STYNES MEDALLISTS

Stephen Silvagni (1998), Kade Simpson (2008)

AFL RISING STAR AWARD

Sam Walsh* (2019)

AFL PLAYERS ASSOCIATION

MVP AWARD

Greg Williams (1994), Anthony Koutoufides (2000), Chris Judd (2011), Patrick Cripps* (2019)

PREMIERSHIPS

1906, 1907, 1908, 1914, 1915, 1938, 1945, 1947, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1987, 1995

RUNNERS-UP

1904, 1909, 1910, 1916, 1921, 1932, 1949, 1962, 1969, 1973, 1986, 1993, 1999

McCLELLAND TROPHY

1969, 1979, 1985, 1987, 1995

WOODEN SPOONS

2002, 2005, 2006, 2015, 2018

FINALS

139 games – 65 wins, 72 losses, 2 draws

MOST FINALS

Bruce Doull

Stephen Silvagni

MOST GOALS IN FINALS

Stephen Kernahan 65

Harry Vallence

Alex Jesaulenko 40

HIGHEST SCORE IN A FINAL

28.9 (177) v Richmond, GF, 1972

LOWEST SCORE IN A FINAL

3.5 (23) v Collingwood, SF, 1903

GREATEST WINNING MARGIN IN A FINAL

88 points v Collingwood, SF, 1931

GREATEST LOSING MARGIN IN A FINAL

97 points v Brisbane, SF, 1996

MOST GOALS IN A FINAL

11 Harry Vallence v Collingwood, SF, 1931; v Collingwood, PF, 1932

BEST FINALS WINNING STREAK

Eight games (1906-09)

WORST FINALS LOSING STREAK

Five games (1916-19; 1921-28; 1949-59; 1973-76)

PRE-SEASON/NIGHT SERIES

126 games – 67 wins, 59 losses

Premierships 1983, 1997, 2005, 2007

CLUB MEMBERSHIP

1984 (12,774), 1985 (13,317), 1986 (14,905), 1987 (9227), 1988 (11,936), 1989 (10,600), 1990 (10,978), 1991 (12,736), 1992 (12,354), 1993 (14,445), 1994 (18,308), 1995 (18,032), 1996 (23,278), 1997 (24,984),

(25,402), 1999 (25,719), 2000 (27,571), 2001 (27,725),

(26,385),

(33,525),

2008 (39,360), 2009 (42,408), 2010 (40,480), 2011 (43,791), 2012 (45,800), 2013 (50,564), 2014 (47,485), 2015 (47,305), 2016 (50,130), 2017 (50,326), 2018 (56,005), 2019 (64,269), 2020 (67,035), 2021 (81,302), 2022 (88,776), 2023 (95,277)

* denotes current player or coach # equal with Corey Enright (Geel)

CRAIG BRADLEY

My Cruises are donating $10 for every Hawai’i cruise holiday booked before 31 October to the Maui Strong Fund, established by the Hawai’i Community Foundation.

One way flight to Sydney to embark your cruise

17 Night transpacific cruise from Sydney to Honolulu onboard

Celebrity Solstice

Onboard dining across a range of complimentary venues

Onboard entertainment including live music and performances

BONUS Onboard prepaid gratuities and wifi package

BONUS Onboard beverage package including cocktails, spirits, wine, beer and soft drinks

BONUS 2 Night hotel stay to explore Honolulu

BONUS Port and airport transfers in Honolulu

One way flight from Honolulu to Sydney

u 2023 LADDER

u LEADING GOALKICKERS

SYDNEY SWANS

IN: Cripps, Docherty, Pittonet OUT: Fisher, Hollands, Dow, Durdin

IN: Melican, Papley, McInerney OUT: Fox, Stephens, Clarke, Francis

EM FIELD: Justin POWER (4)

Boundary: Sean MOYLAN, Damien MAIN, Matthew TOMKINS, Jordan RUSSELL Goal: Brodie KENNY-BELL, Dylan BENWELL EM: Simon PLUMRIDGE

SWANS

Co-captains

Coach

Coach

PLAYER LIST

POSS.

POSS.

POSS.

POCKET PROFILE 36 Joel Amartey

Nickname: Amarts

Which current AFL player gave you the biggest bath in junior footy: Not a current player, but Mitch Owens’ older brother Kai

Which teammate will become an AFL coach one day: Tom Papley

What time should the Grand Final start: Afternoon

Ideal length of the home and away season: 24 games

How do you pass the time before a night game when you’re on the road:

Talking dribble

What sport do you suck at: Golf

Former footballer you admire most: Michael O’Loughlin

Dream job after AFL footy: CEO of Doozy (Will Hayward and Ollie Florent’s alcoholic soda brewery)

Do you get your hair cut before a big game on TV: Of course

Sporting event you cannot miss: State of Origin

Hobbies or interests outside football: Couch time

Dog person or cat person: Dog (not including Freddie)

Last book you read: Virgin exit seat manual

Who should play your coach in a movie: Myself

PLAYER PERFORMANCE SEASON SNAPSHOT

Beyond Bank is for and with the dees.

As proud partners of the Melbourne Football Club and their community, we’re backing the dees this finals season.

Congratulations to the club for its outstanding achievements in 2023.

CLUB HISTORY

HIGHEST SCORE

36.20 (236) v Essendon, R17, 1987, SCG

LOWEST SCORE

0.5 (5) v Carlton, R8, 1899, Princes Park

GREATEST WINNING MARGIN

171 points v St Kilda, R12, 1919, Lake Oval; v WCE, R15, 2023, SCG

BEST WINNING SEQUENCE

12 games – R5, 1918 to GF, 1918; R10, 1933 to R1, 1934; R2, 1935 to R13, 1935; R5, 2014 to R17, 2014

OVERALL RECORD: 2540 games – 1218 wins, 1297 losses, 25 draws

18

WORST LOSING

–

MOST

Vic Belcher (also coach S Melb, Fitz), J. Herbie Matthews, John Rantall (also NM, Fitz), Terry Daniher (also Ess), Peter Bedford (also Carl), Jack Sheedy, Len Thompson (also Coll, Fitz), Des Tuddenham (coach S Melb, also Coll, Ess, coach Ess), Paul Roos (also Fitz), Tom Hafey (coach Syd, also Rich, coach Rich, Geel, Coll), Dermott Brereton (also Haw, Coll), Gerard Healy (also Melb), Barry Round (also Foots), John Murphy (also Fitz, NM), Frank Johnson, Paul Kelly, Bob Hammond (coach Syd, also Adel admin), Michael O’Loughlin, Austin Robertson jnr, Barry Hall (also StK, WB), Terry Cashion

AFL TEAM OF THE CENTURY

Bob Skilton (rover), Greg Williams (interchange), Norm Smith (coach)

INDIGENOUS TEAM OF THE CENTURY

Adam Goodes (centre half-back), Michael O’Loughlin (full-forward)

LEADING GOALKICKER MEDALLISTS

1934: Bob Pratt (138)

1935: Bob Pratt (97)

1942: Lindsay White (67)

JOHN COLEMAN MEDALLISTS

1996: Tony Lockett (114)

1998: Tony Lockett (107)

2014: Lance Franklin* (67)

2017: Lance Franklin* (69)

NORM SMITH MEDALLIST

Ryan O’Keefe (2012)

PREMIERSHIP COACH MEDALLISTS

Charlie Ricketts (1909), Bert Howson (1918), Jack Bisset (1933)

JOCK McHALE MEDALLISTS

Paul Roos (2005), John Longmire* (2012)

JIM STYNES MEDALLIST

Ryan O’Keefe (2006)

AFL RISING STAR AWARD

Adam Goodes (1999), Dan Hannebery (2010), Callum Mills* (2016)

RECORD AT CURRENT VENUES

16 Tony Lockett (v Fitzroy, R19, 1995, Whitten Oval)

15 Bob Pratt (v Essendon, R3, 1934, Lake Oval)

14 Harold Robertson (v St Kilda, R12, 1919, Lake Oval)

12 Tony Lockett (v Richmond, R19, 1996, SCG)

12 Tony Lockett (v Port Adelaide, R16, 1998, SCG)

12 Bob Pratt (v Footscray, R15, 1934, Lake Oval)

12 Lindsay White (v Melbourne, R5, 1942, Princes Park)

BROWNLOW MEDALLISTS

J. Herbie Matthews (1940, tied), Ron Clegg (1949, tied), Fred Goldsmith (1955), Bob Skilton (1959, tied; 1963, 1968), Peter Bedford (1970), Graham Teasdale (1977), Barry Round (1981, tied), Greg Williams (1986, tied), Gerard Healy (1988), Paul Kelly (1995), Adam Goodes (2003, tied; 2006)

AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL

HALL OF FAME MEMBERS

LEGENDS: Ron Barassi (coach Syd, also Melb, Carl, coach Carl, NM, Melb), Roy Cazaly (also StK, coach S Melb, Haw), Bob Pratt, Bob Skilton (also coach S Melb, Melb), Norm Smith (coach S Melb, also Melb, Fitz, coach Melb, Fitz), Ian Stewart (coach Syd, also StK, Rich, coach Carl), Tony Lockett (also StK), Jack Oatey

INDUCTEES: Like McBrien (admin), Johnny Leonard, Laurie Nash, Mark Tandy, Ron Clegg,

AFL PLAYERS ASSOCIATION MVP AWARD

Gerard Healy (1988)

PREMIERSHIPS

1909, 1918, 1933, 2005, 2012

RUNNERS-UP

1899, 1907, 1912, 1914, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1945, 1996, 2006, 2014, 2016, 2022

McCLELLAND TROPHY

1996, 2014, 2016

WOODEN SPOONS

1903, 1922, 1938, 1939, 1962, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1992, 1993, 1994 FINALS

93

19.22 (136) v North Melbourne, PF, 2014

LOWEST SCORE IN A FINAL

3.8 (26) v Fitzroy, GF, 1899

GREATEST WINNING MARGIN IN A FINAL 71 points v North Melbourne, PF, 2014

GREATEST LOSING MARGIN IN A FINAL 99 points v Hawthorn, QF, 1987

MOST GOALS IN A FINAL

9 Lindsay White, v Essendon, PF, 1942

BEST FINALS WINNING STREAK

Five games (2005-06)

WORST FINALS LOSING STREAK

Seven games (1945-87)

PRE-SEASON/NIGHT SERIES

113 games – 55 wins, 58 losses

Premierships 1956, 1957, 1960, 1982

CLUB MEMBERSHIP

1984 (2750), 1985 (2777), 1986 (4927), 1987 (3594), 1988 (2516), 1989 (2631), 1990 (2624), 1991 (2907), 1992 (3020), 1993 (3097), 1994 (3327), 1995 (6088), 1996 (9525), 1997 (22,109), 1998 (31,089), 1999 (31,175), 2000 (30,177), 2001 (28,022), 2002 (27,755), 2003 (21,270), 2004 (25,010), 2005 (24,955), (30,382),

* denotes current player or coach

RARE SPORTS ITEMS FOR SALE

Gary Fenton, who died early this year, was a giant of the Australian television industry, serving as head of sport at the Seven and Nine networks and being recruited to head the broadcasting of the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

He was also a passionate collector of football memorabilia, with his collection to be auctioned by Abacus Auctions in Melbourne on September 22.

Premiership caps are rarely seen these days, but Fenton had four – the South Melbourne 1888 premiership cap (the rst ever awarded), another one from South Melbourne in 1890, Fitzroy (1899) and Richmond (1920).

All are from those teams’ winning premierships in the VFA and they are rarer than Test players’ Baggy Greens.

Eight premiership medals will be sold: Essendon 1909 and 1911, South Melbourne 1933 (three of them, including those won by Bob Pratt and Laurie Nash), Geelong 1963 and Richmond 1969.

Other highlights are the rst three books ever published on Australian Football in 1876-78, the 1868 Carlton best and fairest belt buckle and Graham ‘Polly’ Farmer’s 1958 Simpson Medal (WA).

Fenton’s collection also has a strong Olympic Games connection, including 25 Participation Medals between Athens (1896) and Rio de Janeiro (2016), and 10 di erent relay torches.

Fenton’s television awards, including four Logies as a producer, will also be sold.

Other highlights of the sports auction are the second part of former Test great Alan Davidson’s cricket collection, Shane Warne’s travel ‘co n’ from his ‘Ball of the Century’ tour in 1993, and thousands of cigarette and trade cards.

Abacus Auctions hold regular public auctions of stamps and postal history, coins and banknotes, militaria, sports and other collectables.

You can request a free catalogue for the September 19-22 sale at their premises in Mount Waverley by phoning (03) 8513 0595 or visit abacusauctions.com.au.

2023 LEAGUE LEADERS

DISPOSALS KICKS

HANDBALLSMARKS

Disposing of the ball via a handball or kick.Disposing of the ball by foot. Disposing of the ball by hand.

SCORE INVOLVEMENTS AFL PLAYER RATINGS

Scoring chains where the player had a disposal, hit-out to advantage, kick-in or knock-on.

As seen on AFL.com.au. The most advanced metric of player performance available using data from 2023.

Catching a kicked ball that has travelled 15m.

HIT-OUTS TO ADVANTAGE STOPPAGE CLEARANCES

A hit-out that reaches an intended teammate.

CENTRE CLEARANCES

The first kick or effective handball in a chain that clears the centre bounce area.

The first kick or effective handball in a chain that clears the ball-up or throw-in area.

1 J.Witts (GCS) 21 12.4

2 R.O’Brien (Adel) 23 11.3

3 S.Darcy (Frem) 15 11.1

4 T.English (WB) 23 10.5

5 T.Goldstein (NM) 20 9.8

INSIDE 50s

Distance gained with the ball by running, kicking or handballing, combining measures towards and away from goal.

1 E.Gulden (Syd) 23563

2 J.Short (Rich) 16 546

3 L.Ryan (Frem) 23 534

4 B.Smith (Adel) 22 520

5 C.Rozee (PA) 23 514

6 T.Stewart (Geel) 22 513

7 J.Dawson (Adel) 23 510

8 K.Amon (Haw) 21 504

9 J.Sinclair (StK) 23502

10 Chad Warner (Syd) 20 490

A mark under physical pressure of an opponent or in a pack.

PRESSURE POINTS

METRES GAINED TACKLES CONTESTED

Moving the ball from the midfield into the forward zone. Excludes multiple entries within the same chain of possession.

Weighted sum of pressure acts – 3.75 for physical pressure, 2.25 for closing, 1.5 for chasing and 1.2 for corralling.

1 M.Rowell (GCS) 23 72.2

Using physical contact to prevent an opponent in possession of the ball from getting an effective disposal.

2 D.Parish (Ess) 18 6.1

3 C.Rozee (PA) 23 6.0

4 Chad Warner (Syd) 20 5.9

5 P.Dangerfield (Geel)

2 T.Atkins (Geel) 23 70.7

3 J.Dunkley (BL) 21 68.2

4 T.Liberatore (WB) 21 66.1

5 J.Rowbottom (Syd) 23 65.7

6 T.Taranto (Rich) 23 63.8

7 M.Bontempelli (WB) 23 62.3

8 J.Steele (StK) 20 61.9

9 C.Oliver (Melb) 13 59.9

10 T.Bedford (GWS) 16 58.7

2023 TOYOTA AFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON

ROUND

Sunday, June 11 NM 11.9 (75) v GWS 15.13 (103) (BA)

Carl 6.16 (52) v Ess 13.8 (86) (MCG) (N)

Monday, June 12

Melb 8.18 (66) v Coll 9.8 (62) (MCG)

Byes: Geelong Cats, Gold Coast Suns ROUND 14

Thursday, June 15 PA 16.14 (110) v Geel 11.6 (72) (AO) (N)

Friday, June 16

BL 13.19 (97) v Syd 12.9 (81) (G) (N)

Saturday, June 17

GWS 16.10 (106) v Frem 5.6 (36) (GS) (T)

Rich 13.12 (90) v StK 11.4 (70) (MCG) (N)

Sunday, June 18

Carl 18.12 (120) v GCS 8.13 (61) (MCG)

NM 13.6 (84) v WB 15.15 (105) (MRVL) (T)

Byes: Adelaide Crows, Collingwood, Essendon, Hawthorn, Melbourne, West Coast Eagles

ROUND 15

Thursday, June 22

Geel 11.12 (78) v Melb 8.15 (63) (GMHBA) (N)

Friday, June 23

StK 8.8 (56) v BL 12.12 (84) (MRVL) (N)

Saturday, June 24

Syd 31.19 (205) v WCE 5.4 (34) (SCG) (T)

Frem 14.9 (93) v Ess 9.7 (61) (OS) (T)

Sunday, June 25

Coll 12.10 (82) v Adel 11.14 (80) (MCG)

GCS 14.17 (101) v Haw 5.4 (34) (HBS) (T)

Byes: Carlton, GWS Giants, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Richmond, Western Bulldogs

ROUND 16

Thursday, June 29

BL 20.14 (134) v Rich 7.11 (53) (G) (N)

Friday, June 30

Syd 6.18 (54) v Geel 7.12 (54) (SCG) (N)

Saturday, July 1

WB 16.6 (102) v Frem 11.7 (73) (MRVL) (N)

Adel 21.12 (138) v NM 11.6 (72) (AO)

GCS 5.12 (42) v Coll 18.12 (120) (HBS) (T)

Ess 10.14 (74) v PA 11.12 (78) (MCG) (N)

Sunday, July 2

Haw 7.10 (52) v Carl 17.10 (112) (MCG)

Melb 5.15 (45) v GWS 7.5 (47) (TIO)

WCE 12.5 (77) v StK 12.13 (85) (OS)

ROUND 17

Thursday, July 6 Rich 12.16 (88) v Syd 11.9 (75) (MCG) (N)

Friday, July 7

WB 11.11 (77) v Coll 13.11 (89) (MRVL) (N)

Saturday, July 8

BL 16.20 (116) v WCE 5.5 (35) (Gabba)

GWS 12.13 (85) v Haw 10.12 (72) (GS)

StK 8.10 (58) v Melb 12.7 (79) (MRVL) (N)

PA 16.10 (106) v GCS 11.7 (73) (AO) (N)

Sunday, July 9

Geel 19.11 (125) v NM 9.9 (63) (GMHBA)

Ess 17.13 (115) v Adel 15.7 (97) (MRVL)

Frem 6.9 (45) v Carl 14.14 (98) (OS) (T)

ROUND 18

Thursday, July 13

Syd 11.12 (78) v WB 11.10 (76) (SCG) (N)

Friday, July 14

Melb 16.9 (105) v BL 16.8 (104) (MCG) (N)

12.5 (77) (AH)

Ess 15.14 (104) v Melb 11.11 (77) (AO)

PA 10.10 (70) v WB 8.8 (56) (AO) (N)

Sunday, April 16

Geel 21.10 (136) v WCE 13.11 (89) (AO)

GWS 10.17 (77) v Haw 11.9 (75) (NO)

Coll 10.10 (70) v St K 9.10 (64) (AO) (T)

ROUND 6

Friday, April 21

Frem 10.9 (69) v WB (OS) 17.16 (118)(N)

Saturday, April 22

PA 16.13 (109) v WCE 10.9 (69) (AO)

GWS 13.9 (87) v BL16.12 (108) (MO) (T)

Geel 20.10 (130) v Syd 5.7 (37) (GMHBA) (N)

Sunday, April 23

Haw 11.10 (76) v Adel 11.13 (79) (UTAS)

Carl 8.12 (60) v St K 12.10 (82) (MRVL)

Friday, August 4

19.12 (126) v Rich 10.11 (77) (MRVL) (N)

Saturday, August 5

10.13 (73) v WCE 11.6 (72) (MRVL) Adel 13.11 (89) v GCS 9.7 (61) (AO)

16.9 (105) v Coll 11.7 (73) (MCG) (T)

14.13 (97) v PA 12.13 (85) (GMHBA) (N)

12.13 (85) v Syd 15.6 (96) (GS) (N)

Sunday, August 6 NM 10.11 (71) v Melb 15.13 (103) (BA) StK 8.6 (54) v Carl 10.13 (73) (MRVL) Frem 11.8 (74) v BL 11.11 (77) (OS) (T)

ROUND 22

Friday, August 11 Coll 16.13 (109) v Geel 15.11 (101) (MCG) (N)

Saturday, August 12 NM 12.5 (77) v Ess 13.8 (86) (MRVL)

Syd 18.6 (114) v GCS 13.12 (90) (SCG) BL 15.9 (99) v Adel 13.15 (93) (G) (T)

Carl 9.6 (60) v Melb 8.8 (56) (MCG) (N)

WCE 4.9 (33) v Frem 20.14 (134) (OS) (N)

Sunday, August 13

Haw 9.13 (67) v WB 9.10 (64) (UTAS)

StK 14.9 (93) v Rich 8.9

ROUND

Saturday, July 15

Coll 18.5 (113) v Frem 10.7 (67) (MCG)

GCS 11.11 (77) v StK 8.3 (51) (HBS)

Carl 18.14 (122) v PA 10.12 (72) (MRVL) (T)

Geel 18.14 (122) v Ess 7.3 (45) (GMHBA) (N)

Adel 8.9 (57) 6.4 (40) v GWS 10.11 (71) (AO) (N)

Sunday, July 16

NM 6.4 (40) v Haw 12.16 (88) (MRVL)

WCE 8.12 (60) v Rich 14.14 (98) (OS) (T)

ROUND 19

Friday, July 21

Ess 7.7 (49) v WB 13.12 (90) (MRVL) (N)

Saturday, July 22

Rich 14.12 (96) v Haw 15.5 (95) (MCG)

Carl 21.14 (140) v WCE 10.9 (69) (MRVL)

BL 9.10 (64) v Geel 7.11 (53) (G) (T)

PA 12.11 (83) v Coll 13.7 (85) (AO) (N)

Frem 12.4 (76) v Syd 16.9 (105) (OS) (N)

Sunday, July 23

GWS 15.13 (103) v GCS 9.9 (63) (MO)

Melb 14.13

ROUND 24

Friday, August 25

3.13 (31) v Coll 16.5 (101) (MCG) (N)

Saturday, August 26

Haw 8.8 (56) v Frem 14.9 (93) (MCG)

NM 20.12 (132) v GCS 14.13 (97) (BA)

BL 9.18 (72) v StK 9.6 (60) (Gabba) (T)

Geel 11.13 (79) v WB 16.8 (104) (GMHBA) (N)

WCE 12.6 (78) v Adel 17.21 (123) (OS) (N)

Sunday, August 27

PA 13.16 (94) v Rich 8.15 (63) (AO)

Syd 7.14 (56) v Melb 11.11 (77) (SCG)

Carl 11.7 (73) v GWS 16.9 (105) (MRVL) (N)

2023 TOYOTA AFL FINALS SERIES

Thursday, September 7

1st QF – Collingwood v Melbourne (MCG) (N)

Friday, September 8

1st EF – Carlton v Sydney Swans (MCG) (N)

Saturday, September 9

2nd EF – St Kilda v GWS Giants (MCG)

2nd QF – Brisbane Lions v Port Adelaide (G) (N)

September 15-16

Week Two – Semi-Finals

September 22-23

Week Three – Preliminary Finals

Saturday, September 30

Week Four – Toyota AFL Grand Final

Quarter Pounder ® Big Mac®

Nickname: Pattie

100% Aussie Beef

Cheese

Onions

Tangy mustard Pickles

Sesame seed bun

“Always brings the beef”

Footy. i’m lovin it

Nickname: Macca

2 all Australian beef patties

Special sauce

Lettuce

Cheese

Pickles & Onions

Sesame seed bun

“A legend of the game”

SCOREBOARD – ROUND 24

Collingwood 8.1 12.2 14.3 16.5 (101)

Essendon

BEST: Collingwood – De Goey, Ginnivan, J. Daicos, Mitchell, Mihocek, Crisp. Essendon – Merrett, Redman, Parish, Laverde.

GOALS: Collingwood – Ginnivan 3, Mihocek 3, Elliott 2, Cameron, J. Daicos, De Goey, Hill, Lipinski, McStay, Mitchell, Pendlebury. Essendon – Weideman 2, Langford.

Substitutes: Essendon – McDonald-Tipungwuti (replaced Baldwin); Collingwood – Macrae (replaced Elliott).

Umpires: C. Donlon, H. Gavine, D. Johanson, B. Rosebury.

Crowd: 74,344 at the MCG.

BEST: Fremantle – Brayshaw, Serong, Emmett, Amiss, Young. Hawthorn – Moore, Amon, Sicily, Newcombe, Day.

GOALS: Fremantle – Amiss 3, Walters 2, Treacy 2, Emmett 2, Switkowski, Sturt, Schultz, Johnson, Brayshaw. Hawthorn – Breust 2, Worpel, Scrimshaw, Newcombe, Moore, Koschitzke, Amon.

Substitutes: Hawthorn – Meek (replaced Ryan); Fremantle – Erasmus (replaced Walters).

Umpires: A. Adair, L. Fisher, A. Heffernan, N. McGinness.

Crowd: 27,951 at the MCG.

North

BEST: North Melbourne – Larkey, Simpkin, Sheezel, Thomas, Scott, McKay. Gold Coast Suns – Flanders, Ellis, Rowell, Rosas, Miller.

GOALS: North Melbourne – Larkey 9, Ford 3, Curtis 2, Corr, Greenwood, Howe, Simpkin, Taylor, Tucker. Gold Coast Suns – Rosas 3, Casboult 2, Flanders 2, Chol 2, Atkins, Davies, Fiorini, Miller, Swallow.

Substitutes: North Melbourne – Howe (replaced Taylor); Gold Coast Suns – Atkins (replaced Lemmens).

Umpires: P. Bailes, C. Dore, C. Jones, B. Wallace.

Crowd: 4416 at Blundstone Arena.

Brisbane

BEST: Brisbane Lions – Neale, Zorko, K. Coleman, Daniher, McInerney, Wilmot. St Kilda – Wilkie, Marshall, Wood, Sinclair, Crouch, Membrey.

GOALS: Brisbane Lions – Cameron 2, Daniher 2, Zorko, Rayner, McInerney, McCluggage, Fletcher. St Kilda – Membrey 3, Wood, Phillipou, Hayes, Gresham, Crouch, Butler.

Substitutes: Brisbane Lions – Lohmann (replaced Lyons); St Kilda – Byrnes (replaced Battle).

Umpires: C. Fleer, B. Hosking, R. O’Gorman, J. Power. Crowd: 31,689 at the Gabba. Western

BEST: Western Bulldogs – Liberatore, Bontempelli, Lobb, Treloar, Richards, English. Geelong – Atkins, Parfitt, Stewart, Menegola, Dangerfield, Smith.

GOALS: Western Bulldogs – Lobb 3, Naughton 3, English 2, Treloar 2, Weightman 2, Poulter, Vandermeer, Liberatore, Ugle-Hagan. Geelong – O. Henry 3, Stengle 2, Smith, Neale, Atkins, Dempsey, Miers, Dangerfield.

Substitutes: Geelong – Clohesy (replaced Knevitt); Western Bulldogs – McNeil (replaced Vandermeer).

Umpires: J. Broadbent, R. Findlay, J. Mollison, M. Nicholls.

Crowd: 20,533 at GMHBA Stadium.

Adelaide

BEST: Adelaide Crows – Walker, Laird, Crouch, Soligo, Dawson, Rachele. West Coast Eagles – Kelly, Allen, Duggan, Shuey, Hough, Darling.

GOALS: Adelaide Crows – Walker 9, Rachele 3, Soligo 2, Fogarty, Gollant, Keays. West Coast Eagles – Allen 4, Darling 3, Cole, Cripps, Jones, Shuey, J. Williams.

Substitutes: West Coast Eagles – Jones (replaced L. Edwards); Adelaide Crows – Thilthorpe (replaced O’Brien).

Umpires: H. Birch, M. Rodger, N. Toner, A. Whetton.

47,027 at Optus Stadium.

BEST: Port Adelaide – Rozee, Butters, Duursma, Houston, Drew. Richmond – Martin, Short, Dow, Nankervis, Bolton.

GOALS: Port Adelaide – Evans 3, Lord 2, Powell-Pepper 2, Rioli 2, Houston, Byrne-Jones, Duursma, Rozee. Richmond – Bolton 2, Graham, Bauer, Soldo, D. Rioli, Banks, Martin.

Substitutes: Port Adelaide – Williams (replaced Hayes); Richmond – Mansell (replaced M. Rioli).

Umpires: L. Haussen, J. Howorth, P. Rebeschini, E. Tee.

Crowd: 39,860 at Adelaide Oval.

BEST: Melbourne – Petracca, Fritsch, Viney, May, Brayshaw. Sydney Swans – Gulden, Mills, Parker, Chad Warner, T. McCartin.

GOALS: Melbourne – Fritsch 5, Melksham 2, van Rooyen, Pickett, Petracca, Brayshaw. Sydney Swans – Gulden 2, Wicks, Chad Warner, Mills, McLean, McDonald.

Substitutes: Melbourne – Laurie (replaced Melksham).

Sydney Swans – Francis (unused).

Umpires: R. Chamberlain, A. Gianfagna, S. Meredith, N. Williamson.

Crowd: 41,753 at the SCG.

GWS

BEST: GWS Giants – Greene, Green, Coniglio, Ward, Daniels. Carlton – Hewett, C. Curnow, Dow, Acres, Walsh.

GOALS: GWS Giants – Greene 4, Riccardi 3, Coniglio 2, Ward, Keeffe, Hogan, Cumming, Lloyd, Brown, Daniels. Carlton – C. Curnow 3, Owies 2, Cottrell, Martin, De Koning, Hewett, C. Durdin, Fisher.

Substitutes: Carlton – Marchbank (replaced Acres); GWS Giants – Haynes (replaced McMullin).

Umpires: C. Deboy, N. Foot, A. Stephens, M. Stevic.

Crowd: 44,354 at Marvel Stadium.

ON THE CHARGE: Midfielder Jordan De Goey was the Magpies’ best in their rout of Essendon in round 24.

AFLCA Champion Player of the Year

Votes

LEADING GOALKICKERS

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KING CHARLIE: Carlton’s Charlie Curnow proudly shows off his second Coleman Medal in a row.

AFL SYDNEY – FINALS

Best: North Shore – Crisafulli, Barkley, Dillon, Rogers, Hopkins, Veale.

UNSW-Eastern Suburbs –Bambrick, Hawkins, Hardy, O’Callaghan, Morrison, Baxter.

Goals: North Shore – Rayner 3, Hopkins 2, Chalmers, Hill, Tidemann.

UNSW-Eastern Suburbs – Emery 2, Romensky 2, Bambrick, Foster, Rider, Spencer.

Best: Pennant Hills – Clark, Sparks, Vidler, Richards, Preedy, Wales. Sydney University – Barton, Cleary, Dimery, McNamara, Hiscox, Kozlik.

Goals: Pennant Hills – Sparks 4, Eynaud 2, Moraitis 2, Boag, Maguire, Wray. Sydney University – Hiscox 2, Hughes 2, Jones 2, Gibbs. PRELIMINARY

Best: UNSW-ES – Baxter, Foote, Tricks, Bambrick, Brown, Tikkeros. Pennant Hills – Blow, Carroll, Eynaud, Mitchell, C. Matthews, Richards.

VFL –FINALS

SECOND WILDCARD FINAL

Collingwood 4.4 7.5 16.7 21.9 (135)

Richmond 2.4 7.7 8.9 8.12 (60)

Best: Collingwood – Begg, Bianco, Kelly, Allan, Kreuger, Macrae. Richmond – Street, Pickett, Melville, Ryan, Lefau, Cooper.

Goals: Collingwood – Kreuger 4, Begg 3, McInnes 3, Richards 2, Steene 2, T.G. Wilson 2, T. Wilson 2, Harrison, Hustwaite, Johnson. Richmond – Cumberland 2, Bradtke, Hicks, McDonagh, Pickett, Ralphsmith, Ryan.

FIRST WILDCARD FINAL

Casey Demons 6.1 10.6 14.9 20.14 (134)

North Melbourne 3.1 4.24.2 5.3 (33)

Best: Casey Demons – Grundy, Jordan, Munro, Schache, McDonald, Moniz-Wakefield, Harmes, White. North Melbourne – Davis, Bonar, Lienert, Butler, Watkins, O’Sullivan.

Goals: Casey Demons – McDonald 5, Moniz-Wakefield 4, Grundy 3, Harmes, Jordan 2, Munro, Neocleous, Spargo, White. North Melbourne –Sellers 3, Ellwood, Hope.

SECOND ELIMINATION FINAL Footscray 5.3 10.9 16.11 22.16 (148)

Casey Demons 2.45.46.9 10.9 (69)

Best: Footscray – West, Garcia, Crozier, Poulter, Sullivan, Sweet. Casey Demons – Steele, Freeman, D. Smith, Edwards, Munro, Moniz-Wakefield.

Goals: Footscray – Clarke 3, Garcia 3, Khamis 3, Poulter 3, Craig-Peters 2, Macpherson 2, Sullivan 2, West 2, Goater, Sweet. Casey Demons –Steele 5, Moniz-Wakefield 2, Grey, Munro, Valentine.

SECOND QUALIFYING FINAL

Werribee 3.4 5.7 8.10 11.14 (80)

Box Hill Hawks 1.4 2.9 5.11 8.12 (60)

Best: Werribee – Pinnuck, Coughlan, Brew, Declase, Malual, Hayes. Box Hill Hawks – Porter, Ramsden, Koschitzke, Phillips, Jeka, Grainger-Barras,.

Goals: Werribee – Declase 3, Gray, Grintell, Henderson, Lever, Mannagh, Paea, Porter, Rocci. Box Hill Hawks – Ryan 2, Thorpe 2, Butler, Greene, Koschitzke, Stephens.

FIRST ELIMINATION FINAL

Williamstown 3.2 8.4 8.8 12.10 (82)

Collingwood 0.2 1.4 2.6 3.9 (27)

Best: Williamstown – Downie, Jones, Hore, Pickess, Greiser, Ellison. Collingwood – Ruscoe, Bianco, Hustwaite, Macrae, Dean, Jetta.

Goals: Williamstown – Cox 2, Ellison 2, Ottavi 2, Pickess 2, Ebinger, Gadsby. Collingwood – Glover, Hustwaite, Jetta.

FIRST QUALIFYING FINAL

Gold Coast 7.2 10.7 13.13 19.13 (127)

Brisbane Lions 4.2 5.5 8.8 12.12 (84)

Best: Gold Coast – Burgess, Constable, Day, Graham, Farrar, Chol. Brisbane Lions – Lyons, Joyce, Sharp, Lohmann, Tunstill, Fort.

Goals: Gold Coast – Burgess 4, Day 4, Faulkhead 3, Sexton 3, Chol, Constable, Lake, McLaughlin, Sharp. Brisbane Lions –B. Coleman 2, Lohmann 2, Reville 2, Buzza, Cockatoo, Dunkley, Fullarton, Manly, Smith.

West

SANFL – ROUND 18

Best: West Adelaide – Ryan, Delahunty, Corbett, Stevens, Mattingly. Woodville-West Torrens – Sinor, Williams, Rowland, Rowe, Beecken.

Goals: West Adelaide – Delahunty 4, Stevens 3, Gore 2, Beech, Mulady, Redfern, Ryan. Woodville-West Torrens – Rowe 3, Ballenden 2, Beecken 2, Beattie, D’Aloia, Herbert, Pearce, Sinor.

Best: Sturt – Voss, Page, Lewis, Grivell, Burrows. North Adelaide – Hilder, Craig, Ramsey, Moore, Combe.

Goals: Sturt – Burrows 3, Grivell 3, Hone 2, Mathews 2, Carey, Carruthers, Doyle, Rentsch, Shute. North Adelaide – Harvey 2, Hilder 2, McInerney 2, Ramsey 2, Finlay, Lockyer, Mayes.

Best: Central District – McCormack, Linke, Presbury, Kendall, Iles. Port Adelaide – Mead, Dumont, Hagen, Pasini, Bonner.

Goals: Central District – Lange 3, East 2, Linke 2, Munn 2, Chisholm, Grace, Grant, Schiller, Whitelum. Port Adelaide – Hagan 3, Szust 3, Fantasia 2, Visentini 2, Scully. Norwood

Best: Norwood – Kennerley, Seymour, Rokahr, Warburton, Callow. Adelaide – Nankervis, Sholl, Dowling, Hately, Berry.

Goals: Norwood – Callow 3, Jarvis 3, Kennerley 3, McLean 2, Wilkins 2, Panos, Seymour. Adelaide – Cook 2, Sholl 2, Brown, Coleman, Hately, McKenzie, Newchurch, Smithson.

Best: Glenelg – Allen, McBean, Lyons, Martini, Snook. South Adelaide –Clavarino, Brooksby, Haines, Delean, Gibbs.

Goals: Glenelg – McBean 4, Allen 3, Hosie 2, Reynolds 2, Lyons, Searle, Stretch. South Adelaide – Delean 2, Freitag 2, Fitt.

LADDER: Glenelg 30 (59.2%), Sturt 28 (51.9%), Adelaide 26 (60.4%), Central District 18 (47.6%), Port Adelaide 17 (48.8%), North Adelaide 16 (46.6%), Norwood 13 (45.7%), Woodville-West Torrens 12 (47.3%), South Adelaide 11 (44.5%), West Adelaide 9 (45.8%).

SANFL – FINALS

Best: Central District – Chisholm, Grace, Little, McCormack, Presbury.

Port Adelaide – Hagen, Fantasia, Lycett, Bonner, Szust.

Goals: Central District – Grace 5, Dudley 2, Lange 2, Munn, Presbury, Schiller. Port Adelaide – Fantasia 4, Hagan 3, Szust 2, Lycett, Teakle.

WAFL –ROUND20

Best: South Fremantle – Miller, T. Blechynden, Harbour, Hall, Z. Strom. West Coast – Watson, Jamieson, Clark, Mercer, Trew.

Goals: South Fremantle – Donaldson 4, Miller 4, J. Blechynden 3, Dragovich 2, N, Strom 2, Harbour 2, Graham 2, Z. Strom, Hall, Bourne, Datson, Drage. West Coast – Mercer 2, Winder, O’Neill, Trew, Garlett, Kemp, Burke, McCarthy.

Best: Peel Thunder – Corbett, Middleton, Blight, O’Driscoll, Brodie. Swan Districts – Cipro, Turner, Clarke, Humphries, McLachlan.

Goals: Peel Thunder – Corbett 5, Middleton 3, Wemm 2, Knobel, Torrent. Swan Districts – Riley 2, Cipro 2, Chipper, Fisher, Jones, Kemp, McLachlan, Glass-McCasker.

Best: Claremont – Bolton, Rogers, Edwards, Lewsey, Miles. Perth – Davis, Byrne, Thompson, Manzone, Dellamarta.

Goals: Claremont – Rogers 4, Gowdie 3, Martinis, Alvarez, Delacey, Manuel, Smallwood, Hardisty. Perth – Stubbs 3, Clark, Ajang, Quartermaine.

Best: East Fremantle – Schoenfeld, Lawler, Dixon, McGuire, Jupp. Subiaco – Giro, Dewar, Hickmott, Borchet.

Goals: East Fremantle – Lawler 5, Schoenfeld 4, Dixon 3, Jansen 2, McGuire. Subiaco – Borchet 3, South 2, Hickmott, Hitchcock, J. Faraone, Morgan.

Best: West Perth – Nelson, Hinder, Moulton, Kernutt, Pegoraro. East Perth – Schumacher, Ameduri, Brayshaw, Dittmar, Schofield.

Goals: West Perth – Kernutt 5, Murray 2, Keitel 2, Meadows, Nelson, Lynch, Peirce, Todd, Dixon. East Perth –Schofield 4, Hille 2, Van Diemen, Medhat, Ameduri, Raykos, Brayshaw, Scott, Bonomelli.

LADDER: East Fremantle 56 (147.6%), Subiaco 48 (131.5%), Peel Thunder 48 (130.1%), East Perth 48 (129.9%), Claremont 48 (123.2%), West Perth 44 (119.8%), Swan Districts 32 (99.7%), South Fremantle 16 (97.0%), Perth 10 (64.9%), West Coast 2 (39.2%).

WAFL –FINALS

Best: Peel Thunder – Sears, Bell, Brodie, Hamling, Colyer. Subiaco –Walters, Rohde, Robbins, Clarke.

Goals: Peel Thunder – Sears 4, Middleton 2, Corbett 2, Colyer, Grey, Bell, Emmett. Subiaco – Sokol 3, Walters 2, Mayo 2, Clarke, Braut, Rohde.

Best: Adelaide – Brown, Parnell, Nankervis, Borlase, Berry. Sturt –Coomblas, Battersby, Edmonds, Dakin, Fahey-Sparks.

Goals: Adelaide – Boyle 2, Clamp 2, Cook 2, Newchurch 2, Wright 2, Berry. Sturt – McFadyen 3, Burrows 2, Fahey-Sparks 2, Dakin, Hone, Thiele.

COATES TALENT LEAGUE – ROUND 17

Best: GWV Rebels – Lalor, Faull, Stevens, Lawson, Penry, Freijah. Western Jets – McArthur, Petric, Snell, Miller, Raso, Morris.

Goals: GWV Rebels – Faull 4, Byrne 3, Charleson 2, Freijah, Lalor, Ough, Trigg. Western Jets – Barry, Freeman, Kovacevic, Petric.

Best: Tasmania Devils – Leake, Schoenmaker, Curtis, Depaoli-Kubank, Nash, Summers. Dandenong Stingrays – Shipp, Simpson, Demattia, Hopkins, Wilson, Mraz.

Goals: Tasmania Devils – Leake 5, Ollington 3, Bennett, Douglas. Dandenong Stingrays – Ah-Mu, Demattia, Doughton, Giliam, Nelson.

Best: Oakleigh Chargers – Thomas, Smith, Elliott, Brown, O’Sullivan, Philactides. Sandringham Dragons – McGee-Galimberti, Ashcroft, Visentini, Brown, Dear, Dolan.

Goals: Oakleigh Chargers – Thomas 4, Hicks 3, Elliott 2, Richardson 2, Yze 2, O’Sullivan, Retschko. Sandringham Dragons – Dolan 3, Brown 2, Dear 2, Edwards 2, Docking, May, Reid.

Claremont – Davis, Sheldrick, Elliott, Eastland, Delacey. East Perth –Ameduri, Scott, Graham, Wright, Crowden.

Goals: Claremont – Delacey 2, Mainwaring 2, Hardisty 2, England, Davis, Elliott, Manuel, Gowdie. East Perth – Graham 4, Hille, Crowden, Schofield, Tedesco, Saunders.

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Best: Calder Cannons – Taha, Barbaro, Iacovone, Garcia, Cullen, Said. Northern Knights – McInerney, Tsitsis, Ormerod, Doyle, D’Arro, Mardini.

Goals: Calder Cannons – Rutley 3, Said 2, Bolmat, Croft, Garcia, Iacovone, King, Leedham, Legudi, Naim, Nguyen. Northern Knights – D’Arro, Farrar, Gresham, Johnson, Lawson, McInerney.

Geelong Falcons 3.1 4.5 9.9 12.11 (83)

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Best: Geelong Falcons – George, Page, Murray, Hastie, Pike, Anastasopoulos. Bendigo Pioneers – Travaglia, Evans, Gordon, Hillier, Poole, Watson.

Goals: Geelong Falcons – Anastasopoulos 4, Page 3, Stevens 3, Rudd 2, Ivisic. Bendigo Pioneers – Gordon 2, Watson 2, Byrne, Constable, Evans, Jephson, McMahon, Uerata.

Gippsland Power 2.4

Eastern Ranges 1.2

6.8 8.10 (58)

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Best: Gippsland Power – Z. Duursma, Donohue, Smith, Jiath, Stern, Craven, W. Duursma. Eastern Ranges – Trembath, Anderson, Galstians, Watson, Windsor, Moraes.

Goals: Gippsland Power – Z. Duursma 4, Alger, Lindsay, Mentha, Scott. Eastern Ranges – Cantwell 3, Windsor 2, Galstians, Tanzimat, Weatherill.

COATES TALENT LEAGUE – WILDCARD ROUND

Best: Eastern Ranges – Windsor, Tanzimat, Moraes, Monteath, Tovey, George. Calder Cannons – Scott, Nguyen, Said, Fitzpatrick.

Goals: Eastern Ranges – Tanzimat 4, Weatherill 4, George 2, Moraes 2, Watson 2, Anderson, Monteath, Vippond, Windsor, Wright. Calder Cannons – Said 2, Garcia, King, Rutley.

Best: Sandringham Dragons – Ashcroft, Sanders, Visentini, Lloyd, Voss, O’Leary. Western Jets – Grego, Smith, Morris, Raso, Burton, Miller.

Goals: Sandringham Dragons – Lloyd 4, May 4, Brown 3, Ashcroft 2, Dear 2, Reid 2, Dolan, Hotton, McGee-Galimberti. Western Jets – Morris 3, Miller 2, Barry, Burton, Findlay, Fitzgerald, Petric, Smith.

Best: Oakleigh Chargers – Brown, O’Sullivan, Smith, Lorenz, Hicks, Walters.

Northern Knights – Ferronato, McKenzie, D’Arro, McInerney, Mardini, Johnson.

Goals: Oakleigh Chargers – Brown 5, Hicks 4, Gross, Emmett, Richardson, Eales, Lorenz, Thomas, Askew, Philactides, Smith.

Northern Knights – Ferronato 2, Galgano 2, Harvey 2, McKenzie 2, Franklin, Riley, Lawson.

QAFL –FINALS

FIRST ELIMINATION FINAL

3. Broadbeach 8.2 11.7 17.9 22.12 (144)

6. Palm Beach-Currumbin 1.2 2.3 4.4 7.7 (49)

Best: Broadbeach – Bishop, Reeves, Lower, Dawson, Filippone, Taylor. Palm Beach-Currumbin – Patterson, Thynne, Nicholson, McBurnie, Harrison, Cuffe.

Goals: Broadbeach – Reeves 6, Harrington 4, Jasper 3, Lockett 2, Lowe 2, Bishop, Gilmore, Jellyman-Turner, Lower, Semmler. Palm Beach-Currumbin – Nicholson 2, Beikoff-Smart, Cuffe, Dawson, McBurnie, Patterson.

SECOND ELIMINATION FINAL

5. Wilston Grange 7.0 11.3 13.6 16.9 (105)

4. Surfers Paradise 1.15.1 12.2 16.3 (99)

Best: Wilston Grange – Rhook, Martyn, Snell, Westerberg, Bowles, Budarick. Surfers Paradise – Woodburn, Curtis, Williams, Doran, Jones, Shea.

Goals: Wilston Grange – Rhook 7, Derksen 2, Fazldeen 2, Fidler 2, Bowles, McGregor, Richardson. Surfers Paradise – Curtis 4, Shea 3, Williams 3, Doran 2, Ireland 2, Fraser, Finch.

SECOND SEMI-FINAL

1. Aspley 3.2 7.5 13.8 17.9 (111)

2. Redland-Victoria Point 3.2 4.24.5 8.7 (55)

Best: Aspley – Harker, Batchelor, Wolbers, Dawson, Watson, Joseph. Redland-Victoria Point – Williams, Benson, Stallard, Hambleton, Aston, Hammelmann.

Goals: Aspley – Freeman 4, Stackelberg 3, Watson 3, Best 2, Dodge 2, Allen, Crawley, O’Dwyer. Redland-Victoria Point – Hammelmann 3, Benson 3, Brown 2.

FIRST SEMI-FINAL

5. Wilston Grange 2.3 5.3 10.4 14.7 (91)

3. Broadbeach 5.0 8.7 9.9 12.13 (85)

Best: Wilston Grange – Lower, Lowe, Bishop, Searl, Gledhill, Chadwick. Broadbeach – Martyn, Westerberg, Wilson, Fazldeen, Bowles, Fidler.

Goals: Wilston Grange – Lowe 3, Filippone 2, Jasper 2, Lockett 2, Chadwick, Gilmore, Lower. Broadbeach – Fazldeen 5, McFadyen 3, Richardson 3, Fidler 2, Baker.

RICH TO BOW OUT

Best: Gippsland Power – Jiath, Felsbourg, Smith, Donohue, Z. Duursma, Craven. Dandenong Stingrays – Shipp, Wilson, Hopkins, Mraz, Simpson, Frangalas.

Goals: Gippsland Power – Alger 3, Z. Duursma 3, Amoroso, Atkins, Brent, W. Duursma, Eastham. Dandenong Stingrays – Simpson 2, Grant, HibbinsHargreaves, Langford, Pinter, Rankin.

Best: GWV Rebels – Stevens, Faull, L. Charleson, Penry, H. Charleson, Freijah. Murray Bushrangers – Harding, Swinnerton, Hart, Willis, Darcy Wilson, Ryan.

Goals: GWV Rebels – L. Charleson 4, Faull 4, Lalor 2, Lloyd 2, Byrne, H. Charleson, Freijah, McDonald, Stevens. Murray Bushrangers – Darcy Wilson 3, McCormack 2, McCarthy, Whitlock. Geelong

Best: Geelong Falcons – Murray, Hughes, Stevens, McLachlan, Burke, Ivisic. Bendigo Pioneers – Evans, Pearce, Nihill, Travaglia, McMillan, Byrne.

Goals: Geelong Falcons – McLachlan 4, Stevens 3, Burke 2, Butcher, Murray, Rudd. Bendigo Pioneers – Evans 4, Byrne 2, Hillier, Reid, Watson.

THIS WEEK: Finals: Saturday, September 9: Tasmania Devils v Gippsland Power (10.30am, Highgate Recreation Reserve). Eastern Ranges v Oakleigh Chargers (2.35pm, ETU Stadium). Sunday, September 10 : GWV Rebels v Geelong Falcons (11am, GMHBA Stadium); Sandringham Dragons v Northern Knights (1.30pm, GMHBA Stadium).

TSL – ROUND 21

Best: Launceston – Jake Hinds, Jones, Riley, House, Gillow, Madden. Glenorchy – Thompson, Meredith, Nicolson, Arnold, Phillips, Waight.

Goals: Launceston – Jones 7, Hyatt 4, Jake Hinds 3, Canny, Cowell, Faulkner, Gillow, House, Pressnell, Riley, Wheeler. Glenorchy – Arnold, Blowfield, Meredith, Thompson, Wright.

Best: Clarence – Green, Howard, Norton, Geappen, Paprotny, Holmes. Kingborough – Tomkinson, Clifford, Gadomski, Webb, McCulloch, Brouwer.

Goals: Clarence – Preshaw 2, Busch 2, Alomes, Garland, Holmes, Geappen, Whitelaw. Kingborough – Tomkinson 3, Gardner 2, O’Neill, Williams.

Best: North Launceston – Manshanden, Avent, Sulzberger, Bennett, Lee, Simpson. North Hobart – Sandric, Daly, White, McLeod, Campbell, Monks.

Goals: North Launceston – Cox-Goodyer 4, Gri iths 3, Leary 3, Aherne, Avent, Lee, Manshanden, Sulzberger. North Hobart – Campbell 2, Miller, Stephenson, White.

Bye: Lauderdale.

LADDER: Kingborough 60 (177.1%), North Launceston 60 (175.4%), Clarence 44 (106.0%), Launceston 36 (118.8%), North Hobart 28 (79.4%), Lauderdale 24 (86.0%), Glenorchy 0 (38.5%).

THIS WEEK: Saturday, September 9: 2nd Semi-final: Kingborough v North Launceston (2.30pm, Twin Ovals, Kingston). 1st Semi-final: Clarence v Launceston (2.30pm, Blundstone Arena).

u Brisbane Lions star Daniel Rich has announced he will call time on his 275-game career at the end of the club’s 2023 finals campaign.

Rich, 33, joined the Lions in 2008 after the club took the highly- touted West Australian with pick No. 7 in the National Draft.

He has since forged a career as one of the game’s best defenders, with a resume consisting of a

AFLW – ROUND 1

Best: Melbourne – Hanks, Mithen, Bannan, Purcell, Zanker, Heath, Hore. Collingwood – Davey, Bonnici, Rowe, Cann, Morris-Dalton, Brazill.

Goals: Melbourne – Bannan 3, Heath 2, Zanker 2, Campbell, Hore, Harris. Collingwood – Cann, Brown, Morris-Dalton, Davey.

Best: Carlton – Vescio, Anthony, Sherar, Dal Pos, McKay. Gold Coast – Rowbottom, Whitfort, Single, Drennan, D’Arcy. Goals: Carlton – Vescio 3, Anthony, McKay. Gold Coast – Bohanna, Membrey, Rowbottom, Stanton.

Best: Adelaide – Marinoff, Hatchard, Kelly, Charlton, Randall. Port Adelaide – Phillips, Houghton, Dowrick, Mules, Saint.

Goals: Adelaide – Bonner 2, Charlton, Gould, Jones, Kelly, Marinoff, Martin. Port Adelaide – Saint 2, Ewings, Houghton.

Best: Geelong – Prespakis, A. McDonald, Parry, Morrison, D. Moloney, Crocket-Grills. Western Bulldogs – Blackburn, Edmonds, Fitzgerald, Lynch, Hartwig. Goals: Geelong – Parry 3, Surman 2, Morrison, Scheer, A. Moloney, A. McDonald, D. Moloney. Western Bulldogs – Hartwig 2.

Best: Essendon – Toogood, Prespakis, Nanscawen, Wales, Alexander. Hawthorn – Bates, Luke, Lucas-Rodd, Smith, Fleming.

Essendon – Toogood 2, Alexander, Wuetschner, Clarke, Bannister, Radford. Hawthorn – Hipwell, McDonagh, Brown, Gilroy.

Best: North Melbourne – Garner, Riddell, Shierlaw, King, Kearney, Smith. St Kilda – Xenos, Priest, Patrikios, Stuart, Vesely. Goals: North Melbourne – King 2, Randall 2, Garner, O’Loughlin, Shierlaw, Tripodi. St Kilda – Patrikios, Stuart.

Best: Richmond – Conti, Egan, Brennan, Sheerin, Cox, McKenzie. Brisbane Lions – Dawes, O’Dwyer, Anderson, Conway, T. Smith, Hickie.

Richmond – Brennan 2, Conti, Greiser, Jones, Yassir. Brisbane Lions – Davidson 2, Conway, Mullins, T. Smith.

Best: Sydney – Morphett, Molloy, McEvoy, Gardiner, Privitelli, Steane, Hurley. GWS – Eva, Evans, Parker, Garnett, Barr, Beeson

Goals: Sydney – Molloy 2, Privitelli 2, Beruldsen, Morphett, Newman. GWS – Garnett 2, Barr, Beeson, Brazendale, Parker, Zreika.

Best: Fremantle – Pugh, Stannett, Tighe, Strom, O’Sullivan, O’Driscoll. West Coast – Roberts, Swanson, McCarthy, Hooker, Lewis.

Goals: Fremantle – Tighe 2, Antonio, Tuhakaraina. West Coast – Franklin, Gibson.

LADDER: Geelong 4 (382.4%), North Melbourne 4 (350%), Melbourne 4 (235.5%), Adelaide 4 (207.1%), Essendon 4 (163.3%), Fremantle 4 (142.1%), Richmond 4 (117.6%), Sydney 4 (110.9%), Carlton 4 (106.3%), Gold Coast 0 (94.1%), GWS 0 (90.2%), Brisbane Lions 0 (85.0%), West Coast 0 (70.4%), Hawthorn 0 (61.2%), Port Adelaide 0 (48.3%), Collingwood 0 (42.5%), St Kilda 0 (28.6%), Western Bulldogs 0 (26.2%).

Rising Star and AFLPA Best First-Year Player award in 2009, a Michael Tuck Medal in 2013 and All-Australian honours in 2021.

Rich made the announcement in front of his teammates and club staff at a special meeting last Monday afternoon.

“It’s been a pretty crazy journey with plenty of ups and downs, I have met so many amazing people and close friends who

I appreciate so much, and I love this club,” he said.

“I am proud to call myself a one-club player and I am proud that I have been a small part in turning things around over the recent years at the Lions.”

Despite starting 2023 as one of the Brisbane Lions’ best-performed players in the opening rounds, Rich has played VFL in the second half of the year and battled injuries late.

RICH CAREER: Brisbane Lion Daniel Rich will retire at the end of the year.

OFFICIAL 2023 TOYOTA AFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON LADDER

AFL UMPIRES 2023

BOUNDARY: Jordan Andrews, Michael Baker, Michael Barlow, Simon Blight, Chris Bull, Ian Burrows, Sean Burton, Adam Coote, Patrick Cran, Damien Cusack, Brett Dalgleish, Chris Delany, Patrick Dineen, Nathan Doig, Ty Duncan, Chris Esler, Benjamin Fely, Kieran Ferguson, Daniel Field-Read, Joshua Furman, Josh Garrett, Christopher Gordon, Matthew Jenkinson, Matthew Konetschka, Drew Kowalski, Mitchell Le Fevre, Tim Lougoon, Ben MacDonald, Damien Main, Michael Marantelli, Josh Mather, Jason Moore, Sean Moylan, Nicholas Phillips, Lachlan Rayner, Adam Reardon, Jordan Russell, Michael Saunders, Sam Stagg, Nick Swanson, Shane Thiele, Matthew Tomkins, David Wood.

GOAL: Jesse Baird, Dylan Benwell, Sally Boud, Matthew Bridges, Peter Challen, Michael Craig, Matthew Dervan, Luke Edwards, Daniel Hoskin, Sam Hunter, Brodie Kenny-Bell, Callum Leonard, Matt Maclure, Taylor Mattioli, Angus McKenzie-Wills, Rhys Negerman, Steven Piperno, Simon Plumridge, David Rodan, Chelsea Roffey, Brett Rogers, Tom Sullivan, Sam Walsh, Stephen Williams, Adam Wojcik, Jason Yazdani.

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Twelve debutants made their mark as stars of the game when the 2023 AFL All-Australian team was unveiled during the AFL Awards presentation last week.

Both Collingwood and Port Adelaide supplied three members of the team, the equal most of any club, while 15 of the 18 clubs supplied at least one player.

Toby Greene is the rst GWS Giants player to captain the All-Australian team since the club’s inception in 2012.

Adelaide key forward Taylor Walker was named at centre half-forward and, at 33, became the oldest All-Australian debutant in the AFL era.

NEWCOMERS HONOURED ALL-AUSTRALIAN TEAM 2023

Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli, who was named vice-captain, and Geelong defender Tom Stewart were both awarded their h blazers, the most for current members of the team.

Collingwood pair Nick and Josh Daicos were both named in the mid eld to become the rst brothers selected together in an All-Australian team since Port Adelaide’s Cornes brothers (Chad and Kane) in 2007.

Five players retained their places from the 22 named in the 2022 AFL All-Australian team – Charlie Curnow, Jack Sinclair, Connor Rozee, Christian Petracca and Stewart.

The 2023 All-Australian selection panel was Gillon McLachlan (chairperson), Eddie Betts, Jude Bolton, Nathan Buckley, Kane Cornes, Andrew Dillon, Glen Jakovich, Laura Kane, Cameron Ling and Matthew Pavlich.

The 2023 All-Australian umpires were also announced at the awards function in Melbourne.

Robert Findlay ( eld), Matthew Konetschka (boundary) and Adam Wojcik (goal) were selected by the AFL umpires coaches based on their performances across the 2023 home and away season.

For Findlay and Konetschka, it is their rst All-Australian honour, while it is Wojcik’s third blazer a er back-to-back awards in 2015 and 2016.

INTERCHANGE

FOLLOWERS

BACKS HALFBACKS

CENTRES

HALFFORWARDS FORWARDS

JAMES SICILY HAWTHORN

JORDAN DAWSON ADELAIDE CROWS

DAN HOUSTON PORT ADELAIDE

DARCY MOORE COLLINGWOOD JACK SINCLAIR ST KILDA

LARKEY NORTH MELBOURNE

ERROL GULDEN SYDNEY SWANS MARCUS BONTEMPELLI (VC) WESTERN BULLDOGS JOSH DAICOS COLLINGWOOD

ZACH MERRETT ESSENDON

CALEB SERONG FREMANTLE

CHRISTIAN PETRACCA MELBOURNE

CHARLIE CURNOW CARLTON

CONNOR ROZEE PORT ADELAIDE

CHARLIE CAMERON BRISBANE LIONS

TAYLOR WALKER ADELAIDE CROWS

TOBY GREENE (C) GWS GIANTS

TIM ENGLISH WESTERN BULLDOGS

NICK DAICOS COLLINGWOOD

ZAK BUTTERS PORT ADELAIDE

TOM STEWART GEELONG

CALLUM WILKIE ST KILDA

SHEEZEL RISES TO THE TOP

North Melbourne’s Harry Sheezel has been crowned the 2023 AFL Rising Star.

Sheezel, 18, won the award with 54 votes, ahead of the Brisbane Lions’ Will Ashcro (39), St Kilda’s Mitch Owens (33) and Fremantle’s Jye Amiss (28).

He received the Ron Evans Medal and a $20,000 prize at the AFL Awards ceremony last week.

Sheezel was the No. 3 pick in the 2022 NAB AFL Dra , selected from the Sandringham Dragons,

and played junior football with Ajax – a Jewish football club based in Melbourne’s inner southeast.

He becomes the second North Melbourne player to win the award and the rst in 25 years, joining 1998 Rising Star Byron Pickett.

In the 23 games he played, Sheezel amassed 30 or more disposals on 12 occasions.

Across the season, he averaged 27 disposals, 441.8 metres gained, 5.4 marks and 2.9 tackles.

RISING STAR WINNERS

1993 Nathan Buckley (Brisbane)

1994 Chris Scott (Brisbane)

In his round 23 match against Richmond, Sheezel had a career-high 37 disposals, seven marks, four tackles and 544 metres gained.

1995 Nick Holland (Hawthorn)

1996 Ben Cousins (West Coast)

1997 Michael Wilson (Port Adelaide)

1998 Byron Pickett (North Melbourne)

1999 Adam Goodes (Sydney)

2000 Paul Hasleby (Fremantle)

2001 Justin Koschitzke (St Kilda)

2002 Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda)

2003 Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn)

2004 Jared Rivers (Melbourne)

2005 Brett Deledio (Richmond)

2006 Danyle Pearce (Port Adelaide)

2007 Joel Selwood (Geelong)

2008 Rhys Palmer (Fremantle)

2009 Daniel Rich (Brisbane Lions)

2010 Dan Hannebery (Sydney)

2011 Dyson Heppell (Essendon)

2012 Daniel Talia (Adelaide)

2013 Jaeger O’Meara (Gold Coast)

2014 Lewis Taylor (Brisbane Lions)

2015 Jesse Hogan (Melbourne)

2016 Callum Mills (Sydney)

2017 Andrew McGrath (Essendon)

2018 Jaidyn Stephenson (Collingwood)

2019 Sam Walsh (Carlton)

2020 Caleb Serong (Fremantle)

2021 Luke Jackson (Melbourne)

2022 Nick Daicos (Collingwood)

2023 Harry Sheezel (North Melbourne)

SUPER SHEEZ: North Melbourne young gun Harry Sheezel convincingly won the AFL Rising Star award last week.

BONT CROWNED PLAYERS’ MVP

Marcus Bontempelli has been crowned the AFL Players Association’s Most Valuable Player, presented by Sna e, becoming the rst Bulldog to receive multiple Leigh Matthews Trophies.

Following an outstanding 2023 campaign, Bontempelli, already only the second Bulldog to win an MVP, alongside Luke Darcy in 2002, was voted by his peers ahead of Collingwood youngster Nick Daicos and hard-working Port Adelaide mid elder Zak Butters, who nished second and third respectively.

Bontempelli nished the AFL home and away season ranked eighth for disposals, fourth for tackles, fourth for inside-50s, third for clearances and led the competition for contested possessions.

He joins Greg Williams (1985 and 1994), Michael Voss (2002 and 2003), Chris Judd (2006 and 2011), Gary Ablett jnr (2007, 2008, 2009, 2012 and 2013) and Nathan Fyfe (2014 and 2015) as multiple winners.

The Western Bulldogs captain received the Leigh Matthews Trophy in front of friends and family at an industry-wide event at Melbourne Olympic Park’s Centrepiece that incorporated the AFLPA MVP Awards, AFL Rising Star and All-Australian team, and AFL Coaches Association awards.

In similar scenes to his 2021 MVP triumph, Bontempelli also received the Best Captain award, presented by The Diamond Guys, edging out Toby Greene and Darcy Moore.

Along with his podium nish in the MVP, Butters was also awarded the Robert Rose Most Courageous Player, presented by Tackle Your Feelings, ahead of Tom Liberatore and Jack Viney.

And in a season where his teammates voted him as one of their three MVP nominees and he broke

the disposal record for a rst-year player, North Melbourne youngster Harry Sheezel was crowned the Best First-Year player, presented by Local Expert, edging out Will Ashcro .

Brisbane Lion Darcy Fort and Sydney Swan Robbie Fox were also presented with the Education and Training Excellence Award, presented by Torrens University Australia, for their commitment to their studies away from the football eld, while AFL Media’s Sarah Black took out the Grant Hattam Award for Excellence in Sports Journalism for her article on Renee Garing’s journey back to the AFLW a er giving birth.

WINNERS

Leigh Matthews Trophy for the Most Valuable Player, presented by Sna le

1 Marcus Bontempelli (WB)

2 Nick Daicos (Coll)

3 Zak Butters (PA)

4 Toby Greene (GWS)

5 Christian Petracca (Melb)

Robert Rose Most Courageous Award, presented by Tackle Your Feelings

1 Zak Butters (PA)

2 Tom Liberatore (WB)

3 Jack Viney (Melb)

4 Liam Baker (Rich)

5 Brayden Maynard (Coll)

Best First-Year Player Award, presented by Local Expert

1 Harry Sheezel (NM)

2 Will Ashcroft (BL)

3 Ollie Hollands (Carl)

4 Max Michalanney (Adel)

5 Bailey Humphrey (GCS)

Best Captain, presented by The Diamond Guys

1 Marcus Bontempelli (WB)

2 Toby Greene (GWS)

3 Darcy Moore (Coll)

4 Jordan Dawson (Adel)

5 Patrick Cripps (Carl)

DOCKERS DOMINATE

u For the second straight season, four Fremantle youngsters have been selected in the AFL Players’ Association’s 22Under22 team, presented by Sna le, the most of any team.

Fans selected Luke Jackson, Caleb Serong, Hayden Young and Jye Amiss in the team – the Dockers also had four representatives (also the most of any club) in 2022.

Nick Daicos, one of six players to be selected in the team for the second time, was the most picked player.

The dominant second-year Magpie featured in 95 per cent of fans’ teams, with Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (88 per cent) and first-year Kangaroo Harry Sheezel (86 per cent) following.

Daicos was also selected as the 22Under22 captain, with Hawthorn midfielder Jai Newcombe picked as his deputy.

AFLPA 22UNDER22 TEAM 2023

B: Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (StK), Sam De Koning (Geel), Miles Bergman (PA)

HB: Nick Daicos (Coll), Hayden Young (Frem), Harry Sheezel (NM)

C: Errol Gulden (Syd), Caleb Serong (Frem), Will Ashcroft (BL)

HF: Mitch Owens (StK), Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (WB), Cody Weightman (WB)

F: Kysaiah Pickett (Melb), Jye Amiss (Frem), Josh Rachele (Adel)

Foll: Luke Jackson (Frem), Tom Green (GWS), Jai Newcombe (Haw)

IC: Bailey Smith (WB), Chad Warner (Syd), Will Day (Haw), Noah Anderson (GCS)

PLAYERS’ CHOICE: Marcus Bontempelli won his second AFLPA MVP, while Zak Butters (inset) was voted the Most Courageous Player.

BUTTERS COACHES’ BEST

The elevation of Zak Butters to the top echelon of AFL players is complete, with the young Port Adelaide star capping o a superb season with the 2023 AFL Coaches Association’s Champion Player of the Year award.

Butters, 22, polled in 16 of his 23 matches to nish with 109 votes, earning maximum votes seven times.

The Power star beat Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli (102) and injured Magpie Nick Daicos (99) to take home the coveted award.

Butters’ silky skills and ability to impact games on a consistent basis were on show as he led the Port mid eld through a 13-game winning streak.

The courageous mid elder averaged career-best numbers for disposals (27.5), marks ( ve) and clearances (4.6), and ranked elite for score assists and score involvements this season.

Butters has played every game, with his most dominant performance being a 41-touch game against Melbourne in round 10 when he also racked up 10 clearances and kicked two goals.

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley spoke glowingly of Butters as a person and a footballer and was thrilled to see him take out the award.

“Zak is an exceptional person and the ultimate professional, and we are seeing the rewards this season of all the work he puts in,” he said.

“Considering his size, he is fearless with the way he attacks the ball, and he’s got this amazing ability to make special things happen for our team and to in uence a game like not many others can.

“I believe being voted by the coaches as the League’s Champion Player is one of the highest honours a player can receive, and I could not be prouder that Zak has been recognised with this award.”

The AFLCA Champion Player Award is voted on by the 18 coaching panels on a 5-4-3-2-1 basis a er each home and away game.

Young Collingwood star Nick Daicos claimed the AFLCA’s Best Young Player Award.

The Magpies’ mid eld maestro polled 129 votes, ahead of Essendon’s Nic Martin (50) and Port Adelaide’s Jason Horne-Francis (34).

Daicos, dra ed by Collingwood under the father-son rule as the son of legendary Magpie Peter, made his AFL debut in round one last year and has enjoyed

outstanding back-to-back seasons to kick o his career.

A er winning the AFL Rising Star award in 2022, Daicos continued to deliver multiple best-on-ground performances in 2023, polling 99 votes in the 2023 AFLCA Champion Player Award and being the Brownlow Medal favourite before a knee injury in round 21 ruled him out for the remainder of the home and away season.

COACHES’ NOD: Port Adelaide’s Zak Butters was voted the AFLCA’s best player in 2023.

GENERATIONAL: Nick Daicos won the AFLCA’s best young player award in a landslide.

AT LAST, SWANS ARE ON SONG

NORTH SYDNEY OVAL, SEPTEMBER 3, 2023

u While most of the nation was celebrating Father’s Day last Sunday, there was a celebration of epic proportions at the picturesque North Sydney Oval. After a winless campaign in their inaugural AFLW season, the Sydney Swans broke their duck, appropriately at a venue that has hosted its share of limited overs cricket. The Swans fought back to beat cross-town rivals GWS Giants by five points with star recruit Chloe Molloy leading the way. The former Magpie is being congratulated here by her new teammates after kicking one of her two goals.

PHOTO: JASON McCAWLEY/

GETTY IMAGES VIA AFL PHOTOS

ALLAN SCOTT, YOU WERE WRONG!

It was with those famous words that Mark ‘Choco’ Williams hoisted the 2004 premiership cup to complete Port Adelaide’s rise from state league powerhouse to champions of the AFL.

It also ended the four-peat dreams of perhaps the greatest team in competition history, the Brisbane Lions, who had overcome the odds to win three consecutive ags as a non-Victorian team travelling to Melbourne and knocking o heavyweights Essendon and Collingwood (twice).

The Power had been minor premiers two years in a row but had failed to beat those odds, leading the media to declare them chokers and major sponsor Allan Scott to say Williams would never be able to coach a Port premiership.

But they responded to again top the table before beating Geelong and St Kilda to reach the Grand Final for the rst time, while the Lions beat the same teams in reverse – although they had to play a “home” preliminary nal against the Cats at the MCG due to an AFL-MCC contract that was torn up a er the season.

What happened next went down in folklore.

In front of a reduced crowd of 77,671 as the MCG underwent redevelopment for the 2006 Commonwealth Games, the game had an early ashpoint when Lions full-forward Alastair Lynch and Power full-back Darryl Wakelin erupted in a vicious display of ailing sts a er just ve minutes that saw the retiring Lynch later suspended for 10 weeks.

Port Adelaide kicked the rst three goals before the Lions took a one-point lead at half-time.

But the Power could sense history brewing and kicked four late goals to lead by 17 at the nal change before slamming on ve goals to one in the last to win by 40 point, with Port enforcer

The Power could sense history brewing

Byron Pickett claiming the Norm Smith Medal.

Nobody will ever forget the sight of Williams marching down the race and on to the ground in the dying stages before grabbing his tie and hoisting it over his head in a choking gesture, followed by that simple roared line as he joined his father Fos as a Port Adelaide hero.

The Power and Lions haven’t met in a nal since, a drought that ends at the Gabba on Saturday night.

Finally, another chapter is about to be written.

GRAND FINAL, SEPTEMBER 25, 2004

Port Adelaide 4.5 6.6 12.8 17.11 (113)

Brisbane Lions 2.2 6.7 9.9 10.13 (73)

BEST: Port Adelaide – Pickett, P. Burgoyne, K. Cornes, Wanganeen, James, Wakelin, Carr, Thurstans. Brisbane Lions – Michael, Power, Lappin, Akermanis, Notting, Bradshaw, Keating.

GOALS: Port Adelaide – Wanganeen 4, Pickett 3, Thurstans 3, Lade, S. Burgoyne, Carr, Tredrea, Mahoney, Dew, Kingsley. Brisbane Lions – Notting 3, Akermanis 3, Bradshaw 3, Keating.

Umpires: B. Allen, M. James, S. McInerney.

Crowd: 77,671 at the MCG (reduced capacity)

Norm Smith Medal: Byron Pickett (PA)

NO CHOKING: Coach Mark Williams and Port Adelaide defied the doubters, including the club’s major sponsor, to claim the 2004 premiership.

EVERY CHAMPION’S GLORY HAS A LOCTITE STORY

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2023

AUSKICK BREAKS PARTICIPATION RECORD

u More than 125,000 young Auskickers across the country have pulled on their boots this season, breaking the all-time registered participation record for the NAB AFL Auskick program.

Eclipsing the previous record of 123,475 set in 2019, every state improved on last season’s numbers, resulting in an overall participation growth of 13 per cent from 2022.

This figure could jump even higher before the season o icially closes on October 31.

Queensland has seen the most significant rise in participants from any state since the 2019 record, with a boost of 45 per cent pushing the total number of Auskickers above 30,000.

As the women’s game continues to grow, there has also been a nationwide increase of 25 per cent of young girls picking up a footy to learn new skills and have fun.

Overall, national participation for girls is 24.6 per cent, with Queensland and NSW/ACT leading the way. Their total number of female Auskickers make up 31 and 30 per cent respectively.

In Victoria, Benalla Auskick Centre has the largest girls-only group in the state with 56 girls involved in the program and, in South Barwon, there has been a 48 per cent increase in female participation since 2022.

Playford College – an Islamic school in South Australia – has seen a leap of more than 140 per cent in Auskickers as the program becomes the start of a footy pathway to represent the school at the Bachar Houli Cup, while on King Island in Tasmania, its centre continues to thrive every Saturday morning as the community comes together for its weekly footy fix.

The popularity and inclusivity of Australian Football throughout communities was also highlighted in the record-breaking year, with almost a quarter of participants in 2023 having a parent born overseas and 5 per cent identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

The success of the 2023 NAB AFL Auskick season coincides with several new initiatives launched this year for the program, including the inaugural Team NAB AFL Auskick competition – an evolution of the NAB Auskicker of the Year competition – and all-girls Auskick sessions, which are open for registrations in Victoria.

NAB Group CEO Ross McEwan said: “We’ve broken two records this year after almost 2000 Auskickers entered the Team NAB AFL Auskick competition.

“With NAB’s support, 23 lucky kids will join their heroes running out on to the MCG to present them their medals on 2023 Toyota AFL Grand Final Day.”

1 HEALTHY BODY

The importance of exercise in our daily lives in order to maintain a strong and healthy body. Participants will partake in a range of group cardio fitness activities and challenges.

2 HEALTHY FOOD

To keep our body and mind healthy, we need to fuel ourselves with a range of nutritious and delicious foods. Participants’ knowledge will be challenged in multiple food activities that will test andproblem-solvingtheirskills understanding of food.

3 HEALTHY TEAM

Theimportanceofworking together,supportingone anotheranddeveloping relationships.Participants willplayarangeof team-buildinggames, with the inclusionofcompetitions andchallenges.

4 HEALTHYMIND needTotrulybehealthy,wetocareforourmind justasmuchasourbody. ParticipantswilllearnBox tacticsBreathingstrategiesand tohelpregulatetheiremotions.

Coles Healthy Kicks aims to educate, activate and motivate students to become more physically active, eat nutritious foods and develop a healthy mind while having fun with others. The program is built on four key pillars –

What is the difference between this and a normal Coles Healthy Kicks event?

u The Coles Healthy Kicks Camp provides the students the opportunity to spend 24 hours at AFL Max, diving deeper into the four quarters (Healthy Body, Food, Team and Mind) to provide students with the tools and strategies to help improve their overall health and wellbeing.

Where in Adelaide does the camp take place?

u The camp takes place at AFL Max in Adelaide and will expand to other states in due time.

What are the age brackets of the kids attending?

u Ages 5-12 (grades 2-6)

Give us an overview of the program – who runs it, how many kids are at the event, can anyone apply, what do they do at the camp?

u The AFL Max education team runs the entire program. We can have up to 140 students participate in a 24-hour period. Schools, football clubs, organisations and Outside School Hours Care groups can book in for the camp.

Healthy Body, Healthy Mind, Healthy Food and Healthy Team.

Being able to work in a team, support teammates and friends and develop relationships are key to creating Healthy Teams in all parts of life.

What will the students do?

u The camp will combine physical and theoretical-based learning across the entire AFL Max venue – from rock climbing, trampolines, inflatables, interactive gaming screens and more. Students will complete four quarters of active learning with an overarching focus on Healthy Food.

Q1: Healthy Body – Exercises and strategies to keep their bodies strong and healthy while having fun doing it. They will participate in a range of group cardio fitness activities and challenges.

Q2: Healthy Food – In order to keep our body and mind healthy, we need to fuel ourselves with a range of nutritious and delicious foods. Students will participate in multiple food activities that will test their problem-solving skills and understanding of food.

Q3: Healthy Team – The importance of working together, supporting one another and developing relationships. Students will play a range of team-building games, with the inclusion of competitions and challenges.

Q4: Healthy Mind – To truly be healthy, we need to care for our mind just as much as our body. Students will learn Box Breathing strategies and tactics to help regulate their emotions. Students will also engage in a variety of competitions and camp games using the AFL Max facility.

Healthy Teams is all about encouraging inclusivity, accepting people for who they are and having fun with friends regardless of their background or culture.

This week, we feature the Coles Healthy Kicks camp.

CAMP HIGHLIGHTS

u Access to all activities and attractions; rock climbing, trampolines, inflatables, interactive gaming screens, Footy Zone, fitness testing and more.

u Meals included.

u 24-hour overnight experience.

u Four quarters of curriculum-aligned learning.

u Bedding included for all guests (extra comfy mattresses for adults).

u Enjoy a group movie night on our huge arena screen.

u Barista coffee and a cooked breakfast for staff and volunteers.

u All-year-round venue.

u Thanks to Coles, students will receive giveaways and fruit throughout their time at the camp.

Can you unscramble these letters to reveal the AFL players’ names?

CKAJ NLSIRICA ACTSHIRIN ECPRTCAA

HEALIRC MAERNCO YTBO REGENE HAZC ETREMTR

WORD FIND

Can you find the surnames of these first-time All-Australian players

players?

SXLCGSOCIADKCINENA YLICISCYPHNSTMAMIV OGULDENCKWOQREKLAW YSMQNWKLACSULBPYZV YCUPLOKUIFIHSKKQPA XMEXFGSABRQSHTFCWL MSSTQVDWCRWIKBOIOM QEERCHRRAVPLLLLNZB VQGRSPTKEDBGQKBWBV OZDOOLARKEYNIEPCEA IWJCFNBBUTTERSVYJN VISSMVGKXLLRIVVQZP

FACE FACE FACEMASH MASH MASH

Can you name the two players who have been merged to create these new faces?

DESIGN YOUR OWN FOOTY JUMPER and BAAAAALLLL!

GO END TO END FOR A GOAL!

Your team is four points down with 30 seconds remaining.

Can you help it score a goal from a kick-in to win the game?

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE TO FIND

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE: Magpie Mason Cox’s glasses have changed to sunglasses; teammate Scott Pendlebury’s right thumb is missing; the Bupa logo on Blue

Patrick Cripps’ shorts has changed to pink; teammate David Cuningham has lost an eyebrow; fellow Blue Tom De Koning has extra tape on his left thigh.

ANSWER MAN

According to this year’s AFL Record Season Guide, Bill James made just one career appearance as a Richmond player in the 1920 winning Grand Final team. What can you tell me about others who spent a significant proportion of their time at League level playing in finals?

CASEY TURNER, KYABRAM, VIC

CH: Only 4584 players have experienced nals action, representing just 35 per cent of those who have played at the elite level. Fi y-eight of them have played at least 25 per cent of their career totals in nals. Essendon’s Harold Lambert experienced a remarkable career given his military service during World War II. He made his debut in 1940, missed playing from 1942 until 1945 while serving in the army, before playing the last of his 99 games in 1951. His team success rate was amazing, playing in 75 winning teams and participating in 21 nals, including seven Grand Finals, earning three premiership medals (1946, 1949 and 1950). He was listed among the best players in 14 of those 21 nals. Another Essendon player, George Rawle, made his League debut in the 1923 Grand Final at the age of 33. He overcame a foot deformity to play 19 games for 14 wins and a draw before retiring in 1925. His four nals yielded a premiership in each of his rst two seasons. Lindsay Richards represented the Swans in 39 games from 1934 until 1936 and participated in four nals, which included three losing Grand Finals.

FINALS W1, 2022

BIG TIME: AT LEAST 25% OF CAREER GAMES WERE FINALS

CAN YOU ASSIST?

u Of more than 13,000 players who have played at AFL level, just three are missing their date of birth. All of them played for South Melbourne. Jim Schellnack from Brunswick played in 1904 and

died on May 24, 1968; Richard James ‘Dick’ Casey, who may have previously had the surname Carrick , also from Brunswick, played from 1905 until 1912 and died on April 16, 1919; and Bill Hennington

from the South Melbourne area played in 1914 and died on July 11, 1964.

If you have information on these players, please contact Col Hutchinson at col.hutchinson@afl.com.au.

u The opening week of finals was one for the ages. It kicked off with an elimination final thriller between the Brisbane Lions and Richmond at the Gabba, which saw 17 lead changes before the Lions prevailed by two points. The Tigers were fuming after a late goal to key forward Tom Lynch was overruled on video review, which allowed the Lions to sweep the ball down the other end where Joe Daniher booted the winning goal. The following night, Sydney caused an upset, coming from behind to down Melbourne by 22 points in the qualifying final at the MCG. In the other qualifying final, Geelong and Collingwood produced one of the great finals of all time, with the Cats winning by six points in front of 91,525 fans at the MCG. Gary Rohan exorcised his finals demons to star with three goals for the Cats. Led by young midfield stars Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw, Fremantle hauled in a 41-point deficit to knock the Western Bulldogs out of the finals race at Optus Stadium. It was the second biggest finals comeback of the AFL era.

FINALS FLAVOUR: Swan Xavier Richards played four of his 12 career games in finals.

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AFL

1

Which Crow potentially saved his career by reprising his ball magnet ways in the last six weeks of the season?

A Taylor Walker B Rory Laird

C Matt Crouch D Ben Keays

2

Which coach was backed late in the season with a two-year contract extension?

A Adam Simpson B Simon Goodwin

C Luke Beveridge D Justin Longmuir

3

Which Lion is in the sights of West Coast after struggling to nail down a spot in the team?

A Deven Robertson B Rhys Mathieson

C Jarrod Lyons D Jarrod Berry

4

Which Australian artist performed at the AFLW season-opener between Melbourne and Collingwood last Friday?

A G Flip B Missy Higgins

C Kylie Minogue D Tones And I

Wereyou payingattention?

5

Sydney’s loss to Melbourne marked how many times this year it has given up a three-quarter time lead?

A 4 B 6 C 8 D 12

6

Which club defied all the predictions that its coach would be sacked at the end of the season?

A Fremantle B Western Bulldogs

C Geelong D West Coast

7

Which unfortunate injury was suffered by two Demons – Jake Melksham and Luke Dunstan – on the same day?

A ACL B AC joint C PCL D MCL

8

Who o icially became the AFL’s executive general manager of football last week?

A Josh Mahoney B Brendon Gale

C Jennie Loughnan D Laura Kane

Blastfrom thepast

Name: Ross Brewer

WITH LACHLAN ESSING

Games: 174 (Melb 121; Coll 47; Rich 6)

Goals: 289 (Melb 196; Coll 85; Rich 8)

Club span: Melb 1972-78; Coll 1979-81; Rich 1982-83

Player honours: Melb leading goalkicker 1973, 1974, 1977; Coll night premiership 1979.

Which footy great is embarking on a walk to Canberra to promote the “Yes” vote in the upcoming referendum?

A Michael O’Loughlin B Michael Long

C Mal Michael D Michael Roach

How many players did Collingwood have named in the All-Australian squad of 44?

A 5 B 6 C 7 D 8

How many of the 2022 squad of 44 were retained in 2023?

A 34 B 24 C 14 D 4

When was the last time Collingwood played Melbourne in a final?

A 1964 B 1989 C 2002 D 2018 13

When was the last time Carlton played Sydney in a final?

A 1945 B 1986 C 2000 D 2013 14

15

When was the last time St Kilda played GWS in a final?

A Never B 2014 C 2016 D 2020

When was the last time Brisbane Lions played Port Adelaide in a final?

A 2002 B 2003 C 2004 D 2005

whoamI?

6pts: Born in Melbourne in 1948, I was the grandson of an All-Ireland winning Gaelic footballer.

5pts: I made my VFL debut in 1965 as a tall and strong centre half-forward.

4pts: I played my entire career for one club, racking up 300 matches before my retirement in 1982.

3pts: I am a premiership player and club leading goalkicker and captained my club late in my career.

2pts: I represented Victoria three times and spent three years after my career as general manager of the Sydney Swans.

1pt: I kicked the most famous behind in AFL/VFL Grand Final history to win my club’s first and only premiership.

Recruited from Bentleigh-McKinnon Youth Club in Melbourne’s suburban zone at the end of 1971, Brewer was a classy mobile forward. Made his debut for the Demons in the opening round in 1972. After not playing in a final in seven seasons at Melbourne, Brewer headed to Collingwood where he played in the 1979 and 1981 losing Grand Finals. He spent two seasons with Richmond in 1982-83.

Who Am I?: Barry Breen

Hot Apple Pie Hot Fudge Sundae

Nickname: Scorch

Crispy pastry

All Australian apples

Served piping hot

“Known for their hot starts”

Nickname: Softie

Creamy soft serve

Gooey warm chocolate fudge

A combo of hot and cold

“Soft serve that hits hard”