VFA / VFL News

From Saturday Age
Reported by Brent Diamond
Full Story Click Here

Gary Ayres has labelled the VFL competition as "gearing towards an AFL full-alignment or partial-alignment reserves competition" amid AFL clubs compromising the competition by resting players on the eve of its finals series.

North Melbourne coach Brad Scott's decision to rest players in the final round could have major consequences for their partial affiliate Werribee in their elimination final against Collingwood at North Port Oval on Saturday.

The Tigers will field just four North Melbourne-listed players – Scott McMahon, Dan Currie, Eric Wallace and Kieran Harper – for their cut-throat clash against Collingwood, who will have 15 AFL-listed players.

Werribee were in contention for a top-four spot up until last week. They have opted to be fully aligned with North Melbourne next season, but perhaps along with that, throwing away their destiny.

SATURDAY SEPTEMEBER 5
VFL 2nd Elimination Final
Collingwood vs Werribee at North Port Oval 12:10pm (Channel 7)

Development League Qualifying Final
Box Hill Hawks vs Williamstown at Box Hill 11am
VFL 1st Qualifying Final
Box Hill Hawks vs Footscray at Box Hill 2pm (3WBC)

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 6
VFL 1st Elimination Final
Essendon vs Casey Scorpions at North Port Oval 11:40am (Channel 7)
Development League Elimination Final
Casey Scorpions vs Coburg at North Port Oval 2:40pm

VFL 2nd Qualifying Final
Sandringham vs Williamstown at Trevor Barker Oval,Sandringham 2pm (VFL Live)

SATURDAY AUGUST 29
Geelong vs Northern Blues at Simonds Stadium 11am
Collingwood vs Port Melbourne at Victoria Park 1pm
Essendon vs Richmond at Windy Hill 1pm
North Ballarat vs Coburg at Eureka Stadium 2pm
Sandringham vs Casey Scorpions at Trevor Barker Oval,Sandringham 2pm(VFL Live)
(Development League match starts at 11am)

SUNDAY AUGUST 30
Werribee vs Footscray at Avalon Airport Oval,Werribee 11:42am(Channel 7)
(Dev League)Northern Blues vs Coburg at Ikon Park,Carlton 12pm
Box Hill Hawks vs Williamstown at Box Hill 2pm(3WBC)
(Development League match starts at 11am)

VFL Bye: Frankston
Development League Byes: Frankston, Port Melbourne, Werribee

From Saturday Age
Reported by Brent Diamond
Full Story Click Here

VFL cellar-dweller Frankston are on track to lose more than $1 million of revenue amid their first winless season, with their future in the competition now on tenterhooks.

After enduring a mass exodus of players and a change of coach at the end of last season, Dolphins general manager Simon Green predicts a million-dollar deficit — given the loss of gate takings and after-match functions — due to construction of a two-storey function centre mid-way through last year that is expected to be completed for next season.

"We've taken a massive hit because the construction site has taken up most of the car park, which has meant less patrons have come to games," Green said.

When up and running, the club are hopeful the $3.4 million facility will help them survive in the long-term as they reach out to AFL Victoria for financial assistance during the short-term pain.

FRIDAY AUGUST 21
Essendon vs Footscray at Queen Elizabeth Oval,Bendigo 7:30pm
SATURDAY AUGUST 22
Collingwood vs Richmond at Victoria Park 10:16am (Channel 7 Delay 12pm)
Coburg vs Casey Scorpions at Piranha Park,Coburg 2pm
(Development League match starts at 11am)
Northern Blues vs Box Hill Hawks at Preston 2pm(3WBC)
(Development League match starts at 11am)
Port Melbourne vs Frankston at North Port Oval 2pm
(Development League match starts at 11am)
Williamstown vs Werribee at Burbank Oval,Williamstown 2pm
(Development League match starts at 11am)

SUNDAY AUGUST 23
Sandringham vs Geelong at Trevor Barker Oval,Sandringham 2pm(VFL Live,Casey Radio)

VFL Bye: North Ballarat
Development League Bye: Sandringham

From the Western Bulldogs Official Website
Full article - Click here

Comment Thread - http://www.vflfooty.com/node/9537

Key defenders Fletcher Roberts and Jordan Roughead will make their return from injury with Footscray on Saturday, named in the extended squad for the VFL side's Round 18 match at Victoria University Whitten Oval.

Roughead has missed the last three weeks with a foot injury, while Roberts has been sidelined since injury his ankle in the Club's Round 15 win over the Gold Coast Suns in Cairns.

The defensive pair will add significant experience to the Footscray back-six, and have been named to occupy key-posts in defence along with father-son defender Zaine Cordy.

The fourth placed Footscray (10-5) side take on Port Melbourne (6-9), with the standalone VFL side currently sitting just outside the top-eight in ninth position.

A win for Footscray could boost their claims for a top-two place on the VFL ladder, sitting one game behind Wiliamstown and Sandringham.

Footscray have named a squad that will feature 18 AFL-listed players. Father-son prospect Darcy Macpherson has again been named as the 23rd man.

After this weekend, just two rounds remain in the VFL home and away season, before finals beckon, commencing in the first weekend of September.

Saturday's Round 18 VFL between Footscray and Port Melbourne will be broadcast live on Channel 7, with coverage commencing from 12:00pm.

From the Western Bulldogs Official Website
Full article - Click here

Comment Thread - http://www.vflfooty.com/node/9537

Footscray will take on the ninth-placed Port Melbourne in what is a must-win match to keep the Borough’s final chances alive.

Bulldogs coach Ashley Hansen said that he expected a tough match with Port Melbourne fighting for a finals spot.

“We are expecting nothing less than the Port Melbourne Football Club we have known for the past decade.

“A really proud club with experienced players will always respond to the opportunity to stay in touch with the finals so we will be prepared for that.”

The Bulldogs welcome back senior vice-captain Jordan Roughead who has missed the last three weeks with a foot complaint.

Fletcher Roberts also returns from injury after a four-week layoff and both are expected to take on key defensive roles.

“For both Jordan and Fletcher our main aim for the weekend is to return to playing football and gain significant match fitness and game sense after being out with their respective injuries,” Hansen said.

“Both are valued members of the squad so tomorrow is an important step in their rehab and return for AFL selection in the coming weeks.”

Footscray posted a big result last weekend against the top ranked Williamstown, and Hansen said it’s important for his side to maintain that form and carry momentum.

“The focus each week for our players is to continue to build their games around the role they are assigned and collectively performing as one unit.

“The strength of our team is determined by our actions for one another so that mentality is really important that we sustain after last week.”

SATURDAY AUGUST 15
(Dev League)Coburg vs Port Melbourne at Piranha Park,Coburg 10am
Geelong vs Box Hill Hawks at Simonds Stadium 11am(3WBC)
Footscray vs Port Melbourne at Whitten Oval 12:12pm(Channel 7)
Collingwood vs North Ballarat at Victoria Park 1pm
Casey Scorpions vs Williamstown at Casey Fields 2pm
(Development League match starts at 11am)

SUNDAY AUGUST 16
Richmond vs Coburg at Punt Road 10:30am
Frankston vs Essendon at Frankston 2pm(Casey Radio)
(Development League Frankston vs Box Hill Hawks at 11am)
Northern Blues vs Sandringham at IKON Park,Carlton 2pm(VFL Live)
(Development League match starts at 11am)

VFL and Development League BYE: Werribee