From the Bendigo Advertiser

Full article Click here

METRICON Bendigo Bombers coach Adrian Hickmott is taking no notice of the Box Hill Hawks\' ladder position ahead of today\'s annual VFL Queen\'s Birthday encounter.

Heading into today\'s match at the Box Hill City Oval against Bendigo, the Hawks sit on the bottom of the ladder without a win from their eight games.

But Hickmott certainly won\'t be falling into the trap of underestimating the Hawks, who have lost two of their past four games by margins of less than three goals against sides in the top eight.

``I\'m expecting it to be a close game because last round Box Hill went with (top of the ladder) Williamstown up until midway through the third quarter and they certainly have blokes who can play the game,\'\' Hickmott said.

From the Geelong Advertiser
Reported by Nick Wade

Full article Click here

A SPRING-LOADED Ryan Gamble yesterday bounced straight back into senior contention with a standout performance in Geelong\'s 39-point VFL loss to the Casey Scorpions in Casey.

Playing his first VFL match of the season, Gamble unleashed his trademark repertoire of high marking and creative brilliance in attack to finish with four goals.

It was not enough to propel the undermanned, but gallant Cats to victory. They struggled to keep pace with their opposition as the match wore on.

Harry Taylor and Tom Hawkins, whose potential appearance in the VFL drew much anticipation, were noticeable late-withdrawals with general soreness.

From the Geelong Advertiser
Reported by Bradley Green

Full article Click here

GEELONG\'S VFL side could be boosted in coming weeks by the return of key players Scott Simpson and captain James Byrne from long-term injuries.

Cats\' coach Leigh Tudor said Simpson is a chance to play against Bendigo next week while Byrne, who suffered a fractured thumb three weeks ago, was on track for a round 11 comeback.

Both have not played since suffering their injuries in Geelong\'s loss to Coburg at the MCG on May 17.

Simpson, who has kicked 17 goals from seven appearances this season, is recovering well from knee surgery and Tudor was optimistic he would line-up against the Bombers in Bendigo.

From The Age
Reported by Michael Sharkie

Full article Click here

ST KILDA will begin a new five-year VFL alignment with Sandringham effective at the end of season 2008, ending an eight-season agreement with the Casey Scorpions.

St Kilda chief executive Archie Fraser said that the proximity of Sandringham Football Club to St Kilda's heartland in the bayside , and Melbourne Football Club's potential move to the City of Casey, were the catalysts for talks between the two clubs.

"Obviously Sandringham Football Club lies in the heartland of our supporter base within the bayside community, and has strong historical and sentimental links through the Trevor Barker Oval," Fraser said.

From The Age
Reported by Martin Boulton

Full article Click here

A GOLD Coast development team will join the VFL in 2010, expanding the competition to 15 teams, before entering the AFL the following year as the league's 17th team.

AFL game development manager David Matthews said the team, which will enter the TAC Cup competition next year, would spend one year playing at VFL level.

As reported in The Age yesterday, the team, yet to be given a name, will play home games on the Gold Coast in 2009 as part of the under-18 TAC Cup contest.

From the Melbourne FC website

Full article Click here

ST KILDA and Melbourne will swap VFL affiliate sides from the 2009 season.

The move was announced by both clubs on Thursday and will see St Kilda partnered with Sandringham, and Melbourne with Casey Scorpions at the conclusion of the 2008 season.

The change is a result of extensive discussions with all parties and the result will secure a long-term future between the various clubs.

St Kilda CEO Archie Fraser said the switch would be beneficial for all parties.

From the Moreland Leader
Reported by Simon Craig

Full article Click here