The reigning JJ Liston medallist injured the thumb during the Cats' 34-point loss to Coburg at the MCG on Saturday and will go under the knife as soon as possible.

The injury has probably robbed him of the chance to captain Victoria in the state game against the SANFL in a fortnight.

The news was better for a few other Cats who were also wounded by game's end.

From the Moreland Leader
Reported by Simon Craig

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MORELAND Council is fuming over cash it spent backing VFL club the Coburg Tigers.

As Coburg's relocation to Craigieburn becomes all but a formality, Moreland councillor John Kavanagh lamented the tens of thousands of dollars spent in recent years trying to placate the Richmond feeder club.

Sport Minister James Merlino all but confirmed the move, reported in the Leader in January, during a visit to Craigieburn last week to announce the $2.5 million State Government contribution to the football training centre.

Mr Merlino said the facility will "bring VFL and perhaps even AFL football to the area, with the Coburg Tigers slated to train and play matches at the new oval".

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BOX HILL'S horror start to the season continued when the Hawks slumped to their seventh straight loss, against Port Melbourne, 21.14 (140) to 13.14 (92).

The 48-point defeat was made worse by an injury to young Hawthorn-listed player Cameron Stokes, who ended the match on the bench after injuring his hamstring during the third quarter.

Stokes was among Box Hill's best until he was hurt and looked a likely replacement for Hawthorn's Brent Guerra, who will also be sidelined, because of a hamstring complaint.

Coach Barry Mitchell was pleased with Stokes' game before the injury setback. "Probably our best player, Stokes; I think he kicked three goals and did his hammy," Mitchell said.

The 22-year-old, who returned to the Hawks this season after two years at Coburg, is desperate to taste his first win as skipper against Port Melbourne at Box Hill City Oval tomorrow.

"The most disappointing thing was early in the year we weren't putting in the effort," Neville said.

"Since Sandringham (in Round 4) we have been having a good go with our attack on the ball and our decision-making is getting better.

"Even though we haven't won, we realise we are improving. By no means is anyone pulling their hair out."

Neville, who is juggling football with his fifth and final year of a commerce engineering degree at Melbourne Uni, has played mainly in the backline this season after establishing himself as a midfielder

From the Geelong Advertiser
Reported by Sarah Bieske

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GEELONG VFL players Jack Hollmer and Matt Firman will play on the hallowed MCG for the first time on Saturday.

The VFL side will play Coburg in the curtain-raiser to the round eight AFL clash between Geelong and Richmond.

Hollmer said it was a great opportunity for the VFL Cats and shows there is still a place for old-fashioned curtain-raiser games.

"It should be great. I've only been there a couple of times and I've never played there," Hollmer said. "Hopefully we get a few people along to have a look. We're all looking forward to it."

Hollmer and Firman are two of 14 players in the 22-player Cats team that have never played at the MCG before.

But with at least 17 Geelong-listed players in the Cats' VFL side and 15 in Coburg's, the grand final replay is set to be high quality.

The Victoria Football League is pleased to annoounce the following players have been selected in the 2008 State Squad, for the State League match against the SANFL at Adeladie Oval on Saturday 31st May.

The final list of 24 players will train at TEAC Oval, Port Melbourne on Tuesday 27th and Thursday 29th May, commencing at 6.00pm.

* - Player has not represented Victoria before
# - Player represented Victoria in the last State Game against Western Australia in 2007
^ - Player has previously represented Victoria