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Fire destroys historic footy grandstand

From The Age

Reported by Larissa Ham, Frankston
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The Age Photos Click here

Police and firefighters are investigating a multi-million dollar fire that destroyed the historic Frankston Oval football grandstand and caused several million dollars in damage to what is set to be the new St Kilda AFL club base.

Members of the Victorian Football League club, known as the Dolphins, say they are devastated at the loss of what they call an "icon".

Bryan Mace, after whom the grandstand was named, said he was "pretty upset" after visiting the scene this morning.

Built in the 1930s, the grandstand is now crumpled and completely destroyed, the ruins still smouldering.

Frankston Football Club president Jay McGrath said the club would now consider whether to replace the building.

"What we need to do is work out exactly what we can do. We need to sit down with AFL Victoria and the local council to see what we can do."

2008 Practice matches

From the VFL website

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The AFL Victoria website has released the 2008 VFL Practice matches. The games (at this stage) are as follows:

Saturday 16th February
Seniors Geelong Coburg Skilled Stadium 1.00pm

Saturday 23rd February
Seniors Geelong Collingwood Skilled Stadium 12.00pm
Sunday 24th February
Reserves Northern Bullants Williamstown FC MC Labour Park 10.00am
Seniors Northern Bullants Williamstown FC MC Labour Park 12.30pm

Saturday 1st March
Reserves Frankston North Ballarat TBC TBC
Seniors Frankston North Ballarat TBC TBC
Reserves Casey Scorpions Northern Bullants Casey Fields 11.10am
Seniors Casey Scorpions Northern Bullants Casey Fields 2.00pm
Reserves Williamstown Box Hill Hawks Whitten Oval 11.10am
Seniors Williamstown Box Hill Hawks Whitten Oval 2.00pm
Reserves North Ballarat Frankston TBA 11.10am
Seniors North Ballarat Frankston TBA 2.00pm
Reserves Geelong Werribee Skilled Stadium 10.30am
Seniors Geelong Werribee Skilled Stadium 1.00pm
Sunday 2nd March
Reserves Sandringham Port Melbourne Trevor Barker Beach Oval 11.20am
Seniors Sandringham Port Melbourne Trevor Barker Beach Oval 2.00pm

Click on read more below for the remaining games.

Devils sign key utility

From the ABC Online

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The Tasmanian Devils newest recruit believes the team will be much improved after taking last year's wooden spoon.

Tasmanian-born Tim Hazell has signed with the Devils for one year.

The 26 year old utility has been with VFL rivals Port Melbourne for the past three years and also played five AFL games with Hawthorn in 2001.

Hazell says he'll be trying to help coach Daryn Cresswell improve the Devil's fortunes in 2008.

Hazell's homecoming is set

From the Hobart Mercury
Reported by Adam Smith
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ANY young side rebuilding needs solid leadership to draw upon -- and for the Devils, boom recruit Tim Hazell fits the bill.

The former Hawthorn and Adelaide player finally put pen to paper yesterday morning, ending months of speculation he was returning home after eight years on the mainland.

A born and bred Tasmanian, Hazell has been vice-captain of VFL club Port Melbourne for the past three seasons and his experience will be invaluable for a side looking to rebuild from a horror 2007 campaign.

The Devils' hierarchy has been chasing the 26-year-old since he was de-listed by the Crows in 2004, but business interests in Melbourne have prevented him from returning home.

Join the Force !

2008 Membership PackagesThe Port Melbourne Football Club is one of the most successful Australian Rules Football Clubs in the history of the game. Fifteen premierships and numerous finals appearances attest to this fact. This level of success could not have been achieved without a strong support and membership base. Thus, the old football adage, "A Club is only as strong as its' members" is remarkably accurate. Members in effect are the heart and soul of the Club.

A large membership base will ensure the long term future and viability of the "Borough" and raise our profile with potential sponsors and the media alike. So "JOIN THE FORCE" and take out one of the Club membership packages today!

Roosters shun home ground

From the Ballarat Courier
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NORTH Ballarat Roosters are in a self-imposed exile from their home ground owing to concerns about player welfare on the drought-affected playing surface.

Roosters head coach Gerard FitzGerald fears that constant training on the hard ground is a potential threat to the fitness of his player list.

"It is getting better, but we still have issues and have decided to stay off."

FitzGerald is not alone in his concerns about AUSTAR Arena - two months out from the start of the VFL season.

AFL club St Kilda has switched its main training session during a community camp in Ballarat next week from AUSTAR Arena to Ballarat Grammar School.

Williams leaves Seagulls to flock with Eagles

From the Hoppers Crossing Star
Reported by Mark Murray

WILLIAMSTOWN Football Club veteran Andrew Williams has departed Burbank Oval to join Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League Casey-Cardinia league club Beaconsfield.

Williams, who played his first game for the Seagulls in their 2003 grand final win, lives locally in Beaconsfield and has decided to step away from Victorian Football League (VFL) competition.

The former Collingwood forward was named vice-captain of Williamstown in 2007 and enjoyed another consistent season as a goal-kicking half forward/midfielder.

Williams went on to notch up 70 games for the Seagulls, booting 99 goals.

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