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Claws for concern

By Robbo August 18, 2007
From Herald Sun
Reported by Geoff Poulter

PREMIERSHIP favourite Geelong might not be able to field its best side in the VFL grand final if its AFL counterpart is eliminated on preliminary-final weekend.

To protect the integrity of the competition, the VFL does not allow players unqualified for VFL finals to play in its Sunday grand final should the Cats be eliminated from the AFL the previous day.

If Geelong's AFL team wins there will be no restriction on VFL team selection.

But should it lose, then the VFL team will be restricted to 12 AFL-listed players, who would have to be finals qualified (at least seven VFL games and no more than 12 AFL games this season).

"This rule has been in place since 2004, It is not a Geelong-specific rule, it is a competition rule," VFL general manager Martin Stillman said.

Geelong coach Leigh Tudor is anxious not to get ahead of himself but is merely pointing out what could become a difficult selection process.

Buckley's chance with Seagulls

By Robbo August 18, 2007
From The Age
Reported by Chris Walker

COLLINGWOOD and Williamstown supporters will look upon today's match between the Seagulls and Port Melbourne at TEAC Oval with a sense of anticipation and nervousness. Nathan Buckley once again will test his battle-weary hamstrings for Williamstown in a last-ditch effort to play finals with the Magpies.

In his first match in more than 11 months, Buckley's return in the blue and yellow jumper could not have come at a more opportune time.

Williamstown has dropped five of its past six games and is sitting in fifth spot. It will be hoping Buckley will provide the impetus it needs to defeat the eighth-placed Borough and muscle its way back into the four.

"It's going to be fantastic to have him. I don't think it will be a distraction at all," Williamstown coach Brad Gotch said. "I have watched the way he has handled himself this week and he is the ultimate professional.

"As captain and leader of the club, he has the entire club at heart — which includes Williamstown. You need to have a strong VFL side and Bucks would know that. I think he is just excited about having a game of footy."

Bombers continue charge for finals

By Robbo August 18, 2007
From Bendigo Advertiser

METRICON Bendigo Bombers coach Matthew Knights believes the next two games will be an ideal dress rehearsal for his side, should it be successful in snaring a berth in the VFL finals.

The Bombers have two games left in the home and away season, against the Casey Scorpions and Geelong, and are guaranteed a return to the finals if they win both games.

But it won't be easy, starting with the Scorpions at Casey Fields tomorrow.

The Scorpions have won six of their past seven games, and included in that run of good form was a 16-point victory over the Bombers at the Queen Elizabeth Oval in round 11.

Geelong has been one of the most consistent sides all season.

The Cats sit second on the ladder with a 12-4 record, and along with Sandringham, are joint flag-favourites at $2.50.

Rivals glory not guaranteed

By Robbo August 18, 2007
From The Mercury
Reported by Adam Smith

COBURG coach Andrew Collins is taking nothing for granted for tomorrow's AFL curtain raiser at Aurora Stadium despite the glaring difference on the ladder between his side and Tasmania.

The Coburg Tigers sit a game clear in third on the VFL ladder with two rounds remaining, with a win over the Tassie Devils guaranteeing they can't be removed.

And while Tasmania is anchored to the bottom of the table, Collins only has to look back to Coburg's round-seven clash at Bellerive to know the Tigers can't get ahead of themselves.

In a game spectacularly remembered for a goal post being snapped in the final quarter, the Devils pushed the visitors all the way only to run out of petrol late in the match.

"It was only the last 15 minutes really where we managed to get on top," Collins said.

"We had difficulty all day with them. (Adam) Derbyshire was in terrific form and Ken Hall was causing trouble but having a look at the teams, the two are very different."

Coburg is coming off a bye last week, which Collins said came at the perfect time following a disappointing match against Geelong a fortnight ago.

Ex-Swan in Devils' sights

By Robbo August 17, 2007
From The Mercury
Reported by Adam Smith

FORMER Sydney Swans' cult hero Gerrard Bennett is being targeted by the Devils for next season.

The defender, who on Saturday will play his 100th consecutive match with South Adelaide in the SANFL, is good friends with Devils coach Daryn Cresswell.

Cresswell said yesterday he has been in touch with the key position player, who at 188cm and 95kg could help bolster a young and inexperienced backline.

Bennett played 32 games with the Swans between 1999 and 2002, kicking 11 goals.

He has been one of the shining lights for the Panthers this season, who sit second-last with just four wins.

"I have spoken to Bennett for next year, he would be good for the group we have got at the moment," Cresswell said.

Ex-trainer threatens Devils

By Robbo August 17, 2007
From The Mercury
Reported by Adam Smith

AS if the Tassie Devils' lack of success on the field wasn't bad enough, a former fitness trainer is now considering legal action after claiming he is owed about $10,000 by the club.

Russell Kapper had been employed by the VFL side since last season, but had a falling out with coach Daryn Cresswell in April.

During an away game against North Ballarat, Kapper had been out late and was locked out of his hotel room after forgetting his key.

After waking some of the players in an effort to get back in, it was decided the following Monday at a meeting his role with the side would be reduced as punishment.

AFL Tasmania general manager Scott Wade refused to comment directly on the issue, but was disappointed with the handling of the matter.

"It is disappointing that Russell has chosen to air his dirty linen through the media," Wade said.

VFL Cats can sew up top two spot with win

By Robbo August 17, 2007
From Geelong Advertiser
Reported by Michael Auciello

GEELONG'S VFL team can guarantee a top two finish with a win over Werribee at Bartercard Oval tomorrow.

The Cats, who sit a game clear in second spot on the ladder, can cement their spot if they notch its fourth straight win tomorrow afternoon.

Geelong will be out to turn the tables on their local rivals after their round nine result.

Werribee took the points at Skilled Stadium by 15 points in round nine, set up by a six-goal opening quarter.

Silky-skilled midfielder Brent Prismall is again likely to miss with a wrist injury, while first-year player Nathan Djerrkura is also unlikely to play again before the end of the home and away season.

Defender David Johnson has been added to the team after being dropped from the AFL side, while Stephen Owen will be missing for the best part of 12 months, due to have a knee reconstruction today.

Stick with VFL

By Robbo August 15, 2007
From The Mercury
Reported by Brett Stubbs

AS AFL Tasmania deliberates whether to send the Devils off to play in the SANFL next season, the vast majority of southern footballers are adamant that the state should stick with the VFL.

And they are even more strongly in favour of calling an end to the Devils' partial alignment with AFL club the Kangaroos.

A Mercury exclusive poll of 65 Southern Premier League players shows 80 per cent want the Devils to stay in the VFL.

More than 90 per cent believe AFL Tasmania should cut all ties with the Devils' AFL affiliate and revert to a stand-alone club -- just as Tasmania was in its first five years, during which it made the finals three times in a row.

But the good news for AFL Tasmania is that despite the Devils' disastrous past two seasons and their Kangaroos partial alignment, there is still plenty of support for AFL Tasmania's flagship team.

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