From the Ballarat Courier
Reported by Gavin McGrath
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THE honours keep coming for North Ballarat coach Gerard FitzGerald.

The three-time VFL premiership coach won the inaugural VicHealth Lindsay Gaze Sporting Conduct Award at the Victorian Sports Awards presentation at Crown Casino.

The coaching award, which recognises outstanding sportsmanship in attitude and behaviour, was presented by Gaze.

From the Ballarat Courier
Reported by Gavin McGrath
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THE Roosters' premiership defence is officially under way, with more than 30 new faces at North Ballarat's first training session at Eureka Stadium last night.

More than 50 Roosters and Rooster hopefuls took part in a shortish, sharp session as the club prepares to chase its fourth consecutive flag in 2011.

From The Age
Reported by Caroline Wilson
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AFL clubs have overwhelmingly rejected a push for a mid-season draft that was proposed earlier this season by senior Hawthorn recruiter Chris Pelchen.

From the Sunday Age
Reported by Brent Diamond
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VFL PLAYERS in search of an AFL contract have never had it better.

With the Gold Coast having eight picks in the first 13 selections at Thursday's AFL national draft, clubs are already showing a willingness to take a punt on a mature-age recruit or two, especially in the wake of the fairytale stories of 2010 - Fremantle's Michael Barlow and Geelong's James Podsiadly.