Week One, 2018 Toyota AFL Finals Series
Thursday September 6
First Qualifying Final, Richmond v Hawthorn at the MCG, 7.20pm AEST

Friday September 7
First Elimination Final, Melbourne v Geelong Cats at the MCG (series ticket match), 7.50pm AEST

Saturday September 8
Second Elimination Final, Sydney Swans v GWS Giants at the SCG, 4.20pm AEST
First Qualifying Final, West Coast v Collingwood at Optus Stadium, 6.10pm AWST / 8.10pm AEST


2 UPCOMING MILESTONES

200 club games – Shaun Burgoyne, Hawthorn
200 games – Dustin Martin, Richmond
100 games – Josh Kelly, GWS Giants

50 Finals Wins – Melbourne FC. Melbourne has won 49 finals in VFL/AFL history from 84 matches, with 33 losses and two draws.
50 Finals Wins – Richmond FC. Richmond has won 49 finals in VFL/AFL history from 84 matches, with 34 losses and one draw.

Most Finals Played – Jarrad McVeigh, Sydney Swans. Jarrad can move into the top 10 in VFL/AFL history for most finals played. The most finals are Michael Tuck (39, Hawthorn); Shaun Burgoyne (33, Port Adelaide and Hawthorn); Gordon Coventry (31, Collingwood); Bruce Doull (29, Carlton), Leigh Matthews (29, Hawthorn), Wayne Schimmelbusch (29, North Melbourne); Jason Akermanis (28, Brisbane Lions and Western Bulldogs), Gary Ayres (28, Hawthorn), Jimmy Bartel (28, Geelong Cats), Adam Goodes (28, Sydney Swans), Bill Hutchison (28, Essendon), Chris Mew (28, Hawthorn); Kevin Bartlett (27, Richmond), Harry Collier (27, Collingwood), Jarrad McVeigh (27, Sydney Swans), Martin Pike (27, Melbourne, North Melbourne, Brisbane Lions), Dick Reynolds (27, Essendon).

Most Finals Wins Coached – Alastair Clarkson, Hawthorn. Alastair has coached 16 finals victories and his next victory will take him level with Ron Barassi in 10th spot for all coaches in VFL/AFL history. The most finals wins as a coach are Michael Malthouse (27, Western Bulldogs, West Coast, Collingwood and Carlton), Jock McHale (27, Collingwood), Tom Hafey (24, Richmond and Collingwood), Kevin Sheedy (23, Essendon), Allan Jeans (22, St Kilda and Hawthorn), Dick Reynolds (21, Essendon), David Parkin (19, Hawthorn, Carlton and Fitzroy), Leigh Matthews (19, Collingwood and the Brisbane Lions), Frank ‘Checker’ Hughes (18, Richmond and Melbourne), Ron Barassi (17, Carlton and North Melbourne), Norm Smith (16, Melbourne), Alastair Clarkson (16, Hawthorn).

Most Club Finals – Joel Selwood, Geelong Cats. Joel is due to play his 27th final since his debut in 2007. This will take him to second spot in club history. The most finals for Geelong are; Jimmy Bartel (28), Joel Selwood (26), Andrew Mackie (26), Corey Enright (24), Joel Corey (23), Steve Johnson (23), Harry Taylor (23), James Kelly (22), Matthew Scarlett (22), Paul Chapman (21), Garry Hocking (21).

700 games, family of brothers – Selwood family. The Selwood brothers are due to reach 700 combined games, making them the third family of brothers in VFL/AFL history to reach this mark. The most games by brothers are Daniher (752 games comprising 313 games for Terry, 82 for Neale, 233 for Tony and 124 for Chris), Madden (710 games comprising 378 games for Simon and 332 for Justin), Selwood (699 games comprising 187 games for Adam, 75 games for Troy, 271 games for Joel and 166 games for Scott), Morwood (611 games comprising 170 games for Paul, 229 for Tony and 212 for Shane), Burgoyne (595 games comprising 240 games for Peter and 355 for Shaun), Nankervis (578 games comprising 325 games for Ian and 253 for Bruce), Cornes (555 games comprising 255 games for Chad and 300 games for Kane), McVeigh (550 games comprising 232 for Mark and 318 for Jarrad), Coventry (533 games comprising 227 games for Syd and 306 for Gordon), Shaw (519 games comprising 237 for Rhyce and 282 for Heath).

Most Finals Goals – Lance Franklin, Sydney Swans. Lance has kicked 69 goals in AFL finals in his career for Hawthorn and the Sydney Swans. He can move into second spot in VFL/AFL history during this September. The most finals goals are Gordon Coventry (112 goals, 31 finals, Collingwood); Jason Dunstall (78 goals, 21 finals, Hawthorn); Jack Titus (74 goals, 24 finals, Richmond); Leigh Matthews (72 goals, 29 finals, Hawthorn); Lance Franklin (69 goals, 23 finals, Hawthorn and Sydney Swans); Stephen Kernahan (65 goals, 18 finals, Carlton); Alastair Lynch (65 goals, 20 finals, Brisbane Lions); Gary Ablett senior (64 goals, 16 finals, Geelong Cats); Doug Wade (64 finals, 18 finals, Geelong Cats); Kevin Bartlett (62 goals, 27 finals, Richmond); Dick Lee (62 finals, 22 finals, Collingwood); Jack Meuller (62 goals, 18 finals, Melbourne); Peter Sumich (62 goals, 19 finals, West Coast).

Most Career Goals – Lance Franklin, Sydney Swans. Lance needs nine goals to catch Matthew Lloyd in seventh spot for most goals in VFL/AFL history. The most career goals in history: Tony Lockett (1360 goals for St Kilda and the Sydney Swans), Gordon Coventry (1299 goals for Collingwood), Jason Dunstall (1254 goals for Hawthorn), Doug Wade (1057 goals for Geelong and North Melbourne), Gary Ablett senior (1030 goals for Hawthorn and Geelong), Jack Titus (970 goals for Richmond), Matthew Lloyd (926 goals for Essendon), Lance Franklin (917 goals for Hawthorn and the Sydney Swans), Leigh Matthews (915 goals for Hawthorn), Peter McKenna (874 goals for Collingwood and Carlton).

500 career goals – Tom Hawkins, Geelong Cats. Tom needs four goals to reach 500 career goals, having kicked 496 goals from 231 games since his debut in 2008.

Most Club Career Goals – Jack Riewoldt, Richmond. Jack needs five goals to draw level with Michael Roach in fourth spot for most goals in club history. The most goals for Richmond are Jack Titus (970 goals, 1926-43), Matthew Richardson (800 goals, 1993-2009), Kevin Bartlett (778 goals, 1965-83), Michael Roach (607 goals, 1977-89), Jack Riewoldt (602 goals, 2007-18), Dick Harris (548 goals, 1934-44), Jack Dyer (443 goals, 1931-49), Royce Hart (369 goals, 1967-77), Ray Poulter (351 goals, 1946-56) and Dale Weightman (344 goals, 1978-93.



3 TRIBUNAL MATCH REVIEW PROCESS

The expected process for the 2018 AFL Season under the AFL Match Review system is that the AFL will issue a media release late on the Monday after each round detailing the penalties to be offered to players for incidents from that round of matches, or the reasons why no further action was to be taken. Match Review Officer Michael Christian will also be made available at a general media call at a time to be determined.

The clubs and players then have until 11am on the Tuesday morning to decide whether to accept the penalty on offer, or whether they wish to contest the charge at a Tribunal hearing, to usually be held on the Tuesday night. The AFL will formally detail all instances on the Tuesday of whether cases will proceed to the Tribunal or not.

The following players were reported from the weekend’s matches:

Scott Thompson, North Melbourne, reported by umpire Curtis Deboy for striking Jack Steele, St Kilda, during the second quarter of the Round 23 match between North Melbourne and St Kilda, played at Etihad Stadium on Sunday August 26, 2018.


4 TRIBUNAL HEARING LOCATION

The AFL Tribunal is held in the AFL media room on Level LB2 at Etihad Stadium. The AFL wishes to advise that all media covering the Tribunal hearings at Etihad Stadium need to park in the B2 car park (entry off the Bourke St extension) and report to the Etihad Stadium security office to gain admittance via the internal ring road. There will be no access via AFL House to any AFL Tribunal hearing through the season, as our offices will have closed by 6pm each day.


5 CURRENTLY SUSPENDED PLAYERS

The AFL wishes to advise the players that have completed and currently serving MRP suspensions across the competition are as follows:

Currently Suspended:
Andrew Gaff, West Coast. Five matches to serve. Eight matches from round 20.
Nathan Brown, St Kilda. One match to serve in 2019 season. Three matches from round 21.

Completed:
Daniel Howe, Hawthorn. Five matches from round 18.
Taylor Walker, Adelaide Crows. Two matches from round 21.


6 SEPTEMBER FOOTBALL PUBLICATIONS

With September upon us, Slattery Media Group is celebrating two ‘champions’ of our game with the release of two new books that represent what we love about footy.
The Thing About Football, The Songs of Greg Champion
CYRIL, Celebrating a Hawthorn Champion - Photos by Michael Willson
For review copies, interviews or further information contact Eloise Hudson eloise@mediachampions.com.au or 0417 437 967.


7 KEY DATES, NAB AFL TRADE PERIOD / DRAFT PROCESS

Please find below the key dates for the 2018 season post-season period around club list requirements, NAB AFL Trade Period and the NAB AFL Draft Process:

Tuesday 2 October – Friday 5 October – AFL Draft Combine.
Friday 5 October - AFL Restricted Free Agency Offer and Unrestricted Free Agency Period Commences.
Friday 5 October – Victoria / NEAFL / Tasmania State Draft Combine.
Monday 8 October 10am - NAB AFL Trade Period Commences.
Friday 12 October 5pm - Close of AFL Restricted Free Agency Offer and Unrestricted Free Agency Period.
Saturday 13 October - South Australian Draft Combine.
Sunday 14 October - West Australian Draft Combine.
Monday 15 October 2pm - AFL Restricted Free Agency Matching Offer Three-Day Period Ends.
Wednesday 17 October 8.30pm – NAB AFL Trade Period Closes (for exchange of players).
Friday 19 October 5pm - Application to Relist a Player Close
Wednesday 31 October 2pm - List Lodgement (1) ; Rookie Promotion to Primary List; Retained 2nd & 3rd Year Rookies; International Scholarship Player; Alternate Talent Player Nominations; Club Notification of Rookie Players Not Accepting a Contract of Offer; Nomination of Draft Eligible Father/Son; Northern Academy, Next Generation Academy Players Lodged; TPP Pre-Season Estimates (1).
Thursday 1 November - AFL Delisted Player Free Agency Period (1) Commences
Thursday 8 November - AFL Delisted Player Free Agency Period (1) Closes, Out of Contract Listed AFL Primary List Players Draft Nomination Form and Player Request for Removal from List Form Lodged with AFL
Friday 9 November 2pm - List Lodgement (2); TPP Pre-Season Estimates (2)
Saturday 10 November - AFL Delisted Player Free Agency Period (2) Commences
Friday 16 November 2pm – NAB AFL Trade Period Closes (for exchange of selections only).
Friday 16 November 2pm - Delisted Primary List Draft Nomination Form Lodgement; Non–Retained Rookie Players Draft Nomination Form Lodgement; Players Not Registered or Played for Three years Rookie List Form Lodgement; New or Expired (after 3 years) Draft Nomination Form Lodgement, AFL Father-Son Bidding Nominations, Final Draft Nomination Form Lodgement.
Friday 16 November 5pm - AFL Delisted Player Free Agency Period (2) Closes
Thursday 22 November 7pm – 9.30pm - NAB AFL Draft Selection Meeting (Round One), Marvel Stadium.
Friday 23 November 10am – 1.30pm - NAB AFL Draft Selection Meeting (Round Two onwards to conclusion).
Friday 23 November 1.30pm – 2.30pm - AFL Delisted Player Free Agency Period (3)
Friday 23 November 2.30pm - AFL Club List Lodgement (3).
Friday 23 November 5pm - NAB AFL Pre-Season Draft Selection Meeting and NAB AFL Rookie Draft Selection Meeting.
Tuesday 27 November 2pm - Final AFL Club List Lodgement; Final TPP Pre-Season Estimates


8 BROWNLOW MEDAL – INELIGIBLE PLAYERS

As a reminder to all media, the following players listed below are ineligible for the 2018 Brownlow Medal, after having been suspended for one or more matches this season: Kyle Cheney, Richard Douglas, Taylor Walker (Adelaide Crows); Tom Cutler, Nick Robertson, Mitch Robinson (Brisbane Lions); Ed Curnow, Jed Lamb, Dale Thomas (Carlton); Mason Cox (Collingwood); Matthew Leuenberger, Conor McKenna (Essendon); Nat Fyfe, Ryan Nyhuis, Michael Walters (Fremantle); Tom Hawkins (Geelong Cats); Jack Bowes, Sam Day, Steven May (Gold Coast Suns); Jeremy Cameron (GWS Giants); Daniel Howe, James Sicily (Hawthorn); Lindsay Thomas (North Melbourne); Josh Caddy, Nick Graham, Nick Vlastuin (Richmond); Nathan Brown, Jake Carlisle (St Kilda); Zak Jones (Sydney Swans); Andrew Gaff, Nic Naitanui (West Coast); Zaine Cordy, Lachlan Hunter (Western Bulldogs).


9 CHANGE TO CLUB LIST – INJURY UPGRADE RULES

The GWS Giants have placed Jon Patton on the long-term injury list and upgraded Jake Stein from the rookie list as his replacement.
Hawthorn has placed Kurt Heatherley on the long-term injury list, with no replacement named at this time.


10 MEDIA ACCREDITATION PASSES – FINALS SERIES

Sports Editors have been contacted in recent weeks for the process around finals accreditation. Please be reminded that requests need to be lodged by the preceding Wednesday 5pm before that weekend of matches. For any new staffers not previously on file, the detail required for a pass is jpeg head shot / mobile number / email address / birth date / mailing address.


11 AFLW KEY DATES

Please find attached the key dates in the AFLW player selection process:
Rookie signing period - Monday May 14 – Friday September 28
Draft Nominations Open - Monday September 3 – Friday September 14
NAB AFLW Draft Combine - Tuesday October 2 – Wednesday October 3
NAB AFLW Draft - Tuesday October 23


12 AFL PHOTOGRAPHER ONFIELD VESTS

For all accredited photographers for the 2018 Toyota AFL Premiership Season,
only those with an on-field vest may access the playing surface inside the boundary
line for the quarter breaks and post-game when players are leaving the field. All
other photographers must remain between the fence and boundary line under the
accreditation terms. 2018 on-field finals vests are blue with 2018 on back
(accredited organisations), dark blue (AFL photos).


13 NATIONAL SPORTS MUSEUM AT THE MCG

The National Sports Museum is located inside Gate 3 at the MCG, as a must-visit for sports fans of all ages. It is open daily 10am – 5pm. On AFL event days:
All ticketholder’s receive 50% off the price of admission to the National Sports Museum during event mode (from gates open until the match starts).
Kids are admitted FREE to the National Sports Museum for all AFL Sunday Funday games during event mode in 2018
Visit mcg.org.au/nsm for details.


14 2018 NAB AFL DRAFT – TRADED FUTURE SELECTIONS

As a reminder to all media, the following selections at this year’s 2018 NAB AFL Draft were traded during last year’s trade period.

Round One
Adelaide Crows, Received from Melbourne.
Gold Coast Suns, Received from West Coast.

Round Two
Adelaide Crows, Received from Carlton.
Carlton, Received from Adelaide Crows.
Carlton, Received from the Western Bulldogs.
Essendon, Received from GWS Giants.
Gold Coast Suns, Received from Essendon.
Gold Coast Suns, Received from the Geelong Cats.
GWS Giants, Received from Fremantle.
Port Adelaide, Received from St Kilda.
Sydney Swans, Received from Collingwood.
West Coast, Received from the Gold Coast Suns.

Round Three
Adelaide Crows, Received from Carlton.
Collingwood, Received from the Sydney Swans.
Geelong Cats, Received from Richmond.
Gold Coast Suns, Received from Fremantle.
GWS Giants, Received from Essendon.
Melbourne, Received from the Adelaide Crows.
North Melbourne, Received from St Kilda, via on-trades.
North Melbourne, Received from West Coast, via on-trades.
Port Adelaide, Received from North Melbourne.

Round Four
Adelaide Crows, Received from Melbourne.
Carlton, Received from Geelong Cats.
Geelong Cats, Received from Carlton.
Geelong Cats, Received from Gold Coast Suns.
St Kilda, Received from the Adelaide Crows, via on-trades.
St Kilda, Received from Port Adelaide.
West Coast, Received from Hawthorn, via on-trades.
Western Bulldogs, Received from Fremantle.