Here follows the AFL news list for this week.
1 PROGRAM OF MATCHES (all times are local)
Week One, Toyota AFL Finals Series (all times are local)
Friday September 18
Second Semi Final, Hawthorn v Adelaide Crows at the MCG, 7.50pm (series ticket match)
Saturday September 19
First Semi Final, Sydney Swans v North Melbourne at ANZ Stadium, 7.20pm
Friday September 25
First Preliminary Final, Fremantle v Winner Hawthorn/Adelaide Crows at Domain Stadium, 6.20pm
Saturday September 26
Second Preliminary Final, West Coast v Winner Sydney Swans/North Melbourne at Domain Stadium, time tbc
2 IMPENDING MILESTONES
150 games – Chris Mayne, Fremantle (in preliminary final)
100 games – Matt Suckling, Hawthorn
Most Finals Played – Shaun Burgoyne, Hawthorn. Shaun is due to play his 29th finals match this week, which will take him into equal third spot in the history of the game, level with Leigh Matthews, Bruce Doull and Wayne Schimmelbusch. The most finals by a player in history are Michael Tuck (39 with Hawthorn), Gordon Coventry (31 with Collingwood), Leigh Matthews (29 with Hawthorn), Bruce Doull (29 with Carlton), Wayne Schimmelbusch (29 with North Melbourne), Bill Hutchison (28 with Essendon), Chris Mew (28 with Hawthorn), Gary Ayres (28 with Hawthorn), Jason Akermanis (28 with the Brisbane Lions and Western Bulldogs), Shaun Burgoyne (28 with Port Adelaide and Hawthorn), Harry Collier (27 with Collingwood), Dick Reynolds (27 with Essendon), Kevin Bartlett (27 with Richmond), Martin Pike (27 with Melbourne, North Melbourne and the Brisbane Lions), Adam Goodes (27 with the Sydney Swans).
Most Finals Played – Adam Goodes, Sydney Swans. Adam is due to play his 28th final this week, which would take him into the leading 10 players in the game’s history, from the list of players named previously.
Most Games, Pair of Brothers – Burgoyne family. The Burgoyne brothers (Peter 240 games and Shaun 292 games) are due to reach 533 combined games this week, drawing them level with the Coventry brothers as fourth-best pair of brothers in VFL/AFL history. The leading families are Madden (710 games comprising 378 for Simon and 332 for Justin), Nankervis (578 games comprising 325 for Ian and 253 for Bruce), Cornes (555 games comprising 255 for Chad and 300 for Kane), Coventry (533 games comprising 227 for Syd and 306 for Gordon), Burgoyne (532 games comprising 240 for Peter and 292 for Shaun), Richardson (518 games comprising 277 for Wayne and 241 for Max), Wakelin (513 games comprising 252 for Darryl and 261 for Shane), Rocca (499 games comprising 257 for Saverio and 242 for Anthony), McVeigh (497 games comprising 232 for Mark and 265 for Jarrad) and Matthews (487 games comprising 332 for Leigh and 155 for Kelvin).
Most Club Games – Drew Petrie, North Melbourne. Drew is due to play his 292nd game this week, drawing level with Anthony Stevens in sixth spot in the club’s history. The most games for North Melbourne are Brent Harvey (407 games, 1996–current), Glenn Archer (311 games, 1992-2007), Wayne Schimmelbusch (306 games, 1973-87), Adam Simpson (306 games, 1995-2009), Keith Greig (294 games, 1971-85), Anthony Stevens (292 games, 1989-2004), Drew Petrie (291 games, 2001-current), Mick Martyn (287 games (1988-2002), David Dench (275 games, 1969-84), John Dugdale (248 games, 1955-70).
Most club games – Luke Hodge, Hawthorn. Sam is due to play his 269th game for Hawthorn this week, drawing him level with Gary Ayres and Jason Dunstall in eighth position for most games in the club’s history. The most games for Hawthorn are Michael Tuck (426 games, 1972-91), Leigh Matthews (332 games, 1969-85), Shane Crawford (305 games, 1993-2008), Chris Langford (303 games, 1983-97), Don Scott (302 games, 1967-81), Kelvin Moore (300 games, 1970-84), Sam Mitchell (282 games, 2002-current), Gary Ayres (269 games, 1978-93), Jason Dunstall (269 games, 1985-98) and Luke Hodge (268 games, 2002-current).
3 JOURNALISTS WORKING AT 2015 DRAFT IN ADELAIDE – RETAIN YOUR ACCREDITATION
Please be advised media that attend the 2015 NAB AFL Draft at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Tuesday November 24 will require 2015 AFL media accreditation. Media are advised to keep their accreditation after the finals series if you will be working at the draft.
4 TRIBUNAL MATCH REVIEW PROCESS
The expected process for the 2015 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.
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:
Lindsay Thomas, North Melbourne, reported by umpire Brett Rosebury for engaging in rough conduct against Dylan Grimes, Richmond, during the third quarter of the First Elimination Final between North Melbourne and Richmond, played at the MCG on Sunday September 13, 2015.
5 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.
6 FINALS SERIES – ON-FIELD REMINDER FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS / PRE-MATCH RADIO PERSONNEL
As a reminder for all radio personnel during the pre-match period and photographers during the upcoming 2015 Toyota AFL Finals Series;
Radio Personnel
Approval for pre-game interviews, prior to team entry to the field for the match, must be obtained from the AFL or relevant Club prior to match day and be conducted in a race way or the designated area as determined by the AFL;
Radio personnel have access to the dressing rooms to conduct pre-match and post match interviews but have no access to the arena for any purpose. Movement around venues must be via venue concourses or seating area aisles – at no time via the arena;
Photographers
All photographers must remain between the fence and boundary line (other than those identified as the AFL Official photographer or issued with a 2015 print media vest);
Photographers must not be positioned any closer than 25m from the behind post as marked on the arena – there is no approval to be directly behind the goals;
Laptops must be positioned against the fence on a stool or camera case;
Photographic equipment (lens, etc) are to be placed as close to fence as possible;
Club photographers are identified by an official vest issued by the AFL. Only photographers with official vests are permitted on the ground during the breaks. Photographers must be 30m from the huddle and all other photographers must remain behind the boundary line.
Only photographers with an official vest (AFL or print media) are allowed inside the boundary line for post match photos. All other photographers must remain behind the boundary line.
7 CURRENTLY SUSPENDED PLAYERS
The AFL wishes to advise the players that have completed and currently serving MRP suspensions across the competition are as follows:
Completed:
Alex Silvangi, Fremantle. Four matches from round 20.
Currently Suspended:
Courtenay Dempsey, Essendon. Three matches to serve in 2016. Four matches from round 22.
8 LONG-TERM INJURY LIST CHANGES
The AFL wishes to advise the following changes are in place to club lists for the 2015 Toyota AFL Finals Series as a result of the use of the long-term injury list.
Adelaide Crows – Brent Reilly is currently on the long-term injury list, with Jake Kelly upgraded from the rookie list as his replacement.
Fremantle – Anthony Morabito is currently on the long-term injury list, with Tanner Smith upgraded from the rookie list as his replacement.
Fremantle – Josh Deluca-Cardillo is currently on the long-term injury list, with Ethan Hughes upgraded from the rookie list as his replacement.
Fremantle – Michael Apeness is currently on the long-term injury list, with Craig Moller upgraded from the rookie list as his replacement.
Hawthorn – Kaiden Brand is currently on the long-term injury list, with no replacement named from the rookie list at this time.
North Melbourne – Daniel Neilson is currently on the long-term injury list, with Robin Nahas upgraded from the rookie list as his replacement.
North Melbourne – Nathan Grima is currently on the long-term injury list, with Max Warren upgraded from the rookie list as his replacement.
Sydney Swans – Alex Johnson is currently on the long-term injury list, with Sam Naismith upgraded from the rookie list as his replacement.
West Coast – Eric Mackenzie is currently on the long-term injury list, with Kane Lucas upgraded from the rookie list as his replacement.
West Coast – Mitchell Brown is currently on the long-term injury list, with Murray Newman upgraded from the rookie list as his replacement.
9 NOMINATED AND MID-SEASON PROMOTED ROOKIE PLAYERS
The following list changes are in place for finals sides under the AFL player rules regarding Nominated Rookie Players and Mid-Season Promoted Rookies, who can play during the premiership season:
Adelaide Crows – Reilly O’Brien (nominated rookie).
Fremantle – Jacob Ballard (nominated rookie).
10 APPLICATIONS FOR DAY PASSES FOR AFL MATCHES
The AFL wishes to advise it has updated its system for the production of day passes for late accreditation applications to cover single matches during the Toyota AFL Finals Series. Day passes are now printed with a headshot, meaning any application must be lodged by Wednesday 5pm in the week of the match being requested, with a suitable headshot. Please contact Patrick Keane for any further queries.
11 BROWNLOW MEDAL INELIGIBLE PLAYERS
The AFL wishes to advise the following players are ineligible for the 2015 Brownlow Medal: Stefan Martin (Brisbane Lions); Bryce Gibbs (Carlton), Nick Holman (Carlton), Chris Yarran (Carlton); Taylor Adams (Collingwood), Nathan Brown (Collingwood); Adam Cooney (Essendon), Courtenay Dempsey (Essendon); Hayden Ballantyne (Fremantle), Zac Dawson (Fremantle), Alex Silvagni (Fremantle); Steve Johnson (Geelong Cats), Joel Selwood (Geelong Cats), Billie Smedts (Geelong Cats); Steven May (Gold Coast Suns), Alex Sexton (Gold Coast Suns), Matt Shaw (Gold Coast Suns); Phil Davis (GWS Giants); Jordan Lewis (Hawthorn), Luke Hodge (Hawthorn); Drew Petrie (North Melbourne), Michael Firrito (North Melbourne), Jack Ziebell (North Melbourne); Brett Deledio (Richmond), Ivan Maric (Richmond), Ty Vickery (Richmond); Mav Weller (St Kilda); Lance Franklin (Sydney Swans), Ted Richards (Sydney Swans); Kurt Tippett (Sydney Swans); Mark LeCras (West Coast); Chris Masten (West Coast), Elliot Yeo (West Coast); Brett Goodes (Western Bulldogs).
12 2015 AFL KEY DATES
Please find below key dates for the 2015 season around club list requirements, AFL Trade Period and the NAB AFL Draft Process:
Friday 25 September 2pm - Draft Eligible Academy Player Nominations Lodged
Friday 9 October - AFL Restricted Free Agency Offer and Unrestricted Free Agency Period Commences
Monday 12 October 10am - NAB AFL Trade Period Commences
Sunday 18 October 5pm - Close of AFL Restricted Free Agency Offer and Unrestricted Free Agency Period.
Wednesday 21 October - AFL Restricted Free Agency Matching Offer 3 Day Period Ends
Thursday 22 October 2pm – NAB AFL Trade Period Closes
Friday 23 October 5pm - Application to Relist a Player Close
Friday 30 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 Players Lodged; TPP Pre-Season Estimates (1).
Saturday 31 October - AFL Delisted Player Free Agency Period (1) Commences
Monday 9 November 5pm - AFL Delisted Player Free Agency Period (1) Closes
Monday 9 November 2pm - Out of Contract Listed AFL Primary List Players Draft Nomination Form and Player Request for Removal from List Form Lodged with AFL
Tuesday 10 November 2pm - List Lodgement (2); TPP Pre-Season Estimates (2)
Wednesday 11 November - AFL Delisted Player Free Agency Period (2) Commences
Tuesday 17 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.
Friday 20 November 5pm - AFL Delisted Player Free Agency Period (2) Closes
Tuesday 24 November - NAB AFL Draft Selection Meeting (Adelaide Convention Centre) including Father/Son & Academy Players Bidding.
Wednesday 25 November - AFL Delisted Player Free Agency Period (3) Commences
Thursday 26 November 2pm - AFL Delisted Free Agency Period (3) Concludes; AFL Club List Lodgement (3).
Friday 27 November 11am - NAB AFL Pre-Season Draft Selection Meeting (Telstra Webex)
Friday 27 November 11:05am - Notification of Pre-Selected Rookies if not selected in the Pre-Season Draft.
Friday 27 November 11:10am - NAB AFL Rookie Draft Selection Meeting (Telstra Webex)
Tuesday 1 December 2pm - Final AFL Club List Lodgement; Final TPP Pre-Season Estimates
Friday 4 December 2pm - International Players Inclusion on Rookie List Form Lodgement.
13 GWS GIANTS EXPANSION COMPENSATION PICK
As a reminder to all media, the AFL wishes to advise the following GWS Giants expansion compensation pick MUST be used at this year’s 2015 NAB AFL Draft. Expansion picks were able to be activated in any of the five drafts in the period 2011-2015 and the following selection remains available.
Gold Coast Suns, end round one selection. Received from Fremantle (compensation for the loss of Rhys Palmer) via a trade to the GWS Giants in 2011 and then a trade to the GC Suns in 2012.
The club is able to trade this selection in the 2015 AFL Exchange Period.
14 MEDIA ENTRY TO THE MCG
The Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) wishes to advise all media working at matches at the MCG they should enter the ground through Gate 3, unless they have underground parking for particular matches. Access control at the ground does not allow entry at Gate 2, for AFL accreditation passes. Further, the MCC also wishes to advise that any equipment being taken up to the host radio boxes or television broadcast boxes should be taken up via goods lift 8, and not the patron lifts 5-7.
