SWANS PREPARING FOR FINALS WITHOUT HALL
The Sydney Swans are preparing to play this year's finals series without Barry Hall after yesterday indefinitely banning him from selection, reports The Herald Sun. Citing an urgent need for Hall to address psychological matters, the Swans told their star forward he was too great a risk - for the club as well as himself - by playing football in the at-times out-of-control way that has been apparent this year. Swans coach Paul Roos told a shocked Hall he would not be considered for a return until cleared by club psychologist Grant Brecht. Hall, for the second time in four matches, took a wild swing at an opponent at the weekend - Collingwood's Shane Wakelin. Asked if he was looking to the finals without Hall, Roos told the Herald Sun: "Yes, absolutely. I am not sure when he will come back, or if he will come back. I hope he will. I am confident he will. But that is something I have no control over and something hat is yet to be played out."
LOVE LIFE BLAMED FOR HALL’S ISSUES
Barry Hall's love life has made headlines in recent weeks thanks to a public spat between two women both claiming to be his girlfriend, reports The Herald Sun, and is believed to be the reason for his agitated state. These are believed to include two women in his life - his on-again, off-again girlfriend Kylie Stray and Melbourne bikini model Tahli Greenwood, 21. Ms Greenwood and Sydneysider Ms Stray have both told media they were seeing him. Ms Greenwood said she was a calming influence in Hall's seven-week suspension. "I know it sounds corny, but he's a gentle giant – anyone who knows him will tell you that," she said. But Ms Stray, who dated Hall on and off for 11 years, said she and Hall were working things out, and accused Ms Greenwood of exaggerating a brief relationship. Hall's dad, Ray, weighed into the debate, defending Ms Greenwood and saying she was good for his son. "We like her. She's done no wrong," Mr Hall said. “Kylie was with Barry for about 11 years, off and on. Barry's moved on."
The Sydney Swans are preparing to play this year's finals series without Barry Hall after yesterday indefinitely banning him from selection, reports The Herald Sun. Citing an urgent need for Hall to address psychological matters, the Swans told their star forward he was too great a risk - for the club as well as himself - by playing football in the at-times out-of-control way that has been apparent this year. Swans coach Paul Roos told a shocked Hall he would not be considered for a return until cleared by club psychologist Grant Brecht. Hall, for the second time in four matches, took a wild swing at an opponent at the weekend - Collingwood's Shane Wakelin. Asked if he was looking to the finals without Hall, Roos told the Herald Sun: "Yes, absolutely. I am not sure when he will come back, or if he will come back. I hope he will. I am confident he will. But that is something I have no control over and something hat is yet to be played out."
LOVE LIFE BLAMED FOR HALL’S ISSUES
Barry Hall's love life has made headlines in recent weeks thanks to a public spat between two women both claiming to be his girlfriend, reports The Herald Sun, and is believed to be the reason for his agitated state. These are believed to include two women in his life - his on-again, off-again girlfriend Kylie Stray and Melbourne bikini model Tahli Greenwood, 21. Ms Greenwood and Sydneysider Ms Stray have both told media they were seeing him. Ms Greenwood said she was a calming influence in Hall's seven-week suspension. "I know it sounds corny, but he's a gentle giant – anyone who knows him will tell you that," she said. But Ms Stray, who dated Hall on and off for 11 years, said she and Hall were working things out, and accused Ms Greenwood of exaggerating a brief relationship. Hall's dad, Ray, weighed into the debate, defending Ms Greenwood and saying she was good for his son. "We like her. She's done no wrong," Mr Hall said. “Kylie was with Barry for about 11 years, off and on. Barry's moved on."
HALL STUNNED AT DECISION
A stunned Barry Hall was "shocked" at being stood down indefinitely by Sydney, adding that he was concerned about his future and standing in the game, reports The Age. "I've had everything run through my head over the last few days, from the extreme to not-so extreme," Hall said last night. "Being used as trade bait, being sacked by the club, all the above, there hasn't been one thing I haven't thought of … actually I didn't think of this. It surprised me. I'm still a bit shocked. I haven't really taken it all in to be honest. Roosy said, 'I'm not going to pick you to play at this stage'. He said, 'You're obviously going to sit out a week and it will be determined by Grant when you're right'. So I don't know where to from here, and what I do. I'll be guided by whatever Grant says. To be honest, I don't think that's the answer, to not play football, I don't know if that's going to help, that's my only query. I can understand from the club's point of view they are looking to do the right thing, but I don't think missing games is going to help the situation. What I am concerned about is how all this, the incident and being stood down like this, now effects my future and standing in footy."
A stunned Barry Hall was "shocked" at being stood down indefinitely by Sydney, adding that he was concerned about his future and standing in the game, reports The Age. "I've had everything run through my head over the last few days, from the extreme to not-so extreme," Hall said last night. "Being used as trade bait, being sacked by the club, all the above, there hasn't been one thing I haven't thought of … actually I didn't think of this. It surprised me. I'm still a bit shocked. I haven't really taken it all in to be honest. Roosy said, 'I'm not going to pick you to play at this stage'. He said, 'You're obviously going to sit out a week and it will be determined by Grant when you're right'. So I don't know where to from here, and what I do. I'll be guided by whatever Grant says. To be honest, I don't think that's the answer, to not play football, I don't know if that's going to help, that's my only query. I can understand from the club's point of view they are looking to do the right thing, but I don't think missing games is going to help the situation. What I am concerned about is how all this, the incident and being stood down like this, now effects my future and standing in footy."
NATHAN ABLETT BACK WITH CATS
Nathan Ablett resumed training with Geelong last night, joining the supplementary list group for an indoor session at Skilled Stadium, reports The Herald Sun. It was Ablett's first official workout of the season, and came within a week of a leisurely kick-to-kick session at the ground late last week. The Cats were aware the 2007 premiership forward was contemplating a return to training with a view to playing again this year, but left it to him to decide the timetable. He is tipped to return to football in the VFL within a fortnight. The 22-year-old younger brother of Brownlow medal favourite Gary put his career on hold early this year, citing lack of motivation.
Nathan Ablett resumed training with Geelong last night, joining the supplementary list group for an indoor session at Skilled Stadium, reports The Herald Sun. It was Ablett's first official workout of the season, and came within a week of a leisurely kick-to-kick session at the ground late last week. The Cats were aware the 2007 premiership forward was contemplating a return to training with a view to playing again this year, but left it to him to decide the timetable. He is tipped to return to football in the VFL within a fortnight. The 22-year-old younger brother of Brownlow medal favourite Gary put his career on hold early this year, citing lack of motivation.
WILLIAMS WANTS CARR
Port Adelaide coach Mark Williams has flagged his interest in luring premiership midfielder Josh Carr back to Alberton, reports The Herald Sun. Weeks after being linked for a play for the Fremantle midfielder and on a day where the Power had a three-hour list management meeting, Williams said he would "seriously look" at trying to re-sign Carr. "I'll entertain the thought of it," he said when asked if out-of-contract Carr - a key player in the Power's 2004 premiership line-up - was on his recruiting radar.
DEMONS SUSPEND DAVEY
The hard-line Melbourne leadership group has struck again, suspending talented teammate Aaron Davey for "unprofessional preparation", reports The Herald Sun. Davey has copped a one-match ban after missing an early morning flight back from Darwin two days before the Demons' stirring Round 14 win against the Brisbane Lions. The brilliant forward travelled to his hometown mid-week for the funeral of the mother of the best man at his wedding. It is understood Davey was booked to fly out at about 6am Friday, giving him time to have physiotherapy on an injury and prepare fully for the clash with the Lions. But Davey did not return to Melbourne until late Friday, compromising his preparation. It is believed Davey quickly owned up to his peers that he had been drinking after the emotional funeral. Melbourne football manager Chris Connolly last night confirmed Davey, a recent addition to the leadership group, had now stepped down "in the short term" from that responsibility.
BELL QUITS IMMEDIATELY
Former Fremantle skipper Peter Bell says it's time for the club to build for the future after announcing his retirement yesterday, reports The Herald Sun. Just a week after Fremantle president Rick Hart and coach Mark Harvey urged the 32-year-old to play on in 2009, Bell quit, saying he did not want to stand in the way of a young player's development. The 286-game veteran revealed he went into the Round 14 loss to Essendon knowing it would be his last appearance for the Dockers. "I think the club's at a time where we need to get some young guys in," Bell said. "It frees up an opportunity for someone in a pretty important eight-week block in their career and it was the right thing for me to do in my circumstances. By playing on this extra year I wanted to be involved in finals . . . it's clear that's not going to be the case so it's time for the deadwood to get out and move on and let the young blokes come through." Bell, a three-times best and fairest winner at Fremantle and dual All-Australian, said he would have been doing the club an injustice had he decided to play on next season.
EAGLE BRAUN TO BOW OUT
Michael Braun has announced he will retire at the end of the season, reports The Herald Sun. Braun described his decision as the toughest of his life, but said he would leave the game a proud and satisfied man. He choked back tears as he revealed a crippling knee injury had finally got the better of him after 12 years and 222 games for the Eagles. The 30-year-old will try and to play out the season, but Sunday's home clash against Richmond could be his last appearance depending on how his knee responds. Braun revealed his decision to retire had been made following an "honest and up-front" discussion with coach John Worsfold a month ago.
ROOS IN A STEW
Enigmatic Kangaroos pair Daniel Harris and Corey Jones could be the casualties at the selection table this week, reports The Herald Sun. Full-forward Nathan Thompson and backman Shannon Watt also risk the chop as coach Dean Laidley tries to find consistency in a season that has produced six wins and a draw from 14 games. While Thompson, who was poor against St Kilda a fortnight ago, and Watt are expected to retain their position, the outlook is not so bright for Harris and Jones. Harris, a gritty midfielder, has twice been on the end of Laidley bakes this season and responded positively. But his inconsistency is testing the coach's patience. Two games back, against Hawthorn, Harris was close to best afield. Against the Saints he had 15 touches, and was one of several poor performers after halftime. Jones has been one of the disappointments of the season. He kicked 46 goals in 2007, but has just 21 this year, including seven against Richmond in Round 2. His last eight games have produced nine goals.
TOYOTA EXTEND SPONSORSHIP
The AFL has convinced Toyota to extend its lucrative sponsorship of football, reports The Herald Sun. After months of intense negotiations, which included threats of withdrawing, Toyota bolstered its agreement through to the end of 2011. It is believed the current deal, which was to have expired this year, has been worth more than $10 million a year to the AFL. AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said Toyota, which became a major partner of the AFL in 2004, had become crucial to the game's rapid growth. Through an initiative titled Grass Roots Footy Program, Toyota has poured more than $1 million into the game's lowest levels during the past three years.
MORE BAD NEWS FOR JOHNS
Essendon’s injury-plagued Courtney Johns will require a full reconstruction of his knee after tests yesterday confirmed he had ruptured the left anterior cruciate ligament while playing for Bendigo last weekend, reports The Age. Johns showed remarkable persistence, and Essendon equally remarkable patience, in overcoming chronic hip injuries to make his AFL debut in 2005. He has played 21 games since then, though he has not been able to command a regular place. Regarded as an outstanding West Australian junior talent, Johns was overlooked in the national draft after the onset of his hip problems. Essendon gambled by taking him in the 2002 rookie draft. He endured a long and frustrating rehabilitation period before being able to play at senior level. Club doctor Bruce Reid said Johns would visit knee specialist Julian Feller for the reconstruction in about two weeks. He will miss the rest of this season and most of next year's pre-season. Johns is the club's second knee victim this year. Alwyn Davey required a reconstruction after injuring his knee in a seemingly innocuous training drill earlier in the season.
Port Adelaide coach Mark Williams has flagged his interest in luring premiership midfielder Josh Carr back to Alberton, reports The Herald Sun. Weeks after being linked for a play for the Fremantle midfielder and on a day where the Power had a three-hour list management meeting, Williams said he would "seriously look" at trying to re-sign Carr. "I'll entertain the thought of it," he said when asked if out-of-contract Carr - a key player in the Power's 2004 premiership line-up - was on his recruiting radar.
DEMONS SUSPEND DAVEY
The hard-line Melbourne leadership group has struck again, suspending talented teammate Aaron Davey for "unprofessional preparation", reports The Herald Sun. Davey has copped a one-match ban after missing an early morning flight back from Darwin two days before the Demons' stirring Round 14 win against the Brisbane Lions. The brilliant forward travelled to his hometown mid-week for the funeral of the mother of the best man at his wedding. It is understood Davey was booked to fly out at about 6am Friday, giving him time to have physiotherapy on an injury and prepare fully for the clash with the Lions. But Davey did not return to Melbourne until late Friday, compromising his preparation. It is believed Davey quickly owned up to his peers that he had been drinking after the emotional funeral. Melbourne football manager Chris Connolly last night confirmed Davey, a recent addition to the leadership group, had now stepped down "in the short term" from that responsibility.
BELL QUITS IMMEDIATELY
Former Fremantle skipper Peter Bell says it's time for the club to build for the future after announcing his retirement yesterday, reports The Herald Sun. Just a week after Fremantle president Rick Hart and coach Mark Harvey urged the 32-year-old to play on in 2009, Bell quit, saying he did not want to stand in the way of a young player's development. The 286-game veteran revealed he went into the Round 14 loss to Essendon knowing it would be his last appearance for the Dockers. "I think the club's at a time where we need to get some young guys in," Bell said. "It frees up an opportunity for someone in a pretty important eight-week block in their career and it was the right thing for me to do in my circumstances. By playing on this extra year I wanted to be involved in finals . . . it's clear that's not going to be the case so it's time for the deadwood to get out and move on and let the young blokes come through." Bell, a three-times best and fairest winner at Fremantle and dual All-Australian, said he would have been doing the club an injustice had he decided to play on next season.
EAGLE BRAUN TO BOW OUT
Michael Braun has announced he will retire at the end of the season, reports The Herald Sun. Braun described his decision as the toughest of his life, but said he would leave the game a proud and satisfied man. He choked back tears as he revealed a crippling knee injury had finally got the better of him after 12 years and 222 games for the Eagles. The 30-year-old will try and to play out the season, but Sunday's home clash against Richmond could be his last appearance depending on how his knee responds. Braun revealed his decision to retire had been made following an "honest and up-front" discussion with coach John Worsfold a month ago.
ROOS IN A STEW
Enigmatic Kangaroos pair Daniel Harris and Corey Jones could be the casualties at the selection table this week, reports The Herald Sun. Full-forward Nathan Thompson and backman Shannon Watt also risk the chop as coach Dean Laidley tries to find consistency in a season that has produced six wins and a draw from 14 games. While Thompson, who was poor against St Kilda a fortnight ago, and Watt are expected to retain their position, the outlook is not so bright for Harris and Jones. Harris, a gritty midfielder, has twice been on the end of Laidley bakes this season and responded positively. But his inconsistency is testing the coach's patience. Two games back, against Hawthorn, Harris was close to best afield. Against the Saints he had 15 touches, and was one of several poor performers after halftime. Jones has been one of the disappointments of the season. He kicked 46 goals in 2007, but has just 21 this year, including seven against Richmond in Round 2. His last eight games have produced nine goals.
TOYOTA EXTEND SPONSORSHIP
The AFL has convinced Toyota to extend its lucrative sponsorship of football, reports The Herald Sun. After months of intense negotiations, which included threats of withdrawing, Toyota bolstered its agreement through to the end of 2011. It is believed the current deal, which was to have expired this year, has been worth more than $10 million a year to the AFL. AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said Toyota, which became a major partner of the AFL in 2004, had become crucial to the game's rapid growth. Through an initiative titled Grass Roots Footy Program, Toyota has poured more than $1 million into the game's lowest levels during the past three years.
MORE BAD NEWS FOR JOHNS
Essendon’s injury-plagued Courtney Johns will require a full reconstruction of his knee after tests yesterday confirmed he had ruptured the left anterior cruciate ligament while playing for Bendigo last weekend, reports The Age. Johns showed remarkable persistence, and Essendon equally remarkable patience, in overcoming chronic hip injuries to make his AFL debut in 2005. He has played 21 games since then, though he has not been able to command a regular place. Regarded as an outstanding West Australian junior talent, Johns was overlooked in the national draft after the onset of his hip problems. Essendon gambled by taking him in the 2002 rookie draft. He endured a long and frustrating rehabilitation period before being able to play at senior level. Club doctor Bruce Reid said Johns would visit knee specialist Julian Feller for the reconstruction in about two weeks. He will miss the rest of this season and most of next year's pre-season. Johns is the club's second knee victim this year. Alwyn Davey required a reconstruction after injuring his knee in a seemingly innocuous training drill earlier in the season.
