The coaches of the AFL’s top three draft picks have refused to put pressure on their new recruits to play in 2009, despite their clubs’ desperate need for the trio to be up and running as soon as possible.

Tom Hislop would want to make the most of this AFL second chance. The 20-year-old former Essendon midfielder was the first delisted player named on Saturday in the national draft.

A post by fellow Roarer, Frank O’Keefe, has inspired me to write this article in which I will shamelessly re-write the history of Australian rugby by nominating various teams at chronological intervals, and including those players who defected to league, or retired too early, to get a real job back in the amateur era.

Sydney forward Ryan O’Keefe and coach Paul Roos believe an overhaul of the AFL trade structure is required.

Well, nothing much I need to add that already hasn’t been written about Adelaide’s thumping over two legs at the hands of Gamba Osaka in the Asian Champions League final. As I wrote a week ago even before a ball had been kicked in anger, “We have much, much more to learn from Japanese football.”

Hawthorn’s year of living famously continued today when the AFL premiers announced a record profit - but the news came with a warning from president Jeff Kennett.

Hawthorn veteran Shane Crawford has shocked the club by announcing his retirement, just hours after re-signing for another year.

When master trainer Bart Cummings won his twelfth Melbourne Cup on Tuesday, it was 58 years since he first led in the winner of the race. Cummings was the strapper of Comic Court, trained by his father Jim, and arguably one of the best horses ever to win the Cup.

Hawthorn great and four-time AFL premiership-winning coach Leigh Matthews has been named one of Queensland’s seven footballing ‘legends’.

Contrite Australian International Rules vice-captain Campbell Brown admits he deserved to be sent off for his bump on Irish opponent Finian Hanley.

Ireland survived a fierce final-quarter comeback from Australia to post a thrilling 45-44 victory in the series opening International Rules clash at Subiaco Oval last night.

Australia Coach Mick Malthouse says Ireland’s band of amateurs are just as professional and better prepared than his professional AFL stars for the international rules series.

The unseen 19th player every team has lurking around its defensive goal square, Rushby Hines, is the name on everyone’s lips this week as clubs consider their responses to the AFL’s suggestions for banning him for life or cramping his style because he’s smartened up his act.

The Australian and Irish teams will seek to forge closer off-field ties in their efforts to rescue the International Rules series. On-field violence during the 2005 and 2006 series nearly killed off the concept, leading to a postponement last year.
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Harvey will captain Australia
Grant to jump straight into coaching

The AFL coaching merry-go-round has continued with John Barker quitting his role at St Kilda to link up with premiers Hawthorn and Barry Mitchell leaving his post as coach of the Hawks’ VFL side Boxhill to join Fremantle.

Adelaide is a nice enough town and the Crows play finals regularly, but both were again unpopular in trade week. Recruiting manager Matt Rendell admitted there is a stigma over the city, making it tougher to attract players.

Essendon believe recruit Brent Prismall will be a 10-year player for the AFL club despite the talented midfielder facing a late start at his new home because of a serious knee injury.

Australian coach Mick Malthouse will not ask his players to rein in their natural aggression despite the future of International Rules depending on their behaviour.
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Irish to meet with AFL over player poaching
Hawks close in on O’Keefe

There is an urgent need for the AFL and the Tasmanian Government to work together and upgrade York Park in Launceston to hold at least 30,000 spectators, regardless of whether it continues to be Hawthorn’s part-time home or Tassie gets its own team.

Former North Melbourne great Glenn Archer says he can not see the logic in the club looking at trading away talented young ruckman Hamish McIntosh.