AFL NEWS: Footy back on Channel 10? COVID chaos for the Dees, Dockers depth to be tested

Channel Seven and Foxtel might have a fight on their hands to secure the AFL broadcast rights with Channel Ten and Paramount Plus reportedly looking at making a bid to broadcast the AFL from 2025.

Earlier this month there were also rumours of Amazon Prime being interested in the AFL broadcast rights after having success with a behind the scenes look at the code during lockdown.

Either way, there’s likely to be pressure on Channel Seven and Foxtel for the rights with outgoing CEO Gillon McLachlan making no secret that he wanted to deliver a big broadcast deal before he leaves.

The CBS-owned Paramount Plus and Channel Ten currently broadcast the A-Leagues in a five-year deal.

“AFL Chief Executive Gillon McLachlan, AFL EGM Clubs and Broadcasting Travis Auld, AFL EGM Strategy Walter Lee, and AFL General Counsel and EGM Football Andrew Dillon had departed for the US tonight for further discussion regarding the AFL’s broadcast arrangements,” an AFL statement said earlier this week.

It’s in New York where a bid is expected to be put to the AFL board.

If Paramount Plus and Channel 10 are interested they would likely want an exclusive deal rather than sharing with Seven or another free to air network.

Melbourne face big COVID test

Three Melbourne players will join premiership coach Simon Goodwin in being unavailable for the Demons’ round seven AFL game due to COVID-19.

Goodwin tested positive for coronavirus on Wednesday and will be replaced by senior assistant Adem Yze for this Saturday’s clash with Hawthorn.

The Demons are hoping the COVID-19 outbreak has been limited to Goodwin and a handful of players.

Ace ruckman Luke Jackson and small forward Toby Bedford, who has been an unused medical sub in recent weeks, are believed to be among the players in isolation.

Undefeated Melbourne will name their team on Thursday for the game against the Hawks at the MCG.

Yze spent six years as an assistant at Hawthorn under Alastair Clarkson, before switching to Melbourne – the club he played 271 games for – before the 2021 season.

“(Goodwin’s) in good spirits, he’s just tested positive (on Wednesday),” Yze said.

“We’ve had a couple of discussions already this morning to make sure that the program stays the same.

“It won’t be just myself, obviously everyone’s got to step up with our senior coach out of our program.

“We’ll have different staff members doing different roles and I’ll just be the face of it for this week so I feel comfortable in doing it.

“It’s not any more significant than we just need to get out there and play well and win a game of footy.

“It’s just ironic it’s against the Hawks.

“We’ve got a plan in place and that will evolve over the next couple of days.

“I’ll coach from the box on game day but then leading into the game I’ll still be a midfield coach.”

Stand-in coaches have an unbeaten 5-0 record this season, with Fremantle’s Jaymie Graham (twice), Carlton’s Ash Hansen, Essendon’s Blake Caracella and St Kilda’s Brendon Lade all in charge to win games when their head coaches were forced into isolation.

Yze will be the third coach to fill-in against a former club in 2022, with Graham leading the Dockers to victory over West Coast and Hansen’s Blues edging the Western Bulldogs.

Demons premiership stars Jake Lever and Jack Viney will return against the Hawks after sitting out the win over Richmond last Sunday night due to COVID-19.

Veteran defender Michael Hibberd has struggled with a calf issue all season but will make his comeback through the VFL this weekend.

The Demons are 6-0 and have put together a 13-game winning streak dating back to round 20 last year.

“Kicking 22 points last week is a reason to know we’re not playing our best footy,” Yze said.

“We want to win each week, but we want to play our brand each week as well and we haven’t done that on a consistent basis at all this year.

“There’s been games where we’ve been below par so each week we go out with a plan to beat the opposition but we also go with a plan to play our way.”

(Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Can the Dockers challenge the Cats with injuries?

Forward Matt Taberner has joined ruckman Sean Darcy on Fremantle’s injury list as coach Justin Longmuir urges his team not to be spooked heading into Saturday’s clash with Geelong.

Taberner is set to miss the next two weeks after injuring his hamstring in Saturday’s 35-point AFL win over Carlton.

High-flying Fremantle already knew they would be without Darcy (concussion) for this week’s trip to the Cattery, but Taberner’s setback was only confirmed in recent days.

“It was a bit of a different one,” Longmuir said.

“It (the injury) was the middle of the third quarter, so that’s why it was a little bit strange and we had to do a bit of investigation over the last couple of days as to whether it was a knock or a strain. 

“He managed to finish the game and kicked that goal in the last quarter. He’s going to miss the next probably couple of weeks.”

Taberner missed the first two rounds of the season with a hamstring injury, but he showcased his star power with a seven-goal haul against Essendon a fortnight ago

Spearhead Josh Treacy booted four goals in the WAFL over the weekend, but Longmuir was tight-lipped as to who would come in for Taberner.

Ruckman Lloyd Meek will replace Darcy, while defenders Heath Chapman and Hayden Young will be put through their paces in a separate session on Wednesday afternoon when they are released from COVID-19 protocols. 

Swans coach angered by McCartin vision

Sydney coach John Longmire remains frustrated footage of a distraught Paddy McCartin was showing live during the Swans’ AFL win.

The reborn defender was captured by cameras in the Swans’ rooms after he was subbed out of Monday’s game against Hawthorn with concussion.

McCartin has a long and torrid history with head knocks, and the former No.1 draft pick’s career at St Kilda was cut short because of them.

The 26-year-old has only returned to the AFL this year after spending a season with the Swans’ VFL side.

McCartin will miss Sydney’s blockbuster clash with Brisbane on Sunday due to the AFL’s 12-day concussion protocols.

But Longmire believes it was irresponsible for Fox Footy to broadcast footage of McCartin immediately.

The 2012 premiership coach will consider raising the issue with the AFL and broadcasters.

“(McCartin’s) feeling fine,” Longmire said on Wednesday.

“The complicating factor with Paddy was probably the vision and what the vision doesn’t provide is context or background and leaves things open for interpretation without knowing the facts behind it.

“The reality was he felt fine, even though some people probably jumped to conclusions during the course of the game.

“He was just disappointed he couldn’t get back out on the ground, first of all, then he knew it would rule him out for this week.

“I think if you understand the context of what he’s been through then that’s understandable.

“Personally, I don’t think vision should be shown at halftime in those situations.

“I saw (Port Adelaide star) Ollie Wines was wired up and had a few issues, but no one knew about it and I don’t think that should have been shown as well.

“I think that’s an issue for the AFL Players Association to take up.

“It’s about players’ family, and friends and a whole network of people watching that as well.

“He felt terrific, his emotions were purely based on the fact he was ruled out of the game and will miss this week.

“You can understand there’s a bit of anxiety with Paddy when he goes into that process from what he’s been through.”

(With AAP)