Luke Beveridge came off the long run this week
‘The AFL are a punching bag’: Beveridge calls for AFL review
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has called for the AFL to implement a review into its raft of rule changes that have left fans confused.
Beveridge used his press conference on Wednesday to launch into a three-minute monologue, criticising the league over the new last-disposal rule, changes to the draft and turning the sport into a “ridiculous game of ping pong”.
His candid views came as the league announced sweeping changes to father-son and academy draft rules, which will have a pronounced effect on Carlton and Port Adelaide in their respective pursuits of Cody Walker and Dougie Cochrane.
The AFL has endured a difficult fortnight on and off the field, highlighted by the farcical intervention of the ARC to null and void about 50 seconds of play and award a mark to St Kilda’s Rowan Marshall, and the removal of its appeals board chairman Will Houghton, KC, for the wording in his judgment in reducing a ban for young Saint Lance Collard over a homophobic remark.
Looking to the Showdown
Brownlow medallist Rowell to miss GWS clash
Brownlow medallist Matt Rowell has been ruled out of Sunday’s AFL clash with GWS due to an ankle injury.
The underperforming Suns (4-3) made five changes for the match, with Rowell the most notable out.
The 24-year-old missed the start of the season due to the broken finger he picked up while representing Victoria in State of Origin, but his latest injury isn’t considered serious.
Ruckman Jarrod Witts and Zeke Uwland will also miss the match as the Suns manage their loads, while Jed Walter and Jake Rogers were omitted.
Into the side come Ned Moyle, Alex Davies, Sam Clohesy, Joel Jeffrey and Lachlan Gulbin.
GWS made two changes, with ruckman Kieren Briggs replacing the injured Nick Madden (knee), while defender Joe Fonti comes in for Ollie Hannaford (dropped).
AAP
He’s a unicorn: Freo to unleash Luke Jackson
They’re one of the hottest teams in the AFL right now, and Fremantle are banking on their “unicorn” to light up Friday night footy when they take on the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium.
The Dockers (6-1) have won six games in a row to put themselves firmly in the hunt for the minor premiership, and will start as hot favourites against an injury-hit Bulldogs outfit on a three-match losing slide.
A big part of Fremantle’s success this season has been the hot form of ruckman Luke Jackson, who has been labelled a unicorn for his ability to wreak havoc in the air and at ground level.
Jackson is averaging career highs this season in disposals (19.3), clearances (5.3), hitouts (26.7) and hitouts to advantage (9.1), as well as kicking six goals.
Luke Beveridge came off the long run this week
‘The AFL are a punching bag’: Beveridge calls for AFL review
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has called for the AFL to implement a review into its raft of rule changes that have left fans confused.
Beveridge used his press conference on Wednesday to launch into a three-minute monologue, criticising the league over the new last-disposal rule, changes to the draft and turning the sport into a “ridiculous game of ping pong”.
His candid views came as the league announced sweeping changes to father-son and academy draft rules, which will have a pronounced effect on Carlton and Port Adelaide in their respective pursuits of Cody Walker and Dougie Cochrane.
The AFL has endured a difficult fortnight on and off the field, highlighted by the farcical intervention of the ARC to null and void about 50 seconds of play and award a mark to St Kilda’s Rowan Marshall, and the removal of its appeals board chairman Will Houghton, KC, for the wording in his judgment in reducing a ban for young Saint Lance Collard over a homophobic remark.
Good evening and welcome
Hello and welcome to tonight’s coverage of a Friday night AFL double-header.
First up, the injury-hit Western Bulldogs have made six changes for this crunch clash against high-flying Fremantle. Crucially, the Dogs welcome back ruckman Tim English. It mustn’t be forgotten that this was the match-up last August when Freo got up at Marvel Stadium … costing the Doggies a finals spot.
The Showdown in Adelaide will complete the evening. And who doesn’t like a showdown!
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.smh.com.au
