AFL Blogs

07 October 2022

• Bring on Byron 9s
  07 October 2022

  As regular community football seasons across the nation draw to a close, the Byron Bay AFL9s Invitational is fast-approaching with its usual promise of fast footy action and picturesque off-field relaxation.

  On the 28th and 29th of October, teams from across the country will battle it out at the Cavanbah Centre– a state-of the-art sporting facility just a few kilometres from Byron Bay’s Main Beach.

  A share of $20,000 in prize money will be up for grabs for winning teams across mixed women and men’s divisions, making the weekend even sweeter for some.

  The annual event, now in its eighth year, will also provide several off-field perks to guarantee a fantastic weekend for players, spectators and locals.  

  Attendees can kick their feet up and enjoy food and live music.

  Australian craft brewing company, Brick Lane Brewing will once again be field-side to keep competitors, officials and spectators refreshed.

  AFL Queensland is thrilled to have the fantastic support of our Major Event Partner, Eximm Sport.

  AFL9s is a speedy, non-contact, 9-a-side version of Australian football that is played on a smaller field.

  Registrations are now open – good vibes a certainty.

   

  Mixed

  ​It’s all about the competition and the glory of winning! For those who think they’re competitive enough to take out the title. Minimum of three women on field at a time.

  Masters Max

  ​It’s all about the competition and the glory of winning! Men aged 35+ at the time of the event (plus 2 x players per squad between 30 and 35 at time of event)

  ​Masters Mellow​

  It’s all about the fun of playing with your mates, winning is just a bonus! Men aged 35+ at the time of the event (sorry, no youngins!) 

  ​Masters Seasoned​

  It’s all about the fun playing with the old boys. Open to men aged 45+ at the time of the event. More salt than pepper! 

  Yeah the gals

  Have some fun with the gals – winning is a bonus. Women only. Aged 18+.

   

  WHEN: October 28 and 29, 2022

  WHERE: Cavanbah Centre Byron Bay

  COST: $800 per team

  REGISTER: Click here to sign up your team

   

  For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/events/224935089843204

• Alexandra Hills AFC Senior Coach and Reserves Coach
  07 October 2022

  Alexandra Hills AFC compete in QFA Division 2 North. We are a family orientated club with an excellent culture and are very welcoming to new members.

  The club has a very strong list with a mix of young and experienced players. The Senior Team finished runners up in 2022 and our Reserves were premiers 2020, 2021 and 2022.

  The club is inviting applications for the position of Senior Head Coach. The club is seeking a coach that will continue developing our young and up and coming players and take our team to the next level.

  The club is also inviting applications for the position of reserves coach. The club is seeking a reserves coach to work closely with the senior coach in player development and pathways to senior football.

  Please send applications to Mick Bloye at president@alexandrahillsafl.com.au

  Applications close 31st October 2022

• Date set for coronial inquest into death of former AFL player Shane Tuck
  07 October 2022
  The inquest has been delayed following an investigation into a neurologist who consulted the AFL on concussion.
• STOPPAGE CONTEST TRAINING ACTIVITY
  07 October 2022

                                                      

  This is a great training activity to nail the basics of winning the contest at stoppage, especially for lesser experienced players regardless of age.

  It takes a tiny slice of the game and narrows the focus so players only need to focus on a few learning points so as not to overstretch too much and new habits, and thus game intelligence, can be attained.

  I'll lay out the activity in it's most basic form but you can build of of this as much as you like.

  As you can see from the image, the activity starts out...

  For full access to this training activity and plenty others to boost your players learning/transfer to games then register for a level 3 membership at https://aussierulestraining.com/membership-account/membership-levels/.  

• Notes and observations from a ‘calm before the storm’ Day 5 of trade period
  07 October 2022

  Notes and observations from Day Five of the 2022 AFL Trade Period.

  Tanner Bruhn joins the Cats

  Tanner Bruhn is on his way home to Geelong, with the GWS Giants receiving pick No.18 in exchange for the midfielder, who, let’s be honest here, looked less-than-thrilled to be a Giant from the moment he was drafted and was always likely to get himself back home at the earliest opportunity.

  And with a CV that reads Newtown & Chilwell, Geelong Grammar and the Geelong Falcons, it was all but certain that he would be heading not just back to Victoria, but to the Cats, which Isaac Smith described earlier this year as one “that feels like a country football club that sometimes rocks up to the MCG to play big games.”

  Post COVID, Geelong has sold itself as the perfect place to play AFL football. The quiet suburbs, the nearby hobby farms and the equidistant surf coast has become a real draw. The likes of Smith and Jeremy Cameron, and Zac Tuohy before them, have been sold an idyllic lifestyle to go with the opportunity at playing for one of the best teams in the competition.

  It likely helped sway Gold Coast wantaway Jack Bowes to also select the Cats when the Essendon and Hawthorn opportunities, at least from a pure football perspective, were likely equally compelling.

  For Bruhn, the Cats was much about home cooking as anything. And yes, eventually, the 30-somethings will retire and spots in the team will open up. Already, Joel Selwood’s midfield berth is up for grabs.

  Ollie Henry is also returning to Geelong, the region, as well as the club, and the exchange of picks late Friday between the Cats and the Lions, which saw the Cats get their hands on pick 25, should be enough to secure Henry from Collingwood.

  But whether it is homesick locals or more seasoned veterans looking for an AFL sea change, Geelong has become the destination club of the AFL and that looks set to be the case for the foreseeable future.

  Who can still can themselves a destination club?

  In fact, there is something of a divide emerging in the AFL when it comes to the preferred clubs for players to join.

  Once upon a time it used to be Hawthorn, but those days are long gone. Sam Mitchell is re-building a great club but the Hawks remain far away from being a destination club they once were.

  So apart from the Cats, which clubs, shall we say belong in the ‘First Division’ of destination clubs?

  RICHMOND: The memory of the three flags in five years remains vivid. Great coach, great culture and at least 50,000 rabid fans at the MCG every second week. What’s not to like?

  COLLINGWOOD: See above, save for the flags. That heart-stopping run home to the finals was intoxicating. With Craig McRae and Justin Leppitsch in charge, there is a strong chance that your best football is yet to come.

  CARLTON: Call it the allure of the sleeping giant. Carlton has established an exciting reputation even though that last finals appearance is now a decade ago. The Blues have signed all their big names to long-term deals, but if you can find your way to Royal Parade to play alongside, Patrick Cripps, Sam Walsh, Charlie Curnow, Harry McKay and Jacob Weitering, to name just a few, you would jump at the opportunity.

  BRISBANE: The weather, the midfield, the packed Gabba and a premiership window that remains ajar despite four failed finals campaign. Josh Dunkley and Jack Gunston clearly like what they see.

  FREMANTLE: We remarked earlier this week that these are strange days for West Australian football. Fremantle, and not West Coast, is the place to be. Talent across every line, a great coach and a rabid fan base. It’s the right place and right time to play for Fremantle.

  MELBOURNE: Max Gawn, Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver as teammates? Clearly good enough for Brodie Grundy, who was on a good thing at Collingwood.

  There is a case to be made that Port Adelaide is something of a destination club, while Sydney is also a brilliant organisation, albeit one that tends to take things more quietly at this time of the year.

  But the remaining clubs are, for now, in the second division. They have some work to do.

  GWS’ enormous draft hand continues to build

  The Giants have a killer draft hand, and following the Bruhn trade on Friday, now have five of the first 19 picks at next month’s national draft - 3, 12, 15, 18 and 19. They also have picks 44, 61 and 63.

  Reports than emerged in the afternoon that they are in talks with North Melbourne to obtain the first selection overall in exchange for some of those aforementioned picks.

  It makes all the sense in the world. The Giants have more picks than need, while North, whose next pick after the first overall, is currently no.59. The Kangas need quality and quantity when it comes to the draft and could yet be major players next month if the mooted three-way trade with Port and the Eagles, with Jason Horne-Francis at the forefront of it all, ends up happening.

• Reports: Essendon flags “strong interest” in out of contract Blue
  07 October 2022

  Will Setterfield is expected to be at Essendon by the end of the trade period, according to multiple reports.

  The 24-year-old Blue spent most of 2022 on the fringe for Carlton but played 13 games as a big-bodied midfielder. He's without a contract for 2023.

  All up, he’s played 55 games for the Blues since being traded from GWS and is now destined for a third AFL club.

  The Herald Sun’s Jay Clark is reporting Carlton – despite being open to keeping Settlefield – is now expected to let him go. A trade is likely to centre around a late draft pick.

  Essendon and Carlton in fresh talks about a deal for Will Setterfield.
  
  Bombers missed out on Jack Bowes but could still land a big-bodied midfielder on the cheap.https://t.co/lFAYOJvHuv

  — Jay Clark (@ClarkyHeraldSun) October 7, 2022

  Essendon has picks 42 and 62 this year which could be used in the trade, as well as all its picks next year.

  Meanwhile, Seven News’ Mitch Cleary believes trade talks are set to “elevate” over the weekend given Essendon’s “strong interest” in the tough Blue.

  Essendon has strong interest in Carlton midfielder Will Setterfield who remains out of contract with the Blues.
  Talks progress between the Bombers and the Setterfield camp but it’s one that’s set to elevate over the weekend @7NewsMelbourne

  — Mitch Cleary (@cleary_mitch) October 7, 2022

  Including his one game as an unused medical substitute, Setterfield averaged 17 disposals and 2.5 inside 50s per appearance in 2022.

• Giants enter conversation to acquire Roos' first overall pick
  07 October 2022

  AFL Media’s Damian Barrett has reported that GWS have contacted North Melbourne about acquiring the Kangaroos’ first overall pick.

  Due to their busy trade period so far, the Giants are already armed with an astonishing draft haul, possessing four first-round picks this year.

  With the Kangaroos’ first overall pick seemingly available, Barrett believes the Giants will look to use this pick collection to move to the top of the draft table.

  “GWS has entered conversations with North Melbourne over the loosening up of a few things, obviously North Melbourne has pick one, that by way of its ladder finish in 2022,” he said on AFL Trade Radio’s The Late Trade.

  “GWS has, believe it or not, picks 3, 12, 15, 18… GWS now want North Melbourne’s pick one and I believe the Roos are open to that.”

  Former Carlton list manager Stephen Silvagni believes the Giants may not see much depth in this draft crop, leading to their desire to move up the board.

  “(GWS) probably don’t value the depth in this draft to go up to that level,” he said.

  “More often than not… I’d be happy to go to the draft with picks three, 12, 15, 18, I’d be rapt, they might be saying ‘we’re not happy with where this draft is at, so let’s make sure we get in as high as we can’.

  “It really depends on North; North might think they need to get more young talent through the door rather than one.”

  Former Kangaroos coach David Noble agrees with Silvagni, expecting North Melbourne to acquire as much young talent as possible.

  “It looks on the basis that this is a bit more about the future, continuing to grow the list for the next five to 10 years,” he said.

  “If North were looking at splitting that pick, I would think it’s something to likely be three (picks), with one of 12, 15 or 18, and then maybe a bit of a swap around some other things that maybe get it done, you should end up with two firsts, North will be saying ‘well we want 3, 12 and 18’.

  “They’ve got an issue, as we’ve mentioned, in that 23–26-year-old bracket, so to prevent that from occurring in the future again you can sort of build that a bit at the moment.”

  The Giants have been one of the most active teams in the trade period so far, coming to terms on multiple deals to establish their trove of draft capital.

• “They will let him walk”: West Coast digs heels in over Rioli trade
  07 October 2022

  West Coast is prepared to let Junior Rioli walk to the pre-season as it hits a roadblock on talks with Port Adelaide, according to AFL Media’s Damian Barrett.

  The Power and list manager Jason Cripps face a busy few days ahead of the trade period deadline on Wednesday night, with three key deals still to be completed.

  West Coast’s Junior Rioli and North Melbourne’s Jason Horne-Francis have both requested trades to Alberton, while Cat Esava Ratugolea is also reportedly intent on joining the Power.

  The Eagles have dug their heels in for Rioli and – as it stands – won’t take part in a mooted three-way trade that included the Roos to satisfy all parties.

  “They (Port Adelaide) have got problems with West Coast over the Rioli trade, and my understanding is West Coast, just to make a point, will be prepared – and we hear this a bit, but I believe this one to be the case – to let that one play out and unless they get what they want out of it, they will let him walk to the (pre-season draft),” Barrett told AFL Trade Radio’s The Late Trade.

  “So again, it’s up to Port to do that deal.

  “We know they are now obviously in and have been for some time on Jason Horne-Franics… there is nothing opening up (with North Melbourne).

  “The potential of West Coast getting involved with those other two clubs… that is not happening, I’m not saying it cannot be reignited but there is no traction on any of that.”

  Rioli is widely seen as worth a second round pick, while the valuation for Horne-Francis is harder given the 2021 No.1 draft pick's debut season was plagued by multiple issues.

  Port currently hold picks 8, 33, 43, 57 and 60 in the 2022 National Draft as well as all their picks next year.

  On top of the trades for Rioli and Horne-Francis, a potential move for Ratugolea is shaping as the most complicated.

  The 59-game Cat is highly rated by the club despite currently finding himself as a depth player, but it was reported on Thursday Geelong has placed a significant value on his trade.

  “The other problem – and it’s a good problem from a Port perspective if they land all these players – they’re now very keen to get Esava Ratugloea away from the Cats but we know they play as hardball as anyone in the competition at the moment,” Barrett added.

  Clubs have until 7.30pm AEDT on Wednesday night to agree to trades.

• Delisted Hawk “bullish” his best is still ahead after “upsetting” 2022 season
  07 October 2022

  Tom Phillips has the “hunger and fire” to work his way back onto an AFL list after being delisted by Hawthorn.

  The 26-year-old endured an injury-interrupted year in what was eventually his last season, managing just four appearances.

  He dealt with ankle and knee injuries and revealed to AFL Trade Radio’s Trade Afternoons that he’s still on the mend.

  But after 115 games across Collingwood and the Hawks, Phillips found it a cruel ending when he was not offered a new contract in early September.

  “I think like anyone in that position, I was upset and disappointed of course and I think looking past on my seasons previous to that and this season alone, I wasn’t able to get the continuity and the runs on the board this year in playing consistent footy,” he stated.

  “So that’s sort of upsetting to reflect on, but in saying that it gave me an opportunity to have a look at being more mentally resilient and looking at when you are injured and you can’t contribute on the field, it forces you to look how much more professional, how much more of a better athlete I can become.

  “I think that’s put me in a really good frame of mind at the moment to attack the next period and still hungry for an opportunity, very much in that mindset at the moment.”

  Phillips didn’t reveal any interest from other clubs but said his manager – Alex McDonald of Hemisphere Management – was investigating the possibility of a third team.

  “I’ve left a lot of that stuff to Alex and the team, to me it’s what I can control, especially my body and my mind, it’s been a different challenge this year for sure and I’ve had to have a slightly different outlook and approach to not being able to play and perform on field,” he added.

  Phillips said further: “it’s focusing on what I can control with my body at the moment to give myself the best opportunity with getting another opportunity, because the hunger and the fire is there.

  “I’m really bullish about getting back to my best football, given the opportunity.”

  AFL Media’s Cal Twomey has previously reported Essendon has an interest in the out-of-favour winger, and former Bomber Brendon Goddard was asked if it would be a nice fit.

  “I think so,” the 334-gamer responded.

  “It depends where they see Nik Cox playing long-term, Sam Durham has done a really good job as a winger… I think (Phillips) would be serviceable right off the bat.”

  Phillips spent two years at the Hawks after five seasons at Collingwood, including a 21-disposal performance when the Magpies fell just short in the 2018 Grand Final.

• All the AFL trades you can eat!
  07 October 2022

  Keep up with the trade period in our super-duper live trades thread on the famous BigFooty Trade Hub.

  The AFL wishes to advise the following paperwork has been formally lodged with the league as part of the 2022 Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period, as at 5pm, Thursday October 6:

  1. (Most recent lodgement in this list:) The Gold Coast SUNS traded Josh Corbett to Fremantle for its 2023 Round Four Selection.

  2. Unrestricted Free Agent Zaine Cordy signed with St Kilda.

  3. North Melbourne traded its 2023 Round Two Pick and 2023 Round Three Pick (Special Assistance Picks) and its 2023 Round Four Pick to Fremantle for Griffin Logue, Darcy Tucker and 2023 Round Three Pick.

  4. The GWS GIANTS traded its Round Two Selection (21) and its 2023 Round Two Selection to the Brisbane Lions for its Round One Selection (15).

  5. St Kilda traded Ben Long and its 2023 Round Four Selection to the Gold Coast SUNS for its Round Two Selection (32).

  6. The Brisbane Lions traded Thomas Berry, its Round Three Selection (46) and its 2023 Round Two Selection to the Gold Coast SUNS for its Round Two Selection (25), its Round Two Selection (36), and its Round Three Selection (56).

  7. Fremantle traded Blake Acres to Carlton for its Future Third Round Selection.

  8. Unrestricted Free Agent Daniel McStay signed with Collingwood.

  Based on the player’s age and the contract offer, the AFL advised the Brisbane Lions that the club would be eligible for a Round Two selection (currently 35) in the 2022 NAB AFL Draft for Daniel McStay signing with Collingwood.

  9. Unrestricted Free Agent Liam Jones signed with the Western Bulldogs.

  Based on the player’s age and the contract offer, the AFL advised Carlton that the club would be eligible for a Round Three Selection (currently 49) in the 2022 NAB AFL Draft for Liam Jones signing with the Western Bulldogs.

  10. Melbourne traded its Round Two Selection (33), its Round Three Selection (43), and its Round Three Selection (53) to Port Adelaide for its Round Two Selection (27).

  11. Hawthorn signed Unrestricted Free Agent Karl Amon (Port Adelaide) on Friday September 30.

  Based on the player’s age and the contract offer, the AFL advised Port Adelaide that the club would be eligible for a Round Two compensation selection, which would be number 27 on the current provisional draft selection order.

  12. The GWS GIANTS traded Bobby Hill and its Round Three Selection (40) to Collingwood for its Round Three Selection (43) and its future Second Round Selection.

  13. The GWS GIANTS traded Tim Taranto to Richmond for its Round One Selection (12) and Round Two Selection (19).

  14. The West Coast Eagles signed Unrestricted Free Agent Jayden Hunt (Melbourne).

  Based on the player’s age and the contract offer, the AFL advised Melbourne that the club would be eligible for a Round Three compensation selection, which would be number 52 on the current provisional draft selection order.

  Our LIVE DRAFT ORDER is updated after each trade.