AFL - Australian Football League

Well, I haven't seen any talk ever of AFL in here (apart from a few AFL related signatures here and there) so I decided to make a thread where you can talk about all things AFL!

First off, I support the Hawthorn Hawks and am really dissapointed with this year's season, though hopefully in trade week we can pick up Burgoyne (sp?) and Gibson or maybe even Lake. Trent Croad should be back near the end of next season and that will be a great boost to our undersized backline. I think next year we are a serious top four contender and should be able to make the premiership if not win it if our list stays uninjured.

As I'm sure many of you have never even heard of AFL here are some helpful links:

http://www.afl.com.au/ - Official site
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_ru...les_of_the_game - Rules of the game.
http://www.hawthornfc.com.au/Default.aspx - Hawthorn Hawks website, visit it so you can support my team with me .

So, chat away!

As

I support Western Bulldogs. Fairly happy with our season, although at least getting into the Grand Final would of been good instead of falling short to St Kilda. As for trade week, I sure as hell hope Lake re-signs with us, our backline is nothing without him. Pretty interested to see how Barry Hall goes next year (if he does eventually sign with us) but I just hope he doesn't have another one of his temper tantrums. I would of preferred Fevola considering he's like five years younger and more of a dominant player, although he's more pricey and I'm sure we would of had to cough up a player or two.

Bit late now the season is over?

OnYx

I like watching Aussie football but it's damn near impossible to keep up with it here

Atleast getting into a grand final would be great for the dogs, only 2 in their history . I would like Fevola more to, if I were the Bulldogs.



Meh, we have all offseason to talk about trades, draft, preseason draft, NAB cup etcetera.



That's bad, though I can't beleive you actually try to keep up with it .

Also, I heard since the Hawk's are in the market for a ruckmen we might be chasing Charman or give up trying to get Burgoyne for Hale.

As

As my signature suggests, I prefer other code of Australian football.

You're missing out .

Robert Campbell (Hawthorn's number 1 ruckmen for the past few years) retired at the Hawks best and fairest last night at just 27, he has chronic knee problems that are going to affect him later in life .

This is really bad for Hawthorn now, with only two ruckmen, (young Renouf and Taylor give a free kick away) we need to secure a ruckman this week or else we're screwed. I would scrap going after Burgoyne and try to get Sydney's Jolly (who wants to come back to Melbourne due to family issues).

There were a few best and fairests last night, here are the results:

Hawthorn: Sam Mitchell
Port Adelaide: Warren Tredrea
Western Bulldogs: Matthew Boyd
St Kilda: Nick Riewoldt
North Melbourne: Andrew Swallow

Also, it seems no one really wants Fevola . Seems really weird to me, despite his drinking problems he's a great player and I would want him no matter was club I was at.

As

Wohoo! Another fan of AFL

I go for mainly the Eagles and the Bulldogs, and I just like Freo and the Lions. The Dogs are in big time next year, having old Swanner Hall .

Fev will eventually get in a club, and if he doesn't, he'll want the money from his 2-year-contract with the Blues. Ouch.

The dogs really need a power forward and are desperate to get one. I can't believe they chose Hall over Fev. Gah.

I wish we had this in the UK, I've seen the occasional random game on some obscure sports chanel over here, and always thought it was quite interesting, but at the same time weird . Anyone know anything about it in the UK?

GO GEELONG!

This is for pretty much everyone. You don't have to see it on TV, you could see it live on your computer. Go here from somewhere in March to September and you'll see the games in AFL. It isn't on now because the season's over though . And if that swallows up too much bandwidth, you can just listen to the radio live here. Of course, it's in our timezone

You can see full match replays here.

Well if NRL players are alienated from society for their indiscretions then I hope AFL players are as well.

http://img202.imageshack.us/i/bulldogbaz.jpg/
http://img32.imageshack.us/i/fevlion.png/

Something I made since Baz is with the Dogs and Fev might go with the Lions.

Group sex scandals and extramarital affairs are a bit of a step up from irresponsible consumption of alcohol. As far as Fevola specifically is concerned, the incident at this year's Brownlow Medal presentation ranks well below his public urination antics, and damaging fire extinguishers at night clubs. I think at least some fault has to be pointed at Channel 9 and The Footy Show - while they did make an effort to edit out some of Fevola's more extreme behaviour, the more responsible choice would have been not to show the footage at all, especially to a large studio, at least partly full of uneducated slobs who vigorously applaud Fevola. You only have to look at Alan Didak, Heath Shaw, Rhyce Shaw, and Michael Hurley to see that AFL players get punished for their indiscretions.


The Hawks and Burgoyne, allegedly, settled on a $450,000 per season deal, assuming a suitable trade can be organized. Jeff Kennett didn't do anybody any favours when he rambled on about how he didn't want to trade any premiership players. If your club is willing to pay someone $450,000 a season, that indicates they're at, or close to, the status of a marquee player - the sort of player you think can help your side win a premiership. Did he also forget that Burgoyne has won a premiership himself, in 2004?


Glad to see Tredrea win his fourth B&F, though how Riewoldt has won his fifth in a team including Nick Dal Santo and Lenny Hayes is beyond me. He's not St. Kilda's only good player and, in my eyes, certainly not their best.


I think the major issue with Fevola is his lucrative contract, not other clubs expressing concern about his checkered past.

I'm expecting Port to look for some height in this year's NAB draft. With Brendon Lade retired, Dean Brogan will have to shoulder an even bigger portion of the ruck duties.

I thought Lenny Hayes would've won our Best and Fairest this year... I thought he was fantastic throughout the year. I'm also happy that we got Lovett in our team now.

Oh, and I follow the Saints.

I'm not the biggest follower of the sport (or any, really) but I do watch the occasional game and I play when I can. It's fun.

Trade week wrap up, the gains and losses of each club that took part in trade week:

Brisbane Lions
LOST: Bradd Dalziell, Lachie Henderson and draft picks 12, 28, 44 & 60
GAINED: Brendon Fevola, Andrew Raines, Amon Buchanen, Brent Staker, Xavier Clarke and draft picks 27 & 47
DRAFT PICKS: 27, 47 & 76

Carlton Blues
LOST: Brendon Fevola and draft picks 11 & 27
GAINED: Lachie Henderson, Brock McLean and draft pick 12
DRAFT PICKS: 12, 43, 59 & 75

Collingwood Magpies
LOST: Draft picks 14 & 46
GAINED: Darren Jolly
DRAFT PICKS: 30, 62 & 78

Essendon Bombers
LOST: Jay Nash, Andrew Lovett and draft pick 42
GAINED: Mark Williams and draft picks 24 & 33
DRAFT PICKS: 10, 24, 26, 33, 58 & 74

Fremantle Dockers
LOST: Marcus Drum and Brett Peake
GAINED: Draft picks 48 & 49
DRAFT PICKS: 4, 20, 36, 48, 49, 52 & 68

Geelong Cats
LOST: Shane Mumford and draft picks 33 & 49
GAINED: Marcus Drum and draft picks 28, 40, 42 & 56
DRAFT PICKS: 17, 28, 40, 42, 56, 65 & 81

Hawthorn Hawks
LOST: Mark Williams, Josh Kennedy, Ben McGlynn and draft picks 9, 25, 41 & 58
GAINED: Shaun Burgoyne , Josh Gibson and draft picks 39, 46 & 70
DRAFT PICKS: 39, 46, 57, 58, 69 & 70

Melbourne Demons
LOST: Brock McLean
GAINED: draft pick 11
DRAFT PICKS: 1, 2, 11, 18, 34, 50, 66

North Melbourne Kangaroos
LOST: Josh Gibson and draft pick 69
GAINED: Draft picks 25 & 41
DRAFT PICKS:5, 21, 25, 37, 41 & 53

Port Adelaide Power
LOST: Shaun Burygone, Mitch Farmer and draft picks 24, 40 & 56
GAINED: Jay Nash, Jay Schulz and Draft picks 9 & 16
DRAFT PICKS: 8, 9 & 16

Richmond Tigers
LOST: Jay Schulz and Andrew Raines
GAINED: Mitch Farmer and draft pick 44
DRAFT PICKS: 3, 19, 35, 44, 51 & 67

St Kilda Saints
LOST: Xavier Clarke and draft picks 16 & 48
GAINED: Andrew Lovett, Brett Peake and draft pick 60.
DRAFT PICKS: 32, 60, 64 & 80

Sydney Swans
LOST: Barry Hall, Amon Buchanan, Darren Jolly and draft pick 22, 70
GAINED: Ben McGlynn, Josh Kennedy, Mark Seaby, Shane Mumford and draft picks 14 & 55
DRAFT PICKS: 6, 14, 38, 54 & 55

West Coast Eagles
LOST: Brent Staker, Mark Seaby and draft picks 39 & 55
GAINED: Bradd Dalziell and draft pick 22
DRAFT PICKS: 7, 22, 23 & 71

Western Bulldogs
LOST: Pick 47
GAINED: Barry Hall and draft picks
DRAFT PICKS: 15, 31, 63 & 79

Information from: http://www.kick2kick.net/afl/2009-afl-trade-week

I'd have to say Brisbane is now sporting the best forward line in the competetion with Fevola and Brown (Bradshaw said to be playing as a permanent back for the rest of his career) I'd say their forward is even better than my beloved hawks . Brisbane did very well this trade week and I think will be if not a top four contender next year at least holding down spot 5 or 6.

I'm a little bit sad with Hawthorn getting realitively low picks for McGlynn and Kennedy and it's sad to see Mark Williams go to the enemy, but things happen for the greater good of the club.

Also, good to see quite a few members here that follow AFL, especially for the guys that live in Britain and the like to be watching a bit of AFL is something I'd never be able to catch up on!

As

Very happy with our trade selections from this week. Our midfield will be much faster which is what we needed. Also happy for Brisbane as they'll dominate next year.

Big FAIL to the crows.

1.





2. They thought Trade Week was the next week.


-------------

Teams should be seriously scared of the Lions' forward line. Next year will be rather simillar to this year, I'm assuming.

I actually think Port are the big winners in trade week. Sure they got rid of Burgoyne, but they gained Schultz (even though he's not the most talented out there) and Nash as well as picks No. 9 and No. 16 to go on top of the pick they already had in No. 8. It looks like they'll be having a fair bit of fun come the National Draft

Also, I can't believe Hawks got rid of Williams, I don't think anybody saw that coming. As for the Dogs, I'm happy we got Hall now instead of Fev. He's a lot cheaper (although older) but he's more of a team man. It'll be interesting to see how the Fevola + Brown combo works next year.


I know, I can't believe you picked up Peake that cheap. Your midfield will be even more dangerous than what it already is. You would have to be disappointed with Ball though, eh?

I'm a little disappointed with Ball but that's footy, although I believe that both Ross Lyon and Luke Ball don't get along with each other for some reason... I'm thinking Melbourne will pick him up in the Preseason Draft.

When's that?

I don't believe it has a set date but it's after the national draft and before the start of the season (of course). It's for uncontracted or delisted players that have to nominate for it to be picked up. The draft order is given on how you finish, so if you finish last you get pick 1, finish 15th, pick 2 etcetera. Also, preseason draft picks cannot be traded.

As

Melbourne have said that they are likely to pick up Ball if he nominates himself in the Preseason draft.

Very ugly signature, Darren



http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tab...73/default.aspx

Collingwood have pick 30 in the draft and Ball wanted to go to them during trade week but a deal couldn't be resolved. I think he probably has more chance of going to Collingwood, but, has he evened nominated to go in either draft yet?

As

Does anyone know if Nathan Brown and Mark Coughlan are nominating to go in the Preseason draft? You'd think Coughlan would at least get picked up, he's only 27 so he's still got a few more years left in him.

I'd like to see them in the PSD.

Coughlan maybe, but I think the game has, by and large, passed Brown by.

Have to say, I think it's very cocky of Ross Lyon to say he's not interested in picks up to 62, since this is the last complete draft for a while.

Yeah, he's just never been the same since he broke his leg. It's sad really.

Also, I can't believe Brisbane delisted Joel MacDonald. Preseason draft will actually be pretty interesting.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/dani...f-1225787618590

This will be the most interesting story of the drafts IMO, 30 years old and still has alot to give.

As

I'm surprised that Bradshaw walked out from Brisbane after how they have treated him in the Fevola deal...

20 teams a possibility

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tab...64/default.aspx

As

Tasmania would be good, they deserve it more than Greater Western Sydney. Not too sure how North Queensland will go if it does happen. I just have a feeling GWS is going to fail big time.

I think they'll have a hard time too.

I mean, they're having trouble getting players to the Gold Coast, who's going to want to live in Western Sydney?

As

Especially when it's Rugby League territory. Apparently they're trying to chase Jarryd Hayne and Billy Slater, I have no idea why because it's not going to happen.

GWS will be a massive failure. Last year's final against Sydney and the Roos shows how much people in Sydney prefer NRL over AFL.

I would have liked to have a Tasmanian team as they have a strong supporter base there.

Top 50 goals from season 2009:

http://www.afl.com.au/Video/tabid/76/video...px#VideoPlayerB - 50-26

http://www.afl.com.au/Video/tabid/76/video...px#VideoPlayerB - 25-1

Pretty good goals, and quite a few from Hawthorn .

As

Delicious Rioli.

The pre-season cup fixture has been released earlier this morning. Round 1 is as follows.



I'd go to a pre-season game but not against Collingwood!

Richmond .

Nice easy first win for the Hawks .

As

The official 2010 fixture will be released at 10:30am today.

Hawks Vs. Melbourne round 1!

Should be an easy first win to get the wheels rolling!

As

Bulldogs vs Brisbane in round 1 of the pre-season cup.. we'll be the first team to find out how well the Fev + Brown combo works out. It'll end really well or really bad for us.

Edit: Just watched Sports Tonight, Collingwood have to play St Kilda, Geelong, Bulldogs, Hawks and the Blues twice each. I'm not a big fan of this 'floating' round in Round 22 though, the games won't be decided until a month before apparently.

It's just so finals teams don't get unfair breaks.

As

Jesse Smith is training with Hawthorn, good be a good pickup .

As

Yeah, I read about that. Simon Buckley's training with North Melbourne too and Matt Maguire looks like he'll be picked up by Carlton. Also, Gold Coast picked up Nathan Ablett .

Looks like the Crows and Eagles are fans of Hawthorn's clash guernsey:
http://www.afc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tab...86/default.aspx
http://www.westcoasteagles.com.au/tabid/71...px?newsid=84678

Except the head of the Hawk is on the opposite side I think.

Yeah, after we have copped so much from our guernsey colours they copy are clash one .

As

GO west coke eagles!!!

Fudge yeah.

Kevin Sheedy to coach Greater Western Sydney.. interesting.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/bolt...f-1225795936756

Hawthorns looking at this guy, Liam Patrick.

He's mean't to be more exciting than Jurrah!

As