From the Hobson Bay Leader
Reported by Luke D'Anello
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ANDREW Collins has gone to school on Williamstown’s decorated history since being appointed to the top job last October.

“It has had some of arguably the most significant figures in the history of Victorian footy,” the Hawthorn premiership player said of his new club.

“When you’re talking about JJ Liston, Des Fothergill … right through to the recruitment of Ron Todd in the 1940s to the success of the ‘50s. I’ve learned a lot about the history that I didn’t realise.”

The Seagulls will have to defy recent history to land a finals berth in their first season as a VFL stand-alone outfit after splitting from the Western Bulldogs.

From the Richmond FC website
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Nathan Batsanis has been around.

After two years on Port Adelaide’s rookie list from 2007–2008, four years at Port Melbourne (including an undefeated season and premiership) and one season finishing with another premiership at SANFL Club, Norwood, the 25-year-old has now joined Richmond’s new VFL team.

http://www.afl.com.au/video?guid=610870

In November last year, Batsanis trained with the Tigers’ AFL team, hoping to reignite his AFL career through the 2013 Rookie Draft, and, although disappointed to be overlooked, the utility player is “loving it” as a VFL player at Tigerland.

“The thing that stands out at Richmond is how organised and professional the environment is,” Batsanis said.

“The structure of the program and the professionalism of everyone that’s on board really make it an enjoyable place to be playing at.”

Still harbouring a desire for another chance at AFL level, the experieced on-baller is taking the opportunities available to him at the Tigers.

“I unfortunately missed out on a spot in December on the rookie list, but I’ve been doing one day a week (training with the AFL squad) in January which has been really good for my development and fitness,” he said.

From the Collingwood FC website
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http://www.afl.com.au/video?guid=609231

Collingwood has added another player with state league experience to its VFL list in the form of former Geelong VFL ruckman Lachlan Howe.

The 20-year-old has recently signed with the VFL Magpies after five games with the Cats last season, including their VFL Grand Final loss to the Box Hill Hawks.

“We needed a big ruckman for our VFL program to provide support to our developing rucks (Brodie Grundy and Jarrod Witts) and also Ben Hudson, who is on our rookie list,” VFL General Manager Luke Gatti told collingwoodfc.com.au.

“We needed a bona fide ruckman has shown the ability to cut the mustard at VFL level, which Lachie showed in 2013 playing as the 23rd man for Geelong in their VFL Grand Final as well as his five games throughout the season.

“Lachie is a good fit for us and we’re a good fit for him with regular opportunities being available for him.”

Howe has covered plenty of ground in his short footballing career.

From localfooty.com.au
Reported by Tim Mitchell
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VFL star Kane Lambert could mount a strong argument to force a move from Northern Blues to Williamstown if he challenges the league's player transfer rules in court, says a lawyer.

Sports lawyer and VFL commentator Darren Boyd said Lambert could mount a legal challenge on two fronts - against the VFL's transfer rules and the Northern Blues.

"He would have to prove to a court that the rules are uncompetitive and therefore unlawful as a restraint of trade," he said.

Boyd said Lambert could argue that he is a "free agent" and should be able to move clubs to further his ­career.

Boyd said Lambert could argue the Blues' call to block his move had been a restraint of trade because he was considered one of the competition's premier players and a strong chance to be drafted to an AFL club in ­future.

From Frankston Standard Leader
Reported by Paul Amy
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FRANKSTON'S latest recruit has come a long way to play in the VFL - all the way from Jacksonville, Florida.

Alex Starling, who was scouted by the Sydney Swans two years ago, arrived in Melbourne on Saturday, being collected at Tullamarine by Dolphins coach Simon Goosey and assistant Bob Keddie.

Starling, 24, 196cm and 93kg, is a college basketballer who was signed by the Swans in 2012 under the international scholarship scheme.

But a stress fracture of the leg prevented them from listing him as an international rookie this year.

However the injury hasn't extinguished Starling's dream of playing football.

From Bendigo Advertiser
Reported by Travis King
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THE Bendigo Gold will hope the saying 'be careful what you wish for' doesn't ring true after the VFL fixture was released on Tuesday.

The Gold got the home draw it wanted, with five bumper clashes against AFL clubs' standalone teams.

But Bendigo will also face a challenging away fixture.

The positives include QEO clashes against Geelong in round one, Essendon on Good Friday evening and Footscray on Anzac Day night.

Richmond on a Saturday night and Collingwood to kick-off the final round are other highlights.

From Geelong Advertiser
Reported by Nick Wade
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THE winds of change that howled through Geelong's AFL team have continued down to the Cats' VFL side.

The VFL Cats are in the midst of a changing of the guard as they look for Troy Selwood's replacement as captain and someone to step into the midfield role vacated by best-and-fairest winner Mark Corrigan.

But the expectation for next year is very much the same and the Cats believe they will be around the mark again as they chase a third straight grand final appearance.

From Ballarat Courier
Reported by Michael Pollock
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NORTH Ballarat is set for a blockbuster start to the 2014 Peter Jackson VFL home and away season, with the club learning yesterday that it will play four stand-alone VFL sides in the opening five rounds.

The release of the 2014 fixture has seen a fan-friendly draw for the Selkirk Roosters, who will open their season on March 29 against Collingwood for the second straight year.

North Ballarat Roosters football manager Marg Richards is excited about the potential of the draw to bring supporters to games, but is also keen to see how the club adapts to the changing competition after cutting its development league team earlier this year.