From www.localfooty.com.au
Reported by Michael Warner
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THE Western Bulldogs could spring a pre-season draft surprise by snaring VFL journeyman Brett Goodes on Tuesday.

Goodes, 28, has played in two VFL premierships with North Ballarat and is the brother of Sydney Swans superstar Adam Goodes.

He is also the player welfare manager at Whitten Oval, setting up an intriguing selection dilemma for Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney.

Discarded Essendon midfielder Brent Prismall was considered a certainty to be taken by the Bulldogs after knocking back an offer from Port Adelaide.

But the Dogs yesterday confirmed Goodes, a hard-running defender, remained an option and was locked in a race with Prismall, 26, for a fairytale shot at the AFL.

From Herald Sun
Reported by Sam Landsberger and Paul Amy
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EMBATTLED Melbourne could be forced to run its own VFL team next year because its affiliate, Casey Scorpions, is fighting for survival.

A failed pokies venture has left the Scorpions hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt and they are without a senior coach for next season.

Most players haven't been paid since about Round 5.

The Demons, sweating on the outcome of an AFL tanking investigation, would have to find another $400,000 to field a stand-alone VFL team and source a ground to ensure the development of prized youngsters such as Jesse Hogan, Jack Viney and Dom Barry is not compromised.

AFL Victoria chiefs, including chairman Peter Jackson, general manager Grant Williams and operations boss John Hook, held a crisis meeting with Casey officials last night.

From the Bendigo Advertiser.
Reported by Luke West
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THE Bendigo Gold have added two key defenders and a midfielder to their list after unveiling three new signings yesterday.

Daniel Toman, Nathan Beck and Rhys Clark have all signed with the Gold as the club continues to build its stand-alone list ahead of the 2013 VFL season.

Clark and Beck have joined the Gold from Goulburn Valley Football League club Kyabram and are earmarked to play key defensive roles.

From the Herald-Sun Localfooty website
Reported by Paul Amy
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PORT Melbourne has regained its pacy and classy 2011 premiership wingman Nathan Batsanis.

The 24-year-old is returning to Melbourne after a successful season with Norwood in the SANFL.|

Batsanis figured in the Redlegs' flag and finished fourth in the Magarey Medal after going in as favourite.

With his speed and long kicking, the right-footer was an integral part of Port's perfect 2011.

"Just missed home too much, family and friends,'' Batsanis said this afternoon.

"Need to be back in Melbourne, where I belong.

From www.localfooty.com.au
Reported by Chris Cavanagh
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LUKE Webster is excited to be taking charge of his own team for the first time after being appointed the new coach of the Northern Blues last week.

The 30-year-old former Fremantle midfielder becomes the third coach of the Northern Blues in just four months following departed coaches Robert Hyde and Darren Harris.

A back line coach at the club over the past two seasons while juggling a role as a development coach at Carlton, Webster said he was looking forward to the challenge in 2013.

"I never really thought a few year's ago that I'd go down the coaching path," he said.

"But doing the development stuff at Carlton the last could of years and then when Darren Harris was heading back to WA for his new role, I thought now was better than ever to jump in and coach my own team."

From www.localfooty.com.au
Reported by Paul Amy
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THE five-year sequence of VFL flags held true for Geelong.

The Cats were premiers in 2002, 2007 and now 2012 after they battled past a game Port Melbourne in Sunday's grand final at Etihad Stadium.

There was little between the teams until the last quarter, when the Cats, despite a rash of misses, booted four goals to one to ease to a 33-point victory and send retiring veteran David Wojcinski out on a premiership high.

He received the biggest cheer of all when called to the dais to receive his medal.

In truth, Geelong should have won by more: it wound up with 24 behinds. But the telling statistic was in the scoring shots: 38 to the Cats and 20 to the Borough.

Port Melbourne was brave - it always is - but it was unable to go with Geelong when it lengthened stride late in the game.

The Port players slumped to the ground after the final siren, crestfallen they were unable to repeat last year's drought-ending premiership and deliver the club its 17th flag.