From the Ballarat Courier
Reported by David Brehaut
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NORTH BALLARAT coach Gerard FitzGerald believes more VFL players should be picked up in the AFL national and rookie drafts.
"I don't believe the VFL talent pool receives the recognition it deserves," he said yesterday, three days out from the national draft.

Source: Geelong Advertiser

GEELONG has cast its search far and wide to find potential recruits for its VFL squad in 2010.

The Cats' will start its pre-season training program on Wednesday night and coach Dale Amos said they had invited 60 players to try out for spots on their list.

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Source: Geelong Advertiser

DUAL North Ballarat premiership player Jacob Spalding has joined Newtown & Chilwell as a playing assistant coach.

The 27-year-old will add considerable experience to the Eagles' lineup after a long VFL career with the Roosters.

From the Bendigo Advertiser
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From The Age
Reported by Jim Morton
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GOLD Coast will take a huge gamble on giving code-crossing recruit Karmichael Hunt just two VFL games in preparation for his AFL debut in 2011.

Coach Guy McKenna has revealed that the club is so worried about burn-out from back-to-back rugby league and union seasons that Hunt would hardly be seen in Coast colours in 2010.

From Leader Newspapers - localfooty.com.au
Reported by Terry Mallinder
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PLAYERS are about to experience just how much harder life at Williamstown will be under Peter German’s reign. 

And if all goes according to plan, they might also experience the thing they have craved but been denied for the last four seasons - a VFL premiership. 

The new senior coach will take his first practice session this Wednesday, when the Seagulls’ pre-season officially kicks off. 

German, who replaces Brad Gotch after eight years at the helm at Point Gellibrand, said he spoke to the playing group, as well as the support staff, late last month about what they can expect. 

The former North Melbourne midfielder who has coached successfully in three different states over the past 15 years, is renowned for his “harder edge”, something that he hopes will be embraced by his new playing group.

Source: Geelong Advertiser

DISCARDED Cat Scott Simpson will use the example of North Melbourne forward Aaron Edwards in an attempt to rebuild his football career.

The 20-year-old will take the VFL route in a bid to return to the AFL after two injury riddled seasons at Skilled Stadium.

Discarded Cats forward Scott Simpson will try his luck in the VFL next year.

THE AFL's decision to grant clubs a second mature-age selection in this year's rookie draft would be a boon for players plying their trade in state leagues, VFL football operations manager John Hook said yesterday.

On Monday, the AFL said it would give clubs the chance to punt on two mature-aged rookies, up from one last year. The rule will be in place until the end of 2012.

It could mean more players are plucked from second-tier leagues such as the VFL when the rookie draft is held in December, while recently delisted players could also be thrown a lifeline.

Players aged 23 and over are eligible to be selected as mature-aged rookies.

Hook said he viewed the AFL's decision in a positive light, even though the VFL could possibly lose some of its best players. ''I think it will only be a positive, as it will give more opportunities for players in state leagues,'' he said. ''It will give [AFL] clubs a chance to cover certain roles and take a punt on the best players from state leagues.''