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Devil leaves postmark

By Robbo May 20, 2007
From Sunday Tasmanian
Reported by Adam Smith

TWO VFL players were lucky to escape serious injury at Bellerive Oval yesterday when a goalpost crashed to the ground during the Tasmania-Coburg clash.

Devils' half-forward Matthew Westfield, running back with the flight to try to mark the ball, crashed into the post at full throttle, snapping it near its base.

The falling goalpost hit Coburg youngster Luke McGuane who left the ground holding his left shoulder but he later returned to the field to finish the game.

The incident occurred 10 minutes into the final quarter.

The game was stopped for 15 minutes while officials hastily erected a replacement post.

Weighing just 90kg, Westfield surprised himself after the goalpost came off second best.

"The ball came in deep and I thought I was a fair chance for a mark," Westfield said.

"I wasn't aware of where the posts were, I just jumped and ran into something and didn't know what it was until I saw it (the post) on the ground.

Pickett, Robertson star for Sandy

By administrator May 20, 2007
From the Sunday Herald-Sun

Reported by Howard Leigh
Full article Click here

MELBOURNE'S troubled season is in for a boost if yesterday's VFL match between Sandringham and Williamstown was anything to go by.

pickettByron Pickett, Russell Robertson, Paul Wheatley and Clint Bizzell all had a huge impact in yesterday's match at the Trevor Barker Oval.

Robertson, 28, sidelined with a hyper-extension to his left knee since Round 2, booted 4.3 from 17 possessions and eight marks in Sandringham's 20-point win.

It leaves the Zebras unbeaten on top of the VFL ladder after the 16.16 (112) to 13.12 (90) win.

Robertson later declared he was ready to return to the Melbourne side for next Sunday's game against the Kangaroos.

Pickett had 16 touches and seven marks floating across the half-forward line and kicked two goals.

Persistence pays

By Robbo May 19, 2007
From Bendigo Advertiser

GRANT Weeks endured a frustrating start to his career with the Metricon Bendigo Bombers late last year.

He had surgery on a stress fracture in his left foot early in the club's pre-season, and wasn't able to train properly with his new team-mates until mid-February.

But the strong-marking forward has put those frustrations behind him, and is set to make his VFL senior debut for the Bombers against Frankston tomorrow.

'‘It's good to get an opportunity," said Weeks, who helped run a football clinic for Year Eight students at Eaglehawk Secondary College yesterday.

‘‘It's a relief to get the chance after having surgery at the start of the pre-season - not being able to hit the track with the boys and having to watch training was frustrating.

North Ballarat expects changes next year

By Robbo May 19, 2007
From Ballarat Courier

NORTH Ballarat expects changes to the Victorian Football League next year.

But Roosters chief executive officer Mark Patterson has no idea to what extent or what shape they might take.

"I wouldn't be surprised," he replied when asked whether he believed the VFL would undergo some form of restructure.

"Everything is in the mix.

"There are various models likely to be considered."

An AFL delegation will meet North Ballarat on Tuesday, May 29, as part of a review into the VFL.

Mr Patterson said the Roosters were still to finalise their presentation for the talks in Ballarat with AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou's assistant Tony Peek, AFL national development general manager David Matthews and AFL strategic planning manager Sam Graham.

The AFL announced in March it would review the second tier of the sport, with a suggestion some AFL clubs wanted to return to stand alone "reserves" rather than being part of alignments with VFL teams.

Day of reckoning for defence

By Robbo May 19, 2007
From The Mercury
Reported by Adam Smith

NULLIFYING one of the most dangerous forward lines in the VFL will be the key to helping the Devils arrest their five-game losing streak at Bellerive Oval today.

With Coburg possessing a wealth of strong-marking options up forward, forecast showers could also play into the home side's hands.

The form line of the two sides couldn't be further apart, with the Devils struggling since opening the season with a solid win against Bendigo.

On the other hand Coburg has strung together four wins since a first-round loss to the Northern Bullants and is sitting fourth on the ladder.

In all four victories the Tigers have cracked the 100-point barrier and with Tasmanian Jack Riewoldt, former Geelong spearhead Kent Kingsley and roaming target Cleve Hughes all lining up, coach Andrew Collins has plenty of choices.

Bullants face test of depth

By administrator May 19, 2007
From The Age
Reported by Sean Cusick

Full article Click here

THE Northern Bullants lost just one home-and-away match for the entire 2006 season, but face one of their biggest tests today when they hit the road to face North Ballarat.

Barry Mitchell's group has been devastated by injuries to key personnel in the past fortnight, and a clash with the improved Roosters shapes as a true test of their depth and resolve.

Last year's VFL centre-half forward of the year, Digby Morrell, broke some ribs early in last week's narrow win over Box Hill, and looks set to miss at least a month.

The ex-Blue and Kangaroo has long been one of the competition's most dangerous players, displaying a balance of strength and agility that makes him a nightmare match-up for opposition coaches.

"We'll miss him not only as a good player but as a bit of a general," Mitchell said. "He's really important because the younger Carlton guys get to play with him and learn from him. He points them around and tells them where to go."

Cartledge in AFL mix

By administrator May 19, 2007
From the Herald-Sun
Reported by Geoff Poulter

Full article Click here

NORTH Ballarat ruckman Tristan Cartledge has a chance to impress AFL scouts in next Saturday's interstate clash with Western Australia at Port Melbourne.

Cartledge was delisted by Essendon after playing seven AFL games in 2005 and 2006 and returned to the Roosters - his junior football club.

He is North Ballarat's only representative in the state squad of 39 but all AFL-listed players (except rookies) are ineligible and the Roosters have a number of Kangaroos in their line-up.

The clash with WA is fitting reward for Cartledge's good recent form.

"He can be a great story for the VFL - to not get listed, have a good year in the VFL, and be ready to go again. That reinforces the value of the level," North Ballarat coach Gerard Fitzgerald said.

"They have picked a squad that is in form. The VFL's coverage of the games has been terrific."

Prolific forwards to share spotlight

By Robbo May 18, 2007
From Herald Sun
Reported by Geoff Poulter

THE VFL is likely to field at least two of its prolific goalkickers against Western Australia at Port Melbourne tomorrow week.

Six-time leading VFL goalkicker Nick Sautner, of Sandringham, seems certain to be chosen as the spearhead with Werribee's James Podsiadly, the VFL's leading goalkicker in 2005, also likely to be included.

VFL coach Mark Williams said there was no reason why the two could not work well together.

"Dean Limbach (Williamstown) is also in the squad and in consideration," Williams said. "And Andrew Williams is in the mix."

Coach Williams said the VFL was unlikely to play more than three marking forwards.

Of the 39-strong squad, 29 will play in this weekend's VFL Round 7 matches with the other 10 - from Port Melbourne and Werribee - enjoying byes.

The squad will be pruned to 25 on Monday night and then train on Tuesday and Thursday.

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