By Jon Pierik and Peter Ryan
In today’s AFL briefing, your daily wrap of footy news:
- Devon Smith retires, with a year left on his contract.
- Sam Docherty inspired by Ben Cunnington’s return from cancer battle.
- Michael Voss as the Blues prepare for the Demons.
- Collingwood ruckman Brodie Grundy is dealing with an ‘emotional disconnect’; McCrae wants De Goey.
Check back throughout the day for the latest updates.
‘It wasn’t an easy decision to come to’: Devon Smith retires
Peter Ryan
Essendon’s Devon Smith has announced his retirement after 182 games, informing his Bomber teammates of his decision on Friday morning.
The 29-year-old still had one year remaining on his contract but after eight games in 2022 and ongoing battles with a degenerative knee injury he decided he could not perform at his best anymore.
Devon Smith has announced his retirement.Credit: Getty Images
“While it wasn’t an easy decision to come to, unfortunately I couldn’t quite get the body to where it needed to be to perform week-in and week-out,” Smith said.
“I’ve loved my AFL journey and I’ve had the true privilege of representing two fantastic football clubs.”
Smith began his career with the Giants, playing in the club’s first game in 2012 after being drafted from Lara near Geelong. He was a tough, talented forward who played 73 games with the Giants, including the 2016 preliminary final loss to the Western Bulldogs, before crossing to the Bombers at the end of 2017.
He won the Bombers’ best and fairest in his first season as a midfielder, but a knee issue curtailed his progress in subsequent years with his training and output restricted as he played 51 games over the next four seasons.
He was omitted from the team during 2022 as the Bombers battled for consistency at the start of the year under Ben Rutten.
Docherty inspired by Cunnington’s return from cancer battle
Jon Pierik
Carlton star Sam Docherty says he has been inspired by fellow cancer survivor Ben Cunnington, who will play his first senior match in 13 months on Saturday.
Docherty, who twice has overcome testicular cancer, posted a video on social media congratulating Cunnington, who also has recovered from two bouts of testicular cancer.
Ben Cunnington and Sam Docherty embrace before the Roos-Blues clash in round seven.Credit: AFL Photos
“I just want to wish you all the best on the weekend. I know how hard this journey has been for you and Belinda and the kids,” Docherty said.
“It’s a massive achievement to even get back playing at the level - I am so stoked for you, mate. I have been watching from afar, and you inspire me every day, so I just want to wish you all the best. I will be tuning in early before our game. I hope you absolutely dominate, and the boys get a win for you.”
Docherty made his emotional return to football in round one, having revealed in August last year he was undergoing chemotherapy for a second time.
Cunnington, who recently has also dealt with a calf strain and a bout of COVID, made his VFL return last weekend. The veteran midfielder, a two-time Syd Barker medallist, pulled up well, with the Kangaroos having no hesitation about selecting him to face the Crows in Adelaide on Saturday.
“Until it gets taken away from you, and you have no control over it, you soon realise that you still love it,” Cunnington told his teammates.
“I’ve been through what I’ve been through and without the support I have I couldn’t have got through it. I’m here now, hungry, I feel I have worked hard to be in a position to help you boys out again. I’m keen as ever.”
Cunnington’s return comes as the bottom-placed Kangaroos have axed Jason Horne-Francis, the No.1 selection who has struggled in his debut season. The decision shocked dual North Melbourne premiership player David King, particularly as Horne-Francis has now missed out on playing before family and friends in Adelaide.
But the club’s games record holder Brent Harvey, who is a game-day runner, said selection integrity was crucial and caretaker coach Leigh Adams had made the right call.
Horne-Francis has had 13, 21, 11 and 12 disposals in his past four games since returning from a hamstring strain and suspension. He has averaged 16.3 disposals and 3.6 clearances per game. He has yet to commit to the club beyond the end of next season.
Key defender Ben McKay and Jackson Archer also return but Hugh Greenwood, the high-prized off-season recruit, has also been dropped.
The Kangaroos are optimistic they will secure Alastair Clarkson as senior coach, with the Giants also pursuing the former Hawthorn coach.
‘We’ve got more left in the tank’: Voss
Carlton are not satisfied with their season as the Blues attempt to ride the wave of the Patrick Cripps verdict into a drought-breaking finals appearance.
Carlton (12-8), who are clinging onto their position in the top-eight, had been preparing to be without their star midfielder for crunch games against reigning premiers Melbourne and in-form rivals Collingwood.
Carlton coach Michael Voss said Cripps had been “amazing” in handling the uncertainty of the situation.
The Blues need to win one of their final two home-and-away games to secure their first finals appearance since 2013.
Cripps’ involvement against Melbourne will help a Blues midfield already missing George Hewett (back) and Matt Kennedy (jaw).
Carlton full-forward Harry McKay declared on Monday night he would still consider the season a success even if the Blues did not make finals.
The Blues have spent the entire season inside the top-eight but could fall out in round 23 if they lose both their games and the Western Bulldogs defeat GWS and Hawthorn, and make up a small percentage gap.
“I’ve said from the start, I’ve never put a limit on this group,” Voss said on Friday. “There’s some things I’m enormously proud of what we’ve achieved this year.
“But that doesn’t leave us satisfied, we feel like we’ve got more left in the tank and we want to have a say in what’s left.”
Carlton have recalled ruckman Marc Pittonet at the expense of young big man Tom De Koning, while Paddy Dow also comes back in.
Melbourne have gone 4-6 since opening the season with 10 straight wins to be no guarantee of finishing inside the top four. But the Demons are sticking with the same team that lost against the Magpies last Friday night.
AAP
McRae backs De Goey; Grundy dealing with ‘emotional disconnect’
Jon Pierik
Collingwood coach Craig McRae has reiterated he wants Jordan De Goey to remain at the club, as Brodie Grundy deals with the “emotional disconnect” of not playing and having a call to make on his future.
St Kilda have shown interest in Jordan De Goey, should he and the Magpies split.Credit: AFL Photos
De Goey, off contract at the end of the season and a free agent, has to decide whether he wants to remain a Magpie, while the Magpies, from list management to McRae to the board, must also determine whether they want him to remain - and at what price.
The robust midfielder-forward remains a key figure in the Magpies’ premiership quest, his work at centre-bounce clearances particularly important.
However, it’s his off-field indiscretions - the latest his mid-season Bali adventure - which has club officials nervous about offering him a lucrative new deal.
McRae said after the win over Melbourne that he wanted De Goey to remain, and on Friday denied it had not been an emotional response to the Magpies’ stirring result which has the club on an 11-game winning streak heading into Sunday’s heavyweight clash against Sydney at the SCG.
“I said after the game, I would like to have Jordy here. I said that emotionally and authentically. I say that again today. There is still a lot to work through. There is a lot to transpire for that to happen,” McRae said.
Pies ruckman Brodie Grundy is done for the season.Credit: Getty Images
St Kilda have expressed interest in De Goey should he and the Magpies split.
Grundy has had ankle surgery and will not play again this year. The future of the two-time All-Australian has been debated for several months, particularly since the emergence of ruck understudy Darcy Cameron, who is on a far cheaper contract.
Grundy has five years remaining on a contract worth more than $1 million per season but the Magpies, seeking to clear salary-cap space, are open to him leaving but may have to pay a slice of his salary.
McRae said Grundy was in a difficult spot, having had surgery. “It’s quite a difficult one for Brodie because he has been trying to get back to playing, now he is not. That emotional disconnect, if you like,” he said. “He had an operation earlier in the week so, at the moment, he is living in this space where he is not sure. And that’s a difficult place to live. We are just trying to support him around that in the short term.”
Grundy has met with Melbourne, while Geelong and Greater Western Sydney have shown interest.
McRae said hardnut midfielder Taylor Adams (groin) was progressing well and would be fit for the first final.
The second-placed Magpies head to Sydney buoyed by their ability to hang tough. They have had 10 wins this season by less than two goals. In their past five games, their average winning margin has been 5.8 points.
Their attacking style and willingness to back an undersized forward line has sparked a campaign which has exceeded the expectations of many supporters.
“Early days, I said we are trying to learn how to win. We are still learning how to win - get a close game, we are going to be really hard to beat. That’s something we have got a habit that is going to stand us in good stead, hopefully,” McRae said.
“I think winning can be a habit. Winning behaviours are definitely a habit - we are trying to create many of those.
“We are a work in progress, too. We haven’t played a final yet, so you don’t know that. But you would like to think in wet conditions, dry conditions, we play a certain style. It’s an exciting brand to watch, and we want to continue to improve this week.”
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