AFL Daily: Rolling footy news from Friday, August 23

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has applauded the AFL for changing the studs up rule after his outburst last weekend over free kicks against star Tiger Jack Riewoldt. ROLLING FOOTY NEWS

Rebecca Williams, Tim Michell, Al Paton and Scott Gullan

less than 2 min read

August 23, 2019 - 3:30PM

Jack Riewoldt had a right to be incensed with the studs up decisions.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has applauded the AFL for its change to the interpretation of the studs up rule.

Tigers' forward Jack Riewoldt was twice penalised by umpires in last Sunday's clash against West Coast for illegally using his boot studs in marking contests against Eagle Tom Barrass.

Hardwick slammed the decisions post-match and the controversial rulings came under fire from the wider AFL community.

There was a swift reaction from league headquarters on Monday with the interpretation to be changed from this weekend.

Jack Riewoldt had a right to be incensed with the studs up decisions.

League football operations boss Steve Hocking said the rule had not been brought in to penalise actions such as Riewoldt’s, but the penalties against the premiership Tiger were adjudicated correctly under the previous interpretation.

Hardwick said he was pleased common sense had prevailed and the AFL had made the “smart move”.

“What else can I get changed this week?,” Hardwick joked to reporters yesterday.

“I think (it's) common sense.

"I think we're all in the same boat with regard to why the rule was bought in, but I don't think we quite got the interpretation right.

"But it was pleasing to see that it did get overturned. Decisions are made sometimes and credit where credit is due, I'm really happy the AFL took it on board and decided to implement the change.”

Updates

FAGAN: LIONS WANT TO BREAK TIGER HOODOO

Michael Randall

Brisbane coach Chris Fagan will fight fire with fire against Richmond on Sunday, backing his own midfield in a battle with Tigers star Dustin Martin.

If other results fall their way the top-of-the-table Lions, on a nine-game winning streak, can purse the AFL’s minor premiership even with a loss at the MCG on Sunday.
Breaking a 12-game losing streak to Richmond is Fagan’s focus though and the coach is optimistic he has the cattle to counter Martin’s undeniable form without resorting to a tag.

“We might just go head-to-head to start with,” Fagan said.
“He’s powerful, he just breaks away from congestion and takes ground really quickly so he’s a hard bloke to match up on.
“You’re always giving up something aren’t you (by tagging), giving up a bit of hunt yourself wandering around worrying about what he’s doing.” Brisbane boast their own prolific ball-winner in Lachie Neale, who in his first season at the Gabba has already eclipsed retired great Simon Black as the Lions’ highest possession-getter in a season.
Captain Dayne Zorko is in All Australian form, Richmond will welcome back their skipper Trent Cotchin from injury while defenders Harris Andrews and Marcus Adams are likely to line-up against Tom Lynch and Jack Riewoldt respectively in another exciting MCG match-up.
The Lions didn’t kick a goal until the third term the last time these sides met, while victory has alluded Brisbane since 2014 at the MCG.
Fagan has grown accustomed to these situations though in a season full of drought-breakers.
“We face up to our history and our record; it’s not something you sweep under the carpet,” he said.
“If you want to take on these teams you’ve got to look that challenge fair in the eye as we’ve done with every one of those, whatever they’re called, hoodoos.” Meanwhile in-form small forward Cedric Cox looks likely to be thrown into the mix at the MCG with Allen Christensen (hamstring) sidelined. Cox, Josh Walker, Lewis Taylor and Rhys Mathieson have been added to an extended bench for the Lions that will be reduced later on Friday.

-AAP

ROWE'S ENORMOUS BUDDY CHALLENGE

Michael Randall

Sam Rowe will make his first and last appearance for St Kilda to reach 100 AFL games when they face Sydney at the SCG on Saturday.

Oh, and Rowey, would you mind playing on a fired-up Lance Franklin in his 300-game milestone?

The almost-unthinkable scenario looks set to play out after Rowe, stuck on 99 games when he was delisted by Carlton last year, was handed his club debut by former Blues mentor, now St Kilda caretaker coach Brett Ratten.

“I’m sure I’ll come across Buddy’s path at some stage,” Rowe said.

“I’ve played on him a few times in my career, so it’s not something that is new to me.

“But if I get that challenge then that’s something I’ll relish.

“I’ve always loved playing on the best forwards and he’s certainly one of them.

“If I get that chance, I’ll love it.”

The versatile tall was set to play local footy this year after being cut by the Blues when the Saints threw him a lifeline via the pre-season supplemental signing period.

It was another twist in Rowe’s AFL story that began when he was picked in the second round of the 2011 draft then sat out the 2012 season after his shock cancer diagnosis.

He beat testicular cancer to make his AFL debut as a 25-year-old against Collingwood in round two of the 2013 season.

Rowe thought his chances of playing 100 games were over when he was a casualty of Brendon Bolton’s laborious rebuild and is delighted to finally be handed the opportunity.

“It will be 100 and out for me,” he said.

“I’m happily finishing up from AFL after this but I’m glad that I’ll be able to finish my career in the AFL.

“It’s been an amazing experience to play for such a long time and be involved in a few different clubs.

“I’ve had an interesting career but when I finish and look back on it it will be something that I’ll be proud of.”

Richo lands new job

Al Paton

JUST IN: Melbourne has signed sacked St Kilda coach Alan Richardson as an assistant to Simon Goodwin for 2020.

See the full story here.

Fremantle caretaker coach David Hale has denied there’s a culture problem at the AFL club, and says he’s yet to decide whether to apply for the full-time gig. The Dockers have promised to look far and wide for a new coach and chief executive after sacking Ross Lyon and Steve Rosich respectfully on Tuesday. Rumours of player unrest surfaced in the weeks and months leading up to the double sacking, but Hale says he hasn’t seen any signs of it during his four years there.

“No not at all,” Hale said.

“We see the players nearly every day. Most of the times in meetings and training, they’re always upbeat.

“They look forward to coming to training, they look forward to playing, and they look forward to being together as a group. That’s a good start in terms of culture.”

Caretaker coaches this year have enjoyed remarkable success. David Teague (Carlton) and Rhyce Shaw (North Melbourne) were given the full-time jobs after impressing in the interim role.

And Brett Ratten is a strong chance to land the St Kilda gig after leading the Saints to three wins from five games in charge.

But Hale will have just one match in charge – Sunday’s clash with the Power in Port Adelaide.

Former Docker and current Collingwood assistant Justin Longmuir is the hot favourite to land the Fremantle head coaching role, while Peter Sumich is also highly touted.

Hale’s chances appear slim even if he can lead Fremantle to a big victory this Sunday, but the former North Melbourne and Hawthorn ruckman hasn’t ruled out applying for the job.

“I’ll sit down with (football operations manager) Peter Bell and go through that next week,” Hale said.

“It’s a great opportunity (for me now to coach this week). Not too many guys get the opportunity to lead their clubs.

“There’s only 18 seats in the competition. For me it’s more about excitement, a good opportunity and something I was looking forward to.” Hale only retired from AFL ranks at the end of 2015, but he said he learnt a great deal under Lyon over the past four years.

The 35-year-old said there was no exact science as to how long a person needed in an assistant role before being capable of becoming a head coach. “The time frame of how long it takes to become a head coach is not set in stone,” Hale said.

“I played under Adam Simpson who took three years and has done marvellously well.

“And (I played) under Chris Fagan who took 30 years really and is doing a fantastic job.”

Hale wants his players to go out and have fun this weekend.

BUDDHA: PIES NOT LOOKING PAST BOMBERS

Michael Randall

The possibilities are meaningless and the risks enormous if Collingwood lose to Essendon in Friday night’s AFL blockbuster at the MCG.

Much of the Magpies’ fate is out of their hands, with other results in an enthralling round 23 to have a major say in how they will start their finals campaign.

But first, they must be careful not to stumble against the injury-plagued Bombers.

“We know that our footy stands up when we’re up and about, so we’re hoping we can keep finding our best footy and see how far we can go,” Collingwood assistant coach Garry Hocking said.

“But we don’t have a focus beyond the Bombers because we can’t control all of the permutations and we need to keep our form going against a really good side that will challenge us with the ball and around stoppage.” If Collingwood win and either West Coast or Richmond lose, they will return to the top four and gain a finals double chance.

But an upset loss guarantees an elimination final, possibly against the rampant Western Bulldogs.

While the Bulldogs must beat Adelaide in Ballarat to confirm they are in the finals, their barnstorming form over the last few weeks makes them a dangerous proposition.

Seventh-placed Essendon are guaranteed an elimination final and they also will not know their opponent until the end of round 23.

The bigger immediate problem for Essendon is their ongoing injury woes. They had to make six changes for Friday night, five of them forced. Captain Dyson Heppell, Jake Stringer, David Zaharakis, Zac Clarke and Orazio Fantasia are significant casualties.

Tom Jok will make his senior debut, while Cale Hooker and Tom Bellchambers headline the inclusions.

It is the third-straight week Essendon have made at least five changes to their team.

Collingwood will regain key defender Darcy Moore, while Steele Sidebottom misses his first game since early 2016 because of surgery on a ruptured testicle.

-AAP

HALE: NO TOXIC CULTURE AT DOCKERS

Michael Randall

“No not at all,” Hale said.

“We see the players nearly every day. Most of the times in meetings and training, they’re always upbeat.

“They look forward to coming to training, they look forward to playing, and they look forward to being together as a group. That’s a good start in terms of culture.”