By Marnie Vinall
In today’s AFL briefing:
- The Bulldogs’ round two AFLW match is expected to be held before the men’s final in a double-header at the MCG.
- St Kilda announces Josh Battle plan.
- Tom Liberatore plans to embrace every aspect of the Western Bulldogs’ return to the finals next month.
- Collingwood announce one-year deals for star veterans.
- Tom Hawkins contemplates return through VFL.
League moves AFLW match to before men’s elimination final
Marnie Vinall
The AFL is expected to move the Western Bulldogs’ round two AFLW match to avoid a clash with the men’s elimination final against Hawthorn. The women’s game is likely to be held before the men’s final in a double-header at the MCG.
The Bulldogs had lobbied the AFL to change the time because they were disappointed the original AFLW start time of 5.05pm made it almost impossible for their fans to attend both games.
A club source said the league would confirm the move on Thursday but arrangements were still being made. Players and staff were informed of the move on Thursday morning.
The Dogs had put forward three options to the AFL, including starting the women’s game at 4pm on that Friday, or moving it to 11am on the Saturday as well as the double-header option with the men’s elimination final.
The AFL was contacted for comment and could not confirm the move.
More to come
Hawks frontrunners to win battle for Battle
St Kilda defender Josh Battle has made his desire to move to Hawthorn official.
The Saints and Battle announced on Thursday the 25-year-old would exercise his right as a free agent at the end of the 2024 season to join the Hawks after 123 games in red, back and white.
Josh Battle is on the move.Credit: AFL Photos
“I came to this club while I was still in high school and couldn’t have asked for a better place to grow, both as a footballer and a person,” Battle said.
“I now have a young family of my own, and in planning for our future, I’ve come to the difficult decision to move on from my time at the Saints.”
Although he started at the Saints as a forward, Battle made his name as a key defender, and that is the glaring need Hawthorn has identified in its playing stocks, despite their stunning climb up the ladder this year to make the finals in seventh position.
Hawthorn welcomed his decision, saying his marking ability would make him a “significant addition”.
“The club has made no secret of its desire to add further pieces to our list, and Josh fits that perfectly,” Hawthorn national list and recruiting manager Mark McKenzie said.
“Josh will play a key role in the direction of our football club, he is clearly a talented player, whilst also being a high character individual.”
Battle’s status as a free agent will ensure the Saints are compensated with a draft pick for his departure.
The quality of the pick they get will be determined by a complex formula that considers details of the recruit’s new contract and age.
Bulldogs embrace finals excitement
AAP
After putting career-threatening concussion issues behind him, Tom Liberatore plans to embrace every aspect of the Western Bulldogs’ return to the finals next month.
Liberatore was left facing an uncertain playing future when he was sidelined indefinitely in May, having sustained his second concussion within a few weeks – and fourth in a year.
Startling vision showed the veteran midfielder dazed and falling to the ground after an accidental boot to the head from an opponent in the Bulldogs’ round-eight clash with Hawthorn.
Tom Liberatore of the Bulldogs.Credit: AFL Photos
It was Liberatore’s only game in an eight-week stretch, but the 32-year-old hasn’t missed a beat since returning in round 14, playing a key role in the Bulldogs’ march towards September.
The Dogs face Hawthorn in an elimination final at the MCG on Friday next week.
“There were certain periods throughout that where I was frustrated about not being able to play and be part of what [has become] a finals team,” Liberatore said on Thursday.
“Coming to the end of my career, as well, has made me value each little moment more.
“The technical side of making sure I turn and stay away from the knee-to-head injuries, which is what caused most of it, I’ve definitely worked on with ‘Ladey’ [midfield coach Brendon Lade]. It’s helped, for sure.”
A crowd of more than 90,000 is tipped at the MCG for the Bulldogs’ first final at home in Melbourne since the famous 2016 premiership decider.
The Dogs have played in seven finals since then – including the 2021 grand final loss to Melbourne – in Sydney, Brisbane, Launceston, Adelaide and Perth.
“We’ve chatted about it already and we’re just excited for the prospect,” Liberatore said of playing in front of a huge crowd.
Taylor Duryea of the Bulldogs in action in the final home-and-away round.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
“We’ve brushed on the enjoyment levels in general and how excited [we are] and how much we should embrace the nature of finals. It’s back in Melbourne and we haven’t played a Melbourne final for a while now, so that’s another factor that we’re all looking forward to and we can share with friends and family.”
Liberatore is confident star midfielder Adam Treloar (calf) and Laitham Vandermeer (hamstring) will be fit to play against Hawthorn, with the pre-finals bye giving them extra time to overcome niggles. Jamarra Ugle-Hagan missed Thursday’s training session at Whitten Oval, but is not in doubt for the Hawks clash.
New deals for veteran Pies
Jeremy Howe has signed on for another year at Collingwood.Credit: Getty Images
AAP
Jeremy Howe and Will Hoskin-Elliott have signed fresh one-year contracts with Collingwood, joining fellow veterans Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom in gaining deals for 2025.
Pendlebury announced in June that he was playing on, while it was reported earlier this month that Sidebottom would also play on. All four contracts were announced by the club on Thursday.
“All four are highly valued and play integral roles for our program both on and off the field,” Collingwood’s list manager Justin Leppitsch said.
“Their leadership and experience are invaluable to our environment and each of them play a key role in educating and guiding our next generation of young talent.”
Sidebottom, a dual premiership player who turns 34 in January, will continue for a 17th season alongside his great mate, Pendlebury, who is embarking on a 20th season. The 34-year-old Howe has been vice captain for the past seven years after joining Collingwood from Melbourne for the 2016 season. Hoskin-Elliott, who turns 31 on Monday, transferred to the Magpies from GWS at the end of 2016.
Meanwhile, Adelaide midfielder Sam Berry has inked a two-year contract extension to remain with the Crows. The Victorian-born on-baller has played 57 games since being drafted by Adelaide in 2020.
Tom Hawkins open to returning through VFL
Retiring Geelong star Tom Hawkins is open to making his injury comeback through the VFL as his pathway back to the senior team narrows in his final month as an AFL footballer.
Tom Hawkins hopes to return to the field as the Cats mount a bid for premierships in both the AFL and VFL.Credit: Getty Images
Hawkins has not played since slipping and injuring his left foot in an innocuous incident against Carlton in June, but says a comeback is on the cards next week.
His replacement, Shannon Neale, has shown promising signs filling the void at full-forward as the Cats clinched third spot on the ladder, booking a qualifying final next Thursday against Port Adelaide.
The Cats reserves also finished in the top four in the VFL, meaning they will play at least two finals, starting with a qualifying final this week against Werribee.
Hawkins’ form tailed off in the weeks before his injury as he passed Joel Selwood as Geelong’s AFL games record-holder. He also played a number of VFL games early in his career, including the grand final win of 2007.
On the sidelines, he has turned 36 and announced his plans to retire at season’s end.
Hawkins acknowledged to his schoolboy friend, Xavier Ellis, on 92.9 Triple M Perth that a VFL comeback was not out of the question.
“To be honest, I think anything is on the table. If I’m able to tick the boxes and get myself back and available, I think I’d rather be playing football than not. We’ll just wait and see,” he said.
“… I came into the AFL system playing VFL in my first year and I might go out [the same way].
“I’d love to get back and play some footy. I’ve been training very hard and diligently and the plan has always been to get back and play some footy.”
Hawkins’ injury has recovered slower than the Cats expected, and his plan to play “next week” could be complicated if the VFL team wins its qualifying final on Saturday to earn a week’s rest.
“I’m going OK, it’s been very, very slow. I would have liked to have a bit more clarity along the way but unfortunately, it’s just a result of the injury.
“The fact that I’m 110 kilograms and I play a unique way. I rely on my feet, and it (my foot) just hasn’t handled the load initially but I’m seeing some really good progress now.
“I’m trying to target next week to play some sort of footy.”
“I’ve still got a few pretty important sessions to knock over in the next 10 days before I have full clarity on what I’m doing.”
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