By Peter Ryan, Roy Ward and Marc McGowan
In today’s AFL briefing, your daily wrap of footy news:
- Richmond’s interim coach Andrew McQualter says Damien Hardwick owes the Tigers nothing and would love to see him coach Gold Coast next year.
- Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell hails his former teammate Lance Franklin as “a player of a generation”.
- Port Adelaide coach defends club doctor amid concussion probe.
- Long-term deals for Giant Himmelberg and Lion Payne.
- Clayton Oliver to wait another week for return.
‘Great for the game’: McQualter backs Dimma return
Marc McGowan
Richmond’s interim coach Andrew McQualter says Damien Hardwick owes the Tigers nothing and thinks it will be a significant positive if he is back involved in the AFL next year.
This masthead revealed on Wednesday that Gold Coast chief executive Mark Evans planned to meet with ex-Richmond coach Hardwick in Italy to discuss coaching the Suns from 2024.
Gold Coast, who have never played finals, are expected to offer the triple premiership coach a five-year deal in a bid to lift them to prominence.
McQualter dismissed suggestions the Tigers would be annoyed that Hardwick was considering returning to the game so soon after his mid-season resignation and citing burnout as the major factor for his sudden departure.
“To be honest, if ‘Dimma’ is involved in footy next year – it’s great for the game,” McQualter said.
“He doesn’t owe this club anything; he’s been unbelievable for us. There were reports out last night – I saw them – [about Evans taking a] nice flight to Italy to go and seek [Hardwick] out, which is a good idea. But, if he gets back into coaching, I think it’s great for footy.
“He’s probably pretty bored now. He doesn’t last too long – I imagine Dimma on holidays. As much as he’s had a good time; he probably wants a bit of a distraction.”
Damien Hardwick is reportedly set to meet with Mark Evans in Italy to discuss the prospect of coaching the Gold Coast Suns.Credit: Archives
McQualter said Hardwick was in almost-weekly contact with him, general manager of football performance Tim Livingstone and list boss Blair Hartley, and had provided “unbelievable” support for him.
“He’s awesome ... he texts Tim, Blair and I most weeks and gives us a recap of the game and what he’s seeing,” McQualter said.
“He loves it, and he’s invested in our people, which is what he’s always done so well. I think he said [he was missing coaching] a month after [his resignation].
“Dimma is born to coach, I reckon, so knowing him, he’s an incredibly competitive guy, and it’s great for the game if he gets back into it.”
Richmond have won six of their nine games under McQualter and remain a chance to play finals. The Tigers have formed a panel to find their new coach, but McQualter said he was unsure of the timeline for the interview process and focused on the remaining games this season.
‘A player of a generation’: Mitchell hails Franklin after retirement
Roy Ward
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell has hailed his former teammate Lance Franklin as “a player of a generation”, praising his ability to perform in the spotlight for almost 20 years.
Franklin announced earlier this week that he would retire at the end of this season after 354 games over 19 years since he was drafted to the Hawks with the fifth pick in the 2004 draft.
Mitchell focused on his Hawthorn premiership teammate’s sustained excellence and longevity in the face of the hype and pressure that came with being an AFL sensation throughout his career.
When they were teammates: Sam Mitchell and Lance Franklin in 2008.Credit: Paul Harris
“Seeing how he grew into that and watch him do that at two clubs is admirable, I don’t think you can also understand the amount of pressure he has been under for such a long time,” Mitchell said on Thursday.
“Not just on the field but in every aspect of his life, everyone is watching everything he does, for almost two decades.
“I have enormous respect for him, he’s a player of a generation if not more on top of that; I just can’t help but to tip my lid to what he has been able to achieve off the field and they way in how he’s grown into being a great man.”
Mitchell said playing alongside Franklin was one of the great privileges of his AFL career.
“I feel really privileged to have seen the part of his journey that I did,” Mitchell said.
“I think a lot of us would remember when he first turned up as this skinny kid, an amazing athlete, he didn’t have a worry in the world and could do some fantastic things with the footy.
“We saw him go from that into the great man, father and icon of the game that he has become.”
The Hawks plan to keep mid-season Brandon “Sticks” Ryan in the team to face Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday following an impressive debut last round.
“He’s uncanny. His whole body is built out of elbows, it feels like that when you run into him,” Mitchell said with a laugh.
“I don’t think he is a match-up people would like but he is still learning the caper.
“He does some things that make you go wow and then, like all young players, he does things that are frustrating. I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do. It’s a big game for him in game No.2.”
Port’s doc has Hinkley’s support despite ‘big mistake’
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley conceded not putting Aliir Aliir through a concussion test was a “big mistake”, but threw his support behind club doctor Mark Fisher on Thursday.
The Power are facing an AFL sanction for their response to Aliir’s head clash with teammate Lachie Jones in Saturday night’s Showdown against Adelaide, and Hinkley admitted the scrutiny had made it a “tough week” for the club.
The partner of former player Sam Mayes added to the attention when she publicly alleged “scary” incidents related to concussion during the utility’s time at Port Adelaide.
The heat comes with head injuries now a massive issue in the game. A number of former players are suing the league and their clubs, seeking compensation for the effects of concussion from their careers.
“We have had some issues that we’d much rather not have had, but they are certainly being dealt with the best they can possibly be dealt with,” Hinkley told reporters on Thursday.
Jones was substituted out of the Showdown loss to Adelaide because of a migraine, but Aliir returned to the field. Fisher has since conceded the 28-year-old should have been put through a concussion test immediately after his head knock.
“Like Lachie, Aliir’s condition was the subject of testing both on Saturday night after the game and since,” the club doctor said in a statement on the Power’s website.
“However, upon reviewing the vision of the incident again, Aliir should have undergone SCAT testing at the time immediately following the collision.”
Hinkley said the Port would learn from the experience.
“It’s a big mistake, but no one sets out to make any mistake in whatever type of job we do,” Hinkley said.
“[Fisher’s] doing his absolute best and has done great service for this footy club for a long, long period of time. We understand concussion’s a massive issue and everyone’s working towards a better outcome for concussion.”
Hinkley said Fisher would be on regular duties when Port Adelaide attempt to arrest their three-match losing streak against Geelong at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday night.
“It’s a really tough question to be throwing out; ‘Do we lack trust in Mark Fisher?’. That’s not the case at all,” Hinkley said.
“He himself has said he got it wrong, and we should be able to go, ‘You know what, he’s got a lot of runs on the board’.
“He’s done a lot of good things in his profession that we should give him some respect for.”
Hinkley said Aliir and Jones are both feeling “pretty good” in their recoveries from the collision, having shown some delayed symptoms consistent with concussion.
“Unfortunately they’re both in the concussion protocols so they’ll be unavailable to play (against Geelong),” Hinkley said.
“But the right thing is they do have the rest and we get them back fit and ready to go next week.”
Mayes’ partner Cassie Burton this week said the current spotlight on Port Adelaide’s handling of concussion “doesn’t surprise me” and made her “sick”. Burton claimed Mayes played concussed during his time at the Power.
Hinkley said Port Adelaide have reached out to Mayes, who now plays for SANFL club North Adelaide. “As a club we’ve spoken to Sam and Sam has no issues with the way we looked after Sam,” Hinkley said.
– AAP
Giant for life: Himmelberg knocks back rivals to re-sign
Peter Ryan
In-form Giants defender Harry Himmelberg has declined the interest of Sydney and Richmond and will remain at Greater Western Sydney for the next six seasons.
The decision was confirmed by the Giants on Thursday morning, who declared the 27-year-old had spurned free agency offers to remain at GWS as “a Giant for life”.
Himmelberg has been instrumental in helping the Giants rebound up the ladder in 2023. The club has won its past seven games, with Himmelberg moving into defence alongside All-Australian defender Sam Taylor.
Himmelberg’s ability to play either end of the ground, and also in the ruck, made him a key signature for the Giants, particularly because his age means he bridges the gap on the club’s list between the established stars and a bevy of players with raw talent aged under 22.
Football manager Jason McCartney said the club was confident he would remain and were happy to be patient as he made his decision.
“Harry’s been an important part of our club since his days in the academy and has blossomed into a key member of our side.His versatility as a player has never been more on show that this season when he’s kicked important goals, taken incredible marks and then switched to defence where he’s been ultra-consistent.
“He’s also continued to grow as a leader and is part of our emerging leaders’ group, which is a great reflection of his value to our club.
Harrison Himmelberg is a high-flyer for GWS.Credit: Getty
“Harry sees where our club is heading under a new coach in Adam Kingsley and a new coaching group and believes success is near.”
The Brisbane Lions also locked in defender Jack Payne for the next five seasons after his breakout year alongside Harris Andrews in 2023.
Payne was not due to come out of contract until the end of next season, but got in early to pen a bumper new deal that will keep him with the Lions until at least the end of 2029. The club formally confirmed the extension Thursday morning, after a video of the 23-year-old discussing his new contract was briefly posted online on Wednesday night.
Clayton’s return: Oliver made to wait one more week
Clayton Oliver won’t make his long-awaited return from a hamstring injury this weekend, but Melbourne thinks their star man is closing in his long-awaited return ahead of finals.
Melbourne midfield ace Clayton Oliver has been on the sidelines since round 10.Credit: Getty
The Demons are confident the gun midfielder will face Carlton in round 22, six days after they face North Melbourne in Hobart on Sunday.
They’d previously been reluctant to put a timeline on Oliver’s return to action for the first time since round 10, but coach Simon Goodwin is backing him in to complete his recovery and face the Blues.
“Clayton’s progressing really well, we’re really hopeful he’ll be back next week,” he said.
“He won’t play this week, he’s more than likely to be ready to go next week.
“He will train fully [on Thursday] and we think with everything being right he’ll be ready to go next week, which is exciting for our footy club.”
It would be a huge boost to a Melbourne side that’s won four straight games and kicked 50 goals in the past three weeks, keeping alive its hopes of jumping Port Adelaide and Brisbane for a top-two finish.
They’ll again play without Brodie Grundy, backing max Gawn to ruck solo and a forward line that’s gelled beautifully in their recent wins.
Makeshift forward Harrison Petty slotted six goals against Richmond last week, and Goodwin praised his combination with 20-year-old Jacob van Rooyen, suggesting the Demons would head further down that path before recalling Grundy.
“We liked how [the forward line] looked, and we’ve still got some training to get through this week, but at this stage [Grundy] won’t be playing but anything’s still possible,” he said.
“We’re one week into a different-looking forward line, but we are liking how Brodie’s progressing.
“The way Harrison played last week was outstanding and the combination of Jacob and Harrison together looked quite dynamic for us ahead of the ball.”
Goodwin didn’t think Gawn would require a rest in the lead-up to finals, suggesting his captain looked “bubbly” and “fresh”.
Midfielder Tom Sparrow is also likely to return to the team this weekend, after missing time with a calf complaint. – AAP
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