The Lions board woes continue with Lions lawyers advising the club that Matthews is ineligble to stand for the Board after not meeting the membership conditions set out in the constitution. In the meantime Brisbane members have reached the numbers required for an Emergency General Meeting, but the deadline for this passed on Friday with no meeting called as the AFL tries to mediate a resolution.
Leigh Matthews has been busy on twitter denouncing the Lions board ‘Lions board members Angus Johnson, Cameron Milner , Linda Nash and Peter McGregor prevent me challenging them NOW but the fight still on’
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AFL Media reports that Greater Western Sydney has requested the opening game of the season be moved from ANZ Stadium to a potential sellout at Skida stadium, after the Swans played their home game against the Giants in 2013 at the SCG. Greater Western Sydney have also appealed for an ‘expansion allowance’ in the event that the controversialcost of living allowance is scrapped in the fallout from the Lance Franklin to Sydney deal.
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St Kilda have locked in a deal to play Anzac Day Fixtures in Wellington for the next 5 years after the 2013 game against Sydney attracted more than 22,000 people and sold out every hotel in the Wellington area. The Saints today announced a major review of the clubs operations as they seek to become the ‘Bayside Saints’. The club has expressed a desire to
– Establish itself as Melbourne’s bayside club
– Shift the culture and attitude within some parts of the club
– Rid itself of misconceptions about its Seaford base being an outpost
– Ensure all sides of the club, football and commercial, are working towards unified goals
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Zach Touhy is the only current AFL player named for Ireland to take on the Australian Indigenous side in two tests. Former players Colm Begley and Ciaran Kilkenny have also been named. Lance Franklin is perhaps the biggest name to be cited in the team to take on the Irish. [The full squads are here and here]
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There is outrage in Western Australian country footy circles after the AFL pulled its funding for country footy in WA stating that it believes the money can be better utilised in NSw and QLD which are growing rapidly. WACFL chief Terry House said that the decision to reduce the funding would have an adverse effect at the grassroots which have been a breeding ground for so many players. You can join the discussion here.
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Essendon today announced that Mark Thompson will coach Essendon for the duration of the 2014 season, while James Hird will be studying overseas. Hird will not resume mid season when his suspension ends.
Today was a day for coach trades apparently with recently retired Hawks ruckman Max Bailey becoming a development coach at Richmond. Former Melbourne Assistant Neil Craig will join Mark Thompson at Essendon, while Melbourne have also terminated Chris Connolly.
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In Trade news, and day 4 of this years Trade period has seen St Kilda ruckman Ben McEvoy traded to Hawthorn in return for pick #17. The Heraldsun reports that the deal may also include Hawthorns compensation pick for Lance Franklin (which has yet to be confirmed) being exchanged for another St Kilda pick. This could potentially give St Kilda three picks inside the top 20 at the draft. You can see the draft order as it currently stands here.
Confirmed 2013 Player Movements
- Ben McEvoy to Hawthorn from St Kilda, in exchange for Shane Savage and pick #17
- Shaun Hampson to Richmond from Carlton, in exchange for pick #28
- Eddie Betts to Adelaide from Carlton, restricted free agent
- Colin Sylvia to Fremantle from Melbourne, unrestricted free agent
- Matt White to Port Adelaide from Richmond, restricted free agent
- Shane Mumford to Greater Western Sydney from Sydney, unrestricted free agent
- Lance Franklin to Sydney from Hawthorn, restricted free agent
- Dale Thomas to Carlton from Collingwood, restricted free agent
