In today’s AFL Briefing, your daily wrap of footy news:
- Demon Oliver back in first game since round 10
- Dangerfield talks down prospects of joining AFL commission any time soon
- Isaac Smith to retire after flags at Geelong and Hawthorn
- Beveridge emotional as Dogs lose long-time assistant Rohan Smith
Demon Oliver back after long lay-off
Roy Ward
Melbourne have regained gun midfielder Clayton Oliver and recalled big man Brodie Grundy for their clash with fifth-placed Carlton at the MCG on Saturday night.
Demons coach Simon Goodwin had been confident all week that Oliver would train strongly and lock in his return after a frustrating period on the sidelines with a hamstring injury suffered in round 10.
But Grundy’s return comes after key forward Harrison Petty’s season was ended prematurely on the weekend after a Lisfranc foot injury.
Clayton Oliver showed his frustration at training in July.Credit: AFL Photos, Nine
“Harrison had a significant rotational force through his left foot when it was caught in a tackle in the game on the weekend,” Demons football general manager Alan Richardson said on Wednesday.
“Scans yesterday have confirmed a high-grade Lisfranc injury. After consultation with specialists in the area, it was deemed that Harrison requires an operation to stabilise the joint which will require longer-term rehabilitation. This will unfortunately mean he won’t be returning this season.“
Grundy has been predominantly playing as a forward in the VFL as the Demons want him to fill that role and allow Max Gawn to spend a larger portion of the game in the ruck.
Oliver’s return meant midfielder James Harmes was unluckily relegated to the emergencies, along with Charlie Spargo, Michael Hibberd and Josh Schache with one of those players likely to be the substitute this weekend.
The Blues will go in unchanged, although their substitute won’t be confirmed until closer to game time with last week’s sub Ed Curnow among the four emergencies, along with Jordan Boyd, Josh Honey and Sam Durdin.
Collingwood midfielder Will Hoskin-Elliott and big man Billy Frampton were named for their side’s clash with Geelong on Friday night, with Ash Johnson (omitted), Steele Sidebottom (foot) and Nick Daicos (knee) out.
The Cats have forward Shannon Neale coming in for the injured Jack Henry (foot), while last week’s substitute Brandan Parfitt is an emergency, joining Oisin Mullin, Sam Menegola and Jed Bews.
Danger says commission role not in his immediate plans
Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield has confirmed he spoke to AFL chairman Richard Goyder about the possibility of one day joining the AFL commission, but says it’s not on his immediate radar and he presently has no plans to retire.
This masthead reported this week that the Cats captain, who is also the AFL Players Association president and has a number of regular media commitments, had been approached about a role on the commission, which would have been an unprecedented move had he still been playing.
Geelong veteran Patrick Dangerfield says he’s committed to his playing career at the moment.Credit: AFL Photos
The mere suggestion of any current player, particularly such an influential one, sitting on the commission infuriated club officials behind the scenes.
Dangerfield explained he spoke to Goyder at this year’s pre-season captain’s conference about his plans once his playing career ends, but dismissed the idea he could take on another role soon, saying he believed the “challenges around the conflicts” were too great.
“I haven’t had any material conversations with either Gil or Richard about the commission,” he told SEN radio on Thursday.
“I spoke to Richard at the start of the season at the captain’s conference and our conversation was more based on what post-footy is going to look like for me.
“It was a personal conversation mind you, so pathway beyond footy and where that goes.
“Part of that conversation was an extraordinarily surface-level comment around commission, but certainly not [an offer to] ‘join the commission’.”
The eight-time All-Australian backed in the AFL’s administration as the league prepares to include Tasmania as the league’s 19th team in coming years.
“I do find it funny though, for all the conversation around (a supposedly) disorganised place the league is at. Well, attendance is through the roof, there’s 14 teams who can make the finals with three weeks to go,” Dangerfield said.
-AAP
Four-time premiership player Isaac Smith to hang up boots
Geelong’s four-time premiership wingman Isaac Smith will retire at the end of the AFL season.
Smith claimed three flags at Hawthorn (2013-15)and won the Norm Smith Medal as best-afield in Geelong’s premiership last year.
Isaac Smith played in AFL premierships at Geelong (2022) and Hawthorn (2013-15).Credit: Scott Barbour
The 34-year-old has told his Geelong teammates of his decision to retire at the end of the Cats’ current campaign.
“I am so fortunate to have been given the opportunity to play AFL football ... to have that play out for me across the last 13 seasons at two great clubs is something really special,” Smith said in a statement on Thursday.
“From the time I walked into Hawthorn, and now being at Geelong, I have always felt right at home at both organisations.”
The dashing winger played 210 games for the Hawks before switching to Geelong at the end of the 2020 season.
Smith has played 67 of a possible 70 games with the Cats and last season became the oldest winner of the North Smith Medal.
Before being picked up by the Hawks with pick 19 at the 2010 draft, Smith had an unconventional path to the AFL, playing with Albury Tigers, and then coming to attention of scouts while playing for Redan in the Ballarat league and then North Ballarat in the VFL.
Geelong’s football manager Simon Lloyd praised Smith’s team-first approach with the Cats.
“Isaac has been an important member of the club both on and off the field, highlighted by his strong mindset, competitive nature and balanced perspective on life and the game,” Lloyd said in a statement.
“He is a unique individual and his ability to bring energy around the club is something that is going to be missed.”
Geelong are in ninth spot, two premiership points shy of eighth place, with three rounds remaining before the finals. – AAP
Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge will miss his assistant Rohan Smith.Credit: Getty
Bulldogs coach Beveridge fights tears over Rohan Smith’s departure
Holding back tears, Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has paid tribute to club legend and departing backline coach Rohan Smith.
A coaching panel restructure means Smith will depart at the end of this season, ending a 30-year stretch at the club – almost 12 of them as a coach.
Beveridge became emotional when he lauded Smith’s contributions to the club.
“He’s been a great confidant of mine, and he’s had so many powerful partnerships with individuals and players,” Beveridge said on Thursday.
“Rohan and I’ve been together from the start. We love him to death.”
One of the Bulldogs’ favourite sons and a dual All-Australian half-back Smith played 300 games from 1992 to 2006.
He became an assistant coach at the club in 2012 and was in the box for the drought-breaking 2016 premiership.
Beveridge did not comment on the reason for Smith’s contract ending.
– AAP
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