The AFL's newest team Greater Western Sydney have paraded one of their inaugural set of colours for their debut into the competition next year and they have received and under-whelming response.

The bland mixture of orange, white and black with an un-inspiring design that designates who an image of what is phrased as Canberra's iconic Black Mountain Tower - No, I haven't heard of it either, is as flat as a shit-carters hat.

Incredibly it was the winning design of a competition that asked locals to submit designs for the three matches GWS will play in Canberra in their first season at the top level.

If this was the best design one can't imagine what was among the losers.

The jumper will be unveiled for the GWS home game in Canberra

against the Western Bulldogs on April 28.

Pictured trying their best to boost the Club's new jumper are from the right Giant's Phil Davis, ACT Minister for Sport Andrew Barr, Jonathon Patton and Josh Bruce.

FOLLOWING it’s successful introduction in 2011 sixteen teams will challenge for the next season’s Foxtel Cup.

The AFL today announced the fixture for the 2012 FOXTEL Cup -- the knockout competition which this year was won by VFL Club Williamstown,

Teams from every State plus Canberra and the Northern Territory will be chasing a $60,000 winner’s prize – up by nearly 20 percent on the 2011 event.

All first round matrches are expected to be played as curtain raisers to AFL matches with the opening game of Morningside (Qld.) taking on Launceston (TSL) at theh Metricon Stadium before the opening round match that pits the Gold Coast against Adelaide.

AFL General Manager National and International Development Andrew Dillon said the AFL had been delighted with the success of this year's inaugural competition, won by Williamstown, and said the 16 teams had now been confirmed for next year's tournament.

 Williamstown will defend its title with the senior state leagues in the VFL, WAFL and the SANFL to again supply three teams each, joined by two teams from the TSL, two teams from Queensland, the NT Thunder, one team from NSW and one team from the ACT. As the GWS Giants have now moved into the AFL competition, their 2011 spot in the competition was taken by a second team from Tasmania.

 The 16 competing teams are Ainslie (ACT) , Burnie (Tas), Claremont (WA), Launceston (Tas), Morningside (Qld), Mt Gravatt (Qld), NT Thunder (NT), Port Adelaide (SA), Port Melbourne (Vic), South Adelaide (SA), Subiaco (WA), Sydney Hills Eagles (NSW), Werribee (Vic), West Adelaide (SA), West Perth (WA), and Williamstown (Vic).

The 15 matches will again consist of four quarters each of eighteen (18) minutes set time, plus time-on from the last 3 minutes only (20 minutes approximately total per quarter), to ensure they did not overly impact on club commitments to their on-going state league season, as well as to enable games to fit into a two-hour broadcast window.

All matches will again be broadcast on FOX SPORTS on the FOX FOOTY channel and now played in the Saturday late-morning slot.

DEPENDING on which way you look at it Collingwood’s chances of winning back-to-back premierships either tightened or loosened over the weekend.

They certainly tightened with their demolition job against an under-manned Fremantle on Friday night and they just about had two hands on the Cup when main rivals Geelong was knocked over by a determined Sydney outfit on Saturday.

But the sleeping giant Hawthorn awoke and brushed aside the Western Bulldogs and they may now be the major hurdle for Collingwood.

That Collingwood premiership grip was further loosened today when the Match Review Panel booted out big-time ‘Pie on-baller for two weeks after his collision with Fremantle’s Garrick Ibbotson is the first quarter of Friday’s match,

The MVP hit Thomas with a Level Two charge for engaging in rough conduct offence against Ibbotson.

Based on the video evidence available and a medical report available from the Fremantle Football Club, the incident was assessed a reckless conduct (two points), low impact (one point) and high contact (two points). This is a total of five activation points, resulting in a classification of a Level Two offence drawing 225 demerit points and a two-match sanction.

Adding to his previous poor record means that his two-game sanction must remain at two matches, even with an early plea.

He has an existing poor record of one match suspended within the last three years, increasing the penalty by 10 per cent to 247.50 points. He has also 68.75 demerit points carried over from within the last 12 months, increasing the penalty to 316.25 points and a three-match sanction. An early plea reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to 237.19 points and a two-match sanction.

Four other players were with charges from the MVP.

Nick Lower, Fremantle, has been charged with a Level Three bumping or making forceful contact from front-on offence against Dale Thomas, Collingwood, during the first quarter of the Round 23 match between Fremantle and Collingwood, played at Patersons Stadium on Friday August 26, 2011.

He can accept a three-match sanction with an early plea.

Levi Greenwood, North Melbourne, has been charged with a Level Two bumping or making forceful contact from front-on offence against David Armitage, St Kilda, during the second quarter of the Round 23 match between North Melbourne and St Kilda, played at Etihad Stadium on Saturday August 27, 2011.

He can accept a one-match sanction with an early plea.

David Armitage, St Kilda, has been charged with a Level One engaging in rough conduct offence against Leigh Adams, North Melbourne, during the second quarter of the Round 23 match between St Kilda and North Melbourne, played at Etihad Stadium on Saturday August 27, 2011.

Due to his carry-over points for a previous offence, his one-game sanction must remain at one game, even with an early plea.

Jack Ziebell, North Melbourne, has been charged with a Level Three bumping or making forceful contact from front-on offence against Nick Riewoldt, St Kilda, during the third quarter of the Round 23 match between North Melbourne and St Kilda, played at Etihad Stadium on Saturday August 27, 2011.

Due to his carry over points for a previous offence, he can accept a three-match sanction with an early plea.

Other incidents Assessed:

The match day report laid against West Coast’s Josh Kennedy for striking the Brisbane Lions’ Mitch Golby during Saturday’s game was assessed. Golby is attempting to mark when Kennedy comes in to spoil the contest. Kennedy makes contact with the ball and, after speaking to the match day umpire and reviewing all available video footage, it was the view of the panel that his action was not a striking motion and was a legitimate attempt to spoil. No further action was taken.

·

Contact between Fremantle’s Kepler Bradley and Collingwood’s Harry O’Brien from the fourth quarter of Saturday’s match was assessed. O’Brien tries to mark the ball as Bradley comes to the contest. O’Brien bends over to pick up the ball, after failing to mark, and Bradley holds his position. After reviewing all available video footage, it was the view of the panel that Bradley did not have a realistic alternative way to contest the ball. No further action was required.

·

Contact between the Western Bulldogs’ Dylan Addison and Hawthorn’s Isaac Smith from the first quarter of Saturday’s match was assessed. Smith is attempting to mark the ball when Addison jumps in the air to spoil the contest. Addison makes contact with Smith’s arm in his spoiling motion and, with the contact, his arm then moves upwards to make high contact. After reviewing all available video footage, it was the view of the panel that the Bulldog player’s action was a legitimate attempt to spoil and not a striking motion. No further action was taken.

·

Contact between the Geelong Cats’ Matthew Scarlett and the Sydney Swans’ Ben McGlynn from the second quarter of Saturday’s match was assessed. It was the view of the panel that Scarlett was attempting to tackle the Sydney player and the level of force used did not constitute a report for tripping. No further action was taken.

·

Contact between St Kilda’s Brendon Goddard and North Melbourne’s Brent Harvey from the third quarter of Saturday’s match was assessed. The contact was below that required to constitute a reportable offence. No further action was taken.

·

Contact between Richmond’s Dustin Martin and the Adelaide Crows’ Bernie Vince from the first quarter of Sunday’s match was assessed. Martin tackles Vince and takes him to the ground. While the action of the tackle was a sling motion, a medical report from the Adelaide Crows Football Club stated there was no forceful high contact for player Vince. After reviewing all available footage, it was determined that no further action was taken.

·

AS a recent introduction to the AFL Match Review Panel former Racing Victoria Chief Steward Des Gleeson should have a quick word to his new employees about a rule adjustment.

During his days in horse racing Des and his racing panel had the ability to fine anybody they considered had wasted their time with a frivolous protest.

If the AFL had a similar rule in place they could have stoked their coffers through Collingwood last week and they could have added to it from Geelong tonight.

Collingwood’s decision last week to appeal against Dale Thomas receiving a weeks suspension for his hit on St Kilda’s Clinton Jones was a slight on the Club, the player and all Collingwood supporters.

Sure, because of the ridiculous points system involved he risked no further addition to his penalty but pleading not guilty to such an obvious offence bordered on embarrassing.

Especially when it came in the same week that coach Mick Malthouse had been bleating about cheats and the integrity of the game and Club President Eddie Maguire had been whining about acting in the best interests of football through the supporter side.

It was such a frivolous action it took the appeals board only 15 minutes to knock it on the head, many would ask why it took that long.

Whoever at Collingwood that was responsible for lodging that appeal should cop a foot up the arse.

Okay not as clear cut as the Thomas hit, but what are Geelong thinking appealing against the three match ban for star forward Joel Sellwood for his hit on Hawthorn’s Brent Guerra at the MCG on Saturday.

Are they going to suggest that Guerra tried to bite Selwood’s fast?

Selwood copped a four week ban for the clash that flattened Guerra who had to be assisted from the ground and was later diagnosed with a perforated eardrum.

He could have had his suspension reduced to three weeks with an early guilty plea but “wiser” heads at Geelong have decided to roll the dice.

A statement from the Match Review Panel explained their finding: “Based on the video evidence available, an investigation by the MRP and a medical report from Hawthorn, the incident was assessed as intentional conduct (three points), high impact (three points) and high contact (two points)."

Although Guerra certainly wasn’t a gentle bystander some people have compared it to Leigh Matthew’s infamous hit on Neville Bruns between the same two teams in the 1985 season, albeit the them assailant and the victim were on opposite sides..

In a similar off the ball incident Hawthorn’s Matthews flattened swung a haymaker at the unsuspecting Bruns and broke the Geelong player’s jaw.

As no umpire saw the punch and because it did not show on the original video tape, no report was laid but following studio work on the video the edge of the incident was displayed and after a delayed investigiation Matthews was deregistered for four weeks.

He was also charged by the police and fined $1000, later changed to a 12 month good behavior bond on an assault charge

Selwood’s appeal will be heard tonight and while they may take more than the Thomas 15 minutes, it is hard to see it being upheld.

NORTH Melbourne Chief Executive Eugene Arocca has described the Clun’s decision to switch a number of home matches to Taasmania aas a “no brainer.”

Under an agreement reach today between North officials along with AFL representatives and Tasmanian interests, starting from 2012 the Kangaroos will be two games a season at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart.

Although a shade disappointing for some of it’s Melbourne based fans the move is seen as a lifesaver for the Club.

Arocca would not offer an official estimate of how much the move would be worth to the ‘Roos but he offered no argument that it would be worth around $400,000 per match.

Speaking on Melbourne’s Radio SEN Arocca said: “In the two games that we play here we will pretty much match the 11 games we play at Etihaad. There are some games that we play at Etihaad that we don’t make any money.

Arocca insisted that the financial returns were not the sole reason behind the move.

He said: “The financial elements are great but it is really more important at getting the opportunity of getting North Melbourne a second supporter base.

“We simply have shown that over three and a half years despite a lot of hard work, the membership has grown but not at levels that we think are satisfactory for the long term.”

The move to Hobart looked out of the question after Hawthorn signed off on a five year deal to play games out of Launceston but North officials kept pushing.

Arocca said: “The AFL must be commended for its toughness, for really hanging in there. There were times when I thought this wouldn’t get through but we understood the importance of a Hobart presence.

“Even after it was scumpered last year we went back to the drawing board and here we are today so nine to 10 months later with what I think is going to be a great deal for Tasmanians sand the North Melbourne footy club.

“There have been times when the wheels wobbled but today there was a roomful of people with a lot of smiles on their faces.”

What the switch to Hobart does set up is a Tasmanian Derby between North and Hawthorn who are on a five year contract to play games out of Launceston.

But it also it scuttles is the prospect of North Melbourne playing games at regional stadiums in Victoria, most notably Ballarat.

Round 11 Captain Choices

Jobe Watson - If he plays, which sources say that he will, he will dominate Melbournes midfield and lack of tagging players. However coming of an injury he is still a gamble.

Joel Selwood - Playing the dogggies down at sleepy hollow. This can only mean big points for Selwood, expect a 120+ score from him.

Paul Chapman - Expect 100+ but still a gamble with Chapy.

Stevie Johnson - Coming off a massive score vs the Suns Stevie J will have massive confidence playing agains the doggies depleted backline. If i had Stevie J i would seriously consider a gamble captain choice here.

Dean Cox - Eagles vs Suns enough said.

Scott Pendlebury - Having a stellar season and all coaches who have pendles will have relished in his good form and massive scores. This year alone i have captained him 6 out of 10 rounds.

Buddy Franklin - Buddy at the G vs freo's depleted backline. Its a recipe for success thats if he can stop giving away cheap frees.

Chris Judd - Judd always tears it up vs the power. He has 3 150+ point games in the last 4 matches against the power.

Round 11 Captain Choices

Jobe Watson - If he plays, which sources say that he will, he will dominate Melbournes midfield and lack of tagging players. However coming of an injury he is still a gamble.

Joel Selwood - Playing the dogggies down at sleepy hollow. This can only mean big points for Selwood, expect a 120+ score from him.

Paul Chapman - Expect 100+ but still a gamble with Chapy.

Stevie Johnson - Coming off a massive score vs the Suns Stevie J will have massive confidence playing agains the doggies depleted backline. If i had Stevie J i would seriously consider a gamble captain choice here.

Dean Cox - Eagles vs Suns enough said.

Scott Pendlebury - Having a stellar season and all coaches who have pendles will have relished in his good form and massive scores. This year alone i have captained him 6 out of 10 rounds.

Buddy Franklin - Buddy at the G vs freo's depleted backline. Its a recipe for success thats if he can stop giving away cheap frees.

Chris Judd - Judd always tears it up vs the power. He has 3 150+ point games in the last 4 matches against the power.

Round 11 Injury and Trade Update

Injuries -

Out

Barry Hall came back from a spell only to be sidelined again the official call on his ankle is test, which means anything from a couple of weeks to be being available to play. Chance Bateman from the hawks will be sidelined for 4-6 weeks with an ankle injury. Taylor Walker is set to miss a few with a knee injury. Brendan Goddards horific head injury on the weekend would weaken even the toughest of stomachs, seeing him convulse on the ground is never nice to see but Goddard has stated that he will be right to play, we will see.... Jeremy Laidler will miss 2-3 with a knee while Jordan Russel will probably be right to play after hamstring tightness.

IN

Robbie Warnock could come back into Carltons lineup after recovering from concussion. Kane Lucas may also be a starter for the blues. Leigh Brown may be in the mix for the magpies. The jury is still out on Michael Hurley and Jobe Watson. Ellis, Hale and Renouf may create selection problems for the Hawks this week. Melbourne will get Jack Trengove back from suspension aswell as Tom Scully. Ryan Hargrave should come straight back in for the suffering dogs.

Trades -

In

Tendai Mzungu (Mid/Fwd $110,200) He has played his 2 games and scored nicely on the weekend. He is set to go up in price and continue this way for some time. He is essential at this time of the year.

Cameron Pederson (Def $109,700) My spies tell me he is playing this week but there is no evidence he will keep his side in the rotating door of a side at the Roos. However his price should rise considerably.

Issac Smith (Mid/Fwd $103,700) Reported to be playing on the weekend but like Pederson there is not much job security. Expect a healthy price rise.

Others i would consider include Luke Delaney from North and Michael Evans from Melbourne.

Out

Like always check your cash cows and what their respective break evens are going to be. As i said for the last couple of weeks it is important to decide now wether you are going to keep for the rest of the season or make money off.

Get rid of:

Jack Darling
Reece Conca
Brendan Matera
Tom Liberatore
Daniel Harris


Some good buys are Alan Didak, Greg Broughton, Luke Hodge and Dane Swan (if he proves fit).

Good luck and i will do a captain choices article of friday.

SuperOates

THE AFL Match Review Committee have once again got football supporters scratching their heads in bemusement with another baffling decision.

Fancy suspending Karmichael Hunt for that accidental contact with Geelong ruckman Nathan Vardy in last Saturday night’s match.

What the hell was he supposed to do?

Vardy, a ruckman, had bent down that far that as he ran forward, leading with his head that he made contact with an almost stationary Hunt’s thigh.

The incident was assessed as negligent, medium impact and high contact.

No malice, no recklessness, no intention from Hunt , and most would think the reckless and negliment part came from Vardey who dived in head first into a jungle of arms and legs.

And how in the hell does a crazy system like that work.

Throughout a match there must be hundreds as negligent contacts made; in separate incidents there must be hundreds of  medium/high impacts  made and there are obviously numerous cases of high conact as well.

So can you be as negligent as you like, make as much contact as you like and connect high as often as you like so long as they are separate incidents?

Nobody refutes the AFL’s wish to cut out head head contact  but more than erasing it head contact, it could be argued that at present they are encouraging it.

Years ago ex-Collingwood stars Billy Picken and Gavin Brown used to charge head first like wild bulls at a red cape and received numerous free kicks.

With what would seem t be wiser heads there at the time, the AFL saw the danger involved and stopped paying free kicks to players who put their head down and chased free kicks.

It encouraged players to show more tact and had them concentrating more on the ball.

But now, after watching Geelong’s Joel Sellwood, got a mountain of free kicks for several seasons, everybody is doing it.

Sure, a free kick should be paid if the upright player moves carelessly into the fray but just as much if the player leads with his head he should learn, like Picken and Brown did that  it just isn’t worth it.

As for a two week suspension for what Hunt did, the AFL is blaming the wrong person and while they encourage players to go in head first they must realise the danger of somebody copping a very serious injury.

If they had the gumption they should make changes and make them now, but then again when has the AFL ever admitted it was wrong in anything.

Hunt can accept a one-match ban with an early plea.

Injuries Ins and Outs