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AFL pre-season football goes back to the 'burbs
The AFL pre-season has embraced the bush. Now it's once again embracing the suburbs.
The AFL pre-season has embraced the bush. Now it's once again embracing the suburbs.
All the hard work was worth it for Jackson Coleman.
A meeting of Frankston members on Thursday night will attempt to rally support for a return to the field in 2018.
Frankston Football Club is all but dead, with the club's administrators indicating that AFL Victoria had terminated the club's VFL license on Monday.
Footscray upstage flag fancy Casey to claim their second VFL premiership in three seasons.
In the VFL, coaches of teams aligned to AFL sides often preach that premierships are won with "squads", not just their available AFL depth.
Melbourne youngster Christian Salem has been knocked out after having his head driven into the ground in a heavy tackle during Sunday's VFL preliminary final at North Port Oval.
The Casey Scorpions have won through to their first VFL grand final since 1999, after dismantling reigning premier Williamstown by 42-points in a preliminary final at North Port Oval on Sunday.
The Bulldogs are barking in September in both the AFL and VFL, after Footscray upset Collingwood by 119-points to win through to next Sunday's VFL grand final at Etihad Stadium.
Western Bulldogs midfielders Toby McLean, Lukas Webb and Rourke Smith have emerged as candidates to replace the injured Lin Jong for Friday night's AFL semi-final against Hawthorn at the MCG.
Williamstown have kept their hopes for back-to-back flags alive, after a dominant 46-point win over Sandringham in a semi-final at North Port Oval on Saturday.
Sandringham simply had the answers when it mattered most against Port Melbourne.
Geelong have plenty of selection headaches ahead of their qualifying final clash against Hawthorn at the MCG on Friday night, with several depth players pushing for a recall from the Cats VFL elimination final 22-point loss to Essendon on Saturday.
The Casey Scorpions finally broke their finals drought of 11 consecutive September losses in their 70-point qualifying final victory over Footscray at Casey Fields on Saturday.
Collingwood star Steele Sidebottom says spots on the club's list in 2017 could still be decided by performances in the VFL finals series.
Geelong livewire Nakia Cockatoo emerged unscathed after an injury scare in the Cats' 35-point win over Port Melbourne at Whitten Oval on Sunday.
AFL stand alone clubs Collingwood, Footscray, Geelong and Essendon are set to play a major part in this year's VFL finals series, in what is expected to be a somewhat changing of the guard.
Western Bulldogs forward Jake Stringer could be thrust upon the VFL finals next weekend in a third consecutive match at the lower level in a bid to attack the AFL finals "full of confidence".
Western Bulldogs forward Jake Stringer headlines a list of players desperate to push for a senior recall on the eve of AFL finals in the final round of the VFL's home-and-away season this weekend.
St Kilda and Sandringham will officially join forces next season in a new alignment that will see the Saints extending their move back to Moorabbin with a second bayside headquarters at the Trevor Barker Oval.
Hawthorn are likely to consider promoting their ruck insurance policy Jack Fitzpatrick for next Sunday's clash against Collingwood at the MCG, following a suspected ACL injury to Jonathan Ceglar on Friday night.
Hawthorn swingman Ryan Schoenmakers has shrugged off a frustrating groin injury, getting through unscathed on return for Box Hill in their upset 22-point win over Sandringham at Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Sunday.
Collingwood forward Travis Cloke found form in the VFL with five goals, including the sealer, in the Pies' 16-point win over Port Melbourne at Victoria Park on Saturday.
Geelong forward Shane Kersten is in doubt for next week after suffering concussion in the Cats' 101-point win over Frankston at Simonds Stadium on Saturday.
Hawthorn's key position stocks are set to be bolstered in the VFL next Sunday, with Ryan Schoenmakers and Matt Spangher expected to make returns from injury for Box Hill against Sandringham.
North Melbourne forward Majak Daw is in line for another senior recall against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night, after impressing for Werribee in their 63-point win over the Northern Blues at Avalon Airport Oval on Sunday.
The Box Hill Hawks have been an important outlet for Hawthorn's triple premiership success – but this season appears likely to play a very little part.
Geelong midfielder Josh Caddy appears set to make his AFL return against Essendon next Sunday, after a solid 30-disposal performance against Collingwood at Victoria Park on Saturday.
The Box Hill Hawks have been an important outlet for Hawthorn's triple premiership success – but this season appears likely to play a very little part.
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