AFL set to suspend it’s stars

The AFL have said they are going to ban players from playing the following week after the Victoria vs Dream Team game if they are selected and refuse to play in the game.

The game is to be the showcase of the AFL’s 150 years of Australian Rules Football celebrations and reiterates the fact that the AFL want, and need this to be a success or else they leave themselves open to never ending critisism. The understanding is that if a player is selected and then becomes ineligible he will not be able to play for his club the next week. There has to be some sort of middle ground for the situation where a player has a legitimate injury.

Considering the backbone of the side will be made up from the All-Australian team of 2007, Geelong is set to have about 7-8 players from their side playing in the game, look out if a couple of them go down with an injury and can’t play Richmond the following week. But with Mark Thompson as coach it will be interesting to see how he handles his Geelong players during the game.

Cornes labels “All Star” game an absolute disgrace

Prominent South Australian football identity Graham Cornes is “molten with rage” after the AFL’s decision to hold a Victorian vs The Rest game as par of the 150 year birthday celebrations. Comments like this would only come from a perocial South Australian wouldn’t they?

I was listening to an interview he did and he came out with comments like “players would be embarrased with the jumper which would look like a lollipop netball guernsey.”

The best one though was “They are supposed to pull it on with pride. I wouldn’t spit on it,” he said.

He cannot honestly believe that if the AFL get 80,000 people to the MCG on May 10, which they will do easily provided the players and clubs are supportive of the game which from all reports they are, that they will only be there to watch the players wearing the “Big V”.

I for one will be eagerly awaiting how the “All Stars” Team shapes up, there is nothing surer than them wanting to SMASH the Vics ! which will be definatley reinforced by coach Mark Williams. On the flip side the Vic’s wanting to prove that we are the best footballing state in Australia, and with Kevin Sheedy part of the coaching team, there will be some old school state vs state talk thats for sure.