Hird future in the balance
The Essendon board will meet to discuss the future of suspended coach James Hird, following new allegations by his wife on the ABC's 7.30 Report.
Chairman Paul Little said the Bombers board would now meet to discuss its next move regarding Hird, who is serving a 12-month suspension which runs until late August.
Speaking on Triple M on Friday morning, Bombers chairman Paul Little said the club was angry about the interview.
"I think the timing last night is certainly less than helpful," Little said.
"Up until the events of the last 24 hours we believed James was acting and responding to our requests in a positive way.
"The club will need to meet now to determine how we go forward in relation to the James Hird issue and probably the broader group which surrounds James."
MORE: Will James Hird coach Essendon again?
Crows low on troops
Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson says he is not in a position to make many changes ahead of the Showdown against Port Adelaide in nine days time.
The Crows' long injury list did not grow any longer on Thursday night but the coach said midfielder Rory Laird is the only realistic inclusion for round two.
It means the Crows will have to find a lift from existing personnel ahead of a torrid early stretch that includes Port Adelaide and the Sydney Swans.
Geelong's win over Adelaide was Hamish McIntosh's first AFL match in two seasons. Photo: Michael Dodge (Getty)
McIntosh a Cats feel-good story
Luckless Hamish McIntosh has admitted there were times he thought he would never play in the AFL again. Following Geelong's 38-point win over Adelaide on Thursday night, the former North Melbourne ruckman let his emotion flow.
"There were times last year when I didn't think I'd be able to get back," he said.
"I went home and sometimes after training I was really sore and I thought my body maybe can't handle the load of AFL footy. Naturally when you're injured so long you think those thoughts.
"But you talk to people and they tell you to stay positive, to stay mentally strong. And I did that, pushed through it and did all the little exercises you have to do now the older you get.
"All the hard work is worth it to experience playing AFL footy and play with super guys like (captain Joel Selwood) and Jimmy in such a big game. You wouldn't change anything for the world."
Cats coach Chris Scott said McIntosh "became a Geelong player tonight".
Pies re-sign major sponsor
Emirates has extended its big-money sponsorship deal with Collingwood for a further five years, until 2019. The Arab airline has been with the Magpies since 1999 and the new agreement will see the partnership, among the most lucrative in the AFL, extend to 20 years.