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Giants to unleash Tom Boyd
No.1 draft pick Tom Boyd will play alongside fellow GWS Giants forwards Jeremy Cameron and Jonathon Patton in Friday's practice match against Adelaide. The 200cm 18-year-old Boyd has been named in the squad for the Giants' last pre-season game against Adelaide.
Brown back for Burpengary
Brisbane Lions spearhead Jonathan Brown will get a chance to blow out the cobwebs before Round 1 during Saturday's practice match against Sydney at Burpengary. It will be Brown's first proper since he was sidelined with a foot injury last year.
Swan still not 100 per cent
Collingwood star Dane Swan says his wrist may never reach its full capacity again, but it won't stop him from playing. The Brownlow Medalist had surgery in November and has been managing it through the pre-season. "The wrist is going all right, not 100 per cent yet but it's certainly good enough to play footy," Swan said. "I'll certainly never get full range again, but I'm pretty much doing full weights now. The last month it's come on really well, so hopefully in two or there weeks it'll be 100 per cent again."
Murphy inks new deal
Carlton captain Marc Murphy has penned a new deal that will keep him at the club for an additional four years. "I feel so humbled that the club and the board have seen fit to offer me another contract. I'm passionate about this club, and I feel so privileged to be captain." MORE
Griffen taking a cautious approach
New Western Bulldogs captain Ryan Griffen is hoping to be ready for Round 1 despite not playing a single pre-season match. Griffen missed both NAB Challenge games and will again be absent against Carlton at Visy Park on Friday. The classy midfielder has been battling ongoing back issues, but remains confident he will be right for the season opener against West Coast at Patersons Stadium on March 23. "It's more a niggle than an injury at the moment. I'm just taking a cautious approach to it. I still have three weeks until round one so I am very confident I will be fully fit," he told the AFL website.
North suffer Robbie Tarrant blow
Kangaroos forward Robbie Tarrant has suffered a recurrence of the tibial stress reaction leg injury that saw him miss nine games last year. North football director Geoff Walsh told the AFL website the club is hopeful it won't be so bad this time around. "Unfortunately, we know from what we experienced with Robbie last year that we're dealing with a similar situation. However, it's nowhere near as severe this time."