Bombers' Dreamtime record intact as Gresham returns
Sidelined by an adductor strain for the past two weeks, Gresham is set to return when the Bombers take on Richmond in the annual Sir Doug Nicholls Round feature match at the MCG on Friday night.
"I'm all good to go. I got through training yesterday and Brad (Scott) gave me the all-clear that I'd be playing Friday night, which is awesome," Gresham said.
"It's a game you want to play, as an Indigenous player, every year.
"To be able to run out this week and represent your people is going to be really important for the footy club and, more broadly, for the AFL and the community."
Former St Kilda forward Gresham, a proud Yorta Yorta man, will feature in "Dreamtime at the G'' for the second time, after running out in front of almost 80,000 fans last season.
"I grew up coming to these games every year and running around in the Auskick at halftime," Gresham said.
"I always dreamt to be able to run out in 'Dreamtime' and it's just an awesome occasion for the Indigenous community to represent your people."
Richmond will also have at least one Indigenous player in Friday night's contest, with Rhyan Mansell set to play and Maurice Rioli Jr in the selection mix.
Mansell, a proud Pakana man, helped design the Tigers' predominantly yellow "Dreamtime'' guernsey and addressed his teammates this week during Sir Doug Nicholls Round celebrations.
"I told my story, my family's story and (that of) the guernsey," Mansell said.
"We're really celebrating the week and what it really means to us as a footy club.
"We've got good (Indigenous) history and we've got a lot of new boys coming in this week for their first Dreamtime (game). It's going to be very exciting."
Essendon's record of fielding at least one Indigenous player in every "Dreamtime at the G'' contest will remain intact after Jade Gresham declared himself fit.
Sidelined by an adductor strain for the past two weeks, Gresham is set to return when the Bombers take on Richmond in the annual Sir Doug Nicholls Round feature match at the MCG on Friday night.
"I'm all good to go. I got through training yesterday and Brad (Scott) gave me the all-clear that I'd be playing Friday night, which is awesome," Gresham said.
"It's a game you want to play, as an Indigenous player, every year.
"To be able to run out this week and represent your people is going to be really important for the footy club and, more broadly, for the AFL and the community."
Former St Kilda forward Gresham, a proud Yorta Yorta man, will feature in "Dreamtime at the G'' for the second time, after running out in front of almost 80,000 fans last season.
"I grew up coming to these games every year and running around in the Auskick at halftime," Gresham said.
"I always dreamt to be able to run out in 'Dreamtime' and it's just an awesome occasion for the Indigenous community to represent your people."
Richmond will also have at least one Indigenous player in Friday night's contest, with Rhyan Mansell set to play and Maurice Rioli Jr in the selection mix.
Mansell, a proud Pakana man, helped design the Tigers' predominantly yellow "Dreamtime'' guernsey and addressed his teammates this week during Sir Doug Nicholls Round celebrations.
"I told my story, my family's story and (that of) the guernsey," Mansell said.
"We're really celebrating the week and what it really means to us as a footy club.
"We've got good (Indigenous) history and we've got a lot of new boys coming in this week for their first Dreamtime (game). It's going to be very exciting."
Essendon's record of fielding at least one Indigenous player in every "Dreamtime at the G'' contest will remain intact after Jade Gresham declared himself fit.
Sidelined by an adductor strain for the past two weeks, Gresham is set to return when the Bombers take on Richmond in the annual Sir Doug Nicholls Round feature match at the MCG on Friday night.
"I'm all good to go. I got through training yesterday and Brad (Scott) gave me the all-clear that I'd be playing Friday night, which is awesome," Gresham said.
"It's a game you want to play, as an Indigenous player, every year.
"To be able to run out this week and represent your people is going to be really important for the footy club and, more broadly, for the AFL and the community."
Former St Kilda forward Gresham, a proud Yorta Yorta man, will feature in "Dreamtime at the G'' for the second time, after running out in front of almost 80,000 fans last season.
"I grew up coming to these games every year and running around in the Auskick at halftime," Gresham said.
"I always dreamt to be able to run out in 'Dreamtime' and it's just an awesome occasion for the Indigenous community to represent your people."
Richmond will also have at least one Indigenous player in Friday night's contest, with Rhyan Mansell set to play and Maurice Rioli Jr in the selection mix.
Mansell, a proud Pakana man, helped design the Tigers' predominantly yellow "Dreamtime'' guernsey and addressed his teammates this week during Sir Doug Nicholls Round celebrations.
"I told my story, my family's story and (that of) the guernsey," Mansell said.
"We're really celebrating the week and what it really means to us as a footy club.
"We've got good (Indigenous) history and we've got a lot of new boys coming in this week for their first Dreamtime (game). It's going to be very exciting."
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The Advertiser
17 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Atlas in arms, Kerr set for Dragons with heart full
Dolphins prop Josh Kerr has found Wollongong on the map again and will bring a very special Atlas with him when he rejoins St George Illawarra next year. It has been a huge week for the 29-year-old. Kerr and fiancee Dijana welcomed infant son Atlas into the world, and Josh signed a two-year contract with the Dragons in what he described as "a great deal". The Redcliffe junior always dreamed of playing with the Dolphins in the NRL and this year has been at his barnstorming best, his silky offloads a major contributor to the side's surge to eighth on the ladder. The Dolphins did not have the salary-cap space for the big unit in 2026 due to their almost full forward roster, and he will return to the club where it all began. "It has been a fairytale to play for my home-town team in the NRL," Kerr told AAP. "I grew up thinking Queensland Cup was the pinnacle. Then I got to be coached by the super coach Wayne Bennett at Redcliffe in the NRL. I was so grateful. "I love the Dragons. They gave me my first opportunity and allowed me to live out my NRL dream. I am really excited at the prospect of going back. "The Dolphins had no cap space for me. I was gutted and heartbroken because I'd done everything they wanted me to, but they put the club first. "CEO Terry Reader and Woolfy (coach Kristian Woolf) did everything they could to keep me, but they said I had to look after my family. A few clubs were interested, which I won't name out of respect, but the Dragons came in late." Kerr is keen to reunite with Dragons coach Shane Flanagan, who was an assistant when he left. Flanagan will no doubt note the change in him. "When I was struggling I leant on Shane a lot for coaching advice. He helped me a lot. He is a tough coach and I need that in my life," Kerr said. "Since I've come home to Queensland I have bought my first house, got engaged, had my first kid and I'm playing the best football of my career. "I left the Dragons as a boy. I have become a man and I get the opportunity to go back and be a better man and player." The significance of his son's name Atlas is a beautiful story that speaks of history, hopes and dreams. Kerr has Scottish and Indigenous heritage, and more besides. "I always wanted to give my kids big, powerful names," Kerr said. "Atlas was a Titan in Greek mythology tasked with holding up the heavens on his shoulders. I want to have a big family and I wanted my firstborn son to have a name like Atlas with that responsibility of being the big brother. "My first thought is to make sure he has a roof over his head and a bellyful of food, as does Dijana. "Dijana was born in Belgrade in Serbia. There was a civil war and her hard-working parents came here as refugees and built a life and raised a family in Wollongong. "My mother (who is Indigenous) doesn't know who her real father is. Apparently he was also Yugoslavian, so I always joke with Dijana that it would be funny if I was her cousin." Up-beat Kerr is the Seinfeld of the NRL. You could write an entire story on his one-liners and monologues. He is facing a breach notice and proposed $10,000 fine from the NRL for tongue-in-cheek comments he made about referee Ashley Klein's refereeing in the State of Origin decider, but is unable to comment until the matter is finalised Dolphins prop Josh Kerr has found Wollongong on the map again and will bring a very special Atlas with him when he rejoins St George Illawarra next year. It has been a huge week for the 29-year-old. Kerr and fiancee Dijana welcomed infant son Atlas into the world, and Josh signed a two-year contract with the Dragons in what he described as "a great deal". The Redcliffe junior always dreamed of playing with the Dolphins in the NRL and this year has been at his barnstorming best, his silky offloads a major contributor to the side's surge to eighth on the ladder. The Dolphins did not have the salary-cap space for the big unit in 2026 due to their almost full forward roster, and he will return to the club where it all began. "It has been a fairytale to play for my home-town team in the NRL," Kerr told AAP. "I grew up thinking Queensland Cup was the pinnacle. Then I got to be coached by the super coach Wayne Bennett at Redcliffe in the NRL. I was so grateful. "I love the Dragons. They gave me my first opportunity and allowed me to live out my NRL dream. I am really excited at the prospect of going back. "The Dolphins had no cap space for me. I was gutted and heartbroken because I'd done everything they wanted me to, but they put the club first. "CEO Terry Reader and Woolfy (coach Kristian Woolf) did everything they could to keep me, but they said I had to look after my family. A few clubs were interested, which I won't name out of respect, but the Dragons came in late." Kerr is keen to reunite with Dragons coach Shane Flanagan, who was an assistant when he left. Flanagan will no doubt note the change in him. "When I was struggling I leant on Shane a lot for coaching advice. He helped me a lot. He is a tough coach and I need that in my life," Kerr said. "Since I've come home to Queensland I have bought my first house, got engaged, had my first kid and I'm playing the best football of my career. "I left the Dragons as a boy. I have become a man and I get the opportunity to go back and be a better man and player." The significance of his son's name Atlas is a beautiful story that speaks of history, hopes and dreams. Kerr has Scottish and Indigenous heritage, and more besides. "I always wanted to give my kids big, powerful names," Kerr said. "Atlas was a Titan in Greek mythology tasked with holding up the heavens on his shoulders. I want to have a big family and I wanted my firstborn son to have a name like Atlas with that responsibility of being the big brother. "My first thought is to make sure he has a roof over his head and a bellyful of food, as does Dijana. "Dijana was born in Belgrade in Serbia. There was a civil war and her hard-working parents came here as refugees and built a life and raised a family in Wollongong. "My mother (who is Indigenous) doesn't know who her real father is. Apparently he was also Yugoslavian, so I always joke with Dijana that it would be funny if I was her cousin." Up-beat Kerr is the Seinfeld of the NRL. You could write an entire story on his one-liners and monologues. He is facing a breach notice and proposed $10,000 fine from the NRL for tongue-in-cheek comments he made about referee Ashley Klein's refereeing in the State of Origin decider, but is unable to comment until the matter is finalised Dolphins prop Josh Kerr has found Wollongong on the map again and will bring a very special Atlas with him when he rejoins St George Illawarra next year. It has been a huge week for the 29-year-old. Kerr and fiancee Dijana welcomed infant son Atlas into the world, and Josh signed a two-year contract with the Dragons in what he described as "a great deal". The Redcliffe junior always dreamed of playing with the Dolphins in the NRL and this year has been at his barnstorming best, his silky offloads a major contributor to the side's surge to eighth on the ladder. The Dolphins did not have the salary-cap space for the big unit in 2026 due to their almost full forward roster, and he will return to the club where it all began. "It has been a fairytale to play for my home-town team in the NRL," Kerr told AAP. "I grew up thinking Queensland Cup was the pinnacle. Then I got to be coached by the super coach Wayne Bennett at Redcliffe in the NRL. I was so grateful. "I love the Dragons. They gave me my first opportunity and allowed me to live out my NRL dream. I am really excited at the prospect of going back. "The Dolphins had no cap space for me. I was gutted and heartbroken because I'd done everything they wanted me to, but they put the club first. "CEO Terry Reader and Woolfy (coach Kristian Woolf) did everything they could to keep me, but they said I had to look after my family. A few clubs were interested, which I won't name out of respect, but the Dragons came in late." Kerr is keen to reunite with Dragons coach Shane Flanagan, who was an assistant when he left. Flanagan will no doubt note the change in him. "When I was struggling I leant on Shane a lot for coaching advice. He helped me a lot. He is a tough coach and I need that in my life," Kerr said. "Since I've come home to Queensland I have bought my first house, got engaged, had my first kid and I'm playing the best football of my career. "I left the Dragons as a boy. I have become a man and I get the opportunity to go back and be a better man and player." The significance of his son's name Atlas is a beautiful story that speaks of history, hopes and dreams. Kerr has Scottish and Indigenous heritage, and more besides. "I always wanted to give my kids big, powerful names," Kerr said. "Atlas was a Titan in Greek mythology tasked with holding up the heavens on his shoulders. I want to have a big family and I wanted my firstborn son to have a name like Atlas with that responsibility of being the big brother. "My first thought is to make sure he has a roof over his head and a bellyful of food, as does Dijana. "Dijana was born in Belgrade in Serbia. There was a civil war and her hard-working parents came here as refugees and built a life and raised a family in Wollongong. "My mother (who is Indigenous) doesn't know who her real father is. Apparently he was also Yugoslavian, so I always joke with Dijana that it would be funny if I was her cousin." Up-beat Kerr is the Seinfeld of the NRL. You could write an entire story on his one-liners and monologues. He is facing a breach notice and proposed $10,000 fine from the NRL for tongue-in-cheek comments he made about referee Ashley Klein's refereeing in the State of Origin decider, but is unable to comment until the matter is finalised
The Age
2 days ago
- The Age
Shiel sent to tribunal for incident that injured his Bombers' teammate; Longmire out of Demons coaching race
'The incident involving Essendon's Dylan Shiel's push on Geelong's Mark O'Connor was assessed as rough conduct by the MRO and has been referred directly to the tribunal without being graded,' the AFL said in a statement released on Saturday night. 'If the charge is upheld by the tribunal, while the tribunal will determine the sanction in their sole discretion, the AFL's view is that a suspension of one match is the appropriate penalty having regard to both the impact to O'Connor and the significant potential that Shiel's teammate, Luamon Lual, could have suffered a serious head or neck injury arising from Shiel's unreasonable conduct, which caused Lual's head and neck to make contact with the ground with force. 'In this respect, the Laws of Australian Football state that a player owes a duty of care to all other players, not just their opponents.' There are provisions in the tribunal guidelines to sanction players for actions that result in injuries to a teammate. A player's conduct can be regarded as careless if it 'constitutes a breach of the duty of care owed by the player to all other players'. Loading 'Each player owes a duty of care to all other players, umpires and other persons (as applicable) not to engage in conduct which will constitute a reportable offence being committed against that other player, umpire or other person,' the tribunal guidelines state. The MRO deemed Shiel should have reasonably foreseen his push on O'Connor would have placed another player in danger. Richmond's Rhyan Mansell was suspended for three matches for a push which resulted in St Kilda's Liam O'Connell being concussed. In a quirk of the system, the Bombers had partial control of Shiel's fate through Lual's medical report. The Bombers stressed Lual was not subbed out as a direct result of the collision with O'Connor but he was sore and had little impact on the game so was replaced. Essendon coach Brad Scott, a former football operations manager at the AFL, did not appear to be aware a player is required to show a duty of care to all players and not just opponents. 'It will be an interesting one, I'm not sure you can get suspended for hurting your own player, but we'll see,' Scott said on Friday night. The Bombers do not yet know the extent of damage Merrett has sustained to his hand. He was due to play his 250th game next week against St Kilda, but that is now in doubt. Key forward May rolled his ankle out and has 'at minimum' an ankle sprain. The Dons could be bolstered by the return of forward Kyle Langford, who came back in the VFL on Saturday. Horse out of coaching race Jon Pierik, Scott Spits, Andrew Wu Sydney premiership coach John Longmire has ruled himself out of becoming the new senior coach at Melbourne, leaving Adam Simpson and Nathan Buckley as the early frontrunners. After a frenetic week in the AFL in which the Demons sacked their drought-breaking 2021 premiership coach Simon Goodwin, and Carlton recommitted to Michael Voss to coach them into the 2026 season, Longmire and the Swans confirmed on Saturday he would not pursue the Dees' job. Longmire's withdrawal leaves West Coast premiership coach Simpson and Collingwood great Buckley as the two most prominent candidates who have coached at the level to lead the Demons, whose hunt will focus first on those with experience. Buckley, linked to becoming Tasmania's inaugural coach for their entry in 2028, said this week he had rediscovered his desire to coach again at the top level and expressed an interest in taking the Demons job, describing the opportunity as 'compelling'. Simpson was less forthcoming but left the door open. Departing Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley all but ruled himself out of the race this week when he said he would not think about his future until Christmas, while Essendon champion James Hird has said he is not interested in a return. Longmire – known in football circles as Horse – led the Swans for 14 years, but gave up the position in November last year following a disastrous grand final loss to the Brisbane Lions – his fifth grand final as coach. He moved sideways at the club to become the Swans' executive director of club performance. A Swans spokesperson confirmed to this masthead on Saturday that Longmire wouldn't pursue the Demons job. The North Melbourne premiership player and 2012 premiership coach had said during the week he wasn't likely to deviate from the path he'd taken in 2025. A comeback to coaching for the 2026 season would have resulted in Longmire returning to the top post less than a year after he shocked the football world by stepping down, and relocating to Melbourne after more than two decades in Sydney. Longmire had flagged with club bosses Andrew Pridham and Tom Harley in 2023 that his contract, expiring in 2025, would be his last, but is enjoying his new role. He told Fox Footy on Wednesday night he had relished spending more time with his family while being away from the cut and thrust of coaching an AFL club. 'I hope you understand that I'm not being cagey about this,' Longmire said on AFL 360, where he has a weekly segment. 'I just haven't allowed myself to think about it (coaching again) because I've had other thoughts going on and other things in my life that I've tried to be present with. Loading 'I spent so many years thinking about what I needed to do, the next step, the next step, and the footy club, and I've just tried to be a bit more present this year, and what I'm actually doing with my family in particular. 'And at the moment, I'm loving what I'm doing, and I'm staying present in that now. If that changes, well, I need to have a think about it at some point, maybe. But at the moment, it hasn't changed.'
7NEWS
2 days ago
- 7NEWS
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon makes honest admission on ‘ugly' win over Richmond
St Kilda have claimed their third tight win on the bounce, but coach Ross Lyon believes their brand of football is 'all over the shop' and wants more consistency. The Saints trailed by eight points against Richmond at three-quarter time on Saturday before in-demand star Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera helped turn the contest in their favour, helping deliver an 8.8 (56) to 7.10 (52) win. Richmond coach Adem Yze lamented one that got away, while Lyon downplayed consecutive tight wins against Melbourne (six points), North Melbourne (nine) and Richmond (four). The Saints had been keen to improve on poor first quarters and took an early 20-point lead, but then Richmond got into the game. 'Our focus was Q1 - we did that, but then we just lost our way,' Lyon said. 'We're just trying to get better. So good teams play well. 'Our brand's a little bit all over the shop at the minute, we've just got to get more consistent. Too big a wild swings - maybe that's a young group, I don't know. 'Is it our coaching? Is it our training? We just have to keep diving in.' Saturday afternoon's game, held in perfect, sunny conditions, proved a dour, low-scoring affair in front of 41,395 fans. 'It was ugly. It was horrible skills - both teams,' Lyon said. Wanganeen-Milera was quiet early but grew into the game off half-back, finishing with 33 disposals, 656 metres gained and a wonderful goal. He pulled up awkwardly with a corked left calf early in the fourth, but waved away the trainers and shortly after teed up two goals. The South Australian is in demand from both Port Adelaide and Adelaide, though St Kilda CEO Carl Dilena told 3AW radio he was 'optimistic' the Saints could keep hold of him. Marcus Windhager had 24 disposals to halftime and finished with 32. Jack Sinclair (30 disposals) impressed on-ball late while Callum Wilkie (29 disposals, 16 marks) was excellent. Richmond's Nick Vlastuin was imperious behind the ball while the Tigers' midfield shared the load and Rhyan Mansell kicked two goals. The Saints raced away to an early 20-point lead before Mansell steadied Richmond late in the first term. St Kilda were celebrating captain Jack Steele's 200th game and former Tiger Jack Higgins' 100th AFL appearance as a Saint. There was a quirky moment when St Kilda ruckman Rowan Marshall gave away a free kick for taking Kamdyn McIntosh's head band off him in the second quarter. Wanganeen-Milera delivered a spark when he pounced on a loose ball, broke a tackle then snapped towards goal with the ball taking a wicked bounce to sneak through for a major. The Saints led by four points at the main break, but Richmond star Tim Taranto kicked a marvellous long-range goal just before the three-quarter time siren to deliver an eight-point lead. The final quarter proved an arm wrestle, but the Saints were more composed when it counted. 'I feel like we could have won the game, we probably should have won the game and obviously that's a bitter pill to swallow,' Yze said. '... We live week to week, and right now we feel like we left one out there.' Richmond didn't use substitute Steely Green, who is set to play VFL on Saturday night. St Kilda (8-13) play Essendon at Marvel Stadium next Friday while Richmond (5-16) face fellow cellar dwellars North Melbourne in Hobart on Sunday.
