‘Don't concuss the player!'
AFL: David King believes Suns star Ben King could be in strife for his hit on Giants gun Lachie Whitfield.
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ABC News
26 minutes ago
- ABC News
Ballarat Grammar launches third investigation into boys' boarding houses
A prestigious regional Victorian independent school has launched its third investigation in five months into allegations of "serious misconduct" in its boys' boarding houses. In a letter to parents today, Ballarat Grammar (BGS) said over the past fortnight new information had "come to light", and it would now begin an investigation. In February, reports emerged of allegations of student-on-student abuse within Dart House, prompting an independent inquiry into the school's culture. Victoria Police said it continued to investigate the incidents that occurred between 2023 and 2024 at Ballarat Grammar. In the letter, the school said it commissioned another independent investigation into the second boys' boarding facility, Wigan House. "The findings from this investigation have been reviewed and appropriate actions are now being implemented," the letter said. "[Ballarat Grammar School] continues to cooperate with Victoria Police, as requested. "While our independent processes are limited to current students and staff, we continue to urge anyone with historical concerns or allegations to contact the police directly." BGS said a full boarding review, conducted by Bradley Fenner, resulted in 32 recommendations, 31 of which had been adopted. The school said it had now implemented stronger supervision and staffing, enhanced training and oversight, upgraded security, and improved communication, reporting, cultural education and leadership. The one remaining recommendation was to rebuild or "significantly reconfigure Dart House", which is instead being considered by the school "in the context of longer-term infrastructure planning". BGS said "through both investigations and feedback from students, parents and staff, it became clear that a broader cultural shift was also needed".
West Australian
28 minutes ago
- West Australian
GEORGIE PARKER: Calls to scrap AFL's northern academies ignore their role in growing the game
The AFL has always taken pride in its draft system — a mechanism designed to maintain parity across a national competition. In theory, it ensures every club gets a fair shot at success, regardless of their location or financial muscle. But when it comes to the northern states, particularly NSW and Queensland, the challenges run deeper than just draft picks — which is why the northern academies were created. In Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia, footy is religion. Kids grow up with a Sherrin in their hands, and the competition between codes is minimal. But in rugby league heartlands like Sydney and Brisbane, AFL is still the challenger. This is why the northern academies are not just useful — they're essential. Take it from All-Australian Sydney Swan Isaac Heeney: 'If it wasn't for the academy, I would not have been playing AFL, and I would have given NRL a crack… If you want to lose players to other codes, we can abolish it, but I think it's super important for those northern clubs.' That's the point. The northern academies aren't there to give Sydney or Brisbane an unfair edge — they exist to level the playing field in regions where AFL isn't the dominant sport. They engage young talent who may otherwise slip through the cracks into rival codes like rugby league or union. They build the game where it needs building. Alongside the northern academies run the Next Generation Academies, aimed at Indigenous and multicultural talent and divided into catchment zones — and don't clubs love fighting about those zones. Ironically, critics of the northern academies often come from the most powerful and well-resourced clubs in the competition — clubs with strong recruiting pull, packed MCG fixtures, full Adelaide Oval and Optus Stadium crowds, and the allure of family legacy. The father-son rule, for example, is a beautiful part of the game's heritage. Imagine Gary Ablett Jr. not wearing the same hoops as his dad, or Nick Daicos not donning number 35 for Collingwood. The romance of lineage is something we rightly treasure. But it also comes with an inherent bias. Victorian clubs, especially the large ones, often benefit from having generations of talent funnel through their doors — sometimes with discounted draft picks. These big clubs stay quiet when it works for them, so the outrage over a player developed in Queensland or NSW staying at a northern club feels a little hollow. It's a classic case of: 'Fine if it benefits us, but if it doesn't, then we don't want it.' Ultimately, draft night is a gamble anyway. You're hoping a kid is going to live up to the expectations you place on them — with no guarantee of return. An insanely clear modern example of this came in 2020, when Adelaide held the number one pick, only for it to be snapped up by the Western Bulldogs via the Next Generation Academy. The Crows were 'forced' to settle for pick two. As it turns out, that worked out just fine. The number one pick, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, hasn't seen a football field in 2025. Meanwhile, remember who the number two pick was? Riley Thilthorpe — arguably the best forward in the competition right now. So yes, draft integrity is important, but it's still a roll of the dice. Drafting an 18-year-old is one thing. But the real race is won — or lost — in list management and the recruitment of established A-graders. If we want fairness, let's grow the game where it's weak. That's what the academies are doing — and it's exactly why they need to stay.
West Australian
30 minutes ago
- West Australian
AFL 2025: Goalkicking great Lance Franklin calls for urgent change at Carlton
AFL great Lance Franklin has urged Carlton to swing the axe on embattled coach Michael Voss 'ASAP'. The Blues went down to the Kangaroos by 11 points on Saturday afternoon – a stunning 93-point turnaround from their Good Friday win in the earlier fixture. The defeat has increased pressure on Voss, prompting captain Patrick Cripps to throw his support behind the Carlton coach on Monday morning. But Franklin sees the situation differently, saying the Blues aren't getting the best out of their list and need urgent change. 'I'm going to put this out there, I know this is a big call, I don't think he sees out the year,' Franklin told The Buddy and Shane Show. 'I think they've got a pretty good list, I do, I think the issue is the messaging is not getting through to the players. 'I think there needs to be change and we've said it before, we're all about the players and coaches, but I think this is a change that needs to happen and it needs to happen ASAP because the messaging is not getting through. 'All of the Carlton supporters would probably say the same. I'm probably speaking on behalf of them. I think there needs to be a change and it'll probably happen in the next few weeks is my tip. 'It's a big call, but that's what I think will happen.' Cripps defended Voss, saying there needed to be greater responsibility on the players. 'I couldn't speak highly enough of Vossy as a coach, also as a mentor and a friend,' Cripps said. 'He puts a lot of work into it along with the whole (coaching group) … that group's very aligned. 'We're in it together – we're not going to point blame at anyone else, we're going to take complete ownership, especially as players. '(Voss) has done a great job for us for a long time now, and I feel like as players, we need to aim up a bit more.' The Blues went into round 15 with a shot at moving closer the top eight but left the MCG to a chorus of boos from their own supporters. Cripps said Carlton was at its best when it was 'stronger together' and pleaded for the frustrated fans to 'buy in and get behind' the Blues. 'I don't want to divide us versus the fans – I feel like it's really important we stay together,' Cripps said. 'When times are tough, it's the most important time to stay together and stay united. 'For a lot of years now, we've had that 'stronger together' mindset, and it's easy to do that when we're winning … it's bloody hard to do that when you're having tough losses. 'We're sticking fat together … buy in and get behind us, we'll turn it around. It's going to take a lot of work and a lot of effort, but we're going to stay united.' Carlton has a short turnaround between games with Port Adelaide on the road this Thursday night.
