AFL Draft: Everything you need to know about the seven West Australians headed to the national combine
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News.com.au
2 hours ago
- News.com.au
AFL 2025: Son of AFL champion Luke Hodge to make VFL debut
A famous name is back in the big time. Cooper Hodge, the son of AFL champion Luke, will make his VFL debut for the Brisbane Lions this weekend. The 17-year-old is tied with the Lions through their academy, but he also has the option to select Hawthorn through the father-son pathway. He trained with Hawthorn only a few weeks ago but will make his VFL debut for the Lions on Saturday against Coburg at Barry Plant Park. Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell liked what he saw last month but was reluctant to heap pressure on the emerging talent. 'He's getting a game in the seniors at the moment, so he had to go back up to Brissy to make sure he holds his spot,' Mitchell said. 'He was with us for a few days, which was great. We've got Mark Williams' young lad out here today. 'It's great when we can see some of our father-sons come down and have a run around with the boys. 'I think the thing with a guy like Coop is he's still a young man and because of his dad's fame and accolades there's a lot more pressure on him. 'The last thing I want to do is add anything to that. He was great, he is a really energetic kid, (but) he's quiet, respectful and goes about his business. 'He wants to learn, he's going to be a nice talent.'
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Lyon won't be seduced by Saints' record-breaking win
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon has warned his players against being "seduced" by their last-quarter heroics in the record-breaking comeback win over Melbourne. As the Saints' media and marketing departments milk Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera's match-winning feats for all they're worth, Lyon has shifted his focus to Sunday's dead rubber against North Melbourne. "It was obviously a special moment but we're just on the AFL treadmill," the 58-year-old said on Friday. "Got up the next day, opened the computer and started working ... that's the space we're in, and we're not seduced by the last quarter. "We were disappointed with some aspects of our game in the first three quarters, so the pragmatic side of me says don't get caught up." St Kilda recovered from 46 points down against Melbourne to win after the final siren in what was the greatest fourth-quarter comeback in AFL/VFL history. Leaked footage from a post-match club function showed Lyon hoisting out-of-contract star Wanganeen-Milera onto his shoulders during raucous celebrations. "There's certainly a window of opportunity to build some social capital with each other and come together and enjoy the human side, and that's what we did," Lyon said. "We just had a bit of fun. In some ways it's good to have people see the other side because there's perceptions created that aren't reality. "Hopefully that debunks some of those myths." The victory was St Kilda's third since the opening month of the season, with a dozen losses in that period. The dismal run has left the Saints (6-13) well and truly out of finals contention with four home-and-away matches left to play. The sobering statistics might serve Lyon well in his attempts to refocus the playing group for the clash with North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium. The AFL-owned venue will screen a replay of the final quarter against Melbourne immediately before the Kangaroos encounter, inviting St Kilda fans to revel in the historic moment. But Lyon doesn't feel any great need to remind his players to avoid getting caught up in the hype. "Look, it's our last home game, it's one o'clock Sunday, so I think it's a really good marketing exercise. "I think you've got to leverage your really good moments and we're proud of that moment, and I think our fans and members should indulge. "But our players, we've just got to be hard-nosed pros, which we are." Wanganeen-Milera is still yet to announce his playing future as St Kilda desperately attempt to re-sign their star playmaker. The 22-year-old, originally from South Australia, has Adelaide and Port Adelaide trying to lure him home and Lyon is unsure whether he is any closer to making a call. "Not that I'm aware of ... in the fullness of time we'll all know the answer," Lyon said. St Kilda coach Ross Lyon has warned his players against being "seduced" by their last-quarter heroics in the record-breaking comeback win over Melbourne. As the Saints' media and marketing departments milk Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera's match-winning feats for all they're worth, Lyon has shifted his focus to Sunday's dead rubber against North Melbourne. "It was obviously a special moment but we're just on the AFL treadmill," the 58-year-old said on Friday. "Got up the next day, opened the computer and started working ... that's the space we're in, and we're not seduced by the last quarter. "We were disappointed with some aspects of our game in the first three quarters, so the pragmatic side of me says don't get caught up." St Kilda recovered from 46 points down against Melbourne to win after the final siren in what was the greatest fourth-quarter comeback in AFL/VFL history. Leaked footage from a post-match club function showed Lyon hoisting out-of-contract star Wanganeen-Milera onto his shoulders during raucous celebrations. "There's certainly a window of opportunity to build some social capital with each other and come together and enjoy the human side, and that's what we did," Lyon said. "We just had a bit of fun. In some ways it's good to have people see the other side because there's perceptions created that aren't reality. "Hopefully that debunks some of those myths." The victory was St Kilda's third since the opening month of the season, with a dozen losses in that period. The dismal run has left the Saints (6-13) well and truly out of finals contention with four home-and-away matches left to play. The sobering statistics might serve Lyon well in his attempts to refocus the playing group for the clash with North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium. The AFL-owned venue will screen a replay of the final quarter against Melbourne immediately before the Kangaroos encounter, inviting St Kilda fans to revel in the historic moment. But Lyon doesn't feel any great need to remind his players to avoid getting caught up in the hype. "Look, it's our last home game, it's one o'clock Sunday, so I think it's a really good marketing exercise. "I think you've got to leverage your really good moments and we're proud of that moment, and I think our fans and members should indulge. "But our players, we've just got to be hard-nosed pros, which we are." Wanganeen-Milera is still yet to announce his playing future as St Kilda desperately attempt to re-sign their star playmaker. The 22-year-old, originally from South Australia, has Adelaide and Port Adelaide trying to lure him home and Lyon is unsure whether he is any closer to making a call. "Not that I'm aware of ... in the fullness of time we'll all know the answer," Lyon said. St Kilda coach Ross Lyon has warned his players against being "seduced" by their last-quarter heroics in the record-breaking comeback win over Melbourne. As the Saints' media and marketing departments milk Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera's match-winning feats for all they're worth, Lyon has shifted his focus to Sunday's dead rubber against North Melbourne. "It was obviously a special moment but we're just on the AFL treadmill," the 58-year-old said on Friday. "Got up the next day, opened the computer and started working ... that's the space we're in, and we're not seduced by the last quarter. "We were disappointed with some aspects of our game in the first three quarters, so the pragmatic side of me says don't get caught up." St Kilda recovered from 46 points down against Melbourne to win after the final siren in what was the greatest fourth-quarter comeback in AFL/VFL history. Leaked footage from a post-match club function showed Lyon hoisting out-of-contract star Wanganeen-Milera onto his shoulders during raucous celebrations. "There's certainly a window of opportunity to build some social capital with each other and come together and enjoy the human side, and that's what we did," Lyon said. "We just had a bit of fun. In some ways it's good to have people see the other side because there's perceptions created that aren't reality. "Hopefully that debunks some of those myths." The victory was St Kilda's third since the opening month of the season, with a dozen losses in that period. The dismal run has left the Saints (6-13) well and truly out of finals contention with four home-and-away matches left to play. The sobering statistics might serve Lyon well in his attempts to refocus the playing group for the clash with North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium. The AFL-owned venue will screen a replay of the final quarter against Melbourne immediately before the Kangaroos encounter, inviting St Kilda fans to revel in the historic moment. But Lyon doesn't feel any great need to remind his players to avoid getting caught up in the hype. "Look, it's our last home game, it's one o'clock Sunday, so I think it's a really good marketing exercise. "I think you've got to leverage your really good moments and we're proud of that moment, and I think our fans and members should indulge. "But our players, we've just got to be hard-nosed pros, which we are." Wanganeen-Milera is still yet to announce his playing future as St Kilda desperately attempt to re-sign their star playmaker. The 22-year-old, originally from South Australia, has Adelaide and Port Adelaide trying to lure him home and Lyon is unsure whether he is any closer to making a call. "Not that I'm aware of ... in the fullness of time we'll all know the answer," Lyon said.
7NEWS
3 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Max Gawn joins debate on West Coast's polarising request for AFL draft assistance
Melbourne champion Max Gawn says he is unsure West Coast should be receiving draft assistance from the AFL. The Eagles want a priority pick or picks in this year's draft, with CEO Don Pyke confirming this week that the club would proceed with the drastic measure and make the request to the AFL. North Melbourne was the last club to get draft assistance, with the AFL commission in 2023 approving a deal of three extra end-of-first-round draft selections that were spread across two years. North received one end-of-first-round selection in 2023 and two end-of-first-round selections in 2024. They were also granted two additional rookie list spots. The bandaid package came after four consecutive seasons where North finished last or second last, and had 12 wins in an 84-game stretch. Despite the fact that North Melbourne has not appeared in a grand final this century, rival clubs did make considerable noise when the package was approved, with Geelong coach Chris Scott blasting the decision. Speaking on Triple M's Mick in the Morning on Friday, Gawn did note that West Coast last won a premiership in 2018. 'I'm way out of my pay-grade here ... I know we got one,' Gawn said (Melbourne had pick 1 and 2 in the 2009 draft but also had a request knocked back in 2014). '(West Coast) have been down the bottom for a while, but they did just win a flag in 2018 … it's not that long. 'You need an even competition so you can see why the AFL do it, but it's interesting who gets it.' Melbourne won a flag in 2021 but prior to that they last tasted premiership glory in 1964. St Kilda great and Channel 7 expert Nick Riewoldt also thought there were issues with the West Coast request. '(The Eagles last premiership) was not that long ago ... The Saints haven't won (a flag) since '66,' Riewoldt said. 'West Coast have got plenty of levers (to pull) in terms of being a massive club, big-drawing power that footy club.' Gawn said West Coast, along with Collingwood was 'the biggest club in the land'. Triple M co-host Titus O'Reily said the priority pick had become some sort of reward for clubs who made their own mistakes. 'They've become insurance for bad administrators,' he said. 'So, if the club makes a series of bad decisions, the next group come along and go, 'Give me a priority pick'.' The Eagles played finals in 2020 and only just missed out on the top eight in 2021. In 2022 West Coast had two wins, and 20 losses and in 2023 they had three wins and 20 losses and finished last. In 2024 the Eagles had five wins, and 18 losses, but they have only managed one win this season. 'The unfortunate situation we find ourselves in, looking at our numbers - whether it be games won, quarters won, percentage over the last five years - we find ourselves right in the position where if you apply it across clubs who have recently received assistance... we're well and truly in the window for that,' Pyke recently said on SEN.
