Demons have finally found their next CEO; Blues key back to have surgery; North star to fight ban
The process has been extensive, with a large number of potential candidates contacted to determine their interest in the role.
Establishing a training and administration base at Caulfield will be a priority for the new CEO as the club looks to develop a home inside the track.
He will also need to lead cultural change at the club after years of unwanted headlines that led to below-par performances last season and hinder their chances to repeat their premiership success in 2021. The club has not won a final after that drought breaking victory, and has experienced turmoil with key players close to leaving the club at various times.
The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry opted not to comment when contacted.
Cuddly Ross no more – Saints boss backs Lyon spray
Jon Pierik
St Kilda chief executive Carl Dilena has taken the rare step of turning the heat on the Saints, and has backed Ross Lyon's decision to shed his cuddly cape.
The Saints have slipped to 13th on the ladder and are under growing pressure to remain in touch with the top eight heading into Friday night's clash with Fremantle at Marvel Stadium.
An impressive three wins from four games to start the season, including a stirring victory over Geelong, has made way for three straight defeats, the latest a lethargic 45-point loss to the Brisbane Lions when Lyon gave his team a verbal bake at quarter-time, and was again vocal in his post-match address.
When it comes to the bigger picture, the Saints have a win-loss record of 27-27 under Lyon, now in his third season of his second stint at the club, with frustration intensifying.
While launching the annual Spud's Game, against Carlton, on Monday, Dilena, a former Fitzroy and North Melbourne player, admitted it was a frustrating time at Moorabbin.
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'It's a bit of a bumpy road, I think. We always knew it would be up and down, you don't have that straight-line, linear progression towards improvement. So you do go through moments like we are, at the moment, where it is a bit frustrating, and you think we are not performing to what we should be,' Dilena said.
'Early in the season, we had some great wins, against Geelong and Port – and that really set the tone. But it also raises the expectations, [and] then you have a down week. We have hit some pretty strong opposition.
'I think we are getting beaten up in the midfield battle, not getting the ball going our way, and that's being reflected in getting some pretty extreme inside-50 counts the last couple of weeks. We have got to turn that around, we have got to start winning the ball, and fixing up our defence, which has been a bit leaky.'
Saturday's loss was the first time since Lyon returned to Moorabbin that the Saints had conceded more than 100 points for three weeks in a row.
Lyon's frustration was evident when he made a bold, early call and subbed off Hugo Garcia, 19, in the second term and replaced him with veteran Zak Jones.
Fan footage later emerged of Lyon giving Garcia and Ryan Byrnes an almighty spray on the bench, particularly towards Garcia.
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Dilena said Lyon was within his rights to have taken aim at Garcia.
'Personally, I would just make a personal comment – I love that aspect,' Dilena said.
'Anyone that has been a parent and has dealt with kids, you can cuddle them and nurture them as much as you like, but occasionally, occasionally, there might be a couple of stern words that go in there as well.
'Ross is an experienced coach. He is just driven to get the absolute best out of our players, and raise the standards of our club. For him, being very tolerant and very cuddly for a while – for him to occasionally come out and give someone a bake, I think that is good.'
Lyon's decision to activate his substitute so early – he later said during a prickly press conference that he 'pulled the sub to get something done' – ultimately meant the Saints were a man short on the interchange when Mason Wood was concussed late in the game.
Injured defender Zaine Cordy, who did not play on Saturday and was not in the team meeting, praised Lyon for showing 'that he cares and wants us to do well'.
'We have got certain expectations, we probably haven't been living up to them,' Cordy, nursing a pectoral injury, said.
While Lyon, a four-time grand final coach, said he knows what the 'promised land' looks like, the Saints are mired in the middle rungs of the ladder.
They have been rebuffed in their attempts to snare established rival talent, including Jacob Weitering, Finn Callaghan, Jordan De Goey, Zach Merrett and Luke Davies-Uniacke.
They have a reported whopping $1.7 million per season deal before Carlton ruckman Tom De Koning, although veteran club recruiters Stephen Silvagni and Graeme Allan have, even internally, attempted to keep their plans a closely guarded secret, apart from acknowledging they have considerable cap space to work with.
Dilena said the Saints would continue to pursue elite talent.
'All clubs, including ourselves, are in the market all the time looking for talent to bring in – we have made no secret of that,' he said.
'We will keep doing what we can to bring as much talent as we can to the club.'
Blues star Cerra banned, North fight Curtis suspension
AAP
Carlton will lose midfielder Adam Cerra for one match, while North Melbourne will head to the AFL Tribunal on Tuesday night to challenge a three-game suspension handed to forward Paul Curtis.
Cerra had collected Geelong player Jack Bowes high in the third quarter of Carlton's 18-point win at the MCG on Sunday.
The incident was graded as intentional conduct, low-impact and high contact, resulting in a one-game suspension handed down on Monday.
Carlton teammates George Hewett and Jack Silvagni and Geelong star Jeremy Cameron were handed fines for careless contact with an umpire, while Lachlan Fogarty was handed a financial sanction for tripping.
Meanwhile, Curtis is expected to face the tribunal on Tuesday night to fight his ban for rough conduct.
Curtis tackled Port Adelaide defender Josh Sinn in the second quarter of the Kangaroos' nine-point loss, pinning his opponent's arms from behind.
With Sinn suffering a concussion, Curtis's tackle was graded as severe impact, high contact and careless conduct.
The forward is currently ruled out of the games against Essendon, Brisbane and Richmond.
Silvagni set for surgery
Peter Ryan
Carlton defender Jack Silvagni will have surgery after suffering a broken hand in Sunday's win over Geelong.
The 27-year-old showed courage to play through the injury, which was sustained in the first quarter. He spent time in the rooms receiving treatment before returning to the field to play a crucial role in the win.
His bravery also allowed the Blues to keep their rotations going after they lost Zac Williams to a calf injury at quarter-time.
A competition source, who preferred to remain anonymous, confirmed Silvagni's injury, with the timeline for his return unclear, although early indications are that he will not be sidelined for an extended period.
Key forward Harry McKay praised Silvagni, who has been a revelation in defence in 2025, after Sunday's match.

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News.com.au
8 hours ago
- News.com.au
Quick sale of Geelong West dual home shows outside demand
Geelong buyers need to get off their hands if they're going to be a chance against growing number of Melbourne and Sydney purchasers looking to make the most of the region's impending rise. The warning came amid further evidence that property investors were increasingly back in town looking for properties that can deliver long-term returns. A classic Geelong West property with future development upside was snapped up by an international buyer with links to Geelong for $882,000. Man pulls out 20m 'monster' in backyard Gartland Geelong agent Lisa Emanuel said a Sydney-based investor was the underbidder for the four-bedroom property at 27 Ann St, which sold in the days prior to the auction, scheduled for last weekend. Local builders and other locals seeking an investment made inquiries in the property, which was converted from private sale to auction as significant interest emerged. Ms Emanuel said interstate investment interest in Geelong was rising exponentially. 'My email inbox is being bombarded by buyers advocates. Last year I was dealing with maybe the local buyers advocates, plus another two or three more from interstate. Now I'm dealing with probably 35 advocates.' The sharp interest from interstate means local buyers were missing out. 'I'm finding that Geelong buyers are in a sense sitting on their hands a little too much,' she said. 'It's because you can't buy a $500,000 house in Newcastle any more, and definitely can't buy it in Sydney. 'There's only one way that Geelong is going to go, long term, and it's going to follow the trend of what happened in New South Wales, so you don't have to convince them. 'It's a long-term investment strategy, so they're adding to portfolios and looking for certain types of properties and they can see the opportunity very clearly.' Ms Emanuel said the owners of 40 years had maintained the property as an investment, leasing out both dwellings. It's a premium block with only one fenced neighbour, she said. 'There's the street at the back where the oval is, Kildare St and then Ann St, so it has a lot of opportunities, long term, for subdivision of development. 'You could develop it to have three street-facing townhouses, or you could subdivide and put a street-facing house on the back, as the one next door has done.' Jellis Craig Geelong agent Jeff Begg said four bidders, including an interstate buyer on the phone, contested a four-bedroom Marshall property. Listing agent Kelly Dawson said the auction went indoors at 3 Barwarre Rd amid teeming rain, but it failed to dampen the spirited bidding. But a local investor ended up securing the property for $638,000. 'It was an encouraging sign – we had an online bidder who registered from Sydney and the other group was from Melbourne but the people that bought it is a local that just purely bought it as an investment opportunity,' Mr Begg said The family-sized house is located just off Barwon Heads Rd, where it presented two living areas, including a main open-plan zone, four bedrooms and two bathrooms.


The Advertiser
14 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Coaches' coffers boosted after months of soft cap angst
AFL coaches have had a win as they lobby for more soft cap relief, with head office announcing several financial measures to boost club football departments. From next year, senior coaches can earn up to $100,000 outside the soft cap from marketing service agreements. Geelong coach Chris Scott's deal with a club sponsor, announced late last year, raised eyebrows and reportedly attracted AFL attention. The soft cap limit will also rise by $750,000 next year, up from the original $250,000 boost. In 2027 the increase will be $350,000, an increase of $100,000 on what had been announced. From next season, 20 per cent of the salary of the most senior assistant coach or coaching director will sit outside the soft cap. That is on top of 20 per cent of the senior coach's salary already being outside the cap. "The combined impact of these changes for each club is estimated to be an additional $1.4 million of spend capacity per club over 2026-27, over and above the existing planned increases," the league said in a statement. The AFL will also stump up $500,000 to support coaches in their professional development and career transition. It follows months of growing angst among coaches and clubs, with the soft cap sharply reduced at the start of COVID-19. In April, St Kilda coach Ross Lyon derided the coaches' association as a "paper tiger", while Essendon counterpart Brad Scott said he had never seen the coaching group as a whole feel so disenfranchised. Brisbane premiership coach Chris Fagan made a presentation to the AFL commission late last year, while league chief executive Andrew Dillon has had a series of meetings in the past few weeks with senior coaches. "The soft cap is in place to provide some guard rails, such that each club can afford to put together a competitive football program," Dillon said. "How clubs choose to allocate and spend it across their football department is at their discretion to suit their specific circumstances. "Coaches are key leaders who play a pivotal role in our game and at their clubs. This additional soft cap space, earning capacity and support, recognises this importance. "The meetings we have had across the year allowed me to see first-hand their passion for the game and pressures associated with being a coach in such a high-profile role." Coaches' association chief executive Alistair Nicholson welcomed the changes, also noting the league would provide more detail soon. "In addition to the increases to the soft cap, which will increase a coach's earning potential, the introduction of a senior coach marketing agreement and the soft cap concession that will benefit the senior assistant coach or director of coaching, helps to recognise the significant contribution coaches make to the success of the game," Nicholson said. "We also acknowledge the contribution to professional development and transition that will complement the support already provided by the AFLCA." AFL coaches have had a win as they lobby for more soft cap relief, with head office announcing several financial measures to boost club football departments. From next year, senior coaches can earn up to $100,000 outside the soft cap from marketing service agreements. Geelong coach Chris Scott's deal with a club sponsor, announced late last year, raised eyebrows and reportedly attracted AFL attention. The soft cap limit will also rise by $750,000 next year, up from the original $250,000 boost. In 2027 the increase will be $350,000, an increase of $100,000 on what had been announced. From next season, 20 per cent of the salary of the most senior assistant coach or coaching director will sit outside the soft cap. That is on top of 20 per cent of the senior coach's salary already being outside the cap. "The combined impact of these changes for each club is estimated to be an additional $1.4 million of spend capacity per club over 2026-27, over and above the existing planned increases," the league said in a statement. The AFL will also stump up $500,000 to support coaches in their professional development and career transition. It follows months of growing angst among coaches and clubs, with the soft cap sharply reduced at the start of COVID-19. In April, St Kilda coach Ross Lyon derided the coaches' association as a "paper tiger", while Essendon counterpart Brad Scott said he had never seen the coaching group as a whole feel so disenfranchised. Brisbane premiership coach Chris Fagan made a presentation to the AFL commission late last year, while league chief executive Andrew Dillon has had a series of meetings in the past few weeks with senior coaches. "The soft cap is in place to provide some guard rails, such that each club can afford to put together a competitive football program," Dillon said. "How clubs choose to allocate and spend it across their football department is at their discretion to suit their specific circumstances. "Coaches are key leaders who play a pivotal role in our game and at their clubs. This additional soft cap space, earning capacity and support, recognises this importance. "The meetings we have had across the year allowed me to see first-hand their passion for the game and pressures associated with being a coach in such a high-profile role." Coaches' association chief executive Alistair Nicholson welcomed the changes, also noting the league would provide more detail soon. "In addition to the increases to the soft cap, which will increase a coach's earning potential, the introduction of a senior coach marketing agreement and the soft cap concession that will benefit the senior assistant coach or director of coaching, helps to recognise the significant contribution coaches make to the success of the game," Nicholson said. "We also acknowledge the contribution to professional development and transition that will complement the support already provided by the AFLCA." AFL coaches have had a win as they lobby for more soft cap relief, with head office announcing several financial measures to boost club football departments. From next year, senior coaches can earn up to $100,000 outside the soft cap from marketing service agreements. Geelong coach Chris Scott's deal with a club sponsor, announced late last year, raised eyebrows and reportedly attracted AFL attention. The soft cap limit will also rise by $750,000 next year, up from the original $250,000 boost. In 2027 the increase will be $350,000, an increase of $100,000 on what had been announced. From next season, 20 per cent of the salary of the most senior assistant coach or coaching director will sit outside the soft cap. That is on top of 20 per cent of the senior coach's salary already being outside the cap. "The combined impact of these changes for each club is estimated to be an additional $1.4 million of spend capacity per club over 2026-27, over and above the existing planned increases," the league said in a statement. The AFL will also stump up $500,000 to support coaches in their professional development and career transition. It follows months of growing angst among coaches and clubs, with the soft cap sharply reduced at the start of COVID-19. In April, St Kilda coach Ross Lyon derided the coaches' association as a "paper tiger", while Essendon counterpart Brad Scott said he had never seen the coaching group as a whole feel so disenfranchised. Brisbane premiership coach Chris Fagan made a presentation to the AFL commission late last year, while league chief executive Andrew Dillon has had a series of meetings in the past few weeks with senior coaches. "The soft cap is in place to provide some guard rails, such that each club can afford to put together a competitive football program," Dillon said. "How clubs choose to allocate and spend it across their football department is at their discretion to suit their specific circumstances. "Coaches are key leaders who play a pivotal role in our game and at their clubs. This additional soft cap space, earning capacity and support, recognises this importance. "The meetings we have had across the year allowed me to see first-hand their passion for the game and pressures associated with being a coach in such a high-profile role." Coaches' association chief executive Alistair Nicholson welcomed the changes, also noting the league would provide more detail soon. "In addition to the increases to the soft cap, which will increase a coach's earning potential, the introduction of a senior coach marketing agreement and the soft cap concession that will benefit the senior assistant coach or director of coaching, helps to recognise the significant contribution coaches make to the success of the game," Nicholson said. "We also acknowledge the contribution to professional development and transition that will complement the support already provided by the AFLCA."

Sydney Morning Herald
15 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
AFL Hall of Fame 2025: Inductees revealed including Garry Lyon, Luke Hodge and Nick Riewoldt
Lyon had to laugh at himself the replays of him sitting under two of Melbourne's best ever marks as both Shaun Smith and Jeff Farmer used their teammate as a stepladder. It was fitting in one sense: Lyon made his teammates better. He coached Australia in International Rules but never wanted to be a coach. His love of the game had no limits, but he limited how much the game controlled his life. Now 26 years – almost to the day – since he retired after 226 matches due to back issues, his contribution to the game has finally been recognised. Joining him are two modern greats, both No.1 draft picks, who also parlayed their football brilliance into media careers in Hawthorn's Luke Hodge and St Kilda's Nick Riewoldt. Of course Hodge's final 41 games were spent in a Brisbane Lions jumper, but he is a Hawthorn great. He led the club to three consecutive flags in 2013-2015 and was best on ground in his first in 2008, one of two Norm Smith medals won by Hodge. He played on the biggest stages without losing the perspective he'd gained in the rough and tumble of football in Colac. A brilliant left foot kick he attacked the football with zeal and controlled the game from wherever he was positioned, maturing into the game's best leader. The saint Nick Riewoldt was a blond high-flying forward who ran opponents off their legs to mark on the wing or around the 50-metre mark or deep in the goal square. Part of a golden generation at the Saints who just fell short of a premiership he became their best player and captain. His mark at the SCG in 2004 when he tracked the flight of the ball to storm into oncoming players is regarded as one of the most courageous taken this century. Set to be inducted last season he was living overseas with family; with his moment arriving now. AFLW pioneers Daisy Pearce and Erin Phillips have been inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame ahead of time as the league considered it necessary to ensure the vital contribution of these champion female players is recognised. Phillips becomes the first father-daughter inductee joining her father Greg who was inducted in 2020 while Pearce's name is synonymous with AFLW. South Australian goalkicking freak Ken Farmer became a legend for his incredible goalkicking feats while former greats South Australia's Peter Darley, Western Australia's George Owens and Tasmania's John Leedham were also inducted.