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WATCH AFL Round 21 Predictions - All-Australian Ruck & Jezza Ton

WATCH AFL Round 21 Predictions - All-Australian Ruck & Jezza Ton

News.com.au7 days ago
The AFL Today Show is here for all your Round 21 preview needs, covering every single game with team, stats, debates and tips for a huge rivalry of Bulldogs vs GWS, no Toby Greene but still plenty of spice, amazing Collingwood vs Brisbane matchup & if Jeremy Cameron can reach 100 goals in the regular season or the finals, plus the big questions answered!
Are the Dogs and Giants one of the games biggest rivals?
Max Gawn or Brodie Grundy for All-Australian?
Can Jeremy Cameron kick 100 goals?
Will the Hawks defence be able to stop the Crows three headed forward line monster?
Which rising star would you want in your team, Dan Curtin or Murphy Reid?
Are Fremantle the real deal this season?
The panel full of banter chat about their locks of the week, big calls & key match-ups, including a big debate on the Rising Star + All Australian spots and if anyone at North Melbourne can stop Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera from dominating again!
Get around the AFL Today Show brought to you by panellists Liam 'Stats Guy' McAllion, Leo Mullaly and Marcus Bazzano as they talk out all things footy for the 2025 of AFL season!
FOLLOW AFL TODAY SHOW CONTENT
The AFL Today Show is your ultimate footy companion, covering every single team equally and in depth! We break down each game and round of the 2025 season with three shows a week, expert tips, social posts galore, in-depth analysis, debates, interviews with players and top journalists, as well as plenty of banter—chatting about all the things that make AFL great!
Two shows every week, including a round preview show and a round wrap on every game!
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The inside story of the $1.2m Demons axing of Simon Goodwin
The inside story of the $1.2m Demons axing of Simon Goodwin

News.com.au

time22 minutes ago

  • News.com.au

The inside story of the $1.2m Demons axing of Simon Goodwin

Melbourne and Simon Goodwin being misaligned on the club's premiership timeline and the Demons not wanting the premiership coach to depart at 'rock bottom' reportedly played key roles in the decision to part ways. But the club will need to pay out Goodwin in excess of $1.2 million as it faces several big calls on its list for the next coach, with a number of stars' fates unknown. Herald Sun reporter Jon Ralph explained the 'two key flash points' that led to Melbourne's call to axe Goodwin, which was 'months in the making' dating back to a dismal 0-5 start to the season. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. The 7-13 Demons have been on a gradual decline since their historic 2021 premiership, including missing finals the last two seasons. However Goodwin, much like he professed in his exit press conference, thought the club was close to contending again. 'Simon Goodwin presented to that board on Monday night, it was all about how this club would compete for a premiership next year: 'We're so close, we can sniff it'. 'That board was diametrically opposed to that view. They were crystal clear this was a club that needed some kind of step or two backwards before it pushed forward,' Ralph told Fox Footy's Midweek Tackle. 'So their path was different to his. Was he deluded? Was it blind faith? Somewhere in between? 'The other interesting sub plot was the death threat to Goodwin last weekend. Hoax or not, it absolutely took its toll on Goodwin and his family. It also gave the Demons another reminder of the toll placed upon him. 'They didn't want him to go out rock bottom as a premiership coach. They could see he was never going to back down or quit, he was always going to forge on ahead to that next premiership. They almost had to make the decision for him. 'They're two key issues about why Goodwin was removed from his tenure.' Goodwin, who had another year to run on his contract, departs with a 54 per cent win rate (111 wins, one draw and 90 losses) over 202 games since taking over the Dees in 2017. Ralph said Melbourne's decision to move into a new direction came down to not seeing him as its next 'premiership coach,' believing the list needs a 'significant revamp'. 'They know they could've kept him on for next year and this same situation might've occurred. At very best, he could've survived for two more years after that if they gave him a two-year extension,' he said. 'This is a football club that wants to set a new path, they didn't want to be run off a cliff. 'They think as good as those glories were including the flag, the short-term fix was to keep him. The decision they've made is to forge ahead for the next premiership coach for the next decade. 'We might think that's not enough to sack a premiership coach. But that was the big picture thinking the Melbourne Football Club came to.' The Herald Sun reports Goodwin is owed more than $1.2 million in a payout from Melbourne for the remainder of this season and 2026 that will be a 'costly' blow to the club's soft cap and footy department spending. 'Of course it's going to impact then. They also have football department taxes on top of that, as much as 50 per cent,' Ralph added. 'Hawthorn split Alastair Clarkson's $900,000 payout over two years. But let's face it, clubs have been screaming 'we need a bigger soft cap'. 'All of a sudden (Melbourne might) get $750,000 extra next year. You'd imagine most of that would be taken up by (Goodwin). There will be decisions ahead on the likes of (head of development) Mark Williams and whether they can save some money if they move him on. 'But it's going to be costly and cost them in terms of (footy department) personnel next year.' It comes as the future of several Dees stars hangs in the balance ahead of a defining off-season for the club as it looks to potentially shake up the list. Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver pursued trades last year and could look to do so again. Meanwhile Jake Lever was reportedly disgruntled after being dropped last month, and out-of-contract defender Judd McVee is weighing up his options. 'Jake Lever is clearly upset about the way he was dropped as a senior leader and whether he had enough discourse with his coach in Simon Goodwin, that's something he has to work through,' Ralph said. 'Christian Petracca doesn't want to leave and the club is adamant it is not letting him go. They want to set him up for a superstar return to form, he's not quite there this year. They also want to help him off the field to set himself up for life, if he hasn't already. 'Judd McVee has to be kept, he doesn't want to leave Victoria. His partner is an AFLW player and also plays for Melbourne. There's Victorian clubs swirling, but they just need to keep him.' Ralph said the 'big one' to watch is Oliver, who nearly left for Geelong last year, suggesting the only way the four-time best and fairest could move is if he took a pay cut and Melbourne contributed towards his salary elsewhere. 'If he accepted a massive, massive pay cut — let's call it $400,000 — and Melbourne paid out — let's call it $300,000 — he's still on that $800,000-$900,000 a year. I just don't think there's any takers for him,' he said. 'But if I was a fresh coach coming into this situation, would I want Oliver always in my midfield? I think I'd probably want him to move on. But it's just so hard to factor a market where there's enough money off the books to pay him. 'I think if you're paying over $1 million for him, Petracca and Kysaiah Pickett, that's too much of a handcuff. Especially if they're not going to win a premiership in the next couple of years. 'I think it's a big decision ahead on Clayton. If I was them I'd move heaven and earth to move on Clayton.'

Gawn opens up on ‘ballsy' coach sacking
Gawn opens up on ‘ballsy' coach sacking

Perth Now

timean hour ago

  • Perth Now

Gawn opens up on ‘ballsy' coach sacking

Melbourne captain Max Gawn has urged prospective new coaches John Longmire and Nathan Buckley to 'take the call' from Demons officials, declaring he's moved from shocked to 'excited' about the change that is set to sweep through the club. Longmire was watching the dramatic final moments of a Test match between England and India on Monday night when informed the board had decided to sack Simon Goodwin with a year to run on his contract. Gawn labelled the move 'ballsy' and said he was right behind the decision despite teammate Ed Langdon on Wednesday suggesting he didn't agree with interim president Brad Green's declaration the players needed a 'new voice'. 'I was shocked, I didn't see it coming, and that's good management to be fair. If you did see it coming, it means things are leaking. The shock is almost a good thing,' Gawn said. 'I am a supporter of the team, a lover of the cub, they have sacked people I have loved before and I've moved on and so have they. This one is a harder one to take. 'I also have some great relationships with people who made the decision and they have explained it carefully to me why. 'Football doesn't wait for anybody. On Monday I was like 'Goodwin sacked, my life is over, I'm down in the dumps'. 'Then we trained Wednesday and I come here today and I'm like 'I can't wait for Western Bulldogs, what we do in the trade period? I can't wait to see what coach we get in'.' 'That would be my advice to all the other players and supporters. It's happened, now move on.' Gawn joked that Langdon 'butchered' his response as the first player put before media on Wednesday and having a new voice, after Goodwin spent nine years in charge, taking the Demons to the 2021 premiership, could be a good thing. 'Do we need a new voice? I appreciate after nine years a new voice could help,' Gawn told the Mick in the Morning radio show on Triple M. 'I was also pretty bullish on what we were building and the old voice was doing well for me. 'We are also 6-13. Good clubs don't wait. Goodwin and Gawn in happier times. Michael Klein Credit: News Corp Australia 'It's been 18 months of football we're not proud of. We were pretty positive we were building something good. The playing group is the culture and we are bullish still we are building something good and we're going to get someone in that will hopefully lead us the right way.' Gawn said he wouldn't 'delve into' the coach search but with only 18 jobs available, any hopefuls should pick up the call when Melbourne officials ring. 'I hope they do (take the call),' he said. 'I feel like it's a call you should take.'

Olympic, Commowealth Games champs added to Sport Australia Hall of Fame
Olympic, Commowealth Games champs added to Sport Australia Hall of Fame

News.com.au

timean hour ago

  • News.com.au

Olympic, Commowealth Games champs added to Sport Australia Hall of Fame

A six-pack of exceptional athletes and one of the world's most respected sports medicine practitioners have been announced as the newest members of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame. From Olympic and Commonwealth Games gold medallists to champions of team and individual sports, six of the nation's most exceptional athletes will be inducted into one of the most select clubs in the country in November after their contributions on and off the field were recognised. Two-time grand slam tournament champion Lleyton Hewitt, four-time VFL/AFL premiership winner Jason Dunstall, Commonwealth Games and Netball World Cup-winning captain Laura Geitz, former Australian rugby league captain Cameron Smith, Olympic snowboard gold medallist Torah Bright and Australia's most-capped Socceroo Mark Schwarzer make up a stellar list set to be recognised. They will join an honour role featuring the biggest names in Australian sport, including Sir Donald Bradman, Dawn Fraser, Cathy Freeman and Ian Thorpe. While athlete membership of the Hall of Fame belongs exclusively to the top echelon of Australian competitors, Dr Peter Harcourt, one of Australia's most experienced sports medicine practitioners will be inducted as a general member to recognise his distinguished career spanning over four decades. Harcourt worked tirelessly with several national and international sporting organisations, including in basketball, cricket, the AFL and Commonwealth Games, while he has made significant contributions to sports medicine in injury prevention, concussion management and return-to-play protocols, as well as anti-doping monitoring and practices. Sport Australia Hall of Fame selection committee chair Bruce McAvaney said the seven new inductees was a diverse group that had represented the country in team and individual sports at the highest level. 'They've inspired generations of Australians and provided our country with so much joy,' McAvaney said. 'Nothing is obvious when choosing between champions from so many different sports but we know the class of 2025 sits comfortably alongside those who've already been recognised in the most prestigious Hall of Fame in this country.' The inductees talked of their honour at receiving recognition and the special place sport and the values it had taught them for life well beyond their playing days, played in their lives. Hewitt, who played 20 consecutive Australian Open championships and claimed the US Open and Wimbledon singles titles in a glittering career during which he became the youngest world no.1 at just 20, said the recognition was surreal. 'When you're playing your professional career it's not something you think about at all or focus on but over the years growing up in Australia we've had such a rich history – not only in our sport of tennis, but also in so many other great sports as well – that I've had so many great role models and idols that I've looked up to, all there in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame,' he said. 'So for me now to be inducted is an incredible honour.' Bright, Australia's most successful Winter Olympian after snaring snowboarding gold and silver medals across three Olympic Games, said sport had taught her 'everything'. 'Those early days skiing with my family built the foundation – connection, freedom and fun. Sport gave me confidence in who I am beyond results,' she said. 'It taught me discipline, self-awareness, and the importance of creating an environment that supports who you truly are. It taught me to believe in myself and in what's possible. It also taught me resilience … (and) most importantly, I've learned that it's all a game.' The 2025 Inductees will be celebrated and formally inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame at a dinner in Melbourne on November 17, where two existing members will be elevated to Legends of Australian Sport status and the 2025 winners of The Don and The Dawn Awards will be announced.

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