
Powerhouse sports company Nike warns AFL players about illegal studs
It was revealed on Channel 7's The Agenda Setters in June that the AFL had sent a serious warning to players about wearing metal studs or stops.
In that warning, the league reminded players they were liable to a $40,000 sanction should they be caught in metal or illegal stops.
Not long after in July, Adelaide was slapped with a $7500 fine after Ben Keays and Josh Rachele repeatedly ignored the league's warnings.
Along with the club financial sanction, Keays copped a $5000 fine, while Rachele's sanction was $2500.
Now Nike has made it clear that the players are totally responsible for their own footwear, and has also issued a statement
'Please note: When ordering Nike SC plated (metal stop) boots, a player acknowledges that they are selecting a model equipped with screw-in metal studs,' the statement said.
'If the player intends to wear these boots in an AFL match, the metal studs must be replaced with compliant plastic studs.'
Questions are still being asked of the AFL, however.
'We broke the story about the AFL warning (to players),' veteran AFL journalist Caroline Wilson said on Channel 7's The Agenda Setters on Tuesday night.
'What has happened in my absence, is the AFL have finally admitted that the biggest club at fault was Adelaide. Ben Keays was fined $5000. He ignored four warnings. He wore metal-studded boots for five weeks.
'They said (fines were) up to $40,000 .... Josh Rachele, he was fined two-and-a-half grand. He only wore them two more times.
'And Nike, we've now found, has sent a memo to all of their players, warning them (about the boots) and absolutely taking away any responsibility from themselves, and saying, 'If you buy our boots, you better make sure you remove the metal studs'.'
Wilson also wondered why GWS captain Toby Greene wasn't fined for wearing the illegal footwear.
Greene actually admitted to wearing metal studs while he was on air as a guest commentator during a Channel 7 game.
'Why was Toby Greene not fined after admitting, as we found out, that he had worn boots with metal studs?' Wilson said on The Agenda Setters.
'The AFL said, look, he only did it once. He was given the rounds of the kitchen by Jason McCartney, his head of footy.
'But hopefully boot-gate is well and truly over.'

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


West Australian
19 minutes ago
- West Australian
Harley Reid: West Coast Eagles star to miss remainder of season with syndesmosis injury
West Coast superstar Harley Reid's season is officially over after scans revealed he suffered an syndesmosis injury in Saturday's western derby loss. The 20-year-old hurt his ankle in the closing minutes against Fremantle on Saturday and was helped from the ground by medical staff, heading straight into the Optus Stadium changerooms. Scans later revealed the extent of the injury, which is on the minor side but will rule him out for the remaining four games of the home and away season, as reported by 7News' Ryan Daniels. And the Eagles have been dealt another significant blow, with top draftee Bo Allan also ruled out for 2025 with a similar injury sustained at training last week. It comes amid constant speculation over Reid's future with the Victorian product's signature among the most sought-after in the AFL. His manager, Nick Gieschen from Connors Sports Management, was in town over the weekend and confirmed talks with West Coast on a new deal were ongoing. Reid is contracted with the Eagles until the end of 2026 on his initial three-year draft deal but is expected to field offers from a host of rival clubs. Among the discussions is a two-year contract with a trigger for a monster nine-year extension, that could fetch the former No.1 pick an estimated $2 million per season. 'Harley is enjoying his time here and like I said before, we're talking about what the future looks like,' Gieschen, who has since returned said on Thursday. 'We're having discussions with West Coast and we'll go from there. 'He's really good. He's happy. He loves the club... Nothing in concrete, we're just talking at the moment and we'll see where we get to.' The injury is another significant blow to West Coast's midfield firepower, which is already without Elliot Yeo (ankle), while Jack Graham still has one match to serve on his ban for using homophobic language. Reid is one of just five Eagles to have played every game this season, racking up a team-high 71 clearances and averaging 19 disposals per outing. Allan managed just six AFL appearances - including two starting as West Coast's substitute - after being the club's top draft selection with Pick 16.


Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
Marshall quizzed on future amid Saints' De Koning chase
St Kilda ruckman Rowan Marshall would welcome Tom De Koning's arrival from Carlton but is keeping his cards close to his chest on what it would mean for his own future. Marshall was critical to the Saints' record-breaking comeback victory over Melbourne on Sunday, linking with superstar Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera to set up the decisive goal. Wanganeen-Milera's stocks soared on the back of his match-winning display, as the out-of-contract playmaker weighs up huge interest from his home state of South Australia. The Saints will miss the finals for the second straight season and are desperately seeking to improve their list. Whether or not they retain Wanganeen-Milera and lure restricted free agent De Koning from the Blues will have a huge impact on their prospects for 2026 and beyond. Marshall, 29, is contracted to St Kilda until the end of 2027, but the club's pursuit of ruck-forward De Koning has cast a shadow over the incumbent's future. "Obviously he's a great player, so I guess whatever's going to make us better," Marshall said on Monday. "That's what we're trying to do and he'll make us a better team." Pressed on his own future, Marshall was tight-lipped. "This is going to sound so cliche, but I haven't really given it too much thought," Marshall said. "There's four games left and I'm employed by the St Kilda Football Club to rock up each week and perform. "That's just my sole focus at the minute. "My last two or three weeks have been pretty disappointing individually, so I just want to finish the season well with a strong patch of form and go into next year." Marshall has played as a sole ruckman for most of this year and said he wasn't fussed about whether he continued in that role, amid the prospect of a partnership with De Koning. "As long as we're winning games I don't really care," Marshall said. St Kilda have a poor 6-13 win-loss record this year, but are riding high after producing the greatest last-quarter comeback in AFL/VFL history against Melbourne - from 46 points down - to ultimately win by six. Wanganeen-Milera was the hero with 34 disposals and four goals, including two in the final 15 seconds. The 22-year-old star quickly hashed out a plan for the match-winning play with Marshall and Marcus Windhager while Melbourne were caught up in confusion around a 6-6-6 free kick in the dying seconds. "As soon as I got the ball I saw a bit of space and luckily enough the kick came off," Marshall said. "Nas went back with the flight of the footy, it was pretty courageous and I guess the rest is history." This is ESSENTIAL viewing 🍿Watch every goal of St Kilda's 46-point comeback, the greatest three-quarter time deficit overcome in V/AFL history.#AFLSaintsDees AFL (@AFL) July 28, 2025 Footage has since emerged from St Kilda's post-match function at the Hotel Brighton, where coach Ross Lyon hoisted Wanganeen-Milera onto his shoulders in jubilant scenes. "I think Ross tried to get me on his shoulders but I was too heavy," Marshall said. "Nas is a bit lighter. It was good fun." Marshall said the "crazy" win had not sunk in yet, with St Kilda needing to refocus ahead of their match against North Melbourne on Sunday. "The first three quarters were pretty garbage from us and it was disappointing but I think that last quarter just shows what we can do," Marshall said. "It was awesome. I didn't think it was possible until it was probably three goals down and I looked up at the scoreboard and I thought, 'Geez we're in this.' "Then, sure enough, Nas turned it on and it was a crazy finish."


7NEWS
2 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Ex-MKR contestant Anthony Mu on trial over alleged assaults
A former My Kitchen Rules contestant is facing court, accused of assaulting children known to him over several years. Anthony Mu, the husband of fellow contestant Clauden Uamaki-Mu, has pleaded not guilty at Richlands Magistrates Court, Queensland, to seven charges, including assault occasioning bodily harm and common assault. The alleged victims, now adults, were known to the couple during the time of the alleged incidents, police said. The pair competed on the 2023 season of the Channel 7 reality cooking show. They were known for their Italian-inspired cuisine and ran a food market stall selling traditional dishes. One alleged victim told the court on Monday she was punched, slapped and tackled through a wall by Anthony during one incident. The trial is continuing in the Magistrates Court, with more details expected later on Monday.