Latest news with #7AFL
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dogs coach Beveridge in fiery Cornes confrontation
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has dismissed questions about his heated confrontation with commentator Kane Cornes, opting against pouring more fuel on the fire. Cornes' frosty relationship with Beveridge reached a flashpoint when the pair shared a brief exchange on the GMHBA Stadium boundary line on Thursday night. Beveridge was walking past Cornes when the dialogue started and he stopped for a moment to fire a few words in the former Port Adelaide player's direction. "Clearly the relationship between myself and the Western Bulldogs isn't a strong one."Kane Cornes on his pre-game incident with Luke Beveridge | #AFLCatsDogs — 7AFL (@7AFL) May 22, 2025 He was then ushered away by Bulldogs communications staff. The 54-year-old was tight-lipped when quizzed on the incident at his post-match press conference after his side's 20.7 (127) to 16.17 (113) loss to Geelong. "Ultimately, we come in here and we talk about the game," Beveridge said. "That's all we're after, isn't it? "If you're trying to drum up any controversy, I don't think there was any. "I've really got nothing to say." "If you're trying to drum up any controversy, I don't think there was any."Luke Beveridge addresses the pre-game confrontation with Kane Cornes: — AFL (@AFL) May 22, 2025 Pressed further by a reporter, Beveridge said: "I know what you're trying to do. You're not going to get me to bite." The Bulldogs are one of the clubs who have banned Cornes from their change rooms. Cornes addressed Thursday night's incident during Channel Seven's coverage of the Cats-Bulldogs clash. "There was a confrontation, there were some words spoken," Cornes said. "But he's combative, and they do like to protect their club and their players. I don't have an issue with it, it's a big game of footy. "Clearly the relationship between myself and the Western Bulldogs isn't a strong one." Cornes said the awkward situation developed because Beveridge was "staring at me quite strongly". "I didn't really know what to say, so I just said, 'G'day, Bevo' and it wasn't received that well as you can see in the vision," Cornes said. "I would have liked to go on with the conversation and have it respectfully, but it wasn't the time or the place."
Daily Mail
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Emotional footy star reveals the heartbreaking reason why he 'cheered against' his own team and how he 'despised' AFL during a tough period
An emotional Alex Pearce has described how he 'despised' AFL football for a large period of his career and why he found himself 'cheering against' his own team, after falling victim to multiple horror injuries. After being drafted to Fremantle as pick No 37 of the 2013 National Draft, The 29-year-old would quickly establish himself as a key pillar in the Dockers' backline. But his brilliant start to life in the AFL came crashing down in 2016 when he suffered a horror leg break during their Round 9 defeat by Richmond. The then-emerging young defender, who has captained the side now for three seasons, was ruled out for the remainder of the 2016 season. Complications with the injury forced him out for longer than anticipated, with Pearce, who is now also studying a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Deakin University, suffering a setback in pre-season forced him to miss the entire 2017 campaign. He'd return to play the following year, but would again experience injury woe in 2019, with his year being agonisingly cut short in Round 11 after he broke his ankle. He'd then miss the entire 2020 season as a result. "I despised AFL for a large period because I was so jealous of everyone that was playing." 📺 Watch Alex Pearce on Unfiltered TONIGHT after The Front Bar on Seven and 7plus! — 7AFL (@7AFL) April 30, 2025 Alex Pearce (pictured) has opened up on battling depression during his injury layoff in 2017 and 2019 The Freo star agonisingly missed several seasons of footy after he broke his leg in 2016 before breaking his ankle again in 2019 In an open interview with Hamish McLachlan on Channel 7's Unfiltered, Pearce claimed that his absence from the game changed the way that he thought about footy and his team. Pearce admitted he struggled with depression after breaking his leg for the second time in 2017. 'I was young, I was 20. I hadn't played a lot of games,' he told Mclachlan on Unfiltered. 'Initially, I was like: "Lots of guys have broken their leg", I played with Michael Barlow at the time, great man, he's come back. 'But when I did it again I was like: "Woah, maybe this game is not for me". Pearce became more emotional as he spoke on his injury tribulations. 'At that point, my whole life revolved around playing and being a footballer and that was my main passion. 'I had struggled with some depression. Through that period, I started to learn a bit more about myself and that I'm interested in other things. 'It was tough but because I'd learnt some lessons and I'd built some resilience, I think I was able to manage it better.' But after breaking his leg for the second time, Pearce heartbreakingly admitted that he did not see football in the same light. 'By this stage, my relationship with football had changed, I wasn't watching football games on TV,' he said. 'I despised AFL for a large period because I was so jealous of everyone that was playing.' The Fremantle captain was promoted to the footy club's leadership group in 2018 before succeeding Nat Fyfe as the club's captain in 2023. Pearce, though, also opened up on how he used to 'hate' himself for one act he used to find himself doing when he watched footy on TV during his rehabilitation. 'There's this thing that happens, and I've spoken to other people about it, that when you watch your own team play you're cheering for them but you are also cheering against them because you want to be missed, you want to be needed,' he explained. 'That's the feeling I had and I hated myself for that because I wanted to be this team man who does the best for everyone.' "You're cheering against them because you want to be missed... I hated myself for that." Alex Pearce discusses the mental toll of injury tonight on Unfiltered 🤕 🏉Watch after The Front Bar on Seven and 7plus 👉 — 7AFL (@7AFL) April 30, 2025 However, Pearce's story is an inspiring one. Despite battling with depression and the pain of not being able to play, the 29-year-old, who is affectionately nicknamed 'Moose' by his team-mates, sought out ways that he could still influence and support his team-mates, and that began in the Crossfit room. 'I just remember that was my sort of goal, in a way. I can't play and train with my teammates, but I can go so hard in the crossy (Crossfit) room, that they can notice me. I can invest in them and invest in our group,p and that's my influence,' he said, speaking on how he strove to inspire others to success. 'I've spoken about leadership before but I think it stems from just a desire to be a part of something great. 'If you want to win badly enough, then you'll do whatever it takes. 'I've probably got some traits, but we're a better chance of winning if I can influence those around me to be better.'
Daily Mail
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Richmond star speaks out on how Noah Balta's high-profile court case - as Tigers slump to their fifth defeat of the season
Richmond forward Tom Lynch has spoken out on Noah Balta's high-profile court case, claiming that while the legal saga has been a 'distraction for the club' the result did not have a bearing on their 12.11 (83) to 9.9 (63) defeat by Melbourne on Thursday. Balta pleaded guilty to an assault of a 27-year-old man in December 2024 and on Tuesday appeared in Albury Local Court for sentencing. He was handed a $3,000 fine, an 18-month community corrections order and a three-month 10pm to 6am curfew. He could effectively be set to miss a large chunk of the season due to the sanction. Balta has since shown his remorse over the assault, apologising to the victim in a public statement issued through the footy club and is currently undergoing educational and therapy sessions following the incident. 'It's obviously been a distraction for the club,' Lynch said to Channel 7 following the defeat. 'We obviously know that Balta's done the wrong thing and he's copped his punishment now and we want to support him through that.' "We obviously know that (Noah) Balta's done the wrong thing and he's copped his punishment now and we want to support him through that ... we just want to wrap our arms around him." 🗣️ Tom Lynch on Noah Balta | #AFLDeesTigers — 7AFL (@7AFL) April 24, 2025 Richmond star Tom Lynch says the Tigers are wrapping their arms around Noah Balta following his high-profile court case Balta had returned to feature during the Tigers' Round Six victory against Gold Coast but on Thursday, Adem Yze's side would go on to suffer their fifth defeat of the season. After Richmond went into the sheds at half-time just four points down, the Demons, winning only their second game of the season, pulled ahead in the third term, booting six goals. Lynch would instigate a late comeback for the Tigers with a pair of goals late on but it proved too little too late. 'Nah I don't think it had any bearing on tonight,' Lynch, who booted three goals and three behinds said. He added: 'We care for Balta as a person, obviously it's actions that we don't accept. 'But we want to wrap our arms around him again and he's clearly been remorseful.' Imposing captain Max Gawn has inspired Melbourne to their second consecutive AFL win, leading from the front during their 20-point victory over Richmond. After last week breaking their duck for the season against Fremantle, Simon Goodwin's side busted open a tight and scrappy affair when they ramped up their pressure after half-time. Melbourne's sixth straight win over Richmond - a stranglehold that dates back to 2021 - improved their record to 2-5, level with their opponents. Gawn was everywhere as he tallied 25 disposals, nine marks, six clearances and a dozen score involvements as the most influential player on the ground before being rested late in the match. Christian Petracca kicked two goals from 28 touches, Jake Bowey (32 disposals, five clearances) continued his strong start to the season and Jack Viney (15 tackles) worked tirelessly in opposition to Tim Taranto. Following his sizzling display against the Dockers five days earlier, Kysaiah Pickett (18 disposals, one goal) was well held by Nathan Broad in the first half but had an impact after the main break. Melbourne kicked the first three goals of a tight first term, in which Pickett did not have an effective disposal. Their lead was trimmed to five points after the quarter-time when Taranto converted a free kick paid against Viney for holding off the ball. Ill-discipline and turnovers hurt the Tigers at times throughout the first half, and Maurice Rioli gifted the Dees a goal to Harrison Petty with high contact to Bowey off the ball. It was one four lead changes in the second term and Melbourne headed to the main break with a slender four-point lead. Pickett's strong bump on James Trezise was a spark early in the third term and the Demons' increased pressure overwhelmed their opponents. Pickett kicked the first of three quick goals which put a break between the teams and Melbourne kicked 6.3 to 1.2 for the term. Clayton Oliver (22 disposals, seven clearances) was also influential in the third quarter, gathering 13 possessions after managing just five in the first half. The margin ballooned to 35 points by the final change and the Demons were never threatened from there. Tigers spearhead Lynch kicked 3.3 from at least eight shots in an intriguing battle with former Gold Coast teammate Steven May. Taranto kicked two goals from 22 touches, while Jacob Hopper (23 disposals) and Thomson Dow (28) were among the major ball-winners for a Richmond outfit that was outplayed after half-time. The Tigers trailed by as much as 44 points during the final term but kicked the last four goals when Gawn was resting on the bench.
Daily Mail
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
St Kilda great reveals heartbreaking reason why he forced himself to 'suffer quietly' after a life-changing injury rocked his career
Justin Koschitzke believes he returned to the footy pitch too soon after the St Kilda great suffered a horror head injury during a match in 2006. The 42-year-old, who said he had 'suffered quietly' after the life-changing injury, even thinks in hindsight that he should have perhaps hung up his boots entirely. During the Saints' Round Six victory over the Western Bulldogs back in 2006, the 42-year-old fractured his skull in a contest with Daniel Giansiracusa. Scary scenes unfolded, with Koschitzke dropping to the floor before he was taken from the field on a stretcher. He was expected to miss around four weeks of action due to the injury, but spent much longer on the sidelines, having struggled to regain hearing in one of his ears. Koschitzke, who is an advocate for mental health and wellbeing, would go on to miss 13 games of footy that season, returning for his side's Round 19 clash against Geelong. "Maybe knowing what I know now I wouldn't have played ever again" Justin Koschitzke discusses the hindsight he now has years on from this shocking incident. Watch Unfiltered on Seven and 7plus 👉 — 7AFL (@7AFL) April 23, 2025 Justin Koschitzke (pictured) has revealed that in hindsight he wishes he had retired from professional football instead of returning to play after sustaining a life-changing concussion But during an open and honest interview with Hamish McLachlan on Channel 7's Unfiltered, the 42-year-old revealed he would have done things differently in hindsight. 'You were recognising the symptoms then? It's not as if you look back and say you were suffering then, you were very aware of it then?' McLachlan asked, reflecting on the moment he was knocked out against the Bulldogs. 'I was very aware of it, but I thought that's OK because I've just been smashed in the head,' Koschitzke told the broadcaster. 'It will pass, this will get better. I suffered quietly. I couldn't tell anyone because you're in an environment where you don't want to lose respect from your team-mates or give an inch, you want your armour because then someone else is taking your spot.' Koschitzke has been open about his struggles with his concussion and mental health in the past, revealing in 2022 that he was unable to remember games that he had played in. During the interview the 42-year-old also revealed that there were games in which he wished his side would even lose. The footy star, who was drafted to the Saints in 2000, would hang up his boots in 2013, following a glittering career in which he kicked 247 goals across 200 appearances. But if he had his time again, Koschitzke stated that he perhaps wouldn't have returned so soon. 'What I thought was manning up was to come back and play that year when if I had my time again, there's no way I would have played that year. 'Maybe knowing what I know now I probably would never have played ever again. I can honestly say that. 'Why would I put myself in a situation to keep getting hit and keep getting hit - knowing what I know and feel as a 42-year-old. 'But then you're bulletproof. Your legs are OK, no problem, let's go play.' 'But it was the most ridiculously uncomfortable period. Running up the race, with the helmet on, going: "I'm not ready, I'm dizzy, I'm out of body," with the thought of the neurologist going: "Jeez, I didn't know if you were going to walk or talk again". 'And then you've actually got a game to think about. You've got tactics. You've got opposition. You've got a gameplan and a structure and all of this, you have to get yourself into a competitive environment, basically, while you're having an anxiety attack.' If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety call Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 24 at any time of the day, seven days a week for anonymous support and guidance.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Demons coach loves 'passionate' Petracca's emotion
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin loves that Christian Petracca shows his emotions and believes it illustrates how passionate he is about the struggling AFL club. After the Demons' 39-point loss to Geelong on Friday night that left them sitting 0-4, Petracca cut a shattered figure as he walked off the field, throwing his mouthguard and putting his hands on his face. The visceral reaction captured by broadcast cameras has been scrutinised, especially given Petracca's frustrations last year that led to him contemplating a trade. Immediately after the match, Goodwin labelled the 2021 Norm Smith Medallist a "winner" and he doubled down on Thursday. "He wasn't frustrated. He wants to win. And clearly he shows that with his emotion," Goodwin said. "As I said, he's a winner. He's determined for success, and that's what we love about him. "He cares about his footy club, he cares about his teammates, and he wants to be involved in a winning team. And there's been a hell of a lot of commentary around it, both positively and negatively. "From a coach, I loved it. I love that he's got emotion. I love that he shows how passionate about his footy club, and he displays that on a daily basis when he's in here. "He's helping develop young players. He's helped coach the team and lead the team throughout the week, in training sessions and game day. "So I love what he brings our footy club, and people will see it differently, but he's an outstanding person for us." Skipper Max Gawn believed Petracca had been a little "embarrassed" to have been caught on camera. "It just shows how much he cares at the moment," Gawn told Triple M. 🗣️ "You can see the despair from Christian Petracca. "That image right there says a lot about where Melbourne is right now, and where it wants to be."#AFLCatsDees — 7AFL (@7AFL) April 4, 2025 Melbourne's poor start has piled pressure on the 2021 premiership coach, who hasn't enjoyed a finals win since that flag. "I haven't had one thought about myself," Goodwin said. "My thoughts are with the club, the team and the players. "And through my time at the footy club, we've seen great challenges, and we've been able to work our way through them to where we've ultimately had success. So I'm in no different position now. "When you get challenged, you rise, you do your job to the best of your ability. "And I think I'm pretty well credentialed to see through these challenges and get the club back to where where they belong and that's my job at task right now." Melbourne are desperate to get off the mark against Essendon (1-3) at Adelaide Oval in Gather Round on Saturday. "Having every club there you get to showcase where you're at," Goodwin said. "We need to start to put our flag in the ground about where we're at and what we're doing. "So we're looking forward to getting over there and making sure we play a way that's really impressive, and we get our season rolling." Goodwin believed under-fire forward Bayley Fritsch had "turned his game around" over the past two weeks. Melbourne are without Jake Lever (ankle surgery) for up to two months but prized draftee Xavier Lindsay will return from a knee injury.
