Latest news with #IndigenousAll-Stars
West Australian
13-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Bedford eyes AFL return against Dockers after injury
Toby Bedford is frustrated and forgiving about his eye injury, but warns that any player found guilty of what Lewis Melican did will "get weeks". The GWS tagger will see an eye specialist on Wednesday and hopes to return for Saturday's home game against Fremantle. Melican caught him high two weekends ago in the Sydney derby, and the Swans defender is serving a three-game striking ban. Bedford was asked on Tuesday if the incident gave him pause for thought about how he plays. "I don't think it will change a thing. It's an accident, and if people are going to continue to do that, they'll just continue to get weeks," he said. Bedford also confessed to mixed emotions about having to miss a game because of his eye injury. "It's a mistake on the field,'' he said. "I don't think he genuinely meant it, but obviously it's still a bit frustrating. I thought we were coming back into the game nicely and I thought I was making my way into the game nicely as well. "Obviously I'm still quite frustrated around it, but I understand accidents happen." Bedford initially could not see out of the eye after the high blow. "It's recovering well. It's still obviously a little bit red, but I have full sight out of it now, which is great," he said. The Indigenous player is keen to be back for Sir Doug Nicholls Round and said his teammates "loved" Tuesday's cultural awareness session. "I always look forward to this time of the year and circle it," he said. In the same vein, Bedford was disappointed to miss selection for the Indigenous All-Stars team that played Fremantle in February. "Watching that one was extremely hard, because I wanted to be part of it. Definitely I want to be part of that, whenever it happens next," he said. Bedford also jokingly expressed frustration that GWS coach Adam Kingsley has taken to changing his tagging target mid-game. "I just expect it now - 'Kingy' kind of does that to me during the game ... I will start on someone and then go to someone else," he said. "It's difficult, with different kinds of players." But Bedford also revealed a new team initiative helps him prepare for whoever he tags. After Finn Callaghan visited the NRL's Penrith Panthers, GWS have borrowed their game preparation where players, not just coaches, do opposition analysis. "We've done some new things this year, which have held us in good stead - players show different (opposition) players and present (to the team)," Bedford said. "It gives a better understanding for all our players, for each week. "It's not coming from coaches, it's coming from players, we all understand it better." Bedford was asked about the possible bond between the two western Sydney clubs. "I hope so. We wouldn't mind three grand finals in a row," he said.
Perth Now
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Bedford eyes AFL return against Dockers after injury
Toby Bedford is frustrated and forgiving about his eye injury, but warns that any player found guilty of what Lewis Melican did will "get weeks". The GWS tagger will see an eye specialist on Wednesday and hopes to return for Saturday's home game against Fremantle. Melican caught him high two weekends ago in the Sydney derby, and the Swans defender is serving a three-game striking ban. Bedford was asked on Tuesday if the incident gave him pause for thought about how he plays. "I don't think it will change a thing. It's an accident, and if people are going to continue to do that, they'll just continue to get weeks," he said. Bedford also confessed to mixed emotions about having to miss a game because of his eye injury. "It's a mistake on the field,'' he said. "I don't think he genuinely meant it, but obviously it's still a bit frustrating. I thought we were coming back into the game nicely and I thought I was making my way into the game nicely as well. "Obviously I'm still quite frustrated around it, but I understand accidents happen." Bedford initially could not see out of the eye after the high blow. "It's recovering well. It's still obviously a little bit red, but I have full sight out of it now, which is great," he said. The Indigenous player is keen to be back for Sir Doug Nicholls Round and said his teammates "loved" Tuesday's cultural awareness session. "I always look forward to this time of the year and circle it," he said. In the same vein, Bedford was disappointed to miss selection for the Indigenous All-Stars team that played Fremantle in February. "Watching that one was extremely hard, because I wanted to be part of it. Definitely I want to be part of that, whenever it happens next," he said. Bedford also jokingly expressed frustration that GWS coach Adam Kingsley has taken to changing his tagging target mid-game. "I just expect it now - 'Kingy' kind of does that to me during the game ... I will start on someone and then go to someone else," he said. "It's difficult, with different kinds of players." But Bedford also revealed a new team initiative helps him prepare for whoever he tags. After Finn Callaghan visited the NRL's Penrith Panthers, GWS have borrowed their game preparation where players, not just coaches, do opposition analysis. "We've done some new things this year, which have held us in good stead - players show different (opposition) players and present (to the team)," Bedford said. "It gives a better understanding for all our players, for each week. "It's not coming from coaches, it's coming from players, we all understand it better." Bedford was asked about the possible bond between the two western Sydney clubs. "I hope so. We wouldn't mind three grand finals in a row," he said.
The Advertiser
08-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
'Can't win': Clarkson skeptical on Origin timing
Four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson believes squeezing State of Origin into an already packed calendar will be a difficult task for the AFL. Since taking over from Gillon McLachlan in 2023, AFL boss Andrew Dillon has made no secret of his desire to revive representative football. After the successful return of the Indigenous All-Stars this year, Origin could be back next February, although the AFL are yet to make any official announcement. Coaches such as Carlton's Michael Voss believe a pre-season window is the best time for representative matches. Clarkson, in his third season in charge of North Melbourne following four flags at Hawthorn, rates Origin as a "great concept". "The big challenge for the AFL and all the players is when during the season do you play it?," Clarkson said on Thursday. "That's the most difficult part. "From a club perspective and a player's perspective, the challenge with it if it's right at the start of the season, players don't want to risk getting significant injuries and then perhaps losing significant chunks of the season." "That's why it was moved." Clarkson also cautioned against staging any Origin games near finals as the best players wouldn't be available. "You just can't win with it," he said. "We all love the concept of State of Origin. We see just how popular it is in rugby league, but as we become a national game, it's been really difficult to work out where it fits into the schedule. "We've all got enormous passion for it, but just working out where it fits has been the reason why it hasn't been in the program." The last Origin game took place in 1999 when Victoria defeated South Australia in front of only 26,063 fans at the MCG. Victoria played an All-Stars team to raise money for bushfire relief in 2020, while Victoria and a Dream Team clashed in 2008 to mark 150 years of Australian football. Voss witnessed how important the Indigenous All-Stars match was to Zac Williams and Jesse Motlop. "Any opportunity that our players get to be able to represent something is worthwhile doing," he said on Thursday. "In principle, I would be hugely supportive of it because they're life experiences." Richmond coach Adem Yze believes most players would rather represent their state than take part in a traditional pre-season hitout. "You've got to play a game anyway so why wouldn't you want to play with the Big V jumper and use that as one of your practice games leading into the season," Yze said. Captains of the 18 clubs were broadly in favour of Origin when pressed about it on the eve of the season. Four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson believes squeezing State of Origin into an already packed calendar will be a difficult task for the AFL. Since taking over from Gillon McLachlan in 2023, AFL boss Andrew Dillon has made no secret of his desire to revive representative football. After the successful return of the Indigenous All-Stars this year, Origin could be back next February, although the AFL are yet to make any official announcement. Coaches such as Carlton's Michael Voss believe a pre-season window is the best time for representative matches. Clarkson, in his third season in charge of North Melbourne following four flags at Hawthorn, rates Origin as a "great concept". "The big challenge for the AFL and all the players is when during the season do you play it?," Clarkson said on Thursday. "That's the most difficult part. "From a club perspective and a player's perspective, the challenge with it if it's right at the start of the season, players don't want to risk getting significant injuries and then perhaps losing significant chunks of the season." "That's why it was moved." Clarkson also cautioned against staging any Origin games near finals as the best players wouldn't be available. "You just can't win with it," he said. "We all love the concept of State of Origin. We see just how popular it is in rugby league, but as we become a national game, it's been really difficult to work out where it fits into the schedule. "We've all got enormous passion for it, but just working out where it fits has been the reason why it hasn't been in the program." The last Origin game took place in 1999 when Victoria defeated South Australia in front of only 26,063 fans at the MCG. Victoria played an All-Stars team to raise money for bushfire relief in 2020, while Victoria and a Dream Team clashed in 2008 to mark 150 years of Australian football. Voss witnessed how important the Indigenous All-Stars match was to Zac Williams and Jesse Motlop. "Any opportunity that our players get to be able to represent something is worthwhile doing," he said on Thursday. "In principle, I would be hugely supportive of it because they're life experiences." Richmond coach Adem Yze believes most players would rather represent their state than take part in a traditional pre-season hitout. "You've got to play a game anyway so why wouldn't you want to play with the Big V jumper and use that as one of your practice games leading into the season," Yze said. Captains of the 18 clubs were broadly in favour of Origin when pressed about it on the eve of the season. Four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson believes squeezing State of Origin into an already packed calendar will be a difficult task for the AFL. Since taking over from Gillon McLachlan in 2023, AFL boss Andrew Dillon has made no secret of his desire to revive representative football. After the successful return of the Indigenous All-Stars this year, Origin could be back next February, although the AFL are yet to make any official announcement. Coaches such as Carlton's Michael Voss believe a pre-season window is the best time for representative matches. Clarkson, in his third season in charge of North Melbourne following four flags at Hawthorn, rates Origin as a "great concept". "The big challenge for the AFL and all the players is when during the season do you play it?," Clarkson said on Thursday. "That's the most difficult part. "From a club perspective and a player's perspective, the challenge with it if it's right at the start of the season, players don't want to risk getting significant injuries and then perhaps losing significant chunks of the season." "That's why it was moved." Clarkson also cautioned against staging any Origin games near finals as the best players wouldn't be available. "You just can't win with it," he said. "We all love the concept of State of Origin. We see just how popular it is in rugby league, but as we become a national game, it's been really difficult to work out where it fits into the schedule. "We've all got enormous passion for it, but just working out where it fits has been the reason why it hasn't been in the program." The last Origin game took place in 1999 when Victoria defeated South Australia in front of only 26,063 fans at the MCG. Victoria played an All-Stars team to raise money for bushfire relief in 2020, while Victoria and a Dream Team clashed in 2008 to mark 150 years of Australian football. Voss witnessed how important the Indigenous All-Stars match was to Zac Williams and Jesse Motlop. "Any opportunity that our players get to be able to represent something is worthwhile doing," he said on Thursday. "In principle, I would be hugely supportive of it because they're life experiences." Richmond coach Adem Yze believes most players would rather represent their state than take part in a traditional pre-season hitout. "You've got to play a game anyway so why wouldn't you want to play with the Big V jumper and use that as one of your practice games leading into the season," Yze said. Captains of the 18 clubs were broadly in favour of Origin when pressed about it on the eve of the season.
Perth Now
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
'Can't win': Clarkson skeptical on Origin timing
Four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson believes squeezing State of Origin into an already packed calendar will be a difficult task for the AFL. Since taking over from Gillon McLachlan in 2023, AFL boss Andrew Dillon has made no secret of his desire to revive representative football. After the successful return of the Indigenous All-Stars this year, Origin could be back next February, although the AFL are yet to make any official announcement. Coaches such as Carlton's Michael Voss believe a pre-season window is the best time for representative matches. Clarkson, in his third season in charge of North Melbourne following four flags at Hawthorn, rates Origin as a "great concept". "The big challenge for the AFL and all the players is when during the season do you play it?," Clarkson said on Thursday. "That's the most difficult part. "From a club perspective and a player's perspective, the challenge with it if it's right at the start of the season, players don't want to risk getting significant injuries and then perhaps losing significant chunks of the season." "That's why it was moved." Clarkson also cautioned against staging any Origin games near finals as the best players wouldn't be available. "You just can't win with it," he said. "We all love the concept of State of Origin. We see just how popular it is in rugby league, but as we become a national game, it's been really difficult to work out where it fits into the schedule. "We've all got enormous passion for it, but just working out where it fits has been the reason why it hasn't been in the program." The last Origin game took place in 1999 when Victoria defeated South Australia in front of only 26,063 fans at the MCG. Victoria played an All-Stars team to raise money for bushfire relief in 2020, while Victoria and a Dream Team clashed in 2008 to mark 150 years of Australian football. Voss witnessed how important the Indigenous All-Stars match was to Zac Williams and Jesse Motlop. "Any opportunity that our players get to be able to represent something is worthwhile doing," he said on Thursday. "In principle, I would be hugely supportive of it because they're life experiences." Richmond coach Adem Yze believes most players would rather represent their state than take part in a traditional pre-season hitout. "You've got to play a game anyway so why wouldn't you want to play with the Big V jumper and use that as one of your practice games leading into the season," Yze said. Captains of the 18 clubs were broadly in favour of Origin when pressed about it on the eve of the season.
Sky News AU
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Sky News AU
AFL 2025: Sam Mitchell would support State of Origin return
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell has thrown his support behind renewed hope of a return for State of Origin football as workload management becomes a talking point. The Hawks will rest star recruit Tom Barrass for Saturday's clash with Melbourne and Mitchell flagged that he would rest more senior players across the coming weeks. Barrass has played all eight games this season, but the longer-term goals for the Hawks, which include premiership ambitions, will guide Mitchell who was adamant 'winning is first and foremost' in his plans. 'When we recruited (Barrass) we didn't think he'd play every game for the season,' Mitchell said on Thursday. 'He's had a really good block, played every game (so far) and been in good form for us. 'We thought the chance of him playing every minute of every game consistently was going to be difficult. 'We're going to manage his training loads to make sure we get the best out of him for the whole season. 'It wouldn't surprise me if we do that, from this point on, a couple of other times through the year. 'Winning is first and foremost, and you want to make sure you don't sacrifice that (by resting players).' Allowing players to represent their state in the pre-season would, however, be OK with Mitchell and the Hawks as the AFL reportedly moves closer to bringing State of Origin back to life. Potentially filling the same February slot as the Indigenous All-Stars game earlier this year, State of Origin would a 'one-off' for players, Mitchell said. 'I think the way the AFL handled the All-Stars this year was potentially a blueprint,' he said. 'We had a couple of guys who played in that game but they just missed a practice game, so they got the same load management. 'I think it's something the fans would love to see, the players would love to be a part of and how the AFL fixtures it is the challenge. 'Obviously, someone probably gets injured in one of those games and that coach is going to be enormously disappointed, but they would have played in a practice game for your own club at the same time. 'As long as it doesn't add a game, there would be some pushback if that was the case, but for our guys, I'm happy for them to go and represent their state.' Young Hawks forward Calsher Dear is a chance to return for Hawthorn from a back stress fracture after two games at VFL level. Originally published as Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell would embrace State of Origin return despite player management battle
