Latest news with #NormSmith
News.com.au
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Lions captain's ‘extraordinary comment' clips rising star teammate
Lachie Neale's 'extraordinary comments' about Brisbane Lions rising star Will Ashcroft have caused a stir after the club's big win over Hawthorn. The dual Brownlow Medal-winner on Monday appeared to drop a subtle reality check for the former No. 1 draft pick. Speaking on SEN Breakfast during a 15-minute interview about the club's return to form, Neale said Ashcroft is far from a finished product at the age of 21. 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. 'I've seen some pretty professional blokes, and he's still working on his body and what he needs to do to get to that top echelon,' Neale said when asked about Ashcroft's professionalism. 'But he's still learning though and he's got a little way to go to be the most professional, but I think the way he handles himself is first-class.' Ashcroft, who won the Norm Smith medal during the Lions' Grand Final thumping of the Swans, is continuing to emerge as one of the club's biggest stars, but has shown hot and cold form this season. It's why Neale's comments caught the eye of veteran football reporter Caroline Wilson. Wilson on Channel 7's Agenda Setters said Neale's comment was a 'bit of a clip' for Ashcroft. 'Could we have a quick listen to the Brownlow medallist, Lachie Neale, and some extraordinary comments — well, it pricked up my ears anyway,' she said. 'I thought that was a bit of a clip and really fascinating. 'He's got a lot of work to do, clearly.' The Lions showed they are still among the teams to beat in 2025 with a big win over the Hawks in Round 11. Small forwards Charlie Cameron and Callum Ah Chee were stand outs in kicking seven goals between them. Neale said it had been up to the team's midfield to bring the dangerous forwards back into the game in recent weeks. The Lions went into the Hawks clash having kicked just 32 goals in their past three games. After a surprise loss to the Demons and a draw with North Melbourne, the pressure was on the Lions — and they delivered. Neale said before the big win over the Hawks that the club was not at panic stations. 'Maybe it's in our heads a little bit, so we've got to release the shackles a bit,' he said. 'We've been through far worse periods than this, so we're not panicking. 'It's a really long year, it's 24 weeks if you include the bye, and I think we learned some pretty good lessons last year that if you can find form at the right time, things can change quickly and your fortunes can change. 'Even Gold Coast we played pretty well against them, they would've been disappointed with the way they played … then you look at their next two weeks. 'We feel like if we can connect a bit better and our hunt and pressure around the ball improves then we can bounce back really quickly.'
7NEWS
20-05-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Richmond legend Dustin Martin tipped to make ‘big-name return' later this year
Richmond legend Dustin Martin is being tipped to return to footy later this year. Martin was spotted in the Tigers' rooms ahead of the clash against North Melbourne on Sunday in a rare appearance around his old club. The three-time premiership great called time on his 302-game career late last season before he was constantly linked to continuing his career at Gold Coast. That ultimately never eventuated, and he drifted out of the public eye. But Channel 7's Caroline Wilson is expecting the triple Norm Smith medallist to return in some form later this year, although it's unlikely to be an AFL return. 'Don't rule out a Dustin Martin footy return sometime in the future,' Kane Cornes said to Wilson on The Agenda Setters. 'That is a very accurate statement by you, Kane,' Wilson replied. 'Dustin Martin was in the Richmond rooms before the North game. He looked pretty good, saying 'g'day' to his old teammates. 'I'm not saying AFL return, but there will be a big-name return later this year.' Cornes added: 'Watch this space.' Martin's AFL career will go down as one of the greatest ever. As well as playing 302 games for the Tigers, he won nearly everything there is to win in footy, including three premierships, three Norm Smith Medals and a Brownlow Medal. He endured an injury-plagued end to his career at Richmond. After an emotional 300th game against Hawthorn, Martin was subbed out in his next match against Carlton. He missed a month of football before returning for one final game against North Melbourne in Round 21. The Tigers lost that match and then two days later, Martin announced his immediate retirement. He returned to the MCG for the Tigers' final match of the season to officially bid farewell to fans. The media-shy superstar never spoke publicly after his retirement announcement, but fought back tears when chatting to former teammate Jack Riewoldt as he expressed his love to the fans. 'Pretty emotional and it's pretty surreal. It feels a little bit weird,' he said. 'I think after today it will really sink in. As everyone knows, I love the club, I love you all so much. I'm going to miss the place so much, just so grateful to be a Tiger.' 'As I said, I love you all so much, I've been so loved and supported. Thank you for everything,' he added.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
AFL world all says same thing after Abbey Holmes and Nathan Buckley decision
AFL fans are singing the praises of the judging panel - headed by Abbey Holmes and Nathan Buckley - who voted Steele Sidebottom as best on ground in Collingwood's win over Essendon on Friday. Collingwood had numerous contenders for the Anzac Day Medal, with starring performances from Nick Daicos (32 disposals, 11 clearances) and brother Josh (36 possessions), as well as Jaime Elliott (five goals) and Scott Pendlebury (31 possessions). But Sidebottom was the overwhelming favourite after 36 possessions and 15 clearances - 13 of which came before three-quarter-time. Sidebottom was the unanimous winner of his second Anzac Medal with 12 votes - nine years after winning his first in 2016. The judging panel of Holmes, Buckley, Chris Johnson and Gavin Wanganeen all awarded Sidebottom three votes, while Elliott was second with seven votes and Josh Daicos third on five. Holmes, Johnson and Wanganeen all awarded two votes to Elliott and one to Daicos, while Buckley gave Daicos two and Elliott one. There were a few pundits who thought Nick Daicos should have received some votes, but the overall majority felt the judging panel got it exactly right. It was somewhat of a rarity in modern times for fans to credit the judging panel after the voting of a major award. There always seems to be controversy or division when a big medal or award is decided, and Eddie McGuire suggested in 2023 that changes might need to be made. McGuire suggested a "panel of elders" should decide awards like the Brownlow, Norm Smith and Anzac medals. "I think we've got enough really great former players who get lost to the game," he said. "Let's get a few of the others that we haven't seen in a while. People who have gone off and done other businesses and things. Get them there, have five or six of them, sit them down, furnish them with the information they need so they're not just sitting there as someone goes past them with drinks, and do it properly so you get it right." The full votes for the 2025 ANZAC Day Medal. Steele Sidebottom won the award with twelve votes.@6NewsAU — Lachlan Sherriff (@LachlanSherriff) April 25, 2025 Deserved!! ❤️ — Wesley Edwards (@Fearinator) April 25, 2025 Steele Sidebottom was incredible today , absolutely deserved the ANZAC day medal . — Chris (@Chris2Far86) April 25, 2025 Good on you Steele, incredible effort today legend. You played a great game, sensational. Keep it up 🖤🤍😍💪 — JAKE FLAGPIES23 🏆🖤🤍 (@IncrediblyBozza) April 25, 2025 Sidey, My Boy, I will put my hand up and state that, along with Pendles and Howey, I thought you might have retired after the 2023 Flag. You born-again inside midfielder, you have proved me so wrong and I am very happy that you did. Love your work, Steelo! — John Morris🇦🇺 (@JohnMorris1963) April 25, 2025 Well deserved Steele Sidebottom #AFLPiesDons — Pistol (@thepistol17) April 25, 2025 All eyes were on Nick Daicos on Friday as he became Collingwood's youngest captain in 57 years as a replacement for the injured Darcy Moore. But it was Collingwood's old guard - led by Sidebottom - who delivered a timely reminder of their class. The 34-year-old was devastating around the stoppages, notching 22 contested possessions and 598 metres gained. "I said to him in the third quarter, 'God, Steele, you're going well today," said coach Craig McRae after the 16.11 (107) to 10.6 (66) win. "He had about 13 clearances at that stage. He's had a terrific season to date. He's banking high performance right now, training really well, put a lot of time into his fundamentals and he's playing really good footy right now." RELATED: AFL world erupts over Max Gawn moment after Anzac eve clash Uproar over 'embarrassing' incident in Demons' win over Richmond Teammate Patrick Lipinski told AAP: "I was talking to (Sidebottom) pre-game and he said he'd won an Anzac Day Medal before - had 33 (possessions) and kicked four in that game. Those clean players in the wet really stand out. He's amazing." with AAP
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Brisbane ace Will Ashcroft faces match review scrutiny
Brisbane's premiership hero Will Ashcroft could become the first AFL player sanctioned this year after clashing with Gold Coast's Matt Rowell in match simulation. Ashcroft, who won the Norm Smith medal as best afield in Brisbane's grand final triumph last season, struck Rowell with an elbow during Thursday night's three-club session on the Gold Coast. Rowell nudged Ashcroft in the back as the ball trickled over a boundary line during the second of three games featuring the Queensland clubs and Collingwood. Will Ashcroft gave away a free kick to Matt Rowell for this incident in the pre-season match sim.📺 Watch #AFLSunsLions on ch. 504 or stream on Kayo: BLOG — Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) February 20, 2025 Ashcroft, with his back to Rowell, landed a short jab with his right elbow to Rowell's chest which momentarily stunned the Sun. Rowell hunched over after the blow but, after being given a free kick, continued playing. While Aschcroft's act had low impact, it will be scrutinised by the AFL's match review officer Michael Christian. The incident came in the middle fixture of unofficial match simulation - three games played over two 25-minute periods. In the first fixture, Brisbane prevailed 5.9 (39) to Collingwood's 4.2 (26). The Magpies unveiled prized recruits Dan Houston, who left Port Adelaide, and Harry Perryman, who departed GWS in search of more midfield minutes. Perryman, who played mainly in defence for the Giants, was instantly deployed in the centre square but was relatively quiet, as was Houston at halfback. Brisbane's dual Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale and Collingwood star Nick Daicos were prominent ball-winners and kicked a goal each. The Lions' academy graduate Ty Gallop, who was pick 42 at last year's national draft when Brisbane matched a Geelong bid, impressed with a snapped early goal and finished with two majors. Brisbane then played Gold Coast in a spirited clash, with Ashcroft's younger brother Levi, making his unofficial debut, felled after disposal by Gold Coast's Ben Long, prompting remonstration from the Lions. Levi Ashcroft was later crunched by the Suns' Leo Lombard, who left the field with a suspected right shoulder dislocation after the collision. Lombard opted to bump Ashcroft and was slightly late in contact as the Lion cub dished off a handball. The Suns, featuring former Magpie John Noble but without ex-Richmond star Daniel Rioli because of a knee injury, beat the Lions 7.4 (46) to 6.1 (37). Gold Goast then played Collingwood and the home side rounded out their evening with an 8.2 (50) to 5.2 (32) victory.
