Latest news with #TheAgendaSetters
7NEWS
4 days ago
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Luke Beveridge responds as expert AFL commentator Kane Cornes questions Bulldogs' ‘deplorable' defensive profile
The feud between Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge and expert AFL commentator Kane Cornes is clearly not dissipating with Beveridge again proving he is not handling criticism well. After losing to Adelaide at Marvel Stadium on the weekend, the Dogs are currently ninth on the ladder with a questionable record against teams above them on the ladder. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today They conceded 109 points in the loss to the Crows and Cornes, who rates the playing group highly, has put the coach in the spotlight due to the team's 'deplorable' defensive profile. They are 1-7 against top-eight teams this year and rank ninth for points against. 'Every single year I sit in a chair like this and we've got the same discussion about the Bulldogs,' Cornes said on Channel 7's The Agenda Setters. 'So we're here again because no coach does less with more than that man, Luke Beveridge. Sam Power (Bulldogs list boss) has handed him a high-powered sports car and he drives it like a busted up Camry. That's just the reality of it.' Cornes clearly hit a nerve with Beveridge unable to bite his tongue during a media conference on Wednesday. When questioned about Cornes' latest swipe, Beveridge asked if any of the journalists present worked with the 300-game Port Adelaide great. 'I just feel sorry for you,' Beveridge said, before walking off. Beveridge's feuding history with members of the media is long and rich. And Cornes' questions on the Bulldogs and the coach are not without reason. Cornes believes the list is up there with the best teams in the comp and thinks they will feature in the finals. But they rank ninth for points against from turnovers at 44.6 per game and are 14th for stopping their opposition scoring once they are inside-50. 'They're so offensively minded with the football that when you do turn the footy over, off turnover, they're horrible,' Cornes said. 'And their profile, they don't score heavily enough off their own turnover. 'They'll make the finals. But once again, we're having the exact same conversation about a coach that they re-signed when they didn't need to.' On Friday the Bulldogs have a huge clash with reigning premiers Brisbane at the Gabba which shapes as season-defining. Last time they played in Gather Round in April, the Dogs led the Lions by 39 points. But in a dramatic change of events, the Lions found form to produce a 60-point swing and win by 21 points. Marcus Bontempelli 'close' to re-signing with Bulldogs Luke Beveridge believes the club and captain Marcus Bontempelli are moving closer to a new deal. Arguably the best player in the AFL, the 29-year-old is off-contract at the end of the season. With just six weeks before the end of the home and away campaign, Bulldogs fans have become increasingly anxious about their premiership-winning superstar. While tight-lipped, Beveridge's response and grin indicated he wasn't too concerned about Bontempelli potentially seeking a league-shifting move elsewhere. 'I think we're getting close, but that's all I can really say,' Beveridge said on Wednesday. Beveridge's remarks came on a day when Jamarra Ugle-Hagan returned to the club after more than a week away spent dealing with a family matter back in his home in western Victoria. Ugle-Hagan trained with the main group as the Dogs prepare for their Friday night blockbuster against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba. The 23-year-old hasn't played a game at any level this season after dealing with mental health and personal issues. 'I can't really give you much other than he's chipping away, and he's training when he can,' Beveridge said of Ugle-Hagan. 'He's had some bereavement stuff back with the mob in Framlingham and he's working his way back through his fitness levels.'
7NEWS
4 days ago
- Sport
- 7NEWS
North Melbourne floated as potential third club for Collingwood veteran Jeremy Howe
Mitch Cleary has floated the possibility that Collingwood veteran could finish his decorated AFL career at North Melbourne. The high-flying defender's current contract expires at the end of this year and is yet to receive a new offer from the Magpies. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: North Melbourne floated as possible move for Jeremy Howe. At 35, and among an ageing list at the Pies, Howe's future at the club is unclear. But despite his current groin injury, which will see him sidelined for another week, the star interceptor is playing as well as he ever has, and warrants an AFL contract for next year, when he will turn 36. Cleary said the Kangaroos could do worse than consider offering him one. 'Still no formal contract offer from the Pies,' he said on Tuesday night's episode of The Agenda Setters. 'I think, if I was North Melbourne, they've missed on Nathan Broad, they've missed on Brayden Maynard, I think he would be the perfect guy to go and nurture some of these young defenders. 'We've seen Will Dawson you've been big on in the last couple of months, Charlie Comben's still finding his feet — (he'd be perfect) to go and partner up as that third tall in defence for a year or two at North Melbourne. 'He is still, to this point, yet to receive an offer from Collingwood.' Stream The Agenda Setters for free, live or on-demand, anytime on 7plus The 7NEWS Melbourne reporter still thinks Howe is more likely to stay at Collingwood, but thought it was worth noting that progress had yet to be made on a deal. 'They (Collingwood) are keen to a level, but there's still nothing formal yet, so I think that's going to be thrashed out over the next two or three weeks,' Cleary said. Howe played 100 games for Melbourne before being traded to Collingwood at the end of 2015. Speaking to Unfiltered this week, Howe opened up on the sickening arm break that sidelined him for most of the 2023 season, revealing how close he was to retiring. Howe suffered the gruesome injury in the opening-round clash against Geelong, but it was the complications and infections after the surgery that almost forced him to walk away from the game. The much-loved player detailed his immediate thoughts of the sickening injury to the low points of the recovery in a powerful episode of Unfiltered. 'The moment where I go upside down, I heard the snap before I hit a deck,' he tells Hamish McLachlan. 'And then once I got to the ground, I'm literally was laying there. Feels pretty painful ... Bruzzy (Brayden Maynard) comes over to pick me up, and then he's like 'oh f***' and I looked down my forearms facing the bench, but by the rest of my forearms up against my rib cage.' 'So it's snapped in four different places, and then my elbow tried to dislocate, chipped two bones in my elbow and snapped my AC joint at the same time. 'And they gave me a green whistle, and it did nothing. I had to wait for the ambos to get there before I could get pain relief. 'My dad was at the game. He came down. I was pretty much in tears, and I was shaking on the bed. I couldn't stop shaking, and I was like, whether I was in shock or they were trying to hold my arm but my legs are trembling. 'The chest is just shuddering, felt like I'm having pain attack. The pain was so significant, I've never felt like anything like it, it was like a blow torch to my arm.'
7NEWS
5 days ago
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Cam Mackenzie's future at Hawthorn in the spotlight after appearing to fall out of favour
Hawthorn young gun Cam Mackenzie's future at the club has been thrusted into the spotlight despite a series of impressive performances this year. Mackenzie appeared to have nailed down a spot in the Hawks' best team after a hot start to the season that included a career-high 30 disposals in the win over Greater Western Sydney in Round 3. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Mackenzie's future in the spotlight. He played the first seven matches of the season before a broken hand suffered at training ruled him out of the next two. The midfielder returned to face the Suns, but gathered just 13 disposals before he was subbed out the following week against Brisbane. He then spent three weeks in the VFL before earning a recall to the senior side and playing the past three matches. However, he was tactically subbed out of the match against Fremantle after gathering just eight possessions. 7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary revealed Mackenzie's manager met with Hawthorn's list management team to discuss where the 21-year-old is at. 'He's been in and out of the side this year. We know in the last four games he's been subbed out twice in those games. In between, he spent three weeks in the VFL,' Cleary said on The Agenda Setters. 'It's my understanding this has prompted conversation between his management and the Hawthorn list management group in the last 24 hours, where all the parties are up on the Gold Coast at the under-16 national championships, just probing as to where this guy's at. 'He's not getting a regular game right now, and they've got Will Day, one of their star-studded mids, not in the side at the moment. So what does the future hold for Cam McKenzie?' Channel 7 commentator Kane Cornes, who earlier this year said the talented midfielder could one day win a Brownlow, said rival clubs should absolutely try to poach him. 'I would absolutely be trying to inquire about this if I was another club. I think he's got genuine AFL attributes that would make him a 200, 250-game player,' Cornes said. 'I think he's got good sideways movement. He can break a tackle. He uses it pretty well. He's clean. 'So for whatever reason, he has fallen out of favour repeatedly this year in a midfield that needs a bit more depth. And as you said, Will Day's coming back, but they're not stacked with midfielders. 'If there's one area of their game that they're struggling, it is in the midfield. 'So I don't know. If I'm Essendon, dare I say it, if I'm Geelong, if I'm Collingwood to replenish their midfield with a bit of youth, I'd be absolutely inquiring about Cam McKenzie.' Hawthorn champion Luke Hodge said the club hold Mackenzie in high regard and it would take a lot to prise him away from the club. 'Him going back to playing Box Hill — It's about developing, about learning the game,' he said. 'So I still think Hawthorn have high hopes for him. They'll have to offer a lot to get him out of the Hawthorn colours.' Mackenzie has played 46 games since being drafted to the club with pick No.7 in 2022. He is contracted until the end of 2026.
7NEWS
5 days ago
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Richmond exploring proposal to play home games in Tasmania over next two years
Richmond are exploring the possibility of playing home games in Tasmania over the next two years in a new proposal. 7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary exclusively revealed details of the potential move that is being orchestrated by the Tasmanian government. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Under the proposal, that is still in the early days, the Tigers would effectively replace North Melbourne as the team to play at Hobart's Ninja Stadium. The Kangaroos have enjoyed a 14-year association with Tasmania, but won't play any home games in the state after this year. The Tasmanian government want the Tigers to fill the void ahead of the Devils' likely entry into the AFL in 2028. Cleary said the proposal would likely involve Richmond's home games at Marvel Stadium, which generally don't draw big crowds. 'Richmond are still working through this prospect and will determine it over the next couple of months, but we know Richmond have got a couple of games each year at Marvel Stadium. Their fans just don't rock up. They averaged 21,000 over the last five games at Marvel Stadium,' Cleary said on The Agenda Setters. 'The proposal has the Tigers moving a game or two down to Hobart to fill the void before the Devils come in because we know Hawthorn will play four games a season in Launceston for the foreseeable future, but when the North Melbourne Footy Club move their two games to Marvel from next year and get out of Tassie completely, there will be a void, a big hole down in Hobart, and the Tasmanian State Government want Richmond to fill that void. 'We know Richmond have had a strong history down in the Apple Isle. You think Ian Stewart, Royce Hart, Matthew Richardson, Michael Roach, some of the legends of the Richmond Footy Club from the Apple Isle. 'The two biggest games ever attended down in Tassie, both include Richmond. They've got history down there, and this is something the Tigers will work through in the next couple of years.' Cleary added that the money, which could be in the millions, will help fund the club's redevelopment of Punt Road Oval. 'This is not a cash-strapped club by any stretch. They'll find a way, but an extra $1 million or $2 million for your club to work through something like this will help,' he continued. 'And we know the Tassie government want to spend up big because they want content down in Tassie before the Devils arrive. They can't have a gaping hole in the Hobart side of things for the next two years.' AFL great Luke Hodge said it made sense for the Tigers to take up the offer given they are in a rebuilding stage. 'If you're making that decision ... they're not going to play finals over the next three or four years with all the young list and the turnout they've had, so why wouldn't you take them down there? Make some money before Tassie get a team,' he said. Daily Thomas also agreed, especially if it's just taking away a game that would normally be played at Marvel Stadium. 'I think it makes sense, if it's just the Marvel swap, it probably makes more sense. They don't like it (Marvel Stadium). Dimma (former coach Damian Hardwick) said he hated it, and the fans agreed,' he said.
7NEWS
5 days ago
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Kane Cornes questions Collingwood veterans for ‘selfish' management: ‘Why hasn't he had a rest?'
Some of Collingwood's biggest names have been accused of playing for 'selfish reasons', as questions have emerged over the club's management of its veteran players. Eyebrows were raised on Friday night when veteran star Scott Pendlebury was started as the sub during the team's loss to Gold Coast, with many thinking it was strange not to give the 37-year-old veteran a proper week off (if they thought he wasn't up for a full game). Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Of course, Pendlebury watched on as Collingwood went goalless in the first half, but helped give the Pies a healthy pulse when he was eventually injected into play. Collingwood have been applauded for the management of some of their players, but leading AFL commentator Kane Cornes has noted that there are seemingly different strokes for different folks. Elliott, 32, is having a sensational year and sits joint third in Coleman Medal race with 44 goals (along with Ben King, nine behind leader Jeremy Cameron). Crisp, 31, broke the consecutive games record of 245 this year and his streak is still going eight games later (at the time of writing). 'I've got a theory that some players are playing for selfish reasons,' Cornes said on Monday night on Channel 7's The Agenda Setters. 'I put this on the agenda with Jack Crisp last week, and the fact that he's nearly 32 and the only player — along with Jamie Elliott — not to have a rest above the age of 30. (I think that's) because of the consecutive games record. 'So (Crisp) continues to play and Elliott's the other one, I question whether Elliott is playing for an All-Australian blazer and ... Coleman, or is he playing for a premiership? 'Why hasn't he had a rest?' Cornes pointed to Elliott's past with the star forward having some lengthy battles with injuries and back issues. 'So why are others resting? Why are others getting managed but those two aren't?' he asked. He also thought the decision to start Pendlebury as a 'sub' was a strange. 'Pendlebury is the other one. If you if you're playing Pendlebury, you're playing him, if not, he's staying at home with his family on the couch,' Cornes said. 'Now is that because there's a game's record to be broken in time, and you still get the game as sub? 'And then there's Nick Daicos. Nick is sore, clearly sore and has been throughout the year. 'Is he playing for a Brownlow? 'My theory is that those players are not being managed to get themselves right to win a second or a third premiership in Pendlebury's case. Are they playing for individual reasons more so than getting themselves right when they need to be right (in September)?' AFL great Nick Riewoldt, however, did not subscribe to the 'theory', calling it a 'bad take'. 'The Crisp one, he is the guy that has thrived with continuity ... that's why he's continued to play, because of the continuity. So, OK, so he gets a tick,' Riewoldt said. 'Jamie Elliott has never had continuity. Now he has it, why would you not try and milk it?' Cornes was quick to respond, saying it could be a risk to keep playing him as it had been in the past. But Cornes wanted to know why some veterans such as Steele Sidebottom, Brody Mihocek and Dan McStay had been managed throughout the year, and others hadn't. Riewoldt said he agreed with the take on, Pendlebury, however. 'Pendlebury is the one that I tend to agree with where, you know, do you really need to travel and be the sub,' he said. Host Craig Hutchison said Pendlebury may not have played, even if he was the sub, if Collingwood were comfortable ahead throughout the game. 'They would have preferred to get some rest in,' Hutchison said. 'I don't think Scott Pendlebury is a guy that says you can't rest me because I'm going after a record. He's gonna get the record anyway.' Riewoldt said this was a selfless group that had 'oozed team' more than any other in the competition, and Hutchison said Cornes' 'theory' might just add to their 'hungry', 'ruthless' resolve.
