Saints veteran defender Sean Dempster is considering retirement from a 222-game career spanning 15 years at both the Swans and the Saints. Though the reason isn't because of speculation that there is bad blood between Dempster and the club.
St Kilda general manager Jamie Cox confirmed that the experienced player is seeking medical advice regarding his playing future, but is keeping the details private. "Sean has been an absolute warrior for the Saints for many years," Cox said. "At the moment, he is seeking medical advice to best equip him to make a decision regarding his future as an AFL footballer. Whilst the medical consultation Sean is currently receiving coincides with him not being selected in the Saints senior team, there is no ill will between Sean and the club." Saints coach Alan Richardson has followed up on Cox's comments after speaking to reporters at Melbourne Airport on Friday. "What I would like to clear up is the speculation around an incredibly highly respected footballer of our footy club, almost getting overly disappointed with non-selection and giving the game away. It couldn't be any further from the truth." "We're talking about a bloke that has bled for our footy club for a long time that needs to get some things sorted out. We'll give him time to do that. There's no timeframe on that." Dempster played the first two JLT Community Series matches, but was selected for a VFL practice match while the Saints made the trip to Albury to face the Swans. "He'll work with our medical staff closely in the next couple of weeks and hopefully then, when he sits down with his family and close friends, he can make a decision in the best interest of Sean Dempster and our footy club."
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The AFL have confirmed that the 2017 Grand Final will stick to its usual timeslot of 2:30pm AEST, after a debate to change to a twilight timeslot.
The AFL Commission accepted the recommendation from AFL CEO Gillion McLachlan to keep the Grand Final at its traditional time. "The majority of supporters want to keep it at 2:30pm," McLachlan told reporters on Friday. "We've made the decision for this year". The Grand Final this year will be held on Saturday, September 30 at 2:30pm AEST. Do you think the Grand Final should be moved to a twilight timeslot? Sound off in the comments. Former West Coast premiership player Ben Cousins has been sentenced to a year in prison for drug offences and stalking. The troubled star was sentenced in Perth Magistrates Court despite the fact that he was willing to spend 12 months in drug rehabilitation.
The 2005 Brownlow medallist was fined $2,400 for his drug possession and received the prison sentence for his violence restraining order breach. Cousins' lawyer, Michael Tudori said he had "hit rock bottom" due to his drug addiction. "He needs intensive therapy". Tudori asked Magistrate Richard Huston to consider granting Cousins a suspended jail sentence so he could attend rehab, but Mr. Huston believed Cousins' behaviour was "persistent, sustained and intended". The former Eagles and Tigers player has been in trouble with the law on various occasions, even dating back to 2006 when he fled a booze bus on the Canning Highway in Perth. He was also charged in 2015 with reckless driving, and was assessed at a mental health facility after being caught behind fences at the Special Air Service Regiment in Perth. In 2016, he was arrested and taken to hospital for behaving in an erratic manner on the Canning Highway. Cousins will be eligible for parole once he serves six months in prison. He will also have his driver's licence suspended for an additional nine months. Do you believe Cousins deserves his prison sentence? Do you think he should be allowed to spend time in rehab? Sound off in the comments. Demons half-back Bernie Vince and Pies star Travis Varcoe have both accepted one-match suspensions after their high contact hits last weekend.
Vince struck player Nathan Wright to the back of the head, in a behind-the-ball incident during last Saturday's clash against the Saints. Though the contact was graded low impact, the Match Review Panel believed that Vince intentionally hit Wright behind the play, resulting in a suspension that will see him sidelined for the clash against Carlton this Sunday. Varcoe accepted the ban for his medium impact on Luke Dahlhaus during last Friday's clash between the Bulldogs. He was reported when he clipped Dahlhaus' head with his shoulder during the first quarter. The Match Review Panel graded the incident as careless conduct and offered a suspension that will see Varcoe sidelined for the Thursday night clash against Richmond. Do you believe Vince and Varcoe deserved their suspensions? Sound off in the comments below. Former Saints skipper Nick Riewoldt may only miss a few games after hyper-extending his knee against Melbourne last Saturday.
The coaching staff, players, supporters, and even Riewoldt himself feared the worst when he went down in the final quarter. Scans revealed that there was no structural damage to the knee, after many thought that he had torn his ACL. Riewoldt is expected to return to training once the swelling and pain subsides. Key forward Paddy McCartin is expected to replace Riewoldt in the game against West Coast this weekend. He managed to shake off hamstring tightness and kick three goals against Port Melbourne in a VFL practice match. McCartin was a late withdrawal from the round one side due to the medical staffs' decision not to take any risks with the young player. When do you think Nick Riewoldt will return? Sound off in the comments. |
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