AFL
SportAustralian Associated PressLights out as Lions win after Gabba blackout
The Gabba was plunged into darkness by a power outage that halted play for almost 40 minutes to delay - and almost thwart - Brisbane's march to a 11-point AFL victory over Melbourne.The Lions were leading by 40 points with about 12 minutes remaining in the final term on Friday night when the lights went out.
SportAustralian Associated PressKangaroos expect fierce response from star Docker Fyfe
North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson is bracing his team for a fierce response from Nat Fyfe in Saturday's AFL clash with Fremantle at Optus Stadium.Fyfe starred as a permanent forward during the pre-season, but his round-one display in last week's 15-point loss to St Kilda led to a wave of criticism.
SportAustralian Associated PressInjury-hit Giants name first-round pick for AFL debut
GWS will unveil one of their prized first-round draft picks when academy graduate Harry Rowston makes his AFL debut against West Coast in round two.Originally from Griffith in southern NSW, Rowston was at the centre of a bold play from Sydney at last November's national draft before joining the Giants.
SportAustralian Associated PressDemons hold out hope for injured Max Gawn
Melbourne hope Max Gawn's knee injury isn't as bad as it looked after the Demons star was an early scratching from their AFL clash with Brisbane.Gawn and teammate Jack Viney collided early in the first quarter of Friday's contest at the Gabba and the ruckman initially ran away from the contest.
SportAustralian Associated PressFumbling Eagles urged to be braver and cleaner
West Coast coach Adam Simpson has urged his players to be braver in their ball movement, but says the team won't go anywhere if they keep fumbling or can't win the contest battle.The Eagles lost the contested possession count 152-115 and clearances 41-26 in last week's five-point loss to North Melbourne.
SportAustralian Associated PressBevo's Bulldogs on guard for stopgap Saints mix
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge is determined to ensure his side doesn't underestimate St Kilda's makeshift forward line in their AFL clash.Operating without attacking mainstays Max King and Tim Membrey, who are sidelined with injuries, the Saints kicked just 10 goals and ranked 12th for scoring in round one.
SportAustralian Associated PressMagpie speed just one part of the puzzle: Port coach
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley says controlling Collingwood's attacking chaos and speed are only parts of the puzzle to solve in their MCG battle.The Power coach is an open admirer of the attacking bent of Craig McRae's Magpies ahead of their Saturday afternoon clash.
SportAustralian Associated PressCrows to avoid the bump after McAdam ban: coach Nicks
Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks has told his players to avoid bumping while admitting lingering disappointment at Shane McAdam's three-game ban.McAdam will serve the first match of his suspension for rough conduct when the Crows host Richmond at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
SportAustralian Associated PressBombers to build Stringer towards AFL return
Coach Brad Scott insists Essendon were not prepared to gamble on rushing Jake Stringer back into their AFL side despite concerns over a toe injury to key forward Sam Weideman.Stringer has been named to play in the VFL instead of facing Gold Coast on Sunday after missing round one following a pre-season hamstring injury.
SportAustralian Associated PressSydney co-captain Mills tips Swans to fill Buddy vacuum
Sydney co-captain Callum Mills is confident the Swans have sufficient firepower to cover for the absence of veteran key forwards Lance Franklin and Sam Reid.Franklin will miss Sunday's SCG clash against his former club Hawthorn after accepting a one-week ban for his high bump on Gold Coast defender Sam Collins, while Reid is unavailable because of a glute issue.
SportAustralian Associated PressKangaroos stand down Tarryn Thomas again
North Melbourne midfielder Tarryn Thomas' AFL career hangs in the balance after he was again stood down by the AFL club indefinitely amid concerns over his behaviour towards women.Thomas must remain away from the club and is not available for selection at senior or VFL level after the Kangaroos determined he had failed to make "sufficient progress" in his respectful-behaviour education program.
SportAustralian Associated PressBlues 'significant' win could be AFL turning point
Michael Voss doesn't know if Carlton's win over Geelong will prove to be a landmark moment in their AFL premiership hunt.But a tense eight-point victory against the reigning premiers, who launched a spirited fightback in the final quarter, would certainly fit the bill.
SportAustralian Associated PressScott says no panic stations yet for winless Geelong
Geelong coach Chris Scott is not ready to hit the panic button just yet despite a winless opening two rounds in his side's AFL premiership defence.The Cats have slipped to a 0-2 record for just the second time in Scott's 13-year tenure, having suffered an eight-point defeat to Carlton on Thursday night.
SportAustralian Associated PressCarlton hold off Cameron's Cats in AFL thriller
Carlton have resisted a Jeremy Cameron-inspired Geelong fightback to end a horror run in tight contests with an eight-point victory, leaving the AFL premiers winless after two rounds.Charlie Curnow kicked five goals as the Blues surged clear during the third quarter on Thursday before hanging on for a nervy 13.
SportAustralian Associated PressMelbourne recall big guns for clash against Lions
Melbourne have recalled a premiership trio including key defender Steven May for their Friday night blockbuster against Brisbane.May, Jack Viney and Bailey Fritsch all return for the Demons for their game at the Gabba against a Lions side bolstered by the inclusions of skipper Dayne Zorko, Darcy Fort and former St Kilda backman Darragh Joyce.
SportAustralian Associated PressDockers coach Longmuir lashes 'unfair' Fyfe criticism
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has lashed "incredibly unfair" criticism of Nat Fyfe and backed the dual Brownlow Medallist to respond to his disappointing first game as a full-time forward.After an impressive pre-season, Fyfe's much-vaunted opening game against St Kilda fizzled into a relatively anonymous goalless, nine-touch effort, with the former Dockers captain shut down by Callum Wilkie in the 15-point loss.
SportAustralian Associated PressChris Fagan's Lions out to prove they're no AFL fluke
Brisbane coach Chris Fagan reckons many AFL observers view their semi-final victory over Melbourne as a fluke.Combine that with their "horrible" round-one loss to Port Adelaide and the Lions have plenty to prove at the Gabba on Friday.
SportAustralian Associated PressHardwick leans on GWS coach Kingsley for Crows tips
Seven months after Adam Kingsley departed Richmond to lead GWS, Tigers coach Damien Hardwick has turned to his former assistant for tips.The Giants fought past Adelaide to win Kingsley's first match as coach in round one and a jovial Hardwick said he'd already spoken him about how to handle the Crows at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
SportAustralian Associated PressSt Kilda AFL injury merry-go-round continues
While St Kilda await a cavalry charge to replenish their forward line, Seb Ross and Marcus Windhager are poised to return in the AFL round-two clash with the Western Bulldogs.The Saints opened their season with a hard-fought win over Fremantle, after being given little hope without injured key forwards Max King and Tim Membrey.
SportAustralian Associated PressPower should tag Nick Daicos: Magpies coach McRae
Collingwood coach Craig McRae has dared Port Adelaide to tag wunderkind Nick Daicos and shut him out of their bumper AFL clash.Last year's Rising Star winner, 20-year-old Daicos picked up from where he left off in round one, racking up 35 disposals in the Magpies' victory over Geelong.
SportAustralian Associated PressCarlton heed lessons from string of nail-biting losses
Michael Voss is adamant Carlton will be ready to execute under pressure if their round-two AFL clash with Geelong goes down to the wire.The Blues have blown late leads in each of their last three games, all of which have been nail-biters.
SportAustralian Associated PressAdelaide's McAdam has three-game ban appeal dismissed
Adelaide forward Shane McAdam has failed in his bid to overturn a three-game ban for his brutal bump on GWS defender Jacob Wehr.The AFL appeals board rejected his legal team's argument the penalty was "arbitrary" and the tribunal hadn't used a trigger clause to escalate his sanction correctly.
SportAustralian Associated PressKangaroos' Thomas facing fresh texting allegations
North Melbourne player Tarryn Thomas is again facing an uncertain AFL future as the club investigates the circumstances surrounding reports of new allegations relating to inappropriate behaviour towards women.According to a report by SEN on Wednesday afternoon, the 22-year-old has been accused of sending more threatening text messages.
SportAustralian Associated PressGiants' top draft pick Cadman pushes for AFL debut
1 draft pick Aaron Cadman might have to keep waiting for his AFL debut, despite six goals last weekend in a VFL practice match.While the Giants must make three changes because of injury for Sunday's match against West Coast in Perth, coach Adam Kingsley says they will be conservative with playing Cadman.
SportAustralian Associated PressStringer fit, but clouds form over Bombers forwards
Jake Stringer has been passed fit to return to AFL action for Essendon, but there are fresh injury clouds hanging over fellow forwards Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti and Sam Weideman.McDonald-Tipungwuti, who spent six months in retirement last year, made his comeback as the Bombers' substitute in last Sunday's thrashing of Hawthorn.
