News Story

Marngrook Footy Show legend Gilbert McAdam can't wait for the first bounce in the Geelong/St Kilda blockbuster qualifying final under lights at the MCG.

"It's going to be on for young and old," he said.

"It;s going to be a beauty."

"Gilly" insists the Saints will be bolstered by the return of close-checking tagger Steven Baker from that controversial nine-week suspension (after tangling with Cats star Stevie Johnson in the spiteful round 13 clash at the 'G).

"He's going to fire them up,"  he said.

"Gilly" added that he's thoroughly enjoyed the war of words from respective coaches Mark Thompson and Ross Lyon in the build-up to what promises to be an enthralling battle.

Thompson urged umpires to keep a close eye on Baker.

Lyon responded by calling on umpires to keep a close eye on Cameron Ling's tactics on the likes of Nick dal Santo and Lenny Hayes.

When asked by Marngrook Footy Show host Grant Hansen for his tip, "Gilly" responded: "I'm not going to make a prediction."

Not surprisingly, "Gilly" got howled down by the panel.

"You're giving up just because you've lost the lead in the tipping," "Thorpie" joked.

Grant added: "You can't do that. You've got to give your tip."

"Gilly" eventually settled on St Kilda.

Robbie Ahmat also selected the Saints.

Robbie predicts a tough game.

Sydney's budding champ and the AFL's NAB Rising Star of 2010 Daniel Hannebery is a class act on and off the field.

The young gun delivered a superb speech after topping the votes in the prestigious award held at the Palladium Room at Crown Casino.

The son of Footscray (now Western Bulldogs) winger of the late 1980s Matthew Hannebery described his win as "a massive honour , a bit of a surprise".

"It's something I'm really honoured by and humbled by at the same time," the Kew Rovers product added,

Hannebery, who managed seven games in 2009,  polled 45 votes to beat Melbourne's first year young gun Tom Scully on 35.

Brisbane's Tom Rockliff was third on 24 votes.

Hannebery praised the support he's received from development coach Stuart Maxfield (a former captain of the Swans).

"He's been a real rock for me up in Sydney," he said.

Hannebery can't wait to strut his stuff against Carlton in a cut-throat elimination final at ANZ Stadium this Sunday.

"There's a really good feeling in the air," he said.

Hannebery thanked his loving family for all of their support throughout his footy career, especially his parents.

"I'll be forever indebted to them," he said. 

Fremantle has suffered a big blow to its premiership hopes with livewire forward pocket Hayden Ballantyne ruled out for the finals.

He suffered a foot injury in the thrilling six-point win over Carlton at Subiaco Oval on Friday night.

A series of scans has confirmed that Ballantyne fractured a bone in his left foot.
While the injury does not require surgery, he will wear a moon boot for six to eight weeks.

Ballantyne has enjoyed a brilliant year for Freo.

Marngrook Footy Show host Grant Hansen loves the way Ballantyne plays his footy.

"He knows where the goals are and he's always getting in the face of his opponents. Ballantyne really energises his teammates," Hansen said.

Ruckman Aaron Sandilands shapes as a key as the Dockers confront Hawthorn on their home track at Subiaco Oval on Saturday.

The big clash promises to be the most enthralling game of the first week of the finals.

Freo will fancy its chances of celebrating victory.

The AFL has formally received the 2010 premiership cup in a handover to launch the 2010 Toyota AFL Finals Series at the MCG.

 AFL chief operating officer Gillon McLachlan took possession of the cup from Cash's -official suppliers of the premiership cup and makers of all the AFL's leading awards and trophies - and also announced the key football identities who will present the various major awards through September.
 
Hawthorn and Carlton premiership coach and Hall of Fame member David Parkin will present the Jock McHale Medal to the winning grand final coach while West Coast champ 1992 Norm Smith Medal winner Peter Matera will present the Norm Smith Medal to this year's best on ground in the 2010 Toyota AFL Grand Final.
 
Former Geelong full forward Larry Donohue, who topped the VFL goalkicking in 1976 with 105 goals, will present the John Coleman Medal to this year’s winner – Richmond’s Jack Riewoldt.
 
Recently-retired Geelong skipper Tom Harley was named as the AFL’s official ambassador for the month of September while the premiership cup on grand final day will be presented to the winning team by a great of the club.

The potential presenters are to be confirmed once the grand final teams are known. 
 
Parkin coached Hawthorn to the 1978 flag and led Carlton to its victories in 1981, 1982 and 1995 while Matera played 253 games for West Coast and was a member of the Indigenous Team of the Century.

Marngrook Footy Show panel member Alan Thorpe predicts Essendon will turn to Port Adelaide's 2004 premiership coach Mark Williams as the replacement for sacked coach Matthew Knights.

"Thorpie" lists the "experience" and "proven record" of Williams.

He added: "Mark Williams has got connections at Essendon ... he was reserves coach under (senior coach) Kevin Sheedy."

"Thorpie" said it was unlikely the Bombers would appoint an untried senior coach like Alan Richardson (who was an assistant coach under Knights this year).

"They want quick success," he said.

"They don't want to develop a coach over the next two or three years.

"They want an experienced coach who can jump straight into the role and get the results on the board immediately."

"Thorpie", you little beauty.

Popular panel member Alan Thorpe's remarkable success rate with his tipping in recent weeks has paid handsome dividends.

After tipping seven winners in round 22, "Thorpie" has jumped to a two-tip lead over Gilbert McAdam in the highly competitive Marngrook Footy Show AFL tipping competition.

"Gilly" tipped five winners.

Poor old "Gilly" has lead the tipping comp all season, but it looks as if "Thorpie" has timed his run to perfection.

"Thorpie" is thrilled to sail past "Gilly" in the tips.

"I threw the challenge to "Gilly" about four weeks ago ... (I said) I'm coming after you and he laughed at me, as usual," "Thorpie" said with a chuckle.

"I bet he's not laughing now."

"Thorpie" has a tip for fans of the Marngrook Footy Show.

"Keep an eye on my tips (during the finals)," he said.

"And "Gilly" it's about time you followed me."

Collingwood coach Michael Malthouse will coach his 636th match as the Flagpies do battle with the Western Bulldogs in a qualifying final at the MCG on Saturday night.

It's been an amazing journey since Malthouse made his coaching debut for then Footscray back in 1984.

Malthouse will pass Essendon legend Kevin Sheedy as he moves into second spot on the list of most games coached in the history of the game.

The leading five coaches in the game’s history are Jock McHale (714 games with Collingwood), Kevin Sheedy (635 games with Essendon), Michael Malthouse (635 games with Footscray, West Coast and Collingwood), Allan Jeans (575 games with St Kilda, Hawthorn and Richmond) and Tom Hafey (522 games with Richmond, Collingwood, Geelong and Sydney).

Malthouse will begin his 18th finals series (as a coach with Footscray, West Coast and now Collingwood).

This will take him into outright third spot in the history of the game, behind only Jock McHale and Kevin Sheedy. The leading coaches in the game’s history are Jock McHale (27 finals series with Collingwood between 1912-50), Kevin Sheedy (19 series with Essendon between 1981-2007), Allan Jeans (17 series with St Kilda, Hawthorn and Richmond between 1961-92), Michael Malthouse (17 series with Footscray, West Coast and Collingwood since 1985) and Dick Reynolds (16 series with Essendon between 1939-60).
 

It's all happening for Malthouse.

He will be coaching his 44th final.

Fremantle young gun Anthony Morabito's timing is impeccable.

The 18-year-old midfielder sneaks in as the last NAB AFL Rising Star nominee for 2010.
 
Morabito gathered 18 possessions and kicked a goal to help the Dockers to their nail-biting six- point victory over Carlton at Subiaco Oval on Friday night.

Retiring Corey Jones kicked two goals in the last quarter to help inspire North Melbourne's win over Melbourne in a terrific twilight game at the MCG.

The Kangas jumped out of the blocks to slam on the first three goals of the game, but the Demons hit back through mercurial forward Liam Jurrah.

Jurrah finished with five goals as did Brad Green.

But the Kangas finished strongly with inspirational captain Brent Harvey leading the way in game No. 301.

The little champ kicked three goals, including the sealer on the run from 50m midway through the last quarter.

Jones also kicked three goals.

Levi Greenwood was best on the ground with 39 possessions.

Brady Rawlings, Harvey, Andrew Swallow, Scott Thompson and Daniel Wells also played well.

Melbourne captain James McDonald tried his heart out in his 251st and last appearance for the Dees.

Final scores: North Melbourne 17.11 (113) to Melbourne 15.13 (103)

Matty Primus is almost certain to be offered Port Adelaide's coaching position after a splendid job as caretaker coach.

Primus is celebrating his fifth win (in seven games) after the Power out-lasted a fast-finishing Richmond at Etihad Stadium.

AFL superstar and bad boy Ben Cousins battled hard for the Tigers in his last game.

Port slammed on 10.2 to 1.3 in the second quarter to blow the game to bits.

Travis Boak was best on ground with 31 possessions and three goals.

Daniel Stewart kicked four goals.

The Power had 10 goalkickers.

Mitch Morton and Jake King kicked three goals apiece for Richmond.

The Power led by 59 points early in the third quarter before the Tigers stormed home to get within three points at the 13-minute of the last.

But Port steadied to upset hopes of a fairytale finish for Cousins.

Final scores: Port Adelaide 18.14 (122) to Richmond 16.16 (112)