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McRae tells Collingwood fans to ‘stay true’ as Magpies look to defy history in premiership defence

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At 0-2, Collingwood’s premiership defence isn’t going to plan.

But in coach Craig McRae’s eyes, the Magpies’ bid to go back-to-back is following a familiar script.

Collingwood was brought crashing back to earth by losses to GWS and Sydney first up and the team will have to defy recent history to claim silverware.

No club this century has won the flag after losing their first two games of the season.

“I do recall that later in the year last year that apparently we were no chance to win the premiership because no-one had won the premiership having lost three of the last five [home-and-away games],” McRae said.

“We just like to deal with facts, and we walk in here on Sunday and the place was buzzing.

“There’s an energy to get better, and I must admit there was an energy to get better all of last year too.

“So nothing’s changed in there. We’ll just keep working better to get better at what we’re doing, and we’ve got work to do.

“Stay true, Collingwood supporters. We’ll turn this around at some stage, I guarantee you that.”

Changes loom against St Kilda at Docklands on Thursday night, as Collingwood attempts to avoid a 0-3 start.

Midfielder Tom Mitchell (ankle) is fit but no guarantee to be recalled against the Saints.

Big man Billy Frampton and forward Reef McInnes appear likely inclusions, with Ash Johnson and Charlie Dean likely making way.

McRae, a member of Brisbane’s 2001-03 “three-peat” as a player, was asked how he knew the hunger was there.

“I can’t write a book, but I could tell you the script of how it’s going to play out, and most of that’s playing out right now,” he said.

“Already, individuals aren’t playing well, so there’s an attack on individuals’ performances, there’s finding cracks in your armour and there’s attacks on that.”

McRae, who honed in on turnovers out of defence as a key issue, dismissed the suggestion the reigning premiers could flick the switch.

“Nothing’s easy in this world, and we like it like that,” he said.

“This group is very determined to improve and we’re not standing still.”

McRae would not be drawn on whether teams had found them out, but was adamant the tough start would hold his resilient charges in good stead.

“I’m not sure about reality check, but it’s definitely a gift because we get to see where we’re at against good opposition and then see parts of the game that we need to improve,” he said.

“And I’m sure at some stage this year we’ll look back at this period and go, ‘Gee, that was an important few weeks we had as a group.'”

AAP

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AFL 2024: Western Bulldogs big questions, Jack Macrae trade rumours, Caleb Daniel future, Aaron Naughton contract, Sam Darcy, Luke Beveridge comments, reaction, latest news

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Following a pre-season littered with wide-ranging expectations, the Western Bulldogs have had the exact start to the season they were trying to avoid.

After starting promisingly against the Demons, the disconnected Dogs faded in listless fashion, going down by 45 points last Sunday.

It means Luke Beveridge’s heat is already warming as he continues to face questions about his future at Whitten Oval.

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Were the Dogs not ‘up for the fight?’ | 02:46

As Luke Beveridge’s seat already starts to pre-heat, let’s delve into the big question marks clouding the Kennel as the Dogs aim to avoid a calamitous start to a crucial campaign.

WHAT’S THE GO WITH JACK MACRAE?

Speculation surrounded the 29-year-old this pre-season, following the eyebrow-raising revelation that he was relegated from the club’s leadership group.

He was also left out Beveridge’s side on Sunday. However, all signs suggest he’s still in the process of regaining match fitness after a hamstring snag in the pre-season.

Regardless, his absence added to the external conjecture about his future.

While Macrae is contracted through 2027 before again hitting free agency, the complexion of the Bulldogs is changing, with a resulting query around how much longer the serial ball-getter will be situated in Footscray.

Nine reporter Tom Morris recently declared rival clubs were “monitoring” Macrae, giving air to suggestions the veteran might ponder other opportunities at the end of this season.

Naughton a ‘waste of talent’ up forward? | 01:33

Further, the Bulldogs pivoted in the off-season, recruiting midfielder James Harmes and defenders Lachie Bramble and Nick Coffield — with last Sunday’s debutants Ryley Sanders and Harvey Gallagher also prospective engine-room assets.

Going forward, it may put a tighter squeeze on household names such as Macrae and demoted defender Caleb Daniel — who we’ll discuss shortly.

With regards to earning a recall into the Bulldogs’ senior side, though, Beveridge linked Macrae’s hammy setback to his need to “cover the ground”.

“With ‘Jacko’, he had a stress-related (issue) through his femur, (it was a) concern over the pre-season — he worked really hard over his off-season,” Beveridge told reporters after his side’s 45-point defeat to the Dees.

“Then he had that hamstring that he went down with, and he missed quite a bit of training and running. His capacity to cover the ground needs to be there.

“So, we’ll just wait until Jack’s totally ready to perform at his absolute best with the ground cover. He’s not far away.”

It would seem a little extra conditioning is all that stands in the way of Macrae and an AFL return — but, beyond this season, we’ll have to wait and see what plays out.

WHAT DOES CALEB DANIEL’S FUTURE HOLD?

Most Bulldogs supporters’ ears would have pricked after hearing Daniel was the team’s sub for last Sunday’s season-opener.

It was a perplexing decision to say the least, particularly considering the 27-year-old’s consistent positive influence as a distributor from the Dogs’ defence in recent seasons.

Daniel managed 12 disposals upon entering the action against the Dees, having managed an average of 24.4 disposals per game across 67 games in the past three years.

The South Adelaide product has never played less than 17 senior games in a season, bar his 10-match rookie campaign nine years ago.

On Sunday, Beveridge provided a cryptic justification for Daniel’s cameo role.

“In the roles and responsibilities, he plays all of them pretty well,” he began.

“With the pre-season some of the guys have had — they weren’t at their best today — some of the boys have been at the top of their game in recent times, and some of them will be frustrated by their performance today.

“He’s just found himself out of the team, so, it’s just part of it.

There are questions of Caleb Daniel’s role this season. Photo: Daniel Pockett.Source: Getty Images

“Ultimately, the team and our ambition are, we pick (the side) with a view to challenge the whole competition, and I felt today — going into the game — that we might really challenge Melbourne with our run and getting across the ground.

“It was a little bit of a surprise that we weren’t able to do that. So, we’ll process that during the week.”

Asked a follow-up about Daniel’s chances of earning full game-time against Gold Coast, Beveridge said: “We’ll see.”

Without overanalysing too much, ‘Bevo’s words weren’t exactly a ringing endorsement for the helmeted backman, who starts 2024 in a peculiar role.

ALL FOR NAUGHT? GREAT’S ‘WASTE OF TALENT’ CONCERN FOR 8-YEAR MAN

Aaron Naughton’s gargantuan eight-year contract extension was one of last year’s headline power moves. But are the Dogs ‘wasting’ his true talent?

“I don’t know if I know a greater waste of talent in the forward half — that’s a marquee player in our competition — that should be playing centre-half-back,” North Melbourne champion David King told Fox Footy’s First Crack last Sunday.

“I’ve said this for two or three years, I think he’s All-Australian caliber. They lack an intercept marker down back. (Liam) Jones is a fantastic intercept player, but he had to go to (Bayley) Fritsch (on Sunday), so he’s the next layer back.

“They need a Naughton down there.

Aaron Naughton managed just six disposals last Sunday. Photo: Quinn Rooney.Source: Getty Images

“They’ve got Darcy in the twos, he can play that (forward) role, so why not utilise all the magnets that you’ve got, all the weaponry you’ve got and spread them evenly across the field?

“They kicked the ball to Aaron Naughton twice (on Sunday). Twice, as a forward-50 target … They have to look at (that change).”

After Jones, developing tall Buku Khamis was the Dogs’ next-most relied upon defender last Sunday. The result? Jacob van Rooyen booted three goals from five kicks.

That’s not necessarily to say that key-position pairing isn’t sustainable, but, in conjunction with King’s comments on Naughton, it’s food for thought about a potential change-up down the line.

HOW LONG WILL SAM DARCY STAY SHELVED?

We’re all patiently waiting to see the father-son pup given the chance to stamp his full-fledged authority on the league after scattered promising glimpses.

But, with a crowded room of key forwards in Footscray, the 20-year-old continues to bide his time with the reserves as Beveridge outlined the club’s plan for its long-term asset.

“He’s building up his match time, Sam. He played a lot of minutes yesterday (in Footscray’s VFL practice match),” Beveridge said on Sunday.

“We’re preparing him to most likely be a ruck-forward over time, and, as I said, if we pick too many of the keys and rucks, it means our run and what the competition is challenging you with is compromised. So, we’ll work through that during the week.”

Is Lobb on the selection bubble after recording just seven possessions and two marks against Melbourne? Or are the Dogs preparing Darcy to fill the potential void left by resident ruck-forward Tim English, who prepares to embark on restricted free agency?

There seems a lot left to play out in this space.

Momentum means Tasmania Devils, and the controversial Hobart stadium, can’t be stopped, club boss says

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More than 75,000 people have already snapped up $10 foundation memberships for the new Tasmania Devils AFL and AFLW team in under 24 hours, smashing the club’s expectations.

The club had set a figure of 40,000 by the end of October.

At an event in Campbell Town on Tuesday morning, Tasmania Football Club chair Grant O’Brien said he was thrilled by the response.

“We were kind of a little bit nervous about that, to be honest,” he said.

“I mean, how do you really know?

“Now we’ve got certainty, we’re just riding it.”

A man holds a football jumper.

Grant O’Brien with a Tasmania Devils foundation jumper at the Launceston launch event.(ABC News: Damian McIntyre)

The colours, logo and foundation guernsey for the newest AFL club were unveiled on Monday night simultaneously at six sites around the state, in addition to 20 live stream sites.

Known as the Tasmania Devils, the teams will wear “myrtle, primrose and rose” with a stylised design of a Tasmanian devil head.

Tasmania Devils AFL team logo design, on green fabric background.

Tasmania Devils AFL team logo design on green fabric background.(Supplied: Tasmania Football Club/Solstice Digital)

The foundation guernsey, which will feature on special occasions, will feature a map of Tasmania at its centre with a red “T”.

Three people wear football guernseys on a stage.

Tasmanian footballers wearing the first concept guernsey for the new Tasmania AFL club, at the club’s official launch on March 18.(ABC News: Luke Bowden)

“It was quite a night last night for the club and for all Tasmanians, really,” Mr O’Brien said.

“A bit of a culmination of the decades of the state wanting to have it’s rightful place within the AFL and AFLW and for everyone in Tassie that thought it couldn’t happen.

“We we’re a bit emotional about the fact that it looks like it’s happening.”

Seven young footballers wear Tasmania guernseys on stage

Young Tasmanian footballers display the foundation guernsey design at the official launch.(ABC News: Luke Bowden)

The $10 membership includes a “special digital founding membership card”, a choice of three sticker designs, and “exclusive communication and access to member exclusive merchandise”.

“Founding members” are also told “your name will be represented in our training and administration home forever!”

“We are not exactly sure how we will do it yet, but we can guarantee you your name will always be there,” the club’s website states.

Young players wearing the Tasmania Devils foundation guernsey design at Launceston launch event for the Tasmania Football Club.

Players Caitlyn Evans, Oliver Kelly, Taya Parker, and Jimi Partridge wearing the Tasmania Devils foundation guernsey.(Supplied: Solstice Digital/Rod Thompson)

“Last night was a big step forward,” Mr O’Brien said.

“We’re going to enjoy that moment for a moment but then we’re going to get on with things.”

Tasmanian AFLW player Emma Humphries said she didn’t expect so many memberships to be snapped up so quickly.

“No, I didn’t, to be honest. It’s a big number but if I really think about it it doesn’t surprise me too much given the fact that Tasmania is such a footy heartland and we’re all in in for each other and it’s one big community.”

She said the launch events were special.

“Just to feel the energy in the room it’s probably something that we haven’t really felt around Tassie footy for a long time; I haven’t really felt it at all, to be honest.”

Jack Riewoldt stands beside a road and holds a large cut out of the Tasmania Devils' logo

Jack Riewoldt doing his bit to rally support in Campbell Town, the day after the official launch.(ABC News: Morgan Timms)

Tasmania Football Club ambassador and former Richmond Tigers star Jack Riewoldt said he couldn’t imagine the foundation membership figure in his “wildest dreams”.

“But then there’s a part of us that isn’t surprised. Tasmanians are extremely passionate about football, they’re passionate about sport and they’re passionate about the Devils.”

A cast of cartoon characters.

Taz, the Tasmanian devil, seen among other Warner Brothers Looney Tunes characters.(Warner Brothers)

Warner Bros plays ball with use of name

The use of the Devils name “came down to the wire”, Mr O’Brien said.

Global media and entertainment giant Warner Brothers own the rights to the name “Tasmanian Devil”, which limits its use.

“We knew early days that Warner Brothers own the intellectual property (IP) effectively and trademarks for our animal, so we knew that we’d need to deal through them in order to be able to use the name,” Mr O’Brien said.

“Early days in negotiating through the AFL with Warner Brothers were a bit tricky, but when it got to the point of them understanding the Tasmanian Devil was a real animal, things freed up.

“They understood why we were so keen to have our own animal represent the team.”

Mr O’Brien said they didn’t have to pay any money and there was with no commercial arrangement in place.

“No, what you do is you agree to share the IP in effect, so that’s what we’re doing,” he said.

“It was done in good spirit and the legal process as we know takes a bit of time and this was no different; we were sweating a bit, but we got there.”

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The proposed Macquarie Point stadium is a condition of the team’s entry, agreed to by the AFL Commission, and club presidents and the club remains committed.

“The AFL have been really clear that what is set out in the agreement with the government is what they expect will be delivered, and so do we — it’s important,” Mr O’Brien said.

“It’s great to have this membership base but with it comes a pressure, a pressure to deliver.”

A concept design for an AFL stadium at Macquarie Point.

A concept design for an AFL stadium at Macquarie Point in Hobart, which the AFL says is conditional on a Tasmanian team entering the competition.(Supplied: AFL)

Mr O’Brien said he doesn’t think anything can stop Tasmania’s team now, even with a state election on Saturday looming.

“The election we’ve said is up to the people and the people will decide but I think with what the club has got and what we’ve seen in terms of the public reaction, I don’t think it can [be stopped],” he said.

“It shouldn’t be stopped because it’s what the people want and they voted with their phones and credit card in terms of membership.”

The level of support is set to trigger major interest from potential corporate sponsors, he said.

“The truth of it is it’s invaluable. To be able to walk in and say ‘here are the people we’re directly engaged with, that are engaged with this club’ adds certainty to those that want to invest in the club.

“That’s why we’re kind of thrilled, surprised a little bit, but thrilled with the reaction that’s come so quickly.”

The men’s team isn’t expected to join the competition until the 2028 season, while a timeline for the women’s competition hasn’t been confirmed.

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Devil’s advocate: More than 75,000 unite to back Tassie franchise

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The club is overwhelmed by community support after unveiling their name, colours and inaugural jumper on Monday night

Emma Humphries (left) and Jack Riewoldt (right) pose with Campbell Town District High School students (L-R) Charlie, Satsuki, Winnie, Linus and Patrick during the Tasmania Devils media opportunity on March 19, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos

TASMANIA’S AFL club has smashed its inaugural membership target in what it hopes will send a loud signal to politicians and others who aren’t on board. 

The League’s 19th franchise, slated to enter the men’s competition in 2028, launched on Monday night as the Devils with a traditional green, yellow and red strip. 

The club released $10 memberships, hoping to get 40,000 people signed up by October. 

That mark was reached inside two hours, with 75,000 having joined by midday Tuesday. 

Club chair Grant O’Brien said the launch was a big step forward, also revealing that negotiations with Warner Bros to use the ‘Devils’ name went right down to the wire. 

“We can now speak with 75,000 members behind us when we’re looking at the next steps we’ve got to take,” he said on Tuesday at Campbell Town Football Club. 

“We will also use it when we go to talk to politicians and other stakeholders … stadium and infrastructure being part of (those conversations).”

O’Brien said discussions with Warner Bros to use the mascot were initially tricky, and included some convincing about the animal’s existence.

“When it got to the point of them understanding the Tasmanian devil was actually a real animal, things freed up,” he said.

“They understood why we were so keen to have our own animal represent the team.

“It got done at the last minute, but we were confident we’d get there, and they’ve been fantastic.” 

O’Brien said the mascot is being used under an intellectual property sharing agreement and no money had changed hands. 

Tasmania’s licence is contractually tied to the construction of a new $715 million 23,000-seat roofed stadium at Macquarie Point in Hobart. 

The stadium has proven divisive politically and in the community, and has been a big talking point in the lead-up to Saturday’s state election.

Irrespective of who forms government, the stadium must still be independently assessed and voted through both houses of parliament.

(L-R) Oliver Kelly, Taya Parker, Jimi Partridge and Caitlin Evans pose during the Tasmania Football Club launch at Paranaple Convention Centre on March 18, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos

O’Brien said the club was standing “shoulder to shoulder” with the AFL, which insists the deal is locked in and not open to movement. 

“The election is up to the people and the people will decide,” he said.

“With … what we’ve seen in terms of the public reaction, I don’t think (the momentum) can (be stopped).”

Hobart-born Richmond great Jack Riewoldt, who has been involved in setting up the club, said the membership numbers sent a “loud message” to everyone. 

“Hopefully there are people out there, maybe sitting on the fence, (who) can see there is a powerful movement here,” he said. 

“They’re all welcome on board.”

Jack Riewoldt speaks with media during the Tasmania Devils media opportunity at Campbell Town Football Club on March 19, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos

As part of the contract with the AFL, the club will suffer financial penalties if the stadium doesn’t meet certain build dates. 

It will play at Blundstone Arena in Hobart and Launceston’s University of Tasmania for its first year.

The club hopes to announce a CEO mid-year and have that person in the job in early 2025.

Horse nips Franklin fallout rumours in the Bud

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Swans coach denies suggestions the club had grown tired of its legendary goalkicker

Lance Franklin and John Longmire share a joke after the round 12 match between Sydney and West Coast at the SCG, June 9, 2019. Picture: Getty Images

JOHN Longmire has rejected suggestions Sydney had grown sick of Lance Franklin before the AFL great retired.

Longmire on Tuesday swatted away claims of a fall-out between Franklin and the club, after media reports following the Swans’ 33-point win against Collingwood on Friday suggested Sydney had grown tired of its star key forward.

Elusive and media shy, Franklin passed up a press conference following his 1000th goal in March 2022, before famously missing his own retirement announcement.

“No, we hadn’t had enough of Lance,” Longmire said when asked about the reports.

“Lance has been one of the most popular players we’ve had at this football club, and certainly one of the best players I’ve ever coached.

John Longmire and Lance Franklin at the star forward’s signing with the Swans at the SCG, October 9, 2013. Picture: AFL Media

“He was a super player for us and I had a great relationship with him which I will always treasure.

“His ability to contribute to our footy club, on and off the field, was absolutely significant.

“He was 36 (when he retired). You know, strangely enough you get to the stage where you go and do other things.”

Longmire added that Franklin’s legacy lives on, not just in his four Coleman medals and eight All-Australian nods, but also in the strength of the Swans’ young key forwards.

Young gun Logan McDonald stole the show in round one, kicking four majors against the reigning premiers.

The 21-year-old kicked two goals in each of the second and third terms before falling short of equalling his career-best tally when he missed a fifth shot in the final quarter.

Fellow young talents Hayden McLean and Joel Amartey also hit the scoreboard.

“He’s not a bad player Lance Franklin,” Longmire said.

“He wasn’t a bad one to help us through for a fair while and so I’ve got the greatest respect for him.

“One of his great legacies … (was) his ability to be a star player and win us games, but the other part was he allowed our younger key forwards to come through.

“The natural progression of young key forwards is a bit different than young midfielders.

“Lance was able to take the key defenders from the opposition for so long and allow those younger key forwards like Logan and Joel to come through and develop physically.

“His last year or two was as much about that as what he was able to deliver for us winning games.

“His legacy at this footy club is far-reaching.”

Devils ambassador Riewoldt addresses Gale’s links to Tasmania CEO role

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Three-time premiership Tiger Jack Riewoldt has suggested Brendon Gale is no moral to be the Tasmanian Football Club’s first CEO, despite a report earlier this month.

Nine’s Caroline Wilson reported on Footy Classified last week that Gale is set to take up the chief executive position with the newly unveiled Devils, making 2024 his last year in charge of Richmond.

Gale is a Tasmanian and is believed to have only narrowly missed out on becoming the AFL CEO. Riewoldt and Gale spent over a decade together at Punt Road, with the former now an ambassador for the league’s newest licence.

Riewoldt was coy when speaking about Gale’s future on SEN.

“Ahhhh, no,” Riewoldt responded with a laugh when asked if Gale would be the club’s first CEO.

“Clearly, Brendon being a Tasmania and being involved in the AFL in a whole host of facets over his period of time makes him a viable option if you went out and wanted to select one (CEO).

“But I think for us, it’s making sure we’ve got the right person.

“Looking at people like Brendon Gale, his resume speaks for itself. But it’s looking at plenty of people who have worked in football and worked outside of football as well, I don’t think we’ll have much trouble finding people wanting to be the CEO of this organisation and it’s an exciting prospect.

“But it’s certainly a job title and a job people will be clamouring to get at.”

Gale played for Richmond, has been the club’s boss since 2009 and is renowned as one of the league’s sharpest operators.

The Devils’ AFL side intends to play their first game in 2028. While a VFL, women’s and junior side will be formed prior, a CEO isn’t expected to be required until next year.

Tasmania unveiled its colours, name, logo and more on Monday night and have since sold over 80,000 foundation memberships.

And while there are fears it could come crashing down should there be a change in government at the state election this weekend, support for the team is high across Tasmania, according to Riewoldt.

Hobart was chosen as the site to host the 19th licence and stadium but Riewoldt hit back at suggestions the whole state wasn’t unified behind that plan.

“Don’t believe everything you’re told. There’s a story in Tasmania and a story the mainlanders like to run and tell… I reckon there’s a fair narrative pushed,” Riewoldt said.

“If you’ve been on the ground you’d know this state… there certainly isn’t a divide. There’s one team down here and already the supporter and membership numbers shows that.

“The unification of the state is alive and well.”