News Story

AFL chief executive officer Andrew Demetriou said he was pleased for Ben Cousins that the Brownlow Medallist had been able to leave AFL football on his terms.
 
“On behalf of the AFL Commission, I want to wish Ben well for the future and for whatever he does next with his life,”Mr Demetriou said.
 
“He should be remembered as an outstanding footballer – a premiership player and Brownlow Medallist among his many achievements – and a player who drove himself to get the absolute best from his skills during his time in the game.”
 
Mr Demetriou said he was pleased the game had been able to provide the structure and the support for Cousins to get his life in order but, most importantly, that Cousins had taken the chance that was afforded to him and been able to return to the highest level, and choose the timing of his retirement.
 
“Ben has shown that if you have a serious problem in your life and you choose to seek help, you can overcome addiction with the support of friends and family.
 
“His story is one that highlights the dangers of drugs but also shows that people can change their behaviour,” he said.
 
Cousins will be invited to join the parade of retiring greats at the 2010 Toyota AFL Grand Final, along with all those players who have reached 200 games over the course of their career and have announced their retirement since the 2009 Grand Final.
 

Heart and soul Simon Goodwin has played his last game for Adelaide.

The champ has been battling an ankle injury since playing a key role as the Crows celebrated a stunning win over reigning premier Geelong at AAMI Stadium on a Friday night back in round 16.

It's a fitting end to what was an outstanding career for Goodwin, who played 275 games since his debut in 1997.

Incredibly, Goodwin played in premierships in his first two years with Adelaide.

The 33-year-old departs with three best and fairest awards and five All-Australian selections.

Simon Goodwin is a champ.

Well played Simon from the Marngrook Footy Show.

Brad Johnson is a true champion on the Western Bulldogs (formerly Footscray).

The favourite son and captain was almost lost for words when he took the microphone at the end of his testimonial day at the Palladium Room at Crown Casino on Sunday.

"It's been an amazing day, it just absolutely blows me away," he said to the bumper crowd of 650 in attendence.

The modest champ added: "Why me?"

"Johnno" predicts "a huge onslaught" from the Bulldogs in the remaining two home and away rounds and then finals as they set their sights on winning the premiership for the first time since the glory days of 1954.

"We're going to finish top four and we'll have a huge crack at it," he said.

"I can guarantee that absolutely no stone will be left unturned.

"Our main drive and main passion is to create our own success."

Not surprisingly, Johnson was flashing his trademark smile throughout the day as former teammates Rohan Smith, Chris Grant and Scott Wynd as well as Essendon champion James Hird paid tribute to him.

Hird described Johnson as "a champ, an absolute champ".

"Brad Johnson is Hall of Fame all over," he added.

Current teammates Adam Cooney, Daniel Giansiracusa and Robert Murphy also spoke along with former captain Luke Darcy.

Murphy said: "Hoipefully we can share some special things in the next six weeks."

Collingwood's out-of-favour ruckman/forward Josh Fraser is likely to get the call-up to play his 200th game in the build-up to the finals.

Stranded on 199 game since being dumped for the game against Sydney at ANZ Stadium in round 13, Fraser has been toiling away in the VFL.

But he's likely to be included in the senior line-up for the game against Adelaide at the MCG this Saturday night.

Ruckman Darren Jolly is likely to be rested after receiving a slight leg injury in the big win over Essendon at the MCG last Friday night.

Coach Michael Malthouse said on SEN radio: "I'm still very, very to get Josh his 200th game."

Fraser is likely to ask to be traded to another club in 2011.

Adelaide centre half-back Nathan Bock is on his way to the Gold Coast Suns.

Port Adelaide's Nathan Krakouer could well be joining him.

Bock, who won the best and fairest in 2008, is unlikley to play for the Crows in the last two home and away rounds.

It's believed coach Neil Craig is bitterly disappointed with losing Bock.

The Suns are also believed to be very much in the running for Jared Brennan of Brisbane, Jarrod Harbrow of the Western Bulldogs and Campbell Brown of Hawthorn.

Coach Guy McKenna hasn't given up hope of snaring Geelong champion Gary Ablett, either.

The incredible roller-coaster ride that's been the footy career of West Coast and Richmond champ Ben Cousins is about to come to a stop.

The 32-year-old will announce his retirement at what is certain to be a packed media conference at Punt Road Oval.

Cousins will play out the season ... against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Saturday and against Port Adelaide at Etihad Stadium the following Sunday.

And that will be it.

There have been so many highs and lows.

Cousins was on top of the world after winning the prestigious Brownlow Medal in 2005.

He was celebrating a premiership with his beloved Eagles in 2006.

That year Cousins was picked in the All-Australian line-up for the sixth time.

But his world came crashing down as he battled drug addiction.

The Tigers threw him a lifeline in 2009 and Cousins hasn't let them down.

Ben Cousins should be remembered as a great of the game.

He certainly did some dumb things, though. 

Victorian product Jackson Trengove's brilliant performance in Port Adelaide's one-point win over West Coast at AAMI Stadium has been rewarded with the round 20 NAB AFL Rising Star nomination.
 
The 19-year-old played a starring role on the tall timber of Dean Cox, Nic Naitanui and Quentin Lynch, gathering 23 possessions and five tackles to help the Power to a thrilling  victory.

Port Adelaide coach Matthew Primus is thrilled with Trengove's development in a variety of positions in 2010.
 
“Jackson has come on in leaps and bounds this year,” said Primus.
 
“We’ve asked him to perform a variety of roles, especially in the first half of the season where he helped out in the ruck and then played a role up forward as well.
 
“In the latter part of the year we’ve been able to settle him down back where we think he’s best suited and in the last month he’s done some good jobs on quality forwards such as Jarryd Roughead and Justin Koschitzke.
 
“He played very well again on the weekend and despite taking a heavy knock he got through the game and this nomination is a just reward for his efforts across the season.”
 
Playing his junior football at Strathmore in the Essendon District Football League, Trengove was drafted by the Calder Cannons after representing Vic Metro in the 2008 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.

Collingwood surprise packet Jarryd Blair would be excused for pinching himself.

The former rookie lister is living a dream.

The 20-year-old was outstanding in the midfield as the Flagpies demolished Essendon by 98 points at the MCG on Friday night.

The pint-sized Blair gathered 28 possessions (10 kicks and 18 handballs), including 11 in the first quarter.

Blair topped his performance with two goals and two scoring assists.

He was unlucky not to receive the round 20 AFL NAB Rising Star nomination (that honour going to Port Adelaide ruckman Jackson Trengove).

Look for Blair to be named in round 21 or 22.

He's a little beauty is Blair, who has played in wins in each of his six games so far.

The Gippsland Power Under 18 TAC Cup product was elevated off the club's rookie list in round 14.

Standing 174cm tall, Blair has grabbed his opportunity with both hands.

Blair is a nephew of Fitzroy and South Melbourne half-forward of the 1970s John Blair.

Dan's the man for Sydney.

Brent Harvey, take a big bow.

The North Melbourne champ may only be 172cm, but he's a giant of the game.

The Preston RSL product will pull his boots on for game No. 300 this Sunday.

The 32-year-old Harvey described joining legends Wayne Schimmelbusch, Glenn Archer and Adam Simpson in the elite 300 Club at the Arden Street Oval as "a bit of a dream come true".

"When you get drafted, you just want to play one game," he added.

A consummate team man, Harvey is more worried about celebrating a win over West Coast at Subaico Oval than he is about his individual milestone.

"We're still in the finals race," he said.

Harvey is confident the Kangaroos are going places under new coach Brad Scott and can "achieve something special" by winning a premiership sooner rather than later.

Harvey's first role model was his father Neil, who was an accomplished footballer who played with Brunswick in the old Victorian Football Association.

Harvey happily recalled loving watching his dad play.

He remembered his dad's pre-match routine of having a shower and a shave ... and Harvey has done exactly that himself throughout his glittering career.

Harvey looks back on playing in North Melbourne's premiership in 1999 with tremendous pride ... playing under coach Dennis Pagan and alongside captain Wayne Carey.