What the papers say
Swans ruckman Darren Jolly became a father early this morning, West Coast's star midfield trio were protected by security guards as they arrived in Melbourne la
Swans ruckman Darren Jolly became a father early this morning, West Coast's star midfield trio were protected by security guards as they arrived in Melbourne last night and is Garry Lyon finally ready to pitch for a coaching job? – they’re among the football items in Australia’s metropolitan dailies, today – Friday 29 September, 2006.Herald Sun: Swans ruckman Darren Jolly became a father early this morning, less than 48 hours before the second biggest event of his life - the AFL Grand Final.West Coast's star midfield trio were protected by security guards as they arrived in Melbourne last night.Is Garry Lyon finally ready to pitch for a coaching job? It's a question he must address urgently if he wants to coach St Kilda.A media watchdog has found Triple M breached the commercial radio code of practice over an incident where Sam Newman called a listener a "f---wit".On simple numbers, 2006 was a glowing success for Collingwood, emerging from two years of cellar-dwelling to be fifth at the end of the home-and-away season.Ashley McGrath is the latest Brisbane Lion to consider a future elsewhere.The Australian: Chris Judd will probably wake up this morning thinking: "Thank God it's Friday".West Coast can give club stalwart Drew Banfield a premiership farewell after he was yesterday retained in a selection shock for tomorrow's grand final against Sydney at the MCG.Blight regrets ordering Yeates' hit on Brereton.AFL legend Ron Barassi has called for a salary cap to stop clubs from "overspending" on their coaching staffs and football departments.Adelaide Advertiser: Michael Redden is now a vital member of Adelaide's coaching staff. The Crows ruck coach in the next six months has to give Neil Craig a new ruck battery to fulfil Adelaide's mission to reach the 2007 AFL grand final.Adelaide coach Neil Craig will seek out errant West Coast ruckman Michael Gardiner and displaced Hawthorn ruckman Peter Everitt. But he concedes it is "unlikely" either will be at West Lakes next season.The Age: West Coast defender Jaymie Graham draws the short straw as the only player dropped from either team ahead of tomorrow's AFL grand final.Federation Square is transformed into Little Perth as West Coast supporters descend on the city for the AFL grand final.Coleman medallist Brendan Fevola will not join in today's grand final parade because he feels too embarrassed to be driven through the city streets alongside the West Coast and Sydney players.Retired Melbourne champion-turned-star AFL commentator Garry Lyon is weighing up his football future and must decide over grand final weekend whether to throw his hat into the St Kilda coaching ring.One fascination of this confusing grand final week is the opportunity it has afforded to compare the breaches AFL and rugby league have made in each other's strongholds.Sydney Morning Herald: Swans: we make our own luck.A heart-to-heart with Tony Lockett set Barry Hall on the path to redemption ... and possibly legendary status.Courier Mail: Roos' plan to stop trio.West Coast Eagles have gambled on the fitness of David Wirrpanda and picked him ahead of tall defender Jaymie Graham for tomorrow's AFL grand final rematch with the Swans.The Lions' ability to retain important utility Daniel Bradshaw will hinge on two meetings next week that will also determine the playing futures of skipper Michael Voss and premiership defender Mal Michael.Geelong Advertiser: Geelong great Peter Riccardi will pull the boots back on for Geelong West-St Peters next season.Carlton legend Stephen Silvagni has firmed as a potential candidate to land Geelong Football Club's new general manager job.Daily Telegraph: If the Swans are going to win our grand final rematch against the West Coast Eagles tomorrow, we will need to have the mindset of a heavyweight champion.Grand final hero Leo Barry believes the Swans' bid tomorrow for consecutive premierships could be decided by another freak act of heroism.The West Australian: Hundreds of AFL fans have been ferried across Australia to line Melbourne's streets for the annual parade ahead of Saturday's Grand Final.Fremantle captain Peter Bell has revealed he is almost certain to step down as leader next season and has anointed either star forward Matthew Pavlich or midfielder Josh Carr as his successor.
