Relief for Blake Caracella, a half-satisfactory outcome for Terry Wallace and a fine for the Western Bulldogs are among the AFL-related items making news in Australia's daily newspapers on Tuesday, 6 June 2006.

Herald Sun: Blake Caracella's wife has told of her relief that her husband had not suffered permanent spinal damage after his collision with Lion Tim Notting on Saturday night.

Terry Wallace was half-satisfied yesterday after talking to AFL umpires' boss Jeff Gieschen about six decisions made in Saturday night's 11-point loss to Fremantle.

The Western Bulldogs face a fine of up to $15,000 for having an extra player on the ground against Hawthorn on Saturday.

Port Adelaide star Dean Brogan has apologised to a teenager after being interviewed by detectives two days after being accused of punching the man at Adelaide airport.

Former St Kilda coach Tim Watson last night warned of the mental scarring Geelong players were likely to have suffered in Saturday's loss to West Coast.

Geelong will consider fighting to clear Gary Ablett's name tonight even though he won't be suspended on a rough conduct charge.

The Australian: Collingwood footballer Blake Caracella has a broken neck. For the next six weeks he will wear a hard plastic brace to keep his head still and allow his fractured vertebra to heal.

It takes something special to move Brisbane Lions coach Leigh Matthews.

Nathan Brown appears certain to make his long awaited return for Richmond on Saturday against the Kangaroos at the MCG.

Adelaide Advertiser: A tougher Melbourne has emerged as a genuine challenger to the Big Four.

No One - not even the Adelaide captain himself - knows when Brownlow Medallist Mark Ricciuto will return to lead-off duties in the Crows midfield.

Dean Brogan should have ignored the taunts and walked away from the Crows supporter who abused him, according to team-mate Brendon Lade.

The Age: Should St Kilda defender Matt Maguire jog down to the goal square at the SCG on Saturday night to renew acquaintances with Swan Barry Hall, expect more than the usual amount of pressure to be applied during the pre-match handshake.

AFL rules do not need to be further changed to protect players' heads, AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou says.

AFL Players Association chief Brendon Gale denies he was embroiled in a stand-off with the AFL over the footballers' multi-million-dollar pay demands.

For any Essendon fans wondering why Jason Johnson had not been recalled to the side that was thrashed by Adelaide last Friday night, there is a simple answer: he declined the offer.

Hawthorn defender Danny Jacobs has played his last game for 2006, with the hamstring injury he received in the match against the Western Bulldogs last Saturday requiring surgery.

Geelong will examine installing artificial grass in its interchange area and adding more padding to the benches.

Carlton coach Denis Pagan will continue to reward strong performances in the VFL, despite acknowledging the past few seasons had made his side reactive and apprehensive.

The West Australian:

Sydney Morning Herald: Injury-struck St Kilda will be further depleted for Saturday night's SCG clash with the Swans after veteran midfielder Andrew Thompson was ruled out with a serious back injury.

Courier Mail: All-Australian Brisbane Lions defender Justin Leppitsch has announced his retirement from AFL football due to chronic injury.
Lions coach Leigh Matthews has identified two shortcomings – one physical, the other mental – that stand between his side and the AFL's legitimate premiership contenders.
Geelong Advertiser: West Coast wingman Andrew Embley has told how Geelong players argued with each other during Saturday's shock loss to the Eagles at Skilled Stadium.

Daily Telegraph: It's the case of the footballer who didn't like being called names.