A Port/Bomber champion's testimonial, Dockers in the dock and the inevitable Aker musings - they're among the football items in Australia's metropolitan dailies, today, Wednesday 26 July, 2006.

Herald Sun: Leading sports medico John Orchard has called on AFL clubs to help lift the lid on the secret world of pain-killing injections.

Fremantle gambled twice and lost both times in a marathon session at the AFL Tribunal last night.

The race to snare Jason Akermanis has taken a twist, with Richmond coach Terry Wallace declaring the Tigers would be interested in attracting the disgruntled Brisbane Lion to Punt Rd.

Essendon's Dean Rioli is contemplating playing again in 2007.

The Kangaroos have been thrown a lifeline by Telstra Dome management, which will let the club train at the stadium until the end of the season.

The Advertiser: The Crows today will try new set-ups in their attacking half of the ground. The intent is to improve Adelaide's productivity in converting midfield superiority into match-winning goals.

Daniel Motlop will not shoulder Port Adelaide's attacking load again this season. The enigmatic half-forward, who came to Alberton after falling out with coach Dean Laidley last season, underwent a left-shoulder reconstruction last night.

Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy has a rebuilt shoulder to nurse, a bottom-ranked football club to revive and perhaps his job to save - but last night all was put on hold to be in Adelaide to honour Gavin Wanganeen at his testimonial dinner.

The Age: Collingwood forward Anthony Rocca yesterday apologised to umpire Hayden Kennedy for his act of petulance during the closing stages of Saturday's win over West Coast.

Richmond is wrestling with how best to handle spearhead Matthew Richardson, with coach Terry Wallace admitting the Tigers may rest him.

Fremmantle's Des Headland and Josh Carr were both semi-successful at the AFL Tribunal last night, but both ended up with two-match suspensions.

The Australian: Fremantle coach Chris Connolly yesterday said his players' latest match review panel sanctions for striking were a by-product of improved aggression and maturity, and he was not concerned.

Melbourne's second loss in three months - both of them coming in Perth - will prompt coach Neale Daniher to make at least two changes, against the Western Bulldogs at the MCG on Sunday.

The Courier Mail: The Lions trained in sneakers on a dewy Gabba surface yesterday in a bid to replicate the notoriously slippery conditions of Melbourne's Telstra Dome.

Akermanis: Leigh Matthews and Michael Voss have both said in the past week that the club is bigger than the individual and I support them 100 per cent on that, which is why I would urge those fans who have promised to stop barracking for the Lions to think again.

Daily Telegraph: Paul Roos believes it is unfair to tar Nick Davis with the same brush as disgraced West Coast ruckman Michael Gardiner and Lions outcast Jason Akermanis.

Hawthorn's Peter "Spida" Everitt has flatly denied he has an agreement to move to Sydney next season, saying if he had done a deal he would say so.

Sydney Morning Herald: Swans coach Paul Roos believes Nick Davis is not ready to return to Sydney's senior side, and it now seems unlikely he will be named tomorrow in the team to play Port Adelaide on Saturday night.

The West Australian: Fremantle defender Roger Hayden declared yesterday his teammates would not back down from their aggressive approach despite their shocking record at the tribunal this season.

West Coast pair Chad Fletcher and Ashley Sampi will this week plead their cases for recalls to take on awesome Adelaide at Subiaco Oval on Saturday.