Hawthorn vs Adelaide LIVE: Hawks, Crows put AFL finals hopes on the line in Launceston
The third-placed Crows are due to travel to Launceston for a blockbuster clash with sixth-placed Hawthorn on Friday night.
But the game has been overshadowed by a report on the Nine Network on Monday, which said Indigenous young gun Wanganeen-Milera had indicated he would not join Adelaide due to Walker's racist comment in 2021.
Classy half-back Wanganeen-Milera, 22, is out of contract at season's end and both the Crows and Port Adelaide are attempting to lure him home to South Australia.
Walker, 35, received a six-game ban and $20,000 fine from the AFL in 2021 after he was overheard making a racist comment about North Adelaide's Indigenous player Robbie Young at an Adelaide SANFL match.
Wanganeen-Milera's management immediately denied the report while the St Kilda star reportedly called Walker to say the incident was not a factor in his decision regarding where he will play next year.
When asked if he had gotten involved after the story emerged, Nicks said: 'No, other than putting support around the people I felt needed support.
'I didn't like the way it played out at all. I think it was unfair to a lot of people.
'But no, I didn't get any more involved than checking in with Taylor, for example, just to make sure that he knows that I'm proud of what he's done since what was an unacceptable moment four years ago.
'He's done a lot of work on educating himself and he's actually probably done more than anyone at the footy club, but our whole footy club's improved off the back of that.
'Other than that, no, not involved.'
Nicks conceded in-season speculation around players' futures was part of the modern environment.
'It's part of the deal: pressure to perform on field, but there's also pressures that come off field,' he said.
'As I mentioned before, some of it I'm not a fan of, the way it plays out.
'There's a little bit of a lack of accountability there, but I think our players deal with it really well.'
Nicks refused to comment on whether he believed Adelaide were still in the mix to secure Wanganeen-Milera.
'We don't talk about players from other footy clubs,' he said.
Nicks instead wanted to focus on a huge clash with Hawthorn, who have lost James Worpel (corked quad) and dropped Finn Maginness.
Nick Watson returns from illness and Henry Husthwaite has been recalled, while Adelaide named Lachlan Murphy in place of James Peatling (suspended).
'They're in good nick, we're in good nick, so it should be a great contest,' Nicks said.
'They've sorted us out, especially last time we met here at AO (Adelaide Oval). They put us to the sword, their small forwards.
'They're a very dynamic group. If they can get the game on their terms, nearly impossible to stop.'
Third-placed Adelaide (9-4) will be looking to extend their winning streak to four matches against sixth-placed Hawthorn (8-5).
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Courier-Mail
2 hours ago
- Courier-Mail
AFL coaching great Denis Pagan, Wayne Carey's son Carter fire up North Melbourne Kangaroos
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News. North Melbourne legend Denis Pagan had a priceless clip for the current squad on a special night for the Kangaroos at Marvel Stadium. The club celebrated its Centenary on Thursday night, competing for much of the game before eventually getting outclassed 20.14 (134) to 13.7 (85) by the Western Bulldogs. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. Founded in 1869 as the North Melbourne Football Club, it joined the former Victorian Football League competition exactly 100 years ago, in 1925. Adopting the name Kangaroos in 1950, the club has typically had a working class, backs-to-the-wall spirit throughout its history. Watch Denis Pagan fire up the Roos in the player above Denis Pagan, Wayne Carey and his son Carter with the 1996 Premiership Cup. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images) Club great Glenn Archer and North president Sonja Hood ahead of the game. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images) Since Pagan led the Roos to premierships in 1996 and 1999, however, the club has fallen on hard times. Pagan, 77, who was given the honour of being named coach of the club's Team of the Century, provided a classic pre-match speech in an effort to inspire the 'Shinboners' on such a special night. And in trademark style, he didn't pull any punches. After taking the current list through a short history of the club, Pagan couldn't resist bringing up North's dreadful 85-point belting against the Hawks last weekend. 'The 90s came along and we had a great team then, very similar to the 70s,' Pagan said as his volume increased. (left to right) Brett Allison, Mark Roberts, Wayne Carey, John Longmire and Corey McKernan back in 1994. Photo: Herald Sun Carey leaps into the arms of Corey McKernan during the 1999 grand final. Photo: Michael Klein 'No one intimidated us. We had a mantra, 'war without weapons'. Everyone who ran out put his body on the line. 'I want to see you blokes do that tonight. I had a look at Hawthorn last week and I can tell you what, a lot of you blokes have got a bit to answer for. 'Tonight, you make sure that you're hard at the ball, you're hard at the man with the ball, you tackle and chase, you put pressure on your opponent. 'No day dreaming, just go for it and give it your best shot.' It had the desired effect, especially in the first half, on a night that was still tinged with controversy for North Melbourne. Pagan and troubled club great Wayne Carey brought the 1996 Premiership Cup onto the field as part of the celebrations before the game got underway. Former skipper Carey is widely considered North's greatest ever player, captaining the club to those two flags in the 1990s. X SUBSCRIBER ONLY But he is also synonymous with one of the biggest scandals in club history, when his affair with the wife of teammate Anthony Stevens came to light in 2002, leading to Carey's sacking and plummeting the club into a long period at the foot of the ladder. Carey was largely shunned by the Roos for many years, but has slowly been incorporated back into club functions in recent times. His son Carter shared a cute moment with current North Melbourne star Harry Sheezel a day before the game when the six-year-old was presented with a signed jumper from his favourite player. Carter was also alongside his dad and Pagan when the 96 Cup was brought out onto the ground. The Roos of old were renowned for lifting and beating the odds and some of that seemed to rub off on the 2025 side early on Thursday night. Carey addresses the media over a white powder scandal at Crown Casino in Perth. Picture: Catie McLeod Harry Sheezel (right) presents a North Melbourne jumper to Carey's son Carter. Picture: Ian Currie Big key forward Nick Larkey kicked three goals in the opening term as North took a surprise six-point lead into the first change. Despite a knee concern, Larkey slotted another two goals in the second quarter as the teams traded goals before the heavily favoured Dogs took a 13-point lead into halftime. It was an encouraging performance from a team making slow strides under coach Alastair Clarkson before the Bulldogs powered to victory in the second half. But many fans were loving the appearance of Carey and his son as part of such a special night for the perennial battlers. North Melbourne's official Instagram account posted a photo of the Careys with Sheezel with the caption: 'Carter Carey meets his favourite Roo️. Make sure you're in your seat by 6.45pm AEST tonight for our Centenary celebrations, with the Duck and Denis Pagan to deliver the 1996 premiership cup!' Denis Pagan addressed the North players before the clash with the Bulldogs. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images) The occasion appeared to inspire Nick Larkey in the first half. (Photo by) One North fan replied: 'Oh finally the greatest ever kanga is gracing my screen. Hail the KING.' Another wrote: 'Former Captain to future captain. Awesome photo. Long live the (king).' A third stated: 'Best photo I've seen come out of the club in years.' A number of Kangaroos fans were making the same joke about the son of a club great. 'Can carter play this week?' and 'can he play centre half forward?' were among some of the comments from the optimistic fan base. Carey's countless scandals since the end of his playing days, including allegations of domestic violence and problems with drugs and alcohol, have left many footy fans struggling to accept his return into the sport's mainstream. It's clear a number of North fans are prepared to move on, however, particularly on such an important night in the club's long, proud history. Originally published as Coaching great Denis Pagan, Wayne Carey's son fire up Kangaroos
The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
'Let me drink from that cup': Walters has last request
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Fremantle (10-5) sit just half a game adrift of second spot, putting them in a strong position to challenge for this year's flag. "I reckon they can go all the way if they stay in the moment," Walters told the media on Thursday afternoon. "This group is a mature group, they've got the right coaching staff and everyone around them, with the right leaders." Earlier in the day, Walters let his emotions flow as he addressed his teammates - and he used the moment to ask them for one final favour. "It's been a hard year for myself personally," a tearful Walters said. "But you guys made it so much easier. I'm going to miss the coffee yarns, just the hanging out and FaceTime calls. "I've been around the game a long time, and I'm going to miss that the most - hanging out with you guys each and every day. "I want you guys to promise me one thing. When you do win that premiership, let me drink a can of Jacks (Jack Daniel's) out of that cup." With Walters' future now determined, more attention will turn to fellow veteran Nat Fyfe. Fyfe, who also underwent knee surgery over the summer, missed the start of the season with a hamstring injury. The 33-year-old made a successful comeback last month, but he will now miss the next two to four weeks after injuring his calf while warming up as the sub during last week's 12-point win over St Kilda. Walters, selected with pick No.53 in the 2008 national draft, won Fremantle's goalkicking award across five separate seasons and will go down as one of the club's best ever forwards. Retiring veteran Michael Walters reckons Fremantle can win the AFL flag as early as this year and he's made his teammates promise to let him be part of the premiership celebrations. Walters fought back tears on Thursday when he fronted the player group to inform them of his retirement, effective immediately, due to an ongoing knee injury. It brings an end to a glittering 239-game AFL career that featured 365 goals and countless highlights. The 34-year-old underwent knee surgery during the summer, made it back to appear for the Indigenous All Stars and a Dockers pre-season match, before being sidelined again. Walters made his comeback on limited minutes via the WAFL last month, but the writing was on the wall when he pulled up sore from that match and was unable to back it up. "I never left a stone unturned, I tried to return and play again at the top level and it just didn't work out." Fremantle (10-5) sit just half a game adrift of second spot, putting them in a strong position to challenge for this year's flag. "I reckon they can go all the way if they stay in the moment," Walters told the media on Thursday afternoon. "This group is a mature group, they've got the right coaching staff and everyone around them, with the right leaders." Earlier in the day, Walters let his emotions flow as he addressed his teammates - and he used the moment to ask them for one final favour. "It's been a hard year for myself personally," a tearful Walters said. "But you guys made it so much easier. I'm going to miss the coffee yarns, just the hanging out and FaceTime calls. "I've been around the game a long time, and I'm going to miss that the most - hanging out with you guys each and every day. "I want you guys to promise me one thing. When you do win that premiership, let me drink a can of Jacks (Jack Daniel's) out of that cup." With Walters' future now determined, more attention will turn to fellow veteran Nat Fyfe. Fyfe, who also underwent knee surgery over the summer, missed the start of the season with a hamstring injury. The 33-year-old made a successful comeback last month, but he will now miss the next two to four weeks after injuring his calf while warming up as the sub during last week's 12-point win over St Kilda. Walters, selected with pick No.53 in the 2008 national draft, won Fremantle's goalkicking award across five separate seasons and will go down as one of the club's best ever forwards. Retiring veteran Michael Walters reckons Fremantle can win the AFL flag as early as this year and he's made his teammates promise to let him be part of the premiership celebrations. Walters fought back tears on Thursday when he fronted the player group to inform them of his retirement, effective immediately, due to an ongoing knee injury. It brings an end to a glittering 239-game AFL career that featured 365 goals and countless highlights. The 34-year-old underwent knee surgery during the summer, made it back to appear for the Indigenous All Stars and a Dockers pre-season match, before being sidelined again. Walters made his comeback on limited minutes via the WAFL last month, but the writing was on the wall when he pulled up sore from that match and was unable to back it up. "I never left a stone unturned, I tried to return and play again at the top level and it just didn't work out." Fremantle (10-5) sit just half a game adrift of second spot, putting them in a strong position to challenge for this year's flag. "I reckon they can go all the way if they stay in the moment," Walters told the media on Thursday afternoon. "This group is a mature group, they've got the right coaching staff and everyone around them, with the right leaders." Earlier in the day, Walters let his emotions flow as he addressed his teammates - and he used the moment to ask them for one final favour. "It's been a hard year for myself personally," a tearful Walters said. "But you guys made it so much easier. I'm going to miss the coffee yarns, just the hanging out and FaceTime calls. "I've been around the game a long time, and I'm going to miss that the most - hanging out with you guys each and every day. "I want you guys to promise me one thing. When you do win that premiership, let me drink a can of Jacks (Jack Daniel's) out of that cup." With Walters' future now determined, more attention will turn to fellow veteran Nat Fyfe. Fyfe, who also underwent knee surgery over the summer, missed the start of the season with a hamstring injury. The 33-year-old made a successful comeback last month, but he will now miss the next two to four weeks after injuring his calf while warming up as the sub during last week's 12-point win over St Kilda. Walters, selected with pick No.53 in the 2008 national draft, won Fremantle's goalkicking award across five separate seasons and will go down as one of the club's best ever forwards.
The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Jayden Hunt on the outer as Eagles turn to youth
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Jamie Cripps, Allen, Hunt, Campbell Chesser, Jack Petruccelle and Tom Cole are among the more notable names who are coming out of contract at the end of this season. Allen is being widely tipped to join either Brisbane or Hawthorn as a restricted free agent, but the rest of the players mentioned face a nervous wait to see if they will be offered a new deal. It means Hunt's dramatic drop in form has come at the worst possible time, with the former Demon to be axed for the clash with GWS. The 30-year-old tallied just one disposal from 14 per cent playing time as the sub last Saturday, which followed on from a two-disposal effort a week earlier against Carlton. "Form can get everyone at different times," Eagles coach Andrew McQualter said. "We're going to send Hunty back (to the WAFL) and build his game again, like we've done with other players this year." McQualter praised Malakai for his rapid progress this year. And with the likes of Harley Reid, Bo Allan, Tyrell Dewar, Reuben Ginbey, Tom Gross, Clay Hall, Elijah Hewett, Sandy Brock, Archer Reid, Jack Williams, Shanahan and Tom McCarthy either having already made their mark or shown flashes of their potential, there is finally some light at the end of the tunnel in West Coast's rebuild. GWS (9-6) beat West Coast by 81 points earlier this year and will be aiming to post another percentage-boosting win. West Coast will unleash small forward Malakai Champion as their eighth debutant of the year, but the AFL career of Jayden Hunt is on thin ice. Champion, who came through West Coast's Next Generation academy program, will make his debut as the sub in Friday night's clash with GWS at Optus Stadium. The 19-year-old has kicked seven goals in 11 WAFL Eagles games this year, with his defensive pressure highlighted by an 11-tackle effort against Peel recently. Champion's debut comes just a week after West Coast unveiled swingman Jobe Shanahan, who impressed with a goal and three marks from eight disposals in a 29-point loss to Collingwood. The recent retirements of Jeremy McGovern (concussion) and grand final hero Dom Sheed (knee) - plus injuries to Elliot Yeo, Oscar Allen and Jake Waterman - have further accelerated West Coast's move to generation next. Jamie Cripps, Allen, Hunt, Campbell Chesser, Jack Petruccelle and Tom Cole are among the more notable names who are coming out of contract at the end of this season. Allen is being widely tipped to join either Brisbane or Hawthorn as a restricted free agent, but the rest of the players mentioned face a nervous wait to see if they will be offered a new deal. It means Hunt's dramatic drop in form has come at the worst possible time, with the former Demon to be axed for the clash with GWS. The 30-year-old tallied just one disposal from 14 per cent playing time as the sub last Saturday, which followed on from a two-disposal effort a week earlier against Carlton. "Form can get everyone at different times," Eagles coach Andrew McQualter said. "We're going to send Hunty back (to the WAFL) and build his game again, like we've done with other players this year." McQualter praised Malakai for his rapid progress this year. And with the likes of Harley Reid, Bo Allan, Tyrell Dewar, Reuben Ginbey, Tom Gross, Clay Hall, Elijah Hewett, Sandy Brock, Archer Reid, Jack Williams, Shanahan and Tom McCarthy either having already made their mark or shown flashes of their potential, there is finally some light at the end of the tunnel in West Coast's rebuild. GWS (9-6) beat West Coast by 81 points earlier this year and will be aiming to post another percentage-boosting win. West Coast will unleash small forward Malakai Champion as their eighth debutant of the year, but the AFL career of Jayden Hunt is on thin ice. Champion, who came through West Coast's Next Generation academy program, will make his debut as the sub in Friday night's clash with GWS at Optus Stadium. The 19-year-old has kicked seven goals in 11 WAFL Eagles games this year, with his defensive pressure highlighted by an 11-tackle effort against Peel recently. Champion's debut comes just a week after West Coast unveiled swingman Jobe Shanahan, who impressed with a goal and three marks from eight disposals in a 29-point loss to Collingwood. The recent retirements of Jeremy McGovern (concussion) and grand final hero Dom Sheed (knee) - plus injuries to Elliot Yeo, Oscar Allen and Jake Waterman - have further accelerated West Coast's move to generation next. Jamie Cripps, Allen, Hunt, Campbell Chesser, Jack Petruccelle and Tom Cole are among the more notable names who are coming out of contract at the end of this season. Allen is being widely tipped to join either Brisbane or Hawthorn as a restricted free agent, but the rest of the players mentioned face a nervous wait to see if they will be offered a new deal. It means Hunt's dramatic drop in form has come at the worst possible time, with the former Demon to be axed for the clash with GWS. The 30-year-old tallied just one disposal from 14 per cent playing time as the sub last Saturday, which followed on from a two-disposal effort a week earlier against Carlton. "Form can get everyone at different times," Eagles coach Andrew McQualter said. "We're going to send Hunty back (to the WAFL) and build his game again, like we've done with other players this year." McQualter praised Malakai for his rapid progress this year. And with the likes of Harley Reid, Bo Allan, Tyrell Dewar, Reuben Ginbey, Tom Gross, Clay Hall, Elijah Hewett, Sandy Brock, Archer Reid, Jack Williams, Shanahan and Tom McCarthy either having already made their mark or shown flashes of their potential, there is finally some light at the end of the tunnel in West Coast's rebuild. GWS (9-6) beat West Coast by 81 points earlier this year and will be aiming to post another percentage-boosting win.
