WAFL fixture: WA Football to mull proposal for 2026 season to be brought forward, with grand final in August

21 hours ago

The West Australian
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WAFL fixture: WA Football to mull proposal for 2026 season to be brought forward, with grand final in August

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Simmo on Sheed: ‘He's stayed as humble as you can be'

Perth Now

17 hours ago

Perth Now

Simmo on Sheed: ‘He's stayed as humble as you can be'

Dom Sheed's first AFL win was also Adam Simpson's first as Eagles coach. Just over a decade later, what turned out to be Sheed's last AFL win was also Simpson's last as Eagles coach. In between, Sheed iced the 2018 kick that made him a premiership hero and earned Simpson premiership coach status, with the latter lauding the 'special connection' the two share after this week's retirement announcement. Simpson was full of praise for the outgoing midfielder, saying his personality had never changed despite the life-changing goal. 'He's just such a quality person,' Simpson said on AFL 360 of Sheed, who played all bar one of his 165 games under the coach's tutelage. 'He's stayed as humble as you can be after achieving something like that.' Reflecting on Sheed's pinpoint kick from deep in the MCG pocket to give West Coast a late lead they would never surrender against Collingwood, Simpson said he 'wasn't surprised' that it had sailed through – despite not watching the moment as he focused on how his team needed to set up in the seconds that followed. 'The race at Subiaco was exactly there,' Simpson said of the south-east pocket location tying in with the raceway at their former training venue. 'We can't get them off the track (without taking shots from there), and when they come on the track, we can't get them on to do proper skills – they're just having shots from that pocket. 'So if there was ever going to be a pocket, it would be that one.' Simpson and Sheed in 2023. Credit: Kelsey Reid / The West Australian Simpson said Sheed's ascension to grand final hero almost didn't happen, with the left-footer's role in the side in late 2018 only formalised after Andrew Gaff's lengthy suspension for his hit on Andrew Brayshaw. 'It wasn't a smooth first three or four years. He actually, in the '18 season, was playing reserves football through form,' Simpson said. 'After what happened to Gaffy, when he got rubbed out for eight weeks, there became a spot available for a particular role. He came in and never looked back. 'It would have been a really interesting discussion if Gaffy was available coming into that game.'

Doubt over spearhead but Giants 'not too worried'

The Advertiser

20 hours ago

The Advertiser

Doubt over spearhead but Giants 'not too worried'

GWS aren't overly concerned about the prospect of losing Coleman Medal winner Jesse Hogan to a foot injury for their clash with West Coast. Hogan, who has kicked 40 goals in 12 appearances this season, missed the Giants' main training session on Wednesday. It leaves the 30-year-old spearhead in serious doubt to take on the Eagles at Optus Stadium on Friday night. Kieren Briggs (ankle) and Stephen Coniglio (glute) are also listed as tests, while Lachie Whitfield (concussion), Sam Taylor (toe) and Brent Daniels (adductor) are still sidelined. Hogan kicked nine goals in the round-four win over West Coast, but Giants forward Darcy Jones backed his teammates to get the job done without their spearhead. "It's definitely handy having him in the forward line," Jones said. "It would be definitely annoying if he wasn't there, but we've got the depth in the keys to fill his spot. "We're not too worried. We've still got good players to fill his shoes, so we're all good." Toby Greene, Aaron Cadman, Callum Brown and Jake Riccardi are all averaging more than one goal per game this season in a dangerous attacking mix. Jake Stringer returned before the bye and young key forward Max Gruzewski could be called up if Hogan is ruled out. "It's good that we don't have to just rely on individual players," Jones said. "It's a whole system forward line and we've all got our own roles. "If someone comes down we've got someone straight away to fill the spot, so it's good to have." West Australian product Jones, drafted from Swan Districts, grew up an Eagles fan and revealed he still has a framed and signed picture of West Coast icon Nic Naitanui on the wall at his childhood home. The 21-year-old will play an AFL match in Perth for the first time in front of about 30 family members and friends, some of whom haven't made the switch to supporting the Giants. "It's going to mean everything, I'm so excited," Jones said. "I've got grandparents, cousins and family that haven't seen me play (AFL) before so I just can't wait for them to come down and watch." Ninth-placed GWS (9-6) breathed life into their finals push with important wins over Brisbane and Gold Coast before their bye and will start strong favourites against West Coast. "It's very important. We won't be taking them lightly or anything like that," Jones said. "They're always very competitive over west, so we'll certainly be playing to the best of our abilities to win." GWS aren't overly concerned about the prospect of losing Coleman Medal winner Jesse Hogan to a foot injury for their clash with West Coast. Hogan, who has kicked 40 goals in 12 appearances this season, missed the Giants' main training session on Wednesday. It leaves the 30-year-old spearhead in serious doubt to take on the Eagles at Optus Stadium on Friday night. Kieren Briggs (ankle) and Stephen Coniglio (glute) are also listed as tests, while Lachie Whitfield (concussion), Sam Taylor (toe) and Brent Daniels (adductor) are still sidelined. Hogan kicked nine goals in the round-four win over West Coast, but Giants forward Darcy Jones backed his teammates to get the job done without their spearhead. "It's definitely handy having him in the forward line," Jones said. "It would be definitely annoying if he wasn't there, but we've got the depth in the keys to fill his spot. "We're not too worried. We've still got good players to fill his shoes, so we're all good." Toby Greene, Aaron Cadman, Callum Brown and Jake Riccardi are all averaging more than one goal per game this season in a dangerous attacking mix. Jake Stringer returned before the bye and young key forward Max Gruzewski could be called up if Hogan is ruled out. "It's good that we don't have to just rely on individual players," Jones said. "It's a whole system forward line and we've all got our own roles. "If someone comes down we've got someone straight away to fill the spot, so it's good to have." West Australian product Jones, drafted from Swan Districts, grew up an Eagles fan and revealed he still has a framed and signed picture of West Coast icon Nic Naitanui on the wall at his childhood home. The 21-year-old will play an AFL match in Perth for the first time in front of about 30 family members and friends, some of whom haven't made the switch to supporting the Giants. "It's going to mean everything, I'm so excited," Jones said. "I've got grandparents, cousins and family that haven't seen me play (AFL) before so I just can't wait for them to come down and watch." Ninth-placed GWS (9-6) breathed life into their finals push with important wins over Brisbane and Gold Coast before their bye and will start strong favourites against West Coast. "It's very important. We won't be taking them lightly or anything like that," Jones said. "They're always very competitive over west, so we'll certainly be playing to the best of our abilities to win." GWS aren't overly concerned about the prospect of losing Coleman Medal winner Jesse Hogan to a foot injury for their clash with West Coast. Hogan, who has kicked 40 goals in 12 appearances this season, missed the Giants' main training session on Wednesday. It leaves the 30-year-old spearhead in serious doubt to take on the Eagles at Optus Stadium on Friday night. Kieren Briggs (ankle) and Stephen Coniglio (glute) are also listed as tests, while Lachie Whitfield (concussion), Sam Taylor (toe) and Brent Daniels (adductor) are still sidelined. Hogan kicked nine goals in the round-four win over West Coast, but Giants forward Darcy Jones backed his teammates to get the job done without their spearhead. "It's definitely handy having him in the forward line," Jones said. "It would be definitely annoying if he wasn't there, but we've got the depth in the keys to fill his spot. "We're not too worried. We've still got good players to fill his shoes, so we're all good." Toby Greene, Aaron Cadman, Callum Brown and Jake Riccardi are all averaging more than one goal per game this season in a dangerous attacking mix. Jake Stringer returned before the bye and young key forward Max Gruzewski could be called up if Hogan is ruled out. "It's good that we don't have to just rely on individual players," Jones said. "It's a whole system forward line and we've all got our own roles. "If someone comes down we've got someone straight away to fill the spot, so it's good to have." West Australian product Jones, drafted from Swan Districts, grew up an Eagles fan and revealed he still has a framed and signed picture of West Coast icon Nic Naitanui on the wall at his childhood home. The 21-year-old will play an AFL match in Perth for the first time in front of about 30 family members and friends, some of whom haven't made the switch to supporting the Giants. "It's going to mean everything, I'm so excited," Jones said. "I've got grandparents, cousins and family that haven't seen me play (AFL) before so I just can't wait for them to come down and watch." Ninth-placed GWS (9-6) breathed life into their finals push with important wins over Brisbane and Gold Coast before their bye and will start strong favourites against West Coast. "It's very important. We won't be taking them lightly or anything like that," Jones said. "They're always very competitive over west, so we'll certainly be playing to the best of our abilities to win."

West Australian

21 hours ago

West Australian