Latest news with #MatthewLloyd
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Unsafe': AFL responds to rival coach's swipe at SCG turf as Sydney dilemma looms
The Sydney Swans face the prospect of their round 17 clash against Fremantle being moved amid fresh uproar around an SCG playing surface described as 'unsafe' by Dockers coach Justin Longmuir. The AFL's independent turf consultant will lead a delegation of officials sent to inspect the surface, which has come under fire after a number of recent incidents. Port Adelaide were the first club to express concerns with the state of the SCG turf nearly three months ago, as revealed in emails sent by the club to the AFL. The surface has been below its best since a concert at the venue by Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli in April, with particular concern over the Paddington end of the ground. The Power slammed the state of the ground before their round six match against the Swans, and sent an email to the SCG and the AFL which went largely ignored. AFL reporter Damien Barrett revealed on Nine's Footy Classified on Monday night that Port Adelaide footy boss Chris Davies then sent a follow-up email after the game that included 'damning statements' about the state of the turf. The issue reared its head again after Sydney's game against the Western Bulldogs on Friday night, with an incident involving Bailey Williams particularly concerning. The Dogs star's leg appeared to buckle after he slipped on the surface, with Essendon great Matthew Lloyd describing it as a 'lawsuit' waiting to happen. "We thought this incident had lawsuit written all over it," Lloyd told Nine's Footy Classified. "We had our hearts in our mouths thinking 'this could be an ACL'". Fortunately, Williams escaped injury but the incident proved another stark illustration of the concerns around the turf as players repeatedly slipped on the surface. RELATED: West Coast coach calls for AFL explanation over Collingwood call Ken Hinkley spotted in eye-opening move in Port coach's box The AFL confirmed on Monday that a team would be sent to inspect the ground this week along with representatives from the AFL Players Association. But with as much as 200mm of rain predicted to fall in Sydney over the next 48 hours, it could further hamper the hopes of the SCG being up to scratch for Sunday's game against Freo, sparking the possibility the fixture could be moved. Fremantle's finals hopes were scuppered by a series of injuries to key players late last season and Dockers coach Longmuir fears his team will be put at elevated risk if they have to play at the SCG on Sunday. "I watched the (Western Bulldogs) game on Friday night, and we'll be led by the AFL, but the moment my brain goes to 'that's unsafe for players', I have a concern," Longmuir said. "And I went there on Friday night. I thought it was a bit unsafe, especially down the left-hand side." Longmuir also made specific mention of the Williams incident and claimed the turf posed a risk to player safety. "I think the Bailey Williams one — we just can't put players out there and risk their safety if the ground's not right," he said. However, the Freo coach said he would ultimately accept the AFL's decision if the ground is approved to host Sunday's game. "If the AFL deem it safe to play, we'll play, and I won't speak another moment of it," he said. "The AFL approached us and they're going to look at it, like they should, and they've got the experts and will be guided by them. But I thought it was unsafe the other night." Fremantle (10-5) are just percentage adrift of third spot following a six-match winning run, with the 12th-placed Swans in danger of slipping further out of finals contention with another defeat. That's shocking. @scg & @marvelstadiumau need to decide if they are an entertainment venue or a sports venue. — Harry O'Brien (@Harry_OBrien9) June 27, 2025 Move the game to GWS ground. It's amateur hour — Badgingarra (@Badgingarra2) June 30, 2025 I believe the venue change is still on, AFL will take the decision out of the Swans' hands. Up to 200mm over the next 2 days, will be impossible to lay turf and have it sewn in by Sunday. Expect Accor — dobzyy (@dobzyy__) June 30, 2025 totally irresponsible to allow a game at the SGC this weekend. have a look at Sydney's forecast for this week; more than 200mm before the weekend !! zero chance of any surface improvement. — Barry Gray (@BarryGr66) June 30, 2025 Must be embarrassing for the SCG team, but the important thing is to get the surface right and safe for players. Otherwise, you could be held accountable for any injuries that might occur. — John Morris🇦🇺 (@JohnMorris1963) June 30, 2025 with AAP
News.com.au
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Shots fired as Footy TV war erupts over ‘rookie error'
Matthew Lloyd couldn't help himself. The Essendon legend and his Channel 9 crew couldn't resist taking a shot at veteran football reporter Caroline Wilson after an embarrassing moment on Monday night. Channel 7's Agenda Setters has become a popular addition to the network's beefed up footy coverage this year after raiding Nine for some of its most notable on-air talent, including Kane Cornes. 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. The Agenda Setters and Nine's established Footy Classified have gone up against each other on Monday and Tuesday night timeslots this year. It's why Lloyd's light-hearted dig at his former Channel 9 colleague has caught the eye. The Bombers goalkicker was happy to highlight two awkward moments on The Agenda Setters, which went to air before Footy Classified. The Agenda Setters began in bizarre scenes with the Monday night panel — Wilson, Nick Riewoldt, host Sam McClure and veteran commentator Craig Hutchison — unable to be seen with the broadcast beginning with a lighting failure. It got worse for Seven's new show when Wilson had the mortifying moment of having her phone ring live on air. The veteran commentator was in the middle of a discussion about the future of Cats coach Chris Scott when her mobile started chirping. 'I'm sorry that's my telephone,' she said reaching into a bag. 'What a terrible time for that to happen.' Hutchison, Riewoldt, McClure saw the funny side of it. So did Lloyd and the team at Footy Classified. 'I'm a little bit nervous because they're all good friends of mine, but (I'm giving) a cook tonight for The Agenda Setters because when they went to air tonight, I honestly thought Hutchy had failed to pay his electricity bills,' he said with a grin. 'I think there was a little bit of trickery with their new set. I honestly thought he hadn't paid his bills. 'Ten minutes later, Caro... made a major rookie error.' Hutchison's production company Rainmaker is responsible for managing the show. Nine and many other commentators in the industry have been taking shots at Wilson this month since she first reported Saints gun Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera was not considering the Crows as a future destination because of racist comments made by Taylor Walker in 2021. Wanganeen-Milera was drafted by St Kilda later that year and the South Australian, who has emerged as a young superstar halfback, is now weighing up whether to return to his home state or remain at the Saints with lucrative offers looming either way. Football journalist Tom Morris last week went against Wilson's report, saying Wanganeen-Milera had spoken to Walker over the phone to clarify with the Crows veteran that he had no 'lingering issues' with him. Lloyd's jab was far from the only eyebrow-raising segment across Monday night's footy shows. The Agenda Setters played footage captured by Fox Footy showing the bizarre sight of Fremantle having photos of AFL umpires hanging up in their Optus Stadium dressing room. The mugshots of the four whistleblowers on the wall caught the eye of Saints legend Riewoldt. 'I saw this from the weekend, found it interesting,' Riewoldt said on Seven. 'They're clearly trying to arm the players with the umpires' names. 'They look like mug shots, those pics. 'But I reckon the players have got enough to worry about, don't they? Without trying to memorise umpires' names.'
Courier-Mail
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Courier-Mail
Shots fired as Footy TV war erupts over ‘rookie error'
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News. Matthew Lloyd couldn't help himself. The Essendon legend and his Channel 9 crew couldn't resist taking a shot at veteran football reporter Caroline Wilson after an embarrassing moment on Monday night. Channel 7's Agenda Setters has become a popular addition to the network's beefed up footy coverage this year after raiding Nine for some of its most notable on-air talent, including Kane Cornes. 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. The Agenda Setters and Nine's established Footy Classified have gone up against each other on Monday and Tuesday night timeslots this year. It's why Lloyd's light-hearted dig at his former Channel 9 colleague has caught the eye. The Bombers goalkicker was happy to highlight two awkward moments on The Agenda Setters, which went to air before Footy Classified. The Agenda Setters began in bizarre scenes with the Monday night panel — Wilson, Nick Riewoldt, host Sam McClure and veteran commentator Craig Hutchison — unable to be seen with the broadcast beginning with a lighting failure. Channel 9 was happy to laugh at its rival's misfortune. It got worse for Seven's new show when Wilson had the mortifying moment of having her phone ring live on air. The veteran commentator was in the middle of a discussion about the future of coach Cats Chris Scott when her mobile started chirping. 'I'm sorry that's my telephone,' she said reaching into a bag. 'What a terrible time for that to happen. Hutchison, Riewoldt, McClure saw the funny side of it. So did Lloyd and the team at Footy Classified. X SUBSCRIBER ONLY 'I'm a little bit nervous because they're all good friends of mine, but (I'm giving) a cook tonight for The Agenda Setters because when they went to air tonight, I honestly thought Hutchy had failed to pay his electricity bills,' he said with a grin. 'I think there was a little bit of trickery with their new set. I honestly thought he hadn't paid his bills. 'Ten minutes later, Caro... made a major rookie error.' Hutchison's production company Rainmaker is responsible for managing the show. Nine and many other commentators in the industry have been taking shots at Wilson this month since she first reported Saints gun Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera was not considering the Crows as a future destination because of racist comments made by Taylor Walker in 2021. Wanganeen-Milera was drafted by St Kilda later that year and the South Australian, who has emerged as a young superstar halfback, is now weighing up whether to return to his home state or remain at the Saints with lucrative offers looming either way. Caroline Wilson and Matthew Lloyd. Photo: Chanel 7 and Channel 9. Football journalist Tom Morris last week went against Wilson's report, saying Wanganeen-Milera had spoken to Walker over the phone to clarify with the Crows veteran that he had no 'lingering issues' with him. Lloyd's jab was far from the only eyebrow-raising segment across Monday night's footy shows. The Agenda Setters played footage captured by Fox Footy showing the bizarre sight of Fremantle having photos of AFL umpires hanging up in their Optus Stadium dressing room. The mugshots of the four whistleblowers on the wall caught the eye of Saints legend Riewoldt. 'I saw this from the weekend, found it interesting,' Riewoldt said on Seven. 'They're clearly trying to arm the players with the umpires' names. 'They look like mug shots, those pics. 'But I reckon the players have got enough to worry about, don't they? Without trying to memorise umpires' names.' Originally published as Shots fired as Footy TV war erupts over 'rookie error'
Mercury
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Mercury
Shots fired as Footy TV war erupts over ‘rookie error'
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News. Matthew Lloyd couldn't help himself. The Essendon legend and his Channel 9 crew couldn't resist taking a shot at veteran football reporter Caroline Wilson after an embarrassing moment on Monday night. Channel 7's Agenda Setters has become a popular addition to the network's beefed up footy coverage this year after raiding Nine for some of its most notable on-air talent, including Kane Cornes. 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. The Agenda Setters and Nine's established Footy Classified have gone up against each other on Monday and Tuesday night timeslots this year. It's why Lloyd's light-hearted dig at his former Channel 9 colleague has caught the eye. The Bombers goalkicker was happy to highlight two awkward moments on The Agenda Setters, which went to air before Footy Classified. The Agenda Setters began in bizarre scenes with the Monday night panel — Wilson, Nick Riewoldt, host Sam McClure and veteran commentator Craig Hutchison — unable to be seen with the broadcast beginning with a lighting failure. Channel 9 was happy to laugh at its rival's misfortune. It got worse for Seven's new show when Wilson had the mortifying moment of having her phone ring live on air. The veteran commentator was in the middle of a discussion about the future of coach Cats Chris Scott when her mobile started chirping. 'I'm sorry that's my telephone,' she said reaching into a bag. 'What a terrible time for that to happen. Hutchison, Riewoldt, McClure saw the funny side of it. So did Lloyd and the team at Footy Classified. 'I'm a little bit nervous because they're all good friends of mine, but (I'm giving) a cook tonight for The Agenda Setters because when they went to air tonight, I honestly thought Hutchy had failed to pay his electricity bills,' he said with a grin. 'I think there was a little bit of trickery with their new set. I honestly thought he hadn't paid his bills. 'Ten minutes later, Caro... made a major rookie error.' Hutchison's production company Rainmaker is responsible for managing the show. Nine and many other commentators in the industry have been taking shots at Wilson this month since she first reported Saints gun Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera was not considering the Crows as a future destination because of racist comments made by Taylor Walker in 2021. Wanganeen-Milera was drafted by St Kilda later that year and the South Australian, who has emerged as a young superstar halfback, is now weighing up whether to return to his home state or remain at the Saints with lucrative offers looming either way. Caroline Wilson and Matthew Lloyd. Photo: Chanel 7 and Channel 9. Football journalist Tom Morris last week went against Wilson's report, saying Wanganeen-Milera had spoken to Walker over the phone to clarify with the Crows veteran that he had no 'lingering issues' with him. Lloyd's jab was far from the only eyebrow-raising segment across Monday night's footy shows. The Agenda Setters played footage captured by Fox Footy showing the bizarre sight of Fremantle having photos of AFL umpires hanging up in their Optus Stadium dressing room. The mugshots of the four whistleblowers on the wall caught the eye of Saints legend Riewoldt. 'I saw this from the weekend, found it interesting,' Riewoldt said on Seven. 'They're clearly trying to arm the players with the umpires' names. 'They look like mug shots, those pics. 'But I reckon the players have got enough to worry about, don't they? Without trying to memorise umpires' names.' Originally published as Shots fired as Footy TV war erupts over 'rookie error'
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lloyd doubts Lions' flag credentials amid injury Payne
Doubts have been cast over the Brisbane Lions' ability to defend their AFL crown after scans confirmed premiership defender Jack Payne has suffered a season-ending knee injury. Payne exited with a ruptured patella tendon in his left knee in the Lions' 17.5 (107) to 13.18 (96) home defeat to GWS on Saturday. The result dropped Chris Fagan's side to third sport on the ladder, with just two wins from their past six games. Payne and Lincoln McCarthy have both been ruled out for the rest of 2025 with knee injuries, while star playmaker Keidean Coleman (quad) will miss another month. Heartbreaking news for Payney 💔 — Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) June 15, 2025 Eric Hipwood was sent back to cover Payne against the Giants, while Darcy Gardiner looms as the likely replacement in a huge test against second-placed Geelong at GMHBA Stadium on Friday night. Gardiner was pulled out of Brisbane's reserves team for their VFL game on Sunday, with an eye to playing against the Cats five days later. Tom Doedee, who did play in the VFL game, is another option for the Lions but is yet to feature at senior level since his move from Adelaide at the end of 2023. Retired Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd isn't convinced those options will be enough for the Lions to repeat their September success. "I don't think they (can) cover him," Lloyd, now a prominent media figure, said on Nine. "Gardiner's an OK player, but he's been playing as a forward and probably lacks the mobility and the speed of what Payne does." Brisbane overcame a raft of season-ending knee injuries last year - including Coleman, McCarthy, Gardiner and Doedee - before destroying Sydney in the grand final. Lloyd doubts their ability to do it again. "I ruled it out last year, but now they've lost the bookends," he said. "(Premiership forward Joe) Daniher I know hasn't been there - he's retired - but losing Payne and Daniher makes it pretty hard." High-flying Geelong (10-4) are on a five-match winning streak after thumping Essendon by 95 points on Saturday. The Cats have also beaten the Lions across Brisbane's past 13 visits to Kardinia Park. A key focus will be accuracy in front of goal, with coach Chris Fagan conceding the Lions blew another golden opportunity against GWS. "We'll just keep working away on that and not become too psycho about it because everyone will talk about it," Fagan said post-match on Saturday. In a club statement on Sunday, Brisbane said the 25-year-old Payne will undergo surgery as soon as possible.
