Opposition Camp The Non-North FOOTY DISCUSSION ONLY & Matchday Chat Thread III

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kangaspurs

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Launceston the host city for an all-star cricket match between celebrity-stacked AFL teams North Melbourne and Hawthorn

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting will return to his home state to play in a charity cricket game between two Australian Football League (AFL) teams in January.

Ponting will skipper the North Melbourne AFL side during the January 27 Twenty20 clash at the University of Tasmania Stadium in Launceston, while his Network TEN KFC Big Bash co-commentator Damien Fleming will captain the Hawthorn team.

The match will be live streamed exclusively on cricket.com.au and the CA Live app.


WATCH: Ponting smacks 41 from just 16 balls

A host of AFL stars will also feature in the contest, including Hawthorn captain Luke Hodge, experienced coach Alastair Clarkson and four-time premiership star Jarryd Roughead.

"We’ve assembled a pretty red-hot squad of players," Fleming said of the Hawthorn squad of 18 that also includes Victoria veteran allrounder John Hastings.


WATCH: Ponting's MCG masterclass

"There’s a great mix of bowling techniques, batting capability and fielding prowess in this squad and I think we are going to have no problems knocking over the Roos."

All proceeds from the game will be distributed by the Ponting Foundation to its cancer and health related projects, a cause particularly close to Roughead following his recent battle with a melanoma issue.

Ponting Foundation Honorary Chief Executive James Henderson expects the entire state of Tasmania to get behind the Twenty20 match, with a crowd in excess of 15,000 expected.

"We are thrilled by ticket sales to date and the announcement of the Hawthorn squad, full of their superstars and best cricketers, is certain to spike the interest in the lead up to Christmas," Henderson said.


WATCH: Don't bowl there to Punter

"We are now looking forward to the announcement of the Ricky Ponting captained North Melbourne squad next week.”

Tickets for the match can be purchased from www.ticketmaster.com.au or direct from Ticketmaster outlets, while hospitality packages are available from www.pontingfoundation.com.au/rickys-biggest-game-cricket.

Hawthorn squad:

Damien Fleming (Captain), Luke Hodge (Vice Captain), Jarryd Roughead (Vice Captain), Grant Birchall, Luke Breust, Cameron Bruce, Alastair Clarkson, Shane Crawford, James Frawley, Josh Gibson, Jack Gunston, Blake Hardwick, Daniel Harford, John Hastings, Brett Ratten, Isaac Smith, Brendan Whitecross, Dallas Willsmore

North squad TBA
I'm guessing that John Hastings is a Hawthorn fan?

If so, on that basis we get Shaun and Mitch Marsh.
 

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Don't worry, still trying to figure out the " tradies trolley " thing.
It's in reference to the Bunnings trolleys used to transport the * propaganda laden signs to Jihad Dome awhile ago.

 

giantroo

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GARY Ablett will be dumped as Gold Coast Suns captain as his family situation in Geelong has “deteriorated”.

The Brownlow Medallist will be relieved of the pressure of the club’s top position.

The move comes as Ablett was criticised for going on his honeymoon last week while his Suns team mates returned to training.

The gun midfielder, who has battled through two injury plagued seasons, posted pictures from the strip in Las Vegas, New York’s Madison Square Garden and San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge.

The honeymoon, 11 months after he tied the knot to Jordan Papalia, was cleared by the club.

He controversially requested a return to Geelong during the trade period, which Gold Coast refused.

Ablett revealed the reasons behind his bid to move home in a heart felt message to team mates this week.

“Firstly, I honestly didn’t think it would happen and secondly, the reasons behind it awkwardly restricted me in discussing this with people,’’ Ablett wrote.

“I just want you to know that there has been some pretty significant things going on in my immediate family and have been for a few years now. Over the last 12-18 months things have deteriorated which prompted me to consider the possibility of a trade.

“I just want you guys to know that the club is aware of our circumstances and expressed their care and have offered to support where possible.

“Please know that I am honestly REALLY looking forward to next year and being 100% committed to you boys and the club, despite my own circumstances.”

But many still believe he will return home in 2018.

His wife’s family are also based in Geelong and it is understood that she does not want to stay on the Gold Coast long term.

Ablett was involved in an ugly spat with former teammate Campbell Brown this week, who criticised him for not joining teammates for the start of pre-season

“My mail Suns players filthy Gaz, who messaged all reaffirming commitment 2 club after requesting trade, hasn’t return for day 1 pre season,” Brown tweeted.

Ablett replied: “Mate, you’ve got my number”.

Brown told the Sunday Herald Sun yesterday that he stood by his tweets, another which stated Ablett “100% won’t be” captain next year.

“I’m happy with what I said,” Brown said.

“Of course (I stand by it), I wouldn’t have said it otherwise.”

When asked about whether as a player he would have been surprised by a captain’s no show at day one of preseason training, he replied: “Very”.

The Suns approved Ablett’s leave request in September.

A club spokesman said Ablett stayed back for three weeks to rehab his shoulder after the team left for holidays, while a commitment to the Brownlow Medal had also interrupted his travel plans.

But with Hawthorn leader Luke Hodge and Collingwood skipper Scott Pendlebury returning early, and with Dion Prestia and Jaeger O’Meara leaving the club, Ablett’s day one no-show surprised several players at rival clubs.

Tom Lynch, 24, and Steven May, 25 in January, are the clear favourites to replace Ablett as captain.

Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade said this week Ablett was invested in the club.

“We’re empathetic to Gary’s situation,” Eade said.

“We know he’s got family (in Geelong) and there’s things he’s got to work through. He’s very comfortable with where he’s at and he’s looking forward to a big year.’’
 

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giantroo

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GARY Ablett has stepped down as Gold Coast captain and is contemplating quitting football at the end of next season.

The bombshell revelation comes after a tumultuous period since the end of the home and away season in which the 32-year-old asked to be traded back to Geelong and received heavy criticism about a perceived lack of commitment to the Suns.

The two-time Brownlow medallist did not want to delve into the issues which have thrown his future into doubt, but spoke of wanting to find balance in his life and "invest" in his marriage.

"In the back of my mind I want to play two years, but I can't guarantee that and that's because of everything that's going on in my personal life," he said.

"I'm contracted for another two years and I'll sit down with the club at the end of this year and chat.

"Trying to juggle football life and life outside football, I need to see where things are at at the end of this year and I'll make a decision then."

Ablett says he has contemplated retirement, but the former Cats great said he had not thought about requesting another trade in 12 months time.

He told Suns teammates on Tuesday morning he would not be skipper next season, citing personal issues and a belief the club is in "good hands" as his primary reasons.

He came to the decision with coach Rodney Eade in September, but said with the controversy surrounding his trade request, now was the right time to make the announcement.

It's been a tough stretch for Ablett, playing just 20 of Gold Coast's past 50 games, after undergoing three rounds of surgery – two on his left shoulder and one on his knee.

He said with the development of young leaders Tom Lynch and Steven May last season in his absence, the time was right for a change.

Relinquishing the captaincy would allow him to spend more time with wife Jordan – who he married in January – and more time getting his body back to 100 per cent.

Injuries and poor form have taken their toll on the former Suns captain. Picture: AFL Photos


"I just think it will give me a better balance between footy life and life outside of football," he said.

"Jordan's made the move up and I want to be able to invest in our marriage a little bit more and also give me more time to focus on getting my body right."

Ablett said he wasn't comfortable talking about the personal issues that led to his trade request, but reaffirmed his commitment to the Suns.

He said he loved the club.

Once news of his request was released, Ablett – who was holidaying in the US – sent a lengthy text message to his teammates explaining his reasons.

He said the responses were encouraging.

Twitter feud: Ex-Sun fires barb at absent Ablett

"I needed to explore all the options," Ablett said.

"There's a lot going on in my life at the moment and I thought there's no harm in putting the question to the club.

"If the club was interested in looking at that and it was in their best interests, I was open to that, but it was shut down pretty quickly.

"I've been completely honest with everyone about how it all played out."

Gold Coast's on-field progress will also play a "big part" in whether he decides to play on in 2018.

After six seasons at Gold Coast, Ablett said he missed playing finals and believed the Suns could make the top eight for the first time next season.
 

DarkPhoenix

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