MEDIA RELEASE FROM THE AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Here follows the AFL news list following the conclusion of the 2002 Finals Series.
1 REPORTS / VIDEO REVIEW
No charges were laid from the weekend's game. The video review of the weekend's match is continuing. Any charges laid will be advised as soon as they are confirmed.
2 ALL AUSTRALIAN UMPIRE / ALL AUSTRALIAN COACH
The Australian Football League is pleased to announce that Brett Allen is the 2002 All Australian umpire. Brett, who umpired Saturday's Grand Final, was confirmed as this year's top umpire following Saturday's Grand Final. Brett was also All Australian umpire in 1999 and 2000 and is the first umpire to be awarded the honour three times. Other winners have been Peter Carey (1992), Andrew Coates (1998), Darren Goldspink (1993 and 1995), David Howlett (1994), Hayden Kennedy (1997), Scott McLaren (2001), Mark Nash (1996) and Bryan Sheehan (1991).
Brisbane Lions coach Leigh Matthews is automatically named as the All Australian team coach for 2002, as the coach of the premiership team, making him the coach of the AFL's team of the year for the third time.
3 2002 NATIONAL AFL DRAFT CAMP
The 2002 National AFL Draft Camp will be held at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra later this week, starting Wednesday October 2 and going through to Friday October 4.
The camp, which is a prime component of the National AFL Pathway Program, will see potential draft candidates tested across a range of physical and mental processes, designed to show all clubs their capabilities in the lead-up to this year's National AFL Draft.
For further information, please contact AFL Talent Identification Manager Kevin Sheehan or Michelle Clyne in the AFL Media Department.
4 JASON AKERMANIS -- UMPIRING COMMENTS
AFL Football Operations Manager Andrew Demetriou will be writing to Brisbane Lions' player Jason Akermanis regarding his reported post-match comments about the performance of the umpires during last Saturday's Grand Final at the MCG. He will be asked to respond by the end of this week.
5 2002 INTERNATIONAL RULES SERIES
The 2002 International Rules Series between Australia and Ireland will be played with matches at Croke Park in Dublin on Sunday October 13 and Sunday October 20. The Australian team, under the coaching of Garry Lyon, will depart for Ireland next Monday.
A training camp for the team will be held in Melbourne, commencing this Saturday October 5, and full details will be issued tomorrow, Tuesday October 1.
6 GRAND FINAL -- MAJOR UMPIRING DISCUSSION POINTS
The AFL Umpiring Department has almost completed its review of Saturday's Grand Final and would like to provide the following information to all media regarding a number of incidents that have been discussions points since the game was played.
1. Anthony Rocca shot for goal, last quarter. The shot for goal was definitely a behind according to six-time Grand Final umpire and AFL Team of the Century Umpire Craig Clark. Clark made excellent position directly under the goal post. The ball was swinging but was judged to be a point when the ball crossed the goal line. The AFL Umpiring Department fully support the umpire's decision.
2. Touched call, Chris Tarrant shot for goal. The shot for goal was touched by Chris Scott on the mark. The controlling umpire (Brett Allen) saw and indicated the contact immediately, making the goal umpire aware of the decision before the ball crossed the goal line.
3. Juggled mark, Clark Keating. A mark to Clark Keating was not paid due to the fact that Simon Prestigiacomo, on the mark, touched the kick by Brisbane's Jonathan Brown.
4. Free kick to Alastair Lynch, last quarter. Collingwood's Shane Wakelin had a free kick paid against him for illegal contact by blocking Lynch and denying him access to the ball. Wakelin did not have eyes on the ball when he made front-on contact to Lynch as he was preparing to contest the ball.
7 AFL OFFICE CLOSURE
The offices of the AFL will be closed from 1pm this afternoon, Monday September 30, and staff members will not be available to any media or public queries until Tuesday morning when the office re-opens.
Ends
Release by:
Patrick Keane
AFL Media Manager
Here follows the AFL news list following the conclusion of the 2002 Finals Series.
1 REPORTS / VIDEO REVIEW
No charges were laid from the weekend's game. The video review of the weekend's match is continuing. Any charges laid will be advised as soon as they are confirmed.
2 ALL AUSTRALIAN UMPIRE / ALL AUSTRALIAN COACH
The Australian Football League is pleased to announce that Brett Allen is the 2002 All Australian umpire. Brett, who umpired Saturday's Grand Final, was confirmed as this year's top umpire following Saturday's Grand Final. Brett was also All Australian umpire in 1999 and 2000 and is the first umpire to be awarded the honour three times. Other winners have been Peter Carey (1992), Andrew Coates (1998), Darren Goldspink (1993 and 1995), David Howlett (1994), Hayden Kennedy (1997), Scott McLaren (2001), Mark Nash (1996) and Bryan Sheehan (1991).
Brisbane Lions coach Leigh Matthews is automatically named as the All Australian team coach for 2002, as the coach of the premiership team, making him the coach of the AFL's team of the year for the third time.
3 2002 NATIONAL AFL DRAFT CAMP
The 2002 National AFL Draft Camp will be held at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra later this week, starting Wednesday October 2 and going through to Friday October 4.
The camp, which is a prime component of the National AFL Pathway Program, will see potential draft candidates tested across a range of physical and mental processes, designed to show all clubs their capabilities in the lead-up to this year's National AFL Draft.
For further information, please contact AFL Talent Identification Manager Kevin Sheehan or Michelle Clyne in the AFL Media Department.
4 JASON AKERMANIS -- UMPIRING COMMENTS
AFL Football Operations Manager Andrew Demetriou will be writing to Brisbane Lions' player Jason Akermanis regarding his reported post-match comments about the performance of the umpires during last Saturday's Grand Final at the MCG. He will be asked to respond by the end of this week.
5 2002 INTERNATIONAL RULES SERIES
The 2002 International Rules Series between Australia and Ireland will be played with matches at Croke Park in Dublin on Sunday October 13 and Sunday October 20. The Australian team, under the coaching of Garry Lyon, will depart for Ireland next Monday.
A training camp for the team will be held in Melbourne, commencing this Saturday October 5, and full details will be issued tomorrow, Tuesday October 1.
6 GRAND FINAL -- MAJOR UMPIRING DISCUSSION POINTS
The AFL Umpiring Department has almost completed its review of Saturday's Grand Final and would like to provide the following information to all media regarding a number of incidents that have been discussions points since the game was played.
1. Anthony Rocca shot for goal, last quarter. The shot for goal was definitely a behind according to six-time Grand Final umpire and AFL Team of the Century Umpire Craig Clark. Clark made excellent position directly under the goal post. The ball was swinging but was judged to be a point when the ball crossed the goal line. The AFL Umpiring Department fully support the umpire's decision.
2. Touched call, Chris Tarrant shot for goal. The shot for goal was touched by Chris Scott on the mark. The controlling umpire (Brett Allen) saw and indicated the contact immediately, making the goal umpire aware of the decision before the ball crossed the goal line.
3. Juggled mark, Clark Keating. A mark to Clark Keating was not paid due to the fact that Simon Prestigiacomo, on the mark, touched the kick by Brisbane's Jonathan Brown.
4. Free kick to Alastair Lynch, last quarter. Collingwood's Shane Wakelin had a free kick paid against him for illegal contact by blocking Lynch and denying him access to the ball. Wakelin did not have eyes on the ball when he made front-on contact to Lynch as he was preparing to contest the ball.
7 AFL OFFICE CLOSURE
The offices of the AFL will be closed from 1pm this afternoon, Monday September 30, and staff members will not be available to any media or public queries until Tuesday morning when the office re-opens.
Ends
Release by:
Patrick Keane
AFL Media Manager
