Hot Off The Press

[sydney-dog]

Sam Mitchell has officially been named Hawthorn's next Captain, Hodge will be his deputy

[sydney-dog]

FORMER Fremantle skipper Peter Bell has decided to play on in season 2008.

[the joker]

FORMER Fremantle skipper Peter Bell has decided to play on in season 2008.

FREMANTLE veteran Peter Bell will train about 500km away from his teammates next season and just turn up on match day.



Despite intense speculation he would retire, Bell has decided to play another season, but under highly unusual conditions.

He will move to Geraldton, about a 4 1/2-hour drive from Perth, as part of his property-development business.

Dockers president Rick Hart said last night it would be left up to Bell to maintain his fitness.

"He'll just turn up on match day," Hart said. "He is a very focused and disciplined individual and it will be left to him to look after himself. We are all happy that he has decided to play on for an extra year."

Bell, a solicitor, admitted he had had a lot to think about before deciding to play on.

"There was a lot to consider for 2008 with my wife expecting our second child within a matter of days and the fact that entering my 14th season and turning 32 next year whether I would be physically up to the rigours of another pre-season and the home-and-away season ahead," he said.

"There will be a delicate balance that I will have to manage and that will no doubt present challenges."

Dockers coach Mark Harvey welcomed Bell's decision.



BID ODD WITH HOW PROFESSIONAL THE AFL IS THESE DAYS

[NFC]

He should just retire.

[brod]

Its not new - Chris Langford lived in Sydney and played for Hawthorn at the tail end of his career

[Pup]

Its not new - Chris Langford lived in Sydney and played for Hawthorn at the tail end of his career

Things have changed a bit since then though

[sydney-dog]

Whitnal

2006 - Carlton B&F
2007 - Carlton Captain
2008 - Gaaaawwwwwnnnnnn

[stan]

Whitnal

2006 - Carlton B&F
2007 - Carlton Captain
2008 - Gaaaawwwwwnnnnnn

Needed the room in the cap.

Also Bit of a risk in my opinion. Although with Fev an Waite up forward he might not be needed but still a handy player. Anyway back to my original statement...room in the cap. Need 20% more room for judd

[magpie in the 80's]

disappointing thing for lance is that if carlton didnt want him why didnt they see if they could offload him during trade week.
with the report in the paper from carlton, it will make it hard for lance to continue his playing career anywhere.

"PART EXTRACT OF REPORT"

Knee problems, which Whitnall's agent Ricky Nixon described as a "bone-on-bone" issue, restricted him to just 15 games this year.

But Nixon did not think his client's knee condition was career-ending.

"Everyone's known that Lance has had bone-on-bone for probably four of five years," Nixon told Southern Cross Radio.

"But a lot of players play with it. (St Kilda's) Nick Riewoldt has had bone-on-bone since year one in the AFL. Some people are able to cope with it, some have it worse et cetera.

"It is a very, very disappointing decision.

"At the moment he's got to face up to the reality (that) he probably won't be at Carlton."

He also blasted Carlton for leaving it until after the trade period before showing Whitnall the door and blaming it on his knee, potentially compromising his chances in the pre-season draft.

"Carlton have prejudiced that now haven't they by coming out and saying that he's got a medical condition that doesn't allow him to train or play. Who's going to buy the used car? Anyone?" Nixon said.

"They (Carlton) are still the best leakers in the AFL aren't they, so they've got a bit of improvement in that area to do."

Whitnall, who was made skipper this year, has racked up 216 games and 348 goals for the Blues since his debut in 1997.

He won Carlton's best-and-fairest award last year and was also an All-Australian in 2000.

[sydney-dog]

Whitnal to the Western Bulldogs

[Psyber]

Whitnal

2006 - Carlton B&F
2007 - Carlton Captain
2008 - Gaaaawwwwwnnnnnn

Needed the room in the cap.

Also Bit of a risk in my opinion. Although with Fev an Waite up forward he might not be needed but still a handy player. Anyway back to my original statement...room in the cap. Need 20% more room for judd

Surely Carlton could manage a little creative accounting - they have experience!

[gadj1976]

disappointing thing for lance is that if carlton didnt want him why didnt they see if they could offload him during trade week.
with the report in the paper from carlton, it will make it hard for lance to continue his playing career anywhere.

"PART EXTRACT OF REPORT"

Knee problems, which Whitnall's agent Ricky Nixon described as a "bone-on-bone" issue, restricted him to just 15 games this year.

But Nixon did not think his client's knee condition was career-ending.

"Everyone's known that Lance has had bone-on-bone for probably four of five years," Nixon told Southern Cross Radio.

"But a lot of players play with it. (St Kilda's) Nick Riewoldt has had bone-on-bone since year one in the AFL. Some people are able to cope with it, some have it worse et cetera.

"It is a very, very disappointing decision.

"At the moment he's got to face up to the reality (that) he probably won't be at Carlton."

He also blasted Carlton for leaving it until after the trade period before showing Whitnall the door and blaming it on his knee, potentially compromising his chances in the pre-season draft.

"Carlton have prejudiced that now haven't they by coming out and saying that he's got a medical condition that doesn't allow him to train or play. Who's going to buy the used car? Anyone?" Nixon said.

"They (Carlton) are still the best leakers in the AFL aren't they, so they've got a bit of improvement in that area to do."

Whitnall, who was made skipper this year, has racked up 216 games and 348 goals for the Blues since his debut in 1997.

He won Carlton's best-and-fairest award last year and was also an All-Australian in 2000.

On the Carlton website, they're saying he's not been sacked. "Rumours of my sacking have been greatly exaggerated" or similar.

[Dirko]

Lance is gone. Farewell Big Red. Really struggled with knees and fitness last year.
I predict he will ot get picked up as he is too slow and too much of a gamble re fitness.
Nixon is a idiot IMO, of course he's sticking up for Lance 10% of nothing is nothing....

Lance will be around Carlton in some sort of role next year...

[Pup]

Lance is gone. Farewell Big Red. Really struggled with knees and fitness last year.
I predict he will ot get picked up as he is too slow and too much of a gamble re fitness.
Nixon is a idiot IMO, of course he's sticking up for Lance 10% of nothing is nothing....

Lance will be around Carlton in some sort of role next year...

Assistant coach at Bullants if he doesnt get picked up in the PSD i reckon.

For the record David Teague is Captain/Coach for 2008

[Dirko]

Good news for Teagy, a few ex Blues are playing for the 'ants now. Morrell had a good year last year...

[brod]

Rumour is that the REAL reason is cause he is a RANGA - and they just couldnt take it anymore.

[Blue Boy]

Rumour is that the REAL reason is cause he is a RANGA - and they just couldnt take it anymore.

Gold !!!

[magpie in the 80's]

Lance is gone. Farewell Big Red. Really struggled with knees and fitness last year.
I predict he will ot get picked up as he is too slow and too much of a gamble re fitness.
Nixon is a idiot IMO, of course he's sticking up for Lance 10% of nothing is nothing....

Lance will be around Carlton in some sort of role next year...

LANCE HAS QUOTED HE WILL NOMINATE FOR THE DRAFT

[Dirko]

Lance is gone. Farewell Big Red. Really struggled with knees and fitness last year.
I predict he will ot get picked up as he is too slow and too much of a gamble re fitness.
Nixon is a idiot IMO, of course he's sticking up for Lance 10% of nothing is nothing....

Lance will be around Carlton in some sort of role next year...

LANCE HAS QUOTED HE WILL NOMINATE FOR THE DRAFT

mmm don't know who would take him.

[Pup]

Lance is gone. Farewell Big Red. Really struggled with knees and fitness last year.
I predict he will ot get picked up as he is too slow and too much of a gamble re fitness.
Nixon is a idiot IMO, of course he's sticking up for Lance 10% of nothing is nothing....

Lance will be around Carlton in some sort of role next year...

LANCE HAS QUOTED HE WILL NOMINATE FOR THE DRAFT

mmm don't know who would take him.

Western Bulldogs are the only ones who would think about it IMO