Rookie list for Ramanauskas

[Blue Boy]

The AFL Commission has approved an application for Adam Ramanauskas to be placed on the club's rookie list for next season.

Essendon had applied to the AFL for special consideration to place Ramanauskas, who turned 26 last Sunday, on the rookie list because of his ongoing fight against cancer.

AFL General Manager, Football Operations, Adrian Anderson, said the league had sought the views of all 16 clubs and all clubs had unanimously supported the move because of the exceptional circumstances.

"I think the whole football world is united in support of Adam’s continuing battle and this decision allows him to concentrate on his recovery," Anderson said.

At 19, Ramanauskas was the youngest member of the Bombers' 2000 premiership line-up, but his promising career was put on hold in 2003 when he was diagnosed with a rare, congenital condition - fibromatosis - which produces aggressive, non-malignant tumours.

He was able to resume his career after surgery to his neck and shoulder, despite a recurrence of the cancer later that year.

A knee reconstruction kept him sidelined for the 2005 season and he was on track to resume playing in 2006 when he announced in February this year that new tumours had been found and that he would be standing down from the game indefinitely while undergoing treatment.

[Blue Boy]

I think this is one of the best things that the AFL have done in a long time.

It would also be great to see them open this up a little more for others on the rookie list for over 23's. One spot only per club !!!

[heater31]

I think this is one of the best things that the AFL have done in a long time.

It would also be great to see them open this up a little more for others on the rookie list for over 23's. One spot only per club !!!

it only half makes up for the disgrace earlier in the year when the AFL fined the bombers for wearing those unapproved armbands

[MW]

Did I hear correctly in the press that Adam is currently fighting his third bout of cancer? Very good decision by the AFL here.