Boost for Eagles, Freo flag hopes
The West Australian
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan has all but guaranteed Fremantle and West Coast being granted a level playing field with their rivals for this year’s premiership when the round-23 fixture is released this week.
Richmond will open the final round of the home-and-away season against North Melbourne on Friday, September 4.
In the interest of fairness in the build-up to the finals, the current top-four sides — Fremantle, West Coast, Hawthorn and Sydney — will all play on the Saturday.
From the Saints: Riewoldt back
Riewoldt fit to face Freo
The West Australian
St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt appears set to return from a week off to bolster the Saints against ladder leaders Fremantle at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Riewoldt was rested from last Sunday’s game against Port Adelaide after battling a calf muscle complaint, but moved freely during a training session at the club’s Seaford headquarters yesterday.
Sam Gilbert (quad) and Jack Lonie (rested) are also likely to be available after missing the Saints’ comprehensive 63-point loss to the Power.
Dawson accepts two-match ban
The West Australian
Having finally returned to the Fremantle side after thumb and groin injuries, fullback Zac Dawson will be sidelined for the Dockers' next two AFL matches after pleading guilty to striking GWS spearhead Jeremy Cameron.
Dawson caught Cameron flush in the nose with a elbow during Sunday's match at Domain Stadium.
After having his head bandaged to stem the bleeding, Cameron remonstrated angrily with Dawson upon his return to the field.
Training Report: Johnson in full swing
Fremantle targets Port Adelaide sharpshooter Jay Schulz
PerthNow
FREMANTLE has emerged as a likely new home for Port Adelaide forward Jay Schulz.
With Matthew Pavlich’s future unclear beyond this season, the Dockers have indicated to Schulz they would be willing to sign him on a two-year contract at season’s end.
Fremantle is desperate to bolster its forward line in a bid to keep its premiership window open and is eyeing the 30-year-old sharpshooter as an ideal marking target inside-50m.
