New contract on the cards for Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge; Paul Little could return to Essendon

“Jeremy has suffered multiple concussions over his career, which adds complexity to his situation and his recovery. “Our club doctors, in conjunction with the AFL chief medical officer, have recommended referral to the AFL concussion panel to help inform a safe way forward in the interest of his current and future welfare. “We are awaiting a date for the panel to convene and assess Jeremy, and there are a range of outcomes that could result from their report. The club requests Jeremy’s privacy is respected at this time while this confidential process unfolds.” McGovern, among the league’s best defenders in his prime, has been restricted to 34 games since the start of the 2023 season. Last October, former West Coast teammate Luke Edwards stepped away from the game to focus on his recovery from multiple concussions. Then aged 22, Edwards suffered three concussions, his last being in the round-20 western derby in what was his 12th appearance of the season.

He joined Collingwood duo Nathan Murphy and Josh Carmichael, Melbourne premiership player Angus Brayshaw and Western Bulldogs draftee Aiden O’Driscoll as players who had careers cut short in 2024 because of concussion. Former Eagles Brad Sheppard and Daniel Venables both retired in 2021 because of concussion. – AAP Greenberg doubles down on cricket opposition to Hobart stadium roof Daniel Brettig

New Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg has declared roof designs for the proposed Macquarie Point stadium are “unacceptable” for any form of cricket to be played at the venue in daylight hours, a fresh hurdle for the AFL’s 19th team.

An artist’s impression of the proposed stadium in Hobart. Greenberg and Cricket Tasmania chief executive Dominic Baker co-signed a submission in response to an independent assessment of plans for the stadium in Hobart, which the AFL has insisted must have a roof as a condition of entering a Tasmanian team into the league.

The May 8 submission, seen by this masthead, argues forcefully that it would not be possible to play any form of cricket in the stadium during daylight hours in summer due to the “grid-like” roof pattern and the shadows they cast. CA and Cricket Tasmania have also rejected proposed remedies from the Macquarie Point Development Corporation as “unworkable”. Loading Baker and former CA chief Nick Hockley presented a similar argument to the Tasmanian government in March, but Greenberg’s involvement has strengthened cricket’s opposition. “The proposed roof structure casts a grid-like pattern of shadows that moves across the field of play, particularly on the cricket pitch block, throughout the day, presenting an unacceptable playing, operational and broadcast environment for all forms of cricket,” the letter states.

“While MPDC and its team have explored mitigation options for the shadows, we are of the view that they are either unworkable, in that they do not eliminate the shadows, or they are temporary in nature introducing other significant potential problems relating to playing conditions, venue operations and broadcast quality.” Greenberg and Baker go on to declare that the Tasmanian government’s economic modelling for the stadium’s benefits are currently based on a level of cricket content that could not be achieved under the current roof design. “The extent to which cricket can be played in the stadium and how many matches may be played each year forms part of the cost-benefit analysis considered in the draft report,” the letter states. “Until such time as stadium design discussions progress to a point where our current concerns can be overcome, CA and CT are unable to confirm that the content assumptions contemplated by that analysis are reliable nor that they can be achieved.

“Both CA and CT are committed to a pathway towards achieving International Cricket Council accreditation for the Macquarie Point Stadium, and in our view a design option that does not have a roof, or that has an operable roof is the best way to achieve that and secure cricket as a significant user of the stadium that can provide numerous benefits to the project and the state.” Why Smith didn’t train with Cats Michael Gleeson Bailey Smith did not join Geelong’s main training session on Tuesday ahead of the much-anticipated clash with his former club on Thursday night. Bailey Smith trained away from prying eyes on Tuesday. Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images

But the high-value recruit, who has had an outstanding start to his career at the Cats, is in no danger of missing the game against the Western Bulldogs under lights at Kardinia Park. Smith alarmed track watchers by failing to join the training session ahead of what is not only a spicy first encounter with his old club but a game that is the match of the round between two top finals contenders. Loading Smith, however, trained indoors doing touch work, mindful of the fact the Cats are on a quick turnaround with just five days between their win over Port Adelaide on Saturday and Thursday night’s game. While Smith is an elite athlete with the blend of high-end speed and endurance, he did miss the entirety of last season because of a knee reconstruction, so is being carefully managed on short breaks. The Cats will lose Paddy Dangerfield and Jack Bowes for the clash after they both suffered hamstring strains in last week’s win. Defender Tom Stewart is set to be available to return from his knee injury. While Bowes’ time on the sidelines is yet to be determined, an injury update released by the club on Tuesday said skipper Dangerfield was only expecting a short lay-off.

“Following scans on Monday, Pat is expected to miss the next one to two weeks with a low-grade right hamstring strain,” Geelong’s football manager Andrew Mackie said. ‘I would consider it’: Little could return to Essendon board Danny Russell, Jon Pierik

Essendon coach Brad Scott is unfazed by reports in the past 24 hours linking former chairman Paul Little and James Hird to a possible return to the club. Paul Little in 2015 in his then role as Essendon president, with then coach James Hird. Credit: Eddie Jim Seven’s Agenda Setters reported on Monday night that Little, who led the club from 2013-15, was open to a return to the board currently led by David Barham and that he could return with Hird in tow.

“You never say never to anything,” Little told Seven. “There may come a time when there is a need for a restructure. “If I felt I could add value to the club, and if they felt I could help, then I would consider it.” But on Nine, owner of this masthead, Hird said in a statement: “It’s news to me and I haven’t spoken to Paul Little for months. I nearly fell off the couch when I heard it.” Speaking at the Hangar on Tuesday morning just three days after his side’s abysmal 91-point loss to the Western Bulldogs, Scott said he had learnt not to become distracted by outside noise.

“This might surprise you, but I haven’t had any issues with the last 24 hours whatsoever,” he said. He said he did not react to the reports nor did he seek out Barham or CEO Craig Vozzo for reassurance. “The risk in any of that is that it distracts me from the task at hand,” Scott said of the Bombers’ Dreamtime at the ’G clash at the MCG on Friday night. “I’ve been really overwhelmed with the level of support and follow-through [from the club].

“And really, the things that I’ve made clear that were non-negotiables when I came to the club, around things like stability and support for all levels of the football club, our board and executive have delivered on those things. “I just need to focus on my job and let all the other stuff go on in the background and not let it distract me or anyone else who’s in a position of coaching, or the executive at the club.” Scott will come face to face with media commentator Hird as a guest on Nine’s Footy Classified on Tuesday night. Brad Scott tussles with James Hird in their playing days 23 years ago while his brother, Chris Scott, enters the fray. Credit: Getty Images When asked what he expected to say to the Bomber great and former coach of the club, Scott laughed.

“Channel Nine will be rapt. You will have to tune in,” he said. Pushed further, Scott said he had had a long-term association with the 1996 Brownlow medallist. Loading “We’ve known each other for over 30 years,” Scott said. “I mean, we don’t spend a lot of time together, but he’s now a member of the media, and I try to be as respectful to all members of the media as a collective.” Asked about Hird, he said: “I consider him a friend both inside, but more importantly, outside of football”.

Eyebrows were raised when the Bombers extended Scott’s contract early this season, a move the club said was all about stability as the Dons turn to the draft to strengthen their list after years of stagnation. The latest report will do little to foster stability, though. Club great Matthew Lloyd said on Footy Classified: “It’s not good for the club. James obviously denied that, and you believe James in that situation, and this is what happens when you lose by 91 points, unfortunately things like this happen, whether it’s from a coterie member or someone around the club. “It’s the last thing those within the football club need because they just want to get on with being the club they hope to be.” Beveridge contract extension ‘may not be too far away’ Jon Pierik

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has suggested a contract extension is not far away.

The 2016 premiership coach is off contract this year, and is keen to remain at the Whitten Oval. The Bulldogs and Beveridge have delayed discussing details in depth, preferring to concentrate on the season at hand. The Dogs are fifth on the ladder and are a genuine premiership threat despite having dealt with injuries to key personnel. Beveridge said fulfilling the recommendations of an off-season review by Peter Jackson had been important, and this had now unlocked the possibility of a contract extension. New deal: Luke Beveridge has suggested a contract extension is not far off. Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images “I know we’ve both been talking, the club and I, in similar terms around stability and then sustainability ... the opportunity of success comes along,” Beveridge told Fox Footy.

“I think we’re stable, but again, we’re stable this week. Not that you need a hell of a lot of luck, but you’ve got to ride your fortunes. I think we’re sort of morphing into this partnership again where we’re looking at sustainability and thinking, ‘Out of the Peter Jackson review, how healthy are we off the field as far as our operational resources go, and the club’s vision of what’s ahead?’ “I think we’re reasonably content we’re on the right path, so as far as formalising something goes, it may not be too far away.” The Bulldogs and Beveridge are expected to open serious discussions – and potentially formalise a contract taking the coach into his 12th season and beyond – during the mid-season bye. “Possibly, but we haven’t really talked any terms and conditions,” Beveridge said.

The Bulldogs have been without prime movers Marcus Bontempelli, Liam Jones, Adam Treloar, Cody Weightman and Sam Darcy at various stages of the season. Darcy, who had been enjoying a breakout season before he hurt his knee in round six, is still on the sidelines, but could return next month. There were initial fears the emerging forward would miss the entire season. However, he ran on Monday, and told Beveridge he was tracking well. Loading “It’s such a unique situation – to bruise and dint the bone with a hyperextension. He had some lateral ligament damage, and then a bit of medial ligament damage as well, so that was probably the sorest part of his knee,” Beveridge revealed. “Initially, the contemplation with regards to surgery meant it was a longer timeline, but he hasn’t had surgery and he ran today. I spoke to him as he was walking around the sidelines afterwards, and said that he’s feeling good ... he’s lost some conditioning [and] was in a brace for just over a week.

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