West Coast veteran Jack Darling has officially requested a trade to North Melbourne, having been linked to the Kangaroos for several weeks.
The 32-year old, who played 298 games for the Eagles including the 2018 grand final win, is set to head to Arden Street on a two-year deal, with the Eagles seen as all but certain to not block his trade despite having a year left on his current contract.
Darling underwent a medical examination at the Kangaroos earlier in the week, with the club set to pair him with star spearhead Nick Larkey in the forward line.
It has been reported that the Kangaroos’ fourth-round selection, currently sitting at pick 64, will be enough to secure Darling via trade.
The Roos, who are also keenly pursuing Sydney veteran Luke Parker, are desperate for experienced heads to help guide their array of talented youngsters, and Darling, who booted 532 goals as an Eagle since making his debut in 2011 and was named All-Australian in 2019, fits the bill.
(Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Controversial Nine Newspapers and SEN commentator Kane Cornes has been recognised for his work in journalism with the former Port Adelaide midfielder winning the Alf Brown Award for best overall media performer at Tuesday’s AFL Media Awards.
Cornes has become one of the most prominent members of the AFL media across radio, television and print and is never shy to express his perspective, making headlines again recently with his take on the Jack Ginnivan v Ken Hinkley incident following Port Adelaide’s dramatic semi-final victory that ended the Hawks’ campaign.
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“No one has had a bigger presence in football this year, via television, radio and newspapers, than Kane Cornes. No one. Now or in the past,” was the judges’ verdict.
Cornes also took out the Lou Richards Medal, awarded to a former or current player working in the media and the award for best analysis/opinion across radio, digital or TV.
It was a successful night for Nine as The Age reporter Jake Niall won the gong for best opinion or analysis in digital/print.
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley insists the heavy $20,000 fine handed down by the AFL for his involvement in a war of words with Hawthorn players hasn’t been a distraction as his side gear up for a preliminary final clash with Sydney.
Hinkley’s record of games coached without a premiership victory has been well documented and the incident with James Sicily and Jack Ginnivan following Port’s tight victory over Hawthorn ensured his name was in the headlines for the wrong reasons again.
Asked if the fallout and fine had been a distraction entering Friday night’s game, Hinkley replied: “No.”
“Everything that happened got taken care of by Sunday night,” he told reporters on Wednesday.
“We moved on. We have got a prelim final to play and I’ve got no more to add to it because I’m not going to let any of that become any issue for us. We’re just going to move into our preparation for Sydney.”
Ken Hinkley exchanges words with Hawthorn players. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
In team news for the Power, key forward Charlie Dixon and halfback Ryan Burton, pending fitness tests on Thursday, will play in the preliminary final. Dixon was a late withdrawal from the semi-final, while Burton was ruled out on the eve of the match because of a calf complaint.
“(Dixon) was going to play in a semi-final last week other than being ill, so we’re optimistic that he’ll be available to play,” Hinkley said.
“We’re optimistic that Burton will also be available to play, but we don’t announce the team until tomorrow night. We train in Sydney tomorrow, so there’s lots of things still to tick off and get through before we can confirm ins or outs.”
with AAP
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