SACKED: AFL: Recent Episodes
Herald Sun
What really happens when the axe falls in the AFL world? Some of the biggest names in the sport reveal the remarkable true stories of how they discovered their days were numbered and when the guillotine dropped.
Kevin Sheedy reined over Windy Hill for 27 years. After a clumsy and messy search, the Bombers found a replacement in Matthew Knights. Essendon's new coach wanted to create his own legacy, but did so by pushing out a club great.
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On July 22, 2001, Essendon did the impossible from 69 points down, and were just months out from establishing a dynasty. But in reality, it was the start of the downfall of a powerhouse.
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There wouldn’t be many more qualified candidates for the final SACKED AFL episode of season six than Scott Cummings.
The laconic goal kicker cycled through four clubs in three states across a nine year career that promised a great deal but ended due to injury at the age of just 28.
And yet Cummings could really play. He was the leading goal kicker at three of his four clubs and kicked 95 goals to win the Coleman Medal at West Coast in 1999.
But it was Collingwood - where he played just five games for six goals in one final AFL season - that set him up for his post footy life.
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Ben Brown shares the highs and lows of his AFL career, from going undrafted to becoming a premiership player with Melbourne. Hear how he overcame adversity and self-doubt to reach the pinnacle of the sport.
In this episode of Sacked, Ben Brown opens up about his AFL journey. From getting drafted by North Melbourne at pick 47 after being overlooked in previous drafts, to becoming their leading goalkicker, and then being delisted. He shares how COVID-19 and hub life impacted his mental health and derailed contract talks with North Melbourne. We learn how he bounced back from injury and self-doubt to find form and contribute to Melbourne's drought-breaking 2021 premiership.
Key Moments:
2:30 - Getting drafted by North Melbourne after 4 tries
8:00 - Kicking his first AFL goal, a tribute to his late grandfather
15:30 - The challenge of blokey footy culture as a young player
22:00 - Struggling mentally during the 2020 hub season
32:30 - Getting delisted by North Melbourne after 10 years at the club
37:00 - Joining Melbourne and their belief he could contribute
55:00 - His resilience to regain form in the VFL and make the senior team
1:05:00 - Being part of Melbourne's epic 2021 Grand Final comeback
1:15:00 - The challenge of injuries late in his career before retirement
Listen now to hear Ben's incredible story in his own words. You'll be inspired by his resilience and determination to succeed against the odds.
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Hannah Mouncey shares her experience as a transgender athlete fighting for inclusion in professional sports. Get an inside look at the challenges and discrimination she has faced.
Overview:
Hannah Mouncey, former Australian men's handball player, opens up about her journey as a transgender athlete. She talks about realizing her gender identity as a child, coming out to her family, and beginning hormone therapy. Mouncey recounts trying out for the AFLW draft and being barred from playing due to concerns over physical advantages. She describes lacking support from sporting organizations and facing restrictions despite lowering testosterone levels. Mouncey shares her perspective on blanket bans against transgender athletes and argues they should be allowed to compete after proper hormone therapy. She emphasises hard work over natural talent and says trans athletes are not successful merely for being trans. Mouncey remains hopeful her advocacy will have a positive impact on trans rights.
Timestamps:
00:15 - Mouncey shares when she first realized she was transgender
10:34 - She describes coming out to her mom and transitioning
18:45 - Mouncey recounts trying out for the AFLW draft
32:12 - She argues against blanket bans on trans athletes
42:34 - Mouncey talks about continuing to advocate for trans rights
Mouncey shares a powerful first-hand account of the challenges facing trans athletes. Tune in to hear her unique perspective.
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Former AFL star Jaidyn Stephenson opens up about the highs and lows of his short-lived career, from winning a Rising Star to getting caught up in a gambling scandal that derailed his promising start at Collingwood.
Overview: In this candid interview, Stephenson reflects on his rapid rise to fame as a teenager, the pressures of being in the spotlight, and how off-field mistakes led to his untimely exit from the Pies. He also discusses the difficulties adjusting to a struggling North Melbourne side after being traded, and what ultimately led him to walk away from footy at just 25.
Key Takeaways:
2:30 - On being drafted to Collingwood as an 18-year-old and living the dream his first year, including winning a Rising Star award.
8:00 - Getting caught placing bets on Collingwood games, resulting in a long suspension.
15:30 - Being abruptly traded from Collingwood to North Melbourne after just two seasons.
21:00 - Struggling at North as the losses piled up and scrutiny intensified.
27:00 - Getting injured after drunkenly crashing his bike down the stairs.
32:00 - Losing his passion for footy and deciding to retire at just 25 years old.
37:00 - Reflecting on his short AFL career and the challenges of transitioning to a "normal" job.
Don't miss this raw and unfiltered look into the real world of an AFL footballer. Tune in to hear Jaidyn's incredible story in his own words.
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Greg Williams was one of the greatest AFL players of his time, winning 3 Brownlow Medals and a Norm Smith Medal. But his road to stardom wasn't easy - he was rejected by Carlton twice as a teenager before getting his shot at Geelong. In this episode, Williams takes us through the highs and lows of his incredible career, from his rocky start to premiership glory with Carlton.
Get the inside story on Williams' battles with umpires, his thoughts on concussion in the AFL, and find out how a last-minute cash delivery from John Elliott allowed Williams to take the field in round 1, 1992. Williams also shares techniques that helped make him one of the game's best ball-getters and handballers.
Key Moments:
2:30 - Getting rejected by Carlton as a teenager
7:20 - Transferring from Geelong to Sydney Swans
16:30 - Controversy with umpire John Russo and the Brownlow Medal in 1993
24:45 - Joining Carlton and run-ins with John Elliott
32:20 - Winning the 1995 premiership and Norm Smith medal
44:30 - Getting suspended after pushing umpire Andrew Coates
56:00 - Battling memory loss from concussions
1:05:00 - Williams' kicking tips and techniques
Don't miss this chance to go inside the mind of an AFL legend. Listen to the full episode now to hear Diesel's incredible story!
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Stuart Crameri was one of 34 Essendon players caught up in the infamous supplements saga that rocked the AFL. In this raw and revealing chat, the former Bomber opens up about the highs and lows of his career, including the supplements scandal that derailed the Bombers and the heartbreak of watching his Bulldogs teammates win the 2016 flag while he was sidelined.
Crameri takes us inside the Bombers' supplements program, revealing he and his teammates "didn't blink an eye" when told to take injections and didn't realize the trouble it would cause. He talks about the constant "groundhog day" of having to face the media scrutiny, Jobe Watson's incredible leadership through the crisis, and the "devastation" of ultimately being banned for a year.
The big-hearted country boy also shares the setbacks and rejections he faced early in his career, moving to Melbourne and staying in a "terrible" hostel to chase his AFL dream, his special bond with coach Brendan McCartney, and how he managed to still perform on the field despite the mental toll of the saga.
Crameri's story is one of resilience and perspective. This is an insightful look into one of footy's most tumultuous chapters.
[00:02:30] Early career rejections and persistence to make the AFL
[00:08:00] Arrival of James Hird lifts standards at Essendon
[00:15:30] Breakout season in 2011 after move to forward line
[00:23:00] Supplements saga begins to unfold
[00:33:00] Dealing with constant media scrutiny during 2013 season
[00:40:30] Shifting to Western Bulldogs for a fresh start
[00:50:00] Devastation of 12-month suspension ruling in 2016
[01:03:00] Watching the Bulldogs win the flag from sidelines
[01:10:00] Life after footy and key takeaways
Crameri's story is one of resilience in the face of adversity. Be sure to listen to the full episode to get an insight into one of the AFL's most challenging chapters.
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Players - yes, coaches - definitely. But recruiting new high performance managers wouldn’t usually get the fans excited. And yet, when Andrew Russell made the shift from a four-premiership winning stint at Hawthorn to Carlton, it was seen as joining the missing link holding the Blues back.
So why, five years later, did the 26 year AFL industry career of Andrew Russell end in disappointment?
So, what happened?
Andrew Russell delves into how he feels about his time at the Blues and where the club is headed.
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When Andrew Russell was called into Kevin Sheedy’s office at the Hilton Hotel as a teenager and offered a job, not in his wildest dreams would he have been able to predict the three decade high performance career that included six premierships across three clubs that was to come.
Russell was there at the end of the Bombers dynasty, Port’s ‘04 choke-breaker and the start of the Hawks decade of dominance.
From Stuart Dew to Luke Hodge and Cyril Rioli, Russell made a career out of preparing premiership players.
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Sheedy, Clarkson, Malthouse, Pagan, Thomas, Frawley, Blight, Bailey, McCartney, Lyon.
To close out season 5 of Sacked: AFL, we’ve gone back and delved deeper into the 10 greatest modern coach sackings since 2000.
And who better to come on that journey than a pair of esteemed journos who saw it all happen up close, and, at times, were the first to know.
Jon ‘Ando’ Anderson was there at some of the most important sporting events for the Herald Sun over the past four decades and is still a key member of the Sunday Herald Sun team with his weekly Ando’s Shout.
Bruce ‘Beva’ Eva is a Saints tragic and has seen it all since he began on the Herald sports desk in the late ‘80s and has gone on to Inside Football, SEN and now, 3AW.
We share highlights from past episodes across all five seasons of Sacked: AFL.
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Damian Drum spent more time as the next AFL coach in waiting than he did in the hot seat given he was up for roles as coach of the Swans, Demons and almost had the Collingwood job before moving to Fremantle.
In one of the most notorious coach axings in AFL history, Drum learned of his sacking on live TV - just 9 games into his third season in the top job.
And yet, it allowed the former shed builder to embark on his most consequential role yet - two decades as a member of state and federal parliament.
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Damian Drum was a late-bloomer when he was plucked out of bush footy by Geelong at the age of 20 and spent eight frustrating seasons battling to 63 games.
And yet, it was only another injury sustained in the 1989 Preliminary Final that denied him the notorious role on Dermott Brereton eventually performed by Mark Yates in the opening moments of the famous 89 Grand Final.
Drum would eventually become famous as the last one to know he’d been sacked as Fremantle coach, but that journey got its start in Sydney as an assistant at the Swans, as the right-hand of the man who couldn’t lie, Ron Barassi.
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Mal Michael played 238 games including the historic three-peat of premierships with the Brisbane Lions.
But it might never have happened in the first place.
PNG born Michael was brought from his hometown of Brisbane to Collingwood with no promises and very little money but was able to turn himself into the fearsome full-back of the Lions dynasty.
And yet, it is the one that got away - their chance of four in a row in 2004 - that stayed with Michael for years.
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Alastair Lynch played over 300 games for Fitzroy, the Brisbane Bears and then the Brisbane Lions in a career that spanned 16 years.
It was a career that had incredible highs, devastating lows and one five minute brain fade right at the end.
A three time premiership player with the Lions, Lynch spent much of the mid to late 90s in bed with chronic fatigue having previously broken Roys fans hearts by signing a notorious 10 year contract to defect to the Brisbane Bears in 1993.
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Nathan Burke has been involved in elite football across five decades and was involved in some of the biggest stories in that time.
Towards the end of his playing career, Burke had a seat at the table for the incredible recruitment of Malcolm Blight as senior Saints coach and he was at the Saints through the tumult that was the Thomas and Lyon eras.
Burke was also at the business end of the early days of the AFLW as coach of the Western Bulldogs.
And don’t forget his role in helping Trent Cotchin to beat a suspension in the lead up to the 2017 Grand Final in his time on the Match Review Panel.
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Nathan Burke played 323 games with St Kilda across three decades, and took the field with some of the best of the modern era - Lockett, Frawley, Harvey, Winmar, Loewe.
He captained the club and played in a heartbreaking Grand Final loss in 1997 but was in teams that finished in the bottom four as much as they spent in contention.
And when his playing career was over, it was a seat on the Saints board that brought him back to Moorabbin, and a front row seat to the turmoil that was the end of Ross Lyon’s first tenure as Saints coach.
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Daniel Harford was a top 10 draft pick and Vic Metro under 18 captain when he was taken by the Hawks.
Harford went on to play 153 games in the brown and gold (and nine in a single season with Carlton).
He was cocky and sure of himself with a good dose of self deprecation, that made Harford a favourite of the footy variety shows of the late 90s and early 2000s.
The larrikin nature prepared him perfectly for a life as a breakfast radio host, but it was his footy smarts that gave Harford the edge as senior coach of the Blues AFLW team.
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Paul Roos played 356 AFL games for Fitzroy and Sydney as well as many in the Big V for Victoria across 17 years as a player.
And as a coach he delivered the Swans a 72 year drought-breaking premiership in 2005 and was instrumental in the rebuild of Melbourne that ultimately culminated in the 2021 flag.
In this episode, Roos details his journey from Fitzroy to the Swans and Ralphy’s part in his announcement as saviour of the Demons.
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David Noble played just two games of AFL footy with Fitzroy in the early ‘90s, but it was off the field that he truly made his mark as an assistant coach, recruiter and administrator and finally the monumental task of coaching cellar dwelling North Melbourne.
In this episode, Noble details his football and personal journey from Hobart to Brisbane and the challenges he and his family have faced along the way.
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Tony Jewell commenced his senior football career with Oakleigh, in 1963. He tried out with St Kilda but failed to impress and was turned away. Richmond, however, decided to take a punt on him and he went on to give them good service, mainly as a half back flanker or back pocket, in 80 VFL games between 1964 and 1970.
After a two-year stint as coach of the Richmond reserves, which included overseeing a flag in 1977, he took over as senior coach of the Tigers in 1979. A year later he led them to an emphatic 81-point grand final defeat of Collingwood. Just one season later, however, Jewell was sacked with Francis Bourke being installed as coach in his place. Jewell later had unsuccessful stints as coach of St Kilda (1983-4) and Richmond once more (1986-7).
In this episode Jewell opens up about his brutal sacking at Richmond, recruiting Tony Lockett to St Kilda and how he almost became coach of Collingwood instead of Leigh Matthews.
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As Victorian opposition leader from 1982 to 1989 and then again from 1991 to 1992 before becoming the 43rd Premier of Victoria, Jeff Kennett has guided and divided many during his time in politics.
Post political life Kennett became the inaugural chairman of Beyond Blue and in December 2005, replaced Ian Dicker as president of Hawthorn.
In this episode Kennett opens about his relationship with 4-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson - and what really happened, his plans to hand the presidency over at the end of 2022 and his secrets to political success.
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Love him or loathe him, you can’t ignore Tony Cochrane. As Chairman of the Board Tony Cochrane is best known in his role as boss of the Gold Coast Suns. A successful businessman who didn't bother to finish school, Cochrane has been involved in event promotion since the 1970s, and has promoted or produced tours for several international and local artists. In March 2014, Cochrane joined the board of the struggling Gold Coast Suns, and then became chairman in March 2016
In this episode Cochrane explains how he came to befriend Frank Sinatra and bring him out to Australia, he opens up on the sackings of Guy Mckenna and Rodney Eade, his aim to turn the Gold Coast Suns into a finals contender and why he thinks a 19th franchise in the AFL won't work.
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A powerful forward with an unpredictable streak, Cameron Mooney was a nightmare matchup for backmen during his 221-game career. Drafted to North Melbourne during an era of dominance, Mooney broke into the North side during the 1999 season, where he'd become a premiership player without even touching the ball! Traded to Geelong in the preseason of 2000, Mooney would make his name with the Cats as Geelong would go on a golden run.
In this episode Mooney opens up about the brutal selection battle he endured with John Longmire during the 1999 finals series, his erratic and undisciplined ways through his career and how the Cats built a dynasty.
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Trent Croad had an almost immediate impact when he was recruited to Hawthorn in 1998. At the end of 2001, Hawthorn would shock the football world, trading Croad who was then 21 and one of the Hawk's blue chip youngsters to Fremantle for the number 1 pick which would eventually secure Luke Hodge. After two years at Fremantle, Croad became the Prodigal son of Hawthorn, returning to Glenferrie Oval.
In this episode Croad opens up about the biggest trade shock in AFL history played out between Hawthorn and Fremantle, the creation of Clarko's cluster and the pain of his career ending injury.
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After a decade with the Western Bulldogs, Brian Lake's time at the Whitten oval came to an end. With a new coach appointed and some dissent towards him from the senior playing ranks, the writing was on the wall and Lake was off to Hawthorn. With the Hawks coming off the 2012 Grand Final loss to Sydney, Lake arrived at Hawthorn at the beginning of a magical era. A premiership and a Norm Smith medal in 2013 was only the start for Lake as he would go on to help Hawthorn take out the 2014 and 2015 deciders.
In this episode, Lake opens up about being delisted on the Mad Monday after the 2015 Grand Final, his personal struggles post football and how he has been able to get his life back on track.
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Taken at pick 71 in the 2001 national draft, Brian Harris as he was known as back then arrived at the Whitten Oval and became one of the Bulldogs' favourite sons. Over the course of 197 games in the red, white and blue, Lake developed into one of the competition's leading full backs regularly going toe-to-toe with the champion forwards of the time.
In this episode Lake opens about his formative years at the Western Bulldogs, his relationships with key players at the Bulldogs who wanted him out of the club and changing his name from Harris to Lake.
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A versatile ruckman come full forward, Peter 'Spida' Everitt started his football journey with St Kilda in 1993. With dreadlocks and head bands Spida almost instantaneously became a cult figure.
As Everitt's career was building, so too was the St Kilda Football club as the Saints made a charge to the 1997 Grand Final. A shoulder injury sustained in the Qualifying final against Brisbane would lead Everitt to miss the rest of the season thus making St Kilda's road to the elusive flag all that harder.
After 180 games in the black, red and white of St Kilda, Everitt was on the move to Glenferrie Oval in 2003 where he'd win a best and fairest. After four seasons at Hawthorn, Everitt's final stop would be at the Sydney Swans capping off a 291 game career.
In this episode Everitt opens up about his heat break on missing the 1997 Grand Final, the sacking of Stan Alves, wooing Malcolm Blight St Kilda and his strained relationship with Grant Thomas which would eventually lead to Spida's departure from the Saints.
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Following a decorated career in the VFL, Rodney Eade would make the transition to the coaches box with relative ease. Stints as an assistant coach at Brisbane and North Melbourne would be followed by the senior coaching job at the Sydney Swans in 1996. In his first year at Sydney Eade was able to transform the Swans into a premiership threat, with his side playing off in the '96 Grand Final. After 152 games at the helm of the Swans, Eade's time in the harbour city came to an end as the axe came swinging his way.
With the Western Bulldog searching for a coach at the end of 2004, Eade would find his way to the Whitten Oval where he would lead a talented side to three consecutive preliminary finals.
In late 2014, Eade was appointed coach of the AFL's expansion team on the Gold Coast taking over from Guy McKenna. Eade's time at the Suns was stormy at best and by the end of his third season, his contract would not be renewed.
In this episode Eade opens up about his sackings at Sydney and Gold Coast, coaching the legendary Tony Lockett in Sydney and dealing with Jason Akermanis at the Western Bulldogs
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A legend of the Apple Isle, Rodney Eade was recruited to Hawthorn from Glenorchy in 1975. At Hawthorn Eade established himself as a dashing wingman, playing a part in four VFL Premierships with the Hawks.
After 229 games at Glenferrie Oval, Eade crossed to the Brisbane Bears in 1988 - a move which would be the genesis for Eade's future coaching career.
In this episode Eade opens up about the heartbreak of being dropped for the 1985 Grand FInal, the golden era at Hawthorn under John Kennedy, David Parkin and Allan Jeans and the chaos and challenges faced by the fledgling Brisbane Bears.
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In a North Melbourne team filled with stars such as Wayne Carey, Glenn Archer and Anthony Stevens in the 1990s, Corey McKernan has every right to lay claim to being up there with the best of them during that golden era. A dual Premiership player with North Melbourne and a best and fairest winner at Carlton, with a little more luck early in his career, McKernan might also have a rising star and a Brownlow medal to put around his neck.
In this episode McKernan opens up about the heartbreak of missing out on both the Rising Star award and the Brownlow medal, his complicated relationship with Denis Pagan and his defection to Carlton.
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A talented utility whose career was struck down by injury, Robert Shaw managed only 51 games over 7 seasons for Essendon. An assistant under Kevin Sheedy at Essendon and then at Fitzroy, Shaw was appointed Fitzroy’s senior coach in 1991. After 3 seasons with the Lions, it was over to South Australia to take charge of the AFL’s newest team, Adelaide. Shaw’s time in Adelaide would be rocky with the axe swinging at the end of the 1996 season.In this episode Robert Shaw outlines his plan for a 19th team in Tasmania, he recounts the struggles behind Fitzroy in the club's final years and reveals the attacks and criticism he encountered from fans as coach Adelaide Crows.
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In the 1990's North Melbourne were the rockstar team of the competition. Greg Miller is responsible for North's era of dominance during this period. Miller's footy nous, combined with his uncanny ability to identify talent, added in with some brazen recruiting heists helped the Kangaroos clinch two premierships. In this episode Miller details his attempt to recruit Nathan Buckley, his building of a formidable North Melbourne and his tumultuous Tiger years at Richmond.
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A full-back who toiled hard against the glamour full-forwards of the 1970s, Greg Miller's footy journey is as extensive as they come. Arriving at South Melbourne in 1972, Miller mustered 52 games for the Swans. For Miller his mark on football would be made in the office rather than the oval. In 1980 Miller became South Melbourne's recruiting officer, it was at this time that the VFL were looking to relocate the club to Sydney. In this episode Miller describes the struggles involved in moving South Melbourne to Sydney and details his bold recruiting heist which yielded Wayne Carey and John Longmire to North Melbourne.
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A gifted athlete with a tremendous leap, John Barnes landed at Essendon as a talented ruckman during the preseason of 1987. Hailing from Cobram in Victoria, Barnes, colourful and laidback, found it difficult to hold down a regular senior spot under Kevin Sheedy. By the end of 1991, Barnes was shown the door by the Bombers and his AFL career on the scrap heap. A lifeline from Geelong saw Barnes reach his full potential in the big time.
In this episode, Barnes takes us inside his complicated relationship with AFL legend Kevin Sheedy, his concussion claim against the AFL and the wizardry behind Gary Ablett Senior
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A member of Hawthorn's golden era during the 1980s, Peter Schwab was a vital cog in the Hawk's machine. After 171 games and 3 premierships, Schwab turned his hand to coaching - first as an assistant with Richmond and then finally as a senior coach back at Glenferrie Oval.
In this edition of Sacked, Schwab speaks out about the 2004 Line in the sand match between Hawthorn and Essendon, his playing journey with Hawthorn during the 80s and how two former team-mates ended his stint as senior coach.
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From his playing days with Richmond in the 1970's to coaching Melbourne in the 1990's and overseeing various footy departments throughout the 2000's, Neil Balme has seen and done it all. In this episode Balme reveals the formula to Richmond's golden era under Tom Hafey, his tumultuous sacking from Melbourne and how he became Football's Mr Fix-it.
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Brenton Sanderson's sacking as Adelaide senior coach at the end of 2014 blindsighted the competition. A third year coach with a winning percentage above fifty, who only two years prior had led the Crows to a preliminary final was shown the door. In this episode Sanderson reveals his sliding door experience during the Bali bombings, how Geelong built a dynasty and his embarrassment following his shock sacking.
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At his time at AFL House, Andrew Demetriou presided over an era of enormous corporate growth and competition expansion. On the surface the Demetriou era was extraordinarily successful, but if you dig a little deeper scandals were never far from making headlines. In this episode Demetriou reflects on the drugs disgrace at Essendon, Jobe Watson's Brownlow Medal and the Melbourne tanking scandal.
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Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Football League between 2003 and 2014, Andrew Demetriou's tenure as league boss was truly compelling. In this episode Demetriou opens up about the Carlton salary cap saga, the fall of Ben Cousins at West Coast and his remarkable ascent to power.
To listen to the podcast first, see galleries, videos and read the stories behind SACKED: AFL, search Herald Sun Subscription or download the Herald Sun app at your app store
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Jonathan Brown is entering the feed with the latest episode of Browny's Podcast, it was big day in the sunshine for the boys at Captain’s Day at Marvel Stadium with Max Gawn, Dylan Grimes, Patrick Cripps, Marcus Bontempelli, Ben McEvoy and Joel Selwood getting involved.
Search for Browny's Podcast wherever you're listening.
Get involved with the Browny's Podcast Whatsapp group
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What really happens when the axe falls in the AFL world? Some of the biggest names in the sport reveal the remarkable true stories of how they discovered their days were numbered and when the guillotine dropped.
To listen to the podcast first, see galleries, videos and read the stories behind SACKED: AFL, search Herald Sun Subscription or download the Herald Sun app at your app store
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Search SACKED: Showbiz wherever you get your podcasts to hear from the people at the pointy end of some of the most sensational showbiz sackings. Here's a little taster with Sam Newman. Episode 2 with Derryn Hinch is out now, search SACKED: Showbiz wherever you podcast
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With his father ill and living in Queensland, Dayne Beams would seek a trade to Brisbane at the conclusion of the 2014 season. The move to the Lions would see Beams assume the captaincy and become a leader for the young side. With all seeming well on the field, all was not well off it. Crushed by the loss of his father in early 2018 Beams' life would spiral out of control. In this episode Beams opens up about his trade to Brisbane, dealing with the loss of his father, his battle with addiction, his return to Collingwood and his new life in retirement.
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Originally from Queensland, Dayne Beams would land at the Magpies' nest in 2009. A versatile player who could play forward or back Beams knew how to find the footy. Slotting straight into a strong line up, Beams would taste premiership success with Collingwood in just his second season. In this episode Beams opens up about the early years at Collingwood, his heartbreak of missing the 2011 Grand Final through injury and the early onset of his personal struggles.
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A veteran footy administrator Peter Jackson served as Essendon's CEO from 1996 to 2009. A period where the Bombers delivered a 16th VFL/AFL flag and parted ways with iconic figurehead Kevin Sheedy.A brief absence from footy ended when Jackson was appointed CEO of the oldest club in the competition - the Melbourne Football Club. Taking over when the club was on its knees Jackson would provide a steady head and offer a surehand in rebuilding a club decimated on and off the field. Jackson opens up about Essendon's run in with the salary cap, the building of Essendon's 2000 premiership side, cutting loose the revered Kevin Sheedy and turning the tide for the Melbourne Football Club.
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Carrying the hopes of the Krakouer name made famous by father Jim and Uncle Phil for North Melbourne in the 1980s, Andrew Krakouer announced himself on the AFL stage in 2001. With great expectation Krakouer was a crafty goal sneak with an innate ability to judge the fall of the ball in the forward line Krakouer became a shining light through a dark period for the Richmond Football club. Krakouer's career would come to a grinding halt - a 16-month prison sentence ending his time at Richmond. In this episode Krakouer opens up about his time in prison, his road to redemption with Collingwood, his sacking from the Pies in 2013 and racism in Australian football.
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A favourite son of the Footscray Football Club, Doug Hawkins carried the hopes of the Western suburbs for the best part of 17 seasons. Blessed with balance and poise Dougie dazzled around opponents becoming one of the competitions most exciting wingmen during the 1980s and early 1990s. Quick, strong and tenacious Hawkins owned the outer wing of the Western Oval during 329 games at the Bulldogs and 21 at Fitzroy. In this episode Hawkins opens up about his mental health struggles early in his career, the rival clubs who attempted to lure his services and his sackings from both Footscray and Fitzroy.
Lifeline Australia - 13 11 14 - Crisis Support. Suicide Prevention.
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A strong mark and accurate kick, Barry Hall was considered a dying breed in his era, a power full forward who played exclusively in that role. An aggressive pack-splitting approach to his game enabled teammates to play with great confidence around him. This aggression however, led Hall to straddle the left of the AFL law and incur the wrath of the umpires over the course of his career. After 88 games with St Kilda, Hall would move Harbor side joining the Sydney Swans where he would lead them to the top of the football mountain. Despite this success, controversy was never too far away and Hall would finish his career at the Western Bulldogs. In this episode Hall opens up about the dramatic suspensions, the real reason he left St Kilda and finally coming to grips with his anger management issues and his new outlook on life.
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With a paddock full of star Roos Denis Pagan burst onto the coaching scene in 1993, taking North Melbourne to the finals in his first season, before guiding them atop the football mountain in 1996 and 99’. After finishing 7th in 2002, without Wayne Carey in tow, Pagan left North and headed for the Navy Blues. Little did he know he was walking into a salary cap breach nightmare, and with the players in control of the paddock things quickly spiralled out of control. Pagan reflects on the glory years with North, coaching the great Wayne Carey and the tumultuous Carlton years.
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A footballing prodigy from Sunbury, David Schwarz burst onto the scene as a high leaping, aggressive and mobile center half forward for Melbourne the early 90s. Destined for greatness Schwarz's parth to the top would be thrown off course and very nearly destroyed by a string of knee injuries at the peak of his powers. Schwarz opens up about witnessing the murder of his father, fighting his way back from the AFL scrapheap, his gambling addiction and his controversial sacking from Melbourne radio station SEN.
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Season 3 of SACKED publishes a new episode right here this coming weekend, August 22nd. Through to the end of September you'll hear from Andrew Krakouer, David Schwarz, Denis Pagan, Peter Jackson and more.....
For more information and exclusive SACKED content go to https://www.heraldsun.com.au/subscribe
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Five flags, two Norm Smith medals, three All-Australian jackets and a spot in the Hall of Fame! Gary Ayres playing career was covered in glory, flags and confetti almost every September. After an incredible career with the Hawks he stepped into coaching to chase another flag in the second half of his AFL journey. The road was bumpier, the highs fleeting and the confetti gone. Ayres reflects on a life in football, from the glory days with the Hawks, to coaching Ablett and Carey and to his recent success with Port Melbourne.
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Premiership player, All-Australian and arguably the best contested mark of the modern era! Unfortunately, Travis Cloke’s glittering resume often took a back seat to the goal kicking yips that plagued his career. It took a move to the Bulldogs to discover that he wasn’t just missing the mark in front of the big sticks, but his passion and hunger for the game was also off course! Cloke opens up about the pressure of game day performance, the training session breakdown that led to his mental health break, the glory days with the Pies and his infamous goal kicking woes.
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Three flags, three All-Australian berths and a club Best & Fairest. Justin Leppitsch’s playing career with Brisbane was steeped in success. Seven years after hanging up the boots he would return to lead the Lions pride after the tumultuous reign of fellow club legend Michael Voss. After just fourteen wins in three seasons, Leppitsch would eventually fall to the same knife as his predecessor. He knew the challenges when he signed on the dotted line, so where did it all go so wrong for Leppitsch and the Lions? Plus, re-living the Lions three-peat glory days, coaching a young Alex Rance and a behind the scenes look at the creation of the Tigers powerhouse.
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Every weekend Brock McLean crossed the white lines and entered a battle on the football field. For 11 years he fought that fight for two hours each game day, then win, lose or draw he would step off the field and face his true battle. His mental demons were crushing, his alcohol and drug use slowly tearing his life apart. Six years on from hanging up the boots, and one year since finding help for his mental battlefield, McLean opens up about his pathway back to the light. Plus, the former Dee and Blue reveals the story behind his positive drug test, Melbourne’s tanking scandal and the moment the axe fell on his career.
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One Matthew Scarlett toe poke, one cruel bounce of the ball and three Grand Final heartaches. Through what lens should we view the 09’-10’ St Kilda squad? A powerhouse team who went 20-2 in the 2009 home and away season and won 80% of their matches over the two year stretch. Or just a good team who came up small on the biggest stage of all? Brendon Goddard reflects on his career with the Saints, the Grand Final pain that still haunts him and the departure of Ross Lyon.
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The Saints hero who became footballs first big fish landed in free agency. After 205 games, three Grand Finals and two All-Australian guernseys, Goddard was on his way to the Bombers. The script was already bursting at the seams and plastered over the back of every newspaper, but the true plot twist was lurking just out of sight. The rest is history, the drug scandal stole the back page and Goddard’s career was thrown off course. We’ve all read the stories and heard the interviews, but what really happened inside Essendon as footy’s darkest days played out?
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Bleached hair, handstands and a goal sense like none other! Jason Akermanis was born to thrill, but was his show overshadowed by the ever present controversy waiting just off stage? ‘Aker’ opens up about the Lions glory days, the Grand Final performance that saved his career, his rocky relationship with Rodney Eade before the axe finally fell and the story behind his famous handstand.
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Saints by club, not by nature. Stephen Milne and Steven Baker are old school larrikins, the mischievous pair up the back of the class and in the principals office every lunch. But do they have a story to tell! From sirengate, to hangovers at first training sessions, the Malcolm Blight experience and Ross Lyon’s dramatic departure. The bounce of the ball in 2010, Baker and Stevie J’s fight, Riewoldt’s mark and an endless supply of laughs.
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A stellar career with the Magpies, an AFL assistant coach, married with three young kids. From the outside Gavin Crosisca had it all, but on the inside his world was falling apart. Crippled by a drug, alcohol and gambling addiction he lived his life from one fix to the next. For twenty-eight years that addiction ruled his life, until one day his wife Nicole forced him into the car and drove him to a rehab centre. Nine years later he is free of his demons and ready to offer a helping hand to lift those still stuck in their vices up into the light with him.
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From the Tigers on the eve of the millennium, to the building of the Cats dynasty. The Bombers on the precipice of the drug saga and then into the doghouse at the Bulldogs. Fourteen years after his first role as an assistant, McCartney was finally given the keys to the top job. Three seasons, twenty wins and one departed captain later and he was forced to hand them back. Two years later the Bulldogs broke a 62-year premiership drought. So where did it go wrong for Brendan McCartney?
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After sixty three games in eleven years, ‘Chicken’ Nixon hung up the boots and seemingly walked away from the game in 1993. Almost twenty years later he was voted the fourth most influential football person of the past decade. Fast forward a handful more years and in 2011 he was given a two-year suspension and left the player management game. You know the story from the papers perspective, ‘the super agent who fell from grace’, but what about the story from the man himself?
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From the man Tom Hafey coined the ‘bloody back-pocket plumber’ to arguably the greatest coach of all time. Kevin Sheedy’s impact on Australian Rules Football is immense, as is his quirky personality and incredible story. Three premierships as a player, four as a coach and a first class AFL Hall of Famer. But behind the cups and confetti lies a tale of dodged bullets, career saving moves, hard calls and lucrative deals to trade in his red and black sash for enemy colours.
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The moment Tony Shaw lifted the Magpies drought breaking premiership cup aloft in 1990 he cemented his place as a black and white legend. But could the favourite son lead the Magpies to another flag, this time from the coaching box? The answer came swiftly and cruelly as Shaw had his wings clipped after just four years at the helm. He reveals the truth behind his departure, the Pies attempted Damian Drum coup that left him fuming, the barbecue meeting that saw Tom Hafey sacked, Nathan Buckley’s transformation and the biggest regret of his coaching career.
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‘Spud’ Frawley was the potato farmer turned St Kilda legend. But in 2000, the Saints Hall of Fame inductee traded his halo for yellow and black stripes as he took on the Richmond top job. While he ultimately fell victim to the Tigers revolving coaching door in 2004, Frawley knew his days were numbered all the way back in 2001. In a cruel twist of fate, his coaching peak was also the first sign of his eventual demise.
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Mark ‘Choco’ Williams might have his knockers, but there is no denying he saw history in the making through his twelve year tenure at the Power. He lifts the lid on the 04’ flag, the ’mutual’ parting that was anything but, the payment backflip that left him stumped and the numerous top jobs which have slipped through his fingers.
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After an unceremonious ending to his black and white days, Malthouse took on the the Carlton job with a simple goal at task. Restore the Navy Blues to their former glory and crest the coaching ‘Everest’ he felt he fell short of at Collingwood. What followed is now history, but it turns out the scriptwriters on Malthouse’s Carlton years missed a few key chapters.
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In April 1967, Robert Walls took to the field as a tall, skinny 16-year-old in his first game for the Blues. Thirty years later he coached his final game with a Hall of Fame career in tow. Walls is one of footballs true coaching doyens, and has a lifetime of stories to tell. He lifts the lid on his fallout with the Blues after premiership glory, the ‘Bad News Bears’, his role in the death of State of Origin and Carlton's current coaching search.
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Scott Watters thought he knew the challenges facing the Saints when he signed on the dotted line. In his two short years at the helm he tried desperately to fight against an ageing list, salary cap handcuffs, a voiceless board and a culture, as he describes, still “stuck in a haze” after coming so close to Everest in 09’ and 10’.
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Guy McKenna was handed the AFL's million dollar baby, only to have it cruelly ripped away four years later. Was he just in the wrong place at the wrong time? Go behind the curtains on the sacking without a review, Ablett's case of cold feet, the Karmichael Hunt experiment and the Brownlow night he knew it was all over.
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Grant Thomas is no stranger to controversy, in fact it shrouds most of his 123 game coaching career at the Saints. Did refusing to tow the party line cost him his career? That's up for debate, but don't expect him to change his uncompromising style anytime soon! He lifts the lid on the true story behind Blight's sacking, his rift with Demetriou and the culture he believes is still broken at St Kilda.
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Three premierships, 718 games coached and one incredible story. Malthouse reveals the true story behind the black and white years, from his relationship with Bucks and Eddie, to his 2011 Grand Final regret, dealing with the 'rat-pack' and the moment it all ended. Part 2 | Mick's big Navy Blue coming soon.
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