Saints coach Ross Lyon has reservations over a new AFL mandate, while Pies coach Craig McRae launched a strong defence of Scott Pendlebury ahead of his record-breaking game.
Melbourne premiership player Angus Brayshaw has had his concussion claim rejected, while the AFL has confirmed a debut for Jordyn Pearson — just the second woman to ever field umpire a match. More in AFL DAILY!
Watch every match of every round of the AFL Premiership Season LIVE and ad-break free during play on FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
‘THERE WAS A BIT IN THAT’: ROSS’ FIVE-MINUTE TAKE ON NEW MANDATE
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon expressed reservations over the one-size-fits-all approach behind the AFL’s mandated club psychologist.
The league enforced a compulsory psychologist at all clubs on Tuesday as part of its reaction to the Elijah Hollands case.
The move was included in Carlton’s $75,000 sanction over its management of Hollands during what was described as a mental health episode.
“Where do we start,” Lyon said with a smile, before unpacking soft cap and mental health complexities for five minutes.
The Saints coach said St Kilda already invest a lot in their mental health services. Picture: Michael KleinSource: News Corp Australia
St Kilda has a strong level of support with two clinical psychologists separate to the AFLPA and AFL hotline.
Lyon praised the AFLPA’s multi-option model, saying a player feeling uncomfortable or lacking chemistry with its mandated psych would simply disengage.
“The AFLPA do a great job with past players but they also currently – with all their millions, which is great — have a pool of psychologists,” Lyon said, in part.
“They have a pool of I think five, certainly in each state, that the players can access with no line of sight to the club which is a good thing.
“They’re clinical psychs and (the players) know that, and I imagine there would be a couple on our lists who avail themselves to that opportunity.
“Then to the AFL’s credit, they initiated a 24-hour help hotline – that’s pretty strong.
“ … I think the panacea, ‘We’ll put on a full-time psych’, like, basically we’re there and there’s (other) avenues.
“We all know in our personal life … you’ve got to find a psych that you’re comfortable with, you can’t just mandate.
“Because if (players) walk in and there’s no chemistry it doesn’t work. That’s why the AFLPA’s model is good: that (psych) is not working, but that (psych) is working.”
Lyon credited the AFL’s 24-hour help hotline but said players would need to be comfortable with the psychs at the clubs. Picture: Michael KleinSource: News Corp Australia
The AFL allocated a further $750,000 to the club soft cap this season but it still remains nearly a $1 million short of what it was prior to the Covid cuts.
Lyon continued, saying a prescribed psychologist falling under the soft cap would create a further squeeze on roles.
“I think we’re one of the more resourced clubs in that space, but then that will take away from recruiting, that will take away from coaching, it’s about what you value, isn’t it?” Lyon said.
“Then it gets to processes on game day and that’s made us reflect and make sure we’re getting that right and then it’s that trust environment.
“I am banging on here, but the blue from clubs is that I think it’s right, they do deserve some privacy, I think (the AFL is) concerned if we know too much we’ll make list decisions.
The decision to mandate a pscyhologist at each club came after Carlton were fined $75,000 for their handling of Elijah Hollands’ medical situation. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
“I get that bit but I’ve had players come to me with gambling issues, really significant issues, that we’ve been able to help, direct and keep them accountable for.
“ … It’s best intentions, to draw it back to your original question, is soft cap the limiter? Yeah. Should the AFL fund it? Yeah.
“So maybe some of the money that goes to the AFLPA, that’s good, but maybe fund the clubs in this space. That would make it a hell of a lot easier.
“Does that make sense? There was a bit in that.”
Meanwhile, Lyon says Max King will “get there” in time after the injury-plagued forward suffered another setback in the VFL last weekend.
The Saints coach said the situation wasn’t ideal but criticised the “hyperbole … outside the club”.
“We’ve had him with (a movement coach in the USA), we’ve had him to one of the best physios in Australia at the AIS,” Lyon said.
“At the end of the day- it’s really been one long term injury which is the knee that they were conservative (with).”
The Saints forward has not played an AFL game since Round 16, 2024, suffering countless injury setbacks, with the latest hamstring to keep him out of action for the next six weeks.
“He’s gonna get there. It’s not a repetitive strain issue, it’s a nonsense,” Lyon added.
“Obviously, we’ve got to build him up and we’ll be even more conservative again, but he’ll get there, I’ve got no doubt.
PIES SQUASH PENDLES SELFISH CALLS
Collingwood coach Craig McRae quickly brushed aside claims that Scott Pendlebury’s pursuit of the games record carries any hint of selfishness.
Pendlebury will equal North Melbourne great Brent Harvey’s 432-game record this Saturday night against Geelong.
The veteran midfielder has drawn criticism for missing the Hawthorn draw and the likely plan that he also sits out the Sydney clash to break the record at home.
There has also been disapproval about the gold No.10 Pendlebury is expected to wear when he claims the record as his own.
Collingwood champion Tony Shaw was just one questioning the club’s approach towards the milestone.
McRae said Pendlebury, 38, has often missed five-day breaks and was perplexed by the criticism surrounding Collingwood’s appetite to celebrate its champion.
“I haven’t given (the gold number) much support and I reckon you could be black, white and grey amongst what this looks like,” McRae said.
Scott Pendlebury to be rested | 01:43
“If we’re just considering that someone is bigger than the team, for that one day can’t we celebrate one person?
“It doesn’t mean he’s going to play outside the rules, it doesn’t mean he’s going to play differently to our game plan, and it doesn’t mean the team is going to try and give him the ball all the time.
“We just want to celebrate this one person, and if it’s a jumper with a different colour, I think we’re probably reading a bit too much into it.
“I know Pendles will say this, and he says this all the time when we have big games: ‘Let’s not play the occasion, let’s play the game’.
“I think for this one time, let him play the occasion and we’ll play the game – in essence – I know he will play the game for what it’s worth.
“But let’s celebrate the occasion for him when it comes.”
Bobby Hill, meanwhile, is progressing in his training and is expected to play a full match in the VFL on Saturday.
McRae said he had left Hill’s timeline in the hands of the Magpies’ fitness staff but felt the small forward was definitely closer than he was a fortnight ago.
“I think Bobby is progressing, I am sort of leaving it up to high-performance (for) when he is fit and available,” he said.
“I think he’s still only played, he didn’t play a full game last week. As much as we like what he’s doing on the field, he’s still got a hell of a lot of work to do.
“We’re anticipating that (he plays a full game in the VFL), he hasn’t trained today, he trained last night with the VFL.
“He’s been a bit ill this week, but we’re anticipating that (full game).
DEMONS CHAMP’S BRUTAL REJECTION DUBBED ‘A DISGRACE’
Premiership Demon Angus Brayshaw’s concussion insurance claim has been rejected, according to Herald Sun chief football reporter and First Crack host Jay Clark.
Brayshaw, who was medically retired from the game officially in February 2024, had been waiting on a verdict around a seven-figure insurance payout after multiple brain injuries ended his 167-game AFL career.
Clark reported for CODE Sports on Wednesday night that Brayshaw’s concussion claim had been knocked back.
“The independent umpire, Australian Financial Complaints Authority, has ruled Brayshaw does not meet the terms of the policy payout based on his ability to perform daily activities,” Clark wrote.
It means Brayshaw, who was diagnosed with eight brain bleeds following Magpie Brayden Maynard’s smothering attempt in the 2023 elimination final, becomes the third retired player to recently miss out on a payout, with Collingwood premiership defender Nathan Murphy and Anzac medallist Paul Seedsman losing their concussion compensation payout battles against Zurich, unless they submit for more medical testing.
Ex-Demon Angus Brayshaw. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
“It’s a disgrace,” St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt told Triple M on Thursday morning.
“They’ve said he was able to perform reasonably in his life… they looked at vision of him standing and smiling at his wedding and his speech at the Brownlow… so they were used against him.”
It comes during a tense time in the football landscape with regard to head trauma and the litigious by-products.
Head trauma coverage changes — including a huge decrease in the level of cover for all injuries — came into effect from May 1.
Previously, if a player suffered a career-ending injury, they are entitled to as much as $1.1 million via their superannuation. But after May 1, that number dropped to just $450,000.
“The kicker to this story is, as of May 1, all players are not covered,” Riewoldt said. “They’ve removed the cover for traumatic post-concussion syndrome … so someone who goes and plays this weekend, if they suffer a bad head-knock and it ends their careers, they’re not covered.
“You feel for these guys and the AFLPA have to step up.”
HISTORY TO BE MADE AS SECOND FEMALE UMPIRE APPOINTED
Jordyn Pearson will make history on Sunday when she becomes the second woman to field umpire an AFL game.
As flagged by Zero Hanger’s Mark Stevens on Wednesday night, Pearson has been appointed to the Melbourne-West Coast game at Marvel Stadium.
Pearson will umpire alongside two-time Grand Final whistleblower Mathew Nicholls, as well as Nick Jankovskis and recent newcomer Joel Clamp.
Pearson joins Eleni Tee as only the second woman in 130 years to field umpire at the highest level.
An AFLW umpire Rising Star winner and AFLW Grand Final umpire, Pearson in October was one of six officiators promoted to the senior AFL list for 2026.
Jordyn Pearson will make history on Sunday when she becomes the second woman to field umpire an AFL game. Picture: Daniel Pockett/AFL PhotosSource: AFL Photos
“I’m very proud and grateful for this opportunity. There’s been a lot of time spent working to achieve this dream, and now that it has happened, it’s unbelievable,” Pearson said in October last year when promoted to the AFL list.
“To be only the second woman field umpire at AFL level is pretty special, but it also shows what is possible. I hope that by stepping out onto the field, I can inspire the next generation of umpires.
“Women and girls’ representation in football have grown rapidly over the past 10 years, and AFLW has been the catalyst for the change. It’s fantastic to see more women and girls involved in the game, from players and coaches to umpires and volunteers.”