Fans Count Down to the AFL Grand Final

Having trouble picking which team to barrack for in the grand final? The former Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett is here to help.

Kennett, who had vowed to keep a low profile after relinquishing his stewardship of the Hawks this year, was conspicuous by his presence on the ground just after the final siren of the preliminary final.

Not content with hob-nobbing with exhausted players after their thrilling victory over the gallant Crows, Kennett hit the airwaves this morning, keen to remind the footy world that his vision for the Hawks is near to fruition.

"You've got to remember guys, that in 2007 we outlined our five-year plan for the club which some of you commentators thought was arrogant, when we said five years, two premierships, 50,000 members," Kennett told SEN radio Monday.

"Well this is the fifth year of that business plan and I think we should have won the grand final last year … Our membership now stands at over 60,000. If the boys can bring home the bacon on the weekend, that business plan will have lived its life."

Hawthorn didn't play in the 2011 grand final, having faltered in the preliminary final after leading by 17 points at the final change.

Asked whether he was going the "early Hawk", Kennett backed down somewhat, admitting he thought the 2012 decider would be a "gladiatorial-style contest".

"Leadership and success … depends on succession and we've got very good people at Hawthorn – my successor is well qualified, a good board, good CEO, good coach and good players. If you have the fundamentals right, at least you give yourself the opportunity of performing on the field. And hopefully next weekend, hopefully, they will bring home our 11th trophy".

Legend puts Hawthorn before family 

Hawthorn legend John Kennedy could never be cast as a villain, but the ex-Hawk premiership player and coach is just as partisan as Kennett.

Kennedy's grandson Josh is playing for Sydney on Saturday, after starting his career with the Hawks. But when Robert Walls put it to Kennedy senior that he would be happy no matter which team won the grand final, he was quickly rebuked.

Jeff Kennett congratulates Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson after the Hawks beat Adelaide on Saturday.

Hawthorn trains at Waverley Park this afternoon

Read on

Manly Set to Storm Melbourne's Fortress

Manly are plotting to storm Melbourne's fortress and seize the mantle as the NRL's new super powers in Friday night's heavyweight preliminary final at AAMI Park.

The decade's most dominant forces will collide in a high-stakes encounter, the reward a shot at premiership glory and bragging rights as the NRL's most successful club.

Renewing their bitter finals rivalry, Melbourne and Manly are clashing in the playoffs for the first time since the Storm belted the Sea Eagles 40-12 in the 2009 qualifying final.

A year earlier, Manly buried the Storm 40-0 in the 2008 title mismatch at ANZ Stadium to avenge a 34-8 loss to Melbourne in the 2007 decider.

Now the Eagles are bidding to become the NRL's first triple premiers while the Storm could have been seeking their fourth title if they had not had two stripped for salary cap cheating.
Fittingly, the sides have split their past 10 matches.

But while the Eagles hold an 8-5 edge in clashes in Sydney since the Storm entered the league in 1998, conquering Melbourne on home soil has proven an altogether different proposition.
Manly have won only twice in nine matches in Melbourne and lost their only previous clash at AAMI Park - in round one last year.

"It is tougher playing them down there," admitted star five-eighth Kieran Foran.
"They always turn up. We're going to need to be at the top of our game."

Foran, 22, hasn't forgotten his finals debut in `09 - when the Storm ripped his side apart to end Manly's season before going on to win the premiership, which was later stripped for salary cap breaches.

But Sea Eagles skipper Jamie Lyon is confident of qualifying for the club's fourth grand final in six seasons - a tally to match the Storm's dream run from 2006-09 - and says they are relishing the challenge.

"We know it's going to be a tough ask going down there. It's always hard," Lyon said.
"But if you want to be the No.1 team, you've got to beat everyone and we can't wait."

While Lyon completed the entire game after being in doubt for last Friday night's 22-12 semi-final win over North Queensland, his co-captain Jason King is a new fitness concern after lasting only 27 minutes before succumbing to a shoulder injury.

Linkin Park, Stone Sour Announce Soundwave Sideshows

Linkin Park are without a doubt one of the biggest names in modern music; their brand of modern metal has topped charts all across the planet constantly over the past decade so it makes sense that they find themselves very close to the top of the mammoth Soundwave Festival bill for 2013.

The band have just announced that, while they’re around, they’ll put on a couple of massive sideshows to make sure that any of their fans who missed out on tickets to the sold out Soundwave shows in Sydney and Melbourne will have ample chance to witness their powerful live show.

They will be joined by modern rock powerhouse Stone Sour, the “other band” for Slipknot’s Corey Taylor, a band who are a massive drawcard in their own right.

Both of these bands have massive Australian fanbases so tickets for these shows won’t stick around long; they go on sale next Friday. Both shows are licensed all ages events.

Dates are below:

Tuesday 26 February – Sydney Entertainment Centre
Wednesday 27 February – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne

Good Charlotte - Sydney & Melbourne Gigs 2012

Look out fans; this September will be just like your birthday, when Good Charlotte bring their anthems back to Australia. Following the success of last years sell out tour, the band will play both Melbourne and Sydney before they head to Newcastle to play Fat As Butter Festival.

After eleven years, five studio albums, 10 million album sales and a shelf full of music and video awards, Good Charlotte’s return to Oz promises to be anything but forgettable.

Iconic tracks like ‘Lifestyles Of The Rich & Famous’ and ‘The Anthem’, hit the up tempo hearts of fans to keep them moving. While their last studio album Cardiology, captured both a more personal side of writing, mixed with some of their biggest party anthem hits, including ‘Last Night’, ‘Sex on the Radio’ and ‘Like It’s Her Birthday’.

After a hectic couple of months residing in Australia and starring in Channel Nine’s The Voice, brothers Joel and Benji have returned to the States for a short time, to begin work on their debut album as The Madden Brothers (2013 release) before heading back to Australia.

With such a strong affiliation with Australia, audiences can rest assured Joel, Benji, Billy and Dean will conjure a party not to be missed!

Show Dates

Sydney - Friday 21st September ALL AGES Big Top, Lunar park, Milsons Point.

Melbourne - Thursday 20th September ALL AGES Festival Hall, West Melbourne, 300 Dudley Street

Countdown is on for the Royal Melbourne Show

WITH just 10 days until the Royal Melbourne Show, these eager entrants are scrubbing up fine. 

Julia Blick, 7, of Geelong, had the bubbles out early when she took to the tub with Japanese Spitz puppies ahead of the show's start on September 22.

Waurn Ponds dog exhibitor Pamela Taylor, who will put the pups on display, said animal breeders across the state were gearing up for the big gig.

"I've been exhibiting at the Royal Melbourne Show for 50 years. I love exhibiting because of the camaraderie."

Kids and kids at heart are treated to a taste of rural Victoria in a carnival atmosphere including animal shows, rides and showbags during the 11-day event.

More than 800 cattle, 600 horses and 3000 dogs will take part in the show with demonstrations on discipline, agility and grooming.

Melbourne Showgrounds will come alive with all the fun of the show from September 22 to October 2.

For all the latest information on the carnival, including showbags on sale, rides and entertainment visit http://www.royalshow.com.au/

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