Credit: <\/span>AFL Photos \/ Getty Images<\/cite><\/p>\nRussell returns to Blues, boost to coaching group<\/h2>\n Former Blues player, Jordan Russell will return to Ikon Park as a forward line coach after a decade of coaching at the Western Bulldogs and North Melbourne.<\/p>\n
He spent six years at the Dogs as a development coach, including with the 2016 premiership side, and three seasons at the Roos\u2019 as a midfield and stoppage coach.<\/p>\n
Carlton confirmed Russell will take the reins of the Blues\u2019 forward line for 2024, allowing Ashley Hansen to fully focus on his duties as senior assistant under Michael Voss.<\/p>\n
Aaron Hamill and Tim Clarke will remain in their roles as backline and midfield coaches respectively, as will Luke Power as VFL coach.<\/p>\n
Russell said he\u2019s excited to head back to the Blues in a coaching capacity.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome of my best football memories are with the Carlton Football Club, so it is very exciting to be coming back to Ikon Park,\u201d Russell said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am impressed with the direction the football club is taking, and what it is trying to build \u2013 one thing that came through clearly during the process was how aligned the club is on its direction and what is required to put itself in the best possible position to succeed.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a coaching group with a lot of experience, led by Michael Voss and I already have a great relationship with Ash, so the opportunity to bring my strengths to what the program already has, to help us go to another level, is really exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n
Plugging it with Pink; North sign defender<\/h2>\n Glenelg premiership player and ex-Swan Toby Pink is officially a Kangaroo, inking a one-year deal on Friday to revive his AFL career.<\/p>\n
The 194-centimetre defender averaged almost 11 disposals and three intercept marks in an excellent SANFL campaign this year, and projects as part of North Melbourne\u2019s solution down back after Ben McKay\u2019s departure.<\/p>\n
The Kangaroos will be short on tall defensive options entering next season, given Griffin Logue will also still be recovering from his ACL rupture.<\/p>\n
Aidan Corr is North Melbourne\u2019s most experienced defender, and may have to tackle the opposition\u2019s No.1 forward, unless the likes of Pink and Kallan Dawson can step up.<\/p>\n
Charlie Comben is also set to play down that end of the ground after starting his career as a strong-marking forward.<\/p>\n
Got a trade question?<\/h2>\n With the trade period bubbling along and the weekend break fast approaching, have you got a burning question for ANDREW WU or MARC MCGOWAN.<\/p>\n
They\u2019ll be on today\u2019s podcast.<\/p>\n
Post a question in the comments or email realfootypod@theage.com.au.<\/p>\n
But be quick! There\u2019s not much time left to have it answered on today\u2019s episode.<\/p>\n
Hawkins locked in at the Cats<\/h2>\n Geelong star forward Tom Hawkins has put pen to paper and is locked in with the Cats for 2024.<\/p>\n
It will be his 18th season with the club after joining them as a father-son selection in 2006.<\/p>\n
Since then, he\u2019s played 347 games and earned three premierships, five All-Australians, a Coleman Medal, a Carji Greeves Medal and Cats life membership.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Back in the hoops for another season: Tom Hawkins.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>AFL Photos<\/cite><\/p>\nHe\u2019s also sitting 14th all-time for most VFL\/AFL goals on 781.<\/p>\n
Hawkins said he\u2019s humbled to sign on for another year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe choices we make in professional sports aren\u2019t isolated, they ripple out and involve lots of other people in your life. That\u2019s why after each season, after each contract, I always take time to sit and reflect with my loved ones to discuss our future and not only what\u2019s the best for me but also for everyone who\u2019s on this journey with me,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was always motivated to continue playing with the Cats. Geelong isn\u2019t just where I work, it\u2019s home. It\u2019s the community that\u2019s given me so much, and I feel privileged to have another chance to give back in 2024.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hawkins said his motivation, unquestionably, is for the future of Geelong, the club he grew up cheering for. \u201cI will continue as I was always taught, to try and leave this club in a better place than when I started.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m really excited for the challenge that\u2019s in front of the team and myself moving forward into the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
Geelong general manager Andrew Mackie said Hawkins\u2019 leadership, knowledge, professionalism and on-field contribution, where he continues to be one of the best at his craft, will help drive the Cats forward.<\/p>\n
Ziebell joins coaching ranks at Tigerland<\/h2>\n Richmond have confirmed retired Roo Jack Ziebell will join their coaching ranks for the upcoming pre-season.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Jack Ziebell with daughter Pippa.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>AFL Photos<\/cite><\/p>\nTim Livingstone, the club\u2019s general manager of football performance, said the Tigers were excited to welcome Ziebell.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhilst the majority of his career was played on ball he has also played forward and behind the ball so he has studied the game from all angles and that\u2019s important for the role he will play for us,\u201d said Livingstone.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a driven professional who has spent the last part of his career developing his leadership skills with the ambition to take on a coaching role. He exudes passion and excitement about coming to Richmond and helping to contribute to our success.\u201d<\/p>\n
The former North Melbourne captain played 280 games for North Melbourne across 15 years, including six years as skipper between 2017-2022.<\/p>\n
<\/strong>He said he was excited to take the step into a full-time coaching role with the Tigers.<\/p>\n\u201cThis is a great opportunity to work with [new Richmond coach] Adem [Yze] and the coaches as they embark on a new and exciting journey at the Tigers,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m looking forward to getting to know the team and to draw on my experiences as a player to hopefully teach and guide the team to getting back up the ladder.\u201d<\/p>\n
Your view: Which veteran Bomber will thrive next season?<\/h2>\nHawks aware of Gunston request, focus on other priorities <\/h2>\n Hawthorn have been made aware of Jack Gunston\u2019s request for a trade back to his old club and will assess the request.<\/p>\n
However, they say their focus, as of right now, remains on bigger fish to fry.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are engaged in other trade discussions that remain our priority,\u201d the club said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese longer-term priorities may preclude any discussions with Brisbane progressing.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Jack Gunston requested a trade back to Hawthorn from the Brisbane Lions.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty Images<\/cite><\/p>\nRoos list boss said club had interest in backmen<\/h2>\n North Melbourne list boss Brady Rawlings said the club was looking to bolster its defensive stocks as it seeks a replacement for key backman Ben McKay, with interest in free agent Bigoa Nyuon.<\/p>\n
McKay joined the Bombers during this year\u2019s free agency period.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Ben McKay has headed from North Melbourne to Essendon.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>AFL Photos<\/cite><\/p>\n\u201cWe\u2019ve been in the key defender space all of this year,\u201d Rawlings said on AFL Trade Radio on Friday.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve scoured the country with AFL-listed players that might not be getting an opportunity with their club, and we\u2019ve scoured the state leagues.<\/p>\n
\u201cWatching Toby [Pink, delisted Sydney defender] perform at Glenelg, his game really came on as a key defender.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rawlings said the club also had genuine interest in off-contract Richmond defender Nyuon.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s some interest from our end in \u2018Biggie\u2019. He\u2019s a very athletic player, can play in [the] ruck or key defence,\u201d said Rawlings.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re just in discussions at this stage, [he] hasn\u2019t been offered a contract just yet.\u201d<\/p>\n
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AFL trades as it happened: Gresham a Don; Hawkins signs on; Gunston wants back in Victoria; Ziebell joins coaching ranks - Sports Love Me<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n