Co- tenants of Etihad Stadium , North Melbourne and St Kilda , are keeping their finals hopes alive with convincing wins over interstate sides   . Carlton won the battle between long time rival Essendon , and Collingwood continued winning  , beating  the Gold Coast Suns . The Bulldogs couldn’t beat a skillful Swans side ,  to resurrect their flagging 2011 season . Hawthorn and Geelong remain in the hunt for the Flag , along with the West Coast Eagles, who won the West Australian Derby by beating the Dockers , in a thrilling one point victory . Co tenants of the MCG , Melbourne and Richmond are both struggling to remain in the Finals Race .

Newsworthy headlines include the retirement of Burly Bulldog , Barry Hall , at seasons end ,

port adelaide had a bye

and  Neil Craig’s resignation as coach of the embattled Adelaide Crows side .

Fans wearing their football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys , will be watching some great footy action enfold over the next few weeks , as the Race for the AFL Finals is on .

25 % off sale , on most items , in ebay store Football Fashions , starting 23 July until 31 July , 2011.

Buy new , and superior quality recycled , AFL Licensed , Sponsored Merchandise . Sale items include , Football Jumpers , and assorted supporter wear , scarves , beanies , caps , ponchos , training singlets , tops and jerseys .

Discounted jumpers , jerseys , guernseys , include AFL Teams Brisbane Lions , Port Adelaide Power , West Coast Eagles , St Kilda Saints , Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons .

Bag a bargain

Saints on Sale

Two occurrences this week gave the AFL cause to celebrate , and cause to mourn .

The celebrations are for the West Coast Eagles who joined the National Competition 25 years ago .

Jeans a Saints Legend

Commiserations are for the passing of Allan Jeans . A truly great footy legend , he coached St Kilda Football Club to their first and only premiership . He later went on to coach at Hawthorn Football Club and to assist at Richmond Football Club . Jeans gave his players confidence and teams their self belief .A tireless ambassador for the AFL , he was a much loved mentor whose advice was sought up to the time  of his death .

Fans and  players will  mourn his passing  . Both will be wearing their football jumpers  , jerseys , guernseys , this weekend , the difference being the players of his respective clubs will be wearing black armbands as a mark of their respect .

WCE Football Club have plans for mega celebrations at home in Subiaco . Trialblazers from the West , they have enjoyed much success since joining the AFL and have provided fans with heightened entertainment, and are shaping as a chance to win this years Grand Final   .

WCE Footy Jumper

The annual Legends Game , was played last Tuesday night at Etihad Stadium . The Big V , who were gamely captained by ‘ Kouta ‘ , retired Carlton superstar , and shambolically coached by Sam Newman , ex – Geelong Ruckman , snatched victory from the jaws of defeat .

The Vics train on this

25,000 fans , were treated to a night of on and off field entertainment , when the greats pulled on the boots , and thundered onto Etihad Stadium.

Rocca, kicked the Sherrin out of the Ground , Martyn’s defence was watertight, and Straunchie scrounged the packs .The AllStars , who are the show pony’s of the competition , razzled , dazzled , and tried to steal the game with goal sneak Fitzy’s , kick after the siren .

The mighty Vics remained staunch , and proved again , when push comes to shove they’ve still got what it takes . Sure , bigger size footy jumpers were worn,  and the footy shorts waistbands have expanded , plus there is an explosion of bald heads on the ground , but Victoria proved why it’s still the birthplace , and spiritual home of AFL Footy.

It was a win all round , as fans wearing their football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys , enjoyed the spectacle , and gave funds to the EJ Whitten Foundation, who support people with cancer. Ted, wouldv’e been thrilled as the Vics , managed to “Stick it up ’em”.

Vics have still got it

Saints back in winning form

Some interesting results came from the weekend round of AFL matches . Several teams had wins following a string of losses , most notably the Bombers , Crows and Lions. A surprising outcome was the Bombers victory, over the previously undefeated Cats . Carlton thrashed the Tigers , and Collingwood defeated the Hawks , in front of a massive 84,000 crowd at the MCG .

Carlton poised to cause an upset in the Finals

The top four teams of the ladder seem set , the next four less so . Several teams are just outside the top eight , and need to keep winning , in order to secure a place in the Finals .

At this crucial point of the Season , fans supported their teams , wearing their football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys , and enjoyed the spectacle of watching good  footy played .

Some questions remain .

Will the Players request for greater revenue from TV coverage rights , make a dent in Andrew Demetriou’s offshore fish and chip fund ?

Can the Magpies win another Flag ?.

When will the media stop reporting on Eddie McGuire’s every  spoken word, and action?

Can CFC make it 16?