Two AFL coaches have been sacked , injured players are being hastily rehabilitated,  and fans are being encouraged to buy three games season passes to see their teams in action , prior to the Finals .

Collingwood , are the favourites for flag 2012 , Cats ,  Hawks and Blues worthy challengers , with the  Saints making a late run . The WCE , in a miraculous recovery went from Wooden Spooners last year,  to serious contenders in Season 2011  . The Bulldogs , Bombers , Demons , Kangaroos , Swans and Dockers need to keep winning , and the Tigers , Suns , Lions  , Power and Crows appear to be out  of the Race.

Western Invaders

It is definitely the business  end of the Season as teams scramble for places in the Final Eight . Coaches are being held accountable for their teams poor performances , witness the exit of Dean Bailey , and Neil Craig before the Seasons end .

Lions good record in Finals

Footy Fans, thrilled by the recent action on the field , and  bemused by the off field manoeuvrings , are hopeful that their team can win a finals berth , and are  showing their support  by  wearing their teams football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys.

Two closely contested games were played out on Easter Saturday . In a thrilling finish the Gold Coast Suns defeated Port Power in Adelaide . The Gold Coast Captain , Gary Ablett , played a pivotal part in their win and has perhaps , now , silenced criticism , for staying in Melbourne for 2 extra days after their last defeat.

Carlton were successful against Adelaide , snatching victory by one goal . The beleaguered coach of the Crows , Neil Craig , will be under increasing scrutiny , as his team has had a poor start to the Season .
The eveness of the teams in the competition are reflected in the close results of all matches played so far .
The Anzac Day blockbuster between Collingwood and Essendon , and the following days Geelong Vs Hawthorn match , promise much for eager footy fans .

Lions were beaten on Thursday

Four long term AFL players have announced their retirement this week . Brett Kirk of Sydney and Simon Goodwin of Adelaide Crows will retire at the end of the 2010 AFL season.

Tyson Edwards of the Adelaide Crows has retired effective immediately and Troy Simmonds,Richmond Tigers will play his farewell Game this Friday night .

All brilliant athletes and faithful servants of their clubs who have entertained fans for many years.

Each has worn his team colours , jumper , jersey, guernsey with pride .

Fans all around the country will turn out to cheer these inspirational men and to witness them take their one last kick of the Sherrin on a public stage.

Who will adopt their numbers on the back of their jumpers, jerseys , guernseys for 2011 Season ?

Kirk's look alike Jumper

Both AFL teams , Adelaide Crows and Brisbane Lions have changed their mascot .

The Crows have adopted a new style crow . It is a stylised version of a crow and doesn't resemble the actual bird as much as the old mascot .

Brisbane Lions famously have departed from the old Fitzroy FC Lion mascot. They now use a Lion facsimile with a face printed on the Lion that looks out .

It bears little resemblance to the original Fitzroy Football Club Lion . This has angered and saddened many fans of the now defunct AFL Fitzroy FC.

Fans are generally not consulted about the mascot change .

Most accept the change and acknowledge that it is modern progress and still follow their beloved club.

Lots of fans like the old mascots .

It reminds them of clubs with a grand playing past and helps them relive memories of another era .

A slick , modern re-working of an old mascot cannot always claim the hearts and minds of fans .

Old style Crows Mascot

Old style Lions Mascot

The Saints convincingly beat Port Power at AAMI stadium with Lenny Hayes winning the Anzac medal for best on ground .This latest victory by the Saints over in Adelaide maintains their place at the top of the AFL ladder.Cats fans were treated to a fine display of footy by their team at home to soundly defeat the Brisbane Lions. The Cats retain second spot on the ladder.

Richmond were finally in the winners circle when they defeated the North Melbourne Kangaroos  in a shock upset win . Terry Wallace lives to coach another day .The Bombers snatched victory with the last kick of the game over the Magpies at the Anzac Day blockbuster at the MCG in front of a massive hometown crowd .It was a fiercely fought contest with fortune favouring the brave .

Cold ,wet, windy conditions in Tasmania helped the Hawks hold off the West Coast Eagles to secure victory by 18points. The Dockers have opened their account with the first win of their season by beating the Swans at home. Fans witnessed a spirited game of footy by the Dockers  who displayed  a gritty determination which they later claimed was inspired by the ANZAC spirit.

In a fitting tribute to ex - president Dick Pratt who is gravely ill  the young players in the Carlton side combined well to run out winners by 43 points over a struggling Western Bulldogs side . The Adelaide Crows beat the Melbourne Demons in  a very patchy game at the MCG in front of only just over 14,o00 forlorn fans. The Demons fresh from victory last week were kept scoreless until the 3rd quarter whilst vocal Demons fans relentlessly booed Crows player Bock , who has been charged with assaulting his girlfriend   .

The Tigers are back in Town

Round 6 promises some big games

with Hawthorn taking on Carlton , Collingwood and the Kangas going head to head and St Kilda playing the Western Bulldogs on Sunday at Etihad Stadium in a twilight game.