NATHAN ABLETT SIGNS WITH BROADBEACH Former Geelong premiership player Nathan Ablett – still in his football prime – will play for Broadbeach next year in the AFLQ State League, reports The Gold Coast Bulletin’s Terry Wilson in a national exclusive… more -->

REGIONAL CLUBS CASH IN Regionally-based AFLQ clubs have benefited from the State Government’s Minor Facilities Grants. more -->

AFL TODAY: SAINTS FOR SINNER? St Kilda looms as Ben Cousins' last chance; North Melbourne had their hunt for the former star culled by a major sponsor; Scott West joins Melbourne, and more in today's AFL News update... more -->

TIGERS GET KEY UTILITY Labrador have made a significant signing for the expanded 2009 Velocity Sports Cup season with the acquisition of former Carlton utility Jordan Doering. more -->

GRANTS BOOST FOR AFLQ AFFILIATES AFLQ clubs and affiliates have been successful in securing a number of big grants to improve their facilities. more -->

AFL TODAY: COUSINS HAPPY FOR CHANCE Ben Cousins says he is happy just to get a chance at playing again although the AFL has warned him another 'shaving down' will end his career; Collingwood lose big on their hotels; Geelong announce another big profit; and more in today's news update... more -->

MURRAY DAVIS SCORES PRIME JOB IN DARWIN Murray Davis (pictured), former Zilllmere Eagles coach, has won a prime position as High Performance Manager of the new Northern Territory Football Club, which will compete in the AFLQ State League next year. The highly-rated young coach chose the new position from a raft of offers. more -->

AFL NEWS: SHOWDOWN LOOMS - AFL v AFLPA The fall-out to the Ben Cousins situation dominates AFL news today. Heading the list is a possible showdown between the AFL and the AFLPA over the stipulations placed on the Brownlow Medalist's return which were described as excessive by AFLPA boss Brendon Gale (pictured). Also, more football will be played at the Gabba after a deal between the AFL and the Queensland Government that clears the way for the Gold Coast to play at the Gold Coast subject to a license, and Chris Newman is favored for the Tigers captaincy. And more. more -->

GC17: NO LICENSE YET, BUT ONE KEY HURDLE OUT The AFL has cleared one major hurdle to the formation of a new Gold Coast club despite falling sort of granting the GC17 bid team the competition's 17th licence today. The League announced it had reached an agreement with the Queensland Government whereby the Gold Coast club can play at a stadium in its area rather than be restricted to the Gabba in Brisbane. And, without getting a license from the Commission, GC17 at least won a 'tick' for having met each of the AFL criteria. more -->

COUSINS GETS GREEN LIGHT FROM AFL, BUT ... The AFL Commission has cleared Ben Cousins to return to football, but has imposed a number of ongoing conditions on the fallen West Coast Eagles champion. more -->

AFL TUESDAY: D-DAY FOR BEN COUSINS All eyes will be on Sydney today as the AFL Commission meets to decide the playing future of Ben Cousins. The Age reports that the Commission is "near certain" to give the fallen Brownlow Medalist the green light to return. In other news, Nick Riewoldt commments on Cousins, St.Kilda sign a new assistant-coach, and Ryan O'Keefe questions AFL trade week. more -->

AFL MONDAY: GOLD COAST UP AND GOING GC17 chairman John Witheriff (pictured) was one very proud onlooker as the Gold Coast Football Club had their first training run Saturday under Guy McKenna. In other AFL news, all eyes are on the AFL Commission meeting in Sydney ahead of the Ben Cousins decision, ex-Kangaroo Leigh Brown eyes a possible second chance at Collingwood, and Essendon sign their first Irish international rookie. more -->

BRAD HOWARD DE-LISTED BUT ROOKIE SPOT SET Toowoomba product Brad Howard was de-listed by St.Kilda yesterday – three months after signing a new two-year contract for 2009-2010. It is understood the Saints have committed to re-list Howard as a rookie if he is not picked up by a rival club in the national draft. This came as the AFL finalised the final selection order for the NAB AFL national draft on 29 November. more -->

AFL SATURDAY: PUSH FOR COUSINS TO GO HOME There is a growing push for Ben Cousins to return to the AFL with his former club, the West Coast Eagles. In other AFL news, Nathan Carroll has turned to St.Kilda after being de-listed by Melbourne, Leigh Matthews is finally set to get life membership at Collingwood, NAB extends its commitment to th League, and the AFL unveils a bold plan for its move into the West Sydney market. And more. more -->

GC17 SIGNS PLAYER NO.8 - RORY THOMPSON The GC17 bid team has signed its eight player – Southport ruckman/forward Rory Thompson. According to the Gold Coast Bulletin, GC17 signed the red-headed youngster after indications the Brisbane Lions were keen on taking him in the upcoming AFL National Draft. He will join the Gold Coast side playing in the TAC Cup competition next year ahead of the proposed entry to the VFL in 2010 and the AFL in 2011. more -->

'MAGIC' McLEAN TO COACH NT SIDE IN AFLQ Former Brisbane Bears dual club champion and Brisbane Lions assistant-coach Michael 'Magic' McLean will coach the NT side on their entry to the Velocity Sports Cup AFL Queensland State League next year. more -->

AFL THURSDAY: LIONS EYE NICK DAVIS The Lions are contemplating a bold decision to throw a lifeline to ex-Sydney premiership star Nick Davis (pictured). This heads a busy day of AFL news, with an update on Ben Cousins, a change of captain imminent at Richmond after Kane Johnson steps down, an old face back at training at Tigerland, the end of the road for a Cats favorite, a record Hawthorn profit, and 'Lethal' on a possible AFL rule change. more -->

FOLLOW THE HALL OF FAMERS The initial 150 inductees into the Queensland Hall of Fame, including the seven legends, are being profiled for posterity on the AFLQ website. more -->

AFL WEDNESDAY: HART, ASHCROFT JOIN GC17 Former Brisbane Lions premiership pair Shaun Hart and Marcus Ashcroft have joined the coaching staff of GC17. Also, Geelong are looking to extend the contract of coach Mark Thompson, likewise Brett Ratten at Carlton, Melbourne have big plans for the MCG and St.Kilda eye Ireland's best youngster. All that and more in AFL News of the Day. more -->

AFL TUESDAY: LIONS EYE OFF BEN COUSINS The Brisbane Lions have emerged as genuine contenders for ex-West Coast champion Ben Cousins, according to The Age. In other AFL news, James Hird will join the "On the Couch' team next year, ex-Lions Colm Begley and Matthew Moody are hoping to snare a second chance in the AFL ahead of the National Draft, and the AFL is set to tighten the purse strings in response to the economic downturn. And more. more -->

RYAN SHOOTS FOR THE BIG TIME Local umpire Ben Ryan has been invited to trial for the AFL Umpire Panel. more -->

RECOGNITION FOR VITAL 'TEAM' The strength of Queensland umpiring is being built from the ground up, with a recent AFL Umpire Development Recognition Function encouraging scores of youngsters who are participating in the game. more -->

AFL FRIDAY: ARDEN STREET REDEVELOPMENT OK North Melbourne have finally won approval for the multi-million dollar redevelopment of their Arden Street training headquarters (pictured). Work is expected to start next February. Also, Richmond suffers a giant sponsorship blow, and Hawthorn look to the future via two coaching appointments. more -->

AFL THURSDAY: CAPTAIN SIMPSON STEPS DOWN Adam Simpson has stepped down as North Melbourne captain, but there is hot debate on his likely successor, with Brent Harvey (pictured) and Drew Petrie the likely candidates. Also, Robert Harvey pulls on a blue shirt for the first time as Carlton confirm their interest in ex-Demon Chris Johnson, Anthony Rocca commits to Collingwood for 12 months, and the betting agencies eye a slice of the AFL financial pie. more -->

GOLD COAST TEAM WORTH $34M TO TOURIST STRIP A new AFL team on the Gold Coast will lead to an additional $34 million in spending and generate an additional 121,000 visitor nights each year, according to the club. more -->

AFL WEDNESDAY: TREDREA STEPS DOWN Warren Tredrea has stepped down as Port Adelaide captain, saying he needs to focus his energies on maximising his output as a player. bUT Who will be his successor? Also, Josh Carr takes the first step towards a return to Port, Carlton firm as favorites for disgruntled ex-Demon Chris Johnson, and the Irish slam detractors of the International Rules series. more -->

EX ST KILDA ROOKIE RETURNS TO MAGPIES NEST Ed McDonnell who spent two years on St Kilda’s rookie list after representing Queensland at the U/18 National Championships in 2004 has signed with the Western Magpies for 2009 and will be a key acquisition as the Magpies prepare to compete in the State’s elite competition. Following two seasons with SANFL club Norwood the former State Level distance runner will return home to Queensland and the Western Magpies. more -->

HALL OF FAME LAUNCH A BOOMING SUCCESS AFL Queensland tonight launched the Queensland Australian Football Hall of Fame, honoring 150 players, coaches, umpires, administrators, teams and events in the game’s 150th year in front of a sell-out black tie crowd of700 at the Gabba. The 150 inaugural inductees included the 100 nominations for the Queensland Team of the Century, chosen in 2003, plus the five nominations for the Coach of the Century, and the Umpire of the Century. In addition, a further 40 have been chosen from other parts of the football family to recognise their outstanding service and contribution, and for ability, sportsmanship, integrity, commitment and character. And there were seven inaugural ‘Legends’ named to further recognise their extreme high achievement. more -->

WINNERS ANNOUNCED IN YOUTH GIRLS RAFFLE The winners for the Under 16 SEQ Youth Girls Raffle were drawn last night at the Jumper Presentation for the Flames more -->

AFL NEWS: ASHCROFT HEADING HOME Marcus Ashcroft (pictured), games record-holder with the Brisbane Lions, is set to join the new Gold Coast club as an assistant-coach. Also, Carlton drops out of the race for Ryan O'Keefe, the Lions cut Matthew Moody, Hawthorn score a new assistant-coach and more in AFL News of the Day. more -->

SHARKS SCRAPE HOME IN SUPER GRAND FINAL The indominitable spirit of Southport shone through in a crisis as the Sharks recorded a miraculous eight-point win over Morningside in a classic Velocity Sports Cup grand final at Carrara today. more -->