ANDREW McLEOD RETIRES

What a champ. Called it quits today after 340 mostly brilliant games for Adelaide.Three-time club champion and dual All Australian, the accolade we like best is this - dual Norm Smith medalist in 1997 and 1998. McLeod was a big-game performer, rarely letting the Crows down when it mattered, which is why, of the raft of retirements at the Crows over the course of this season, his loss will be the most keenly felt. And as the patron saint of the league's indigenous playing community, he will leave a massive void in that area of the game as well. Must still count his blessings he never made it to Fremantle.

PAUL HASLEBY RETIRES

Slow as treacle and not a particularly brilliant kick, the Freo midfielder borrowed from the same Greg Williams recipe book as Sam Mitchell - get the ball so many times that you become invaluable to your side. Hasleby won 30 touches on debut in his first game and earned the AFL Rising Star in his first season. The shame for Hasleby is that he played in mainly crap teams for the Dockers and that he won't be around for the good times around the corner. But he's smart enough to have seen the writing on the wall and to get out before being phased out. His CV screams 'coaching material'. Head east, young man.

BRAD MILLER MOVING ON

Miller tweeted today that he's leaving the Demons. Whether he's retiring is not clear, but he was a hard-working centre half-forward, who the term 'blue-collar' seemed to fit nicely. He played 133 games for the Demons in 10 seasons and given his Queensland roots, could do worse than hold down a key position for the Suns next season. Might have the best looking better-half of any AFL player. Daniel Bell and skipper James McDonald have also been tapped on the shoulder as the Department of Youth prepares to take over once and for all at Melbourne.

BULLDOGS CRUMBLE

Cooney out with a hamstring for the season, Brad Johnson (achilles) and Dale Morris (shoulder) to miss two matches. If ever the likes of Daniel Giansiracusa, Daniel Cross, Rob Murphy and Mitch Hahn need to stand up, it is now. The pre-season flag favourites are looking at a straight-sets finals exit unless they discover some form and confidence, and Cooney, the team's best player is a massive loss.

JAMES PODSIADLY GETS WEEKS

Two if he takes the early plea and three if he contests and loses. If he misses the two and the Cats win their first final, then Mark Thompson faces a huge selection decision ahead of a preliminary final. Podsiadly won't have played in nearly a month, so while Tom Hawkins has underwhelmed for much of the season, he will have the requisite match-conditioning. The kid from Melbourne Grammar might just have caught a lucky break.

... SO DOES LEIGH BROWN

The Magpie swingman will miss a week because of suspension meaning Collingwood will likely bring Josh Fraser back for what will be his 200th game. And probably his last for the club.

LUKE HODGE, BONE BRUISING

No major damage, just bruising on the bone. While a home final is still a chance for the Hawks, albeit a remote one, you would think their spiritual, if not official, leader, might be best sitting out against the Pies this week in order to be right for that first final.