Hawk cops three-game ban

DANIEL Howe’s AFL season could be over after the AFL tribunal banned the Hawthorn utility for three matches for tripping Carlton’s Zac Fisher, breaking his leg.

But he’ll miss a total of five matches following a two-match striking ban that also came out of Sunday’s win against the Blues.

It means the only way Howe can play again this season is if the eighth-placed Hawks make the finals.

RICHMOND has become the first sporting club in Australia to reach 100,000 members. Tigers full forward Jack Riewoldt delivered news of the historic milestone to the rest of the excited Tigers playing group yesterday, with the club confirming their membership is at 100,063.

Richmond smashed its previous record of 75,777 in February, more than a month before Round 1, following its first premiership in 37 years. Collingwood set the AFL record in 2014 by reaching 80,793, but the Magpies haven’t released their figure this year and a number isn’t visible on their website.

Adelaide has the second biggest membership base in the AFL after announcing in April they had 82,699.

Hawthorn passed 80,000 members on Monday for the first time, while Essendon’s tally stands at 78,562.

Richmond’s figure monsters the top clubs in the NRL, with the Brisbane Broncos leading the charge there with 35,527 members followed by South Sydney (29,056). The ALeague’s leading club last season was Melbourne Victory as the champions notched up 26,095 members.

ADELAIDE Crows captain Taylor Walker has defended former teammates Bernie Vince and Patrick Dangerfield after they were condemned for having a laugh together on the field in the aftermath of Geelong’s dramatic after-the-siren win against Melbourne on Saturday night.

Hawthorn legend Dermott Brereton has led the charge in whacking former Crow turned Demon Vince, saying he should “show a respect to the game, show a respect to your opponent, get off and socialise somewhere else”, after Melbourne lost the unlosable game in Geelong. Walker said he appreciated how it could be a bad look, but said fans needed some context.

“Apparently that’s not allowed. Two blokes who have had a friendship and mateship for over 10 years?” Walker said when quizzed on the matter by Triple M breakfast host Chris Dittmar. “Do you know what the context is? I think you need to find out what they said.

“From siren to siren, it’s blood, sweat, tears, go to war. But after the game, shake hands. Don’t take it too seriously.”