Bugg’s time up at Dees

Pedersen joins controversial utility in departing

TOMAS Bugg’s eventful stint with Melbourne is over, the fiery utility one of five players delisted by the AFL club yesterday.

Bugg fell out of favour with coach Simon Goodwin, managing only three games this season after last year’s sixmatch suspension for punching Sydney’s Callum Mills.

The Swans star was concussed in the off-the-ball hit at the MCG that drew widespread condemnation.

Bugg did not play again last season and played his last match for the Demons in Round 4 this year.

He courted controversy last year when he taunted Western Bulldogs playmaker Jason Johannisen in a social media post ahead of their Round 13 clash. Bugg played 65 games in four seasons with GWS before switching to Melbourne, where he played a further 31.

“Thanks for a special 3 years Melbourne,” the 25-year-old tweeted before the official announcement was made.

Cam Pedersen, Pat McKenna, Mitch King and rookie Lochie Filipovic were also delisted, joining Bernie Vince and Harley Balic in departing. Pedersen, 31, played 80 AFL games with North Melbourne and the Demons. MEANWHILE Peter Bell hopes to bring a calm and relaxing influence to Fremantle after being appointed as the club’s new general manager of football.

Bell, a three-time Doig Medallist and life member at Fremantle, will replace outgoing football operations manager Chris Bond.

In other news, Carlton and Gold Coast did not get the priority draft picks they were after but they did get first crack at the best players in state leagues across the country.

The AFL Commission confirmed yesterday that it would not grant the special assistance submissions made by the Blues and Suns, as well as St Kilda and Brisbane Lions.

Gold Coast, which finished 17th, will get the most help, with wooden-spooner Carlton also given a leg up this off-season. The Saints and Lions, 16th and 15th, walked away emptyhanded.