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\u2018VANILLA\u2019: BEVERIDGE LAUGHS OFF SPECULATION<\/p>\n
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has laughed off speculation about Tim English\u2019s future, labelling reports of his unrest \u201chalf a scoop of vanilla\u201d.<\/p>\n
English is contracted to the Bulldogs until 2029, but Hawthorn great Jordan Lewis suggested on Fox Footy\u2019s On The Couch the All-Australian ruckman open to the trade market<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Bulldogs have proven a stronger side with English, winning seven of their nine games around his concussion this season.<\/p>\n Beveridge says the comment was from \u201cleft field\u201d to everyone at the club.<\/p>\n \u201cOld scoop Lewis! So \u2018Lewy\u2019, it\u2019s like he\u2019s gone up and given us half a scoop of vanilla,\u201d Beveridge said with a smile. \u201cIf he\u2019s going to speculate and make statements, he\u2019s got to give you the full scoop.<\/p>\n \u201cTim is contracted until the end of 2029, so a player of his ability and impact, he\u2019s secure here.<\/p>\n Tim English has had a heavy say in Bulldogs wins this year. Picture: Cameron Spencer\/Getty ImagesSource: FOX SPORTS<\/p>\n \u201cIt came out of left field for us, didn\u2019t know where it came from other than Lewy.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know who he\u2019s been talking to, but we\u2019re not sure if there\u2019s any accuracy in any of that.\u201d<\/p>\n Beveridge also denies any friction between he and English, who was used out of position in the third quarter against Adelaide last week.<\/p>\n \u201cAgain, big surprise,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cSome of the things we were talking about this morning \u2013 where we need to improve \u2013 I\u2019m having those conversations with all our players.<\/p>\n \u201cThey seem to be processing it pretty well, they\u2019re determined to improve and Tim is no different.\u201d<\/p>\n PIES COACH SAYS \u2018BATTLING\u2019 HILL A LONG WAY OFF<\/p>\n Collingwood coach Craig McRae says a \u201cbattling\u201d Bobby Hill remains a long way from playing despite taking part in training on Thursday.<\/p>\n Hill has been in and out of the Magpies\u2019 program for nearly a year, playing only a handful of VFL games since Round 21 last season.<\/p>\n The Norm Smith Medallist most recently took another portion of leave to be alongside his partner during her childbirth.<\/p>\n Hill made yet another return to training ahead of Collingwood\u2019s clash with Port Adelaide on Saturday night.<\/p>\n Bobby Hill was back on the training track on Thursday. (Photo by Daniel Pockett\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n But McRae says Hill, who is \u201cbattling, truthfully battling\u201d, will not play any form of footy this weekend.<\/p>\n \u201cI had a really good chat to Bobby this morning and over the last period,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s got a bit going on, Bobby, let\u2019s be really clear, he\u2019s got a lot going on and he\u2019s a work in progress.<\/p>\n \u201cBut it\u2019s nice to have him here\u2026 I think he\u2019s a long way away from playing footy at the moment, we\u2019re conscious of that.<\/p>\n \u201cAgain, when he\u2019s in our building at least we get some opportunities to make him feel loved and appreciated.\u201d<\/p>\n The Magpies have been stoic in their support for Hill, even when his recall was the topic of preliminary final week last season.<\/p>\n McRae says the love for Hill will \u201cnever waver\u201d and wants to be a safe space for all of his players.<\/p>\n Bobby Hill has played only a half of senior footy since Round 15 last year (Photo by Daniel Pockett\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m chatting to him yesterday, we have really deep conversations about this stuff,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cRegardless of whatever happens in life, there\u2019s a level of love and care. These young men, in my eyes, are my sons and I want them to feel like that.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to be a father figure for him, to some degree, and set him up to be a good husband, dad and other parts.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of work being done behind the scenes<\/p>\n ROOS STAR WARNED BY AFL AFTER \u2018LAUGHABLE\u2019 INSTA POST<\/p>\n North Melbourne midfielder Jy Simpkin has reportedly received a warning from the AFL after labelling the league and Match Review Officer \u201claughable\u201d following teammate Paul Curtis\u2019 suspension.<\/p>\n The Kangaroos\u2019 bid to overturn Curtis\u2019 three-game tackle ban at the tribunal failed on Tuesday night<\/a>, with the goalkicker to miss matches against Richmond, Essendon and Port Adelaide.<\/p>\n In the wake of Curtis\u2019 suspension being upheld, Simpkin used his Instagram platform to voice his frustration.<\/p>\n AFL Tribunal upholds Curtis ban | 01:46<\/p>\n \u201cThe AFL needs to get it together, the constant rule changes and the MRO is laughable,\u201d Simpkin wrote in a story caption posted to his Instagram account.<\/p>\n \u201cPlayers don\u2019t know what they can and can\u2019t do anymore. Just hope for the best each week.\u201d<\/p>\n Simpkin also compared Curtis\u2019 tackle \u2013 which left Eagle Hamish Davis concussed \u2013 to one laid by Hawthorn\u2019s Mabior Chol, who wasn\u2019t suspended despite Cats star Tom Stewart being concussed as a result of the tackle.<\/p>\n AFL Media<\/a> on Wednesday reported<\/a> the league had spoken with the Kangaroos to address the comments from Simpkin, who was also given him a warning.<\/p>\n It comes after AFL football operations boss Greg Swann spoke to Damien Hardwick earlier this week about the Gold Coast coach\u2019s umpire comments following his side\u2019s loss to Geelong.<\/p>\n \u2018REALLY ONLY A THIRD-YEAR PLAYER\u2019: SAINTS BACK PHILLIPOU<\/p>\n St Kilda football boss Lenny Hayes has defended Mattaes Phillipou\u2019s fluctuating form, saying the highly-touted midfielder was essentially a \u201cthird-year player who is still developing his craft\u201d.<\/p>\n