AFL News for the week ending April 30, 2023: Albo stumps up Tassie cash, King Curnow's nine and Terrific Toby
Hobart stadium: Build it and they will come
The biggest news of the AFL week was Saturday's announcement of the $240m federal funding for a new Hobart stadium.
While talk of this having been a done deal had been doing the rounds for weeks, if not months, Australian prime minister, Anthony Albanese, sealed the deal in Hobart - and effectively (most likely) sealed the fate of whether or not there will be a 19th team in Tasmania.
The news was mostly met with hurrahs from supporters of "project Tasmania", although it has not been without its detractors, with high-profile types like independent Tasmanian MP Andrew Wilkie and writer Richard Flanagan unhappy about such a large sum being spent when it could be diverted to more pressing societal needs.
It is believed that enough AFL club heads are behind the Tassie expansion side and this announcement will possibly bring some more across, meaning this week we can expect an announcement from Gil and head office about what this will look like.
Not far on its heels may also be the announcement about Gil's successor as head of the AFL, although some media pundits, such as Eddie McGuire, have hinted he may stay on longer.
Charlie is 'king of the kicks' with a record nine goals
To say Charlie Curnow and his Blues had a "good night at the office" might be a massive understatement after they thumped a bedraggled West Coast by108 points.
And Charlie Curnow's boot was responsible for almost half of that winning score, kicking nine goals three in a brilliant display that was a personal best for the forward.
Hawthorn supporters also benefitted from this dominant display by Charlie - after the Hawk's valiant defeat earlier in the day to a determined Doggies who did it all to eke out a win for star Marcus Bontempelli's 200th game, they found themselves jumping a spot on the ladder given the massive percentage hit the Eagles took due to the thumping loss.
And West Coast fans? They must surely be scratching their heads and wondering how long Adam Simpson can carry on in the role if their team doesn't start to show something more than we've seen far this season.
Terrific Toby takes the Battle of the Bridge
Toby Greene has his fair share of detractors for some of his on-ground antics (and suspensions) over his career, but even those who like him least must marvel at what he can do when at his best.
Yesterday's last gasp goal to get the Giants up by a point with less than a minute to go must rank among his best.
A see-sawing match, with both sides looking like they might run away with the game at different times, ended up drifting the way of the Swans in the last quarter when they were clear of the Giants by four goals.
But, like most of these derby-like games, it ain't over til it's over, and this Battle of the Bridge saw the Giants pare back the lead to within a kick against a Swans who just seemed to stop.
Heavy cred to the Giants for grinding it out and keeping their season alive - but for the Swans, it raises more questions about the Grand Final hangover and how it seems to be hampering their 2023 season.