Heartbreaking as it was at the time, Sydney defender Dane Rampe feels lucky to have been overlooked by the Western Bulldogs after being invited to train with the AFL club.Rampe knows he wasnt ready for the rigours of elite football six years ago when the Bulldogs contemplated drafting him.The All Australian defender also believed he wouldnt have developed as a footballer without the sun, surf and support offered by his home town.Rampe moved to Melbourne to chase his AFL dream after finishing school but fell out of love with the game during a VFL stint with Williamstown.The 26-year-old said the turning point of his career came when he packed up his car and shifted back to Sydney.I hold no grudges against them. Im not bitter towards them for not picking me up because I wasnt ready, Rampe said.Its the best thing that ever happened to me ... had I been picked up, I wouldnt be where I am today. I dont think Id even still be on a list.Down there, it was all one thing. My life was really focused on footy ... footy doesnt define me now.Ive got an outlet to switch off with friends and family, just doing things with people that any normal person does.Rampe is one of Sydneys many rookie-list success stories who will run out on Saturday onto the MCG . In 2012, he was supporting them from the SCG stands, while dominating for UNSW-Eastern Suburbs in the local league.The 26-year-old made his debut and played 23 games in 2013, helping fill the void left by Alex Johnson. He featured in the 2014 grand final and, this season, earned his first All-Australian selection.Rampe doubts whether he would have achieved such a rapid rise at the Bulldogs or any Melbourne-based club.I dont think so. Ive got real respect for the players based in Melbourne, especially the big ones who can perform with so much scrutiny at bigger clubs, he said.Itd be a genuine challenge.Rampe, who was one of many Swans to play well below their best in the 2014 season decider, suggested hed learned some lessons from that gutting loss to Hawthorn.Its just about trying to keep a level head, appreciating whats going on this week but not getting consumed by it, he said.The main thing is the jobs not done yet. While it is an achievement in some ways to get to a granny, it means nothing if you dont win.Wed be disappointed with anything but finishing off as premiers. Colorado Rockies Pro Shop . Takahashi, who had a 10-point lead after the short program, received 268.31 points after the free skate to finish 15 points ahead of second-place Nobunari Oda. Colorado Rockies Store .com) - The Montreal Canadiens embark on their first road trip of the season as they head out west to battle the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night. https://www.cheaprockiesjerseys.us/ . General manager Jarmo Kekalainen told Aaron Portzline of The Columbus Dispatch on Friday that he wants to see Gaboriks contributions go beyond the scoresheet before considering a long-term deal for the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent. Cheap Rockies Jerseys . The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Lions have not announced the hiring, which was first reported by ESPN. Lombardi, the grandson of former Green Bay Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi, has been an offensive assistant on Sean Paytons New Orleans staff since 2007. Stitched Rockies Jerseys .J. Jefferson has been charged with assaulting his girlfriend. Star Blue open to move home?Contracted Carlton star Bryce Gibbs wants to return home to Adelaide.But in a strange twist, the 27-year-old is content remaining a Blue if a deal cant be struck.Bryces management, TLA Worldwide, has held discussions with the Crows about a possible return for the 27-year-old to his home state.The richly talented Gibbs, who has three years remaining on his contract, would provide a much-needed boost to the Crows midfield.ESPN understands Gibbs team is desperate to keep his trade ambitions under wraps, as to not disrupt relationships at Carlton headquarters, Ikon Park.TLA Worldwide says Gibbs is a required player at Carlton.Gibbs was linked to South Australian clubs in 2013 before he re-signed for a further five years at Carlton, in a deal worth about $600,000 per year.?During those negotiations, Gibbs controversially designed his own wishlist regarding the clubs future success and operations.But since signing on, the Blues have finished a dismal 13th, 18th and 14th.Its believed the opportunity to win a premiership, coupled with a potential return home, are powerful factors that have tempted Gibbs to make the move.The Crows have been linked to a number of big-name players in the past month, most recently Richmond ball magnet Dustin Martin and Brisbane captain Tom Rockliff.Meanwhile, uncontracted utility Jarryd Lyons is seriously considering rival offers, as the Crows continue to play hard ball.?Lyons has been offered a two-year deal at approximately $180,000 per year - well below the 24-year-olds expectations.Lyons is fighting for three years for added security.Melbourne offered the young gun a deal when Lyons was last out of contract at the Crows.The Demons remain interested in the 55-game player.Liberatore denies rift with Libba Jnr.Brownlow medallist and Bulldogs legend Tony Liberatore has denied he ever had a rift with son Tom following the young Dogs humiliating drunken night out when police found an ecstasy tablet in the his pocket four years ago.Tom, then 20, was found heavily intoxicated on the infamous Melbourne nightclub strip, King Street,?at 3.30am?in August, 2012.?Police came to a disorientated Toms aid and discovered he was carrying a prohibited substance.The Western Bulldogs swiftly banished Tom from the club for the rest of the season, forcing him to take up work at a construction site.After the Dogs emotional win over GWS on Saturday, Tom told The Age the incident in 2012 had affected his relationship with his father - even though the pair could be seen sharing a teary embrace in the rooms.Its good that hes finally accepted me in the family after 24 years, Tom said, jokingly.My relationship with my dad has been up and down, growing up and stuff. Just from more a parental point of view, because of what happened [in 2012].Describing the hug with his dad, Tom said: It was more of an occasion that was momentous, regardless of if it was footy or if I worked somewhere else. It was good to see that we were both just so proud and happy to share a moment that we have strived so long for.Liberatore Snr says his relationship with Tom is now as strong as its ever been.It really didnt affect us at all, Liberatore told ESPN. I think he was just a bit more embarrassed than anything else.That happened four years ago. Young players sometimes they can do the wrong thing. Its just part of growing up.Liberatore, 50, says this years Bulldogs side represents the clubs best chance of breaking its 62-year premiership drought.He rates the current team in higher regard than his 1997 side that relinquished a 31-point half-time lead over Adelaide in the preliminary final to lose by two points.That match is considered one of the great finals heists in AFL history.Theyre much better. I think they bat really deep, have a lot of talent and theres number of really good players that are underrated, Liberatore told ESPN.Thus far it would have to be (our best premiership chance). Were in it now and we have a chance to win it.Malthouse back in the coaches box?Legendary coach Mick Malthouse is being persuaded to come out of retirement to lead amateur suburban club, Beaumaris.Malthouse, who coached a record 718 matches at Footscray, West Coast, Collingwood and Carlton for three premierships, has been asked to coach the Sharks after they graduated to the Victorian Amateur Football Associations premier division.Malthouse spent last season out of the game after he was sacked from his fourth club, Carlton, halfway into his third season.The 63-year-old is undecided about making a return to coaching ranks, following a year guiding aspiring AFL players in this seasons The Recruit competition.?The Sharks senior and reserves sides won this years seniors and reserve B-grade premierships.They are the only suburban representative in the VAFAs top tier competition, which is predominantly made up of old schoolboy clubs and university-supported teams.Malthouse was this week inducted as a coaching legend at the AFL Coaches Association awards.VFL alignment key to Bulldogs riseOne take-out from the Bulldogs success this season - at least for Melbourne-based clubs such as North Melbourne - is the importance of having your own VFL team.There have been other lessons from the Dogs fairytale - such as having a talented and deep midfield, and the ability to flick the ball quickly to outside runners via lightning-quick handball (and former Scragger stars producing lots of sons) - but the decision to field their own VFL side is being seen now as crucial to their on-field development.Footscray, Collingwood, Essendon and Geelong run their own VFL teams, so the VFL coaches are in complete alignment with the AFL coaching group, the players are given much the same playing instructions in both squads and there is an integrated approach to training and player development.When reserves players are promoted to the seniors, the transition is often seamless.So for clubs such as North Melbourne, which have had asssociations with North Ballarat and Werribee in the VFL in recent years, the move to having their own Kangaroos VFL team has become a key agenda item for 2018.ddddddddddddThe Footscray VFL side plays exactly the same way as the Bulldogs AFL side; similarly the Casey Scorpions VFL side plays exactly like Melbournes AFL team, one North insider told ESPN. Its clearly the best way to develop players.On the player trade front, it is believed rumours that North would consider trading champion ruckman Todd Goldstein are way off the mark; and speculation that Nick Dal Santo is being offered a two-year deal to continue his career at Collingwood is equally ill-informed.The Kangas are looking at making an offer to wantaway Carlton defender Zach Tuohy, 26, but otherwise will embark on a serious rebuild of its list, from the ground up. This is why there is now no interest in Port Adelaides Hamish Hartlett.For the record ... It seems like it took the AFL a couple of goes to get the title right for Saturdays Grand Final.When the retail edition of the AFL Record hit the shops earlier this week, the front cover listed the game as Western Bulldogs v Sydney Swans.Apparently the protocol has always been that the winner of what is called the first preliminary final is always listed first and that was the Doggies, even though it was the second of the preliminary finals to be played last weekend.ESPN understands this rule was changed this year, but only after the Record went to print late on Saturday night, just a few hours after the Bulldogs won through.The AFL decided the team that finished higher on the ladder, and in this instance, on top of the ladder, should be listed first.So the correct assignation for Saturdays game is Sydney Swans v Western Bulldogs, which is how it will be appear on the match-day edition of the Record, which will be sold at the MCG on Saturday.So those who have already bought their retail editions are holding on to true collectors items in more ways than one.Apparently, the retail edition has a silver cover, while the MCG edition has a gold cover.One Giant partyThere was widespread jubilation and excitement at Spotless Stadium on Saturday night in the Bulldogs rooms as they celebrated their first grand final appearance in 55 years.The celebrations were loud, but quick as the Dogs switfly made their way to the airport and back to Melbourne.But as they made their way back home, another party was starting in the foyer of one of the hotels near Spotless Stadium.The Giants were understandably shattered by their narrow defeat, but within a couple of hours, the entire club - players, coaches and officials, were saluting their season at an event that had a bit of a buzz to it.And who can blame them? After five years of existence, they finished a kick away from a Grand Final. As coach Leon Cameron said after, GWS is on the march and the feeling you got as the club came together on Saturday night is that the loss to the Bulldogs will come to be regarded as a small stumble on the inevitable path to the flag.Can the Doggies make the leap?The Western Bulldogs may buckle under the pressure of breaking the AFLs longest premiership drought, says Sydneys former Grand Final hero, Leo Barry.Barry played an integral part in Sydneys 2005 premiership victory over West Coast - the clubs first in 72 years, an AFL record.Leaping Leo, who took a game-saving pack mark seconds before the final siren, says the young Bulldogs side would be acutely aware that the power to erase the clubs tortured history rests in their hands.I suppose they would be feeling some level of pressure, Barry told ESPN. Theyve come from seventh, theyve beaten some really good teams, but they probably thought they werent going to make it.They should see the game as another good challenge and shouldnt allow themselves to feel that extra weight of pressure.Theyve had a great year and probably never really been touted as a grand final contender, but to their credit their forms been sensational.Barry says his Swans teammates in 2005 didnt allow themselves to be consumed by the clubs long absence from the premiership dais.All the Swans players were fully aware of the history of the club and how long it had been since we won a premiership, he said.The main thing is not to get too wound up too early. You can get a lot of nervous energy and play the game in your mind before you run out ... 72 years is a long time to wait between premierships. Thats what really made us appreciate it a lot more talking to a lot of supporters.Barry believes the Swanss forward firepower will prove the difference in Saturdays decider.RANDOM FACTS AND FIGURES FROM THE WEEK:72 - The number of inside-50 entries Geelong had against Sydney in their preliminary final. How the Cats will rue their inefficiency up forward, their eight goals being a miserly reward for so much effort - and so poor it was almost an AFL record.Fewest goals scored after 72+ inside-50s: 7 - Port Adelaide: Rd 21, 2014 8 - Geelong: PF, 2016 11 - Essendon: Rd 11, 2012 11 - Adelaide: Rd 19, 2015Who said the bye wouldnt make a difference to how the finals panned out? Here is a list of the teams in the past 10 years to win a qualifying final and miss the grand final. It could be just a coincidence that two of the three teams happened to play in 2016, but were not convinced.2007 - 2008 - 2009 - 2010 - 2011 - 2012 - 2013 - 2014 - 2015 Fremantle 2016 Geelong / GWSPatrick Dangerfields runaway Brownlow Medal win on Monday night obscured the vote-getting talents of his sidekick at Geelong, Joel Selwood. Each season, the Cats skipper just keeps racking them up.Here are the players with most Brownlow Medal votes after their first 10 seasons: 185 - Chris Judd (WC/Carl) 168 - Joel Selwood (Geel) 144 - Keith Greig (NM) 142 - Nathan Buckley (Bris/Coll) 139 - Leigh Matthews (Haw) ' ' '