Embattled AFL player 'can't wait' to return to Swans

Membership is booming at one western suburbs surf club, with a new generation of young lifesavers helping drive its biggest season yet.

Sydney player Isaac Heeney says he can't wait to return to the Swans as the spectre of sexual assault allegations continues to loom over the AFL club.

Freestyle powerhouse duo Lani Pallister and Sam Short are celebrating five titles between them at the national short course championships.

Isaac Heeney won the Bob Skilton Medal for the third year in a row, as the club boss said the players involved in the Pullman Hotel scandal deserve “the presumption of innocence”.

Nic Maddinson and Sam Harper have been called into Australia's Test squad in South Africa, with the news not good for Josh Inglis and Cameron Green.

Will Ashcroft has added a Merrett-Murray Medal to his resume, pipping Brisbane Lions warhorse Josh Dunkley for the premiership club's best-and-fairest honour.

Isaac Heeney has been named Sydney's best and fairest, but he and fellow Sydney stars were notable absentees from the club's end-of-season awards night.

Trade table hostilities over Merrett coincided with Essendon’s Crichton Medal dinner on Thursday night, where the star midfielder took the top gong again.

Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth has provided some positive news on the injury status of striker Ronan Hale ahead of their home match this weekend.

A few days out from trade period, when Hawthorn are expected to recruit Zach Merrett, the Essendon star has won his seventh club best and fairest award.

Sydney Swans chairman Andrew Pridham says the club’s ‘Pullman Five’ players ‘strenuously deny the allegations’ being investigated.