The next batch of Australian football hall of fame inductees will be unveiled on June 4 and, as always, there is intrigue over who will be included in their first year of eligibility. Players who last appeared on an AFL list in 2011 can go straight in, with three appearing to be the best chances. It's an eclectic trio – two were premiership captains and two were effectively sacked from clubs.

Despite having finished his career at Sydney acrimoniously, 2005 premiership skipper Barry Hall was welcomed back when inducted into the Swans' hall of fame last year. With 289 games and 746 goals to his name, Hall has a compelling case for immediate inclusion.

Current Sydney captain Jarrad McVeigh, a former teammate of Hall's, believes Hall is a monty to receive a gong at some point. "He's been a great of the game and a premiership captain for us," McVeigh said.

"I can't see a reason why he wouldn't get in there at some point of his life."

Another spearhead looks less likely to be honoured. Brendan Fevola, who played 204 games, kicked 623 goals and has a pair of Coleman Medals, deserves to be inducted eventually but his controversial career and life suggests he will probably be overlooked initially, just like Ben Cousins and Jason Akermanis were last year.

A much-loved figure in Geelong, Cameron Ling is a one-time best and fairest, All-Australian and a premiership captain. He, too, becomes eligible this year. His resume looks relatively similar to that of former Swan Brett Kirk, who was ignored last year.

Clubs put forward their nominations for the class of 2015 late last year, with the Cats perennial picks David Clarke, Bill Eason and Peter Pianto all again in the mix. Clarke won three best and fairests in the 1970s, Eason was the first Geelong player to reach the 200-game milestone in the then VFL, while Pianto was a star rover in the Cats' back-to-back flags of 1951-52.

The usual suspects for debate, Garry Lyon (Melbourne), John Worsfold (West Coast), Trevor Barker (St Kilda), Wayne Johnston (Carlton) and Anthony Stevens (North Melbourne), all remain on the outer.

A cut above

When it comes to improvement, the Hawks continue to lead the way - whether it be innovation off the field (the use of drones, provided they don't crash) or in luring the best out-of-contract/free agent stars. While securing James Frawley and Jono O'Rourke would be considered enough of a coup, club president Andrew Newbold - tongue in cheek - has taken more delight from ... a haircut.

"Perhaps the most important change that has been made is that Ryan Schoenmakers has cut his pony tail off. Now, while that is a most welcome change for conservative blokes such as myself, I am not sure the female Hawthorn supporters are so thrilled," the dapper boss said.

Cleaning up

The "Bristle Man", Brian Taylor, has made a typically colourful return to the radio commentary box. Having left 3AW last season, Taylor is back at his old home, Triple M.

However, he wasn't overly impressed with the cleanliness of his booth's broadcast window during Monday's call of the Geelong-Hawthorn mockbuster. Taylor suggested the window had not been wiped in five years. Wonder if the window cleaners will be brought in before his next call?

Rumour mill overdrive

There's been plenty of debate about the increased use of party drugs by players. So concerned was one AFL club about rumours a key player had returned a positive test that club bosses did their own investigation. Turned out the player in question had not been tested for more than a year. "That's where the policy can fall down," a club official said. "Some players are regularly target tested, others aren't tested at all."

A shindig for Bernie

The AFL Players Association has said goodbye to its legal services consultant, Bernie Shinners. Dubbed the "Silver Fox", he had been with the PA since 2003 and had acted as a lawyer for the group from 1998 to 2002, dealing with such issues as the collective bargaining agreement and standard player contracts. Shinners' farewell was on the night of the "Essendon 34" decision, giving the PA even more reason to celebrate. It was a big week for many involved in the case, for, as we reported last week, the daughter of David Grace, QC, who had represented the players, was married.

My Blue heaven

If Carlton's results don't go as hoped this year, supporters can always turn to ... the match reports from 1995 to enliven their passion. The Blues have established a Facebook page dedicated to their last premiership season - the win over Geelong to be celebrated later this year at a special function. As part of this, reports from each round of '95 will be released during the corresponding fixture this season. It will be happy reading for the Blues - for they dropped just the two matches that year, in rounds eight and nine.

Driving the spinner

It's been a whirlwind few weeks for Fawad Ahmed.The Victorian leg-spinner took eight wickets in the Sheffield Shield final, was named Victorian shield player of the year, and was then called up for Australia's Test tours of the West Indies and England. He is a very popular member of the Bushrangers, not least because as a devout Muslim, Ahmed doesn't drink. That made him a perfect candidate to be the designated driver as the Vics recently celebrated their title.

Attack of the umpires

A quirky one from last week's St Kilda v GWS game, where the three field umpires were David Harris, Shaun Ryan and Andrew Mitchell. On paper, that reads Ryan, Harris, Mitchell. If only they had a Johnson, they could have taken the new ball for Australia.

MONEY, MONEY, MONEY

The Golden State Warriors bet on Andrew Bogut staying healthy when they signed him to a three-year $47 million extension before last season, and the Australian backed himself by taking an incentive-rich deal. Both are cashing in. Bogut will play his 65th game of the season this morning, triggering a key milestone in his new contract. His deal calls for him to earn a 15 per cent bonus — or about $1.93 million — in any season he plays at least 65 games and is named in the NBA's first or second All-Defensive Team, which is a strong possibility. The top-seeded Warriors (64- 15) are on pace to finish with the NBA's highest-rated defence for the first time in franchise history, and Bogut manning the middle might be the biggest reason why.

OH REALLY?

Worried about lapses in concentration during important tournament moments, Aussie golfer Jason Day texted 14-times major winner Tiger Woods for a solution. The answer was short and sharp: "I've never had a lapse in concentration."

NUMBERS UP

4 months until former tennis No. 1 and coach of Andy Murray, Amelie Mauresmo, who announced she was gay in 1999, is due to have a baby.

3 straight Rip Curl Pro titles at Bells Beach for Hawaiian Carissa Moore, a first for women's surfing in the professional era.

50 feet is to be the maximum size for the 2017 shrunken America's Cup contenders – as a cost-saving measure.

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