aid after Sundays loss that his confidence isnt shaken, has been

The Western Bulldogs breakthrough AFL success hasnt changed Gillon McLachlans approach to the pre-finals bye round, which will be back next season.The controversial weekend off will be retained in the 2017 draw, despite every senior coach wanting a reversion to the regular fixture.The Bulldogs were undoubtedly helped by the break, using it to regroup and leap from seventh to the premiership.In contrast, the extra weeks break hurt the two qualifying final winners - GWS Giants and Geelong - who played just two matches in four weeks leading up to their preliminary finals, which both sides lost.In making the unpopular call, AFL House leaned heavily on two figures; television audiences and crowds.Record viewing figures for round one of the finals delighted broadcasters Seven Network and Fox Sports and convinced McLachlan to retain the measure.The four matches had 6.4 million Australians watching, beating the record figure of 6.04 million in 2006.In total, the nine finals matches drew a consolidated audience of 18.4 million people, also a new record.Total crowds also grew on last year, with 558,342 attending the finals despite Spotless Stadium hosting just 21,790 people for the most poorly-attended preliminary final of the modern era.McLachlan said the break built in a integrity measure, and he was keen to add other events alongside the womens all-star match and a charity match between the final round of fixtures and the opening week of the finals.It is the AFLs view that the greater build-up for fans of all sides competing in the finals strongly contributed to a brilliant month for the game across September, with the best players being able to be as fit and well-prepared as possible for the most important games of the season, he said.The AFL was able to give a greater focus to both the womens all-star game and our retired legends through the EJ Whitten match.Our key awards - such as All Australian selection and the Ron Evans Medal for the Rising Star - also received greater prominence.The decision to retain this week off for the elite players to prepare for the finals can also be used by all other levels of the game below the AFL to raise the profile of all state league competitions across that weekend, along with metropolitan, regional and community football.The 2017 AFL draw is expected to be released in the next fortnight. 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He says so-called TRT is only one problem and he wants to go even further than the ban. "Its about time," St-Pierre told reporters at a promotional event in Montreal on Friday. "I think its a good thing. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Quarterback Blake Bortles hasnt played well this season, but the Jacksonville Jaguars are sticking with the player they drafted third overall in 2014.Coach Gus Bradley said Monday -- a day after his struggling quarterback played one of his worst games of the season in a loss to Oakland -- that hes not considering benching Bortles for Chad Henne or rookie Brandon Allen.I firmly, firmly believe in Blake Bortles, Bradley said. Without a doubt. I think it was a challenging day yesterday about some of the situations we were in, but as far as the competitor ... and what he brings to this team, there is no doubt [about Bortles].Bortles completed 23 of 43 passes for 246 yards and one touchdown with two interceptions in the Jaguars 33-16 loss to the Raiders at EverBank Field.One of those interceptions came when he threw into triple coverage in the end zone on the Jaguars second possession of the game. Bortles also was intercepted late in the fourth quarter when a low throw bounced off Allen Robinsons hands and Raiders safety Reggie Nelson grabbed the ball before it hit the ground.That was Bortles ninth interception of the season, which is tied with Jameis Winston for the third most in the NFL this season.What happened against the Raiders has been happening all season. Bortles looks nothing like the quarterback who set franchise records in passing yards (4,428) and passing touchdowns (35) in 2015. His mechanics are sloppier, his long windup looks like it did when he was a rookie before he spent an offseason working with thrrowing coach Tom House, and hes holding the ball too low (a big reason for two fumbles).ddddddddddddHe also hasnt improved his accuracy. Hes completing less than 60 percent of his passes and hes off target on too many easy throws. Bortles has thrown nine touchdown passes and nine interceptions and has 11 turnovers in six games. Plus, he also is the NFLs worst third-down passer: 49.2 percent completions, one touchdown, six interceptions and a 9.0 QBR.Bortles, who said after Sundays loss that his confidence isnt shaken, has been victimized by drops this season, including two balls that bounced off Robinsons hands that were intercepted (the first came in the end zone against Chicago in Week 6).Robinson said benching Bortles would be ridiculous, and the coach is not happy to hear Bortles being booed the way he was on Sunday at EverBank Field.When you hear the atmosphere of when we step out on the field, when we go to punt or before halftime when Blake takes a knee and you hear the booing, its kind of funny to me, Robinson said. Its funny that we get our best home-field advantage when we go to Wembley [Stadium].At the end of the day, it is what it is. People from the outside are going to make their opinions. Again, as an offense were struggling. Not just Blake struggling. Not just I am struggling. As a whole, were struggling. This is a team thing. At the end of that people are going to say what they want to say. ' ' '