[BB] BRISBANE - Teenage Lions sensation Jared Brennan grew up wanting to be a Brisbane Bronco.

That was until he played for the Northern Territory U18s in a curtain-raiser to a Lions AFL match at the Gabba 12 months ago. His sporting heroes had been Wally Lewis, Steve Renouf and Alfie Langer. Not any more.

Now he's a hot young AFL prospect after making an extraordinary AFL debut.

Brennan caught everyone's eye last Thursday, kicking a composed goal up forward early and then being thrown on to Collingwood spearhead Chris Tarrant who he kept quiet for much of the second half.

His sparkling effort won him round-four Rising Star honours in his debut and had TV commentators and others in raptures.

Coburg upheaval

MELBOURNE - Richmond is confident its Victorian Football League affiliate Coburg can survive despite the resignation of its executive and rejects claims Coburg's proud tradition is being eroded.

In what could be a critical period for the future of affiliations between Victorian-based AFL clubs and their VFL counterparts, Richmond recently appealed for Coburg supporters to throw their support behind the VFL club.

It followed the resignation of Coburg president Peter Bacash and vice-president Tony Singarella and claims from club legend Phil Cleary that Coburg's tradition was diminishing.

Demons escape

Two Latrobe players escaped penalties at the NTFL Tribunal on Tuesday night and were cleared to play in the side's clash at Ulverstone against the Robins.

Demons playing coach Ashleigh Brown and Gavin Woodcock were cleared of charges stemming from Saturday's win against Devonport.

Brown had been charged with striking Magpies on-baller Taylor Haley but the tribunal found it was a "fair and tough" contest for the ball and not a behind-the-scenes incident. Woodcock was cleared of rough play against Devonport's Darren Banham.