Infos & Interessantes » Conner smiled.Probably some more records, h

Melbourne have set themselves for a mini-season as they prepare to mount a late charge for an AFL finals berth.The Demons emerge from their bye with a tough encounter against sixth-placed Adelaide at the MCG on Sunday.Melbourne, currently 10th, are one of five sides with 6-7 win-loss records who sit two games outside the eight and cant afford any slip-ups with nine home-and-away games remaining.Its huge ... we only spoke about it (this week) about these nine games being almost like a mini-season for us, Melbourne midfielder Bernie Vince said on Wednesday.We need to beat a lot of teams in the eight in these next nine weeks, but the Crows and West Coast (currently eighth) and those teams around the sixth to 11th range on the ladder are really important to win.Its like a double win or an eight-point game, but you cant just be looking at them either - weve got to plan to beat everyone we play.Vince played 129 games for the Crows before he was traded to Melbourne after the 2013 season.The Demons will take on Adelaide a year to the day after former coach Phil Walsh was tragically killed.Its a big game playing against your old team, but being the anniversary (of Walshs passing), they want to handle it pretty privately, speaking to a few of the guys, he said.Im sure theyll be trying to get up for him to win.Well be preparing for their best ... we do that with every team. 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PITTSBURGH -- James Conner has big plans for this weekend, and it has nothing to do with saying goodbye.Thanksgiving marks the 1-year anniversary of the cancer diagnosis that threatened the Pittsburgh running backs career, one that kickstarted his remarkable comeback and turned Conner into an inspirational figure for others in the same fight.Conner -- fully healthy and showing extended flashes of the raw brilliance that made him the ACC Player of the Year in 2014 -- will celebrate the milestone with a massive family meal sometime after the Panthers wrap up the regular season against Syracuse on Saturday at Heinz Field.Its going to be a good holiday this year, Conner said Tuesday.Whether its his last as a college player, Conner isnt saying. Any decision on whether to return for a redshirt senior season next fall wont come until after Pitts bowl game. Conner stressed he wants to make the smartest choice. He also doesnt want to be a distraction to the 19 teammates who will run through tunnel at home for the final time, most of whom arrived at Pitt alongside Conner in 2013.Im just going to sit back and enjoy their special moment, Conner said.Conner anticipated being in this situation a year ago. Then he tore the MCL in his right knee in the 2015 season opener against Youngstown State. A hastily arranged press conference the first week of December -- which most expected to be Conner announcing he was heading to the NFL -- instead turned into the disclosure that he was battling Hodgkin Lymphoma.Months of chemotherapy followed. Conner put his challenge out there for all to see, joining his teammates for workouts and doing outreach to other cancer patients looking for someone to lean on. Yes, its not something he ever imagined hed be doing around his 21st birthday. It hardly seems to bother him.Its all positive energy, he said. If you see a young kid in a sad situation, you feel for him and me personally because I can relate to it.And overcome it, too. After a sluggish start this fall in which he seemed intent on trying to turn every touch into something spectacular instead of just doing what hes always done -- namely, keeping his legs and arms churning with a ferocity few in the country can match -- Conner has relaxed in recent weeks.dddddddddddd Hes gone over 100 yards in three of Pitts last four games, and his two 1-yard scoring runs in last weeks 56-14 thrashing of Duke made him the all-time leading touchdown maker (53) in Atlantic Coast Conference history.Heady territory for a kid who attended a football camp at Pitt as a defensive end prospect before getting recruited as a running back. His 6-foot-2, 240-pound frame seems tailor-made for the NFL. Yet his winding journey has also altered his perspective. Hes no longer in such a hurry to get to the next thing.You cant look too far ahead, Conner said. I dont even look a week ahead because, especially me, you dont know whats going to pop up.Asked how he would benefit from another year in college, Conner smiled.Probably some more records, he said. I dont know if I came back, just add to the legacy. I hope they retire No. 24 one day. Thats a goal of mine.One thats probably already secure either way. While offensive coordinator Matt Canada hopes to have Conner around next fall, he understands if Conner moves on. One look at the way Conner is playing, including a stiff-arm during a 20-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter two weeks ago against Clemson that helped Pitt rally for a 43-42 upset, he certainly looks pro-ready.Why should people want to tackle James? Pitt offensive coordinator Matt Canada said. Theres not many people that want to tackle James Conner.Its why even with a running back draft class that could include LSUs Leonard Fournette, Georgias Nick Chubb and Florida States Dalvin Cook, Conner likes his chances if he opts to move on to the next phase of his life sooner rather than later.I like to think Im pretty talented, too, he said. I just focus on me and do what I can and hope I get the opportunity.---More AP college football at www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25. ' ' '