Crows in fight for Trigg to keep job

Adelaide Crows are keen for chief executive Steven Trigg to keep his job. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: adelaidenow

ADELAIDE will fight for chief executive Steven Trigg to keep his job as it prepares to face the AFL Commission over alleged salary draft breaches and draft tampering involving Kurt Tippett's contract from 2009-2012.

There is widespread speculation in the football fraternity that both Trigg and football operations manager Phil Harper's positions will be in jeopardy once the commission hands down its findings from its hearing this Friday.

At the heart of the matter is Trigg's alleged involvement in setting up and maintaining third-party deals with Tippett - which goes against AFL player regulations.

There is also believed to have been an understanding between the club and the Tippett camp that he would be released to the club of his choice at the end of his contract, which contravenes draft rules.

The Sunday Mail understands Tippett's various commercial arrangements were signed off by the AFL and did not break the salary cap.

Crows chairman Rob Chapman, one of the country's leading bankers, yesterday told the Sunday Mail the club would fight for its chief executive rather than lop his head as another gesture of goodwill.

"The players, the sponsors and the chairman all want him to stay," Chapman said yesterday. "My task, or my focus over the next week, is to make sure the punishment fits the crime.

"The fact is that he (Trigg) is an excellent chief executive with a good track record."

In last week's national draft, the club voluntarily forfeited its first two selections as a gesture of goodwill - which can also be read as an admission of guilt, even though nobody is prepared to say it - and the move was praised by AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson.

But the club will not offer up Trigg as a sacrificial lamb, despite the obvious message that would be sent if the chief executive had to resign because of the Tippett crisis.

Deliberations between the Crows' accused - who have amassed 11 charges by the AFL Commission - and the league are continuing on a daily basis, with most of those involved working 12-hour days.

The Sunday Mail understands it has now become a negotiation between the Crows and their lawyers and Anderson's and the AFL's lawyers - trying to find a reasonable punishment for the Crows' transgressions of the AFL player rules.

It is believed the punishment will be a fine of about $500,000 and restricted access to the next two or three national drafts. It could be as bad as four years of restrictions, but the Crows are pushing to have their limitations on draft access reduced to two years.

From here, there will be continued negotiation between the Crows and their lawyers and Anderson's office and his lawyers.

Adelaide found support yesterday in Malcolm Blight, its dual premiership coach, who said the Crows had broken a rule rather than the law.

"They've almost got a perfect record," Blight said. "I mean no one's perfect, we all know that, but it's a blip. It's a mistake, no doubt about that."

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Crows face a decade of pain

Carlton football administrator Shane O'Sullivan, right, with former coach Brett Ratten. Picture: Michael Klein. Source: Herald Sun

ADELAIDE'S punishment from the AFL Commission for salary cap breaches and draft tampering could sting for as long as a decade.

The club is in good shape right now, ready to challenge for the finals in the next few seasons.

But if it is sanctioned as heavily as Carlton was in 2002 for salary cap breaches - under-the-table payments to Craig Bradley, Stephen Silvagni, Stephen O'Reilly and Fraser Brown - it may take 10 years to recover, Carlton football administrator Shane O'Sullivan says.

The warning comes as Crows chairman Rob Chapman, who was praised by the AFL for conceding the club's first two selections in the national draft last week, said he would strongly go in to bat for chief executive Steven Trigg.

Chapman said he hoped Trigg would not lose his position over the mistakes and rule breaches the Crows committed in its contract with key forward Kurt Tippett in 2009.

O'Sullivan, speaking to the Sunday Mail from the US, said he felt for the Crows and estimated it had taken the Blues, traditionally a strong Victorian club, 10 years to recover from their loss of draft picks in 2002 and 2003 and a fine of close to $1 million.

"It's probably taken us about 10 years to sort of recover, really," O'Sullivan said.

"When you lose your draft picks and you're fined and all those sort of things.

"I guess it all depends on what they (the Crows) get, really.

"When you can't participate in the draft it really does (hurt). These days, at least everybody in the first round is going to get a good player.

"So it really does hurt you in the long run. I feel for them but that's the way things are going these days."

O'Sullivan said it took a few years for Carlton to realise the magnitude of the sentence the club had received for its indiscretions.

It also made former North Melbourne coach Denis Pagan's tenure at Princes Park a living nightmare.

"I suppose about two or three years in ... it really didn't take long," O'Sullivan said.

"We were sort of in that stage where we needed to rebuild anyway.

"All poor Denis Pagan had to do was get some players from other clubs and we were just picking in the 100s, which made selections really tough.

"I suppose the good thing (for Adelaide) is that they've been up and about for a while now so it's not too bad."

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Tim's time to shine at the Suns

Tim Sumner, right, is congratulated by brothers Daniel and Byron after being drafted by the Gold Coast Suns. Picture: Campbell Brodie. Source: Sunday Mail (SA)

THE three Sumner brothers - Byron, Daniel and Tim - sit nervously on their stools in the front bar of the Midway Tavern in Elizabeth Downs.

It's AFL Draft night and the boys have gathered at the pub where Byron's girlfriend pours beers to watch the broadcast from the Gold Coast.

Byron, the eldest at 21, looks the most calm. He's been through this process before, having been drafted by Sydney in 2009.

He was delisted after two years but after a brilliant season for Woodville-West Torrens in the SANFL is a chance of being picked up again, although probably not tonight.

"My manager has said that the rookie draft is my best bet," Byron says. "He said maybe to the Crows."

Byron, who last week moved into a rental property in Para Hills, signing a three-month lease, likes the idea of staying local.

To his left sits the youngest of the three, Tim.

He's just turned 18 and is looking to cap a remarkable rise in the game by finding his way on to an AFL list. Just 12 months ago he was playing division five amateur football at Woodville South.

But he joined Byron at the Eagles this season and played well enough to earn a spot in the state under-18 team and later made his league debut. It's on his shoulders the weight of expectation rests tonight.

THE NERVOUS WAIT

"Timmy's 100 per cent going," Byron says. "It's just a matter of finding out where."

Daniel, 19, was also a talented footballer but broke his ankle in an under-18s trial with the Eagles last year.

There were problems with his surgery and he ended up being off his feet for nine months.

He says he's lost interest in the game and now has other things to worry about, such as his first-born son Cruz, named after recently delisted North Melbourne player Cruize Garlett.

But he's just as nervous as Tim, knowing how much it would mean to his younger brother to play in the AFL.

While they're waiting for the start of the broadcast the boys play pool and try to keep their mind off things.

The conversation flows from Anthony Mundine: "He's too cocky," Byron says. To Liam Jurrah: "He's in Adelaide," Daniel says. "I've seen people uploading photos with him on Facebook. He's carrying a bit of a gut on him."

Daniel and Byron - who the boys call BD ("His middle name is Dean, so it's BD for Byron Dean, but he likes to tell girls it stands for something else," Tim says) - start planning how they're going to celebrate when Tim's name is called out.

"I'm throwing this drink straight on you, I don't care," Daniel says.

"We'll all just pile on to him," Byron suggests.

Tim, who is coming off a sleepless night, ignores the banter. Soon it's time for the draft. Tim, who has a different biological father to his brothers and is much taller, isn't expecting to go until late in the draft but he still watches intently.

Two of his teammates at the Eagles - Jimmy Toumpas and Matt McDononough - go in the first two rounds.

A commercial break nearly sends Byron over the edge.

"I hate how they have these ad breaks, I just want to know where my bro's going," he says.

Byron and Daniel try to guess where Tim will go but they keep changing their mind. Daniel thinks Sydney at pick 46 or Essendon at 51.

Byron has had a strange feeling Tim will go at the same number he was drafted to Sydney two years ago - 54. That would mean Carlton.

THE BIG MOMENT

He's out by one.

The boys erupt as Tim's name flashes on the screen underneath the colours of the Gold Coast Suns.

Daniel grabs for Tim's head. Byron plants a kiss on his cheek. Tim is stunned.

And then the phone calls start. First it's his uncle. Then his manager. Then a cousin. A welfare manager from the Gold Coast is the next to get through. In the chaos, Tim doesn't even catch his name.

The overwhelmed youngster takes all the calls outside because the pub is noisy. Byron and Daniel sit on their stools, not really knowing what to do.

"I feel like crying but at the same time I want to smash his phone," Daniel says. "I'm not going to the airport. I don't like crying in front of people."

Byron: "Our brother plays for the Gold Coast Suns. Can you believe it?"

Tim returns. The text messages are flying in thick. An aunty. Teammate Luke Dunstan. Eagles talent manager Shane Grimm. Another cousin. Gold Coast defender Nathan Bock. All offering their congratulations.

REALITY SETS IN

After a couple of minutes the boys settle and let the news soak in.

"You're playing with Gary Ablett," Daniel cries.

"You wait for the Facebook statuses next week. Just walking down the beach  ... with Gary Ablett. Just up on the Gold Coast  ... with Gary Ablett."

Byron is so excited for his brother that he barely notices when Essendon takes Sean Gregory with the last live pick in the draft.

He'll have to wait until the rookie draft on December 11 now, but that's the last thing on his mind as the boys pile into a car and head for their uncle's.

In the car, Tim's phone keeps ringing. Derek Kickett, who is connected to Tim's management, calls. The boys are in good spirits now.

When Tim's manager rings again Byron picks up, pretending to be Tim. After a while he hands the phone to Daniel, who continues the act.

They go back and forward a couple of times until the joke wears thin and Tim grabs the phone. As he begins to talk, the line drops out.

There's family and friends gathered on the front lawn and a cheer goes up as Tim walks in. The boys' grandfather, Dean, who raised them and in Daniel's opinion is the reason for his brothers' success, tells Tim he's going to be a star.

"You'll be playing NAB Cup straight away," he says. Dean begins telling stories about how he raised the boys with discipline. How he'd meet them at the front door if they were looking to go out the night before training.

"I'm waking you up at 6am and if you talk back I'll wake you up at 5am," he would say.

The screen of Tim's phone continues to light up with Facebook notifications. Within 24 hours he'll have 171 wall posts, 34 friend requests and 62 messages.

A girl who had failed to accept a friend request he'd sent six months ago suddenly obliges.

It's a strange reinforcement of how much his life has changed tonight.

Daniel jokes about wanting Gold Coast training gear sent back within a week. Then he decides he's going to "ring the Gold Coast council" and ask for a job so he can move up with his brother.

Hard work ahead

Tim is working overtime to stay level-headed. He knows how much hard work is ahead of him and after seeing what happened to Byron, knows it could all be over before he knows it.

But tonight is a celebration and, as a replay of a game between Gold Coast and Fremantle begins on the television, Tim can't help but smile.

jai-bednall@news.com.au

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Dons to draft delisted Prismall

Brent Prismall trains with the Bombers at Windy Hill. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON has confirmed it will take delisted midfielder Brent Prismall if he remains available in next month's pre-season draft.

The injury-hit Prismall has been told by the club that he will be granted a reprieve on December 11.

It came after the Bombers passed on their final selection in Thursday night's national draft, leaving one slot available for the pre-season draft.

Coach James Hird has assured Prismall that the pick will be used on him if he is available.

Exclusive Pick Me video of Dons draftee Joe Daniher

"We passed on one of our picks and we have a pre-season pick," Hird told the club's website.

"We are under no illusion that if Brent is there then we will definitely be picking him. That is something we are still looking at."

Prismall has been training with Essendon in the hope of securing another chance.

The 26-year-old has had little luck with injury, managing only 61 AFL matches with Geelong and Essendon.

Meanwhile, the Bombers have announced a trading profit of $401,429.

As a result of funds received for the development of the high performance centre at Melbourne Airport of $11.9 million, the club has recorded an overall operating profit of $12.3 million.

"The Flight Plan fundraising for the new High Performance Centre has made steady progress this year securing nearly $19 million of the $25.7 million project cost," Essendon chief executive Ian Robson said.

"We are confident our strong financial position will allow the club to pay down the shortfall as quickly as possible, aiming to be debt-free by 2015."

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O'Meara leads rising pack

Jaeger O'Meara is favourite for the rising star. Picture: Gosling Richard Source: Gold Coast Bulletin

JAEGER O'Meara's year in the AFL system is a key reason he is the early favourite to win next year's Rising Star award.

Gold Coast's O'Meara is at $7 with Eskander's Betstar, from Thursday night's No.1 draft pick Lachie Whitfield ($12) and Adelaide's Brad Couch and Melbourne's Jack Viney (both $13).

"We can't help but think that the likes of O'Meara, Couch, Viney and Daniher will benefit from the additional time spent working with their new AFL clubs," Betstar's Alan Eskander said.

BELOW: See the full market

O'Meara and Couch were taken in last year's mini-draft and have had 12 months at their clubs, while Viney and Daniher have also been under AFL tutelage through their clubs' father-son academies.

Last year's No.1 draft pick Jonathan Patton is at $21 after playing four games in his debut season.

"Last year there was good specking for Tom Mitchell, son of former champion Barry," Eskander said.

"He is eligible for next year's award and expect him to again be supported at $21."

Greater Western Sydney had five of the top seven players in Rising Star betting markets this time last year, with eventual winner Daniel Talia opening at $81.

2013 AFL RISING STAR

$7 Jaeger O'Meara (GC)
$12 Lachie Whitfield (GWS) Exclusive video of Whitfield in action
$13 Brad Crouch (Ade)
$17 Jimmy Toumpas (Mel)
$17 Ollie Wines (Port) Exclusive video of Wines in action
$21 Jake Stringer (Dogs)
$21 Joe Daniher (Dons) Exclusive video of Daniher in action
$21 Jon Patton (GWS)
$21 Lachie Plowman (GWS) Exclusive video of Plowman in action
$21 Tom Mitchell (Syd)
$26 Ben Kennedy (Coll)
$26 Dom Tyson (GWS)
$31 Jackson Macrae (Dogs) Exclusive video of Macrae in action
$31 Jono O'Rourke (GWS) Exclusive video of O'Rourke in action
$31 Jesse Lonergan (GC)
$31 Troy Menzel (Carl)
$31 Will Hoskin-Elliot (GWS)

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Buddy not going anywhere

Buddy will stay a Hawk, his manager says. Source: Herald Sun

LANCE Franklin will resist the lucrative offers of rival AFL suitors by committing long-term to Hawthorn, according to his manager Liam Pickering.

Pickering insisted that Franklin, who comes out of contract at the end of next season, wanted to stay with the Hawks well beyond 2013.

"We'll get it done with Hawthorn, don't even worry about that," Pickering said on SEN yesterday.

"There is no need to test the free agency market with Lance Franklin.

The Brian Lake trade has handed the Dogs the next Sam Mitchell

"Let's be honest, every club would want Buddy. But he will stay with Hawthorn. It will all be sorted."

When asked if he believed Franklin wanted to remain a one-club player - as the champion forward has long suggested - Pickering said: "I would assume so, yes."

Fremantle ruled itself out of chasing Franklin this week, baulking at a massive offer that would be needed to tempt the one-time West Australian.

Franklin, 25, becomes a restricted free agent at the end of next season.

But Hawthorn has stated one of its priorities before the start of next season is to secure Franklin on a new long-term deal to ensure it is not a distraction.

Hawks chief executive Stuart Fox confirmed this after the Grand Final loss to Sydney.

"Once everyone has a break, we will get back into it and we will have a good look at it (Franklin's contract)," Fox said in late September.

SuperFooty Draft Tracker: See who your club snared

Asked whether he wanted to have it done before Hawthorn's first game next year, he said: "Absolutely."

Fox said the club would follow the same policy as this year in trying to limit distractions by getting as many player contracts completed before the season begins.

"(President) Andrew (Newbold) and I will use that same philosophy," he said. "We will try to just focus on our footy."

Franklin, who turns 26 in January, has played 161 games since being drafted in late 2004.

He has kicked 520 career goals, with his best season being in 2008 when he booted 113 goals.

Franklin managed 69 goals this season from his 19 games, including 3.4 in Hawthorn's Grand Final loss to Sydney.

One of Hawthorn's greatest full-forwards, Peter Hudson, forecast during the year that Franklin could reach 1000 goals before the end of his career.

Hudson said Franklin, who averages 3.2 goals per game, has the potential to become the sixth player to reach 1000 goals if he stays sound.

"People are always saying that it is not possible to kick 100 goals in a season, or even 18 in a game," Hudson told the Herald Sun in June.

"That's just rubbish. I never say never.

"If you have a natural goalkicker come along like Buddy Franklin, anything is possible."

Pickering insisted yesterday that Franklin, who comes out of contract at the end of next season, wanted to stay with the Hawks well beyond 2013.

"We'll get it done with Hawthorn, don't even worry about that,'' Pickering said on SEN yesterday.

"There is no need to be test the free agency market with Lance Franklin. Let's be honest, every club would want Buddy Franklin.

"But he will stay with Hawthorn. It will all be sorted.''

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Injury floors Grimes again

Dylan Grimes has suffered another hamstring setback. Picture: Ben Swinnerton Source: Herald Sun

INJURY-plagued Richmond defender Dylan Grimes has suffered yet another setback with his dodgy hamstrings.

And Melbourne's new recruit Chris Dawes reported a minor calf strain last week.

Grimes strained his troubled left hamstring at training on Friday and will have scans tomorrow to assess its severity.

"Dylan left the training track early during Friday's session, with soreness in his hamstring," club elite performance manager Peter Burge said.

Exclusive Pick Me video of prized Tigers draftee Nick Vlastuin

"We will seek medical opinion in the coming days to determine the extent of the injury."

Grimes, 21, had been tearing up the pre-season before Friday's setback.

He suffered two hamstring injuries on the left leg this year before travelling to Germany to receive cutting-edge treatment with one of the world's foremost experts in soft-tissue injuries, Dr Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt.

Geelong's Max Rooke made a similar trip in 2007, as did Richmond's Mark Coughlan in 2008.

In 2011, Grimes tore the tendon from his right hamstring in the Dreamtime at the 'G clash against Essendon.

Grimes has played just 17 games in three seasons but is considered one of the rising stars of the competition.

The Tigers hope he will form part of a strong defensive unit including Port Adelaide free agent Troy Chaplin, Alex Rance, Chris Newman, Bachar Houli, Jake Batchelor, Steve Morris and Ben Griffiths.

Melbourne football manager Josh Mahoney said Dawes' injury was only a minor one and the former Collingwood forward would be right to resume training this week.

Exclusive Pick Me video of prized Dee draftee Jack Viney

"Chris Dawes reported calf soreness following a running session last week," Mahoney said.

"Scans revealed a very minor calf strain.

"He has completed a week of rehab and will resume running on Monday."

Dawes requested a trade to Melbourne from Collingwood - where he played in the 2010 premiership side - after the Magpies acquired Eagle Quinten Lynch.

The 24-year-old was on a modified program for the start of the pre-season after the knee injury he suffered during Collingwood's finals series.

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September axe to spur Griffin

DRIVEN: Fremantle ruckman Jonathon Griffin will use last year's September omission as a motivating factor this pre-season. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

PLENTY of Fremantle players are beginning this pre-season spurred by the pain of last season's finals exit.

One big Docker has been dealing with the pain of not even being out there in September.

Ever since he arrived at Fremantle two years ago, Jonathon Griffin has been asked whether he and Aaron Sandilands can play together.

Quietly but with an inner-determination, the wholehearted ruckman has continually reasoned that the pair can.

It is a belief Griffin continues to hold despite enduring the most frustrating period of his career.

The 26-year-old played 13 matches last season, the most he had managed since 16 for Adelaide in his debut year in 2007.

But after coach Ross Lyon experimented with using both he and Sandilands together for just the third time in the easy Round 23 victory over Melbourne, Griffin was axed for the finals and missed the Dockers' finals triumph over Geelong.

"It was hard to take, but you move on. It was really difficult to watch the finals," he said.

"That's what you play for all year and pre-season, so it's going to be something that I'll use to drive me through this pre-season and hopefully I'll have a good pre-season campaign and push forward for a good 2013."

Griffin will return to training on Wednesday with Fremantle's oldest players, but will be on light duties until after Christmas following surgery on his troublesome left hip.

He carried the problem throughout last season, including when called on to shoulder the ruck load for nine consecutive games through the middle of the season when Sandilands was out with a serious toe injury.

"I played through it pretty much all year. It stirred up a lot of things like my hamstrings, adductors - just stuff that I had to manage which made it frustrating," he said.

"I just tried to play the best footy that I could and I thought I was playing some pretty solid football.

"But the coaching staff and the match committee made the decision (to drop me), and I back their decision. I'm just going to use that as drive for this season."

Griffin has rarely been tested in attack during his two years in the west, with most of his games coming as a ruck replacement for Sandilands. He's adamant he's capable of forming a dangerous combination with skipper Matthew Pavlich up forward.

"It's been difficult because of that. Because Aaron's been out, it hasn't really given us the chance to experiment much with me up forward and Aaron in the ruck, or Aaron up forward and myself in the ruck," he said.

"Hopefully both of us can be fully fit and we can show them that we can make it work. I'd love to work alongside Pav in the forward line and also work alongside Aaron in the ruck.

"Hopefully I can spend some more time up in the forward line in the pre-season and develop that part of my game. I love playing up forward; I think most people do."

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Colledge ready to graduate

TOP TALENT: West Coast coach John Worsfold says recruit Brandt Colledge is ready to play next season. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: Herald Sun

WEST Coast Eagles coach John Worsfold believes teenage forward Brant Colledge is capable of making his debut next season.

The Eagles tracked the 192cm utility throughout the year before pouncing with their first selection at pick No.45 in Thursday's national draft.

Fellow Perth product Fraser McInnes, picked up in last year's national draft, appears set to be the prime beneficiary of more opportunity in the wake of Quinten Lynch's departure to Collingwood.

But Worsfold predicted 18-year-old Colledge, whose colts career with the Demons has been limited by a serious ankle injury, would be ready to play next season if the chance presented.

McInnes - who is yet to debut - and Colledge are friends and are likely to jostle for several years for a role in the West Coast forward line supporting key weapons Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling.

"The (recruiting) boys say Colledge is a really powerful boy, he could play next year physically. They're confident with that," Worsfold said.

"I always say you really don't know that until you get to about March and you have a look at how they've handled the pre-season workload and where they sit."

Colledge, who is studying a law degree, said he was excited by the challenge of trying to break into the Eagles' formidable forward line.

"I think I'm just a committed, competitive guy and if I can bring some good intangibles and attributes to the club like that I think it would be really good," he said.

"There's a lot of good young talent at the Eagles that will hopefully push for a premiership in the near future. Hopefully I can learn from them and be a part of some success in the future."

Worsfold said the selection of Mark Hutchings, the club's final pick at No.60, was a reward for the 21-year-old's professionalism and determination.

Hutchings, a former captain of the WA under-18 team, spent one season on St Kilda's rookie list in 2010 before returning to Perth and enjoying two superb seasons with West Perth.

"There's no doubt his professionalism, his hard work and his attitude to want to get the best out of himself is a real strength of his, and that's contributed to him having such a good year," Worsfold said.

"Some kids get disappointed and don't put as much into their footy if they're overlooked in a couple of drafts, but he's been motivated to keep doing the work and that's a great sign."

Hutchings finished second to Claremont's Kane Mitchell in last season's Sandover Medal despite earning a whopping 51 votes.

"He got tagged pretty much all year but still had a very good season," Worsfold said.

"He's just a real hard-working, accumulator of the footy and he can play at half-forward. We're really excited for what he adds to the group."

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Selwood delivers top value: Costa

Geelong captain Joel Selwood has a third-party deal with former Cats president Frank Costa. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: Herald Sun

FORMER Geelong president Frank Costa says he is confident his third-party deal with captain Joel Selwood will be ticked off by the AFL despite the crackdown on the controversial arrangements.

Costa said he was in the process of appointing Selwood a paid ambassador for his land development business Costa Property Group.

Former Cats star Gary Ablett filled the same role before he left for the Gold Coast, with businessman and official Geelong patron Costa saying he had nothing to hide from the AFL.

He said it was logical as a businessman trying to sell land for subdivision that he would hire a footballer who was a "hero" to many Geelong people.

The Herald Sun revealed this week Carlton captain Chris Judd had been told his ongoing $200,000 sponsorship with Visy must be included in the salary cap next year due to the AFL crackdown.

Under new AFL rules, any sponsorship or paid role linked in even a remote way with a club board member, associate or even paid-up member must be ticked off.

"We are quite happy for (AFL investigations officer) Ken (Wood) to come down and look at the contract," Costa said.

"We have nothing to hide or change.

"We have heard they are going to come down and look at everything, but I have got no qualms with what Gary did and I have no qualms about Joel. It will stack up. That is being genuine. We are getting value for money.

"In the Geelong area these boys are heroes of the community. We had Gary Ablett working for us as an ambassador going to openings for us and he absolutely earned his money."

Selwood is known to be frustrated at any insinuation he has done anything wrong with the third-party deal.

The star, who signed a five-year deal with Geelong this season, will not go ahead with the deal if it is ruled contrary to AFL regulations.

"We have to demonstrate to Ken it is worthwhile, and he is a very smart man and he looks at both sides of the equation," Costa said.

"We will show him what the company requires from Joel's services, and what the company is receiving in the way of value for the money we pay.

"It is no different to any event - you go for big names so people come along. The AFL paid $600,000 for Meat Loaf in 2011.

"No doubt when Ken examines all the third-party payments there might be one or two that don't stack up in terms of the value for the company, but this will."

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Judd vows to fight for deal

Chris Judd and Carlton are preparing the fight the AFL's decision to scrap his deal with Visy. Picture: George Salpigtidis. Source: Herald Sun

CHRIS Judd has the option of walking away from the cash component of his Visy deal to spare his teammates pay cuts and help Carlton fit under the salary cap.

The AFL's ruling that his third-party deal must be included in the salary cap has the Blues assessing their legal options and refusing to rule out court action.

Judd is determined to continue his ambassadorial work for Visy, which has paid him what is understood to be $200,000 a year for the past five seasons.

One option available to Judd is to effectively end the financial aspect of the agreement mid-deal to ensure the Blues are under the salary cap.

But before that the club, Judd's management and the AFL Players Association have vowed to fight to defend his position.

Carlton may ask for a stay of proceedings over its total player payment position from the AFL until the dispute is resolved, effectively allowing it to be over the cap until a final ruling is made.

The Blues were shocked to be told of the ruling only on October 22, but need to be under the salary cap by the November 29 third list lodging ahead of the December 11 pre-season draft.

It would give them time to consider their options, which include back-ending salaries of Judd's teammates, pay cuts or even extending Judd's player contract.

The AFL Players Association will support Judd in his grievance tribunal hearing against the AFL, and are likely to launch their own grievance hearing.

AFLPA general manager player relations Ian Prendergast said yesterday the association would fight for the rights of players to enter into independent arrangements "provided they meet the criteria set out under AFL rules".

"We also have an interest in ensuring the AFL applies its discretion in a reasonable way that reflects the deals in place," Prendergast said.

"It would seem to us the AFL have made a policy decision to apply the rules in a more onerous way on players."

The grievance process is binding under AFL rules, but Carlton chief executive Greg Swann has not ruled out Supreme Court action.

"I am pretty sure there are avenues to go (down) - grievance tribunals, court," Swann said.

"People are just having a bit of a look-see at what options we've got. It's certainly going to keep going."

Blues teammate Kade Simpson said Judd was "flying" in Arizona, and refusing to let it bother him.

"He is fit, I don't think it is bothering him too much," Simpson said.

"A lot of the boys wouldn't even know it is happening.

"It is just the sort of guy he is, he doesn't let anything bother him."

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Happy homecoming for Chris Knights

Richmond recruit Chris Knights. Picture: Stuart Walmsley. Source: Herald Sun

TIGERS fans might have another reason to love Ivan Maric - he was a key reason why Chris Knights quit Adelaide for Richmond.

Knights admitted yesterday that Maric, whom he had played with at the Crows, had given a glowing assessment of the Tigers' culture and playing list.

"Ivan moved last year, so he spoke to me about the inner sanctum of the (Richmond) football club, the brand they are creating, and the direction the players and the club are headed in," Knights said after his first time-trial with the Tigers yesterday.

"I suppose most of all it is the culture of the club, which is being led by 'Dimma' (coach Damien Hardwick) and the leadership group, and the players are really embracing that.

"Richmond seems to be on the right track and definitely leading the way in terms of how they are going about it."

Knights, 26, managed only five senior games with Adelaide this year to take his career tally to 96 after a few niggling injuries and being overlooked in selection gave him limited game time.

But on his best form Knights can make a real impact with the Tigers and he has just had his first post-season surgery-free period for a number of years.

"I didn't get much of a run last year, which was pretty frustrating for me," he said.

"The team was playing well and I got off to a slow start with a few injuries.

"They (Adelaide) understood I needed to do what was best for me in making sure I played senior games. (And) free agency meant I was able to move (clubs) really pain free.

"Nothing is guaranteed (at Richmond), but hopefully I can put in a good pre-season and put my claim forward."

Yesterday's time-trial was won by Brandon Ellis, who appears to have bulked up yet retained his pace, with Daniel Jackson and Matt Arnot also in the placings.

There were a few absentees from the 7am Princes Park time-trial.

Chris Newman is not due back until next week, while Jack Riewoldt (hip clean-up), Nathan Foley (achilles surgery), Jake King (numerous surgeries) and former Port Adelaide backman Troy Chaplin (knee) are in the rehabilitation group. Dustin Martin, who the club is counselling in terms of his off-field behaviour, took part in the time-trial and looks leaner than he has in past seasons.

Knights, who was drafted to the Crows in late 2004, said the temptation to return to Victoria was always there.

"Being an interstate boy (from Vermont), you always think about coming home," he said.

"I really enjoyed my time in Adelaide, but it was always in mind to play football in Victoria and come back to my family and friends."

"I am feeling really good at the moment.

"I think when you get to this age, you feel comfortable with the expectation and pressure (of play- ing AFL).

"You know what you have to focus on.

"But the game is always evolving. You may feel you are in your prime, but you have to keep working hard because everyone is trying to take your spot."

23.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Infant clubs are over-indulged: Eddie

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire says the expansion clubs get too many concessions. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: Herald Sun

COLLINGWOOD president Eddie McGuire has warned the AFL that it should consider repealing long-term concessions for Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney.

Fearful both teams could become competition superpowers, McGuire has declared his next "crusade" in his push for equality and an unencumbered draft and salary cap that sits with the start-up AFL clubs.

"The AFL has got to be quick to work out whether they have given GWS and Gold Coast too much," McGuire said.

"We have given the AFL the imprimatur to give them the best possible start, but if it ever gets to the stage - and I think we are getting close to it - they need to look at it.

"I trust the AFL to do the right thing ... but if they (the two clubs) have taken a position that is counter to what was intended - to build a super team that will dominate - we have to start looking at it and read the play about what is going on."

Fresh from having a win on the Chris Judd-Visy deal, which the AFL has declared must now be a part of Carlton's salary cap, McGuire said he wanted to keep fighting AFL inequalities.

"This is not about Collingwood, it is about giving a level playing field for all clubs," he said. "To be honest, the clubs that are being smashed are Melbourne and the Bulldogs.

"The AFL has done a lot of things to compete against rugby league, rugby union and soccer, and I applaud them for doing it. But at some stage we have to be careful that we are not running a marketing competition - we are running a football competition.

"The best times we have had in football was when we had an unencumbered draft, when there was no salary cap inequalities, except for the Judd one, and when the system was working as it was intended to.

"We had record ratings, attendances and memberships. We have to get back to that system as quickly as possible."

McGuire is concerned that Gold Coast and GWS have been able to "stockpile" young talent in a way that was not intended when the rules were made.

And he fears for the future of some clubs as a chasm between the haves and have-nots grows wider by the year.

Both new clubs have extra players on their lists and salary cap allowances in their infancy - with the Gold Coast's concessions set to expire in 2014 and GWS's in 2018.

McGuire said the inflationary market could account for why Adelaide was tempted to do everything in its power to try and keep Kurt Tippett.

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Bolton chasing more Swans glory

Sydney Swans veteran Jude Bolton with wife Lynette and daughter Siarra, 10 months. Picture: Toby Zerna. Source: The Sunday Telegraph

MOST players would be happy with 300-plus games and two premierships, but Sydney Swans veteran Jude Bolton isn't satisfied.

"I still feel like I've got plenty to give," Bolton told The Sunday Telegraph.

"I want to give as much as I can to this club."

Many thought the Swans' emotional grand final victory over Hawthorn would be the perfect way to bow out. And it crossed Bolton's mind more then a few times.

But the passion and fire for the game continues to burn in the 32-year-old.

"I love playing the game so much," Bolton said.

"We're so blessed to be able to do what we do, getting paid to play a sport I've loved since I was a kid.

"If my AFL career finished at 21, I would still be training three days a week at a local team because I love the game."

Just as Geelong did last year with premiership captain Cameron Ling, the Swans gave Bolton the time he needed to assess his future.

"I had a couple of weeks to let the emotion and excitement of the grand final settle down to see where I was at," Bolton said.

"I'm really grateful to the club for giving me the time to make the decision."

Bolton also had to weigh up the state of his body, and in particular a knee injury he picked up in the clash against Carlton in Round 19.

In typical fashion, he worked his way back into the team through positive thinking and hard work. The off-season has provided recovery time not available during the push for the premiership.

"My body is feeling good enough to compete and play at the level I know I can," Bolton said. "There was no need for an operation.

"It certainly feels good, I can change direction and there's no pain at all,"

Bolton's competitive spirit has driven him through his 14 years in the AFL and the desire for more success and another premiership remains.

The Swans' list of talented youngsters has given him the belief the premiers can get even better.

"There's enormous improvement still to come from these guys," Bolton said.

"Look at guys like Alex Johnson, he's only played 45 games. Sam Reid , Tom Mitchell will play this year, Gary Rohan as well."

Another bright prospect that gives Bolton confidence is someone cast from the same mould as the blond midfielder - Luke Parker.

"He's as hard as nails and he's got some polish as well," Bolton said.

"He showed that at the start of the year."

Swans coach John Longmire gave Bolton all the time he needed to make his decision and is delighted with his choice to play on.

"He's just so enthusiastic," Longmire said.

"Guys like Luke Parker and Tom Mitchell are very lucky to have a guy like Jude around.

"When they're trying to work out what is required at AFL level, all they need to do is look over at locker No. 24.

"They've not a only got a guy who shows them, they've got a guy who helps and coaches them.

"Getting the blend of senior experience helps enormously."In Longmire's decades in the game, he has rarely seen anyone as tough as Bolton. However, he also values the veteran's positive attitude.

"He's just great to have around the club, his enthusiasm never wanes," he said.

"He is the life of the place and when he has an injury he never complains."

Another person very happy to see Bolton play on for another season is his wife Lynette, who thought her husband was certain to finish if he won the premiership.

"He's still got the passion," Lynette said.

"I love going to the football and he enjoys it, that's the main thing."

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Hills are alive with Blues' theme

New Blues coach Mick Malthouse taking part in the pre-season training camp in Arizona. Picture supplied. Source: Herald Sun

NEW Carlton coach Mick Malthouse gathered his players in a huddle at the top of Mt Humphreys to sing the theme song.

Blues midfielder Kade Simpson revealed Malthouse's strategy yesterday as he spoke of how the playing group had committed to a standard of excellence.

The Blues are in the middle of a pre-season camp to Arizona, where Malthouse used to head each pre-season with Collingwood.

Simpson said the team bonding experience would stand the club in good stead for next year.

"Mick sort of put us all in a circle once we got to the top (of Mt Humphreys' peak) and said a few words," Simpson said.

"Then he was pretty keen for the boys to punch out the song to boost morale.

"We knew when we came over that it (the climb) was going to be tough. We got up to almost 4000m and obviously breathing takes its toll a bit.

"But all the boys got up and it was a pretty enjoyable experience."

Malthouse used similar experiences on snow-capped Mt Humphreys as motivation for Collingwood in the days after the 2010 drawn Grand Final.

Simpson said Malthouse, 59, led the way in terms of the hike on Friday.

"Mick is pretty competitive and was up the front the whole day. He stuck in right behind the guide. He has sort of been like a tour guide over here. He has been here so many times.

"It is really good for the boys to get to know him on a personal basis, and to bond and tap into his experiences."

Simpson said the Blues were in a solid position heading into the pre-season - ironically due to the injuries they suffered this year.

"Because we had all those injuries during the year, it means most of those boys went in for surgeries early and they are right to go now.

"We have only got two or three guys in the rehab group and they should be right before Christmas, so hopefully we are in good shape."

Simpson missed his first game in seven years this season after breaking his jaw in a controversial clash with Sharrod Wellingham that cost the then-Magpie, now-Eagle, a three-game ban.

"There are no hard feelings, he (Wellingham) only had a split second and he apologised after the game," he said.

"But it was pretty difficult sitting back watching games, I couldn't remember the last time I'd done that."

Simpson, 28, remains an important Blues player but says he can still improve.

"It is probably good to have a new coach so I can keep building. I'm one of the older guys now, but still feel I have a long way to go.

"When you don't make the finals, you just want to redeem yourself."

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McPhee walk opens the door for Lower

SECOND CHANCE?: Adam McPhee's exit at Fremantle could re-open the door for Nick Lower (right). Picture: Sarah Reed Source: The Advertiser

ADAM McPhee's decision to walk out on Fremantle despite recently signing a contract extension could open the door for midfielder Nick Lower to remain on the senior list.

McPhee is expected to meet with coach Ross Lyon tomorrow but it is understood the Dockers don't hold any realistic hope of talking him into remaining with the club next season.

Lower was delisted ahead of the second list lodgement deadline this week, along with Dylan Roberton and Jesse Crichton, and was in line to be re-drafted onto the rookie list.

The former Port Adelaide onballer is now set to be the beneficiary of McPhee's backflip.

Lower impressed in his first season at the Dockers in 2011 but played just three times this year as he battled injury and fell out of favour with Lyon.

Fremantle is likely to continue with its plan to use just three picks in Thursday's national draft despite the McPhee complication.

WA Talent Academy manager Raff Guadagnino expects between 10-12 West Australians will be taken in the draft, to be held on the Gold Coast for the second time.

East Fremantle's Josh Simpson is the only WA player invited and could be the state's sole first-round selection, but Guadagnino said he was confident rounds two and three would be strong from a local point of view.

Victorian midfielder Lachie Whitfield, touted as one of the best players to come out of the under-age system in the past decade, is expected to be taken at No.1 by Greater Western Sydney, which has the first three picks in the draft.

Fremantle is understood to be keen on Simpson with its first pick at 17, but there is no guarantee the silky ball carrier will still be available.

The youngster's uncle, Dwayne Simpson, played two games for the Dockers in 2001.

Simpson has bolted into top 10 contention, with Port Adelaide considering using its No.7 pick on him.

If Port overlooks Simpson, Gold Coast is likely to swoop with its first pick at 13 to add him to its big complement of talented Sandgropers.

Simpson is a Fremantle supporter and said playing for the Dockers would be a dream result.

"If I could go there then I'd be loving life," he said.

"But I'm cool with it to go anywhere. I'd love to debut in Round 1, whoever I'm playing for."

West Coast will be left hoping some quality slips through to the third round, given it won't enter the draft until pick 46.

The Eagles won't have a pick in the first two rounds and will be the last team to enter the ballot.

West Coast will have three live picks in the draft, rounding out its choices with consecutive selections at 61 and 62.

The club has decided to sacrifice early picks, with its recruiting strategy this off-season revolving around bringing in players via trades to fill perceived needs.

Collingwood premiership midfielder Sharrod Wellingham and fellow West Australians Jamie Cripps (St Kilda) and Cale Morton (Melbourne) joined West Coast during the trade period.

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Draft gem sparkles in Simpson's desert

BIG WRAPS: Yalgoo's Joshua Simpson is expected to be a first round draft pick in the upcoming AFL draft. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

BIG INFLUENCE: Josh Simpson with his grandma, Margaret Simpson, who has brought him up since the age of two weeks. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

THERE'S a popular sticker available at the Yalgoo pub that says: "Where in the hell is Yalgoo?"

If Josh Simpson gets his way, he'll put the tiny Outback town back on the map more than a century after the heady days of the gold rush.

About 500km north-east of Perth, the outpost of about 100 residents is bursting with pride ahead of Thursday's national draft.

Simpson is expected to be the first West Australian chosen - somewhere during the first round - and has even rocketed into top 10 contention.

In the red dirt on the edge of his hometown, we're at a photo shoot with the affable teenager who looms as WA's next football gun.

The setting sun brings some relief from the blazing heat, but little from the swarm of flies that are back on your face as soon as you swipe them away.

The 18-year-old first points out the animal footprints that decorate the soft dirt at our feet, identifying one trail as kangaroo and one as goat, before showing off his barefoot skills with an impromptu kick-to-kick.

The first thing you notice is that his non-preferred left foot is as good as his natural right, and his kicking action off his left side is somehow more elegant to watch. When a goanna threatens to interrupt proceedings, he's quick to assure a couple of city visitors we have nothing to worry about.

"Their first instinct is to run, because they're fast," he said.

Simpson, a proud Yamatji man with plenty of experience in both hunting and eating roos, emus and goannas from the area, says this particular goanna is a well-known adversary.

"We tried catching him before, but he's just a bit too slick for us," he said.

"Sometimes if we're fast enough, we just catch them and grab it by the tail. One day we killed like six goannas.

"Once you cook them it looks like chicken. It's beautiful, but the best part is the tail. Everyone fights for the tail, so if you killed the goanna, you eat the tail."

Simpson is a young man not so much caught between two worlds, but rather enriched by and grateful for his experiences in both of them.

Having spent three years at a boarding school in Adelaide on a football scholarship and time in Perth this season playing colts for East Fremantle and representing WA in the national under-18s championships, he converses thoughtfully on his double life.

"I've kind of got a switch on me or something," Simpson said. "Once I go back to Perth or wherever, you switch and you're living that life. You come back here, and you switch again. Coming back home, I kind of get back into my old ways.

"Both sides are a lot different. Sometimes our fridges aren't even really that full of food. They're just making it through the week, low on money and that, so being drafted would be good.

"I owe my grandmother a lot, so hopefully once I'm drafted I can give back to her and also give back to the people in my life and help them out."

He says he was "given" to his maternal grandmother, Margaret Simpson, when he was two weeks old and he has called her Mum ever since.

Once he greets multiple women with the term Nan, the close-knit nature of life in Yalgoo quickly becomes apparent.

Simpson, who's been back home for the past two months, proudly explains there are 30 or 40 homes in town and he's welcome in virtually every one of them.

"The whole town is basically my family," he said.

"There's kind of two big families: the Hodders and the Simpsons and my Dad's a Hodder and my Mum's a Simpson, so that kind of put me between two big families.

"It's a quiet little place and I like quiet. I'm with the family I've always grown up with and my heart just knows that it's home.

"And it keeps you out of trouble. In the city, I've got a lot of family that likes to go out at night and a lot like to party, so I like to be out here where I'm out of mischief and out of trouble."

Simpson's standout result in the kicking accuracy test at the recent draft camp - his score of 29/30 was the equal highest - might have something to do with his upbringing.

His childhood was spent playing barefoot on the street and in a local playground, with a set of monkey bars with openings of about 1m used as the goalposts.

"That kind of made us be accurate kicks," he said.

"You used to skin your toe here and there, but you'd wake up the next day and want to do it again."

As the day that will change his life forever approaches, it's clear there's nowhere else he'd rather be.

But shocked by the news Western Bulldog Zephaniah Skinner had become the latest in a long line of young Aboriginal players to prematurely quit the AFL to return home, Simpson is adamant he'll cope wherever his draft fate sends him and dreams of having a 10-year career.

"With us Aboriginal kids, I reckon at a young age we need to kind of leave our family a bit," he said.

"When I first boarded, I cried and cried and cried for my family. But once you get over that, you should be used to it. I don't know what's going through their mind sometimes. A lot of players want that opportunity, and they just let it walk out the door. So for me, I'm in a better position than most."

Simpson is also steeled by the toughest period of his life in late 2008.

He was devastated when he was left out of a Sharks' under-16 development squad, despite teammates from his premiership-winning Mullewa under-14s side being included.

"Me being the captain and winning the grand final, best-and-fairest, I kind of thought I'd have a little chance of going and then I missed out," he said.

"I'm fine with it now. As a kid, it was pretty upsetting."

Shortly after that came personal heartbreak as his six-year-old brother Michael was killed in a horrific road accident after being hit by a truck on the highway that runs past town.

All the turmoil prompted him to chase a fresh start and a scholarship at South Australia's Rostrevor College on the recommendation of a friend.

"(The setbacks) happened early in my life, at the age of 14, so I had to take in a lot and I had to leave a lot here," he said.

"It was very hard and I didn't know what to do. I sat down and had a good think about it and decided I'd go over and try something new. That actually made me stronger in myself and my ability, just to take new things on.

"I thought about my young brother - do it for him - and now I'm almost there."

23.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Fort holds up against the best

On recruiters radars since being thrown in the deep end against Brad Ottens and Peter Street for local club South Barwon

Darcy Fort takes on mum Caroline Dickins in a backyard game of basketball. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: Herald Sun

WHEN Darcy Fort confronted Brad Ottens in the Geelong Football League earlier this year, AFL recruiters took notice.

The gangly 203cm Geelong Falcons ruckman was a relative unknown coming into the season but has developed in a hurry.

Against Ottens he gave away considerable bulk and experience, but heads turned as Fort, 19, held his own against the three-time AFL premiership great.

"I was pretty nervous coming up against him, but I just tried to do my best around the ground," he said.

Ottens congratulated Fort on his game and things have progressed rapidly since.

Regarded by some astute judges as the best ruckman in the TAC Cup by the end of the season, Fort has a well-rounded game for a player of his size.

He has earned kudos for his follow-up work, willingness to tackle and tenacity around the ground.

He averaged 10 disposals, 3.5 marks, 26 hitouts and 3.4 tackles in his 10 TAC Cup matches.

Falcons regional manager Michael Turner said Fort had enormous upside.

"He competes very hard and he is very courageous, so he will stand back in front of a leading forward to spoil the ball," Turner said.

"And he gets a lot of the ball for his position.

"He has good decision-making skills and, athletically, he has great potential to improve."

Fort is likely to find a home between picks 40 and 60 in Thursday's national draft.

St Kilda, North Melbourne and Richmond are in the market for a young, developing ruckman.

Turner said the AFL's new ruck rules, preventing talls from wrestling at the contest, would weigh in Fort's favour.

"AFL clubs want to select ruckmen who can jump over each other and get first hands to the ball," he said.

"That suits him."

THE DARCY FORT FILE

AGE: 19

HEIGHT: 203cm

WEIGHT: 85kg

FROM: Geelong Falcons

POSITION: Ruckman

PREDICTED DRAFT RANGE: 40-50

IN THE MIX: Saints (picks 41&44), Kangaroos (58)

PLAYS LIKE: Ben McEvoy

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We're not chasing Buddy yet, says Freo

MARKED MAN: Lance Franklin is set to spark interest from rival clubs as a potential restricted free agent next off-season. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

FREMANTLE has denied it is already amassing a war chest aimed at luring Hawthorn superstar Lance Franklin through free agency at the end of next season.

Dockers CEO Steve Rosich left the door open to joining what is expected to be a frenzied fight for Franklin's services if he delays signing a contract extension with the Hawks.

Franklin, 25, becomes a restricted free agent at the end of next season.

Hawthorn hopes he will sign an extension as early as possible to avoid a Travis Cloke-style contract saga, potentially providing a distraction next season, but the club is yet to reach an agreement with the WA product, who is arguably the most marketable player in the AFL.

Franklin, who enjoys the Melbourne lifestyle, said he hoped to be a one-club player, but the longer this draws out, the more speculation will mount over his future.

Rosich said Fremantle could not formulate any plans for next season's free-agency period until the upcoming drafts were completed.

"Once we go through the national draft and the pre-season draft  and I think there's a possibility we could be have a live pick there - then you start to reassess and address your strategy for 2013," Rosich said.

"This would include free agency and potentially looking at experienced players, maybe former West Australian players and key position players.

"But there's a lot of things to be done and executed prior to that and they clearly impact our ultimate strategy."

Earlier this year, Fremantle coach Ross Lyon said the biggest stars in the AFL were worth $1.5m a season and that he would be prepared to offer the massive figure to lure Franklin to the Dockers.

Commenting on reports Greater Western Sydney were preparing a war chest to prise Cloke from Collingwood, Lyon said he believed the figure was realistic for select players.

"I'll tell you what, I'd give Buddy Franklin $1.5m tomorrow," a lighthearted Lyon said in Esperance during Fremantle's community camp in February.

West Coast's ability to make a genuine bid to bring Franklin home may depend on the playing futures of champion veterans Darren Glass and Dean Cox.

Glass and Cox are both out of contract at the end of next season and are among the Eagles' highest-paid players, so their retirements would free up space in the salary cap.

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Stevens ready to take next step

Western Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney (left) urged recruit Koby Stevens to train hard and put his best foot forward after playing a bit-part role at West Coast. Picture: Getty Images Source: Herald Sun

THERE were a variety of reasons why Koby Stevens left West Coast and one very big one for joining the Western Bulldogs.

The chance to play with one of his best mates from childhood was a no-brainer and one which has made the people at Bairnsdale's Patties Pies factory very happy.

Stevens and Dogs midfielder Clay Smith played junior football together for Lucknow in the East Gippsland Football League.

Their families have been close for years with Stevens' father a manager at the pie factory where both of Smith's parents work.

"We've known each other for 10 years," Stevens said. "Clay and I grew up together and played footy together. He would play in the U/14s and I was playing U/16s but most week's he'd come up and play in the U/16s.

"At Lucknow my old man was the coach and Clay's old man was the runner."

Smith, who was the Dogs first-round pick last year, said the pair spent most weekends together growing up.

"My mum and dad were in a cleaning business and then they got out of it," he said. "They were looking for a job and Koby's dad pretty much got them a job which they've been doing for the last eight or nine years.

"It's pretty exciting how it's all worked out now."

Stevens spent three years at the Eagles and played 11 games but the Bulldogs had kept an eye on his progress and made their move in trade week snaring the 21-year-old in exchange for pick No.44.

"It was a great experience the three years I had there, I had some great coaches and learnt a lot," Stevens said. "I suppose my body over the three years I have got it in good condition that it's AFL ready now.

"There were some pretty good players in my position at West Coast and I was pretty much emergency all through the year which made it tough.

"When I spoke to Macca (Dogs coach Brendan McCartney) he said there was an opportunity here as long as I trained hard and put my best foot forward."

It was a Gippsland Power reunion yesterday with two of Stevens best mates, John Butcher and Campbell Heath, in London with Port Adelaide for the AFL's exhibition match.

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Gambling addict has a lucky break

Former Melbourne footballer Daniel Ward has been free of his gambling addiction for two years. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Herald Sun

FORMER Melbourne and North Adelaide footballer Daniel Ward can feel his senses heighten this time of year, when the papers are packed with Spring Carnival stories and office talk turns to the tip of the next major race.

Ward is a gambling addict, now "sober" for two years and four months after blowing all of the spoils of a successful football career, but he knows he's only one bet away from falling into a black hole again.

He was a dashing back-flanker with the Demons and gambling began as part of the good life, only to consume him and threaten to tear him apart from his family and consider the worth of his life.

Ward speaks openly about his demons, works with the AFL players' union and wants to help others at risk.

And he fears other footballers - at all levels of the game - have never been as vulnerable as today.

Only a few years ago, gambling still required an effort. With today's smartphones, you can gamble your life away in minutes if you have been monstered by the addiction.

Ward hit rock bottom, but still shudders at the prospect of being a gambling addict armed with today's technology.

"It's been over two years now that I've been sober, if you like, off gambling, but if that was around when I was doing it - just pushing a couple of buttons on a phone - it definitely would have made it a lot harder for me," Ward said. "That sort of market has really exploded.

"It's a private problem, if you like. Even when I came out and fessed up, a lot of people had no idea. You put on a mask.

"If somebody has a drug addiction or and alcohol addiction there are obviously tell-tale signs of that, but if you put on that face with gambling you can basically keep it to yourself.

"The gambling advertising and the like is probably a bit out of control and maybe needs to be reined in. "For somebody with a gambling addiction, it's not good. I'm ready for them so it doesn't really affect me."

For that, Ward still knows the threat of a relapse will always be there, having heard of others who have beaten the demons only to fall back into their grip years later.

This time of year is particularly threatening.

"It's been two years and four months but I'm not safe at all," Ward said. "Obviously Spring Carnival ... I need to stay away from those situations.

"I still go to Gamblers' Anonymous meetings and I've been to several when people have been clean for three or four years and then for whatever reason have busted.

"I'm by no means out of the woods; I'm just one punt away from being back on that destructive path.

"But my life has got that much better and I definitely don't want to get back."

Ward, along with former Crows captain Simon Goodwin, are two of the good news stories to come out of North Adelaide's GATS counselling and treatment services run by Robert Mittiga, a former addict himself.

The AFL players' union regularly refers footballers to the centre, and both Goodwin and Ward have spoken openly about their situations after being treated there.

Ward's mission now is for other addicts to seek help.

He opens presentations with a thought along this line: "I hope this doesn't affect anybody in this room," and he means it.

But he's happy to share what he's learned on his battle with addiction and tries to point others who are vulnerable in the right direction before too much damage has been caused.

"Gamblers tend to think the problem's too big," Ward said. "And it's not until the fog clears and you're out of your addiction that you realise that it's not as bad as you think it is and there are people who can help."

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Butcher set for pain-free season

John Butcher's season was hampered by issues with his hips, but he is looking forward to better things next season. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: Sunday Mail (SA)

PORT Adelaide forward John Butcher has revealed he needed regular pain-killing injections "just to play" in 2012.

Butcher, who had surgery on his hips after round 15, kicked only 11 goals in eight matches after making his eye-catching debut in 2011.

And while the 21-year-old says his ailments were no excuse for his poor form, they clearly restricted his output inside the Power's attacking 50m arc.

"It was obviously frustrating when the hips were pulling up sore and I couldn't quite get through the training sessions during the week," said Butcher, selected at pick No.8 in the 2009 National Draft.

"I was getting injections just to play in the latter stage of the year but that's footy.

"I reckon half the list goes through that and half the guys at every other club in the AFL, so that's footy, you've got to deal  with injuries.

"I actually had one of my best pre-seasons last year and played all the NAB Cup games so I felt good coming into the season.

"It was about halfway through (premiership season) when I just started to get some nagging pain. But it was definitely no excuse, I was out on the park and thought I could still contribute to the team.

"Hopefully the body will be feeling better this year to have a big pre-season and have a big  crack at it."

Declaring himself a certain starter for round one of the premiership season, Butcher is even eyeing an appearance in the NAB Cup.

"It's been a pretty long process but it had to be done," said Butcher, 197cm and 90kg.

"I'm not quite back running yet. Once I get back from London I will start with a slow jog and work my way back into it but obviously, getting it done when I did, I should be no problem for round one next year and even the NAB Cup.

"After Christmas I will basically be back into full training so I'm really looking forward to that. That will give me two or three months before the start of the season to really get the body right, get stronger and bigger to have a good crack in 2013."

23.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Crows' plight mirrors Blues mishap

FORMER Carlton boss John Elliott believes Adelaide should be handed a similar draft penalty to the sanctions that set the Blues back a decade.

Elliott has never weakened his position that he would have taken the AFL to the Supreme Court to prevent them penalising the Blues for salary cap cheating.

He was dumped as Blues president in the months before the AFL stripped two years of draft picks from the club and fined Carlton $930,000.

Yet he remains defiant, saying the extra payments were never handed to the players, some of whom confessed to the AFL.

Yesterday Elliott said the only mitigating circumstance for the Crows would be if they could prove they still had room in their salary cap for the third-party payments for Kurt Tippett.

He said that could help lessen the type of penalties that crushed Carlton, which was then in a much weaker position than the Crows.

"Sitting there as an observer you would expect them to get the same penalties Carlton got," Elliott said.

"It's about the same money. It is just inept management. But if they didn't go over the salary cap, that might lessen it.

"This effort looks very amateurish. They have emails of contracts and all sorts of things.

"We knew we were legal, but Collo (Ian Collins) thought we would get off light if we (admitted it). He wouldn't take them to the Supreme Court. Then he disclosed a few things about (Craig) Bradley and (Stephen) Silvagni to the AFL."

The Blues' salary cap breaches were described at the time as "a complex and deliberate scheme designed and implemented to hide payments and deceive the AFL".

The penalties were also heavy because it was the club's third salary cap breach in recent seasons.

23.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Izzy 'had no idea' about AFL: Black

Lions' Simon Black tried to give his rival Israel Folau some helpful onfield tips but Izzy just did not catch on. Picture: Peter Wallis Source: The Courier-Mail

Israel Folau excelled in rugby league but struggled to make the transition to AFL. Picture: Peter Wallis Source: The Courier-Mail

AFL great Simon Black has revealed he tried to coach Israel Folau during a premiership game last season.

But he said that even with direct instructions on how to earn possessions, his rival ``had no idea".

Late in May, the Brisbane Lions were on track to record a 100-point victory against Folau's Greater Western Sydney.

The hulking rugby league experiment was out of breath. He had had only two kicks by the fourth quarter and Black sympathised with his unrewarded efforts.

''I remember playing against him earlier this year at the Gabba, we were up by 70 and I was confident we would win.'' Black recalls.

''The ball came into Izzy's forward line so I told him where to run. I said to Izzy '... `mate, run over there and you will get the ball'. But he didn't. He just had no idea."

The Lions eventually won 132-40 and Folau finished with two kicks and five disposals.

Black's unsuccessful attempt at in-game coaching is the crux of why the State of Origin star's bold cross-code foray failed.

He simply never got it.

Folau was born in western Sydney and grew up in the Polynesian-centric Logan, near Brisbane.

AFL was not even mentioned, let alone played.

Black, Giants coach Kevin Sheedy, premiership-winning coach Mark Williams, fullback of the century Stephen Silvagni and Hawthorn legend Dermott Brereton all tried to make Folau a regular first-grader.

They failed.

Sheedy tried him as a defender, a key forward and even a ruckman, which looked to be his most natural position as he did not need game sense to prosper.

When Folau received the ball, he was solid but he could not position himself to receive it.

''This saga just shows that if you have not played the game before it is very hard to come in and play it at the AFL level," Black said.

''You don't have a feel for it.

''You have a lot of good kids coming through there at GWS and Izzy might not have got a game next year.''

Brisbane Lions coach Michael Voss said Folau's potential in the game was hampered because he played a key position as opposed to the flanking role of fellow code-hopper Karmichael Hunt.

''It was always going to be harder for Israel,'' Voss said.

''It is harder trying to adapt to a key position where you have constant attention all the time.

''It is not just the game itself, it has to do with where you play.''

23.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Neeld is sure he can mend a down club

Melbourne Football coach Mark Neeld is taking steps towards rebuilding the Demons. Picture: Andrew Henshaw Source: Herald Sun

Melbourne coach Mark Neeld has high hopes for former Port Adelaide star David Rodan and believes his finals experience will benefit the club. Picture: Andrew Henshaw Source: Herald Sun

DAVID Rodan is a short man with a long job description at his new employer, Melbourne.

The Demons want him to win contested ball, break the lines, add some pizzazz . . . and in his downtime become a father figure.

Melbourne has been criticised in some quarters for a scatter-gun recruiting approach, but coach Mark Neeld is adamant Rodan and others were targeted for a reason.

"One of David's roles will be to take Jack Viney under his wing and give him a little bit of support on and off the field," Neeld said.

Viney, Melbourne's prime father-son pick, will be carefully managed and not rushed, with Neeld delivering more than a passing hint that the club got it wrong with another glamour pick, Jack Watts, four years ago.

"We want to do it correctly. We don't want unrealistic expectations," Neeld said.

"The role David will play with Jack we see as really important.

"There's a couple of examples at our club where there's been some unrealistic expectations on some guys and they're still battling through it now four years into their career."

Rodan, offloaded by Port Adelaide, is often derided for being a human highlights reel without a team-first mindset, but Neeld is adamant he will be an invaluable addition to a developing list.

"Why we were keen on someone like a Rodan is his experience. He'll be our most experienced player . . . he's played in finals . . . a Grand Final," Neeld said.

"When we sat down and chatted with David we acknowledged there are still certain things in his game that he needs to improve.

"We made it very clear these are the reasons we want you . . . experience, very good in contested ball, very good in clearances and you've got that dynamic speed that simply we don't have.

"There's very few perfect players, I get all that. It is his third AFL club, we're across that. We just need to make sure we're getting the balance right."

Like Rodan, other high-profile Demons newcomers Chris Dawes and Shannon Byrnes have played finals and Grand Finals. It was a key criteria when the club went hunting.

"I was really keen to get some players in who had been in really good footy clubs and had played finals or Grand Finals," Neeld said.

"There is a lot of internal leadership that can be built within a group.

"I've had finals and Grand Final experience in coaching teams. I can tell them. Leigh Brown, Dave Misson and Neil Craig the same thing . . . but it is more powerful if it comes internally from the players."

A year after recruiting Mitch Clark to be the deep forward, Dawes will be the man to play closer to goal this season, allowing Clark to roam further up the ground and help out in the ruck.

"The role we want Dawesy to play is the stay-at-home forward. I was involved with Dawesy at Collingwood when he played that role really well.

"Mitch (Clark) has got great agility and between he and Cam Pederson they will share the second ruck role. It allows Mitch to get on his bike a bit more and we're keen for that."

Neeld indicated it would have been irresponsible of the club not to chase Dawes.

"You've got a 24-year-old key position player on the move . . . the right thing for our footy club to do was go and ask the question," Neeld said.

"We're rapt. He is a minimum 100-game key position player for us."

Bringing in so many recycled players has led to questions about Neeld looking for a quick fix - a respectable seven to eight wins next year to escape the heat.

But he said self-preservation was never a factor.

"I maintain strongly that the role of a senior coach is every decision you make needs to be for the betterment of the footy club, otherwise you've got the wrong role," Neeld said.

"All the decisions we make are for three, five, 10 years down the track. I'm really big on that. I see that as my role."

Neeld said nobody should be shocked at the turnover, saying it would become more common with free agency and a tendency to more closely mirror player movement in US sports.

"In my experience (at clubs), 10 to 12 list turnovers is normal," Neeld said.

"What I can gather from the reaction of the Melbourne supporters is that's not the norm here.

"I'm really clear on the type of footy we want to play, we're really clear on the type of training we want to see and we're really clear on the type of people we want to build a culture we think will take the club forward. All the decisions we made were based around that."

Matthew Bate and Ricky Petterd were delisted, Brent Moloney and Jared Rivers walked under free agency and Cale Morton left in a fire-sale trade to West Coast.

Neeld was typically pragmatic about the exits of Moloney to Brisbane and Rivers to Geelong.

"Brent's decided with what he wants to achieve and the way he goes about it, it is best suited elsewhere. That's OK," Neeld said.

Asked if his relationship with Moloney became strained, Neeld said the pair continued to talk.

"We had regular conversations. No doubt, he must have been thinking 'Hang on a minute, this is not the way it's supposed to pan out'," Neeld said.

"Brent didn't have -- and I hope this is not seen as dumping on Brent -- he didn't have a great year."

The departure of Rivers was about the opportunity to play finals.

"He believed this was going to be his last contract, and he wanted to, if he could, ensure himself that he could play finals immediately," Neeld said.

"That's one of the reasons free agency was pushed so hard by the AFL Players' Association. That's OK."

Morton was given every opportunity, but did not fit the Neeld mould and "the Eagles offered him the opportunity to move back to Perth and continue playing footy there".

Neeld said it was an era of "more mature conversations" between players and coaches and out of all the talk it was clear Melbourne was not the best fit for Morton right now.

Asked if the prodigiously talented but frustrating Morton had the ability to bite the Dees on the backside, Neeld said: "I don't look at it like that. Everyone hopes he does do well."

23.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Freo fans in rush for memberships

LINING UP: The success of Nat Fyfe and the Fremantle Dockers has sparked plenty of membership inquiries at the club. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: The Daily Telegraph

FREMANTLE could be forced to cap its seated membership and create a waiting list for the first time in its 18-year history.

Dockers CEO Steve Rosich hailed the early interest in memberships for next season as "extraordinary" following Fremantle's gutsy finals campaign in its inaugural season under new coach Ross Lyon.

"We've got bold aims - on and off the field," Rosich said.

"And that includes being a very big footy club and that's important for us as well, because we prepare for a new stadium in 2017/2018.

"We will unashamedly give priority and preference to our current members at the new stadium, and that's an important aspect of people continuing to be a member of our footy club and becoming a member of our footy club."

Rosich said he believed it was possible the club could break its 2008 membership record of 43,654 next season and that any need for a cap on seated membership would be assessed in December.

"At this stage we're all but at the 20,000 member mark, which is extraordinary, given it's early November," he said.

"It's tracking ahead of where we thought we'd be. It's ahead of this time last year, and also ahead of our targets."

Interest was spurred this week by the release of the AFL fixtures for 2013, with Fremantle hoping to sell out its first four home matches.

The Dockers host West Coast in a Round 1 Western Derby, before Subiaco clashes against big Victorian teams Essendon, Richmond and Collingwood.

The games against the Bombers in Round 3 and Tigers in Round 5 will be played on Friday nights and telecast live on free-to-air television into the east by Channel 7.

The club's strong membership outlook is also a coup for Lyon, whose game plan was criticised as negative and one that would drive away fans by some onlookers early last season. Membership of the Eagles has long been capped because demand outstrips the small capacity at Patersons Stadium.

The club offers an "In the Wings" membership, which places fans on a waiting list for when a seat becomes available.

Any cap on seated membership is likely to present the Dockers with another problem shared by the Eagles; that of fans being locked out of games, despite thousands of seats being left empty due to members not turning up.

Despite having a membership of close to 43,000 this season, and nearing the limit of seated members of about 40,000, Fremantle's average home crowd was just 33,386.

Meanwhile, Fremantle defender Dylan Roberton has been offered a new contract by the Dockers and could yet remain at the club next season.

Roberton, 21, requested a trade back home to Melbourne for personal reasons but no deal was done during the recent trade period.

It is believed the Dockers, who understand Roberton's desire to return to Victoria, genuinely tried to offload him for next to nothing but there was little interest in his services from the Melbourne-based clubs.

The Dandenong Stingrays product is still a Fremantle player.

23.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hirdy has Bombers off and running

Essendon's Michael Hurley is enjoying the club's switch to a more run-based pre-season. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON'S Michael Hurley has backed the switch to a more run-based pre-season, saying it could have a big impact on his aerobic effectiveness.

Speaking before he left for a training camp in Colorado, Hurley said the evolution of the game meant pre-seasons would always change.

And Essendon's decision to move away from its weight-building plan, which came in for criticism after a wave of soft-tissue injuries in 2012, sits fine with the key position Bomber.

" 'Hirdy' (coach James Hird) touched on those things that we can do, some longer distance-type running, that can harden the body and might help," he said.

"That's an area that I would like to find in my game."

The 22-year-old said a greater aerobic capacity was important to the game now as it was "non-stop".

Hurley maintains faith in the club's fitness staff to adapt and do the things required to ensure the club does not fade away as it dramatically did in the second half of 2012.

"We've got full faith in the (fitness) guys," he said. "And we are lucky enough to have the chance to go to America for three weeks, which is a new challenge.

"It (the camp) will be about fitness for starters, but also a bit of leadership as well. The leadership is coming over as well as the core midfielders."

Hurley will join nine other Bombers for 18 days on the fitness and bonding trip.

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