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Demons to sweat it out in Kakadu

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 27 Oktober 2012 | 12.58

Melbourne will ramp up their pre-season with a camp in Australia's Top End. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

MELBOURNE'S pre-season training will include a Darwin training camp in December that takes in a 30km trek through the Kakadu National Park.

The Demons will stay at Robertson Barracks and train at Palmerston Football Club during the camp, which will run from December 6 to 14.

The club also hopes the Top End stint will help the players adapt to ball-handling in humid conditions, with the team to add to the three home games it has played at Darwin's TIO Stadium since 2007.

"Research shows there are benefits in training in humidity," Melbourne's football manager Josh Mahoney said.

"We think that is a great advantage to take (the team to Darwin) during pre-season and couple that up with the fact we play games in Darwin and want to further our footprint in the Darwin area."


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Dees axe another eight players

Get the first look at the AFL's future stars in this preview of draft analysis series 'Pick Me'

Melbourne will part ways with young forward Lucas Cook. Picture: Chris Scott. Source: Herald Sun

MARK Neeld's overhaul of Melbourne's playing stocks escalated today with eight Demons delisted, including senior players Matthew Bate, Ricky Petterd and Jamie Bennell.

The Demons have now cut or traded 14 of the 46 footballers from their 2012 playing list.

Jordan Gysberts (North Melbourne), Cale Morton (West Coast), Stefan Martin, Brent Moloney (Brisbane Lions) and Jared Rivers (Geelong) all found new home in the trade and free agency period.

Today's cuts also included Lucas Cook, Liam Jurrah and rookies Jai Sheahan, Leigh Williams and Kelvin Lawrence.

Cook, a first-round draft pick, is hoping to find a new home as a delisted free agent after failing to crack through for a senior debut in his two seasons at the Dees.

Lawrence quit the club mid-year, while Sheahan was axed after only one season.

Last year the Dees had the chance to secure a second-round pick for Bate from the Western Bulldogs, but they demanded their first choice - No. 17 - and the deal fell through.

The Dees also lost former captain Brad Green, who retired after 254 games.


Dees to sweat it out in Kakadu

Petterd, a 24-year-old marking forward, may attract the most interest from rivals. Originally from Queensland, he has kicked 55 goals in his 54 games since his AFL debut in 2007.

The Dees have already added Chris Dawes, Shannon Byrnes, David Rodan, Cam Pedersen, Jack Viney and Jesse Hogan to their 2013 list.

Hogan, 17, is not eligible to play at the top level until 2014.


 


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Hooker blocks St Kilda's Brown bid

Get the first look at the AFL's future stars in this preview of draft analysis series 'Pick Me'

Mitch Brown was nearly a Saint. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

MITCH Brown was as good as a St Kilda player on Thursday night before Cale Hooker's reluctance to leave Essendon thwarted a proposed three-way trade, according to player agent Liam Pickering.

The Saints were desperate to secure Brown in the trade period to shore up their undersized defence and tabled a three-year contract the West Coast backman wanted to accept.

But with Brown tied to the Eagles for 2013 and West Coast hesitant to trade the 23-year-old, talks between the Saints and Eagles continually broke down.

But Pickering, who manages Brown, said a bumper deal involving Jamie Cripps, Hooker and picks 25 and 26 was "done" before Hooker blocked the move.

"We actually had the deal done late on Thursday night which involved Essendon and Cale Hooker," Pickering told SEN.

"But Cale Hooker didn't want to leave the Bombers in the end, so that was the end of that deal."


Under the deal, the Bombers would've landed picks 25 and 26 for Hooker, with West Coast securing Hooker and Cripps.

The Saints would have coughed up picks 25, 26 and Cripps to secure Brown.

Ultimately, they handed over Cripps and pick 46 for picks 41 and 44 in a direct trade with the Eagles.

Hooker, from East Perth, is believed to have been offered a three-year deal from the Eagles.

But with Darren Glass, Erick McKenzie and Will Schofield already at West Coast, Hooker could have been starved of AFL opportunities, as Brown was this season.

Hooker played 17 games for the Dons this year.

"But Cale Hooker was determined to stay at the Bombers and had a year to go on his contract, so that was the first snag," Pickering said.

"West Coast were pretty up front all the way - they wanted cover for Mitch.

"They were happy to do the deal with Cale Hooker if he wanted to go back, just so they had the player there.

"But once they couldn't get the player, they were never going to do it for the pick, which was disappointing."

St Kilda list manager Ameet Bains said the Saints were "very, very close" to prying Brown east, insisting they tried everything possible.

"But unfortunately it couldn't get done," he said.

"We understand it's a business and every club needs to be happy with the trade completed, so it is what it is."

But Eagles list manager Craig Vozzo denied that, declaring the contracted Brown was never placed on the table.

"(It was) never close at all. Our priority was always to keep Mitch," Vozzo said.

"He's a contracted player, we rate him very highly and want to keep him for a long time.

"We never wavered from that."


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Sherman exits kennel

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 26 Oktober 2012 | 12.58

Justin Sherman's stint at the Dogs is over. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

WESTERN Bulldogs line-breaker Justin Sherman has left the club and will seek a third home via the pre-season draft despite having a year to run on his existing contract.

The former Brisbane Lion was not traded during October's player movement frenzy and the Dogs today declared they had reached a "mutual agreement" with Sherman.

Dogs football manager James Fantasia said the club and Sherman recognised he was not in the future plans at Whitten Oval.

"Justin and the club agreed that there were limited on-field opportunities for him next season and that it was best to part ways," Fantasia said.

"We wish Justin the best in his future endeavours."

Sherman played 24 games since crossing from the Lions at the end of the 2010 season.

He was restricted to just 10 this season.
 


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How does your club rate?

SuperFooty's Matt Windley and Sam Edmund review the furious final days of the AFL trade period.

Adelaide failed to do a trade for Kurt Tippett and is now set to lose him for nothing. Source: Herald Sun

Get the first look at the AFL's future stars in this preview of draft analysis series 'Pick Me'

ADELAIDE failed miserably, Sydney too, while Geelong, Collingwood and Essendon made the most of the AFL's trade window. Click for club-by-club report card.

ADELAIDE

IN: Angus Graham (Richmond)
OUT: Chris Knights (Richmond)

DRAFT PICKS: 20, 54, 64, 83, 101, 119, 137

VERDICT:
A disaster. Hard to remember a worse trade period for a club. Stuffed up the Tippett deal to such an extent it is now under AFL investigation for draft and salary cap tampering. Only (small) consolation is it now has some genuine ruck relief.

RATING:
1/10

BRISBANE

IN: Brent Moloney (Melbourne), Stefan Martin (Melbourne)
OUT: Nil

DRAFT PICKS: 8, 24, 33, 91, 109, 127

VERDICT: Shouldn't be too many complaints here. Added clearance specialist Moloney for nothing, and while Martin is no Wayne Carey, he is a versatile big man the club desperately needed. Tippett would have been nice, but they're not on their own there.

RATING: 6/10

CARLTON

IN: Nil
OUT: Jordan Russell (Collingwood)

DRAFT PICKS: 11, 36, 56, 71, 76, 94, 112, 130

VERDICT: Had the chance to improve its list but wouldn't, or couldn't, deliver. Wanted Cloke and dipped toe in water for Dawes and Lynch, but largely sat on its hands. An established key forward would have been nice.

RATING: 4/10


COLLINGWOOD

IN: Quinten Lynch (West Coast), Clinton Young (Hawthorn), Jordan Russell (Carlton)
OUT: Chris Dawes (Melbourne), Sharrod Wellingham (West Coast), Tom Young (Western Bulldogs)

DRAFT PICKS: 18, 19, 21, 39, 82, 100, 118, 136

VERDICT: Looks a winner, in both short and long term. Lynch and Clinton Young are arguably the equal of Dawes and Wellingham, while Tom Young was effectively swapped for Russell. Then there's the cherry on the sundae -- three first-round draft picks. Tidy work.

RATING: 8.5/10


ESSENDON

IN: Brendon Goddard (St Kilda), Joe Daniher (father-son)
OUT: Angus Monfries (Port Adelaide)

DRAFT PICKS: 10 (committed to Daniher), 35, 52, 55, 75, 93, 111, 129,

VERDICT: Quiet draft ahead, but would be sitting back satisfied. Lured the biggest fish in the free agency window in Goddard. Made to part with pick 10 for teenage prodigy Daniher, but even that appears a bargain.

RATING: 8/10

FREMANTLE

IN: Danyle Pearce (Port Adelaide)
OUT: Greg Broughton (Gold Coast)

DRAFT PICKS: 17, 37, 40, 80, 98, 116, 134

VERDICT: Might be seen to be treading water, but Pearce offers what Broughton could not -- pace and run-and-carry skill to a largely one-paced midfield. Should ease reliance on Stephen Hill.

RATING: 6/10

Get the first look at the AFL's future stars in this preview of draft analysis series 'Pick Me'


GEELONG

IN: Josh Caddy (Gold Coast), Jared Rivers (Melbourne), Hamish McIntosh (North Melbourne)
OUT: Shannon Byrnes (Melbourne), Ablett compensation pick

DRAFT PICKS: 16, 59, 79, 97, 115, 133

VERDICT: More shrewd work from arguably the best list management team in the biz. McIntosh (if he stays fit) will make a huge difference, Rivers will plug a hole in defence and both will keep the flag window ajar. Caddy and retention of pick 16 keeps the future bright, too.

RATING: 9/10

Did we get it right? Leave a comment below

GOLD COAST

IN: Tom Murphy (Hawthorn), Jack Martin (mini-draft), Greg Broughton (Fremantle), Ablett compo pick
OUT: Josh Caddy (Geelong), Tom Hickey, (St Kilda)

DRAFT PICKS: 13, 57, 60, 87, 105, 123

VERDICT: Gave up pick 2, but Martin is said to be a gun in the making. Caddy and Hickey could go on to make them pay, but Broughton for pick 37 is as a great deal that will add grunt and Murphy fills a need. The Ablett compo pick goes in the back pocket. Solid.

RATING: 7/10

More news: Department of Trades

GWS GIANTS

IN: Stephen Gilham (Hawthorn)
OUT: Jack Hombsch (Port Adelaide), Jake Neade (Port Adelaide), Jed Anderson (Hawthorn)

DRAFT PICKS: 1, 2, 3, 12, 14, 28, 65, 69, 86, 104, 122

VERDICT: In a word _ ominous. Given numerous free kicks, but was able to get maximum value from its 17-year-olds and pre-listed players. Incoming picks mean it will monopolise draft for the second year running. Gilham stiffens the back half.

RATING: 8.5/10

HAWTHORN

IN: Brian Lake (Western Bulldogs), Matt Spangher (Sydney), Jed Anderson (GWS)
OUT: Tom Murphy (Gold Coast), Clinton Young (Collingwood), Stephen Gilham (GWS)

DRAFT PICKS: 29, 68, 72, 84, 102, 120, 138

VERDICT: Launched out of the trade waters like a hungry great white to snatch Lake, who is a risk but could also win them a flag. Would have liked more for Young, but that was out of their hands. Gilham was surplus in the back half.

RATING: 7/10


MELBOURNE

IN: Chris Dawes (Collingwood), Shannon Byrnes (Geelong), David Rodan (Port Adelaide), Cameron Pedersen (North Melbourne), Jack Viney (father-son), Jesse Hogan (via 17yo mini-draft), Dom Barry
OUT: Jared Rivers (Geelong), Brent Moloney (Brisbane), Jordan Gysberts (North Melbourne), Cale Morton (West Coast), Stefan Martin (Brisbane)

DRAFT PICKS: 4, 27 (committed to Viney), 49, 53, 70, 73, 77, 88, 106, 124

VERDICT: Huge turnover, but club is sick of rebuilding. Wants and needs to be better in 2013, hence big money for Dawes and the addition of stop-gaps Rodan and Byrnes. Viney is a star, but a lot was sacrificed for Hogan and Barry (3 & 13). Simply lost patience with Morton and Gysberts, but the latter could still blossom.

RATING: 6/10

NORTH MELBOURNE

IN: Jordan Gysberts (Melbourne)
OUT: Hamish McIntosh (Geelong), Aaron Edwards (Richmond), Cameron Pedersen (Melbourne)

DRAFT PICKS: 15, 38, 42, 48, 58, 63, 78, 96, 114, 132

VERDICT: Underwhelming. Got Gysberts - and a slightly better pick - for Pedersen in a deal that added some respectibility to a trade period in which two established players left. Gyberts has talent, but has polarised Demons supporters.

RATING: 5/10

PORT ADELAIDE

IN: Angus Monfries (Essendon), Jack Hombsch (GWS), Lewis Stevenson (West Coast), Campbell Heath (Sydney), Jake Neade (GWS)
OUT: Danyle Pearce (Fremantle), Troy Chaplin (Richmond), David Rodan (Melbourne)

DRAFT PICKS: 7, 30, 31, 85, 90, 108, 126

VERDICT: Lost two regulars in Pearce and Chaplin, but Monfries was the only senior player to come the other way. Hombsch has shown promise, but Stevenson and Heath are far from guarantees. Only one first round draft selection (No.7) means it can't even console itself with a raft of early picks.

RATING:
5/10


RICHMOND

IN: Chris Knights (Adelaide), Troy Chaplin (Port Adelaide), Aaron Edwards (North Melbourne)
OUT: Angus Graham (Adelaide)

DRAFT PICKS: 9, 32, 34, 43, 92, 110, 128

VERDICT: Chaplin is a good needs-based get who will slot straight in. We can debate the impact of Knights and Edwards, but the fact is the Tigers have effectively got three players in the door for nothing and kept their top 10 draft pick.

RATING: 7/10

ST KILDA

IN: Tom Lee (Claremont), Tom Hickey (Gold Coast), Trent Dennis-Lane (Sydney)
OUT: Brendon Goddard (Essendon), Jamie Cripps (West Coast)

DRAFT PICKS: 25, 26, 41, 44, 77, 95, 113, 131

VERDICT: Blinked in Cripps-Brown standoff. Dealt an early blow after losing its marquee man, but scored some wins. Gave up 13 for Hickey, but the young ruckman will repay the faith, while Dennis-Lane could have an impact. No Mitch Brown hurts. They needed another key defender, but persuasive powers not strong enough to force West Coast into action.

RATING: 6/10

SYDNEY

IN: Nil
OUT: Campbell Heath (Port Adelaide), Matt Spangher (Hawthorn), Trent Dennis-Lane (St Kilda)

DRAFT PICKS: 23, 45, 47, 66, 67, 103, 121, 139

VERDICT: Left feeling like the jilted lover. Huffed and puffed for Tippett, but any chance of getting the forward was ripped out of their hands by Adelaide's mismanagement. Can't be blamed, but in the end was left without a chair when the music stopped. Handballed three fringe players.

RATING: 3/10


WEST COAST

IN: Sharrod Wellingham (Collingwood), Cale Morton (Melbourne)
OUT: Quinten Lynch (Collingwood), Koby Stevens (Western Bulldogs)

DRAFT PICKS: 46, 61, 62, 81, 99, 117, 135

VERDICT: Might as well not show up on draft day, which tells you where they think of their flag chances next year. Wellingham is a good get. Gave up the equivalent of a packet of Twisties for Morton, but like Josh Hill before him, could kick on. Won't miss Lynch.

RATING: 6.5/10

WESTERN BULLDOGS

IN: Lachie Hunter (father-son), Koby Stevens (West Coast), Tom Young (Collingwood)
OUT: Brian Lake (Hawthorn)

DRAFT PICKS: 5, 6, 22, 50 (committed to Hunter), 51, 89, 107, 125

VERDICT: All about the draft for the Dogs, who need to strike gold with picks 5 and 6. Lake will play well enough to frustrate, but it was the right call for a rebuilding list. Hunter is good value at 50.

RATING: 6/10


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Tippett could get draft approval

Kurt Tippett faces an uncertain future. Source: Herald Sun

KURT Tippett could be eligible for this year's national or pre-season drafts but will require approval to nominate from the AFL.

The forward will require the green light from league headquarters to find a second home after quitting Adelaide before becoming the centre of draft tampering and salary cap breach investigations at the Crows.

The 25-year-old is likely to be deregistered by the AFL but, as it stands now, is able to enter the drafts.

AFL spokesman Patrick Keane tweeted today: "Pending ongoing investigation now in place and subject to AFL approval, player Tippett is able to be part of Draft or Pre-Season Draft.

"AFL has no timeline for investigation to be completed."

The AFL today advised the Crows any potential trade involving Tippett would be blocked. The trade deadline passed with Tippett stuck in football's abyss.


Adelaide today tweeted: "AFL has no timeline for investigation to be completed. Tippett can nominate for draft(s) subject to AFL approval."

AFL officials today seized documents from the Crows' headquarters as part of the Tippett investigation.

More to come...
 


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Eagles keep Saints hanging

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 25 Oktober 2012 | 12.58

West Coast defender Mitch Brown remains in St Kilda's sights, despite the Eagles declaring he is a required player. Picture: Faith Moran Source: Herald Sun

Footy guru Mike Sheahan names the trade that made fans cry to Frank the barber in an exclusive Gillette trade week video.

WEST Coast is refusing to budge on St Kilda's offer of Jamie Cripps and pick 25 for key defender Mitch Brown.

The Saints have not given up hope of breaking the deadlock before tomorrow's 2pm trade deadline, but Brown's manager Liam Pickering said the Eagles had not backed down on their declaration that Brown is a required player.

Brown, contracted to the Eagles for next season, requested a trade to the Saints after they tabled a three-year deal for the key backman to fill the defensive void at Seaford.

"We've had plenty of dialoge with St Kilda and West Coast and nothing's really changed, they're still saying he's required," Pickering said today.

"I'm not sure how that will pan out tomorrow, he'd love to get to St Kilda.

"What St Kilda is prepared to offer for Mitch Brown is Jamie Cripps and pick 25 and I think that's fair. West Coast don't think that's fair," he told AFL Trade Radio.


"That's what's on the table but at the moment they're not going to take it, that's up for the two clubs to have a go at and see if they can work something out, and if they can't he'll play for West Coast next year."

Department of Trades
 


Join the LIVE AFL Trades Chat


Earlier, Saints list manager Ameet Bains said his club would fight until tomorrow's 2pm trade deadline to satisfy the Eagles, who have been hell-bent on retaining the 23-year-old.

"We (are) definitely still keen to get Mitch Brown," Bains said today on Radio Sports National.

"We've had more positive dialogue with West Coast (in the past two days).

"We have a pretty good relationship with West Coast and we're hopeful that things will work out."

St Kilda's Jamie Cripps has been ruled for the remainder of season 2011. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: Herald Sun


The Saints have been an aggressive playmaker in the trade and free agency period, trading away picks 12 and 13 as part of deals to secure prized Gold Coast ruckman Tom Hickey and boom Claremont forward Tom Lee.

They were gifted pick 13 from the AFL after star Brendon Goddard defected to Essendon.

Bains said the ploy to land Brown was part of a considered trade strategy.

"Whether it can get everything over the line in the next 24 hours or so remains to be seen, but discussions have been at least positive this week," he said.

Meanwhile, Pickering said another client, Gold Coast defender Josh Toy, was likely to enter the draft if a trade deal isn't done with a Victorian club by 2pm tomorrow.

"He's a really talented quality kid but we've got to find a club that is prepared to give up something for him," Pickering said.


ST KILDA IN TRADE AND FREE AGENCY PERIOD

IN: Tom Lee (Claremont), Tom Hickey (Gold Coast), draft picks 25, 26, 46
OUT: Brendon Goddard (Essendon), draft picks 12, 13, 37, 57

DRAFT PICKS: 25, 26, 46, 47, 77, 95, 113, 131

Get live trade updates on Twitter @superfooty and join the debate on Facebook


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Hombsch keen for Euro trip

Former Sturt junior Jack Hombsch is returning from GWS to play for Port Adelaide. Picture: Brett Costello. Source: The Daily Telegraph

PORT Adelaide recruit Jack Hombsch says the playing group is excited about leaving for its European training camp on Saturday.

Having been traded from Greater Western Sydney on Tuesday, Hombsch is set to join 28 other Power players training at the Australian Institute of Sport's base in Milan before tackling the Western Bulldogs in an exhibition match at The Oval on November 3.

''Europe will be very exciting,'' said Hombsch, who arrived at Alberton with the Giants' Northern Territory zone selection Jake Neade in exchange for pick No.29.

''It will be a great way to bond with my new team-mates while getting some training in world class facilities.

''It will be a good way to bring us closer, it's a great way to get to know everyone. Hopefully we'll have a look at our game plan and what the coaches want us to do for next season.''


The 10-day trip will also include a visit to the Lords Cricket Ground in London before watching Liverpool clash with Newcastle in an English Premier League soccer match.

Hombsch is this afternoon joining Port's first, second and third year players for the opening training session for the pre-season at Alberton Oval.

Essendon recruit Angus Monfries is also alongside Hombsch for his first appearance in Port colours.


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Freo denies coach rift

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: Herald Sun

Dockers defender Greg Broughton played in defence, in the midfield and as a defensive forward this season. Source: Herald Sun

FREMANTLE has denied Greg Broughton had a falling out with new coach Ross Lyon after the club traded the defender to Gold Coast.

The Dockers gave Broughton and pick 60 in the draft to the Suns in return for selection 37, ending Broughton's fairytale at Fremantle after being plucked from the WAFL in the 2009 rookie draft.

Broughton finished third in the Doig Medal under Mark Harvey in 2010 but had limited impact in a variety of roles under Lyon this season before his season was ended prematurely by finger surgery.

Dockers football operations manager Chris Bond said it was a tough decision to let the Subiaco product go.

"There's been speculation that he fell out with the coach and that's not right,'' Bond said.


"Ross has got a lot of respect for Greg and Greg for Ross, but at the end of the day it was just a decision in the best interests of the footy club and in talking to Greg, we think that everyone comes out with a win.

"We spoke to Greg and his management at length yesterday and I think we all walk away really satisfied, and Greg as well that he's going to get a great opportunity at the Gold Coast.

Department of Trades

"And we get a great opportunity to have two second-round picks and a first round pick.

"He leaves on really good terms. He's got a lot of respect within the playing group. I think we all acknowledge that it's a great journey coming from the last pick in a rookie draft to play 68 games and do what he's done.''
 


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Dogs seal Stevens deal

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 24 Oktober 2012 | 12.58

Footy guru Mike Sheahan names the trade that made fans cry to Frank the barber in an exclusive Gillette trade week video.

Cam Mooney reveals the day Denis Pagan told him he was off to Geelong to Frank the barber in an exclusive Gillette trade week video.

Koby Stevens is headed to Whitten Oval. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

KOBY Stevens is officially a Western Bulldog.

The Dogs and West Coast today struck a deal that secured Stevens' path home to Victoria, a week after the 21-year chose the Whitten Oval as his destination.

The Dogs gave up pick No.44 to the Eagles for the midfielder in an agreement that comes two days before the trade deadline.

Every deal at Department of Trades

Stevens is an inside-midfielder who once captained an AIS-AFL tour of Europe, but he played only 11 games in three years at West Coast given their strong midfield and injury problems.

His reputation as a contested ball aggressor seems to align perfectly with Dogs coach Brendan McCartney's philosophy.


Join the live trades chat here

"Koby is a high-quality person, with outstanding training habits and will add depth to the club's midfield," Bulldogs list manager Jason McCartney said.

"His big strong body along with a terrific attitude to his football make him a great acquisition to our football club."

Essendon and St Kilda were also interested in Stevens, who was originally taken by West Coast with pick No.22 in the 2009 national draft.


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Crows in draft tamper claim

Kurt Tippett listens in during a Crows training session at West Lakes earlier this year before announcing his wish to move to Sydney. Picture: Tait Schmaal. Source: The Advertiser

THE AFL is investigating potential draft tampering by Adelaide from its three-year deal with Kurt Tippett signed in 2009.

The investigation concerns an alleged addendum to the contract filed with AFL House, which could have been as informal as a gentleman's agreement but could also have been taken as a verbal contract. It is not believed there was a legal document signed by Tippett's manager Peter Blucher and the club.

At the heart of the inquiry is whether the Crows had guaranteed Tippett an easy passage to return to Queensland at the end of his contract, or to the club of his choice.

"The Australian Football League wishes to advise it has recently become aware of a matter regarding the contracting of player Kurt Tippett to the Adelaide Crows in 2009, to cover the 2010 - 2012 AFL seasons,'' AFL spokesman Patrick Keane said.


"The AFL is still in the process of investigating this matter and how it relates to the operation of the AFL Player Rules.


This afternoon the Crows released a statement confirming the investigation.

"The process began when the Adelaide Football Club notified the AFL of its concern relating to the matter and submitted relevant information to the League," the statement said. "The club welcomes the investigation and continues to assist the AFL with its enquiries. 

"Until the matter has concluded, the club will not be available for any further comment."

Earlier, Fairfax Media reported the Crows last week met with the AFL and presented a written document that confirmed an agreement between the club and Tippett allowing him to move to a new team of his choice.

In talks leading up and during the trade period, Tippett's manager Peter Blucher was clear that the Crows would help Tippett arrive at "the club of his choice'' when his contract expired, not limiting Tippett to the Gold Coast or Brisbane.

Either scenario, if proven, could amount to draft tampering and may not meet clear commercial value for both clubs, which is a requirement under AFL trade rules.
 
Every contract and trade deal has to be ticked off by the AFL and it's certain the clause would not be approved by the league if it had been put into the player contract Tippett signed three years ago.

Department of Trades

The Crows have denied Tippett had a "go home" clause in his last deal and Adelaide list manager David Noble previously said his understanding was that the club would seek to help Tippett return to Queensland. But he was not involved in signing off on the contract, having worked as an assistant coach at the time.

It is unknown whether the supposed gentleman's agreement was put in writing, served as a verbal contract or was less formal than that.
 
Join the live trades chat here

Tippett this month nominated Sydney as his preferred club. The trade period ends this week and if a deal with the Swans - or any AFL club - is not reached Tippett will slip through to the national and/or pre-season draft, leaving the Crows without compensation.

Trigg arrived back in Australia from Europe on Friday and put a planned swap of Tippett for Sydney's pick 23 and fringe player Jesse White on hold.

It is believed Trigg is demanding a better financial deal for the Crows.


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Tough Stevens the perfect Dog

Midfielder Koby Stevens' tough style will perfectly suit the Western Bulldogs. Picture: Daniel Wilkins. Source: PerthNow

THE football world doesn't know much about Koby Stevens yet, but his TAC Cup club says the Western Bulldogs have just acquired a tough and fearless midfield wrecking ball on the cheap.

Stevens was today traded to the Dogs for pick 44 after being starved of AFL opportunities in his three years at West Coast.

The 187cm, 83kg inside midfielder played just 11 games despite blistering form in the WAFL and is expected to take little time fitting into Dogs coach Brendan McCartney's side.


Join the LIVE AFL trades chat here

"He'll be a sensational player. He was one of the toughest, hardest players to go through this program," Gippsland Power region manager Peter Francis said today.

"He was probably averaging around the 35-40-possession mark in the WAFL every week.

"He's strong overhead, he can play back, through the midfield or go forward and he's been one of our better tacklers too.

"So he's got versatility and he's just such a good contested player."

Francis said Stevens was a "tackling machine" – much like Power graduate and the Dogs first-round pick last year, Clay Smith.

"He's as hard as a cat's head, much like Clay Smith, and they'll make a great combination too – both are from Bairnsdale and their dads work at Patties Pies together.


Dogs seal Stevens deal

"It's ironic they're now both at the Dogs. 'Kobes' is perfectly suited to Brendan McCartney."

Francis said it was always going to be tough for Stevens to crack West Coast's star-studded midfield, headed by Daniel Kerr, Matthew Priddis, Scott Selwood, Andrew Gaff, Chris Masten and Luke Shuey.

"He's a really contested player, there's no doubt about that. It's what he's built his game around."

The Dogs also secured father-son prodigy Lachie Hunter in the trade period, at the bargain price of pick 50.

Stevens caps an impressive off-season at Whitten Oval, with the Dogs also able to improve their draft order after moving on veteran full-back Brian Lake, who did not fit their list profile.

"His big, strong body along with a terrific attitude to his football make him a great acquisition," Dogs list manager Jason McCartney said.

Stevens captained the AIS-AFL team before being jagged by the Eagles with pick 23 in the 2009 draft.

Stevens joins Smith, Tom Liberatore and Mitch Wallis as young, inside midfielders in the contested mould McCartney craves.

The new recruit played 48 games in the WAFL, amassing 997 disposals.  He laid 83 tackles from 19 games in 2010 and became more attacking this season, booting 11.12 from 15 matches.
 


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White move alive despite delay

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 23 Oktober 2012 | 12.58

Steven Trigg is seeking a new angle on the Jesse White trade. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: adelaidenow

JESSE White's mysterious hold-up in moving from Sydney to Adelaide on Friday was the result of Crows chief executive Steven Trigg seeking a new angle on the deal.

White, 25, on Friday had agreed to a two-year deal with the Crows as part of the long-running Kurt Tippett trade to Sydney that would have given Adelaide the Swans' No. 23 draft pick and the out-of-favour Swans forward.

But as Adelaide list manager David Noble was preparing to lodge the trade papers at AFL House on Friday, Trigg was returning to Australia from Europe - and finding reason to review the deal.

"It needed chief executive to chief executive talks to resolve it,'' said Trigg. "And that is (still) happening.''

Asked if the White deal was still on the table, Trigg said: "We have not killed it.''

Swans need third club in Tippett trade

Adelaidenow understands Adelaide's wish to sweeten the deal involves salary issues.

White is on contract to the Swans next year. Adelaide may be asking the Swans to pay White for next season and the Crows then take over White's salary in 2014.


Live: AFL Trades Chat

Adelaide and Sydney have until the Friday deadline for trades to resolve the issue.

But Adelaide may not be alone in chasing White, who would strengthen the Crows' forward options and ease the threat of key forward Taylor Walker being double-teamed by defences next season when he will Adelaide's No. 1 forward.

The Crows understand Brisbane is interested in White. The Lions today are interviewing Melbourne ruckman-forward Stefan Martin for the same role of supporting captain Jonathan Brown in the Brisbane attack.


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Morabito plans shock return

Fremantle midfielder Anthony Morabito could make a surprise comeback. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

FREMANTLE could be bolstered for its Round 1 blockbuster against West Coast by a remarkable return from injury by midfielder Anthony Morabito.

Morabito's manager, Colin Young, said the Dockers bolter was confident he would be ready to put his hand up for Fremantle's season-opener and could be in line for selection as early as the NAB Cup, marking an against-the-odds recovery from consecutive knee reconstructions.

Morabito, the Dockers' No.1 pick from the 2009 draft, has not played for Fremantle since the 2010 finals series after he ruptured his left ACL in the following pre-season.

The Peel product, who turns 21 at the end of this month, was battling his way back through the WAFL and had made seven appearances for the Thunder before he endured a heartbreaking recurrence of the injury at a Fremantle training session in July this year.


Dockers coach Ross Lyon noted last month that his player's initial reconstruction had not been successful, leading to the re-injury, but Young said the second round under the knife had produced far better results.

"I haven't spoken to Morra since the best-and-fairest, but he's on track for NAB Cup,'' Young said.

"He doesn't see any problems starting Round 1 and going on.

"He looked in great shape when he was training and he's very confident, very excited about next year.''

A pre-season return for Morabito would be a stunning recovery and an overdue bout of good fortune for the footballer.

His first operation was in December, 2010, and it took almost 16 months for his return to football a 15-touch game with Peel reserves in Round 3, late March this year.

A NAB Cup return would mark a seven-month layoff, while a Round 1 selection to face the Eagles would be eight-month recovery.

Young said there was a notable difference in Morabito's reaction to the latest surgery.

"He went to Melbourne to have the operation under Julian Feller, who's probably the master of all surgeons in Victoria,'' he said.

"He was pretty convinced that he'd be back for NAB Cup, if not, then latest Round 1 and so he's very happy with the outcome of working with Julian.

"(The first time around) I don't think in his own mind he felt confident that the operations were successful; he just didn't feel quite right.

"He really feels 120 per cent now, since the last one.

"He had no swelling at all after the operation and he's really confident going forward.''

Fremantle begins its pre-season on November 14, with the first to third-year players, with general manager of football operations Chris Bond saying the Dockers expected Morabito to rejoin ball drills in January.

"It's tragic circumstances, but to his credit he's really dug in,'' Bond told ABC radio. "We've had the surgeries done and we're expecting him to start running well into our pre-season and join in our football in January.

"We're in no doubt at all that we're going to get football out of Morra next year and we'll get a fair bit of footy.

"Now, what level and that, that's not the priority for us at the moment.

"Anthony Morabito is going to be a long-term player at our club and the way that he's gone through this adversity is a real credit to him.''


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Port scores GWS pair in trade

Jack Hombsch punches the ball away from Brent Thornton. He is heading to Port. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

PORT ADELAIDE has converted its second-round draft pick of No. 29 to two players in the AFL trade period.

Greater Western Sydney tall defender Jack Hombsch will return to SA.

The second player is small forward Jake Neade, originally from the Northern Territory and now studying St Patrick's College in Ballarat. The 17-year-old is a zone-based recruit the Giants can on-pass to rival AFL clubs.

Originally from SANFL club Sturt, Hombsch was one of the 17-year-olds the Giants could claim while setting up its inaugural list last year. He was the first South Australian added to the GWS list.


Live: AFL Trades Chat

Hombsch, 19, played nine AFL games with the Giants this season.


Neade, a Year 12 student who won All-Australian colours representing Northern Territory this year, will move to Alberton from Ballarat.

Port football manager Peter Rohde said Hombsch would be a long-term replacement for Troy Chaplin, who left to join Richmond as a free agent.

"Jack's main attributes include his running ability, his ability to drop off and take contested marks and his kicking from defence. He'll certainly have the ability to play on the opposition's tall forwards," Rohde said.

"We've made no secret that we've been targeting talented South Australians with outstanding character and we think we've achieved that with Angus Monfries and now Jack Hombsch."

See every deal at Department of Trades
 

Neade finished second in the 3km time-trial at the draft camp and ran 2.95sec for the 20m sprint.

"We identified him early as a small forward who can kick goals and apply plenty of defensive pressure and we look forward to his journey and development here at Port Adelaide," Rohde said.

GWS will have picks 1, 2, 3, 12, 14 and 29 in next month's draft.

"(Hombsch's) move to Port Adelaide will give him the opportunity to play more senior football and we wish him all the best in his future playing career," Giants football manager Graeme Allan said.

"As a club we're very pleased to have been able to secure an early second round selection in this deal which strengthens our position going into November's draft."
 


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LIVE: AFL trades chat

Written By Unknown on Senin, 22 Oktober 2012 | 12.58

North Melbourne utility Cameron Pedersen could find his way to Melbourne. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Herald Sun

THREE weeks into the AFL's marathon trades period and the future of Adelaide defector Kurt Tippett is no clearer.

The key forward is locked in trade talks with Sydney as the Swans look to broker a deal with the Crows ahead of Friday's 2pm trade deadline.

Sydney ruckman/forward Jesse White looms as the likely trade option, with the Crows also in line to receive Swans 23rd pick in the national draft.

Meanwhile, St Kilda is set for a busy week as the Saints look to lure West Coast defender Mitch Brown and Gold Coast ruckman Tom Hickey.


Brown, who is contracted to the Eagles, wants out to return home to Melbourne.

But West Coast is determined on keeping the key defender and refuses to budge on the Saints offer which includes homesick West Australian Jamie Cripps.

More news: Department of Trades

Expect Melbourne to seal a deal which will see North Melbourne utility Cameron Pedersen become a Demon.

St Kilda midfielder Farren Ray could also find his way to Melbourne.

Others in the mix to switch clubs this week include: Mitch Brown (Geelong), Tom Gillies (Geelong), Stephen Gilham (Hawthorn) and Koby Stevens (West Coast).

LIVE HQ: JOIN THE LIVE AFL TRADES CHAT FROM 11AM BELOW:


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Hawks lead race for answers

Hawthorn is angry at the compensation it received for wingman Clinton Young and defender Tom Murphy. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

HAWTHORN is leading the fight for AFL clubs to get more information on the formula used to decide free agency compensation.

The Hawks are studying details to see if they can challenge the draft pick 66 return for running back Clinton Young's move to Collingwood.

"We'll go back through our documentation to see where there's (grounds) for an appeal or not. There doesn't appear to be one at first look,'' Hawks football manager Mark Evans told the Herald Sun today.

Evans said the clubs want more details of the new system, claiming they are "flying blind'' when not even being aware of an offer to a player who's an unrestricted free agency like Young.

"We'll all get use to it, but we need to have a system that has some equity in it. And we need to be able to understand why some things come out the way they do,'' he told SEN radio.


"I know it was an agreement between the AFL and the Players Association and that the formula be kept secret, but it doesn't help us understand the system.

"We've had some discussion with them (AFL), but we certainly haven't put anything formally at this stage.

"It's hard to determine the free agency compensation because we don't understand the details of the formula they've used. And it's not like we've got 10 years of experience of looking at free agency compensation picks to determine whether it's fair or not.

"We've only got the free agency compensation picks that have been handed out and, on the surface of it, pick 66 as a combination for Clinton Young and Tom Murphy doesn't seem just. And certainly doesn't look just when you look at some of the other compensations that were handed out.

"My issue is, if you've got a player who has just played in a grand final team with a club that's right at the top of the ladder and then you end up being 30 or 40 picks behind some of the other compensations for players you think might be regarded as about the same (ability), all I'm saying is that maybe that system we've come up with has got a couple of chinks in it.''

Evans said he wasn't aware there was no compensation for some players.

"We certainly need some better detail on why we ended up getting pick 66 for Clinton Young,'' he said.


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Cats, Suns to light up Geelong

Brian Cook (right) gives Sport Minister Kate Lundy, Federal Member for Corangamite Darren Cheeseman and Federal Member for Corio, Richard Marles MP a tour of the Simonds Stadium redevelopment. Picture: Mike Dugdale Source: Herald Sun

GEELONG will host its first home game under lights when the Cats face Gold Coast on June 1 next season.

The Cats will play up to four night matches at the redeveloped Simonds Stadium which will hold 34,000 fans when the new Players Stand is completed.

Geelong will play its first 10 matches away from home - and six games outside Victoria - as it waits for construction work to finish. The Cats will then get seven home matches in the final 10-11 rounds.

Geelong chief executive Brian Cook revealed today the Cats hope to unveil a $1.2 million "super screen" scoreboard when the redeveloped stadium makes its debut.

"We're going to have lights here by May 28," Cook told the Cats website.

"For the first time in Geelong's history we're going to have games under lights here in Geelong. We think we'll get three maybe four night games here next year.

"The first game will def be against Gold Coast on June 1, a Saturday night, so you've got the Gary Ablett factor, and the Josh Caddy factor now, so it's really exciting."

Cook said Geelong's long-term stadium vision - which could take 10 years - was for a venue that could hold more than 37,000 fans and host AFL and other sports including soccer, rugby league and rugby union.

But stage four of the stadium redevelopment is set to cost more than the $110 million spent on the first three stages combined.

Cook also weighed into the free agency debate, questioning the need for compensation picks for clubs that lost players.

"I have a principle that we should not necessarily be compensated, as clubs, for losing free agents, but I'm not sure that would be shared by everyone outside," he told the AFL website.

"The rightful compensation for losing a free agent is to get another one back in, really.

"The dollars that you gain by a free agent going off your list is money that should be used to bring someone on. That's the way I'm looking at it."

The Cats swapped free agents with Melbourne, losing Shannon Byrnes and picking up Jared Rivers.


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Morabito confident of derby return

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 21 Oktober 2012 | 12.58

ON TRACK: Fremantle midfielder Anthony Morabito (left) is aiming for a Round 1 return next season. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

FREMANTLE could be bolstered for its Round 1 Western Derby by a remarkable return from injury by midfielder Anthony Morabito.

Morabito's manager, Colin Young, said the Dockers bolter was confident he would be ready to put his hand up for the season opener and could be in line for selection as early as the NAB Cup, marking an against-the-odds recovery from consecutive knee reconstructions.

Morabito, the Dockers' top pick from the 2009 draft, has not played for Fremantle since the 2010 finals series after rupturing his left ACL in the following pre-season.

The Peel product, who turns 21 at the end of this month, was battling his way back through the WAFL and had made seven appearances for the Thunder before suffering a recurrence of the injury at a Fremantle training session in July.

Dockers coach Ross Lyon noted last month that his player's initial reconstruction had not been successful, leading to the re-injury, but Young said the second operation had produced better results.


"I haven't spoken to Morra since the best-and-fairest, but he's on track for the NAB Cup," Young said.

"I said to him: 'Still Round 1?' and, he said: 'Nah, NAB's looking good'. He's keen to start for the NAB Cup; he said he's ready to go and doesn't see any problems starting Round 1 and going on.

"He looked in great shape when he was training and he's very confident, very excited about next year."

A pre-season return for Morabito would be a stunning recovery and an overdue bit of good fortune for the footballer.

After his first operation in December, 2010, it took almost 16 months for his return to football  a 15-touch game with Peel reserves in Round 3 in late-March this year.

An NAB Cup return would mark a seven-month layoff, while Round 1 selection to face the Eagles would be eight months' recovery.

Young said there was a notable difference in Morabito's reaction to the latest surgery.

"He went to Melbourne to have the operation under Julian Feller, who's probably the master of all surgeons in Victoria," Young said.

"He was pretty convinced that he'd be back for NAB Cup, if not, then latest Round 1 and so he's very happy with the outcome of working with Julian.

"(The first time around) I don't think in his own mind he felt confident the operations were successful: he didn't feel right.

"He really feels 120 per cent now, since the last one.

"He had no swelling at all after the operation and he's really confident going forward."

Fremantle begins its pre-season on November 14, with the first-to-third-year players, with general manager of football operations Chris Bond saying the Dockers expected Morabito to rejoin ball drills in January.

"It's tragic circumstances, but to his credit he's really dug in," Bond told ABC radio.

"We've had the surgery done and we're expecting him to start running well into our pre-season and join in our football in January.

"We're in no doubt at all that we're going to get a fair bit of footy out of him."


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TV bosses still want GF time swap

Sydney's Nick Malceski is mobbed by teammates after kicking the winning goal in a classic Grand Final win against Hawthorn at the MCG. Picture: Hamish Blair Source: Herald Sun

Seven boss David Leckie still wouldn't mind seeing a later timeslot for the AFL Grand Final. Picture: Getty Images Source: Herald Sun

TELEVISION bosses don't come bigger and badder than Channel 7's David Leckie.

But not even Leckie - armed with hundreds of millions of dollars - could secure a night or twilight AFL Grand Final during the last round of broadcast rights negotiations.

"I'd love to, but I've been bashed around the head," Leckie admitted when the $1.25 billion deal was penned.

The man that bashed him was Andrew Demetriou.

The league chief has long declared that a night Grand Final simply won't happen under his watch.

And on this count of trademark Demetriou belligerence, let's hope he's right.

It's called Grand Final 'Day' for a reason.

Since 1898 when Fitzroy beat the Bombers, the last Saturday afternoon in September has been the showpiece of the Australian game.


Why fix what isn't broken?

But rumblings are growing louder that the TV kings are set to try again, for a twilight slot at least.

Seven yesterday remained tight-lipped about its intentions.

And if you're one of those in favour of the game being played under lights, Collingwood president Eddie McGuire is your man.

"If you are serious about what you are trying to achieve, the ultimate marketing tool the AFL has is the AFL Grand Final," McGuire said this year. "And if you want to put on the biggest and best show you do it at night. Have an entertainment spectacular with a million-dollar budget."

Sorry Ed, but the Rolling Stones could have played pre-game this year and we'd still be talking about Nick Malceski's goal.

The Sydney-Hawthorn epic played out in fading light at the MCG didn't need fireworks or rock bands to make it an all-time great.

Rugby league's failed experiments should serve as another warning.

In 2001, the NRL shifted to a night decider on the whim of Channel 9 before people power got the game moved back to a 5pm start.

When last asked for their opinion, more than 90 per cent of AFL players said they opposed anything other than an afternoon game.

The AFL, obsessed about congestion, said amid the interchange furore this week that all its rule changes were made with a view to player safety and the spectacle of the game.

So surely the best stage for footy's biggest match is a sunny September afternoon - not a night match more likely to be slippery because of dew.

Not to mention the death of the backyard Grand Final BBQ.

But if Demetriou's words ring true, traditionalists need not fret.

"If the only reason we were to do it was to please our broadcasters or to get more eyeballs on it, it wasn't a good enough reason to do it," he has declared.

"Even if we were offered a significant amount of money to move our Grand Final, we wouldn't do it."

That was August 2007 and the boss isn't a man to backflip.


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How Mick stopped a player revolt

Mick Malthouse with Eddie McGuire at the end of the 2011 season. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

Biography of Mick Malthouse to be released this week. Source: Herald Sun

MICK Malthouse hosed down a 2011 player revolt at Collingwood that wanted to keep him as coach.

In an exclusive book extract from Malthouse: A Football Life, to be released this week, it is revealed the Magpies' 2010 premiership coach was approached by a senior player who said several of his colleagues were prepared to sign a petition to have him stay on.

Former champion Collingwood player Nathan Buckley signed a deal in mid-2009 that meant he would take over from Malthouse as Collingwood coach for season 2012, regardless of interim results.

But almost from the moment the Pies saluted in the 2010 Grand Final replay against St Kilda, there was intense speculation about the arrangement and how the football giants would co-exist.

In the biographical book on her father, Christi Malthouse has revealed that while the thought of the petition appealed, the three-time premiership coach talked the player around because he thought it would "derail" the Magpies' 2011 premiership tilt which, at the time, was flying.

"By Round 16 (of the 2011 AFL season), the Magpies were second on the ladder, with 12 wins, one loss and two byes," Christi writes.

"By now it was early July and speculation about the future of the Collingwood coach had reached boiling point.

"Rumours abounded that Mick might not stay at Collingwood, that he might possibly coach elsewhere in 2012.

"Mick was in his office when a player tapped on the door.

"The young man in front of him looked nervous. 'Can I talk to you?'

"As the coach listened, his player revealed to him that several senior players wanted to sign a petition to have him reinstated as senior coach for the following year.

"It was nothing against the 'coach in waiting' (Buckley), he insisted, but the boys were concerned.

"They loved Mick, they needed Mick, and they weren't prepared to stand back and do nothing as he was replaced.

"Especially after winning a premiership. 'I would like to take it to management and the board', said the player.

"Mick's heart thumped inside his chest and echoed in his mind. 'What an amazing gesture,' he thought. But what a disaster it would be."

Christi writes that her father then made a call based on keeping the Magpies on a roll.

" 'No. Put those ideas away. I appreciate it, I really do, but it will only do more damage than good'," she writes.

"He was firm. 'It's not going to change anything. Nathan will be your coach next year - you have to get used to that. The only thing that can derail our season this year is if our focus is taken off winning.'

"Mick was desperate not to let that happen.

"They talked some more, and in the end it was agreed that everyone was better off concentrating solely on playing good football.

"They could worry about next year later."

Malthouse, who has signed to coach Carlton next season, was famously in tears as Collingwood rallied late to beat Hawthorn in the 2011 preliminary final.

But the Magpies were over-run by Geelong in the final quarter of the Grand Final, having led narrowly at halftime.

From Malthouse: A Football Life, published Wednesday by Allen & Unwin. Copyright Christi Malthouse 2012.


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