Roos look to add midfield muscle

Kangaroos list manager Cameron Joyce says former Port Adelaide defender Ben Jacobs is likely to move into the midfield. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

NORTH Melbourne has added three first-round draftees in an aggressive attempt to expand its emerging midfield group.

The Roos picked former Port Adelaide defender Ben Jacobs at No.37, and exciting wingman/half-forward Taylor Garner with its first selection (No.15). They secured Jordan Gysberts, a former pick No.11, from Melbourne last month.

List manager Cameron Joyce said Jacobs was likely to move from defence into the midfield at the Roos.

"We see him as a midfielder who can kick goals, as well, and we think he has the capacity to play in a number of roles for us," Joyce said.

"He was quite attractive during the trade period and also Jordan Gysberts two years ago played some really good football for Melbourne as a second-year player averaging around the 20- possession mark."

12.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

A mighty Saint with a heart of class

Adored by his St Kilda fans and acknowledged by supporters throughtout the competition as one tough cookie, Lenny Hayes relaxes at Torch cafe in Richmond. Picture: Alex Coppel Source: Herald Sun

Hayes played all of the last season with a heart condition. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

LENNY Hayes has a game face and a life face. The game face is intense and focused.

And if we can wax lyrical, sometimes you'd swear you can see the determination bursting out of his red, white and black jumper.

The life face is much different. Hayes is a smiler.

Sometimes it's a sheepish smile, when he has to listen to accolades poured on him, but mostly it's a fun, happy smile, a smile of a bloke content in life.

This day, Hayes was smiling aplenty.

He had just come from the Epworth Hospital, where his surgeon had given him the second tick of approval since open heart surgery in early September.

The football world was shocked, and initially fearful, when it was announced Hayes had had heart surgery.

It was to correct a leaking heart valve which was discovered after Christmas when the club put their players through fitness and health checks.

Hayes described it as a simple heart procedure, but a 24cm worm-like scar from the top of the chest plate to below the sternum suggests this wasn't simple keyhole surgery.

"It's about 11 weeks since the surgery, so we just had to tick some stuff off," Hayes said of his visit.

"It's going well and we're off to Colorado next week. Just had to get the all clear."

It was the second consultation since the surgery.

Incredibly, Hayes played with the condition all year. In fact, he played with it all of his career.

Combine it with his return from a second knee reconstruction and Hayes winning the St Kilda best and fairest ... well, this is Lenny Hayes.

Is there a more respected and admired footballer in the competition than "Lenny"?

In a way, he is the new Matthew Richardson.

He's tough, fearless, inspiring and respected and the heart scare only adds to the legend. Typically, Hayes played it down.

"Yeah, it's been beaten up a fair bit," he said. "It's why I wanted to talk about it.

Pick Me: Exclusive video on Saints draftee Nathan Wright

"The club said we could get everyone down at the club and do a press conference, but I would rather just be honest about it, get it out there, and hopefully I don't have to answer questions about it again. I understand everyone's interest, but it was the same with my knee, I get sick of answering the same questions.

"The fact is, they reckon I've probably had it my whole life. But any time you hear anything about the heart, you think, s---, but I had no symptoms.

"But because of where it was in my heart, we had to have the more serious side of the surgery. It's a fairly common thing; all it was was a hole in the heart, and they closed it up.

"Blood didn't circulate like it's meant to - which means one side of the heart had to do more work, which gets a little bit enlarged.

"I found out pre-season, when I had extra tests done, and they said I would have to get something done at the end of the year.

"I asked if it could wait another year, thinking I might have one year left, but they said we'd feel better if we get it done now."

The initial fears were swapped for relief, and then comedy.

That his heart was too big for his body, that it needed a reduction, that it pumped too hard, etc etc.

Of course, they were compliments.

Always, there's a price to pay to play the game and most often it's injuries. For Hayes, it's injuries and fame.

He admits, sheepishly again, he struggles with all the hero-worship.

"I've always liked letting my footy do the talking. At the end of the day, we're good at football. It's not like we do anything life changing. I don't know, I've always seen football as just a game and a passion of mine."

Still, his teammates love him, the media bluster about him, women want to be with him, and men want to play footy like him.

I don't think I've done too much differently than what I've done these past 10 years, and I don't know whether it's the fact you get over 30 that it comes. It's like any job, the longer you are in a position the more people get to know you, and to be successful you have to do it over a long period of time.

The public's response to his heart issues was at times overwhelming.

I'm appreciative of all the support I've had. I get non-St Kilda fans wishing me all the best, and that means a lot. You don't expect it. It's a little embarrassing.

"I don't like talking about myself, I don't think anybody does, but, yeah, the footy community is good like that. If you see a guy get a big injury, the footy community gets around people."

Part of the love is Hayes's normalcy. He's not a big-head and he's not flamboyant, and he plays footy hard and socialises hard enough.

It's another Richo trait.

"That's fair," he said. "I consider myself professional but a big part of playing team sport is enjoying each other's company and that's something I enjoy as much as the next bloke. I love having a beer with the teammates. As you said, do the hard work and then you enjoy it together. It's a big reason why I play team sport.

It's changed a lot and it's different perhaps because I'm older and married, but there's still times when you need to have a couple of beers. Maybe that's just me."

Pressed to remember any time of his career when he was criticised, he says: "Oh yeah, I've copped some over the fence at times. From the media ... yeah, I've been put under the pump. Every player has.

"After playing bad finals early days, and when I first got drafted I was questioned over my pace, which was fair enough, and then when I did my knee - Is he going to be right? - so there's always things out there."

Hayes first did a knee in 2006 and the second in 2011.

He had the regular surgery procedure for both.

The second created a few self-doubts, mainly about whether he could come back and be the same Lenny Hayes aged 32.

"I suppose 2011 was a bit different because I had been through it before, so I knew what to expect. I had the conventional surgery and if there's blessing to doing one, it's doing it early in the year so you can come back and have a full pre-season and get into it.

"And of course I had doubts. You never know what will happen and you need a little bit of luck coming back from injuries as well, and I was able to do a lot of training. Still, I went into the season a little underdone. I played a half in the NAB, I got knocked out against Collingwood in the first two minutes in the practice game, and then we went to Perth and played three quarters.

"So I felt a little underdone and then I played s---house against Port in Round 1."

His form after that was more consistent than his team's. The Saints won 12 games and lost 10, and could never string more than two wins together.

Hayes admitted to believing at times that a premiership was not beyond the team.

"When you get older all you need is a sniff, even just to play finals. OK, I didn't think we were ever in the best position to win a flag, but I think every team in the eight were a chance on their day."

Post-season centred on the heart operation, and then three weeks in America with his wife Tara, mainly to attend the wedding of teammate Nick Riewoldt in Waco, Texas.

Up to 15 teammates and former coaches Grant Thomas and Ross Lyon were there, and in small-time Waco the local sports bar called Crickets took a hiding, simply because it was the only drinking establishment..

"Yeah, it was a great weekend," Hayes said. "The boys had the footy trip in Cancun (Mexico), which I was shattered about because I couldn't go on, but, yeah, it was good to spend a couple of weeks over there."

Hayes is as excited about next year as any other year.

He says the club is arresting its youth shortage and, in coach Scott Watters' first season, it had seen an injection of new talent.

"And we will pick up another four or five at the draft," he said.

On a tailored program, Hayes arrived at the first day of pre-season training and naturally became the story.

"The way he presented himself after the operation he's been through, in terrific condition, on a modified program, but really looking forward to going to Colorado," Watters said.

He's a terrific story for a million reasons. He's an outstanding guy."

Starting his 15th season, you suppose the next question is: Will it be his last?

He's 32, turning 33 in January, but age does not seem to weary him.

"I'm not going to stick around if the club wants to play more young guys or we're no chance to play finals," he said.

You have to earn your ride. No one deserves a game for what they've done in the past. If the coach sees a role for an experienced midfielder, maybe playing a different role, and not inside, inside, inside all the time, then it might be all right.

With a smile, he said: "I always thought I could play forward."

12.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

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 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.''

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

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, yeah.''

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

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 contracts completed before the season.

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

12.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Carter thrilled to join Eagles nest

WELCOME ABOARD: WA youngster Adam Carter was snared by West Coast at yesterday's National Draft. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

ADAM Carter was effectively in solitary confinement; cooped up in what India called a hospital, in the middle of a "paddock" and with no contact to the outside world.

So, for the 180cm midfielder from South Fremantle and one of West Coast's latest recruits, meeting the new boss should be easy.

"It's a different experience and I'm looking forward to it," Carter said of his looming meeting this afternoon with coach John Worsfold.

"Obviously that (the India experience) wasn't something I was looking forward to."

Carter made a decision at about 16 years old to focus on football over a tilt at a cricket career, with stress fractures in his back from the rigours of batting and bowling a major factor in his decision.

But before that choice, he had travelled to the sub-continent with the under-16s Australian cricket side when he set off the airport body-heat monitors.

"I was pulled up at the airport, around the time of Swine Flu," he said.

"They had heat detectors; the team had walked through OK, but they got to me and I pulled up really hot, really red on the monitor.

"They pulled me aside and said, 'Look, we're going to have to take you for testing. We suspect you have Swine Flu'.

"I got separated from the team ... all my family and team couldn't speak to me and I was taken away in the middle of the night to this paddock, really, with what they called a hospital in it.

"I spent the next five days there in no air conditioning, no TV, no radio, no outside contact.

"It was a pretty eye-opening experience."

Profiles of every draft pick + expert verdict on every club

Carter, pick No. 59, this morning fronted his first press conference as an Eagle alongside the club's other two selections from yesterday's AFL Draft; first pick at No. 45 and mobile Perth forward, the 192cm Brandt Colledge, and West Perth's Sandover Medal runner-up and reigning Falcons best and fairest winner, inside midfielder Mark Hutchings, who was taken third at No. 60.

It is Hutchings' second life with an AFL club, having been rookie listed by St Kilda in 2010, but the 21-year-old said he was a far different player this time around.

He said he was now more prepared for AFL life and that was no more evident than in his regime during yesterday's draft.

Instead of sitting by a TV, Hutchings went to work, running his personal training business as he always has and letting his work do the talking, refusing to take any expectations into the day.

"I didn't expect to get picked, but I didn't rule myself out and each year is a clean slate; (not getting picked up) last year wasn't going to deter me at all," Hutchings said.

"I was at work last night and between clients, I was checking my phone and it was blowing up.

"I thought, 'What's this?'

"They (the people messaging) were saying congratulations, but I didn't know what club it was, so I checked the website and saw my name at West Coast and I couldn't be happier.

"It was a sick moment and it was pretty hard to keep my mind on the job for the last couple of hours.

"This time, I'm a little bit more experienced, I know my game a little bit better, I know my footy, so I'm just really eager to make the most of it this time around."

West Coast's first selection, Colledge, said it was an overwhelming feeling to be drafted, particularly by a home club.

"I'd had a couple of talks with the Eagles, but the clubs keep their cards really close to their chest," Colledge said.

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

"I think we'll get stuck in pretty quickly, so maybe Monday or some time next week."
 

12.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Blues draft for bench cap

A champion runner whose stocks soared this year when he lowered the colours of top AFL Draft prospect Lachie Whitfield.

2012 Morrish Medal winner Nick Graham in action for Gippsland Power. Picture: Kate Mitchell Source: Herald Sun

CARLTON has begun drafting for an interchange cap, targeting players who can run hard with minimal rest.

While there will be no cap next season, the league will trial limiting teams to 80 interchanges per match in the pre-season, ahead of potentially introducing that system for the 2014 season proper.

The Blues are already preparing.

While they couldn't go past talented forward Troy Menzel with their first pick, No.11, their other two live selections had an emphasis on endurance.

Their second selection, Tom Temay, the son of St Kilda 52-gamer Paul Temay, is a 3000m runner who has represented Victoria and at one stage was tossing up between football and athletics.

Their third pick, Nick Graham, who was coached by former Blue Nick Stevens at TAC Cup side Gippsland Power, was also liked for his running power.

"He's just a really good endurance player," said Blues national recruiting manager Shane Rogers.

"We think with the rules that may be changing next year with interchanges, it was a priority to try and get blokes that could run out games and just chug around and not have to come off as much as what some players do.

"So he's one of those players. He's a high-possession winner as well."

Profiles of every draft pick + video & expert analysis

While Carlton concentrated on running ability, Richmond noted another of the game's trends - the importance of winning the contested ball - in taking tough, aggressive midfielder-defender Nick Vlastuin with their first pick, No.9.

He fits the mould of other recent Tiger draftees such as Brandon Ellis, Reece Conca and Dustin Martin as physical, big-bodied midfield prospects.

"We think contested footy numbers are increasing on a year-by-year basis and we've drafted with that in mind over the last couple of years," Tigers recruiting manager Francis Jackson said.

The Tigers also had an eye on endurance with their second pick, Kamdyn McIntosh.

While the 192cm West Australian has spent time as a key defender, Richmond like him as a tall midfielder, given he rated in the top three per cent for endurance tests at the draft combine.

12.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

The 10 big draft surprises

THE AFL draft is done and dusted for another year, with clubs calling out the names of 94 players they hope to become stars. But who got it right, who got it wrong and what are recruiters still shaking their heads about? Read our special report.

SAM LANDSBERGER GIVES HIS 10 BIG DRAFT SURPRISES

THE STEAL

Magpie fans thought they were on a winner when West Coast agreed to send its first pick east for Sharrod Wellingham and last night added about five exclamation marks.

It's a wonder Derek Hine kept a straight face as he read out ruck beast Brodie Grundy at 18, with the slider of 2012 initially regarded as a top-three pick.

But with young ruckmen on the nose Grundy just kept on sliding. Word filtered out this week that Grundy would weave past GWS's first five choices, causing the Roos and Cats to reassess their draft plans.

When they both stuck to their guns and baulked, the 202cm All-Australian who can boot bags of goals officially became a Pie.

Collingwood recruit Brodie Grundy after the AFL National Draft. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

SuperFooty Draft Tracker: Your home of the AFL Draft

THE SLIDER

It was a case of mind over matter for clubs eyeing Dayle Garlett last night with the slick West Australian passed up by every club.

The All-Australian could not find a home and now he faces the serious realisation his AFL dream may never materialise due to repeated off-field issues, which saw him axed from the AIS-AFL Academy.

Social media photos which emerged late this year didn't help Garlett's cause, despite the 18-year-old rated as a top-10 talent on raw talent alone. Will someone take the punt on him as a rookie?

Pick Me: Exclusive video highlights of 20 of the hottest draft picks

HIGHLY RATED: Dayle Garlett has been impressive for Swan Districts since making his league debut this year. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: PerthNow

THE SAINTS

All the rage was the Saints needed to assess their bare key defensive stocks, so it came as a surprise when they plucked a forward (Spencer White) and a rebounding halfback (Nathan Wright) with their early pair of picks.

Adding to the intrigue was the best two key defenders – full-back Tanner Smith and centre half-back Tom Clurey – were both available at 24 and 25.

But the Saints took the punt on freakish Western Jets spearhead Spencer White earlier than expected before landing explosive halfback Nathan Wright.

That left Clurey and Smith to fall interstate, to Port Adelaide and Fremantle respectively. Do the Saints have something left up their sleeve to aid their undersized backline?

Exclusive "Pick Me" vision of Tanner Smith in action

THE SWANS

Tim Membrey at pick 46? You'd be joking. Get the feeling the premiers will be laughing at that as soon as next year.

The power forward who will play as a third tall is ready-made, praised for his repeated efforts and boasts a golden right boot.

In fact, Gippsland Power coach Nick Stevens rates his set-shot better than Brendan Fevola's and said he thought Membrey was a top-10 talent.

The Dogs liked him at pick 21 but when Nathan Hrovat slipped he was simply too good to refuse, meaning the tattooed spearhead slipped into the 40s.

His questions marks are his size of only 189cm and his lack of endurance, but you get the feeling the SCG will quickly become his favourite ground.

Exclusive "Pick Me vision of Tim Membrey in action

Exclusive "Pick Me" vision of Nathan Hrovat in action

Big wraps: Gippsland Power coach Nick Stevens says Tim Membrey is a more accurate kick for goal than Brendon Fevola. Source: Herald Sun

THE RAIDERS

Unfazed by Ben Jacobs' homesickness, Port Adelaide only took interstaters.

That despite the abundance of home-grown South Australian talent on offer in a clear sign the Power is not spooked by losing Jacobs for nothing.

Clearance king Ollie Wines was irresistible  at No. 7 before centre half-back Tom Clurey appealed at 29. The endurance specialist will help cover Troy Chaplin, while WA boy Mason Shaw shores up Port's front half as a big target.

The Pies, Lions, Crows, Cats, Suns, Giants, Hawks and Swans also only drafted from outside their home states, while the Dogs and Eagles casted their nets locally.

Exclusive "Pick Me" vision of Ollie Wines in action

Exclusive "Pick Me" vision of Tom Clurey in action

AFL Draft,Tom Clurey,country boy from Shepparton,running across hay bails on his farm, Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

CROWS CROW AFTER ALL

Maybe it's karma for all the "goodwill" the Crows apparently showed by handing back their first few picks, but, amazingly, they still finished big winners.

Sam Siggins at 62 is the key defender already exposed to senior footy they crave, while Rory Atkins at 81 bordered on ridiculous.

This ball magnet won Calders' best-and-fairest and was touted as a second-round pick with the Tigers and Bombers showing hot interest.

THE BOLTERS

The Herald Sun revealed last week Lachie Plowman was spearing towards the No. 3 pick, but he wasn't the only player to power up the order.

The Swans jagged VFL recruit Dean Towers at pick 22 with the explosive halfback aiding their ageing backline, while the Lions surprised plenty of clubs when they called out Marco Paparone at pick 23.

They rated the key forward above Membrey, Shaw and Mason Wood, while Spencer White at 25 also shocked some given a wrist injury he's carried.

The Dogs sprung a surprise when they plucked underexposed Josh Prudden at pick 50 but are confident they have a winner in the Assumption College midfielder.

A GIANT PIE

His old man played 115 games in black and white, but Eddie McGuire will have to watch James Stewart develop under the guise of nemesis Kevin Sheedy at GWS.

The Pies passed on the father-son prospect and the Giants are hoping to make them pay, snaring the mobile big man with pick 27.

Exclusive "Pick Me" vision of Stewart, the man the Pies overlooked

Father son stars of the Victorian Metro U/18 players L-R, James Stewart and Lachie Hunter. James's dad Craig played for Collingwood while Lachie's father Mark played for Footscray Picture: Bruce Magilton Source: Herald Sun

THE VFL SURPRISE PACKET

Frankston Dolphins coach Simon Goosey holds a part-time recruiting gig at Essendon and he's again earned his coin.

The Dons continued their Peninsula extraction, scooping up unheralded defender Dylan Van Unen at pick 51.

The 189cm ready-made talent, who played three reserve flags at Box Hill, joins fellow defenders Michael Hibberd and Mark Baguley at Windy Hill.

THE UNLUCKY MISSES

Sam Colquhoun must be wondering what more he could have done.

The halfback earned All-Australian colours, averaged 28 possessions for South Australia and tracked at 78 per cent efficiency yet couldn't find a home last night.

One club said moments before the draft his club would take a good look, regarding the 17-year-old as a "running machine" who excels as a link-up player and tipping Colquhoun to graduate between picks 25-40.

Dandenong Stingray Jason Pongracic was also stiff after Collingwood showed strong interest, while beanpole Geelong Falcons ruckman Darcy Fort also had no luck.

Those boys were quick to be told to keep their chins up, keep working hard and look to the rookie draft.

Follow Sam Landsberger on Twitter @SamLandsberger
 

12.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Swans still keen on Tippett

STILL INTERESTED: Swans coach John Longmire. Picture: Mark Evans Source: The Daily Telegraph

SYDNEY coach John Longmire says the reigning premiers remain keen on securing Kurt Tippett despite the draft tampering and salary cap rorting scandal that has engulfed the key forward and his former club Adelaide.

Speaking on the Gold Coast ahead of tonight's AFL national draft, Longmire said the Swans were still determined to bring Tippett to the Harbour City.

Tippett, Adelaide, Crows CEO Steve Trigg and past and present football managers John Reid and Phil Harper will front the AFL Commission next Friday to answer a total of 11 charges arising from Tippett's last contract with the Crows.

Complete player profiles in the SuperFooty Draft Tracker

Tippett nominated Sydney as his club of choice in October but the scandal has put his football career in limbo with the Gold Coast product expected to start legal action to force Adelaide to delist him next week, clearing the path for him to go to Sydney on a four-year, $3.5 million deal.

But Tippett could be slugged with a hefty suspension - in the vicinity of 10 weeks - for his part in the contract drama.

Longmire said the Swans were happy to respect the AFL Commission hearing results but their desire to sign Tippett had not diminished.

"We are obviously still interested in Kurt Tippett," Longmire said.

Tippett legal bid to escape Crows

"But there is still a process to go through so things are still up in the air.

"There's a fair bit of water to go under the bridge so we'll have to wait and see. It involves the AFL Commission so we have to take it one step at a time.

"Obviously we were pleased that he (Tippett) decided to nominate us as his club ... things have changed as it's gone along and no doubt there's still a few things to come up in the next couple of weeks.

Updated AFL Phantom Draft

"Until that sorts itself out we are sitting here wondering what's going to happen...we are all unsure what the next step is.

"The first step for us as a footy club is to get it right at the draft tonight. Hopefully we'll bring some good kids into our club."

The seven things you're sure to see at the AFL Draft

12.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Draft ban won't stop us: Sando

Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson talks with Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley before the draft on the Gold Coast. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

ADELAIDE coach Brenton Sanderson says the Crows can build an era of success even if they have to sit out the early rounds of the next few drafts.

Sanderson didn't get a say in the club's decision to give up its first two picks in tonight's draft, effectively an early down-payment on a likely severe sanction when the Crows front the AFL Commission on November 30.

Sanderson said from a selfish point of view, he would have preferred to keep the picks.

"It's a bit unusual for us,'' Sanderson said on the Gold Coast.

"Pick 64 for us (now the Crows' first pick) ... we'll sort of sitting around for the first three-quarters of the draft.

"From a selfish point of view I'd love to have early draft picks but I certainly understand the situation we're in and I guess it's the best decision for the footy club.

"It's the chairman's call, in consultation with the AFL, so from a coaches' point of view and the recruiting team I guess we're just trying to be prepared for all different scenarios.

"Over the last couple of weeks our guys have been outstanding -- (list manager) David Noble and (recruiter) Hamish Ogilvie have been fantastic in the way they've prepared for all different scenarios."

While it's likely the Crows, facing charges of draft and salary cap tampering over the Kurt Tippett saga, will also lose early selections from future drafts, the coach said they were well positioned to cope.

"Our list is very strong. Our age profile is very young," Sanderson said.

"Apart from the two new franchises I think only Brisbane and Melbourne are younger than us.

"We're still a very young side and we've still got our best (football to come). We feel like we can still improve."

The club rose from 14th spot last year to the brink of a Grand Final berth in Sanderson's first season at the helm.

He said the mood among the players was positive despite the potential sanctions hanging over the club and some of its key figures.

AFL Coaches,Gold Coast.Ken Hinkley,Brenton Sanderson and Chris Scott, Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

"All I can do as senior coach is play my role and the rest of the stuff is going to be sorted out," Sanderson said.

"I'll get back home tomorrow and get on with training our boys through the pre-season.

"The players have been fantastic. Their support's been great as well and they're really keen to build on a good 2012 campaign and have another successful 2013."

He said the attack would remain potent without Tippett, even though the Crows don't have a player who can completely replace him.

Sanderson said improving youngsters such as Josh Jenkins, Shaun McKernan, Lewis Johnston, Tom Lynch and Ricky Henderson provided forward options, while exciting midfielder Patrick Dangerfield could spend more time in attack.

"We can certainly go for a few different sort of structures that can still help us and trouble the opposition," he said.

12.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sheedy can't wait to coach Kurt

GWS coach Kevin Sheedy and Essendon coach, and former Sheedy pupil, James Hird at a coaches media call prior to tonight's national draft at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast. Source: Getty Images

GREATER Western Sydney coach Kevin Sheedy says Kurt Tippett and the Giants can prove a great combination, even if the club has to drag him there.

Tippett and his legal team are considering court action to help the Adelaide forward-ruckman join premier Sydney as a free agent, rather than fall to wooden-spooner GWS through the pre-season draft.

But Sheedy doubts they will follow through on that threat and says Tippett's desire to avoid the Giants hasn't dulled the club's enthusiasm.

Sheedy pointed to his own experience of wanting to play for Essendon growing up, but having to join Richmond under recruiting rules of that time, which resulted in him playing in three premierships with the Tigers.

"A lot of players don't really know what is right for them all the time," Sheedy said today.

"Why wouldn't you want to come if you were Kurt?

"And I'm saying this honestly - you're going to be playing with a hell of a lot of good players.

"It's going to be a damn good side in four years and he'll be just peaking by then."

Sheedy said the Giants wanted more talls, had plenty of salary-cap space and Tippett was the sort of player he loved to coach.

"Tippett is a ruckman as well as a forward and I've had a lot of success with those sorts of players, like Simon Madden, Roger Merrett and Paul Salmon (at Essendon)," he said.

"He does fit that bill of a ruckman who can go forward."

An AFL Commission hearing next week into charges of salary cap and draft tampering by the Crows involving Tippett will help determine his club future and whether he faces a ban from the game.

Swans' coach John Longmire was reluctant to speculate on his club's chances of recruiting Tippett.

"We're still interested in Kurt Tippett coming to the footy club," he said.

"But because of this process to go through, things are still up in the air, I guess.

"There's no way we can sit here today and know what's going to happen."

12.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Crows hand back draft picks

The Crows have withrdawn from the early rounds of the draft as the fallout continues from the Kurt Tippett. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

ADELAIDE has given up its top two picks in tomorrow's draft in a shock move.

In a dramatic twist in the Kurt Tippett salary cap scandal, the Crows have today reached a football plea bargain with the AFL to take a short-term draft hit for longer-term gain.

Facing stiff penalties from the league for alleged salary cap cheating and draft tampering, Adelaide has decided to forgo selections 20 and 54 at the Gold Coast draft.

The AFL Commission agreed to Adelaide's formal written request at its two-day meeting held Monday and yesterday.

The Commission could have knocked back the Crows' gesture but clearly welcomed the club's actions.

The commissioners unanimously agreed to accept the change to the draft order.

The move has forced a reshuffle to the draft order and Collingwood is the main beneficiary - the Magpies now have consecutive picks 18, 19 and 20.

The Crows will still enter the draft with three picks but they will slide down to numbers 62, 81 and 95.

The final selection will be used to redraft upgraded mature-age rookie Ian Callinan.

Jon Ralph: Smart move by guilty Crows

"We are in ongoing discussions with the AFL,'' Crows chairman Rob Chapman said in a statement.

"This gesture forms part of those discussions and is made in good faith.

"There are pressing deadlines with the draft and our priority is to see (axed) Nick Joyce back on our main list. This will now happen at the pre-season draft.

"So we see this as a pragmatic gesture made in good faith. It's all about seeking the best overall outcome for the Adelaide Football Club.''

Draft Tracker: Exclusive analysis & draftee profiles

The Crows dumped contracted second-year player Nick Joyce last week because Tippett remained on its playing list. It has reached agreement with him to re-select him at the December 11 pre-season draft.

Chapman refused to comment further on the club's decision to give up its first two draft picks, including its prime selection at No.20.

The Crows were believed to be keen to use the pick on Murray Bushrangers defender Tom Clurey, who has been likened to St Kilda's Sam Fisher.

But it understood the decision was made after consultation with AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson.

Adelaide hopes by taking a hit now, it will reduce the penalties it is expected to cop later, including a massive fine and the loss of draft picks.

AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson said he would recommend to the AFL Commission that Adelaide's actions be taken into consideration in its deliberations regarding the Tippett matter next week.

"The AFL welcomes the initiative from the Adelaide Crows Football Club in light of the decision by the AFL Commission to postpone the hearing into the Tippett matter until the end of next week, beyond the 2012 draft," Anderson said in a statement.

The Crows, chief executive Steven Trigg, football manager Phil Harper, former football operations manager John Reid and Tippett face a total of 11 AFL charges for engaging in conduct prejudicial to the draft or engaging in conduct in breach of the total player payments provisions.

The club and Trigg each face three charges, Reid and Tippett two and Harper one.

The hearing, which has been adjourned once, will be held at AFL House in Melbourne at 8am on Friday, November 30.

12.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Masterstroke by guilty Crows

AFL investigators arrive at the Adelaide Football Club offices as part of the investigation into alleged salary cap breaches to star player Kurt Tippett. Source: adelaidenow

Adelaide's decision to hand back its first two selections in Thursday's national draft is a significant admission of guilt from the Crows over the Kurt Tippett affair.

For weeks the club has urged restraint despite the raging torrent of headlines, peddling the line that it just couldn't wait for its meeting with the AFL.

Breaking news: Crows withdraw from draft

But you don't hand back draft picks if you aren't absolutely, 100 per cent, rock-solid certain they will be stripped from you at some stage anyway.

So finally we know that Adelaide is guilty, because it believes it is too.

2012 SuperFooty draft tracker

The industry estimate of Adelaide's potential penalties has been that they would likely lose at least their first two picks from two consecutive drafts.

So in one way this is a masterstroke from Adelaide, especially given AFL football operations boss Adrian Anderson has already confirmed he will recommend the club's actions are taken into account at the Commission next week.

Why a masterstroke?

Because Adelaide had only two live picks in this draft, and its best pick was a modest 20.

Crows can still buy their way out of trouble

It can still spruik the arrival of star midfielder Brad Crouch, taken last year in the GWS mini-draft but only able to play for the Crows this year.

And as SuperFooty proposed today, its list is in excellent shape to strive for a premiership even when it does inevitably lose Kurt Tippett to a NSW-based club.

Better to lose the two picks from this draft, and next year's picks, than be nobbled in a subsequent draft when you desperately need to stock up with a raft of juniors.

If you are going to get smashed by the AFL, you might as well try to receive that smashing on your terms.

The jungle drums beating early in the week were that the Adelaide's recruiting team would have been thrilled if the penalties started this year, given the lack of quality picks they planned to take.

Yet footballer manager Phil Harper's determination to spend more time on his defence saw him and the Crows ask for and win another week before they fronted the commission.

This is a ploy to have it both ways - get the extra time from the AFL, yet still start the draft sanctions in the 2012 draft.

It is high stakes brinkmanship, because the Commission could still suspend them from the 2013 and 2014 drafts.

Then the Crows truly are in strife, because no club can afford to lose high picks from three consecutive drafts.

This is a dark day for the Adelaide football club, because it has effectively conceded its involvement a salary cap scandal which will leave a dark stain on its reputation.

But if you are going to get smashed by the AFL, you might as well try to receive that smashing on your terms.

Only at next Friday's AFL Commission meeting will we see if the ploy has paid off or dramatically backfired.

12.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

AFL Draft lotto is here

AFL Draft lotto is here! Source: Herald Sun

EVERY AFL National Draft is different, yet some things will never change. As certain as death and taxes, here is the list of things to expect.

* The certainty of the No.1 draft pick

REMEMBER the last time there was genuine suspence about who will go pick No.1? Me neither. These days, the mystery of who will have their name read out first is solved sometimes months out. The inclusion of the Suns and Giants the past two years has made it even worse given they have also owned the picks No.2 and No.3. But despite this, the No.1 to be - which tomorrow night will be Lachie Whitfield - will still sit stony-faced in the front row surrounded by his parents and claim to be "nervous" in the minutes beforehand despite knowing exactly where he is going.

Surprise, surprise - No.1 draft pick David Swallow and Guy McKenna in 2010. Source: Herald Sun

* The player/players who don't want to go

ALL players who enter the draft say the same thing - they don't care where they get picked, they just want to play AFL football. That sounds great on paper, but it is much scarier when it hits you square in the face. Take 1998 No.1 draft pick Des Headland, for example. Headland was desperately hoping to go pick No.2 - as Fremantle had the selection and he wanted to stay in his native Western Australia. But the Lions wanted him. Headland put on a brave face as his name was read out, but it was written all ove his place. Headland is not alone - every year there is at the very least one youngster shattered that he is about to pack up and move to Adelaide/Perth/Brisbane etc. Sometimes the parents take it harder than the player himself.

Des Headland meets Lions coach Leigh Matthews on draft day in 1998. Source: Herald Sun

* The Sheeds declaration

NOT to be outshone by the recruiting managers, the great Kevin Sheedy has a tendencey to interject himself into the draft. Not shy to make big calls, don't be surprised if Sheeds stays true to form and declares one of his new GWS recruits will be the next James Hird or Matthew Lloyd.

Then Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy with pick No.2 Scott Gumbleton in 2006. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

* The obscure smokey

JOURNALISTS and news organisations spend countless hours preparing player profiles for draft night. But you can be sure there will be at least one player taken at the back end of the draft where almost everyone turns to the person next to them and says: "Who?" Ah yes - everyone loves a good draft smokey. The best ones are players from a very small town who play maybe one reserves game that year in the middle of nowhere to fulfil the minimal draft requirement before vanishing until there name is read out on draft night.

Any self-respecting recruiting boss, such as Scott Clayton, loves a good draft smokey. Source: Herald Sun

* The awkward set-up shots with the first three picks

Each year, the top three draft picks are required to pose together with the cameras at the conclusion of the draft. This makes for some awkward set-up pictures, as you can see below in 2005 with fresh-faced teens Marc Murphy, Dale Thomas and Xavier Ellis. The players tend to tire of the long photo shoot after about five minutes. Two years ago, Suns' No.2 draft pick Harley Bennell walked off after only a few clicks of the camera because he had had enough. When you look at some of the set-up pictures from years gone by, few can blame him.

Fresh-faces - Marc Murphy, Dale Thomas and Xavier Ellis after the 2005 AFL National Draft. Source: Herald Sun

* Your club will be thrilled with the result

Relax, you can go to bed after the draft knowing your club aced it. How do you know? Because they will tell you so. It is the one night of the year where club recruiting manager becomes a rock stars and laps up the attention. Fans are hungry for reaction and clubs are happy to oblige. You are almost 100 per cent certain to hear this line at least three times: "Very happy to get John Smith at pick No.28 - we rated him much higher than that." Often these don't work out as history says. One example, but there are many more, is Tasmanian big forward Billy Morrison - taken by Collingwood at pick No.17 in the 2003 draft. Then recruiting chief Noel Judkins said at the time: ""He's a big, strong boy - he's got a great work ethic, uses his body in contests, has huge hands. We rated him in the top 12." Big Billy never played a game and was delisted two years ago. Never in the history of the draft has a club publicly claimed to be anything but thrilled with the players they pick on the night. Just once, it would be refreshing to hear something along these lines: "Yeah, not the best result. We were really hoping for John Smith at pick No.12, but he got snapped up at Pick No.10. Our bloke is not too much chop, but fingers crossed because you never know. He might come on. But for now, not happy with how it unfolded."

Stephen Silvagni, back when he was working out at Collingwood, does some work with Billy Morrison in 2005. Source: Herald Sun

* Supporter outrage/euphoria immediately concluding the draft
As well as club reaction, the immediate supporter reaction is even more predictable. Despite the vast majority of supporters having little knowledge of the players in question, everyone suddenly becomes a draft expert on draft night. A quick check of Facebook and/or Twitter or footy bulletin boards following the draft and you will see posts like this: "Yes! Joe Blobbs at 4 and John Citizen at 18!!! We killed it!" Or you might see a few posts like this: "What the hell?! We overlooked Joe Blobbs at 3?! Idiots! Can't believe how bad we stuffed up again." It takes many years to determine the success of draft selections, but many supporters on draft night declare it then and there.

Fans are at their passionate best on draft day. Source: Herald Sun

12.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

AFL throws book at sliders

Sydney's Gary Rohan is stretchered off with a serious leg injury after a sliding incident at the SCG. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: News Limited

PLAYERS can now be reported for making forceful contact below an opponent's knee in changes to the match review panel soon to be announced by the AFL.

The league is set to clamp down further on sliding tackles - or approaching a contest feet or knees-first - which will now be a reportable offence.

This season the league took a strong stance against players sliding into opponents, sending a memo to clubs in May warning of the potential risk of injury.

Sydney's Gary Rohan suffered a sickening broken leg when Kangaroo Lindsay Thomas slid into him at the SCG in April.

Thomas was charged with rough conduct and initially banned for two weeks, but later cleared by the tribunal on appeal.

Charges could be more common next season after the league decided that, in a bid to further protect players, sliding into contests can now be judged as unreasonable or dangerous contact.

At its last commission meeting in October, the AFL announced it would tighten the forceful-contact-below-the-knees rule, informing clubs umpires would pay free kicks on the spot from next season.

Today, the commission was told those rules had been further tightened to the extent that dangerous front-on contact could lead to a player being reported.

AFL clubs are expected to be made aware of the changes either today or tomorrow.
 

12.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Family first for McPhee

Adam McPhee has retired from football. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: The Sunday Times

Adam and Bree McPhee arrive at the Fremantle best-and-fairest count. Picture: Alf Sorbello Source: The Sunday Times

TAJ and Cove McPhee will make good use of any surplus energy their dad Adam has to burn off now he has retired from the AFL.

Taj, aged four, and Cove, two, were the cheeky stars of McPhee's media conference in Melbourne today as he gallantly tried to give serious answers to questions about why he has retired now.

The 31-year-old flourished in Ross Lyon's first season as Fremantle coach and the defender admits it was a tough decision not to continue playing for another year.

But as his wife Bree looked on with a wry grin and his boys lapped up the limelight, McPhee said it was time to return to Melbourne and do the right thing by his family.

"That was one of the things I really struggled with, in terms of announcing my retirement, the fact that the club is heading in the right direction," McPhee said.

"Certainly since Ross has come on board ... a few things have changed.

"It is going to be hard to sit back and watch, because I really feel like I still have one to two years of football left.

"But ultimately the decision ... isn't about whether I have football left in me - it's more about what's best for the family."

McPhee will work for his father-in-law's business and said there was no thought of trying to extend his AFL career.

"I've been through two trades already and the last thing I wanted to do was go through another and, more importantly, probably disappoint a few people," he said.

McPhee played 25 games for the Dockers in 2001-02 before he was traded to Essendon, where he made the 2004 All-Australian team.

Adam McPhee on his way to a goal for the Bombers in 2004. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Herald Sun

He played 142 games for the Bombers and then went back to Fremantle after the 2009 season.

Altogether, he played 223 senior matches.

"I feel quite content to be able to move on and walk out of the game," McPhee said.

"About five years ago, football was absolutely everything for me.

"Then I became a father and realised what was important in life."

McPhee described Cove's birth as "traumatic" and said it was particularly tough to go on the road with the Dockers while Bree struggled to regain her health.

But he relished this season under Lyon.

"There's a perception that's been created of Ross that's probably unnecessary," McPhee said.

"His expectations of his players are very high and it's a high standard that is required to play AFL football.

"So if you're not up to scratch and you don't want to prepare that way or put in the hard work, then Ross will make a hard decision."

Also today, the Dockers announced they had delisted Jack Anthony.

Like McPhee, Anthony was contracted to Fremantle for another season.

Anthony played 43 games for Collingwood, but only eight games over two seasons for the Dockers.

12.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tippett fall guy pulls out of draft

Nick Joyce in action for Woodville-West Torrens in the SANFL. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: adelaidenow

ADELAIDE will have an extra live pick in Thursday's AFL national draft after dumped Nick Joyce today withdrew his draft nomination.

Joyce - the Crows' fall guy in the Kurt Tippett scandal - will instead nominate for the AFL pre-season draft on December 11.

This will enable Adelaide to have two "live'' selections in the national draft - No's 20 and 54.

The Crows will upgrade mature-age rookie Ian Callinan with their final pick at No. 64.

Second-year midfielder Joyce was delisted by Adelaide last week after the AFL denied the club permission to remove Tippett from its playing list while it continued investigations into his controversial 2009 contract.

The Crows guaranteed they would re-draft Joyce.

His manager, Ben Williams, said he felt Joyce had more chance of returning to the Crows by entering the pre-season draft.

 

12.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Eagle slower than the coach

Murray Newman was quick enough to beat AFL players on the field but was a lot slower off it in the Eagles' time-trial today. Source: Getty Images

YOUNG West Coast forward Murray Newman is one player who won't be the subject of the annual cliche "his best pre-season ever".

Newman was last week charged with grievous bodily harm after an incident in a Perth nightclub.

And today he was embarrassed in a running trial - going so slowly he was beaten home by 44-year-old coach John Worsfold.

The Eagles first to seventh-year players returned to pre-season training today with two 2km time-trials.

Newman finished dead last in both and got slower as he went, finishing in times of 8min13sec and 9min36sec according to the AFL website.

Worsfold, not noted for his pace during a 209-match playing career that ended 14 years ago, beat Newman to the finish line in both runs.

The 18-year-old was reportedly lapped in the second trial when he finished more than three minutes behind the winner, Bradd Dalziell.

The first time-trial was won by Chris Masten.

The Eagles have not commented on the result, but confirmed the teenager is not injured.

Newman played four matches mid-season after being picked with West Coast's first selection in the 2011 national draft.

12.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tigers post record profit

The Tiger army helped Richmond post a record profit in 2012. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

ON-FIELD success is the final piece of the Richmond puzzle after the Tigers recorded a record $3 million surplus in 2012.

Richmond has now recorded profits for eight consecutive years.

Announcing the result today for the final year ending October 31, 2012, Tigers president Gary March said the club boasted record membership revenue of $5.3 million from its more than 53,000 members, and record sponsorship income of $3.5 million.

March said Richmond had cut its debt by more than $1.5 million in the past 12 months.

The debt has been slashed by $2.5 million in the past two years and now stands at $1.9 million.

"We have recorded a significant surplus, which has been built on the wonderful support of our loyal members and supporters, our business partners, along with a committed board and administration," March said.

"We knew it would require a united effort to build the foundations for success, and never more evident has that been, than in the past two years. I particularly thank those, who provided such outstanding support to the Fighting Tiger Fund.

"While we will reflect on a very positive 12 months, nobody is under any illusion that there is still much more to do. We still have debt to clear and we need to continue to build this club's financial resources, so we can support our football requirements into the future. I can assure you that we will be relentless in the pursuit of this goal."

Last week, North Melbourne credited fan donations for helping the Roos post a record operating profit of more than $1 million.

The Roos today announced an operating profit of $1,193,080 for the 2011-12 financial year.

Interim chief executive Cam Vale said the club reduced its debt by $1 million with the help of its Box On campaign, while increasing revenue growth by $5 million.

"This is truly an outstanding result for the club and could have only been achieved with the remarkable support of our members and fans," Vale said.

"A record profit and reduction of debt in tough economic times is a remarkable outcome and highlights revenue growth across the board and controlled football expenditure."

Vale said he expected the Roos would be debt-free "within a few more years".

Earlier this week, Hawthorn's 60,000-strong band of members has helped ensure the club has posted a mega profit for 2012, reaping more than $2 million.

The Hawks profited $2,023,720, up about $300,000 on last year's result.

The Grand Finalist recorded a 7.4 per cent increase in members, boosting the number to 60,841.

"Our strong financial result is a credit to the hard work and dedication of management who constantly strive for excellence and innovation, and support their staff to do likewise," new president Andrew Newbold said.

Newbold thanked the 8731 Tasmanian members which signed up this season.

2012 AFL CLUB FINANCIAL RESULTS

Richmond: $3,017,742 profit

Hawthorn: $2,023,720 profit

North Melbourne: $1,193,080 operating profit

Other clubs to follow

12.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Suns say O'Meara would go No.1

Jaeger O'Meara at Nobby's Beach. Picture: Gosling Richard Source: Gold Coast Bulletin

GOLD Coast might have to wait until more than half the AFL has made a choice in Thursday's draft, but as far as they're concerned they already have this year's top pick.

The Suns begin with pick 13 in the 2012 draft but, in 18-year-old Jaeger O'Meara the club believe they've already secured the youngster most clubs would have gone for if he'd been available.

O'Meara was chosen last year in the 2011 mini-draft and Suns' list manager Scott Clayton believes the West Australian recruit is ready to fire in 2013.

"I imagine if you asked 17 other AFL clubs, they'd all have him, certainly in the first group," Clayton said at the draft week launch on the Gold Coast on Monday.

"Whoever goes No.1 this year, very respectful for what they've done but our footy club's really excited that Jaeger O'Meara's here."

O'Meara wasn't eligible to play for the Suns at AFL level in 2012 due to his age but did take part in the pre-season NAB Cup after receiving a special dispensation.

Jaeger O'Meara breaks away from Brisbane's Ashley McGrath during the NAB Cup. Picture: David Clark Source: Gold Coast Bulletin

Groin injuries and a hernia operation hampered his progress but Clayton said O'Meara was back to full fitness and beginning to bulk up ahead of a likely AFL debut against St Kilda in Round 1 next year.

While O'Meara is off the table for this year's draft pool, Clayton still believed there was plenty of talent for clubs to pick from on Thursday.

"There's gems everywhere - I really like the draft pool," he said.

12.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

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."

12.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

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."

12.58 | 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.

12.58 | 0 komentar | Read More