Demons to sweat it out in Kakadu

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

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

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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

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
 

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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

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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

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.

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"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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