We'll always be the Dockers

Matthew Pavlich celebrates a goal. Freo says it won't be changing its name from the Dockers. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

FREMANTLE president Steve Harris has promised the club will continue to be known as the Fremantle Dockers despite announcing it is shifting its training base to Cockburn.

In conjunction with the City of Cockburn, the Dockers will build a $107 million training base on a 26,000-square metre greenfields site in Success. They hope to move there in 2016 or 2017.

"It's only two years ago that we successfully completed lengthy negotiations with Levi Strauss to have the legal right to call ourselves the Fremantle Dockers, and we have absolutely no intention of changing our name from the Fremantle Dockers either now or in the future," Harris said.

''We are and will always be known as the Fremantle Dockers."

The City of Cockburn will fund most of the project, with contributions from the Dockers, the AFL and the state and federal governments also expected.

The club has spent this year weighing up whether to redevelop its current base at Fremantle Oval or create a new base in Success, at a site known as Cockburn Central West.

In the face of a backlash from some members over abandoning their traditional home, the Dockers said it would take a compelling case to move.

The move has been seen as a fait accompli for months and club's board formally resolved this week that compelling case had been sustained.

"Given our club's traditional and historical links to Fremantle Oval, there is no question about the significance of the decision to locate our core operations away from Fremantle Oval, and this was carefully considered throughout the decision-making process," Harris said.

"In addition to the club's operating costs at Cockburn Central West being less when compared to redeveloping at Fremantle Oval, the Cockburn Central West option allows for our club to have access to a bigger indoor training facility, bigger and better aquatic facilities and provides for access to a second oval.

"It is a green field site, so there is likely to be less planning uncertainty and there will be no facility transition costs or interruption to club operations as there would be under the Fremantle Oval master plan options.

"Operating costs at the Cockburn Central West site will also be lower because we are sharing the City of Cockburn's sporting and aquatic facilities with the community. This is also a great result for the community."

Harris said the new facility presented an outstanding opportunity for the Dockers to gain an advantage over their rivals.

"When the club opened its current training and administration facility at Fremantle Oval in November 2000, the facilities were regarded as one of the better club facilities in the AFL," he said.

"However, given the advances in the past decade nationally and internationally in technology and sports science, and an increase in the competitive landscape of the AFL, the club's current facilities are now well behind the AFL benchmark.

"In addition to the Cockburn Central West site allowing for the development of a world-class training and administration facility not seen previously in Australia, the site, which is within the greater Fremantle region, provides greater prospects for future expansion, community engagement and supporter interaction."

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Meet the new, improved Karmichael

Gold Coast Suns player Karmichael Hunt is the slimmest he's been in three AFL pre-seasons. Picture: Brendan Radke Source: Gold Coast Bulletin

SPECIAL K has become Shrinking K.

Gold Coast Suns midfielder and code-hopper Karmichael Hunt is the lightest he has ever been in his well-travelled professional football career, with the 26-year-old tipping the scales at 87kg this week.

When he played rugby league for the Brisbane Broncos, Queensland and Australia he was 93kg.During his stint in French rugby Biarritz in 2009/2010, he nudged the 100kg mark.

But the trademark treetrunk legs are now gone, with Hunt halfway through his third AFL pre-season training program.

A leaner Hunt no longer looks like a rugby league player built to withstand multiple front-on high-speed collisions.

He appears every bit like an AFL on-baller who is required to cover vast distances over four quarters.

Gold Coast strength and conditioning coach Chris Gaviglio said Hunt's significant body shape transformation was a result of his single-minded determination.

"Karmichael needed to make those changes to survive and succeed in the AFL," Gaviglio said.

"He is a highly-driven athlete and he has been prepared to do what it takes to meet the demands of the sport. That is what has underpinned his success across all three codes.

"He is an inherently gifted athlete and he has really bought into our strength and conditioning program as well as working closely with our dietician Benita Lalor.

"You could tell he was cooked by the end of his first season but he would have run out last season if not for a shoulder injury. His legs were willing and able to go the full distance."

After an understandably indifferent first season in 2011, Hunt had a break-out year in 2012 with a shift from defence to the midfield.

The high point was his match-winning goal after the siren against Richmond in Cairns to hand the Suns their first victory of the season, but his on-ball work throughout the year also caught the eye.

He also produced a number of bone-rattling bumps on opponents to become a genuine enforcer.Gaviglio said Hunt would still pack a punch in 2013 despite shedding the weight.

"He is stronger than ever. He is bench pressing 145kg, which is more than what he was doing at the Broncos," he said.

Gold Coast football manager Marcus Ashcroft said Hunt's leaner appearance was inevitable.

"Karmichael has been training well and is in great shape at the moment but you can't not lose weight given the amount of running he has had to do," the triple premiership player said

"Especially in his new role in the midfield, he has covered a lot of kilometres.

"He has had a season in the VFL and two seasons in the AFL so it was only a matter of time before his body shape became more suited to the demands of our game."

The Suns had their last pre-Christmas training session yesterday  and will resume on January 7.

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Bone shaved from Cat's hips

James Kelly battled a hip injury during the 2012 season. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

GEELONG midfielder James Kelly has revealed he had bone shaved from his thighs during post-season surgery after a pain-stricken 2012 season.

Kelly yesterday declared himself on track to play in Geelong's NAB Cup campaign after a successful recovery from an arthroscope on both hips.

The operation involved having bone shaved off both femurs.

The 28-year-old has been on a modified program this pre-season and will return to full training early in the new year, confident his hip troubles are behind him.

"I will be training more heavily over the coming days and it's all going pretty good," Kelly said.

"I'll be back to full training on January 1.

"It's clearing up really well."

Despite having a strong season, in which he was Geelong's leading tackler and still picked up 470 touches, Kelly revealed he had a weekly struggle with hip pain.

But he is confident of a pain-free season next year in a major boost to Geelong's top-four ambitions.

"The hips were more painful during the year than they are now. I'm relying on the physios a lot and they're helping out but I've still been able to do a fair bit of training recently," he said.

"I've been going through the rehabilitation program well and everything is going as planned.

"I'll be 100 per cent ready to go come next season."

Pic gallery: Cats roam the highlands

Geelong assistant coach Dale Amos last week said Kelly and Jimmy Bartel (foot) were making strong progress in their recoveries from post-season operations.

"They've been conditioned, they're doing their weights, they're just being nursed back into the football side," Amos said.

"I would be surprised if they didn't play (NAB Cup). The plan is for them to be ready for Round 1, so you'd imagine they'd play (NAB Cup) at some stage.

"They've been doing their running inside and their conditioning inside and now they're starting to do the work outside, so I think after Christmas we expect to see them a bit more.

"They'll be integrated back in after Christmas. I'm not totally sure when they'll be totally unrestricted, but they're well and truly on track and they should be right amongst it by the time we get back after Christmas.

"We've been patient with them. You want to progress those guys as quickly as you can without pushing them too much."

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2012 countdown: Top 10 performances

The best pictures of the 2012 AFL season

Hawthorn star Lance Franklin snaps around the body for goal number 13 against North Melbourne. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Herald Sun

LANCE Franklin had a field day against North Melbourne but was Dane Swan's effort on Anzac Day better?

Over the next 10 days we'll name the highlights, lowlights and simply strange moments of the year in footy in a countdown of top 10 countdowns.

We kicked off the series on Monday with the best 10 AFL games of 2012, on Tuesday we went with the top 10 marks, and followed that with the top 10 goals yesterday.

Today the countdown continues with the top 10 individual performances of the year.

Did we get it right? Leave a comment below

10. Scott Thompson v Greater Western Sydney
The North Melbourne intercept king had a day out when the Kangaroos were made to work to counter a plucky GWS outfit. Thompson amassed 39 disposals (192 SuperCoach points), almost unheard-of numbers for a key backman, in the 28-point victory at Skoda Stadium. The Kangaroos' most prolific stopper also clunked 13 marks.

9. Trent Cotchin v Western Bulldogs
Brett Deledio tweeted post-match he had a front seat at the Cotchin Show after the No.9 put on a clinic with 35 touches, three goals and an amazing 17 score involvements. He also picked up 170 SuperCoach points. It would be the start of a withering four-game run of 30-plus possession games which propelled the silky-skilled midfielder to equal second in the Brownlow Medal with 26 votes.

8. Marc Murphy v Essendon
The Carlton star had a frustrating season and he took it out on arch-rival Essendon in Round 21. Murphy had the ball on a string, collecting 37 disposals while kicking two goals as the Blues romped home by 96 points. He also laid six tackles. Murphy capped off his superb performance with a goal after the siren to give the Blues a handy percentage boost.

7. Dean Cox/Nic Naitanui v Geelong
Orren Stephenson is still waking up in cold sweats after confronting the Eagles duo on a Friday night in Perth. When Cox and Nic Nat combine for 41 disposals and 13 marks it makes it difficult to trump West Coast. Add 77 hitouts and five goals and it's an almost impossible task. The vaunted ruck pair dominated the Cats when the two sides met in Round 20, the Eagles outlasting their rivals by five points. Cox was brilliant, kicking three goals while picking up 23 disposals and eight marks. The veteran added five clearances and four inside-50s to his stats sheet. The pair also combined for 343 SuperCoach points.

6. Jack Riewoldt v St Kilda
The Riewoldts combined for 11 of the 34 goals scored when Richmond held out St Kilda in a Round 10 shootout at Etihad Stadium. Jack claimed family bragging rights, helping the Tigers to a seven-point victory with eight goals in his 100th match. The flighty forward also clunked nine marks along the way. It would be Jack's biggest haul of the season en route to his second Coleman Medal with 65 majors – three clear of Geelong spearhead Tom Hawkins.

Source: Gold Coast Bulletin

5. Gary Ablett v North Melbourne
Little Gazza single-handedly kept his young Gold Coast Suns within striking distance of North when the two sides met at Metricon Stadium in Round 12. Ablett put on a masterful display including 42 disposals and four goals – none more impressive than a 45m left-foot snap from the boundary line during the second quarter. Ablett's haul included 10 clearances, five rebound-50s and four inside-50s. It was the best of Ablett's 2012 highlights reel; two weeks earlier he equalled the VFL-AFL record for possessions in a game with 53 touches against Collingwood.  4. Dayne Beams v Sydney
It was party time on Smith St when Pictures mark II, Dayne Beams, slotted his third goal to ice Collingwood's eight-point win against Sydney at ANZ Stadium. The heavily tattooed star midfielder starred in the absence of namesake Dane Swan, who was serving the first of a two-week club-imposed suspension for breaking player rules. Beams helped himself to 34 disposals including 11 clearances and five tackles. He finished with 170 SuperCoach points.
3. Dean Cox v North Melbourne
Cox was the difference between West Coast winning or losing to the Roos at Blundstone Arena in Hobart. Cox booted three goals including the sealer to ice the Eagles come-from-behind two-point victory in Round 15. The 204cm ruckman also clunked marks at both ends of the ground to stymie the Kangaroos at every turn. Cox finished with 21 disposals, 15 marks and 24 hitouts - and a lazy 215 SuperCoach points.

Hawthorn v North Melbourne. Aurora Stadium, Launceston. Lance Franklin kicks his 11th goal. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Herald Sun

2. Lance Franklin v North Melbourne
The Roos were on the receiving end again - also in Tassie - when Buddy ran riot in Hawthorn's 115-point demolition in Round 10. The raking left-footer outscored the Kangaroos 13.4 to 9.5 in the Round 10 rout at Aurora Stadium in Launceston. The Hawks piled on 27 majors to hammer the Shinboners into submission. The superstar feasted on Kangaroos defenders Scott Thompson, Nathan Grime and Luke Delaney, booting six first-half goals including three in three minutes during the second quarter. But Franklin saved his best for last, with goal No.12 coming from deep in the left forward pocket while, No.13 was a dropped mark, snap around the body with only seconds left on the clock. It was the highest SuperCoach score of the year (236), but in terms of the stage, stakes and influence on the result, we've got him just behind...
1. Dane Swan v Essendon
Talk of Swan carrying a few extra kilograms was quickly shelved when the Brownlow medallist ran amok in Collingwood's thrilling one-point win on Anzac Day. Swan collected a staggering 42 disposals – 20 contested – and kicked three goals in the MCG blockbuster. Swan capped off a brilliant day by rubbing his stomach – mocking those who called him overweight – after kicking his third goal late in the third quarter. The Anzac medallist finished with 13 clearances and six tackles. Swan obviously likes playing the Bombers - he picked up another 42 touches when the two sides met in Round 23.

TOMORROW:

Follow Gilbert Gardiner on Twitter @gilbert0408

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Roos find new CEO

Carl Dilena (second from left) is North Melbourne's new CEO. Source: Herald Sun

NORTH Melbourne's 199-day search for a new chief executive is finally over.

The Roos today announced they had hired with Carl Dilena, with the former North player set to start in February.

North Melbourne narrowly missed on poaching Geelong boss Brian Cook and was linked to Adrian Anderson after his sudden departure from the AFL this month.

Dilena, 45, was a former senior partner at KPMG and is on North Melbourne's board.

"We were looking for someone with great leadership skills, senior management experience, a comprehensive understanding of the football industry and someone who also appreciates the unique culture of our club," Roos president James Brayshaw said.

"Carl has been a senior partner with one of the world's biggest professional services firms, played football at the highest level, has been a member of our Board for the past five years and has chaired the club's finance and audit committee.

"He comes to us with an impressive skill-set and we couldn't be happier to announce his appointment."

Dilena played 33 games with the Roos and Fitzroy between 1989-92.

The Roos have been searching for a new chief executive since Eugene Arocca resigned in June.

Cameron Vale, the Roos chief financial officer, has been serving as interim chief executive but was told last month he would not be handed the permanent position.

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We'll always be the Dockers

Matthew Pavlich celebrates a goal. Freo says it won't be changing its name from the Dockers. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

FREMANTLE president Steve Harris has promised the club will continue to be known as the Fremantle Dockers despite announcing it is shifting its training base to Cockburn.

In conjunction with the City of Cockburn, the Dockers will build a $107 million training base on a 26,000-square metre greenfields site in Success. They hope to move there in 2016 or 2017.

"It's only two years ago that we successfully completed lengthy negotiations with Levi Strauss to have the legal right to call ourselves the Fremantle Dockers, and we have absolutely no intention of changing our name from the Fremantle Dockers either now or in the future," Harris said.

''We are and will always be known as the Fremantle Dockers."

The City of Cockburn will fund most of the project, with contributions from the Dockers, the AFL and the state and federal governments also expected.

The club has spent this year weighing up whether to redevelop its current base at Fremantle Oval or create a new base in Success, at a site known as Cockburn Central West.

In the face of a backlash from some members over abandoning their traditional home, the Dockers said it would take a compelling case to move.

The move has been seen as a fait accompli for months and club's board formally resolved this week that compelling case had been sustained.

"Given our club's traditional and historical links to Fremantle Oval, there is no question about the significance of the decision to locate our core operations away from Fremantle Oval, and this was carefully considered throughout the decision-making process," Harris said.

"In addition to the club's operating costs at Cockburn Central West being less when compared to redeveloping at Fremantle Oval, the Cockburn Central West option allows for our club to have access to a bigger indoor training facility, bigger and better aquatic facilities and provides for access to a second oval.

"It is a green field site, so there is likely to be less planning uncertainty and there will be no facility transition costs or interruption to club operations as there would be under the Fremantle Oval master plan options.

"Operating costs at the Cockburn Central West site will also be lower because we are sharing the City of Cockburn's sporting and aquatic facilities with the community. This is also a great result for the community."

Harris said the new facility presented an outstanding opportunity for the Dockers to gain an advantage over their rivals.

"When the club opened its current training and administration facility at Fremantle Oval in November 2000, the facilities were regarded as one of the better club facilities in the AFL," he said.

"However, given the advances in the past decade nationally and internationally in technology and sports science, and an increase in the competitive landscape of the AFL, the club's current facilities are now well behind the AFL benchmark.

"In addition to the Cockburn Central West site allowing for the development of a world-class training and administration facility not seen previously in Australia, the site, which is within the greater Fremantle region, provides greater prospects for future expansion, community engagement and supporter interaction."

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Murphy a loyal Dog

Robert Murphy has committed to the Bulldogs. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

BULLDOGS veteran Robert Murphy has committed to guiding the club's young pups until the end of 2014.

Murphy, 30, was already contracted until the end of next season and has extended the deal by another 12 months.

Entering his 14th season, Murphy has played in three preliminary finals (2007-09) but he knows the next phase of his career will be helping a new generation as the Dogs rebuild under Brendan McCartney.

"If it's not me (who wins a premiership), well, that's just the way it goes. But I'm going to put my energy into helping the Bulldogs win their next one," he told Fairfax Media.

Murphy said he never considered leaving Whitten Oval.

"I've been asked a few times, 'Would you ever consider going to a side in that premiership window?'.

"And it just didn't sit well with me to do that.

"I'm not going to judge people who have done it - good luck to them. But it's just not for me. The Bulldogs are my footy club and part of who I am and it means more to me to help the Bulldogs."

Murphy has played 230 matches to sit No.11 on the club's all-time list.

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North signs US rookie Wallace

Check out North Melbourne's prospect former US Basketballer Eric Wallace in a college game.

American Eric Wallace in action at the draft camp. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

Eric Wallace in a picture he posted on Twitter today. Source: Supplied

NORTH Melbourne has signed US college basketball player Eric Wallace following a 10-day trial with the club.

Kangaroos coach Brad Scott said Wallace, 23, was "keen to make a success" of his transition from college basketball to an AFL rookie.

The 197cm and 102kg utility impressed scouts with his athleticism at the draft camp in October, finishing fourth in the vertical leap and top 10 in the sprint.

Wallace has won a two-year rookie contract after completing a 10-day trial at Arden St.

"At the moment he's got the physical attributes to play multiple positions," Scott said.

"It's really exciting for us to see just how far we can take Eric."

Scott said Wallace would forge his AFL path in the VFL reserves.

"The ovation he received from the playing group when we announced his signing was evidence of how highly regarded Eric already is at our club and the way he has fitted in so easily.

"He still has a lot to learn about the game but his passion for Aussie rules is already very strong and his athletic ability is outstanding."

Wallace said he was grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the club.

"I'm truly grateful for the opportunity to grow as a footy player. Thank you to @NorthKangaroos for the chance & to all thanks for the support," he tweeted.

He sent a second tweet with a photo of himself in a Roos jumper and the caption "The first step to a long challenging journey! #NMFC #AFL #39"

The 24-year-old from North Carolina said this morning he had watched this year's Grand Final and said he was inspired by Canadian Mike Pyke.

"Four or five years ago he was in the same situation as me, playing a different football code – I was playing basketball – but not having not much skill in the game of AFL and in the Grand Final he helped his team to a victory and he looked superb out there," Wallace told SEN.

"I'd love to continue being a professional athlete, I'm looking at this as a new opportunity.

"I just want to become an asset to the Kangaroos and say I did it," he said.

Pic gallery: AFL international success stories

Wallace could become the third American born player to make an AFL debut after Sanford Wheeler (43 games, Sydney from 1989-94) and Don Pyke (132 games, West Coast 1989-96).

Collingwood recently delisted ruckman Shae McNamara after the Milwaukee native spent three years on the rookie list unable to break into the senior team.

McNamara played one game during the Magpies 2011 NAB Cup campaign.

From Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Wallace originally had his eye on the NBA draft.

But after stints at three colleges in five years, the latest at Seattle University, his hopes of a professional basketball career - in the US or overseas - seemed shot.

That was when he was invited to Los Angeles for a camp for potential international AFL recruits.

"I didn't know the rules," Wallace told cbssports.com. "I was confused."

But he stayed up all night watching tapes of games and did well enough to be invited to the draft camp in Melbourne, where he was the standout international.

Making the AFL is still a long shot, but Wallace has never been one to give up on a dream.

"I'm really falling in love with the game, getting addicted," Wallace said. "More than I could have ever imagined.

"I was going hard right. But then the AFL approached me and I decided to take a step to the left. It's not basketball, but it's still being a professional athlete."

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Daniher goes under knife

Star draft pick Joe Daniher joins Essendon training. Source: Getty Images

ESSENDON'S much-vaunted new draftee Joe Daniher has had knee surgery.

The Bombers say the 18-year-old forward, who joined the club under the father-son rule in the national draft, will be on a restricted training program in early January.

But the club says it was only minor surgery, and is not expected to cause much disruption to Daniher's otherwise impressive pre-season campaign.

"He's had a minor scope to clean up a bit of cartilage that came loose from his patella," Essendon football manager Danny Corcoran said today.

"We're expecting him to be running on day one when we return (from the club's Christmas break).

"He's had a good six weeks before the break. He's really trained very, very well so far in the pre-season."

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Johnson heads back to Dogs

Evasive outside runner with class and good goal sense.

Midfield wrecking ball Hrovat picks up possessions with ease and nearly every AFL club has shown interest in drafting him. Is he the next Sam Mitchell?

Former Western Bulldogs skipper Brad Johnson is heading back to the kennel. Source: Herald Sun

WESTERN Bulldogs legend Brad Johnson is heading back to Whitten Oval as the Dogs continue to load their coaching artillery with former greats of the game.

Johnson joins as a specialist coach and will work in development, imparting his knowledge on the Dogs' first, second and third-year players.

The six-time All-Australian retired at the end of the 2010 season and came close to accepting a coaching position at Geelong the following season.

Johnson established himself in the media this year, commentating games for Fox Footy.

The 36-year-old's role at the Dogs will be a part-time mentoring and skills position as the club continues to rebuild under senior coach Brendan McCartney.

Last month the Dogs signed former Geelong stars Matthew Scarlett and Cameron Mooney to part-time coaching positions.

"When presented with the opportunity to bring Brad on board – we wholeheartedly grabbed it," Dogs football manager James Fantasia said today.

"There is no question that Johnno will bring an incredible amount of experience, skills and knowledge to our younger players – who are just thrilled to have him on board."

Luke Dahlhaus, who inherited the No. 6 jumper from Johnson, will work closely with the former captain, along with prized draft picks Jake Stringer, Jackson Macrae and Nathan Hrovat.
 

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