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Saints struggle to fill defence holes

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 31 Oktober 2012 | 22.09

The AFL announces its fixture list for the 2013 premiership season.

The Saints are looking for a defender to replace Jason Gram. Source: Herald Sun

THE sudden sacking of Jason Gram means St Kilda heads to the national draft with five picks, but dumped Cats defender Tom Gillies is not the answer to their defensive frailties.

Coach Scott Watters has conceded the club will have to reinvent a tall like Rhys Stanley or Justin Koschitzke if it cannot identify a potential defender by the pre-season draft.

St Kilda has lost star onballer Brendon Goddard, the troubled Gram, and first-round pick Jamie Cripps from its midfield.

Gram and his management will consider his options, but he is likely to nominate for one of the coming drafts.

It is yet to be seen if a rival club would consider drafting the 28-year-old, but as a delisted player he becomes an unrestricted free agent.

St Kilda must negotiate the size of his payout with the player union and his management.

Yesterday the exodus continued, with the Saints releasing the much-maligned Raph Clarke and rookie Warrick Andreoli.


St Kilda has five picks - Nos. 25, 26, 41, 44 and 77 - in the November 22 draft.

It could end up saving its final list position for the pre-season draft and while it hasn't ruled out taking an experienced tall, it does not have a player in mind.

The Saints were ecstatic to snare Gold Coast ruckman Tom Hickey and Claremont forward Tommy Lee. But now they will quickly move on from the Gram sacking to try to restructure their defence.

The pressure is likely to be put on Koschitzke to justify his position given the club now has two A-Grade ruckmen and can play Lee and Stanley alongside Nick Riewoldt.

Watters said this week Sam Fisher might end up taking the opposition's main forward, which means the Saints might need to manufacture another rebounding defender.

"It is going to be a squeeze from a big-man point of view. Whether we look at Rhys Stanley spending time down back or Kosi, it all depends what becomes available in the draft and what type of role we want to use Sam Fisher in this year," Watters said.

"We are discussing all the possibilities pretty intently. Towards the end of the year we saw Sam Fisher when he locked down against the A-Grade key forward as opposed to a roaming defensive role, and he was very rarely beaten."


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Stynes: Dees always did their best

Jim Stynes watches on during an AFL match between Melbourne and Carlton. Picture: Alex Coppel. Source: Herald Sun

MELBOURNE is expected to strongly reject allegations that it deliberately lost games in 2009, arguing that it never participated in "tanking" as defined under AFL guidelines.

Former Melbourne president Jim Stynes, who died in March, was asked about the 2009 tanking allegations while he and I were co-writing his autobiography, My Journey, towards the end of 2011.

He was adamant there was no strategy to lose matches, saying: "Melbourne never sat down our coach Dean Bailey and instructed him not to win games". Stynes was frustrated about the tanking accusations, asking: "What is tanking?

"It's a really difficult one because sometimes when you put together the team, you put the best players that you can on the ground and then some people will say, 'Oh, you're not playing these players'. So that's tanking, right?

"But sometimes we sack players because their attitude is not good or they're not listening. They might be playing well but they are not playing the way they can play. (We tell them) 'This is the way we need you to play to be part of the team, this is the role or the position we want you to play, not that way'. Otherwise you end up teaching them bad habits.

"So is that tanking? Well that's not tanking because that's saying to the group that this player needs a lesson or needs to go. You have to choose because sometimes they need to play that role in the twos before they can come back again."

AFL Regulation 19(A5) defines tanking as "a person, being a player, coach or assistant coach, must at all times perform on their merits and must not induce, or encourage, any player, coach or assistant coach not to perform on their merits in any match - or in relation to any aspect of the match, for any reason whatsoever."

That definition will be closely scrutinised by Melbourne's legal team, which includes vice-president Guy Jalland, a legal counsel for Publishing and Broadcasting Limited from 2004-07.

Stynes was Melbourne president when the Demons were alleged to have underperformed in the second half of 2009, and when club officials are alleged to have met to discuss strategies to "forfeit matches". It coincided with his cancer diagnosis (June), major surgery (early July) and recovery in Thailand (July-August).

His first game back was Melbourne's 63-point win over Fremantle in Round 20, and he wrote in his diary: "We had the biggest win in 3 years and it felt awesome. It was great to be back passionate again about this great club and these terrific people. This makes it all worthwhile."

Stynes was critical of the AFL's special assistance rules for effectively providing lowly clubs with a disincentive to win games. By winning no more than four games in 2009, the Demons were guaranteed a priority pick (No.1) in that year's national draft.

"People at the club found themselves shrouded in that reality," he wrote. "It went against the grain for each of us to find solace in failure, but that was the system."

Stynes said ladder position "doesn't necessarily reflect how good or bad your team is", and was in favour of a more holistic examination of clubs.

"The number of games you win and lose should be one component and then the way you run your football club or the numbers; the amount of people supporters you get, you know, what you are able to generate - all those things should come into it.

"The AFL could then use its judgment or a broader set of guidelines to award a priority pick. But it certainly shouldn't set a target before a season and give a club a disincentive to win."

Editorial, Page 28


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No guarantees for minor premiers

The AFL announces its fixture list for the 2013 premiership season.

An emotional Lance Franklin sits on the ground after the Swans topped the Hawks in 2012 AFl Grand Final at the MCG. Picture: Michael Klein. Source: News Limited

THE AFL says it is no position to guarantee next year's minor premiers a longer break than their Grand Final opponent.

Hawthorn were upset to be given a seven-day break leading into this year's Grand Final, while an ANZ Stadium double booking handed Sydney a critical eight-day break.

The league was furious that Patersons Stadium scheduled a rugby union test in Week 1 of the finals, but only weeks later put Hawthorn at a disadvantage.

AFL chief operating officer Gillon McLachlan said yesterday it could only ensure the minor premier won a seven-day break.

``We do our best to negotiate, and I think in the end everyone understood what happened, but it may well happen again in the future.''

The league said the Grand Final would stay an afternoon game, while the push for Good Friday football seems to have been extinguished for the forseeable future.


The league says that Monday night would be the logical time to play a fourth day of football each week given a crowded calendar.

But despite having two Monday night games this year - up from one last season - it says there is no groundswell for regular Monday night football.

St Kilda and Carlton get their now-traditional Monday night game after Mother's Day, while West Coast and Richmond play in Round 10 at night on a public holiday in West Australia.


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'Kreuzer Cup' stigma remains

Matthew Kreuzer joined the Blues after their shocking 2007 season. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: Herald Sun

IF Andrew Demetriou is adamant any tanking "cold case" can be reopened at any time, then Carlton would be most nervous.

The stigma of the "Kreuzer Cup" in the final round of 2007, and the lame matches leading into it, just won't go away for the Blues.

They lost 10 matches in a row, ensuring they snared Matthew Kreuzer and had another early pick to nab Chris Judd, and assistant coach Tony Liberatore caused screaming headlines early the next season after an interview on The Footy Show.

Liberatore said he had never heard a directive from above for the Blues to deliberately to tank games, but said he could "feel it".

He said there were even jokes made among coaching staff.

"We wouldn't use those words (how do we lose), but another assistant coach would say, 'Tanks very much', or something along those lines in a jocular way," he said.

He added that he believed coaches from both sides had laid low in the Round 22 Carlton-Melbourne clash that would become known as the "Kreuzer Cup".

"In all honesty I think both coaches tried to lose it," he said.

They were extraordinary comments at the time ... even more extraordinary when you re-visit them in the current climate.

Yet, in an era before a fully fledged integrity department, the investigation was limited.

Liberatore's claims were just as explosive as Brock McLean's, but it was not as if every Blues assistant coach and executive was hauled in. It was over in a flash after "Libba" watered down his story on visiting the AFL.

The "Kreuzer Cup" was full of startling stats and moves. The game was a free for all, more NBL than AFL. Both teams had 60-plus forward entries, underlining the shootout and a loose Demon Travis Johnstone racking up 42 disposals.


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Demetriou welcomes tanking claims

The AFL announces its fixture list for the 2013 premiership season.

Andrew Demetriou says the AFL will improve its integrity policing in 2013. Source: News Limited

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou has not ruled out widening the tanking investigation as he revealed the league will boost its integrity policing next year.

As pressure mounts on Melbourne, who are being probed over allegations of secret meetings to plot a tanking strategy in 2009, Demetriou insisted there would be no whitewash.

And he said he would welcome former or current players and officials coming forward if they have tanking claims.

"Of course," Demetriou said when asked if the file was still open on clubs other than Melbourne.

"We say that about respect and responsibility in regard to women; we say it about drugs; we say it about integrity; and we say that about the salary cap. We do not close the file on anything."

Demetriou revealed the AFL recently approved a significant funding increase for its ramped-up integrity department in 2013.


"We have just approved a large (increase) in the integrity area," he said.

"I don't want to discuss what the figure is, but I can tell you we have increased, at Adrian Anderson's request, the spend in the integrity area.

"That's in our budget starting next year."

The AFL has no set time frame on the Melbourne investigation with league football operations manager Adrian Anderson and the integrity unit given as much time as required.

"I am not involved (in the investigation)," Demetriou said.

"I sit on the commission and if Adrian believes it is serious enough to go to the commission, I have to make sure I am at arm's length because I might have to listen to it.

"Adrian has said: 'I will take as long as I have to with Brett Clothier (AFL integrity manager) to finish my investigation'."

Demetriou, who has long dismissed suggestions AFL clubs have tanked for draft selections, said if a club or individuals are found guilty, they had no place in the game.

"I have said pretty consistently I have a strongly-held view that teams don't go out there to lose, but I did say when asked mid-year that if anything comes to light that proves otherwise, then that can't be accepted, and we will deal with it," he said.

"I don't think there is any place in sport for people who challenge the integrity and we have seen what is going on in the (Lance) Armstrong affair."


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Evidence mounting against Dees

Former Melbourne player Brock McLean said he cut ties with the Demons because they weren't trying to win games. Picture: Michael Dodge. Source: Herald Sun

The AFL announces its fixture list for the 2013 premiership season.

RICHMOND hearts sank when Carlton's Brock McLean fluked a match-winning goal with 42 seconds left on the clock on July 28.

But if the kick hurt the Tigers, it has done more damage to his old club Melbourne.

Three nights later, man-of-the-moment McLean dropped a bomb when invited to appear on Fox Footy's On The Couch.

The Demons, he declared, weren't trying to win games in 2009. He said it was why he quit the club. It was an explosive claim that reignited the AFL tanking debate and triggered a fresh investigation. Only this time the evidence against Melbourne is mounting.

The latest allegation surrounds a secret meeting of Melbourne football department staff at the Junction Oval in 2009.

It is said at least three club officials, past and present, have admitted to league investigators that the importance of losing games to secure a priority pick was discussed at that meeting.


Melbourne's loss to Richmond at the MCG a few weeks' after the meeting of football officials has long been hailed as exhibit No.1.

In laughable circumstances, Richmond's Jordan McMahon kicked a goal on the siren to win the match for Tigers. The Round 22 loss to St Kilda, involving several puzzling moves, has also been identified.

In August this year, the Herald Sun detailed accounts of another suspect game - Melbourne's Round 17 loss to Sydney at Manuka Oval.

Demons figures who attended an inner-sanctum dinner the night before the match say a football department boss openly indicated steps had been taken to reduce the prospects of a win.

"We'll be right - we've made eight changes," the official declared.Melbourne had already announced five key changes at team selection.

Then on the eve of the game, two more pulled out with ailments.Seven changes in all - not eight as predicted - and in a forgettable encounter the Swans got home by 18 points.

Even one of Melbourne's club doctors said "Blind Freddy could tell the team wasn't picked for optimal performance" late in the season.

In the Canberra match, Melbourne used its interchange bench 67 times. Its season average was 85. But Andrew Demetriou's reaction to the Herald Sun story was typical for a tanking non-believer.

The AFL boss dismissed the report as "lots of colourful language to try and determine an outcome".

"We don't go by that sort of story. We go by evidence," Demetriou said. "We've got a guy, (AFL investigator) Brett Clothier, who's very capable.

"If he gets to the bottom of something then we will deal with it but at the moment there's no evidence to sustain this allegation of tanking."


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Swans list Bolton for now

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 30 Oktober 2012 | 22.09

Jarrad McVeigh and Jude Bolton celebrate with Sydney fans. Picture: Alex Coppel Source: Herald Sun

DUAL Sydney premiership player Jude Bolton will be on the Swans' playing list when it is lodged with the AFL today.

Bolton, 32, played 22 games this season to become one of only three Swans to pass the 300-games milestone, behind Adam Goodes (319) and Michael O'Loughlin (303).

Bolton, who played in the 2012 and 2005 premiership teams, is yet to make a decision on his future, and the Swans still have the opportunity to leave his name off the second list lodgement on November 15, a week before the national draft.

Bolton's management is believed to be sounding out media opportunities, including providing a Sydney presence with Channel 7 now that former Swans captain Brett Kirk has signed as a midfield coach at Fremantle.

But the veteran midfielder has been into the club to do some fitness work several times in the weeks since the Grand Final and it is believed to be leaning towards turning out for a 15th AFL season


Despite speculation he would need major post-season surgery on his battered left knee, Bolton said recently "that is certainly not the case."

Meanwhile, Mike Pyke, Craig Bird and Mitch Morton have all signed new deals with the club.

Pyke, 28, is travelling across the United States and Canada, but said he was "really excited" about the prospect of defending the premiership.

"It is a challenge we're all looking forward to and I feel privileged to have this opportunity," he said.

"I still feel like I have plenty of development left in me and hopefully I can add a few more strings to my bow this year."

Morton, 25, kicked four goals in the Swans' three finals, including two vital goals in the second quarter of the Grand Final against Hawthorn.

"I'm just absolutely pumped to be a part of the club again in 2013," Morton said.

Bird, 23, said the future was "looking pretty bright at the Swans and I'm looking forward to being a part of it."

Sydney has delisted Jarred Moore, Mark Seaby, Brett Meredith and Nathan Gordon, along with rookie-list players Eugene Kruger, Jack Lynch and Dylan McNeil.

The Swans also traded Trent Dennis-Lane to St Kilda, Matthew Spangher to Hawthorn and rookie Campbell Heath to Port Adelaide.


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AFLPA fury as Gram slammed

Jason Gram has been sacked by St Kilda. Source: Herald Sun

THE AFL Players' Association does not believe St Kilda had grounds to sack Jason Gram, who was sensationally axed last night because of off-field behaviour.

St Kilda revealed Gram had been suspended since September 6, and was dumped after he failed to honour repeated undertakings to the club about his behaviour.

The Herald Sun has chosen not to reveal the behaviour for legal reasons.

But St Kilda said last night Gram had ignored warnings and continued with behaviour he knew could see him sacked.

It is known Gram, 28, and coming off a modest 15th in the best-and-fairest award, was aware he was on his last warning.

Gram was about to enter the last year of a highly paid contract, with the size of a potential payout and the legality of his sacking set to be contested. The AFL said last night it approved of St Kilda's handling of the matter.

But the AFLPA does not support the termination, given it does not believe Gram's actions constitute serious misconduct.

It concedes Gram will not be reinstated by the Saints, but is ready to take up his cause if the club does not pay most of his 2013 contract.

St Kilda and the players' union will continue to discuss his contract, but to sack him without honouring it, the Saints would have to prove serious and wilful misconduct under the collective bargaining agreement.

The Saints would not comment under legal advice last night but said in a statement: "Regrettably, the inappropriate behaviour has continued and his manager was advised yesterday that the club had decided to terminate Gram's contract, which had one year to run. Gram was also advised of the termination in a meeting with club officials."

AFLPA general manager player operations Ian Prendergast said he would work on helping Gram with a resolution of his contract.

"We understand a club's right to delist a player," he said.

"However, while not understating the seriousness of the alleged conduct, the players' association does not believe these matters remove the club from its contractual obligations.

"The players' association will now focus on working with Jason and his management, on a confidential basis, in relation to settling the outstanding obligations of his contract."

AFL spokesman James Tonkin said last night: "The club has kept us aware of what has transpired and we are supportive of their actions."


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Tank 'for the kids'

Melbourne players leave the ground after a loss in 2009. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

A SECOND member of Melbourne's 2009 wooden spoon-winning team has admitted coach Dean Bailey was under fierce pressure to deliberately lose matches.

The player spoke yesterday as league investigators closed in on officials at the centre of the Demons tanking scandal.

Melbourne faces the loss of selections at this year's national draft, including the prized No.4 pick.

"It was disgusting what was going on and you felt for Bails because everyone knew he was under the pump to lose," said the player, who the Herald Sun agreed not to name.

Demon talk is doing damage

"Players had meetings and asked him what was going on but there was nothing he could do.

"The club had a plan. They wanted the two kids, (Tom) Scully and (Jack) Trengove and you just shook your head.

"You'd work your butt off in the pre-season and hang up all these words in the gym and the change rooms or whatever and what did it all mean? Nothing.

"Players were never told to lose. They were just rested and played out of position. (Backman) Matthew Warnock would play full-forward and (forward) Paul Johnson would play full-back."

Proof the Demons tanked could also have drastic consequences for the AFL, the controlling body under Victorian law for all gambling on football.

Tanking an on-going problem: Libba

Gaming Minister Michael O'Brien last night said the State Government was monitoring the case.

The AFL reaps millions of dollars a year from betting and commercial arrangements with bookmakers.

"Any action which brings into question the integrity of sports and sports betting in Victoria is unacceptable," O'Brien said.

It was alleged yesterday that senior Melbourne administrators held a secret meeting in 2009 to plot their tanking strategy.

The end game was to secure the first two picks in that year's national draft - used on Scully and Trengove.

Probe leaves Demons in a sweat

Club president Don McLardy and chief executive Cameron Schwab did not respond to the latest allegations.

Former Melbourne player Brock McLean triggered the AFL investigation when he claimed in July he quit the club because it had set out to deliberately lose games in 2009.

League investigators have re-interviewed several key figures, including Bailey, former recruiter Barry Prendergast and current football manager Josh Mahoney.

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou said yesterday: "It is not appropriate to comment on the investigation itself at this stage.

"However, I would strongly encourage anyone with information that could be relevant to come forward and contact (league investigator) Brett Clothier."

Other Melbourne figures grilled by the AFL include former innovations coach Dave Dunbar, former part-time development coach Scott West and 2009 captain James McDonald.

McLardy, Schwab, then football operations manager Chris Connolly and assistant coaches Sean Wellman, Mark Williams and Josh Mahoney were also on the AFL's interview list.


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Hawks cut Osborne on a promise

Hawthorn are hoping to pick up Michael Osborne in the pre-season draft. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: The Daily Telegraph

HAWTHORN has delisted premiership forward Michael Osborne, 30, who is recovering from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.

But the Hawks last night said they were "committed to assisting" Osborne.

"Michael will continue to train with the squad with the aim of being re-listed by the club by the pre-season draft in December," football manager Mark Evans said.

Hawthorn also delisted defender Jarrad Boumann and rookies Adam Pattison and Tom Schneider.

Chance Bateman, Cameron Bruce and rookie Broc McCauley have retired.

Essendon told Sam Lonergan and Kyle Reimers they would not be offered contracts for next season.

Geelong, who traded in Jared Rivers and Hamish McIntosh, confirmed the delistings of Tom Gillies, who they fought to keep from Hawthorn a year ago, and Orren Stephenson.

Richmond this week cut key position prospect Jayden Post.


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St Kilda sacks Jason Gram

St Kilda has sacked veteran Jason Gram.

Jason Gram has been sacked by St Kilda. Source: Herald Sun

The Saints said Jason Gram failed to honour repeated undertakings to the club concerning his behaviour.
 
Source: Herald Sun

St KILDA Football Club last night terminated the playing contract of midfielder Jason Gram because of an off-field issue.

The decision comes after he was arrested overnight on Monday and charged.

The nature of the charges can not be revealed.

The Saints said Gram failed to honour repeated undertakings to the club concerning his behaviour.

The club said it had been working with Gram for a number of months on behavioural issues.

Following charges laid against Gram on September 6 this year, the club, in consultation with the AFL and AFLPA, imposed an indefinite suspension on Gram and encouraged him to take part in an AFLPA counselling program.

Gram still had a year of his contract to run.

The club said the AFL had been informed of the situation and supported the Saints' position.


The club will continue to make appropriate professional support and counselling services available to Gram.

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Another AFL figure departs

Written By Unknown on Senin, 29 Oktober 2012 | 22.09

AFL football administration manager Rod Austin is the latest senior staffer to exit league headquarters.

The AFL said Austin had resigned after 21 years to "pursue new opportunities".

Saturday's Herald Sun revealed Christina Ogg, footy's first and only female executive, resigned on Friday, while rising star Andrew Catterall announced he was taking long-service leave.

It is understood Catterall, the game's general manager of strategy and marketing, will not be returning to the AFL.

Austin's efforts included formation of the TAC Cup and draft camp programs, list management strategies and the AFL's anti-doping code and illicit drugs policy.


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Players warned on shonks

Former Crows coach Neil Craig invested a sum of money into a failed investment scheme and he wasn't the only one at Adelaide to do so. Picture: Calum Robertson Source: adelaidenow

AS shonky schemes go, investing in a dental implant business would seem the perfect way to invest in pain.

But the millions of dollars earned by AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou through his Ruthinium Group show there is money to be made in all manner of businesses.

The problem is the lack of due diligence by some AFL players.

The end game - Easing the pain for delisted players

Or as AFLPA financial counsellor Brad Wira says, "Do I really need $7 million of trauma insurance for $14,000".

Player manager Paul Connors urges his clients to build a 20 per cent cash deposit for their first house, then pay it off quickly.

Fellow manager Adam Ramanauskas says his clients who are playing regular senior football by their third year can buy their first house, with some adding another to their portfolio by their sixth year.

But there will alway be hair-brained schemes.

Firepower was a failed investment scheme involving fictitious shares in a company that claimed to have invested a revolutionary additive pill for fuel.

Yet it lured in most Adelaide stars, with coach Neil Craig also investing $30,000.

The footy trips - Tripping up on travelling

Some Adelaide figures were involved in the Firepower losses as well as the current betting syndicate, which has lured 50 players.

They aren't particularly bothered, because the same Firepower owner tipped them into a mining stock that boomed from $2 to $60.

West Coast star Nic Naitanui recently was offered a cut of a restaurant for $600,000 then when he rebuffed it, told he could have it for free.

Bottom line: AFL players sell merchandise, add buzz to a venture, and also have expendable cash.

As manager Paul Connors says, it is easy to invest $10,000 in a bar or restaurant but almost impossible to get out if your partners don't want to sell.

AFLPA financial advisers Mark Porter and Brad Wira are sounding boards for players and their investments, with Connors having a financial planner and mortgage broker as part of his services.

Says former Hawk and AFLPA general manager of player development Brett Johnson, "There are a lot of people hanging around the players at clubs. If a product or investment is put in front of them we encourage the guys to take it to 'Ports' or Brad Wira.

The success story - Kelly wises up after early lesson

"If all of a sudden you have three more years of an investment and you are delisted, that is where guys can come unstuck."

Some in the AFL believe members of club coteries should be banned from offering investments to players given the mixed fortunes that come as a result.

But player manager Dan Richardson says it comes down to homework.

"It doesn't matter what type of investment, it's more about the principle. You have to treat every investment on its merits," he said.

"If it's too good to be true, it probably is."

Part One - Sports betting a concern for players? You bet

Essendon chief executive Ian Robson says players are now wising up to ridiculous investments.

"If you meet someone in a bar and he says, 'You should invest in this', get his details and investigate, don't just give him $15,000.

"Those guys have been around since Jesus was a boy."


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Chance for new Power pair to shine

Port Adelaide are seeing the sights in Milan but say their stay in Italy is no holiday as they use the AIS's European training base.

Former Sydney Swans rookie Campbell Heath is looking forward to a fresh start with Port Adelaide. Picture: Mark Evans Source: The Daily Telegraph

CAMPBELL Heath and Lewis Stevenson haven't played an AFL game between them for two seasons.

But that hasn't diminished Port Adelaide's hopes for the relative unknowns, who landed at Alberton in the last week of trade period.

Both made their AFL debuts in 2010 as defenders, but have struggled to fight their way into the Sydney (Heath) and West Coast (Stevenson) line-ups.

Derailed initially by two knee reconstructions, Heath, 21, found it too hard to work his way past premiership backmen Marty Mattner and Rhyce Shaw.

"It's been a tough road the past few years but I've got some good confidence in my body again," said Heath, who played a full season this year with the Swans reserves in the NEAFL.

"I do feel I'm ready (to play AFL)," said 188cm, 82kg Heath, who possesses an exceptional left-foot kick.


"I had a really consistent year but with the players we had (at Sydney) I just missed out as we had a really strong team."

Stevenson, 189cm and 88kg, played in the past two WAFL premierships with Claremont.

The 23-year-old, who has played 10 AFL matches, was unable to edge his way in front of seasoned Eagles Shannon Hurn and Beau Waters.
 


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Kelly wises up after early lesson

It hasn't been all smooth sailing for Craig Kelly. Source: Herald Sun

ELITE Sports Properties boss Craig Kelly is seen as the ultimate success story - premiership footballer, seminal player manager, and the man who sold his business for $17.5 million and then bought it back for $2 million.

But Kelly says his recent successes have masked his rocky journey with money, one that made him determined to show players there was a better way.

Kelly came from a 1000ha farm an hour north of Adelaide that was the pride of his family.

As his football career was taking off, the family finances were turning pear-shaped.

"We had a beautiful property with two beautiful houses on it, and I came over in 1989," Kelly said.

"By 1990 we had lost the whole farm. Interest rates went from nine to 19 per cent and my mum and dad started a business that went bad. We just went belly up."

Still it wasn't enough of a wake-up call.

"I bought a Ford Maverick 4WD, a house in Charles St, Abbotsford, and I paid $121,000 for it and then interest rates went from 9 to 19 per cent," he said.

Upon his return from a European jaunt after Collingwood's 1990 flag win he was confronted by his bank manager.

"He said, 'What the f--k are you doing', and ripped shreds off me," Kelly said.

Eventually he restructured his finances but said he retired from football having only broken even.

Yet he had a plan - his marketing work with Collingwood helped him segue into the burgeoning sports management business.

Kelly and his player managers now tell players to save hard, invest in bricks and mortar, and plan their exit strategy from footy.

"You have to lose it to appreciate having it," he said.

"You don't want to put yourself in that situation again. It drives you to want to get it right."

Kelly said there was no excuse for AFL players not to get a head start in life.

"Lose the perception of smashing it out of the park," he said.

"You should come out 10 years ahead of the rest, even if you are only 22 years old.

"Lots of people in the AFL have lost their fortunes, but if we are working at a 90 per cent success rate and you come out 10 years ahead, the industry is going OK."


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GWS Giants circle Tippett

GWS Giants chief executive confirms they are looking to select Kurt Tippett in the AFL draft if they can.

Kurt Tippett the Giant? Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

GREATER Western Sydney says it is serious about sweeping in before Sydney and taking Adelaide forward Kurt Tippett in one of the upcoming drafts.

Tippett is expected to be forced into either November's national draft or December's pre-season draft pending the AFL's investigation into illegal third-party payments allegedly handed to him by the Crows.

GWS chief executive David Matthews confirmed last night the Giants had the salary cap room and inclination to secure Tippett.

Matthews, who signed for another three years yesterday, backed Giants coach Kevin Sheedy's endorsement of Tippett as an "exciting prospect".

"If he is affordable we would look to select him," Matthews said on SEN radio yesterday.

"Now that it looks like Kurt is going into one of the drafts, clearly it means he is someone we should be discussing and we did that today.


"He is 25 and in the prime of his career and a big player we lack in the ruck."

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Easing pain for delisted players

Player agent Paul Connors (rear) Picture: Michael Klein. Source: Herald Sun

WHAT happens when the music stops?

The opinions are mixed among player agents about the prospects of a 22-year-old dumped from the system.

One player manager said of a delisted Bulldog: "He has been delisted but he already has an apprenticeship, he has 30 or 40 grand in the bank, he has a full-time job, and he is making $1000 cash playing local footy."

Manager Paul Connors, not so optimistic, said, "That is my biggest worry, guys who have played four or five years and have only played 15 senior games.

"They are used to spending 500 bucks a week, plus their car and rent, and they come out of the system having not done a lot, and their mates are already moving on with apprenticeships (or uni).

"They are accustomed to spending this money.

"You would like to think the guys who came out at five years had $60,000 in the bank and retirement money from the players' association."

The AFL Players' Association played hard ball on a pay rise, but it is the retirement fund with which it is thrilled.

Under the new deal, money will be paid into each players' fund - from $7000 a year for a rookie to $15,000 for fifth-year players to $20,000 for those with more than 10 years in the system.

The AFLPA is working on the details, but the money will be invested and offered to one to four-year players 12 months after they are cut, or a minimum of five years post-career.

Instead of dumped players being handed a tempting lump sum, players get a considerable sum which eases the pain post-football.

Despite the help available through club welfare managers and agents, some players will slip through the cracks.

For them, the AFLPA has instituted a hardship fund of $250,000 a year which it hands to former players in desperate need.

AFLPA financial advisers Brad Wira and Mark Porter, the AFLPA's general manager of finance and administration, John Hogan, and player union boss Matt Finnis will be part of a panel which uses its discretion to hand out sums of money.

"The situations are quite varied but the philosophy was that if players have fallen through the cracks we need to take care of them," says AFLPA's Ian Prendergast.

"There might be someone who needs a hip replacement and financially they are struggling. The hardship fund is there for them."


22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Power wants members to cough up

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 28 Oktober 2012 | 22.09

New Port Adelaide Power coach Ken Hinkley wants members to help beef up the football department. Picture: Calum Robertson Source: News Limited

NEW Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has been promised a beefed-up football department at Alberton - and it is going to fall on the Power members to deliver.

As Port strives to catch up in the "arms race" in AFL football spend and knows every cent spent at Alberton is heavily scrutinised by its SANFL and AFL underwriters, the members stand as an untapped resource.

Hinkley is expecting a $1.5 million boost to his program at Alberton. Even this uplift will not get the Power into the top half of the AFL football department spend that has broken through the $20 million barrier with Collingwood's budgets.

As Hinkley this week starts Port's pre-season with an AFL-funded game against the Western Bulldogs in London, the Power will launch its 2013 membership campaign directly appealing to 50,000 fans.

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Beyond buying a membership, the fans will be asked to contribute directly to Hinkley's budgets through the member-driven "Port Adelaide Premiership Fund".

Port chief executive Keith Thomas says the fund will be used to "increase the amount we spend on football from near the bottom of the AFL and make the team more competitive in time for the move to Adelaide Oval in 2014".

Thomas also wants to fund an academy at Alberton to strengthen Port's professional development of local football and ensure Port is seen across the AFL as "the employer of choice".

"We have already shown investing in football is a top priority," said Thomas.

Beyond Hinkley, Port has returned fitness coach Darren Burgess to Alberton after his international football experiences.

The Power finally has a coaching director with the appointment of the experienced Alan Richardson.

"But the reality is we are still well behind almost all of our rivals when it comes to our football spend," said Thomas. "We want our members to buy into the program to deliver the success they want."


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Pedersen takes baby steps

Cam Pedersen is now a Demon. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Herald Sun

BABIES and big moments in Cameron Pedersen's football career seem to go hand in hand.

He and wife Sarah had their first child, Charlee, just weeks before he made his AFL debut for North Melbourne last year, while the couple's second child, Ruby, came along three weeks ago - just as the key-position player was weighing up his football future.

A month of speculation led to a last-minute trade deal on Friday in which he moved to Melbourne in exchange for Jordan Gysberts and a swap of draft picks.

Pedersen has endured plenty of ups and downs in recent years.


Dees cull another eight players


He had to fight to get on to an AFL list in the first place, while baby Charlee battled health complications after being born five weeks prematurely last February.

The 25-year-old admitted the speculation about his mooted switch had been tough to deal with.

"It was very stressful, because obviously I wanted the opportunity to play more regular senior footy," Pedersen said.


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"If nothing had happened, I still would have been happy to stay at North Melbourne as well, but I'm ecstatic I'm at Melbourne."

Pedersen said the chance to play regular football at Melbourne had been too appealing to pass up.

"I'll always be grateful to North Melbourne for picking me up and giving me the opportunity. I loved my time there, but sometimes future plans don't work out and so I'm very happy to be at Melbourne now," he said.


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Dogs life beckons for Prismall

Brent Prismall could land at the Dogs. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

WESTERN Bulldogs have emerged as a chance to revive Brent Prismall's career if he is cut by Essendon.

Prismall, 26, one of the AFL's unluckiest players, will know his fate before Wednesday's list lodgment deadline.

His career interrupted by injury, Prismall remains uncontracted and will consult Bombers coach James Hird, who is due back from overseas, about his future at Windy Hill.

Prismall, who crossed from Geelong to Essendon in a trade at the end of 2008, is likely to be delisted.

The Bulldogs loom as his next club after showing some interest in securing him.


Dees cull another eight


Prismall has managed only 61 games at Geelong and Essendon because of two knee reconstructions.

Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney worked with him at Geelong and then at Essendon in 2011.

Prismall is hard-working and of exemplary character and the Dogs need more players aged in their mid-20s.

If he is cut by Essendon, the Dogs could secure him in the delisted free agency period, which runs from November 1-13.


Sam Edmund rates how your club fared at the trade table

Essendon backed Prismall after the 2008 season, offering him a three-year deal worth about $900,000, despite him having a knee reconstruction after being injured while playing for the Cats in the qualifying final against St Kilda.

He suffered another serious knee injury in Round 19, 2011, but the Bombers stuck with him, giving him a one-year extension.

Prismall returned this season, but he suffered hamstring injuries and could not break into the seniors.

He is not the only Bomber feeling nervous. A list management meeting set down for Windy Hill today is likely to decide the fate of several other players.


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Sam Lonergan is in a similar position - out of contract and in limbo - as the Bombers consider refreshing their list.

Melbourne footballer Matthew Bate. Picture: Chris Scott Source: Herald Sun


Melbourne has made its cuts, with discarded Ricky Petterd likely to spark interest.

Matthew Bate is also determined to secure another chance, but with the Dogs believed to be keen on Prismall, the option of moving to Whitten Oval may dry up.

The Dogs were keen to snare Bate in last year's trade period.


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Mick's Blues given dream draw

Carlton's proposed tough draw has turned out to be an illusion. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: Herald Sun

HAWTHORN is set to be handed the opening seven weeks from hell in next year's fixture, but Carlton's proposed tough draw has turned out to be an illusion.

The defeated grand finalist is expected to be slapped with a draw featuring as many as seven 2012 finalists in the early rounds.

It will be a tough ask for Alastair Clarkson's Hawks, trying to recover from a second straight season of finals disappointment.

But while Mick Malthouse has complained about Carlton's testing start, its lowly finish this year has handed it a dream fixture.

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The Blues are expected to be given a fixture on Wednesday in which they play just one finals side twice.


That side is Collingwood, with the blockbuster status of the rivalry and revenue generated over-riding the issue of a double-up against a top-four side.

Malthouse revealed last week the Blues start the year with games against Richmond, Collingwood, Geelong, West Coast (away) and Adelaide.

But the Blues then have a string of winnable games in the following few weeks, including this year's easybeats Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney.

"Given what I have just heard about our draw, the (AFL) have done us no favours," Malthouse said last week.

"But I go along with what Andrew Demetriou says - the draw is the draw is the draw, and very rarely does the top four reflect anything but that."

The Blues have benefited from a fixturing formula in which this year's bottom 10 sides are restricted from any more than a handful of double-ups against top-eight sides.

It gives the Blues a chance to leapfrog into the top eight or, given a good run with injury, even top four.

Malthouse has indicated Chris Judd will retain the captaincy if he wants it.

But Judd is known to have told friends he would be happy to give up the role if there was a suitable alternative or if it would help the club's leadership transition.

Malthouse and Judd have not met about the leadership, but the club's Arizona high-altitude camp next month shapes as the perfect chance for the dual Brownlow medallist to discuss his future.


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Crows must sacrifice a player

Richard Tambling could now be delisted due to the Kurt Tippett investigation. Source: Herald Sun

ADELAIDE will have to cut a wanted Crows player on Wednesday as the pain from the Kurt Tippett scandal turns to list management at West Lakes.

And the Crows will have to gamble on which player to turf into the AFL national draft pool where Adelaide may not get a call until No. 83. That gives Adelaide's 17 rivals 82 chances to claim this contracted Crow in the AFL national draft on November 22.

The main candidates remain out-of-favour midfielder Richard Tambling or any of Adelaide's recent draftees Nick Joyce, Mitch Grigg or Cam Ellis-Yolmen.

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The Crows cannot - after handing Tippett a contract during the year - simply delist the Queenslander and let him fall into the new field of "delisted free agents".

By Wednesday, when all 18 AFL club must lodge their first player lists for next season, the Crows will need to have open their squad for three new draftees and 17-year-old midfielder Brad Crouch, who was pre-drafted last year.

With the AFL rules demanding Tippett stay on the list, Adelaide has opened just two spots - the net result of trading in Richmond ruckman Angus Graham and losing Michael Doughty (retired), Brad Symes (delisted) and Chris Knights (free agent to Richmond).

A third spot for upgraded rookie Ian Callinan will emerge when Tippett delists himself as an uncontracted player next month. The fourth for Crouch demands one of Tambling, Joyce, Grigg or Ellis-Yolmen be sacrificed on Wednesday.


The cut player can then be re-drafted on November 22 when the draft unfolds on the Gold Coast. Adelaide needs to choose a player who will not be stolen by a rival.

The Crows expect to know as soon as Friday how the AFL Commission has assessed the investigation into Tippett's side deal from his 2009 contract talks. The sanctions are expected to involve a heavy fine and a lockout from the first two or three rounds of the draft.

That would leave Adelaide recruiting manager Hamish Ogilvie with the unglamourous picks of 83, 101 and 119 at his first draft.

Tippett's preferred pathway to Sydney in the pre-season draft on December 11 is clouded by Brisbane checking its salary cap to assess if it can call the Queenslander at No. 6 before the Swans at No. 18.

Also in question is if Tippett will be playing next season as the AFL Commission considers deregistering him for draft tampering and taking undisclosed third-party deals underwritten by the Crows. Melbourne-based lawyer, South Australian Paul Ehrlich, says that move carries the "extreme, significant chance" of having the Tippett family take the AFL to court.


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Betting rife for AFL players

Former AFL star Brendan Fevola used to frequently gamble in poker games. Picture: Nathan Richter Source: The Daily Telegraph

A CHORUS of leading AFL figures have warned sports betting by players has reached troubling levels.

The combination of easy access to betting websites, 24-hour televised sport and high incomes is blamed for the escalating issue.

Player managers, players and former problem gamblers in the AFL say too many sportsmen are splashing money they cannot afford to lose.

Technology such as smart phones, the mushrooming of corporate bookmakers and high interest levels in international sports from AFL players is a dangerous mix.

Anti-gambling counsellor and former Melbourne midfielder Daniel Ward told the Herald Sun: "There is a lot of it out there at the moment."

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"I know of several cases (of addiction) and it's not really being spoken about.

" It is spoken about behind people's backs and in whispers," he said.

"It's not a witch hunt and it's not being alarmist, but it is real."

Ward echoed North Melbourne coach Brad Scott, who last year said gambling was a bigger concern for AFL players than alcohol or drugs.

More than 50 players - about 6 per cent of the competition - were lured into a racing syndicate, and were battling to get their money back.

Player manager Paul Connors said he was worried players with hours to kill and money to burn were filling that time with gambling on sports other than AFL.

"I think gambling is an issue. It used to be poker, which led to other stuff," Connors said.

"I have been a manager for 15 years now and I just think it's readily available online and in casinos, and I think it's going to continue to be an issue.

"Players will be bored. And if they are not doing things outside footy they have downtime and they spend money and you just can't stop that." AFLPA player relations general manager Ian Prendergast said the player union was working hard to educate players and limit the number with gambling problems.

"I think we are aware of individual players who have issues with gambling. Generally speaking we have a young playing group who are risktakers with a fair amount of discretionary income available," he said.

"We are trying to stay vigilant and be really proactive with our (anti-gambling and (education) programs."

Recently retired Collingwood and Gold Coast player Josh Fraser said it was easy for young players to follow the lead of wealthier teammates who could afford to drop some money.

"Younger guys can get caught up in it pretty quickly. There are just so many avenues to have a bet these days.

"I am not concerned about football but it is the horses and sports, and the younger guys are so impressionable," he said.

"$500 to a guy who has been in the system for eight to 10 years is not much, but for a guy just in the system, it is."


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Brisbane keen for Tippett- Brown duo

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 26 Oktober 2012 | 22.09

Kurt Tippett playing against the Brisbane Lions. Picture: Darren England Source: The Courier-Mail

BRISBANE started the AFL's month-long free agency and trade period chasing Kurt Tippett to be captain Jonathan Brown's partner in crime.

It took until the last hour of the drawn-out festival of wheeling, dealing and posturing for the Lions to secure Melbourne's Stefan Martin as Brown's forward-line foil.

Brisbane parted with their No.53 and No.73 draft picks at next month's national draft in exchange for Martin on the frenetic final day of trading.

Eleven of the 38 deals done in the past month were completed yesterday reinforcing how ludicrously long the trade period was.

It could all get done in two weeks. Teams took a month to sign-off on trades because they knew they could.

The Lions and Demons were locked in a stalemate for two days following Martin's visit to Brisbane earlier this week with the Demons chasing pick No.33.

The Lions were only willing to part with pick No.53 but added pick No.73 yesterday to sweeten the pot.

Martin played 57 matches in five seasons with the Demons.

He played just seven games in a 2012 season interrupted by a number of injuries, but 2011 was a breakout year for the former basketballer when he averaged 17.3 disposals and 14.9 hitouts per game.

At 198cm and 103kg, Martin is an athletic big man who can fill the ruckman/key forward role that vice-captain and key defender Daniel Merrett was forced to play in 2012.

Merrett can return to defence with Brown and Martin to fill the key forward roles. Martin will also relieve Matthew Leuenberger in the ruck.

Brisbane national talent manager Rob Kerr said Martin's versatility was crucial.

"Structurally, a player of Stefan's ability is critically important as it provides us with a flexible tall who can be effective both in the ruck and around the ground," Kerr said.

"The shifting ruck rules seem to suit players with Stefan's athletic capabilities."

Brisbane's talls will also get a boost with the return of utility Brent Staker who can play forward or back. Staker is coming back from a knee reconstruction but is recording outstanding results in the gym and on the training track.

Meanwhile, former Lion Justin Sherman has parted ways with the Western Bulldogs.

Sherman slammed Brisbane's culture when he left the Gabba at the end of 2010 to link with the Bulldogs, but he did not find Whitten Oval to his liking either, playing 24 games in two seasons.

Sherman, 25, still had a year to run on his contract, but reached a settlement with the club after just 10 senior appearances in 2012.

Suns defender Josh Toy is set to nominate for the pre-season draft in December after the Gold Coast was unable to find a suitable trade.


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Darkest secrets back to haunt Crows

Adelaide Crows chief executive Steven Trigg arrives at the club's administration offices Picture: Sarah Reed Source: The Advertiser

STEVEN Trigg stepped off a flight from Croatia to return to the Adelaide Football Club last Friday with the Crows' darkest secret unravelling.

It became the blackest day in the AFL club's 22-year history.

The Crows' side deal with defecting forward Kurt Tippett - one that threatens to cost Trigg his job - was becoming known around the AFL. Lawyers were reading it - and not only those of Tippett's agitated father, Tony.

A rival AFL club, Gold Coast, had a copy of the infamous deal spelt out in 2009 in an email letter between former Crows football operations manager John Reid and Tippett's Brisbane-based manager Peter Blucher.

Having been jilted by Tippett - who had sat in the Gold Coast offices a year earlier contemplating a move to the Suns before this year choosing Sydney - the Gold Coast executives handed the letter to their lawyers.

The key question was: Could it be passed to the AFL without reprisal to the Suns who would have to explain how they had it?

Trigg's club had committed the cardinal sin.

More than challenge the two key pillars of the AFL competition - the salary cap and draft - the Crows had foolishly put their secret deal with Tippett in writing.

It was not, as was often said, a "handshake" or "gentlemen's agreement" acknowledging Tippett would have an easy passage to the Gold Coast team on his home base in Queensland should he chose to leave the Crows.

This AFL rule-breaching side deal involved payments to Tippett outside the salary cap. It is a six-figure sum that the AFL auditors will now determine as they piece together what appears to be the biggest rort in AFL football of the past decade.

As AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou has privately told a club president of the Crows-Tippett deal: "It was dumb."

More so when the illegal payments would have fitted within Adelaide's salary cap that has ranged from $8.5 million to $9.3 million in the past three years.

Trigg returned from a three-week holiday, which had taken him from Paris to Venice and Croatia, last Friday when Adelaide was finishing a deal to trade Tippett to his chosen club of Sydney for a draft pick and out-of-favour forward Jesse White.

There were two urgent tasks for Trigg.

First, he had to stop Adelaide list manager David Noble from lodging any trade for Tippett. Noble took a phone call from the club telling him to walk out of the AFL offices in Melbourne.

Trigg also had to see his club chairman Rob Chapman to reveal the full details of the secret deal with Tippett.

Trigg, whose jetlag from a 40-hour trip was minor compared to the headache he had from the Tippett letter, put the document - with all its problems - before Chapman.

Around the AFL, Gold Coast was telling others the infamous Tippett exit clause was a minor matter compared to the third-party agreements Adelaide had agreed to underwrite for Tippett.

"An hour after Steven got back, he was in my office," said Chapman. "And 90 minutes later we were before Andrew Demetriou putting the letter to the AFL."

Trigg dismisses any suggestion the mea culpa moment was forced by Tippett's father threatening to take the Crows to court for haggling on his son's move to Sydney.

"I want to make clear that our decision go to the AFL was not motivated by any threat of legal action," said Trigg in an emailed note to his club's members on Thursday night.

"A key point to stress is that this matter came to light and is being investigated by the AFL as a direct result of the initiative of the Adelaide Football Club."

The Crows stepped up before the AFL moved in, as unfolded at the club's West Lakes base yesterday when AFL investigators claimed files and computer records to deepen their scrutiny of every payment that Adelaide has made to Tippett.

Trigg stayed out of the media last weekend, despite a heavy booking list from journalists wanting the Crows chief to explain why Adelaide appeared to be scoring a poor deal from the Swans.

His remarks to The Advertiser on Monday and Tuesday sounded like riddles. To specific questions on what had happened on Friday, Trigg politely responded: "If I answer that, I'll give the whole game away."

By Wednesday, Trigg was being even more cautious with his responses by phone link to AFL investigations officer Ken Wood and integrity officer Brett Clothier. Wood, an auditor, is the AFL's long-serving salary cap watchdog. Clothier, a lawyer, joined the AFL in August 2008 when the league became concerned with the influence of increased gambling options in football.

Trigg sat in his office at West Lakes surrounded by lawyers, all on the clock at the start of an AFL investigation that is expected to cost the Crows plenty.

There could be fines, as much as $500,000. There could be the loss of draft picks, a penalty that punishes a club for years as this denies new blood for the player list.

And the members will demand blood. It is too easy to serve up Reid as the fall guy. Every senior staffer is under scrutiny, as is the board for not questioning the deal with the same vigour the media had.

Chapman says he will support Trigg to the hilt, acknowledging his outstanding record. But the pressure will mount for Trigg to resign.

Trigg was on the pathway to bigger things. Now he is tainted by a deal Demetriou rightly labels as "dumb" ... and one the Crows should have never put in writing.


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Sole female resigns from AFL post

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou. Source: Herald Sun

FOOTY'S first and only female executive has resigned from her post at the AFL.

Christina Ogg, the league's general manager of human resources, tendered her resignation to AFL boss Andrew Demetriou yesterday.

And in a major shake-up to the AFL's high-powered leadership team, senior executive Andrew Catterall announced he was taking long service leave.

The Herald Sun understands Catterall - general manager of strategy and marketing - will not be returning to the AFL.

The changes were relayed to club chief executives yesterday.

Both Catterall and Ogg were highly-paid members of the AFL's nine-person managerial body, which includes Demetriou.

League staffer Sam Graham will take command of the key strategy aspect of Catterall's job, while Stephen Gray and Blair Crouch will assume the marketing responsibilities.

AFL No.2 Gillon McLachlan, widely expected to replace Demetriou when he retires, will oversee Catterall's department in the interim.

Catterall, 38, was considered a rising star of the AFL and helped oversee the game's expansion into the Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney.

Club CEO's were told he had decided to take extra leave ahead of his upcoming wedding.

Ogg broke new ground for women in football in June 2009 by being promoted to join the executive.

The AFL Commission has two female members, Sam Mostyn and Linda Dessau.

Changes have also been forced for the AFL's Grievance Tribunal after its chair, Jack Rush QC, was yesterday unveiled as one of four new St Kilda board members.

"Jack Rush informed the AFL that he would be joining the St Kilda board and a process is now underway, as specified under the collective bargaining agreement, to appoint a replacement to the Grievance Tribunal," a league spokesman said.

"An announcement will be made in due course."

Joining Jack on the Saints' board are Olympic gold medal hockey player Danni Roche, accountant Paul Kirk and Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust chairman Russell Caplan.


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Players boss standing up for Tippett

Kurt Tippett. Picture: George Salpigtidis. Source: Herald Sun

AFL players' union chief Matt Finnis yesterday threw his support behind Kurt Tippett after the ex Crows found himself cast as a villain.

After the Sydney deal was withdrawn and no other club moved to deal with Adelaide over its highest-paid player, Tippett now seems destined for the national or pre-season draft and has lost much control over where he ends up.

As an AFL investigation continues into Adelaide's 2009 side deal controlling Tippett's exit from West Lakes, the AFL Players Association was a rare voice standing up for Tippett as he contemplates his next football station after the messy departure from the Crows.

But Finnis said that regardless of the investigation and its outcome, the game still had a responsibility to its player, who is yet to be found guilty of any wrongdoing and appears to have served out his playing contract with Adelaide in good faith.

Finnis said nobody ought to feel good about Tippett finding himself in his current situation after serving out his contract with the Crows, negotiating a new deal and then watching his future spiral into uncertainty.

The AFLPA will support Tippett throughout the investigation of his initial deal with Adelaide and through the remainder of the exchange window, and made the point that Tippett still had the right to defend himself.

"I know it's probably an unpopular view in Adelaide, but at the end of the day he's a player who's got the right to expect to be able to continue his career," Finnis said.

"I think what's disappointing is that as a result of the situation, a player and club had appeared to have reached an agreement but the player doesn't get the benefit of that agreement.

"Putting aside the investigation and any offence or penalties that might apply, people should not lose sight of the fact that Kurt Tippett, today, is the one whose future is uncertain."

Finnis said it was still too early for the AFLPA to launch its own investigation into the conduct of all parties involved throughout the Tippett fiasco.

But he said the union would make its own inquiries when the AFL had handed over its findings.


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Salary cap limited Blues manoeuvres

Mick Malthouse. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: Herald Sun

NEW Carlton coach Mick Malthouse said the Blues' hands were tied by the salary cap but has also taken a swipe at free agents.

Carlton was virtually invisible in the past month, only involved in one trade during the entire trade/free agency period completed yesterday, trading departing Jordan Russell to Malthouse's old club Collingwood for pick 71.

"Our salary cap is topped up and the player list is contracted so there wasn't a lot of maneuverability," Malthouse said.

"Disappointing? Maybe but at the end of the day you don't trade for the sake of trading.

"The bigger names, (Brendon) Goddard and so forth, they have changed over in the free agency period.

"Is Gary Ablett out there? No, it is more mix and match - too many ruckmen, not enough flanks or vice versa so you swap over.

"We spoke from the word go we probably wouldn't be doing much trading and it has turned out we've done none. Our salary cap is where it is and our players are contracted so there was not much we can do."

Malthouse refused to be drawn on the controversy surrounding Adelaide and its former key forward Kurt Tippett.

With no trade completed yesterday, Tippett may be forced to enter the national or pre-season draft.

Despite crying out for a big-bodied key forward, Malthouse said there was no way Tippett would be in the navy blue next season.

"We can't get him," he said in Hobart yesterday promoting his daughter Christi Malthouse's book A Football Life.

"If he's in the draft he's not going to get through to Carlton and if he did our salary cap is restrictive."

This year saw the introduction of free agency that allowed some players easier access to the club of their choice, but the former Footscray, West Coast and Collingwood coach was not impressed.

"I don't like it at all," he said.

"It helps the top clubs and doesn't do any favours at all for the bottom clubs."


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West Coast refuses to part with Brown

Mitch Brown at West Coast Eagles training at Junction Oval. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

ST KILDA has been left seething by West Coast's refusal to part with Mitch Brown, as the trade and free agency period came to an end yesterday.

The Saints appeased the Eagles by parting with Western Australian youngster Jamie Cripps plus an exchange of picks, but were fuming when the goodwill was not returned.

St Kilda head of football Chris Pelchen said the Saints acted out of compassion for Cripps' desire to return home, leaving the Saints "extremely disappointed" a similar swap for Victorian Brown was not forthcoming.

"Like Mitch Brown wanting to return home, we were compassionate that Jamie wanted to return to Western Australia," Pelchen said.

"Our preference for Jamie was to stay at the club, but he made it clear he wanted to be home with family.

"We made several offers to West Coast in the last couple of hours to try and get Mitch across the line.

"There's no doubt Mitch wanted to play with us."

A total of 35 AFL listed players found new homes this month (11 yesterday) the most since 1997.

In other developments:

- Cale Morton, the 2007 No.4 pick, was traded to the Eagles for pick No.88. The Demons will pay part of his 2013 salary as he was still contracted to the club for another year.

- Demon Jordan Gysberts traded placed with Roo Cam Pedersen, while the Dees' fire sale was completed when ruckman Stefan Martin joined teammate Brent Moloney in Brisbane.

- Key forward Lucas Cook will become Melbourne's third first round draftee to depart this post-season when he is de-listed next week.

- Farren Ray remained at St Kilda and Gold Coast failed to come up with a trade for Josh Toy.

- Justin Sherman was de-listed by the Western Bulldogs with a year to run on his contract.

- Geelong told Tom Gillies he would be de-listed as the squeeze for spots on the Cats list continues.

- North Melbourne remained hopeful it could secure Port Adelaide Ben Jacobs via the draft despite the Power's best efforts to persuade the ruckman to stay.

West Coast recruiting manager Rohan O'Brien said he was confident Brown, 23, would hold no animosity towards the club for keeping him.

"There certainly won't be any angst from our point of view and I hope Mitch is the same," O'Brien said.

"We've always had a long term view with Mitch and remains that we want him to stay for a number of years and we think he'll be a terrific player for us."

It is understood Morton's relationship with Demons coach Mark Neeld was beyond repair.

O'Brien said the Eagles rated the 22-year-old "extremely highly" and that the club is confident his outside run is perfectly suited to the wide expanses of Patersons Stadium.

But whether he slips straight in to the Eagles best 22 is "up to Cale now", O'Brien said.

"He's the same as everyone else, he'll be equal when he comes in, and if he plays well he'll get an opportunity."


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Be consistent: Collins

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 25 Oktober 2012 | 22.09

Former Carlton president Ian Collins. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

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FORMER Carlton president Ian Collins has called for the AFL to be consistent if it sanctions Adelaide for salary cap breaches.

The AFL is investigating a secret deal between Adelaide and Kurt Tippett that could result in the player's deregistration and the Crows being fined and losing draft picks.

When he took over as Carlton president in late 2002, Collins inherited the fallout from the salary cap breaches under his predecessor John Elliott, which resulted in the Blues being fined almost $1 million and losing draft picks including selections one and two.

Elliott maintains the league's decision was "bloody-minded" and too harsh and claims it set the club back a decade.

'My argument is that they have to be consistent and if not then their credibility is at stake. I think everyone will sit back with bated breath and see whether they apply the same set of rules they applied (to us)," Collins said.


"I was consistent (when I was at the AFL) but the Carlton (penalty) was an aberration."

He said the league was likely to be tougher on salary cap infractions than a breach of contract.

"If they agreed to release him at the end of their agreement to the club of his choice, I wouldn't have thought that was the issue. But with the rules changing with free agency, the AFL have to be ever vigilant on their rules," Collins said.

Carlton's captain in 2002, Anthony Koutoufides, yesterday said he was stunned that Adelaide believed it could hide any infractions.

As we saw with the Melbourne Storm, when you are dealing with so many people, things come out in the open. You get exposed. I don't know why clubs even attempt to do it."

Koutoufides said Adelaide was better placed to handle any fine from the AFL than Carlton, close to broke at the time of the league fine.

"The million dollar fine was the thing for us.

"Adelaide is very stable as a club so they will survive it, but it's not good internally.

"When you are looking for the ultimate in a premiership you don't need distractions like that."


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Roos chief coup

North Melbourne is close to luring Geelong chief executive Brian Cook. Picture: Peter Ristevski Source: Geelong Advertiser

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

NORTH Melbourne is on the verge of poaching Geelong's chief executive Brian Cook in what would be one of the AFL's biggest off-field coups.

It is understood the highly respected Cats administrator is warming towards a move to Arden St to take the vacant CEO's role.

The Kangaroos have been searching for a "big fish" to replace Eugene Arocca, who resigned on June 5.

They are becoming increasingly confident they can convince Cook to leave Geelong, a move that would shock the football world.

It is understood there are a number of issues to be resolved between Cook and the Kangaroos before a deal can be finalised.

More news- the Department of Trades

Cook, who guided Geelong out of a crippling debt crisis and helped mould it into a football and financial giant, is on holidays in Nepal and could not be reached last night.


He does not return until next month, which could delay any possible announcement if he does decide to switch clubs.

North Melbourne would not comment when contacted about its bold bid.

Cook joined Geelong from West Coast in 1999.The Cats then had a debt of $7 million and he played an instrumental role in reshaping their destiny, posting 12 successive profits and overseeing a massive redevelopment of Simonds Stadium.

Geelong broke a 44-year premiership drought in 2007 and has won three of the past six premierships.

It is not known whether North made the initial play for the man  considered one of the AFL's most astute administrators, or whether Cook approached the club.

Outgoing Football Federation Australia chief executive and former Kangaroos player Ben Buckley was an original candidate, but has all but ruled himself out.

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Buckley told Fox Sports last night: "I don't think you will see me there as CEO."

In the absence of a high-profile candidate, it is understood interim chief executive Cam Vale would have been in the mix.

In early June,  on the day after Arocca resigned as chief executive due to an uneasy relationship with club chairman James Brayshaw, the Herald Sun revealed Cook had been sounded out for the  job by  AFL heavies at a dinner at Sydney restaurant Icebergs last November.

At the time Cook admitted there had been "a casual approach", but said there was no "formal offer" and that he had declined.

Cook, 57 next month, has long suggested that he did not think he had another stint in him as a chief executive at another club, but it is known North has worked hard to woo him.


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Recuperation tests O'Meara's patience

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

Gold Coast's Jaeger O'Meara, 18, is having a hernia operation this week. Picture: Adam Head. Source: The Courier-Mail

GOLD Coast young gun Jaeger O'Meara is confident a hernia operation this week will not stop him from exploding on to the AFL scene in 2013.

The 18-year-old expects to be up and running by the second week of the Suns' pre-season training camp in the US.

The Suns leave for the high-altitude location of Flagstaff, Arizona, on Sunday but the high expectations around O'Meara will remain long after the squad returns to sea level next month.

The WA star was recruited by the Suns at the mini-draft during last year's trade period but was not eligible to play senior football this year.

The midfielder got a taste of top-level football in NAB Cup pre-season matches after receiving special dispensation from the AFL before dropping back to the NEAFL, where his campaign was cut short by groin injuries.

O'Meara was a stand-out junior with his pace, endurance, skill and football instincts attracting the attention of AFL scouts across the country.

If he had not been taken in last year's mini-draft, there was every chance he would have been the No.1 pick in next month's national draft.

The only No.1 he is concerned about now is the opening round of the premiership, when the Suns host St Kilda.

"It was a bit bittersweet last year. I realised my dream of getting to an AFL club but I wasn't available for senior selection," O'Meara said.

"I got injured so I wasn't able to play that much but I hated having to watch the boys play.

"I'm not a good spectator. If you are a good spectator you probably shouldn't be in this industry.

"Hopefully I won't be on the sidelines too much next year."

O'Meara said he felt under no extra pressure as one of the boom kids of his generation.

"I don't get caught up in that stuff about expectations. I just look at what I can control and what the coaches want me to do," he said.

O'Meara said the hernia surgery was just a blip of the radar.

"I'll be sweet. I've had this week off training, I'll do some cross-training and swimming that first week in Arizona and hopefully I'll be running by the second week."

The Suns have landed Fremantle defender Greg Broughton from the Dockers.

The Gold Coast received the 26-year-old Broughton and pick No.60 in exchange for selection No.37 at next month's draft.


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Nixon wary of private deals

Ricky Nixon has warned of future "underground agreements." Source: Herald Sun

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FORMER player manager Ricky Nixon is predicting an explosion in "underground agreements" similar to the one engulfing Adelaide and Kurt Tippett.

The Crows, Tippett and Tippett's manager Peter Blucher are under AFL investigation over an alleged written agreement which guaranteed the player passage to the club of his choice for a second-round draft choice.

The agreement - signed off via email - was not presented to the AFL when Tippett signed at the end of 2009 season.

Nixon said yesterday increased player movement via free agency and trades will mean increased agreements between club and player.

The difference will be they will handshake deals.

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"I reckon it's opened Pandora's Box," Nixon said.

"There will be plenty of handshake deals or side deals for want of a better word to satisfy players to sign early, rather than wait until they come out of contract or they become a free agent."

And then clubs will back themselves to keep them.

"And you can have as many (AFL) investigations officers  as you like, but at the end of the day what ability have they got to uncover handshake agreements?

"It becomes more underground because no-one's officially going to touch anything to do with technology."

Nixon, who was a prominent player manager before being deregistered by the AFL Players Association, said he believed the AFL and clubs faced mounting concerns

"With free agency and restricted free agency, there's going to be a lot of agreements going on," Nixon said.

"A player is going to say, `I don't want to sign next year because I'm going  to be an unrestricted free agent', and the clubs will say, ``We want you to sign but if you wan to go, we'll let you go,' and the club will agree to it just to get him a cross the line."

Nixon said an explosion in side deals will mirror an explosion in player movement because of free agency.

Nixon cited Gary Ablett leaving Geelong two years ago, and Brendon Goddard leaving St Kilda this year, as well as Tippett leaving the Crows.

"If it is five players this year, it will be 10 next year, and if it's 10 next year it will be 20 the year after," Nixon said.


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Tippett trade crisis grows

Kurt Tippett faces a nervous wait ahead of today's AFL Trade Week deadline. Source: Herald Sun

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

THE AFL will start scouring Adelaide's files today for evidence of salary cap cheating, while giving the Crows the green light to strike a deal for Kurt Tippett.

In an unlikely twist, the Crows still have the opportunity to trade Tippett despite being investigated for third-party infractions.

There were reports last night that Tippett had been promised up to $200,000 outside his 2009 contract.

It is believed the Crows said they would pay the money if it could not be raised from other parties.

But AFL spokesman Patrick Keane said last night: "If they wished to present a (trade) deal to us, it would be assessed."

The AFL Players Association was locked in talks with the AFL for much of yesterday trying to smooth the path for Tippett's trade to Sydney and the move of Swan Jesse White to Adelaide.

But the league was playing hardball, and the players union feared Tippett might be sent to the draft and White left in limbo.

Tippett is being investigated after Adelaide confessed it had a separate agreement outside his official contact that guaranteed he would be traded to the club of his choice for a second round pick.

But it is allegations Tippett received a six-figure sum from undisclosed third-party deals that have Adelaide nervous.

More news- the Department of Trades

But the league was playing hard-ball, with the players union fearing Tippett might be sent to the draft and White left in limbo.

Tippett is being investigated after Adelaide confessed it had a separate agreement outside his official contact which guaranteed he was traded to the club of his choice for a second-round pick.

But it is allegations Adelaide forward Tippett made a six-figure sum from undisclosed third-party deals which have Adelaide facing real heat.

Bizarrely, Adelaide had ample salary cap room so had no need to spirit that money to Tippett outside the salary cap.

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Sydney and Adelaide had not made progress on the Tippett deal yesterday, and it seems unlikely the AFL would deem the current White-pick 23 deal strong enough to be approved.

AFL football operations boss Adrian Anderson has taken charge of the investigation ahead of Ken Wood, with the Crows throwing open their books today.

"We will start from tomorrow examining files at the club which they have offered to make available to us," Keane said.

"(The investigation) will take as long as it takes."

Adelaide yesterday denied it had paid Tippett's brother Joel any money that was then funneled to his brother.

Facing the pressure to justify why they should not be removed are Adelaide chief executive Steven Trigg, and Tippett's manager Peter Blucher, of Velocity Sports.

Tippett could still be forced into the pre-season or national draft, with both Gold Coast and Brisbane yesterday pledging to review their interest in him if that scenario occurred.

Rival clubs yesterday confirmed that it is not unprecedented for clubs to include clauses in standard contracts promising to help players return home.

In fact, it is believed AFL salary cap watch dog Ken Wood has helped clubs frame contracts with specific references to returning home.

But Adelaide's Tippett deal was not lodged with the AFL, and was prejudicial to the draft because it also mentioned the specific terms by which he would return.

Tippett is facing potential deregistration or a fine for his involvement, but given a trade is still possible it seems unlikely he would be deregistered at his new club.

Adelaide may have also anticipated the likely sanctions, rushing through a trade with Richmond for Angus Graham last Friday aware it might not have been able to keep Tippett.

Tippett could become the first AFL player to be deregistered for undisclosed third-party payments since Brownlow Medallist Greg Williams was banned for 11 weeks in 1992 for his kick-backs in Sydney.

Adelaide is maintaining it wrote the off-contract deal with Tippett with no intent to deceive or manipulate the AFL rules.

Reid is said to have told AFL investigators the exit clause and evaluation of a second-round draft pick was based on the league's own guidelines for the compensation Adelaide would have been handed had Tippett walked to Gold Coast as an uncontracted wildcard recruit.

This defence challenges accusations Adelaide tampered with the draft.


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Trigg denies legal action threat

Crows chief executive Steven Trigg is denying he was forced to reveal the club's secret deal with Kurt Tippett by the threat of legal action. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: adelaidenow

EMBATTLED Crows chief executive Steven Trigg is denying the threat of legal action from Kurt Tippett's father forced him to declare Adelaide's secret deal with Tippett to the AFL.

Trigg on Friday, after returning from a three-week holiday in Europe, put the off-contract secret agreement with Tippett before his club chairman Rob Chapman and then to AFL boss Andrew Demetriou.

It is claimed this admission to the AFL was prompted by the threat of legal action from Tippett's father as the Tippett group became frustrated by little progress in his trade to Sydney.

The secret agreement says Adelaide must trade Tippett to his club of choice in return for a second-round daft pick.

Adelaidenow understands the real pressure to put the agreement before the AFL was created by a rival AFL club also having a copy of the secret letter between Tippett's management and the Crows. This rival club was seeking an AFL investigation.

On Thursday night, Trigg said: "I want to make clear that our decision go to the AFL was not motivated by any threat of legal action.

"A key point to stress is that this matter came to light and is being investigated by the AFL as a direct result of the initiative of the Adelaide Football Club. We will continue to assist the investigation in every way that we can."

AFL investigators will be at the Crows' West Lakes base on Friday to claim records and computer files.

I want to make clear that our decision go to the AFL was not motivated by any threat of legal action

Trigg is maintaining the secret deal with Tippett from 2009 - that may cost Trigg his job - was not designed to deceive the AFL.

"The Adelaide Football Clubs intent throughout was to comply fully with all AFL rules in the manner and process of our drafting, trading and player payments," he said.

"The Adelaide Football Club's commitment to comply with the AFL's rules is clearly evidenced by our club's exemplary 21-year record and reputation for total and willing compliance with all AFL rules that govern the draft, trading and player payments."

The Crows and Tippett are facing severe penalties if the claims of draft tampering and salary cap breaches are proven.


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Lions race to finish Martin deal

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 24 Oktober 2012 | 22.09

Fremantle ruckman Jonathon Griffin battles with Melbourne's Stefan Martin. Brisbane is pushing to complete a deal for Martin. Picture: George Salpigtidis. Source: Herald Sun

BRISBANE is racing against the clock to get a deal done for Melbourne ruckman/forward Stefan Martin with the AFL trade period set to expire tomorrow.

Martin met with Lions officials at the Gabba on Tuesday and is understood to be keen to head to Queensland, but he has one year left on his contract with the Demons.

Brisbane hold picks eight, 24, 33, 53, 73 and 91 at next month's national draft.

Melbourne want selection no.33 in exchange for Martin but Brisbane are unlikely to part with a pick that high.

The club's next pick at no.53 is also unlikely to satisfy the Demons meaning the two teams will have to hammer out a compromise in the dying stages of the trade period to deliver the 26-year-old key position prospect to Brisbane.

Brisbane and Gold Coast will start their 2013 NAB Cup campaigns against powerhouse Hawthorn at Metricon Stadium on February 23.

The Lions and Suns will take on the 2012 grand finalists and each other in the abbreviated two-quarter, triple-header format before travelling far and wide for the next two weeks of the pre-season competition when teams revert to full length games.

The Gold Coast will play North Melbourne in Townsville on March 2 while Brisbane will face GWS in Wagga on the same day.

The Suns will meet reigning premier Sydney in Blacktown on March 9 when the Lions travel to Melbourne to take on Collingwood at Etihad Stadium.


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North awaits Hansen finding

North Melbourne is still waiting for the AFL's finding into the Lachie Hansen concussion case. Picture: Darren Tindale Source: Herald Sun

NORTH Melbourne will find out if it has a case to answer when the AFL delivers its findings into Lachlan Hansen's concussion case early next week.

The case has caused friction between Andrew Demetriou and his old club, with the AFL chief alleging the Kangaroos were trying to "intimidate" his investigators.

North has also been frustrated at the length of the 10-week investigation, and is keen for team doctor Andy McMahon to have his name cleared.

It is understood AFL integrity officer Brett Clothier and AFL football operations boss Adrian Anderson will meet North football manager Donald McDonald and acting chief executive Cameron Vale early next week.

Hansen returned to the ground in Round 20 after suffering a blow to the head, with teammate Drew Petrie later saying he had seen Hansen vomiting at halftime.


But the Roos do not believe they have a case to answer, and are adamant that McMahon followed AFL protocols to the letter.

The AFL, at one stage, expressed disappointment at least one club official was proving elusive despite being summoned for interviews with Clothier.

Former Melbourne Storm doctor McMahon retained legal counsel before meeting with investigators, given the severity of the allegations.

There is a maximum fine of $20,000 under concussion regulations brought in at the start of the 2011 season.

The AFL grew interested in Hansen's return to the field after Petrie's comments, but Petrie later clarified his radio interview.

Petrie told the AFL in September it needed to "tidy up their investigation and get on with it," which drew a furious reaction from Demetriou.

"I'd just caution, Drew. This is an ongoing, serious investigation," Demetriou replied.
 


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Tippett deal 'on'

It has been a saga but Kurt Tippett could still become a Swan despite contract probe. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

THE AFL will not be rushed into completing the Kurt Tippett investigation, despite tomorrow's 2pm trade deadline.

Talks between Adelaide and Sydney have stalled amid the uncertainty, but the AFL last night was adamant the probe would be open-ended.

AFL spokesman Patrick Keane said investigators Ken Wood and Brett Clothier would take as long as required to get to the bottom of the issue.

The Crows, Tippett and his manager Peter Blucher face sanctions over an alleged written arrangement to guarantee the player easy passage to the club of his choice in return for a second-round draft pick.

AFL clubs and managers lodging contracts must also sign statutory declarations that there are no other agreements in place.

It is likely the Crows will at least be fined and, once the AFL probe is completed, the agents' governing body is almost certain to investigate whether Blucher acted inappropriately.


The Crows last night broke their silence, with chairman Rob Chapman declaring the club had not intended to break AFL rules.

"We have a history of compliance, no record of any misdemeanours," Chapman said.

"We have nothing to hide - and we have opened all the books to the AFL without condition.

"I can give a gold-plated commitment the AFL will find nothing.

"But if we have now got this wrong, we need to know before the trade is done ... and we will have to abide by any penalty."

He could not answer why the club  or the AFL  had not put up the Tippett agreement for review earlier.

While Blucher and Adelaide faced trouble for their conduct, rival clubs did not believe the issue constituted "draft tampering".

It is unlikely Adelaide will be stripped of draft picks, its cause helped by the fact it put up its hand.

Because there is no AFL injunction, Sydney and Adelaide might still seal a deal.

Sydney was last night waiting to hear from the AFL, believing it could get its man by offering pick 23 and Jesse White.

There was speculation the Swans could come up with a more "commercial" deal to satisfy the AFL.

It is understood some senior members of the Adelaide camp were not aware of the "agreement" until late last week, but felt the need to confess to the AFL when all of the facts were known.

AFL player rules prohibit any "entering into, making or being a party to any agreement, arrangement, understanding, promise or undertaking, whether express or implied and whether or not enforceable or intended to be enforceable, or entering into or carrying out any scheme, plan, proposal, action, course of action or course of conduct that hinders, interferes or prejudices with the natural operation of the draft".


22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More
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