Walsh lauds Crows master-Glass

Darren Glass talks to players at Adelaide training. Picture: Dylan Coker Source: News Corp Australia

NEW Crows coach Phil Walsh has hailed the influence of leadership mentor Darren Glass at West Lakes, saying he's offering the players experience "that you can't buy''.

"I'm a bit biased because I am a big Darren Glass fan but he has had, in my opinion, a lot of influence on that leadership group already,'' Walsh said.

"It's only a young leadership group and in my time in footy he (Glass) has been the best leader that I've seen.

"So just to be around him, just the way he carries it out, some of his stories that he's been able to tell the players and some of his experiences, well, you just can't buy them.''

Darren Glass' leadership has been hailed by coach Phil Walsh. Picture: Dylan Coker Source: News Corp Australia

Former West Coast captain Glass is working closely with Adelaide's six-man leadership group as Walsh tries to identify his first skipper.

The six-man group, nominated by the players, includes incumbent captain Nathan van Berlo, last season's joint stand-in skippers Rory Sloane and Patrick Dangerfield, ace forward Taylor Walker, veteran Scott Thompson and the only new member of the brigade, 2014 club champion defender Daniel Talia.

Walsh, a former assistant coach with the Eagles, worked with Glass, 33, at the WA club for five years and has hired him as a part-time leadership mentor.

Glass, who retired as a player midway through this year after 270 games, will remain living in Perth but he has spent considerable time in Adelaide prior to Christmas in a bid to quickly leave his mark on the playing group.

Darren Glass with his family after announcing his retirement. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: News Corp Australia

Walsh will select his captain next month — his decision will then have to be ratified by the board — and he is viewing Glass's mentorship and thoughts on Adelaide's six contenders as invaluable in making his decision.

"Darren has been All-Australian captain, he's one of the great captains and he's changed the culture of a footy club (at the Eagles), so for them to hear his stories and understand his journey is terrific for them,'' Walsh said.

"By his own admission he wasn't the most skilled player but he was able to get the job done on game day.

"He's an impressive guy, Some people you meet in this industry and you go 'oh, I though there would be a little bit more'.

Phil Walsh has had an immediate impact at Adelaide. Picture: Dylan Coker Source: News Corp Australia

"With Darren Glass you walk away and you go 'gee, that's an impressive guy'.''

Walsh said while Glass's main role at Adelaide is to help with leadership and culture, he will also use him to help the club's young defenders after the retirement of long-time full back Ben Rutten.

"His main role has been leadership but he is, in my opinion, and Stephen Silvagni might argue this, the best full back I've seen, so why wouldn't you use him to develop your defenders like Kyle Hartigan, Daniel Talia and Sam Siggins even,'' Walsh said.

Dual Geelong premiership defender Darren Milburn is the Crows' full-time defensive coach.

Glass has headed back to WA for Christmas as Adelaide takes a two-week training break.

"I'll be here as much as Phil Walsh and the team need me,'' Glass said of his return in the New Year.

"I've been able to come across a number of times pre-Christmas and lay some great foundations with the leadership group. That will continue into next year and I'll be a resource for the rest of the football season.

"I'll continue to work very closely with the senior leadership group, but it goes beyond that as well. There will be expectations of every player to show leadership and improve in this area.''

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Lions’ midfield riches release Mayes forward

Lion Sam Mayes to return to the forward line. Picture: Chris McCormack Source: News Corp Australia

THE return of leading Lion Daniel Rich has Brisbane's Sam Mayes poised to return to the position where he first launched his AFL career.

The 20-year-old's versatility and an injury list including Rich saw Mayes move from half forward to the backline during the 2014 season.

The rising talent had some success in his role but didn't have the same impact he made during his debut season in 2013 where he won the club's Rookie of the Year award.

Mayes has been training with the forwards so far during the preseason and said the prospect of returning to his preferred role was driving him in the lead up to 2015.

"I want to keep improving every year," Mayes said.

"Last year was a bit different because I was playing down the back and I had never really experienced that before so it added a few strings to my bow.

"I'm naturally a fairly offensive player and like to find a bit of space so I just want to keep developing the contested part of my game.

"I have been training at forward which is good but it will depend on where (coach Justin Leppitsch) Leppa wants me to play."

Mayes said a focus on improving his tackling will help him take his game to another level.

"I have been doing a fair bit of work on my tackling so if I can lift that up, especially playing down forward because it's a pretty important part of the role, and keep working on the other parts of my game it will be good," he said.

A regular starting berth at half forward won't come easy for Mayes who will need to compete with the likes of Josh Green and Lewis Taylor for the gig.

"There is a good crop of young forwards here so it's pretty exciting and hopefully in the next couple of years we can do some damage," Mayes said.

Midfielder Dayne Zorko also faces a tough challenge to keep his position with the likes of Allen Christensen, Mitch Robinson and new Collingwood recruit Dayne Beams among those vying for the position.

"There are 18 spots up for grabs in our team and it is really driving the boys to keep improving," Zorko said.

"It's handy for the coaching staff to have so many options for the seniors this year.

"The ball is in our court so if we want it we have to earn it."

Originally published as Lions' midfield riches release Mayes forward

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Guts and gut running Walsh’s formula

Patrick Dangerfield turns on the afterburners against West Coast. Picture: Calum Robertson Source: News Corp Australia

ADELAIDE coach Phil Walsh let himself have a chuckle at the question, which was what game trends would set the tone for next season.

"If I told you, everybody would know," he said.

But in broad terms, Walsh suggested the future was reasonably clear.

WALSH: CROWS COACH CALLS FOR INTERCHANGE CUT

The use of the interchange would still flavour how the game is played, and that means gut-running players will be kings rather than slow-burning players who can last all day.

The Crows have been the highest-rotating team, but they will have a more tempered view of the value of interchanges under Walsh.

"What happened, in my opinion, when the rotations came back to 120 was that a lot of people predicted that we'd need more aerobic-type players," Walsh said. "So a lot of the training was then centred on aerobic training.

"I'm of the belief that the game is still a repeat-speed game, and where the momentum of a game changes is through high-speed running.

"So I think a number of clubs — and we're definitely training that way at the moment — have still invested time in repeat speed and high-intensity running.

"That's where I think the game will still go."

What is also clear to Walsh after completing the first half of the pre-season is this: he has identified the areas in which the Crows must improve to become a top-shelf team again, rather than one that shows glimpses of excellence only to fade out.

The Crows hit the streets for a time-trial. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Corp Australia

Those areas include:

PRODUCING the A-game more often, and for longer periods.

Walsh saw the Crows play some outstanding football last year while working as a senior assistant at Port Adelaide.

But he also noted how it happened sporadically rather than as a habit. It was the first thing that jumped out at Walsh.

A SHARP improvement in defence, where the Crows were ranked as a mediocre team in 2014.

BEING fiercely competitive every week, which will be a cornerstone of Walsh's coaching. He wants to see more old-fashioned grit and grunt to go with the skills and polish.

"Probably what I saw from the outside," Walsh said, "was the fact that our best footy was good enough but we couldn't do it for long enough. That's one issue.

"The fact that we ranked 11th in defence, that's another issue.

"The other bit that I want to see, that I've seen some of but I want to see more of after Christmas, is I want to see us being more competitive.''

Phil Walsh oversees Crows training. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Corp Australia

The Crows on Friday called a close to the year and will not resume until January 5, but Walsh said he still felt fresh and rejuvenated after taking the job.

He had been seen as a reluctant coach, and spoke about not wanting the No.1 post while working as a senior assistant at Port Adelaide and West Coast.

But he has not regretted a minute since accepting the job at West Lakes and is in high spirits ahead of next year.

Much of Walsh's enthusiasm comes from being part of a fresh beginning: both he and chief executive Andrew Fagan began as former coach Brenton Sanderson parted ways with the club with a year left to run on his contract and CEO Steven Trigg accepted the job to run Carlton.

It is a new dawn for the club and the two of its most senior employees.

"Pre-season is a bit of a dream in some regards for a senior coach," Walsh said. "And particularly a new senior coach.

"I've been energised, been able to align the footy department with the coaching group and particularly with Andrew Fagan ... it's not often that a first-time senior coach comes along with a first-time CEO.

"That's been really refreshing and invigorating in a way.

"But I know the hard work is coming.

"This is a performance industry and you've got to be able to perform."

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Who’s a suitable skipper at Freo?

Will Nat Fyfe be Fremantle's next captain? Picture: Marie Nirme Source: News Corp Australia

FREMANTLE great Peter Bell is convinced Nat Fyfe is the Dockers' next captain, but not so certain reigning skipper Matthew Pavlich is ready to step aside.

Former Dockers coach Chris Connolly says the club should appoint three joint captains, while another playing great Paul Hasleby urged caution in plans to elevate Fyfe into the leadership.

Bell, the last Dockers' skipper before handing over to Matthew Pavlich in 2007, tipped a thorough review of Fremantle's captaincy before any possible change ahead of next year.

The three-time Doig medallist said Pavlich could substantially benefit from a release of leadership duties as he rounds out the most illustrious playing days.

"Pav has had such a long and distinguished career at some stage in the next few years he will be coming to the end," Bell said. "Some players enjoy the freedom that a relinquishment of some of the other responsibilities might bring. I know I did.

"Only Pav is going to know that, though."

Bell also wants a full assessment of just what effect any leadership elevation could do for Fyfe, who last season was not a member of the Dockers' six-man leadership team.

"Is that the right thing, even if he is ready to become a leader and is that the best thing for his own game as well?" Bell said.

Pavlich and veteran defender Luke McPharlin are heading for reduced playing schedules next season with expectation they could play only 14 to 16 home-and-away games each.

"I certainly don't say that it is time for a change," Bell said. "But with talk that Pav might play off a restricted schedule next year, it might be something that they will contemplate."

Dockers players are set to go through a delicate election process early in the new year to decide a captain for 2015.

Fyfe, 23, is widely tipped to be the Dockers' next skipper with divided opinion among Dockers greats on whether the sublimely gifted on-baller is ready to lead his club.

Bell expects Fyfe to take over from Pavlich whether it is next season or a year later.

"I would be surprised if there was a captain between Matthew and Nat," Bell said

"With the way that Nat is developing, the respect that he has from his teammates and all around the competition that he looks to have genuine leadership material."

Connolly, who was the first coach to take Fremantle into finals in 2003, suggests Pavlich and Fyfe be joined by veteran David Mundy from next season.

"One captain is not enough," Connolly said.

"There is a lot of pressure around AFL captains with the burden of responsibility.

"I've always been of the opinion and as far back as when I was an assistant coach at Hawthorn, that clubs should have co-captains to share the enormous responsibilities on their top leaders in this day and age of footy.

"I reckon (with) Pavlich at this late stage of his brilliant career, Mundy and Fyfe sharing Fremantle captaincy would be a tremendous package."

Hasleby, a four-time Glendinning medallist, says being the best player is no watertight guarantee of being the best leader.

He endorsed Fyfe as a captain-in-waiting, but says he should be left to continue to grow his game as one of the league's finest players.

"Another one or two years being groomed would only enhance his leadership capabilities," Hasleby said.

"Mundy is the other one who is probably more ready to take the position if need be ."

Originally published as Who's a suitable skipper at Freo?

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Amon pushes his midfield case

Karl Amon in action during the SANFL preliminary final. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Corp Australia

SECOND-YEAR midfielder Karl Amon has emerged as a big winner from Port Adelaide's torturous pre-season training camp in Dubai.

The 19-year-old was the Power's most impressive young player in the Middle East and even challenged veteran running machine Kane Cornes in the running drills, highlighting his supreme fitness and strong mindset.

DOMINANCE: PORT IN FOR CAT-LIKE ERA?

Spoken about in glowing terms by his teammates before the squad departed for Dubai after he returned to pre-season training in superb condition, Amon took the next step in his development on tour to make an early case for an AFL call-up early next year.

"Karl grabbed a hold of Boaky (captain Travis Boak) and went past Kane Cornes in one run, so it's a credit to him that he's come back with a great mindset,'' Port coaching director Shaun Hart said.

"In my experience, many second-year players don't take big steps forward in their pre-season.

"But he's just jumped in a big way and looks like he could push to play some quality senior football in 2015."

Karl Amon (left) gets his skin folds tested in Dubai. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Corp Australia

The lightly-build but speedy Amon was recruited from Sandringham under-18s with pick 68 at the 2013 national draft.

He spent last season refining his game with the Port Magpies in the SANFL and won the team's best first-year player award.

Amon, 181cm and 71kg, is a superb left-foot kick who, while ideally suited to a wing, can play anywhere from half-back to half-forward, adding to coach Ken Hinkley's flexibility with his team.

"His fluid running style is something to see and he knows how to push through the pain barrier,'' teammate Tom Jonas noted while watching Amon lap up everything head fitness coach Darren Burgess could throw at the players in Dubai.

The Port squad arrived home in Adelaide last night and were immediately granted 19 days off to rest their weary bodies.

The players are due back at training on Saturday, January 3.

"We're going to send them straight on a break,'' Hinkley said.

"After the tough trip and the long hours on the plane you need to give them three or four days of down time.

"That takes you to December 19, which is break time, so we're going to let them go on break on the back of Dubai.

"The results that they brought back from our off season with their skinnies (skinfolds) and their 3km time trials have shown they are a really good group, they know where they want to go and that they are prepared to do the work, so we trust them.

"We'll get them back really early in the new year and have some fun then.''

Veteran forward Jay Schulz said while the Dubai camp had pushed the players to new physical limits they "ate it up like usual''.

"I think Burgo might be out of ideas on how to break this group,'' Schulz said in a strong sign the Power will head into the 2015 season believing it can deal with anything that is thrown at it.

Originally published as Amon pushes his midfield case

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Army top brass joins AFL Commission

New AFL Commissioners Major-General Simone Wilkie (left) and Jason Ball (right) with chairman Mike Fitzpatrick. Source: Supplied

AUSTRALIA'S most senior female army officer Major General Simone Wilkie and former Sydney and West Coast ruckman Jason Ball have joined the AFL Commission.

The AFL announced late on Monday after the final Commission meeting of the year that Chris Langford and Bill Kelty have retired after serving for more than a decade. Union heavyweight Kelty joined the commission in 1998 and Hawthorn champion Langford a year later.

Major General Wilkie has served in Iraq and Afghanistan, is chair of the ADF Sports Council and daughter of Ian Burt, who played four games for Essendon in 1959.

Based in Canberra, she is a passionate Bombers fan.

Ball played in premierships at West Coast in 1994 and Sydney in 2005.

The powerful AFL Commission, led by chairman Mike Fitzpatrick, was heavily criticised over its handling of the Essendon drugs scandal.

It ticked off on a suite of penalties that saw Bombers coach James Hird suspended on full pay and sent to Paris to study at an elite international business school.

It was also revealed Australian Sports Commission chairman John Wylie had been drafted in, with the approval of Fitzpatrick, to help convince Hird to accept his AFL-imposed ban.

Former Victorian premier and Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett has repeatedly called for a clean out of the AFL's hierarchy.

Bill Kelty has retired from the AFL Commission. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Limited

Kelty, a friend and business associate of former Bombers chairman David Evans, recused himself from the commission's deliberations over the Essendon saga.

He was photographed visiting Hird's Toorak home at the height of the scandal last April.

"Both Jason Ball and Major General Wilkie are people of exceptional quality, and they will bring new strategic insights to the game," Fitzpatrick said yesterday.

"Our game should feel very privileged to attract such a high standard of leadership to our commission."

The pair were recommended by a nominations subcommittee including commissioner Linda Dessau, Fremantle president Steve Harris, Fitzpatrick. and Western Bulldogs president Peter Gordon.

Originally published as Army top brass joins AFL Commission

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Unsigned duo still in mix for Crows captaincy

Rory Sloane leads his teammates in sprints at Max Basheer Reserve. Photo: Dylan Coker. Source: News Corp Australia

PATRICK Dangerfield and Rory Sloane's contract status will not affect their chances of captaining Adelaide next year, according to head of football David Noble.

With new coach Phil Walsh expected to appoint his first skipper next month, Noble said the fact that this year's stand-in co-captains Dangerfield and Sloane have yet to commit to the club beyond next season would not rule them out of the top on-field job.

"I don't see that as an issue at all,'' Noble said.

"I think you put your best people in place that are going to lead your club. That's what we're expecting them to do.''

Dangerfield and Sloane — out of contract at the end of next year — are among the six leadership candidates Walsh will pick from to lead the Crows in 2015, including incumbent skipper Nathan van Berlo.

Van Berlo has been captain since 2011 but did not play a game last season after rupturing an Achilles tendon in a pre-season training mishap.

Dangerfield and Sloane took over as co-captains, alternating the duties each week. The newly re-signed Taylor Walker, veteran Scott Thompson and new leadership member Daniel Talia round out the six-player leadership group.

Noble said he expected Walsh, who has declared he will pick only one captain, to make a decision by early next month before leaving it to the Crows board to ratify.

"Ultimately Walshy's coaching the team so I would imagine he would have a fair input as to what that (model) looks like,'' he said.

"The process is that fairly soon after Christmas something will be presented to the board and that needs to be ratified and then we'll let everyone know.''

In the meantime, Noble said new leadership mentor and former West Coast great Darren Glass is working closely with the leadership brigade "to help those guys''.

Just-retired star Eagles ruckman Dean Cox has rated Glass as the best leader he suited up alongside at the club.

"Darren is probing, he's questioning them (the Crows six leaders) and getting them to come to a conclusion and work things out themselves,'' Noble said.

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Delusions of grandeur brutally ended

Herald Sun journalist Sam Edmund and a group of fellow peers have joined North Melbourne players tackling their time-trial.

Sam Edmund sweats it out during North Melbourne's time trial. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

I AM lucky to be writing this.

I should probably be flat on my back having oxygen administered to me by a pair of very concerned paramedics.

That seemed a distinct possibility half-way through Thursday's punishing time trial with North Melbourne and its group of running machines.

It was about this time when I managed to audibly splutter: "Why am I doing this?"

Various AFL media were invited to take on North Melbourne. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

The day had started with dreams of so much more. I was part of a group of football media invited to a special 2km time trial where we would mix it with the players (this would quickly become impossible) around Lakeside Stadium.

I'd had a rough night's sleep and, knowing my body would need all the fuel it could get, I agonised over breakfast. I settled on muesli when the tweet hit me right between the eyes.

It was from blossoming Kangaroos defender Luke McDonald. "Time trial day #flat". If Luke was feeling anxious, what did that mean for a washed-up country footballer who had not run more than 10m to catch a train in the last two years?

On the train ride in there was another issue. No seat. My legs! They should be resting! Nevertheless, I worked my way through some Rage Against the Machine and visualised picking off some the Roos' big men.

The North Melbourne Kangaroos are training hard ahead of the AFL season with coach Brad Scott confident his side can join the competition pace setters.

Surely Drew Petrie is easing into it. What about big Todd Goldstein? American rookie Eric Wallace is no Stawell Gift runner is he?

We shuffled nervously onto the athletics track in our new Canterbury gear, where it was made clear we wouldn't be running against every player. Instead, we were confronted by a smaller, elite group that contained wonder-runner Sam Gibson and several of his more athletic teammates. Goodie.

Goldstein was among them, though, and my delusions of grandeur allowed me to think I was a chance to pick the big fella off.

I was kidding myself. Within 20 metres of the start "Goldy" and his long legs were galloping clear. So were those of his midfield mates.

Sam Edmund wasn't feeling well after his run. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

Some 2 1/2 laps in, I was distracted from my thumping heart and screaming legs by a presence from behind. It was Gibson, charging forward like a train and about to lap us.

"Got a tow-rope, Gibbo?" I asked.

You're on a nickname basis when you're struggling to breathe. But Gibbo didn't say anything. He didn't even look up. He was in another place.

I moved in behind him, hoping he could somehow drag me along in his slipstream. That plan lasted barely five metres. I'd eventually be put out my misery, stopping the clock in a pedestrian 7min39sec.

A select group of Kangaroos take on media types in a 2km time trial. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

North Melbourne coach Brad Scott, who had been watching beside director of football Geoff Walsh, was kind enough to take a glass half-full approach in the debrief.

"The rookie draft is just done, but we could hit up the AFL to have re-rookie draft," Scott said.

Jack Ziebell is confident his well-publicised endurance levels were as good as they've been, but he admitted the players were anxious before facing the media.

We're pretty sure he was just being polite.

"There was a few nervous boys getting around, thinking they might get beaten. We weren't sure what the journos had up their sleeves," Ziebell said.

We had the equivalent of two-pair, but it was fun.

sam.edmund@news.com.au

Twitter - @SammyHeraldSun

Originally published as Delusions of grandeur brutally ended

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Port locks in Lobbe for four more years

Port Powin Dubai for an 8-day training camp. Courtesy: Sarah Reed, The Advertiser

Matthew Lobbe, in Dubai for Power training, has re-signed with Port Adelaide. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Corp Australia

PORT Adelaide has stitched up another key part of its on-field future, with ruckman Matthew Lobbe re-signing until the end of the 2019 season.

Lobbe, who was due to fall out of contract at the end of next year, has put pen to paper on a new four-year deal.

The long term contract will almost certainly see the 25-year-old finish his career at Alberton.

Lobbe joins a host of key players in committing to the Power until at least the end of the 2016 season, ensuring coach Ken Hinkley can have a strong crack at the flag in the next two years.

They include captain Travis Boak, club champion Robbie Gray, gun recruit Paddy Ryder, Brad Ebert, Jackson Trengove, Hamish Hartlett, Ollie Wines and Chad Wingard.

"I love playing with this footy club, I think we've got some great people involved, and I'm really excited about the direction we're heading,'' said Lobbe, who described the decision to re-sign as "easy''.

"I love being a part of this playing group, I've got some great mates here and we're all committed to getting better.''

Lobbe played 24 games this year for a career tally of 67 since debuting in 2010.

After battling a succession of injuries early in his career, the 200cm big man produced a career-best 2014 campaign, almost single-handedly carrying the ruck load as Port went within a kick of making the grand final.

Lobbe averaged 10.5 disposals, 6.5 tackles and 31.7 hit-outs.

With former Bomber Ryder now on board, Lobbe will get some major support in the ruck and will therefore dedicate much of his pre-season training to improve his forward line work.

Coach Ken Hinkley wants to use both men in his side, rotating them between the ruck and attack where they would support Port's only two recognised key forwards Jay Schulz and Westhoff.

Port Adelaide's Matthew Lobbe takes a mark over Hawthorn. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: News Corp Australia

"I'll be working a lot on my forward line stuff to try to be a bit more versatile in playing ruck and forward,'' Lobbe said from Dubai, where the Power players are being put through a searching pre-season training camp.

"Having two ruckmen gives you the opportunity to be more flexible and I'm excited about that.''

Hinkley described Lobbe - taken at pick 16 from Victorian TAC Cup side Eastern Ranges at the 2007 national draft - as "a fierce competitor and terrific leader''.

"He's just a great person to have at our football club," he said.

Lobbe said Port was getting "smashed'' by fitness coach Darren Burgess in Dubai and expected training "to get worse''.

Port Powin Dubai for an 8-day training camp. Courtesy: Sarah Reed, The Advertiser

Robbie Gray has re-signed with Port Adelaide until the end of 2018 with the aim to be a one-club player.

Burgess is working his players from 8.30am to 5pm each day, with a short break for lunch.

Power veteran Kane Cornes, who ran a personal and club best 3km time trial at the age of 31 when the Port senior players returned to training last week, has again led the way in track work, dominating the running drills.

The NAS staff have tried to make the Power feel at home, fixing a Port banner on the main indoor training centre and erecting club and sponsorship signage around the running track.

Originally published as Port locks in Lobbe for four more years

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Young gun Lever has sights on emulating Talia

Jake Lever trains at West Lakes. Photo: Naomi Jellicoe. Source: News Limited

UNLIKE most top draftees, ace Crows recruit Jake Lever grew up without a football role model.

He has one now.

Lever, who has been at the club for only a week, has identified Adelaide club champion Daniel Talia as the player he wants to learn from and forge a long-term partnership with in the heart of the Crows backline.

"Growing up I was unique in that I didn't really model my game on anyone, I just tried to do the things that the coaches asked of me,'' Lever said.

"But now that I am at Adelaide, Daniel Talia is definitely the one I want to learn off.

"I've been probably pestering him a little bit with my questions and all that sort of stuff because he really is the perfect mentor and role model to learn off.''

Talia, 23, is considered the most professional player at the Crows and one of the best prepared in club history.

He is almost maniacal with his attention to detail and his pursuit of perfection, leading to him winning this year's club champion award and earning All-Australian selection.

The newest member of Adelaide's six-man leadership group, Talia said he is more than happy to act as Lever's tutor.

"I know when I was young I was doing the same thing with 'Truck' (Ben Rutten), that's one way to learn and improve quickly,'' Talia said.

Handed the No. 6 guernsey made famous at Adelaide by 440-goal full forward Tony Modra, Lever hopes to make his mark at the other end of the ground.

Renowned for his strong competitive spirit, the Calder Cannons product comes highly rated.

Champion Data ranked him as the sixth best-credentialled draft prospect in the land behind top three draft selections Paddy McCartin (St Kilda) and Christian Petracca and Angus Brayshaw (Melbourne), Sydney Academy pick-up Isaac Heeney and Gold Coast-bound ruckman/forward Peter Wright.

Ther 18-year-old only slipped to the Crows at pick 14 because he is coming off a knee reconstruction which cost him the entire 2014 season.

"Had he played this year he would possibly have been the No. 1 selection,'' said Calder talent manager Ian Kyte.

Lever, who injured his knee in December last year, is back in full training and will be ready to go in round one next season.

New Crows coach Phil Walsh has lauded the 193cm Lever's toughness and aggression, attributing it to his five years of boxing training.

But Lever went to great lengths to play down his fighting nature, saying "I think people have blown that up a little bit.

"I did boxing from about the age of 13 or 14 when I decided I didn't want to do anything else other than footy.

"I quit cricket and needed something else to help me keep fit, so I did boxing. It got a little bit more serious two or three years later when I started doing some sparring but that was it.

"If anything my competitiveness is natural and might stem from having two younger brothers (Tyson, 16, and Connor, 14). I've always tried to beat them because I just don't like getting beaten.''

Walsh wouldn't have it any other way.

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New Crow Dear has hard-ball focus

New recruits Harry Dear and Mitch McGovern at Adelaide Crows training. Picture: Simon Cross Source: News Limited

HARRY Dear's first words to the media when arriving at Adelaide were music to the ears of new coach Phil Walsh.

"I like getting the hard ball and really competing," he said.

"I try to give it a 100 per cent crack and like to get out there and give it my all."

Dear clearly suits Walsh's desire to recruit super-competitive players.

The 18-year-old is a physically-imposing 197cm and 98kg and lives up to his Norm Smith Medallist dad's advice of "owning my space'' on the football field.

"Dad told me to be a physical presence out on the ground and own your own space," he said.

Taken at pick 58 from Sandringham Dragons at Thursday's national draft, Dear became available to the Crows after being overlooked by Hawthorn as a father-son selection.

Dad Paul played 123 games and kicked 80 goals for the Hawks from 1987-96 and is best remembered for winning the 1991 Norm Smith Medal as best afield in the grand final win against West Coast.

Uncle Greg Dear played 137 games for Hawthorn and 53 for Richmond from 1985-96.

Both are premiership players, highlighting the strong football pedigree Harry hails from.

When the Hawks failed to nominate Harry as a father-son selection, the Crows pounced on him, with Walsh falling in love with his want to crash packs and be a strong physical presence.

The ruckman/forward said the Hawks' decision to overlook him had not affected his outlook and that he was "happy to get on any AFL list".

"This is a ripper club and I'm thrilled to be here," Dear said.

Dear kicked 18 goals in nine games for Sandringham Dragons this year and also represented Vic Metro in three games in the Under-18 national championships before having a shoulder reconstruction in August.

"The shoulder is going well, I'm now able to do strength work, so it will be fine," he said.

Walsh said Dear won him over after watching his highlights tape.

"There's a couple of clips on his vision where he made some collisions and I thought 'tell me more about this player, I've got to know about him','' Walsh said.

Asked what golden rules his dad, Hawthorn's 1991 Norm Smith Medallist Paul Dear, had passed on to him, Harry said "be a physical presence out on the ground and own your own space".

"I like getting the hard ball and really competing," Dear, 18, said. "I try to give it a 100 per cent crack and like to get out there and give it my all."

Dear, 198cm and 97kg, cut an imposing figure when unveiled by Adelaide at training today.

Taken at pick 58 from Sandringham Dragons at Thursday's national draft, Dear became available to the Crows after being overlooked by Hawthorn as a father-son selection.

The ruckman/forward said the Hawks' decision to sign him had not affected his outlook and that he was "happy to get on any AFL list".

"This is a ripper club and I'm thrilled to be here," Dear said.

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Robbie Gray staying put at Power

Robbie Gray celebrates a goal against Hawthorn. Photo: Wayne Ludbey. Source: News Corp Australia

PORT Adelaide has locked away electrifying midfielder/forward Robbie Gray to the end of 2018 after he signed a three-year contract extension to remain at Alberton.

The reigning club champion was already contracted until the end of next season but has shunned the potential lure of free agency by committing to the Power.

He is now signed to Port Adelaide until 2018 along with his good mate and captain Travis Boak.

Speaking at a press conference at Alberton this morning, Gray said the decision to stay at Port was never in doubt.

"Not really, I've spent a lot of time here and still with a year to run on my contract I'm really happy to extend it.

"I'm really excited about the last couple of years we've had and the future going forward.

"It was always going to be done at some stage but I never really thought about the timing of it too much ... I wasn't thinking about leaving and it was always going to be done at some stage.

"This will take me through until I'm 30 and that will be 12 years at the footy club and I definitely see myself as a one club player. You never know what's going to happen in the future but I'm here for another four years now and really looking forward to that."

The news is a major boost for Port Adelaide on the eve of its training camp to Dubai with the players set to fly out on Thursday.

Gray enjoyed a career-best season in 2014 in which he won the AFL Coaches Association 'champion player' award, earned All-Australian honours and won Port Adelaide's John Cahill Medal as its best-and-fairest.

The 26-year-old averaged 24 disposals and more than 1.5 goals a game in his 25 matches which ended with a thrilling preliminary final loss to Hawthorn at the MCG.

Gray said he was pleased to find "consistency" this season but vowed he and the team were determined to get even better in 2015.

"We're not satisfied with where we're at, we're going to attack this pre-season harder than ever to take our game to another level," Gray said.

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley said Gray's improvement this season reflected the growth in the wider playing group.

"He helped set the standard for the whole team and I'm looking forward to him continuing in the same vein this upcoming season," Hinkley said.

Gray has emerged as one of Port's greatest ever draft steals with the Power grabbing him with Pick No. 55 in the 2006 national draft.

He showed flashes of brilliance before missing almost the entire 2012 season with a serious knee injury, but made a strong return in 2013 and this year became one of the best players in the competition.

His brilliant season prompted Hinkley to make a significant statement about Gray's standing in the game just before Brownlow Medal night.

"Robbie has just had an unbelievable year and if people who are controlling the game have got good vision they will actually see an interesting result Monday night because he was clearly the best player in the competition this year," Hinkley said.

Port Adelaide also used the occasion to also announce Oak as a new premier partner under a multi-year deal.

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Dockers axe troubled Simpson

Fremantle's Josh Simpson was delisted after just two games at the club. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: News Corp Australia

FREMANTLE has run out of patience with Josh Simpson, delisting the former first-round pick after two years at the club.

Simpson, who was selected with pick 16 in the 2012 national draft, played just two games for the Dockers amid off-field disciplinary problems.

Fremantle fined Simpson in January and April this year after failing to meet club requirements, before banishing him from the club and affiliate Peel Thunder and ordering him to undertake a personal development program in June.

Dockers football operations manager Chris Bond said Simpson, 20, had fallen short of expectations in the development program.

Josh Simpson in his home town of Yalgoo before being drafted. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: News Limited

"As we do with all players on our list, we have provided Josh with significant support and resources, including a personal development program which was carefully put together to assist him in dealing with personal and professional matters he faced away from football," Bond said.

"The personal development program included guidelines and protocols that Josh was required to strictly adhere to.

"Unfortunately, Josh was not able to consistently fulfil those requirements since undertaking the program in June.

"Josh's inability to consistently fulfil those requirements and, over a period of time, achieve the personal and professional levels required by the club to succeed as a player at the elite level, has resulted in the very difficult decision to delist him."

The club said it would continue to work with Simpson and his management to provide support.

Simpson caused a stir in April when he failed to appear at the airport to take a flight to Sydney after being named as one of the team's travelling emergencies.

Simpson had played his only game of the season the week prior, gathering 13 possessions in a win over Essendon.

Follow Chris Robinson on Twitter: @CJKRobinson

Originally published as Dockers axe troubled Simpson

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Dangerfield, Sloane in elite AFL ranks

Rory Sloane handballs to Patrick Dangerfield against Greater Western Sydney at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: News Corp Australia

ADELAIDE'S midfield has had its value confirmed by official AFL statistician Champion Data, with Patrick Dangerfield and Rory Sloane rated among the top 10 players in the league.

Sydney was the only other club with two players (Lance Franklin at 8 and Josh Kennedy at 10) in the top 10.

Dangerfield came in at fourth, while Sloane landed at seventh in a ranking system based on a player's impact on each passage of play from their past 40 games.

The duo, who were Adelaide's acting co-captains while skipper Nathan Van Berlo was out injured, started the season ranked No. 2 (Dangerfield) and No.21 (Sloane).

Fittingly, the captains of both South Australian AFL teams were their sides' top achievers.

Captain Travis Boak was Port Adelaide's highest-ranked player at 11.

The Crows also had Brodie Smith (34), Sam Jacobs (43) and Richard Douglas (460) in the top 50.

Port Adelaide skipper Travis Boak is the highest-ranked Power player. Photo: Sarah Reed.

Port's top-50 players were made up of Boak, best and fairest Robbie Gray (36), Chad Wingard (41), Justin Westhoff (46) and Brad Ebert (50).

The two elite rankings of Dangerfield and Sloane also highlights their attractiveness as they come out of contract at the end of next season and continue to draw interest from opposition clubs.

Both of them are in a position where they can negotiate aggressively with the club for long and lucrative contracts as Victorian clubs will bid to lure them back to their home state.

The Gold Coast's Gary Ablett, generally acknowledged as the best player in the game, ranked No. 1 ahead of Collingwood's Scott Pendlebury and Geelong's Joel Selwood.

Surprisingly, Brownlow Medallist Matt Priddis could only manage 23rd place.

Official AFL Player Ratings Top 50

1. Gary Ablett (Gold Coast) — 723 points

2. Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood) — 692

3. Joel Selwood (Geelong) — 650

4. Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide) — 602

5. Ryan Griffen (Western Bulldogs) — 592

6. Brent Harvey (North Melbourne) — 591

7. Rory Sloane (Adelaide) — 575

8. Lance Franklin (Sydney) — 570

9. Nat Fyfe (Fremantle) — 552

10. Josh Kennedy (Sydney) — 549

11. Travis Boak (Port Adelaide) — 548

12. Kieren Jack (Sydney) — 544

13. Tom Liberatore (Western Bulldogs) — 537

14. Jobe Watson (Essendon) — 525

15. Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn) — 522

16. Todd Goldstein (North Melbourne) — 522

17. Steele Sidebottom (Collingwood) — 519

18. Tom Rockliff (Brisbane) — 518

19. Nick Dal Santo (North Melbourne) — 516

20. Steve Johnson (Geelong) — 509

21. Stephen Hill (Fremantle) — 498

22. Callan Ward (GWS Giants) — 498

23. Matt Priddis (West Coast) — 493

24. Luke Breust (Hawthorn) — 493

25. Jimmy Bartel (Geelong) — 489

26. Brendon Goddard (Essendon) — 486

27. Jordan Lewis (Hawthorn) — 483

28. Dayne Zorko (Brisbane) — 482

29. Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn) — 481

30. Marc Murphy (Carlton) — 479

31. Nick Malceski (Sydney) — 479

32. Jarrad McVeigh (Sydney) — 478

33. Shaun Burgoyne (Hawthorn) — 478

34. Brodie Smith (Adelaide) — 476

35. Dion Prestia (Gold Coast) — 476

36. Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide) — 474

37. Dane Swan (Collingwood) — 473

38. Hamish Hartlett (Port Adelaide) — 473

39. Jack Steven (St Kilda) — 470

40. Luke Hodge (Hawthorn) — 470

41. Chad Wingard (Port Adelaide) — 466

42. Josh Gibson (Hawthorn) — 466

43. Sam Jacobs (Adelaide) — 464

44. Pearce Hanley (Brisbane) — 463

45. Luke Shuey (West Coast) — 462

46. Justin Westhoff (Port Adelaide) — 461

47. Richard Douglas (Adelaide) — 460

48. Luke Parker (Sydney) — 460

49. Harry Taylor (Geelong) — 460

50. Brad Ebert (Port Adelaide) — 458

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Gorringe: I’m disgusted, Port lied to me

AFL club Essendon has brokered a deal to send Paddy Ryder to Port Adelaide.

Daniel Gorringe remains on the Gold Coast after failing to secure a trade to Port Adelaide. Picture: Zak Simmonds. Source: News Corp Australia

SA-BORN Gold Coast ruckman-forward Daniel Gorringe is unlikely to deal with Port Adelaide again declaring the Power failed him — "lied to me" — during the AFL trade talks.

Gorringe, 22, was left compelled to return to the Suns to fulfil the last year on his contract on Thursday when the 11-day trade period closed without a homecoming trade to SA, in particular the Power.

"They let me down," Gorringe told The Advertiser yesterday.

"Port Adelaide did promise things to me — and I don't like being lied to.

"I'm disgusted — and embarrassed — particularly when I fulfilled my end of the bargain, 100 per cent."

Port Adelaide chief executive Keith Thomas told The Advertiser his club never misled Gorringe during a complicated trade period.

"We understand that Dan is disappointed but let's get one thing straight, we do not lie; that is not the way our club does business," Thomas said.

"We did make it clear to his manager during the trade period that we were keen to get him here to Port Adelaide and we don't shy away from that.

"We tried to do everything we could to get the deal done. Right up until the absolute deadline we were fighting tooth and nail to try to make it happen.

"Unfortunately the nature of trade period is unpredictable and erratic and we were simply unable to get the deal done in the end.

"Despite the uncertainty we kept Dan's management team well informed through the entire process and share Dan's disappointment that he won't be at Port Adelaide next season."

The Power focused on one trade — the best in the club's 17-year AFL history — securing contracted Essendon ruckman-forward Paddy Ryder. But the price of dealing with the Bombers — both in time and in Port Adelaide's top-two draft picks 17 and 37 — left the Power without time nor bargaining chips to secure Gorringe.

Gold Coast needed a draft pick inside the first 29 calls of next month's AFL national draft to release Gorringe, a first-round draftee in 2010, to the Power.

Port Adelaide list manager Jason Cripps emphasised the Power was handcuffed by the Ryder deal.

He also highlighted how Gorringe had backed out of a deal with the Power at the end of last season.

Gold Coast ruckman Daniel Gorringe was unable to change clubs during trade talks. Picture: Jerad Williams Source: News Corp Australia

"We did everything we could to bring Dan (Gorringe) in, but it made it very difficult that he was contracted," he said.

"We spoke to Dan this time last year when he was out of contract and we progressed a fair way, but he changed his mind.

"We were looking at other clubs to get the deal done, but it just didn't work out in the end."

Gorringe told The Advertiser he had spoken to Power officials on Wednesday and was left to believe Port Adelaide could work a trade for him, regardless of the Ryder talks with Essendon.

The former Norwood SANFL league player wanted a homecoming trade for family reasons. His other AFL option in Adelaide — the Crows — did not open up despite Phil Walsh's need to replace delisted ruckmen Shaun McKernan and Angus Graham.

"I had a brief chat to them (the Crows), but they were going in a different direction," Gorringe said.

The Power has declared an interest in chasing 20-game Gorringe as an uncontracted player in next year's trade period. But that task is difficult now.

"It is hard for me to see myself in Port Adelaide colours now," Gorringe said.

"The trust with the club is broken. It is going to be very hard to rebuild that. I'm disgusted — so is my manager."

Gorringe's disgust also is with Gold Coast fans who have targeted him on social media.

"They have described me as a brat and say I don't like the Gold Coast," Gorringe said.

"That is wrong. I wanted to come home for family reasons - not because I'm a brat or I don't work hard or I have problems with the Gold Coast.

"I love the Gold Coast. I enjoy being with the Suns — and am in Melbourne with my Suns teammates for the Caulfield Cup. I also work hard, so I wanted to clear my side."

In a tweet posted on Thursday, Gorringe says: "Let's get this very clear. I am more than happy to be a member of the Suns in 2015 and I look forward to continued success and growth.

"For family reasons I requested to go home ... People tweeting, don't you dare question my work rate, personality or anything else. You don't know me or anything regarding my personal life."

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Monfries, Ryder to receive show cause advice

Mick Warner from the Herald Sun updates us on the latest news that 34 current and former Essendon players have been issued with notices by ASADA.

Port Adelaide's Angus Monfries will receive legal advice on ASADA show-cause notices. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: News Corp Australia

PORT Adelaide pair Angus Monfries and Paddy Ryder this weekend will get independent legal advice on how to deal with the new ASADA show cause notices that have followed them from Essendon.

The Power duo next week are expected to join Western Bulldogs forward Stewart Crameri and Footscray VFL midfielder Brent Prismall, who are breaking from the Essendon legal team representing the Bombers.

Port Adelaide's legal support for Monfries and Ryder — who is to be married to his fiance Jess at Port Douglas on Saturday — will include leading Melbourne-based lawyer Paul Ehrlich. He also represented the Power during its complicated negotiations with Essendon to secure Ryder during the AFL trade period.

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The Power on Friday night repeated it was not in a position to comment on the ASADA saga while the 34 players are protected by confidentiality agreements.

Neither Monfries nor Ryder have been publicly named as being among the 34 past and present Essendon players who on Saturday — for the second time — were issued "show cause" notices from the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority.

This time, each notice is specifically written for each player and alleges the Bombers used the banned peptide, Thymosin beta-4.

Each show cause notice has as many as 350 pages. ASADA says it has supplemented the documents with 12,000 pages of evidence. It is the first time the players have been handed by ASADA a view of the evidence collected in the investigation of the Essendon supplements program.

Chip Le Grand from The Australian explains the latest implications in the ongoing ASADA scandal.

"By providing the detailed 'show-cause' notices, it is ASADA's intention to offer players every opportunity to respond to the allegations against them," the government agency said in a statement.

Each player has 10 days to respond to ASADA. He can offer no response and ask for an AFL anti-doping tribunal hearing.

Only the AFL and not ASADA can issue infraction notices forcing players before a tribunal that can issue penalties reaching two-year bans.

Monfries and Ryder have two options:

WAIT for an AFL tribunal hearing — and make a "no fault, no negligence" defence. As there is no positive test against an AFL player, they could succeed in avoiding any penalty.

DEAL with ASADA. They could ask for their penalty — of between three to six months — to be back dated. There is the risk the ban could include AFL premiership games. The worst-case scenario is the players would miss the first month of the AFL premiership season that starts on April 2.

The AFL Player's Association has responded to the the show cause notices re-issued to 34 former and current Essendon players by ASADA.

ASADA's decision to issue show cause notices was made despite Essendon coach James Hird still appealing a Federal Court ruling that declared the joint AFL-ASADA investigation into the supplements was legal.

A three-judge panel will hear Hird's appeal on November 10. At that stage, the AFL could have issued infraction notices against the 34.

The AFL would only say: "ASADA's formal process has now been re-triggered and so it is not appropriate for the AFL to comment."

The AFL Players' Association, which has co-ordinated the legal advice to the players no longer at Essendon, yesterday also was reluctant to comment.

Chief executive Paul Marsh said: "The players' legal team will review the material in the coming days and discuss the contents with players, to determine what response, if any, they will provide in respect to these amended show cause notices."

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Gray’s rise frees Boak of Crowley Clamp

		P	W	D	L	%	Pts
1	Sydney	21	17	0	4	145.14	68
2	Hawthorn	21	16	0	5	138.28	64
3	Geelong	21	16	0	5	110.79	64
4	Fremantle	21	15	0	6	131.87	60
5	Port Adelaide	21	14	0	7	132.42	56
6	North Melbourne	21	13	0	8	116.18	52
7	Essendon	21	12	0	9	106.69	48
8	Richmond	21	11	0	10	105.82	44
9	Collingwood	21	11	0	10	97.44	44
10	West Coast	21	10	0	11	114.72	40
11	Adelaide	21	10	0	11	110.24	40
12	Gold Coast	21	10	0	11	95.99	40
13	Carlton	21	7	0	14	89.29	28
14	Bulldogs	21	7	0	14	81.23	28
15	Brisbane	21	7	0	14	70.13	28
16	Greater Western Sydney	21	5	0	16	75.31	20
17	Melbourne	21	4	0	17	67.89	16
18	St Kilda	21	4	0	17	61.79	16

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Buddy in running for medal sweep

Sydney co-captain Jarrad McVeigh insists the Swans aren't too concerned with securing the minor premiership, placing greater emphasis on simply gaining a home semi-final.

Swans superstar Lance Franklin in running for several individual and team honours. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

LANCE Franklin stands on the edge of unchartered personal and team glory as he prepares to play in his seventh finals series.

One player has never won the five medals — John Coleman, club best-and-fairest, Brownlow, Norm Smith and premiership — that Franklin has a realistic chance of achieving.

The closest was Hawthorn's Jason Dunstall, who in 1988 won the Coleman, Peter Crimmins (as club best-and-fairest) and premiership medallions and finished second in the Brownlow and third in the Norm Smith Medal for his seven-goal haul against Geelong in the Grand Final.

Brisbane's Simon Black won the Lions' best-and-fairest, Brownlow Medal and a premiership medallion in 2001.

Dunstall, who admitted to being an unabashed Franklin fan, said he had not been surprised at the former Hawk's level of success since he joined Sydney this year. But he doubted that even "Buddy" could achieve the AFL first.

"He's a bloody good player who was always going to go well and, when you have those physical qualities, he could go to any club and you wouldn't stop him, but going into a system such as Sydney's certainly hasn't hurt him," Dunstall said.

"As for winning all those medals, I would be surprised if he was to win the Brownlow just because he's not a full-time midfielder.

"I know there's a really good feel about his season at the moment, but he's going to have a lot of votes taken off him by Josh Kennedy.

"I think Buddy was a little bit slow at the beginning of the year, which will mean he has to come from behind.

"His ability to change games means he would always be a chance for a Norm Smith-type medal and the best-and-fairest depends a lot on a club's actual voting system."

Despite having been football director at Hawthorn for much of Franklin's time as a Hawk, Dunstall said he did not know the left-footer well.

"Does anyone know him that well?" Dunstall said. "I admire him from afar and think it's the best I've seen him mark and use his body. He is taking less marks on the lead and is more comfortable in his one-on-one battles. Playing at the SCG helps that.

"There are a good combination of options for him — Kurt Tippett is a really good foil for him, so it's not about total predictability.

"At Hawthorn it was Buddy first then a gap, then 'Rough' (Jarryd Roughead) then a gap, then Jack Gunston, Luke Breust and Cyril Rioli feeding off the scraps."

Jason Dunstall showing off his 1988 Coleman Medal. Picture: Herald Sun File Source: News Limited

JASON DUNSTALL IN 1988

John Coleman Medal: 1st

Peter Crimmins Medal: 1st

Brownlow Medal: 2nd

Norm Smith Medal: 3rd

Premiership medal

Originally published as Buddy in running for medal sweep

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Who’s the best set shot for goal?

		P	W	D	L	%	Pts
1	Sydney	21	17	0	4	145.14	68
2	Hawthorn	21	16	0	5	138.28	64
3	Geelong	21	16	0	5	110.79	64
4	Fremantle	21	15	0	6	131.87	60
5	Port Adelaide	21	14	0	7	132.42	56
6	North Melbourne	21	13	0	8	116.18	52
7	Essendon	21	12	0	9	106.69	48
8	Richmond	21	11	0	10	105.82	44
9	Collingwood	21	11	0	10	97.44	44
10	West Coast	21	10	0	11	114.72	40
11	Adelaide	21	10	0	11	110.24	40
12	Gold Coast	21	10	0	11	95.99	40
13	Carlton	21	7	0	14	89.29	28
14	Bulldogs	21	7	0	14	81.23	28
15	Brisbane	21	7	0	14	70.13	28
16	Greater Western Sydney	21	5	0	16	75.31	20
17	Melbourne	21	4	0	17	67.89	16
18	St Kilda	21	4	0	17	61.79	16

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Crows, Power deserve more prime-time footy

		P	W	D	L	%	Pts
1	Sydney	21	17	0	4	145.14	68
2	Hawthorn	21	16	0	5	138.28	64
3	Geelong	21	16	0	5	110.79	64
4	Fremantle	21	15	0	6	131.87	60
5	Port Adelaide	21	14	0	7	132.42	56
6	North Melbourne	21	13	0	8	116.18	52
7	Essendon	21	12	0	9	106.69	48
8	Richmond	21	11	0	10	105.82	44
9	Collingwood	21	11	0	10	97.44	44
10	West Coast	21	10	0	11	114.72	40
11	Adelaide	21	10	0	11	110.24	40
12	Gold Coast	21	10	0	11	95.99	40
13	Carlton	21	7	0	14	89.29	28
14	Bulldogs	21	7	0	14	81.23	28
15	Brisbane	21	7	0	14	70.13	28
16	Greater Western Sydney	21	5	0	16	75.31	20
17	Melbourne	21	4	0	17	67.89	16
18	St Kilda	21	4	0	17	61.79	16

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Turning clock back may save AFL from itself

		P	W	D	L	%	Pts
1	Sydney	21	17	0	4	145.14	68
2	Hawthorn	21	16	0	5	138.28	64
3	Geelong	21	16	0	5	110.79	64
4	Fremantle	21	15	0	6	131.87	60
5	Port Adelaide	21	14	0	7	132.42	56
6	North Melbourne	21	13	0	8	116.18	52
7	Essendon	21	12	0	9	106.69	48
8	Richmond	21	11	0	10	105.82	44
9	Collingwood	21	11	0	10	97.44	44
10	West Coast	21	10	0	11	114.72	40
11	Adelaide	21	10	0	11	110.24	40
12	Gold Coast	21	10	0	11	95.99	40
13	Carlton	21	7	0	14	89.29	28
14	Bulldogs	21	7	0	14	81.23	28
15	Brisbane	21	7	0	14	70.13	28
16	Greater Western Sydney	21	5	0	16	75.31	20
17	Melbourne	21	4	0	17	67.89	16
18	St Kilda	21	4	0	17	61.79	16

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Port, Crows in battle for the one millionth fan

Fremantle are raring themselves for a tough clash against Port Adelaide, with Saturday's AFL match to determine which side makes the AFL top four.

BRAGGING rights between SA's bitter football rivals, the Power and Crows, have never been contained to what happens on the field in Showdowns.

There was the players' brawl at the Ramsgate Hotel the day after a Showdown in 2002. There always is a battle on social media between the AFL clubs' passionate fans.

And now the rivalry is based on which club can claim to have drawn the one millionth AFL fan to Adelaide Oval where 971,545 have watched 21 games this season.

The Adelaide Football Club will make a special presentation to the 28,455th fan to pass through the Oval's turnstile for Sunday's Crows-St Kilda clash that may be a playoff for eighth spot to next month's AFL finals.

Never before has AFL football attracted one million fans in a season in Adelaide.

Port captain Travis Boak with Port fan Matthew Purcell, named by the club as the one millionth fan to visit Adelaide Oval. Picture: Matt Turner

But the Port Adelaide Football Club — to score another marketing coup on the Crows — made its presentation to the one millionth fan to attend all AFL football at the Oval.

The Power is claiming bragging rights to the Oval's millionth fan based on the club's 2011 clash with Melbourne that drew 29,340 to the "old Adelaide Oval" before the $535 million redevelopment. This takes the Oval's total AFL crowd count to 1,000,885.

Power captain Travis Boak presented 20-year-old apprentice mechanic Matthew Purcell with a guernsey signed by the Port players, a special print of the Oval from its Showdown opener on March 29 and a "Never Tear Us Apart" scarf.

Purcell is a Power club member with seats at the Oval's southern end. He has attended all of Port's 11 home games this season that have drawn 488,006, including the Oval's best two crowds (52,505 on Friday night against Carlton and 52,233 against Hawthorn on May 24).

Adelaide co-captain Rory Sloane has revealed how the Crows are frustrated with their up-and-down season, with the Crows wasting three chances to consolidate their AFL finals berth.

"It is brilliant — it just feels like home," Purcell said of the Oval.

Purcell was part of the 29,340 who watch the Power take AFL games to Adelaide Oval in 2011 for the season-closer against Melbourne.

"I'll always remember 'Boaky' kicking that goal from the boundary from 50 at the end of the first quarter," Purcell said. "To now have him come to my workshop to congratulate me on being the millionth fan to the Oval is another great experience."

The Crows have drawn 483,539 fans to 10 home games at the Oval this season.

Club chairman Rob Chapman says Adelaide not only will acknowledge the millionth fan for this season, but also maintain its Football Park tradition of having the players pass on their club jumpers to the Crows' most-devoted members after Sunday's match with the Saints.

"We have the highest average home attendance in the AFL this season; that is an outstanding effort," Chapman said. "To achieve one million fans in a season is another example of how the South Australian public has embraced the Adelaide Oval.

"It is a significant milestone and credit must go to our '19th Man' supporters, and Port Adelaide fans as well, for their support."

Originally published as Port, Crows in battle for the one millionth fan

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Greatest journo stoushes in world sport

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22.13 | 0 komentar | Read More

We must run Dockers into ground: Hartlett

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Ruthless finish needed for Crows finals berth

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Port’s Grand Final in August

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Extensions give coaches breathing space

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Bombers snub AFL ‘soft bans’ deal

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Saints sign first female AFL coach

Peta Searle, pictured with her children Tessa and Jackson, has become the AFL's first full-time female assistant coach after accepting a position at St Kilda. Source: News Limited

PETA Searle has been announced as the AFL's first full-time female assistant coach after accepting a position at St Kilda.

Searle will begin work immediately as a development coach at Seaford after her last game as assistant coach under Daniel Harford at St Kevin's Old Boys on Saturday.

"I am very much looking forward to starting at St Kilda and I feel that I can bring plenty of experience and skill to my new role," Searle said.

"I understand that there will be some level of interest in my role because I am a female working in a role traditionally held by men, but I am confident and proud that I have been hired because of my football and teaching expertise and I wouldn't have wanted the job based on any other criteria."

Searle, who became the first female assistant coach in the VFL with Port Melbourne under former AFL coach Gary Ayres, said she gave up her dream of coaching within the AFL just last month due to financial restraints.

The mother of two, who has built an impressive coaching resume over almost a decade, was unable to justify renewing her contract of $5000.

But as revealed by the Herald Sun the Saints made the mid-season appointment, helping fulfil Searle's lifelong coaching dream.

"At the start of the year we had 27 players on our list with fewer than 30 games experience so player development is vital for our club," senior coach Alan Richardson said this morning.

"We felt Peta was the perfect candidate to join our player academy where she will work under academy manager Simon McPhee and alongside player pcademy development coaches Paul Hudson and Lindsay Gilbee."

Peta Searle has become the AFL's first full-time female assistant coach after accepting a position at St Kilda. Source: News Limited

St Kilda CEO Matt Finnis said the club was delighted a coach of Searle's experience.

"Peta has a long and distinguished background in football over many years and we are thrilled to have her on board," Finnis said.

"Whilst our decision to appoint Peta was based on her experience, philosophies and values we do acknowledge and embrace the significance of Peta being the first woman to be appointed to coach at an AFL Club."

"I'm delighted the combination of her credentials and the opportunity we had in our development program has resulted in this significant day for Peta and for all women who have ambitions to coach in the AFL competition."

Searle has been breaking ground as a coach since 2006.

A five-time premiership player with the Darebin Falcons, Searle returned to the club to coach the Falcons to five consecutive premierships in the VWFL between 2006-2010, another feat that had never previously been achieved in Australia's most prodigious women's competition.

In 2011, Searle took up a development role the TAC Cup with the Western Jets, another football-first that had also never been achieved by a female.

Searle was also appointed as the first head coach of the AFL Victoria VWFL Academy in 2010, and was named as the All Australian coach of the 2011 Women's National Championships, holds a current level three coaching accreditation.

The current assistant principal and physical education teacher at a Melbourne based secondary college was also appointed the inaugural head coach of the Western Bulldogs Women's team which will play on the MCG on Sunday 29th June as the curtain raiser to the Melbourne and Western Bulldogs clash at the MCG in Round 15.

Boasting seven state guernseys and three All Australian honours, Searle has earned high praise from former players and coaches including Gary Ayres, Stan Alves, Harford, Neil Craig and David Parkin.

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tex, Crows halt Suns’ momentum

Brenton Sanderson praises his entire side's performance despite an outstanding display from Taylor Walker

Josh Jenkins celebrates a long goal. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Corp Australia

ADELAIDE forward Taylor Walker kicked five game-breaking goals as the Crows eclipsed Gold Coast by 32 points on Sunday.

The Crows prevailed 16.13 (109) to 11.11 (77) at Adelaide Oval to inflict the Suns' third defeat of the AFL season.

Walker's goalscoring was pivotal and his teammates Eddie Betts and Josh Jenkins both scored two majors.

Patrick Dangerfield is put under pressure from Jaeger O'Meara. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Corp Australia

Adelaide defenders Brodie Smith (30 disposals) and Matthew Jeansch (29 possessions) were influential, and midfielders Scott Thompson and Patrick Dangerfield prominent, as the Crows squared their win-loss ledger at five-all.

FULL SUPERCOACH SCORES

The Suns were brilliantly served by on-ballers David Swallow (37 touches, two goals) and Dion Prestia (29 disposals) while Charlie Dixon and Gary Ablett kicked two goals each.

Sam Kerridge wore Gary Ablett like a glove. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Corp Australia

Ablett gathered 25 possessions but lacked his customary impact in a fixture which followed an identical theme for the initial three quarters — the Crows skipped clear early, only for the Suns to reel them in.

In the opening term, Adelaide kicked four of the first five goals but the Suns then scored four of the next five as Adelaide took a 5.2 to 5.1 quarter-time lead before a 49,069-strong crowd.

The home side then booted the initial three goals of the second stanza to create a 19-point break before another Gold Coast fightback.

Trent McKenzie suffered a shoulder injury for the Suns and was subbed out. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Corp Australia

The Suns snuck within seven points at half-time before Adelaide's Walker produced a third-term cameo, kicking the initial two goals of the quarter.

And when his teammate Jenkins booted a 65-metre goal on the run, the Crows were 20 points clear.

The plucky Suns again struck back with two late goals and were nine points adrift at three quarter-time.

Where Adelaide attacked from. Source: Supplied

But Walker, in his third game back after a year sidelined by a knee reconstruction, again popped up for the Crows, booting the opening goal of the last term to give his side breathing space.

Majors to Adelaide's David McKay and Betts before Walker added a fifth as the Suns were kept goal-less in the last term.

But Adelaide's win which could come at a cost with ruckman Sam Jacobs substituted with a suspected groin injury.

The Suns' shots on goal. Source: Supplied

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Power outage for ladder leaders

Port Adelaide skipper Travis Boak leaves the ground after rolling his ankle in the opening minutes of the game against Melbourne at Traeger Park. Picture: Phil Williams Source: News Corp Australia

On paper Port Adelaide should've disposed of the Demons easily. It was 1 v 15, and if you're a betting man you would've thought Port were a sure thing. But it wasn't that straight forward in the first AFL match played at Traeger Park.

PORT Adelaide could be without a host of key players for Saturday's home twilight clash against St Kilda.

Captain Travis Boak, the speedy Matt White and classy goalsneak Chad Wingard are all in doubt after sustaining injuries in the hard-fought win against Melbourne in Alice Springs.

GRAY: POWER MUST SHARPEN UP

Boak and White are nursing sore ankles and Wingard must pass concussion tests to play after being stretchered off in the third quarter against the Demons — his head knock being the result of friendly fire from teammate Jay Schulz.

Injured Power captain Travis Boak at Adelaide Airport. Source: Supplied

Defender Tom Jonas (groin), small forward Angus Monfries (ankle) and veteran Dom Cassisi (knee) will also have to pass fitness tests to play against the Saints after missing the Melbourne clash through injury.

Port will regain key playmaking midfielder Hamish Hartlett from suspension.

Power fitness coach Darren Burgess said he was confident Wingard would be passed fit, noting "he was up and about after the game''.

But he wasn't so certain about Boak and White's fitness, with the pair limping back to Adelaide on crutches.

Of the pair, Boak's injury is considered more serious.

Meanwhile, key forward Jay Schulz can accept a reprimand and 60 demerit points towards his future record with an early plea after being charged by the Match Review Panel with a level-one striking offence against Melbourne's Neville Jetta on Saturday.

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22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Rucci’s Rip: Kurt doesn’t need extra cash

Sydney forward Kurt Tippett celebrates kicking a goal against Geelong. Picture: Toby Zerna Source: News Corp Australia

WHEN you are earning $1 million a season, does it hurt that much to pay 68 cents more for a loaf of bread after moving from Adelaide to Sydney? Or an extra three cents for a carton of milk?

Kurt Tippett hardly needs a 10 per cent cost-of-living allowance after coming off the richest (and most controversial) contract in the Adelaide Football Club's history to become a millionaire in the Harbour City. The Swans' key forward-ruckman would certainly notice paying an extra $300 a week in rent in Bondi rather than Henley ... but as an annual millionaire Tippett would surely be buying property in Sydney and holding it as an investment with significant capital gains.

Same for Sydney's other new millionaire player, former Hawthorn key forward Lance Franklin. His $100,000-a-year "bonus" as a cost-of-living allowance could not be matched in Perth — Franklin's home city — despite the West Australian capital having grocery prices that are six per cent more expensive than in Sydney.

Is anyone proposing a six per cent cost-of-living allowance to be added to the West Coast and Fremantle salary caps?

Or — in the spirit of equalisation that is consuming the AFL executives — that the Crows and Port Adelaide have their salary caps scaled back because Adelaide is the cheapest city in the land?

Sydney's "COLA" (cost of living allowance) is under fire again. The campaign started by Collingwood president Eddie McGuire almost a decade ago — with then Swans chairman Richard Colless infamously giving Eddie "the bird" on an ABC Television current affairs program — is almost won with fellow club leaders taking issue with the extra $900,000 in Sydney's salary cap.

The Swans' master strikes with Tippett and Franklin in the past two summers — Tippett as a free pick after the Adelaide contract farce and Franklin as a free agent — has put the COLA under attack for being a recruiting tool rather than a retention aid for Sydney. And there may be less support for the COLA at AFL House considering the league heavies appeared to want Tippett and Franklin at the new franchises at Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney respectively.

Sydney repeatedly argues the COLA is not used as a million-dollar bonus to sign up quality players. The Swans say they work to the same $9 million salary cap applied to every AFL club — and it is the league, not Sydney, that adds (and pays) the COLA bonus on each player contract.

So, if Swans defender Heath Grundy agrees to a $400,000-a-year deal at Sydney, it is the AFL that adds the $36,000 COLA.

Tippett's million-dollar deal has a $90,000 COLA bonus. That easily covers the extra 68 cents Tippett is paying for a loaf of bread when he looks back at his grocery bill from Adelaide.

Tippett does not need a COLA bonus. Grundy does not need it either.

But what about the newest draftees at Sydney such as Toby Nankervis who joined the Swans from his Tasmanian family home in the summer or Aliir Aliir who was recruited from Perth? As neither Nankervis nor Aliir are on million-dollar contracts, the COLA bonus is a handy — and appropriate — extra to cover the hefty rent bills in Sydney.

There is a good case to be made for removing the COLA from Sydney's millionaires, such as Tippett and Franklin.

But there also is a case to be argued for keeping the COLA for first-up draftees and players who are in their third and fourth years with the Swans and not earning more than $400,000.

If Sydney — as is quite possible — wins this year's AFL premiership with Tippett and Franklin combining as the game's most-potent attacking tandem, the COLA bonus in the Swans' salary cap will be under so much fire that it could not survive while the equalisation debate heats up. But the AFL Commission needs to think more of the young Swans such as Nankervis and Aliir's weekly rent bill rather than Tippett and Franklin's annual salaries.

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More