Are the Crows living up to grand vision?

Phil Walsh, Patrick Dangerfield and Nathan van Berlo look on during an open training session. Photo Sarah Reed. Source: News Corp Australia

HAPPY 25th anniversary Adelaide Football Club.

Tomorrow night the membership can gather at West Lakes for the Crows' first annual meeting as an independent football club, released from the SANFL's hold.

"Free at last, free at last ...," chairman Rob Chapman, an SANFL appointee, can finally say after having that speech on hold for two years.

The members — or "customers" as chief operating officer Nigel Smart calls them — will for the first time in 25 seasons appoint two directors after considering nine nominees. Brownlow Medallist Mark Ricciuto is a lock.

A new era begins at West Lakes. As much as Season 2015 is about reflecting, celebrating and admiring the most-successful start-up expansion club in VFL-AFL history — the Crows have never needed a bail out, there is much-needed hope for the future to sell.

New coach in Phil Walsh. New captain in Taylor Walker. New chief executive in Andrew Fagan. And very much a new tone to the Adelaide Football Club that appears to be moving further away from its SANFL roots than before.

The Crows seem to have adopted from American football, in particular the New England Patriots, a philosophy of: "Say nothing, say nothing and then say even less." It is the bubble Ross Lyon built at St Kilda and taken to a new level in AFL.

Closed training sessions. Minimal public exposure with the location of workouts kept as an ultra-secret. Strangely, even the Crows' membership/customer count — that may have fallen behind Port Adelaide's 54,492 for the first time — is a guarded number, no longer on the club's website.

Walsh has made the most significant statements on how the Adelaide Football Club is to look and behave in his time.

While his squad lives "elite standards" with a "team first" attitude, the now 25-season-old Adelaide Football Club is to be "authentic" with "no spin". So are the Crows living up to this grand vision?

Among the nine candidates for the two seats to the new Adelaide board is commercial lawyer Daniel Kiley. He is a man from the outer. By his own profile — on the impressive website 19thdan.com.au — it is clear he is one of the "rusted-on Crows" who stayed attached to the same seat at Football Park for 15 years.

Kiley has perfectly reflected the frustration of a supporter and membership (or customer) base that notes the Crows have failed to live to the pre-Walsh ideals of being "Uncompromising. Inclusive. Proud."

Kiley's vision for this new, independent Adelaide Football Club has resonated louder than anything officially declared at West Lakes in the past six months (with the exception of Smart continuing a string of bizarre tweets by referring to the Crows members as customers). Why? Because officially, the Crows have never been more silent. At least that ensures no spin, as ordered by Walsh.

There is no doubt the Crows have been an overexposed football club at times.

Right now, they have overcorrected ... and perhaps that explains why by membership/customer count it is no longer No. 1 in SA.

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Higgins eager to help Kangas make jump

Shaun Higgins has enjoyed an uninterrupted pre-season since crossing from the Western Bulldogs. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: News Corp Australia

NORTH Melbourne recruit Shaun Higgins is confident his best football still lies ahead of him as he savours a fresh start at the Kangaroos.

Higgins said he felt he had been given a "new lease on life" after joining the Roos in last year's free agency period after nine years at the Western Bulldogs.

SWAN SPARKLES IN COLLINGWOOD TRIAL

The 26-year-old managed 129 games during that time at the Kennel, with a frustrating run of injuries, including a navicular fracture in 2013, taking their toll on his career so far.

But Higgins said his body was keeping up its end of the bargain and he was ready to deliver for his new team after a strong pre-season.

"I'm feeling really good and definitely feel like my best footy is in front of me,'' Higgins said at the Kangaroos' community camp in Werribee on Thursday.

"It's just been restricted a little bit of late. I felt last year was building towards that after missing 12 months of footy, so we'll continue on that path.

"I've been playing back down forward and through the midfield, which I love.

"My body is feeling really good. It's been a really good pre-season.

"I've been able to do the majority of it, which has been great and (with) no post-season surgery last year, I was in pretty good condition kicking off the pre-season.''

Higgins played 20 games in 2014 for the Bulldogs after he was restricted to just three the year before when he injured his foot.

He was used across half-back in a change of role last season, but is looking forward to a return to where he plays his "best footy".

"It will be half-forward and through the midfield, although playing a little bit down back last year gives me the flexibility to be able to do that if I have to,'' Higgins said. "But all indications are that it will be mid-forward.

"I think I play my best footy mid-forward, but it's just what the team needs. I was in the position last year where the team needed (me in) that role.

"But I'm really looking forward to getting back to the old half-forward/mid role.''

The recruitment of Higgins and former Blues forward Jarrad Waite has fuelled suggestions the Kangaroos, who bowed out in a preliminary final to Sydney last year, have primed themselves for a serious flag tilt in the next couple of years.

"I didn't really feel like that's why I joined, but clearly having played finals in the past it would be exciting to get back there,'' Higgins said.

"The whole playing group are expecting to improve from last year, as all teams are.

"That for me is just an added bonus.

"I think it was a pretty good fit regardless of whether they were playing finals or not and there's no guarantees, but it would be nice to get back to playing some September footy.''

Higgins said it was not until the end of last season he decided he needed a change of scenery, but knew straight away after speaking to North it was the club he wanted to join.

"Once I got to the end of the year and weighed up all my options and where I was at ... I felt like I needed a fresh start,'' Higgins said.

"From the get go that I met with North Melbourne, I felt like that was where I needed to be and I'm rapt that everything got done and the result is what it is now.''

Originally published as Higgins eager to help Kangas make jump

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Freo in action but Fyfe catches the eye

Matthew Taberner takes a strong mark in front of Chris Mayne. Picture: Matthew Poon Source: News Corp Australia

CHAMPION playmaker Nat Fyfe was the undisclosed main act to a Fremantle intra-club practice match yesterday ­before a ball was even kicked.

Fyfe completed a series of 400m runs along the Fremantle Oval boundary line at a strong and sustained pace in an encouraging indication he will resume playing early next month.

The dual Doig medallist strained his left hamstring deep into a two-and-a-half hour training session nine days ago.

Fremantle Dockers scratch match at Fremantle Oval. Michael Barlow is tackled by Michael Walters. Source: News Corp Australia

Scans last week indicated Fyfe would need a two-week recovery before he resumed running and training ahead of the Dockers' first NAB series summer clash with Melbourne at Fremantle Oval on Thursday-week.

Fyfe now seems on track to be available to confront the Demons after his impressive workout.

Fyfe was noticeable with his extensive running before ­engaging in a light skills session with captain Matthew Pavlich, veteran Ryan Crowley and utility Tendai Mzungu ahead of an hour-long scratch match, played in front of about 5000 fans.

Big key defender Zac Dawson remained indoors for a gymnasium workout as he ­recovers from groin soreness.

Pavlich completed a searching 90-minute running and ball skills workout and held out of playing action with rising key position hopes Michael Apeness and Matt Taberner thrown into key forward ­duties.

Paul Duffield gets a handball away. Source: News Corp Australia

Matthew Taberner marks in front of Chris Mayne Source: News Corp Australia

Coach Ross Lyon and his support staff revealed clear intentions of a possible starting line-up with an apparent "A team" of 17 players in purple jumpers against "the rest" in white, including seven top-up players from alignment club Peel Thunder.

Forward pockets Michael Walters and Hayden Ballantyne were prominent with the expected dominance from the major outfit.

Stoppages exponent ­Michael Barlow led the "B team".

Regular forward Chris Mayne was also sent into the minor line-up with a key defensive role on Taberner, who took into the last term to bag his first goal.

Veteran big man Aaron Sandilands spent the first hour up forward leaving ruck work to Zac Clarke with much of his ground support offered from Nick Suban and Matt deBoer in opposition to regular first team midfielders Barlow and Lachie Neale.

Originally published as Freo in action but Fyfe catches the eye

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Long wants historic AFL post

Essendon great Michael Long wants to be AFL commissioner. Source: News Corp Australia

ESSENDON champion Michael Long has declared he wants to be the next AFL commissioner.

"We need an indigenous commissioner,'' Long told the Herald Sun. "We have women on the commission, we have let different nationalities run our great game, and I've got a passion for football, and I've had a plan for 10 years and I think I have given back what the game has given me.

"This is something I feel very strongly about and the timing is right. "I'll be one person putting my hand up and it's not my decision to say I'm the one. I'll let the powers that be decide that. But my passion is to see an indigenous person in that role.''

There is a vacancy on the Commission.

The AFL is currently searching for a replacement for Linda Dessau who is scheduled to stand down as a commissioner in May/June to start her role as Victoria's governor-general.

Jake Long hopes to follow in his father Michael Long's footsteps at Essendon. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Corp Australia

Former Channel Nine boss Jeff Browne has been linked to the role. It's been reported Browne has the support of Collingwood president Eddie McGuire and West Coast chairman Alan Cransberg, two people who are on the nominations sub-committee.

McGuire also has a strong relationship Long.

Australia's most senior female army officer Major General Simone Wilkie and former Sydney and West Coast ruckman Jason Ball joined the AFL Commission in December, replacing Chris Langford and Bill Kelty.

If successful in joining the nine-person Commission, Long, 45, would be the first indigenous commissioner.

He said long-term planning was required from the highest level in the sport. ''I don't think the advisory boards (reporting to the AFL) work, decisions need to be made from the top and strategic decisions, not just on a day-to-day basis but a 10-year plan or even further as part of the AFL's commitment,'' Long said.

Michael Long has long been involved in the Long Walk. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

''There are some significant outcomes we have achieved in the north, women's footy has grown enormously, it's the No.1 growing sport in the Territory.

''And we've only just touched the surface with that.''

The Norm Smith Medallist has been for indigenous Australians before he even quit football and remains an AFL ambassador.

In 2004, he famously set out to walk to Canberra to gain a meeting with then Prime Minister John Howard to raise awareness about the plight of indigenous people.

The resulting Long Walk, which takes part on Indigenous Round and which leads thousands of fans on to the MCG, has also been a huge success. It's unprecedented for a person to offer himself as a commissioner, but Long stressed the urgency of having an indigenous influence on the top table.

''Not that I'm pushing myself, but I deliberately came home to Darwin a decade ago to develop myself, put things together,'' he said. "I don't know if I've done that, but we've developed the Thunder team which plays in the NEAFL competition. We raised just $10 million to get that up and going, and it is a pathway for us in the Territory to play in the Queensland.

''To complement that we raised a further $15 million for the Michael Long Leadership Centre here in Darwin, which will be opened on March 13. ''We're using the power of football to develop our kids and we see what football can do at all levels.

''Part of the leadership centre is influencing change.

''The leadership centre has been my baby, the Thunder has been my baby. ''The Long Walk is about bringing people together and I hope I appeal to all people, not just indigenous people.''

Originally published as Long wants historic AFL post

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

NAB Challenge: state of play

Dane Swan in action during Collingwood's intraclub match. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

WE look at every club ahead of the NAB Challenge.

Hawthorn and Collingwood kick off the pre-season on Thursday but before the teams take the field find out the young guns to watch and who's playing to win.

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Big name recruits Paddy McCartin, Tom Boyd and Dayne Beams are all expected to suit up while a host of unknowns are hoping to enhance their chances for Round 1.

Have your say on your club's prospects in the pre-season below.

Former captain Nathan van Berlo is back to full fitness. Picture: Dean Martin Source: News Corp Australia

ADELAIDE CROWS

NEW FACES

Rookie Keenan Ramsey, who is partially blind in one eye, has won over teammates with his versatility and ball use over summer and is in line for game time in his first NAB series. Developing 201cm ruckman Reilly O'Brien will also get a look in after being taken with the Crows' first rookie pick. Third-year midfielder Rory Atkins is also ready to go after another solid summer.

STRATEGY

Phil Walsh is trying to instil a harder defensive edge in his first year as coach - more organised behind the ball.

NOT YET

Expect No.1 ruckman Sam Jacobs to get an easy ride through the NAB Challenge to ensure he is primed for Round 1 against North Melbourne. Patrick Dangerfield and veteran midfielder Scott Thompson will also be handled cautiously. Brent Reilly (fractured skull), Riley Knight (ankle), Andy Otten (knee) and Sam Shaw (hamstring) are the only four players on the injured list.

Daniel Rich is back after a knee reconstruction. Picture: Brad Cooper Source: News Corp Australia

BRISBANE LIONS

NEW FACES

The Lions will unveil big-name recruit Dayne Beams and former Blue Mitch Robinson during the NAB Challenge. After back surgery last year, ex-Cat Allen Christensen has just joined the main training group and the Lions hope he will be able to play one NAB game later in the campaign to prepare for Round 1. The Lions expect young Queensland pair and the club's top two draft picks Liam Dawson and Harris Andrews to also make an appearance during the pre-season competition.

STRATEGY

"Our main focus is the preparation of our players leading up to the premiership season. We'll put in a strong team, but we'll look at managing the player loads ... to finish off their preparation for the season,'' Lions football operations manager Dean Warren.

NOT YET

The major pre-season casualty for the Lions was midfielder Pearce Hanley, who will miss the first half of the season with a hip injury. Young forward Jonathan Freeman is set to miss the next 12 weeks after undergoing back surgery to repair a slight disc bulge. Ryan Harwood also had groin surgery and is expected to miss six to eight weeks. Ruckman Trent West continues his recovery from an ACL and won't play until Round 4 or Round 5.

Marc Murphy, Kade Simpson, Mark Whiley and Chris Yarran watch Carlton's intraclub match. Source: Getty Images

CARLTON

NEW FACES

The Blues will wheel out Blaine Boekhorst, Liam Jones, Jason Tutt plus Kristian Jaksch, Tom Fields, Billy Gowers and Matthew Dick. Three to watch after impressive pre-seasons are Tom Bell, Ciaran Byrne and Patrick Cripps, while Dale Thomas appears to have regained his kicking penetration. Matthew Watson looked sharp with six goals in Friday's intra-club match.

STRATEGY

"We want to get up to 35 players on the park at different stages and have a look at as many young players as possible." Andrew McKay, general manager of football operations

NOT YET

David Ellard (calf), Cameron Giles (foot), Matthew Kreuzer (foot), Andrew Walker (knee) and GWS recruit Mark Whiley (Achilles) won't be seen in the early rounds.

Collingwood players put through their paces in an intraclub match. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

COLLINGWOOD

NEW FACES

Off-season acquisitions Levi Greenwood, Travis Varcoe and Jack Crisp all played this week's intra-club and are scheduled to feature, as is No.5 draft pick Jordan De Goey who has impressed. American college basketballer Mason Cox has a solid pre-season behind him and is in contention.

STRATEGY

After last year, staying healthy would be a good place to start. Had a whopping 37 players available to play before its intra-club game and only four players in rehab. Last seasons injury crisis seems long forgotten, with Scharenberg and Macaffer the only long-term absentees. "We're in very good condition at the moment," football manager Neil Balme said.

NOT YET

Brent Macaffer and Matt Scharenberg are no chance to play as they continue their recovery from knee reconstructions, while Clinton Young (hamstring) is still some way off. Ben Reid (hamstring), Paul Seedsman (hip), Jarrad Witts (shoulder) and Darcy Moore (toe) should be ready to go before the end of the pre-season comp.

David Zaharakis tackles Ben Howlett at Essendon training. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

ESSENDON

NEW FACES

Given the unavailability of senior list players at the club before the 2012 season, all new arrivals should play. Adam Cooney (on-ball), James Gwilt (defence) and Jonathan Giles (ruck) are the established inclusions plus the exciting Kyle Langford (on-ball/forward), Jayden Laverde (wing/half forward) and Shaun McKernan (ruck/forward). Even Jake Long and Conor McKenna, who may normally have been held back, should get a taste.

STRATEGY

Circumstances ensure they are all about attracting a ready-made bunch of experienced heads to fill holes and at the same time exposing as many of their new faces as possible.

NOT YET

Nick Kommer remains on the indefinite list after knee surgery while Alex Browne will miss at least the first two NAB Challenge games after a knee reconstruction this time last year.

Luke McPharlin will be eased through the pre-season. Picture: Will Russell Source: News Corp Australia

FREMANTLE

NEW FACES

All eyes will be on young big men Michael Taberner, Michael Apeness and Jack Hannath as the Dockers look for big bodies to provide some goalscoring support for Matthew Pavlich. Tough inside midfielder Connor Blakely is in the mould of Michael Barlow and has impressed with his ability to read the play and get to the next contest. He will be given a chance in the NAB but is likely to be set for a full season in the WAFL. Lachie Weller is a polished midfielder in the making, but third-year wingman Tom Sheridan is ahead in the queue for a permanent midfield spot.

STRATEGY

The Dockers have focused on improving their kicking, particularly out of half-back, very much along the lines of Hawthorn.

NOT YET

Veterans Luke McPharlin, Aaron Sandilands and Matthew Pavlich are arguably the Dockers' most precious commodities this season and may play about half of the NAB series minutes. Colin Sylvia was banished the WAFL for his poor fitness and Nathan Fyfe may wait until the last NAB game for some action after straining a hamstring.

Mitch Clark hopes to be ready to Round 1. Picture: Mark Dadswell Source: News Corp Australia

GEELONG

NEW FACES

Last year's top pick Nakia Cockatoo has turned heads over the pre-season with his explosiveness and defensive ethic. With a small forward spot up for grabs, Cockatoo and another first-year livewire, Cory Gregson, have the chance to prove their senior readiness over the NAB series. Medium midfielder Dean Gore is not flashy but continues to meet the pre-season demands and could help build the Cats' midfield depth, along with second-year playmaker Darcy Lang. Mitch Clark has put together an outstanding summer and is in line for a Round 1 berth, playing ruck and deep forward.

STRATEGY

As ever, it's pretty simple at the Cattery - refine their game style and improve. Opposition scouts will watch the Cats' new-look forward line with interest.

NOT YET

Dawson Simpson has returned to full training in his latest injury comeback and will have his fitness tested in the NAB games ahead of a likely Round 1 berth. Fellow ruckman Hamish McIntosh is unlikely to see much pre-season game time and there are some question marks on Rhys Stanley after a bout of bone bruising interrupted his campaign. Steve Johnson has responded well to a week off to help his foot problem and is leaner than in previous years. Like many of the Cats' senior stars, Johnson and Joel Selwood will be managed through the NAB series. The key backs, such as Andrew Mackie, Tom Lonergan and Jared Rivers, are in the same boat, but have hardly missed a session to this point.

Nick Malceski is ready to roll for his new club. Picture: Regi Varghese Source: News Corp Australia

GOLD COAST SUNS

NEW FACES

Former Swans star Nick Malceski and ex-Hawk Mitch Hallahan look ready to slot straight into the team. Draftees Touk Miller and Jarrod Garlett will get a chance to push their selection cases in the NAB Challenge.

STRATEGY

New coach Rodney Eade is urging his charges to play faster, more instinctive football. "If you go too slow or too measured you're not going to score, so I think you've got to be able to, well not so much take the game on, but you've got to be able to hit the scoreboard,'' Eade said this week. "And that's what we're trying to do." Eade has drummed home the message about taking calculated risks and is red hot on limiting turnovers.

NOT YET

The Suns will be undermanned in their NAB Challenge opener, with 8-10 of their best 22 missing. Key defenders Rory Thompson (toe) and Steven May (minor knee surgery last month) are among those who could return for NAB 2, with other senior players including Gary Ablett (shoulder) expected back by NAB 3.

Jonathon Patton is recovering well from a knee reconstruction. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: News Corp Australia

GWS GIANTS

NEW FACES

Shock trade capture Ryan Griffen is ready to go, as is former Brisbane Lion Joel Patfull. No.4 draft pick Jarrod Pickett will play, but the first-year bolter is strong-bodied academy selection Jack Steele, who has impressed on the track.

STRATEGY

It's all about stopping the opposition from scoring. The Giants feel they made gains in this department last year, but are aiming to knock another 2-3 goals per game off the "against" column in 2015. The acid has also been put on the fourth-year players such as Devon Smith, Adam Treloar and Stephen Coniglio to further improve.

NOT YET

Luckless knee victim Jonathon Patton is sidelined until mid-year, while the NAB Challenge also comes too early for Lachie Plowman (dislocated elbow), Liam Sumner (navicular) and draftee Jeremy Finlayson (hip). Tim Mohr, who ruptured his ACL in Round 18, is said to be a slim chance of featuring in the pre-season.

HAWTHORN

NEW FACES

Trade-ins James Frawley (Melbourne) and Jonathan O'Rourke (Greater Western Sydney) will seek to cement spots in the premier's best 22, while youngsters such as James Sicily, Dallas Willsmore and Zac Webster could get some NAB Challenge exposure as part of their development.

STRATEGY

Hawthorn will continue to work on player versatility, so that as many Hawks as possible can play in multiple positions. "If you get pigeon-holed into one position you really limit yourself in being able to play and I think that's what 'Clarko' and the coaches have really drummed into the players here,'' 2014 club champion Jordan Lewis said. "Don't just focus on one position, make sure you have a second position that you can go to if your one wood isn't working at any time."

NOT YET

Unlike last year, Hawthorn enters the season with a fairly clean bill of health. The Hawks hope that defender Grant Birchall, who injured his knee in a tackling drill earlier this month, will get in a game late in the pre-season.

Heritier Lumumba gets away from Dom Tyson during Melbourne's intraclub match. Source: Getty Images

MELBOURNE

NEW FACES

Lock in crumbing forward Jeff Garlett and former Magpie Heritier Lumumba, who may switch between the midfield and half-back. Jesse Hogan will start at full-forward. Former Giant Sam Frost and Ben Newton (ex-Port Adelaide) will get games, as will lightly-framed teenager Billy Stretch, who impressed in the intra-club match on Thursday.

STRATEGY

The Demons will continue to refine their work at stoppages and centre-bounce clearances, and will focus on stamping out the "stifled ball movement'' that inhibited them last season. Assistant coach Jade Rawlings said the Dees would go hard in the NAB Challenge. "We're not in a position to roll into a NAB series, we want to put our best sides out there as much as we can and be prepared for the Gold Cost in Round 1 with a good-shape team and some players who have got some good minutes under their belt.''

NOT YET

Jeremy Howe is still on the comeback from a hamstring complaint, while Bernie Vince will miss a few weeks with a shoulder injury. Jack Watts should be back playing in the early NAB Challenge matches after struggling with groin niggles during the pre-season.

Brad Scott speaks to Jarrad Waite during North Melbourne training. Picture: Hamish Blair Source: News Corp Australia

NORTH MELBOURNE

NEW FACES

Recruits Shaun Higgins and Jarrad Waite will be the two-key players unveiled for North Melbourne during the NAB Challenge, with the pair impressing over summer.

"Of our draftees it's just going to be a matter of how many we have available in total," Kangaroos director of football Geoff Walsh said. "Young kids in their first year, they'll often get a run at some stage in the NAB, particularly when there's 26 players that you can use. Without putting a fine point on anyone ... you might look to give one or two of the draftees a taste.''

STRATEGY

"Strategy A is to win, Strategy B is to just play all our young kids. We'll certainly be fielding teams that we think are capable of winning any game,'' Walsh said.

NOT YET

Defender Nathan Grima is expected to miss at least three months after undergoing back surgery last week. Fellow defender Aaron Mullett is also unavailable after undergoing shoulder surgery last month, which is expected to keep him sidelined until Round 7. Lachie Hansen is also unlikely to be available as he continues his recovery from surgery on both hips.

John Butcher recovers after a running session at Port Adelaide's pre-season camp in Dubai. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: News Corp Australia

PORT ADELAIDE

NEW FACES

The Power are looking at Karl Amon, Brendon Ah Chee, Darcy Byrne-Jones and Dougal Howard playing in Round 1 of the NAB Challenge. The Recruit winner Johann Wagner is coming off injury but should be seen later in the series along with Logan Austin and Jesse Palmer. Star recruit Paddy Ryder isn't expected to play until the Essendon verdict has been handed down.

STRATEGY

"We will use the depth of our list as much as we possibly can and hopefully rotate virtually every player through the NAB Challenge." Chris Davies, general manager of football.

NOT YET

Chad Wingard (right knee surgery in late January) and Jackson Trengove (shoulder surgery in mid-January) are progressing well and are hopeful of playing the last NAB Challenge round at best or Round 1 of the AFL season at worst.

Ivan Maric has a full pre-season behind him this season. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

RICHMOND

NEW FACES

A star of the VFL last year, mature-age recruit Kane Lambert has been the standout of the Tigers' new draftees and will get a big chance to secure a rookie upgrade in the next month. Line-breaking defender Connor Menadue has not missed a beat and second-year classy ball-user Ben Lennon will reveal a bulked-up frame in the NAB series. Powerful key forward Reece McKenzie already has an imposing frame and will be fun to watch for Tigers' fans in the summer series.

STRATEGY

"We don't want to denigrate the NAB Challenge, but it's more about the process and preparing the team and individuals as well as possible for the first block of the season." GM football Dan Richardson.

NOT YET

Like most sides, the Tigers will likely rest a lot of their big names in the first NAB game against Western Bulldogs. Ivan Maric, Troy Chaplin, Jack Riewoldt, Trent Cotchin and Brett Deledio could all be spared in the first hit-out as the Tigers build towards the Round 1 blockbuster against Carlton and focus on making a stronger start to the season than last year

Jack Billings gets tackled by Daniel Markworth during St Kilda's intraclub match. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

ST KILDA

NEW FACES

No.1 draft pick Paddy McCartin will be given plenty of game-time to find his AFL feet. And he has competition up forward from a fit and firing Tom Lee, who has overcome double shoulder surgery 12 months ago, in the battle to be skipper Nick Riewoldt's tall companion inside the forward 50. Tim Membrey, recruited from the Swans, looks a ready-made Round 1 applicant.

CLUB STRATEGY

"We need to be much better and much more consistent with our performance. We need to raise expectations and be much more consistent with our performance." St Kilda coach Alan Richardson.

NOT YET

Riewoldt, Jack Steven, Tom Hickey, Sam Gilbert and Adam Schneider sat out yesterday's intra-club practice match, but all will get a run in the NAB Challenge. "Nick's right to play, but the season's get longer and longer and he's getting older and older and we want to manage him. He's training really well, he's joining full training and he stands out and we'll get him right for Round 1,'' midfield coach Adam Kingsley said.

Sam Reid has been training in defence where he's matched up on Lance Franklin. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: News Corp Australia

SYDNEY SWANS

NEW FACES

Buzz academy selection Isaac Heeney will be on show in the midfield despite managing some knee tendinitis this summer. Mossman lads Daniel Robinson, Sam Naismith and Jake Hiscox, plus project ruckman Toby Nankervis and talented utility George Hewitt are all expected to get a run. Expect to see plenty of Dean Towers and Brandon Jack.

STRATEGY

For the Swans it's all about preparing each individual and the team to the maximum leading into 2015.

NOT YET

Alex Johnson remains on the indefinite injury list after a fourth knee reconstruction last year and rookies Nic Newman and Lloyd Perris (knee surgery) won't be seen in the NAB Challenge. Perris will be sidelined for the next 10 weeks.

West Coast took on the AFL Indigenous All Stars in their first competitive hit out. Source: News Corp Australia

WEST COAST EAGLES

NEW FACES

Strong-bodied utility Tom Lamb has quickly shown why he was widely rated one of the best value picks of the draft at No.32. At 193cm, Lamb can play almost anywhere for the Eagles and along with running half-back Jackson Nelson, will vie for a large slice of NAB game time. Malcolm Karpany is tipped to bob up as a livewire forward.

STRATEGY

Skill improvement has been a major focus over the summer. Midfield depth has also had some attention with the Eagles keen to get Sharrod Wellingham and Matt Rosa back in the mix.

NOT YET

Gun forward Jack Darling could miss months after spending the bulk of the pre-season in a moon boot to overcome a foot injury. Likewise, hard midfielder Scott Selwood faces a slow start in his comeback from ankle surgery. Beau Waters retired this week.

Draftee Declan Hamilton marks over Jake Stringer. Picture: David Smith Source: News Corp Australia

WESTERN BULLDOGS

NEW FACES

The club's big off-season recruit Tom Boyd will be the one to watch, while former Cat Joel Hamling will also be in the frame for the NAB Challenge. Of the club's draftees, 168cm Caleb Daniel, taken at pick No.46, has impressed on the track and is the most likely to feature in the pre-season matches.

STRATEGY

"Our focus over the NAB Challenge series is to build on a quality pre-season, field a strong team every week, while ensuring we have our best possible team ready for Round 1 against West Coast. It also provides our players with opportunities to continue to adapt to Luke's game plan," Dogs general manager of football Graham Lowe said

NOT YET

Father-son recruit Zaine Cordy will miss the start of the regular season after undergoing a shoulder reconstruction last month. Clay Smith is still recovering from an ACL last season and will also miss the early rounds. Forward Stewart Crameri will sit out the first two rounds of the NAB Challenge while the AFL's Anti-Doping Tribunal deliberates on any possible suspensions of those involved in the Bombers' 2012 supplements program.

Originally published as NAB Challenge: state of play

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Koch pushes hard to Power Port with profit

David Koch speaks at a press conference with chief executive Keith Thomas in the background. Source: News Limited

FOOTBALL clubs' annual meetings are rarely engrossing shows … until now, particularly at the Adelaide and Port Adelaide football clubs.

Power president David Koch put on his act last week — with much of the sting in explaining how Port Adelaide's $2.5 million loss could have been softened by a better return at Adelaide Oval dulled by the leak to The Advertiser of the new stadium deal. This will deliver $3 million more to the Power and Crows next year and $4 million in each of 2016 and 2017 before another review.

Crows chairman Rob Chapman has his moment on Wednesday when the Adelaide Football Club will formally announce the two directors (Brownlow Medallist Mark Ricciuto and, most probably Rod Jameson) elected to the board room for the first time by the club's members. This will place three former players in the board room (with Andrew Payze).

Chapman, like Koch, will use all his experience in banking with financial charts to explain how in a year of record membership and attendances the Adelaide Football Club did not report a significant profit. His chart detailing how the Crows start each season handing over $3 million in payments to external authorities will leave much of the membership speechless.

In contrast to past annual meetings — with the most memorable being at Alberton where a lady drilled the Port Adelaide board on the timetable for the Footy Express buses to Football Park — this year's sessions are very much about money. Big money — and where to find more and more of it.

The Adelaide Football Club always has been a corporate darling, as emphasised by the Crows holding its major sponsorship with the Toyota Motor Corporation since the club's AFL journey began late in 1990.

The Port Adelaide Football Club tried to sell itself to Corporate Australia after the 2007 AFL grand final appearance, but has not made a profit since that success — and paid dearly for putting the corporate world ahead of its members and traditional supporters. Koch took charge at Alberton in October 2012 when the club was on a financial death row and had its commercial staff struggling to leave their business cards at the security gates of corporate headquarters in Sydney and Melbourne.

Koch declared he wanted to make Port Adelaide a "national brand". His era has delivered international sponsors, French carmaker Renault, the world's largest dairy conglomerate Parmalat and in the next week the Power is primed to announce another significant corporate deal.

The question is: Has Port Adelaide learned from the disaster of its last courting of the corporate world when it started to take its traditional fans for granted?

And the far-ranging question is: Will the AFL, with its ferocious appetite for money, ultimately price itself out of the traditional fans' wallet?

Colleague Graham Cornes notes, with a fair assessment of the Power's financial model, that Port Adelaide does not generate enough from its fans at Adelaide Oval. They have the AFL's cheapest tickets, generating — in the term Chapman made famous last season — a low "yield". What the Power does not take from its fans' hard-earned pay packets, it has to find from the corporate world.

And while fans hand over their cash with emotional spending, corporate board rooms are far more circumspect in how they doll out shareholder money.

Port Adelaide chief executive Keith Thomas — whose bond with the most-basic fan at Alberton is now rock solid — makes no apology for "underselling" the Power's tickets. After all, the club — after betraying all Port Adelaide stood for after the 2007 success, both on and off the field — had to win back the fans.

Now that the Power appears on the verge of challenging for a premiership again, Thomas remains reluctant to put a premium on ticket prices. And, as Thomas has reflected with his monthly bulletins to the members, he is not going to ignore the fans while drawing more and more money from board rooms around the world.

Koch makes no apology for sanctioning decisions that had the Power spend more money than it earned last year. He calls it an "investment" in the football team and the club. He will invest more again this year, but expects the pay-offs to be much more significant to the club's financial statements. He has put more than his reputation on the line that Port Adelaide will report a profit at its next annual meeting in 12 months.

As much as it is about money — big money — in an AFL system that chews through more than a billion dollars each year, AFL club annual meetings do give the guys in their Armani suits a timely reminder of the little folk.

The lady who made a fuss about the bus timetables was not at Alberton last week, but another did challenge Koch on the cost of food and drink at Adelaide Oval. He could only shrug his shoulders and pass the buck to the Stadium Management Authority. Pity he did not remind the lady this was new AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan's opening promise to the fans.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"I'm putting my proverbials on the line saying Port Adelaide will make a profit (in 2015)"

Power president DAVID KOCH makes a bold statement

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‘Reduce interchange cap to 60’: Brown

Former Brisbane Lions captain Jonathan Brown joins Fox Footy.

Jonathan Brown is Fox Footy's newest signing. Source: Supplied

BRISBANE Lions legend Jonathan Brown has called on the AFL to restrict interchange to as few as 60 rotations, worried massive player congestion is ruining the game.

After a two-year freeze on interchange levels the league will seriously consider a reduction to 100 rotations at the end of the season.

The Herald Sun understands it will also take seriously a request from coaches to go back to four interchange members rather than three and a substitute.

It will consider the fairness of the sub rule, potential injuries caused by a lack of rotation and the ramifications on the style of game.

But triple premiership player Brown told the Herald Sun he is concerned about the lack of one-on-one marking contests and says the league must go further than 100.

"I think the game should be restricted a lot more,'' said Brown, announced as Fox Footy's new addition to On The Couch.

"The AFL wanted to go lower (than 120), they got pressure on from the coaches and I didn't think it was a strong enough decision. The game needs to go back to 60 or 80, I believe, because we need to tire out sides and their ability to defend on to chase and tackle. That's the way we open the game up.

"We would see more one-on-one contests in the forward 50. We all go to the game to watch big forwards and it's why a kid like Tom Boyd gets paid a million bucks a year when he's played one season.

"People think the game will look slower. It won't look slower because there will be more space.

"You will have Cyril Rioli running down the wing having eight bounces in the second half and we will say how fast was that game. I would like to see footy open up and the only way we can do that is to heavily restrict interchange to 60 or 80."

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The game was plagued by rolling mauls and congestion early last year before breaking open midway through the season.

The AFL says the sub rule and capped interchange have added real fairness given clubs with one or more injuries cannot be heavily out-rotated by their opposition.

The AFL's coaches pushed hard for 120 interchanges, four on the bench and no sub when they dined with AFL boss Gill McLachlan midway through last season.

But they were told that request would be considered at the end of this year after the two-year freeze on interchange designed to take the sting from the constant discussion.

The league seems no chance to introduce a radical drop in interchange to 60 but could instead make a gradual reduction to 100 or 90.

It fears a cap of 60 would see teams playing periods of footy at breakneck speeds then shutting the game down, conserving energy by chipping sideways and retaining the ball.

The reduction from unlimited interchange to 120 has not seen the dramatic increase in soft tissue injuries many clubs warned about.

Neither does Brown believe there would be a massive change in the type of players recruited if interchange was slashed significantly.

"The counter argument is the game will turn into an over-aerobic sport with marathon runners out there, but going back to Leigh Matthews, to win finals footy you still have to win the contested footy first and foremost

"I don't think Hawthorn would be the best runners in the comp, but on Grand Final day they won the hard balls. You still need your big bulls inside and the big bulls to take contested marks.

"If we restrict interchange we won't see 18 marathon runners out there playing on each other."

Originally published as 'Reduce interchange cap to 60': Brown

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Crows were ‘clever’ to give Tex captaincy

Mathew Wright about to get tackled by Crows captain Taylor Walker. Photo: Sarah Reed. Source: News Corp Australia

FORMER Port Adelaide footballer and Fox Footy commentator Dwayne Russell said the Crows made the right call in rewarding Taylor Walker with the captaincy after he committed his long-term future to the club.

Speaking ahead of the 2015 season in which a new broom has swept through West Lakes, Russell who writes for The Advertiser said while Patrick Dangerfield and Rory Sloane were good candidates, it would have been wrong to appoint one of them captain before they committed to the club beyond this year.

"Obviously it was talked about whether Sloane or Dangerfield or Walker got the captaincy and I can understand them going with a player who is 100 per cent committed to the club, as opposed to 99.5," Russell said.

"That's a commonsense move, I don't think you want to name someone captain who at the end of the season might look at offers from elsewhere, even though they might stay.

"So philosophically I think they've done the right thing but I still think the leadership quality of Sloane and Dangerfield during the year is going to be a critical asset for Walker as well as the whole team.

"They're not the kind of people who will take a backward step in terms of how much leadership they provide on the field.

"On principle it's the right move and a clever move."

While Sloane and Dangerfield in particular are polished media performers and comfortable in the public spotlight, Walker has typically shied away from the cameras during his AFL career.

But Russell said Walker must embrace all that the captaincy comes with, which includes dealing with the media, sponsors and public scrutiny, because he is the face and ambassador for the club.

"I think we've had captains in the past who haven't necessarily enjoyed fronting up to the media and putting on a polite face for sponsors, and we just saw one (Ryan Griffen) leave the Western Bulldogs," Russell said.

"He didn't quite read into what the requirement was before he accepted it.

"I don't know how much media he's (Walker) going to do but as captain it's not just about being captain, it's about being a diplomat and a statesman for the club.

"And because Phil Walsh is not necessarily the kind of guy who wants to do that either, it's going to be an interesting dynamic for the club to play out because neither the captain or the coach are six or seven year media performers."

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Crows must keep on keeping on

Adelaide Crows great Mark Ricciuto is confident the injury suffered by Brent Reilly won't affect the way Adelaide players attack the footy.

Crows defender Daniel Talia speaks out at a Crows press conference. Photo: Dean Martin. Source: News Limited

BRENT Reilly's teammates will not be haunted by his horrific training injury, with leadership member Daniel Talia saying it will be business as usual next week.

While the Crows players have gone through their own personal turmoil this week as they deal with a serious injury to a popular teammate, Talia described the incident that led to Reilly having emergency surgery to repair a fractured skull as "just one of those injuries that happens''.

He said the players would not change their approach to training and would continue to go hard in preparation for the 2015 season.

"As a player, when you put yourself out on the field you realise things like this do happen every now and then,'' Talia said.

"The percentage of ugly incidents like this are very minor so guys will attack the football as normal.

"You put it out of your mind when you're out there and you play the game that you love."

The entire team has been counselled over Reilly's injury, including the unnamed player whose knee accidentally slammed into the left side of Reilly's head during a regulation competitive drill, causing several skull fractures.

Talia said all were coping well, understanding that Reilly sustained a freak injury.

"It was just an unlucky incident and unfortunately Radar (Reilly) was on the end of it,'' he said.

"I'm not going to name him (the player who crashed into Reilly) because we don't really need to, it's irrelevant. But he and everyone else is coping fine.

The good thing about a football club when incidents like this happen is that you've got a great support network around you.

"Having 40 guys (players) here being able to deal with it together is really helpful and you've got the player development manager, your doctors, the psychologist from the AFLPA, the best people to talk to.

"I'm sure everyone will be okay come the start of next week.''

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Bombers would need 15 to 20 players

Essendon football manager Rob Kerr says 18 players issued infraction notices will not playing in pre-season competition. Picture: Ian Currie Source: News Corp Australia

THE AFL will not entertain a NAB Challenge series without Essendon.

The Bombers on Wednesday warned they could be forced to field a side made up of "15 to 20" top-up players because of the ongoing doping saga.

Essendon football boss Rob Kerr confirmed 18 players issued with infraction notices by the league last November would not take part in the pre-season competition.

An AFL proposal that would allow all players still on the club's list from 2012 to withdraw also remains an option.

"By our estimations ... we're thinking we'd probably have to find in the vicinity of 15 to 20 players to be able to compete," Kerr said.

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"And we've all got to recognise that these (top up) players haven't done an AFL pre-season ... they are not at the level of the preparation and readiness that you would expect an AFL player to be.

"You quite simply couldn't expect those players to play the normal amount of game time — it would be putting them at risk of injury and it wouldn't be fair.

"There are 25 on our list from 2012 and then you look at some of the younger players and older players who are not going to play a lot of time in the NAB Challenge."

The AFL Commission meets next week and will need to approve the agreed solution to the NAB Challenge dilemma.

It would need to grant special dispensation for the Bombers to recruit top-ups from the state leagues like the VFL.

Kerr said the 18 players before the AFL anti-doping tribunal were not prepared to risk losing access to the possible backdating of suspensions.

The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority yesterday confirmed players taking part in the NAB Challenge would forfeit any claims to backdating.

"Those players would probably be crazy to risk any of that period not being accounted for from a backdating point of view," Kerr said.

Closing submissions by ASADA and lawyers for the Essendon 34 will be presented to the tribunal on Monday and Tuesday.

A verdict is not expected until late March, on the eve of the home-and-away season.

Originally published as Bombers would need 15 to 20 players

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More