Gil, you have a problem

AFL: Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley says the news that two of their players have tested positive for banned performance enhancing drugs is devastating

AFL: Collingwood's Chief Executive Gary Pert address the media following both Josh Thomas and Lachlan Keeffe's positive tests to banned performance enhancing drugs

AS IF the AFL didn't already have big plans.

While we wait for the verdict on the Essendon 34, Collingwood's Josh Thomas and Lachlan Keeffe have knocked the Bombers off the front page, which is no mean feat.

MAGPIE DUO 'SHELLSHOCKED' AFTER POSITIVE TEST

GET READY FOR ROUND 1 WITH OUR SUPERFOOTY PODCAST PREVIEW

This was D-Day which is now short for Drugs-Day.

Keeffe and Thomas — two best mates — have returned a positive test to Clenbuterol in their A sample.

AFL: 360 discuss the latest performance enhancing drugs scandal involving two Collingwood players

Their career has crashed over a cliff and they hang on by a finger nail.

Clenbuterol is an Olympic Games-type drugs. It is a big boys drug. It can't be found in a sports drink. And it can't be found in a headache tablet.

It is an S1 anabolic agent not approved for human use in Australia — and we all remember that term.

One question has to be answered: How did it get into the bloodstream of Keeffe and Thomas?

They have told club officials they have "no idea how this happened".

They are either lying or telling the truth and some people close to this story have a foot in each half.

If they're lying, they were good at it because Collingwood football manager Neil Balme said yesterday he believed the pair when he spoke to them on Friday.

If they're lying — and we've seen it at Collingwood with Heath's Shaw infamous declaration than Alan Didak was not in the car — they will eventually be exposed.

Josh Thomas has been provisionally suspended. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

If they're telling the truth, it matters not much anyhow.

They will be suspended for up to four years if they can't explain a legitimate reason for their blood being contaminated.

Various stories emerged on Monday, one which will be explored involves a couple of porterhouse steaks eaten in Queenstown eatery during the club's February training camp.

It sounds a lot like my dog ate my homework, but good luck to them because if they're telling truth, they'll need a believable story.

The Magpies distanced themselves from the pair yesterday, in the sense that they were quick to explain they had audited its nutritional program and, as expected, it was clean.

It was an important offering from the Pies because lawyers for Thomas and Keeffe might also argue that while in New Zealand they also ate what Collingwood served them.

In any case, the AFL has a problem.

That's four positive tests to performance enhancing drugs in two years.

St Kilda's Ahmed Saad drank the contaminated the sports drink. Fremantle's Ryan Crowley took a tablet from a friend. We have the Collingwood pair. And Essendon towers over the top of all of them.

So much for the AFL's chest thumping about their clean sport.

Lachie Keeffe has been an important part of Collingwood's backline. Picture: Adam Head Source: News Corp Australia

That's four clubs out of 18 in the headlines — and that's only for performance enhancing drugs.

Anecdotal evidence suggests the illicit drug problem is far bigger than people believe.

It was only in November, 2012, that Magpies chief executive Gary Pert said some players were guilty of "volcanic behaviour" during the off-season.

It emerged in January, 2013, that up to half a dozen Magpies players had self-reported to the AFL after using illicit drugs in the 2012 season.

Let's be honest, it has been a bitterly disappointing period for the biggest franchise in Australian sport.

If the Bombers players are found guilty today, the 2015 season will be destroyed.

Surely, the AFL want the players to be found not guilty because the alternative is carnage for the competition — appeals, more appeals, and the Bombers would require kids and top-ups for who knows how long.

A not guilty plea might also spare the AFL from a tsunami of legal writs over an alleged breach of duty care.

It might not save them from James Hird, however.

Will he seek revenge or let sleeping dogs lie?

Originally published as Gil, you have a problem

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ryder, Monfries: ‘It’s a massive relief’

Port Adelaide pair Paddy Ryder and Angus Monfries have told of their relief at exoneration in the AFL supplement saga while crediting crucial family support through the ordeal

Ryder, 27, and Monfries, 28, were among 34 past and present Bombers cleared by the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal of using banned peptide Thymosin Beta-4 while playing for Essendon in 2012.

Having been cleared of any breaches small forward Monfries and ruckman Ryder are eligible for selection in Port Adelaide's season opener against Fremantle in Perth on Sunday.

"It's a massive relief to come in here today and get the news that we all wanted," said Ryder.

"I'm just looking forward now to getting back out there and playing football."

Versatile, 170-game star Ryder - considered the missing 194cm ingredient in Port's flag mix - will become the 154th player to don the teal and black jumper against the Dockers.

"After getting the decision I walked past most of the boys downstairs and they were all shaking my hand … we've done the hard yards this pre-season with the boys and I just want to get out there and show them what I can bring to the team and just have fun," Ryder said.

"I am really looking forward to that."

Ryder recognised the efforts of his family through a three year controversy where his credibility was questioned by association with the Bomber supplement scandal.

"My wife Jessica has been amazing, she is the one who sees me when I am down. My family in WA have also been on the phone to re-assure me I haven't done anything wrong," said Ryder.

Monfries was glad the gloom and uncertainty had finally lifted in a protracted process some likened to a witch-hunt.

"It's been a long process over a number of years and to have the result that it was today, it's just a great feeling to know we're be able to play this weekend and get on with life," 191-game veteran Monfries told portadelaidefc.com.au.

"Over the whole summer you try to concentrate as much as you can and try to put that (the tribunal) in the back of your mind."

"It will be great to play footy this weekend and to have Paddy across and for him to play his first game as well.

"I'm really just looking forward to playing footy again and pulling that guernsey on."

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Who is the best coach of modern era?

Alastair Clarkson has changed the way we think about AFL coaches. Picture: Colleen Petch. Source: News Corp Australia

THERE was a time not that long ago when a relative dill, at least in an academic sense, could land a coaching job at an AFL club.

In some instances the said species actually coached for a healthy duration, surviving on their footy smarts and basic rat cunning, skills sets unlikely to see them achieve honours in the Classical and Mathematical Triposes at Cambridge or the Literae Humaniores at Oxford.

Then times changed and types such as Alastair Clarkson forever buggered up the hopes of an uneducated AFL champion winning a senior coaching job. Bloody Clarkson, with his Bachelor of Sports Science and Masters of Business Administration from Monash Uni.

As if that wasn't enough then he went and completed a two-week leadership and management course in glowing fashion at that toffee joint called Harvard University in Massachusetts. You know, the one where "them" Roosevelts and Kennedys went.

And once Clarkson took Hawthorn from 14th to first in four years from 2005-08, the blueprint for an AFL coach in the 2000s had been written. Yes, there have been occasional unsuccessful dalliances with the blue over white collar since, but clubs that turn over millions of dollars want someone mentally agile enough to be the public face of their organisation. A Paul Roos, John Longmire or Nathan Buckley.

Clarkson is very much that person and one who has a genuine claim to be rated the finest coach in the AFL era from 1990. So on a day where Mike Sheahan has produced his final Top 50 for this newspaper, in this instance the finest players of that era, who is the coach deserving of controlling that group?

Is it Kevin Sheedy, who coached two premierships in the era we are speaking of and was desperately unlucky in both 1996 and 1999 when key injuries arguably robbed him of another two flags? When assessing Sheedy I judge him only on the 18 years he spent as Essendon coach from 1990-2007 given his two years with GWS were all about development of a young group.

Mark Thompson learnt from master coach Kevin Sheedy. Source: News Limited

He was able to continually reinvent the Bombers until his last three seasons in 2005-2007, which he now admits were three too many.

Or his one-time Richmond teammate Mick Malthouse took a West Coast outfit from 11th to third in his first season, winning a premiership two years later and positioning the Eagles in September action for all of his 10 years in charge. When he joined wooden spooner Collingwood 2000 the naysayers were sitting in judgment to see how he would improve a so-so list given West Coast had some serious talent to work with.

After his first four years Malthouse took the Pies to a couple of losing Grand Finals, a nine-point loss to super side Brisbane in 2002 being arguably his finest coaching achievement. The Pies then bottomed out before he again rebuilt them into a challenger, going all the way in 2010 and runners-up a year later.

Who is the best coach of the AFL era?

Or maybe you like the work of eccentric genius Malcolm Blight, his CV lacking the longevity of Sheedy and Malthouse but boasting similar highs, taking Geelong and Adelaide sides to Grand Finals in 192-94-97-98 that contained a sprinkling of champions and good numbers of journeymen?

Others would point to Mark Thompson with a winning percentage of 61.8 per cent or Denis Pagan (63.6 per cent) who only missed the finals once in 10 years with the Kangaroos. You could make cases for all five but my choice comes down to two, Leigh Matthews or Clarkson.

The former has won flags with different teams in the era we are talking about and the first was with a club in Collingwood that had been tortured by a succession of near misses for 32 previous years. Then he took wooden spooners Brisbane to 4th and 5th before three straight Premierships followed by a loss to Port Adelaide. The only knock on Matthews is he left both clubs when they were very much on the slide.

Mick Malthouse was a happy man once. Source: News Limited

Then there is Clarkson, who has been able to change or sometimes remain ahead of and ever-changing AFL landscape. A measure of Clarkson was his ability to take over the Australian International Rules campaign last year with instant success after a recent history of failure.

Like Matthews, he has a rare finals strike rate, in his case 13 wins against five losses (Matthews is 17-6). Compelling figures are 17-6 and enough reason for me to nominate Matthews at No.1. But as they say in the music industry, Clarkson is closing fast with a bullet.

Name / Grand Finals / Premierships / Winning rate

Leigh Matthews / 5 / 4 / 60.1%

Alastair Clarkson / 4 / 3 / 61.2%

Mick Malthouse / 6 / 3 / 59.4%

Kevin Sheedy* / 4 / 2 / 59.7%

Mark Thompson / 3 / 2 / 61.8%

Malcolm Blight / 4 / 2 / 55.3%

Denis Pagan / 3 / 2 / 51.2%

* Excludes his two season with GWS.

Originally published as Who is the best coach of modern era?

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hinkley wants bulked up Power

Ken Hinkley wants his players bigger and stronger. Source: Getty Images

PORT Adelaide is adding bulk ahead of the 2015 season and has smashed the public perception that they will have a leaner side this season.

The Power is heading down the same path as Carlton champion Chris Judd, who has spoken about adding muscle to make him more explosive, rather than turning into a lean greyhound version of a footballer.

Coach Ken Hinkley said the club's figures suggested an average increase in weight had been recorded by the fitness staff — at around 0.6kg — but that figure is pushed down by senior players retiring and being replaced by light-framed rookies.

Hinkley shook his head at the suggestion that Port's players are shedding weight for running purposes and do not have the same muscular power ahead of this season.

"We're not leaner,'' Hinkley said. "It's a myth.

"It's an absolute myth. Across the board, we're actually heavier, by the numbers.

"I've heard the same story that we're leaner because we're training hard or we're running hard but that's not the fact.

"You lose some size at some stage with some players who leave your football club and you replace them with younger players. That happens.

Travis Boak tries to shake off a tackle. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Corp Australia

"But we're not leaner.''

Hinkley went on to speak of young players losing fat content and replacing it with muscle.

But he said the emphasis had not been on getting players lighter to adapt to the interchange rotation cap.

Hinkley wants his players as strong and explosive as possible and wants them to add weight and muscle.

Midfielder Ollie Wines was the perfect example.

"You want young players, and Ollie is a young player, to lose a bit of the puppy fat and turn it into muscle,'' Hinkley said. ``And that's what most young players do.

"Not just Ollie, but every young player: Jake Neade would have done the same. That's just the way it goes.

"Ideally, every player would have really low `skinnies' (skin fold measurements) and more muscle.

Matt White on the run from Nathan Gordon. Picture: Colleen Petch. Source: News Corp Australia

"All I can tell you is what the numbers tell me and the numbers tell me that we're 0.6 kilos heavier over the squad.

"That's where we're at. We're not lighter.''

Hinkley's comments come as the Power prepares to play the Crows at Football Park today, and it has not been viewed as the ideal programming.

Hinkley can't wait to begin coaching again as he returns to the box against former colleague Phil Walsh.

But in a typically frank assessment, he would prefer not to play against the Crows in the pre-season.

Hinkley's message to the AFL is to protect the value of the Showdowns and keep them for the main season, when they can be built up properly and stir the emotions of football followers in South Australia.

He would rather travel to Melbourne for the final practice match than to face Adelaide during the pre-season.

"I'm not a fan of it (pre-season Showdowns),'' Hinkley said. ``I think it (a regular Showdown) is a great game, a marquee game for the state and we should protect it as much as we possibly can and put it out there when it's significant.

"I'm not sure we need one know. It's a national competition and we travel every second week. No big deal. I said the same thing to (AFL chief executive) Gillon McLachlan: if we travel one week out (from the season), we can do it one year and somebody else could do it the next.

"My view is that the Showdown should be protected.''

Hinkley would also prefer to play at Adelaide Oval, the new home of football in Adelaide, than return to Football Park.

Originally published as Hinkley wants bulked up Power

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Which AFL players are owed a beer?

Which way to the bar? Chris Judd leaves the AFL tribunal. Source: News Limited

CHRIS Judd needs to start a tab.

That's the main conclusion to draw after Brent Harvey revealed he made good on his promise to buy Joel Selwood a drink following last year's dramatic tribunal hearing.

The drink was payback after the Cats skipper gave evidence that helped Boomer beat a rough conduct charge from their semi-final.

"I felt a trickle. I wasn't sure if it was sweat or blood," Selwood told the hearing last September, adding he could not recall feeling any impact to the head.

The result? Harvey walked free to play in the preliminary final.

Based on that precedent, the Carlton champ could be handing his credit card over the bar.

Chris Judd owes Campbell Brown

Judd, then a West Coast star, was cleared of an ugly eye-gouging charge in 2007 due in large part to evidence from the alleged victim, who was then playing for Hawthorn.

Brown later admitted in a TV interview he lied to get Judd off.

"He obviously wanted to get off, I wanted him to get off, everyone wanted him to get off," Brown told On The Couch. "I tried to do the right thing, which I think all players should try and do. We don't want to see a player get rubbed out."

The AFL didn't see it that way, fining Brown $15,000.

Campbell Brown cops a poke in the eye. Source: News Limited

Chris Judd owes Matthew Pavlich

In 2010 Judd again escaped suspension when the match review panel ruled an elbow to Matthew Pavlich's face was below the force required for a reportable offence, despite Pavlich requiring five staples to close the wound.

We're not sure if Pav gave evidence that helped clear Judd but given the Carlton skipper went on to win the Brownlow a few weeks later, he can shout a beer for the Dockers champ.

Gary Ablett owes Liam Picken

Brownlow eligibility was in the headlines again last year when Gary Ablett came under scrutiny for elbowing Bulldogs tagger Liam Picken with grainy footage appearing to show contact to the head of the Bulldogs tagger.

As the footy world sweated on the outcome, Picken told the MRP he felt contact to the body. Ablett was cleared and punters (and SuperCoach players) breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Six weeks later Brent Macaffer drove Ablett's shoulder into the ground, ending his season and his Brownlow dream (just).

Gary Ablett had a tough day against Liam Picken. Picture: Adam Head Source: News Corp Australia

Steve Johnson owes Scott Thompson

Maybe Selwood's act of sportsmanship was payback itself for a similar act by North Melbourne defender Scott Thompson a month earlier.

Steve Johnson beat a kneeing charge after Thompson revealed he was playing with a guard to protect a broken rib, which explained his exaggerated reaction to contact from the Geelong star.

"I didn't think it was much force, but obviously got the spot where my previous injury was," Thompson said.

Johnson, facing the tribunal for the 16th time, beat a two-match ban and walked from AFL House a free man.

Paul Van der Haar owes Dermott Brereton a beer (maybe)

Turning back the clock, the high-flying Essendon forward might find it in his heart to thank Dermie for helping him beat a striking charge in 1989 — but if he doesn't, that's fair enough too.

Vander was originally suspended for three weeks for striking Hawthorn ruckman Greg Dear in the second semi-final, but the ban was overturned because Van Der Haar was still feeling the effects of being smashed into next week by a vicious Brereton bump 90 seconds earlier.

The big Bomber was cleared by the tribunal but missed the preliminary final anyway with concussion. Essendon lost that game, setting up arguably the greatest Grand Final of all time — one in which Brereton would again play a central role.

A relieved Paul Vander Haar with coach Kevin Sheedy at the tribunal in 1989. Source: Supplied

Originally published as Which AFL players are owed a beer?

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Selwood, Danger to stretch legs

Joel Selwood and Patrick Dangerfield may lock horns on Thursday night. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Corp Australia

JOEL Selwood and Patrick Dangerfield are set to return for their first games of the pre-season as Geelong prepare to host Adelaide in Thursday night's NAB Challenge clash.

Selwood didn't play for Geelong against Gold Coast, but looks set to return for his team's home clash at Simonds Stadium.

Former Demon Sam Blease could make his debut for the Cats after being named in the Geelong squad. But there's still no Steve Johnson, and big men Rhys Stanley, Hamish McIntosh and Nathan Vardy are all still missing.

Patrick Dangerfield, Richard Douglas, Sam Jacobs, David Mackay and Brodie Smith have been named in Adelaide's squad of 29 after missing NAB 1 against the Kangas.

FREE DRINKS: 'BOOMER' SHOUTS SELWOOD

INJURED: THOMPSON'S HAMMY BLOW

However it's not all good news for the Crows, with veteran midfielder Scott Thompson in doubt for the season-opener on April 5.

The club revealed he has injured his hamstring at training and could miss Adelaide's Round 1 clash with North Melbourne.

Former Hawk Luke Lowden (left) and Scott Thompson won't play against the Cats, with Thompson in doubt for Round 1 with a hamstring injury. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Corp Australia

GEELONG

2. Billie Smedts

3. Jimmy Bartel

4. Andrew Mackie

5. Nakia Cockatoo

7. Harry Taylor

9. James Kelly

11. Darcy Lang

12. Sam Blease

13. Tom Lonergan

14. Joel Selwood

15. Dean Gore

16. Dawson Simpson

19. Mitch Clark

21. Jordan Murdoch

22. Mitch Duncan

23. Josh Caddy

24. Jed Bews

25. Jared Rivers

26. Tom Hawkins

27. Mathew Stokes

28. Cory Gregson

29. Cameron Guthrie

31. Jordan Cunico

32. Steven Motlop

33. George Horlin-Smith

35. Jarrad Jansen

39. Shane Kersten

44. Corey Enright

46. Mark Blicavs

Cats recruit Sam Blease may step out in the blue and white hoops for the first time. Picture: Mark Dadswell Source: News Corp Australia

ADELAIDE

1. James Podsiadly

2. Brad Crouch

4. Josh Jenkins

7. Nathan van Berlo

8. Mitch Grigg

9. Rory Sloane

10. Matthew Jaensch

11. Matthew Wright

12. Daniel Talia

13. Taylor Walker

14. David Mackay

15. Kyle Hartigan

16. Luke Brown

17. Sam Kerridge

18. Eddie Betts

23. Charlie Cameron

24. Sam Jacobs

25. Kyle Cheney

26. Richard Douglas

27. Tom Lynch

28. Cam Ellis-Yolmen

29. Rory Laird

31. Jarryd Lyons

32. Patrick Dangerfield

33. Brodie Smith

36. Brodie Martin

43. Reilly O'Brien

45. Ricky Henderson

47. Jake Kelly

Originally published as Selwood, Danger to stretch legs

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hartlett’s groin injury ‘not ideal’

Hamish Hartlett is in doubt for Round 1 with a thigh injury. Photo Sarah Reed Source: News Corp Australia

PORT Adelaide midfielder Hamish Hartlett's pre-season appears over and his place in the Power's opening-round clash with Fremantle is in question after lasting just 15 minutes of Sunday's NAB Challenge opener against West Coast.

Stand-in Power coach Matthew Nicks described Hartlett's groin injury – noted after he tried to kick the ball from deep defence – as "not ideal for his preparation".

ANALYSIS: GRAY ADDS VIBRANCY TO PRACTICE MATCH

"But he seems to think he will not be out of the game for long," Nicks said after Port Adelaide's 40-point win against the makeshift Eagles at Norwood Oval. "It was during a kick – and it might be from scar tissue (from surgery) .

"Fingers crossed, it is only a week or two," added Nicks who will continue coaching the Power next weekend in the NAB Challenge clash against Richmond in Albury before handing the job back to Ken Hinkley in the pre-season closer against Adelaide at Football Park.

Port's trademark quick-running and long-kicking game was not suited to the tight Norwood Oval yesterday, but Nicks measured the Power's success on contested football measuring sticks.

Port won the contested-ball count 75-71 and the clearances 22-19.

"That match shows the contested side of our game – and that's where we rate ourselves, on our in-and-under(football)," Nicks said.

\"We matched them in that area for the game – and that inside game was our focus coming in.

"We knew West Coast was coming off two games (after playing Carlton) while – and you can say what you like – when we have not had a real hit-out at the top AFL level, there is a bit of rust there when it comes to that hard ball. Our guys stood up early and held that throughout the game."

West Coast reported its own injury count with left-footer Xavier Ellis suffering a left-hamstring strain and Sharrod Wellingham sidelined by a corkie.

Coach Adam Simpson left The Parade preferring to see the Eagles' "glass half full, so I'm not too concerned about the result."

Originally published as Hartlett's groin injury 'not ideal'

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hey, they’re no second-string Suns

Dion Prestia and a host of teammates are aiming for Round 1. Picture: David Clark Source: News Corp Australia

GOLD Coast are set to pick their strongest NEAFL side ever this week in a bid to get a host of senior stars ready for the start of the AFL premiership.

The Suns' NEAFL side plays a scratch match against Southport at Metricon Stadium on Saturday and as many as 10 players from the likely Round 1 side will take part.

Of the players yet to make a NAB Challenge appearance, Stephen May (knee), Rory Thompson (foot), Dion Prestia (hamstring) and Sam Day (knee) will all play.

Steven May is set to play in the NEAFL. Picture: Glenn Hampson Source: News Corp Australia

Michael Rischitelli, Jarrod Harbrow, Luke Russell and Alex Sexton who played in the opening week win against Geelong before being rested for the loss to GWS in Sydney on Saturday are also likely to play against the Sharks.

Ruckman Tom Nicholls, who made his first appearance in nine months in Sydney will back-up again.

Jaeger O'Meara (both knees) and Aaron Hall (groin) will also come under consideration.

If O'Meara does not quite convince the conditioning staff he is ready to play in the NEAFL this week, he is considered a certain starter for the match against the Lions.

That decision will be made after the main training session of the week on Thursday.

The Suns had a wretched run with injuries over the pre-season and have struggled to pick sides in the first two weeks of the NAB Challenge but are suddenly a realistic chance of being close to full strength for the start of the season.

Only ruck forward Charlie Dixon (foot) has been definitively ruled out for the premiership opener against Melbourne at the MCG on April 4. The Suns final Nab Challenge game is against Brisbane at Metricon Stadium on Friday March 20.

Suns football manager Marcus Ashcroft said the side that runs out against the Lions is likely to be the same to kick off the season.

Skipper Gary Ablett will make his first appearance of the year that day.

"It is all timing, we had too many in the rehab group pre and post Christmas but the medical and conditioning staff have managed to get most of the boys ready to go in time,'' he said.

"There are obviously guys who haven't played any footy at all and then there are also guys who haven't played a lot of game time so the next two weeks is really important for us.

"We need to get our preparation right for round one."

The Suns have a few minor injury concerns from the match against GWS.

Josh Hall has a strained neck and Andrew Boston suffered a slight concussion.

While Hall has played twice and is likely to sit-out this weekend, there is a desire to get Boston out there against Southport.

"Boston is one who needs some footy, he has got to go through the concussion testing so we will see how he goes during the week,'' Ashcroft said.

Originally published as Hey, they're no second-string Suns

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Crows turn to Aish as target

Brisbane youngster James Aish is high on the Crows' wish-list. Picture: Darren England Source: News Corp Australia

JAMES Aish is understood to have moved to the top of the Crows' recruiting wishlist after they missed out on Giants star Jeremy Cameron.

Adelaide is poised to continue to be aggressive in its pursuit of a big fish from a rival club, despite it still having to close business deals for two of its own stars – gun midfielders Patrick Dangerfield and Rory Sloane.

And Croweater Aish, whose family is football royalty in SA and who falls out of contract at Brisbane at the end of the season, now sits at the top of the pecking order.

Aish, 20, has so far resisted the Lions' attempts to re-sign him, although they are reportedly set to offer the dual Norwood premiership midfielder – nephew of 1981 Magarey Medallist Michael Aish – a lucrative, new three-year deal worth about $1.2 million at the end of the month.

This is a figure the Crows should be able to blow out of the water.

Adelaide yesterday refused to confirm its interest in Giants key forward Cameron, who has signed a five-year, $4 million deal to stay in Sydney.

A club spokesman said "our club doesn't discuss ongoing contract negotiations about its players or talk about rival players in a public forum. That's not the way we do business''.

But industry sources say the Crows were one of up to a dozen clubs queuing for Cameron's prized signature and first made contact with his management team midway through last season as they look to replace their former gun forward Kurt Tippett, who joined Sydney in 2012.

Reports of Adelaide offering the 21-year-old Cameron a mega seven-year, $7 million deal – such as that handed to former Giants forward Tom Boyd by the Western Bulldogs last season – are wrong.

However they did throw plenty of money at the athletic left-footer, who has kicked 120 goals in 51 games and was an All-Australian in 2013.

Victorian Cameron's decision to re-sign with GWS was the second recruiting blow suffered by the Crows in a week.

On Monday, former Adelaide key defender Phil Davis inked a two-year contract extension with the Giants, where he is co-captain.

The Crows had been hoping to entice him back to the club at the end of the year, despite the fact he walked out on them to join GWS in 2011.

Adelaide head of football David Noble admitted the club's interest in Davis "because of his size, nature and position he plays''.

Noble said the Crows had "100-odd expat SA guys on our books all the time'', including Aish, who played 21 games in his debut season last year after being selected at pick seven at the 2013 national draft.

Adelaide has displayed plenty of aggression in the recruiting market since losing Tippett. It responded by signing brilliant small forward Eddie Betts from Carlton as a free agent at the end of 2013 and he had a standout first year at the Crows, leading the club's goalkicking with 51.

Under new coach Phil Walsh and new chief executive Andrew Fagan, Adelaide has been instructed to be even more aggressive with its recruiting.

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Walsh, Crows usher in new era

Phil Walsh feels right at home in the Crows' senior coaching role. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Corp Australia

PHIL Walsh walked across the ground to the coach's box at Port Lincoln last week looking every bit a prize fighter: veins visible around his face, head forward and a brisk intent in his step.

He looked like he'd done 50 push-ups just to warm up and get ready for the occasion of being a senior AFL coach for the first time, even though it was only a practice match hiding under the banner of a NAB Challenge label.

But for all of that, the Crows looked like a smooth transition had been made since Brenton Sanderson departed at the end of last year.

Taylor Walker, the Crows' new captain, had a similarly stern look on his face as the players ran out. The former captain, Nathan van Berlo, looked like he had a far more relaxed outlook ahead of the game.

And Walker played like a captain. He set up Tom Lynch for a shot for goal in the first quarter, selflessly palmed off hand passes and laid shepherds and made it clear it was more about the Crows than about him.

Walsh, having had a minute of reflection afterwards, reckoned Walker had just about taken it a step too far. Had he not worried so much about being a leader he might not have forgottten about being the star player he can be in his own right. Like the trackmen say, he'll be better for the run.

Taylor Walker was unselfish in his first game as skipper. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Corp Australia

Walsh was relaxed afterwards.

He'd had a small win, was annoyed by letting the Kangaroos dominate him in the last quarter, but displayed a sense of perspective.

But Walsh wouldn't be anywhere else, and he was not overwhelmed.

"This is what I like doing,'' Walsh said. "I've got a great coaching group and they gave me some great support.

"It was the first time we've been in the heat of the battle together.''

As green as the coaching group is together, there are links to the past. David Noble, the club's head of football, is as shrewd as they come and he had worked both as an assistant coach and list manager.

The Crows have given him more responsibilities each year, and he has now become the mortar that holds together the bricks as a new house is being built.

But Walsh has also sought to fast-track the new coaching group.

One of his methods has been to have match simulation among the coaches while the players have match simulation at West Lakes.

"As soon as I got with this group we sat down and watched a couple of games,'' Walsh said. "Just so that they could see how I liked to coach and what I demanded on game day.

"Today (last Sunday) went pretty smoothly but we'll review that as well.''

Much has changed at Football Park since Walsh came across.

There is still a display photo of Nathan van Berlo at the training headquarters, but "VB'' is no longer the captain.

Despite that, Van Berlo is back after a year on the sidelines because of a ruptured Achilles tendon.

And he's looking himself again, fit as a sheep dog and without a bad word about no longer being the skipper.

If anything, he will be Walker's greatest ally as the new captain learns to deal with the off-field responsibilities that come with one of South Australia's most coveted roles.

Walsh could not speak more highly of Van Berlo.

"He's a leader around the club,'' Walsh said. "He wants to get people to follow in the direction the club wants to go. It's great to see him up and about.''

Nathan van Berlo is back for the Crows. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Corp Australia

Adelaide was at a critical junction at the end of last year. Finals had been missed, the coach was gone and all of this was happening as the other South Australian club — Port Adelaide — was on a sharp upward curve and shaping as a premiership contender.

The coach was sacked, chief executive Steven Trigg departed for Carlton, there was a reshuffling of staff and roles and former champion Mark Ricciuto joined the board and had an immediate influence.

What was most striking about the Crows in their first hit-out — a match with no ramifications — was that here was a settled club, which defied the odds.

Behind the scenes, new chief executive Andrew Fagan was as calm and composed as somebody who had been in the job for years, and he has been in sports administration for most of his working life.

Walsh walked casually thought the township the day after the game, wearing his normal gear rather than the Crows-issue uniform, and showed another side of himself to the Port Lincoln community.

In front of the camera, he comes across — and can be — as intense as they come, but there's a pragmatic side to Walsh that is putting not only the assistant coaches and the players at ease.

Yes, he will be furiously demanding, but he is also unafraid to show his human side.

The players, too, showed another side after they played their first practice match. A few new names were on display, and ruckman Reilly O'Brien was one of the best as Sam Jacobs watched the game from the stands.

He played a manful game, but he did miss a sitter from a set shot that had his teammates cracking up.

The best part was his reaction the next day. When he caught up with the Sunday Mail, he was congratulated on his good game but was also asked about his kick.

The teammates around him nodded at one another and said: "We wondered how long it would take,'' they said as they had another laugh.

The best part was that O'Brien had the good grace to laugh at himself and move on.

For all the intensity that has been brought to West Lakes under Phil Walsh, it is the balance of light and shade that is the most promising sign for the Crows ahead of season 2015.

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

New-look Wines works to new Port dimension

A leaner looking kicking the footy at training. Photo: Dean Martin. Source: News Limited

Wines handballs during a drill. Photo: Dean Martin. Source: News Limited

OLLIE Wines not only has a new look - with a leaner body - but also a new outlook on how he is to play extra roles in the Port Adelaide midfield this season.

"Our midfield these days is running so deep - the competition for spots is one of the highest in the AFL - so you can't be just an inside player here," Wines said yesterday as he explained the motivation that sparked a major rethink on his preparation for the 2015 season.

Wines, 20, last season matched captain Travis Boak as a key spark in the Power midfield by constantly putting his head over the ball to win possession for the "outside" midfielders. Now, Wines wants to be able to switch-hit between inside and outside midfield play.

"You need to have more than one string to your bow," he said.

To achieve his goal, Wines left Alberton to return to his country Victoria home - after the Power's preliminary final loss to eventual AFL premier Hawthorn - determined to change his body. By the AFL guide, Wines has lost two kilograms - 94 to 92 - but he says the more meaningful measure is the skinfold count that highlights he has converted fat to muscle.

"I've lost a lot of weight during the off-season - and that helped me get through the running (program designed by fitness coach Darren Burgess," Wines said at Alberton today.

"And as pre-season has gone on we have ramped up weights so I've put on muscle and lost fat. I think I am a lot leaner which is helping with my running ability. I don't have specifics (on weight loss) but my skinfolds have gone down by a fair bit and that is the indicator we use at our club."

It also has helped add an extra dimension to Wines game allowing him to convert - when Hinkley and midfield coach Michael Voss need change-up systems in the Power engine room - from an inside midfielder to an outside runner.

"As the game is evolving and getting a lot quicker, you can't be that plod-around midfielder," Wines said.

"Losing that extra bit of weight makes sure I won't be that one-dimensional player and lets me get outside the contest and get that outside ball that can really add to my game.

"It means I won't always play inside. I can go to a wing, play a more outside role and not only play offence but also defensively shut down the opposition when they get out on us.

"I've put more muscle on and lost fat so it is a lot easier to run when you are not carrying that extra weight in fat - and I've increased my strength," added Wines whose famous thick thighs have not lost any definition.

"That's from hard work and not eating much. Mum ramped up the diet back home (in country Victoria) when I was there for two months. Combine that with the hard work 'Burgo' sets us in the off-season ... plus dedication and the professionalism expected from the players here."

ends

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Wines a lean-mean midfield machine

Ollie Wines cuts through a Robbie Gray tackle at Alberton. Photo: Sarah Reed. Source: News Corp Australia

PORT Adelaide midfielder Ollie Wines is leaner — and meaner. And the young heartbeat of the Power engine room also is becoming a more-complete player as the competition intensifies for a place in Ken Hinkley's starting midfield rotations.

Most notable from Wines in the Power's internal hit-out at Alberton Oval on Friday night was the new lean look with the 20-year-old midfielder.

MORE: AFL summer transformations

Wines today revealed he has replaced fat with muscle after a determined personal campaign to change his shape in the off-season. He says he is not sure how many kilograms have been shed off his frame, but his skinfolds — the measure of how much fat he is carrying — have markedly fallen during the off-season.

But his famous thick thighs remain. By the AFL Record official guide, Wines' weight listing is 92 kilograms after being 94 kilograms in 2014.

"I've lost a lot of weight during the off-season — and that helped me get through the running (program designed by fitness coach Darren Burgess," Wines said at Alberton today.

"And as pre-season has gone on we have ramped up weights so I've put on muscle and lost fat. I think I am a lot leaner which is helping with my running ability. I don't have specifics (on weight loss) but my skinfolds have gone down by a fair bit and that is the indicator we use at our club."

It also has helped add an extra dimension to Wines game allowing him to convert — when Hinkley and midfield coach Michael Voss need change-up systems in the Power engine room — from an inside midfielder to an outside runner.

"I've put more muscle on and lost fat so it is a lot easier to run when you are not carrying that extra weight in fat — and I've increased my strength," Wines said. "That's from hard work and not eating much. Mum ramped up the diet back home (in country Victoria) when I was there for two months. Combine that with the hard work 'Burgo' sets us in the off-season ... plus dedication.

"As the game is evolving and getting a lot quicker, you can't be that plod around midfielder. Losing that extra bit of weight makes sure I won't be that one-dimensional player and lets me get outside the contest and get that outside ball that can really add to my game."

Port Adelaide opens its three-game NAB Challenge series against West Coast at The Parade on Sunday afternoon.

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

AFL silent on review of Bombers’ saga

AFL chief Gillon McLachlan and chairman Mike Fitzpatrick. Picture: Nicole Garmston Source: News Corp Australia

THE findings of an internal review into the AFL's handling of the Essendon drugs scandal remain a mystery — 13 months after it was announced.

An AFL Commission-led probe into how the league dealt with the saga was trumpeted by former league boss Andrew Demetriou in February last year.

Asked about the progress of the review on Monday, an AFL spokesman said: "This review is ongoing in light of the fact that the Essendon matter is ongoing.

"It would be inappropriate to finalise any sort of review while the Essendon matter is still to be resolved."

Quizzed on the review last April, AFL Commission chairman Mike Fitzpatrick said: 'I've got a very good sense of the shape of it, but it would be a bit premature to announce it today".

Last August, the AFL said it would release the review's findings at the completion of Essendon's Federal Court fight against the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority.

The court stoush officially ended on Friday when Bombers coach James Hird opted not to seek special leave to appeal his case against ASADA to the High Court of Australia.

The AFL anti-doping tribunal will hand down its verdict in ASADA's two-year pursuit of 34 former and current Essendon players later this month.

Demetriou in 2013 hailed the AFL-ASADA joint investigation into Essendon as the "template" of future drugs probes.

But his replacement, Gillon McLachlan, has conceded lessons over process and transparency have been learnt.

"You wouldn't do it the same way," McLachlan said last year.

The AFL review followed a series of revelations surrounding backroom dealings between the former Gillard government, AFL executives and ASADA officials throughout the Essendon investigation.

"We always review what we do and the commission has undertaken to review the length of time the entire investigation took and a number of the issues," Demetriou said when announcing the review last February.

The AFL handed down unprecedented penalties for governance breaches, which included removing Essendon from the 2013 finals series, in August 2013

It was revealed in December 2013 that Australian Sports Commission chairman John Wylie had been drafted in, with the approval of Fitzpatrick, to help convince Hird to accept a 12-month AFL-imposed ban.

Hird was offered a series of inducements including "an outstanding career development opportunity'' in return for dropping legal action against the league.

Originally published as AFL silent on review of Bombers' saga

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Is concussed Crow ducking mad?

Bad news for Crows fans as Adelaide's Tom Lynch goes down injured once again due to a head injury.

Tom Lynch is helped off the ground after collision with Jack Ziebell. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Corp Australia

IT'S a reflex action which has the potential to land Adelaide forward Tom Lynch in hospital with serious injuries.

Lynch was felled during Adelaide's 10-point NAB Challenge win against North Melbourne trying to duck a Jack Ziebell tackle.

The 23-year-old took no further part in the match after being stretchered from the field for the second time in as many appearances.

The incident is likely to reignite the debate about players ducking their head to avoid front on contact.

Crows' medical staff stabilise Tom Lynch's neck. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

Despite being cleared of any serious injury, Lynch is likely to miss Adelaide's next NAB Challenge assignment against Geelong on March 12.

Ziebell was cleared by the AFL match review panel today after it ruled the high contact was caused by circumstances outside of his control.

Richmond utility Steven Morris was also cleared by the MRP while Kangaroo Lindsay Thomas was fined $1000 for rough conduct.

Tom Lynch being stretchered from the Gabba. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

Under strict AFL rules against ducking, umpires are told to call play on where a player ducks into a tackle and is the cause of high contact.

If the player is then tackled he will have to dispose of the ball properly to not be penalised.

Lynch was floored in Round 20 last year, charging headfirst into Brisbane defender Justin Clarke.

Lynch was initially diagnosed with concussion, but pain in his arms prompted further scans including an MRI which revealed "minor" fractures in the C7 and T1 vertebrae.

Lynch was forced to wear a neck brace for six weeks.

Tom Lynch helped from the ground after colliding with Demons Alex Georgiou and Jack Viney. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Corp Australia

Former Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson defended Lynch at the time for being unfairly criticised for ducking.

"Don't forget against Melbourne (in Round 7) when he came out and lifted his head he got his jaw smashed in half,'' he said.

Lynch missed seven games with a broken jaw after being crunched by Jack Viney.

His latest mishap comes just weeks after Adelaide defender Brent Reilly was placed in intensive care with a fractured skull.

Reilly, 31, suffered several breaks to his skull after a teammate's knee struck him on the side of the head during a training drill.

Thankfully, Reilly is on the mend and returned to the club last week. His playing future remains up in the air.

Originally published as Is concussed Crow ducking mad?

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Wagner could make push for AFL with Power

Johann Wagner working hard on the ropes in Dubai. Photo: Sarah Reed. Source: News Corp Australia

JOHANN Wagner might be more than just, as Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley puts it, "the winner of the prize''.

The inaugural winner of Foxtel's Australian Football reality show The Recruit, Wagner's rookie listing by the Power was viewed by some as little more than a publicity stunt.

But the 24-year-old Port Lincoln product showed in Friday night's intra-club practice match at Alberton Oval that he has some genuine talent and might eventually push for an AFL game.

"He looked really lively, didn't he?,'' Hinkley said after Wagner booted two goals and stood out with his explosive running.

"A couple of times he certainly looked like he can play a bit of football.

"The hard part for him is that he spent most of the summer hoping that he could probably prove to people that he is not just the winner of the prize, that he is actually worthy and capable of doing something and I think tonight he showed a bit of that.''

Wagner, well built at 189cm and 86kg, outran some of his decorated teammates and in one exciting passage of play ran at full speed for about 40 metres to get on the end of a chain of handballs to run into an open goal.

"That's his weapon, his ability to run and get separation from his opponent as a half-forward,'' Hinkley said.

"You can see him playing that position and running up and down the ground and getting away from his opponents quite regularly.''

Wagner, who played under-18s SANFL football for Woodville-West Torrens and two league matches for Central District before signing for The Recruit, is expected to spend his first year on am AFL list refining his game in the SANFL with the Port Magpies.

But Hinkley appears confident that he could eventually push for an AFL spot, despite his unconventional path to the top.

"The SANFL is where he's going to start obviously and he'll try to build his way up into form to give him a chance of being considered for the AFL,'' Hinkley said.

"Each game is going to be a bonus for him and it's just a matter of how much he (can improve).

"He's just settling into AFL football to be honest and has battled with his body at times.

"But just in the past three or four weeks he's started to get control of the intensity we train at and every session having to back it up.

"What he has been able to show is that he's got some real talent and now he's got the opportunity he's got to make the most of it."

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Let’s change the footy drug laws

Former ASADA boss Richard Ings says the length of time taken for ASADA to bring charges showed red tape needed to be cut. Source: News Corp Australia

THE AFL is expected to demand big changes to the way ASADA deals with professional team sports, but has vowed to stick with the anti-doping watchdog.

A third AFL season could be badly damaged by the Essendon drugs saga, as 34 current and former Bombers await their fate at the hands of the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal.

The Herald Sun understands there have been high-level talks at AFL House regarding how the league could best proceed with its anti-doping code when the Essendon case finally concludes.

DANK REMAINS UNREPENTANT

There has been speculation the league could walk away from the Federal Government spots drug watchdog ASADA and enforce its own rules.

With the league's anti-doping tribunal expected to deliver a verdict later this month, AFL general counsel Andrew Dillon — the league's executive in charge of integrity matters — told the Herald Sun the AFL was committed to the national and international authorities.

"The AFL will continue to be signatories to the ASADA and WADA code," Dillon said.

"We remain committed to the anti-doping code in its strongest forms."

WADA Director General David Howman meets with then Sports Minister Senator Kate Lundy in 2013. Source: News Limited

WADA director general David Howman said any break from the WADA rule book would be a bad look for footy.

"I think it sends a terrible message," he said. "It sends all the wrong messages to kids and to other sports."

Much of the current frustration with ASADA has been because of the length of time taken to bring matters to a head and that its regulations are better geared to deal with Olympic and individual sports.

It is understood that the AFL will insist on an overhaul of the system so it is better able to cope with the demands of professional and highly commercial team sports.

Former ASADA boss Richard Ings said the length of time taken for ASADA to bring charges showed red tape needed to be cut.

"While the AFL would be well advised to continue adopting the WADA code, that does not mean that it has to ­accept the status quo in its dealings with ASADA and government that has seen these matters drag on publicly for three seasons," Ings said.

"That we are three seasons into a process that has every probability of dragging into a fourth season is indicative of the massive room for red tape reduction in streamlining Australia's anti-doping processes."

The league was reluctant to hand over control to the anti-doping authority in 2005 but risked losing about $3 million in funding if it did not.

The AFL has already made changes to its anti-doping code that go beyond the WADA prohibited list. Last year, it enforced its own prohibited treatment list — banning drugs such as failed anti-obesity peptide AOD-9604 and other substances linked to the Essendon saga.

grant.baker@news.com.au

Originally published as Let's change the footy drug laws

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More