Money's on Rich as Lions co-captain

Brisbane Lions star Jonathan Brown reveals he tried to persuade Michael Voss to let him step down from the captaincy for the upcoming season.

Daniel Rich is the favourite to be elevated to co-captain of the Brisbane Lions. Picture: Peter Wallis Source: The Courier-Mail

DANIEL Rich has emerged as the favourite for Brisbane's vacant co-captain role.

Rich, 22, is heavily in the mix alongside vice-captains Daniel Merrett, Jed Adcock and Tom Rockliff to join Jonathan Brown at the helm of the Lions after Brown decided to step down as the club's sole figurehead.

Brisbane players were asked yesterday to nominate their peers for the position. The Lions football department will narrow the field before making a recommendation to the board.

CLICK HERE TO START PICKING YOUR SUPERCOACH SQUAD NOW

Brisbane senior coach Michael Voss declined to identify the leading candidates but said a decision was expected "pretty quickly".

Rich, a former Rising Star winner, has already become one of the faces of the club alongside Brown in a range of promotional materials and is considered by Lions insiders as the member of Brisbane's "generation next" most likely to graduate to the AFL's elite.

Handing him the coveted role would also rule out any possibility of the WA product being lured home in the future.

Brisbane coach Michael Voss talked Jonathan Brown into staying on as captain. Picture: Darren England Source: The Courier-Mail

Brisbane yesterday announced a three-year, seven-figure sponsorship deal with storage company National Storage, which joins Vero Insurance as a co-major sponsor.

The Lions posted a net operating loss of $2,513,262 for the financial year ending October 31, 2012. It was Brisbane's third-straight seven-figure loss.

Brisbane chairman Angus Johnson said the National Storage deal would help turn around the club's bottom line.
 

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Different codes, same drug tests

Karmichael Hunt says the drug testing policies for both AFL and NRL are very similar. Picture: David Clark Source: The Courier-Mail

KARMICHAEL Hunt reckons the stuff he's squirted into bottles over the years would flood Metricon Stadium.

Depending on who you ask, the AFL's illicit drugs policy is the world's best, too lenient on the players, unfair to the clubs or open to rorting.

Ask Hunt and all he'll say is it is extremely thorough. So was the NRL's during his days as a Bronco.

The AFL's policy revolves around target testing.

Players with a previous strike next to their name or who have failed a hair test, which can detect drug use from the previous three months but does not warrant a strike, are target tested.

As are players who develop reputations as party boys.

Even the random tests are calculated with the big guns at each club attracting the most visits from the men with the little plastic bottles.

CLICK HERE TO START PICKING YOUR SUPERCOACH SQUAD NOW

Suns officials say Hunt and superstar skipper Gary Ablett are easily the most tested players at the club each year.

It is the same across the league. And in the NRL where representative stars cop the most attention.

As the most high profile code-swapper in Australian sport, Hunt is better placed than anyone to comment on the thoroughness of our sporting codes testing regimes.

"Mate, they are pretty much the same," he said. "All I know is I get tested a lot and always have. Ever since my second year in league, I couldn't count how many times I've had to do it."

The AFL's drugs policy is considered the best in sport because they led the way in sanctioned out-of-competition testing.

But Hunt said in his NRL days, clubs would conduct their own tests.
 

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Davey back in frame at Dees

Melbourne veteran Aaron Davey turned heads at the club's pre-season training camp in Darwin. Picture: Klein Michael Source: Herald Sun

THE "weight of the world" has been lifted from Aaron Davey's shoulders as he attempts to revive his flagging career this season.

After a slow start to the pre-season, the Melbourne veteran turned heads with his performance on the club's Darwin training camp, thrusting him back into calculations for early-season senior selection.

Davey, 29, has played 19 games in the past two seasons because of knee problems and form lapses.

But Demons vice-captain Nathan Jones said the 2009 best-and-fairest winner could yet play a key role in the Demons reshaped forward line.

"He's had some real injury trouble and he's probably found the pre-season and the workload pretty tough and it's been an area that he's obviously needed to work on," Jones said.

"He's really been trying to work hard on the fitness and get his body right and build the strength back in his legs.

"At the moment, I see him looking refreshed and pretty excited about the year ahead, so it's almost like the weight of the world is off his shoulders." 

CLICK HERE TO START PICKING YOUR SUPERCOACH SQUAD NOW

Davey, who played one game after Round 8 last season against Greater Western Sydney, was subject to intense trade speculation last year. He played only eight games in 2012 and produced his least number of disposals (84) since his 2004 debut season.

Earlier in the club's pre-season campaign, it appeared the 158-gamer had been leapfrogged by the club's influx of recruits and draftees, such as Jack Viney, Jimmy Toumpas, Shannon Byrnes and David Rodan.

But Jones was adamant Davey's fitness has improved since December.

"He started to find some real endurance in training and as long as he starts to get some continuity and confidence back in his body, who knows?" Jones said.

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Buddy suspends contract talks

HAWTHORN superstar Lance Franklin has told the club he will not discuss a new contract until the end of the season, sparking fears he may leave.

Franklin is a restricted free agent at the end of the year, meaning he can entertain offers from rival clubs.

The Hawks said yesterday they made a "very good offer" to Franklin -- understood to have been between $900,000 and $1 million a season for up to four years -- and were stunned when told this week all negotiations were off until the end of September.

The offer also included a healthy slice of the club's marketing allowance.

"Buddy has made it pretty clear he'd prefer to leave the discussions to the end of the 2013 season," Hawthorn's head of football Mark Evans said.

Franklin's manager Liam Pickering said last night: "Buddy has 12 months to go on his contract and he wants to concentrate on playing.

"He said he didn't want the distraction of a contract and he has advised me talks are off until the end of the season.

"He doesn't want to entertain discussions and, whilst Hawthorn aren't happy, that's how it is, unfortunately."

Hawthorn is unable to pay Franklin market value as skipper Luke Hodge and Sam Mitchell are on massive contracts, and Cyril Rioli, Jarryd Roughead, Grant Birchall, Brian Lake, Jordan Lewis and Brad Sewell are on sizeable deals.

Fremantle has been linked to Franklin, though the Dockers have not spoken to Pickering. Last year the Dockers offered Collingwood's Travis Cloke about $1.1 million for five years, but failed to land him. 

CLICK HERE TO START PICKING YOUR SUPERCOACH SQUAD NOW

The expectation is Franklin, who is from Western Australia, would be offered more than Cloke.

The Hawks yesterday confirmed six months of discussions had hit a brick wall this week.

Evans admitted Franklin's decision had rocked the club and already there were fears the constant talk about Franklin's future would become a major distraction, as it did at Collingwood with Cloke.

"It is not an ideal situation because we'd prefer to close off the distraction for Buddy, for the club, for supporters, for Pickers, and have a free run at our 2013 campaign," Evans said.

"We've been having a number of discussions over the past 5 1/2 months, and we've put together what we think is a very good offer, and Pickers is on record as saying it is respectable.

"Obviously, we had a few things to sort out.

"We know our offer is a strong offer, but at the moment it's not that the offer hasn't been accepted or rejected, it's only the discussions have been put off until the end of the season."

The Hawks accept Franklin can explore free agency.

"He's a free agent at the end of 2013 and he's got every right to proceed with contract discussions as he wants to," Evans said.

Despite Franklin's decision to cease discussions, the Hawks said they would endeavour to keep contact.

"We need to make sure we have regular contact with Pickers and Buddy and, should the situation change, our door is open," Evans said.

Pickering also manages Gary Ablett, who left Geelong for Gold Coast after announcing at the start of 2010 that contract talks were on hold until the end of the year.

Greater Western Sydney's Tom Scully said the same, then left Melbourne.

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Carrazzo firms as new Blues leader

Carlton coach Mick Malthouse with captaincy contenders Andrew Carrazzo, Kade Simpson and Marc Murphy at D.O.C Delicatessen in Lygon St. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

THE three contenders for Carlton's captaincy will get a chance to lead the team during the NAB Cup before coach Mick Malthouse makes his decision next month.

The Blues face a tough call on who will succeed Chris Judd, with Andrew Carrazzo in front of Marc Murphy and Kade Simpson.

The decision is seen as critical at a club that according to both former coach Brett Ratten and Malthouse has a host of natural introverts.

The trio will be given their auditions after the Blues' round-robin NAB Cup opener against Greater Western Sydney and Sydney on February 24.

Carlton president Stephen Kernahan said yesterday it was exciting to have so many contenders for the position, while conceding Murphy and Carrazzo were likely to fight out the job.

He said once Malthouse made his decision, it would be ratified by the club board.

"Mick came to us and said, 'That's the way I would like to do it, with the three of them in the NAB Cup'," Kernahan said.

"He will make a call to us and the board will ratify it. Murphy and Carrazzo are probably the favourites, but it's exciting for all three of them.

"Carrazzo is the experienced leader and Murph is the up-and-comer. Juddy will be a hard act to follow and could have done it for as long as he wanted, but we have some really strong senior leadership." 

CLICK HERE TO START PICKING YOUR SUPERCOACH SQUAD NOW

Carrazzo would be a departure from Judd -- the Brownlow medallist led by example and expected his teammates to follow -- and Kernahan praised the tagger's communication skills.

"'Carrots' is a real professional," Kernahan said.

"He has great support from his family (Carrazzo is the father of one-year-old triplets) and it will be interesting to see which one Mick picks. They are all great candidates."

The Blues take on Fremantle and then Adelaide in full-length games before a potential NAB Cup grand final or regional cup game in which the third contender would lead the side.

Carlton's first season under Malthouse will hit its stride from Wednesday's first practice match, with another intra-club game on February 15.

At this stage only Andrew McInnes (knee reconstruction) has been ruled out for Round 1, a far cry from Ratten's final season in which plenty of players entered the season after serious surgeries.

Ratten, sacked for Malthouse last year, said last year the club had psychologically tested its players and felt that many of them went into their shells too often.

Malthouse is known to share that view, which was also voiced towards the end of last season by club legend and former coach Robert Walls.

"One of the problems with Carlton's leadership group, if you want to extend that to your senior eight players who played last night, the majority of them are introverts," Walls said last year.

"(Chris) Judd is not a vocal player, but he does it (lead) by example."

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Daisy in doubt for Round 1

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley reveals star midfielder Dale Thomas is no certainty to be fit for the start of the season following ankle surgery.

Collingwood stars Dale Thomas, Heath Shaw, Dane Swan and Ben Johnson talk shop at training yesterday. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

Injured Collingwood star Dale Thomas remains in doubt for Round 1. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

COLLINGWOOD coach Nathan Buckley has cast doubt over Dale Thomas's availability for Round 1.

The midfielder has yet to resume full training as he recovers from ankle surgery.

The news comes as Buckley accused his onballers of being downhill skiers at times last year.

"He is still a couple of months away," he said of Thomas.

"He will need to get some solid training in and get up to speed before he is ready to play some games of footy, whether that is late in the NAB (Cup) or early in the home-and-away (season) will depend on the speed of his recovery.

"He has had a modified pre-season and has got a lot of fitness work in, but not on legs. So we will have to judge that as we go."

As the Magpies gear up for Round 1 against North Melbourne on March 31, Buckley said yesterday players who could not instil defensive pressure all over the ground would not be selected.

CLICK HERE TO START PICKING YOUR SUPERCOACH SQUAD NOW

Brownlow medallist Dane Swan has been criticised for his one-way running, but Buckley felt he was not alone.

"We were too offensive out of stoppages and with our transitional running at times," he said.

"And not clean enough to support that offence. If we were cleaner and more efficient inside 50, you can run forward all you like. The ball is never going to come back. But when you come up against other sides, the ball comes back at you more often and you need to be able to handle that.

"I believe in team defence. You need 22 players to be defending. We improved our transitional defence as the year went on and we were better for it. We have some real depth now in our squad.

"If you are not going to tip into the defensive aspects, you are going to struggle to get a game of footy for us."

Buckley said the club's review of 2012 also identified the need for a tagger and that the Pies kicked to Travis Cloke to often.

He said the club had scored on only 40 per cent of its inside-50s, despite going to Cloke 80 per cent of the time.

"We need to be more aggressive with our ball movement," he said.

The off-contract Thomas said last week he was in no rush to start negotiating a new deal until he recovered.

But he said he was wary of letting contract talks turn into the "circus" that engulfed Cloke last year.

Buckley said: "We have got about 40 per cent of our list coming out of contract this year and we will deal with those guys, appropriately, at the right times."

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Port to take drug war to new level

Port Adelaide CEO Keith Thomas, left, with new club chairman David Koch. Picture: Simon Cross Source: The Advertiser

PORT Adelaide will seek to re-educate every member of its staff on the use of illicit drugs in a bid to be on the cutting edge in football's war against escalating drug use.

The Power is prepared to go further than the minimum guidelines set by the AFL by including every employee in a program as it aspires to be the healthiest club in the AFL on the back of industry-leading education.

Chief executive Keith Thomas also refused to use the excuse that because society is grappling with a spike of drug use of more than 20 per cent over the past 19 months to two years, football could expect a similar rise.

"As an AFL club, we must aim to set a higher standard than general society in matters such as these," Thomas said.

"We're going to aim to take a harder line on illicit drug use.

"And we're contemplating making this a whole-of-club initiative, so it goes beyond players to all staff and board and that will involve industry-leading education and accountability procedures  ... with a health-first policy.

"That is fundamental to how we want to go about it and consistent with the AFL.

"What we will do now, given that there's so much progress being made on an industry level, is wait until the working party has completed its work, see where the AFL policy lands, then assess that as a club and take it further if we think that's relevant.

"The important part of what we're doing is we're having open discussion through every aspect of our club."

The moves from Port Adelaide come as football shareholders, including all 18 clubs, were rattled by a presentation by Victoria Police at the AFL drug summit at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.

But a recently retired top-echelon player, having read about the discussions, was not surprised by the epidemic.

The player, who declined to be named, said the rise in drug use in the game was an open secret among players.

He described a culture in which:

A CODE of silence still existed in the locker room. "You don't know but you sort of know the players who are using at your club and hear about others from other clubs," he said.

"I mean, you can't tell me the West Coast players didn't know about Ben Cousins after that family day when he turned up in a pretty bad state."

MOBILE phones were running hot with group messages as soon as the AFL drug testers were spotted at the club, giving a heads-up to those wanting to make a run for it. "There are always going to be tip-offs," he said.

PLAYERS in leadership groups are often the last to find out about a big night out because they are considered part of the coaching group.

THERE is no longer a stigma attached to using illicit drugs, except for heroin. "It's seen as natural, like a beer, and nothing to be ashamed about," he said.

EVERY player coming into the AFL system would be offered illicit drugs when they went out, often while intoxicated by alcohol.

DRUG spiking was still a threat. "I've had a drink and realised, hang on, something's not right with this," he said.

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

SuperCoach is back!

Shane Crawford channels his inner Liam Neeson when he discovers Gary Ablett is 'taken' and tries to organise a swap with one of his mates

Shane Crawford can't wait to get stuck into the new SuperCoach season. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

YOU can pick on my height.

You can pot the Hawks, make jokes about my teeth and bag my mother in law. Even my wife is fair game.

But if you beat me in SuperCoach, that's personal.

There's nothing like coming to work on Monday ready to brag about a SuperCoach win, or sending a text message when a mate's captain withdraws the night before our big match-up.

Goodbye tennis, goodbye cricket. SuperCoach is back and I'm so excited to be short-listing my squad for 2013.

Who will be this year's Dayne Zorko? Maybe Jack Viney from Melbourne, son of former champion Todd Viney and tough as nails.

Scroll down to see all the exciting new features of SuperCoach 2013 and Join the live chat with SuperCoach expert Al Paton from noon

Picking the next big thing is one of the keys to the game, and there will be plenty of time to change my mind before the season starts on March 22.

What I'm most excited about is the new option of being part of a SuperCoach draft.

You only have to register once and can play both games for free. How good is that?

CLICK HERE TO START PICKING YOUR SQUAD NOW

I already have my eyes on chief football writer Mark Robinson's every move and can't wait until the Herald Sun experts sit down for an internal draft (I'm picking first because I'm organising the session. Gary Ablett, you're mine.)

In either game, research is the key to picking a successful team. Watch all the NAB Cup games and follow SuperFooty every day for all the latest. Jump on Twitter and Facebook for breaking news and tips and to pick the brains of all the other SuperCoaches out there (I'm at @SCrawf9).

What will Brendon Goddard's role be at the Bombers? Will Brian Lake make an instant impact at the Hawks?

Does Mick Malthouse have the key to unlocking the potential of the Blues, and Jarrad Waite?

COMING UP: To get your SuperCoach team right for 2013 stick with SuperFooty next week and all the way to Round 1 for club-by-club SuperCoach previews, SuperCoach DRAFT player guides, SuperCoach analysis of every NAB Cup and practice match, exclusive videos plus lots more!

Will a slow pre-season for Adam Goodes interrupt his year or will his brother Brett Goodes be a must for all sides as a cheap and classy defender at the Western Bulldogs?

Will Giants forward Jonathon Patton take the competition by storm after his first full AFL pre-season?

All I can say is get involved. It's the best fun you'll have off the footy field.

And make sure you prepare like all the AFL players do to start the year. Because I can assure you I've had the best SuperCoach pre-season ever. So if you have me in your sights this year, you better be ready. In 2013, it's personal.

Join the live chat with SuperCoach expert Al Paton from noon:

Using a mobile device? Click here for a better viewing experience

WHAT'S NEW

New rules - 30 trades, rolling lockout means you won't be caught out by late team changes, smaller squads for bye rounds and a new team structure to better reflect the way the game is played

Relaunch leagues - Send league invites to your opponents from last year with the click of a button. You can even choose who to include and who to leave out.

Take on more mates - In addition to your five private leagues, you can challenge friends on Facebook and Twitter and create or join up to three unlimited size private groups

Intelligent auto-pick - Selecting a competitive squad is even easier. Choose your favourite players and let us fill in the rest.

Plus a refreshed look and feel and lots more - register or login now to explore the 2013 competition!

Join the debate on Facebook at facebook.com/supercoach

SUPERCOACH DRAFT

Take SuperCoach to a new level with a unique private league draft in which each player can only be selected once - if you pick Gary Ablett, none of your mates can have him.

Bargain with friends to complete trade deals between league opponents and make unlimited trades from the free agent pool.

Completely customisable - choose how your league works to suit you

Play alongside your SuperCoach CLASSIC team on the same login

Both games are completely FREE

Herald Sun super coach , Shane Crawford Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

FOUR EASY STEPS

1. Go to www.heraldsun.com.au/supercoach. The login page has more info on how to play and the exciting new 2013 features

2. Click register and fill in your details. Pick a team name and design your own unique guernsey

3. Join or create a private league to play against your friends and family

4. Start picking your squad of 30 AFL players who will score points for you every week

SUPERCOCH GOLD

SuperCoach GOLD helps you to better select and manage your team and make educated coaching decisions through the season. The collection of powerful tools and content provides projections for player scores and value, break-evens, analysis of player stats, player performance indicators, past stats and much more. Sign up now for a free trial.

WIN BIG

$50,000 to top-ranked coach at the end of the season plus $5000 for your local footy club

$1000 for the highest scoring team each round

$10,000 and a two-hour coaching clinic for Australia's top SuperCoach school

Sign up early to win $5000 F1 Adrenaline package including tickets for the winner and three mates to the 2013 Australian Grand Prix, VIP entertainment seats, V8 hot lap and helicopter fly-over

STAY IN THE GAME

Check superfooty.com.au every day for latest news and expert advice

Like SuperCoach on Facebook to join the debate. Go to facebook.com/supercoach
Follow @superfooty on twitter for breaking developments and inside tips. Go to twitter.com/superfooty

CLICK HERE TO START PICKING YOUR SQUAD NOW

Herald Sun SuperCoach 2013 Minimal Terms and Conditions
Open to all Australian residents. Enter from 12:01AM AEDST on 01/02/13, ends at 11:59PM AEST on 01/09/13. Limit 1 entry per person. Entrants must access their home page at least every 30 days or may be disqualified. Overall and weekly winners determined by Vapormedia at Suite 107, 425 Docklands Drive, Docklands VIC 3008 at 10am (local time) on day after completion of each round (weekly winners) and on 02/09/13 (overall and other winners). Weekly Prizes: $1,000 cash. Overall prizes: Competition Major Prize $50,000 cash + $5,000 for local footy club, Website Prizes: up to $5,000 Website Prize for entrants entering via specific websites as set out in full conditions. School Group Prize (other than NSW and ACT schools): $10,000 cash & footy clinic. Weekly winners e-mailed and published online day after completion of each round and in The Australian on dates set out in full conditions, overall winners and other winners e-mailed and published online on 02/09/13 and in The Australian on 04/09/13. Promoter: The Herald and Weekly Times Pty Limited, 40 City Rd, Southbank VIC 3006. Entry and full conditions: www.heraldsun.com.au/supercoach. NSW Permit No. LTPS/13/00586 and ACT Permit No.TP 13/00230

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Drugs double vision

AFL Players Assoc CEO Matt Finnis, Collingwood CEO Gary Pert , AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou and Dr Peter Harcourt. Picture: Mike Keating Source: Herald Sun

TESTING of players for illicit drugs could be doubled for less than $200,000, the AFL says.

AFL medical officer Dr Peter Harcourt is believed to have told Wednesday's drug summit that the cost for each club to fund the move would be $10,000.

The proposal that clubs be given the chance to pay for extra testing received strong support.

In 2011 there were six positive results from 1489 tests conducted.

AFL clubs raised the prospect of funding greater target-testing of players they fear may be taking illicit substances.

The plan has been put to the new AFL working party on drugs, which includes four club CEOs.

Essendon chief executive Ian Robson, a member of the working party, said it would be investigated.

"It was one of the things that was mentioned by Peter Harcourt," Robson said. "We had already flagged that the clubs could be more engaged in the prospect of what target-testing looks like.

"There was a general consensus it might be one of the ways we can continue to focus on improving the policy without compromising what lies at the heart of it - the health and wellbeing of players.

"It is one of the things that emerged as a talking point for the working group. It hasn't been signed off, but it was a proposal put forward and it was welcomed by clubs."

It is understood that if the proposal was adopted, clubs could contact AFL medical officers and request more target tests on certain groups or individuals by contributing to the costs.

Robson said: "If something emerges that clubs might be alarmed by, they would want to be able to respond to that."

But he was insistent that it would be done in partnership with the AFL's illicit drugs policy.

"This would not be a green light for a range of private testing at clubs," Robson stressed.

"I don't think anyone is suggesting that we should tear up the landscape and have 18 illicit drugs policies across the clubs.

"We only want one."

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Lords of the jungle

Brisbane captain Jonathan Brown will share leadership duties this season after threatening to step down during the pre-season. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

JONATHAN Brown contemplated stepping down as Brisbane Lions captain during the off-season but will now share leadership duties at the Gabba.

Brown approached coach Michael Voss at the end of last season and told him he was prepared to walk away from the captaincy.

A series of discussions with Voss produced a leadership model that will keep Brown partially at the helm.

Brown, who was a co-captain in 2007 and 2008 before assuming sole captaincy in 2009, said "the time was right" to step down.

"It's good for the club, good for the players to share the responsibility and good for myself," Brown said.

"We had a few discussions at the end of the year about stepping aside and looking to the future.

"Vossy said he would like me to continue as a captain, but we will bring in a co-captain to bring that next generation through."

Brisbane is yet to appoint the co-captain but vice-captains Daniel Merrett, Jed Adcock and Tom Rockliff are in the mix with midfielder Daniel Rich.

"It's not just restricted to the guys in the leadership group," Brown said.

"There's a few guys that are more than capable of doing it now. They are really ready for it."

Brown, 31, has been captain or co-captain of Brisbane for 112 of his 230 games.

Brown said he contemplated the move well before Carlton's Chris Judd stepped down as Blues skipper late last year.

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More