Be consistent: Collins

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"The million dollar fine was the thing for us.

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

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

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Roos chief coup

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

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

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

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

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

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

More news- the Department of Trades

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Recuperation tests O'Meara's patience

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Nixon wary of private deals

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

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

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

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

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

The difference will be they will handshake deals.

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

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

And then clubs will back themselves to keep them.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Tippett trade crisis grows

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More news- the Department of Trades

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This defence challenges accusations Adelaide tampered with the draft.

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Trigg denies legal action threat

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Lions race to finish Martin deal

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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North awaits Hansen finding

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Tippett deal 'on'

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Three-way deal hits snag

Could the Brisbane Lions be going cold on Stefan Martin? Source: Herald Sun

A THREE-WAY deal delivering Stefan Martin, Ben Jacobs and Cameron Pedersen to their clubs of choice has been stalled by Brisbane's cold feet and Melbourne's meagre compensation selection.

Brisbane's reluctance to part with pick 33 for Demon utility Martin is the latest snag as Friday's 2pm deadline looms.

The potential deal could have seen Martin traded to Brisbane for 33, which the Demons could have given to the Roos for Pedersen, who could have on-traded it in the deal for homesick Port player Jacobs.

It loomed as the most likely deal to solve the trade impasse, but despite hosting Martin this week Brisbane does not believe he is worth that selection.

Melbourne had hoped even without the three-club traded it could have used its compensation deal to lure Pedersen.

Melbourne's compensation selection for Brent Moloney and Jared Rivers is only 49, which the Roos know is not enough for them to use to get Jacobs.

The Demons' next pick is 49, because they have already committed pick 27 to father-son pick Jack Viney.

Even if Melbourne would accept 49 for Pedersen, the Power want much more for Jacobs.

Port Adelaide wants North Melbourne's pick 15 for Jacobs given he was a former No.16 selection, but North won't give that up.

Melbourne also wants contracted midfielder Farren Ray, but St Kilda might have to decide if it will accept a late pick from the Demons as they have little else to give.

Meanwhile rival clubs seem to have gone cold on Hawthorn defender Stephen Gilham, which means the Hawks will face a difficult decision on the uncontracted defender.

GWS and Port Adelaide had been linked but neither has been in recent contact with Hawthorn about a trade. St Kilda, looking for a key defender, has already passed on Gilham.

Hawthorn defender Tom Murphy has already gone to the Gold Coast, but the Hawks so far have been non-committal about whether they would offer him another contract.

In a deal finalised yesterday, Koby Stevens is officially a Western Bulldog after his new club and West Coast struck an agreement clearing the midfielder's path to the Whitten Oval.

The Eagles yesterday accepted the Dogs' pick No.44 for the 21-year-old, who played only 11 games in three years at Subiaco Oval.
 

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