Hinkley primed for coaching debut

Rival coaches Ken Hinkley and Brendan McCartney at The Oval ahead of tonight's London exhibition match between Port Adelaide and Western Bulldogs. Source: Getty Images

THEY planned premierships together, but today on the other side of the world two former clubmates will be the public faces of the AFL's return to Britain.

Ken Hinkley and Brendan McCartney were part of the coaching panel which engineered two premierships in three years under Mark Thompson at Geelong.

Today Hinkley will be in charge of his first game as Port Adelaide coach, while McCartney will start his second year in the job at the Western Bulldogs in the opposing coach's box at The Oval.

"He is a lot more competitive than he gives up," McCartney said about going up against his former colleague.

"We have both known each other for a long time, we're both competitive people and we want our boys to play well on the weekend.

"We are a bit different and we used to box on a little bit at the old place. He loved some things that I didn't care so much about and things I really like he'd just say that's just part of it."

Hinkley has had a whirlwind introduction to the main gig, being introduced to his players at a training camp in Italy before arriving in London for the exhibition game.

"To get away with the boys to spend some time in Milan and now here in London, it's just a great opportunity to get to know them and your first week of coaching I think the first thing you do need to do is get to know the players that you are going to work with," Hinkley said.

"To be honest, between trying to work out if I was sleeping or standing it has been a bit hard. But we had a training run yesterday and for the first time it felt like I was coaching my team."

Both clubs will field inexperienced line-ups, with Shaun Higgins the Bulldogs' acting captain and Hamish Hartlett tossing the coin for the Power in the 16-man-a-side game.
 

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Hunt free to walk: McKenna

Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna says he would not stop Karmichael Hunt from returning to rugby league if he wanted to. Source: Getty Images

SUNS coach Guy McKenna has revealed he wouldn't block Karmichael Hunt from returning to rugby league if he ever lost interest in AFL.

McKenna, who masterminded Hunt's shock defection from the Brisbane Broncos, conceded he would be disappointed, but would not hold anything against the former Origin star if he had a change of heart.

Hunt has publicly declared his intention to remain in the AFL.

"I would try talk him out of it, but why talk him out of it if that was the case and his heart wasn't in it?," McKenna said.

"Once you've made your mind up its hard to turn them around, but I don't think that is going to happen (with Hunt), that's for sure."

McKenna said Folau's decision to leave AFL demonstrated just how monumental Hunt's rise was.

"K represented Australia (in rugby league) and won titles at the Broncos," McKenna said.

"He was elite at that sport and he came back to be the 700th player in the AFL and has had to work his way through.

"I know we finished 17th last season, but he was in our best midfield most of the year and it's a great testament to his drive and coachability."

McKenna said it was often under estimated how difficult it was to change codes.

"At times I think we do take it a bit for granted what they have to go through," he said.

"You look at K and (Sydney's) Mike Pyke is the same.

"We shouldn't see this lightly and it's massive for these blokes who haven't grown up in the sport."

Hunt has been one of the Suns' strongest performers during a pre-season altitude camp in Arizona.

McKenna praised Folau's decision.

"Only speaking from afar, I take my hat off to him to realise that he has had a go at it and he is more the man to make that courageous decision," he said.
 

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Hird takes aim at slow Ryder

Essendon's pre-season is underway with the Bombers focussing on fitness this summer after fading badly in the second half of the 2012 season and missing the finals.

Dustin Fletcher, Paddy Ryder and Scott Gumbleton during their 2km time trial. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON ruckman Patrick Ryder has already found himself in the crosshairs of coach James Hird after the Bombers yesterday reported for time-trial duty.

Hird, desperate to arm his players with a greater aerobic base this pre-season, was left unimpressed by Ryder's performance at Princes Park.

The 24-year-old finished dead last in one 2km run, despite starting with the lead group in front of several teammates.

"You've got a lot of work to do," Hird told Ryder within earshot of onlookers.

Hird was half-joking, but his intent was clear, even going on to suggest that the pair should swap jobs.

Essendon training this morning. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

One player who didn't need that message was Brent Stanton, who again proved the man to beat.
The endurance machine posted the best times in back-to-back 2km time-trials before declaring the Bombers were "on a mission" to make amends for their dramatic slide this year by returning to the finals.

Hit by a crippling injury list, Essendon lost eight of its last nine games to slip out of the top four, finishing 11th.

Stanton said there was a clear resolve among the players to turn things around next season as they kicked off their pre-season campaign this week.

"We were pretty disappointed in how we finished," Stanton said yesterday.

"We don't stand for that as a football club.

"We felt like we took a few fairly big steps this year, but it's now about maintaining that for 22 rounds rather than 15."

Essendon players hit the pavement this morning as pre-season begins. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

Stanton's vow came as Hird revealed the Bombers would ditch their controversial weight-building blueprint in favour of a more running-oriented program.

"It's their third pre-season with us, so we can put a bit more work into them," Hird said.

"The game changes a little bit; we might go with a little bit more of an aerobic focus."

After starting pre-season training on Thursday, Stanton said he was hoping to set the foundations for a strong pre-season when he headed to Colorado today for a three-week altitude training camp.

The Bombers are sending 10 players, mostly midfielders and including recruit Brendon Goddard, to the camp.
They will assess if it is an option for the whole group next year.

"We've never done it before, so it's going to be a good experience," Stanton said.

"It is going to be a good trip to see what benefits that we do get out of it."

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Door still open for code-hoppers

Lions coach Michael Voss says AFL will quickly move on from Israel Folau's return to rugby league. Source: Getty Images

BRISBANE Lions coach Michael Voss says the AFL should not shut the book on raiding rival sports for athletes, despite the failed Israel Folau experiment.

Folau is set to return to rugby league with the Parramatta Eels after two unsuccessful years playing AFL, where he kicked two goals valued at $1.5 million each.

Voss said the AFL's costly punt on Folau was not necessarily a failure and any move to grow the game in an expansion market was welcome.

"It has been an experiment that hasn't worked, but it could work in the future," Voss said while announcing the Lions' new major sponsor was insurance company Vero.

"Anything that reinforces our emerging markets is a good investment.

"This area is growing significantly and it must continue to grow.

"Any investment in this region is critical to AFL's expansion plans.

"Him moving back to league is highlighting that it really takes a passion for the game to make a success of it.

"Just because one doesn't work, doesn't mean another won't."

Voss stuck up for his code yesterday and said Folau dumping AFL was just a "mossie bite" the game would easily overcome.

"If it was Chris Judd or Jonathan Brown it would hurt," he said.

"Our code will carry on. It is bigger than one person.

"There's no black eye. A blemish, a mossie bite maybe."

Legendary AFL coach Mick Malthouse said Folau's stint in AFL had enhanced, rather than diminished his reputation as a footballer.

As the focus of Folau's early exit from Greater Western Sydney turned to the clamour between his prospective new employers, the premiership coach argued that the code-hopping Queenslander was now a fitter, and perhaps more skilful athlete.

"I don't think anyone's a loser out of this," Malthouse said yesterday at the Queensland leg of his book launch at the Aspley Hornets football club.

"Kevin (Sheedy) is an old teammate and an adversary of mine and he said (Folau) wasn't fit enough.

"By the end of the season he certainly was. He'll take a very strong fitness element back to the code he takes on.

"The win situation is that he had a go at (AFL). I take my hat off to him for having a crack."

Malthouse: A Football Life sheds light on Carlton's new coach and reveals some critical moments from those closing days at Collingwood, including Malthouse heading off a 2011 player revolt.

In the biographical book, Christi Malthouse wrote about her father hosing down a player petition that wanted him reinstated as head coach at the Pies for 2012.

Christi enjoyed the experience of interviewing her father for the book, insisting she learned much about the wily AFL survivor.

"No subject was off limits. It was very honest," she said.

"I found out a lot more about his upbringing, and I learnt a lot more about the way he thinks about football and what makes him tick."
 

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Port's first game without McCarthy

Port Adelaide Power footballer John McCarthy in action. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: adelaidenow

PORT Adelaide midfielder Hamish Hartlett has revealed John McCarthy's tragic death has "galvanised" the playing group.

 Set to play their first match since McCarthy's shock passing in September, Power players will be permitted to honour their former team-mate against the Western Bulldogs in London tomorrow morning.

While the exhibition match at The Oval isn't an official commemoration for McCarthy, Hartlett says the talented utility's spirit remained strong at Alberton.

"There's no doubt," said Hartlett, when asked if Port players would be sparing a thought for McCarthy before their clash with the Dogs.

"The guys have been thinking about him a fair bit. Not a day goes by that one of us isn't thinking about him in some capacity. There's no doubt it has galvanised the group.

"If players want to wear armbands or make a tribute to him they are certainly able to do that."

Charged with being Port's acting captain, Hartlett - embarking on his first pre-season without off-season surgery - is eager to make a good early impression on new coach Ken Hinkley.

"Ideally I would love to get up the ground a little bit more," said Hartlett, who played as a playmaking half-back this year.

"But to play a role, no matter where that is, I'm happy to swing in any of those lines whether it be up forward, in the midfield or in the backline."

Now with 46 AFL games under his belt in four seasons, Hartlett recognises the time to take the next step has arrived.

And by getting a head-start on summer training with team-mate Matthew Lobbe, the 22-year-old is giving himself every chance to deliver on his enormous potential.

"I've spent two or three weeks over here prior to the rest of the team getting here with Matt," Hartlett said.

"He's unbelievably diligent in his training and is fantastic to have around. It's been a frustrating first two or three years. The last couple of years have been a little bit better in terms of being able to get on the park a bit more. But not only for myself, there's a whole bunch of guys in the same category, wanting to take the next step."

Port has named a youthful 23-man squad, with recruits Angus Monfries, Jack Hombsch and Campbell Heath all set to don a Power guernsey for the first time.

Forgotten midfielder Ben Newton, who has struggled with soft-tissue injuries in his two years at Port, will be given plenty of chance to shine while Nick Salter (foot) and Cameron Hitchcock (hamstring) have an opportunity to prove they've recovered from persistent ailments.

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Mighty Joe a steal for the Dons

Bombers coach James Hird is licking his lips at the prospect of the 201cm father-son selection dominating in the ruck and full-forward for the next decade. Watch exclusive footage and analysis of him ahead of the AFL draft.

Joe Daniher, who was drafted to Essendon under the father-son rule, with his happy parents Anthony and Joanne. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

JOE Daniher sprinted towards the half-forward flank. As he reached top speed, he gathered the ball, swung on to his trusty left boot and slotted the goal.

All from outside 50m and hemmed in on the boundary.

The magical Round 8 moment remains Calder Cannons coach Marty Allison's favourite when discussing Essendon's father-son pick.

"It was just ... yeah. I had to pick my jaw up off the ground," Allison said.

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Watch highlights of Vlastuin and get our expert analysis in the video player above

Vic Metro coach Rohan Welsh had a similar reaction as Daniher slotted 6.4 against Western Australia at Etihad Stadium this year.

Daniher has played 10 games in the past two years, sitting out 2011 with growth plate issues, but it's these glimpses that have Bomber insiders salivating.

Pick Me: The next Brad Sewell - Nick Vlastuin is at home in the trenches

A rival recruiter confirmed Daniher "had all the tools" to be a No.1 pick, if he hadn't been tied to the Dons.

Cannons talent manager Ian Kyte went a step further, declaring Daniher could finish as the TAC Cup's best product yet.

"I saw (Chris Judd, Trent Cotchin and Tom Scully) come through and Joey could finish up as good a player, a different sort, but at that level," Kyte said.

"He marks at the highest point, and with long arms and at a jump, he's taking it at 3 1/2 to 4m. If he can continue to do that on the lead, he'll be hard to beat.

AFL Under 18 Championships at Etihad Stadium. Joe Daniher shoots for goal. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Herald Sun

"With that leap he could be like Dean Cox, going in and out of the forward line and changing with the ruck. The potential is unlimited."

Essendon recruiter Adrian Dodoro said last month when Daniher was signed, the club was "extremely blessed" to land the left-footer at pick 10.

It's high praise but comes with a rider.

"The Bombers supporters should be excited, but they need to lower their expectations and not expect him to play straight away," Allison said.

"He's missed a lot of footy and has a lot of development left."

Daniher remains raw and, after brother Darcy's injury curse, will be carefully managed. He also has some areas he needs to improve.

His inaccurate kicking and desire to go the impossible instead of the team option frustrated at times this year.

Daniher completed a 2km time-trial with the Dons yesterday and said he felt at home walking into Windy Hill, greeted by a painting of uncle Terry on the wall.

The 18-year-old is tipped to spend most of next year developing in the VFL under the guise of Hayden Skipworth, the man who trained Daniher before school three times a week last year.

"He put on 8-9kgs on in (2011),'' Skipworth said earlier this year.

"So we worked on weights and also running techniques, which will hopefully help his hamstrings later on in his career.''

The Dons told Daniher two years ago they would draft the talented teenager, who is now teammates with Dustin Fletcher - who made his AFL debut 335 days before Daniher was born.

THE JOE DANIHER FILE

Age: 18
Height: 201cm
Weight: 89kg
From: Calder Cannons:
Position: Full-forward/ruck
Draft range: Pick 10 to Essendon (father-son)
Plays like: Paul Salmon

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Sheeds sensed Folau's potential

Master coach Kevin Sheedy talks with recruit Israel Folau after a game this earlier this year. Picture: Kym Smith. Source: The Daily Telegraph

KEVIN Sheedy, multiple premiership player with Richmond and coach with Essendon, was one of the few to have a sense of perspective as Israel Folau quit the Australian winter game yesterday afternoon.

Sheedy has always been a visionary, always one to take a punt, and he was saddened to see Folau leave the game and, as expected, return to rugby league.

The core of his sentiments ran like this: "We would never know how good Folau would have become, because it takes time to learn a new sport, but he had been a fantastic young fella to work with."

The industry has watched and scrutinised Folau closely over the past year.

Two camps formed: some argued he was a ridiculous signing, earning money close to the top five players in the competition while being statistically ranked among the worst in the land.

Those views were harsh, because as a player, he was on about the average wage. The rest of his pay packet was for promotional purposes, and he created enough headline to justify every dollar.

He was just an average player, albeit one with above-average promise. But it's not difficult to make a case that the quietly-spoken Folau earned his money.

At 23, there was time for Folau to turn into a player, much like Jim Stynes and Tadhg Kennelly did, and Sheedy, for one, had the patience. The game didn't, and it seems Folau didn't either.

Sheedy knows a punt is worth it  just ask him about Bel Esprit or Black Caviar  or former US footballer Dwayne Armstrong who he had playing in Essendon's reserves.

Not all punts pay off, but it doesn't mean you stop trying.

Sheedy also had Tim Watson come out of retirement, restored the career of ex-Cat John Barnes and will continue to look for an edge.

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Pick Me: Draft analysis series

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

Ollie Wines, Lachie Whitfield and Jono O'Rourke, three of the best midfielders in the draft, share a laugh on the first day of testing. They will all feature in the Pick Me draft series. Picture: Getty Images Source: Herald Sun

WANT first look at your club's next superstar?

Get exclusive highlights, expert analysis and find out who your club is looking at when Pick Me launches today.

The series will examine 20 of the hottest draft prospect across 20 days as we countdown to the November 22 AFL draft.

VIDEO: Watch the Pick Me trailer in the video player above

Find out who boasts the best kick, safest hands and the most ferocious tackling technique and meet your club's next star first.

Each day there will be an exclusive video only  at SuperFooty and a story in your Herald Sun as we unearth the next Steve Johnson, Jobe Watson and Scott Pendlebury.

Who will tomorrow's be?

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

 

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Vlastuin at home in trenches

Averaging 6.3 tackles per game, Vlastuin knows how to dump opponents in to the turf. Get exclusive vision and expert analysis of his hard-edge approach ahead of the AFL draft.

s04wp970 Nick Vlastuin - TAC Cup footballer who will be drafted at season's end. Picture: Jason Edwards Source: Herald Sun

NICK Vlastuin stood in a field of Australian war graves in France, half a world away from his AFL dream.

The Northern Knights onballer has a reputation as one of the most fearless and physical midfield talents in the draft.

But the pressures he confronted on the football field, managing a troublesome ankle injury and leading Vic Metro to the national championship, seemed insignificant as he remembered the lives lost in war.

For Vlastuin, the personal connection was a strong one. His grandfather, Leedert, served in the Dutch army in Papua New Guinea, before migrating to Australia with his wife, Beth (Oma in Dutch), to start a new life.

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Watch highlights of Vlastuin and get our expert analysis in the video player above

"He worked on the Burma railways where he was a prisoner of war and in some of the Japanese death camps, in the marches," Vlastuin said.

"He was pretty hard done by in some situations throughout the war, and obviously when he came to Australia, not being able to speak English (was tough).

"It's a family thing. I would like to do him proud. He had no idea what AFL is, but looking down I think he would be proud of me if I can make it."

Pick Me started right here today but check out the preview video here

Sadly, Vlastuin's grandmother died, age 94, on the Friday before the AFL Grand Final.

Her funeral the next week in NSW clashed with the AFL draft combine, where the stoppage powerhouse was expected to press his claims as a top-15 choice.

"Dad said right from the start, 'Go to footy camp, family will understand'," Vlastuin said.

"But I knew if I missed it (the funeral), I'll be thinking about it for the rest of my life. So it was an easy decision in the end."

For recruiters, the "family first" attitude was another big tick for his character.

Nick Vlastuin of Vic Metro in action during the 2012 NAB AFL Under 18 Championship between VIC Metro and Western Australia at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne. (Photo: Michael Willson/AFL Media) Source: Herald Sun

Naturally reserved off the field, Vlastuin's competitive streak and strong leadership skills come to the fore when he pulls on the boots.

Around the stoppages, the dual under-18 All-Australian brings an unflinching attack on the ball, which makes him one of the most powerful clearance players in the draft pool.

"One of the reasons his peers really gravitate to him is because of his actions on the field," Knights' regional manager Peter Kennedy said.

"He's very courageous, and one of those players that once he crosses the white line, he becomes a competitive beast.

"He really thrives on the contested side of the game, so when it becomes a little bit brutal, you know he's in there winning the contested footy."

The 187cm midfielder has also acted as a rudder in defence, showing the sacrificial side of his game, helping cover and assist teammates.

His strong frame will probably put him in the frame to play seniors from Round 1 next season, adding to his first-round appeal.

Richmond could take him as early as pick No. 9, while Gold Coast has a strong need for a ready-made inside ball winner at selection No.13.

After finishing his studies last year, Vlastuin, 18, has worked as a lifeguard at a pool this season, allowing him to focus fully on his AFL dream.

Vlastuin said he wanted to develop into the same mould of player as St Kilda midfielder Lenny Hayes and Collingwood's Luke Ball.

"All the recruiters are saying if you can't win a one-on-one (contest), you can't play AFL; that's pretty exciting for me," he said.

"I prefer the way the game is moving to more contested footy, stoppages, body-on-body stuff, because they are my strengths. Hopefully, I get that opportunity."

THE NICK VLASTUIN FILE

Age: 18
Height: 187cm
Weight: 83kg
From: Northern Knights
Position: Midfield/half-back
Predicted draft range: 9-15
Plays like: Brad Sewell
 

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Folau out but Tippett may be in

At the end of the AFL season Kurt Tippett left headed home leaving Adelaide for the Gold Coast. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: adelaidenow

THE ducks are lining up for Kurt Tippett to play for Greater Western Sydney with marquee player Israel Folau yesterday turning his back on Australian football.

His call leaves the Giants clearing at least $250,000 off their books with the former rugby league top-liner announcing he is returning to his first love.

Giants chief executive Dave Matthews said Folau's announcement was an independent consideration to the potential recruitment of Tippett, but recognised it had boosted the club's prospects of snaring the Queenslander.

"We said earlier in the week, and this is before we knew what Israel was contemplating, that we had the selections that would enable us to get Kurt Tippett if we could afford him," Matthews said.

"We've still got to work out what that means and what are the terms and conditions in which he might enter one of the drafts.

"So the next couple of weeks (Graeme) 'Gubby' Allan and Steve Silvagni will work with the coaches to do their due diligence on him, but we're certainly in there for Kurt Tippett."

In Tippett, there is the opportunity to sign up another marquee name, one who was Adelaide's highest-paid player at an estimated $700,000 and another one who comes from a non-traditional AFL background, with Tippett growing up as a basketballer in Queensland.

Folau was understood to have combined a playing wage of $250,000 with the club's $573,000 marketing allowance and a separate AFL promotional deal.

There will be no compensation for the Crows for Tippett, whose last deal with Adelaide may have breached both the salary cap because of guaranteed third-party agreements and conduct prejudicial to the draw because of promises ensuring an easy passage to the club of his choice once he left the Crows.

But Folau has opened up an easy transition for Tippett to move to the city of his choice, Sydney, even though he may not land at the club of his choice, the Swans.

The Swans have not indicated they are out of the race for his services, but the Crows are now expecting it will be difficult for other clubs to pinch Tippett from GWS in the pre-season draft.

There is still a school of thought that he would best benefit the game by returning to Queensland, where he could be the face of Gold Coast as the home-grown player, but that club already has the game's best player in Gary Ablett and is becoming more competitive by the year.

Folau, 23, left the Giants with two years remaining on his contract and there are already rumours swirling about his next destination, with Parramatta chief executive Ken Edwards saying Folau would be an ideal recruit for the 2013 NRL season.

"We think Israel would be a great fit," Edwards said.

Folau's exit will not affect Adelaide, which still has concerns explaining its deal with Tippett signed in 2009.

Folau admits the thought of playing at the same NRL club as his younger brother Eni is appealing but the code-hopping star insists his future is uncertain.

"At this stage, I've had no discussions with any clubs at all," he said.

"I'll leave it up to my management to control that stuff ... I haven't had no discussions with any club so I can't confirm anything.

"My future at the moment is uncertain. I still don't know what to do."

The former Melbourne, Brisbane, Queensland and Australian rugby league star admits he'd like to play at the Eels with 19-year-old brother Eni, who is a member of Parramatta's under 20s side.

"It'd be nice but, like I said, that's not a thing for me ... At this stage, I don't know what I'm doing," he said.
 

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