Crows win Bunn fight for recruiter

Adelaide Crows coach Brenton Sanderson, right, keeps and eye on pre-season training. The club has just added former Port Adelaide staffer Phil Bunn to its recruiting team. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: The Advertiser

ADELAIDE has nabbed a long-term Port Adelaide staffer to fill its recruiting vacancy and help guide it through the most testing draft period in its history.

Phil Bunn will join the Crows' recruiting team next month and is responsible for harvesting the best available talent in SA and WA.

He will have the added challenge of finding diamonds in the rough after the Crows were banned from the first two rounds of the 2013 National Draft for their part in the Kurt Tippett scandal.

Bunn has been the Power's Melbourne-based recruiter for the past three years and been involved in talent identification with the club since its inception in 1997.

In 2008 he coached the Murray Bushrangers to the TAC Cup premiership and helped produce AFL stars Steele Sidebottom, Jack Ziebell and Tom Rockliff.

Crows list manager and acting football operations manager David Noble yesterday confirmed Bunn's appointment and said the two parties were now finalising a start date.

"We've been through the interview process and we've settled on him (Bunn)," Noble said.

"It was a terrific field (of candidates) and we had a lot of inquiries both interstate and locally.

"Phil came out on top. He's got great experience, is a great person and has a great eye for detail.

"His attention to detail in his presentation was very good. We haven't got first and second round picks (this) year so to have someone with experience ... and he's got a great record as far as development goes."

Bunn will report to Noble and recruiting boss Hamish Ogilvie.

While Port Adelaide officials were unavailable for comment yesterday, Noble said he did not expect Bunn's appointment to ruffle any feathers at Alberton.

"I don't think so, that was not the intention," Noble said.

"It was about finding the best candidate, creating opportunities and bringing them on board.

"We had to decide what our structure was going to look like and he'll (Bunn) be crucial in our planning."

Noble said the club had always intended to bolster its recruiting team following Matt Rendell's sudden departure last year, but it was a "matter of timing" before making an appointment.

Adelaide players return to training from their Christmas break on Monday.

According to the club's website, Luke Thompson (ankle), Bernie Vince (shoulder), Ricky Henderson (finger), Matthew Jaensch (groin) and Jared Petrenko (shoulder) will move from modified programs to full contract training when they return to West Lakes.

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sam struts a different sash

Changed man: Sam Lonergan wants to repay the faith the Tigers have shown in him. Picture: David Smith Source: Herald Sun

SAM Lonergan had a feeling his papers had been stamped.

But when coach James Hird told him his 79-game Essendon career was over, it hit him like a ton of bricks.

"It was a two-minute meeting with Hirdy and it was pretty much, 'We're not going to go with you going forward'. That was pretty much it," Lonergan said.

"It left me wondering and wanting to know answers. I was very frustrated and there was a sense of being angry towards that decision.

"I was shocked because at the time I believed I still should be in that team, but I'd seen it coming. When I started getting inklings about my future it was frustrating and a bit of a shock to be experiencing that, and at times it was very tough.

"Even now I still probably don't understand why it happened, but that's footy and the way it works. You deal with things to the best of your capabilities and, I guess, do it respectfully rather than losing your cool.

"You've got to move forward and wait for the next door to open up and you attack that with everything you've got."

The door opened to a rookie list spot at Punt Rd.

But the midfielder's path to Richmond was far from cut and dried. He met the Tigers within days of being delisted, but then heard nothing for three weeks.

"I spent a good month doing my own pre-season," Lonergan, 25, said.

"It was different because there are moments when you have flat days, where you're not feeling great, or you're not as enthusiastic to train.

"Of course that happens in the regular AFL environment, but when you're in a large group ... other guys bring you up.

"But in saying that, I was really happy with the month that I had by myself. I felt I'd trained extremely hard and probably did more than I needed to do just to try and ease my mind on if I was falling behind or going along the same as AFL clubs."

Unsure about the future and with no income, Lonergan, along with former Bombers teammate Ricky Dyson, took to construction work.

Then a week before the December pre-season and rookie drafts, the Tigers got back in touch.

"They said they hadn't gone anywhere. They'd just kept it quiet and laid low. Then on the day I got a phone call about 20 minutes before the draft, saying, 'We're going to take you'.

"Richmond has done very well through the trading and drafting period. I've been very impressed with the character that they've brought to the club, along with the character that's already at the club.

"In terms of opportunity, for me it's not my No.1 goal at this stage to be looking at that sort of stuff.

"I really just want to get myself in absolute peak physical shape. Performances will come after that and whatever happens happens."

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Williams misses coaching job

Looking back on Port's year of pain

Overlooked: Paul Williams found himself as caretaker coach with the Western Bulldogs for three games at the end of the 2011 season. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

PAUL Williams looks set to spend the year out of the AFL coaching world just one season after taking the reins at the Western Bulldogs.

Williams, who took over as Dogs caretaker coach from Rodney Eade for three games at the end of the 2011 season, has failed to win an assistant's job this year.

The 2005 Sydney premiership player was a victim of the Carlton coaching clean-out in September when Blues chiefs cleared the decks for new boss Mick Malthouse.

Assistants Gavin Brown and Matthew Capuano stayed, but Alan Richardson (now at Port Adelaide), Mark Riley (Gold Coast) and Williams, were moved on.

Williams, 39, was midfield coach at the Blues last season. He is believed to be considering teaching this year.

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Bock puts year from hell behind him

Looking back on Port's year of pain

Nathan Bock just wants to get on with season 2013 as he endeavours to put last year's horror movie behind him. Picture: Adam Head Source: The Courier-Mail

GOLD Coast vice-captain Nathan Bock says 2012 was the toughest year he's had in footy.

It started with a two-week suspension stemming from a betting scandal the year before, then a broken leg and the jailing of his mother, Michelle, for drug trafficking, wrecked his season on and off the field.

"I'm happy to put this year in the back of the mind and concentrate on 2013," the 29-year-old Bock said.

"(2012) was obviously pretty draining and it was frustrating at the start of the season to miss those two games because of the suspension. Then I felt like it took me a few weeks to get into form and the game I really felt the best was the one against Fremantle when I ended up breaking my leg.

"Then obviously the stuff with Mum had been dragging on ... the year was mentally quite challenging and physically very challenging."

Bock, a month ahead of schedule in his rehab, resumed running last month.

"Initially I hadn't planned to start running until about Christmas but I've been running for about four or five weeks now," he said.

The former Crow holds hope of striding out on to Metricon Stadium in the Suns' season opener against St Kilda on March 30.

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Statements may damage Dees

The AFL investigation has centred on comments made in a Demons football department meeting run by football operations manager Chris Connolly, pictured with Dean Bailey, allegedly reminding staff about the importance of the extra draft pick. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: Herald Sun

FIGURES connected to the Melbourne tanking investigation have been told up to a dozen people have "rolled over" about how the club has managed past lists.

The statements potentially incriminate Demons administrators amid growing fears the club and individuals could face serious league sanctions.

Club leaders are examining evidence gained from the AFL's five-month inquiry into its controversial 2009 season.

The AFL has demanded an official response from the club before it decides if charges will be laid.

Current and former Dees officials questioned by AFL investigators were warned their future in the game was at risk if they did not co-operate or were found to have provided false information.

The Herald Sun can reveal some of the interviewees were subsequently told as many as 12 people had provided the AFL's investigators with potentially incriminating details about the club's intent throughout the second half of the 2009 campaign.

After the initial interviews, many were recalled for second and third meetings from October to clarify inconsistencies in evidence.

The AFL has stated it expects to make a decision on any charges by the end of the month.

If guilty, Melbourne could be stripped of draft picks or fined.

But there is a growing belief the AFL would prefer to penalise individuals for wrongdoing.

Melbourne won just four games in 2009 to qualify for a priority draft choice.

The AFL investigation has centred on comments made in a Demons football department meeting run by football operations manager Chris Connolly, allegedly reminding staff about the importance of the extra draft pick.

It is also believed it has inquired about knowledge of a follow-up meeting between former coach Dean Bailey and chief executive Cameron Schwab at Schwab's house.

Unusual tactical moves in the Dees' losses to Sydney (Round 17) and Richmond (Round 18) have been the subject of intense speculation.

It is believed up to 20 people were interviewed by AFL investigators Brett Clothier and Abraham Haddad, including Bailey, Schwab, Connolly, ex-captain James McDonald and current football manager Josh Mahoney.

Others included Scott West, Kelly O'Donnell, Sean Wellman, Mark Williams and ex-recruiting boss Barry Prendergast.

Melbourne has pledged to defend itself against any charges.

Former Melbourne player Brock McLean provoked a formal inquiry into the tactics when he said Blind Freddy could see the club had a strategy to restrict performance.

"You can't create a good culture by going out and experimenting and trying to get draft picks and losing games of football," McLean said. "It goes against everything you're trying to do."

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Bulldogs shift focus at training

Western Bulldogs big man Ayce Cordy at pre-season training at Whitten Oval. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

A MEETING of Western Bulldogs players and staff paved the way for a summer of change at Whitten Oval.

With the club's fadeout in the second half of last season still in the forefront of their minds, the players requested a pre-season regimen full of running and competitive ball work.

Youngster Ayce Cordy, said coach Brendan McCartney, had delivered in spades.

"One thing `Macca' is very good at is when we ask him for things he gets them done," Cordy said.

"At the end of the season we had a big meeting about the biggest areas of improvement we need to find to move our way up the ladder.

"In the second half of the year we dropped off late in games, which was probably the most disappointing thing.

"So we had a big focus on not just running extra - although we have done a bit more running thus far - but also being able to be competitive, especially with hardball gets late in quarters when you're fatigued.

"There's been a shift in the training. We've had a bit of time for team bonding as well.

"There are a lot of young guys that we need to get right with each other and get their chemistry up, so we've had a bit of time for that, which has been spot-on."

Cordy said the change started with the trip to London in November, where the players met new high performance manager Graham Lowe.

The same post-season meeting also addressed on-field expectations for 2013.

Cordy said the club had to improve on last season's poor showing, but the players were realistic in their expectations.

"We're certainly not going to put a ceiling on our heads and say because we finished 15th last year we can only move up to 13th next season," he said.

"It's not going to be like that at all," he said.

"But at the same time, we've been through all the numbers as a playing group and we realise that we were a fair way off the mark in a few different areas and those areas have to improve.

"Realistically we're not going to go from 15th to first in a year, but hopefully in a lot of key performance indicators we can move right up in to the top eight.

"We just want to be a competitive football team that's very hard to play against."

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Nowhere to hide for Woods

Looking back on Port's year of pain

Dale Thomas and Tyson Goldsack box at Gosch's Paddock. Picture: Klein Michael Source: Herald Sun

IF THE handful of Collingwood players who did not make the training trip to Utah thought they could escape a fortnight of hard work, they were mistaken.

Nick Maxwell and Alan Didak stayed home for the birth of their children; Alan Toovey was recovering from a wrist injury; and Dale Thomas and Tyson Goldsack were on the way back from ankle surgery.

The quintet were joined by four players selected in the rookie draft.

"There's almost one coach to every player so there's nowhere to hide for anyone ... it's been a pretty good training block," Maxwell said.

He said it hadn't been tough to stay disciplined at training.

"If you're working amongst 40 guys it's easier to hide," the 29-year-old said.

"But the way we've been working has been good and from all the reports coming back they've been really happy with how the boys were training in Utah as well." 

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sun shines bright for Bock

Gold Coast Suns defender Nathan Bock participates in a light pool session with his teammates. Picture: Brendan Radke Source: Gold Coast Bulletin

GOLD Coast vice-captain Nathan Bock has opened up about his year from hell, after waving 2012 away with a sense of relief.

Plenty of people welcomed in the new year with a sense of excitement last night but none more than Bock, who declared 2012 the toughest year he's had in footy.

It started with a two-week suspension stemming from a betting scandal the year before but the worst was yet to come as a broken leg and the jailing of his mother, Michelle Joy Bock, for drug trafficking, wrecked his season on and off the field.

The 29-year-old was candid about his year from hell, conceding the off-field issues with his mother took their toll.

"I'm happy to put this year in the back of the mind and concentrate on 2013,'' Bock said. "It was obviously pretty draining and it was frustrating at the start of the season to miss those two games because of the suspension.

"Then I felt like it took me a few weeks to get into form and the game I really felt the best was the one against Fremantle when I ended up breaking my leg.

"Then obviously the stuff with mum had been dragging on for a little while as well and the year was mentally quite challenging and physically very challenging.

"It was probably the toughest year I've had in footy.''

The former Crows defender is looking on the bright side though and believes his leg injury may even help extend his AFL career.

"That's one thought Bluey (Guy McKenna) has and it would be nice to play for as long as I possibly could,'' Bock said.

"I suppose you've got to look at all the positives and (the time I spent out) most of last season potentially could be put on the end of my career.

"I'll be 30 (this) year and most guys say if you can play until you are 32 or 33 then that is a great result.''

And the early signs in Bock's comeback are positive.

The veteran is a month ahead of schedule in his rehab and even began running last month.

"Initially I hadn't planned to start running until about Christmas but I've been running for about four or five weeks now,'' Bock said.

"Initially it just started with a five-minute jog on the AlterG treadmill, which takes a percentage of your body weight away when you run.

"I was building up on that for a few weeks and then just recently I had a couple of runs outside.

"But it's only been a few strides and it's still only a very slow jog.''

With his progress in mind, Bock is hopeful of joining the Suns' main training group by mid-February.

And the versatile tall still holds hope of striding out on to  Metricon Stadium in the Suns' season opener against St Kilda on March 30.

"I saw the surgeon just before Christmas and he was happy with the progress we're making,'' Bock added.

"I would like to think Round 1 is a realistic possibility but we will just have to play it by ear.

"You have a bit of a time frame to when you are back training at full intensity with injuries like an ACL.

"But this injury is a lot different and it just depends on how it feels and how it is progressing.''

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Suns gun awaits his fate

Harley Bennell during a Gold Coast Suns recovery session at Kurrawa beach, Broadbeach. Picture: Brendan Radke Source: Gold Coast Bulletin

GOLD Coast youngster Harley Bennell has saved himself from a severe club penalty after a night out with friends in Western Australia turned ugly.

Bennell was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and failure to obey an order given by a police officer after a large New Year's melee in his hometown of Mandurah, south of Perth.

He will front court on January 15.

The Suns will convene a meeting of the senior administrators and leadership group to determine if Bennell will get a club sanction once he has faced court.

However, the blow for officials has been softened by a phone call Bennell made to Suns football manager Marcus Ashcroft, who is holidaying in Hawaii.

Bennell immediately alerted Ashcroft to the incident and issued an apology for his actions.

Twelve months ago, the former No.2 draft pick would have switched his phone off and gone to ground.

The last time he found himself in a minor spot of trouble back in Perth, when he was present at the scene of a misdemeanour, he did not contact the club and when they tracked him down he only released details that had already been made public.

But this time he has been in regular contact with Ashcroft and other administrators and the Suns are confident he provided full disclosure of events.

The 20-year-old was with friends when a series of fights broke out when nightclubs shut, sending hundreds of revellers into the nearby Smart St mall, where police were called at around 2.15am.

Bennell was arrested and taken to Mandurah police station, where he was charged and released on bail.
The Suns released a brief statement confirming the incident.

"As this is a police matter the club is not in a position to make further comment," the statement said.

Friends of the footballer said he had been trying to break up the fight.

Bennell has played 36 matches for the Suns since being recruited from Perth club Peel Thunder in the 2010 national draft.

He is the second WA-bred player to get into trouble at home during the off-season break.

Young Collingwood midfielder Marley Williams was charged with assault after an incident in Albany last week that left a man with a broken jaw.

- with Stivan Pucar

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More

Dees wait to face music

Looking back on Port's year of pain

Melbourne forward Jeremy Howe drinks a beer at the MCG on Boxing Day before being asked to leave by security staff. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

Former Melbourne player Jared Rivers (white t-shirt and sunglasses), who is now with Geelong, has to be restrained after being told to leave by security and the police. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: Herald Sun

Richmond player Ricky Petterd is photographed throwing an empty plastic cup while at the MCG for the Boxing Day Test. Source: Herald Sun

Dom Barry leads James Magner and Tom Couch. Picture: Ian Currie Source: Herald Sun

MELBOURNE players asked to leave the Boxing Day test last week will face the Demons' coaching staff next week.

The Dees' first and second-year players returned to training this morning after some time off for Christmas.

But the trio who spent a boozy day in the rowdy Bay 13 section of the MCG - James Frawley, Lynden Dunn and rising star Jeremy Howe - will return to training on Monday.

The three Dees drew the attention of security and were asked to leave the ground after clashing with fellow spectators.

They attended the first day of the second test against Sri Lanka with former teammates Geelong's Jared Rivers and new Tiger Ricky Petterd.

Rivers and Petterd were also photographed in ugly exchanges with fans.

Frawley, one of Melbourne's best players, is a part of the club's leadership group.

It is unknown if the Dees football chiefs will penalise the players.

The Demons are in the process of responding to the AFL's tanking investigation.

Pic gallery: Holiday over for Demons
 

22.09 | 0 komentar | Read More