Hooker blocks St Kilda's Brown bid

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

Mitch Brown was nearly a Saint. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

MITCH Brown was as good as a St Kilda player on Thursday night before Cale Hooker's reluctance to leave Essendon thwarted a proposed three-way trade, according to player agent Liam Pickering.

The Saints were desperate to secure Brown in the trade period to shore up their undersized defence and tabled a three-year contract the West Coast backman wanted to accept.

But with Brown tied to the Eagles for 2013 and West Coast hesitant to trade the 23-year-old, talks between the Saints and Eagles continually broke down.

But Pickering, who manages Brown, said a bumper deal involving Jamie Cripps, Hooker and picks 25 and 26 was "done" before Hooker blocked the move.

"We actually had the deal done late on Thursday night which involved Essendon and Cale Hooker," Pickering told SEN.

"But Cale Hooker didn't want to leave the Bombers in the end, so that was the end of that deal."

Under the deal, the Bombers would've landed picks 25 and 26 for Hooker, with West Coast securing Hooker and Cripps.

The Saints would have coughed up picks 25, 26 and Cripps to secure Brown.

Ultimately, they handed over Cripps and pick 46 for picks 41 and 44 in a direct trade with the Eagles.

Hooker, from East Perth, is believed to have been offered a three-year deal from the Eagles.

But with Darren Glass, Erick McKenzie and Will Schofield already at West Coast, Hooker could have been starved of AFL opportunities, as Brown was this season.

Hooker played 17 games for the Dons this year.

"But Cale Hooker was determined to stay at the Bombers and had a year to go on his contract, so that was the first snag," Pickering said.

"West Coast were pretty up front all the way - they wanted cover for Mitch.

"They were happy to do the deal with Cale Hooker if he wanted to go back, just so they had the player there.

"But once they couldn't get the player, they were never going to do it for the pick, which was disappointing."

St Kilda list manager Ameet Bains said the Saints were "very, very close" to prying Brown east, insisting they tried everything possible.

"But unfortunately it couldn't get done," he said.

"We understand it's a business and every club needs to be happy with the trade completed, so it is what it is."

But Eagles list manager Craig Vozzo denied that, declaring the contracted Brown was never placed on the table.

"(It was) never close at all. Our priority was always to keep Mitch," Vozzo said.

"He's a contracted player, we rate him very highly and want to keep him for a long time.

"We never wavered from that."

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We couldn't let Brown go, says Woosha

KEY MAN: John Worsfold and West Coast were desperate to hold onto key defender Mitch Brown. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

WEST Coast coach John Worsfold says the club could not afford to let Mitch Brown go home because a lack of key defensive depth could have sabotaged the club's 2013 premiership tilt.

But despite West Coast insisting contracted Brown was not up for trade, it is understood the Eagles were prepared to let him go to St Kilda, as long as they could secure a replacement key defender through a three-way deal.

But Essendon backman Cale Hooker, a 24-year-old East Fremantle product who has played 66 games for the Bombers, refused to return home, scuttling Brown's wish to shift to the Saints.

Brown's manager, Liam Pickering, said yesterday he believed a three-way deal involving Brown, Hooker and Jamie Cripps was over the line on Thursday night.

Worsfold spoke to Brown, who is holidaying overseas, by telephone on Friday afternoon and said the powerful utility was "really positive" about remaining with the Eagles next season.

"He saw an opportunity to be in the starting 18 at another club, along with an attractive contract offer, but he also understood that we wouldn't let him go at the cost of our squad being massively depleted and at risk of not being able to achieve what it can achieve next year," Worsfold said.

Brown played just eight games as a fill-in key defender this season, with Darren Glass, Eric Mackenzie and Will Schofield preferred ahead of him.

But given Glass turns 32 next season and the Eagles have limited developing tall defensive options, Brown, 23, is viewed as important for the future. His upbeat attitude, despite being repeatedly dropped to the WAFL, helped him earn the Chris Mainwaring Medal as best clubman at the West Coast club champion awards three weeks ago.

The following day Brown requested a trade back to his home state of Victoria for more opportunity.

Worsfold said he hoped Brown would re-sign with the Eagles beyond next season, when his current deal expires.

"Mitch is very comfortable," Worsfold said. "He loves the club.

"We would love to have him here and play a lot of games and be a life member and hopefully a premiership player at this footy club. I'm confident if he stays he can achieve those things."

Essendon's list manager Adrian Dodoro praised Hooker's loyalty after he knocked back a deal to join West Coast.

"We got an offer late (Thursday) night for Cale and to his credit he didn't want to leave Essendon," Dodoro said.

St Kilda was seething after missing out on Brown, given they facilitated a request from Cripps to return to his home state and join the Eagles in a trade involving draft picks.

"Like Mitch Brown wanting to return home, we were compassionate that Jamie wanted to return to Western Australia. Our preference for Jamie was to stay at the club, but he made it clear he wanted to be home with family,'' Saints head of football Chris Pelchen said.

"We made several offers to West Coast in the last couple of hours to try and get Mitch across the line."

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Saints take in heights

Former Western Bulldogs fitness trainer Bill Davoren is taking the Saints to America. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

ST KILDA expects next month's Colorado training camp to develop into an annual high-altitude staple, along the same lines as Collingwood's visits to Arizona over the past decade.

"My understanding is it's a fairly long-standing commitment to make this an annual part of the pre-season regime," St Kilda high-performance manager Bill Daveron said.

Daveron, who joined St Kilda this month, said the Saints would gather the list in the days after the November 22 national draft and head to Boulder, Colorado, for a 16-day camp.

The team will fly out on November 27 and base itself at University of Colorado.

The group will stay at a hotel on the edge of the campus that is "within jogging distance of all the training facilities" and will incorporate several hikes in its itinerary.

A former Triathlon Australia head coach whose experience with altitude training dates to 1991, Daveron said Boulder was the training base for several high-profile Australian endurance athletes, such as four-time Olympic marathon runner Benita Willis and three-time ironman triathlon world champion Craig Alexander. Davoren hoped to involve one of them in the Saints camp.

"Boulder's been a bit of a Mecca for distance runners, but also for cycling and triathlon," Davoren said.

"I'm not sure that Craig will be there, but I'm working on getting an elite athlete from the endurance field to come in, talk to them and be involved."

The Saints may also look to take in some major sport while they are in Colorado. NFL team the Denver Broncos play Tampa Bay on December 2, while NBA outfit the Denver Nuggets play Toronto the following day.

While training at 1650m will improve the players' endurance and repeat-effort capacity, the Saints' new sports science manager, former Melbourne Storm guru Simon Kearney, will also examine sleep programs and conduct blood analysis.

"We're over there for 16 days which is what you need to put together an adequate exposure and training program," Davoren said, adding the expectation was to follow up with training sessions in the club's Seaford altitude chamber throughout season 2013.

"We might try to get some people into the altitude room a couple of times a week during the season, but that varies depending on their loads and fatigue and those sorts of things."

The club's 2012 draftees and its injured players will take part in the camp. Lenny Hayes, who had corrective heart surgery last month to repair a leaky valve, will also make the trip.

"He's certainly going on the trip," Davoren said. "Look there'll certainly be some modifications around Lenny, and that will be driven by the medical team, but the aim is that he'll be taking part in a number of the activities with us.

"Any players in rehab will continue on their programs and, because the facilities are so good, if anything we'll be able to monitor them more closely."

St Kilda's pre-season begins with the young players training on the day before the Melbourne Cup, and the older players resuming on November 12.
 

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West Coast trades 'omen'

NEW FACES: Midfielder Sharrod Wellingham and fellow recruits Cale Morton and Jamie Cripps will add midfield pace at West Coast. Source: Herald Sun

WEST Coast Eagles coach John Worsfold has compared the club's trade spree to when the Eagles brought in Tyson Stenglein and Daniel Chick in the lead-up to the 2006 premiership.

The Eagles won't have a pick in the first two rounds of the national draft and will be the last team to enter the ballot when they have their first selection at 46.

It is a rare departure from West Coast's usual strategy, which has involved largely sitting on the sidelines during the trade period and preserving early draft picks.

The Eagles instead focused on bringing in running players via trades, securing Collingwood premiership midfielder Sharrod Wellingham, along with fellow West Australians Jamie Cripps (St Kilda) and Cale Morton (Melbourne).

In the lead-up to its last flag, West Coast identified a need to add strong bodies and gave up first-round draft picks to trade in Hawthorn hard nut Chick and Adelaide Crows midfielder Stenglein.

"We had a team we felt was very close and we needed to add what was missing," Worsfold said.

"This year's been a little bit of the same philosophy.  I think prior to this year we've used our draft picks pretty well, and we weren't going to have a really high pick anyway, so it's a good time for us to go down this pathway."

West Coast's willingness to sit out of the opening two rounds of the draft for the first time is a clear signal it believes its squad is capable of going all the way next year, although Worsfold shied away from the premiership mode tag.

"I don't call it premiership mode, I call it building your list and making it better," he said.

"But if we weren't in really good touch then we might have a really high draft pick and you'd want to take that draft pick.''

Worsfold signalled his intent to add speed to the midfield immediately after West Coast crashed out of the finals with a 13-point loss to Collingwood in the semi-final at the MCG.

Ironically, it was one of the players in the Magpies team who the Eagles had identified as a crucial addition.

"I'm really keen to see Sharrod fit into our midfield mix and watch him develop there," Worsfold said.

"He's got some pace and can play inside as well as outside. He's a good tackling player, so he fills a few things.

"I think he's still got some improvement to come and he's been a solid player for the past couple of years."

The Eagles lost veteran forward Quinten Lynch to Collingwood through free agency, while midfielder Koby Stevens was traded to the Western Bulldogs and half-back Lewis Stevenson to Port Adelaide.

West Coast is likely to make a couple of delistings early this week, ahead of Wednesday's first list lodgement deadline.

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Freo could be 'lite' Eagles with move

STANDING FIRM: Chris Lewis (second from left) and Keep Freo in Freo members Richard Utting, Peter Newman and Peter Dowding are keen for the Dockers to remain at Fremantle Oval. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: PerthNow

FREMANTLE board nominee Chris Lewis says the Dockers risk becoming "West Coast Eagles lite" if they turn their back on their heritage and set up a new training base in Cockburn.

Lewis, one of six candidates who have nominated for the member-elected board position, is one of the founders of the Keep Freo In Freo lobby group and is running on a platform to fight for the Dockers to remain at Fremantle Oval.

The corporate consultant has launched both traditional advertising and online campaigns and believes he is a strong chance of being elected.

Lewis is running against former Fremantle captain Peter Mann, sitting director Kate Grieve, real estate director John Garland, Keystart Home Loans chief financial officer John Vojkovich and Summit Fertilizers executive Murray Browne.

Online voting opens at 9am tomorrow and closes at 5pm on November 26.

The Dockers have spent several months considering whether to redevelop their traditional training base, or move to a greenfields site known as Cockburn Central West.

A decision was originally expected by the end of the recent season but The Sunday Times understands this may now not be made until early next year.

Lewis praised the direction of the club under president Steve Harris and CEO Steve Rosich, but said it was clear members wanted the Dockers to be based in Fremantle.

"It's a wonderful organisation, a great club and a great business: it's got a lot of things going for it," he said.

"The Dockers have endless potential and are just starting to get somewhere. We just need to make sure it stays on track and works alongside its members."

Lewis said the Dockers needed to understand their attachment to Fremantle gave the club an important geographic and historic link not enjoyed by their cross-town rivals.

"The Dockers do have a unique identity," he said. "The opportunity is to capitalise on that.

"One of the risks of moving away is we end up being West Coast Eagles lite.

"Just like watering down a beer, we would be watering down the strength, the passion, the heartland of the entire Dockers movement.

"I've put my hand up as a members' representative: someone who will actually get up and say things and take a strong stand on matters and pursue the Keep Freo in Freo stand."

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Salary cap limited Blues manoeuvres

Mick Malthouse. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: Herald Sun

NEW Carlton coach Mick Malthouse said the Blues' hands were tied by the salary cap but has also taken a swipe at free agents.

Carlton was virtually invisible in the past month, only involved in one trade during the entire trade/free agency period completed yesterday, trading departing Jordan Russell to Malthouse's old club Collingwood for pick 71.

"Our salary cap is topped up and the player list is contracted so there wasn't a lot of maneuverability," Malthouse said.

"Disappointing? Maybe but at the end of the day you don't trade for the sake of trading.

"The bigger names, (Brendon) Goddard and so forth, they have changed over in the free agency period.

"Is Gary Ablett out there? No, it is more mix and match - too many ruckmen, not enough flanks or vice versa so you swap over.

"We spoke from the word go we probably wouldn't be doing much trading and it has turned out we've done none. Our salary cap is where it is and our players are contracted so there was not much we can do."

Malthouse refused to be drawn on the controversy surrounding Adelaide and its former key forward Kurt Tippett.

With no trade completed yesterday, Tippett may be forced to enter the national or pre-season draft.

Despite crying out for a big-bodied key forward, Malthouse said there was no way Tippett would be in the navy blue next season.

"We can't get him," he said in Hobart yesterday promoting his daughter Christi Malthouse's book A Football Life.

"If he's in the draft he's not going to get through to Carlton and if he did our salary cap is restrictive."

This year saw the introduction of free agency that allowed some players easier access to the club of their choice, but the former Footscray, West Coast and Collingwood coach was not impressed.

"I don't like it at all," he said.

"It helps the top clubs and doesn't do any favours at all for the bottom clubs."

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Players boss standing up for Tippett

Kurt Tippett. Picture: George Salpigtidis. Source: Herald Sun

AFL players' union chief Matt Finnis yesterday threw his support behind Kurt Tippett after the ex Crows found himself cast as a villain.

After the Sydney deal was withdrawn and no other club moved to deal with Adelaide over its highest-paid player, Tippett now seems destined for the national or pre-season draft and has lost much control over where he ends up.

As an AFL investigation continues into Adelaide's 2009 side deal controlling Tippett's exit from West Lakes, the AFL Players Association was a rare voice standing up for Tippett as he contemplates his next football station after the messy departure from the Crows.

But Finnis said that regardless of the investigation and its outcome, the game still had a responsibility to its player, who is yet to be found guilty of any wrongdoing and appears to have served out his playing contract with Adelaide in good faith.

Finnis said nobody ought to feel good about Tippett finding himself in his current situation after serving out his contract with the Crows, negotiating a new deal and then watching his future spiral into uncertainty.

The AFLPA will support Tippett throughout the investigation of his initial deal with Adelaide and through the remainder of the exchange window, and made the point that Tippett still had the right to defend himself.

"I know it's probably an unpopular view in Adelaide, but at the end of the day he's a player who's got the right to expect to be able to continue his career," Finnis said.

"I think what's disappointing is that as a result of the situation, a player and club had appeared to have reached an agreement but the player doesn't get the benefit of that agreement.

"Putting aside the investigation and any offence or penalties that might apply, people should not lose sight of the fact that Kurt Tippett, today, is the one whose future is uncertain."

Finnis said it was still too early for the AFLPA to launch its own investigation into the conduct of all parties involved throughout the Tippett fiasco.

But he said the union would make its own inquiries when the AFL had handed over its findings.

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Darkest secrets back to haunt Crows

Adelaide Crows chief executive Steven Trigg arrives at the club's administration offices Picture: Sarah Reed Source: The Advertiser

STEVEN Trigg stepped off a flight from Croatia to return to the Adelaide Football Club last Friday with the Crows' darkest secret unravelling.

It became the blackest day in the AFL club's 22-year history.

The Crows' side deal with defecting forward Kurt Tippett - one that threatens to cost Trigg his job - was becoming known around the AFL. Lawyers were reading it - and not only those of Tippett's agitated father, Tony.

A rival AFL club, Gold Coast, had a copy of the infamous deal spelt out in 2009 in an email letter between former Crows football operations manager John Reid and Tippett's Brisbane-based manager Peter Blucher.

Having been jilted by Tippett - who had sat in the Gold Coast offices a year earlier contemplating a move to the Suns before this year choosing Sydney - the Gold Coast executives handed the letter to their lawyers.

The key question was: Could it be passed to the AFL without reprisal to the Suns who would have to explain how they had it?

Trigg's club had committed the cardinal sin.

More than challenge the two key pillars of the AFL competition - the salary cap and draft - the Crows had foolishly put their secret deal with Tippett in writing.

It was not, as was often said, a "handshake" or "gentlemen's agreement" acknowledging Tippett would have an easy passage to the Gold Coast team on his home base in Queensland should he chose to leave the Crows.

This AFL rule-breaching side deal involved payments to Tippett outside the salary cap. It is a six-figure sum that the AFL auditors will now determine as they piece together what appears to be the biggest rort in AFL football of the past decade.

As AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou has privately told a club president of the Crows-Tippett deal: "It was dumb."

More so when the illegal payments would have fitted within Adelaide's salary cap that has ranged from $8.5 million to $9.3 million in the past three years.

Trigg returned from a three-week holiday, which had taken him from Paris to Venice and Croatia, last Friday when Adelaide was finishing a deal to trade Tippett to his chosen club of Sydney for a draft pick and out-of-favour forward Jesse White.

There were two urgent tasks for Trigg.

First, he had to stop Adelaide list manager David Noble from lodging any trade for Tippett. Noble took a phone call from the club telling him to walk out of the AFL offices in Melbourne.

Trigg also had to see his club chairman Rob Chapman to reveal the full details of the secret deal with Tippett.

Trigg, whose jetlag from a 40-hour trip was minor compared to the headache he had from the Tippett letter, put the document - with all its problems - before Chapman.

Around the AFL, Gold Coast was telling others the infamous Tippett exit clause was a minor matter compared to the third-party agreements Adelaide had agreed to underwrite for Tippett.

"An hour after Steven got back, he was in my office," said Chapman. "And 90 minutes later we were before Andrew Demetriou putting the letter to the AFL."

Trigg dismisses any suggestion the mea culpa moment was forced by Tippett's father threatening to take the Crows to court for haggling on his son's move to Sydney.

"I want to make clear that our decision go to the AFL was not motivated by any threat of legal action," said Trigg in an emailed note to his club's members on Thursday night.

"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."

The Crows stepped up before the AFL moved in, as unfolded at the club's West Lakes base yesterday when AFL investigators claimed files and computer records to deepen their scrutiny of every payment that Adelaide has made to Tippett.

Trigg stayed out of the media last weekend, despite a heavy booking list from journalists wanting the Crows chief to explain why Adelaide appeared to be scoring a poor deal from the Swans.

His remarks to The Advertiser on Monday and Tuesday sounded like riddles. To specific questions on what had happened on Friday, Trigg politely responded: "If I answer that, I'll give the whole game away."

By Wednesday, Trigg was being even more cautious with his responses by phone link to AFL investigations officer Ken Wood and integrity officer Brett Clothier. Wood, an auditor, is the AFL's long-serving salary cap watchdog. Clothier, a lawyer, joined the AFL in August 2008 when the league became concerned with the influence of increased gambling options in football.

Trigg sat in his office at West Lakes surrounded by lawyers, all on the clock at the start of an AFL investigation that is expected to cost the Crows plenty.

There could be fines, as much as $500,000. There could be the loss of draft picks, a penalty that punishes a club for years as this denies new blood for the player list.

And the members will demand blood. It is too easy to serve up Reid as the fall guy. Every senior staffer is under scrutiny, as is the board for not questioning the deal with the same vigour the media had.

Chapman says he will support Trigg to the hilt, acknowledging his outstanding record. But the pressure will mount for Trigg to resign.

Trigg was on the pathway to bigger things. Now he is tainted by a deal Demetriou rightly labels as "dumb" ... and one the Crows should have never put in writing.

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Sole female resigns from AFL post

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou. Source: Herald Sun

FOOTY'S first and only female executive has resigned from her post at the AFL.

Christina Ogg, the league's general manager of human resources, tendered her resignation to AFL boss Andrew Demetriou yesterday.

And in a major shake-up to the AFL's high-powered leadership team, senior executive Andrew Catterall announced he was taking long service leave.

The Herald Sun understands Catterall - general manager of strategy and marketing - will not be returning to the AFL.

The changes were relayed to club chief executives yesterday.

Both Catterall and Ogg were highly-paid members of the AFL's nine-person managerial body, which includes Demetriou.

League staffer Sam Graham will take command of the key strategy aspect of Catterall's job, while Stephen Gray and Blair Crouch will assume the marketing responsibilities.

AFL No.2 Gillon McLachlan, widely expected to replace Demetriou when he retires, will oversee Catterall's department in the interim.

Catterall, 38, was considered a rising star of the AFL and helped oversee the game's expansion into the Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney.

Club CEO's were told he had decided to take extra leave ahead of his upcoming wedding.

Ogg broke new ground for women in football in June 2009 by being promoted to join the executive.

The AFL Commission has two female members, Sam Mostyn and Linda Dessau.

Changes have also been forced for the AFL's Grievance Tribunal after its chair, Jack Rush QC, was yesterday unveiled as one of four new St Kilda board members.

"Jack Rush informed the AFL that he would be joining the St Kilda board and a process is now underway, as specified under the collective bargaining agreement, to appoint a replacement to the Grievance Tribunal," a league spokesman said.

"An announcement will be made in due course."

Joining Jack on the Saints' board are Olympic gold medal hockey player Danni Roche, accountant Paul Kirk and Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust chairman Russell Caplan.

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West Coast refuses to part with Brown

Mitch Brown at West Coast Eagles training at Junction Oval. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

ST KILDA has been left seething by West Coast's refusal to part with Mitch Brown, as the trade and free agency period came to an end yesterday.

The Saints appeased the Eagles by parting with Western Australian youngster Jamie Cripps plus an exchange of picks, but were fuming when the goodwill was not returned.

St Kilda head of football Chris Pelchen said the Saints acted out of compassion for Cripps' desire to return home, leaving the Saints "extremely disappointed" a similar swap for Victorian Brown was not forthcoming.

"Like Mitch Brown wanting to return home, we were compassionate that Jamie wanted to return to Western Australia," Pelchen said.

"Our preference for Jamie was to stay at the club, but he made it clear he wanted to be home with family.

"We made several offers to West Coast in the last couple of hours to try and get Mitch across the line.

"There's no doubt Mitch wanted to play with us."

A total of 35 AFL listed players found new homes this month (11 yesterday) the most since 1997.

In other developments:

- Cale Morton, the 2007 No.4 pick, was traded to the Eagles for pick No.88. The Demons will pay part of his 2013 salary as he was still contracted to the club for another year.

- Demon Jordan Gysberts traded placed with Roo Cam Pedersen, while the Dees' fire sale was completed when ruckman Stefan Martin joined teammate Brent Moloney in Brisbane.

- Key forward Lucas Cook will become Melbourne's third first round draftee to depart this post-season when he is de-listed next week.

- Farren Ray remained at St Kilda and Gold Coast failed to come up with a trade for Josh Toy.

- Justin Sherman was de-listed by the Western Bulldogs with a year to run on his contract.

- Geelong told Tom Gillies he would be de-listed as the squeeze for spots on the Cats list continues.

- North Melbourne remained hopeful it could secure Port Adelaide Ben Jacobs via the draft despite the Power's best efforts to persuade the ruckman to stay.

West Coast recruiting manager Rohan O'Brien said he was confident Brown, 23, would hold no animosity towards the club for keeping him.

"There certainly won't be any angst from our point of view and I hope Mitch is the same," O'Brien said.

"We've always had a long term view with Mitch and remains that we want him to stay for a number of years and we think he'll be a terrific player for us."

It is understood Morton's relationship with Demons coach Mark Neeld was beyond repair.

O'Brien said the Eagles rated the 22-year-old "extremely highly" and that the club is confident his outside run is perfectly suited to the wide expanses of Patersons Stadium.

But whether he slips straight in to the Eagles best 22 is "up to Cale now", O'Brien said.

"He's the same as everyone else, he'll be equal when he comes in, and if he plays well he'll get an opportunity."

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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

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

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.

Who do you think will win the 2013 flag? Get the best odds at OddsScanner

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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Nixon wary of private deals

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

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

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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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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Be consistent: Collins

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

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

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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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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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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Crows may have breached salary cap

The Adelaide Crows are insisting they didn't mean to breach AFL rules in Kurt Tippett's out-of-contract dealings. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: adelaidenow

ADELAIDE'S no-longer secret "exit clause" with forward Kurt Tippett may be the least of the Crows' problems as the AFL investigation turns to allegations of undisclosed third-party payments.

If proven, these claims - that relate to Tippett and his brother Joel who plays with SANFL club West Adelaide - could subject the Crows to heavy sanctions for salary cap breaches.

AFL salary cap investigator Ken Wood has taken to investigating how the Crows may have paid Joel Tippett to move from the Gold Coast to Adelaide to ease Kurt's unease in the SA capital.

Adelaide chief executive Steven Trigg on Friday handed to the AFL a letter of agreement reached outside the Crows' contract dealings with Tippett in 2009.

That letter has at least three clauses - the exit demand to trade Tippett to any AFL club of his choice when he chose to leave Adelaide and two deals that could breach the AFL salary cap rules.

Adelaide faces harsher penalties for the alleged third-party arrangements than the exit clause written in the 2009 letter between Crows football operations chief John Reid and Tippett's Brisbane-based manager Peter Blucher.

If Wood and AFL integrity officer Brett Clothier find the Crows should have detailed the third-party deals in Tippett's contract, Adelaide will be subject to penalties ranging from fines to losing draft picks.

Trigg's decision to hand the document to the AFL on Friday appears to have been triggered, in part, by rival AFL club Gold Coast becoming aware of Tippett's letter of arrangement with the Crows and seeking AFL scrutiny of the 2009 document.

Also, Wood had taken interest - before Trigg's declaration - in an interview in The Advertiser earlier this month when Crows chairman Rob Chapman spoke of Joel's move to Adelaide.

EARLIER, Crows chairman Rob Chapman insisted the club had nothing to hide after initiating an AFL probe into Kurt Tippett's out-of-contract terms at West Lakes.

Chapman also has opened the Adelaide player files to AFL investigator Ken Wood as the special letter between Tippett and the Crows from 2009 brings into question how the club has signed up its squad.

"We have nothing to hide - and we have opened all the books to the AFL without condition," Chapman said last night.

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

Chapman defended his club's officials who allowed Tippett to have a letter detailing the terms by which he was to be traded from Adelaide if he chose to leave the Crows at the end of his three-year contract - as he has asked with a trade to Sydney.

"Our intent was never to break any rules," Chapman told The Advertiser last night.

"And we have a history of compliance, no record of any misdemeanours, 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."

Chapman last night would not prejudice decisions that could follow if the AFL finds the Crows and Tippett have breached league rules.

He would not comment on a potential sacking of chief executive Steven Trigg who sanctioned the deal in 2009.

The other key player in the negotiations, football operations chief John Reid, left the Crows at the end of the 2009 season.

But Chapman did praise Trigg for putting the Tippett issue - which has been subject to media scrutiny for more than a year - before him on Friday, an hour after Trigg returned from a three-week European holiday.

Department of Trades

"And 90 minutes later we were on the phone to (AFL chief) Andrew Demetriou," said Chapman.

"We have disclosed the issues we think he should be aware of.

"We have opened to the AFL all the books at the Adelaide Football Club without condition. And I have given the AFL a gold-plated commitment they will find nothing out of order with any other player contract."

Chapman could not answer why his club - or even the AFL - had not put the Tippett agreement up for review earlier, particularly when it was subject to intense public speculation this year.

"They are good questions you ask," said Chapman.

"And I would love to be in a position to disclose more fully my answer to those questions - and I look forward to the day I do.

"Because the club's members and the football public deserve to know what is going on.

"Remember, we asked the AFL to investigate this.

"In the past week it has been clear we have to remove every shade of grey from this debate. There must be full disclosure.

"Once I took this to the board, every director without hesitation agreed this needs to be clarified and there needs to be disclosure to the AFL.

"The AFL acknowledges we have done the right thing to bring this to them.

"Everyone deserves answers."

The AFL investigation now puts in question if Tippett can be traded before tomorrow's 1.30pm deadline - and what happens to his football career if he is suspended for breaching league rules.

Adelaide is understood to have agreed after closing contract talks with Tippett in 2009 to release him at a "minimal cost", supposedly a second-round draft pick.

"Remember three years ago everyone in this state wanted our club to re-sign Kurt Tippett," said Chapman. "

"At that time, our people negotiating the deal believed what they were doing was right."

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Chapman would not reveal the legal advice his club has received.

"I've consulted far and wide - and put in place methods to look at this with due diligence," he said.

"We're asking all the questions. We are still in the process of getting the answers."

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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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Eagles swoop on Dee Morton

Could Cale Morton be West Coast bound? Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

WEST Coast has turned its attention to securing Melbourne wingman Cale Morton.

Morton, 22, flew to Perth yesterday for a medical and to talk to coach John Worsfold about returning to Western Australia.

Morton is contracted to the Demons for another season, but is believed to be open to a fresh start after falling out of favour with coach Mark Neeld last season.

One of West Coast's third-round selections (No.61 or No.62) could swing the deal for the Dees.

While the Eagles have made no promises, they are intent on recruiting a mature-age ball-carrier to help cover the loss of onballer Koby Stevens, who moved to the Western Bulldogs yesterday.

Stevens' move follows the sudden retirement of Tom Swift and Brad Ebert's exit to Port Adelaide last year, creating a void in West Coast's midfield stocks.

Morton's fate could hinge on West Coast's bid to poach homesick St Kilda defender Jamie Cripps.

West Coast wants Cripps, but is unwilling to part with key defender Mitch Brown in a trade for the young flanker.

Speculation was mounting last night that Essendon could be involved as part of a three-way trade.

In that scenario, the Bombers would send backman Cale Hooker to the Saints, who are in need of defensive reinforcement.

It is unclear whether Morton is in Neeld's plans for next season, with the Dees interested in Saint Farren Ray.

Morton, a No.4 pick in the 2007 national draft, played 40 games and averaged 20 possessions a match in his first two seasons under former coach Dean Bailey.

But injuries, including medial and posterior ligament problems, have interrupted his past three seasons. Morton played only nine games last season.
 

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No honeymoon at Blues for Mick

Mick Malthouse says Carlton will be playing a brand of football aimed at September action. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: Herald Sun

Cartoon by David McArthur. Source: Herald Sun

COACH Mick Malthouse yesterday promised Carlton would be "up and running early" to cope with a draw from hell to open the season.

Malthouse said the Blues would play a brand of football geared towards September action.

"Given what I have just heard about our draw - which is something like Richmond, Collingwood, West Coast, Geelong and Adelaide - the (AFL) have done us no favours," Malthouse said.

"But I go along with what Andrew Demetriou says - the draw is the draw is the draw, and very rarely does the top four ever reflect anything but that."

Malthouse was speaking at the MCG launch of Malthouse, A Football Life, a book by his daughter Christi that details his 40 years in the AFL.

The four-time premiership coach said there would be no great surprises in the style Carlton would play.

"I can categorically tell you the game plan won't change," Malthouse, 59, said.

"It will be defence first, defence second and defence third.

"How you manage the strategies depends on the players you have at your disposal."

Malthouse said Chris Judd would retain the captaincy - if he wanted it.

Malthouse's former team, Collingwood, is also believed to be headed for a tough start to the season with games against this year's finalists contenders North Melbourne, Carlton and Hawthorn in the first three rounds. Essendon looms in Round5 on Anzac Day.

The Herald Sun understands the Magpies will play as many as seven Friday night games as Channel 7 gets bang for its buck with the most powerful club in the land.

The game plan won't change ... it will be defence first, defence second and defence third

In a major change to recent seasons, the Pies are believed to be set for more Sunday afternoon games.

Collingwood is expected to have an away game against Gold Coast to promote football in the area.

The Pies will be striving for another top-four finish, but Malthouse refused to speculate on the Blues.

"I'm not going to put a target on where we will finish but I'm desperate to make the final four because that's where premierships are won," he said.

"We will play football that is capable of winning finals matches."

Malthouse will officially begin at Carlton on November 5 before the club travels to Arizona. He has been doing altitude training to ensure his fitness is at the desired level.

Malthouse said there would be no dramatic changes to the Carlton list before the trade period ended on Friday.

Carlton has little room to move in its salary cap, despite not having reached the top four in the past decade.

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Port backs itself in fresh trade deals

Former Sturt junior Jack Hombsch is returning from GWS to play for Port Adelaide. Picture: Brett Costello. Source: The Daily Telegraph

Jack Hombsch punches the ball away from Brent Thornton. He is heading to Port. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

PORT Adelaide is finding a new defensive line-up in the AFL trade market.

The Power has claimed former Sturt tall defender Jack Hombsch - and sweetened the trade with 17-year-old NT small forward Jake Neade - to ultimately cover the loss of free-agent key defender Troy Chaplin to Richmond.

In return, Port has allowed Greater Western Sydney to continue stockpiling much-valued picks in next month's AFL national draft.

The Giants get Port's second-round pick (No. 29) for 19-year-old Hombsch.

After losing Chaplin, delisting former vice-captain Jacob Surjan and watching Jacobs walk, Port's need for new defensive options is high.

Live: AFL Trades Chat

But Port's play for Fremantle's switch-hitting defender Greg Broughton has cooled after learning how much cash the Docker carries on the last year of his contract. The 26-year-old also wants a long-term deal from a new club.

On the way out of Alberton remains 20-year-old defender Ben Jacobs, a first-round draftee two years ago.

But talks with his preferred Melbourne-based club, North Melbourne, failed to advance yesterday as the Power insisted on draft picks from the Kangaroos rather than players such as small forward Matt Campbell and defender Luke Delaney.

North Melbourne currently has picks Nos. 15, 38 and 39 in the first round of next month's national draft.

"The clock is ticking," said Port football operations manager Peter Rodhe last night.

The Power has until 1.30pm Friday to trade Jacobs or run the risk of losing the Victorian draftee without compensation in next month's draft, where he would be claimed by any of the Kangaroos, Essendon and St Kilda and possibly Richmond.

Port's reputation of chasing South Australians in the trade market continues.

See every deal at Department of Trades

Hombsch was the first SANFL-based player claimed by the Giants when they formed their preliminary squad two years ago.

Originally from Roxby Downs, he played nine AFL games this year.

"We see Jack as being a long-term, strategic replacement for Chaplin in defence," said Rohde.

Hombsch joins to-be-elevated rookie Tom Jonas and 2011 draftee Nathan Blee in the race to be part of Port's new back six.

"I see it as a massive opportunity to try to play some consistent footy back in my home state," Hombsch said.

"I spoke to (new coach) Ken Hinkley the other day and he told me the direction he sees the group heading in and it really confirmed to me what a fantastic club Port Adelaide is and that it has a great future."

 

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Saints land Suns ruckman Hickey

Gold Coast's Tom Hickey is heading to the Saints. Picture: David Clark Source: Gold Coast Bulletin

ST KILDA has used its prized compensation pick for losing Brendon Goddard on promising Gold Coast ruckman Tom Hickey.

The Saints will hand Gold Coast pick No. 13 and the clubs will also swap later draft picks.

The Saints have now parted with both their first-round picks but they will move up the draft in later rounds with the clubs set to exchange selections before the paperwork is lodged with the AFL today.

The Saints will receive Hickey and picks No.26 and 47. The Suns will get pick No.13 as well as 37 and 57. Hickey, 21, has been recruited to partner No.1 ruckman Ben McEvoy.

The Queenslander, played 10 games for the Suns this year and two in his debut season.

He requested a trade to the Saints this month - to be closer to his girlfriend, according to the Suns - but talks stalled last week when the Suns demanded a first-round pick.

The 201cm former elite volleyball player was a zone selection for Gold Coast.

Suns football manager Marcus Ashcroft said his side was thrilled to gain a top-15 draft selection after coughing up pick 2 to Greater Western Sydney last week.

"Our ability to add pick 13 to our selections in the upcoming draft means we will have the ability to draft another elite young player to our club," he said.

St Kilda got pick No.13 as compensation for the loss of free agent Brendon Goddard to Essendon.

The Saints traded their first pick, No.12, to Greater Western Sydney as part of a deal to snare Claremont forward Tom Lee.

The trade means the Suns will now have a first-round selection in next month's draft.

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Demon a fix for lengthy problem

Ruckman Stefan Martin at Melbourne training. Picture: George Salpigtidis. Source: Herald Sun

BRISBANE has met Melbourne ruckman/forward Stefan Martin as it moves to recruit much-needed tall timber in the dying stages of the AFL's three-week trade period.

Martin, 26, flew to Brisbane yesterday to talk with Lions coach Michael Voss and medical staff.

With Melbourne recruiting Collingwood forward Chris Dawes and possibly North Melbourne's Cameron Pedersen, Martin's role at the Demons could be limited, despite having a year left on his contract.

Several clubs have asked Melbourne about Martin but Brisbane are in the box seat to lure the 57-gamer north as a foil to captain Jonathan Brown.

A draft pick would be enough to see a trade completed by the 1pm Friday deadline.

Martin played only seven games in an injury-riddled 2012 after a breakout 2011 when his mobility, competitiveness and versatility stood out.

Lions midfielder Andrew Raines, 26, has signed for two more years.

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Bombers wait on Lovett-Murray

Essendon veteran Nathan Lovett-Murray at training. Picture: Chris Scott. Source: Herald Sun

Essendon ruckman David Hille has re-signed with the club. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

Essendon small forward Alwyn Davey. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: News Limited

ESSENDON is all but locked and loaded for next season with Nathan Lovett-Murray the only club veteran yet to sign.

The Dons yesterday signed David Hille and Alwyn Davey on one-year deals and Lovett-Murray is expected to sign soon.

Hille's signature - first reported at superfooty.com.au - means there is a ruck crush at the club.

Father-son pick Joe Daniher will grow into a forward who can go into the ruck alongside Tom Bellchambers and Paddy Ryder.

In recent weeks the club has signed Scott Gumbleton, Dustin Fletcher, Leroy Jetta and David Myers. Henry Slattery is looking for a new home but Ricky Dyson could yet stay.

Every deal and delisting at Department of Trades

Essendon, which secured St Kilda free agent Brendon Goddard, hasn't lost any of its key position players in what should be a talent-laden spine.

Cale Hooker and Tayte Pears look set to stay, with Daniher considered so talented he could play in Round1.

Hille will need to be at the top of his form to play senior footy, but is up for the challenge.

"My hunger, desire and passion to compete ... is as strong as it has ever been," he said yesterday.

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PORT ADELAIDE has converted its second-round draft pick of No.29 to two players in the trade period. Greater Western Sydney tall defender Jack Hombsch will return to SA.

The second player is forward Jake Neade, now studying at St Patrick's College in Ballarat. The 17-year-old is a zone-based recruit the Giants can on-pass to rival clubs.

Hombsch was the first South Australian added to the GWS list.

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Blues bring big hitters to table

Australia Post chief Ahmed Fahour has officially joined Carlton's board. Picture: Nicole Garmston Source: Herald Sun

AUSTRALIA Post chief Ahmed Fahour and Pricewaterhouse Coopers boss Luke Sayers have been officially added to Carlton's bulging board.

Australia Post chief executive Ahmed Fahour and Pricewaterhouse Coopers boss Luke Sayers have been officially added to Carlton's bulging board.

Its members now total 13 -- the most across the league -- with businessmen Ryan Trainor and Craig Mathieson, the nephew of pokies benefactor Bruce Mathieson, also appointed at last night's meeting.

One of Fahour or Sayers will replace Stephen Kernahan as president at the end of next season under a peace plan agreed upon last month.

Kernahan had been under pressure to keep his job, despite the signing of coach Mick Malthouse.

"This brings about orderly change while introducing new people and fresh ideas to the board table," Kernahan said last night as Carlton's new-look board met for the first time at Visy Park last night.

Mark Harrison and Ari Suss have retired, while Jeanne Pratt will remain as vice-president for 2013.
 

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Umpires wired for in-game coaching

AFL umpires, including multiple grand final whisteblower Brett Rosebury, could receive in-game coaching from their mentors via a two-way radio under a plan proposed by former Adelaide coach Neil Craig. Picture: Stuart Milligan Source: Herald Sun

NEIL Craig failed to put his Crowbots on remote control when he was Adelaide coach, but he has convinced the AFL to do more with its wired-up umpires.

AFL umpires will trial during the NAB Cup pre-season series taking messages from their coaches sitting in the grandstands.

Craig, who is currently the high-performance director at Melbourne, sold the idea to the AFL after sitting in the umpiring observers' box during the past season.

He questioned why the umpires - who are wired up to take direction on score reviews - are not sent direct messages from their coaches.

AFL football operations chief Adrian Anderson thought the concept sound enough to merit a trial in the pre-season competition starting in February.

"Neil was saying, 'You could've helped that umpire by alerting him to this or that or telling him he needs to adjust his positioning - why don't you talk to them?"' Anderson said.

Craig trialled sending direct messages to his players at training in 2008 when he was coaching Adelaide.

The concept never developed beyond training because the AFL objected to players being wired-up.

Anderson says the radio messages from AFL umpiring director Jeff Gieschen and coaches Rowan Sawers, Hayden Kennedy and Bryan Sheehan are not to influence umpires' decisions.

"It wouldn't be telling them what decisions to make or anything like that, it'd just be in terms of their positioning, or anything they might need to look out for," he said.

"They might say, 'You need to keep your eyes on what's happening in the goalsquare'."

The trial in the NAB Cup will determine if the concept becomes a routine for umpires in the premiership season.
 

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Training is no sweat for Ablett

Suns skipper Gary Ablett made a brief appearance at the start of Gold Coast pre-season training yesterday. Picture: David Clark Source: Gold Coast Bulletin

HE barely raised a sweat, but Gary Ablett made a brief cameo at Gold Coast training yesterday.

The Suns started their pre-season campaign in sweltering heat at Carrara's Metricon Stadium and despite not being required to attend, Ablett made a short appearance to boost his troops.

The Gold Coast captain cut an upbeat figure as he participated in handball and goalkicking drills before retiring to get treatment on a stiff back.

Ablett and the Suns' playing list will leave for the US on Sunday for their two-week high-altitude training camp in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna said he was not surprised to see Ablett show his face.

"He's done it every year he's been captain," McKenna said.

"He's had his break, he's out here ... he understands.

"It's typical of Gazza's keenness to make sure we finished off the season well last year, and to maintain that momentum."

Trade targets Tom Hickey and Josh Toy did not train yesterday even though players with less than eight years' experience were required to attend.

Hickey is seeking a trade to St Kilda while Toy has attracted interest from several clubs.

The Suns unveiled the last addition to the coaching panel for 2013 yesterday with 2005 Sydney premiership player Ben Mathews joining former Carlton assistant Mark Riley and ex-Port Power senior coach Matthew Primus as the newcomers to McKenna's staff.
 

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Lake building up for a big year

In this file picture, Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson announces Brian Lake has been traded to Hawthorn from the Western Bulldogs. Picture: Nicole Garmston. Source: News Limited

HAWTHORN'S prized trade Brian Lake is already hard at work in the gym at Waverley Park.

Club football manager Mark Evans said the former Western Bulldogs full-back wanted to make an impression when pre-season training resumed next month.

"He's keen to make a really positive start and he's chipping away slowly at a strength program," Evans said.

"His season finished earlier than ours, so he's ready and back doing mostly weight training.

"We've got a few players doing a few things, but he's obviously four weeks further rested than most of our guys.

"We've got quite a few guys who are off enjoying the sun somewhere.

"But some of the guys who are in Melbourne are still calling in to continue with their strength programs or rehab programs."

The Hawks nabbed Lake in one of the surprise early trade deals, and the dual All-Australian will provide height and strength to the backline next year.

"It was well publicised that there were a couple of games during the year where we could have used Brian," Evans said.

In other news, Hawthorn is leading the fight for AFL clubs to get more information on the formula used to decide free agency compensation.

The Hawks are still studying whether they can challenge receiving draft pick No.66 in return for running defender Clinton Young's move to Collingwood.

"We'll go back through our documentation to see whether there's (grounds) for an appeal or not," Evans said.

"There doesn't appear to be one at first look."

Evans said clubs wanted more details about the new system, claiming they are "flying blind" when not even being aware of an offer to a player who is an unrestricted free agent, which was the case with Young.

"We'll all get used to it, but we need to have a system that has some equity in it," he said.

"And we need to be able to understand why some things come out the way they do.

"I know it was an agreement between the AFL and the Players' Association and that the formula be kept secret, but it doesn't help us understand the system.

"We certainly need some better detail on why we ended up getting pick 66 for Clinton Young."
 

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Plenty of life left in the Big O

Orren Stephenson is not giving up on his AFL dream despite being delisted by Geelong. Picture: Peter Ristevski Source: Geelong Advertiser

ORREN Stephenson is hopeful his AFL fairytale has another chapter left in it despite his departure from Geelong.

The mature-aged recruit played eight games this season with the 'Big O' becoming a crowd favourite, but the drafting of Hamish McIntosh meant his services are now no longer required.

Stephenson holds no grudge towards the Cats, but believes he will be a better AFL player next year.

"I understood that they thought the best thing for the footy club is to go for a guy who is younger and played some really good AFL footy," he said.

"That's the ebs and flow of it and you have to roll with the punches. They were certainly forthright with it so I understood where they were looking to go.

"But there is still an urge there (to play AFL).

"The biggest thing is that now I've got a little bit of experience and I know there is still improvement in me.

"Even though people will say, 'He's old, he's 30', I know I've definitely got more improvement in me so I'll see what pans out."

After playing in three consecutive VFL flags with North Ballarat, Stephenson was taken by the Cats with pick No.78 in last year's national draft to cover the retirement of Brad Ottens.

He made his AFL debut in Round 1 against Fremantle and played six games in the first half of the season before breaking back for two at the business end.

However, a broken hand suffered against West Coast in Round 20 was a blow.

Stephenson returned for the VFL finals series and led the Cats to the premiership, his fourth in five years.

"Twelve months ago if someone had said. 'You will play a season of AFL footy, win another VFL flag and improve your footy', I would never have believed them," he said.

"I've been very blessed, I've played Friday night footy on the 'G against Hawthorn and it was all very exciting times.

"The biggest thing I got out of it was that I certainly know I am capable of playing AFL footy.

"You used to sit back and wonder if I got that opportunity, would I go alright? Now, I know I'm capable."

Stephenson, a father of three, who works as a Telstra technician in Ballarat, has put his life on hold as he waits to see if opportunity comes knocking again.

"I've said to my employer, who has been terrificly supportive, that if the opportunity arises again I'm not going to say no," he said.
 

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It's tricky to get the right formula

AFL fixture consultant Rick Stone (far right). Source: Supplied

YOUR typical state lottery may require you to pick six numbers out of 50 to win the jackpot.

Statistically, this means selecting the correct combination of six numbers out of 50. You would have a one in 15,890,700 chance of winning.

That's how many different ways there are of selecting 6/50.

Compare this with the AFL's fixture lists. We have 18 clubs. Each club can play in one of 34 possible matches per week -- 17 home against the other clubs and 17 away against the other clubs.

In addition, each of those matches can be on any one of the nine different TV slots each round. As well, many of the clubs can host matches in a variety of stadiums, on average about two stadiums per club.

Altogether we are dealing with 18 clubs x 34 match-ups x 9 TV slots x 2 stadiums x 23 rounds, which equals a little over 250,000 possible choices.

From those 250,000 choices, the AFL must select the correct combination of 198 matches that best meets the collective needs of the clubs, the fans, the stadiums, and broadcasters.

I have yet to find a calculatorthat can handle a number as large as this. The answer is always infinity.

Even trying to select 198 matches out of 1000 game options gives me the number 4.1e+214. That is 4.1 with 214 zeros behind it.

I can only imagine that selecting 198 out of 250,000 is infinitely bigger than this number. It's like trying to find the "best" grain of sand on a beach.

Rick Stone is president of Optimal Planning Solutions, the AFL's fixture consultant
 

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Calculating the perfect fixture

Calculating the perfect AFL season fixture is no easy task, according to a leading international numbers guru. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

GRAB a pen and a piece of paper and start trying to nut out if the AFL fixture is as good as it could possibly be.

You'll soon discover it's an impossible task. The maths is so complex it would take billions of years - and even that's a guesstimate by an international numbers guru.

Footy's countless number of agreements, contracts, broadcast deals and player welfare rules make producing the footy fixture a logistical nightmare - mathematically the hardest in world sport.

At the heart of the dilemma is AFL economics - maximising the TV ratings and attendances.

But this needs to be balanced against fairness, six and seven-day breaks for the combatants and sharing the riches among all the clubs.

According to one club figure, the difference between a Friday night fixture and a Sunday twilight match for Collingwood could be $500,000.

For North Melbourne, it could be $200,000.

Big numbers and a lot to compute.

That's where Rick Stone and his Canadian-based software firm Optimal Planning Solutions come to the rescue.

Since 2006, Optimal has assisted the AFL in balancing the endless number of fixture factors.

"Suffice to say, it is an impossibly large number of possible fixture lists that need to be evaluated by the AFL," Stone says.

"Our software, in conjunction with a commercial mathematical solver and state-of-the-art computers, which have between 24 and 80 cores each, allows the AFL to efficiently evaluate the many different possibilities in a much more finite time period."

In layman's terms, that means Optimal's computers are fast - a top personal laptop would have about four cores.

"The AFL, with the use of our software, has built a scoring system that will give penalties for undesirable things," Stone says.

"So you might have situations where a club has back-to-back long travels, or multiple road games in a row ... or fixtures on specific TV networks that aren't as appealing as others."

The end result is the best possible result - because there's simply no such thing as a perfect draw in the AFL.

"You can kind of equate it to trying to find a star in a solar system or a grain of sand on the beach. It really is a mind-boggling number," Stone says.

Stone now knows a lot about Australian football - he has been to two Grand Finals - and is well aware of the politics behind every AFL fixture.

"In general terms, with the leagues that we've been dealing with, if you've got a salary cap in the league, the teams should be pretty even regardless," he said.

"And the fact we do the top eight, bottom 10 rule should make it a little bit fairer for clubs that were at the bottom of the ladder (the previous season).

"Every year is a new year. My personal opinion is that you've got a salary cap in the league, so everyone should be on the same footing going into each season."
 

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Supercomputers tackle AFL draw

Eyes on the ball...The AFL fixture has been revealed as the most difficult mathematical problem in world sport. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

THE AFL fixture has been revealed as the most difficult mathematical problem in world sport.

As league chiefs prepare to unveil next season's draw, its complexities have been laid bare by the Canadian company that helps devise it.

The AFL uses British Columbian software firm Optimal Planning Solutions to craft its 23-round fixture.

Canvassing every possible combination for the 198- game home-and-away season would take literally billions of years, Optimal's chief told the Herald Sun.

Optimal creates draws for leading competitions across the globe including NFL football, European soccer, the NRL and Super Rugby.

Optimal chief Rick Stone says the AFL's array of agreements surrounding stadiums, clubs, blockbusters, broadcasters, state derbies, themed matches and player welfare made it the hardest fixture to assemble.

The equation is compounded because the league's 18 teams do not play each other twice.

"From a strictly mathematical point of view, the AFL is more difficult (than the 32-team NFL) -- by far," Stone told the Herald Sun.

"There are a lot of rules specific to the clubs, but there are also a lot of rules specific to stadiums and what the broadcasting partners are looking for. And every year they seem to come up with more rules and we assist them in defining the rules and translate that into software."

New fixture "rules" for next year will see top four teams play fewer matches against bottom four sides.

The only exception will be for the Swans, who get two hitouts against Greater Western Sydney.

Another rule sees the non-finalists from this season play a maximum of two return matches against top eight sides from 2012.

Stone said the home-and-away season, with 18 teams and 22 matches a club across 23 rounds, threw up more than 250,000 potential match-ups.

"The size of this model is so incredibly large -- I mean we attempt to look at every possible solution, but in reality, to look at every possible solution for the AFL would probably take billions of years on the fastest computers there are. Billions of years. It is that big," Stone said.

The AFL makes no secret of the fixture's limitations.

"The draw is absolutely compromised, it's unashamedly comprised, but what's really bizarre about the whole thing, and I can't give you any logical explanation, it appears that the best four teams make the top four every year," AFL boss Andrew Demetriou said last year.

Work on the fixture begins in August and Stone says the end result is outstanding considering the complications.

"They come up with some very good results," he said.

"Ten out 10. They really do a wonderful job with it -- in terms of trying to please everybody.

"There are probably hundreds of rules that go into it -- a lot of them are politically-based, some of them are sport-based and some of them are fairness-based.

"A lot of them are about economics, in terms of television and revenue-driving. So you are looking at it from a number of different perspectives.

"You're looking at it from the clubs, stadiums, networks and road teams, because of travel requirements, particularly for some of the more isolated clubs in Western Australia.

"It is almost an infinite number of combinations. Even from one team's perspective -- you talk to the fans, to the stadium manager, to the coach and to the team owner, they are all going to have a completely different idea about what a perfect schedule is."
 

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Saints stuck in trade jam

St Kilda is struggling to find suitable trades to lure West Coast defender Mitch Brown and Gold Coast ruckman Tom Hickey to the club. Picture: Faith Moran Source: PerthNow

ST Kilda is being squeezed from both sides on deals for West Coast defender Mitch Brown and Gold Coast ruckman Tom Hickey.

This year's protracted trade period will conclude at 2pm on Friday and St Kilda still has much of its key business to conclude.

West Coast is refusing to budge on St Kilda's request to include defender Brown, 23, in a trade for homesick Saints midfielder Jamie Cripps, 20.

Eagles list manager Craig Vozzo has told St Kilda to come up with an alternate deal for Cripps, but the Saints are still hopeful.

Brown wants to leave the Eagles but is contracted, so St Kilda cannot hope to lure him back to Melbourne other than via a trade.

West Coast cannot promise Brown more opportunities next year because of its wealth of talls, so St Kilda officials believe he might walk for nothing at the end of 2013 if the Eagles do not relent.

St Kilda leads the charge for Gold Coast ruckman Hickey, 21, but has been told the price is a first-round draft selection.

Hickey has played 12 games for the Suns who believe the exceptional endurance athlete is the modern-day prototype for ruckmen, with capped interchange set to be introduced in 2014.

St Kilda has picks 13, 25, 37, 46 and 57, but while Gold Coast wants pick 13, the Saints believe 25 might get them their man.
 

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Clubs told AFL decisions final

Angry Hawthorn say they feel they have been 'pickpocketed' over the loss of Tom Murphy. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

THE AFL says there is no avenue for appeal for clubs livid at the compensation they received for departing free agents.

Hawthorn is smarting at receiving pick No.66 for Clinton Young (Collingwood) and nothing for Tom Murphy (Gold Coast).

The Hawks want to talk to the league about being short-changed, but the AFL said yesterday it had "received no formal approach from any club".

Adelaide yesterday said it wanted an explanation from the league about receiving no compensation for Chris Knights (Richmond).

AFL spokesman Patrick Keane said there was no appeals process for clubs.

He said the league already had warned there would be modest compensation, with the criteria for compensation picks being a player's age and contract at his new club.

Under the compensation formula a "committee review" is possible if the formula produced "a materially anomalous result", which could see alternate compensation recommended.

But that process already was used before the picks were released, with no built-in appeals system for upset clubs.

"The compensation comes down to the age and contract offered," Keane said.

"If there are two players who are the same age and there was different compensation for them, it is obvious why it is different.

"The whole purpose of free agency was that if a player leaves, there is not automatic replacement via a draft pick. The (expansion selections) provided much greater compensation because we were adding players to the competition."

Hawthorn was angered by its compensation. Football manager Mark Evans said: "It is like we've been pick-pocketed and somebody has put an old $2 scratchy ticket back in our pocket."

Melbourne also was mystified when it received one third-round selection (49) for Jared Rivers (Geelong) and Brent Moloney (Brisbane Lions).

The Demons lured Geelong's Shannon Byrnes, but considering the league felt he was not worthy of a compensation pick he would not have affected the quality of the pick allocated for Rivers and Moloney. Both are 28, which dilutes the compensation. But Young and Knights - for whom Adelaide received no compensation - are 26.

That formula indicates Young, Rivers and Moloney are on contracts of less money at new clubs than former Port Adelaide players Danyle Pearce (Fremantle) and Troy Chaplin (Richmond).

Port received No. 30 for Pearce and 31 for Chaplin, St Kilda 13 for Brendon Goddard (Essendon) and West Coast 62 for Quinten Lynch (Collingwood).

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