Arizona revitalises Suns star Brennan

Gold Coast Suns star Jared Brennan breaks a tackls against the Giants. Picture: Darren England Source: The Courier-Mail

JARED Brennan hated football last season. So much so the thought of giving up the sport which shot him to stardom constantly crossed his mind.

"There were a lot of times I thought about giving up," Brennan admitted.

"All my family is from Darwin and there was always the whisper that if we are not happy we will just head back to Darwin and be happy again."

The former Brisbane Lions star who came to the Suns on a seven-figure deal conceded he didn't sit at home watching AFL and that training was a chore. Last year he didn't even like the sport.

He didn't even hang out with his teammates.

"Because I don't watch football or live football it's very easy to take myself away from it."

Sensationally dropped for the second time in 2012 for the Suns clash against Carlton in Round 22, Brennan's 10-year career had hit a new low.

Senior coach Guy McKenna publicly questioned his passion and intensity but Brennan knew he had already lost both qualities long before then.

"I guess a month into the season I felt that way, that I didn't care about football much any more," he said.

"It was a chore to go to training every day and like anything when you don't love it and have the passion for it you just don't want to do it any more.

"It was hard to take at the time (when I got dropped for the second time last season) but looking back now it was warranted.

"I had no love for the game and I didn't feel like playing football."

The end of the season couldn't come quick enough for Brennan.

While the Suns had already made it clear he wasn't going to be traded at season's end, the 28-year-old still had to work out if he wanted to play on.

"I went away at the end of the season and turned my phone off for about a month and I just had to see what was really important to me," he said.

"Whether that was to stop playing football or (keep going)."

He chose the latter and so far the choice has been the right one.

Brennan has been one of the big improvers on the Sun's pre-season camp in Arizona, surprising McKenna and even his teammates.

"This camp was a big test for me to see if I still love the game and so far all the signs are pretty good," Brennan said.

"This is the first pre-season for a while where I haven't been coming off an operation and I've tried to make the most of that.

"I didn't do much weights over the break and pretty much just ran all the time.

"I wanted to hit the ground running from day one."

And it's not the only change Brennan has made this pre-season.

Apart from his rejuvenated attitude, the quietly spoken individual has made a conscious effort to develop relationships with his teammates in Arizona.

He conceded keeping problems to himself was his biggest mistake.

"I'm a pretty private person and I didn't say much around the group last season and I didn't want to be there," he admits.

"Looking back it probably made things worse.

"I didn't really go to anyone to seek help last season and that probably escalated my lack of passion for AFL.

"So I've made a conscious effort to get around the boys as much as I can this pre-season."

Building friendships within the club is the way Brennan hopes to re-ignite his passion for the game.

A strong friend base was pivotal to his success at Brisbane and after all this is why he decided to play the game in the first place.

"The only reason you play football is to play with teammates," he said.

"Otherwise I would be playing golf, boxing or something like that."

Despite the positive early signs, Brennan admits he has a long way to go.

With the club only into its third week of pre-season, Brennan knows the real test is still to come.

"This is probably the time when you really need to love the game, in the pre-season," he said.

"I knew during last season I hated playing footy but I guess we will wait and see at the end of the pre-season."

With this in mind, Brennan is making no guarantees.

Unlike most players his age, he isn't preaching that he still has a few good seasons left.

But rather just taking it one step at a time.

"I will just take it season by season from here," he said.

"All the signs are good so far and hopefully this camp holds me in good stead."

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Lions not tempted on Tippett

Kurt Tippett leaves Adelaide for Queensland back in October, before his controversial decision to leave the Crows. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: adelaidenow

ADELAIDE was prepared to cash in and trade Kurt Tippett to Brisbane last year for a boom SA youngster and a draft pick, it has been revealed.

As the Crows await their punishment from the AFL for salary cap breaches, a key Adelaide insider said the club tried to deal for either Jared Polec or Jack Redden when the Lions pushed hard to sign Tippett in last year's trade period.

Queenslander Tippett had agreed to a move north but a trade fell through when the Lions refused to offer anything more than pick 12 and their compensatory selection at No. 30.

"If Polec or Redden was offered to us then Kurt would probably be a Brisbane player now," said the source, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"Kurt was under contract at the time but we feared we might lose him at the end of this year anyway so we tried to work what we thought would be a good deal for both clubs.

"Jared was certainly keen to come home but unfortunately Brisbane didn't come to the party."

Adelaide would have accepted either midfielder, Polec or Redden, and draft pick number 30 for Tippett.

The Crows have long been admirers of former Woodville-West Torrens wingman Polec, who was drafted at pick five in the 2010 national draft, while it also rates former Glenelg ball-magnet Redden highly.

Lions national talent manager Rob Kerr - who now looks certain to miss out on Tippett for a second consecutive year as the key forward pushes for a move to premier Sydney - said his club wasn't prepared to give up one of its key midfielders.

"Had we agreed to move one of our South Australian youngsters, then a deal may have been done," Kerr said.

"Kurt and his management had, at that time, agreed to the move if a trade could be completed.

"But just like Adelaide, we valued our players and are backing ourselves in as a club to retain these highly rated youngsters."

The Crows' attempts to get draft pick eight from Brisbane also failed as it kept the selection to draft classy teenage tall Billy Longer from Northern under-18s.

Brisbane made another big play for Tippett in this year's trade period but looks set to lose him to Sydney, which he surprisingly nominated as his preferred club.

The AFL quashed a trade because of side deals in Tippett's last contract but will likely allow him to enter the national draft on November 22.

The Lions pick well before the Swans but Tippett is understood to have put a $1 million-a-season price tag on his head, which makes it tough for rivals to match as Sydney has extra money in its salary cap.

Kerr said quality key forwards were "rare beasts".

"As one of our recruiters outlined, there are about 12 genuinely good ones in the world, and the rest are either hopefuls developing or are not going to make it," he told the AFL website. "Hence our interest in Kurt Tippett."

Kerr said the Lions were still monitoring Tippett's availability but admitted that Sydney was well placed as its initial offer would be very difficult for other clubs to match.

Kerr hit out at the Swans being allowed to have an extra 9.8 per cent total player payment allowance because of the harbour city's cost of living expenses, claiming it was too much of a free kick.

"The AFL is now managing several questions about the evenness of the competition," he said.

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Taking Aussie football to the world

Shao Liang Chen, from the Guangdong Province in China, was tested at this year's AFL draft camp. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: Herald Sun

AUSTRALIAN football envisages having semi-professional competitions overseas to draw talent to the AFL.

Australian football is in an expansion phase, with an estimated 100,000 players outside of Australia expected to rise to 200,000 by 2016.

But as much as Australia's indigenous game is spreading across the globe, it is becoming more mindful that its core is in and around Australia, with the growth markets being Fiji, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and China.

Players from all of those regions are now being scrutinised, with the best invited to be tested by the AFL this year including Chen Shao Liang from the Guangdong Province in China, Gideon Simon from Mt Hagen in Papua New Guinea, Kurt Heatherley from New Zealand's Bay of Plenty, Sean Hurley from Ireland's Kildare and Eric Wallace from Winston-Salem, a former basketballer from Seattle University.

Talent scouts believe interest in overseas players will explode if they begin to take the game more seriously in other countries.

"Right now, all international competitions are amateur competitions, but I can see a time soon when overseas leagues are semi-professional and there are more events overseas," AFL international development manager Andrew Dillon said.

With that comes commercial opportunities overseas, through companies wanting to break into or increase their market share in Australia.

It is not dissimilar to domestic cricket teams signing up Indian sponsors who know their uniform sponsorship will be seen on television by an audience with an insatiable appetite for cricket.

Airline Etihad is one of the success stories of branding in football, with the Docklands Stadium, and as a result has become a household name in Australia after previously being virtually unknown.

There are broadcast opportunities, with expats wanting to watch the code while living in places like England and the US, and the game growing traction in the South Pacific.

There are other benefits to selling the game, as much as several commentators reckon it's a waste of time and money to try to break into established markets.

AFL talent manager Kevin Sheehan echoed the thoughts of Tony Woods, a former Fitzroy, Collingwood and Hawthorn player, who reckoned Canadian Mike Pyke was an illustration of the opportunities ahead.

"For me that really crystallised the vision of the wider footy public to see what can be done," Woods said.

The enthusiasm of overseas adventures by clubs is tempered by the costs involved.

Port Adelaide has spoken highly about its trip to Italy and England for an exhibition game against the Western Bulldogs last week, but also relied on the AFL for much of the funding.

The Crows' view is that one trip every three or four years is adequate, but could be of great benefit.

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Laws to combat AFL's hard knocks

Kurt Tippett in the hands of Crows medical staff after being concussed. Picture: Tait Schmaal. Source: adelaidenow

THE AFL's concussion management guidelines are set for another overhaul following an international conference on the issue.

Soon after fining North Melbourne $20,000 for a lack of co-operation with an investigation into the way it handled Lachlan Hansen's heavy head knock in round 20, the league said it would revise its concussion rules for the 2013 season.

This comes after the AFL had three representatives, including AFL Medical Commissioner Dr Peter Harcourt, attend the Fourth International Consensus Conference on Concussion in Sport in Zurich last week.

"This global conference has again provided us with invaluable information that can be applied to our own concussion management policies," Dr Harcourt said.

"The AFL had strong representation at the conference and the management of concussion in the AFL was discussed.

"It confirmed that the AFL concussion strategy is robust and reflects current best practice."

But changes are in the wind.

The AFL is proposing to include a requirement for club doctors to make greater use of video footage of the injury incident in their assessment of player fitness.

There will also be a necessity for medical supervision of any follow-up self-assessment tests conducted by players.

The AFL will also adopt a "completely new approach" to the management of concussion in children, including those involved in the Auskick program.

The conference reinforced the AFL's approach that there is no scientific evidence that helmets prevent concussion or other brain injuries.

On the advice of the AFL and medical staff, wantaway Crow Kurt Tippett did not wear a helmet this year despite being concussed three times in five weeks.

"The evidence presented reinforced the AFL's current approach to the use of helmets, that is, there is no definitive scientific evidence that helmets specifically prevent concussion or other brain injuries in Australian football," Dr Harcourt said.

The new consensus guidelines will be released in March.

The Kangaroos, meanwhile, have been hit hard in the hip pocket after the AFL found them guilty of breaching a rule that requires clubs to fully co-operate and provide all relevant information and evidence to AFL investigators. Half of the club's $20,000 fine will be suspended for three years.

Football operations manager Adrian Anderson said the AFL found insufficient evidence to substantiate a breach of its concussion rules over the treatment of Hansen but that it was extremely concerned by North's lack of co-operation during an investigation into his welfare.

"Whilst there was no finding that there was any attempt to deliberately mislead investigators, North Melbourne now accepts that its conduct at times was not at a standard acceptable to an AFL investigation," Anderson said.

Key forward Hansen was assisted from the ground in a groggy state and later returned to the field during North's 24-point win against Essendon in round 20.

The AFL investigation was sparked when Roos' co-vice-captain Drew Petrie said on radio that he had seen Hansen vomiting at half-time.

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My five-year plan for a Giants leap

GWS assistant coach Leon Cameron succeeds Kevin Sheedy as senior coach in 2014. Picture: Michael Klein. Source: Herald Sun

LEON Cameron may be a year away from succeeding Kevin Sheedy as head coach, but he has already outlined his plan to propel the Greater Western Sydney Giants into the AFL's top four within five years.

The Giants finished their inaugural season in top-flight footy in last place with just two wins.

But with a collection of the country's best young talent at their disposal after successive drafts weighted heavily in their favour, Cameron is bullish about his club's future.

"We've got an outstanding list of what could be 17 or 18 A-graders in two years," Cameron told The Daily Telegraph.

"I'm confident in four or five years' time we will be competing at the pointy end, which in my mind is the top four.

"There's pressure at any club in the AFL whether you are 18th, fifth or first. There is expectation everywhere. They're an exciting group."

Cameron will inherit one of the plum jobs in the AFL at the end of next season when he replaces Sheedy at the helm of the Giants.

It is a measure of how highly Cameron is is rated that he was awarded the post ahead of Mark Williams, who led Port Adelaide to a premiership and boasted an impressive 55 per cent win-loss ratio over his 12 seasons at the Power.

Cameron turned down the Port job to be part of the Giants' succession plan and to nurture some of the best young talent in the land.

The 40-year-old has an impressive football resume, but Giants chairman Tony Shepherd told The Daily Telegraph it was his character that won him the job at the Giants.

"When Leon made his presentation to us he didn't start talking about football - he told us what sort of a person he was and what he valued," Shepherd said.

"He spoke about teamwork and how everyone at the club was all in it together."

We've got a lot of talent but they're also a bunch of competitors

After 256 games as a player for the Western Bulldogs and Richmond, Cameron spent seven years working with Rodney Eade at the Western Bulldogs and the last two under Alastair Clarkson at Hawthorn.

Cameron will serve as an assistant for another season under Kevin Sheedy before ascending to the top job.

That's when the pressure will come, given the expectation that after two full seasons and a couple of favourable drafts the Giants should be ready to climb off the bottom of the ladder.

"I don't shy away from the fact we've got an exciting group," Cameron said. "We've got a lot of talent but they're also a bunch of competitors.

"You wrap talent, excitement and competitiveness all in one then it allows the team to do well.

"The challenge is to mix that all into a strong culture - like the Sydney Swans."

The Swans are officially the competition benchmark after a stunning 2012 campaign, and Cameron is unapologetic about his intention to replicate Sydney's strong footy culture at his fledgling club.

"The talent they have is fantastic but the culture they have created is absolutely outstanding," Cameron said. "Everyone knows what their role is at that footy club.

"If we can take a bit of what Sydney have done then we're heading in the right direction."

A year under Sheedy will complete an impressive coaching apprenticeship for Cameron.

"He's been in the game for 40 years as a coach and player," Cameron said of Sheedy. "The next 12 months are a great opportunity to run my ideas past Kevin. That's the attractiveness of coming to the Giants.

"I'm influenced by everyone I've been coached by.

"Terry Wheeler was my first coach at the Western Bulldogs.

"He was very honest and had great empathy for his players.

"As a 17 year-old, that had a big influence.

"Terry Wallace had a lot of new ideas. He was the one who started warm ups on the ground before we played. He was also a great teacher.

"Allan Joyce showed me the Hawthorn way and Danny Frawley had genuine passion and cared for his group of players."

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Crows score a slam dunk

Jack Osborn will ditch the basektball for a footy to play at the Crows. Picture: James Kerr Source: Herald Sun

ADELAIDE has become the AFL's version of the Harlem Globetrotters.

While the Crows are set to lose one former basketballer, ace forward Kurt Tippett, they yesterday added two more round-ball specialists to their playing list.

Sturt Sabres guard Tim Klaosen and Tasmanian giant Jack Osborn were signed as three-year non-registered rookies, leaving Adelaide with five former highly rated basketballers on its books.

Pick Me: Adelaide is keen on the next Jeremy Cameron

Former Australian under-19 basketball representative Ben Dowdell is on the Crows' rookie list, while senior list players Josh Jenkins and Ricky Henderson gave up promising basketball futures for AFL careers.

Henderson was spotted by new Crows recruiting manager Hamish Ogilvie at a basketball training camp in Ballarat three years ago while Jenkins was an NBL development player for the Townsville Crocodiles after touring the US with the under-19 national schoolboys team.

"We're going to field a team in the NBL,'' Adelaide list manager David Noble joked after convincing Klaosen and Osborn to swap the basketball for the Sherrin.

"But in all seriousness we've obviously picked these players because we think they can develop into good footballers. We've seen what Josh and Ricky can do and there are a lot of similarities between the two sports as far as ball skills, agility, athleticism, work ethic and strategy are concerned.

"Tim and Jack are mature age and bring with them great attitude, work ethic and exceptional athletic abilities.''

Noble said the Crows had been scouting Klaosen and Osborn for much of the year and had put them through some physical and skill testing. Both played junior football Klaosen with SA Amateur Football League club Goodwood Saints and Osborn with North Hobart.

Klaosen, 22, has been a standout guard for Sturt for four years while Osborn, also 22, is a man mountain at 205cm and 102kg.

Osborn returned home to Hobart this year after completing a four-year stint in the American College system with Adams State.

The centre-forward joined the Hobart Chargers in the SEABL, where he underlined his athletic abilities and potential in helping the Chargers recover from a slow start to reach the South Conference play-offs. He has trialled with NBL sides Wollongong and Cairns in the past three months.

As Klaosen and Osborn have not been registered in any football competition for the past three years, Adelaide has been able to claim them as "Category B'' rookies. Dowdell is also on that list.

The Crows also have four positions on their regular or "Category A'' rookie list.

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Jacobs turns the Power off

Ben Jacobs has walked out on the Power. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: The Advertiser

BEN Jacobs' Port Adelaide career is over.

The first-round pick the Power invested so heavily in two years ago will today tell the club he has no intention of returning from Melbourne and will nominate for the November 22 national draft.

Victorian Jacobs, 20, sought a trade to North Melbourne last month but was left high and dry after Port refused to accept the Kangaroos' offer of draft pick 38.

Already armed with selections seven, 30 and 31, the Power wanted pick 15 from the Roos.

When North refused to budge on its offer, Port backed itself to talk Jacobs into staying at Alberton.

But it has failed, with the 26-game midfielder this week telling his manager, Paul Connors, he wants to play for a Melbourne-based club.

Pick Me: Adelaide is keen on the next Jeremy Cameron

The Kangaroos remain Jacobs' preferred choice and are understood to have made a commitment to him. St Kilda and Essendon also have expressed interest in him.

Connors, who last night did not want to publicly comment on his client's status, is expected to tell the Power of Jacobs' decision today.

This will leave Port without compensation for a player it had high hopes for after selecting him at pick 16 at the 2010 draft. It took him ahead of North's Shaun Atley (No. 17), Hawthorn's Isaac Smith (19), West Coast's Jack Darling (26) and Sydney premiership playdher Luke Parker (40), who are on the way to stellar careers.

At the time, Jacobs - from Victorian under-18 side Sandringham Dragons - was described as playing a style of game similar to Hawthorn superstar Luke Hodge.

But he showed only glimpses of that style in 26 games for the Power, which included 14 this year.

Jacobs, who has followed his long-time girlfriend back to Melbourne, was let down by his kicking and decision making.

But, at 20, the left-footer has a big upside.

Port football operations manager Peter Rohde said he was still waiting to officially hear of Jacobs' plans.

"We've spoken to his management a couple of times but until we hear officially of what he wants to do then I guess we're still holding some hope that he will decide to stay,'' Rohde said.

"Now that we're back (from Europe) we'll follow it up but it's fair to say we're not overly confident he will be here next year.''

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D-Day for Scorpions

VFL. Casey Scorpions v Williamstown. Casey Fields. Casey players stand for a minutes silence as a mark of respect for the passing of Melbourne legend Jim Stynes Picture: Colleen Petch Source: Herald Sun

THE future of Melbourne's VFL affiliate Casey Scorpions could be decided today at a meeting with AFL Victoria.

The Herald Sun revealed yesterday the Scorpions were in debt, without a coach and owing players match payments.

Casey could be removed from the VFL, forcing the Demons to find $400,000 to field their own VFL team to ensure development of their youngsters was not compromised.

The alignment ends at the end of 2013.

Casey powerbrokers are confident they will remain in the VFL.

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Pagan: Go easy on Demons

Former Demons coach Dean Bailey during a game in 2009. Denis Pagan says the AFL should show restraint on penalising the Dees. Source: Herald Sun

FORMER Carlton coach Denis Pagan has urged the AFL to show restraint in penalising Melbourne for tanking, as the league's inaction on banning priority picks comes under fire.

Pagan said yesterday that banning Melbourne from the November 22 draft would set the Demons back a decade given their fragile state.

The AFL has promised severe penalties if tanking is proven, yet it was so unconcerned by claims that tanking existed in 2009 that priority picks were rubber-stamped by an official review in November that year.

The AFL review considered whether to abolish the picks or tighten the eligibility criteria to see clubs handed pre-draft selections.

The only change made under the review was to slot the first-round priority pick behind the first three national draft picks of expansion clubs Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney.

But that decision was based more on keeping the purity of expansion selections than watering down the priority pick.

Pick Me: The next Jobe Watson could join the Dees

Only this February did the AFL make it all but impossible to win a pre-draft priority pick, with clubs told they need levels of Fitzroy-esque performance over multiple years to qualify.

An AFL executive submission to abolish all priority picks in 2005 was also knocked back by the AFL Commission.

Pagan yesterday said the league had to be careful in how it penalised the Demons, who are hopeful the league will have made no decision by the national draft.

The North Melbourne premiership coach was in charge when the AFL stripped two seasons of draft picks from the Blues for salary cap sanctions and fined them nearly $1 million.

He said yesterday he agreed with Blues ex-president Ian Collins, who believes Carlton should have "handed the keys" back to the AFL.

"It was a nightmare. Every day for five years I thought, 'Is this going to stop?'," Pagan told SEN.

"There were so many innocent people affected by it and all the perpetrators were gone. I don't think people realise how close it was to handing the keys back in.

"They should think long and hard before they do what they did to Carlton because it put Carlton back 10 years. If they do it (to Melbourne) before this draft it would put them back eight to 10 years."

The AFL in 2009 denied repeated claims of Melbourne's tanking, with league chief Andrew Demetriou calling media scrutiny of Melbourne's experimental tactics "absolutely disgraceful".

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Mick switch woos Blues

New coach Mick Malthouse is bringing in Carlton members. Picture: Scott Chris Source: Herald Sun

CARLTON has had a huge influx of new members since its controversial decision to sack Brett Ratten for Mick Malthouse.

The appointment was met with mixed views given fan loyalty to Ratten and Malthouse's denials he had met with the club earlier than he admitted.

But the club says it has notched up 16,300 members this season, 20 per cent of them new to the club.

It suggests that Malthouse has lured a new fan base which is hopeful of success under the premiership coach.

Carlton is attempting to crack through 50,000 members this year, having admitted it had fallen behind Victorian rivals Collingwood, Hawthorn, Richmond and Essendon in the membership stakes.

Last year it had 45,800 members, with membership stagnating after the big boost when Chris Judd was lured to the club.

"We need to get to (50,000), it's almost like a call to arms for us," said Blues chief executive Greg Swann.

"We are getting left behind compared to other clubs but the signs are really good. We have our tried-and-true membership base but we have also picked up a lot of new members."

Gallery: Judd leads Blues around princess park

Underlining the challenge were statistics yesterday showing beaten Grand Finalists Hawthorn already had 26,059 members this season.

Swann says not all of the membership flood is due to Malthouse, but it clearly isn't hurting.

"It is never one thing with membership," Swann said.

"The draw is pretty good, we have Mick on board, at the moment there are only one or two injured players compared to 17 operations at this time last year, all of these things give you optimism."

The Blues have had a string of controversial slogans in recent years, but they will stick with last year's We Are Carlton.

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Tough Garner shoulders load

The late developer boasts skill as a medium sized forward with great hands, springs in his legs, and agility that allows him to twist and turn out of any situation.

Taylor Garner is shaping as a first-round selection. Photo: Michael Willson/AFL Media) Source: Herald Sun

TAYLOR Garner remembers lying on the ground in agony, his left shoulder dislocated after he dived for a mark.

The freakish half-forward was impressing in Vic Country's first match and desperate to not let his left arm, which he first tore last year, ruin his draft chances.

Garner played out the match. Two weeks later he fronted up against Western Australia.

Pick Me: The next Heath Shaw is a running machine

Again, his shoulder popped out. Again, in a marking contest and again in the second quarter.

Again, Garner battled on.

This time he was Country's best with a trio of goals from 20 touches and six tackles.

s45wg202 TAC Cup football. Oakleigh Chargers (red Blue) V Dandenong Stingrays (yellow) at Warrawee Park, Oakleigh. Oakleigh's Kieran Nolan and Dandenong's Taylor Garner Picture: Josie Hayden Source: Herald Sun

Garner finished the carnival, dislocating his shoulder in every match but downplaying the injury to ensure his place in the side wasn't jeopardised.

He returned to the Dandenong Stingrays for one game where coach Graeme Yeats said he climbed over "a pack of eight blokes and took this speccy'' before hurting his shoulder again and coming clean on the extent of his injuries.

With an All-Australian selection in his pocket and an AFL graduation at month's draft seemingly secured, Garner booked in for reconstructive surgery to prevent his shoulder from further loosening.

"It went every game. It didn't tickle, I definitely felt the pain,'' Garner said.


"It's just that next contest where you're a little bit scared but apart from that (it was) all good,'' Garner said.

Garner's rapid rise onto AFL radars was short but sweet.

Pick Me: The next Sam Mitchell is a clearance king

He played TAC Cup for the first time this year, storming into the Round 1 side despite bruising in his knee limiting his pre-season and keeping him out of practice matches.

"We thought he might play Round 4 or 5 for us, but he ended up being almost the first kid we picked in Round 1 on the back of his training,'' Yeats said.

"He's mercurial, but he's got a bit of mongrel in him. When he doesn't have the ball he's an animal.''

Garner wants to develop into a midfielder in the Ryan O'Keefe mould.

S44os895 TAC CUp Footy- Dandy v Western Jets at Shelpley Oval. Pictured is stingrays # 12 Taylor Garner Picture: Loughnan,paul Source: Herald Sun

"I'd just chuck my body in, I'm not afraid to get hurt. I can't see myself being that outside guy and waiting for the ball.''

Three months on from surgery and Garner, who quit year 12 halfway through last year to start a plumbing apprenticeship, is still in rehab but nearly every club has spoken to the flashy utility and expects him to make a full recovery.

TAYLOR GARNER



AGE: 18
HEIGHT: 186cm
WEIGHT: 77kg
FROM: Dandenong Stingrays
POSITION: Half-forward
DRAFT RANGE: 14-22
IN THE MIX: GWS (14), Cats (16), Freo (17), Pies (18), Dogs (22)

PLAYS LIKE: Nat Fyfe

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Who will take Bate?

Matthew Bate is searching for a new football home. Picture: Paul Loughnan Source: Herald Sun

DISCARDED Demon Matthew Bate is confident he can have an impact at a new club, placing leadership high on his list of attributes.

After 102 games in an often rocky career at Melbourne, Bate is adamant he can be a good influence any young list.

"The last two years have been pretty tough, on-field wise, for both me and Melbourne. That was a time where I put a lot of effort into developing leadership skills and realising with such a young group I could have a big influence over those guys," Bate said.

"I really pride myself on being able to show a lot of good character when things are tough for me and the team - whether it be around the club, helping guys one on one or setting training standards like helping set a really good culture."

Pick Me: The next Jobe Watson could be heading to the Dees

Bate managed only 12 games under coach Mark Neeld last season, but played a positive role at Casey in the VFL.

"I know moping around is not going to get you anywhere," he said.

"As soon as you drop the head, slump the shoulders and get a negative attitude, that's going to project out to everyone, and your chances of getting to where you want to be ... are really diminished.

"I'd like to think if anyone there is asked about my character or attitude, they'd talk highly about me."

Bate has shed 3kg in the past year, giving him the flexibility to play midfield as well as half-forward.

He is also keen to try a rebounding role across half-back if a club offers him a chance through the delisted free-agency period or the drafts.

The Western Bulldogs loom as a possible home after he almost crossed to Whitten Oval in a trade a year ago. If Brent Prismall is delisted by Essendon, both he and Bate may be vying for one spot on the Bulldogs list.

"I have a lot of respect for the Bulldogs and what they're creating, the culture Brendan (McCartney) is setting around the place," Bate said.

He played through the darkest days of the Demons, including the 2009 stretch that has the club at the centre of tanking allegations.

But the 25-year-old is adamant there was no feeling that development had taken over from winning.

"I was a young player, 21 and 22 years old and my focus was just trying to go out there and play the best footy I could," Bate said.

"I was just focusing on being out there and just trying to get a kick. The most frustrating part was just losing."

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Demons stung by ailing VFL side

The Casey Scorpions are in debt and could force Melbourne to go it alone. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: Herald Sun

EMBATTLED Melbourne could be forced to run its own VFL team next year because its affiliate, Casey Scorpions, is fighting for survival.

A failed pokies venture has left the Scorpions hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt and they are without a senior coach for next season.

Most players haven't been paid since about Round 5.

The Demons, sweating on the outcome of an AFL tanking investigation, would have to find another $400,000 to field a stand-alone VFL team and source a ground to ensure the development of prized youngsters such as Jesse Hogan, Jack Viney and Dom Barry is not compromised.

Pick Me: The Dees could pluck the next Jobe Watson

AFL Victoria chiefs, including chairman Peter Jackson, general manager Grant Williams and operations boss John Hook, held a crisis meeting with Casey officials last night.

The Scorpions will meet the Demons today to discuss their disintegrating alignment, which started to sour when Casey signed Brendan Fevola last year.

Casey's most pressing challenge is to prove to AFL Victoria that it is viable.

For months Casey and Melbourne have been negotiating a long-term deal under which the Demons would assume more responsibilities, including finances, marketing and sponsorship, in what would effectively be a merger.

VFA: Geelong v Casey Scorpions at Skilled Stadium, Geelong. Picture: Nicole Garmston Source: Herald Sun

But it is believed Melbourne became concerned about the Scorpions' financial position and has explored the possibility of forming its own VFL team, which would be called the Casey Demons and adopt the Demons' red and blue strip.

Melbourne has a long-term relationship with the City of Casey to deliver "community programs" and will play a NAB Cup match at Casey Fields in March. The Scorpions hold a 50-year lease to the ground.

The Scorpions moved from Springvale to Casey Fields in 2006, planning to build a social club to maintain a regular revenue stream.

They secured the rights for 40 poker machines costing $1.2 million, but the development has stalled.

The club transferred the pokies licences earlier this year, incurring losses, but it has told VFL officials its debts are manageable and that money has been set aside to pay the players.

Casey general manager Brian Woodman said in July that lenders had tightened their belts and had been unwilling to finance the project.

The club signed a 50-year lease with Casey council for a parcel of land next to its base to house the venue.

Woodman would not comment last night.

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Blue times ahead

Heath Scotland runs in yesterday's time-trial around Princes Park. Picture: Chris Scott Source: Herald Sun

CARLTON is aware it will have to hand Heath Scotland a home-and-away suspension for his January brawl, as the AFL examines transcripts of his assault case.

The Blues and AFL initially were at loggerheads, with the league demanding heavy punishment and Carlton pondering a suspension during the NAB Cup.

AFL investigations officer Brett Clothier, who has three other investigations under way, has the transcripts of last month's hearing in which Scotland received a two-year good behaviour bond.

When Clothier gets back to the Blues, they will agree on a penalty that sets an example against violence, with Carlton aware that must be stronger than a fine and NAB Cup suspension.

Scotland ran in a time-trial with teammates at Princes Park yesterday. The run was dominated by captain Chris Judd.

Key forward Jarrad Waite was behind only Judd and delisted forward Andrew Collins, showing the benefits of an injury-free off-season, again highlighted his athleticism. He is working hard to be redrafted.

Waite, who turns 30 in February, has averaged only a dozen games in the past four seasons, but his 27.11 from 11 games this year was evidence of his scoring power.

"It was a fairly impressive morning of testing," Blues forward coach John Barker said.

"Juddy is just a pro and Jarrad ran well today. I think he understands his importance to the team, but more specifically the importance of staying healthy.

"He has missed fair portions of the past couple of seasons, so we need him fit.

"He has had a couple of interruptions to his last few pre-seasons with his ACL and hip surgery and groin injuries so, touch wood, he gets a full pre-season."

The Blues had 33 players fit for pre-season this week. Last season, surgeries and injuries meant there were as few as 19 at a similar stage.

*THE November 22 national draft will revert to the traditional format of the No.1 pick being read out first. In recent years, the league has experimented with a No.10 to No.1 countdown.

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Gray faces another delay

Robbie Gray when he injured his knee. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Sunday Herald Sun

ACE Port Adelaide forward Robbie Gray faces a delayed start to 2013.

Gray, who had his right knee reconstructed in April, could miss the first month of the premiership season because of nerve damage in a calf.

He suffered the injury when his leg horrifically buckled when landing from a marking contest in the final minute of the Power's round four loss to Collingwood.

"My knee's actually feeling really good now,'' Gray said.

Port Adelaide's Robbie Gray kicks under pressure from Jake Batchelor of the Tigers during their round 10 match in Darwin. Source: Getty Images

"But because of the nerve damage in my calf from the incident my leg faded away and I lost a lot of strength in the calf. So I need to be able to build my calf back up and get it strong enough to be able to run again.

"At the moment all I can do is a bit of jogging, so I have to work hard on building my strength and power back up.''

Gray began jogging last month and yesterday returned from London with his Port team-mates after spending 10 days in Europe.

The team beat the Western Bulldogs by one point in its exhibition game in London on Sunday and worked out at the Australian Institute of Sport's European training base outside Milan in northern Italy.

Gray upped the ante on his training on the trip under the guidance of new head fitness coach Darren Burgess.

While most AFL players return from traditional knee reconstructions within 10 months, 24-year-old Gray is now facing a year out of the game.

"I definitely want to be back early in the year but there's no (return) date set yet,'' he said.

"We'll wait and see what happens. I don't want to rush it obviously because it was a pretty serious injury.

"We'll see what happens over summer and just how everything progresses with the injury.''

Getting the injury-prone Gray on the park is crucial to Port's chances of climbing the ladder under new coach Ken Hinkley.

Talent-wise, Gray - a brilliant small forward/midfielder - is one of the club's top five players but he has played only 70 games in six seasons.

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Stewart setback not final

Quick, versatile and perfectly suited to the modern game, James Stewart is likely to be taken in the second half of this year's AFL Draft.

James Stewart (left) should still get drafted despite the Pies overlooking him as a father-son pick. Bruce Magilton Source: Herald Sun

JAMES Stewart had to focus on the 17 other doors that could open when Collingwood closed theirs.

With three picks inside the top 21, the Pies made the tough call to overlook the father-son prospect, turning Stewart's draft dream on its head.

The setback continued a year of challenges for Stewart, which included a stress fracture to his back, and a major growth spurt that turned the former midfielder into a 197cm key-position player.

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

Pick Me: The next Sam Mitchell is a clearance king

While it has taken time to develop into the new role, Sandringham Dragons regional manager Ryan O'Connor said Stewart had the tools to blossom into an agile AFL forward.

"He's 197cm and he can basically run like an onballer. He has the athleticism of a wingman," O'Connor said.

s51me970 - U18 AFL champions. Vic Metro vs Tasmania at Visy Park. Vic. James Stewart tackling. Picture: Hilton Stone Source: Herald Sun

"He has fantastic foot skills and is very good with his hands. He just needs to keep working on all the attributes of contested football - like positioning as a key forward and key back."

"But the reality is he hasn't played that much in those roles.''

There were some encouraging signs late season when Stewart reeled in a string of contested grabs and conversions on goal, providing what O'Connor believes was a "taste of things to come''

Stewart said he tried to emulate the versatility in the game of Sydney champion Adam Goodes.

Pick Me: The next Jobe Watson could land at the Dees

"I'm a tall player that can play in the forward line, up the ground as well," he said.

O'Connor said Stewart, whose dad Craig played 115 games for the Pies, had shown great maturity dealing with the father-son focus.

s02wh202 c1 Football. Eastern Ranges v Sandringham Dragons. Sandringham's James Stewart with ball against Eastern's Shaun Kennedy. Picture: Carmelo Bazzano Source: Herald Sun

"Like any young footballer would be, there was a part of him that was disappointed (being overlooked by Collingwood)," he said.

"The whole experience has put a microscope on him, and it's something he's had to come to terms with.

"But I think he will be better off from it all."

Pick Me: The next Bombers superstar

"A kid of his size and his athleticism, given the right opportunities, I have no doubt he will get out there (in the AFL) and do very nicely."

THE JAMES STEWART FILE

AGE: 18
HEIGHT: 197cm
WEIGHT: 82kg
FROM: Sandringham Dragons
POSITION: Mobile forward
DRAFT RANGE: Late third round
IN THE MIX: Crows (54), Roos (58), Cats (59)
PLAYS LIKE: Adam Goodes

Follow Jay Clark on Twitter: @ClarkyHeraldSun

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Crows, Power lose members to Oval

Membership at the new-look Adelaide Oval could take a combined 6000 members from the Crows and Power. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: adelaidenow

ADELAIDE Oval membership is becoming an emotional fight, with the two Adelaide AFL clubs facing a loss of a combined 6000 members to the Stadium Management Authority's Ultimate membership.

Clubs have highlighted that passionate fans who change their membership will no longer contribute to their football clubs and no longer be considered members but customers of the SMA.

Unlike under arrangements at AAMI Stadium, those who take out membership that admits them to all fixtures at Adelaide Oval will have none of their money trickle back to the respective clubs.

The situation has allowed the clubs to pull at the heartstrings of members at a crucial time: the Crows this year banked their first profit in three years; the Power is still mired in debt and dependent on assistance.

The Crows have prepared themselves to lose as many as 4000 members to the venue, which gives Ultimate members access to all regular season football and cricket at Adelaide Oval but sends none of their $795 annual fee back to their clubs.

The Ultimate members will no longer be considered members of their club and will lose any voting rights - more significant for South Australian Cricket Association members - and are no longer expected to receive regular updates from the club they support.

The Crows were diplomatic in their assessment of the membership yesterday, but told The Advertiser their members had indicated it was becoming an emotional issue.

The club has been firm in telling existing members nothing would change in the rules and regulations of their memberships once football shifts to the Oval in 2014.

We know that football people want a personal connection with their club ... for these people a direct football club membership is the best solution

"They just need to understand that they become an SMA customer," Adelaide's general manager of supporter services, David Couch, said. Their membership is under a new arrangement.

"The SMA need to fund their operation and this is a part of how they do that," Couch said.

"It ends up in the industry anyway, but some people would like to think that they're contributing directly to their club.

"So it is important to some people. We try to keep people abreast of the arrangement in terms of that.

"It remains to be seen how many of our members will go. We're answering lots of questions at the moment with people feeling it out.

"But it's a good product and they'll get their numbers.

"You always expect a migration of people and we've modelled in a migration of our people. We've known it's been coming for a number of years and we've prepared for that."

Port Adelaide, which is striving for a fresh beginning under new coach Ken Hinkley, is giving its members a similar message.

"The Adelaide Oval Ultimate Membership will suit some people, but there is no doubt that football supporters want flexibility and choice with their seating and ticket arrangements plus they want to know that they are directly supporting their club," a club spokesman said.

"We know that football people want a personal connection with their club and they want to be part of it, and for these people a direct football club membership is the best solution."

SMA chief executive Andrew Daniels told The Advertiser it was designed to be an additional product - on top of the existing ways to attend sport at Adelaide Oval - and that the SMA was doing everything in its power to bring more people to the people's ground.

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Port's struggle with J-Mac's death

Port Adelaide players are struggling to deal with the loss of John McCarthy, according to Andrew Moore, centre. Picture: Jan Kruger. Source: Getty Images

PORT Adelaide players will continue to receive counselling as they struggle to deal with John McCarthy's death.

Days after Power captaincy contender Brad Ebert made an emotional tribute to former teammate McCarthy after kicking the winning goal against the Western Bulldogs in the AFL's London exhibition game, young midfielder Andrew Moore said many players were still haunted by McCarthy's death in Las Vegas in September.

"A lot of players are still struggling to come to terms with it,'' said Moore, who was one of 10 Port players who travelled to the US with McCarthy.

"Every one of us is dealing with his loss differently and some have been affected more than others.

"He was extremely close to everyone here, so it's been a really difficult time for us.''

Speaking publicly for the first time since McCarthy's death, Moore said he would seek ongoing counselling after continually having his memory "jolted'' by the terrible accident.

AFL EXHIBITION at The Oval in London. Port Adelaide 14.4 (88) beat Western Bulldogs 13.9 (87). Port Adelaide players celebrate their victory. Picture: Christopher Lee Source: Getty Images

Moore spent most of last month back home in Victoria alongside family and friends to help him deal with the incident.

"I find the counselling helps me a lot,'' Moore said.

"All of the boys, particularly the ones who were in Las Vegas with J-Mac (McCarthy), are dealing with his passing in their own way but I think most will continue with counselling.

"Port and the AFL have been great in offering us ongoing support and I'm sure that will continue for some time.

"The support network has been really good and some players will require it for quite a while, I would think.''

Travis Boak, Alipate Carlile, Matthew Broadbent, Brett Ebert, Hamish Hartlett, Jackson Trengove, Paul Stewart, Justin Westhoff and Tom Logan were the other Power players who travelled to Las Vegas with McCarthy.

The Power team wore black armbands out of respect to McCarthy against the Bulldogs.

The club has also planned a memorial for him in its first home game against Greater Western Sydney in round two next season.

Ebert "saluted'' McCarthy when his last-minute, 50m kick for goal won the game (by one point) against the Dogs, and Moore said the club would dedicate the 2013 season to a player who made such a big imprint in his only season at the club.

"He was a one-of-a-kind type of guy who fitted into our group so well, so we want to deliver a good season for him,'' said Moore.

"His accident will drive us on because we feel we owe him something while it also highlighted that life, and a football career in particular, can be very short and that you have to make the most of every opportunity you have.

"I think that drive was evident from the boys on Sunday when we were well behind at one stage but never gave up.

"I'm sure Johnny's given us that little bit of extra motivation to push that bit harder.''

Port will arrive from London this afternoon after winding up its 10-day European training camp by watching the Liverpool-Newcastle English Premier League clash at Anfield and touring Arsenal's Emirates Stadium in London.

New coach Ken Hinkley had his players study game analysis during the Reds' 1-1 draw with the Magpies, particularly zoning.

"It's been a really successful trip,'' Moore said from London.

"We were pleased with how we performed against the Bulldogs after a slow start and tactically we've learned a lot.''

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Cross country ace running hot

A champion runner whose stocks soared this year when he lowered the colours of top AFL Draft prospect Lachie Whitfield.

Tom Temay could be the next Heath Shaw. Picture: Chris Eastman Source: Herald Sun

TOM Temay was only 12 years old when he began running with a fitness coach to help his footy.

He never envisaged the move would help mould him into one of the country's top young cross country runners.

After placing third at the Pan Pacific Championships as a 15-year-old, the endurance machine had an agonising decision to make.

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

Either pursue a potentially international athletics career or continue running his opponents into the ground on the footy field.

Pick Me: Did Collingwood overlook the next Adam Goodes?

"I was tossing it up, between footy and athletics at that stage, but footy has always been a big dream of mine,'' Temay said.

"Dad (Paul) played a bit (52 games for St Kilda) and footy is a team game and in the end I like being part of a team.''

The attitude has served him well.

The 179cm right-footed backman is firming as a bargain back-end selection in this month's national draft.

Modelling his game on Collingwood's Heath Shaw, Temay blitzed the lines at this year's national championships, averaging 19 possessions at a pinpoint 78 per cent efficiency.

Pick Me: The next Sam Mitchell is a clearance king

Broadening his appeal, Temay also illustrated the defensive side of his game in run-with roles on No. 1 pick Lachie Whitefield and WA star, Dayle Garlett.

While Temay's run and carry game can be devastating, the Vic Metro ball-carrier said he is unafraid to roll up the sleeves and help shut down the opposition's match-winning midfielders.

North Melbourne and St Kilda, his father's club, are among those who have taken strong interest.

"I provide run and carry, that hard work through midfield and the back line,'' he said.

"But I also like to help teammates out a lot and do the one per centers.

"I actually really enjoyed the task on Whitfield, it was something I was very excited about.

"If playing a role like that is going to reward my ream, I'm always up for the challenge.''

THE TOM TEMAY FILE

AGE: 18
HEIGHT: 179cm
FROM: Sandringham Dragons
POSITION: Running defender/wingman
DRAFT RANGE: 30-60
IN THE MIX: Saints (44), Roos (48)
PLAYS LIKE: Heath Shaw
 
Follow Jay Clark on Twitter @ClarkyHeraldSun

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Time for 'soft' Suns to toughen up

Gold Coast midfielder David Swallow says the Suns must be more physical if they want to climb up the AFL ladder. Picture: David Clark Source: Gold Coast Bulletin

GUN midfielder David Swallow admits the Suns went "soft" last season and must develop a stronger physical presence if the club is to surge up the ladder in 2013.

The call comes as the squad faced another demanding wrestling session in Arizona yesterday, where ripped shorts, stretched singlets and a busted ear were some of the side effects.

The Suns have been heavily scrutinised for a lack of physical pressure in their opening two seasons and Swallow didn't hide when asked if the club was too soft in 2012.

"Well yeah, maybe we were compared to the first year where we were really cracking in hard and it was something we really prided ourselves on," he said.

"The first year around clearances we were really good and it was probably one of the areas we dropped away last season.

"Maybe in the second year the boys just weren't going in as hard as the first year and its one of those things we just have to get back to.

"If we start winning more clearances and contests than the more chance we have of winning more games."

Swallow welcomed the new look fitness department's stronger focus on body contact this pre-season and said the new approach was already paying dividends.

"Obviously AFL is a very physical sport and these type of sessions give you confidence that your body can handle it," he said.

Dion Prestia was the only casualty from yesterday's wrestling session, with the midfielder suffering a corked calf and a lacerated right ear.

Danny Stanley almost had his shorts completely torn off from a determined Gary Ablett, while Jackson Allen was also left with a stretched singlet after a strong tussle with the Suns skipper.

Suns head of fitness Paul Haines conceded there was a higher risk of injury involved in the wrestling sessions, but said it was a chance the club had to take.

"A big part of our pre-season focus is the body contact training and we do it to give the players confidence that when they play games they know they've done the work," he said.

"It's a bit of risk versus return and in close quarters its not too bad.

"They will get a few bruises, knocks and blood noses but nothing major.

"Plus we keep a close eye on the guys who have modified programs anyway."

Ablett and Stanley were the standouts in the hour-long hitout, while Steven May put his big frame to good use.

In promising signs for the club, injured vice-captain Nathan Bock participated in most of the sessions, but was kept to light duties.
 

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Daisy next big story

Dale Thomas could be targeted by rival clubs. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

COLLINGWOOD is bracing for more speculation about a key player leaving next season.

The Magpies are aware midfielder Dale "Daisy" Thomas will be the target of free-agency speculation unless he re-signs.

"We've got Dale Thomas who has got another 12 months of a contract and then he becomes a restricted free agent," coach Nathan Buckley said yesterday.

"There's going to be one story in the next 12 months that becomes bigger than others because it becomes the free agent story of the year.

"Now, Collingwood has probably had that two out of three years.

"Pendles (Scott Pendlebury) was big in the first year of GWS (Giants), and Clokey (Travis Cloke) was big.

"And Collingwood's a big club and we know we're going to get a lot of speculation about us."

Buckley said he had no doubt Cloke's form this year was affected by the constant speculation.

"A lot of people would choose to neglect to consider the fact that he has taken a hit (financially) to stay, but the club was really keen on not bending to a point where we had to butcher our list by keeping one bloke," Buckley told SEN.

Collingwood's pre-season training starts on November 21, with senior players returning a week later.

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Bailey keeps cool in tank claims

Former Melbourne coach Dean Bailey says he didn't tell the Dees to lose. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Herald Sun

FORMER Melbourne coach Dean Bailey is arguing he is innocent of tanking claims, despite being in the "vault" when football operations manager Chris Connolly reinforced the need to play for draft picks.

The AFL is unveiling its investigative arsenal as it builds its case, warning some Melbourne assistant coaches of severe sanctions if they refuse to be interviewed or are not honest in testimony.

Some Demons officials have been told the AFL can impose life coaching bans, though interviews are not conducted under oath.

Others have been re-interviewed and told that their testimony is inconsistent with those who believe there is evidence of tanking.

While Connolly is under the most heat, Bailey is said to be comfortable with the fact he never instructed coaches or players to deliberately lose games.

He is one of several Melbourne figures who remembers Connolly making his controversial aside in a portable shed at the Junction Oval, dubbed The Vault, after the Port Adelaide win in Round 15, 2009.

While that meeting has been painted as the start of an orchestrated campaign to lose games, the context of that discussion is at the heart of the tanking investigation.

Pick Me: Is the next Jobe Watson heading to Melbourne?

Some, including Bailey, believe the Connolly statement urging the coaching staff not to maximise their high draft picks was a 30-second aside in a lengthy match committee meeting.

They dispute it was a specific meeting held as a call-to-arms to the football department.

Others have accused Connolly of saying words to the effect of, "Make this happen, or you'll all get sacked".

Whether the AFL believes the more generous interpretation, or declares the Connolly statement as evidence of tanking, is the crux of the investigation.

The Herald Sun has reported Bailey, now an Adelaide assistant coach, told the players in mid-2009 some would be played in radically different positions.

Melbourne faces "severe" penalties if found guilty, but will likely have seven days to reply to any AFL findings.

That means Melbourne has a good chance of retaining its No.4 selection and the No.27 pick it needs to secure father-son selection Jack Viney in the November 22 national draft because the investigation will be ongoing.

The AFL Commission meets on November 19.

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Delay to best-laid plans

Essendon CEO Ian Robson says the ovals will be ready in January. Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON will not start using its freshly laid training ovals until January.

Chairman David Evans predicted in August the players would be training at an MCG-sized oval at Tullamarine by the middle of this month, but the plans have been delayed.

Chief executive Ian Robson is confident the turf is settling after a wet winter.

"What might have been a couple of sessions pre-Christmas now will be a first week of January," he said.

Pick Me: Mighty Joe the Dons' next superstar

Robson denied there had been major issues with the turf, but said it needed time.

"We're all very impatient in football. We'd like to roll it out today and train on it tomorrow, but it needs time to bed down," he said.

"We are keen to find our feet on the oval, bearing in mind we are still confronting the issue (at Windy Hill) of a co-tenancy with a cricket team."

The Bombers will use a mixture of venues before Christmas, including Windy Hill, The Tan, Victoria Park, Gosch's Paddock and Aberfeldie athletics track.

When the Bombers do start training at their new Tullamarine base, they will be changing in portables as construction gears up.

The club is looking forward to the certainty of its own pre-season base.

"There's no denying there's a certain beauty and feel that comes from a location that is predictable and secure," Robson said.

"What we're delivering is a long-term solution to address some of the challenges we've been facing at Windy Hill because of the historical co-tenancy with cricket."

It is possible the Bombers will be able to move mid-season in 2013 if the building of the training centre adjacent to the oval goes to plan.

Essendon's Etihad Stadium-sized oval on the same site is at least a fortnight behind the MCG-sized ground, which had been planned as it was sown more conventionally.

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Tippett would set Patton up well

Jon Patton says Kurt Tippett would add nicely to his side's forward line. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: The Daily Telegraph

IT WAS a day of firsts for the Giants at Skoda Stadium yesterday.

It was their first full training session without Israel Folau, the first proper pre-season for No. 1 draft pick Jonathon Patton and the first declaration from Giants players about their desire to sign Adelaide Crow Kurt Tippett.

Patton said he would have no problem should he and Jeremy Cameron end up sharing the Giants' forward line with the former Crow.

Pick Me: Will the Giants snare the next Jobe Watson?

"If Kurt came to the Giants it would be awesome for the club," Patton said. "He's hitting his prime and he has already shown what sort of a player he is.

"If he comes here, Jeremy and I will be looking forward to working with him in the forward line."

Patton and the Giants were putting in the building blocks of their pre-season training yesterday, sweating it out during their first skill session.

Coach Kevin Sheedy said Tippett's versatility would be the key to fitting him into the Giants' already talented forward line.

"He's a former basketball player and well over 200cm," Sheedy said.

"Clubs are always looking at that spare ruck/forward who can come in and make it happen."

Tippett is the subject of an AFL investigation into the contract he signed in 2009 with the Crows but that has not deterred the Giants' enthusiasm for the big man.

While Sheedy would be happy to pinch Tippett from under the noses of the Swans he has plenty to smile about within his ranks.

His No. 1 draft pick from last year, Patton, is set to make a big impact in 2013 with his first full pre-season under his belt.

Patton played just seven matches for the fledgling club in his debut season after flying to Sweden for surgery on his patella tendon early in the year.

"It's feeling really good at the moment," Patton said.

"Now that I've had a break - and rehab-ed it a lot more - my leg is a lot stronger.

"In the first few days of pre-season I haven't felt any pain."

Patton's January surgery delayed his senior debut until the round-12 match against Richmond at Skoda Stadium - and severely limited his impact in 2012.

"When the boys were playing NAB Cup I was just starting to run," Patton said.

"It was definitely very difficult coming in without a pre-season.

"Going from under-18s football with no pre-season into the AFL was a massive step."

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Stewart setback not final

Quick, versatile and perfectly suited to the modern game, James Stewart is likely to be taken in the second half of this year's AFL Draft.

James Stewart (left) should still get drafted despite the Pies overlooking him as a father-son pick. Bruce Magilton Source: Herald Sun

JAMES Stewart had to focus on the 17 other doors that could open when Collingwood closed theirs.

With three picks inside the top 21, the Pies made the tough call to overlook the father-son prospect, turning Stewart's draft dream on its head.

The setback continued a year of challenges for Stewart, which included a stress fracture to his back, and a major growth spurt that turned the former midfielder into a 197cm key-position player.

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

Pick Me: The next Sam Mitchell is a clearance king

While it has taken time to develop into the new role, Sandringham Dragons regional manager Ryan O'Connor said Stewart had the tools to blossom into an agile AFL forward.

"He's 197cm and he can basically run like an onballer. He has the athleticism of a wingman," O'Connor said.

s51me970 - U18 AFL champions. Vic Metro vs Tasmania at Visy Park. Vic. James Stewart tackling. Picture: Hilton Stone Source: Herald Sun

"He has fantastic foot skills and is very good with his hands. He just needs to keep working on all the attributes of contested football - like positioning as a key forward and key back."

"But the reality is he hasn't played that much in those roles.''

There were some encouraging signs late season when Stewart reeled in a string of contested grabs and conversions on goal, providing what O'Connor believes was a "taste of things to come''

Stewart said he tried to emulate the versatility in the game of Sydney champion Adam Goodes.

Pick Me: The next Jobe Watson could land at the Dees

"I'm a tall player that can play in the forward line, up the ground as well," he said.

O'Connor said Stewart, whose dad Craig played 115 games for the Pies, had shown great maturity dealing with the father-son focus.

s02wh202 c1 Football. Eastern Ranges v Sandringham Dragons. Sandringham's James Stewart with ball against Eastern's Shaun Kennedy. Picture: Carmelo Bazzano Source: Herald Sun

"Like any young footballer would be, there was a part of him that was disappointed (being overlooked by Collingwood)," he said.

"The whole experience has put a microscope on him, and it's something he's had to come to terms with.

"But I think he will be better off from it all."

Pick Me: The next Bombers superstar

"A kid of his size and his athleticism, given the right opportunities, I have no doubt he will get out there (in the AFL) and do very nicely."

THE JAMES STEWART FILE

AGE: 18
HEIGHT: 197cm
WEIGHT: 82kg
FROM: Sandringham Dragons
POSITION: Mobile forward
DRAFT RANGE: Late third round
IN THE MIX: Crows (54), Roos (58), Cats (59)
PLAYS LIKE: Adam Goodes

Follow Jay Clark on Twitter: @ClarkyHeraldSun

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Hinkley: winning games a learning curve

Port Adelaide defeat Western Bulldogs in a thrilling exhibition match at The Oval in England.

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley, left, stands with Western Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney at The Kia Oval in London, England. The Power beat the Bulldogs in the European Tour match. Source: Getty Images

PORT Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has been quick to note that his club "needs to learn to win a bit''.

This is why the new Power mentor took a sense of satisfaction from his side's spirited one-point victory against the Western Bulldogs in London yesterday morning.

Despite trailing the Bulldogs by 39 points during the third term, Hinkley's men kicked nine goals in succession en route to an impressive victory at The Oval.

"I said to the players beforehand `you always want to win'  it does not matter if it is an exhibition match or anything for us,'' Hinkley said.

"We are a club that needs to learn to win a bit. I don't like losing and that is what most of us are about if we are in this game. We like to play to win and we were lucky enough to end up just in front at the end.

"I am not sure whether we knew what we were doing. We have been together for three seconds but the coaching staff told me all along there was some talent here to work with and it is nice to see that.''

While the former Geelong assistant would have been aware of the talent of Essendon recruit Angus Monfries, the Sturt draftee wasted no time in signalling his determination to make a difference at Alberton.

Monfries  who finished with three goals  provided a much-needed spark during the premiership term, taking an eye-catching overhead mark while floating in front of a pack.

Hinkley would have also been encouraged by injury-prone pair Cam Hitchcock and Ben Newton chipping in on the scoreboard while regular defenders Jackson Trengove and Jack Hombsch also looked dangerous in attack.

Forgotten backman Jasper Pittard  who battled hamstring strains throughout last season  showed off his finishing skills with a fine goal from well outside the 50m arc.

Acting captain Hamish Hartlett seemed to shine with the added responsibility, also kicking a goal from long range as his side fought its way back into the contest.

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Hogan to stretch legs in VFL

New Melbourne Demons recruit Jesse Hogan will play in the VFL next year. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: Herald Sun

MELBOURNE will be given permission to blood its key defensive hope Jesse Hogan in the VFL next year, giving fans a glimpse of what they will see in 2014.

The 17-year-old was secured in a trade with Greater Western Sydney and in a worst-case scenario could be the sole star selection for the Demons from this year's draft process.

There remains a possibility the Demons could lose their No.4 pick and perhaps father-son selection Jack Viney (No.27) if found guilty of tanking.

Melbourne had to apply to Football Victoria for permission to play Viney in the VFL last year given he was still 17 and not officially a Demons player.

But it is understood Hogan will be able to play each week if the Demons want him to, given he has finished his junior football career in Perth.

Hogan is a powerful key forward from WA with explosive speed and strong overhead mark.

The league would have to quickly resolve the investigation, give Melbourne time to respond, and put it before the AFL commission meeting on November 19 to interfere with the November 22 draft.

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Fit Hrovat is on the money

Midfield wrecking ball Hrovat picks up possessions with ease and nearly every AFL club has shown interest in drafting him. Is he the next Sam Mitchell?

Nathan Hrovat could end up at Collingwood, the team he grew up supporting. Photo: Michael Willson/AFL Media Source: Herald Sun

IT was the $50 that helped put Nathan Hrovat on the draft map.

After copping a blast for his fitness levels in a frank 2011 season review, the pint-sized midfielder was told it was time to "pull his finger out'' or his AFL dream would disappear.

Hrovat got straight to work, hell-bent on producing a faultless pre-season.

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

He grabbed his runners on New Years Day and hit the Rye beach and was desperate to not let a family holiday on the Gold Coast in January thwart his fitness regime.

Hrovat forked out $50 for a seven-day membership at a Gold Coast gym and hit it twice most days.

When he wasn't lifting weights in the sunshine state, Hrovat was out honing his kicking skills at Southport and any football ground he could find.

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"Being a diminutive type I need to be really strong around the ball, so it certainly helped,'' Hrovat said.

His initiative didn't end there.

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

The Northern Knights captain hooked up with Brent Harvey, eager to tap into AFL resources after seeing the fruits of Lachie Hunter and Jack Viney's father-son connections.

Hrovat's dedication immediately impressed the North Melbourne champion.

"He's got a lot of talent, and that's one small part of it, but the want and the desire to constantly improve is a big part of making an AFL footballer, and Nathan's got that,'' Harvey said.

"I guess the knock on him is he's short. And that's why he wanted to speak to me, to see what sort of extra stuff you need to go to get over that hurdle.''

Harvey mentored Hrovat this year, dishing out key advice on burst speed techniques, diets and training approaches.

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As the Sam Mitchell-type tore TAC Cup sides apart with his clearance work, he went from speculative draft hopeful to a probable late choice.

Then the accolades came, igniting Hrovat up the order.

Vic Metro's MVP and vice-captain, All-Australian, Knights best-and-fairest winner despite playing just eight games and third in the Morrish medal and second in TAC Cup coaches award.

"I spoke to our recruiters at the start of the year and they said 'he's got things to work on, he might get drafted' to people talking about first-round now,'' Harvey said.

n05wp607 Nathan Hrovat has been selected to represent the Vic Metro u15 footy team in the National Championships Picture: Travis Mccue Source: Herald Sun

"It'd be good to have him at Arden St, he's an outstanding footballer and he's got great character, so he'd fit our club well.''

Knights talent manager Peter Kennedy said Hrovat's standing as a late first-rounder was testament to his consistency and work-rate.

"There's not a lot of players under 180cm taken, so he knew he had to work really hard,'' he said.

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"He had to cover all bases and he did. His ability to win the ball, weave through traffic and hit targets is (impressive), and he's got the ability to kick a goal when needed.''

THE NATHAN HROVAT FILE
AGE: 18
HEIGHT: 174cm
WEIGHT: 76kg
FROM: Northern Knights
POSITION: Inside midfielder
DRAFT RANGE: 15-25
IN THE MIX: Roos (15), Freo (17), Pies (21)
PLAYS LIKE: Sam Mitchell

Follow Sam Landsberger on Twitter: @SamLandsberger
 

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Jurrah's benching scrutiny

Brendon Goddard is nearly run down Liam Jurrah. In the same 2009 game Jurrah was benched despite his efforts on the field. Picture: Tim Carrafa. Source: News Limited

MELBOURNE'S benching of Liam Jurrah in Round 22, 2009, could form part of the evidence against it in the AFL tanking inquiry.

Jurrah's mentor and biographer, Bruce Hearn Mackinnon, said yesterday he could not fathom Melbourne's treatment of the exciting forward.

Hearn Mackinnon referred to the benching in his autobiography of Jurrah, and yesterday said he was mystified by the tactics and a post-match response from a Melbourne official.

Jurrah kicked four goals, but was dragged twice when on the verge of taking the game away from St Kilda.

St Kilda won by 47 points, handing the Demons the priority draft pick.

Hearn Mackinnon said Jurrah had not taken issue with his treatment, but it did not make sense.

In The Liam Jurrah Story, Hearn Mackinnon wrote: "(Jurrah) kicked four goals himself and provided several goal assists. However despite Liam's brilliant form he was continually dragged to the bench by his coach, prompting television commentators to suggest some tanking was going on."

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Drum: tanking a problem because it pays

Damian Drum heads back to the box after addressing his Fremantle players at Subiaco Oval. Picture: Ian Cugley. Source: News Limited

THE first AFL coach accused of "list management" to gain priority picks says tanking will continue until the AFL removes such a huge incentive for failure.

Former Fremantle coach Damian Drum was at the centre of the infamous "Hasleby Game" in 1999, in which Geelong kicked the last 11 goals against the Dockers in Round 22, handing them a priority pick.

Dockers players remarked about their positional changes, but Drum was adamant the club did not deliberately lose the game.

He said he had been given a reminder by club president Ross McLean before the game that he must coach to win.

Perth boy Hasleby became the No.2 draft pick, but the extra pick enabled the Dockers to recruit No.4 selection Matthew Pavlich, who became one of the greats.

Now the National Party MP for Bendigo, Drum said he had a clear conscience about the game, but he said the system was broken and must be repaired.

"What we have is a flawed system that encourages teams to lose," Drum told the Herald Sun.

"The AFL have to look at it very carefully. While they continue to leave these serious inducements for losing, the system will always have conjecture.

"The AFL will be battling these allegations in two years time and four years and six years, and there will be suspicion over the performance of bottom clubs for as long as they leave these rules in place."

The league has since made it almost impossible for clubs to win a pre-draft priority pick, but struggling clubs starved of high picks in the expansion era still have huge incentives to finish on the bottom.

Drum favours a lottery system that means every club in the bottom eight has a chance at the first pick, with weightings given to the worst sides.

In that much-scrutinised 1999 game Brodie Holland played on a half-back flank and Jess Sinclair back pocket - both for the first time - and commented on those moves post-match.

"Effectively you know what the stakes are from the result of that game," Drum said. "We were very, very clear we went out to win ... but the prize we got for not winning was Matthew Pavlich."

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