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Fort holds up against the best

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 17 November 2012 | 22.43

On recruiters radars since being thrown in the deep end against Brad Ottens and Peter Street for local club South Barwon

Darcy Fort takes on mum Caroline Dickins in a backyard game of basketball. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: Herald Sun

WHEN Darcy Fort confronted Brad Ottens in the Geelong Football League earlier this year, AFL recruiters took notice.

The gangly 203cm Geelong Falcons ruckman was a relative unknown coming into the season but has developed in a hurry.

Against Ottens he gave away considerable bulk and experience, but heads turned as Fort, 19, held his own against the three-time AFL premiership great.

"I was pretty nervous coming up against him, but I just tried to do my best around the ground," he said.

Ottens congratulated Fort on his game and things have progressed rapidly since.

Regarded by some astute judges as the best ruckman in the TAC Cup by the end of the season, Fort has a well-rounded game for a player of his size.

He has earned kudos for his follow-up work, willingness to tackle and tenacity around the ground.

He averaged 10 disposals, 3.5 marks, 26 hitouts and 3.4 tackles in his 10 TAC Cup matches.

Falcons regional manager Michael Turner said Fort had enormous upside.

"He competes very hard and he is very courageous, so he will stand back in front of a leading forward to spoil the ball," Turner said.

"And he gets a lot of the ball for his position.

"He has good decision-making skills and, athletically, he has great potential to improve."

Fort is likely to find a home between picks 40 and 60 in Thursday's national draft.

St Kilda, North Melbourne and Richmond are in the market for a young, developing ruckman.

Turner said the AFL's new ruck rules, preventing talls from wrestling at the contest, would weigh in Fort's favour.

"AFL clubs want to select ruckmen who can jump over each other and get first hands to the ball," he said.

"That suits him."

THE DARCY FORT FILE

AGE: 19

HEIGHT: 203cm

WEIGHT: 85kg

FROM: Geelong Falcons

POSITION: Ruckman

PREDICTED DRAFT RANGE: 40-50

IN THE MIX: Saints (picks 41&44), Kangaroos (58)

PLAYS LIKE: Ben McEvoy


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Judd vows to fight for deal

Chris Judd and Carlton are preparing the fight the AFL's decision to scrap his deal with Visy. Picture: George Salpigtidis. Source: Herald Sun

CHRIS Judd has the option of walking away from the cash component of his Visy deal to spare his teammates pay cuts and help Carlton fit under the salary cap.

The AFL's ruling that his third-party deal must be included in the salary cap has the Blues assessing their legal options and refusing to rule out court action.

Judd is determined to continue his ambassadorial work for Visy, which has paid him what is understood to be $200,000 a year for the past five seasons.

One option available to Judd is to effectively end the financial aspect of the agreement mid-deal to ensure the Blues are under the salary cap.

But before that the club, Judd's management and the AFL Players Association have vowed to fight to defend his position.

Carlton may ask for a stay of proceedings over its total player payment position from the AFL until the dispute is resolved, effectively allowing it to be over the cap until a final ruling is made.

The Blues were shocked to be told of the ruling only on October 22, but need to be under the salary cap by the November 29 third list lodging ahead of the December 11 pre-season draft.

It would give them time to consider their options, which include back-ending salaries of Judd's teammates, pay cuts or even extending Judd's player contract.

The AFL Players Association will support Judd in his grievance tribunal hearing against the AFL, and are likely to launch their own grievance hearing.

AFLPA general manager player relations Ian Prendergast said yesterday the association would fight for the rights of players to enter into independent arrangements "provided they meet the criteria set out under AFL rules".

"We also have an interest in ensuring the AFL applies its discretion in a reasonable way that reflects the deals in place," Prendergast said.

"It would seem to us the AFL have made a policy decision to apply the rules in a more onerous way on players."

The grievance process is binding under AFL rules, but Carlton chief executive Greg Swann has not ruled out Supreme Court action.

"I am pretty sure there are avenues to go (down) - grievance tribunals, court," Swann said.

"People are just having a bit of a look-see at what options we've got. It's certainly going to keep going."

Blues teammate Kade Simpson said Judd was "flying" in Arizona, and refusing to let it bother him.

"He is fit, I don't think it is bothering him too much," Simpson said.

"A lot of the boys wouldn't even know it is happening.

"It is just the sort of guy he is, he doesn't let anything bother him."


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McPhee walk opens the door for Lower

SECOND CHANCE?: Adam McPhee's exit at Fremantle could re-open the door for Nick Lower (right). Picture: Sarah Reed Source: The Advertiser

ADAM McPhee's decision to walk out on Fremantle despite recently signing a contract extension could open the door for midfielder Nick Lower to remain on the senior list.

McPhee is expected to meet with coach Ross Lyon tomorrow but it is understood the Dockers don't hold any realistic hope of talking him into remaining with the club next season.

Lower was delisted ahead of the second list lodgement deadline this week, along with Dylan Roberton and Jesse Crichton, and was in line to be re-drafted onto the rookie list.

The former Port Adelaide onballer is now set to be the beneficiary of McPhee's backflip.

Lower impressed in his first season at the Dockers in 2011 but played just three times this year as he battled injury and fell out of favour with Lyon.

Fremantle is likely to continue with its plan to use just three picks in Thursday's national draft despite the McPhee complication.


WA Talent Academy manager Raff Guadagnino expects between 10-12 West Australians will be taken in the draft, to be held on the Gold Coast for the second time.

East Fremantle's Josh Simpson is the only WA player invited and could be the state's sole first-round selection, but Guadagnino said he was confident rounds two and three would be strong from a local point of view.

Victorian midfielder Lachie Whitfield, touted as one of the best players to come out of the under-age system in the past decade, is expected to be taken at No.1 by Greater Western Sydney, which has the first three picks in the draft.

Fremantle is understood to be keen on Simpson with its first pick at 17, but there is no guarantee the silky ball carrier will still be available.

The youngster's uncle, Dwayne Simpson, played two games for the Dockers in 2001.

Simpson has bolted into top 10 contention, with Port Adelaide considering using its No.7 pick on him.

If Port overlooks Simpson, Gold Coast is likely to swoop with its first pick at 13 to add him to its big complement of talented Sandgropers.

Simpson is a Fremantle supporter and said playing for the Dockers would be a dream result.

"If I could go there then I'd be loving life," he said.

"But I'm cool with it to go anywhere. I'd love to debut in Round 1, whoever I'm playing for."

West Coast will be left hoping some quality slips through to the third round, given it won't enter the draft until pick 46.

The Eagles won't have a pick in the first two rounds and will be the last team to enter the ballot.

West Coast will have three live picks in the draft, rounding out its choices with consecutive selections at 61 and 62.

The club has decided to sacrifice early picks, with its recruiting strategy this off-season revolving around bringing in players via trades to fill perceived needs.

Collingwood premiership midfielder Sharrod Wellingham and fellow West Australians Jamie Cripps (St Kilda) and Cale Morton (Melbourne) joined West Coast during the trade period.


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Draft gem sparkles in Simpson's desert

BIG WRAPS: Yalgoo's Joshua Simpson is expected to be a first round draft pick in the upcoming AFL draft. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

BIG INFLUENCE: Josh Simpson with his grandma, Margaret Simpson, who has brought him up since the age of two weeks. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

THERE'S a popular sticker available at the Yalgoo pub that says: "Where in the hell is Yalgoo?"

If Josh Simpson gets his way, he'll put the tiny Outback town back on the map more than a century after the heady days of the gold rush.

About 500km north-east of Perth, the outpost of about 100 residents is bursting with pride ahead of Thursday's national draft.

Simpson is expected to be the first West Australian chosen - somewhere during the first round - and has even rocketed into top 10 contention.

In the red dirt on the edge of his hometown, we're at a photo shoot with the affable teenager who looms as WA's next football gun.

The setting sun brings some relief from the blazing heat, but little from the swarm of flies that are back on your face as soon as you swipe them away.


The 18-year-old first points out the animal footprints that decorate the soft dirt at our feet, identifying one trail as kangaroo and one as goat, before showing off his barefoot skills with an impromptu kick-to-kick.

The first thing you notice is that his non-preferred left foot is as good as his natural right, and his kicking action off his left side is somehow more elegant to watch. When a goanna threatens to interrupt proceedings, he's quick to assure a couple of city visitors we have nothing to worry about.

"Their first instinct is to run, because they're fast," he said.

Simpson, a proud Yamatji man with plenty of experience in both hunting and eating roos, emus and goannas from the area, says this particular goanna is a well-known adversary.

"We tried catching him before, but he's just a bit too slick for us," he said.

"Sometimes if we're fast enough, we just catch them and grab it by the tail. One day we killed like six goannas.

"Once you cook them it looks like chicken. It's beautiful, but the best part is the tail. Everyone fights for the tail, so if you killed the goanna, you eat the tail."

Simpson is a young man not so much caught between two worlds, but rather enriched by and grateful for his experiences in both of them.

Having spent three years at a boarding school in Adelaide on a football scholarship and time in Perth this season playing colts for East Fremantle and representing WA in the national under-18s championships, he converses thoughtfully on his double life.

"I've kind of got a switch on me or something," Simpson said. "Once I go back to Perth or wherever, you switch and you're living that life. You come back here, and you switch again. Coming back home, I kind of get back into my old ways.

"Both sides are a lot different. Sometimes our fridges aren't even really that full of food. They're just making it through the week, low on money and that, so being drafted would be good.

"I owe my grandmother a lot, so hopefully once I'm drafted I can give back to her and also give back to the people in my life and help them out."

He says he was "given" to his maternal grandmother, Margaret Simpson, when he was two weeks old and he has called her Mum ever since.

Once he greets multiple women with the term Nan, the close-knit nature of life in Yalgoo quickly becomes apparent.

Simpson, who's been back home for the past two months, proudly explains there are 30 or 40 homes in town and he's welcome in virtually every one of them.

"The whole town is basically my family," he said.

"There's kind of two big families: the Hodders and the Simpsons and my Dad's a Hodder and my Mum's a Simpson, so that kind of put me between two big families.

"It's a quiet little place and I like quiet. I'm with the family I've always grown up with and my heart just knows that it's home.

"And it keeps you out of trouble. In the city, I've got a lot of family that likes to go out at night and a lot like to party, so I like to be out here where I'm out of mischief and out of trouble."

Simpson's standout result in the kicking accuracy test at the recent draft camp - his score of 29/30 was the equal highest - might have something to do with his upbringing.

His childhood was spent playing barefoot on the street and in a local playground, with a set of monkey bars with openings of about 1m used as the goalposts.

"That kind of made us be accurate kicks," he said.

"You used to skin your toe here and there, but you'd wake up the next day and want to do it again."

As the day that will change his life forever approaches, it's clear there's nowhere else he'd rather be.

But shocked by the news Western Bulldog Zephaniah Skinner had become the latest in a long line of young Aboriginal players to prematurely quit the AFL to return home, Simpson is adamant he'll cope wherever his draft fate sends him and dreams of having a 10-year career.

"With us Aboriginal kids, I reckon at a young age we need to kind of leave our family a bit," he said.

"When I first boarded, I cried and cried and cried for my family. But once you get over that, you should be used to it. I don't know what's going through their mind sometimes. A lot of players want that opportunity, and they just let it walk out the door. So for me, I'm in a better position than most."

Simpson is also steeled by the toughest period of his life in late 2008.

He was devastated when he was left out of a Sharks' under-16 development squad, despite teammates from his premiership-winning Mullewa under-14s side being included.

"Me being the captain and winning the grand final, best-and-fairest, I kind of thought I'd have a little chance of going and then I missed out," he said.

"I'm fine with it now. As a kid, it was pretty upsetting."

Shortly after that came personal heartbreak as his six-year-old brother Michael was killed in a horrific road accident after being hit by a truck on the highway that runs past town.

All the turmoil prompted him to chase a fresh start and a scholarship at South Australia's Rostrevor College on the recommendation of a friend.

"(The setbacks) happened early in my life, at the age of 14, so I had to take in a lot and I had to leave a lot here," he said.

"It was very hard and I didn't know what to do. I sat down and had a good think about it and decided I'd go over and try something new. That actually made me stronger in myself and my ability, just to take new things on.

"I thought about my young brother - do it for him - and now I'm almost there."


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Infant clubs are over-indulged: Eddie

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire says the expansion clubs get too many concessions. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: Herald Sun

COLLINGWOOD president Eddie McGuire has warned the AFL that it should consider repealing long-term concessions for Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney.

Fearful both teams could become competition superpowers, McGuire has declared his next "crusade" in his push for equality and an unencumbered draft and salary cap that sits with the start-up AFL clubs.

"The AFL has got to be quick to work out whether they have given GWS and Gold Coast too much," McGuire said.

"We have given the AFL the imprimatur to give them the best possible start, but if it ever gets to the stage - and I think we are getting close to it - they need to look at it.

"I trust the AFL to do the right thing ... but if they (the two clubs) have taken a position that is counter to what was intended - to build a super team that will dominate - we have to start looking at it and read the play about what is going on."

Fresh from having a win on the Chris Judd-Visy deal, which the AFL has declared must now be a part of Carlton's salary cap, McGuire said he wanted to keep fighting AFL inequalities.

"This is not about Collingwood, it is about giving a level playing field for all clubs," he said. "To be honest, the clubs that are being smashed are Melbourne and the Bulldogs.

"The AFL has done a lot of things to compete against rugby league, rugby union and soccer, and I applaud them for doing it. But at some stage we have to be careful that we are not running a marketing competition - we are running a football competition.

"The best times we have had in football was when we had an unencumbered draft, when there was no salary cap inequalities, except for the Judd one, and when the system was working as it was intended to.

"We had record ratings, attendances and memberships. We have to get back to that system as quickly as possible."

McGuire is concerned that Gold Coast and GWS have been able to "stockpile" young talent in a way that was not intended when the rules were made.

And he fears for the future of some clubs as a chasm between the haves and have-nots grows wider by the year.

Both new clubs have extra players on their lists and salary cap allowances in their infancy - with the Gold Coast's concessions set to expire in 2014 and GWS's in 2018.

McGuire said the inflationary market could account for why Adelaide was tempted to do everything in its power to try and keep Kurt Tippett.


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Could Troy be the next Selwood?

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 16 November 2012 | 22.42

Central District's Troy Menzel is waiting for his future to be decided in the upcoming draft. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: The Advertiser

BUST or steal? That is the big question hovering over one of SA football's brightest draft prospects just five days out from a talent lottery that will shape the future of the 18 AFL clubs.

Will exciting Central District forward Troy Menzel be  the next Beau Dowler or the next Joel Selwood?

Hawthorn punted on Dowler - who suffered three pelvic fractures in a car accident just before his drafting - at pick six at the 2005 national draft. He was delisted five years later after playing just 16 games.

Selwood - once considered a possible No. 1 pick - slipped to Geelong at No. 7 at the 2006 national draft after missing most of his last junior season following a knee reconstruction, which clubs thought could impact on his future.

He is now the Cats' captain, one of the stars of the game and has played in a remarkable three premierships in his six years.

Clubs face a similar dilemma with Menzel, who has a history of knee problems.

He underwent LARS surgery at 16 on his right (non-kicking) leg, strained a posterior cruciate ligament playing for the Bulldogs in this year's SANFL finals series and has a brother, Geelong's Daniel Menzel, who is recovering from a second knee reconstruction in two years.

It is understood no high-profile player in this year's draft pool is harder to get a  line on than the 187cm Menzel, whose game has been likened to that of Cats star Steve Johnson.

SA under-18 coach Brenton Phillips says scans on Menzel's knees will in the next few days be "the most viewed in Australia".

"Clubs will look at that many X-rays and scans of it in the lead-up to the draft, it will be unbelievable," Phillips said.

"They will do every bit of homework they need to do on him - because using a first-round pick on a player is a big investment.

"Talent-wise, Troy is definitely worthy of a top pick."

Menzel, 18, has been tipped to be selected anywhere from pick three (to Greater Western Sydney) to 16 (Geelong).

Former Crows recruiting manager Matt Rendell - who will join Collingwood at the end of the year but will sit out this draft - described Menzel as one of the most intriguing players on offer.

He noted how current AFL players David Rodan (Melbourne) and Nick Malceski (Sydney) have had second knee reconstructions following LARS surgery.

"Everyone knows he can play but just how big is the (injury) risk?" Rendell said of Menzel. "The thing with knees is that, like shoulders, structurally, they can be genetic, which is a concern.

"So do you roll the dice and take him early or does he get overlooked and some club finds itself getting a steal?"

Port Adelaide could be in a position to draft Menzel at pick seven. It overlooked Selwood at pick five in 2006 - instead taking another midfielder, Travis Boak.


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Top pick in for ride of his life

Last year's top draft pick, Jonathon Patton, at home with mother Belinda and sister Lauren. Picture: Craig Borrow. Source: The Daily Telegraph

LACHIE Whitfield is the favourite to go No.1, but whoever is lucky enough to be first picked at Thursday night's AFL draft is in for the ride of his life.

It's a nerve-racking but awesome night.

This time last year it was me who had the honour of being named No.1 and it was an experience I'll never forget.

When your name is called it's a special moment.

You just feel honoured to be in the same company as names like Brett Deledio, Luke Hodge, Tom Scully and Matt Kreuzer to name a few. There have been a lot of great players who have been picked at No.1 and its very humbling to be alongside them.

My mum and sister were there and my older brother Chris was listening on the internet in California - where he plays division one basketball at Riverside.

My only regret is I didn't get more time to spend with my family to enjoy the moment.

After you're named you get carried off for interviews and photographs and they keep going for a couple of hours.

My advice to whoever goes No.1 is to make a good first impression on all the people you meet.

It will put you in good stead especially among your future teammates and club personnel.

One advantage the 2012 No.1 will have is he'll have plenty of Giants mates there to enjoy the night with.

GWS have the first three selections along with picks 12 and 14.

My only regret is I didn't get more time to spend with my family to enjoy the moment

Last year we had 11 of the first 14 and it makes a difference when you know these guys will be your teammates.

Another good thing for this year's No.1 is he'll have two teammates who have been through the experience - Tom Scully was selected No.1 in 2009.

It definitely helps knowing there are other people who have been in the same situation

It was difficult for Tom when he was drafted No.1 because Melbourne were really relying on him to be a future star so there was a tremendous amount of expectation.

If our next No.1 ever needs advice about how to handle it or any help in any way I'm more than happy to provide assistance. He can come to me or Tom Scully any time.

It's quite a thing to have three No.1 picks at one club.

Carlton have three with Marc Murphy, Bryce Gibbs and Matthew Kreuzer and they have all turned out to be outstanding footballers.

The other thing I would say to the No.1 is enjoy the night. It goes fast.


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Juddy digging in over Visy deal

Chris Judd wants to fight the AFL's decision on his deal with Visy. Picture: Michael Klein.  Source: Herald Sun

CHRIS Judd looks headed for the AFL's grievance tribunal as Carlton grapples with the implications of the league's decision to scrap the Visy third-party deal.

The Blues skipper's agent, Paul Connors, with the support of the AFL Players' Association, is planning a bid to revive the arrangement.

Judd is expected to meet with AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson on his return from an Arizona training camp seeking answers.

If the dispute cannot be resolved within 14 days of the meeting, which is likely, Judd will plead his case at the grievance tribunal.

Judd will continue to be paid in the region of $200,000-$250,000 by Visy in an ambassadorial role from next year, but the league's toughened stance means that money must now come under Carlton's salary cap.

It is understood Judd has found that a bitter pill to swallow because it creates a Total Player Payments squeeze that could impact on teammates.

Carlton, which is also assessing its options, may be forced to defer portions of some players' wages to future years to sneak under the cap.

The Blues did not have time to "trade out" a player to make room for the Visy cash because they were not told of the crackdown until October 22 - the final stages of the trade period.

Carlton is seeking answers from the AFL after claiming the original correspondence only contained two lines and did not go into detail.

After five years of having the arrangement outside the cap ticked off, the Blues and the Judd camp are both asking what has changed.

Connors yesterday told the Herald Sun he would talk to Judd on his return from the US, but strongly indicated the grievance process loomed as the next step.

"I just don't see what the difference is between this time and last time," Connors said of the AFL knockback.

"Not much has changed."

The Visy deal was up for renewal and set to be extended for another two years before the AFL moved the goalposts, with Anderson making it clear the rules had tightened.

Connors said the Judd deal with Visy was signed six months after his arrival at Carlton, even though it is generally perceived that it was a key plank in luring the midfielder from West Coast.

Blues chief executive Greg Swann said it was "not ideal" to suddenly have to find room for another $200,000 under the salary cap.

Carlton has made it clear there are 78 similar third-party deals to players across the competition and feels it would be discriminatory if they did not also come under intense scrutiny.

Swann has also raised the prospect of the crackdown sparking restraint of trade court action if the net widens beyond Judd, who had the highest-profile third-party deal.

The shift in policy has caused angst among the playing group one year into a five-year Collective Bargaining Agreement.

The AFL Players' Association sees it as unfairly eating into the earning capacity of its members.

"We have an interest in ensuring the legitimate rights of players to earn commercially through these arrangements are protected and maintained," AFLPA general manager of player relations Ian Prendergast said.

The AFLPA yesterday stressed that third-party payments represent less than 1 per cent of all payments that go to players.

There is a strong feeling among the players the payments are "largely insignificant" and that the league should be focusing on much bigger issues impacting on the equalisation of the game.


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McGuire: AFL is five years too late

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire says the AFL's call on Chris Judd's deal with Carlton sponsor Visy is five years too late. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: Herald Sun

THE AFL's decision to include Chris Judd's third-party deal within Carlton's salary cap for 2013 has come five years too late, according to Collingwood president Eddie McGuire.

And rather than mourning the AFL's decision to pull the plug on the deal, as revealed in the Herald Sun, the Blues should be popping champagne corks that they were to get away with it for so long.

"The fact that it has been changed is like the AFL saying they mucked up the rule in the first place, or for however long Chris Judd has been there," McGuire said yesterday.

"He has been basically paid out of the salary cap all of that time.

"According to the AFL's position now, Carlton has had a free kick of more than $1.2 million on the salary cap over the past five years compared to other clubs."

Judd's Visy deal is understood to be between $200,000 and $250,000 a season.

One of the leading critics of the controversial deal, and of other AFL inequities, McGuire said he was pleased the AFL had changed itsmind.

"Adrian Anderson (AFL football operations manager). Andrew Demetriou (AFL chief executive officer) and Ken Wood (AFL salary cap watchdog) sat down and realised this was something that was wrong," he said. "And they ditched it."

McGuire said he didn't care if the Blues were angry that he led the charge in opposition to the deal.

Blues chief executive Greg Swan yesterday joked he had to check the AFL letter to "see if it was signed by Eddie or Adrian."

But McGuire said he said he wanted a fair and level playing field for all clubs, not just for Collingwood.

"I have said from the word go that I don't care how much anyone pays Chris Judd, as long as every club has the opportunity to do the same thing," he said.


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Crow call a 'disgrace': Kennett

Former Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett says the Adelaide Crows should not be taking part in next week's AFL draft. Picture: David Caird. Source: Herald Sun

FORMER Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett last night launched a blistering attack on the AFL for allowing Adelaide to take part in next week's national draft.

"This is absolutely unacceptable what the AFL are doing. It's a disgrace," Kennett told the Herald Sun.

"It's absolutely akin to Racing Victoria allowing Damien Oliver to race, knowing that he had serious charges levelled against him.

"I just cannot accept it. It staggers belief."

In a massive win for the embattled Crows, lawyers for the club yesterday forced the AFL to delay its hearings into claims they cheated on the salary cap with illegal payments to forward Kurt Tippett.

It means the Crows can keep all their picks in Thursday's draft on the Gold Coast - effectively delaying punishment for another 12 months.

An enraged Kennett, who contacted the Herald Sun, called on the AFL to delay Thursday's draft, rather than allow the Crows and Melbourne - under separate investigation for tanking - to take part.

"If they (the AFL) are saying that natural justice has got to be done, well then in that case, I would cancel the draft until the issue is resolved," Kennett said.

"By allowing this draft to continue and these two clubs to participate ... it just makes a mockery of the whole competition. It defies logic.

"I mean you've got a (Family) Court judge on the (AFL) Commission (Linda Dessau) and other people who are very bright individuals. How in God's name can they say that they are administering this code correctly when they allow a decision like this to take place?"

A new hearing date for the Crows is yet to be set but will not come in time to prevent Adelaide from replenishing its list with new young talent.

The Crows have picks 20, 54 and 64.

Melbourne learned last week that it had dodged a draft bullet because an AFL investigation into claims the club deliberately lost games in 2009 was not complete.

The AFL Commission was scheduled to convene on Monday and Tuesday to determine its penalties for the Crows over allegations of draft tampering and salary cap cheating.

Adelaide yesterday revealed the club, chief executive Steven Trigg, football boss Phil Harper and former football operations manager John Reid would be represented separately.

"The AFL has today advised the club and Mr Harper, as well as Mr Trigg, Mr Reid and Adelaide Crows-listed player Kurt Tippett, that the Commission will provide the requested extra time, and that the hearing will not proceed on Monday as previously scheduled, to ensure that natural justice is provided," the league said in statement.

"The 2012 NAB AFL Draft will proceed as scheduled next week."


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High hopes for young Hawk

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 15 November 2012 | 22.43

Lance Franklin tackles Amos Frank during an intra club mach at a Hawthorn Community Camp in Launceston. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Herald Sun

HAWTHORN has re-committed to its indigenous project player Amos Frank, confident he is bucking the trend of homesick players from remote communities.

Frank's original one-season rookie contract was recently extended by a season and he will resume training with the Hawks' young group on Monday.

Although he returned post-season to the APY Lands, in far north South Australia, Frank is back in Melbourne and thriving.

"It's an amazing story. He's such a committed person. There's been zero issue," Hawthorn football manager Mark Evans said yesterday.

"Early on, a lot of work went into helping him understand lectures, but his English has improved enormously and he responded well to one-on-one coaching.

"We were always hopeful it would be more than a one-year trial and it would extend beyond that."

Frank's class began to shine at Box Hill in the second half of the season and the small forward would be one of the stories of next season if he could break into the Hawks' powerful line-up.

His success comes amid fresh concerns about indigenous players fitting into the demanding culture of AFL.

Another remote recruit, Zephaniah Skinner, quit the Western Bulldogs this week to return home after two years in the system.

AFL engagement and talent co-ordinator Chris Johnson yesterday indicated Skinner had found it tougher after another indigenous Bulldog Nathan Djerkurra left post-season to return to the Northern Territory.

"In Skinner's case it didn't help with Nathan realising he wanted to go back and build his family in Darwin," Johnson said.

"Nathan would have put him under his wing and helped him out a fair bit.

"The Bulldogs went to massive lengths, but when someone's made up their mind that they want to be back with their family and cultural belongings, it's a bit hard to change that."

Johnson said it was "always disappointing" to see indigenous players leave the game prematurely, but is adamant clubs will not see the Skinner scenario or even the high-profile Liam Jurrah case as roadblocks to future recruiting.

"We got up to 11.5 per cent (indigenous in AFL) a few years ago and we're falling away a little bit from that, but hopefully we can get that back up and we think we can," Johnson said.

"We think our boys deserve the opportunity."

Johnson is adamant the fears of the indigenous "go home" factor are overplayed, saying it was unfair to look at the issue as a whole.

"It's case by case. Certain guys can adapt to it, certain guys can't," Johnson said.


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Players in quest for winning altitudes

Bombers skipper Jobe Watson with his Brownlow Medal. Picture: Michael Klein. Source: Herald Sun

WINNING the Brownlow Medal seems like a lifetime ago for Jobe Watson as he slugs it out with a small group of Essendon teammates in Colorado.

What doesn't seem so long ago is the Bombers drastic fadeout in the second half of the 2012 season.

Its the painful memories, Watson said, that stay with you for longer.

"The things that perhaps that you would like to remember you move on quickly from and the things that burn you a bit, the disappointments, linger," Watson told the Herald Sun yesterday.

"Certainly the way that the season finished off was very disappointing for the team.

"And it's not that you need any extra motivation to be successful, but I think that when you're faced with those disappointments, like with the way the year ended, it shows that we've got a lot of work to do and that starts this pre-season."

Watson is in Boulder, Colorado with nine of his teammates, performance coach Justin Crow and assistant coach Simon Goodwin.

The group has been sent to the midwest to test for future altitude training camps in the region.

Watson said the group's training program mirrored that of the players still in Melbourne. And while it has been only a short experiment so far, the skipper said he has seen enough to know its benefits will make the trip worthwhile.

"It's obviously important that the place you're at caters for professional training.

"Boulder, being at altitude there are a lot of athletes that train here, so the town is sort of based around sport and activity which means everything is accessible which is really handy."

Watson said star recruit Brendon Goddard had fitted in well with those on the trip. And despite coming in to his 11th AFL season, Watson said he still gets excited when players of Goddard's calibre arrive on the club's doorstep.

"There are guys who you know can really change games and can do that consistently.

"They're not easy to find, but to get the opportunity to get a guy like Brendon in to the club, as a player it really gives you that sense of excitement about what could happen as a result."


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Daisy plans to stay a Magpie

Collingwood's Dale Thomas and NRL star Billy Slater during their tour of Barcelona. Source: Herald Sun

COLLINGWOOD star Dale Thomas hopes to remain a Magpie beyond next year.

Coach Nathan Buckley has predicted Thomas's contract negotiations could end up the same as the Travis Cloke circus, which haunted the club's finals campaign.

"Hopefully I can have a good year and stay where I am," said Thomas, who becomes a restricted free agent next year.

"The Collingwood Football Club has been fantastic to me. I signed a two-year deal a year ago and that was when the Greater Western Sydney franchise was coming in, but I was lucky enough to stay.

"A lot of my teammates have done the same thing, we have stayed as a group.

"For me it is about getting fit for the start of the year, having a good season personally and hopefully that results in the team having a great year.

"At the end of the season you never know what is going to happen, but hopefully I can stay where I am."

Thomas also spoke for the first time about the death of his good friend and former teammate John McCarthy.

He admitted to struggling to play in the days after the tragedy in Las Vegas in September but it later helped him to put life in perspective.

"It was huge," Thomas said.

"It happened after the first week of the finals and I played like an absolute turd in that first final.

"I literally couldn't have played any worse. So I was still a little bit disappointed and feeling down and then you get news like that.

"It pretty quickly puts the whole football life and life in general in perspective.

"For our group we probably didn't realise how close we all were until after that week and how we got through it.

"The way the group carried themselves, everyone was there for one another.

"At times it takes something as unfortunate as that to happen for blokes to realise how lucky you are and how many good mates you really do have."

Thomas recently returned from a trip to Spain with Melbourne Storm's Billy Slater where the pair featured in promotional shoot for the adizero F50 boot that launches next month.

"I had a ball," he said.

"Just walking around the streets of Barcelona and soaking up the atmosphere, it does make you realise how lucky you are.

"Since the end of the season it's been a pretty good adventure.

"We had a week in Melbourne with the boys just relaxing and enjoying our time together.

"Then I got away to the Telo Islands and Mentawai surfing for a week.

"I spent five nights in Bali then I went to West Timor to a little island called Rote and went surfing again.

"Then I headed back home for a day for my sister's fiance's bucks party - and then it was back on the plane to London for four nights and then here for four nights in Barcelona."


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Ex-Demon chills in deep freeze

Former Demon Brent Moloney is now a Lion. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: Herald Sun

BRISBANE Lions recruit Brent Moloney did not expect to get stuck in too many snow storms when he decided to head north to the Gabba.

But the former Melbourne midfield star found himself in freezing temperatures and lung-busting high altitude when the Lions climbed Humphreys Peak on their pre-season training camp in the US.

Humphreys Peak is just outside Flagstaff, Arizona, and is the state's highest peak at 3851m above sea level.

A local website says "the worst times to climb this peak would be from late October through mid-May".

During the Lions' hike, the snow set in, making the already strenuous journey a gruelling physical and mental test.

"It was tough going to punch through it," Moloney said.

"But we got there in the end so it was a great team bonding exercise.

"The boys are already a really tight-knit group but something like that only brings you closer together.

"When we are doing it tough during a game next season we can remember the snow storm. It's something we can talk about at quarter-time or halftime to give us a lift.

"For me it's great to come to a new club and go straight into a training camp like this to get to know all of the boys.

"I've been made to feel very welcome and I'm loving it. Everybody is working hard here and it's been a great experience."

Moloney has been one of the camp's standout performers with the likes of Joel Patfull, Jack Redden and Brent Staker.

The ex-Demon will wear the No.3 jumper made famous by senior coach Michael Voss and knows it carries extra expectation.

"It's an honour to wear the number. It is obviously a significant number for the club and I hope I can do it proud," he said.

"But I've got a lot of hard work ahead of me before I get to wear it in a game."


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Demons overlook James Magner

Melbourne's James Magner faces another season as a rookie. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: Herald Sun

JAMES Magner will have to make do with life as a bargain-basement rookie, despite being one of Melbourne's few good news stories last season.

The midfielder played 17 matches in his debut year, but the Demons have not promoted him to the senior list.

Even Clint Bartram's premature retirement wasn't enough.

In effect, Geelong recruit Tom Gillies snapped up that spot.

Given the Demons are likely to enter the season with a full list, there will not be an option to give Magner nominated rookie status before Round 1.

His only chance to be eligible for the AFL season opener is a long-term injury to a teammate.

Though Magner emerged as one of the Demons' most reliable players last year, he remains on a minimum base wage of $49,200.

If promoted during the year, he will earn a base wage of $56,755 plus match payments of $3225 for each senior game.

Fellow rookies Daniel Nicholson and Michael Evans, who had completed two years at the club, were promoted to the seniors.

Magner, who still has a year to run on a rookie contract, has been one of the club's best performers in early time trials.

Zephaniah Skinner's departure has also made room at the Western Bulldogs, who have been linked to Brent Prismall and Matthew Bate.

De-listed Prismall will continue to train at Essendon, and the club has not ruled out taking him in the pre-season.

Ricky Dyson, another de-listed Bomber, was not offered a training spot and could face an uphill battle to find another club.


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Crows hire top defence counsel

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 14 November 2012 | 22.42

David Edwardson QC will be representing the Crows in the Kurt Tippett salary cap scandal. Picture: Greg Higgs. Source: adelaidenow

THE Adelaide Crows have engaged one of Australia's most prominent defence counsels to represent them before the AFL commission on Monday and will be bunkered down for the next two days to prepare their case.

The Crows hired David Edwardson QC, who was successful in defending Perth barrister Lloyd Rayney in one of the highest profile cases in Western Australia's history.

He also acted for lawyer Eugene McGee in his high-profile South Australian hit-and-run court case.

Jeff Gleeson SC will represent the AFL and it was already known that David Galbally QC would argue Tippett's case. The Crows enlisted Mr Edwardson to defend salary cap and draft tampering charges.

In yesterday's developments:

SOUTH Australian bakery Balfours is reportedly at the centre of the scandal, with the club having allegedly diverted to Tippett up to $30,000 of an annual club sponsorship estimated between $150,000 and $200,000.

THREE new charges were levelled at the club.

PHIL Harper, the club's football operations manager, has been added to the key figures facing the charge of breaching AFL player rule 17.

Harper, chief executive Steven Trigg and the Adelaide Football Club have each been advised of the new charges in writing. The AFL's general manager of football operations, Adrian Anderson, issued the following for all three:

"Contrary to Rule 17 of the Rules, between September 2009 and October 2012, you engaged in conduct in breach of the Total Player Payments provision in the Rules."

The charges will be heard by the full AFL Commission at 1pm on Monday at AFL House.

The alleged Balfours involvement emerged late yesterday and was reportedly orchestrated by Trigg.

It is believed Trigg instructed Balfours to divert about $30,000 of the bakery's yearly sponsorship of the club to Tippett. In return, the player starred in "Tippett's Tips" ads for Balfours.

(The commission is) going to come at them with an axe

Clubs are not to be involved in players' third-party deals.

The new charges bring the total to 11 charges against the Crows: three for the club, three for Trigg, one for Harper, two for former football manager John Reid and two for Tippett, who is still listed as an Adelaide player.

The key figures in the scandal were locked away with lawyers last night after spending the day unsighted at the club's headquarters at West Lakes.

SANFL chief executive Leigh Whicker said the SANFL, which holds the licence for the Crows, would not be affected on how the hearing plays out.

"From our point of view, the club is independent of us (in this matter," Whicker said.

"And the club's got no option but to front up. Get the deal done, then it's a matter of getting the supporters back on board and start worrying about playing footy again.

"They've got the group that can hopefully get them to the last Saturday in September within the next few years."

But predictions around the AFL community continue to grow darker when it comes to how the Crows will be dealt with next week.

One leading administrator was blunt.

"They're going to come at them with an axe," he said.

"I think a lot of people will be surprised at how severe the commission can be.

"They haven't got much of a defence, because they've basically admitted guilt.

"Now it's about trying to mitigate the damage."

Galbally QC is a high-profile Melbourne lawyer who prepared the report into Ricky Nixon's dealings with "the St Kilda schoolgirl".


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Dogs newest father-son a steal

The goalkicking midfielder the Dogs desperately crave. Put serious work into his contested footy work this season.

AFL Trade Period. Day 1. Etihad Stadium. Lachlan Hunter who will be drafetrd by the Western Bulldogs under the father son rule with his dad Mark at Etihad Stadium today Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

CLUBS wanting a head start on opposition analysis should have focussed on St Kevin's 2010 engine room.

Year 12 students Mitch Wallis and Tom Liberatore dominated rival school outfits in the midfield, while 15-year-old Lachie Hunter lurked dangerously across half-forward.

Today Hunter begins training at Whitten Oval, officially teammates with Wallis and Liberatore again - the fourth father-son selection on the Dogs list.

AFL Trade Period. Day 1. Etihad Stadium. Lachlan Hunter who will be drafetrd by the Western Bulldogs under the father son rule with his dad Mark at Etihad Stadium today Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun


And Dogs recruiter Simon Dalrymple said to jag the dynamic midfielder with devastating goul nous at pick 50 was a bargain.

"We rated him around the 30 mark,'' Dalrymple said.


"The last thre years he's come through our father-son program and we've seem him mature and improve on areas we've spoken about

"That ability to be coachable around his tackling and contested ball was pleasing.

"Combined with his forward craft makes him an attractive package.''

Hunter began the year as a speculative choice but rocketed up the order on the back of his blistering TAC Cup form, where he averaged 138 SuperCoach points.

Hunter, who brushed up his inside work and tackling technique this year to fit the Brendan McCartney mould, torched Eastern Ranges with 37 touches and three goals, while late in the year Western Jets coach Steve Kretiuk shifted him to forward as he began to tire.

"But it didn't work, he kicked six goals and the ball just followed him,'' Kretiuk said.

s05ht990 b1 Newport's Lachlan Hunter with father Mark.AFL draft father-son prospect. Picture: Carmelo Bazzano Source: Herald Sun


"He's one of the smartest players I've seen. The way he finished off and the improvement we saw he bunny-hopped a lot of players in the draft.''

The Pies, Roos and Dockers quizzed Hunter at draft camp before North pulled the trigger with pick 38, forcing the Dogs to jag him with a third-round pick.

"The Dogs told me they would only give up third-rounder, so I was hoping no one would take me before the Doggies' second-round pick,'' Hunter said.

"You'd be nervous going in there and not knowing anyone so it's handy knowing those two (Libba and Wallis).''

THE LACHIE HUNTER FILE

AGE: 17
HEIGHT: 181cm
WEIGHT: 78kg
FROM: Western Jets
POSITION: Goalkicking midfielder
DRAFT RANGE: 50 (Western Bulldogs father-son)
PLAYS LIKE: Dayne Beams

Follow Sam Landsberger on Twitter
@SamLandsberger


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Daisy and Billy's Euro vacation

Melbourne Storm's Billy Slater and Collingwood's Dale Thomas hit the streets of Barcelona to give locals a taste of our sporting codes.

Billy Slater with David Villa, middle, and Dale Thomas during a visit to Barcalona. Source: News Limited

Barcelona FC striker David Villa learns two play new football codes from Melbourne Storm's Billy Slater and Collingwood's Dale Thomas.

THEY are superstars from rival codes but Melbourne Storm's Billy Slater and Collingwood's Dale Thomas hooked up in Barcelona last week to shoot an Adidas promotion.News Limited was invited along for the ride, Paul Crawley reports.

As far as end-of-season trips go, this was a cracker. Two of Australia's biggest football stars touring Barcelona, all expenses paid.

For Collingwood's Dale Thomas, it was his first trip to Europe after a week in London with his girlfriend Kylee Carlsen.

Billy Slater and his wife Nicole arrived after their adventure through South Africa, where they visited game parks and swam with great white sharks.

On the first night, they sat around the hotel bar having a couple of beers and trading stories.

Nicole shared the story behind the story of the NRL grand final - and how she missed the big fight because, as she put it, "the kids were chewing my ear off."


That's when her husband piped up, "What about my ear", as Slater recalled the moment Canterbury prop James Graham attacked his ear like it was a T-bone steak.

The stories rolled from one to the next.

They were brought over to try and turn the bustling Barcelona streets into an Aussie sideshow to promote Adidas' new boot, the Adizero F50 - and while they never made the nightly TV news, there's no denying the two players struck up a wonderful friendship.

For two days they cruised the streets constantly trying to out-do each other with their favourite trick shots.

Slater introduces some young fans to the game of rugby league. Source: News Limited


For the most part, the large crowds had no idea who they were or what the hell they were doing in Spain.

Still, they watched on curiously, and they cheered.

At the famous Placa Reial just off La Rambla, the two Aussies brought lunchtime crowds to a standstill as Spanish waiters stopped serving customers and pulled up a chair for the show.

Everywhere they went, Billy and Dale received a similar reception.

At the National Art Museum that overlooks Barcelona's stunning skyline, school kids from Russia jostled for autographs.

Slater and Thomas toy around in the streets of Barcalona. Source: News Limited


They had no clue about NRL or AFL - but knew these blokes were "famous" because of the cameras following their every move.

Even one of Spain's biggest football stars, David Villa, got in on the act, giving up his time to trade skills.

Villa had just finished training with Barcelona ahead of last week's Champions League showdown with Celtic when he arrived for the afternoon shoot.

In the lead up, the boys were a little nervous about what sort of bloke the Spanish superstar would turn out to be because his minders had demanded the stadium be in lockdown for his appearance, with secure parking for his luxury car.

Villa earns $7 million Euro a year playing for Barcelona, more than our top footy teams spend on entire salary caps.

But when he arrived he was warm and friendly and full of smiles - and while the language barrier made it difficult to communicate, their respective skills spoke all languages.

It was magical to watch.

For an hour or so they laughed and joked and showed off their tricks.

Modestly, Villa said through his interpreter: "It is honestly a very complicated sport, both of them are anything in sport is obviously a great thing."

That's about all he said - but more than his words, his genuine smile suggested he'd enjoyed the experience every bit as much as the two Aussies who chased after him for an autograph when it was over.

Sometimes, sportsmen can get spoiled in situations like this.

You see them carry on like good sorts when they are asked to do "work" for sponsors and you wonder if they really appreciate just how lucky they are.

But on this trip there was none of that, just two good blokes having the time of their lives and being paid to do it.

Perhaps their new friendship was best summed up by what happened on the very final moment of shooting.

Just hours before Thomas was due to fly home he was attempting one final trick when things went a little pear-shaped.

Daisy has a leg at some big sticks that sort of resemble AFL goals in Barcalona. Source: News Limited


With Slater daring him on, Thomas scooped up the ball between his feet and in the next motion tried to snap the Sherrin through two giant poles that resembled AFL posts.

For two days, these two had gone one-up on each other every step of the way, running up and down Barcelona's paved streets on these new-age boots without incident.

But then on this last shot Thomas pushed the limits and down he went like a tonne of bricks.

He bounced up almost as quickly but with bark off him everywhere.

Blood was seeping through his ripped shirt.

As you could imagine, everyone was worried Thomas had done himself a serious injury.

But that's when he put on his best show of the trip, a little moment that perfectly summed up the man.

He simply got up wearing this big cheesy grin - and when he looked up at Slater, they both laughed.

Right then you realised this wasn't just a show for the cameras, it was fair dinkum fun.

The Adizero F50 boot launches in December.


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More charges for Trigg, urged to quit

Kurt Tippett's lawyer David Galbally QC is confident the player won't be deregistered, despite the AFL laying three further charges against the Crows, chief executive David Trigg and football operations manager Phil Harper.

Adelaide football manager Phil Harper has been implicated for first time in the Kurt Tippett saga. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe Source: The Advertiser

BESIEGED Adelaide chief executive Steven Trigg is facing calls to resign before Monday's AFL Commission meeting as yet more damaging evidence against the Crows emerges.

Trigg was slapped with additional charges by the AFL yesterday over the Kurt Tippett salary cap scandal, which now seems sure to cost him his AFL career.

Crows football manager Phil Harper was implicated for the first time over alleged illegal third-party payments worth $300,000, pledged to Tippett in 2009.

The charges are understood to relate to a specific third-party payment from club sponsor Balfours, which was allegedly told to pay Tippett directly rather than through the club.

As a sponsor the South Australian bakery business allegedly was used to help divert payments to Tippett, which would be a breach of AFL salary cap rules.

Harper is believed to have signed a letter - found by AFL investigators during a search of club documents and computer files - regarding that money.

Trigg and Harper now seem almost certain to lose their jobs, amid conjecture about whether they deceived the Adelaide board as well as the league.

Former St Kilda coach Grant Thomas, whose friend Matt Rendell was sacked as the Crows recruiting manager in March over a racism row, yesterday said Trigg should resign.

"I find it very interesting that Steven Trigg cited standards, morals and ethics to oust Matt Rendell when in the back of his mind he must have been aware of his own alleged shenanigans," Thomas said.

"And I couldn't believe how hastily Andrew Demetriou and the AFL acted to get on to the front foot to tell all and sundry how Matt Rendell should be looking for another job.

"All of this prior to an investigation and not having spoken to (Rendell) or considered Matt's side of the story at all. He (Demetriou) left Steven Trigg in no doubt as to what the AFL wanted to do with Matt Rendell. And guess what, surprise, surprise, he was terminated.

"I only hope that he (Demetriou) has given the same advice to his friend Steven Trigg - because that's what friends are for.

"In the absence of Andrew's advice to Steven, I might provide some to him - go and find a sword and fall on it."

Melbourne barrister Paul Ehrlich yesterday questioned whether the AFL Commission's verdict would hold up in court.

Adelaide must argue a case why it should not be fined and lose draft picks.

Ehrlich said every other tribunal saw the governing body forced to prove guilt, not the other way around.

"The procedure in Rule 17 is extraordinary, to say the least. I have never seen a tribunal or court in which the onus of proof is reversed and in which the AFL is entitled to act on the suspicions of an investigator, without proving those suspicions are correct.," Ehrlich said.

AFL Rule 17.5 states that an investigator may charge a club or individual with salary cap or draft tampering breaches if an investigator "suspects" a person has broken AFL regulations.

The club must then prove the suspicion incorrect, with the rules stating: "A person charged by the investigator shall bear the onus of establishing on the balance of probabilities that the alleged conduct was not engaged in."

The AFL Commission also has no obligation to provide reasons for its penalties, and "is not bound by the rules of evidence".

AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson this morning announced three additional charges against the club, chief executive Steven Trigg and football manager Phil Harper.

The Crows and Trigg had already been charged over alleged illegal third-party payments worth $300,000 to Tippett in 2009.

It is the first time Harper has been implicated in the scandal.

Harper has been at the Crows since joining the recruiting department from SANFL club Woodville-West Torrens in 1998 and took his current position at the end of 2009, replacing John Reid.

Harper was general manager of commercial operations that season.

The club, Trigg and Harper were today charged with: "Contrary to Rule 17 of the Rules, between September 2009 and October 2012, you engaged in conduct in breach of the Total Player Payments provisions in the Rules."

Anderson said the Crows, Trigg and Harper were advised today in writing of the charges, which will be heard at AFL House on Monday at 1pm.

 The Crows released a statement saying the club "has received and understands" the new charges.

"These matters are closely related to the existing charges," the club said.

"The club will present its case to the AFL Commission on Monday and is determined to explain its position to members, sponsors and all stakeholders as soon as possible.

"Out of respect for the AFL process, the club is unable to provide further comment on the charges until that process is complete."

On Monday the AFL charged the Crows and Trigg with two counts of "engaging in conduct prejudicial to the draft" and salary cap breaches.

Tippett and former Crows football manager John Reid were hit with the same charges.

The key forward, who quit the Crows last month, will be defended by leading QC David Galbally.

Galbally told the Herald Sun that Tippett will argue he was an innocent party in the deal and has threatened to sue Adelaide for damages and loss of earnings if he is deregistered or cops a lengthy playing ban.

Where to? Kurt Tippett has a big decision to make. Source: Herald Sun


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Cunning Cats to pounce on Stringer

Risky business: Bendigo powerhouse Jake Stringer. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

Jake Stringer after the nasty double break. Picture: Greg Scullin Source: Herald Sun

GEELONG could land one of the biggest steals in next week's AFL national draft following fresh revelations about the powerhouse utility it is lining up with its first choice.

Jake Stringer has tumbled down the draft order because of complications from breaking two bones in his leg 18 months ago.

Recruiters described the 191cm goalkicker's running gait as "atrocious" in the 3km time-trial at last month's AFL draft combine.

Another said it was like he was running on "one leg".

But the Herald Sun can reveal an AFL club official believes Stringer's issues could be resolved inside three months with the help of some modified boots and re-modelling his running style.

It is expected that Stringer could fall to the Cats at pick 16, in a dream scenario for the club that tried to select him in the mini-draft last year.

It is believed the Cats are happy to be patient with Stringer and back their heavily resourced and widely commended development academy to nurture the 18-year-old.

But the Western Bulldogs could also strike as early as pick six.

The Dogs must decide between Troy Menzel, who has already undergone LARS surgery, and Stringer.

In Stringer's return to the TAC Cup this year from the horrific leg accident he booted 9.6 from 21 possessions.

Stringer also dominated best-and-fairest voting in his three VFL games for Bendigo.


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Clurey's skills hard to resist

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 13 November 2012 | 22.43

2012 AFL Draft: Pick Me - Tom Clurey

PRESENTED with chewing gum, Tom Clurey couldn't make it stick.

The key defender was bamboozled when, in his first interview with an AFL club, Essendon officials handed Clurey a pack of gum and asked him to sell it back to them at Etihad Stadium last month.

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

Unable to use his aerobic power or pinpoint skills on his non-preferred left foot, Clurey stumbled to find an answer to the imposing band of 10 Bomber officials and moved on.


Pick Me: The next Daniel Talia could head to the Saints


Luckily for Clurey, his footy aptitude and consistency - and not his marketing nous - is why experts are tipping he will be snapped up inside the first 30 picks at next week's draft.

AFL Draft,Tom Clurey,country boy from Shepparton,running across hay bails on his farm, Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun


"As a key defender he hasn't been cleaned out, he's never had a bag of goals kicked on him,'' Murray Bushrangers region manager Andrew Carson said.

"He can play on key forwards and he can play as a key forward. He's so reliable and he's got elite decision making skills.''

Clurey's endurance is already at the top level, with the 192cm target burning rivals at draft camp.

"He ran a 15-1 in the beep (test) and if the AFL caps rotations in (2014) or change the sub rule it'll make him even more damaging with that big tank,'' one recruiter noted.

Clurey, who lives on a 600-acre farm filled with canola crops and sheep in the remote town of Katamatite, put his powerful fitness levels down to his active childhood.

"I was always out kicking the footy with my brothers or riding bikes or skateboards or anything with wheels. I didn't spend much time inside watching TV,'' he said.

AFL Draft,Tom Clurey,country boy from Shepparton,on his motorbike, Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun


"I think I can have an impact next year. I've had so many injuries that having that full-time environment will help me become stronger now and stay fit.

"On the small or medium forwards I back myself in to mark it and I feel a lot more comfortable.''

Pick Me: The next Jack Darling is a better kick than Fev

Clurey grew up neighbours with North Melbourne's Sam Wright and remains best mates with younger brother Joey.

"He (Sam Wright) has told me that talent will only get you so far so it's how hard you work,'' Clurey said.

AFL Draft,Tom Clurey,country boy from Shepparton,diving into local swimming channel on his farm, Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun


Carson praised Clurey's ability to cut sides up with his rebound from defence, while his stocks rose with impressive negating roles on hot 2013 prospect and spearhead Tom Boyd.

TOM CLUREY

AGE: 18
HEIGHT: 193cm
WEIGHT: 83kg
FROM: Murray Bushrangers
POSITION: Centre half-back
DRAFT RANGE: 15-30
IN THE MIX: Pies (18), Crows (20), Saints (25), Hawks (29)
PLAYS LIKE: Sam Fisher

Tom Clurey of the Bushrangers in action during the TAC 1st Elimination Final match between theMurray Bushrangers and Geelong Falcons at Visy Park in Melbourne. (Photo: Darrian Traynor/AFL Media) Source: Herald Sun


 
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Lachie a tip to be Giant of the game

Master of his art: GWS appears destined to get someone very special at the draft table in Lachie Whitfield. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

Laid-back Lachie Whitfield it seems is big on the couch and Foxtel. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

BIGGER rewards will come to Lachie Whitfield but for now the GWS Giants' likely No.1 draft pick is happy with a Foxtel subscription and the chance to veg out on the couch.

His father Richard believed multiple TV channels would be too big a distraction for the young sports nut while he was juggling his football commitments and studying for his Year 12 exams.

But now the 19-year-old can sit back and relax in front of the box, confident in the knowledge he will earn the marks he needs for tertiary studies in Exercise and Sports Science.

"I'm pretty glad it has come to an end," Whitfield said. "I struggled a bit towards the end of the season because my body gave way a bit."

Being touted as the top pick in next week's national draft only added to his stress.

"I didn't (feel the pressure) throughout the year but when the Nationals came around, all the articles came out and there was a bit of pressure then," he said.

If he was feeling the heat, it didn't show because he won the Larke Medal for the best player at the National Championships.

The performance confirmed his dad's description of his son as a "pretty laid-back kid".

The AFL's national talent manager Kevin Sheehan believes the Giants are about to get someone very special.

"He's probably one of the best young players we've seen emerge in the last decade," Sheehan said.

"His kicking with right and left boots is at the very elite level.

"You could compare him to the best in the AFL. He is a magnificent kick. That's unique."


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Rocked Tippett says I'm innocent

Kurt Tippett's playing future remains uncertain, with the real prospect he could be banned for all of 2013 by the AFL Commission. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: The Advertiser

Tippett has engaged leading Melbourne QC David Galbally. Picture: Julie Kiriacoudis Source: Herald Sun

KURT Tippett has declared his innocence in the Adelaide salary cap scandal and threatened to sue the club if the AFL deregisters him.

Lawyers for Tippett will argue at Monday's AFL Commission meeting the star forward was coerced and manipulated by the Crows into signing the secret agreement that could lead to him being banned from the game.

Adelaide last night confirmed it had received papers from Tippett's legal team notifying he intended to sue for damages and loss of earnings if banned.

While it will enrage Crows fans, it sends a message to the AFL he will battle to the end, taking the dispute to the courts should he be punished for his part in the deal.

Tippett has engaged leading Melbourne QC David Galbally, who will on Monday tell the commission the 25-year-old is the innocent party in Adelaide's salary cap dealings.

Galbally is expected to argue that Tippett was all but out the door to Gold Coast in 2009 before the Crows pressured him to stay. Resulting third-party payments worth $300,000 triggered the AFL investigation.

"As far as I see it, Kurt is an innocent player. I can't see that he has done anything wrong," Galbally told the Herald Sun.

"He stayed at Adelaide to his significant detriment.

"He was a 22-year-old kid at the time."

Galbally has an intricate knowledge of the AFL's rules and regulations, having acted for the league when it successfully deregistered sacked West Coast player Ben Cousins for a year.

The Tippett camp will argue it would be a "drastic" step to deregister the player, given no Carlton player was sanctioned in 2002 for their part in salary cap breaches, including under the table payments to players.

Galbally was yesterday to receive the entire brief of evidence against Adelaide and Tippett.

Tippett's playing future remains uncertain, with the real prospect he could be banned for all of 2013 by the AFL Commission.

That would force him to reapply to the AFL for the 2014 season, which happened in the Cousins case.

Yet the more likely scenario would see Tippett permitted to enter next month's pre-season draft but suspended for a chunk of the 2013 season.

The Herald Sun understands both Sydney and Greater Western Sydney would still recruit Tippett at his nominated salary even if he had to sit out an eight or 10-week suspension.

Those close to Tippett say he is shell-shocked by the scandal, and would prefer not to play at the Giants.

Yesterday the Giants delisted fellow ruckman Dean Brogan to create list space for Tippett.

The club seems intent on selecting him if he remains available.

His failure to nominate for the national draft by yesterday's 2pm cut-off means his only option to move clubs is to nominate for the December 11 pre-season draft by November 28.

The Giants hold the first pick in that draft, with cashed-up clubs such as the Brisbane Lions and Fremantle having picks ahead of premier Sydney.

Sydney chief executive Andrew Ireland said yesterday the club could only await the AFL's verdict before considering its next move.

"We need to consider the circumstances once we know the outcome of next week's ruling," he told the Herald Sun.

"It's an unusual circumstance. We are still keen for Kurt to become a Swans player, but we will have to wait and see now."

Adelaide chief executive Steven Trigg said yesterday: "We are really looking forward to being able to explain ourself to the Commission.

We know what we are dealing with, we know the timelines."


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AFL needs more 'razzle dazzle'

New Etihad Stadium chief Paul Sergeant said the AFL should look at offering more entertainment at live footy games. Picture: Stuart Walmsley Source: Herald Sun

THE new boss of Etihad Stadium says the AFL should turn to US and English sport to build better atmosphere at live games.

Paul Sergeant said the AFL should consider sound and light shows, more pre-game and half-time entertainment and better use of scoreboards to find new ways to entertain crowds.

Concerned about a drop in AFL attendance and a surge in TV audiences, the UK-born stadium chief said TV advances threatened to keep fans away from games and spoil the traditional atmosphere of live footy.

Should the AFL add razzle-dazzle sound and light shows to footy games? Vote now and have your say below

He said the AFL, rival codes and Australia's stadium chiefs should look to the English Premier League and NBA basketball for inspiration.

"The whole experience of going to an NBA game blows your socks off because they make use of the arrival experience, the video boards, the monitors around the venue, the PA system," he said.

"Those sports in different parts of the world are out there. It's about going, 'well what can we look at? What can we learn from them?' then translate it back into what can we do at our venues."

Mr Sergeant said the AFL should look to international sports like the NBA basketball for inspiration for live game entertainment. Picture: Eric Gay Source: AP

Mr Sergeant, who replaced outgoing chief Ian Collins, said Etihad Stadium's future success would rely on a "staple diet" of AFL along with soccer, concerts, international sports and special events such as rugby league's State of Origin.

But the former boss of England's Wembley Stadium and Millennium Stadium in Wales said Australian sports chiefs needed to lift live experiences to a new level just to keep fans coming back.

He said he had raised the matter with AFL chief Andrew Demetriou and chief operating officer Gillon McLachlan, labelling modern TV coverage the "biggest challenge" to live sport.

"The TV has moved on in leaps and bounds with HD, 3D, surround sound, stats, pause live action - all the things you can do. So we've got to compete with that and that's all about the live match day experience.

"We've collectively got our heads together as to what that...means and what we can do to drive that forward."

Last season's AFL crowds fell by more than 360,000 yet home TV audiences were up.

peter.rolfe@news.com.au


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Tippett threatens to sue Crows

Kurt Tippett is claiming his innocence in the secret deal with Adelaide Crows. Picture: Simon Cross. Source: adelaidenow

KURT Tippett has declared his innocence in the Adelaide salary cap scandal and threatened to sue the club if deregistered by the AFL.

In a move which will further incur the wrath of Crows fans, Tippett has accused Adelaide of inducing him to enter into an unlawful agreement with the club in 2009.

A Crows spokesman last night confirmed "some legal correspondence" had lobbed at the club from the Tippett camp, angrying officials.

"We've looked at it and it's disappointing but we're not going to act on it until we see what happens on Monday," the spokesman said.

"At the moment we've got another case to prepare."

Monday is D-Day for Adelaide, which has been summoned to appear before the AFL Commission to answer charges of draft and salary cap breaches emanating from the contract Tippett - who has walked out on the club and wants to join Sydney - signed three years ago.

If found guilty, the Crows face a hefty fine and suspension from up to four drafts.

Tippett - who yesterday failed to nominate for the November 22 national draft and is now likely to be selected at the December 11 pre-season draft - is confident of escaping a penalty.

He (Tippett) stayed at Adelaide to his significant detriment

Like Adelaide, he has been charged with conduct prejudicial to the draft and a breach of AFL rules on total player payments.

Under AFL rules, he could be suspended or deregistered.

But the man representing him at the commission hearing, David Galbally QC, said he viewed Tippett as an innocent player in an off-field drama which has rocked the Crows.

"He stayed at Adelaide to his significant detriment," Galbally said.

"I can't see that he has done anything wrong."

Galbally said deregistration would be a massive over-reaction and believed Tippett had several legal avenues to sue the Crows, who are accused of agreeing to trade him for a second-round draft pick at the end of his contract and paying him up to $200,000 outside the salary cap.

Tippett's failure to nominate for the draft yesterday put Greater Western Sydney on red alert.

The Giants cut veteran ruckman and 2004 Port Adelaide premiership player Dean Brogan to make more room on its playing list to accommodate Tippett.


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Appetite for starving opponents

Written By Unknown on Senin, 12 November 2012 | 22.42

A key defender with good closing speed and whose ability to spoil is Dustin Fletcher-esque.

TANNER Smith gets a buzz starving his man of the ball.

The North Ballarat Rebels defender has routinely frustrated some of the country's top key forwards in the past two years, using his long reach, closing speed and expert aerial judgment to help safeguard the goalmouth.

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

Likened to a young Dustin Fletcher, Smith is one of the most selfless shut-down defenders in the draft pool, and will probably find a home in the first 40 selections on Thursday week.

Pick Me: The next Jack Darling is a better kick than Fev

From the Horsham area, the 194cm stopper gets a thrill out of suffocating his opponents in the marking battles and helping set up play for his teammates.

"I definitely love the one-on-one contests. It's such a big part of my game as a key defender," he said.

"When you are playing well and on top of your man, and getting a few kicks as well, you do get a buzz."

The 18-year-old was sent into attack later in the season, showing potential.

He showcased his elite endurance at the draft camp, posting a top-10 result in the 3km time-trial.


Pick Me: The Dogs could land the next Trent Cotchin

Rebels regional manager Phil Partington said the backman was versatile enough to play both ends at AFL level.

"He is very much a team man and a lot of the things he does can go unnoticed, so we sent him forward to try to develop his game and expose him a little bit more," Partington said.


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Power remains unsure about Jurrah

Port coach Ken Hinkley's refusal to discuss the possibility of drafting Liam Jurrah has come just days after football operations manager Peter Rohde said the forward would be invited to train with the club. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

THE Liam Jurrah intrigue continues at Port Adelaide, with coach Ken Hinkley refusing to discuss whether he is interested in bringing the troubled star to Alberton.

Hinkley yesterday revealed he was yet to speak with the former Demon, who wants to reignite his AFL career in SA.

He then played a straight bat to any questions about Jurrah, who must face a court hearing in Alice Springs in March to answer three counts of alleged aggravated assault.

"I'm not going to sit here and talk about who we might and might not get on board," Hinkley said.

"I'm just going to talk to our list management team. They will go through all the players who are available and see what players best suit us.

"Then we'll make some decisions as to whether we should have a look at those players at training and whether they are the ones who we want to add to our list.

"So at the moment it's an open-ended answer from me and I'm not prepared to say `yes, we are going to look at these or those players'. We're just going to get the best players we can."

Hinkley's refusal to discuss the possibility of drafting Jurrah came just days after football operations manager Peter Rohde said the playmaking forward would be invited to train with the Power as it considers selecting him at the December 11 pre-season or rookie drafts.

Rohde said Port wanted to talk to Jurrah about where he saw his football and test him medically before committing.

Hinkley's interview with Jurrah would be a key to throwing him an AFL lifeline, Rohde said.

The Power has declared it would not select 24-year-old Jurrah at the November 22 national draft, where it will use its first three picks - No. 7, 30 and 31 - on the best teenage talent available.

"The typical answer is that we will get the best talent we possibly can," Hinkley said.

"With our early pick there will be a very good player available for us and picks 30 and 31 are going to be really important in rounding out our list."

Rohde said Port would save one spot on its senior list for the pre-season draft, which was likely to be used on an experienced player. Last year it selected former Magpie John McCarthy with the pick.

"We like the idea of having a pre-season draft pick, we've very often had one, we've probably had as many pre-season draft picks as any club and it's served us well over the years," he said.


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Goddard: I'm not going to be saviour

Essendon recruit Brendon Goddard has been quick to temper fans' expectations in an interview on the club's website, claiming development will come from the younger brigade. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

Brothers in arms: Essendon's Brendon Goddard and Jobe Watson are in the United States for altitude training. Source: Herald Sun

BRENDON Goddard said yesterday he wouldn't be the saviour for his new club Essendon.

It's mixing words, for when you ask - and get - $700,000 a season over four years and the promise of playing predominantly midfield, the expectations from wounded Bomber fans are that he should just about walk on water.

God knows the Bombers need a gun midfielder.

Of the 2013 recruits, it will be Goddard and former Magpie turned Demon Chris Dawes who will be heavily scrutinised next season.

It's not all about the money - Dawes is reportedly on a fraction more than $500,000 at Melbourne and, seriously, can you believe it? - but with cash comes expectation of performance.

Goddard finished fourth in St Kilda's best-and-fairest this year in what many believe was only a so-so year for a player who in 2010 was arguably among the top 10 in the competition.

The Saints offered him $600,000 a season over three years to stay. The Dons trumped with $700,000 a season over four years to join them.

He did, and from afar the Saints hardly blinked.

Good player, they said, but not the great player that he was.

Goddard doesn't have to prove himself to the Saints, but certainly does to Essendon.

Does the fire still burn? Is there hunger? The willpower?

The challenge now is to involve himself once again, the belief being that he had become an outside/quarterback type of player instead of the fiercely determined ball hunter of September 2010.

He said all the right words yesterday in an interview with the club's website and, at 27, was smart enough to temper fans' expectations.

But not of the group.

"I'm here obviously to offer a bit," he said. "I'll do my best to win games of footy as well, but I'm not going to be the saviour at all.

"The development will come from the younger guys - that's got the biggest scope.

"Without sounding too big head-ish, I think a lot of people know what they're going to get from myself and Jobe (Watson) and Stants (Brent Stanton) and the older guys."

In Colorado with a group of new teammates, Goddard said he chose Essendon for several reasons.

"I see the talent within the group and where they could go. That's obviously something that did appeal," he said.

"(It's about) what I can offer the footy club as a footballer, and what the footy club can offer me as a person, so summing all that up I thought Essendon was a really good choice."

He said he was expecting to play about 95 per cent as an inside midfielder, that the Bombers could learn from St Kilda's defence under Ross Lyon, and that his trademark demands on the field would not change.

"I don't have trouble with giving feedback and stuff like that, (and) can be quite narky at times as a lot of people might know," he said.

"It's all about trying to get better. They are a younger group, but I always feel I've got something to say and something to offer ... and hopefully the guys will take it on board."


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Pies aim sky high for Utah camp

Collingwood is hoping it can overcome visa complications with Andrew Krakouer so he can participate in their altitude training camp in the US. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

Knee victim Luke Ball Knee is poised to resume full training immediately. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

COLLINGWOOD hopes to send a full complement of players to its December altitude camp, including injured recruit Clinton Young and first-timer Andrew Krakouer.

The Pies begin returning to training tomorrow week.

Young (foot) and Jackson Paine (shoulder reconstruction) will return to full training after Christmas.

 Knee victims Luke Ball and Lachie Keeffe are on track, with Ball set for full training immediately and medical staff optimistic Keeffe will return for Round 1.

Collingwood football manager Geoff Walsh said the Pies hoped Krakouer would receive a visa for the December 4-22 camp in Park City, Utah.

He served 16 months for assault but recently walked the Kokoda Track for charity after receiving clearance to travel to Papua New Guinea. However, he has repeatedly been rebuffed by US authorities.

US immigration laws make it tough for him to be handed a visa.

Walsh said the Pies had pushed the trip back, given senior players did not return until November 28.

"I would think very few will stay behind, we haven't finalised that, but at this stage most if not all are going," he said.

"Young will be rehabbing up until Christmas, and in January we expect him to be up and going.

"The wheels are in motion (for Krakouer's visa) but whether he gets any more of a sympathetic hearing is not in our court."

The Pies have eight live picks in the coming drafts plus four rookie picks.


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Cassisi reign could be over at Port

New Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley wants to push his players to be better this pre-season campaign.

Port's Dom Cassisi may not be skipper next year as the club looks to the future. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: Herald Sun

Cassisi can equal former coach Matthew Primus's record of five years captaining the Power next season. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: Herald Sun

DOM Cassisi's four-year reign as Port Adelaide captain could be over, with new coach Ken Hinkley refusing to guarantee he will be skipper next year.

Hinkley declared the race for the Power captaincy wide open, saying he will use the next four months of pre-season training to select his first leadership group.

"It's like every pre-season with every AFL club, you have an existing captain, Dom's that right now, but we'll go through the pre-season and make those (leadership) decisions in February/March," Hinkley said. "I may be a little silly but I think every player gets an opportunity to show over the pre-season that they've got some leadership skills and we look forward to seeing who all those players are."

Cassisi, 30, can next season equal former coach Matthew Primus's record of five years captaining the Power. But he knows he is under pressure to retain the job, with young guns Travis Boak, Brad Ebert, Hamish Hartlett and Jackson Trengove breathing down his neck.

All four have shown strong leadership qualities and Port is understood to be seriously considering a change of on-field leader as it begins a new era under Hinkley.

Boak or Ebert would be the favourites to replace Cassisi, whose best finish as skipper was 10th in 2009 and 2010.

Hinkley said the captaincy decision wouldn't be completely his, with the playing group to also have a big say.

"You certainly love to have the players' involvement and their input as to who are the players they respect the most," he said.

The respected Cassisi wants to captain Port again but has repeatedly said he would happily hand over the position if the club wants to make a change.


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Magpies' oval begins to take shape

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 11 November 2012 | 22.43

Change of scenery: Nathan Buckley calling the shots at Gosch's paddock will become a thing of the past once its new oval is up and running from March. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: Herald Sun

The Melbourne Demons will have Gosch's Paddock all to themselves from March next year. Source: Getty Images

REDEVELOPMENT at Olympic Park is on track and Collingwood is set to train on its new oval from March.

The move means the Pies will be able to train adjacent to their headquarters at the Westpac Centre and will also signal one last shift among co-tenants of the Olympic Park precinct.

Melbourne will then permanently train on the Gosch's Paddock oval currently used by the Pies, leaving rugby league club Melbourne Storm and A-League team Melbourne Victory with permanent access to the rectangular fields there.

"It's going really well. The oval is starting to take shape now and they'll be laying the grass in the second or third week of December," said David Emerson, the Collingwood executive in charge of venues.

"We're on track at the moment to be on the ground some time in March, which will be great."

The Westpac Centre is also being refurbished, but neither development will affect the players during the pre-season.

Chief executive Gary Pert said he expects a smooth transition for all clubs.

"It's worked really smoothly because I think all of the clubs understand the pressure in the area and because, ultimately, the development is going to be so good for everyone, no one's really cared about the slight inconvenience," Pert said.

However the addition of lights at the ground will not bring about training under lights, according to Pert.

The Magpies played 20 night games this year and will play at least another 16 games under lights in 2013.

"We don't deliberately put the lights up there to prepare to play for night games," Pert said.

"We don't line it up to say 'we're playing Friday night so why don't we train under lights midweek' - it's one of those things that we don't see as being significant or ... making a difference.

"Other community groups and clubs are also going to be using the ground and they are more likely to use the lights than what we would."


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Suns to continue US adventure

Guy McKenna says the Suns derive great benefit from an annual pre-season trip to Flagstaff. Picture: David Clark

SUNS coach Guy McKenna says training in Arizona is almost certain to become a regular fixture in the Suns' pre-season plans each year.

A big advocate of training at high altitude, McKenna said he could find little reason why the club would deviate from their current pre-season trip to Flagstaff in the near future.

"There is plenty of evidence out there that suggests (Flagstaff) is clearly one of the best venues to go to for a sporting camp," McKenna said.

"It ticks a lot of the boxes and as far as the town itself is concerned there isn't a lot of distractions for the blokes.

"That's what you want and you want the blokes to be focussing on training hard for two weeks."

McKenna said the only reason to change destination would be if the players became stale.


"In five or six years of us coming here, David Swallow or Dion Prestia and those boys who have been here for a while may need a change," he said.

"I'm sure we will accommodate them but I reckon we will always come back to Flagstaff."

Apart from the physical gains of training at high altitude, McKenna said the benefits from travelling overseas were endless.

"I was speaking to a few of the corporates who had been on the camp the previous year as well and they commented on how close the group was this year," McKenna said.

"It's amazing the transformation in 12 months and its really encouraging going into next season.

"The more times we can be isolated and learn to get on with each other and understand each others' mental and physical capabilities, then the better we will be.

"Clearly that is what we have seen."

The Suns return home on Wednesday.


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