Crows: NAB Cup is our goal

Adelaide Crows coach Brenton Sanderson at training before the start of the NAB Cup. Picture: Tait Schmaal Source: Sunday Mail (SA)

ONE club wants to win the NAB Cup, one needs to light a torch for fans and sponsors, and the other couldn't care less about claiming the pre-season competition.

After 156 days and countless con-troversies, footy is back at AAMI Stadium when Adelaide, Port Adelaide and St Kilda meet in the NAB Cup's triple-header opening round from 4.10pm today.

On the eve of the new season, defending NAB Cup champions the Crows have credited last year's March success for a spike from 14th in 2011 to a preliminary final, declaring the pre-season tournament a key plank to their 2013 plans.

The Power is desperate to offer fresh hope under new coach Ken Hinkley by erasing the memories of a 2012 season that delivered just five wins and a draw, and cost former leader Matthew Primus his job.

But second-year St Kilda coach Scott Watters yesterday brushed off the AFL's company line that winning the NAB Cup should be every team's priority.

"No interest, and that is certainly not a focus," Watters said.

"We want to be competitive every time we play. Whether it's a scratch match or a handball game, our players want to come and win.

"But is winning the NAB Cup a focus? Not at all."

NAB Cup form was once AFL fool's gold, after Carlton's 2005 and 2007 victories were followed by a wooden spoon and 15th finish in the premiership seasons.

But each of the past five NAB Cup winners has landed in the top-four at the end of the home-and-away season, including Geelong's 2009 premiership double.

Despite Adelaide today resting nine first-choice players - Scott Thompson, captain Nathan van Berlo, Patrick Dangerfield, Rory Sloane, Ben Rutten, Brent Reilly, Taylor Walker, Jason Porplyzia and ruckman Sam Jacobs - assistant coach Mark Bickley said the Crows' 34-point victory over West Coast last year proved the tournament's value to his group.

"Yeah, we want to win it, we'd love to win both matches (today) and give ourselves a chance to play in that NAB Cup Grand Final again because it was such a great preparation for us last year," Bickley said.

"We played a really good game against West Coast, and that gave us a lot of confidence to kick the season off."

But Bickley conceded getting top-level experience into emerging players was a bigger concern. "It's one that you juggle a little bit," he said.

"We really want to see guys like Tom Lynch and Lewis Johnston, and (Brad) Crouch and (Luke) Brown, and (Sam) Kerridge, and all those guys who got one or two games," he said.

"So to be able to expose them to three or four games is probably more critical as well because we think they've developed a little bit more and we want to see if they're going to stand up.

"You play low to mid-30s (players) per year if you're lucky, which means a lot of these guys are going to play important minutes this year."

Adelaide and St Kilda players braved yesterday's heat for brief training sessions at AAMI Stadium.

The Saints will be without stars including Nick Riewoldt, Lenny Hayes, Rhys Stanley and Sean Dempster for tonight's Twenty20-style carnival, while Adam Schneider (foot) and Sam Fisher (toe) were also held back.

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Kangaroos back Brad

North Melbourne intra club practice match at Eureka Stadium, North Ballarat. Coach Brad Scott Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

EXCLUSIVE: NORTH Melbourne is poised to announce an extension to coach Brad Scott's contract, underpinning him as the man it believes will lead the club to its next flag.

It is understood the Kangaroos reached an agreement with Scott on a new deal late last year after he led the club to its first finals series since 2008.

Scott was about to enter the final year of his contract, but the club always intended to lock him away before the start of the 2013 season.

The Kangaroos would not comment when asked about the new deal or its length, but it is believed it has committed to Scott until the end of 2015.

There is a chance the club could announce details of the contract extension at some stage this week in the lead-up to North Melbourne's first NAB Cup matches against Richmond and Melbourne on Friday.

The decision to act swiftly and re-contract Scott ahead of the last year of his contract would take any heat off the coach and the club if the Kangaroos make a slow start to what is considered one of the most challenging AFL draws this season.

If the new contract is for a further two years, it would take him to a minimum of 133 games as coach (not including any potential finals) and fifth on the Roos' all-time coaching list.

By that stage, only Denis Pagan (240 games), Wally Carter (214), Ron Barassi (198) and Dean Laidley (149) would have coached the Roos more times.

Scott, 36, has already made a significant stamp on North Melbourne since being appointed in late 2009.

Considered one of the most innovative of the new breed of AFL coaches, Scott has helped foster a strong culture among the playing group and the off-field staff as well as developing a more professional approach to training, recruiting, development and sports sciences.

He has also been responsible for setting up and planning the club's annual pre-season trip to Utah, from which the players have gained enormous benefits.

A two-time premiership player with the Brisbane Lions, Scott has won 35 of his 67 games as coach of the club, with a 52 per cent winning record.

After finishing ninth in his first two seasons as coach, last season the club won 14 games, including 10 of their last 13, but finished with a disappointing elimination final loss to West Coast that has driven the players over the pre-season.

Scott remains confident North is well stocked with the right blend of players to be in the premiership window in the coming seasons.
 

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Cats face wait on key players

Matthew Stokes walks off the ground after rolling his ankle. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: PerthNow

GEELONG faces a nervous wait on the fitness and availability of two of its key players for the season proper after its opening round of the NAB Cup at Patersons Stadium last night.

Forward Matthew Stokes was carried off the ground early in the second half of the two-point win over West Coast, while Steve Johnson could be looked at for a possible strike on Hayden Ballantyne in the Cats' Game 2 loss to the Dockers.

Initial fears on both incidents were eased slightly as the night wore on, but Geelong coach Chris Scott said Stokes's injury "doesn't look good".

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Scott also denied there was any lingering ill-feeling from last year's Round 1 match, in which Ballantyne was suspended for striking Paul Chapman behind play, before being floored by Matthew Scarlett.

"I would be amazed (if there was still friction), none that I've seen, there tends to not be too much friction in NAB 1," Scott said.

"I didn't see what happened, I know (Ballantyne) was down for a long time.

Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images

"I was more concerned with how quickly he got up and set up the next goal; he didn't look too bad did he?

 "(Stokes's injury) doesn't look great at the moment but, with those sort of things, they can blow up and be sore for a few days and then come good really quickly.

"While it's hard to say, certainly if we had a game next week he wouldn't play."

Stokes was on crutches as he watched from the sidelines in Game 2, but appeared in high spirits by the end of the night.

Johnson was running past Ballantyne in the second game of the triple-header, when he appeared to swing his right-arm into the midriff of the diminutive Docker, who fell to the turf.

Replays suggested contact was minimal but, if Johnson was to attract any suspensions, he would have to serve them in the home-and-away rounds.

Fremantle has its own concerns after West Australian Cat Joel Hamling fell on the right ankle of Dockers forward Chris Mayne, who was rolled off the field by trainers and played no further part.

There were plenty of positives for the Cats.

Jackson Thurlow and Jared Rivers performed well in defence on West Coast goalsneak Mark LeCras in the night's opening clash, which the Eagles led by as much as 21 points, before the Cats stormed back to win with seconds left as Jimmy Bartel handballed a set-shot back outside the arc to Joel Selwood for a super goal.

Rivers and Thurlow were rested in the Game 2 loss to Fremantle, as the Dockers posted a strong opening and closing game to outlast the Cats by 18 points.

Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images

"Chapman, (Andrew) Mackie and (James) Kelly were the only noteables that were available that we didn't bring with us," Scott said.

"They'll all play next game. We have next week off and then play Adelaide down in Geelong."

Travis Varcoe, restricted to just a single game last year through stress fractures in his foot, was used as a solid rebounding option off half-back and could prove valuable in the position through the regular season.

The Cats' forward line set-up was another positive, with James Podsiadly proving potent, playing a role in Geelong's first three goals of the night and ending the Eagles clash with two, while a bulked-up Tom Hawkins was making a pest of himself in the second half of the opener.

Podsiadly was then trialled in the backline in against Fremantle, restricting Alex Silvagni to just two touches and a goal.

Josh Caddy, much hyped for the Cats throughout the pre-season, took little time to impress, slotting a goal against the Eagles with his first kick for Geelong.

Scott was glowing of the performance of Caddy, who was given a second chance against the Dockers and performed better, spending time in the backline while running through the middle to end with five disposals.

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AFL could go troppo

AFLQ CEO Michael Conlan says North Queensland could have an AFL team by 2030. Picture: Darren England Source: The Courier-Mail

NORTH Queensland could be home to a relocated AFL club by 2030.

That is the bold vision of AFL Queensland chief Michael Conlan, who claims a booming population will justify a third club in the state.

The former Fitzroy star said that club would likely be a Melbourne entity, but north Queensland had the venues and passion to make it work.

"North Queensland is a strategic focus for us, from Cairns to Townsville to Mackay and Rockhampton," Conlan said.

"Cairns is already hosting AFL games ... (while) Tony Ireland Stadium in Townsville is a very good facility but we would need to work closely with the Queensland Government to build on what is already there to bring it up to what is required for AFL games.

"Queensland's population is about 4.5 million right now but by 2030, it could be around 8.5 to 9 million so we very much want to cement our game in those areas up north."

Conlan was at Fitzroy in the 1980s when the Lions were linked with moves to Brisbane and Sydney.

The Lions eventually merged with the Brisbane Bears after the 1996 season.

He favours a relocation model ahead of a fresh start-up such as the Bears in 1987 or the Suns in 2011.

Melbourne clubs moving interstate is an emotional issue but clubs facing financial extinction may consider it.

"It would be a great opportunity for an AFL club to be positioned as the north Queensland club," Conlan said.

Cairns' Cazaly's Stadium has hosted  AFL pre-season games and in the past two years has staged premiership matches between Richmond and Gold Coast.

The Tigers and Suns again play in Cairns on July 13.Under this year's format, Townsville will host a NAB Cup match between Gold Coast and North Melbourne on March 2.

The city's main cricket/Aussie rules venuue would need an upgrade to be fit for AFL football.

Gold Coast will hold their community camp in Townsville before the NAB Cup match. North Queensland also falls under the Suns' recruitment zone.

"We've been working really hard with the Suns already on how we can continue to grow the game in a very important region for our code," Conlan said.

The AFLQ is also working with the Toowoomba Regional Council to developing a venue suitable for a NAB Cup match.

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The apple that fell far from the tree

Liam Picken is very much his own man, despite the antics of his footballing father Bill. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

BILL Picken, larrikin 1970s footballer turned proud footballing father, considers the question and a famous grin starts to form.

No, son Liam isn't as flamboyant as he was.

"He's a different type of player ... he's got strengths that I certainly didn't have," Bill said.

"He seems to have good endurance, he's probably very team orientated and he's very dedicated."

Bill is remembered for his aerial heroics - and his onfield commentary. Many older fans recall how Bill used to talk to himself.

"Here comes Billy" was a common one as the Collingwood centre half-back charged through.

Liam certainly doesn't talk to himself. In fact, he's known for keeping his own counsel.

He's heralded for his hard work, dedication and commitment. Qualities that have been rewarded with another contract that will tie him to the Whitten Oval until the end of 2015.

"AFL is very serious now. When Dad played, the game was full of characters," Liam said. "Dad was working full-time - he'd go to training after work and play on the weekends. They had heaps of fun when they were playing.

"Now it's very cutthroat, very serious, I suppose. On the footy field, you've got to be focused."

Rodney Eade knows both men. He played opposite Bill and coached Liam.

"Bill was quite an effervescent, chatty sort of guy. Liam's 180 degrees," Eade said.

"Liam's very quiet, doesn't say much, he just goes about his work pretty much. They're obviously different players as well.

"Bill was a marking centre half-back with a bit of flair at times and Liam's the hard-nosed defender tagger type who gets the most out of his ability. I suppose in many ways they're completely different."

But when it comes to personality and preparation, Julie Picken reckons her youngest son is more like his father than fans would realise.

"They're pretty similar," Julie said. "Very intense, very determined, very focused.

"Liam wouldn't talk to himself as much as what Bill did. Or what I read they said Bill did.

"I watched Bill every game and I don't remember him being mad or crazy like that on the footy field.

"They're pretty deep people and they're very focused and intense, no matter what they've done in life."

Picken Jnr looks more like he'd be in a band than play AFL football, with his scraggly hair and slim build.

He was even skinnier as a kid. His dad described him as "small and scrawny". But that didn't stop Picken kicking five goals to help Hamilton Magpies to a flag as a 17-year-old.

"I suppose that's one of the best things about Aussie rules, it doesn't matter what size you are, there's a spot on the field there," Liam said.

It took Picken three tries and four years at VFL side Williamstown to persuade an AFL club he was worth a shot.

After fruitless pre-seasons with Collingwood and the Bulldogs, he was eventually rookied for the 2009 season.

"I did think that (that he wouldn't play AFL), because mature-age rookies weren't about much in those days," Bill said. "I thought he's probably missed his opportunity, but Williamstown really pushed for him, put up some money (about $20,000) so he could go on the rookie list. He's played 87 games, so it's a pretty good effort."

In many ways, the initial rejection proved a positive for Picken.

He knocked over a degree in international business at RMIT and got a taste of the 9-5 working for the Department of Defence. He bulked up a bit.

"When I was 18, 19, 20, my body wasn't ready for it and I wasn't good enough to make it, so I'm glad I got the opportunity when I was older. When I got my opportunity I was able to take it," Picken said.

"There's so many young blokes that get in the system and their body's not right and they're injured for a couple of years and they get spit out straight away.

"When I was playing VFL, I started doing more weights, I got some running technique, I had some coaching from a running coach.

"I suppose getting knocked back a couple of times, it makes you more determined."

The 26-year-old is loved at the Bulldogs, much for that determination.

He's that guy who knocks up winning the weekly team player award.

Eade said Picken the younger was a great example to his teammates.

"He doesn't seek limelight and he doesn't seek leadership but certainly the way he went about it on and off the field was a great example to everyone," the former Bulldogs coach turned Collingwood coaching director said.

"On field it was just how tough he was and single-minded.

"The role you ask him to play, he'd do it to the nth degree. On top of that, the thing that stood out to me was how selfless he was. He'd be given a big job on person X but he was prepared to go and cover for his teammate, go and tackle for people rather than say, well, this is my role and I'm just going to do it.

"He was very selfless and obviously very tough mentally and tough physically."

Picken has his hands full at the moment with football, a masters in finance on the go and his son Malachy, who turns two next month, with partner Annie.

But it's set to get a whole lot busier with the pair expecting twins at the end of May. Picken says he loves being a father - and he's ready for more fun.

"It's what's thrown up at you, you've got to take it and enjoy it," he said.

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Demons dodge draft ban

Former Melbourne coach Dean Bailey. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

MELBOURNE looks set to dodge serious charges and any draft penalties from the AFL despite an exhaustive seven-month investigation into tanking claims.

The Demons expect to be handed official penalties early next week that will see a heavy fine and sanctions for some officials, but no draft picks stripped from Mark Neeld's side.

Melbourne has been extremely confident for several months that the draft picks would remain intact and chief executive Cameron Schwab would not be charged.

Insiders said yesterday that Schwab was hardly mentioned in the 1000-page dossier which detailed allegations over a stretch of games from late in 2009.

But while a negotiated settlement still looks a likely outcome, Melbourne sources were defiant last night about accepting penalties.

The club was adamant it would not be bullied, and was determined to protect employees ''both past and present''.

Despite speculation the Demons could accept a fines of several hundred thousand dollars and a short ban, possibly suspended, against former coach Dean Bailey, no agreement has been made.

Chris Connolly also faces a likely ban from the football department, but he has worked away from football in a marketing role for 18 months.

While a heavy fine is likely, Melbourne is handed money from the AFL's disequalisation strategy so would have the league effectively funding their fine.

Bailey has consistently maintained he did nothing wrong, with Connolly is known to believe only four staffers confirmed of his throw-away line about not trying to win in the club's Junction Oval meeting room.

The possibility of a negotiated settlement has grown in recent weeks with the Demons in regular contact with the AFL about the tanking investigation.

The Demons had a arsenal of lawyers led by QC Ray Finklestein ready to unleash on the AFL if they were charged with attempting to lose games.

A Melbourne spokesman said last night the Demons were yet to receive an official set of charges or penalties from the AFL's acting football operations manager Gillon McLachlan.

Melbourne has been told by top legal experts is has an extremely strong legal case, which includes significant doubts about the manner in which interviews were conducted and whether they would stand up in a court of law.

The AFL's burden of proof falls on the club to prove its innocence, while in a court of law Melbourne believes it would be certain to win.

Former Melbourne star David Schwarz yesterday told the Herald Sun a negotiated settlement would save the league from significant fallout.

"This is such a hard decision for the AFL. This would have gone to court. Melbourne doesn't have to pay for legal representatives, because it has more lawyers than supporters.

"This looks like the sensible thing. They are acknowledging there is probably smoke, but not enough proof there was fire. Let it be a lesson to all of us that the rules put in place weren't conducive to sides finishing as high as high as they could. The AFL incentivised mediocrity, and history says we can't go back there.

"Deep down we all felt there were several clubs over eight years that didn't try 100 per cent 100 per cent of the time. The players tried, but I am glad this has come out, so it's not just an untold story hidden under the carpet.

"The AFL would realise if they penalised Melbourne hard they would have to go after other sides, and they don't have the resources or energy to do that."

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Hirdy shirty as pressure shows

Bombers coach James Hird with club doctor Bruce Reid last night. Source: Getty Images

THE pressure on James Hird was plain to see last night as the besieged Essendon coach abruptly cut short a television interview when gently questioned about the drug investigation enveloping the club.

In a bizarre backdrop to the Bombers' opening NAB Cup games against Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs, Hird told Fox Footy's AFL 360 he only wanted to talk about the game.

"We are very excited about playing a game of football," he said.

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When asked what toll the investigation had taken on him, Hird replied: "Lets talk about that later. We will talk about the game and where we are going with the game with the Bulldogs and Collingwood tonight."

The Herald Sun's Mark Robinson, who co-hosts the program with Gerard Whateley, then said: "Can I ask you one question and one question only - I think a lot of Essendon fans out there want to know, a lot of senior media people have discussed your future, a lot of Essendon fans have been sitting around dinner tables thinking, `what is James Hird going to do?' Do you think you are the right person to be coaching this Football club?'

"If I didn't, Mark, I wouldn't be standing here right now," Hird replied.

"We have a game to play and we will move on with that."

Robinson: "Have you been annoyed by this talk?"

Hird: "We have got a game to play. What do you think? It's not pleasant, we don't want to be here, but we are and we will move on with the game."

And with that he walked off camera.

Hird's spirits would have lifted soon after, however, as Essendon defeated the Western Bulldogs by 26 points in the first game 1.5.6 (45) to the Bulldogs' 1.1.4 (19).

Brendon Goddard had plenty of the ball in his first game in red and black; Kyle Hardingham and Shaun Higgins kicked the only two super goals and a host of young players put their hand up for senior selection for both sides.
 

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Finally it's back to the game

Essendon star Brendon Goddard celebrates after kicking his first goal for the Bombers. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

THE theme of this year's NAB Cup is "Where It All Begins''.

But the off-season controversies made Friday night's first official skirmish of 2013 more a case of "Where We Can All Get Some Welcome Relief'' and lose ourselves in footy for a couple of hours.

Essendon fans might be none the wiser after hours of watching and reading and listening about their summer scandal, but will feel they gained a few clues about their team after seeing them on Etihad Stadium for two 40-minute spells.

There were some insights for Collingwood and Bulldogs fans, too.

So here are a few things we learned when the football finally began:

Essendon could well have one of the most potent forward lines in the league, with Tom Bellchambers and David Hille alternating between ruck and the deep forward post, and Paddy Ryder, Michael Hurley and Stewart Crameri the marking targets who are dangerous pushing up the field.

Gun recruit Brendon Goddard started in the centre square before drifting behind play, marshalling play across half back.

Developing Collingwood ruckman Jarrod Witts is holding his own against young Bulldog Tom Campbell. Picture: Salpigtidis George Source: Herald Sun

But he also crept forward, where his sure hands and penetrating kick posed a threat. The Dons' best young player, Dyson Heppell, looks ready to spend more time influencing play as an atacking midfielder. lw0

While its best old player, Dustin Fletcher -- the man whose lanky body shape has barely changed in 21 years of senior football -- looks like he can again control play in the back half.

Collingwood often seemed to lack urgency on the night, but managed to come away with two wins.

The second of those came when Travis Cloke goaled after being awarded a controversial free kick in the dying seconds, followed by Dons rookie Luke Davis failing to snatch back victory with a post-siren shot from 55 metres.

There were enough encouraging signs to suggest the Pies have found ways to improve a team that has had four consecutive top-four finishes.

Essendon recruit Nick Kommer is mobbed by teammates after kicking a goal just before the final siren. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

Siilky wingman Clinton Young again showed he is the sort of player who can create havoc in a team of quality midfielders.

Jarrod Witts adds depth to the Pies ruck stocks. Brent Macaffer and Jamie Elliott will put pressure on the likes of Alan Didak, Steele Sidebottom and Alex Fasolo. Inside midfielder Kyle Martin made an impressive debut.

Quinten Lynch looks capable of playing the role for which he was recruited, and Jordan Russell can be a handy utility with underestimated pace.

Earlier the Bulldogs showed that they unquestionably have grit, character and a willingness to work. But doubts will again remain about whether there is enough class to lift them from the ranks of the also-rans.

Robert Murphy was returned to a forward role with success, while Nick Lower looks to be another prolific ball-winner who will catch the eye of SuperCoach fanatics. Strong-bodied Jack Redpath showed glimpses on debut, and Jason Johanissen looks a likely type.

But for the Dogs to climb up the ladder, they need more from the likes of Ayce Cordy and Jarrad Grant.

WARWICK GREEN'S BEST

ESS - Goddard, Carlisle, Fletcher, Heppell, Lovett-Murray.
WB - Lower, Cooney, Boyd, Murphy, Johannisen.

COLL - Swan, Young, Martin, Blair, Cloke, Shaw.
WB - Griffin, Giansiracusa, Liberatore, Jong.

COLL - Beams, Pendlebury, Russell, Cloke, Johnson.
ESS - Heppell, Goddard, Jetta, Baguley, Dempsey.

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AFL players busted with bikies

The Herald Sun has been told Australian Federal Police agents have referred intelligence about AFL players to Victoria Police. Picture: Grant Nowell Source: The Advertiser

AFL players have been caught on telephone taps talking with underworld figures, including bikies involved in drug dealing.

The outlaw motorcycle club members, some of whom constantly travel to Asian nations that produce steroids and peptides, have been distributing performance-enhancing drugs in Australia.

It's believed most sales are through gyms.

The Herald Sun has been told Australian Federal Police agents have referred intelligence about AFL players to Victoria Police.

Players have appeared on the radar of the nation's peak law enforcement body over many years. Some are household names and have come to notice when found to be linked to criminals under investigation for dealing in illegal non-performance-enhancing drugs.

Most of the intelligence pre-dates the Australian Crime Commission's year-long investigation into drugs in sport. The release of its findings last week generated unprecedented debate about the nature and extent of the problem.

Australia's elite junior cricketers also have been identified as being at risk of corruption. Sources say young players could be groomed by international bookies who offer gratuities to drag them into their networks to be exploited later.

It is believed a group of bookies was planning to fly to Australia this summer to try to infiltrate elite cricketers aged 15-19.

Cricket Australia spokesman Peter Young said it had no evidence of the practice within Australia.

Mr Young said the head of CA's anti-corruption unit, Sean Carroll, was aware of grooming practices abroad.

"We are aware of the risk of this happening because it has happened in other sports overseas," Mr Young said. "We do educate junior cricketers on the risks."

At last year's ICC under-19 World Cup in northern Queensland, players received anti-corruption training and matches were overseen by an anti-corruption official.

Players were also banned from carrying mobile phones at matches - a compulsory restriction for senior elite cricketers.

State Sports Minister Hugh Delahunty said match-fixing was "probably the biggest concern" in sport, but he'd be shocked if junior cricketers had been targets.

"I'd be surprised if it gets down to that level, because you've got to have a betting field and it's usually on the major sports that they do that," he said.

Mr Delahunty said it was also a step too far to test TAC Cup footballers for drugs in a bid to stamp out the problem at junior level.

- with Mark Buttler and Peter Rolfe

anthony.dowsley@news.com.au

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Hardwick hits Martin rumours

Richmond's Dustin Martin at pre-season training. Picture: Stuart Walmsley. Source: Herald Sun

RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick has rubbished a torrent of rumours concerning star midfielder Dustin Martin, denying his off-field behaviour had drawn the interest of police.

The Tigers coach used the vehicle of an intra-club match at Punt Road to finally scotch the speculation, which had reached fever pitch after circulating for months.

Social media speculation had Martin variously under surveillance from police, about to be sacked by Richmond, and being investigated by the Australian Crime Commission.None of those are true, with Richmond thrilled about Martin's training form after worries about his behaviour and circle of friends during the off-season.

"He's fine. He's a resilient individual but all we can deal in is the facts," Hardwick said.

"He's training very, very well. We're pleased with the way that he's going.

"It's disappointing - social media, it's un-Australian.

"It's just whingeing, whining. I can't stand it."

Martin's challenge is to build an elite tank given second-half fade-outs last season, but reports from within Richmond are that he has dedicated his pre-season to doing just that.

"You've only got to look at his form versus the All-Stars last week," Hardwick said.

"His disposals probably weren't to the level that we expect but he's one our better players.

"He's training very, very well and he's going to be a very, very good player for us this year."

Richmond tuned up for next week's NAB Cup opener with a 'probables' versus 'possibles' contest in which plenty of new faces and established stars shone.

Jack Riewoldt, Trent Cotchin, Ivan Maric and Reece Conca were all strong, while ex-Melbourne forward Ricky Petterd was excellent as a running defender.

Forward Ty Vickery marked strongly, while Richmond later cleared Matt White of any serious injury after he limped off with a minor ankle problem.

Richmond hopes ex-Port Adelaide defender Troy Chaplin will play in the second or third week of the NAB Cup, as will former Essendon defender Sam Lonergan.

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Little incentive for Dons to win

Essendon coach James Hird will be looking to keep his charges fresh during the NAB Cup. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

AS IF they didn't have enough to worry about, the Bombers today start a pre-season competition that gives the team an incentive to dodge the NAB Cup final.

Essendon starts its preparation for a home-and-away season that it has no guarantee of completing - but is not helped by a quirk of the schedule, which also affects Adelaide, West Coast and Fremantle.

The Dons will be forced to play the NAB Cup final, if they qualify for the pre-season play-off, despite taking on Adelaide in the season opener a week later.

The Bombers have been pitted against Adelaide in an unusual start to the AFL season on March 22, which means for them there is no longer a weekend between the Cup final and the AFL season opener.

There is considerable incentive for them to avoid the NAB Cup final in order to freshen players with a week's break before Round 1 - especially as underdone players could play VFL on the weekend of that final.

Essendon and Adelaide kick off Round 1 on March 22. Fremantle and West Coast play the next day, with the remaining seven games of Round 1 being played the following weekend.

Those four teams have been told if they do not qualify for the NAB Cup final, they will not have to play a regional challenge match like the other teams who miss the final. Essendon has consulted the AFL about the fixture quirk but has given assurances that it will give its best effort.

The AFL has not yet released a fixture of regional challenge games for the weekend of the NAB Cup, but will do so for clubs that want a game against an AFL rival on that weekend.

AFL spokesman Patrick Keane yesterday said Essendon would still have plenty of rest during the NAB Cup and early weeks of the competition. "(Those four clubs) will get a week off the following week (after their Round 1 game)," Keane said.

"Depending on the sides who don't play until the second week of Round 1 and what they are wanting to do (if they miss the NAB Cup final), we will work out (games) for them through the course of the NAB Cup."

Sides are accustomed to a four-week NAB Cup campaign, a fortnight's rest for players to recover, then the start of the season proper.

The NAB Cup final is scheduled for Friday, March 15 or Saturday 16, though, presumably, if Essendon or Adelaide qualified it would be on Friday to give them a seven-day break.

As the AFL grapples with Melbourne's tanking probe and integrity issues, it would be far from ideal for any of those four sides to play a half-strength grand final side to keep players fresh for Round 1.

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Code red at Windy Hill

Former Essendon staffer Stephen Dank said that the players had intravenous injections, not drips or infusions when he appeared on the ABC's 7.30 program. Picture: Channel 2 Source: The Daily Telegraph

Macca Sport cartoon for Herald Sun 15/02/2013T Drip Picture: Mcarthur David Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON seems certain to be found guilty of a breach of the AFL Anti-Doping Code if even one player admits being given legal intravenous infusions at Windy Hill.

Whether those infusions carried legal drugs or banned peptides, it is the manner in which they entered they body that would breach the AFL's code.

The AFL's code makes it clear intravenous infusions are "prohibited except for those legitimately received in the course of hospital admissions or clinical investigations".

Those breaches of the code - "prohibited methods" - are viewed as just as serious as using "prohibited substances", and attract a two-year ban.

It is alleged Essendon players were taken over the road from Windy Hill to a Botox clinic and given intravenous drips.

In his 7.30 TV interview this week, former Essendon staffer Stephen Dank said that the players had intravenous injections, not drips or infusions.

Injections are allowed if the volume of the syringe used is less than 50ml and the substance is legal.

"Oh, look they had intravenous injections for vitamin B and vitamin C, which are quite compliant with the WADA code," Dank said of Essendon's players.

But ASADA will investigate whether players were also given infusions, the use of which has been illegal since 2005 under the WADA code.

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The AFL's Anti-Doping Code refers to the intravenous infusions in the Chemical and Physical Manipulation section.

WADA's own documentation explains the ban on intravenous infusions since 2005, saying athletes can use drips to take steroids.

"IV infusion could provide a potential route for the administration of infused substances," it states.

Integrity officers for all clubs?

WADA's medical information supporting its ban on intravenous drips makes it clear that medical uses for intravenous drips must be "associated with medical emergencies and in-patient care".

One legal expert yesterday said on the condition of anonymity: "It is prohibited to have intravenous infusions. The allegation is they had them all year. It doesn't matter if it's water, or saline, or (steroids), the method being used is the issue."

Little incentive for Bombers to win

Former ASADA boss Richard Ings told the Herald Sun yesterday Essendon could not justify intravenous injections as necessary for medical purposes, because prior approval was needed.

"Any athlete or player or trainer who needs to use a banned substance or banned method must get pre-approval from the Australian Sports Medical Advisory Committee before their treatment, and there is no retrospectivity," he said.

Essendon players training at Windy Hill in 2012. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: Herald Sun

While the ASADA and AFL investigation into Essendon and biomechanist Dank could take months, there is some hope for Essendon.

Ings yesterday expressed doubt about the potential for blood from Essendon players to be flown across the world for tests on peptides. And the Australian Crime Commission conceded on Thursday it did not collect any information from wire taps about doping in sport during its 12-month investigation.

It means Dank was not caught in any incriminating evidence during phone conversations, and the players are unlikely to be found taking PEDs through blood tests.

Dank and Essendon continue to deny that any performance-enhancing drugs were used.

Essendon players could hope to use the AFL's own Anti-Doping Code to argue for a full discount, or "elimination" of their potential penalty. The AFL's code, which closely mirrors the WADA code, has a clause that provides for no penalty if the player can prove they bore "no fault" for drugs entering their system.

Both codes state the case must be "truly exceptional", but the AFL's rule 14.4 states the period of ineligibility can be eliminated if an individual "bears no fault of negligence for the violation".

The clause is inserted for players who have their samples sabotaged.

AFL deputy chief executive Gillon McLachlan said last night the league has made contingency plans for a 17-team competition this year should Essendon be unable to compete.

Essendon legend James Hird can see change for the better on the horizon. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

"I think it is our responsibility to canvass and plan for every scenario," McLachlan said on Channel Nine.

"There is a technical scenario where, if every allegation was true and you took out and interpretation of the code and you took a certain set of timings then that could be true, so you have to plan for that."

But speaking on Channel Seven league boss Andrew Demetriou stated his confidence that Essendon would play out the 2013 season uninterrupted.

At this stage we've got nothing that indicates otherwise," Demetriou said.

With Matt Windley

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Chided Pies raise game

Collingwood's Alan Toovey (left) and Ben Reid sprint during a training session ahead of tonight's NAB Cup opener against Essendon and the Western Bulldogs. Source: Getty Images

COLLINGWOOD defender Ben Reid says the influence of Leading Teams co-founder Ray McLean has helped lift the professionalism of the players.

The club called on McLean after becoming concerned player standards had dropped from their 2010 premiership season.

Football manager Geoff Walsh's blunt criticism of the club's culture, during the trade period, made everyone sit up and take notice.

Reid said before tonight's NAB Cup opener against Essendon and the Western Bulldogs the message had been heard and acted upon.

"We want to go out and win every game possible, but at the same time we want to work on the stuff we have been doing over summer and implement that," he said.

"We will try to turn that into good form.

"We have had Leading Teams in and it's been really good.

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 "More so it's just every player taking new responsibility and taking hold of some sort of leadership, whether you are in your first year or your 10th year, and just about being that ultimate professional and getting the best out of yourself and your teammates.

"That's all it is, just improving that 1 or 2 per cent in everything we do.

"We did finish in a preliminary final, so we still had a good year, but at the same time we can't sit still these days.

"We have definitely tried to improve our game over summer in every single session we have had."

Walsh's demand was based on the little things that added up to make Collingwood such a masterful unit.

"What I do know is our discipline, our attitude, if that's linked to culture it is something we would feel needs to improve," Walsh said in October.

"Are we going to be a flash in the pan, or do we dig in and give some sort of credence to the talent on the list by virtue of performance? We are hell-bent on returning this team to a premiership."

Part of that change is tinkering with the style of play, although coach Nathan Buckley yesterday denied there had been a major tactical overhaul.

"It's not massive, I wouldn't say," Reid said.

"We have tinkered with things, but the way the game is going with the press, you have to get the ball moving quickly or you get stuck and held up in your back half.

"Each team is trying to get the ball moving to keep it in your forward half and trap it in there."

Reid played on his brother Sam briefly in the losing preliminary final against Sydney, and the key forward went on to help the Swans win the flag.

"I went to the Grand Final and sat with Mum and Dad and Heater (Heath Shaw) and the Shaw family," Reid said.

"It was a good day and I was happy for Sam to get a medal around his neck.

"I went away with him for about a month at the end of the season, to Mexico and LA for a couple of days and then Sydney, but we didn't talk too much about footy."

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Demetriou to bring integrity to AFL

Andrew Demetriou, AFL chief executive officer. Picture: Scott Chris Source: Herald Sun

THE AFL wants its 18 clubs to employ full-time integrity officers to guard against the infiltration of drugs and organised crime.

THE AFL wants its 18 clubs to employ full-time integrity officers to guard against the infiltration of drugs and organised crime.

League chief executive Andrew Demetriou revealed the drastic proposal last night as he insisted the AFL did not have a serious problem with performance-enhancing drugs.

"To the best of our knowledge . . . it's a very clean game," he said.

Demetriou said he believed Essendon, the subject of a probe by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority with the potential to have players banned, would play out the season.

But deputy chief executive Gillon McLachlan said the league had made contingency plans for a 17-team competition this year.

"I think it is our responsibility to canvass and plan for every scenario," McLachlan said on Channel 9.

The "club cops" move would come on top of an already announced AFL commitment to bolster its integrity unit with more investigators and whistleblower protection.

Demetriou told Channel 7 last night it was "very, very important that every club think about having a full-time integrity officer".

"If you can put someone in place that can help you minimise that risk and report up to your board, then that's far, far more important than investing in another coach, for example, because one poor decision at a football club can have dire consequences," Demetriou said.

He said AFL medical officers were working with clubs to make sure each player's supplements were approved by team doctors.

Demetriou said integrity reforms, prompted by last week's Australian Crime Commission report into sport, would be further debated at an AFL Commission meeting on Monday.

He defended the number of drug tests conducted for the league -- about 1100 performance-enhancing and about 1500 illicit on most recent official statements.

"We spend $850,000 on our drug testing and we don't actually do the tests, we outsource our tests to ASADA," he said.

"We sit down with ASADA every year and we say to ASADA please tell us how many tests we need to conduct for the amount of players we've got. We do a significant amount of testing . . . we've had four years of collecting blood and blood profiling and we'll be the first sport to introduce the blood passport . . . in this country."

Richmond midfielder Daniel Jackson said he had never been aware of performance-enhancing drugs in the game.

"I think the issue here for AFL players is that there are tests done, there have been for however many years, and they've never come back with a positive," he said.

"To come out now with all the speculation because one report says there is a chance that it's across Australia I think is a little bit unfair."

AFL legend Leigh Matthews told Channel 7 he would not have felt comfortable dobbing in a teammate on suspicion of doping.

"The ability to dob in anonymously, people might take more advantage of that because it's removing you, I guess, from the personal angst of dobbing in a teammate," he said. 

What do you think of the ACC report and its effect on the NRL and AFL? Who's to blame? Will you still support your team? Do you think players are clean?
Have your say by taking our quick survey below.

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Scandal takes huge toll on Evans

Pressure: A considerably lighter Essendon chairman David Evans arrives before a meeting between Essendon staff, players and families at Windy Hill this week. Source: Getty Images

ESSENDON legend Tim Watson says the performance enhancing drugs saga has taken an enormous personal toll on David Evans, suggesting the Bombers chairman has lost "eight or nine kilos" in the past week.

As the father of club captain, Jobe, a former club great and media commentator, Watson said his emotions have changed wildly throughout the past 10 days.

"My emotions have drifted between anger, and that would be a right emotion, to now I'm actually feeling sad for the people that are in there," Watson said.

"I've got a better understanding of what has transpired and there are a lot of reputations at stake here.

"I'm not feeling angry anymore, I'm feeling heartened by the way Essendon have gone about this, I think it's the right way to go about it and I'm also encouraged by, when we sat down as parents the other night and listened to what David had to say, the fact that the No.1 priority for him was the players.

Little incentive for Bombers to win

"There was no spin with anything he had to say about where they're at at the moment, there was nothing about the branding of the Essendon footy club or the commercial realities of what may or may not transpire down the track, it was all about the players."

Watson said on Channel Seven he felt for Evans in particular.

Integrity officers for all clubs?

"I think there's been an enormous toll (on individuals) as a result of what has taken place over the last week or so," he said.

"I saw David Evans, our chairman, on Monday night when he addressed the parents and I think David has lost about eight or nine kilos in the past week alone. He's taken leave from his business, he's working full time on clearing the names of all the players at Essendon."

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I want to coach, says Mickey O

Former Swans great Michael O'Loughlin (second from left) is keen to coach. Source: Getty Images

SYDNEY great Michael O'Loughlin wants to become the AFL's first indigenous senior coach.

O'Loughlin, a premiership forward and veteran of 303 games, said he was keen to pursue a top job.

"It's definitely something that has tickled my fancy," he said.

"You'd love to have a group of people for a few years and mould them into a good side and pass on the things you've learned over your own career, I guess."

O'Loughlin is the AIS's high-performance manager and oversees some of the brightest young football talent in the country.

He also coached the indigenous All-Stars to a resounding victory against Richmond last week, impressing seasoned onlookers, one of whom said O'Loughlin "could coach an AFL club tomorrow".

"The AIS is my priority at the moment," O'Loughlin said.

"Looking after the best 18-year-olds in the country is a pretty good job, and then we take them over to Europe, so it's a good gig.

"But (AFL coaching) is something I've got to think about over the next six months in regards to what direction I take. I've certainly made inquiries about going into clubs and all that, but we'll see what happens."

There are 69 indigenous players in the AFL this year, but the fact there is not a single indigenous coach in the system remains a burning issue.

O'Loughlin is a two-time All-Australian and AFL Indigenous Team of the Century member and one of the most respected judges of junior talent. His 303 AFL games is a Swans record.

Indigenous stars Barry Cable and Graham "Polly" Farmer were both senior coaches, but in the VFL era.
 

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Young Roos coming of age

Improving defender Shaun Atley on Tuesday. Source: Herald Sun

IN many respects Brad Scott can't do much.

He knows history tells him that a third of his list is reaching an important crossroad that will have a major bearing on his team's fate this year.

In list management speak, it's boys becoming men.

Generally, when the kids have played about 50 games the apprenticeship is seen as over.

The next step is to begin influencing the outcome of matches.

North Melbourne has 11 players on 36 to 62 games.

If even half of those make the step this year, Scott's self-confessed cranky pre-season mood will lift.

The beauty for him is that most are midfielders and given he has two guns in there already - captain Andrew Swallow and Daniel Wells - the upside is massive.

On Tuesday night at a windswept North Ballarat Oval, Scott watched Ben Cunnington show he was ready to make that step.

Several others, such as Jack Ziebell, Ryan Bastinac and Sam Wright, are  almost there.

"He played the way he has been training all season," Scott said of Cunnington,  the No.5 pick in the 2009 draft.

"He's starting to do the things he was doing in under-18 footy. We always had great confidence in Ben and all of our supporters would know that."

Scott likened Cunnington's development to that of rising star Ziebell.

"He's 12 months behind Jack Ziebell and he's pretty much tracked him identically all the way through his development," Scott said.

"So we're really looking forward to seeing them both improve this year teamed up with Andrew Swallow, Daniel Wells and Ryan Bastinac."

"The development of Robbie Tarrant (25 games) as third tall forward alongside Drew Petrie and Lachie Hansen  appears on track.

Throw in former Sydney ruckman Daniel Currie as a back-up option and there is a reason the phrase "exciting times" was on repeat by North players during their two-day community camp.
 

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AFL pushes for wire taps

AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou, left, and AFL Commission Chairman Mike Fitzpatrick address the media after the Australian Crime Commission released a report on drugs and organised crime in Australian sport. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Getty Images

"I told you it was a bad idea to tap the coaches' box." Cartoon by David McArthur. Source: Herald Sun

THE AFL wants unprecedented access to wire taps and police surveillance in its fight against organised crime and doping in football.

The league confirmed it had intensified its lobbying of state and federal governments to change laws that block access to the findings of such investigations.

Specifically, it wants records of wire taps involving AFL players to be available to its bolstered integrity unity.

The AFL believes high-level co-operation is crucial to stop questionable links festering into illegal activities, including those raised in the explosive Australian Crime Commission sports report.

The AFL shares the Crime Commission's fears that casual relations with the wrong people have the potential to lead to integrity issues.

 AFL deputy chief executive Gillon McLachlan yesterday confirmed to the Herald Sun the push for greater information from Victoria police.

An AFL spokesman said: "In the light of the risk of corruption, the AFL believes it is vitally important to let sporting bodies work more closely with police and other agencies to protect the integrity of sport."

Current restrictions see the AFL unable to access clear evidence from Victoria Police linking players to organised crime figures.

The ACC report laid bare the danger for sportspeople to be lured into drug use - both illicit and performance-enhancing, and match-fixing.

Racing Integrity Commissioner Sal Perna is chasing similar privileges for racing and recently detailed the need for wire taps as one of the recommendations in his report into race fixing.

 Perna said yesterday: "Changes to the Telecommunications Act would have to go to the Commonwealth, but there is enough momentum ... for it to be realistically entertained and discussed.
"The Privacy Act is also relevant, but in some respects it would be about interpretations of the Privacy Act (rather than a rule change).

"Let's say a (police) telephone tap is about drug importation or organised crime and as part of that there is something relevant to a sporting body. The sportsperson might have nothing to do with that crime, but it would be information which was extremely valuable to the sporting body."

Police would have the discretion to hand over information and would ensure the information did not interfere with criminal cases or operational matters.

The AFL would need legislative changes to the Telecommunications Act to allow it to gain that information, and would also need to prove it could handle any confidential surveillance or information passed on.

The AFL would have to demonstrate to law enforcement bodies it has an effective integrity unit.

It comes as the AFL moves closer to appointing a head of integrity, which would be split from the head of football operations role the league is advertising.

The sudden departure of Adrian Anderson in December left the AFL seeking a replacement, with officials Andrew Dillon and Simon Lethlean seen as strong internal candidates.

But the expectation is the integrity side of the job will become a new position that takes in the AFL's fight to ensure the game is clean of match-fixing, drugs and organised crime links.

The new role would presumably encompass the AFL's salary cap department.

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Growth products are muscling in

Former Power player Darryl Wakelin at work as a pharmacist. Picture: Brenton Edwards Source: The Advertiser

PHARMACISTS have seen an explosion in supplements claiming to boost performance over the past few years, as athletes seek shortcuts and an edge.

And experts have warned taking legal supplements can be the gateway for experimentation of drugs bought from less reputable sources.

Port Adelaide premiership player Darryl Wakelin, who has worked as a pharmacist since retiring from the game, said it had been one of the most competitive and growing industries wanting space on chemist-shop shelves.

"It's become a huge industry," Wakelin said. "Products with images and promises of big things.

"There was a brand called Musashi about 10 years ago and it seems they were ahead of their time because they (similar products) are everywhere now.

"It's a big, competitive market that's growing even more."

But the spike in legal supplements also has the potential for a sinister side-effects, with anecdotal evidence it has become a gateway to heavier and often illegal training aides.

There is also a push and expectation among health professionals that the Therapeutic Goods Administration will soon regulate the industry more rigorously and ban claims that cannot be proven.

Among growth products are so called "fat-blasters" and protein supplements as athletes of Generation Y seek to fast-track their physical improvement.

Pharmacies are regulated by the TGA, but there are other outlets that operate according to more loosely defined guidelines.

Then there is the internet, where supplements can be imported directly.

"There's a lot of junk that comes in from Asia," Wakelin said. "And a lot of time it can be laced with steroids, even though the person buying it wouldn't know and it doesn't say on the packaging.

"But people nowadays are looking for ways to get fit quicker and without having to work as hard.

"We haven't had a big increase in scripts, but body-builders know where to get stuff from elsewhere."

University of South Australia professor of exercise and nutritional science Jon Buckley said it was a minefield of supplements for people to navigate - legal and otherwise - and called for tighter regulation.

He also recognised there had been a cultural shift, to where there was an expectation that athletes had to seek assistance outside of healthy food and exercise.

"A lot of people are looking for an easy option," Buckley said. "But there are a lot of products out there that claim that they do things without a lot of evidence."

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Bloods line under threat

Sydney Swans speedster Lewis Jetta says he's confident the premiers can be even better in 2013

Former sydney star Andrew Dunkley has become estranged from the club. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: The Daily Telegraph

A FALLING out between Hall of Fame fullback Andrew Dunkley and the Sydney Swans could cost the club the chance of signing his talented son Josh under the AFL's father and son rule.

Dunkley has not been back to the club since he retired in 2002 and chose not to attend his own induction into the Swans' Hall of Fame two years ago.

Although Dunkley attended the 2012 grand final to cheer on his former team, unlike his two sons - Josh and Kyle - he didn't go into the Swans' rooms after the game to share in the victory celebrations.

"I don't hate the place but I've moved on," Dunkley told The Daily Telegraph.

It is understood Dunkley's animosity towards the Swans stems from the decision by then coach Paul Roos to end his stellar career at the end of 2002 as part of a rebuilding process following the Rodney Eade era.

Now, more than a decade after hanging up his red and white guernsey, the friction between Dunkley and his old club could prevent his talented son from playing in the same colours as his dad.

Former Sydney Swans AFL players Paul Roos (R) with his sons Dylan (3) & Tyler (17months) and Andrew Dunkley with daughter Lara (2) & son Joshua (7months). Picture: Tracey Haslam Source:

Asked if he had a problem with 16-year-old Josh going to the Swans under the father and son rule Dunkley said: "In a perfect world he'd get a Victorian club.

"That's being selfish because of where we live (Victoria).

"I'm not against it (going to the Swans).

"I'd prefer to see him do it on his own merits.

"I'd be happy to see him just make it to the AFL."

Josh is currently on the books of TAC Cup side the Gippsland Power and last year at the age of 15 played senior football for Sale in their premiership win in the highly regarded Gippsland Football League.

The well built teenager was vice-captain of the Victorian Country team at the under-16 national carnival and was also named in the All Australian side.

This year Josh knocked back the offer of a footballing scholarship to Melbourne Grammar School to continue playing senior football for Sale and attending Gippsland Grammar School.

The interest in Josh is genuine with the Swans keeping in contact with Dunkley senior and junior over the past 18 months.

"He's a talented young player and Kinnear Beatson (Swans' recruiting manager) and I have been monitoring his progress," Swans welfare manager Dennis Carroll said.

Dunkley played 217 games for the Bloods between 1992 and 2002.

Dunkley now lives with his family in home town of Yarram in country Victoria, where he runs a farm machinery business and a property with 900 head of cattle.

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Great Scott a Roos leader

North Melbourne defender Scott Thompson has enjoyed his hectic preseason. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

IT'S been a fairly hectic off-season for Scott Thompson.

The North Melbourne defender came runner-up in the best and fairest, got engaged, spent three weeks in Utah where he caught a serious staph infection, got married and then yesterday was promoted to the Roos leadership group.

That's called not wasting the summer.

Thompson is excited about his elevation to the six-man leadership team led by captain Andrew Swallow.

"As a junior I was always sort of the captain of the team at school and stuff so it's something I've always strived to be, a leader in the team," Thompson said.

"I won't be changing anything but it's going to be very exciting.

"If you look at our list, it's so young and we have probably got about 10 guys on the 40-game mark so it's really an exciting time.

"Some exciting footy was played in the second half of the year and it's a good time to be at the club.

"We have a pretty tough draw to start off so we'll know where we're at after the first eight weeks."

Thompson proposed to his girlfriend, Lauren, in October and rather than wait another 12 months, they got married in December.

"It was a shotgun wedding, but not really because she's not pregnant. We thought it was either this December or next December and we didn't want to wait around as we'd been living together for three years," he said.

North's midfield shines in hitout

The day before he left the Roos' training camp in Utah, Thompson got a small cut inside his nose. By the time he got home that had developed into a serious infection needing hospital treatment.

"My face was all blown up and it was only a few days out from the wedding so it was an anxious time but it all worked out in the end," he said.

After stringing together 86 games, Thompson, 26, missed two games for the first time last year.

"It was the first two games I've ever missed in my life," he said. "It was a back-related tight hamstring and I was pretty disappointed to miss those two.

"I thought I was right for the second one but they wouldn't let me.

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Anzac Day game investigation

"We obviously won't train properly, it's all about recovery; it's all about the high performance guys, we will leave the guys in their hands." - James Hird before Anzac Day, 2012 Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON'S rushed preparations for last year's Anzac Day game against Collingwood will come under close scrutiny by anti-doping investigators.

The Bombers had a 94-hour turnaround between their match against Carlton on April 21 and the Magpies clash on April 25.

The recovery period was managed by fitness staff Dean Robinson and Stephen Dank.

A source said yesterday: "The whole season will be scrutinised but heavy scrutiny will be on the period leading up to Anzac Day."

The Bombers beat Carlton by 30 points and lost to Collingwood by a point.

The activities of Dank and Robinson, which included the use of injections and intravenous drips, are at the centre of an Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority investigation into the possible use of performance-enhancing drugs by the club last year.

In the lead-up to Anzac Day, coach James Hird said about the four-day turnaround: "We obviously won't train properly, it's all about recovery; it's all about the high performance guys, we will leave the guys in their hands."

They made one change for Anzac Day - Michael Hurley out, Jake Carlisle in.

Hird said after the Blues game "there would be five or six that probably won't get up for the Collingwood game in four days time".

The Herald Sun is not suggesting Bombers players did use performance-enhancing drugs and Dank has strongly denied anything inappropriate was administered.

Calls to sack Hird off the mark

But if proved, a ban of six months to two years can be levied at players, even if use was without their knowledge.

Spotlight moves to the coaches

Club chiefs told the players' parents on Monday night that, in their knowledge, banned drugs were not given to the players.

Buckley wants more specifics

Parents were told the club had documented each and every supplement supplied to players during the season.

Those electronic documents will be given to ASADA.

Essendon boss Ian Robson responds to calls for heads to roll following Stephen Dank's interview last night.

As the Bombers prepare to open all aspects of their club to the ASADA inquiry, it can be revealed:

HIRD and assistant coach Mark Thompson had a disagreement over Robinson in December.

DANK had his authority curbed about halfway through last season.

ESSENDON continued its supplement program while Dank took a back seat. He left the club at the end of the year.

The Thompson-Hird disagreement is understood to have centred on whether Robinson should continue as high-performance manger.

Hird wanted a review of the position and Thompson wanted Robinson to continue.

Sponsorship standoff hurting clubs

That Robinson had two years to run on a contract worth up to $300,000 a year helped sway the decision to continue with Robinson, although his suspension after the announcement of the ASADA inquiry suggests his career at Essendon is over.

Dank last week told the Herald Sun he had not given players banned drugs.

The Bombers are bracing for a forensic examination of their supplement regimen including what was administered and the amount.

Coaches, players and support staff will be interviewed. Clubs officials refused to comment yesterday on the investigation.

Coach James Hird (back on) instructs the team as a group during an Essendon training session at Tullamarine last week. Picture: Hamish Blair Source: Herald Sun

WINDY HELL: ESSENDON'S PRE-SEASON WOES
LATE NOVEMBER, 2012
Essendon denies to the Herald Sun that it has concerns over its sports science department after sacking sports scientist Stephen Dank.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4
Essendon again denies to the Herald Sun that it has an issue in its sports science department, particularly around performance-enhancing supplements.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5
Essendon holds a press conference at AFL House where it announces it has asked the AFL and Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority to investigate the club over concerns players may have been unknowingly given supplements that do not comply with the WADA code. It is revealed that Bombers players received off-site injections of supplements in the stomach.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6
Dank denies to the Herald Sun that he gave Essendon players banned supplements, feared to be banned peptides.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7
- The ACC, Federal Government and a coalition of major sporting bodies front a press conference in Canberra as the ACC releases a report saying performance-enhancing drug use is widespread in Australian sport and that there is also of links to organised crime and concern about match-fixing.

- The AFL Commission holds an extraordinary meeting and announces that the league's integrity department will be beefed up.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10
AFL second in command Gillon McLachlan confirms the league has been made aware that a player at a second club is also under investigation for possible use of performance-enhancing drugs.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11
- The AFL refuses to alert the second club on the advice of its lawyers.

- The 17 clubs other than Essendon tell the Herald Sun that they have not been contacted by the ACC or the AFL in relation to the matter.

- Dank appears on ABC TV and declares some Essendon coaches had taken WADA-banned supplements.

- He again denies administering banned drugs to players.

YESTERDAY
- Sources close to Essendon say they expect heavy scrutiny over the short turnaround between Round 3 win over Carlton and the Anzac Day clash.

- It emerges Hird and Thompson in December had a disagreement over whether Robinson should stay at the Dons, Hird pushing for his departure.

WHERE THE INVESTIGATION STANDS
- ASADA and AFL investigators will interview all Essendon players and officials, as well as other relevant parties.

- Samples taken during the 2012 season likely to be flown to Cologne for special testing for peptides.

- Electronic and other records relating to supplement program will be examined.

- Details about investigations into the second club remain unknown.

WHAT THE MAIN PLAYERS SAY
JAMES HIRD, COACH
"I'm shocked to be sitting here. As a coach, I take full responsibility for what happens in our footy department. It's my belief we've done everything right." - February 5

DAVID EVANS, CHAIRMAN
"This is a minefield ... we've received information that's concerned us." - February 5

STEPHEN DANK, FORMER BOMBERS SPORTS SCIENTIST
On what the Bombers' hierarchy knew: "There was a very significant involvement from Dean (Robinson) as the high-performance manager, there was detailed discussion with James Hird, there was detailed discussion with the club doctor (Bruce Reid). They were sort of the main people involved in the knowledge of the program."

On coaches taking supplements: "A couple of coaches were using supplements that were a little bit outside the WADA code but, again, they were entitled to it and nothing illegal in those". - February 11

ANDREW DEMETRIOU, AFL CHIEF EXECUTIVE
"Under the ASADA rules whether you knew or not it's no excuse . . . they are the WADA rules." - February 5

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Cats now short of talls

Geelong ruckman Hamish McIntosh will miss three weeks after minor knee surgery. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

GEELONG is taking a long-term view on ruckman Hamish McIntosh, whose start to the season is threatened by a knee injury.

McIntosh will be out for about three weeks after having surgery this week on the same knee that limited his season to only seven games at North Melbourne last year.

Cats coach Chris Scott said yesterday the surgery was only minor.

"He understood and we understood that it wasn't going to be smooth sailing with Hamish," Scott said.

"He came in with an existing injury that was significant. There was always a little bit of a risk taking him and we accepted there might be some minor setbacks.

"We're still extremely confident that over the medium-term, a period of years, he's going to be a very valuable acquisition."

Scott said arthroscopic surgery to remove fluid from the back of McIntosh's knee was "loosely related" to his problems last year.

"It's the same knee, different problem. Very minor though, something that the surgery can fix quite quickly, the surgeon tells us," he said.

"He could have put up with some discomfort for a long time or we could have nipped it in the bud and tried to give him some relief short-term, so we think that's going to be the best outcome for him."

With Dawson Simpson also out after back surgery and young ruckman Nathan Vardy not making the trip to Perth this weekend for the Cats' NAB Cup opener, Geelong's ruck stocks look thin.

"Two ruckmen who aren't in ideal shape right at the moment is a little bit concerning," Scott said.

"We'll take a couple of rookie ruckmen over (to Perth), plus Trent West.

"It's almost vindication for our policy of having four ruckmen on our list. It's not ideal having a couple injured but we do have some cover."

Scott also ruled out James Kelly and Paul Chapman for the trip west, but said Jimmy Bartel and Travis Varcoe would be among a large squad for the weekend.

Kelly had post-season surgery on his hip, but has been back in full training, and Bartel was wearing a moonboot at the end of the season.

Varcoe played only one game last year, his season ruined by a foot injury.

"He's had a lot of bad luck in the last year and a half and he's starting to look really good on the track," Scott said.

"I think he's just keen to get out and play a real game. He's trained well and he's looked good on the track, but it doesn't mean much until you can put that good form into practice on the field in a real game."

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Buckley wants the specifics

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley says the cloud over players, and the lack of information filtering down to clubs is tarnishing the sport.

Essendon boss Ian Robson responds to calls for heads to roll following Stephen Dank's interview last night.

Clean: Collingwood players are addressed by coach Nathan Buckley on the track yesterday. Picture: Rob Leeson Source: Herald Sun

COLLINGWOOD coach Nathan Buckley says players' reputations are being tarnished by a "frustrating" lack of detail supporting claims they are using illegal substances.

After reviewing supplement programs back to 2002 yesterday, Collingwood is "very" confident it is clean.

The AFL has confirmed Essendon, and one player from another club, are under investigation by the Australian Sports Anti Doping Authority.

Buckley yesterday said the vagueness of the Australian Crime Commission's findings was damaging football.

"It is yet to be proven about Essendon's situation and we need to wait for the facts to understand that," Buckley said.

"But I wouldn't think it (performance-enhancing drug use) would be wide-spread and I think all of us have seen it watered down as the time has gone on over the last week or so.

"To the point where there is an element of frustration in that, 'OK, if you are going to make those claims, be specific about them because you have tarnished the sport and brought individuals of great quality and reputation into disrepute'.

"That's not good for the code and we need to fix it."

Calls to sack Hird off the mark

Buckley said "as a sports fan, as much as a coach, I want answers" about performance-enhancing drug use in the AFL, but was happy Collingwood's supplement program was clean.

Spotlight moves to the coaches

"We take TGA-approved substances and proteins and carbohydrates ... all that are well-recognised brands that have all got the rubber stamp," he said.

"We are not a club that lives in the grey area. We believe that there is plenty of one-percenters to be found in things that are in our control and that are quite mundane."

A long time friend of Essendon coach James Hird, Buckley yesterday expressed sympathy for his Bombers' counterpart, amid calls for Hird to resign due to the doping authority probe.

"I can't imagine how he would feel," Buckley said.

"I'm sure he would never have contemplated it, even in his darkest times. But I'm sure with his qualities he will navigate the club through."

Geelong coach Chris Scott says the decision-making processes used at the Cats mean they have nothing to worry about, concerning the ACC investigation into drugs and organised crime in sport.

The AFL has also warned clubs about the lurking danger of outlaw bikies mixing with players.

Buckley said clubs must guard against association with the underworld .

"The majority of people who are involved in footy are of good character," he said.

"But when you are as big as we are there are going to be people who take short cuts."

Geelong coach Chris Scott also called for patience.

"As a competition, we've got to suck it up and just ride it out," he said. 

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Spotlight moves to the coaches

Stephen Dank's allegations likely to widen investigation. Source: The Daily Telegraph

ASADA is likely to investigate allegations Essendon coaches used performance-enhancing substances, despite the AFL's drug code applying only to players.

Essendon refused to confirm or deny substance use by any member of its coaching department, following allegations by sacked club biochemist Stephen Dank.

"To be perfectly honest, there were a couple of coaches that were using some supplements, if you like, that were a little bit outside the WADA code," Dank said on the ABC's 7.30.

"But, again, they were entitled to it. There's certainly nothing illegal there."

An AFL spokesman said yesterday ASADA's investigation was wide-ranging and could include those allegations.
"The code only applies to players within the club, not coaches or officials," he said.

"I would imagine everything alleged on the 7.30 (interview) would form part of the investigation to varying degrees."

Dank's allegations drew widespread condemnation from football and sports medicine worlds yesterday, with leading figures staggered at the potential for non-WADA compliant drugs to be at Windy Hill.

Essendon senior assistant Mark Thompson has denied he took those drugs.

Calls to sack Hird off the mark

Also in the Dons coaching department last year were senior coach James Hird, assistants Sean Wellman, Simon Goodwin and Matthew Egan, development coaches James Byrne and Rick Ladson, and high-performance coach Dean "The Weapon" Robinson.

Buckley wants more specifics

Some sports science experts were stunned that practices including coaches using performance-enhancing drugs might be allowed in AFL football.

"Mud sticks, and that's just a harsh reality," one said.

"Whatever happens, there will always be a cloud over 'Hirdy' and everyone there. It will hang over Essendon for decades. They have become the drug club."

AFL coaches and club executives can be fined up to $10,000 for administrative breaches like failing to keep proper records under the drug code, but are not subject to testing.

Exercise and Sports Science Australia board member David Bishop, pushing for greater regulation and accreditation in the industry, was shocked to hear about potential drug use by coaches.

"It is an amazing revelation," Bishop said.

"Even if he is denying he administered to athletes, it is allowing people to make that link. It is a pretty shocking revelation. You wouldn't expect that of a sports scientist.

"I know he gave the example of a medical doctor working at a club and having prohibited substances in his bag, but I think good practice and sensible practice is that you don't bring anything into the club that could be construed as performance enhancing drugs that could risk the livelihood of players."
 

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Watson: Dons' parents in good spirits

Tim Watson faces the media after the meeting between the Essendon Football Club and players' parents last night. Picture: Tim Carrafa Source: Herald Sun

Essendon recruit Brendon Goddard says his new Bombers teammates are anxious about the doping probe.

ESSENDON champion Tim Watson says the players' parents are satisfied the football club has their sons' best interests at heart as they cope with the unfolding drugs scandal.

The father of club captain Jobe Watson said parents were in good spirits following a meeting between Essendon officials and parents at Windy Hill, despite a lot of questions remaining unanswered.

"What I'd like to say is a lot of parents had a lot of questions that they wanted answered. Some of these were answered by the club, some of these weren't answered by the club because they were not in a position to be able to answer those questions," Watson said to a waiting media pack following the hour-long meeting.

"But I think as a group of parents we've come away feeling that the club obviously has our son's interests at heart. That is the number one priority for James Hird and David Evans, who was present, Ian Robson, the CEO of the club, too.

"So we're very satisfied that our boys are in good hands and the club is doing all they possibly can under the circumstances."

Dank says coaches took drugs

Club Chairman David Evans said the club had a "fruitful discussion" with parents.

"It was a very positive meeting and we've commited to them that we'd come back to them with more information when we get it.

"We had a good, fruitful discussion," Mr Evans said.

But he remained tight-lipped about the contents of the meeting,

"As you're aware there's still an investigation that's now underway with ASADA and the AFL and we're cooperating with that and that's all I can really say at the moment."

Parents were reluctant to speak before the meeting, saying they have been told not to talk to the media.

 But Mandy and Bernie Crameri, parents of forward Stewart Crameri, threw their support behind the club.

"We're confident the proper procedures have been put in place," Mrs Crameri said.

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AFL boss warns on bikie links

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou speaking at a press conference after the release of an ACC report into drug and crime links to Australian sport last week. Picture: Gary Ramage Source: News Limited

THE AFL has revealed "serious concerns" about players associating with outlaw bikie gangs.

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou said last night all clubs had been warned of growing links between footballers and organised crime groups, namely bikies, who dealt in illicit and performance-enhancing drugs.

Phone taps have picked up the names of some players, given to the AFL by the Australian Crime Commission. Clubs will be alerted at meetings during the next fortnight.

"It is a serious concern and should be of serious concern for all those people involved in sport," Mr Demetriou said about the bikie infiltration.

"We were briefed by the ACC about the threats of organised crime infiltrating Australian sport, and they use 'vulnerable players', they called them, through this link of illicit drugs or performance-enhancing drugs or gambling because they are all linked.

"When we had the drugs summit, the federal police and the Victorian police told every CEO exactly the same thing.

They said organised crime figures are cohorting with your players, you need to be aware."

At the drugs summit, high-ranking Victorian policeman and former Richmond premiership player Emmett Dunne gave an example of how organised crime figures attempted to trap officers in compromising positions at strip clubs.

He said one strip club offered free entry and free alcohol if an officer "flashed his badge", to potentially catch him acting improperly and then use it against him.

One club CEO told the Herald Sun last night: "The inference is, that's what they could do to players."

Mr Demetriou said senior officials at every club would be briefed over the ACC report and drug code changes.

The Herald Sun has also learned:

A RETIRED AFL legend has links to a drug-dealing Melbourne bikie.

A FOOTY glamour boy was found using cocaine in a toilet at a club supporters' day.

A PROMINENT player was caught snorting cocaine during a promotional barbecue.

Victoria Police sources said yesterday they were also aware of frequent contact between bikies and footballers.

Much of the contact was through popular inner-suburban nightclubs frequented by both parties, and strip clubs.

One detective said it was possible that in many cases footballers were not aware of who they were talking to.

mark.robinson@news.com.au

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Dank says coaches took drugs

Steve Dank has told the ABC's 7.30 that Essendon coach James Hird was fully informed about the nature of the program the biochemist was paid to run at the club. Courtesy: 7.30, ABC

The scientist at the centre of Essendon's controversial performance supplements program says it was within the rules of the World Anti-Doping Agency. Courtesy: 7.30, ABC

The man at the centre of Essendon drug allegations has launched a $10 million defamation suit against various media outlets.

Stephen Dank speaks out on the ABC's 7.30 program last night. Picture: Channel ABC Source: Supplied

ESSENDON coaches took drugs that were banned for players, the former club sports scientist at the centre of the Bombers' drugs crisis claims.

Stephen Dank last night said coaches - whom he did not name - took substances not approved by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

"A couple of coaches were using supplements that were a little bit outside the WADA code but, again, they were entitled to it and nothing illegal in those," Dank said.

In an explosive interview with ABC's 7.30, Dank also claimed head coach James Hird had full knowledge of the players' 2012 supplement regime, now at the centre of a doping authority probe.

Hird declined to respond to Dank's claims.

In other developments in the footy drugs scandal:

AFL chief Andrew Demetriou said he had "serious concerns" about players mixing with bikies.

CLUBS will be alerted in the next two weeks that phone taps have picked up the names of some players in contact with criminals.

Essendon's former sports scientist Steve Dank has told the ABC's 7.30 that coaches at the club took supplements that are prohibited for players. Courtesy: 7.30, ABC

BLOOD samples could be sent to Germany as part of the investigation of Essendon's drug controversy.

THE AFL maintained it could not notify a second club about an alleged rogue doper within its ranks.

Coaches are not bound by the restrictions WADA places on performance-enhancing drugs.

Dank stressed the substances administered to players were all "very, very legal and within the constraints of WADA".

Dank stressed last night "all levels" at the club were given regular details of the supplements program.

"There was a collective involvement - you know it wasn't just Steve Dank," he said.

Watson: Players' parents in good spirits

"There was certainly input from people outside myself. There was a very significant involvement from Dean (Robinson) as the high-performance manager, there was detailed discussion with James Hird, there was detailed discussion with the club doctor (Bruce Reid).

"They were sort of the main people involved in the knowledge of the program."

Wing and a prayer for Bombers

On the coaches' own drug regimes, Dank alleged: "There were some differences in what we offered the coaches. Let's face it, the coaches themselves are not subjected to any WADA code.

"Off the top of my head three, four or five taking vitamin supplements, protein supplements.

"A couple of coaches were using supplements that were a little bit outside the WADA code but again they were entitled to it and nothing illegal in those."

Essendon recruit Brendon Goddard says his new Bombers teammates are anxious about the doping probe.

The sports scientist declared his innocence throughout the interview, saying he was a biochemist and supplement programs were regularly used at most top AFL clubs.

He denied injecting players with a banned substance and said he was "very surprised" when the club called a conference announcing it was unaware of what the program involved.

Dank said the only supplements intravenously supplied were Vitamin D and Vitamin C. He denied peptides were injected but said up to four different peptide formulas could have been given to players.

 Sports scientist a broken man: lawyer

"We had a program, it was well documented, it was discussed at all levels throughout the club in terms of what the supplements were and the regime and dosages, and what time of the day or week you know," he said.

Dank runs two other rejuvenation clinics in Victoria and NSW that he said ran programs separate to his work with elite football teams.

A substance known as GHRP-6 or peptide 6 - listed on Mr Dank's clinic website - is a human growth hormone banned by the Australian Anti-Doping Authority of Australia.

Dank admitted selling the substance but denied it was used on elite athletes. He also rejected links with criminal gangs.

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Wing and a prayer for Bombers

The scientist at the centre of Essendon's controversial performance supplements program says it was within the rules of the World Anti-Doping Agency. Courtesy: 7.30, ABC

Steve Dank has told the ABC's 7.30 that Essendon coach James Hird was fully informed about the nature of the program the biochemist was paid to run at the club. Courtesy: 7.30, ABC

Former Essendon sports scientist Stephen Dank in 2005 with NRL club Manly. Source: The Daily Telegraph

SAMPLES from a "tank" of frozen blood could be flown to a Cologne laboratory as part of the doping authority investigation into Essendon's use of supplements last season.

As former Essendon sports scientist Stephen Dank proclaimed his innocence last night, it emerged a world-first test for peptides could be used to analyse blood from Bombers players.

About 1000 frozen drug samples have been taken from athletes across Australia who are under suspicion for doping, have been previously target-tested or have achieved success, including Grand Final wins.

It is expected the blood of some Essendon players taken last year would be in the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority's repository, dubbed the "Tank" by insiders.

If that blood tested positive for performance-enhancing peptides, it would be sufficient proof that Essendon players had been injected with illegal substances, whether knowingly or otherwise.

Essendon officials last night briefed the parents of players, as the club braced for the full-scale Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority and AFL probe.

Dank says coaches took drugs

It is expected the majority of players or even the entire list would soon be interviewed, as will the coaches.

The advanced testing would prove crucial in the ASADA probe, as peptides can not be detected in regulation tests and Dank is adamant he did nothing wrong.

Watson: Players' parents in good spirits

Re-testing blood could provide concrete proof, as would Australian Crime Commission evidence uncovered in its year-long investigation.

The Crime Commission has confirmed using wire taps, coercive interviews and surveillance to amass evidence for its report.

Former ASADA chief executive Richard Ings told the Herald Sun yesterday it was common for new testing procedures to be used in ASADA investigations.

Essendon recruit Brendon Goddard says his new Bombers teammates are anxious about the doping probe.

"If new intelligence comes up then you can thaw out the samples and target-test it," Ings said.

"In the case of peptide hormones there was no test for it, but now there is a German lab and ASADA can take Player X's sample and send it to Germany and have it tested for peptide hormones.

"It gives you a second bite of the cherry.

"If there is only one lab in the world which has a certain test, it is common to put it on a plane and get it tested."

Ings did not want to comment on the Essendon probe, but noted examples of players being given a 75 per cent discount on two-year bans if they could prove they had not knowingly ingested banned substances.

"They have to show they have no knowledge of what is going on, (and be) able to demonstrate exactly who gave it to them, and prove that the person gave it to him," Ings said.

"It is rare, but there are case studies and examples of it happening."

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