Family drives draft hopeful Aliir

Sudanese-born draft hopeful Aliir Aliir. Picture: Mark Calleja. Source: The Courier-Mail

WHEN Aliir Aliir needs to dig deep, he thinks of his family.

From the moment the 18-year-old saw his first speccie three years ago, the spring-heeled ruckman has been hooked on footy.

But being drafted tonight would not only grant his sporting wish. A chance in the AFL could re-unite - and help support - his mother, brothers and cousins.

Born in a Kenyan refugee camp, Aliir's family fled war-torn Sudan for a new life in Australia in 2003.

But recently they have spread around the country.

"We are separated," Aliir said.

"That's why I keep saying to myself, `If only I can do something and make it to pro football I will be able to help my family out and re-unite them and bring them together so they can live as one.

"It motivates me, makes me want to do the extra kilometre, the extra work."

The 194cm excitement machine jumps like he has springs in his legs and follows up at ground level, barging through clusters of players, like he has watched West Coast powerhouse Nic Naitanui all his life.

Although still raw, Aspley football manager Mark Perkins is convinced Aliir can progress to AFL ranks.

"It's blown me away how good his tap work has become," Perkins said.

"He's definitely got a Nic Naitanui-type quality."

If only I can make it to pro football I will be able to help my family out and re-unite them

At the national under-18 championships, he represented Queensland only three years after he first took the game up.

The Aspley community, led by the club and with AFL help, has rallied around Aliir, helping provide employment and accommodation for him.

He knows he has much to learn, but the last round of the NEAFL provided another step forward, when he was nominated for the Rising Star award.

"It was the best game I've ever had, I think I got like 20 hitouts and 18 or 20 possessions and a few tackles," he said.

Like so many others, Aliir is hoping his name is called out at tonight's national draft, or if not, next month in the rookie draft.

It would fulfil a prediction from Aliir's father, Mayom, that his boy would play professional sport.

"Dad was always telling mum, `You know, my son is going to grow up to play sport, because he is always running around with a soccer ball or basketball'," he said.

"My dad passed away when I was young and it's sad him not being here to show what I can do - about what he believed in - that I was meant to play sport."

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Pies come out trumps after reshuffle

Adelaide Football Club chairman Rob Chapman, with chief executive Steven Trigg (right),  says the decision to surrender the first two picks is about seeking the best overall outcome for the club. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: Herald Sun

COLLINGWOOD is among the big winners in the reshuffle and now commands picks 18, 19 and 20 after Adelaide surrendered its first two picks _ No.20 and 54 _ in tonight's national draft.

Richmond has four picks inside the first 42, while Greater Western Sydney has five selections inside the top 27.

But the Crows could yet be banned from participating in the first two rounds of the 2013 and 2014 national drafts, depending on the outcome of an AFL Commission hearing next Friday.

Besieged Crows chief executive Steven Trigg was a no-show at yesterday's league chief executive's conference on the Gold Coast, a further sign of his perilous position in the game.

Crows chairman Rob Chapman said the decision to surrender the first two picks was about seeking the best overall outcome for the club.

``We are in ongoing discussions with the AFL,'' Chapman said in a statement.

``This gesture forms part of those discussions and is made in good faith.''

Adelaide is already committed to using selection 95 to re-draft mature-age rookie Ian Callinan, meaning it will select just two new players for next season at picks 62 and 81.

The Crows, Trigg, football manager Phil Harper, former football operations manager John Reid and Tippett face 11 charges of engaging in conduct prejudicial to the draft and conduct in breach of the salary cap.

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Tippett in legal bid to escape Crows

Kurt Tippett could walk into the Sydney Swans' camp by the end of next week if a legal bid works. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: adelaidenow

A SUPREME Court injunction could pave the way for Kurt Tippett to become a Sydney Swans player within a week.

In a day of sensational twists to the AFL salary cap scandal, the star forward's lawyers are making a power-play to force the Crows to delist him by Wednesday.

The move would allow the AFL premiers to pick up Tippett as a delisted free agent in a four-year deal worth $3.5 million.

But the AFL has told Adelaide it cannot delist Tippett, which the player argues is an unfair penalty placed on him given the AFL Commission is yet to hear any evidence in the case.

Tippett and his lawyer, David Galbally QC, want to take the dispute to the AFL grievance tribunal, but could be forced into Victorian Supreme Court action due to time constraints.

The delisted free agency period expires on Wednesday. If cut free before the deadline, Tippett can walk to the club of his choice.

The AFL and key lawyers for all parties in the salary cap saga have scheduled a meeting for tomorrow in a bid to clear up any procedural matters that could slow down the official hearing.

It is effectively a briefing, with one of the issues to be discussed whether AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou should be involved in making the final call given the Tippett camp believes he is conflicted because he has spoken at length to Chapman about the alleged breaches.

Meanwhile, one of Australia's leading betting agencies reckon that Tippett could be making his moves on the dance floor rather than the football field in 2013.

Sportsbet.com.au has Tippett a $9 favourite to appear on next year's edition of Dancing With The Stars  ahead of appearing on a television commercial for a national bank ($21) while he's a $51 chance to be given the keys to the city of Adelaide which were recently taken back from disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong.

The former basketballer has also been marked a $101 chance of joining the Adelaide 36ers while he's $501 to replace Steven Trigg as the Adelaide Crows CEO.

"Who knows what he will be doing next year, but one thing seems sure, he has burnt his bridges in Adelaide and the locals won't be forgetting it any time soon," sportsbet.com.au's Shaun Anderson said.

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Don't let Crows off the hook yet

Tough times ahead for the Crows: Rory Sloane might be sharing a lighter moment with coach Brenton Sanderson but the Adelaide club faces many difficult days further down the road. Source: Getty Images

THE decision by Adelaide to cough up draft picks could be a prudent one. Plea bargaining might soften the blow. And it might not. It should not.

The AFL should not be fooled into employing any sense of warmth and forgiveness ahead of next week's hearing into how, when and why and how much the Crows entertained Kurt Tippett with payments outside the cap.

Until yesterday, the Crows were allegedly dirty, rotten, stinking, salary-cap cheaters.

"Allegedly" can now be dropped.

By formally approaching the AFL Commission and offering up their first two selections in tonight's draft - picks No.20 and No.54 - the Crows have admitted their guilt.

Why else would they do it?

They hope to somewhat appease the AFL Commission by throwing themselves on their sword, and hope the decision-makers of the game, the upholders of all that is good and right about the game, feel some sympathy.

But what have they really given up in a compromised draft? Pick No.20, which is not exactly pick No.5, and a third-rounder.

They were expected to be lost anyway before this week's hearing was delayed.

The Crows' decision smacks of desperation.

They called it a "goodwill gesture" and a "common-sense initiative".

Mostly always, however, when a wrong is admitted to, there is a sense of mercy.

The AFL said yesterday the decision by Adelaide chairman Rob Chapman to contact them on Tuesday night, and probably with hand on heart and a handkerchief in the other, would be taken into count in Adelaide's favour.

"I think it's the right move," AFL football operations boss Adrian Anderson said yesterday. "I think they should get credit for that."

Clearly, the Crows' move has already made inroads.

The AFL must be mindful, though, that deliberate salary cap cheating and tanking are the two main scourges of the game, and that plea bargaining involving either of them should not be entertained.

For three years, it has been reported, they paid Tippett outside the cap.

So, banishment from three drafts - this one by their hand, and 2013 and 2014 - is a possibility. Next year's draft is a necessity. Plus a fine. Plus banishment from the game for persons involved. As for deliberately losing ... that's even worse.

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Crows to rely on free agents in 2013

Adelaide Crows will use tonight's no. 95 pick to elevate mature-age rookie Ian Callinan. The Crows have forfeited its first two selections in the draft. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: adelaidenow

ADELAIDE has vowed to invest heavily in next year's free agency and trade period after yesterday taking a shock draft hit.

In a clear admission of guilt in the Kurt Tippett salary cap scandal, the Crows withdrew their first two selections (20 and 54) at tonight's national draft as they brace for heavy draft penalties and fines from the AFL.

In what amounted to a football plea bargain, Adelaide struck an extraordinary deal with the league to take a short-term hit for longer-term gain.

It will now have picks 62, 81 and 95 (to be used on upgrading mature-age rookie Ian Callinan) at tonight's draft.

The Crows' stunning decision to surrender their earlier selections is strategic - and smacks of them knowing they are going to be hit with severe penalties at AFL House on Friday, November 30.

That's when the AFL Commission will hear 11 charges against the Crows, chief executive Steven Trigg, football manager Phil Harper, former football operations manager John Reid and wantaway Tippett for engaging in conduct prejudicial to the draft and in breach of the total player payments provisions.

We see this as a pragmatic gesture made in good faith

The club and Trigg each face three charges, Reid and Tippett two and Harper one.

The hearing, which already has been adjourned, will be held at AFL House in Melbourne on Friday, November 30.

Adelaide has employed four high-powered lawyers to fight its charges but it is understood it has been told to expect heavy punishment, including the loss of its first two picks from at least the 2013 and 2014 national drafts.

This prompted yesterday's dramatic move, which AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson said would be taken into account when the league next week hands down its findings into the Tippett case.

"We see this as a pragmatic gesture made in good faith," Chapman said in a statement.

"We are in ongoing discussions with the AFL and this is all about seeking the best overall outcome for the Adelaide Football Club."

Believing its playing list is in good shape and having made a commitment to re-draft second-year midfielder Nick Joyce - the fall guy in the Tippett saga - in the pre-season draft, the Crows preferred to take part of their draft hit now.

Tonight's draft is the last compromised draft and Adelaide has modest picks. With star mini-draft pick Brad Crouch promoted to its senior list, the club knows penalties at future drafts will hurt it more.

Chapman refused to elaborate on the club's decision to hand back picks 20 and 54 but said it was working towards protecting its on-field future.

And he vowed to spend the $700,000-a-year the club is saving in losing Tippett, who plans to join premier Sydney in the pre-season draft, to lure key players to West Lakes in next year's free agency and exchange period.

"We will be pro-active in that area next year, no doubt," Chapman told The Advertiser.

"We are well placed to spend some money on players we think can help our football club and the process of identifying those players will start shortly."

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Crows can weather Tippett storm

Adelaide Crows should be able to buy themselves out of the trouble caused by the Kurt Tippett scandal. Source: The Advertiser

ADELAIDE will be able to buy its way out of trouble as it battles future draft sanctions, with confirmation the Crows will still have full free agency and trade rights.

Brenton Sanderson's side is bracing to be hit hard by the AFL Commission over the Kurt Tippett affair, potentially losing their first two picks for 2013 and 2014.

But while they face the loss of draft picks and even premiership points, the league will not stop the club from accessing talent from other pathways.

With a young talented list, an emerging star forward in Taylor Walker and mini-draft recruit Brad Crouch starting next year, they are well placed to weather the storm.

The Crows will lose Kurt Tippett in the pre-season draft but it will create as much as $700,000 a year of salary cap room which the club can use to chase free agency or trade targets.

In effect, the Crows now have 12 months to plan for the loss of Tippett and those picks.

It remains to be seen whether the commission will take into account Adelaide's position of power and ability to recruit elsewhere when it makes its ruling.

Carlton was powerless to rebuild when it lost high picks from its 2002 salary cap rorting given the premium placed on top-ten selections a decade ago.

But with multiple pathways including international rookies and free agency, Sanderson would still believe the Crows could survive and even prosper.

It would be restraint of trade not to allow players to be traded, so the Crows have access to the rookie list, free restricted and unrestricted free agents, and late picks in the draft.

Even if they lose early picks in coming drafts, they will still have to take three draft selections in every draft.

Yesterday after consulting with the AFL Players Association delisted Crow Nick Joyce decided to withdraw from the national draft and instead nominate for the pre-season draft.

The Crows now have two picks in the national draft - 20 and 54 - and will elevate rookie Ian Callinan with pick 64.

Some list managers believe Adelaide would have been better suited to start serving any penalty from Thursday's draft given they have just two live picks and will lose Tippett anyway.

But a submission from Adelaide and football manager Phil Harper saw the AFL put back the AFL Commission meeting at which they will judge the Crows.

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Second grab for ex-Lion Clouston

Former Brisbane Lion Scott Clouston, 25, is hoping for a second chance in the AFL. Picture: Peter Wallis. Source: The Courier-Mail

SCOTT Clouston insists he is better equipped to handle his second, and final, chance in the AFL.

The former Lions player has nominated for tomorrow night's national draft.

At 25, Clouston could be a ready-made senior player.

Clouston is only just realising his potential after discovering the code as an 18-year-old.

"I got there and then injury robbed me of another chance," the Redland forward said.

"I think I'm good enough and I just need an opportunity to prove it."

Clouston was rookie listed by the Lions in 2007 and played two matches for the Lions in 2008. Groin injuries ruined his 2009 season and he was de-listed.

But Clouston established himself as one of the NEAFL's dominant key forwards.

The 194cm target made the state side and in September finished only one vote shy of winning the Grogan Medal for the NEAFL's best and fairest.

Clouston has been interviewed by a handful of AFL clubs.

Melbourne are set to crush Jack Viney's hopes by overlooking his best mate, Ollie Wines, with pick No.4 after a last-minute reshuffle of Greater Western Sydney's top-three picks.

The Dees will choose South Australian Jimmy Toumpas, pushing Wines to the Bulldogs at pick No.5.

Melbourne had believed Toumpas was Giants-bound with their second pick.

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Lions spoiled for choice with No.8

Brisbane could target small forward Troy Menzel, who plays for Central District in the SANFL. He is the brother of Geelong's Daniel Menzel. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: adelaidenow

DRAFT guru Kevin Sheehan says Brisbane will be spoilt for choice at pick No.8 in tomorrow night's national draft on the Gold Coast.

Sheehan, the AFL national talent manager, said this year's draft was blessed with one of the deepest pools of talent for several years.

"Its depth is fantastic," Sheehan said.

"We've tested 220 players from all over the country and 150 to 180 of them you could entertain as good enough to be drafted or rookie listed, so some good young footballers are going to miss out at that bottom end.

"We are rapt with what we've got up front with the top 30 or 40 kids who are certain to be drafted.

"Some years it falls away after the top 20 and it gets a bit thin but we are quite bullish on the depth in this draft.

"There's some terrific talent out there.

"A club like St Kilda is happy to have two picks in the twenties and two picks in the forties because they know they will get some good kids into the club with those picks."

Sheehan said Brisbane had plenty of options at pick No.8 and it depended on what style of players the Lions are after most.

The Lions showed during the trade period that they are keen to bolster both their midfield stocks and recruit some tall timber with captain Jonathan Brown nearing the end of his outstanding career.

"Most of the clubs will have that discussion about whether they go for a tall or a midfielder and Brisbane will certainly be one of those clubs," Sheehan said.

"There's a bunch of midfielders there and some quality talls as well and GWS can't get them all (GWS has five picks in the first 14 selections, including the first three)."

Sheehan said the likes of 194cm-tall key position player Kristian Jaksch, 192cm-tall defender Lachie Plowman or 195cm-tall defender Aidan Corr could come under Brisbane's microscope.

Mid-sized forwards such as SA product Sam Mayes, WA junior Josh Simpson and the 187cm-tall Troy Menzel, the brother of Geelong's Daniel Menzel, could loom as possible recruits for the Lions depending on what other clubs do on the night.

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Swans' recruiting looks the Goodes

Sydney's Adam Goodes was one of the best bargains in AFL draft history. Source: Herald Sun

BARGAINS such as Adam Goodes, who was pick No. 43 in 1997, come once in a lifetime. But if there are any gems in tomorrow's AFL draft, Sydney's recruiting team will be favoured to find them.

That the Swans have won flags seven years apart without dropping to the bottom of the ladder and collecting high draft picks is down to the ability of their talent-spotting team.

The team of list manager Kinnear Beatson, Ric Barham and Michael Agresta, can lay claim to some of the best recruiting in recent years.

"Kinnear's one of the very best," Swans boss Andrew Ireland said.

"You can't say it's luck because the good guys do it more often than not."

Beatson and his team know how to make a little go a long way - and this year's team was a case in point.

In 2009 the Swans snared two of the best youngsters in the league in Lewis Jetta (pick 14) and Sam Reid (38). In 2010 they got Luke Parker (40) and Alex Johnson (57). And Dan Hannebery was snapped up at selection 30 in 2008.

So, how does Beatson do so well at the draft? His philosophy is to pretend you're spending your own money.

"Every time we call a kid's name it's roughly around a $250,000 investment," Beatson said. "If it was your $250,000 what are you going for? High risk/high return or low risk/moderate return?"

Coach John Longmire and his assistants spent all of last week with the recruiting staff, watching Australia's best young talentand ranking them.

But not just physical talent is considered. "Lots of players are highly skilled and highly athletic but don't make it," Beatson said. "A few are unlucky with injury but, for the majority, it's the work rate. The grunt to do the work."

And it's not just youngsters they find - they trawl their opponents for diamonds in the rough. Josh Kennedy (Hawthorn), Shane Mumford (Geelong), Ted Richards (Essendon), Marty Mattner (Adelaide), Rhyce Shaw (Collingwood) and Mitch Morton (Richmond) were "surplus to requirements".

Longmire already has a premiership but he has asked Beatson and his team to freshen up his list of players.

Sydney have picks 23, 45, 47, 66, 67, 96 and 104. GWS Giants have 1, 2, 3, 12, 14, 28, 65,69 and 84. But Beatson knows how to manage a shopping list.

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Crows keep draft plan simple

Adelaide Crows believe they're already ahead of the game, having picked up Brad Crouch in last year's mini-draft. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: The Advertiser

ADELAIDE has vowed to take a best-available-player philosophy into tomorrow's AFL National Draft, despite the threat of long draft bans hanging over its head.

Having temporarily dodged a draft bullet as the AFL continues its investigations into the Kurt Tippett scandal, the Crows are under huge pressure to make the most of their two "live" picks at the Gold Coast draft.

Depending on the outcome of the Tippett investigation, this could be the last National Draft Adelaide is allowed to enter for two years.

Admitting they have holes to fill with tall players and outside run, the Crows have to get their picks - at numbers 20 and 54 - right.

If not, they could pay a long-term price.

"Clearly it's an important draft for us, but I think all drafts are important," Adelaide list manager David Noble said.

"The threat of being banned from upcoming drafts gives the perception this one has a bit of added importance for us.

"But we'll go about the draft process like we always do, which is to cash-in on all the homework we've done on players to get to this point.

"At pick 20, we're certainly confident of bringing in a player who we think can help round out our list and contribute for a long time."

Despite admitting to wanting to boost the club's tall and running stocks, Noble said he and recruiting manager Hamish Ogilvie - in his first draft in the head role after replacing Matt Rendell - would take the best player still on the draft board.

"You want the best talent, especially with a first-round pick," Noble said.

"The bottom line is you want to boost your talent pool at the draft. Positional needs and filling gaps on your list are best solved through trading or when you've got plenty of (draft) picks.

"We've only got two `live' selections so we'll take the best available players to keep building our list. If that means we have to trade in the future to fill holes, so be it."

Noble said he is confident this year's draft has plenty of first-round depth, enabling a young ace to fall into Adelaide's hands at No. 20.

Selection 20 has proven a mixed bag for clubs since the first national draft in 1986.

Port Adelaide premiership player and four times club champion Kane Cornes is the best player who has been snared at pick 20 (in 2000) while Fremantle's Nathan Fyfe (2009) is an emerging star.

But there have been plenty of flops, such as North Melbourne's Brett Hawkey (in 1989), Sydney's Stuart Mangin (1994), Hawthorn's Daniel Elstone (2001), Essendon's Tom Hisplop (2006) and West Coast's Tony Notte (2007), who played 32 games between them.

Noble said he is confident this year's draft has plenty of first-round depth, enabling a young ace to fall into Adelaide's hands at No. 20.

"We like the players who we think will be available to us in the first round, there's plenty of quality there," he said.

"And at No. 54 we think we can find someone who will also be able to come in and play a role for us."

The Crows already say they are a draft winner, claiming last year's mini-draft pick-up Brad Crouch would have been a certain top-three pick this year.

The 19-year-old - who already has spent a year on the Adelaide list - is expected to be in coach Brenton Sanderson's round one side next season.

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