Giant step with NSW bloodlines

NSW country boys Joe Redfern and Zac Williams will be selected by the GWS in today's rookie draft. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: The Daily Telegraph

THE GWS Giants will field eight players from country NSW and ACT in 2013 with the club set to add two more bush babies to their list as the first graduates from their million-dollar academy.

The club will today promote 18-year-old NSW products Zac Williams, from Narrandera, and Joseph Redfern, from Wagga Wagga, drafting the pair through the 2012 AFL rookie draft in Melbourne.

 Giants academy manager Lachlan Buzzard believes it is a sign of things to come and expects NSW to explode as a talent pool for AFL clubs in the next few years.

 "It gives hope to a lot of kids that there's a pathway for them," he said.

 In 2011, every player on the club's rookie list played a game of AFL football and the club is again confident Williams and Redfern can make the huge step to play AFL in their first year as senior players.

 Williams, who graduated from Narrandera High School in November, was the only player from NSW to be asked to the annual AFL draft camp in Melbourne and was the best NSW performer at the 2012 Under-18 national championships.

 The hard-running Indigenous Australia half-back has been part of the Giants academy since the start of 2011 and moved to Sydney three weeks ago.

 The Giants academy and Sydney Swans youth academy were designed in response to the worrying lack of junior talent advancing to AFL level.

 Kurt Aylett (Leeton), Josh Bruce (Canberra), Anthony Miles (Howlong), Sam Schulz (Culcairn) and Jacob Townsend (Leeton) are also local products.

 Williams and Redfern are just two of many NSW products expected to be snapped up in today's rookie draft with the Swans also expected to promote Sydney locals from their academy, including Swan star Kieren Jack's brother Brandon, from Pennant Hills.

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Port passes but gives Liam lifeline

Liam Jarrah arrives at the Port Adelaide Football Club for a trial training run. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: The Advertiser

FORMER Port Adelaide and Essendon star Che Cockatoo-Collins has called for the Power to commit to drafting Liam Jurrah next year if he fulfils his part of the bargain after the club decided to pass on taking Jurrah in today's pre-season and rookie drafts.

Cockatoo-Collins said he understood Port's decision, with new coach Ken Hinkley and the board taking into account reaction from sponsors and members.

But he called on the club to give Jurrah a clear path to returning to the AFL.

"Liam's given his commitment," Cockatoo-Collins said.

"He's been to all of the training sessions, done everything that's been asked of him and presented in a good shape  ... they now need to show a commitment to him if he does everything that's asked of him.

"It would give Liam a clear line of sight.

"They've done it with players before, like (former Fitzroy player Stephen) Paxman."

Cockatoo-Collins' call comes as some of the game's most respected indigenous voices remain hopeful Jurrah can return to the game.

Jurrah, 24, was invited to train with the club over summer after quitting Melbourne last year and has already forged some bonds with players at Alberton but Port felt that it was neither in its, nor Jurrah's, interest to rush a return.

Not only does he have a court case hanging over his head over aggravated assault charges that will be decided in the Northern Territory in March, there are also some concerns over his fitness because of lingering injuries.

But the club has vowed to do what it can to help Jurrah, who wants to live in Adelaide where he's close to family, to return to the AFL.

Cockatoo-Collins, who alongside Michael Long was a flag bearer for indigenous players in the 1990s, said he would be shattered if the game gave up on Jurrah.

"The main thing is for people to become better educated to understand what he's going through," Cockatoo-Collins said.

"It's taken him a long time to get where he is and he's travelled a road that's been a lot harder than other (indigenous) players.

"Treating everybody the same is not the same as equality."

Port Adelaide's assistance measures include:

RECRUITING Jurrah to the Port Adelaide Magpies in the SANFL next season.

WORKING with the AFL and the AFL players' union to help him with his court case.

OFFERING a paid job with Power Community Ltd in community development and

HELPING Jurrah in his rehabilitation from injury.

Port Adelaide football manager Peter Rohde said the Power would do what it could for Jurrah to get back to AFL football - even if he did not eventually land at Alberton.

"We believe these measures will enable Liam to have the best possible opportunity to find his way back into the AFL system in great physical condition, with proven form at SANFL level and with those non-football matters fully dealt with," Rohde said.

"All going well, that could be through any club in the AFL but we would love it to be with Port Adelaide if everything works out."

AFL community engagement manager Jason Mifsud applauded Port for its efforts.

It wasn't lost how Jurrah had taken a different path from most indigenous players, having come from the red centre with English as a second language.

"Liam Jurrah has the talent to play at AFL level, as he has shown already in his career, and can also be a strong example for many players from remote communities that it is possible to play at the highest level, no matter what part of Australia you hail from," Mifsud said.

"Liam is dealing with very serious off-field issues and these matters need to be resolved as the key priority in his life. He has expressed the desire to return to play at AFL level and we are appreciative of Port Adelaide's moves to support him."

Kurt Tippett's arrival at Sydney will be one of the few highlights of a pre-season draft where many clubs will pass on the 17 total picks.

A handful of Melbourne clubs are expected to pass on pre-season picks today and instead secure players on expanded rookie lists.

Richmond (pick 5), Carlton (pick 7) and Collingwood (picks 11, 16) will instead take rookie selections.

Clubs must contract players for two years in the pre-season draft, but can take them on one-year deals as rookies.

Carlton will rookie-list Andrew Collins, leaving space to elevate rookies Tom Bell and Ed Curnow in March. The Blues had asked ex-Essendon midfielder Kyle Reimers to train with them, but he instead returned home to play in the WAFL.

Richmond will rookie-list former Geelong ruckman Orren Stephenson, while the Dogs seem to be favouring Brent Prismall over Adam Goodes's brother Brett.

Collingwood has already foreshadowed its determination to pass on its pre-season picks and take several untried juniors, alongside journeyman ruckman Ben Hudson and delisted defender Peter Yagmoor.

West Coast could make the shock selection of former ruckman Mark Seaby as ruck back-up.

Essendon looks set to overlook Dayle Garlett, feeling he has not convinced them of his training standards in the week he has spent at the club.

- with Jon Ralph
 

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Judd takes a step aside

Former captain Chris Judd requests exclusion from Carlton's new-look leadership group.

Superstar Chris Judd is stepping aside at Carlton. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

CHRIS Judd says he is looking forward to playing football without the burden and public glare of the Carlton captaincy.

As revealed by the Herald Sun last month, Judd, 29, has decided to step down from the leadership role to cash in on his twilight years.

The dual Brownlow medallist revealed he would not be part of Carlton's next leadership group under coach Mick Malthouse.

Judd's replacement will not be named until late February, but midfielders Marc Murphy, Andrew Carrazzo and Kade Simpson are vying for the job.

"I am looking forward to getting back to enjoying the essence of footy and not having as much responsibility around the club," Judd said yesterday.

"I certainly won't be pushing any less hard to bring success and will still have an active role, however it just won't be in an official leadership capacity."

Judd was frustrated at times last year - a season marred by his "chicken-wing tackle" furore - and was keen to offload some of the leadership responsibility in Malthouse's first year.

The champion midfielder is challenging an AFL ruling that his $200,000-a-year third-party payment from packaging giant Visy must be included in the club's salary cap next year for the first time.

The feud with the AFL will not affect his teammates, though, because the Blues can accommodate the $200,000 within their cap.

Jon Anderson: Three in frame to lead Blues

In a letter, the AFL offered Carlton a stay of proceedings over its total player payment position until the dispute was resolved.

Judd's management met outgoing AFL football operations boss Adrian Anderson last week, and the Blues star now has a 14-day cooling-off period before a probable grievance hearing.

The dispute shows no sign of being resolved quickly now Anderson is departing and grievance tribunal chairman Jack Rush has joined the St Kilda board.

The Blues are hoping for a reversal of the league's ruling because the contract is identical to a deal approved by salary-cap investigator Ken Wood several years ago.

The AFL has said Carlton had repeated warnings that Judd's deal was likely to be excluded from the salary cap when it was renewed.

But Carlton is believed to have been told mid-year by Wood that the new deal probably would be approved after some minor details were resolved.

Judd has played 239 games and is still considered one of the game's best midfielders.

It is understood Malthouse wants to spread more of the leadership responsibility on younger shoulders.

Carlton's football manager Andrew McKay paid tribute to Judd yesterday.

"Chris has been outstanding in his role as captain and we respect his decision to step down," he said.

"His discipline and professionalism around the club has really set a benchmark for all players to adhere too and although he won't officially be a leader anymore, we expect his influence to continue."

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Shrinking talent pool for AFL clubs

Kurt Tippett is hoping he survives until pick No.11 in today's pre-season draft so he ends up at his preferred destination at Sydney. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: adelaidenow

FOOTBALL insiders call today the Kurt Tippett draft, because the biggest question is whether Tippett will last to No.11 in the pre-season pick to end up with Sydney.

Apart from that, the focus is on the shrinking drafts.

Both the pre-season and rookie drafts will be completed within an estimated 30 minutes this morning, with only 20-odd untried players likely to join the system through the rookie draft.

Clubs now have room for four rather than six rookies and many are re-committing to players they had to cut to take part in the national draft.

Two prominent South Australians are in that category: Nick Joyce will be picked up by the Crows after being temporarily axed and Dean Brogan is expected to be re-drafted by Greater Western Sydney, which dropped him to have a crack at departed Crows forward Tippett.

AFL national talent manager Kevin Sheehan said although tight, the rookie draft still offered hope for younger players.

And with the Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney established, Sheehan expected there would be more hope for players over the age of 20 to be snapped up.

Clubs were likely to look wider for ready-made talent in state competitions, he said.

Players such as Steven Morris, who made it to Richmond after winning West Adelaide's best-and-fairest and Central District premiership player Ian Callinan, who made it on to the Crows' list in his late 20s, are likely to be part of the game rather than an aberration.

"It looks like half of the players who are new talent will be mature-age players and the other ones will be the younger ones," Sheehan said.

"But there's only 20 or so players to be taken - maybe a dozen or so young ones and a dozen older ones.

"I think the rookie list was only as big as it was because of the (league) expansion and now it's come back into what it was originally.

"Normally there's an average of over 50 taken and it looks like half of that will be taken in this rookie draft. So it makes it pretty tight."

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SA clubs back fight against drugs

Adelaide Crows football list manager David Noble. Picture: Ray Titus Source: The Advertiser

SOUTH Australia's two football clubs have warned there is much work to do in the game's fight against illicit drugs and The Advertiser understands the issue will be looked at as soon as next week.

The move comes as several club officials are becoming concerned with the widespread use of "party drugs" and the role they are playing in players' lives.

The AFL's football managers have a meeting with a wide-ranging agenda in Melbourne next Tuesday and the issue of drugs is certain to come up.

It is understood several of the football managers across the competition have had long talks not only with their players but also their own teenaged children about the nightclub environment.

What has been learnt is that footballers are likely to be offered illicit drugs every time they venture out for a late-night adventure and are often offered the drugs without charge because the dealers like having celebrity around them.

The issue surrounding illicit drugs was raised by Collingwood chief executive Gary Pert at the last AFL chief executive meeting on the Gold Coast before the national draft on November 22.

Adelaide Football Club's David Noble agreed it was a concerning issue.

"It's an issue we spend a lot of time on as part of our behaviour committee," Noble said.

"The main thing is to try to keep ahead of the curve but we'd be happy to be part of any program that can address this and give us a better understanding."

Port Adelaide football department chief Peter Rohde said work needed to be done on the issue and said the club would do all it could.

Rohde suggested it was dangerous for football clubs to stick their heads in the sand and say the problem was elsewhere.

"We understand it's a problem in society and we know our players are exposed to it," Rohde said.

"It would be naive to think that they're not going to be exposed to it and we're very reluctant to take the moral high ground on this.

"I think we're like most clubs here - we're more than happy to be involved to see if we can protect our players' welfare and warn them of the dangers."

AFL spokesman Patrick Keane said the issue of illicit drugs would get another hearing at the next chief executives' meeting in Melbourne next month.
 

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Houli award for breaking down divide

Richmond player Bachar Houli, with wife Rouba, says the award gives him more confidence to continue to break down the barriers. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

RICHMOND'S Bachar Houli - the first devout Muslim to play in the AFL - has been recognised for his efforts to create a better understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims.

Former Prime Minister Bob Hawke suggested the award, which was created with the Australia Day Council and the University of South Australia's Centre for Muslim and non-Muslim Understanding.

The university has received $10 million government funding for the centre and has worked with Hawke on research to create a positive change.

Houli, who works part-time as an AFL multicultural ambassador, will be presented with his award at the university today.

"Bob Hawke had the idea that it should be recognised and I'm extremely honoured to be the first to receive this award," Houli said.

"It provides more confidence for me to continue to strive to break down those barriers.

"In the football environment, I believe I have made a small difference, but I'm not going to stop because I believe there is still a lot of improvement and I am trying my best to educate people."

Houli asked for people not to be afraid to ask questions about the Muslim religion and said they should be more open, understanding and not narrow-minded.

"It's just open your eyes and just listen and if you do have a question to ask, don't be afraid," he said.

"There is always going to be that minority that don't understand and I guess it's ignorance. If I can change one or two people's perception I feel like I have done my job."

AFL National Community Engagement manager Jason Mifsud said Houli influenced many young Australian Muslims.

"This award is a credit to the ground-breaking work Bachar is doing to enhance understanding of his religion and increase social inclusion within communities around Australia," Mifsud said.

Houli launched the Bachar Houli Cup, an inter Islamic schools football competition involving schools across Victoria and established the Bachar Houli Academy.

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Drug use rife among draftees

Footy's drug summit will be told some teenage AFL recruits are already schooled in illegal drugs use when they join the game's top ranks. Source: News Limited

FOOTY'S drug summit will be told some teenage AFL recruits are already schooled in illegal drugs use when they join the game's top ranks.

The Herald Sun can reveal a senior club figure raised the drugs problem at a meeting with Victorian Sports Minister Hugh Delahunty last week.

He told the Minister some recruits already knew of ways to avoid detection in drug tests when they arrived in the AFL system.

At least one Victorian club will allege at an industry-wide drugs symposium to be held in January that draftees are running the gauntlet on drugs in their first season in the AFL.

The summit was called after Collingwood chief executive Gary Pert warned of "volcanic behaviour" among footballers on their off-season breaks.

The under-18 TAC Cup competition is the major recruiting ground for AFL clubs, providing the bulk of talent at the national draft.

One AFL club boss told the Herald Sun: "I know it to be. Have a look at schoolies. I think the kids are turning to these things earlier on, and not necessarily out of recreation, but because of their backgrounds.

"It's hard out there in the suburbs for a lot of kids and they do turn to drugs. I think they are more accepted at a younger age now.

"Schools are beside themselves -- from the best schools to the most working-class, so why would we think that just because they are in the First XVIII they are not doing it?"

Clubs will use January's meeting to push for greater control of the contentious three-strikes illicit drug testing regime and the right to know which players have recorded strikes.

Under existing rules, only the club doctor is informed of positive tests.

A rise in the number of AFL players self-reporting the use of substances to avoid drug strikes will also be tabled.

The Herald Sun has detailed a spike in players self-reporting the use of drugs to AFL medical directors Dr Peter Harcourt and Dr Harry Unglik.

By self-reporting, players avoid registering a positive drug test and a strike against their name.

The concern is restricted to a small number of players, most from the same Melbourne club.

Allegations of players supplying drugs to teammates will also be raised.

The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority conducts some drug tests at the under-18 national championships, but not the lower grades.

Veteran Geelong Falcons regional manager Michael Turner said he took offence at the notion of illicit drug use in the TAC Cup.

"Categorically, absolutely not. I have run the Geelong Falcons for AFL Victoria and the AFL for 18 years and they are fantastic kids -- very disciplined kids," Turner said.

"In my time I have never seen any evidence of anything like that. So for anyone to say that ... it's absolute rubbish. I'm offended by it."

Turner said TAC Cup players received the same education on drugs, alcohol, racism and respect and responsibility as AFL footballers.

"What happens after they get drafted and they grow up is an issue for whatever club and environment they are in. So I can't speak for that, because they are adults."

Federal legislation states that ASADA agents can drug test any sporting competition at any level at any time.

A memo to TAC Cup clubs last year said testing was "unlikely to occur" at club level, but would take place at the elite national championships.

Dandenong Stingrays regional manager Mark Wheeler said he had never encountered drug use among his players.

But another TAC Cup official, who asked not be named, said club's would be naive to think junior players were not experimenting with drugs, alcohol and gambling.

"There is a lot of temptation out there -- that's just a reality," he said.

But he said the structure and discipline of junior sport gave troubled kids a better chance in life.

Asked about the drugs in football debate, Delahunty told the Herald Sun: "Drugs of any kind are not welcome in sport. However, this is a matter for the AFL as the controlling body."
 

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Garlett might miss the boat again

No guarantees at Essendon: Dayle Garlett sprints away from Christian Salem at the under-18 national championships at Etihad Stadium. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Herald Sun

GIFTED youngster Dayle Garlett faces the prospect of being snubbed in tomorrow's rookie draft.

Garlett, named in the under-18 All-Australian team after a stellar national championships, was expected to win a lifeline from Essendon.

The Bombers invited the Swan Districts player to train with them after he was overlooked in the national draft.

The Herald Sun understands Essendon is not inclined to draft him.

Coach James Hird hinted that the club would scrutinise Garlett's character.

"No doubt there's a lot of talent there and the way he plays his football excites everyone," Hird said.

"We've just got to work out whether someone like Dayle fits our group."

Recruiters around the country were of the view the 18-year-old was a first-round draft pick based on talent, but Garlett has been dogged by bad publicity relating to off-field issues.

He was kicked out of the AIS-AFL Academy and missed several WAFL games through club suspensions.

Social media photos of him drinking and smoking did further damage to his reputation.

Swan Districts is astounded at Garlett's predicament, with coach Greg Harding said Garlett was no angel but had done nothing "horrible". Harding said Garlett was a potential 200-game player.

 He was kicked out of the elite AIS-AFL Academy last summer and missed several WAFL games through internal club suspensions. Social media photos of him drinking and smoking did further harm to his reputation.

No other AFL club, including local teams West Coast and Fremantle, appears willing to take a punt on him.

Swan Districts is astounded at Garlett's predicament, with coach Greg Harding saying yesterday he was "staggered we're even having the conversation".

Harding said Garlett's issues related mostly to poor time management and said AFL clubs would be passing up a potential 200-game player.

"I'm not saying that he's an angel, but show me exactly what he's done that's been horrible," Harding said.

"These AFL clubs spend millions and millions of dollars on their footy departments. They have an exorbitant amount of resources at their disposal in terms of manpower and not one of those 18 clubs is going to back themselves to put the kid in their culture and give him an opportunity.

"At this stage they've left a kid still at WAFL level who is quite clearly in the top-five players, on talent, in the country."

Harding said Garlett was finding it tough to come to terms with the fact he was required to live differently to his mates.

"He's like any other young 18-year-old bloke that's just got his licence and can get into a nightclub or a pub and have a beer," he said.

"But what he needs to understand is that he's not like any other kid. I think he's got the potential to be an elite AFL player and if you're going to be able to do that then you have to prepare yourself differently to other 18-year-old kids."

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Kids know how to play game

Magpies chief executive Gary Pert started the ball rolling for a drugs summit when he warned of' "volcanic behaviour" among footballers on their off-season breaks. Picture: Jay Town Source: Herald Sun

FOOTY'S drug summit will be told some teenage AFL recruits are already schooled in illegal drugs use when they join the game's top ranks.

The Herald Sun can reveal a senior club figure raised the drugs problem at a meeting with Victorian Sports Minister Hugh Delahunty last week.

He told the minister some recruits knew of ways to avoid detection in drug tests when they arrived in the AFL.

At least one Victorian club will allege at an industry-wide drugs symposium to be held in January that draftees are running the gauntlet on drugs in their first season in the AFL.

The summit was called after Collingwood chief executive Gary Pert warned of' "volcanic behaviour" among footballers on their off-season breaks.

The under-18 TAC Cup competition is the major recruiting ground for AFL clubs, providing the bulk of talent at the national draft.

One AFL club boss told the Herald Sun: "I know it to be. Have a look at Schoolies. I think the kids are turning to these things earlier on, and not necessarily out of recreation but because of their backgrounds.

"It's hard out there in the suburbs for a lot of kids and they do turn to drugs. I think they are more accepted at a younger age now.

Schools are beside themselves - from the best schools to the most working-class. So why would we think that just because they are in the first XVIII they are not doing it?

Clubs will use January's meeting to push for greater control of the contentious three-strikes illicit drug-testing regimen and the right to know which players have recorded strikes.

Under existing rules, only the club doctor is informed of positive tests.

A rise in the number of AFL players reporting the use of substances to avoid drug strikes will also be tabled.

The Herald Sun has detailed a spike in players self-reporting the use of drugs to AFL medical directors Dr Peter Harcourt and Dr Harry Unglik.

By self-reporting, players avoid registering a positive drug test and a strike against their name.

The concern is restricted to a small number of players, most from the same Melbourne club.

Allegations of players supplying drugs to teammates will also be raised.

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Power reserves long way off

Port Adelaide Power chief executive Keith Thomas says the Magpies are an important part of the furniture in the SANFL. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: The Advertiser

PORT Adelaide chief executive Keith Thomas says any expectation the Magpies are destined to become a Power reserves side is misguided, saying his club was "a long way from that position".

The reserves issue has been placed on the backburner as the debate over the future of SA's two AFL club licences takes precedence but there is growing speculation the Power and Crows will want reserves teams by 2014.

Many SANFL clubs have begun preparing for the departure of their AFL-listed players in 12 months' time, with some considering whether to pass on their selections in this year's mini draft.

Thomas has gone on the record to argue the case for a Power reserves side but said there was "no appetite" at Alberton to have one come at the cost of the Magpies.

"It assumes that we would select a Port Adelaide reserves side over the Magpies and I'm not at all sure we would do that," Thomas said. "There's certainly no appetite from this end to have that happen at all."

Thomas' statement suggests that if the SANFL stands its ground on not allowing Crows or Power reserves teams in its league competition and prevents the Power from placing all its excess players with the Magpies, a Power reserves side may be unachievable in the short term.

Port is not expected to be able to afford to finance both a reserves team and the Magpies and if it's forced to choose will have to weigh the perceived benefits of having a development side against the loss of its SANFL side.

"We want to protect the Magpies," Thomas said.

"The Magpies are an important part of the furniture in the SANFL. We're not rushing into any of these sort of solutions without having a really significant discussion about it. The Magpies are very, very important to us."

Thomas said he expects the conversation to play out through 2013 and called for a round table discussion on the issue down the track.

"We need some big picture thinking here and we have not been involved in those discussions at a meaningful level because of the licence debate," he said.

"John Olsen made it really clear he wasn't going to talk about that issue (AFL reserves) until the licence issue was done first."

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