Saints follow the leader

Scott Watters implemented the leadership model last season and believes it is starting to pay off. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: Herald Sun

ST KILDA pioneered co-captaincy in the 1990s and introduced captaincy rotation a decade ago, but under Scott Watters' coaching the Saints are employing a leadership model inspired by the all-conquering Hockeyroos.

St Kilda's structure involves 19 players spread across three leadership tiers: leaders, emerging leaders and mentors.

"I always watched with interest and admired what Ric Charlesworth was doing as coach of the Australian women's hockey team in the early 1990s," Watters said.

"They basically had Rechelle Hawkes as their captain, but they went through a phase where they made a deliberate decision to spread leadership among the whole group."

The four-time Olympian captained the Hockeyroos from 1993 to 2000, during which time they lost only one international tournament.

"They went through arguably their most successful period without a traditional captain, with the philosophy being that they were after a critical mass of leaders," Watters said.

"Part of it is that your leadership model needs to have a little bit of flexibility as your group grows.

"But to me it's less about the obvious leader at a club. It's more about how many people can we get into that frame of mind and have that skills set to drive the environment."

Watters implemented the structure last season and believes it is starting to pay off.

The Saints have a group of six mentors with 1305 games experience between them, one of whom attends meetings of the leadership group (twice a week) and emerging leaders (weekly).

"Every player on the list has a responsibility to lead.

"It's not just about the captain or even the leadership group, it's far broader than that. I'm not even concerned who tosses the coin on match day. In many ways it's one of the great traditions of the game, but it's not something that drives the group and their program," Watters said.

"It's the leadership throughout the week, throughout the game, after a win, after a loss, during training. They're the things that are critical."

The Saints are looking to fast-track the development of their younger players.

"We now have 26 players aged under 23 on our list, and 21 of those have really come in over the past 12 months. So it's a list that has some outstanding experienced leaders, but it also has some players who are pretty new to the system.

"So the more we get interaction between those two groups I think it helps bridge that gap," Watters said.

LEADERSHIP GROUP (8)
Nick Riewoldt (capt), Leigh Montagna, Nick Dal Santo, Ben McEvoy, James Gwilt, Jarryn Geary*, David Armitage*, Sean Dempster*
*elevated this season

EMERGING LEADERS (5)
Sam Dunnell, Jack Newnes, Arryn Siposs, Tom Curren, Seb Ross.

MENTORS (6)
Lenny Hayes, Sam Fisher, Justin Koschitzke, Jason Blake, Stephen Milne, Adam Schneider.

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Crows jump on the Buddy train

We're in the mix: Adelaide has announced it will be a big player in this year's free agency market even before Lance Franklin's surprise decision. Picture: Mark Dadswell Source: Herald Sun

ADELAIDE has thrown its hat into the Lance Franklin money ring, declaring it could make an audacious end-of-season play for the champion forward.

Armed with plenty of salary cap room after Kurt Tippett's controversial departure to Sydney, the cashed-up Crows say they will "keep a close eye" on Franklin's contract status and could be in a position to offer the looming free agent a multi-million dollar deal to lure him from Hawthorn.

Only Fremantle is understood to have as much cash to spend on free agents as Adelaide at the end of the season.

Franklin - a superstar who is arguably the game's best player - could hit the open market after shocking the Hawks on Friday by knocking back a four-year deal understood to be worth about $4 million and telling the club he will not discuss a new contract until the end of the season.

This has sparked fears the restricted free agent could leave and put rival clubs with money to spend on red alert.

Adelaide - robbed of key draft picks for its role in the Tippett salary cap scandal - had announced it would be a big player in this year's free agency market even before "Buddy" Franklin's surprise decision.

Its failure to re-sign Tippett has saved it about $750,000-a-season in salary cap room.

Chairman Rob Chapman told The Advertiser "we will be pro-active in that (free agency) area, no doubt. 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."

Franklin, who has kicked 520 goals in 161 games, has quickly jumped to the top of the queue.

It is likely to take an offer of at least $5 million over four years to get Franklin to leave Hawthorn, where he has become the AFL's most marketable player.

Fremantle last year offered Collingwood key forward Travis Cloke $1.1 million for five years but failed to land him.

While 26-year-old Franklin is favoured to stay at the Hawks, the Crows point to former Saint Brendon Goddard's free agency move to Essendon as evidence that big-name players are prepared to switch clubs in the new free agency era.

"The landscape is certainly different than it was a few years ago," Adelaide list manager David Noble said. "Free agency has changed that."

Noble said the Crows would "clearly be interested in a player of Franklin's quality".

But he acknowledged there would be plenty of water to go under the bridge before Adelaide got close to securing him.

Noble said the club was in no hurry to speak to Franklin's manager, Liam Pickering, about his future.

"Any club would love to have a Lance Franklin on their list but the season hasn't even started yet so we will just sit and watch how things unfold with him," Noble said.

"Like most clubs we will be watching developments closely. You would expect it would take a lot to get Buddy to leave Hawthorn but as we've seen with these things you never say never."

Noble said his club's most pressing need at this time of the year was to find an in-house replacement for Tippett, who has left Taylor Walker as Adelaide's only recognised key forward.

Josh Jenkins, Shaun McKernan, Lewis Johnston and Tom Lynch are vying to be Walker's new key position goalkicking sidekick.

"And just how those players develop could impact on the philosophy we take with free agency," Noble said.

"First you have to see which players are available in free agency and then you have to decide how they fit in with the make-up of your team."

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AFL players join Gay Pride March

Richmond's Daniel Jackson , Yarra Glen's Jason Ball and Carlton's Brock McLean at the march. Picture: Andrew Tauber Source: Herald Sun

AFL players Brock McLean and Daniel Jackson have called for more action against homophobia in footy after becoming the first league players to take part in Victoria's Gay Pride March.

The Carlton and Richmond players spoke out on the issue at the 18th annual Gay Pride March at St Kilda.

"The AFL and players have been so quiet on this issue for so long, they're sort of pretending like it's not there," McLean said.

"But there is an issue there. There is homophobia in sport," he said.

"And if we could start to get more people to talk about it, and more people to voice their opinion and talk about what's right - and that's treating everyone equally - then I guess that's a win-win for everyone."

The Blues midfielder last month revealed his younger sister was gay.

McLean said it would be groundbreaking if an AFL player came out.

And more needed to be done to support players who were dealing with their sexuality, he said.

The Gay Pride March in St Kilda. Picture: Andrew Tauber

Tigers midfielder Jackson joined the march with McLean and gay community footballer Jason Ball.

"It would be great for the AFL to do more," he said.

"They've done such great work with racial vilification and respect and responsibility for women. So if they could fit in the gay movement and anti-discrimination as a whole, I think that'd be great for the Australian community."

Letters of support from the AFL Coaches Association and Richmond Football Club were read out before the march, led by Ball and teammates from Yarra Glen Football Club, began.

The largest ever police contingent joined the march in Fitzroy St, as did paramedics and groups from as far afield as Shepparton and Geelong.

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Indigenous still get chance

Michael O'Loughlin says there was big uproar about why there weren't more indigenous players drafted last year, but for him it was purely a quirk of the system. Picture: Stephen Harman Source: Herald Sun

ALL-STARS coach Mick O'Loughlin has dismissed worries that AFL clubs are increasingly unwilling to draft indigenous players.

Only three indigenous footballers were selected in last year's national draft and talented but troubled WA youngster Dayle Garlett was notably overlooked due to anxieties about his off-field behaviour.

Former Swans premiership forward O'Loughlin, who will coach Indigenous All-Stars in a match against Richmond in Alice Springs on Friday night, said the issue would "no doubt" be discussed at the three-day camp leading up to the match, but he believed 2012 was an anomaly.

"There was a big uproar about why there weren't more indigenous players drafted last year, but for me it was just a quirk of the system," O'Loughlin said.

"My personal opinion is just that these things ebb and flow. One year there may not be many ruckmen, another not enough mids. Or if you have one draft where there's hardly any kids out of Western Australia, does that mean you need to hit the panic button about footy in that state? There's no panic stations from where I sit.

"The indigenous pathway is there and producing players."

About 60 indigenous AFL players will gather in Alice Springs from Tuesday for a three-day camp that includes a leadership program and community visits.

O'Loughlin said former Lions premiership defender Chris Johnson had drawn up an agenda of subjects for discussion at the camp.

"We'll talk about everything from drafting to financial planning and how to invest your money. I think the younger boys will be surprised about how open the older guys will be about their experiences," O'Loughlin said.

He said there would be discourse about the pitfalls of drug and alcohol.

"Absolutely. Just like at any AFL club, that will be a discussion point. That will certainly be raised. It's a chance for blokes to have an open discussion about any issue in the AFL industry," he said.

Another topic would be the number of indigenous footballers who have walked away from the system, such as Zeph Skinner (Western Bulldogs), Liam Jurrah and Kelvin Lawrence (Melbourne), Nathan Krakouer (Gold Coast), Nathan Djerrkura (Bulldogs), Troy Taylor and Relton Roberts (Richmond) and Rhan Hooper (Brisbane Lions).

"This camp is a chance for the younger players to get to know the older guys and pick their brains, learn from them how they've survived in the cut-throat environment that is AFL," O'Loughlin said.

"We've been playing in a bloody tough industry and there's a lot of pressure that goes along with it, so a lot of these guys need to learn how professional you need to be.

"I know it took me a few years to find my feet, and it's going to take some of these kids time, as well.

"They'll get the opportunity to sit down and have breakfast with Goodesy (Adam Goodes) or Buddy (Franklin) or Shauny Burgoyne."

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Chappy happy with fitness

Paul Chapman says he is in a wonderful place injury-wise for the first time in four seasons. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

GEELONG veteran Paul Chapman has flagged his intention to spend more time in the midfield after his best pre-season in years.

The 31-year-old has clocked career-best training times, including in a 2km time-trial.

"Probably for the last four years I haven't really had a pre-season like this one, due to injuries and everything," Chapman told Geelong's website.

"Last year I had a consistent pre-season, ... but I didn't get the volume of work that I wanted."

Chapman said he had struggled to get consistency into his training since his 2009 Norm Smith Medal, often being forced to miss sessions because he was to sore. He said that had restricted him to playing mostly as a forward.

"I love playing up forward, but there were times when the mind wanted to do things that the body couldn't cash in on."

Chapman said he was unlikely starter for the team's NAB Cup opener in Perth, but expected to play against Adelaide and North Melbourne in Rounds 2 and 3 of the pre-season.

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Cloke is Lynch's No.1 fan

Collingwood recruit Quinten Lynch works up a sweat in pre-season training. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

TRAVIS Cloke has lots to be excited about.

With last year's contract circus behind him, the Collingwood spearhead will enter 2013 with a clear mind and niggle-free.

But there's something else that is giving the Magpies' chief goalkicker plenty to smile about as the club stepped up its pre-season with a solid one-hour match simulation session yesterday.

The man who replaced Chris Dawes as Cloke's new key forward partner, Quinten Lynch, has been one of the standouts of Collingwood's summer.

While the 30-year-old may not have attracted as much pre-season hype as some of the other club's big-name recruits, the West Coast premiership forward's physical game style is set to bring an imposing and versatile edge to the Pies' forward setup.

Cloke, who ranked No.1 in the AFL for contested marks last season, yesterday warmly welcomed the aerial support Lynch is poised to provide.

"He's going to help us out and and obviously 'Jolls' (Darren Jolly) and 'Huddo' (Ben Hudson) in the ruck, so he's a massive plus for the team and also myself," Cloke said.

"I'm looking forward to working with him. He's an amazing (physical) specimen and he's a very big man and he can run all day, so it's great.

"I got to know him quite well the last couple of months, he's a fantastic man and a lovely family man."

Adding to their Magpies' delight, fellow free agent Clinton Young, from Hawthorn, joined in on the match simulation after spending much of the summer carefully managing his recovery from foot surgery.

Jordan Russell and Ben Hudson also impressed in the full-ground workout at Victoria Park, adding vital playing depth to the club's premiership tilt.

Picture gallery: Collingwood family day

After booting 33 goals mainly playing deep forward for West Coast last year, Lynch yesterday said he was relishing the move to the Westpac Centre.

" I just feel there's a hunger in this group at the moment to succeed and it's really exciting for me," Lynch said.

"I've obviously come in as a tall forward to help Clokey out up there and that's exciting and no doubt I'll have a little bit of a run through the ruck if needed, so there are two good roles there," he said.

"These boys made the prelim final last year and hopefully I've come over here and we can go one better."

Cloke, who kicked 59 goals last year, downplayed the distraction caused by his contract saga, which looms for Hawthorn and its superstar Lance Franklin this season.

"I spoke to Bucks and said earlier in the year: 'Mate, this is what I want to do and he knew the whole way along what was happening'," Cloke said yesterday.

"And I had faith in him and he had faith in me, so we knew what was happening, it was just a matter of getting pen to paper."

These boys made the prelim final last year and hopefully I've come over here and we can go one better.

Midfield dynamos Scott Pendlebury and Dane Swan continued their impressive build-up to the season yesterday as Dale Thomas and Dayne Beams watched the match practice from the sidelines.

Beams, whose enjoyed a career-best year last season winning his first Copeland Trophy, said he had overcome a few niggles in the pre-season.

"(I've had) a couple of little hiccups along the way, but it has probably been one of my better pre-seasons," Beams said.

Luke Ball and Lachy Keeffe continue to make solid progress in their comeback from knee reconstructions, training away from the main group yesterday.

Andrew Krakouer, who had a quick-fix type of knee surgery to repair his ruptured ACL, also looked in excellent touch with a bag of goals deep forward.

Summer Barometer: Magpies injury, training latest

Hoping for a better run of injury luck in 2013, coach Nathan Buckley is expecting more welcome headaches picking the Pies' best 22 this season.

"The great thing we have got is we have competition for spots, so we'll spend the next two or thee weeks in practice matches and through the early part of the NAB Cup working out who is going to be putting their hand up to play senior footy early in the first couple of rounds," Buckley said.

"We've probably got 30-35 blokes that we're trying to squeeze into 22.

"You will be rewarded in selection for your efforts."

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Dermie backs Franklin delay

Lance Franklin tells Hawthorn he will not discuss a new deal until the end of the year, sparking fears at the Hawks that he may walk.

Lance Franklin celebrates a goal during the 2012 Grand Final. Picture: David Caird Source: Herald Sun

HAWTHORN legend Dermott Brereton says Lance Franklin has made the right move in delaying contract talks to get the best financial deal from the club.

The Herald Sun yesterday revealed Franklin's management had put off talks on a new contract until the end of the season, stunning Hawks officials who were hopeful of finalising the matter before Round 1.

Fremantle, in Franklin's home state of Western Australia, is seen to be in the best position to poach one of the game's biggest stars, with space in the Dockers' salary cap to pay the forward more than $1 million a year.

Brereton conceded the contract saga would likely create an ongoing distraction for Franklin and the Hawks, and said the move would cost the club in the vicinity of an extra $100,000 in its salary cap.

But Brereton, a five-time Hawthorn premiership forward, tipped Franklin to stay and was adamant the 25-year-old was entitled to hold off to get more money.

"If I was Buddy's manager, and this is 'Pickers' (Liam Pickering) we are talking about, I would advise him not to sign also," Brereton told the Sunday Herald Sun.

"It's like the Travis Cloke situation. You want to stay at the club, you love the club and 95 per cent you are going to stay at the club, but you want to maximise your earnings."

Pickering said Franklin, a three-time All-Australian who will become a restricted free agent at the end of the year, wanted to halt contract negotiations to concentrate on his football.

But Brereton said media scrutiny could disrupt the player and his club.

"It's not going to benefit him by saying, 'I just want to concentrate on my football'," he said.

"They (media) will keep asking him about it and every time you pull open the paper, it will distract him.

"So it is not to allow him to play better footy, it (the management tactic) is (intended) to maximise his earnings, but you know what, he's got that right."

Summer Barometer: Track the Hawks' pre-season here

Hawthorn's premiership odds eased from $4 to $4.50 with Betstar in the wake of the Franklin revelation.

Brereton tipped the athletic goalkicker to remain at Waverley Park beyond 2013, but said the Hawks would have to pay more than they initially expected.

"I would guarantee you this time next year, Buddy will be in pre-season with Hawthorn, but it is going to cost them probably 5-10 per cent more than they envisaged," he said.

"There is always a threat (of Franklin leaving) and always a possibility but I think they will get over the line."

Will Buddy be the next Gary Ablett?

The Hawks are understood to be paying near 100 per cent of their salary cap, making it difficult to accommodate the 196cm powerhouse's beefed-up contract and keep their up-and-coming youngsters.

"They do have a list at the top end which is ageing," Brereton said.

"They have got some 28-year-olds and over so there will be a little bit of wiggle room, so to speak."

Brereton said the Hawks would be in prime spot to contend for a premiership for one or two more seasons.

"They probably should have won the Grand Final but Sydney played better on the day, played at their maximum but Hawthorn didn't," he said.

"Next year will be the same. Hawthorn will be a top-three team but it's whether they can grab one then. I would say they need one next year.

"With the inclusion of Brian Lake, who can play on big forwards, they now would be the best-balanced team."

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Sharrod denies Buddy pact

Lance Franklin tells Hawthorn he will not discuss a new deal until the end of the year, sparking fears at the Hawks that he may walk.

West Coast recruit Sharrod Wellingham. Picture: Will Russell Source: The Sunday Times

LANCE Franklin's good mate Sharrod Wellingham believes the Hawthorn champion will remain a one-club player, despite stunning the Hawks by putting off contract negotiations to the end of the season.

Hawthorn had been confident of securing Franklin's signature before Round 1 in an effort to avoid a drawn-out Travis Cloke-style saga providing a distraction.

Fremantle and West Coast management refused to comment yesterday, and the WA clubs are set to publicly pour cold water on Franklin talk throughout the season.

The Dockers and Eagles will be buoyed by the twist and are likely to ask privately what it would take to bring the competition's biggest name back home.

Wellingham, Franklin's former housemate, denied the pair had planned to play for the Eagles together from 2014 and said he did not know why Franklin, 26, had walked away from contract talks with Hawthorn.

"I've sensed that he would like to finish his career at Hawthorn," Wellingham said.

"We'll find out at the end of the year.

"He'll make the decision in due time.

"I'm not sure why he's done that.

Summer Barometer: See how the Eagles are tracking this pre-season

"It's probably similar to all the stuff we went through last year over at Collingwood with Travis - put it at the back of his mind and worry about footy through the year.

"It's just going to be one of those merry-go-rounds throughout the year, I suppose.

"I haven't been in his ear yet (about coming to West Coast). I'll have a whisper in his ear, but I'm not sure how far it'll go."

Wellingham and Franklin will play together for the first time when they run out for the Indigenous All-Stars in Alice Springs on Friday.

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Dane Swan in career-best shape

Dane Swan takes part in match simulation during Collingwood's family day at Victoria Park. Picture: Scott Chris Source: Herald Sun

COLLINGWOOD midfielder Dane Swan says his fitness levels and motivation to perform this season are at career-high levels.

And engine room partner Dale Thomas is confident he will be fit to play in Round 1, despite Nathan Buckley's prediction that ankle surgery will keep the star out of the side for "months".

Thomas said yesterday he intends to begin running next week, while Swan continued his impressive pre-season campaign in the club's hour-long match simulation session at Victoria Park yesterday.

The Brownlow Medalist has been unfazed by criticism of his off-field lifestyle and proved he was in top shape, posting a series of personal best time-trial results over summer.

"It's certainly been one of the best (pre-seasons) for a long time,'' Swan said at the club's family day.

"I came back (from the Christmas break) in reasonably good condition, so that always helps.

"I've just done everything that's been asked of me so far and ran personal bests in all my time-trails, (so there's) not much more I can ask for.''

The Pies served the 28-year-old with a two-game suspension for an alcohol-related indiscretion last year, prompting speculation about his future at the club.

Summer Barometer: Track the Pies' pre-season

But the three-time best-and-fairest winner said he was committed to helping lead the Pies to on-field success this season.

"I actually feel pretty good and feel pretty keen to get back out there, which is probably changed compared to a couple of other pre-seasons,'' he said.

"I just can't wait to get back out there and get amongst it.

"While I've got 'Johnno' (Ben Johnson) and 'Dids' (Alan Didak) here, they make me feel pretty young, because they're getting pretty old, so while I'm here I feel pretty youthful.''

Picture gallery: Collingwood family day

Buckley cast doubt on Thomas's ability to be ready for Round 1 this week but the line-breaker said he wanted to play in the season-opener against North Melbourne.

"It depends who you ask, Nathan said I was a couple of months away, so hopefully I am a bit quicker than that,'' Thomas said.

"(I'm) Aiming for Round 1, so hopefully (I'll) get back running next week, get some decent training in.

"If all goes to plan, (I'll play) Round 1, or hopefully a week or two earlier.''

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Tippett's still got friends in Adelaide

Sydney recruit Kurt Tippett at pre-season training in Coffs Harbour. Picture: Bradley Hunter Source: The Daily Telegraph

CONTROVERSIAL Sydney recruit Kurt Tippett talks to Neil Cordy about the Swans, being a villain and his salary-cap ban.

How are you settling into the Swans?

I couldn't be happier. Coming into the team a little bit later than I expected was a little bit daunting. I thought it might be hard to get to know the boys, but they've been incredible in welcoming me.

Did you ever think you wouldn't make it here?

Nothing was certain during the (contract drama) so it was hard to feel confident about my chances of getting to Sydney. It's great that it worked out.

You are the first player since Greg Williams in 1992 to be penalised for a salary-cap breach, do you feel hard done by?

That's a tough question to answer. I feel very fortunate to be in Sydney, where I always wanted to be. In regards to the sanction, it's very disappointing that I can't play and I will find it very hard to sit out the first 11 rounds of this season.

I'm trying to move forward the best I can with the cards I've been dealt. I'll spend all my time and energy trying to play the best I can when I get back.

Your first game back will be in Adelaide against the Power, what are you expecting?

I'll probably be a bit nervous having sat out for so long. I'll be anxious to get out there and put my best foot forward and hit the ground running. It will be a bit of an odd one going back to Adelaide for the first one I play for my new side, but that's the way it is. There will be a lot of things going through my head.

Kurt Tippett leaves the AFL Commission with his legal counsel David Gallbally. Picture: Norm Oorloff Source: adelaidenow

Do you think there will be Crows supporters turning up to give you some stick?

Quite possibly. Hopefully there are some people there to support me.

An unnamed Adelaide player said your name was mud and that it would be hard for you to have any relationship with the your former teammates. How do you feel about that?

There was a lot of emotion floating around at that time. It wasn't a perfect situation or a perfect exit from a football
club. It's not the way you would like to leave.

In saying there was a set of circumstances and things evolved in a certain way. It wasn't ideal, I understand
that. But, in moving forward, I don't see why things should change. Friends are friends, teammates are teammates and I think everyone respects and understands why people do certain things, looking after their future and making themselves as happy as they can.

You said when you departed Adelaide that you wanted to maintain contact with your teammates. Have you?

Yes. I played there for six years and have a lot of good friends in Adelaide whether they be teammates or people outside the football club.

How did you feel being cast as the villain?

I didn't enjoy it at all. In challenging times, you learn a lot about yourself.

You're joining the premier, does that make it an even bigger challenge?

I know I'm coming into a very good side and a very well respected side. That's exciting for me because I know I'll get the best out of myself as a footballer. I hope to make this team even better if I can.

Kurt Tippett wrestles with Swans big man Mike Pyke. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: The Daily Telegraph

You are going to sit out the first half of the season, how are you going to handle that?

I've had brief discussions about it. I guess the first thing is to prepare like I'm going to play in Round 1.

The intra-club matches will be your only game practice before you play. Does that give them extra importance?

I'm going to concentrate on every session from now until the guys ease back from training into their preparation to play because it's also important for me to learn the way my teammates play and the game plan and the structures.

Each session, I'm really going to treasure because having the whole squad out there training at 100 per cent is not going to happen for very long.
 

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