'Kreuzer Cup' stigma remains for Blues

Matthew Kreuzer joined the Blues after their shocking 2007 season. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: Herald Sun

IF Andrew Demetriou is adamant any tanking "cold case" can be reopened at any time, then Carlton would be most nervous.

The stigma of the "Kreuzer Cup" in the final round of 2007, and the lame matches leading into it, just won't go away for the Blues.

They lost 10 matches in a row, ensuring they snared Matthew Kreuzer and had another early pick to nab Chris Judd, and assistant coach Tony Liberatore caused screaming headlines early the next season after an interview on The Footy Show.

Liberatore said he had never heard a directive from above for the Blues to deliberately to tank games, but said he could "feel it".

He said there were even jokes made among coaching staff.

"We wouldn't use those words (how do we lose), but another assistant coach would say, 'Tanks very much', or something along those lines in a jocular way," he said.

He added that he believed coaches from both sides had laid low in the Round 22 Carlton-Melbourne clash that would become known as the "Kreuzer Cup".

"In all honesty I think both coaches tried to lose it," he said.

They were extraordinary comments at the time ... even more extraordinary when you re-visit them in the current climate.

Yet, in an era before a fully fledged integrity department, the investigation was limited.

Liberatore's claims were just as explosive as Brock McLean's, but it was not as if every Blues assistant coach and executive was hauled in. It was over in a flash after "Libba" watered down his story on visiting the AFL.

The "Kreuzer Cup" was full of startling stats and moves. The game was a free for all, more NBL than AFL. Both teams had 60-plus forward entries, underlining the shootout and a loose Demon Travis Johnstone racking up 42 disposals.

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Stynes: Dees always played their best

Jim Stynes watches on during an AFL match between Melbourne and Carlton. Picture: Alex Coppel. Source: Herald Sun

MELBOURNE is expected to strongly reject allegations that it deliberately lost games in 2009, arguing that it never participated in "tanking" as defined under AFL guidelines.

Former Melbourne president Jim Stynes, who died in March, was asked about the 2009 tanking allegations while he and I were co-writing his autobiography, My Journey, towards the end of 2011.

He was adamant there was no strategy to lose matches, saying: "Melbourne never sat down our coach Dean Bailey and instructed him not to win games". Stynes was frustrated about the tanking accusations, asking: "What is tanking?

"It's a really difficult one because sometimes when you put together the team, you put the best players that you can on the ground and then some people will say, 'Oh, you're not playing these players'. So that's tanking, right?

"But sometimes we sack players because their attitude is not good or they're not listening. They might be playing well but they are not playing the way they can play. (We tell them) 'This is the way we need you to play to be part of the team, this is the role or the position we want you to play, not that way'. Otherwise you end up teaching them bad habits.

"So is that tanking? Well that's not tanking because that's saying to the group that this player needs a lesson or needs to go. You have to choose because sometimes they need to play that role in the twos before they can come back again."

AFL Regulation 19(A5) defines tanking as "a person, being a player, coach or assistant coach, must at all times perform on their merits and must not induce, or encourage, any player, coach or assistant coach not to perform on their merits in any match - or in relation to any aspect of the match, for any reason whatsoever."

That definition will be closely scrutinised by Melbourne's legal team, which includes vice-president Guy Jalland, a legal counsel for Publishing and Broadcasting Limited from 2004-07.

Stynes was Melbourne president when the Demons were alleged to have underperformed in the second half of 2009, and when club officials are alleged to have met to discuss strategies to "forfeit matches". It coincided with his cancer diagnosis (June), major surgery (early July) and recovery in Thailand (July-August).

His first game back was Melbourne's 63-point win over Fremantle in Round 20, and he wrote in his diary: "We had the biggest win in 3 years and it felt awesome. It was great to be back passionate again about this great club and these terrific people. This makes it all worthwhile."

Stynes was critical of the AFL's special assistance rules for effectively providing lowly clubs with a disincentive to win games. By winning no more than four games in 2009, the Demons were guaranteed a priority pick (No.1) in that year's national draft.

"People at the club found themselves shrouded in that reality," he wrote. "It went against the grain for each of us to find solace in failure, but that was the system."

Stynes said ladder position "doesn't necessarily reflect how good or bad your team is", and was in favour of a more holistic examination of clubs.

"The number of games you win and lose should be one component and then the way you run your football club or the numbers; the amount of people supporters you get, you know, what you are able to generate - all those things should come into it.

"The AFL could then use its judgment or a broader set of guidelines to award a priority pick. But it certainly shouldn't set a target before a season and give a club a disincentive to win."

Editorial, Page 28

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Roar from south as Lions miss out

The Brisbane Lions will play two fewer games in Melbourne next year. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

THE Brisbane Lions' hopes of growing their southern supporter base suffered a setback yesterday with the AFL cutting by two the number of games they will play in Melbourne next year.

Lions chief executive Malcolm Holmes asked for six Melbourne games but the side will play only four there, with a fifth Victorian game to be played in Geelong.

Holmes said the commercial deals of the Demons and Hawthorn to stage interstate home games in Darwin and Launceston made it difficult to accommodate six Lions games in Melbourne.

"We're obviously disappointed with this outcome, but understand the changing landscape the AFL now operates under,'' he said.

The Lion's Roar, a supporters group from Melbourne, claimed the AFL had ignored the Lions' status as a two-town club.

Fourth-generation Lions supporter Joel Thompson said the draw would put at risk the club's Fitzroy heritage.

"Ensuring the Lions' heritage continues in Melbourne means everything to me," he said.

"We don't get to see our team play (live) too often.

"We rely on the AFL doing the right thing by us, especially when it was such a key part of the merger. Sadly though, they don't seem to care about those of us in Melbourne who love the Lions."

Both Queensland clubs were granted most of their wishes for next season's draw.

Gold Coast are delighted all their home games were locked into Saturday timeslots and they have been favoured by 14 appointments against 2012's bottom-eight clubs.

Brisbane are already rubbing their hands in anticipation of consecutive Gabba feature games against Carlton (May 25) and Collingwood (May 31).

Statistically on 2012 results provided by the AFL, Brisbane and Melbourne have the easiest lists of opponents of all clubs. Their opponents for 2013 won 47.2 per cent of matches played this year.

The hardest fixture lists in that regard have been handed to Hawthorn and North Melbourne (both 53 per cent).           

Of last year's eight finals teams, Brisbane play only two of those sides twice  Geelong and North Melbourne.

But the Lions face four top-eight opponents in their first eight rounds.

The Suns have an opportunity to hit the ground running. The only top-eight sides they meet in the first eight rounds are Fremantle and premiers Sydney.

"The draw presents the club with a great opportunity to capitalise on the momentum we gained during the back end of 2012," Gold Coast chief executive Travis Auld said.

Other fixture highlights for the Queensland clubs include:

* Thirteen Suns games in Queensland, with 11 at Metricon Stadium, one at the Gabba and one in Cairns.

* QClash battles at the Gold Coast (April 13) and in Brisbane (July 6).

* Big-ticket clashes at the Gabba featuring Carlton, Collingwood, Geelong and St Kilda.

* Brisbane's eight matches against bottom five opponents.

* Gold Coast's two meetings with Greater Western Sydney.
 

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Long break no-go for minor premiers

The AFL announces its fixture list for the 2013 premiership season.

An emotional Lance Franklin sits on the ground after the Swans topped the Hawks in 2012 AFl Grand Final at the MCG. Picture: Michael Klein. Source: News Limited

THE AFL says it is no position to guarantee next year's minor premiers a longer break than their Grand Final opponent.

Hawthorn were upset to be given a seven-day break leading into this year's Grand Final, while an ANZ Stadium double booking handed Sydney a critical eight-day break.

The league was furious that Patersons Stadium scheduled a rugby union test in Week 1 of the finals, but only weeks later put Hawthorn at a disadvantage.

AFL chief operating officer Gillon McLachlan said yesterday it could only ensure the minor premier won a seven-day break.

``We do our best to negotiate, and I think in the end everyone understood what happened, but it may well happen again in the future.''

The league said the Grand Final would stay an afternoon game, while the push for Good Friday football seems to have been extinguished for the forseeable future.

The league says that Monday night would be the logical time to play a fourth day of football each week given a crowded calendar.

But despite having two Monday night games this year - up from one last season - it says there is no groundswell for regular Monday night football.

St Kilda and Carlton get their now-traditional Monday night game after Mother's Day, while West Coast and Richmond play in Round 10 at night on a public holiday in West Australia.

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Saints struggle to fill defence holes

The AFL announces its fixture list for the 2013 premiership season.

The Saints are looking for a defender to replace Jason Gram. Source: Herald Sun

THE sudden sacking of Jason Gram means St Kilda heads to the national draft with five picks, but dumped Cats defender Tom Gillies is not the answer to their defensive frailties.

Coach Scott Watters has conceded the club will have to reinvent a tall like Rhys Stanley or Justin Koschitzke if it cannot identify a potential defender by the pre-season draft.

St Kilda has lost star onballer Brendon Goddard, the troubled Gram, and first-round pick Jamie Cripps from its midfield.

Gram and his management will consider his options, but he is likely to nominate for one of the coming drafts.

It is yet to be seen if a rival club would consider drafting the 28-year-old, but as a delisted player he becomes an unrestricted free agent.

St Kilda must negotiate the size of his payout with the player union and his management.

Yesterday the exodus continued, with the Saints releasing the much-maligned Raph Clarke and rookie Warrick Andreoli.

St Kilda has five picks - Nos. 25, 26, 41, 44 and 77 - in the November 22 draft.

It could end up saving its final list position for the pre-season draft and while it hasn't ruled out taking an experienced tall, it does not have a player in mind.

The Saints were ecstatic to snare Gold Coast ruckman Tom Hickey and Claremont forward Tommy Lee. But now they will quickly move on from the Gram sacking to try to restructure their defence.

The pressure is likely to be put on Koschitzke to justify his position given the club now has two A-Grade ruckmen and can play Lee and Stanley alongside Nick Riewoldt.

Watters said this week Sam Fisher might end up taking the opposition's main forward, which means the Saints might need to manufacture another rebounding defender.

"It is going to be a squeeze from a big-man point of view. Whether we look at Rhys Stanley spending time down back or Kosi, it all depends what becomes available in the draft and what type of role we want to use Sam Fisher in this year," Watters said.

"We are discussing all the possibilities pretty intently. Towards the end of the year we saw Sam Fisher when he locked down against the A-Grade key forward as opposed to a roaming defensive role, and he was very rarely beaten."

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Demetriou welcomes tanking claims

The AFL announces its fixture list for the 2013 premiership season.

Andrew Demetriou says the AFL will improve its integrity policing in 2013. Source: News Limited

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou has not ruled out widening the tanking investigation as he revealed the league will boost its integrity policing next year.

As pressure mounts on Melbourne, who are being probed over allegations of secret meetings to plot a tanking strategy in 2009, Demetriou insisted there would be no whitewash.

And he said he would welcome former or current players and officials coming forward if they have tanking claims.

"Of course," Demetriou said when asked if the file was still open on clubs other than Melbourne.

"We say that about respect and responsibility in regard to women; we say it about drugs; we say it about integrity; and we say that about the salary cap. We do not close the file on anything."

Demetriou revealed the AFL recently approved a significant funding increase for its ramped-up integrity department in 2013.

"We have just approved a large (increase) in the integrity area," he said.

"I don't want to discuss what the figure is, but I can tell you we have increased, at Adrian Anderson's request, the spend in the integrity area.

"That's in our budget starting next year."

The AFL has no set time frame on the Melbourne investigation with league football operations manager Adrian Anderson and the integrity unit given as much time as required.

"I am not involved (in the investigation)," Demetriou said.

"I sit on the commission and if Adrian believes it is serious enough to go to the commission, I have to make sure I am at arm's length because I might have to listen to it.

"Adrian has said: 'I will take as long as I have to with Brett Clothier (AFL integrity manager) to finish my investigation'."

Demetriou, who has long dismissed suggestions AFL clubs have tanked for draft selections, said if a club or individuals are found guilty, they had no place in the game.

"I have said pretty consistently I have a strongly-held view that teams don't go out there to lose, but I did say when asked mid-year that if anything comes to light that proves otherwise, then that can't be accepted, and we will deal with it," he said.

"I don't think there is any place in sport for people who challenge the integrity and we have seen what is going on in the (Lance) Armstrong affair."

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AFLPA fury as Gram slammed

Jason Gram has been sacked by St Kilda. Source: Herald Sun

THE AFL Players' Association does not believe St Kilda had grounds to sack Jason Gram, who was sensationally axed last night because of off-field behaviour.

St Kilda revealed Gram had been suspended since September 6, and was dumped after he failed to honour repeated undertakings to the club about his behaviour.

The Herald Sun has chosen not to reveal the behaviour for legal reasons.

But St Kilda said last night Gram had ignored warnings and continued with behaviour he knew could see him sacked.

It is known Gram, 28, and coming off a modest 15th in the best-and-fairest award, was aware he was on his last warning.

Gram was about to enter the last year of a highly paid contract, with the size of a potential payout and the legality of his sacking set to be contested. The AFL said last night it approved of St Kilda's handling of the matter.

But the AFLPA does not support the termination, given it does not believe Gram's actions constitute serious misconduct.

It concedes Gram will not be reinstated by the Saints, but is ready to take up his cause if the club does not pay most of his 2013 contract.

St Kilda and the players' union will continue to discuss his contract, but to sack him without honouring it, the Saints would have to prove serious and wilful misconduct under the collective bargaining agreement.

The Saints would not comment under legal advice last night but said in a statement: "Regrettably, the inappropriate behaviour has continued and his manager was advised yesterday that the club had decided to terminate Gram's contract, which had one year to run. Gram was also advised of the termination in a meeting with club officials."

AFLPA general manager player operations Ian Prendergast said he would work on helping Gram with a resolution of his contract.

"We understand a club's right to delist a player," he said.

"However, while not understating the seriousness of the alleged conduct, the players' association does not believe these matters remove the club from its contractual obligations.

"The players' association will now focus on working with Jason and his management, on a confidential basis, in relation to settling the outstanding obligations of his contract."

AFL spokesman James Tonkin said last night: "The club has kept us aware of what has transpired and we are supportive of their actions."

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Malthouse: Kurt's not worth $1m

Carlton coach Mick Malthouse says the asking price for Kurt Tippett is too high. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

CARLTON coach Michael Malthouse has warned clubs Kurt Tippett is worth nowhere near the $1 million that has been linked to his signature.

Malthouse, who spoke to Port Adelaide captain Warren Tredrea on Adelaide radio station Triple M this morning, said Carlton was not in a position to bid for Tippett and let him slide, much like it did ex-Pies Travis Cloke and Chris Dawes in the trade period.

The right price for Tippett was more likely to be $500,000 a season. That was a sharp devaluation from the $700,000 he was paid at Adelaide and the even greater sum he was expected to collect at Sydney before the deal with the Swans fell through as the AFL caught wind of irregularities in his previous contract with the Crows and began an inquiry.

``He wouldn't be worth that ($1 million),'' Malthouse said. ``He's not worth that. If he's worth half of that I think that's about the right amount of money. I say half of that but that's a lot of money. He's a good footballer. But, to my way of thinking, a good footballer has to be good year-in, year-out and the difference between a good player and a very good footballer is on the big stage. You must be able to play on the big stage on a regular basis against the great players.''

Malthouse had an eye on key forwards in the trade period, in particular Dawes and Cloke, with whom he had worked at Collingwood.

Dawes ended up at Melbourne while Cloke stayed with Collingwood as Carlton made no major moves in the player exchange window.

Malthouse said Carlton would have had to make major moves to accommodate the signing of either of the aforementioned or Tippett and suspected the Blues now were out of the picture to gain Tippett through the draft.

``You've got to have the capacity in your salary cap,'' Malthouse said on Triple M radio yesterday morning. ``If your salary cap is up the top end, and you've got to get a Cloke in or Dawes in, something's got to move. And you've got to move those before you can bring those in. It's the same with Tippett.

``It's too late to move players now so we're out of that action.''

Malthouse, who coached West Coast to flags in 1992 and 1994 and Collingwood to a premiership in 2010, is not the first to question Tippett's value.

Tippett widely was regarded to have been overpaid in his last contract with Adelaide as the club sought to ward off the lucrative offer from the Gold Coast to have him in its first AFL side and Sunday Mail columnist Chris McDermott said he had not delivered on his expensive price tag.

At an estimated $700,000, he was Adelaide's highest-paid player.

But even though Tippett closed last season with a fine contribution for Adelaide against Hawthorn, there was growing sentiment Taylor Walker was becoming the club's most important forward.

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Hawks cut Osborne on a promise

Hawthorn are hoping to pick up Michael Osborne in the pre-season draft. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: The Daily Telegraph

HAWTHORN has delisted premiership forward Michael Osborne, 30, who is recovering from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.

But the Hawks last night said they were "committed to assisting" Osborne.

"Michael will continue to train with the squad with the aim of being re-listed by the club by the pre-season draft in December," football manager Mark Evans said.

Hawthorn also delisted defender Jarrad Boumann and rookies Adam Pattison and Tom Schneider.

Chance Bateman, Cameron Bruce and rookie Broc McCauley have retired.

Essendon told Sam Lonergan and Kyle Reimers they would not be offered contracts for next season.

Geelong, who traded in Jared Rivers and Hamish McIntosh, confirmed the delistings of Tom Gillies, who they fought to keep from Hawthorn a year ago, and Orren Stephenson.

Richmond this week cut key position prospect Jayden Post.

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Tank 'for the kids'

Melbourne players leave the ground after a loss in 2009. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

A SECOND member of Melbourne's 2009 wooden spoon-winning team has admitted coach Dean Bailey was under fierce pressure to deliberately lose matches.

The player spoke yesterday as league investigators closed in on officials at the centre of the Demons tanking scandal.

Melbourne faces the loss of selections at this year's national draft, including the prized No.4 pick.

"It was disgusting what was going on and you felt for Bails because everyone knew he was under the pump to lose," said the player, who the Herald Sun agreed not to name.

"Players had meetings and asked him what was going on but there was nothing he could do.

"The club had a plan. They wanted the two kids, (Tom) Scully and (Jack) Trengove and you just shook your head.

"You'd work your butt off in the pre-season and hang up all these words in the gym and the change rooms or whatever and what did it all mean? Nothing.

"Players were never told to lose. They were just rested and played out of position. (Backman) Matthew Warnock would play full-forward and (forward) Paul Johnson would play full-back."

Proof the Demons tanked could also have drastic consequences for the AFL, the controlling body under Victorian law for all gambling on football.

Gaming Minister Michael O'Brien last night said the State Government was monitoring the case.

The AFL reaps millions of dollars a year from betting and commercial arrangements with bookmakers.

"Any action which brings into question the integrity of sports and sports betting in Victoria is unacceptable," O'Brien said.

It was alleged yesterday that senior Melbourne administrators held a secret meeting in 2009 to plot their tanking strategy.

The end game was to secure the first two picks in that year's national draft - used on Scully and Trengove.

Club president Don McLardy and chief executive Cameron Schwab did not respond to the latest allegations.

Former Melbourne player Brock McLean triggered the AFL investigation when he claimed in July he quit the club because it had set out to deliberately lose games in 2009.

League investigators have re-interviewed several key figures, including Bailey, former recruiter Barry Prendergast and current football manager Josh Mahoney.

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou said yesterday: "It is not appropriate to comment on the investigation itself at this stage.

"However, I would strongly encourage anyone with information that could be relevant to come forward and contact (league investigator) Brett Clothier."

Other Melbourne figures grilled by the AFL include former innovations coach Dave Dunbar, former part-time development coach Scott West and 2009 captain James McDonald.

McLardy, Schwab, then football operations manager Chris Connolly and assistant coaches Sean Wellman, Mark Williams and Josh Mahoney were also on the AFL's interview list.

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Sheedy keen for Giants to land Kurt

Greater Western Sydney coach Kevin Sheedy is still interested in enlisting the talents of Kurt Tippett. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

GREATER Western Sydney is seeking another meeting with Kurt Tippett to find out whether it can fit him into the club's salary cap and entice him to join the new AFL franchise.

And yesterday Giants coach Kevin Sheedy said that even if Tippett were forced to serve a ban of four or six weeks next year, the Giants would not be deterred to push on.

``No, I am not worried about that stuff  we just get the blokes in and get them ready to play football,'' Sheedy said.

``I think it is very important and we owe it to our fans to get in senior players who are very talented. If you look at the teams which have won premierships, these are the situations which come up,'' he said.

``The Swans built themselves up by getting Tony Lockett and Barry Hall. They got those players around 25.

``We are having a look at him, don't worry about that.''

It comes as three-time premiership coach Michael Malthouse, who has taken over at Carlton, estimated Tippett is roughly worth only half of the $1million salary that continues to be linked to his signature.

The Giants have told The Advertiser they have already spoken to both Adelaide and Tippett's management about the potential move, well before a deal with the Sydney Swans fell through amid and AFL investigation surrounding his previous contract with the Crows.

A club spokesman said that GWS had made advances to both Adelaide and the Tippett camp before and during the trade period to see whether an exchange could have been arranged.

The club is now exploring the option of taking him via the national draft, in which they hold pole position with the top three selections, or the pre-season draft.

The Giants see Tippett as both an important ruckman and a forward - the same roles he played with Adelaide - and believe there is enough room in their salary cap for them to fit him in.

They approached Tippett again as soon as he announced his preferred place to live and watched closely from the sidelines as he negotiated with the Sydney Swans, and also kept in touch with the main players at the Crows.

``We want to meet with him, to see what he wants to do, if we can afford him and if there's a possibility for him to join us,'' club spokesman Nick Johnston said.

Sheedy, a four-time premiership coach with Essendon, cheekily announced his interest in Tippett over Twitter.

``I see Kurt Tippett may be going into the Draft,'' the veteran coach tweeted. ``That's exciting. Wonder what he would look like in orange.''

Giants chief executive David Matthews has made the club's interest public.

It is understood GWS remains in contact with Tippett and his embattled agent Peter Blucher, who is also sweating on the investigation over alleged side deals between the Crows and Tippett in the previous contract.

The fact Tippett looks headed for the draft is a game changer: he can still put a price on his head that rules clubs such as Carlton out of the bidding, but GWS believe they have enough money to get in before the Swans do.

``If he is affordable we would look to select him,'' Matthews said. ``Now that it looks like Kurt is going into one of the drafts, clearly it means he is someone we should be discussing.

``He is 25 and in the prime of his career and a big player we lack in the ruck.'' 

- with Jon Ralph

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Swans list Bolton for now

Jarrad McVeigh and Jude Bolton celebrate with Sydney fans. Picture: Alex Coppel Source: Herald Sun

DUAL Sydney premiership player Jude Bolton will be on the Swans' playing list when it is lodged with the AFL today.

Bolton, 32, played 22 games this season to become one of only three Swans to pass the 300-games milestone, behind Adam Goodes (319) and Michael O'Loughlin (303).

Bolton, who played in the 2012 and 2005 premiership teams, is yet to make a decision on his future, and the Swans still have the opportunity to leave his name off the second list lodgement on November 15, a week before the national draft.

Bolton's management is believed to be sounding out media opportunities, including providing a Sydney presence with Channel 7 now that former Swans captain Brett Kirk has signed as a midfield coach at Fremantle.

But the veteran midfielder has been into the club to do some fitness work several times in the weeks since the Grand Final and it is believed to be leaning towards turning out for a 15th AFL season

Despite speculation he would need major post-season surgery on his battered left knee, Bolton said recently "that is certainly not the case."

Meanwhile, Mike Pyke, Craig Bird and Mitch Morton have all signed new deals with the club.

Pyke, 28, is travelling across the United States and Canada, but said he was "really excited" about the prospect of defending the premiership.

"It is a challenge we're all looking forward to and I feel privileged to have this opportunity," he said.

"I still feel like I have plenty of development left in me and hopefully I can add a few more strings to my bow this year."

Morton, 25, kicked four goals in the Swans' three finals, including two vital goals in the second quarter of the Grand Final against Hawthorn.

"I'm just absolutely pumped to be a part of the club again in 2013," Morton said.

Bird, 23, said the future was "looking pretty bright at the Swans and I'm looking forward to being a part of it."

Sydney has delisted Jarred Moore, Mark Seaby, Brett Meredith and Nathan Gordon, along with rookie-list players Eugene Kruger, Jack Lynch and Dylan McNeil.

The Swans also traded Trent Dennis-Lane to St Kilda, Matthew Spangher to Hawthorn and rookie Campbell Heath to Port Adelaide.

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Chance for new Power pair to shine

Former Sydney Swans rookie Campbell Heath is looking forward to a fresh start with Port Adelaide. Picture: Mark Evans Source: The Daily Telegraph

CAMPBELL Heath and Lewis Stevenson haven't played an AFL game between them for two seasons.

But that hasn't diminished Port Adelaide's hopes for the relative unknowns, who landed at Alberton in the last week of trade period.

Both made their AFL debuts in 2010 as defenders, but have struggled to fight their way into the Sydney (Heath) and West Coast (Stevenson) line-ups.

Derailed initially by two knee reconstructions, Heath, 21, found it too hard to work his way past premiership backmen Marty Mattner and Rhyce Shaw.

"It's been a tough road the past few years but I've got some good confidence in my body again," said Heath, who played a full season this year with the Swans reserves in the NEAFL.

"I do feel I'm ready (to play AFL)," said 188cm, 82kg Heath, who possesses an exceptional left-foot kick.

"I had a really consistent year but with the players we had (at Sydney) I just missed out as we had a really strong team."

Stevenson, 189cm and 88kg, played in the past two WAFL premierships with Claremont.

The 23-year-old, who has played 10 AFL matches, was unable to edge his way in front of seasoned Eagles Shannon Hurn and Beau Waters.
 

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Neeld's big picture still unfocused

Melbourne coach Mark Neeld has made some interesting recruiting choices in the off-season. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Herald Sun

BILLY Beane never won the World Series.

If you didn't read Moneyball or were too busy gushing over Brad Pitt in the film to notice, this point might have escaped you.

Beane, Moneyball's pin-up boy, found fame and fortune through his controversial baseball recruiting strategy, but the Oakland As are still searching for the ultimate success.

It is a harsh reality worth noting as the dust settles on an AFL trade period in which Melbourne jettisoned 14 players, including four top 15 draft picks.

Melbourne wasn't winning games after its campaign to bottom out, but at least it had a clear point of difference: an extraordinary clutch of high draft picks.

Now the challenge for Beane disciple and Demons coach Mark Neeld is to successfully sell his new methodology, because it now seems a combination of several list management strategies.

Melbourne's fire sale of first-round picks resulted in the exodus of Lucas Cook (pick 12), Cale Morton (4), and Jordan Gysberts (11) only a year after former No.1 pick Tom Scully left for Greater Western Sydney.

In their place come journeymen who either played most of this year in the VFL or were dropped at some stage.

David Rodan, Cameron Pedersen and Shannon Byrnes played 42 state-league games between them, and marquee signing Chris Dawes was dropped by Collingwood in Round 23.

The Demons are pledging to follow the Moneyball theory, bring in underrated talent and have them thrive in a new culture of togetherness and toughness.

Actor Brad Pitt playing Billy Beane in Moneyball. Source: Supplied

But Moneyball was about recruiting cheap, undervalued talent, given Oakland's payroll of $41 million was dwarfed by the New York Yankees' $125 million.

The Demons are the antithesis of Moneyball because they were forced to pay overs for Mitch Clarke and Dawes.

Is the list revamp a concession the Demons are pushing back the window of success three years, given the drafting of kids such as Jesse Hogan (not available until 2014), Jack Viney and the lightly built Dom Barry?

If so, it means Melbourne will run into the emerging expansion teams.

More likely it is Neeld deciding most of those 14 discards did not fit the new culture he wants to instil.

But why recruit Rodan, who has all the frustrating traits you would assume Neeld is trying to eradicate at Melbourne?

He has talent but, to be honest, he plays for himself.

Success has eluded Melbourne, but at least the players were young and talented and rigidly followed a plan they believed in.

Now it is up to Neeld to tell them what their direction is.
 

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Watters' age old problem

Saints coach Scott Watters has to find a way to manage his ageing list. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Herald Sun

ST KILDA has lost Brendon Goddard, but not its status as having the oldest list in the AFL.

The Saints ended the trade period still burdened by an average age of 25.7 years, despite losing the seasoned star to free agency.

It is a statistic that provides a major challenge for coach Scott Watters considering the widely-held perception that the Saints have slipped from the premiership zone.

But the durability and consistency of the club's top-end players, so close to the ultimate success in 2009-2010, have helped it cheat nature so far.

The Saints finished ninth this year, relying on the usual suspects and the exciting development of Rhys Stanley, Ahmed Saad, Terry Milera, Tom Simpkin and Arryn Siposs, but face a delicate balancing act despite Watters' impressive start.

They have been in the top three for age every year since 2006.

The average age figures, produced for Champion Data's upcoming Prospectus publication, underline a far more dramatic change at Western Bulldogs - a team vying with the Saints for a flag in 2009-10.

Official figures reveal the Dogs now boast the third youngest list as they start rebuilding.

The Dogs started this season as the fifth oldest team, but retirements (Lindsay Gilbee and Ryan Hargrave), de-listings and trades (Brian Lake) have re-shaped their list.

The figures were taken from primary lists as they stood yesterday, projecting forward with players' ages at the start of next season.

Sydney, Collingwood and Hawthorn, all in the premiership window, fill the places below St Kilda on the "age ladder".

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Magpies offload another ruckman

Cameron Wood has been cut by the Pies. Picture: Darren England Source: The Courier-Mail

COLLINGWOOD yesterday cut ruckman Cameron Wood, who was among five list changes at Westpac Centre.

The Pies also delisted untried ruckman Jon Ceglar, pint-sized forwards Kirk Ugle and Luke Brown and former Melbourne defender Simon Buckley.Wood finished with 64 games after costing the Pies pick 14 in 2007, when they sent that pick to Brisbane.

The Pies are hoping 209cm beanpole Jarrod Witts can break through for senior action in 2013 as Darren Jolly nears the end of his career.

Nathan Buckley's side has now turned over 13 players this off-season, headed by trade targets Chris Dawes (Melbourne), Sharrod Wellingham (West Coast) and young defender Tom Young (Western Bulldogs).

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At Arden St, North Melbourne elevated untried Sudanese ruckman Majak Daw and mature-age midfielder Sam Gibson to the senior list, but axed four players.

The Roos yesterday delisted Matt Campbell, Cruize Garlett, Ben McKinley, Ben Speight and Ben Warren.

Campbell 25, has played 82 games and was linked to a move to Port Adelaide in trade period.

Garlett played seven matches this season and was seeking a return to Perth in the trade period.North's off-cuts can now be signed by rivals as delisted free agents, starting Thursday.

While the AFL'S investigation into Lachie Hansen's concussion is set to drag on for another week but the Roos have moved a step closer to being cleared.

North Melbourne acting chief executive Cameron Vale met with the AFL's Adrian Anderson and integrity officer Brett Clothier yesterday and was told the league still had several matters needing clarification.

The Roos have been given seven days to respond, but believe they have no case to answer after Hansen returned to the ground in Round 20 following a heavy hit.

It is believed significant progress was made towards the Roos dodging any penalty, but the league would not reveal what further information it was demanding of North Melbourne.

-with Jon Ralph

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Saints can get off to a flyer

Nick Riewoldt and his St Kilda teammates will enjoy a soft start to the 2013 season. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

ST Kilda has the chance to make a flying start to next season, dodging all of this year's finalists in the first month.

The Saints will capitalise on their ninth place finish this year by taking on four fellow bottom-10 clubs before playing Sydney in Wellington, New Zealand, in Round 5.

In a fixture to be released tomorrow, it is believed St Kilda will start its season against Gold Coast, Richmond and Greater Western Sydney (in Canberra) before the much-hyped showdown with an Essendon team featuring former Saint Brendon Goddard in Round 4.

It will meet Carlton in a Round 7 Monday night clash as well as Adelaide and Collingwood in the first eight weeks, meaning only two of its first seven games are against 2012 finalists.

Like Carlton, St Kilda has a chance to take advantage of this year's finish outside the finals, as bottom-10 sides will have a maximum of two games against only two of this year's finalists.

Meanwhile, the Herald Sun believes Collingwood will dodge the Perth double.

Next year will be the second consecutive season the Magpies have been scheduled five interstate trips - up from four in 2011.

They will travel to Perth once, to play Fremantle at Patersons Stadium, and are believed to have only one trip to Adelaide.

The blockbuster at ANZ Stadium against Sydney is part of the schedule and the Magpies are set to travel to Queensland twice to face Gold Coast and the Brisbane Lions.

Supporters should brace themselves for more Sunday games, particularly in the 3.10pm slot, where broadcaster Channel 7 can run a match live before the news.

Collingwood played only one Sunday match this year, but that will increase to five in 2013.

It is understood Seven will benefit from Sunday 3.10pm Collingwood blockbusters against Carlton (Round 2), Hawthorn and Essendon.

Foxtel will also benefit from more Sunday twilight matches between better opponents.

The Sunday focus has raised questions about the traditional Saturday afternoon timeslot in Melbourne, with speculation that it will be watered down significantly.

Friday night is expected to become the exclusive domain of the bigger clubs, with up to five, including Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs, being frozen out of the premium timeslot.

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Another AFL figure departs

AFL football administration manager Rod Austin is the latest senior staffer to exit league headquarters.

The AFL said Austin had resigned after 21 years to "pursue new opportunities".

Saturday's Herald Sun revealed Christina Ogg, footy's first and only female executive, resigned on Friday, while rising star Andrew Catterall announced he was taking long-service leave.

It is understood Catterall, the game's general manager of strategy and marketing, will not be returning to the AFL.

Austin's efforts included formation of the TAC Cup and draft camp programs, list management strategies and the AFL's anti-doping code and illicit drugs policy.

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Power wants members to cough up

New Port Adelaide Power coach Ken Hinkley wants members to help beef up the football department. Picture: Calum Robertson Source: News Limited

NEW Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has been promised a beefed-up football department at Alberton - and it is going to fall on the Power members to deliver.

As Port strives to catch up in the "arms race" in AFL football spend and knows every cent spent at Alberton is heavily scrutinised by its SANFL and AFL underwriters, the members stand as an untapped resource.

Hinkley is expecting a $1.5 million boost to his program at Alberton. Even this uplift will not get the Power into the top half of the AFL football department spend that has broken through the $20 million barrier with Collingwood's budgets.

As Hinkley this week starts Port's pre-season with an AFL-funded game against the Western Bulldogs in London, the Power will launch its 2013 membership campaign directly appealing to 50,000 fans.

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Beyond buying a membership, the fans will be asked to contribute directly to Hinkley's budgets through the member-driven "Port Adelaide Premiership Fund".

Port chief executive Keith Thomas says the fund will be used to "increase the amount we spend on football from near the bottom of the AFL and make the team more competitive in time for the move to Adelaide Oval in 2014".

Thomas also wants to fund an academy at Alberton to strengthen Port's professional development of local football and ensure Port is seen across the AFL as "the employer of choice".

"We have already shown investing in football is a top priority," said Thomas.

Beyond Hinkley, Port has returned fitness coach Darren Burgess to Alberton after his international football experiences.

The Power finally has a coaching director with the appointment of the experienced Alan Richardson.

"But the reality is we are still well behind almost all of our rivals when it comes to our football spend," said Thomas. "We want our members to buy into the program to deliver the success they want."

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Crows must sacrifice a player

Richard Tambling could now be delisted due to the Kurt Tippett investigation. Source: Herald Sun

ADELAIDE will have to cut a wanted Crows player on Wednesday as the pain from the Kurt Tippett scandal turns to list management at West Lakes.

And the Crows will have to gamble on which player to turf into the AFL national draft pool where Adelaide may not get a call until No. 83. That gives Adelaide's 17 rivals 82 chances to claim this contracted Crow in the AFL national draft on November 22.

The main candidates remain out-of-favour midfielder Richard Tambling or any of Adelaide's recent draftees Nick Joyce, Mitch Grigg or Cam Ellis-Yolmen.

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The Crows cannot - after handing Tippett a contract during the year - simply delist the Queenslander and let him fall into the new field of "delisted free agents".

By Wednesday, when all 18 AFL club must lodge their first player lists for next season, the Crows will need to have open their squad for three new draftees and 17-year-old midfielder Brad Crouch, who was pre-drafted last year.

With the AFL rules demanding Tippett stay on the list, Adelaide has opened just two spots - the net result of trading in Richmond ruckman Angus Graham and losing Michael Doughty (retired), Brad Symes (delisted) and Chris Knights (free agent to Richmond).

A third spot for upgraded rookie Ian Callinan will emerge when Tippett delists himself as an uncontracted player next month. The fourth for Crouch demands one of Tambling, Joyce, Grigg or Ellis-Yolmen be sacrificed on Wednesday.

The cut player can then be re-drafted on November 22 when the draft unfolds on the Gold Coast. Adelaide needs to choose a player who will not be stolen by a rival.

The Crows expect to know as soon as Friday how the AFL Commission has assessed the investigation into Tippett's side deal from his 2009 contract talks. The sanctions are expected to involve a heavy fine and a lockout from the first two or three rounds of the draft.

That would leave Adelaide recruiting manager Hamish Ogilvie with the unglamourous picks of 83, 101 and 119 at his first draft.

Tippett's preferred pathway to Sydney in the pre-season draft on December 11 is clouded by Brisbane checking its salary cap to assess if it can call the Queenslander at No. 6 before the Swans at No. 18.

Also in question is if Tippett will be playing next season as the AFL Commission considers deregistering him for draft tampering and taking undisclosed third-party deals underwritten by the Crows. Melbourne-based lawyer, South Australian Paul Ehrlich, says that move carries the "extreme, significant chance" of having the Tippett family take the AFL to court.

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Mick's Blues given dream draw

Carlton's proposed tough draw has turned out to be an illusion. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: Herald Sun

HAWTHORN is set to be handed the opening seven weeks from hell in next year's fixture, but Carlton's proposed tough draw has turned out to be an illusion.

The defeated grand finalist is expected to be slapped with a draw featuring as many as seven 2012 finalists in the early rounds.

It will be a tough ask for Alastair Clarkson's Hawks, trying to recover from a second straight season of finals disappointment.

But while Mick Malthouse has complained about Carlton's testing start, its lowly finish this year has handed it a dream fixture.

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The Blues are expected to be given a fixture on Wednesday in which they play just one finals side twice.

That side is Collingwood, with the blockbuster status of the rivalry and revenue generated over-riding the issue of a double-up against a top-four side.

Malthouse revealed last week the Blues start the year with games against Richmond, Collingwood, Geelong, West Coast (away) and Adelaide.

But the Blues then have a string of winnable games in the following few weeks, including this year's easybeats Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney.

"Given what I have just heard about our draw, the (AFL) have done us no favours," Malthouse said last week.

"But I go along with what Andrew Demetriou says - the draw is the draw is the draw, and very rarely does the top four reflect anything but that."

The Blues have benefited from a fixturing formula in which this year's bottom 10 sides are restricted from any more than a handful of double-ups against top-eight sides.

It gives the Blues a chance to leapfrog into the top eight or, given a good run with injury, even top four.

Malthouse has indicated Chris Judd will retain the captaincy if he wants it.

But Judd is known to have told friends he would be happy to give up the role if there was a suitable alternative or if it would help the club's leadership transition.

Malthouse and Judd have not met about the leadership, but the club's Arizona high-altitude camp next month shapes as the perfect chance for the dual Brownlow medallist to discuss his future.

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Betting rife for AFL players

Former AFL star Brendan Fevola used to frequently gamble in poker games. Picture: Nathan Richter Source: The Daily Telegraph

A CHORUS of leading AFL figures have warned sports betting by players has reached troubling levels.

The combination of easy access to betting websites, 24-hour televised sport and high incomes is blamed for the escalating issue.

Player managers, players and former problem gamblers in the AFL say too many sportsmen are splashing money they cannot afford to lose.

Technology such as smart phones, the mushrooming of corporate bookmakers and high interest levels in international sports from AFL players is a dangerous mix.

Anti-gambling counsellor and former Melbourne midfielder Daniel Ward told the Herald Sun: "There is a lot of it out there at the moment."

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"I know of several cases (of addiction) and it's not really being spoken about.

" It is spoken about behind people's backs and in whispers," he said.

"It's not a witch hunt and it's not being alarmist, but it is real."

Ward echoed North Melbourne coach Brad Scott, who last year said gambling was a bigger concern for AFL players than alcohol or drugs.

More than 50 players - about 6 per cent of the competition - were lured into a racing syndicate, and were battling to get their money back.

Player manager Paul Connors said he was worried players with hours to kill and money to burn were filling that time with gambling on sports other than AFL.

"I think gambling is an issue. It used to be poker, which led to other stuff," Connors said.

"I have been a manager for 15 years now and I just think it's readily available online and in casinos, and I think it's going to continue to be an issue.

"Players will be bored. And if they are not doing things outside footy they have downtime and they spend money and you just can't stop that." AFLPA player relations general manager Ian Prendergast said the player union was working hard to educate players and limit the number with gambling problems.

"I think we are aware of individual players who have issues with gambling. Generally speaking we have a young playing group who are risktakers with a fair amount of discretionary income available," he said.

"We are trying to stay vigilant and be really proactive with our (anti-gambling and (education) programs."

Recently retired Collingwood and Gold Coast player Josh Fraser said it was easy for young players to follow the lead of wealthier teammates who could afford to drop some money.

"Younger guys can get caught up in it pretty quickly. There are just so many avenues to have a bet these days.

"I am not concerned about football but it is the horses and sports, and the younger guys are so impressionable," he said.

"$500 to a guy who has been in the system for eight to 10 years is not much, but for a guy just in the system, it is."

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Dogs life beckons for Prismall

Brent Prismall could land at the Dogs. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

WESTERN Bulldogs have emerged as a chance to revive Brent Prismall's career if he is cut by Essendon.

Prismall, 26, one of the AFL's unluckiest players, will know his fate before Wednesday's list lodgment deadline.

His career interrupted by injury, Prismall remains uncontracted and will consult Bombers coach James Hird, who is due back from overseas, about his future at Windy Hill.

Prismall, who crossed from Geelong to Essendon in a trade at the end of 2008, is likely to be delisted.

The Bulldogs loom as his next club after showing some interest in securing him.

Dees cull another eight

Prismall has managed only 61 games at Geelong and Essendon because of two knee reconstructions.

Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney worked with him at Geelong and then at Essendon in 2011.

Prismall is hard-working and of exemplary character and the Dogs need more players aged in their mid-20s.

If he is cut by Essendon, the Dogs could secure him in the delisted free agency period, which runs from November 1-13.

Sam Edmund rates how your club fared at the trade table

Essendon backed Prismall after the 2008 season, offering him a three-year deal worth about $900,000, despite him having a knee reconstruction after being injured while playing for the Cats in the qualifying final against St Kilda.

He suffered another serious knee injury in Round 19, 2011, but the Bombers stuck with him, giving him a one-year extension.

Prismall returned this season, but he suffered hamstring injuries and could not break into the seniors.

He is not the only Bomber feeling nervous. A list management meeting set down for Windy Hill today is likely to decide the fate of several other players.

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Sam Lonergan is in a similar position - out of contract and in limbo - as the Bombers consider refreshing their list.

Melbourne footballer Matthew Bate. Picture: Chris Scott Source: Herald Sun

Melbourne has made its cuts, with discarded Ricky Petterd likely to spark interest.

Matthew Bate is also determined to secure another chance, but with the Dogs believed to be keen on Prismall, the option of moving to Whitten Oval may dry up.

The Dogs were keen to snare Bate in last year's trade period.

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Pedersen takes baby steps

Cam Pedersen is now a Demon. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Herald Sun

BABIES and big moments in Cameron Pedersen's football career seem to go hand in hand.

He and wife Sarah had their first child, Charlee, just weeks before he made his AFL debut for North Melbourne last year, while the couple's second child, Ruby, came along three weeks ago - just as the key-position player was weighing up his football future.

A month of speculation led to a last-minute trade deal on Friday in which he moved to Melbourne in exchange for Jordan Gysberts and a swap of draft picks.

Pedersen has endured plenty of ups and downs in recent years.

Dees cull another eight players

He had to fight to get on to an AFL list in the first place, while baby Charlee battled health complications after being born five weeks prematurely last February.

The 25-year-old admitted the speculation about his mooted switch had been tough to deal with.

"It was very stressful, because obviously I wanted the opportunity to play more regular senior footy," Pedersen said.

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"If nothing had happened, I still would have been happy to stay at North Melbourne as well, but I'm ecstatic I'm at Melbourne."

Pedersen said the chance to play regular football at Melbourne had been too appealing to pass up.

"I'll always be grateful to North Melbourne for picking me up and giving me the opportunity. I loved my time there, but sometimes future plans don't work out and so I'm very happy to be at Melbourne now," he said.

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Dees axe another eight players

Get the first look at the AFL's future stars in this preview of draft analysis series 'Pick Me'

Melbourne will part ways with young forward Lucas Cook. Picture: Chris Scott. Source: Herald Sun

MARK Neeld's overhaul of Melbourne's playing stocks escalated today with eight Demons delisted, including senior players Matthew Bate, Ricky Petterd and Jamie Bennell.

The Demons have now cut or traded 14 of the 46 footballers from their 2012 playing list.

Jordan Gysberts (North Melbourne), Cale Morton (West Coast), Stefan Martin, Brent Moloney (Brisbane Lions) and Jared Rivers (Geelong) all found new home in the trade and free agency period.

Today's cuts also included Lucas Cook, Liam Jurrah and rookies Jai Sheahan, Leigh Williams and Kelvin Lawrence.

Cook, a first-round draft pick, is hoping to find a new home as a delisted free agent after failing to crack through for a senior debut in his two seasons at the Dees.

Lawrence quit the club mid-year, while Sheahan was axed after only one season.

Last year the Dees had the chance to secure a second-round pick for Bate from the Western Bulldogs, but they demanded their first choice - No. 17 - and the deal fell through.

The Dees also lost former captain Brad Green, who retired after 254 games.

Dees to sweat it out in Kakadu

Petterd, a 24-year-old marking forward, has attracted interest from up to five rivals. Originally from Queensland, he has kicked 55 goals in his 54 games since his AFL debut in 2007.

The Dees have already added Chris Dawes, Shannon Byrnes, David Rodan, Cam Pedersen, Jack Viney and Jesse Hogan to their 2013 list.

Hogan, 17, is not eligible to play at the top level until 2014.

MELBOURNE'S 2012 LIST

GONE (824 games):

Brad Green
Jared Rivers
Brent Moloney
Matthew Bate
Cale Morton
Stefan Martin
Jamie Bennell
Ricky Petterd
Jordan Gysberts
Lucs Cook
Jai Sheahan
Leigh Williams
Kelvin Lawrence

100-GAMERS STAYING (1652 games):

Aaron Davey
Colin Sylvia
Nathan Jones
Mark Jamer
Joel McDonald
Clint Bartram
James Frawley
 

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Hooker blocks St Kilda's Brown bid

Get the first look at the AFL's future stars in this preview of draft analysis series 'Pick Me'

Mitch Brown was nearly a Saint. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

MITCH Brown was as good as a St Kilda player on Thursday night before Cale Hooker's reluctance to leave Essendon thwarted a proposed three-way trade, according to player agent Liam Pickering.

The Saints were desperate to secure Brown in the trade period to shore up their undersized defence and tabled a three-year contract the West Coast backman wanted to accept.

But with Brown tied to the Eagles for 2013 and West Coast hesitant to trade the 23-year-old, talks between the Saints and Eagles continually broke down.

But Pickering, who manages Brown, said a bumper deal involving Jamie Cripps, Hooker and picks 25 and 26 was "done" before Hooker blocked the move.

"We actually had the deal done late on Thursday night which involved Essendon and Cale Hooker," Pickering told SEN.

"But Cale Hooker didn't want to leave the Bombers in the end, so that was the end of that deal."

Under the deal, the Bombers would've landed picks 25 and 26 for Hooker, with West Coast securing Hooker and Cripps.

The Saints would have coughed up picks 25, 26 and Cripps to secure Brown.

Ultimately, they handed over Cripps and pick 46 for picks 41 and 44 in a direct trade with the Eagles.

Hooker, from East Perth, is believed to have been offered a three-year deal from the Eagles.

But with Darren Glass, Erick McKenzie and Will Schofield already at West Coast, Hooker could have been starved of AFL opportunities, as Brown was this season.

Hooker played 17 games for the Dons this year.

"But Cale Hooker was determined to stay at the Bombers and had a year to go on his contract, so that was the first snag," Pickering said.

"West Coast were pretty up front all the way - they wanted cover for Mitch.

"They were happy to do the deal with Cale Hooker if he wanted to go back, just so they had the player there.

"But once they couldn't get the player, they were never going to do it for the pick, which was disappointing."

St Kilda list manager Ameet Bains said the Saints were "very, very close" to prying Brown east, insisting they tried everything possible.

"But unfortunately it couldn't get done," he said.

"We understand it's a business and every club needs to be happy with the trade completed, so it is what it is."

But Eagles list manager Craig Vozzo denied that, declaring the contracted Brown was never placed on the table.

"(It was) never close at all. Our priority was always to keep Mitch," Vozzo said.

"He's a contracted player, we rate him very highly and want to keep him for a long time.

"We never wavered from that."

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We couldn't let Brown go, says Woosha

KEY MAN: John Worsfold and West Coast were desperate to hold onto key defender Mitch Brown. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

WEST Coast coach John Worsfold says the club could not afford to let Mitch Brown go home because a lack of key defensive depth could have sabotaged the club's 2013 premiership tilt.

But despite West Coast insisting contracted Brown was not up for trade, it is understood the Eagles were prepared to let him go to St Kilda, as long as they could secure a replacement key defender through a three-way deal.

But Essendon backman Cale Hooker, a 24-year-old East Fremantle product who has played 66 games for the Bombers, refused to return home, scuttling Brown's wish to shift to the Saints.

Brown's manager, Liam Pickering, said yesterday he believed a three-way deal involving Brown, Hooker and Jamie Cripps was over the line on Thursday night.

Worsfold spoke to Brown, who is holidaying overseas, by telephone on Friday afternoon and said the powerful utility was "really positive" about remaining with the Eagles next season.

"He saw an opportunity to be in the starting 18 at another club, along with an attractive contract offer, but he also understood that we wouldn't let him go at the cost of our squad being massively depleted and at risk of not being able to achieve what it can achieve next year," Worsfold said.

Brown played just eight games as a fill-in key defender this season, with Darren Glass, Eric Mackenzie and Will Schofield preferred ahead of him.

But given Glass turns 32 next season and the Eagles have limited developing tall defensive options, Brown, 23, is viewed as important for the future. His upbeat attitude, despite being repeatedly dropped to the WAFL, helped him earn the Chris Mainwaring Medal as best clubman at the West Coast club champion awards three weeks ago.

The following day Brown requested a trade back to his home state of Victoria for more opportunity.

Worsfold said he hoped Brown would re-sign with the Eagles beyond next season, when his current deal expires.

"Mitch is very comfortable," Worsfold said. "He loves the club.

"We would love to have him here and play a lot of games and be a life member and hopefully a premiership player at this footy club. I'm confident if he stays he can achieve those things."

Essendon's list manager Adrian Dodoro praised Hooker's loyalty after he knocked back a deal to join West Coast.

"We got an offer late (Thursday) night for Cale and to his credit he didn't want to leave Essendon," Dodoro said.

St Kilda was seething after missing out on Brown, given they facilitated a request from Cripps to return to his home state and join the Eagles in a trade involving draft picks.

"Like Mitch Brown wanting to return home, we were compassionate that Jamie wanted to return to Western Australia. Our preference for Jamie was to stay at the club, but he made it clear he wanted to be home with family,'' Saints head of football Chris Pelchen said.

"We made several offers to West Coast in the last couple of hours to try and get Mitch across the line."

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Saints take in heights

Former Western Bulldogs fitness trainer Bill Davoren is taking the Saints to America. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

ST KILDA expects next month's Colorado training camp to develop into an annual high-altitude staple, along the same lines as Collingwood's visits to Arizona over the past decade.

"My understanding is it's a fairly long-standing commitment to make this an annual part of the pre-season regime," St Kilda high-performance manager Bill Daveron said.

Daveron, who joined St Kilda this month, said the Saints would gather the list in the days after the November 22 national draft and head to Boulder, Colorado, for a 16-day camp.

The team will fly out on November 27 and base itself at University of Colorado.

The group will stay at a hotel on the edge of the campus that is "within jogging distance of all the training facilities" and will incorporate several hikes in its itinerary.

A former Triathlon Australia head coach whose experience with altitude training dates to 1991, Daveron said Boulder was the training base for several high-profile Australian endurance athletes, such as four-time Olympic marathon runner Benita Willis and three-time ironman triathlon world champion Craig Alexander. Davoren hoped to involve one of them in the Saints camp.

"Boulder's been a bit of a Mecca for distance runners, but also for cycling and triathlon," Davoren said.

"I'm not sure that Craig will be there, but I'm working on getting an elite athlete from the endurance field to come in, talk to them and be involved."

The Saints may also look to take in some major sport while they are in Colorado. NFL team the Denver Broncos play Tampa Bay on December 2, while NBA outfit the Denver Nuggets play Toronto the following day.

While training at 1650m will improve the players' endurance and repeat-effort capacity, the Saints' new sports science manager, former Melbourne Storm guru Simon Kearney, will also examine sleep programs and conduct blood analysis.

"We're over there for 16 days which is what you need to put together an adequate exposure and training program," Davoren said, adding the expectation was to follow up with training sessions in the club's Seaford altitude chamber throughout season 2013.

"We might try to get some people into the altitude room a couple of times a week during the season, but that varies depending on their loads and fatigue and those sorts of things."

The club's 2012 draftees and its injured players will take part in the camp. Lenny Hayes, who had corrective heart surgery last month to repair a leaky valve, will also make the trip.

"He's certainly going on the trip," Davoren said. "Look there'll certainly be some modifications around Lenny, and that will be driven by the medical team, but the aim is that he'll be taking part in a number of the activities with us.

"Any players in rehab will continue on their programs and, because the facilities are so good, if anything we'll be able to monitor them more closely."

St Kilda's pre-season begins with the young players training on the day before the Melbourne Cup, and the older players resuming on November 12.
 

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West Coast trades 'omen'

NEW FACES: Midfielder Sharrod Wellingham and fellow recruits Cale Morton and Jamie Cripps will add midfield pace at West Coast. Source: Herald Sun

WEST Coast Eagles coach John Worsfold has compared the club's trade spree to when the Eagles brought in Tyson Stenglein and Daniel Chick in the lead-up to the 2006 premiership.

The Eagles won't have a pick in the first two rounds of the national draft and will be the last team to enter the ballot when they have their first selection at 46.

It is a rare departure from West Coast's usual strategy, which has involved largely sitting on the sidelines during the trade period and preserving early draft picks.

The Eagles instead focused on bringing in running players via trades, securing Collingwood premiership midfielder Sharrod Wellingham, along with fellow West Australians Jamie Cripps (St Kilda) and Cale Morton (Melbourne).

In the lead-up to its last flag, West Coast identified a need to add strong bodies and gave up first-round draft picks to trade in Hawthorn hard nut Chick and Adelaide Crows midfielder Stenglein.

"We had a team we felt was very close and we needed to add what was missing," Worsfold said.

"This year's been a little bit of the same philosophy.  I think prior to this year we've used our draft picks pretty well, and we weren't going to have a really high pick anyway, so it's a good time for us to go down this pathway."

West Coast's willingness to sit out of the opening two rounds of the draft for the first time is a clear signal it believes its squad is capable of going all the way next year, although Worsfold shied away from the premiership mode tag.

"I don't call it premiership mode, I call it building your list and making it better," he said.

"But if we weren't in really good touch then we might have a really high draft pick and you'd want to take that draft pick.''

Worsfold signalled his intent to add speed to the midfield immediately after West Coast crashed out of the finals with a 13-point loss to Collingwood in the semi-final at the MCG.

Ironically, it was one of the players in the Magpies team who the Eagles had identified as a crucial addition.

"I'm really keen to see Sharrod fit into our midfield mix and watch him develop there," Worsfold said.

"He's got some pace and can play inside as well as outside. He's a good tackling player, so he fills a few things.

"I think he's still got some improvement to come and he's been a solid player for the past couple of years."

The Eagles lost veteran forward Quinten Lynch to Collingwood through free agency, while midfielder Koby Stevens was traded to the Western Bulldogs and half-back Lewis Stevenson to Port Adelaide.

West Coast is likely to make a couple of delistings early this week, ahead of Wednesday's first list lodgement deadline.

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Freo could be 'lite' Eagles with move

STANDING FIRM: Chris Lewis (second from left) and Keep Freo in Freo members Richard Utting, Peter Newman and Peter Dowding are keen for the Dockers to remain at Fremantle Oval. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: PerthNow

FREMANTLE board nominee Chris Lewis says the Dockers risk becoming "West Coast Eagles lite" if they turn their back on their heritage and set up a new training base in Cockburn.

Lewis, one of six candidates who have nominated for the member-elected board position, is one of the founders of the Keep Freo In Freo lobby group and is running on a platform to fight for the Dockers to remain at Fremantle Oval.

The corporate consultant has launched both traditional advertising and online campaigns and believes he is a strong chance of being elected.

Lewis is running against former Fremantle captain Peter Mann, sitting director Kate Grieve, real estate director John Garland, Keystart Home Loans chief financial officer John Vojkovich and Summit Fertilizers executive Murray Browne.

Online voting opens at 9am tomorrow and closes at 5pm on November 26.

The Dockers have spent several months considering whether to redevelop their traditional training base, or move to a greenfields site known as Cockburn Central West.

A decision was originally expected by the end of the recent season but The Sunday Times understands this may now not be made until early next year.

Lewis praised the direction of the club under president Steve Harris and CEO Steve Rosich, but said it was clear members wanted the Dockers to be based in Fremantle.

"It's a wonderful organisation, a great club and a great business: it's got a lot of things going for it," he said.

"The Dockers have endless potential and are just starting to get somewhere. We just need to make sure it stays on track and works alongside its members."

Lewis said the Dockers needed to understand their attachment to Fremantle gave the club an important geographic and historic link not enjoyed by their cross-town rivals.

"The Dockers do have a unique identity," he said. "The opportunity is to capitalise on that.

"One of the risks of moving away is we end up being West Coast Eagles lite.

"Just like watering down a beer, we would be watering down the strength, the passion, the heartland of the entire Dockers movement.

"I've put my hand up as a members' representative: someone who will actually get up and say things and take a strong stand on matters and pursue the Keep Freo in Freo stand."

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Darkest secrets back to haunt Crows

Adelaide Crows chief executive Steven Trigg arrives at the club's administration offices Picture: Sarah Reed Source: The Advertiser

STEVEN Trigg stepped off a flight from Croatia to return to the Adelaide Football Club last Friday with the Crows' darkest secret unravelling.

It became the blackest day in the AFL club's 22-year history.

The Crows' side deal with defecting forward Kurt Tippett - one that threatens to cost Trigg his job - was becoming known around the AFL. Lawyers were reading it - and not only those of Tippett's agitated father, Tony.

A rival AFL club, Gold Coast, had a copy of the infamous deal spelt out in 2009 in an email letter between former Crows football operations manager John Reid and Tippett's Brisbane-based manager Peter Blucher.

Having been jilted by Tippett - who had sat in the Gold Coast offices a year earlier contemplating a move to the Suns before this year choosing Sydney - the Gold Coast executives handed the letter to their lawyers. The key question was: Could it be passed to the AFL without reprisal to the Suns who would have to explain how they had it?

Trigg's club had committed the cardinal sin.

More than challenge the two key pillars of the AFL competition - the salary cap and draft - the Crows had foolishly put their secret deal with Tippett in writing.

It was not, as was often said, a "handshake" or "gentlemen's agreement" acknowledging Tippett would have an easy passage to the Gold Coast team on his home base in Queensland should he chose to leave the Crows.

This AFL rule-breaching side deal involved payments to Tippett outside the salary cap. It is a six-figure sum that the AFL auditors will now determine as they piece together what appears to be the biggest rort in AFL football of the past decade.

As AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou has privately told a club president of the Crows-Tippett deal: "It was dumb."

More so when the illegal payments would have fitted within Adelaide's salary cap that has ranged from $8.5 million to $9.3 million in the past three years.

Trigg returned from a three-week holiday, which had taken him from Paris to Venice and Croatia, last Friday when Adelaide was finishing a deal to trade Tippett to his chosen club of Sydney for a draft pick and out-of-favour forward Jesse White.

There were two urgent tasks for Trigg.

First, he had to stop Adelaide list manager David Noble from lodging any trade for Tippett. Noble took a phone call from the club telling him to walk out of the AFL offices in Melbourne.

Trigg also had to see his club chairman Rob Chapman to reveal the full details of the secret deal with Tippett.

Trigg, whose jetlag from a 40-hour trip was minor compared to the headache he had from the Tippett letter, put the document - with all its problems - before Chapman.

Around the AFL, Gold Coast was telling others the infamous Tippett exit clause was a minor matter compared to the third-party agreements Adelaide had agreed to underwrite for Tippett.

"An hour after Steven got back, he was in my office," said Chapman. "And 90 minutes later we were before Andrew Demetriou putting the letter to the AFL."

Trigg dismisses any suggestion the mea culpa moment was forced by Tippett's father threatening to take the Crows to court for haggling on his son's move to Sydney.

"I want to make clear that our decision go to the AFL was not motivated by any threat of legal action," said Trigg in an emailed note to his club's members on Thursday night.

"A key point to stress is that this matter came to light and is being investigated by the AFL as a direct result of the initiative of the Adelaide Football Club."

The Crows stepped up before the AFL moved in, as unfolded at the club's West Lakes base yesterday when AFL investigators claimed files and computer records to deepen their scrutiny of every payment that Adelaide has made to Tippett.

Trigg stayed out of the media last weekend, despite a heavy booking list from journalists wanting the Crows chief to explain why Adelaide appeared to be scoring a poor deal from the Swans.

His remarks to The Advertiser on Monday and Tuesday sounded like riddles. To specific questions on what had happened on Friday, Trigg politely responded: "If I answer that, I'll give the whole game away."

By Wednesday, Trigg was being even more cautious with his responses by phone link to AFL investigations officer Ken Wood and integrity officer Brett Clothier. Wood, an auditor, is the AFL's long-serving salary cap watchdog. Clothier, a lawyer, joined the AFL in August 2008 when the league became concerned with the influence of increased gambling options in football.

Trigg sat in his office at West Lakes surrounded by lawyers, all on the clock at the start of an AFL investigation that is expected to cost the Crows plenty.

There could be fines, as much as $500,000. There could be the loss of draft picks, a penalty that punishes a club for years as this denies new blood for the player list.

And the members will demand blood. It is too easy to serve up Reid as the fall guy. Every senior staffer is under scrutiny, as is the board for not questioning the deal with the same vigour the media had.

Chapman says he will support Trigg to the hilt, acknowledging his outstanding record. But the pressure will mount for Trigg to resign.

Trigg was on the pathway to bigger things. Now he is tainted by a deal Demetriou rightly labels as "dumb" ... and one the Crows should have never put in writing.

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Tippett trade fiasco to hurt Crows

Kurt Tippett'. Picture: Tait Schmaal. Source: adelaidenow

ADELAIDE has closed the trade period with one target found, another put out of reach and the Kurt Tippett nightmare to carry to the draft next month.

Crows list manager David Noble returned to Adelaide last night grateful the Tippett scandal had not left him empty handed from the game's longest trade period. He did find a ruckman, Richmond's Angus Graham, to remove the risk posed to Adelaide's premiership dreams should lead ruckman Sam Jacobs be sidelined next season.

"But in reality, we would have liked to have filled one of our other needs - a defender or an outside running player," said Noble. "We would have liked to have covered one more need. Each, a defender or an outside runner, carried equal weight in our needs."

The Tippett saga first cost Adelaide - as the Crows waited for the ruckman-forward to declare if he would stay or go from West Lakes - the chance to chase Port Adelaide free agent Danyle Pearce to meet the need for an outside midfielder. Fremantle moved first on Pearce.

Then the scandal with Tippett's out-of-contract agreement with Adelaide blocked the Crows chance to trade the Queenslander - and then fill the need for a defender.

"In between, we got Angus Graham - and we're pleased we did," said Noble last night. "We're more pleased when we hear Angus say he wanted to come to our football club."

Graham came to Adelaide with Richmond's third-round draft pick (No. 54) while the Crows traded out their second-round draft pick (No. 43).

It was the only trade Adelaide secured while the AFL blocked Tippett's controversial move to Sydney. That prospective deal was to have delivered a first-round draft pick and out-of-favour forward Jesse White to the Crows.

Adelaide's player list transformation will have small forward Ian Callinan upgraded from the rookie list.

But how the Crows restock their list in the AFL national draft on November 22 and the pre-season draft on December 11 is clouded by the potential sanctions from the league from the Tippett investigation.

Adelaide is to have three picks across the drafts. But the Tippett scandal leaves uncertainty whether Crows recruiting manager Hamish Ogilvie will call in the first and third rounds.

Adelaide currently has draft picks No. 20, 54 and 64 in the first three rounds. If these are wiped out by the AFL, Adelaide's draft calls then fall at Nos. 83, 101, 119 and 137.

"However that plays out," said Noble, "Hamish will be prepared. He is a good planner. He is already getting on top of how the draft could pan out for us. He will plan for all the variables."

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Sole female resigns from AFL post

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou. Source: Herald Sun

FOOTY'S first and only female executive has resigned from her post at the AFL.

Christina Ogg, the league's general manager of human resources, tendered her resignation to AFL boss Andrew Demetriou yesterday.

And in a major shake-up to the AFL's high-powered leadership team, senior executive Andrew Catterall announced he was taking long service leave.

The Herald Sun understands Catterall - general manager of strategy and marketing - will not be returning to the AFL.

The changes were relayed to club chief executives yesterday.

Both Catterall and Ogg were highly-paid members of the AFL's nine-person managerial body, which includes Demetriou.

League staffer Sam Graham will take command of the key strategy aspect of Catterall's job, while Stephen Gray and Blair Crouch will assume the marketing responsibilities.

AFL No.2 Gillon McLachlan, widely expected to replace Demetriou when he retires, will oversee Catterall's department in the interim.

Catterall, 38, was considered a rising star of the AFL and helped oversee the game's expansion into the Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney.

Club CEO's were told he had decided to take extra leave ahead of his upcoming wedding.

Ogg broke new ground for women in football in June 2009 by being promoted to join the executive.

The AFL Commission has two female members, Sam Mostyn and Linda Dessau.

Changes have also been forced for the AFL's Grievance Tribunal after its chair, Jack Rush QC, was yesterday unveiled as one of four new St Kilda board members.

"Jack Rush informed the AFL that he would be joining the St Kilda board and a process is now underway, as specified under the collective bargaining agreement, to appoint a replacement to the Grievance Tribunal," a league spokesman said.

"An announcement will be made in due course."

Joining Jack on the Saints' board are Olympic gold medal hockey player Danni Roche, accountant Paul Kirk and Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust chairman Russell Caplan.

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Players boss standing up for Tippett

Kurt Tippett. Picture: George Salpigtidis. Source: Herald Sun

AFL players' union chief Matt Finnis yesterday threw his support behind Kurt Tippett after the ex Crows found himself cast as a villain.

After the Sydney deal was withdrawn and no other club moved to deal with Adelaide over its highest-paid player, Tippett now seems destined for the national or pre-season draft and has lost much control over where he ends up.

As an AFL investigation continues into Adelaide's 2009 side deal controlling Tippett's exit from West Lakes, the AFL Players Association was a rare voice standing up for Tippett as he contemplates his next football station after the messy departure from the Crows.

But Finnis said that regardless of the investigation and its outcome, the game still had a responsibility to its player, who is yet to be found guilty of any wrongdoing and appears to have served out his playing contract with Adelaide in good faith.

Finnis said nobody ought to feel good about Tippett finding himself in his current situation after serving out his contract with the Crows, negotiating a new deal and then watching his future spiral into uncertainty.

The AFLPA will support Tippett throughout the investigation of his initial deal with Adelaide and through the remainder of the exchange window, and made the point that Tippett still had the right to defend himself.

"I know it's probably an unpopular view in Adelaide, but at the end of the day he's a player who's got the right to expect to be able to continue his career," Finnis said.

"I think what's disappointing is that as a result of the situation, a player and club had appeared to have reached an agreement but the player doesn't get the benefit of that agreement.

"Putting aside the investigation and any offence or penalties that might apply, people should not lose sight of the fact that Kurt Tippett, today, is the one whose future is uncertain."

Finnis said it was still too early for the AFLPA to launch its own investigation into the conduct of all parties involved throughout the Tippett fiasco.

But he said the union would make its own inquiries when the AFL had handed over its findings.

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Brisbane keen for Tippett- Brown duo

Kurt Tippett playing against the Brisbane Lions. Picture: Darren England Source: The Courier-Mail

BRISBANE started the AFL's month-long free agency and trade period chasing Kurt Tippett to be captain Jonathan Brown's partner in crime.

It took until the last hour of the drawn-out festival of wheeling, dealing and posturing for the Lions to secure Melbourne's Stefan Martin as Brown's forward-line foil.

Brisbane parted with their No.53 and No.73 draft picks at next month's national draft in exchange for Martin on the frenetic final day of trading.

Eleven of the 38 deals done in the past month were completed yesterday reinforcing how ludicrously long the trade period was.

It could all get done in two weeks. Teams took a month to sign-off on trades because they knew they could.

The Lions and Demons were locked in a stalemate for two days following Martin's visit to Brisbane earlier this week with the Demons chasing pick No.33.

The Lions were only willing to part with pick No.53 but added pick No.73 yesterday to sweeten the pot.

Martin played 57 matches in five seasons with the Demons.

He played just seven games in a 2012 season interrupted by a number of injuries, but 2011 was a breakout year for the former basketballer when he averaged 17.3 disposals and 14.9 hitouts per game.

At 198cm and 103kg, Martin is an athletic big man who can fill the ruckman/key forward role that vice-captain and key defender Daniel Merrett was forced to play in 2012.

Merrett can return to defence with Brown and Martin to fill the key forward roles. Martin will also relieve Matthew Leuenberger in the ruck.

Brisbane national talent manager Rob Kerr said Martin's versatility was crucial.

"Structurally, a player of Stefan's ability is critically important as it provides us with a flexible tall who can be effective both in the ruck and around the ground," Kerr said.

"The shifting ruck rules seem to suit players with Stefan's athletic capabilities."

Brisbane's talls will also get a boost with the return of utility Brent Staker who can play forward or back. Staker is coming back from a knee reconstruction but is recording outstanding results in the gym and on the training track.

Meanwhile, former Lion Justin Sherman has parted ways with the Western Bulldogs.

Sherman slammed Brisbane's culture when he left the Gabba at the end of 2010 to link with the Bulldogs, but he did not find Whitten Oval to his liking either, playing 24 games in two seasons.

Sherman, 25, still had a year to run on his contract, but reached a settlement with the club after just 10 senior appearances in 2012.

Suns defender Josh Toy is set to nominate for the pre-season draft in December after the Gold Coast was unable to find a suitable trade.

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Salary cap limited Blues manoeuvres

Mick Malthouse. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: Herald Sun

NEW Carlton coach Mick Malthouse said the Blues' hands were tied by the salary cap but has also taken a swipe at free agents.

Carlton was virtually invisible in the past month, only involved in one trade during the entire trade/free agency period completed yesterday, trading departing Jordan Russell to Malthouse's old club Collingwood for pick 71.

"Our salary cap is topped up and the player list is contracted so there wasn't a lot of maneuverability," Malthouse said.

"Disappointing? Maybe but at the end of the day you don't trade for the sake of trading.

"The bigger names, (Brendon) Goddard and so forth, they have changed over in the free agency period.

"Is Gary Ablett out there? No, it is more mix and match - too many ruckmen, not enough flanks or vice versa so you swap over.

"We spoke from the word go we probably wouldn't be doing much trading and it has turned out we've done none. Our salary cap is where it is and our players are contracted so there was not much we can do."

Malthouse refused to be drawn on the controversy surrounding Adelaide and its former key forward Kurt Tippett.

With no trade completed yesterday, Tippett may be forced to enter the national or pre-season draft.

Despite crying out for a big-bodied key forward, Malthouse said there was no way Tippett would be in the navy blue next season.

"We can't get him," he said in Hobart yesterday promoting his daughter Christi Malthouse's book A Football Life.

"If he's in the draft he's not going to get through to Carlton and if he did our salary cap is restrictive."

This year saw the introduction of free agency that allowed some players easier access to the club of their choice, but the former Footscray, West Coast and Collingwood coach was not impressed.

"I don't like it at all," he said.

"It helps the top clubs and doesn't do any favours at all for the bottom clubs."

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Magpies set to sign Russell

Jordan Russell is now a Pie. Picture: George Salpigtidis. Source: Herald Sun

Get the first look at the AFL's future stars in this preview of draft analysis series 'Pick Me'

COLLINGWOOD believes it can resurrect the career of Carlton outcast Jordan Russell after yesterday swooping on the delisted defender.

On a hectic day of trading, the Magpies gave up pick 71 - the selection they received from the Western Bulldogs for Tom Young - to the Blues for a player who finished runner-up in Carlton's 2010 best and fairest.

Collingwood could have waited until the start of the delisted free agency period on November 1 to get Russell for nothing, but after meeting with the player yesterday it has effectively done the same thing by giving the Blues a late draft pick that wasn't going to be used.

Collingwood recruiting manager Derek Hine said Russell had the potential to become an elite player who could thrive on a fresh start.

Russell fell out of favour at Visy Park last season, playing only seven games.

"The facts are Jordan is only 25 years of age, a top 10 draft pick in his year and a player with attributes you would expect of a high order selection," Hine said.

"He finished top six in Carlton's best and fairest twice and being a versatile type of player he can give us real flexibility through the half-back/wing areas.

"We think we can help him recapture his best and if that happens he will be a very good footballer for us."

More news: Department of Trades

Young, drafted as a NSW scholarship rookie, lands at the Whitten Oval after two years with the Pies.

The 20-year-old was described by Bulldogs list manager Jason McCartney as a fierce competitor with clean hands.

"We see him as a long-term prospect after he showed really promising signs at Collingwood over the past couple of seasons," McCartney said.

In other deals, Gold Coast snared rugged Fremantle defender/midfielder Greg Broughton with pick 37.

The Suns also got pick 60 which player football manager Marcus Ashcroft said would add valuable experience to a young side.

"Securing another experienced player like Greg and maintaining our position within the first round of the draft is an excellent result for the club," Ashcroft said.

Melbourne unveiled another recycled addition, picking up discarded Port Adelaide onballer David Rodan with pick 88. Rodan will move to his third club after playing 176 games for Richmond and Port Adelaide.

The Power used that No.88 selection to sign West Coast halfback Lewis Stevenson.

Get live trade updates on Twitter @superfooty and join the debate on Facebook

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