Port to target defenders in trades

New Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has already started his rejuvenation of the damaged club. Picture: Calum Robertson. Source: adelaidenow

PORT Adelaide's fresh-start approach will prompt a double-edged approach as the trade period moves into its final stage this week.

The club has a new coach in Ken Hinkley, a new coaching structure with senior assistant Alan Richardson and internationally respected fitness coach Darren Burgess brought in.

The club is now at the stage where it rejuvenates its list.

Port has brought the wrecking ball to its list as the club seeks a new beginning under a new regime.

The Power will seek to draft in some experience to replace free agents Troy Chaplin, who crossed to Richmond, and new Docker Danyle Pearce.

The other half of the strategy will be based around loading up in the draft to have coverage for the group of players in the 22-25 year-old bracket that needs to continue having games invested in them.

After two weeks of dealing with free agents and waiting for the compensation picks they bring - in Power's case, pick 30 for Pearce and 31 for Chaplin - the club's have a clearer picture of their bargaining power.

There is also the Friday deadline to speed up proceedings, which have been cautious and measured for the first two weeks of the trade period.

Port Adelaide football operations chief Peter Rohde agreed it was a fair estimate Port would seek to trade for two or three players this week, with an emphasis likely to be on defenders.

It is the area where the Power has lost most: Ben Jacobs spent time there and in the midfield but has told the club he wants to return to Victoria.

North Melbourne is the front runner for his services, but there has also been interest from St Kilda and Essendon.

Jacob Surjan was down back, Chaplin was a key there and Pearce was just as damaging off half back as he was in the midfield.

"We'll bring in a couple of players through the trade, we think, through the next bit," Rohde said. "But we're going to end up with a lot of draft picks.

"We've got a lot of second, third and fourth-year players who want to put games into, which we'll continue to do.

"We want to build our squad, and it will be mainly through the draft, bringing young players in."

With Adelaide playing expected to play a small and specialised role over the trade and draft period - their list is close to full - Port Adelaide becomes the main South Australian player.

At this stage, the Power has selections 7, 29, 30, 31, 72, 90 and 106 in next month's national draft, which includes a pick for the tragic loss of John McCarthy.

The club has already picked up Essendon's Angus Monfries in return for No.48 and been severe in its pruning.

Pearce and Chaplin left on their own accord, but only days after Hinkley arrived at the club the club jettisoned crowd favourite David Rodan, former vice-captain Jacob Surjan, Mitch Banner, Simon Phillips and rookies Mitch Curnow, Daniel Webb and Jarrad Irons.

A question mark remains over Cameron Hitchcock, who is out of contract and has had continuous hamstring troubles, but he's expected to be offered a new deal despite playing just two games this season.

Hitchcock, 22, is an enterprising small forward but he will not have a lot of firepower at the negotiating table, with Port Adelaide also having had injury concerns with fellow talented players such as Hamish Hartlett and Robbie Gray.

WHAT POWER NEEDS TO REPLACE

JACOB SURJAN (delisted): A senior defender who was prepared to sacrifice his own game and never shirked a contest. A former vice-captain who could direct younger backmen.

TROY CHAPLIN (free agent to Richmond): Key defender who could both stand the key forwards from the opposition and work as a loose, intercepting defender who could set up forward thrusts.

DAVID RODAN (delisted): Zippy and elusive player who could stack up clearances, swerve, baulk and break lines and find space even in heavy traffic.

BEN JACOBS (seeking a trade): Strong utility with a good mark and a good mark. At 185cm, he could play in a variety of positions, including on the ball.

DANYLE PEARCE (free agent to Fremantle): Midfield zip, especially outside the contests, and one of the long elite kicks of the competition. He could deliver silver service from the half back line and make the forwards look good.

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TV bosses still want GF time swap

Sydney's Nick Malceski is mobbed by teammates after kicking the winning goal in a classic Grand Final win against Hawthorn at the MCG. Picture: Hamish Blair Source: Herald Sun

Seven boss David Leckie still wouldn't mind seeing a later timeslot for the AFL Grand Final. Picture: Getty Images Source: Herald Sun

TELEVISION bosses don't come bigger and badder than Channel 7's David Leckie.

But not even Leckie - armed with hundreds of millions of dollars - could secure a night or twilight AFL Grand Final during the last round of broadcast rights negotiations.

"I'd love to, but I've been bashed around the head," Leckie admitted when the $1.25 billion deal was penned.

The man that bashed him was Andrew Demetriou.

The league chief has long declared that a night Grand Final simply won't happen under his watch.

And on this count of trademark Demetriou belligerence, let's hope he's right.

It's called Grand Final 'Day' for a reason.

Since 1898 when Fitzroy beat the Bombers, the last Saturday afternoon in September has been the showpiece of the Australian game.

Why fix what isn't broken?

But rumblings are growing louder that the TV kings are set to try again, for a twilight slot at least.

Seven yesterday remained tight-lipped about its intentions.

And if you're one of those in favour of the game being played under lights, Collingwood president Eddie McGuire is your man.

"If you are serious about what you are trying to achieve, the ultimate marketing tool the AFL has is the AFL Grand Final," McGuire said this year. "And if you want to put on the biggest and best show you do it at night. Have an entertainment spectacular with a million-dollar budget."

Sorry Ed, but the Rolling Stones could have played pre-game this year and we'd still be talking about Nick Malceski's goal.

The Sydney-Hawthorn epic played out in fading light at the MCG didn't need fireworks or rock bands to make it an all-time great.

Rugby league's failed experiments should serve as another warning.

In 2001, the NRL shifted to a night decider on the whim of Channel 9 before people power got the game moved back to a 5pm start.

When last asked for their opinion, more than 90 per cent of AFL players said they opposed anything other than an afternoon game.

The AFL, obsessed about congestion, said amid the interchange furore this week that all its rule changes were made with a view to player safety and the spectacle of the game.

So surely the best stage for footy's biggest match is a sunny September afternoon - not a night match more likely to be slippery because of dew.

Not to mention the death of the backyard Grand Final BBQ.

But if Demetriou's words ring true, traditionalists need not fret.

"If the only reason we were to do it was to please our broadcasters or to get more eyeballs on it, it wasn't a good enough reason to do it," he has declared.

"Even if we were offered a significant amount of money to move our Grand Final, we wouldn't do it."

That was August 2007 and the boss isn't a man to backflip.

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How Mick stopped a player revolt

Mick Malthouse with Eddie McGuire at the end of the 2011 season. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

Jon Anderson and Mark Robinson break the news that Carlton will announce Mick malthouse as coach tomorrow

Mark Robinson, Jon Ralph and Shane Crawford cay Carlton can win a flag with Mick Malthouse as coach

Biography of Mick Malthouse to be released this week. Source: Herald Sun

MICK Malthouse hosed down a 2011 player revolt at Collingwood that wanted to keep him as coach.

In an exclusive book extract from Malthouse: A Football Life, to be released this week, it is revealed the Magpies' 2010 premiership coach was approached by a senior player who said several of his colleagues were prepared to sign a petition to have him stay on.

Former champion Collingwood player Nathan Buckley signed a deal in mid-2009 that meant he would take over from Malthouse as Collingwood coach for season 2012, regardless of interim results.

But almost from the moment the Pies saluted in the 2010 Grand Final replay against St Kilda, there was intense speculation about the arrangement and how the football giants would co-exist.

In the biographical book on her father, Christi Malthouse has revealed that while the thought of the petition appealed, the three-time premiership coach talked the player around because he thought it would "derail" the Magpies' 2011 premiership tilt which, at the time, was flying.

"By Round 16 (of the 2011 AFL season), the Magpies were second on the ladder, with 12 wins, one loss and two byes," Christi writes.

"By now it was early July and speculation about the future of the Collingwood coach had reached boiling point.

"Rumours abounded that Mick might not stay at Collingwood, that he might possibly coach elsewhere in 2012.

"Mick was in his office when a player tapped on the door.

"The young man in front of him looked nervous. 'Can I talk to you?'

"As the coach listened, his player revealed to him that several senior players wanted to sign a petition to have him reinstated as senior coach for the following year.

"It was nothing against the 'coach in waiting' (Buckley), he insisted, but the boys were concerned.

"They loved Mick, they needed Mick, and they weren't prepared to stand back and do nothing as he was replaced.

"Especially after winning a premiership. 'I would like to take it to management and the board', said the player.

"Mick's heart thumped inside his chest and echoed in his mind. 'What an amazing gesture,' he thought. But what a disaster it would be."

Christi writes that her father then made a call based on keeping the Magpies on a roll.

" 'No. Put those ideas away. I appreciate it, I really do, but it will only do more damage than good'," she writes.

"He was firm. 'It's not going to change anything. Nathan will be your coach next year - you have to get used to that. The only thing that can derail our season this year is if our focus is taken off winning.'

"Mick was desperate not to let that happen.

"They talked some more, and in the end it was agreed that everyone was better off concentrating solely on playing good football.

"They could worry about next year later."

Malthouse, who has signed to coach Carlton next season, was famously in tears as Collingwood rallied late to beat Hawthorn in the 2011 preliminary final.

But the Magpies were over-run by Geelong in the final quarter of the Grand Final, having led narrowly at halftime.

From Malthouse: A Football Life, published Wednesday by Allen & Unwin. Copyright Christi Malthouse 2012.

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Morabito confident of derby return

ON TRACK: Fremantle midfielder Anthony Morabito (left) is aiming for a Round 1 return next season. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

FREMANTLE could be bolstered for its Round 1 Western Derby by a remarkable return from injury by midfielder Anthony Morabito.

Morabito's manager, Colin Young, said the Dockers bolter was confident he would be ready to put his hand up for the season opener and could be in line for selection as early as the NAB Cup, marking an against-the-odds recovery from consecutive knee reconstructions.

Morabito, the Dockers' top pick from the 2009 draft, has not played for Fremantle since the 2010 finals series after rupturing his left ACL in the following pre-season.

The Peel product, who turns 21 at the end of this month, was battling his way back through the WAFL and had made seven appearances for the Thunder before suffering a recurrence of the injury at a Fremantle training session in July.

Dockers coach Ross Lyon noted last month that his player's initial reconstruction had not been successful, leading to the re-injury, but Young said the second operation had produced better results.

"I haven't spoken to Morra since the best-and-fairest, but he's on track for the NAB Cup," Young said.

"I said to him: 'Still Round 1?' and, he said: 'Nah, NAB's looking good'. He's keen to start for the NAB Cup; he said he's ready to go and doesn't see any problems starting Round 1 and going on.

"He looked in great shape when he was training and he's very confident, very excited about next year."

A pre-season return for Morabito would be a stunning recovery and an overdue bit of good fortune for the footballer.

After his first operation in December, 2010, it took almost 16 months for his return to football  a 15-touch game with Peel reserves in Round 3 in late-March this year.

An NAB Cup return would mark a seven-month layoff, while Round 1 selection to face the Eagles would be eight months' recovery.

Young said there was a notable difference in Morabito's reaction to the latest surgery.

"He went to Melbourne to have the operation under Julian Feller, who's probably the master of all surgeons in Victoria," Young said.

"He was pretty convinced that he'd be back for NAB Cup, if not, then latest Round 1 and so he's very happy with the outcome of working with Julian.

"(The first time around) I don't think in his own mind he felt confident the operations were successful: he didn't feel right.

"He really feels 120 per cent now, since the last one.

"He had no swelling at all after the operation and he's really confident going forward."

Fremantle begins its pre-season on November 14, with the first-to-third-year players, with general manager of football operations Chris Bond saying the Dockers expected Morabito to rejoin ball drills in January.

"It's tragic circumstances, but to his credit he's really dug in," Bond told ABC radio.

"We've had the surgery done and we're expecting him to start running well into our pre-season and join in our football in January.

"We're in no doubt at all that we're going to get a fair bit of footy out of him."

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Cats, Hawks trust in the tried

The Hawks forfeited their first-round draft pick in order to gain Western Bulldogs veteran Brian Lake. Picture: Bronwyn Ward Source: Herald Sun

PERENNIAL powers Geelong and Hawthorn have gambled on the "now" rather than turn to this year's AFL draft.

With the Sydney Swans almost certain to lose at least pick No.22 in their bid to secure Kurt Tippett, all three clubs appear likely to have just one selection before pick 65 on draft day, November 22.

In contrast, fellow 2012 contender Collingwood will have chosen five times before its rivals return for a second selection.

Western Bulldogs fans, told a fortnight ago by coach Brendan McCartney to brace for a long rebuild, will have seven new names to ponder before Geelong's second choice.

The Cats traded their second-round pick for North Melbourne ruckman Hamish McIntosh, and their third-round selection as part of the deal to land Josh Caddy, giving them just one choice in the first 78.

The Hawks remain furious with their third-round pick as free-agency compensation for the departed Clinton Young, especially having traded away their first pick and down in the second round to get defender Brian Lake from the Bulldogs.

The Hawks are still assessing their options after being handed pick 66 for Young and will likely approach the AFL tomorrow for further explanation of the compensation rules.

An emerging issue with the fledgling formula, based largely on a player's contract at his new club, is that restricted free agents' deals have tended to be significantly enhanced so their original clubs are less likely to match the offers.

This, in turn, means compensation for restricted free agents is bigger in relation to unrestricted free agents.

The free agency period ended on Friday, but there is one more week of trade talks to run.
 

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Wild man Spida's mild tendencies

Former AFL ruckman Peter ''Spida'' Everitt. Picture: Michael Dodge. Source: Herald Sun

FEW former footballers surprise you like Peter "Spida" Everitt, the extroverted former ruckman of St Kilda, Hawthorn and Sydney.

An example: Few former footballers are certain they will one day rise at 4am each day to help milk 400 cows in the tiny hamlet of Waihi on the eastern coast of NZ's North Island - indefinitely.

As a player, Everitt chalked up not only 291 games but also a large helping of controversy, some of which ended up before the courts.

The first impression is easy. Here's the fella who went from dreadlocks to peroxide-blond hair to shaved, and in the meantime covered his body with tattoos. Everitt's not unhappy to help it along when he straps on his public persona.

Seeing him speak at various football functions is something else.

He'll begin with the dumb footballer's jokes, reeling off one one-liner after the next, one little anecdote after the other about how players had put their foot in it.

One: "I'm hoping to kick 70 to 80 goals next year, whatever comes first."

Another: Everitt scolds himself about having only two suits, one in which he married three times - "hasn't given me much luck so far" - and the other the one he's wearing.

But the way he closed his speech was what gave the first glimpse of what he was really about.

Everitt often speaks of a young child in a wheelchair who had asked to meet him through a charity wish (him, of all people). He was stunned by the little boy's joy at meeting him.

It touched Everitt, who has four children of his own, as much as it did the young boy.

They met during the week and before the game and, before Everitt ran through the banner, he asked the boy to park his chair near the race.

It was an impulsive move. Everitt picked up the boy before he ran through the banner hearing only the boy's screams of delight as the crowd at the MCG was beginning to roar.

"That's the greatest gift football gives," Everitt said. "But I was the one who had to play a whole game with a ringing ear."

We're now getting close to finding the real Everitt.

TRAVELLING MAN

Everitt impresses those behind the scenes before he even turns up to various speaking gigs.

Getting former footballers to speak for charities - without charging a fee - can be difficult: the former player often has more than one project on the go, some of them lucrative.

Everitt's Adelaide agent Terry Lindblom knows what Everitt will say if he calls up for a favour, for a worthwhile cause: "I'm there."

Everitt also has his little quirks, which include a love of exploring at all hours and being open to last-minute decisions.

For one engagement earlier this year, he lodged with Lindblom and prepared himself for a big day. Everitt has a radio career now and his first appointment was a radio spot in the city for a breakfast show.

He was warned to give himself time, even though Lindblom's Malvern base is close to the city. He looked outside, where dawn was yet to break, said it seemed like a nice day for a morning stroll and decided to walk.

With Everitt, you can forget the demands of the pampered, but that makes sense from somebody who grew up in a country town on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula and has spent much of his time after football filming his family's caravan travels around Australia.

Everitt's children - Caitlyn, 19, Summer, 12, Anais, 11 and Boston, 5 - were an important part of the trip, when he flew by the seat of his pants as he sought to widen the horizons of both his family and his viewers.

"You've got to travel," he said. "Even if it's only 30 or 300km up the road, with a tent. It doesn't have to cost much. There's so much to see."

TRAINING DOWN PERCEPTIONS

Everitt doesn't always get the accolades he deserves for his playing career, because his image can get in the way.

But he was one from the top drawer - a ruckman with the ability to rove and run, and also one who loved to kick a goal.

Everitt won a best-and-fairest award at St Kilda and Hawthorn, and was a three-time All-Australian.

Malcolm Blight, one of his coaches at St Kilda, said it best in his often understated way: "He could certainly play."

But there was always the perception that Everitt was a wild bastard, one who'd embark on long, crazy nights and get himself into mischief. Some of the time, he admits, it was true.

"I had to change a bit," Everitt said.

"I guess I could've done it at St Kilda but I thought a fresh start at Hawthorn was the best move."

We're having coffee at the breakfast table and despite the early hour, Everitt does not show a trace of fatigue.

Early mornings were part of his life for all of his 16-year career.

There is much that was never known about Everitt. For one thing, his attitude to  training.

"I loved training," he said. "At least three days a week, I'd be doing extra work at 6am and that gave me a lot of confidence.

"I'd come up against a ruckman on the weekend and I knew that he hadn't done the extra work I had. I did like having a few beers, that was a bit of a release, but I always loved training."

Other sacrifices were made. During his time in the AFL, Everitt swore off meat pies, sausage rolls, chocolate, fried food and fast food. If he had to attend a function, he'd always eat before, so that he could control his diet - there was no way of knowing what they'd serve at the function.

He cracks up as recalls his old ways.

"I'd drive through McDonald's with all the kids, get them all of theirs, but didn't even consider getting anything for myself.

"Now that I've finished, I let myself eat anything - and I haven't put on any weight at all."

NEW ZEALAND

Life after football has been an adventure for Everitt, but what's allowed him, his wife Sheree, and the children that luxury is knowing where their future lies.

As soon as football finished, they had all their belongings shipped to Sheree's family's farm in Waihi, and they are already involved with the family concern when time allows. To Everitt, there's no doubt they will eventually settle on the property.

"Once the adventure's over, once we've had enough, we'll go and live there," he said.

"I love it - milk cows in the morning, the shops still let people have accounts, working with Sheree's brothers, who are about my age.

"Only the other day they called me and said a farmer had left and asked when we were coming back.

"It's a great spot."

GOLD COAST

Everitt is on the Gold Coast now and he's starting to find his way back into the game.

He's been helping out with the state under-16 side, teaching them ruck tricks as well as helping them with their kicking.

Big difference up there, he says - they didn't grow up kicking the football on a daily basis like their counterparts in Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.

He's also part of the top-rating breakfast radio show, in tandem with Richard Fowler and Bridge Daley, and he takes it seriously.

How's this? As soon as the lunch finished on Wednesday, he bailed up Blight for an interview, ready with a recording device.

FAMILY

Everitt is the first to admit he was wild when he stepped through the doors at Moorabbin with his ludicrous hairstyle, but there was always another side to him. His first-born, Caitlyn, was only a little one then, and he used to tie a balloon around her so that he could spot her in the crowd.

The old volunteer ladies loved little Caitlyn back then, and they love catching up with her now that she's a young woman at university.

Over the years, Everitt has also been a foster parent and devoted countless hours to charity - blending it in with the occasional slip back to the wild side.

He kept his mystery for a long time, and he reckons that, like former Carlton and Brisbane forward Brendan Fevola, there's a part of him that will always remain just a big kid.

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Cooney's cutting-edge treatment

Western Bulldogs are hoping Adam Cooney can return to his best with the help of radical surgery in Germany. Picture: Michael Klein. Source: Herald Sun

BROWNLOW Medallist Adam Cooney is set to undertake cutting-edge treatment in Germany on the troublesome cracked patella that has jeopardised his career.

Cooney will fly out to the club's European training camp on Sunday, October 28,  to visit a specialist in Dusseldorf.

The Dogs are highly encouraged by the progress Cooney made with his knee this year and his form in the last weeks of the season.

The treatment is worth several thousand dollars but will not involve surgery and has the club hoping it might further allow Cooney to train and play to his undoubted potential.

He will join the Dogs after his three-day treatment process at their London base, as they train there before their exhibition game against Port Adelaide.

Cooney is not attending Munich's Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt, the controversial specialist who injects calf blood into patients.

He has helped Geelong's Max Rooke and Richmond's Mark Coughlan and Dylan Grimes with their soft-tissue problems.

The 27-year-old has battled for years with the effects of the cracked patella, which limits his ability to train regularly.

"The treatment has been used by elite athletes around the world in basketball and gridiron and other sports, so we have explored it," football manager James Fantasia said.

"Adam is very keen to have a go at it. He has got himself into this particular treatment and we go over to London on Tuesday so he will leave two days early and join the group over there."

Meanwhile, the Dogs are hopeful of satisfying West Coast's demands after 21-year-old midfielder Koby Stevens nominated them as his club of choice.

The former Gippsland Power inside midfielder chosen the Dogs ahead of Essendon and St Kilda, and while he has real potential despite an injury-plagued start to his career Brendan McCartney's side has the whip hand.

They hope to satisfy West Coast with a second or third round pick for Stevens, but have the fourth selection in the pre-season draft should West Coast play hard ball on a trade.

It is a boon for the Dogs to be chosen ahead of more highly-fancied Victorian rivals, and with five picks inside 50 they should be able to satisfy West Coast.

His decision, revealed by superfooty.com.au yesterday, comes after he managed only 11 games in his three seasons at West Coast because of their midfield depth and his injuries.

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Clubs protest cut to rookie list

Champion Dockers ruckman Aaron Sandilands is one of many players who have gone on to outstanding careers after being elevated from the rookie list. Picture: Daniel Wilkins. Source: PerthNow

CLUBS have called on the AFL to revisit a drastic cut to the rookie list, which will see almost 40 players miss out on being drafted this year.

The league will reduce each club's rookie list from six to four players, after allowing clubs extra rookies in the expansion era.

It means the hopes and dreams of two additional players at each club will not be realised in December - some teams will retain all four existing rookies and not bring in any new 18-year-olds.

Essendon chief executive Ian Robson said clubs would lobby the AFL to allow the additional players, given the success of the rookie list.

Many of the stars of the game, including Shane Mumford, Aaron Sandilands and Dean Cox started from rookie lists.

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Cats looking beyond 2013: Scott

Geelong coach Chris Scott has defended the club's decision to sign two 28-year-old players. Picture: George Salpigtidis. Source: Herald Sun

GEELONG has not compromised its long-term future by re-loading with experienced pair Hamish McIntosh and Jared Rivers for a shot at next year's flag.

While many see the recruitment of the two 28-year-olds plus the introduction of Gold Coast midfielder Josh Caddy as a sign the Cats are positioning for another premiership run, coach Chris Scott says it's not a short-term fix.

"We were keen to look at things that would help improve us in the short-term without compromising the long term at all which is what these three things do," he said.

"Caddy is a top-10 pick from two years ago so he's still years away from his best footy but he's going to help short-term and long-term.

"The other two I think help our best team but they also help our depth as well and the ability to transition young players into our team without depending on them completely.

"The only way bringing in old players comprises you long term is if you give up too much for them and we have given up very little. The other thing is if you pay them too much and we're certainly not doing that either."

The Cats gave up theirs second round pick (No.36) to the Kangaroos for McIntosh while Rivers came as an unrestricted free agent from Melbourne on a two-year deal.

Scott said he understood there was an element of risk in the Cats' trade strategy.

"Hamish at his best is a very good player, we know he comes as a 28-year-old who hasn't played much footy in the last couple of years and he's got a significant injury history so there are risks associated with that and if it doesn't work, we are prepared, we can accept the worst case scenario there," he said.

"It's a little bit the same with Jared Rivers, he comes as a free-agent who basically takes up the last spot on our list if you want to look at it that way.

"He is a pretty well credentialed player but he and Hamish understand that we also have got some pretty good players that play in the same position as them."

Importantly, Geelong has retained its first-round pick, No.15, but will have only one other live pick in next month's national draft given the Cats already committed to upgrading rookie Jessie Stringer.

After a shock exit to Fremantle in the first week of the finals this year, Scott is confident that despite the loss of club great Matthew Scarlett the Cats will be a contender again.

"We know it's going to be difficult for us and history suggests that we shouldn't be one of the premiership favourites next year but that's an outsiders point of view," he said.

"We don't think that the players we brought in are the answer. We think they are going to help a little bit but more we think it satisfies multiple objectives."

Rivers described as "ridiculous" any suggestion that he came to Simonds Stadium as Scarlett's replacement.

"To be compared to, or to try and play a similar role, to Matthew Scarlett is just ridiculous," he said.

"He's going to go down as one of the best full-backs of all time. I'm just grateful for the opportunity Geelong has given me.

"It was a massive decision (to leave Melbourne). The last two years have definitely been more challenging mentally than physically.

"I can't wait to have some success at Geelong as I still think they are a real chance of winning a premiership."

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Riley replaces Hinkley at Suns

Carlton assistant coach Mark Riley, who is heading to the Gold Coast, talks to Ed Curnow and Andrew Carrazzo during Blues training. Picture: George Salpigtidis. Source: Herald Sun

FORMER Carlton assistant Mark Riley will coach at Gold Coast next year.

Riley has agreed to a two-year contract at the Suns and will fill the void left by Ken Hinkley, who has been appointed Port Adelaide senior coach.

Riley reached a financial settlement with Carlton, which last week said his position had been made redundant.

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It's Mac time now for the Cats

Former Kangaroo Hamish McIntosh is determined to establish himself as the Cats' top ruckman. Picture: George Salpigtidis. Source: Herald Sun

GEELONG recruit Hamish McIntosh has backed himself to emerge from his recurring injury nightmare and restore the Cats' midfield supremacy.

McIntosh, 28, has been restricted to eight games in two years because of achilles operations on both tendons and in August had LARS surgery on his right knee.

But the former North Melbourne ruckman said he would be ready to fill the void left by Brad Ottens' retirement in 2011.

"I'll be ready for day one of pre-season," McIntosh told the Herald Sun after signing a three-year contract with the Cats.

"The knee is feeling really good. I'm back running and doing a fair bit of training. I'll get the work in and be right to go next year.

"It's probably been a rough couple of years for me, personally, but I'm looking forward to getting back on the park and helping out in whatever way I can."

Geelong yesterday cleared the path for McIntosh's arrival by giving its second round pick (No.36) to the Kangaroos.

I'm just looking forward now to getting down there and restarting my career

On a busy day for the Cats, the deal was struck moments after they agreed on a two-year contract for Melbourne's unrestricted free agent, Jared Rivers.

McIntosh admitted to a bittersweet feeling after being told he was a Geelong player.

"I'm excited in one aspect to be playing at Geelong, but I love North Melbourne - they've been like a family to me," he said.

"I'm just looking forward now to getting down there and restarting my career. It was a tense couple of weeks, but it's good to get there."

Rivers, 28 yesterday, was courted by the Cats for much of the free agency period and will add depth to a defensive unit that has lost star full-back Matthew Scarlett.

The arrival of the experienced pair thrusts Geelong into premiership contention for 2013.

Yesterday's confirmed capture of Gold Coast youngster Josh Caddy and the retention of its first round pick (No.15) also has it well placed for the future.

The acquisition of McIntosh spells the end of the Orren Stephenson fairytale. The 30-year-old ruckman will be delisted as the Cats look to make room on their list.

Young forward Mitch Brown is on the trade table, but is contracted and likely to stay, while defender Tom Gillies will be moved on.

The free agency period ends at 5pm today.

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Mick takes on Pies in Round 2

Mick Malthouse coaching his last game with Collingwood - the 2011 grand final. He faces his former team in Round 2 next year as Carlton's senior coach. Picture: Tim Carrafa. Source: Herald Sun

THE much-anticipated first meeting of Collingwood and Carlton since the Blues appointed new coach Mick Malthouse has been locked in for Round 2 next year.

With tensions still simmering between the two clubs, and between Malthouse and the Magpies, whom he coached for 12 seasons, there is certain to be a massive build-up to the MCG clash.

While the AFL said yesterday it would not comment on specific matches ahead of the release of the 2013 fixture before the end of this month, it is known that the league has agreed to a request for an early pairing of the traditional rivals to make the most out of the Malthouse appointment.

Malthouse led Collingwood to the 2010 premiership, but only after he signed a deal a year earlier which allowed for a transferal of power with Nathan Buckley to take over as senior coach for the 2012 season.

But the veteran coach opted not to take on an agreed role as director of coaching to Buckley after his final game as coach in 2011, with tensions between Malthouse and the Magpies' hierarchy playing a role in the decision.

Malthouse spent this year working in the media, but last month he signed on to become Carlton's coach after Brett Ratten was sacked.

He incurred the ire of some people at Collingwood when at the press conference announcing his appointment as Blues coach, he made a very public play for the out-of-contract Travis Cloke.

The key forward rejected the Blues' advances and ended up signing a new deal to stay with the Magpies.

Carlton defeated Collingwood twice in 2012, which is certain to fuel even more emotions when the clubs meet again in Round 2, for the 246th time. The Magpies and Blues are also scheduled to meet a second time in Round 15 next year.

Malthouse will have double blockbuster clashes with Essendon in 2013, with the Blues set to play the Bombers in Rounds 11 and 22 next season.

Collingwood will meet Essendon on Anzac Day in Round 5 and again in Round 19 next year; Essendon will take on Richmond in Rounds 9 and 23; while Hawthorn will get at least two cracks at ending Geelong's long-time dominance over them with games in Round 1 and Round 15.

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Hawks sweat on Clinton Young

Hawthorn is hoping to hang on to Clinton Young. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: Herald Sun

HAWTHORN will be forced to wait until the dying minutes of this afternoon's free agency period to learn if it has kept long-kicking wingman Clinton Young.

The Hawks admit they have no idea if Young will leave, given he is weighing interest from Essendon and Port Adelaide ahead of the 5pm deadline.

Collingwood has said it is out of the race for Young, but the Hawks still believe he could join the Magpies.

He must make a decision today because Hawthorn will not delist him on October 29's first list lodgment deadline, which would make him an unrestricted free agent.

Hawks fullback Stephen Gilham is considering a move, but given he is not a free agent he has a week to consider interest from Greater Western Sydney.

While Young is in demand, Carlton's Bret Thornton heads a list of free agents who will not be taken today so must wait until they are delisted on October 29 to throw themselves back into the free market.

Thornton has met with Gold Coast but, given he won't be selected before today's first free agency cut-off, he is still seen as a Carlton player.

His task becomes harder after he is delisted, because every delisted player is automatically an unrestricted free agent, regardless of age.

The veteran defender must vie with fellow talls such as Melbourne's former first round draft pick Lucas Cook, who if delisted would be chased by several clubs.

Carlton free agent Jordan Russell will also be delisted by the Blues.

Essendon unrestricted free agent David Hille is yet to commit to another one-year deal with the Dons.

Bomber forward Scott Gumbleton has a week to weigh up his options to stay, or join the Western Bulldogs.

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Cats duo to be one-club players

Geelong defender Tom Lonergan has re-signed with the club until 2015 Picture: Tim Carrafa Source: Herald Sun

TOM Lonergan's miraculous career will continue into its tenth season, with the veteran defender joining Andrew Mackie in committing to Geelong until 2015.

The pair were both free agents at the end of next season, but manager Anthony McConville confirmed both had quietly signed contract extensions late in the season.

Lonergan was close to death after an on-field collision in 2006, waking from an induced coma to be told his entire blood supply had been replaced three times in emergency surgery.

Now the 28-year-old has a premiership, 97 games under his belt and added responsibility given Matthew Scarlett's recent retirement.

Geelong never lost faith in Lonergan, and he has returned that by forgoing the chance to up his price on the open market as an unrestricted free agent next year.

He would likely be on the borderline of the top 25 per cent of earners at Geelong, so might have been able to walk for nothing.

Mackie's position in the team was also in jeopardy when he was dumped by Mark Thompson in the 2010 finals campaign, but he has bounced back to play 45 of the last 48 games.

The 28-year-old will join Lonergan in ending his career at Geelong after being taken at pick seven in the 2002 national draft.

McConville said their contracts were done - as most were at Geelong - with a minimum of fuss.

"They both wanted to be one-club players and we have been able to agree to fair and reasonable terms," he said.

"I think all the Geelong players have been in that position of knowing and understanding the realities of keeping the group together. They have sacrificed financially in order to have that success and it's what they have agreed to in that time.

"It's a great story for Tom, just looking back from where he was with his injury, but to play in a premiership finally and also be nominated in the All-Australian squad. It's just a great reward."

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Holidays threaten pre-season plans

Geelong football manager Neil Balme says the club will have to juggle pre-season plans around players' holiday breaks. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Herald Sun

THE AFL Players Association has urged clubs to take a commonsense approach to allocating annual leave under the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Eight clubs will start the 2013 pre-season having to juggle the needs of players who participated in reserves finals that stretched their 2012 season well into September - weeks after their senior sides had finished their commitments.

Geelong will start its pre-season training program a week later than scheduled because of its VFL success.

Players get a minimum eight weeks annual leave. Those who have played for eight years or more get 10 weeks and five- to seven-year players get nine.

Those who participated in reserve grade finals are guaranteed five weeks of uninterrupted leave, but any time owing to them must be made up during the summer.

Geelong won the VFL grand final 15 days after the AFL side had its season ended by Fremantle. Cats football manager Neil Balme said the juggling act was made slightly easier by the fact most in that side were one- to four-year players.

"We juggle it around so that everyone comes back virtually the same day," Balme said.

"If blokes need an extra four or five days off because of their CBA requirements, then we'll organise that with them so they're given all the time that is needed."

AFLPA player relations general manager Ian Prendergast said the association was happy for clubs to employ a commonsense approach as long as players were given the days owed at some point.

"Where players have been required to participate in reserves finals after the senior side has completed the season, the CBA states that they are to receive a minimum five-week leave period," he said.

"We believe this is a practical approach to the issue of staggered season end dates, which is supported by the players."

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Cash Gordon for Dogs

New Western Bulldogs president Peter Gordon, right, with departing president David Smorgon. Picture: Stuart Walmsley. Source: Herald Sun

RETURNING Western Bulldogs president Peter Gordon will dig deep into his own pocket to boost the club's flagging football department budget.

The Dogs spent about $15.5 million on players, coaches and support services this season - one of the lowest amounts in the AFL.

But Gordon yesterday revealed "substantial" cash donations had already been pledged to kick-start his second coming at Whitten Oval.

"I have already had talks with some of the long-time, high net-worth supporters of the Bulldogs," Gordon told the Herald Sun.

"I have been excited by those talks ... and I believe that we will be in a position to raise substantial funds.

"We have a great young list, we have the opportunity to draft some of the best quality in the country and we have the best developmental coach in the AFL.

"But however you want to spin it, there is a very direct relationship between the amount of money you've got to invest and the number of premiership points you win. We need to accept that reality."

Another reality is the club's mountain of debt, put by Gordon yesterday at $10.5 million.

Gordon, 55, said plans for new revenue streams would be unveiled in the coming months.

Outgoing president David Smorgon, who will step aside at the club's annual meeting on December 20, told the Herald Sun the plan to bring back Gordon was hatched during lunch at South Melbourne's Centro restaurant in August.

Over a bottle of pinot and grilled flathead tails, the pair discussed the class-action lawyer's interest in returning to help out at the club he left in 1996.

"This was a lunch where Peter came with an idea to find out what my intentions were and where my head was at," Smorgon said.

"And I was sitting there while he was talking, thinking to myself that this guy might be the successor because there's a twinkle in the eye about the Bulldogs and the role.

"We followed that up a few weeks later when Peter hosted my wife Kathy and I to a very nice dinner. There was an even better bottle of red on that occasion, so I knew he was warming up."

On Monday the pair went to AFL House in the Docklands to discuss the succession plan with league supremos Mike Fitzpatrick, Andrew Demetriou and Gillon McLachlan.

They walked away convinced the time was right, but Smorgon said he did not decide to hand over the baton until 11am on Tuesday, before the club's monthly board meeting.

Gordon, too, had spent several weeks poring over the club's finances and action plans.

The pair addressed the staff at Whitten Oval yesterday, but the official handover will not take place until the annual meeting, where director Susan Alberti will be installed as Gordon's deputy.

Smorgon, 65, said the highlight of his 17 years in the top job was the building of new facilities at Whitten Oval.

He nominated the five lost preliminary finals as the low.

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Lions demand prime-time blockbuster

The Brisbane Lions want a blockbuster at the Gabba - such as a match against Collingwood - to make up for losing the Easter Thursday clash. Picture: Darren England. Source: The Courier-Mail

THE Brisbane Lions have demanded the AFL schedule a prime-time blockbuster at the Gabba next year as compensation for the club losing its traditional Easter Thursday fixture.

An early Easter in 2013 means the Lions cannot host a match on March 28, the night before Good Friday, as the ground would have only just been released by cricket and would not be ready for football.

The Sheffield Shield final is scheduled for Friday, March 22 to Tuesday, March 26 and all major cricket grounds in Australia are booked as a precaution.

Round 1 of the AFL season will be spread over two weekends, with Adelaide hosting Essendon (March 22) and Fremantle taking on West Coast (March 23) at AFL-only venues.

The second half of round 1 will be run over the following long weekend, with Carlton playing Richmond on Easter Thursday at the MCG, the Sydney derby at Homebush on Easter Saturday and Geelong taking on Hawthorn at the MCG on Easter Monday.

Games can be played at the MCG that weekend due to the ground's drop-in pitches.

The Gabba's pitch area will need time and work to be softened for football.

The Lions have hosted Collingwood, Carlton and St Kilda at the Gabba on Easter Thursday recently in nationally-televised matches drawing bumper crowds.

The Lions will be away in round 1 while the Gold Coast will start their season at home over Easter to give southeast Queensland one game in the opening round of the year.

Lions CEO Malcolm Holmes said the club had strongly expressed to the AFL that it needed a big ticket game against a powerhouse Victorian team to fill the void.

"It (Easter Thursday) has traditionally been our biggest game of the year but the ground is unavailable so we have requested a stand-alone fixture against a high-drawing Victorian team to replace it," he said.

"We've made it clear to the AFL just how important that fixture is for us to help grow the game. We are working with them to find a date.

"Blockbusters are important to all AFL clubs and we are no different. We'd like to have as many high-profile Victorian teams play up here as possible."

The Lions hosted Carlton, Collingwood and Geelong this year but poor weather and indifferent form cost the club at the turnstiles.

A Friday night clash with Collingwood is most likely to appease the Lions.

The AFL and the 18 clubs are still working through draft fixtures and finalising details before the full draw is released later this month.

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Bombers still on muscle mission

Essendon fitness chief Dean Robinson, aka The Weapon, shows Kyle Reimers, Patrick Ryder and Kyle Hardingham how to lift weights. Picture: George Salpigtidis. Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON will forge ahead with the controversial strategy to turn its fleet of runners into muscle-bound warriors, despite the catastrophic injury toll this season.

The Bombers will start their pre-season on November 1 determined to learn the lessons of the soft-tissue crisis that killed their season.

Part of that strategy is giving new football operations manager and former Athletics Australia boss Danny Corcoran responsibilities spread across the sports science and fitness divisions.

But Essendon chief executive Ian Robson said yesterday fitness boss Dean Robinson - aka "The Weapon" - would lead the preparation of the players and had not been demoted.

A cult mythology surrounds Robinson, with Essendon players who have transformed their body shape describing themselves as "Weaponised".

Robson said the club as a whole took responsibility for some of the mistakes, but said the early-season successes showed Essendon was on the right track.

"We know we will be a lot better," Robson said.

"We have learnt where the playing group is at and will be much better for it. The Grand Final was proof of the way football is being played with man-on-man football. Half of Sydney's 22 were 28 or older and had strong bodies and strong minds.

"We made mistakes, but there has been a lot of fine-tuning behind the scenes. We are really positive about putting into practice what we have learnt.

"No one is pretending the injuries didn't happen. The way we ended up was extraordinary. But we had a desire for our boys to be big and strong and stay in the contest.

"When we were at 8-1 we were playing a pretty reasonable standard of footy. We showed our best footy is competitive."

The rapid weight gains of many players - executed by Robinson, but through a directive from coaches including Mark Thompson - was a source of some friction within the club this year.

There is a concession from Essendon it cannot simply stack weight on every player, given the struggles in 2012.

"Some guys played well with the weight, some didn't," Robson said. "Under the same program Jobe Watson played every game and won a Brownlow. He felt fit, strong and healthy."

A group of 10 midfielders including new recruit Brendon Goddard will join midfield coach Simon Goodwin at a high-altitude camp in Colorado on November 3, with a specialised training camp on the Gold Coast on November 24.

The entire group will be assembled back in Melbourne on December 1 for the rest of the pre-season.

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Good news for high-flying Swans

Sydney Swans stars Adam Goodes and Jarrad McVeigh hold up the premiership cup at Sydney Town Hall. Picture: Brett Costello. Source: The Daily Telegraph

THE Swans will play their first two matches of their premiership defence in Sydney, but that's just the start of the good news for the red and whites.

With the glow of the grand final win against Hawthorn still sweeping Sydney,

The Daily Telegraph

can reveal:

THE grand final win triggered a clause in coach John Longmire's contract for an automatic one-year extension to 2015;

THE Kurt Tippett transfer from Adelaide could be completed as early as today;

THE Swans will start their premiership defence with an ANZ Stadium blockbuster against GWS Giants; and

THE St Kilda-Sydney match in Wellington will be broadcast after the traditional Anzac Day Collingwood-Essendon clash.

Swans boss Andrew Ireland said the negotiations to bring Tippett, a star forward, to the harbour city were progressing well.

"We think it's getting closer and hope there is some news by the end of the week," he said.

"David Noble (Crows list manager) and Kinnear Beatson (Swans list manager) have been working through the issues and there are some things that need to be ticked off.

"Brenton Sanderson arrives back in Adelaide tomorrow and that will allow some of the things that need to be finalised to be done."

One of those items includes Swans key forward/ruckman Jesse White, who is travelling to Adelaide today for a medical and a meeting with Crows coach Sanderson.

The Swans hope their season opener against the Giants draws a crowd greater than the 38,000 for the corresponding fixture this year.

"We worked really hard last year with GWS and the AFL and we were really pleased there," Ireland said.

Giants boss David Matthews thinks a crowd close to 50,000 is on the cards.

"It couldn't be a better opening for the Giants to be playing the premiers," Matthews said.

"Kevin Sheedy and the Giants have been cheering on the Swans through September, the premiership is just great for the town."

The Swans will unfurl their premiership flag at the SCG in round two against a yet to be named opponent.

"It's a great way to recognise the members and share the occasion with the fans," Ireland said.

The Swans will then have two big games in rounds four and five when they host Geelong on a Friday night at the SCG followed by the Anzac Day match in Wellington against St Kilda.

The top four teams from 2012 (Swans, Hawthorn, Collingwood, Adelaide) will play the bottom four of 2012 only once in 2013, with the exception of the Swans and Giants.

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Pure forward role for Dawes

Understudy no more-Chris Dawes will enjoy a leading role at Melbourne. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

NEW Melbourne signing Chris Dawes is guaranteed a lead role next season.

So often the understudy to Travis Cloke at Collingwood, Dawes will have equal billing with Mitch Clark as another tall target.

"It's terrific for Mitch and the rest of the team to have a second big body down there," Melbourne coach Mark Neeld said yesterday.

The department of AFL trades

"Dawesy has been brought in to play as a key forward.

"He won't be doing the 'key forward who goes into the ruck' role with us."

Neeld said it was "critical" for the young Demons to learn from the premiership experiences of Dawes and forward Shannon Byrnes, brought in from Geelong.

"We talk about the long-term aspect that Chris brings to the club," he said.

"He's 24 and he also brings a lot of experience coming out of a good culture, the way the Pies go about it, the way they play and the way they train.

"He has also managed to play in the last five finals series. Include the drawn grand final, he has played in three grand finals - and cracked it for a flag.

"We're certainly not underestimating what that brings to our group.

"And we've added Shannon Byrnes as well.

"Between them, there's a lot of experience at great clubs and the knowledge they can pass on to our boys of what it's like to play at the pointy end."

Neeld said medical checks reassured the Demons that Dawes had recovered from the knee injury that hampered him in the preliminary final.

Neeld is confident the Dees have the midfield capable of quick and clean delivery to the marking duo.

"For the boys in the midfield, like (Jack) Grimes and (Jack) Trengove and (Nathan) Jones, to look up and see two big targets, that's the way we want to play," he said.

Melbourne will continue to pursue other tall forwards Scott Gumbleton (Essendon) and Cam Pedersen (North Melbourne) but Neeld said it has salary cap room for only one.
 

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Tradition bounced out by AFL

Sydney's Shane Mumford and Hawthorn's David Hale contest the opening bounce in the grand final. Umpires will no longer bounce the ball, apart from the opening bounce and after goals. Picture: Michael Klein. Source: Herald Sun

THE traditional bounce down around the ground is dead, potentially providing a significant boost to the giants of the game.

With a ball up providing more consistency, players of the ilk of Fremantle's Aaron Sandilands are more likely to put their height and weight edge to use.

Lower or inaccurate bounces gave smaller players a chance to react, and gain a head-start, but 200cm-plus ruckmen can attack the hitting zone with more certainty.

The bounce will remain at the start of every quarter and after each goal, but was removed from around the ground in one of the significant rule changes ticked off by the AFL Commission.

On average last year, each game featured 24 ball-up around the ground, meaning the tweak has the potential to have a significant impact.

The only positive for smaller, or No.2 ruckmen, could be the fact umpires are now going to be quicker at getting the ball into the air at stoppages.

Without the need to set up for a bounce down, the umpires will throw the ball up more quickly in a move designed to ease congestion.

The speed of the ball being thrown up may preclude players such as Sandilands from contests as they are not quick enough to get there in time.

AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson said the bounce in the centre was not up threat, but backed the moved to a ball up everywhere else.

"You throw it up quicker, gets play moving quicker, hopefully impacts congestion," Anderson said.

Some umpires in the past have been disadvantaged or even cut from the panel because their bouncing was not up to scratch.

Bad bouncers may now be able to avoid the problem, with less work to do.

In another ruck move, players contesting next season must stay apart with no contact permitted until the ball has left the umpire's hand.

The AFL is adamant it will clean up ruck contests and increase the chances of the ball being cleared.

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Congestion like under 9s: KB

VFL legend Kevin Bartlett says the congestion around the ball in most AFL matches is like watching an under 9s game. Picture: Derrick Den Hollander Source: Herald Sun

LEGEND Kevin Bartlett last night declared the AFL Commission had "dropped the ball" by baulking at an immediate cap of interchange rotations.

Bartlett, the public voice of the rebuffed Laws of the Game committee, said the commission would soon realise that rising interchanges and congestion had hijacked the game.

"It will hit them one day that they are watching a game of Under-9s," Bartlett said.

"You watch the game now and there is so much congestion around the ball. You can see that so clearly.

"They (commissioners) said that in principle they agreed - whatever that means. If that was the case, what stopped them from accepting it? They would have to explain that further."

The Laws of the Game committee recommended a cap of 80 rotations a game, but the commission on Monday called for another year of data.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said the commission backed a cap "in principle" and strongly indicated rotations would be restricted in 2014.

"We only make recommendations. It is their decision," Bartlett said.

"But I think they dropped the ball. They had a great opportunity to make the game better. Eventually they will come to their senses. It is only a matter of time."

The commission will almost certainly come up with a cap of between 80 and 120 rotations in 2014.

"They wanted a year more of data, they wanted to trial it in the NAB Cup and they also wanted to rely on further information to determine what that cap would be at the end of the 2013 season," Demetriou said.

The Laws of the Game committee had backed a cap of 20 interchange moves a quarter, plus changes in quarter and half-time breaks (about 90 interchanges in total).

Another Laws of the Game committee member, former Crow Brett Burton, yesterday said clubs would quickly adapt to the looming 2014 rotation restriction.

Burton, the Brisbane Lions fitness boss, denied the decision to delay the interchange cap was a rebuff for the laws committee.

"What we have shown in the last five years with the different rule changes is that clubs and coaches do adapt," Burton said.

The AFL Players' Association, which had fought to retain the three/one interchange mix without a cap, yesterday welcomed the commission's decision.

"This has been a critical issue for our members, and has a big impact on their fitness and longevity in the game," AFLPA chief executive Matt Finnis said.

"The cautious approach of the commission recognises the impact of any changes."

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Dawes the Demon

Bye, bye Bucks- forward Chris Dawes is now a Demon. Source: Herald Sun

CHRIS Dawes will today officially become a Melbourne player.

The Demons and Collingwood late yesterday reached agreement on a trade for the 2010 premiership key forward, with the paperwork set to be lodged at AFL House.

Collingwood snared picks No.20 and No.45 in the coming national draft from Melbourne.

Completing the deal, the Magpies handed pick No.58 to the Dees.

It is a major boost to Melbourne, which has aggressively chased several players in the trade/free agency period.

Dawes chose the Demons as his preferred destination a year after the lowly club lured another forward target, Mitch Clark, from Brisbane.

The Western Bulldogs had been keen to secure Dawes, and as recently as Monday had not given up hope as the Magpies were yet to be satisfied with Melbourne's offers.

But the swap of third round picks, effectively allowing the Pies to push up the order, was enough to get the deal over the line.

Originally, the Demons had only put pick No.20 on the table.

Dawes still had two years to run on a contract at Collingwood, but wanted out after the Pies recruited Quinten Lynch to play a similar role.

It is believed Dawes' strong relationship with assistant coach Leigh Brown and coach Mark Neeld, both former Magpies, was a key factor in his decision to join Melbourne.

Dawes will receive a significant pay-rise to cross to the Dees, who now have an impressive tall forward structure.

The Dees still have weaknesses in the midfield, but with James Frawley down back at least they are forming an impressive spine.

It is also a win for Collingwood, which has managed to snap up early picks in return for Dawes and Sharrod Wellingham.

"Chris can be proud of his contribution to Collingwood. He played some good football for the club, where he has been a popular figure, and shared in the 2010 premiership," Collingwood director of football Geoff Walsh said in a club statement.

"In his time with us, Chris always gave what he had and for that we thank him. We wish him well."
 

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Cost-of-living cap justified: Swans

Sydney Swans CEO Andrew Ireland. Picture: Brett Costello. Source: The Daily Telegraph

SYDNEY says it has "nothing to hide" from an AFL review of its cost-of-living allowance and believes its $900,000 salary cap dispensation will be justified.

Swans chief executive Andrew Ireland said yesterday his club would be happy to lose the allowance if the Bureau of Statistics figures showed it did not deserve the extra money.

The AFL Commission yesterday ordered a review of Sydney's cost-of-living allowance only two days after chief executive Andrew Demetriou hit out at critics of the $1 million free kick.

But Ireland said yesterday he welcomed the review and was confident it would show if anything the 9.8 per cent allowance - which will hit $944,000 in 2014 - was harsh on his club.

"If it is not dear to live in Sydney, then we shouldn't get the allowance," he told the Herald Sun.

"We have got no qualms about the review. We have nothing to hide. We are happy for it to be done.

"It is always the way that when you win the premiership there is more scrutiny on these things and clearly the AFL have had clubs approach them to question it, but we are confident when the AFL does its review, which it has done in the past, it will show the cost disparity is there."

Ireland said a PriceWaterhouseCoopers review had only this week judged Sydney was surpassed by only Tokyo as the most expensive city in the world.

"If you are a young guy, try paying $500 a week for a one-bedroom unit. If anyone looked at the ABS stuff around at the moment, the disparity exists."

Demetriou revealed yesterday that the AFL Commission was intent on using detailed data to rule a line over the retention allowance.

"The commission did feel that, not because of the Sydney Swans and their premiership, but the last time we reviewed this was five years ago and maybe it was time it is appropriate... we get some more information and bring it back to the Commission to have a look at."

Demetriou said the league would use information from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and use expertise from third parties to ascertain whether Sydney's allowance was justified.

Demetriou also said yesterday;

-He did not forsee any change to the format of the day Grand Final despite being won over by the 5.15pm preliminary final.

"I can't imagine anything will happen on that front," he said of a Grand Final which is contractually a day game for the next four season.

-He hoped future minor premiers like Hawthorn would in future years get a longer break before the Grand Final than their opponents.

"I think going forward we will do our best to make sure that wouldn't happen again," he said.

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Few shots fired in AFL tanking probe

Former Demon Brock McLean alleges Melbourne tanked to gain better draft picks. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: Herald Sun

ENTIRE wars have been fought in 77 days; governments have been toppled.

Yet the media actually giggled yesterday as Adrian Anderson paused for effect, then described the AFL's tanking investigation as "ongoing".

An investigation that started on July 31 with the promise to scrutinise Melbourne's alleged tanking culture - then expand to any other club if evidence emerged - shows no sign of resolution.

The cynics believe the AFL's findings will be dropped at 11pm on New Year's Eve.

Anderson countered yesterday that, "It will take as long as it takes to do a thorough and proper job".

Yet when you consider who AFL integrity officer Brett Clothier has and hasn't talked to, it is hard to mount a case that the AFL is trying desperately to uncover every skerrick of wrongdoing.

In 77 days Clothier and his cohorts could interview every coach and player at Melbourne three times.

They could talk to every club ever accused of any form of tanking.

So why launch a competition-wide probe when no one really wants to find anything?

How many times has Brock McLean been spoken to?

Just once, according to those close to him.

McLean basically repeated his allegations in the On The Couch interview - that he had a "gut feel" but no proof something was dodgy.

At Carlton, how many people have been interviewed about its dark days of tanking?

Just two - McLean, and forward scout Barry Prendergast and only because he was Melbourne's recruiter during that period.

Former Carlton coach Brett Ratten admitted the league had previously spoken to him about tanking, but no one else at Visy Park has felt the blowtorch surrounding the so-called Kreuzer Cup.

Brendan Fevola wrote at length in his recent book about tanking at Carlton. Has anyone given Fev a bell?

No doubt at Melbourne, chief executive Cameron Schwab and then-coach Dean Bailey are among those who have been interviewed.

But given warnings of massive penalties to anyone who admitted tanking, would Schwab or Dean Bailey or anyone else feel like airing any dirty laundry?

"I do understand there is cynicism but it is misplaced," Anderson said yesterday.

But how can we not be cynical when two weeks into an active investigation Demetriou stated: "If (Clothier) gets to the bottom of something then we will deal with it but at the moment there's no evidence to sustain this allegation of tanking."

The AFL needs not only to do justice in this investigation, but to be seen to do justice.

The only people who should be giggling are those at rivals clubs with dark secrets, because they are no chance at all to be found.

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