Daniher bashes down door

Joe Daniher leads the way at Essendon pre-season training. Source: Getty Images

ESSENDON coach James Hird says father-son gun Joe Daniher is dominating at training and could play much sooner than originally planned.

Daniher, who turns 19 on the eve of the season, starred at under-18 level last season and could have rivalled Lachie Whitfield as the No.1 draft pick had the Bombers not been able to nab him under the father-son rule.

Hird said today he didn't want to rush the 201cm prodigy, but his form on the training track was quickly forcing a change of plans.

Pick Me: Exclusive highlights and analysis of Daniher's TAC Cup season

"It's very hard with a player that age and a big tall player, they often take a long time to get ready for football," Hird said.

"In my mind when we drafted him I was thinking maybe he would play 4-5 games if he's lucky this year, but he keeps making me think he's going to play more.

"You can't see why he won't play a lot of football

"The way he moves on the track and dominates marking contests is quite remarkable for a boy his age - and he is only a boy.

"Certainly we don't want to ruin him but he's making us think about playing him a lot more than we were."

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

Hird told SEN Daniher would start his career as a key forward who could pinch-hit in the ruck.

"He might develop into a dominant ruckman where that's his No.1 position but at the moment he's a very good forward, he takes a lot of marks and he's just a competitor - you rarely see that age someone who wants to compete so hard against more experienced players."

The Bombers coach played down a quad injury to forward David Zaharakis, who sent a scare through the camp when he suffered the injury at training.

"Last year he had a very bad tear of the central tendon in his quad which kept him out 12-14 weeks, which is a bad injury and takes a long time to recover. We did some scans yesterday on his leg and it was nowhere near that," Hird said.

"He's got a very slight strain a long way from that in his muscle and he'll be back running by Friday and should play the last two or three games in the NAB Cup."

Hird said the "hiccup" was one of the few injuries in a smooth pre-season - a big change from the past two summers at Windy Hill.

"Last year we had 18 operations which meant players came back very late in the pre-season, the year before was very similar

"This year 90 per cent of the squad has done 90 per cent of the training, which is an outstanding record so far."

James Hird keeps an eye on his players as they begin pre-season training. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

And the Bombers coach backed the AFL to do the right thing by players, clubs and the game at today's drugs summit.

"There's a lot of hysteria around what's happening with players at the moment but AFL has always been at the forefront of drugs or racial issues and those people will sort it out," Hird said.

"There's an obligation on the players though to do the right thing and the clubs to look after their players.

"There's no excuse for players to take drugs, but we put them under very stressful situations."

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Saint Nick will lead again

St Kilda players Nick Riewoldt and Sam Dunell joke with Denver Broncos linebacker Wesley Woodyard during their United States trip. Riewoldt will again captain the Saints. Source: Getty Images

NICK Riewoldt will lead St Kilda for an eighth season this year and will be supported by a mega leadership group under second-year coach Scott Watters.

Riewoldt, 30, said it was an "honour" to again win the top job.

The star forward will be supported by Leigh Montagna, Nick Dal Santo, Ben McEvoy, James Gwilt, David Armitage, Sean Dempster and Jarryn Geary in the leadership group, while the Saints have also unveiled an "emerging leaders" program.

That will see wise heads Lenny Hayes, Stephen Milne, Justin Koschitzke, Sam Fisher, Adam Schneider and Jason Blake supporting the primary leadership group and mentoring the younger crop of Saints.

With youngsters including Jack Newnes, Tom Curren, Jack Steven and Seb Ross in an "emerging leadership group", up to 18 St Kilda players hold some sort of leadership role.

Summer Barometer: See how the Saints are shaping up

But Fisher, 30, has relinquished his leadership position.

The veteran has been subjected to reports of poor behaviour this off-season, but the Saints have remained stern in their defence of the rebounding defender.

The Saints said Fisher and Schneider elected to leave the main leadership group.

Fisher said he wanted to focus on his on-field form in a bid to return to his best after an injury-plagued 2012.

"I have enjoyed being part of the leadership group for the last seven years but I missed eight games through injury last season," he said.

"Over the summer, my commitment to the club was questioned in some quarters outside the club. While I don't agree with it, I think the best thing for me is to concentrate on ensuring I deliver my best form," Fisher said.

"It's an exciting period for the club and with the support of our strong leadership group, I'm looking forward to leading the team, into a successful season," Riewoldt said.

The Saints will play an intra-club match at Seaford next Saturday before their NAB Cup campaign kicks off in Adelaide on February 17.

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Mundy cleared of serious injury

Fremantle midfielder David Mundy left the training track today after rolling his ankle and did not reappear. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: PerthNow

FREMANTLE midfielder David Mundy has been cleared of serious injury after limping from the training track this morning.

Mundy rolled his right ankle during a training a drill and immediately left the track to ice the injury. He did not reappear.

The 27-year-old was sent for scans, but later cleared of serious damage.

"Good news, a scan has cleared David Mundy of any damage to his ankle after a scare at training this morning," the Dockers posted on Twitter late this afternoon.

Mundy suffered a serious injury to the same ankle in 2011, ruined the second half of that season and restricting him during the last pre-season, which subsequently affected his form for most of 2012.

However, the 2010 Doig Medal winner rediscovered his best form late last season and had enjoyed a strong summer on the track before today's injury scare.

Fremantle takes on West Coast and Geelong in the opening round of the NAB Cup at Patersons Stadium in 17 days.
 

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AFL won't budge on three strikes

AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou and Collingwood chief executive Gary Pert speak after today's AFL drugs summit. Picture: Mike Keating Source: Herald Sun

THE AFL will close a self-reporting loophole but has backed its three-strikes policy after today's drugs summit.

AFL bosses, club CEOs, the AFL Players Association, police and medical experts met today for nine hours to review the league's controversial illegal drugs policy.

The summit was prompted by Collingwood chief executive Gary Pert speaking out at a CEOs conference late last year over his concerns about the rising use of illegal drugs by players.

A working party will be formed to review the drugs policy each year, starting when the results of drug tests in 2012 are released.

Those numbers are not yet known but Demetriou has warned there will be a "spike" in positive tests.

The working party's first recommendation will be to close the loophole that allows players to avoid a strike against their name by dobbing themselves in.

Although one club is believed to have had 10 incidents of six players self-reporting last year, Demetriou said exploitation of the loophole wasn't rampant.

However, he conceded it had the potential to be exploited.

"Everybody acknowledged today, including the players, that if there is an area of self-notification that can be closed then we will (do that)," Demetriou said.

"The general concensus is we can tighten up, that has got potential to be exploited.

"I'm pretty certain what I heard today about the self-notification that it's something we can improve pretty quickly."

Mark Robinson: AFL must tackle drug issue head-on

But Demetriou said there was overall support for the three-strikes policy - under which positive drug tests are not made public until a player tests positive for a third time.

"We have got external experts reinforcing to us, including Victoria Police and Federal Police, what an outstanding illicit drugs policy we have," Demetriou said.

"It's not without its flaws.

"We have opened ourselves up to other improvements."

Collingwood's Luke Ball and Bulldog Robert Murphy leave today's AFL drugs summit. Picture: Mike Keating Source: Herald Sun

The working party will consist of three club representatives - Pert, Essendon CEO Ian Robson and Gold Coast president Travis Auld, plus a club doctor, the AFLPA and external experts

Demetriou said other key findings included a commitment to provide clubs with more information.

Eddie McGuire: Clubs kept in dark on drugs

Pert suggested today he would push for clubs to be better informed to help players with drug issues - under the current policy only the club doctor is informed after a second positive test. But AFLPA boss Matt Finnis was adamant players would not budge on the issue of confidentiality.

"The players remain committed to the policy because they feel ownership of the policy. And the players remain committed to the policy and the key pillars of the policy that we believe are integral to its success and that is the welfare of the players and confidentiality," Finnis said.

"We believe the policy successful in helping players who make bad decisions alter their behaviour."

Pert said clubs were now much better informed about the drug culture that affected their players.

"We don't know the exact numbers (of how many players are using drugs) but every CEO is concerned about what's happening now and what potentially can happen in the future," he said.

"We had presentations today about young people in that 18-21 year age bracket, taking illicit drugs is just a big part of their lives and obviously our players fall into that demographic and a lot of their friends outside the club lead that sort of lifestyle."

Jon Ralph: How players dodge drug strikes

After the summit the AFL medical officers association released a statement supporting the three-strikes policy.

"The use of illicit drugs is primarily a health and social issue and is best managed through a medical model based on counselling, education and treatment of the underlying mental health and addiction problems," executive officer Dr Hugh Seward said.

"The current code provides an appropriate balance between this medical model and a the more punitive approach after a third offence.

"Illicit drug use is a major social issue amongst young members of our society and AFL footballers encounter these problems on a regular basis.

"The AFL Players Association accept that the players will submit to this testing, which is rare in the sporting world (as distinct from the performance enhancing drug code that all sports are subject to through WADA). In doing this they acknowledge that AFL footballers are leaders amongst their peer groups and can set an example against illicit drug use."

Dr Seward said doctors also supported strong moves to better manage alcohol use by players.

Crash course: The AFL's illicit drugs policy

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Choco an instant hit at Tigerland

Mark Williams has become an instant hit at Punt Rd. Picture: Anthony Reginato Source: HWT Image Library

THE next generation of Tigers is already reaping the rewards of Mark Williams' arrival as Richmond begins to ignite its focus on development.

Williams joined as a development coach last September after turning his back on Greater Western Sydney and has taken charge of the first, second and third-year baby Tigers.

The signing came shortly after Richmond's decision to cut ties with VFL partner Coburg, with the AFL Tigers set to field a stand-alone reserves side from 2014 in a huge boost to player development.

Richmond defender Steve Morris said Williams immediately proved himself to be "a great teacher of young people.''

Summer Barometer: See how the Tigers are shaping up this pre-season

"It's not just about on the field with Choco (Williams), he gets you to tick as many possible boxes off the field and in your knowledge as well,'' he said of the premiership coach.

Defender Steven Morris at Richmond pre-season training. Picture: Richard Serong. Source: Herald Sun

"The more boxes you tick the more likely you are to be a successful player, and he's not after players who are going to play a couple of seasons, he's after the development of 100 and 200 game players for the footy club.''

While Tim Clarke will coach Coburg this season, Williams has taken a more lateral approach, even showing the interstate draftees how to perfect hook turns in the city.

He has taken rising star Dustin Martin under his wing, along with Matt Arnot, Reece Conca, Brett O'Hanlon and the rapidly improving Brandon Ellis this summer.

Richmond's Dustin Martin at pre-season training. Picture: Stuart Walmsley. Source: Herald Sun

Morris said the influx of older heads had the Tigers in good shape ahead of what fans are hoping will be the breakthrough season they have been searching for since their last finals appearance in 2001.

Tigers rehearsing for tight finishes

"We've got some experience in (Troy) Chaplin and (Chris) Knights and Sammy Lonergan and (Ricky) Petterd, and Choco's been a really good influence on our younger players and their development.

"The future of our footy club is looking extremely bright and we're preparing as best we can throughout this pre-season to take that success into the early part of the season.

"If that leads to finals success, well that's the ultimate goal and what we're after.''

And in a huge boost Morris said injury-plagued defender Dylan Grimes was recovering well from pre-Christmas hamstring surgery, with the club confident he can still feature in Round 1.

"The funny thing is his hamstring strength is the best at the footy club,'' Morris said.

"With Dylan you can never question his attitude and I'm sure he'll come back bigger and stronger than ever this year.''

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Carlton a 'drug-free zone'

Jarrad Waite is confident no Carlton players are taking illegal drugs. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

CARLTON forward Jarrad Waite is adamant the club is drug-free and says he would welcome daily testing to prove it.

Waite backed the AFL's three-strike drug policy but expected the league and AFLPA to closely scrutinise the self-reporting loophole at tomorrow's drugs summit.

The Herald Sun today revealed four Collingwood players allegedly dodged strikes by volunteering drug-use to club doctors.

Waite insisted Visy Park was a drug-free zone and said any player "stupid" enough to take drugs was jeopardising their football career.

"I don't see any of it. I wouldn't mind if I got tested every day of the week, because I don't do it," Waite said on a day out with Lygon St locals.

"If they want to do more tests, that's good because I've got full confidence, especially at Carlton, that we don't have a drug culture here.

"I would be very surprised if professional athletes were putting their careers at risk by doing drugs and doing stupid things like that.

"Personally, if I got tested every day, it would annoy me, but it wouldn't bother me because I don't do drugs."

There is a strong push to reduce the AFL's strikes policy from three to two but Waite said the AFL's current illicit drugs policy was a world-leader.

"I think our system is very good. The players chose to have this system in place, and it's the best drugs system in the world," he said.

"There is a lot of sports out there that don't get drug tested in the off-season.

"As a playing group we decided as a whole to be tested in the off-season to prove to the people that we are not a drug cultured sport.

"But at the end of the day we are happy with the way it's been. If it changes we are fully supporting the AFL and the PA (players' association)."

Players accept more off-season drug tests

Waite said the self-reporting loophole would likely undergo close review.

"If there is any little loopholes, I'm sure having the summit tomorrow, if they think it is a big enough issue it will be changed," he said.

"It is up to the AFLPA and the AFL to see if they want to make any changes to the system and I'm sure tomorrow there will be an outcome about that."

Waite said any player using drugs was taking a big risk.

Summer Barometer: Get the Blues' training and injury latest

"If you want to risk your AFL career go ahead do it every weekend, but it's not something I would ever do and I would be very upset if our players were out there every weekend getting on the drugs because alcohol is bad enough.

"But mixing drugs your senses are a bit all over the joint. You wouldn't risk it."

Carlton players and coaching staff mixed with locals and local businesses on a walk down Lygon St today.
 

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Robbo out to win back respect

Carlton forward Mitch Robinson has been caught on footage in a scuffle at the Big Day Out in Flemington.

Mitch Robinson shown in a scuffle at the Big Day Out. Source: Herald Sun

CARLTON hard nut Mitch Robinson is working to win back the respect of his teammates after an ugly incident at Big Day Out.

Robinson was ordered to donate $1000 to charity and serve two months community service after he was captured on video in a fight with another man at the music festival.

Blues forward Jarrad Waite said today Robinson had acknowledged he has made a mistake.

"He knows that he has done the wrong thing by the club and he knows that he has lost a little bit of respect," Waite said.

"But the good thing about Robbo is that he is a really good trainer and we know that he will come out with a positive attitude.

"He is so critical to the team but we've moved on now and so has he."

Waite said the incident was a let-down.

"From a club perspective it's very disappointing that he has put himself in that situation," Waite said.

"But like I said, we've moved on now and so has he.

"He's just looking forward to giving back a little bit today to the members and trying to get that respect. Not just from the players but the community as well."
 

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Zaharakis suffers quad strain

David Zaharakis picks up a loose ball at Essendon training. Picture: Andy Drewitt Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON star David Zaharakis' flawless pre-season has been derailed by another quad injury.

The influential midfielder strained the muscle while kicking at training this week, putting his NAB Cup participation in jeopardy.

The quad injury is to the same leg that caused Zaharakis to miss nine matches last season. But the Bombers today stressed the "minor nick'' was far less serious and to a different part of the muscle.

Essendon's acting football manager Danny Corcoran said scans this morning meant Zaharakis may only miss 2-3 weeks.

"He was going beautifully, but we're not seeing it as a major thing. It's a minor one to a different area. Everyone says that's rubbish, but I'm telling you that's what it is,'' Corcoran said.

"He's pain free, but we'll still take the necessary precautions.''

Summer Barometer: See how the Bombers are shaping up for 2013

Corcoran said the club and Zaharakis had been buoyed by the medical report.

"Everyone thinks the worst, but when the scans came back he was very relieved and very happy,'' he said.

"We expect him to start his running program as soon as he's pain-free and he's pain-free. They'll probably err on the side of caution and he might start next week.''

Bombers coach James Hird only today addressed a crowd at Federation Square to declare Essendon had buried its injury nightmare and was in supreme physical condition.

"I think we'll all get them (injuries),'' Corcoran said.

"But it's how we cope with them, how we deal with them and how we treat them.''

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Young Sun on drink-drive charge

There is more off season strife for the AFL after the Suns' Jacob Gillbee is charged with drink driving and Carlton's Mitch Robinson is investigated for an incident at the Big Day Out.

Jacob Gilbee was charged with drink-driving. Picture: David Clark Source: HWT Image Library

SUNS forward Jacob Gillbee has been charged with drink driving on the Gold Coast.

The 20-year-old, who will soon enter his third AFL season, recorded a blood alcohol reading of .137 after failing a random breath test at Broadbeach last night.

It is believed Gillbee was the sole occupant in the car.

SuperFooty understands Gillbee notified the club immediately and fully co-operated with Gold Coast Police.

Summer Barometer: Get the lowdown on the Suns' pre-season here

"We have spoken with Jacob this morning and he is very embarrassed by the situation he finds himself in," Suns football manager Marcus Ashcroft told SuperFooty.

Alex Sexton (left) has been signed to the Gold Coast Suns through zone drafting and with Jacob Gilbee Picture: David Clark Source: HWT Image Library

"He is well aware he has let himself and the club down by making this unacceptable individual choice."

The Tasmanian product has played three games with the Suns and debuted in 2011.

Gillbee was previously one of four players detained in Thailand following an incident during an end-of-season trip, although on that occasion Gillbee was a witness and not directly involved in the incident.
 

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Blues reprimand Robinson

Carlton forward Mitch Robinson has been caught on footage in a scuffle at the Big Day Out in Flemington.

Mitch Robinson shown in a scuffle at the Big Day Out. Source: Herald Sun

Mitch Robinson held back from someone else in the crowd at the Big Day Out. Source: Herald Sun

CARLTON will force Mitch Robinson to perform community work following an ugly incident at Big Day Out.

Video footage taken by a bystander shows Robinson land a left-hand blow to the other man before he is struck hard to the side of the head as he appears to bend over to pick up an item on the ground.

They then wrestle each other to the ground as others come in to remonstrate and also separate them, including a woman.

Carlton football operations boss Andrew McKay said Robinson should not have put himself in a position to be involved in such an incident.

"This type of behaviour, no matter what the circumstance, is not acceptable or in line with Club policy," McKay said in a statement released today.

"Mitch is extremely remorseful and has accepted the Club's sanction."

Robinson will complete two months of community service with the Salvation Army, working with the homeless and under-privileged in Melbourne's CBD.

He will also make a $1,000 donation to the Salvation Army.

Robinson left the Australia Day music festival off his own accord after the fracas, which ignited when the Blues midfielder tried to prevent his friend's "anti-social behaviour".

Both men have torn singlets when the footage begins, indicating the vision starts well after the fight began, but gets out of control after Robinson is struck while he is not paying attention.

The cowardly blow ignites the fight as a jeer can be heard from the crowd as two other men jump in to the fray as Robinson tries to escape a headlock.

One onlooker can be heard shouting ''That'll be six weeks Robinson'' after he throws the left hook.

Although witnesses who contacted the Herald Sun say they do not know why the fight erupted, they say up to eight men were involved in the melee before it was brought to an end.

One witness said Robinson was ''fuming'' after being ''targeted'' by a group looking for trouble.

''He was fuming, very angry, and was not going to walk away,'' the man said.

''It took his mates to get him to stop.''

But other witnesses were not positive Robinson and the other men were strangers.

The incident occurred after American band The Killers had finished their performance about 8pm.

Dayle, who said the fight started behind him near the Cruiser tent, said Robinson had ''plenty of opportunity to walk away''.

He said it appeared it may have been a fight between Robinson and someone else in his group.

''By the looks of it you would have thought it's been something in their internal group,'' he said.

''They were all pretty big and going at it. I didn't realise it was him (Robinson). He looked like he had plenty of opportunity to walk away from it.''

Carlton Football Club confirmed on Saturday night it was investigating the fight after pictures emerged of the 23-year-old on Twitter being held back by others in the crowd.

No report has been lodged with police and it is not believed anyone was injured.

Robinson, recruited from Tasmania, has played 67 games with the Blues.

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