Port declares: We want Buddy

Lance Franklin has put of contract talks until the end of the season. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

PORT Adelaide chairman David Koch says the Power will chase superstar Hawthorn free agent Lance Franklin.

Franklin has put off contract talks until the end of the season, setting a side a long-term offer worth up to $1 million a season.

Koch said Port needed a "marquee player" and would chase Franklin hard, but conceded moving to Sydney might be a more attractive option if he decided to leave the Hawks.

"We're in the market for Buddy," Koch told the Port website today.

"We've got plenty of room under our salary cap for next year and he would be part of our target."

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou this week said Franklin could be paid outside the salary cap if he joined Greater Western Sydney and took up a role as an AFL ambassador, similar to work done by rugby convert Israel Folau last year. Demetriou stressed the league would not help or encourage any player to change clubs.

Koch added an interesting perspective on speculation Buddy could head north, saying the champion goalkicker was already comfortable in the harbour city.

"I saw him quite a bit over summer in Sydney. He hangs out in Sydney, he hangs out with the Waratahs guys, the rugby union guys quite a lot.

"He hangs out around Bondi, the Cross and where all the beautiful young people go ... from what I saw of him, he seemed to be enjoying the environment."

Koch also joined Melbourne club bosses in calling on the AFL to scrap the extra salary cap allowance for the two Sydney clubs.

The Swans and Giants receive an extra 9.8 per cent in their salary cap to account for a higher cost of living.

"They don't need any extra money whatsoever," Koch said.

"It is more expensive (in Sydney) but there are more opportunities for a lot of players in Sydney for things outside of football. I think it measures up.

"I actually think the AFL has got to start focusing back on the traditional heartland clubs rather than the expansion teams and look at their core again and give us a bit of a break."

16.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cap is coming, too bad: Demetriou

Carlton coach Mick Malthouse slams the AFL's trial interchange laws in the NAB Cup, saying the rules are out of touch with the modern game.

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou says the cap rule is coming regardless of criticism. Source: Herald Sun

AN interchange cap for the 2014 AFL season is coming so stop complaining about it.

That's the emphatic message from AFL boss Andrew Demetriou to the league's senior coaches following widespread condemnation of the interchange cap, which has proved a sour point for clubs during the NAB Cup.

Several AFL coaches have slammed the rule, which restricts them to a total of 80 rotations per match.

But Demetriou says the cap was agreed to in principal late last year, and that was final.

The cap rule explained here

"The fact of the matter is, unless people have got amnesia, the AFL Commission has already passed the rule," Demetriou said on SEN Radio today.

"It said at the end of the year the cap is coming in.

"And they wanted to look at this year to see if the actual number of 80 (the cap) is correct.

"There's no going back on that - that is already put in place."

A high number of AFL coaches expressed their displeasure at the cap rule last weekend.

Hawthorn premiership coach Alastair Clarkson led the charge to condemn the rule following his side's one-point loss to the Western Bulldogs on Friday night.

Bulldogs players join cap backlash

"Take it back to old reserves and just play 18 men on the ground if that's what you want to do," Clarkson said.

"It's a pretty dramatic change to go to 80.

"Goodness knows, no one knows, what's going to happen to the game so hopefully common sense will prevail.

"If they want to introduce a cap hopefully they do it at a sensible rate like 120 and then we can see what a minor cap does to the game rather than take it to 80."

Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney said he spent "a stupid amount of time" counting interchange rotations during the game rather than coaching his team, while Carlton coach Mick Malthouse – a staunch advocate of unlimited bench moves - will meet with rules committee member Kevin Bartlett this week to express his frustration at the change.

"Coaches get driven mad by having reduced (interchange) numbers," Malthouse said after the Blues' big win against Fremantle on Saturday.

AFL might pay for Buddy move

"I just don't get it.

"It's not friendly to the players. If (the AFL) wants the medical evidence which they've chosen to dismiss, it will suggest that there's a very strong link between more interchanges and less injuries, not the other way around."

The AFL chief executive said he did not understand the level of criticism.

"I'm not quite sure why after one round of NAB Cup, everyone is up in arms," he said.

"We've been through the proper process - we actually advised the coaches and told them at the coaches' dinner we had last year.

"I'm not quite sure whether there is something in people's Wheaties at the moment."

Demetriou said the final number of rotations allowed per game may change, but not the rule itself.

"Unless after we get all the results of this year from the data and the injury survey to see if there are any trends, whether that should be higher or lower and I'm just speculating, but there will be a cap," he said.

"That has already been decided."
 

16.55 | 0 komentar | Read More

AFL might pay for Buddy move

Lance Franklin has delayed contract talks with Hawthorn until the end of the season, prompting fears he could be headed elsewhere. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

Swans champion Tony Lockett was paid by the league as an ambassador in an expansion market. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

LANCE Franklin could be paid by the AFL outside the salary cap should he choose to leave Hawthorn for Greater Western Sydney.

The AFL would consider making Franklin an ambassador of the game, as it did rugby league converts Israel Folau and Karmichael Hunt.

But the league would not enter into an arrangement until after Franklin had committed to the Giants.

There has already been a strong reaction to the story this morning.

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire said there would be a uprising against the AFL if this was to happen.

"If the AFL start cheating their own salary cap, Hawthorn won't stand for that," Eddie McGuire said on Triple M this morning.

"I'll give you the tip, there will be a massive push because there will be a position free on the AFL Commission soon, there might be a Hawthorn bloke (Jeff Kennett) going on there.

"If Buddy Franklin gets paid outside the salary cap to go to Greater Western Sydney, there will fair dinkum be marching in the street.

"That's just intolerable."

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou yesterday confirmed a precedent existed where an AFL player - Tony Lockett - was paid by the league as an ambassador in an expansion market.

Lockett joined Sydney from St Kilda in 1995.

Demetriou yesterday stressed the AFL would not be part of any deal to send Franklin north, but would look at a proposal from GWS after Franklin had signed.

"It would be assessed on its merits, and if it made sense, our guys would put a recommendation in," Demetriou said.

"Under no circumstances are they to enter into an arrangement with a club to entice a player to go somewhere on the basis we are going to top up his salary."

The game's most dynamic player has delayed contract talks with Hawthorn until the end of the season, prompting fears he could be headed elsewhere.

His manager, Liam Pickering, said at the weekend he had not fielded offers from another club.

GWS chief executive David Matthews would not comment on recruiting, although it is understood the Giants, who last week re-signed several players, including key forward Jonathon Patton, would now put Franklin on the agenda.

Rioli slams new indigenous team

The club has room in its salary cap to pay Franklin about $1.2 million a season.

Demetriou, who believes Franklin will stay at the Hawks, said an ambassador's role had to be "unique".

Saint icon Barker clear for take-off

"If there's going to be an ambassador, it's got to be because the player is doing something unique and they're helping us promote the game," he said.

Summit to hear conflict

"The last player who went to Sydney on that sort of basis was Tony Lockett, and he was an ambassador, so there is a precedent for it.

Cloke and dagger TV deal done by dad

"We set up Karmichael Hunt and Israel Folau because they were two rugby league players and we paid them quite publicly outside the cap. And they did a lot of work in that role."

Footy comes first at Etihad

The AFL also has appointed 11 multicultural ambassadors, including Richmond's Bachar Houli, Collingwood's Harry O'Brien, St Kilda's Leigh Montagna and West Coast's Nic Naitanui.

Demetriou said splitting Franklin's contract was not an option.

"We couldn't have a discussion with GWS to say we'll give him $5 and you give him $2 and we can give him $7 ... we wouldn't be party to that," he said.

It's not fair to the other clubs."

16.55 | 0 komentar | Read More

Dogs back AFL coaches' cap angst

Western Bulldogs midfielder Mitch Wallis expects to feel the pinch of the AFL's interchange cap later in the season. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

WESTERN Bulldogs midfielder Mitch Wallis backed the AFL coaches' condemnation of the 80 interchange limit being trialled during the NAB Cup.

Wallis said today that he believed such a restriction week after week would take a heavy toll on players over a season.

"Talking to the coaches earlier on, it would be fine for a game, but to have it for a while season, fatigue would set in,'' Wallis said.

"Like I said, it would be right for a week, but as the season wore on and you played 22 games with 80 rotations, I think fatigue would set in.''

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou today re-iterated the league's position on the cap despite the disapproval from coaches.

"The fact of the matter is, unless people have got amnesia, the AFL Commission has already passed the rule," Demetriou said on SEN Radio today.

"It said at the end of the year the cap is coming on."

Meanwhile, Bulldogs defender Easton Wood said he felt more weary after the one-point win against Hawthorn at Etihad Stadium last Friday night.

"I'm always pretty tired any game I play, but I was pretty tired at the weekend. It's like anything, we'll play with the parameters we get,'' he said.

Wood said Melbourne's hot summer had helped prepare the Bulldogs for a potentially hot conditions when they play Fremantle in Mandurah, south of Perth, late on Saturday afternoon.

"It's just another chance to work on what we've been doing for the whole pre-season. We've had a pretty hot pre-season, so we're well prepared for it,'' he said.

"We'll just follow advice from the dietician as normal, drink up and prepare yourself.''

Wood said the loss of tall defender Brian Lake to Hawthorn has been more the offset by the return of experienced Dale Morris after being forced to sit out last season while recovering from a badly broken leg.

"I look at it the other way. It's such a positive, we've got our most experienced player in Dale Morris back. It had a huge impact last year without him playing,'' the Dogs backman said.

"I played with him in the first couple of years and the impact he has is enormous and to have him back, I couldn't be happier. But at the same time we have a young group and we can all work together to where we want to go.''

Wallis and Wood said the mood around the Whitten Oval has been buoyed by the Dogs' ability to hold out the Hawks last weekend. And Wood dismissed gloomy predictions for the club this season.

"You never like hearing that sort of stuff. Look, we don't work as hard as we do to just write a season off like that,'' Wood said.

16.55 | 0 komentar | Read More

Goodes set to return for Swans

Adam Goodes is set to open his NAB Cup campaign against Gold Coast. Picture: Tim Hunter Source: Herald Sun

SYDNEY co-captain Adam Goodes is set to make his long-awaited return from a knee injury on Saturday night.

The Swans host Gold Coast in a pre-season clash at Blacktown in Sydney and coach John Longmire has confirmed Goodes will play, barring any mishaps at training.

"We should be getting a few players back this week,'' said Longmire on Tuesday.

"Hopefully Kieren Jack, Adam Goodes and Rhyce Shaw will certainly be playing if they get through this week.

"Just how much they play is yet to be determined.''

Goodes has spent the majority of the offseason recovering from a knee injury he sustained in last year's grand final win.

Longmire said the dual-Brownlow Medallist would be among six to seven players returning on the weekend.

"He (Goodes) has been training really well the last few weeks.

He won't play the whole game, but he'll come in and hopefully get some quality game time under his belt.''

16.55 | 0 komentar | Read More

I'm not arrogant: Demetriou

Mark Robinson and Michael Warner debate the top 10 most powerful people in footy

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou speaks at a  press conference in Canberra. Source: The Daily Telegraph

AS ALWAYS, Andrew Demetriou scoffs at the idea he's an arrogant dictator who wheels and deals to get every outcome he wants.

He's been called the ''benevolent dictator'' by Jeff Kennett and ''Vlad'' by Kevin Sheedy, but rather than erupt over such evil monikers from two of the game's biggest names, there's a sense Demetriou has a jovial acceptance of the titles because of his standing in the game.

''Yes, that's right, the benevolent dictator,'' he smirks.

''I always say people are entitled to have a view and they will form a judgment based on whatever criteria they want to use.

''People who know me, my family and friends, they would have a different view.''

Demetriou, who is No.1 on the Herald Sun AFL Power List, has been chief executive of the AFL since 2003 and is clearly the most powerful man in football.

He makes no bones about making tough decisions, comfortable that while some of them will be unpopular, they are made with the best interests of football as the sole criteria.

''I don't think you should confuse trying to be decisive and acts of leadership with being arrogant,'' he said.

''I'd rather be decisive and sometimes that decisiveness can be unpopular decisions to be honest, but we are in the business of trying to make decisions.

''And overall people respect the fact we make decisions.

''We don't procrastinate or dilly-dally, or try to spin something.''

Chat live with Mark Robinson and Michael Warner from 11.30am below

On a mobile? Click here for a better chat experience

What, not spin?

It's difficult to accept that because of 1) the AFL's determination to control brand imaging and 2) every major organisation spins the bottle in their own direction.

''I' sure they do,'' Demetriou agreed, ''but we have a golden rule and that's we know we have been given a deep obligation to make decision son behalf of the code.

''That's what the Commission is there for, to make assessments and balance all these factors, look at the research, and make decisions.

''Now, often we get it right, sometimes you don't, but often they are unpopular, such as, why did you expand? Why are you building a stadium with a roof? Why are you moving away from Waverley? You have to make decisions.''

Gallery: The 10 most powerful people in football

People with power have common traits.

They are assertive, respected, mostly statesman-like and, as in Demetriou's case, highly public.

And it could be comfortably said he has presence.

You're going to find this hard to believe, but I don't believe in that sort of power ... Ultimately, we are all judged by the supporter.

He doesn't swagger when he walks into a room, but at the same time you know he's arrived.

Asked what his definition of power was, Demetriou stressed it wasn't him who had the power, nor was it the Commission.

''You're going to find this hard to believe, but I don't believe in that sort of power, and I don't actually believe in power,'' he said.

''If you ask me who is the most influential and powerful person in football, my answer would be the supporter.

''Ultimately, we are all judged by the supporter.''

When fans are happy they vote with their feet and buy memberships. When fans are angry, there is not a shortage of outlets for them to vent.

Demetriou cites talkback radio and letters to the editor, and admits to listening to Saturday pre-match radio discussion and watching the occasional football program on the box.

"From an organisation perspective we do brand tracking, we follow what supporters are thinking about various issues, we track those over the course of 12 months, and I also make a point of spending most Saturdays listening to the pre-game radio shows,'' he said.

''The pre-match radio is an outstanding gauge of the issues going on in the week and you overlay that with TV programs such as (AFL) 360 or On The Couch, or The Footy Show, and add all that to the media coverage which is pretty thorough and explosive.

''So it's actually as democratic as you can get.

''I actually like letters to the editor, which I think is a very good gauge.''

Contrary to popular view, rarely does Demetriou make decisions alone, save for picking Meatloaf over Bryan Adams as the 2011 Grand Final headline act.

AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou meets his long-time hero Meat Loaf who will be performing at the Grand Final. Picture: Craig Borrow Source: Herald Sun

''The only decisions I would take sole responsibility for would be the hiring of the management team, that's my decision to make and mine alone,'' he said.

''I don't make any other decisions singularly on my own without consultation with the executive and the board.''

Demetriou described his relation with Commission chairman Mike Fitzpatrick as ''outstanding''.

''We would talk regularly on a weekly basis, at least three times a week, we would meet once a fortnight,'' he said.

''He's an outstanding chairman insofar as being at the forefront of the big decisions that the organisation has made, such as expansion, broadcast rights, government relations, stadium infrastructure.

'''He demands a lot of the executive team ... he's just been brilliant.''

Tomorrow: The most powerful players in the game revealed

 

16.55 | 0 komentar | Read More

Mick v Bucks in NAB Cup final?

Collingwood Magpies dominate West Coast Eagles in 20 point NAB Cup win on Sunday.

Mick Malthouse is unbeaten as Carlton coach. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

COLLINGWOOD and Carlton are on course to clash in a blockbuster NAB Cup final.

Carlton sits atop the pre-season ladder after a big win against Fremantle on Saturday, while the Pies are third after a road win in Perth last night.
 
Collingwood plays pre-season bolter Brisbane - sitting second - in a virtual preliminary final at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

The Blues have to travel to Adelaide on Friday night but given the Crows' pre-season form, another win seems a distinct possibility.

North Melbourne is the other unbeaten team but has a lower percentage than the Blues, Lions and Magpies and plays its third-round fixture against Geelong at Simonds Stadium.

Port Adelaide is the surprise packet, sitting inside the top eight with two wins, while remarkably the only two teams yet to record a win are 2012 Grand Finalists Hawthorn and Sydney.

NAB CUP LADDER

1. Carlton 3-0 185.5%
2. Brisbane Lions 3-0 143.2%
3. Collingwood 3-0 129.9%
4. North Melbourne 3-0 111.2%
5. Geelong 2-1 129.8%
6. Richmond 2-1 113.5%
7. St Kilda 2-1 99.4%
8. Port Adelaide 2-1 123.5%
---
9. Essendon 1-2 111.8%
10. GWS 1-2 111.7%
11. West Coast 1-2 101.2%
12. Melbourne 1-2 89.6%
13. Gold Coast 1-2 76.1%
14. Western Bulldogs 1-2 74.1%
15. Adelaide 1-2 64.0%
16. Fremantle 1-2 60.1%
17. Hawthorn 0-3 83.2%
18. Sydney 0-3 63.3%

NAB CUP FIXTURE

Round 3

Friday, March 8
GWS v Essendon (Manuka Oval, 6.10pm) FOX FOOTY
Adelaide v Carlton (AAMI Stadium, 8.10pm) FOX FOOTY

Saturday, March 9
Hawthorn v Richmond (Aurora Stadium, 1.10pm) FOX FOOTY
Melbourne v St Kilda (Casey Fields, 2.30pm)
Fremantle v Western Bulldogs (Northam), 3.30pm
Geelong v North Melbourne (Simonds Stadium, 3.40pm) FOX FOOTY
Collingwood v Brisbane Lions (Etihad Stadium, 6.40pm) FOX FOOTY
West Coast v Port Adelaide (Alice Springs, 7pm)
Sydney v Gold Coast (Blacktown ISP, 7pm)

Grand Final

Friday March 15 or Saturday March 16
(Venue TBC) 7.40pm FOX FOOTY/Channel 7

16.55 | 0 komentar | Read More

Reid escapes serious injury

Collingwood defender Ben Reid will miss this weekend's NAB Cup match against Brisbane. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

COLLINGWOOD defender Ben Reid will miss Saturday's clash with the Brisbane Lions, but has escaped serious damage to his right knee.

Reid was the only injury concern to come out of the Pies impressive win against West Coast in Perth on Sunday night, which set up a virtual NAB Cup preliminary final with the Lions.

Carlton currently sits atop the NAB Cup standings and could await the Pies or Lions in the final.

A Collingwood/Carlton decider would be an enticing match-up given it would be the first time Mick Malthouse coaches against his former club.

It would also be the first time the two clubs have played in any grand final in 32 years.

The AFL yesterday said if the Lions won the right to host the game it would be played at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast.

A final involving two Melbourne clubs will be played at Etihad Stadium.

"That's likely to be on the Friday night,'' AFL spokesman Patrick Keane said.

The league also confirmed yesterday that Malthouse would meet with the AFL laws of the game committee tomorrow.

Malthouse blasted the cap on interchange rotations currently being trialled in the pre-season competition after the Blues defeated Fremantle on Saturday night.

He also questioned whether committee was in touch with the modern game.

Keane said the laws of the game committee intends on having a ``guest'' at each of its meetings this season.

Collingwood football manager Geoff Walsh said Reid was assessed by a specialist after returning from Western Australia early yesterday.

"He's hyper-extended his knee which means he won't play next week,'' Walsh said.

"But from then on the specialist is happy just to see how he responds to treatment. There's no major structural damage so that's the main thing.''

Walsh said the club's coaching staff was pleased with the side's performance in the 20-point win against the Eagles.

"It was a good win against good opposition in trying conditions.''

16.55 | 0 komentar | Read More

Footy comes first at Etihad

Etihad Stadium boss Paul Sergeant expects playing surface to bounce back after KISS concert. Picture: Stuart Walmsley Source: Herald Sun

ETIHAD Stadium boss Paul Sergeant yesterday assured the football world that the playing surface would be in "fantastic'' condition by Saturday night, despite hosting two KISS concerts this week.

His assurance came as the Herald Sun revealed several players have privately raised concerns about the surface the hardest they had experienced.

Etihad Stadium had major problems with a shifting surface in 2010 that were blamed on three AC/DC concerts in February, but Sergeant said this week's KISS concerts were different because they would only infringe on about 15 per cent of the surface.

AFL spokesman Patrick Keane said that fact, plus the installation of turf protection, meant the league was comfortable the concerts would "cause minimal impact on the grass''.

He said readings of the surface's firmness, taken on the eve of last Friday's Western Bulldogs-Hawthorn game  were "well within our guidelines for stadium surface''.

"We're not anticipating any concerns when it comes to next weekend's game,'' Keane said.

Sergeant denied the ground had been prepared with the concerts as the priority, and if anything the surface was "a little soft''.

"We haven't prepared the field with KISS in mind; we've got sportsmen to look after,'' Sergeant told Triple M.

"When we say it's in that 'preferred range' [of readings], in fact, if anything, it's probably a little bit soft. I know that's not the feedback that's coming back ... There's a bit of 'divoting' so we're going to be looking into that, but in terms of the hardness, it's something the guys monitor very, very closely.''

16.55 | 0 komentar | Read More

Clarko fumes at new cap rule

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson new assistant coach Brett Ratten last night. Source: Getty Images

HAWTHORN coach Alastair Clarkson has slammed the 80-interchange cap rule after the Hawks and Western Bulldogs last night struggled to adapt to the controversial restriction.

Clarkson and Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney were both left bewildered after becoming the guinea pigs for the rule in a game the Dogs won by one point at Etihad Stadium.

Clarkson said the AFL was taking an "enormous risk" by restricting rotations to 80.

"Take it back to old reserves and just play 18 men on the ground if that's what you want to do," Clarkson said.

"It's a pretty dramatic change to go to 80.

"Goodness knows, no one knows, what's going to happen to the game so hopefully common sense will prevail.

"If they want to introduce a cap hopefully they do it at a sensible rate like 120 and then we can see what a minor cap does to the game rather than take it to 80.

"I reckon it's an enormous risk to take with what's a pretty good game at the moment.

"Just at a hunch we're going to say, 'Oh let's put it at 80 and see what happens.

"I hope it's good, but what happens if it's no good?'

As it was neither side used its quota of interchanges, with the Bulldogs using 71 and the Hawks 72.

"You're not coaching, all you're doing is counting how many times players are coming off the ground," Clarkson said.

"You want to coach the players not count numbers.

"I could get a school kid to do that but the coaches have to do it. It's an enormous constraint in terms of the game."

McCartney, delighted his team had shown resilience to hold off a charging Hawthorn and win its first game of the year, said the rule was too extreme.

"I came to the game with a bit of me thinking there will be incredible fatigue and the game will be a shambles. We probably spent too much time ... you spend a stupid amount of time counting them," McCartney said.

"Experimenting with the game is a good thing as long as it's not too extreme and goes too far the other way."

Clarkson said the Hawks were "a bit rusty and a bit scratchy" in defeat, but said there was sufficient time to get his side up and running for Round 1.

"It's not about wins or losses, it's about game time ... but we were really poor around the footy tonight and we gave the Dogs too much easy supply from that area of the ground," he said.

Luke Hodge, Shaun Burgoyne, Grant Birchall, Liam Shiels, Michael Osborne, Xavier Ellis and new recruit Brian Lake all missed last night.

Clarkson said injuries to Luke Breust and David Hale were only minor, while promising Western Bulldogs draftee Jake Stringer has had scans on a rolled ankle that forced him off the ground.

16.55 | 0 komentar | Read More