McGuire: AFL is five years too late

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire says the AFL's call on Chris Judd's deal with Carlton sponsor Visy is five years too late. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: Herald Sun

THE AFL's decision to include Chris Judd's third-party deal within Carlton's salary cap for 2013 has come five years too late, according to Collingwood president Eddie McGuire.

And rather than mourning the AFL's decision to pull the plug on the deal, as revealed in the Herald Sun, the Blues should be popping champagne corks that they were to get away with it for so long.

"The fact that it has been changed is like the AFL saying they mucked up the rule in the first place, or for however long Chris Judd has been there," McGuire said yesterday.

"He has been basically paid out of the salary cap all of that time.

"According to the AFL's position now, Carlton has had a free kick of more than $1.2 million on the salary cap over the past five years compared to other clubs."

Judd's Visy deal is understood to be between $200,000 and $250,000 a season.

One of the leading critics of the controversial deal, and of other AFL inequities, McGuire said he was pleased the AFL had changed itsmind.

"Adrian Anderson (AFL football operations manager). Andrew Demetriou (AFL chief executive officer) and Ken Wood (AFL salary cap watchdog) sat down and realised this was something that was wrong," he said. "And they ditched it."

McGuire said he didn't care if the Blues were angry that he led the charge in opposition to the deal.

Blues chief executive Greg Swan yesterday joked he had to check the AFL letter to "see if it was signed by Eddie or Adrian."

But McGuire said he said he wanted a fair and level playing field for all clubs, not just for Collingwood.

"I have said from the word go that I don't care how much anyone pays Chris Judd, as long as every club has the opportunity to do the same thing," he said.

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Crow call a 'disgrace': Kennett

Former Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett says the Adelaide Crows should not be taking part in next week's AFL draft. Picture: David Caird. Source: Herald Sun

FORMER Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett last night launched a blistering attack on the AFL for allowing Adelaide to take part in next week's national draft.

"This is absolutely unacceptable what the AFL are doing. It's a disgrace," Kennett told the Herald Sun.

"It's absolutely akin to Racing Victoria allowing Damien Oliver to race, knowing that he had serious charges levelled against him.

"I just cannot accept it. It staggers belief."

In a massive win for the embattled Crows, lawyers for the club yesterday forced the AFL to delay its hearings into claims they cheated on the salary cap with illegal payments to forward Kurt Tippett.

It means the Crows can keep all their picks in Thursday's draft on the Gold Coast - effectively delaying punishment for another 12 months.

An enraged Kennett, who contacted the Herald Sun, called on the AFL to delay Thursday's draft, rather than allow the Crows and Melbourne - under separate investigation for tanking - to take part.

"If they (the AFL) are saying that natural justice has got to be done, well then in that case, I would cancel the draft until the issue is resolved," Kennett said.

"By allowing this draft to continue and these two clubs to participate ... it just makes a mockery of the whole competition. It defies logic.

"I mean you've got a (Family) Court judge on the (AFL) Commission (Linda Dessau) and other people who are very bright individuals. How in God's name can they say that they are administering this code correctly when they allow a decision like this to take place?"

A new hearing date for the Crows is yet to be set but will not come in time to prevent Adelaide from replenishing its list with new young talent.

The Crows have picks 20, 54 and 64.

Melbourne learned last week that it had dodged a draft bullet because an AFL investigation into claims the club deliberately lost games in 2009 was not complete.

The AFL Commission was scheduled to convene on Monday and Tuesday to determine its penalties for the Crows over allegations of draft tampering and salary cap cheating.

Adelaide yesterday revealed the club, chief executive Steven Trigg, football boss Phil Harper and former football operations manager John Reid would be represented separately.

"The AFL has today advised the club and Mr Harper, as well as Mr Trigg, Mr Reid and Adelaide Crows-listed player Kurt Tippett, that the Commission will provide the requested extra time, and that the hearing will not proceed on Monday as previously scheduled, to ensure that natural justice is provided," the league said in statement.

"The 2012 NAB AFL Draft will proceed as scheduled next week."

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Knights predicts pain for Crows

Chris Knights says the Kurt Tippett saga will impact Adelaide significantly. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: The Advertiser

FORMER Crow and new Tiger Chris Knights has admitted Adelaide's salary cap saga could impact significantly on its 2013 season, despite the club being allowed to take part in this year's national draft.

Knights spent eight seasons with Adelaide before signing as a free agent with Richmond last month.

The 26-year-old says even though he has left the club, he still feels for the Crows and his former teammates as they face future AFL sanctions over allegations of illegal payments to Kurt Tippett and further scrutiny on other third-party deals.

"I do (feel for them)," Knights said after taking part in his first time-trial with the Tigers at Princes Park.

"They are (a great club).

"Kurt Tippett is a really good guy, he's a great teammate. He's in a really unfortunate situation at the moment and the same with the football club.

"But, as it goes, they're not going to miss out on draft picks this year, so in that respect they're all right but you want to go into every pre-season with not too many things going wrong.

"The (Adelaide) boys will start back soon and they'll just be focusing on training hard and doing what they need to do.

"But you don't really want these things happening on the side. It's big news for the AFL and hopefully there's a resolution."

Adelaide successfully sought more time to prepare for the AFL hearing into the Tippett issue, which has now been put back beyond Thursday's draft.

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Ex-Docker to train with Saints

Docker Dylan Roberton tackles Hawk Liam Shiels. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: The Sunday Times

DELISTED Docker Dylan Roberton will train with St Kilda in the hope of securing an AFL lifeline.

Roberton was one of three Fremantle players delisted yesterday after playing 37 matches for the club, including 10 this year.

The 191cm defender was originally recruited from Frankston and requested a trade to a Victorian club after the season, but a deal could not be done during the trade period.

The other two players cut by the Dockers before yesterday's list lodgement deadline, Nick Lower and Jesse Chrichton, will both continue to train with the club in the hope of being redrafted in the pre-season or rookie drafts.

In the latest AFL permission to train list, released today, Richmond has the most ex-AFL players at training, including two potential back-up ruckmen Cameron Wood and Orren Stephenson.

St Kilda also has five Sandringham players training with the main group in the hope of a draft promotion.

Axed Essendon midfielder Brent Prismall is training with the Bombers, but assistant coach Mark Thompson this morning gave him little hope of being re-drafted by the club.

Phantom draft - we predict the top 30 picks

PERMISSION TO TRAIN LIST

Adelaide: Nick Joyce (Adelaide Crows)

Brisbane Lions: Nil

Carlton: Andrew Collins (Carlton)

Collingwood: Nil.

Essendon: Tom Fields (Labrador), Nick Kommer (East Perth).

Fremantle: Jesse Crichton (Fremantle). Nick Lower (Fremantle).

Geelong: Nil.

Gold Coast: Derrell Acrey (USA Combine), Quin Porter (USA Combine).

GWS Giants: Nil.

Hawthorn: Nil.

Melbourne: Nil.

North Melbourne: Cameron Richardson (North Melbourne), Ben Speight (North Melbourne).

Port Adelaide: Nil.

Richmond: Addam Maric (Richmond), Orren Stephenson (Geelong Cats), Josh Toy (Gold Coast Suns), Cameron Wood (Collingwood).

St Kilda: Adam Cockie (Sandringham), Jackson Coleman (Sandringham), Chris Michaelides (Sandringham), Dylan Roberton (Fremantle), Michael Sikora (Sandringham), Anthony Soriano (Sandringham).

Sydney: Nil.

West Coast: Nil.

Western Bulldogs: Nil.
 

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Roos post record profit

North Melbourne fans enjoy Jack Ziebell's last-quarter goal. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

NORTH Melbourne has credited fan donations for helping the Roos post a record operating profit of more than $1 million.

The Roos today announced an operating profit of $1,193,080 for the 2011-12 financial year.

Interim chief executive Cam Vale said the club reduced its debt by $1 million with the help of its Box On campaign, while increasing revenue growth by $5 million.

"This is truly an outstanding result for the club and could have only been achieved with the remarkable support of our members and fans," Vale said.

"A record profit and reduction of debt in tough economic times is a remarkable outcome and highlights revenue growth across the board and controlled football expenditure."

Vale said he expected the Roos would be debt-free "within a few more years".

Earlier this week, Hawthorn's 60,000-strong band of members has helped ensure the club has posted a mega profit for 2012, reaping more than $2 million.

The Hawks profited $2,023,720, up about $300,000 on last year's result.

The Grand Finalist recorded a 7.4 per cent increase in members, boosting the number to 60,841.

"Our strong financial result is a credit to the hard work and dedication of management who constantly strive for excellence and innovation, and support their staff to do likewise," new president Andrew Newbold said.

Newbold thanked the 8731 Tasmanian members which signed up this season.

2012 AFL CLUB FINANCIAL RESULTS

Hawthorn: $2,023,720 profit

North Melbourne: $1,193,080 operating profit

Other clubs to follow

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Eagle charged over punch

Eagles forward Murray Newman celebrates a goal. Source: Getty Images

The Library nightclub in Northbridge, Perth. Picture: Justin Benson-cooper Source: PerthNow

YOUNG West Coast forward Murray Newman has been charged with grievous bodily harm following an alleged incident at a Perth nightclub.

Newman, 18, was allegedly involved in an argument with another man at the Library Nightclub in Northbridge at about 1.30am last Saturday.

Newman allegedly punched the 18-year-old man in the face, which caused serious injury that later required surgery.

The club confirmed Newman had been charged and the AFL has been made aware of the incident.

"The club is bitterly disappointed that Murray put himself in that position and will await the outcome of the legal process before making any further comment," the club said in a statement this afternoon.

Newman played four games in his debut season for the Eagles, booting three goals and averaging almost nine touches per outing.

He will face court on November 30.

Under WA law, GBH is "any bodily injury of such a nature as to endanger, or be likely to endanger life, or cause or be likely to cause permanent injury to health".

It carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail.

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Crows dodge draft bullet

Adelaide Crows chief executive officer Steven Trigg speaks to the press. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: adelaidenow

Kurt Tippett is also facing charges over his 2009 deal. Picture: Simon Cross Source: The Advertiser

ADELAIDE will keep all its picks in this year's draft after the AFL agreed to delay its hearing into claims of salary cap cheating.

A new hearing date is yet to be set but the league advised today next Thursday's national draft "will go ahead as normal".

The Crows, expected to be stripped of picks as a penalty for illegal payments to forward Kurt Tippett, have selections 20, 54 and 64 in this year's draft.

The club, Tippett and officials Steven Trigg, John Reid and Phil Harper face a total of 11 charges relating to an alleged secret agreement with Tippett when he signed a new contract in 2009.

The deal allegedly involved third-party payments of up to $300,000, unapproved third-party deals with Crows sponsors including Balfours pies, and a promise to trade Tippett to a club of his choice for a second-round draft pick when the three-year contract expired.

The deal ran out this year and Tippett shocked the club by asking to be traded to Sydney. The Crows stalled on the Swans' offer of a late first-round draft pick and fringe forward Jesse White, plunging the club into crisis.

The latest charges were laid yesterday and the club and Harper requested more time to prepare their defence.

The Crows, football manager Harper, chief executive Trigg and former football operations manager Reid will all be represented separately at the commission hearing.

"The AFL has today advised the Club and Mr Harper, as well as Mr Trigg, Mr Reid and Adelaide Crows-listed player Kurt Tippett, that the Commission will provide the requested extra time, and that the hearing will not proceed on Monday as previously scheduled, to ensure that natural justice is provided," the league said in a statement.

"A new hearing date is yet to be set, but will be advised to all parties, the media and the wider football public as soon as it is determined.

"The 2012 NAB AFL draft will proceed as scheduled next week, Thursday November 22. The AFL has no further comment to make at this time."

New Crows claims 'a disgrace'

Adelaide has been trying to prepare its case in recent days, including finding witnesses who will appear before the commission.

The AFL confirmed witnesses would be allowed provided the commission was notified and they were relevant to the charges.

The club released a statement to key stakeholders yesterday that said in part: "We look forward to the hearing next Monday and then being able to explain directly to you and all our members, sponsors and supporters exactly what happened, why it happened and how it happened."

The statement was co-signed by chairman Rob Chapman and Trigg.

Adelaide is currently sorting through its list of witnesses to key events during the Tippett crisis, which has left the club under threat of being excluded for the draft for up to four years and handed heavy fines.

Phantom draft - we predict the top 30 picks

Law firm Kelly & Co's Peter Campbell said witnesses of fact were a priority.

"You'd think it's people that can either corroborate a version of the facts or dispute it," Campbell said.

"If the AFL has put forward a particular version and they (the Crows) want to bring people across to say that that's not how it happened, and that's why there can't be any penalties or fines on that, that would be the most likely."

Sticking points are expected to be who was present at important meetings, who put the pressure on whom to orchestrate a deal and when key people became privy to the matter.

The hearing will not proceed on Monday as previously scheduled, to ensure that natural justice is provided.

The battle is likely to be over which party can best prove its version of events as the most accurate.

There are expected to be several versions.

"They'll try to construct a whole factual chronology of it," Campbell said. "And I assume they'll bring witnesses up to back that up."

Monday's hearing is expected to spill into Tuesday. Cross-examination is expected to be intense, with both Tippett and the Crows hiring high-profile silks to mount their case.

Tippett has retained prominent QC David Galbally, who has vast experience in AFL matters.

The Crows hired David Edwardson QC, who successfully defended Perth barrister Lloyd Rayney in one of the most high-profile cases in Western Australia's history.

The Advertiser  reported Edwardson had also represented hit-run lawyer Eugene McGee, but to clarify, he acted only temporarily for McGee around the time of his arrest.

Jeff Gleeson SC will represent the AFL.

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New Pies keep old numbers

Quinten Lynch joined Collingwood duringf the trade period. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: Herald Sun

COLLINGWOOD recruits Quinten Lynch and Jordan Russell will wear the same numbers with the Magpies in 2013 as they did with their previous clubs.

The Magpies have given former West Coast forward Lynch the No.21 jumper vacated by Sharrod Wellingham, who was traded to the Eagles.

And ex-Blue Russell has been handed the opportunity to wear No.2 following the retirement of Chris Tarrant.

Former Hawk Clinton Young will wear No.14 for Collingwood.

Luke Rounds, who wore No.14, has been delisted by the Magpies.

Johnson to play on with Pies

The younger players at Collingwood are due to start pre-season training on November 21 with the rest to resume a week later, according to the AFL website.

Collingwood's players will travel to Utah for a high-altitude training camp on December 4.

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Joyce chopped by Crows

Nick Joyce has been delisted. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: adelaidenow

THE crisis engulfing the Adelaide Crows has claimed another victim with Nick Joyce being delisted by the club today because Kurt Tippett is still on the list.

The Crows had to cut Joyce because they need to take part in the national draft, and with Tippett not nominating for the November 22 national draft - he is expected to put his name up for the December 11 pre-season draft - Joyce was the unfortunate choice.

Adelaide has assured Joyce and his management their hand was forced, and would do everything in their power to rectify the situation by picking him up again.

He still has a year to run on his contract.

Crows List Manager David Noble said the club had been painted into a corner because of circumstances it could not control.

"It was not the Club's intention to delist Nick at this time but because Kurt Tippett remains on our primary list, we had to delist another player by today's deadline ahead of next Thursday's national draft,'' Noble said.

"(But) it is our intention to redraft Nick at the earliest opportunity post the AFL Commission's findings.

"The club is working closely with Nick's management and discussing the variety of options, with Nick's welfare being of the highest importance.''

Joyce, 19, was taken by the Crows at pick 46 in the 2011 AFL national draft. The and made his SANFL league debut this year with Woodville-West Torrens.

Joyce is a 185cm left-footer who represented SA with distinction at under-18 level in 2011. He did not play an AFL game in his first year at West Lakes.

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Saints, Dogs could jag Jacobs

Ben Jacobs could be poached by St Kilda or the Western Bulldogs before the Roos get the chance. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: The Advertiser

ST KILDA and the Western Bulldogs are best-placed to spoil North Melbourne's party and steal homesick Port Adelaide defender Ben Jacobs.

But it shapes as a hefty investment given Jacobs, 20, is tipped to lump a mega price on his head ahead of Thursday's national draft.

The Saints, who have picks 25 and 26, showed a strong interest in Jacobs at the trade table last month.

The Roos, who remain Jacobs' preferred destination, hold picks 15 and 38 but have ruled out using their first selection.

The Dogs could strike with pick 22, and have discussed Jacobs at recruiting meetings this week.

It is also a focus at Whitten Oval to draft a half-back with pristine foot skills, which bodes well for a move on Jacobs.

Essendon also remains a threat and could pip North with pick 35.

But that remains a long shot, with the Bombers salary cap tight after seizing Brendon Goddard.

The Dons are also keen on left-footed midfielder Rory Atkins, who won Calder's best-and-fairest, with that pick.

After offloading nine senior players, headed by Hamish McIntosh, price will not prevent the Roos from nabbing Jacobs.

Jacobs' manager Paul Connors masterminded a similar move in 2009, securing Luke Ball's passage to Collingwood via pick 30 in the national draft.

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