AFL uses NRL model
Happy Holidays Footy Fans - TRIBUNAL OVERHAUL Former Hawthorn coach Peter Schwab was later named chairman of the three-person match review panel. Also named to the panel were former Carlton defender Andrew McKay and retired umpire Peter Carey. A retired county judge was named to replace Tribunal chairman Brian Collis. While retired from court duty, Judge David Jones has been appointed as the State Government watchdog over the Victoria Police which will involve investigating any allegations of corruption. GENERAL NEWS Long Meets PM Michael Long has also decided to set up a privately funded peak body to combat Aboriginal social problems. He said he planned to turn the Lingiari Foundation into the leading engine for indigenous progress. And he said he would seek funding from private corporations here and overseas to run programs in Aboriginal communities. In related news, former Eagle premiership player Chris Lewis has taken a position coaching Braybrook in the Victorian Western Region Football League. Along with his coaching duties, he will also be involved in a development program to help Victorian Aboriginal kids make the transition from local club to TAC competition. New Conduct Rules Considered South Africa Initiative Seven Files Suit New Drug Policy Later talks between the AFL and AFLPA led to compromise on the issue. New Health Service New Ruck Rule The full new ruck law reads as follows: Operations Manager Adrian Anderson said umpires would also have a role to ensure players were protected from injury, following widespread feedback from current and former ruckmen that the ball had to be the primary consideration for all ruckmen. All clubs were opposed to a specific Law relating to raising a knee while jumping for the ball, but divided on the other two options around removing the centre line or introducing a larger centre circle to restrict run-ups. The new rule won the support of Melbourne's Jeff White, who was involved in one of the trials. More Support For Hybrid Game 1895 Ball Sold Key Dates Wizard Schedule Preseason & Rookie Draft Only 7 clubs participated in the draft. St Kilda was ineligible under AFL rules because of salary cap restraints. The others already have full lists. Richmond had the first and last selections while Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon, Fremantle, Kangaroos, and Port Adelaide each had one selection. The selection order was: Richmond, Collingwood, Carlton, Kangaroos, Fremantle, Essendon, Port, Richmond. The selections were: The Rookie Draft had 66 selections. The order of selection is in reverse to the final 3004 standings. The selections were: ROUND 2 ROUND 3 ROUND 4 ROUND 6 ROUND 7 ROUND 8 Shortly afterward, AFL investigations Officer Ken Wood was called upon to look into possible draft tampering by new Docker Jarrad Schofield. The action came after a claim that Schofield's father told the Kangaroos that Jarrad would retire if the Kangaroos selected him. Andrew McKay, Robert Pyman and Brett Chalmers were all found guilty of draft tampering in 1993. Chalmers was fined $30,000 and banned from playing for Collingwood for three years while McKay and Pyman received $10,000 fines. The trio all advised clubs they wouldn't play for them if drafted. TEAM NEWS WESTERN BULLDOGS A proposal to name the new club hall of fame after PM John Howard has angered many supporters, with one saying it would be an "unfortunate politicization" of the club". Darwin will again experience the first serious hit-out of the 2005 season when the Indigenous All-Stars clash with the Western Bulldogs on 5 February. Two of last year's draftees have had their contracts extended. Farren Ray had his contract extended through 2006 while Adam Cooney signed through 2007. Despite all the talk focusing on Deledio and Tambling - for all the right reasons - in many respects, Griffen was overlooked, yet many believed he had strong claims to be the first player selected in this year's draft. In fact, the Bulldogs were delighted to claim the young South Australian, who is an outstanding addition to the squad. The Bulldogs also snapped up Williams, who will only get better as he further hones his craft, at his now chosen sport. He too is another great story of the draft, having switched from a rugby union background. Wells is an emerging ruckman and will be given time, while Tiller is somewhat of a smoky, but nevertheless a tall prospect with good speed for his size. McCormack is another emerging midfielder with plenty of talent. The Bulldogs have again recruited well for the future and aside Griffen - most will be long-term projects. MELBOURNE The Demons have taken one more step in securing Olympic Park facilities for its new headquarters. Club president told AGM attendees that a memorandum of understanding to create a new facility has been signed. Also at the AGM, Adem Yze and Geoff Collins were awarded life memberships. Exciting livewire goalsneak Aaron Davey signed a new 2 year contract with the club. Like Geelong, Melbourne's successful season dictated that its list stay together and therefore the club only had the mandatory three selections in the draft. Recruiting and list manager Craig Cameron will be delighted with his picks, considering the Demons targeted all three players. Realistically, Melbourne was not expecting to gain 2004 Morrish Medallist Matthew Bate with its first pick, as the strong mail was that he would be chosen around the 10-12 mark. Interestingly, of the seven players who were given special permission to nominate for the draft - two of those players were Bate and Dunn. Bate is an emerging key defender/forward, while Dunn and Newton are key forwards. They will be given time to develop, but they loom as smart long-term picks for the Demons. The addition of this trio has further strengthened its key position depth. BRISBANE Big, bad, burly forward Jonathan Brown has made a personal pact to keep himself out of AFL Tribunal trouble for the next couple of years. The club has retired Alistair Lynch's #11 guernsey for the 2005 season. All Brisbane number changes: The Lions were rapt to gain Wood, who along with Meesen, was jostling for the title of the best available ruckman in this year's draft. Wood was not even on the Lions radar until he was available at 18, as the club believed he would have been long gone. Some even believe Wood, who stands at a whopping 204 cm, could be one of the AFL's elite rucks in several years. Garner, a developing defender/forward, is a local boy who was regarded as one of the best Queenslanders in the draft, while the hard-at-it Sherman was Tasmanian standout. Attard is a disciplined, All-Australian defender, while Forsyth is a medium forward. Overall, the Lions added good height to their list, with Sherman, the smallest at 183 cm. It was another fine effort from recruiting manager Kinnear Beatson. Like most Lions' recruits, they will be given time to develop. ESSENDON Essendon announced a $659,579 operating profit for 2004, an increase of more than $250,000 on last year's result. Essendon full-forward Matthew Lloyd, retired defender Sean Wellman and former utility Peter Cransberg were awarded life membership of the club. The Bombers added three South Australians to their list - midfielders Angus Monfries and Henry Slattery, while 2004 Magarey Medallist Paul Thomas was also given his second crack on an AFL list. He was an Adelaide rookie in 2002. Thomas was thought to be a target of Hawthorn, as he was under the tutelage of new Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson, during their days together at Central District. Thomas is likely to step-up to AFL level in 2005, while Monfries could also be right in the mix for senior berth. Monfries, who has been likened to Port Adelaide premiership player Kane Cornes, was one of the prime midfielders available in 2004. Lee is a tall forward from Tasmania, who was rated one of his state's best prospects this year. Essendon passed at 70, with a view to using it in the December pre-season draft. Again it was good recruiting from the Dons. PORT ADELAIDE Port Adelaide's first AFL premiership sparked an $800,000 turnaround in the club's 2004 finances, enabling it to make a $332,337 profit after being headed for a big loss before the finals. That meager profit of just over $100,000, however, has seen the club forced to make some severe budget cuts. Although midfielders were somewhat of a priority, Port Adelaide selected a good blend of players in the draft, adding ball-winners Thomson, Ezard and Eckermann and talls Willitts and Deluca. Thomson's stocks increased as the weeks went on and it was no surprise, in the end, to see him taken with the Power's first pick. Port Adelaide needed to add some midfielders into its group, now that Josh Carr has departed and in all likelihood Jarrad Schofield moves on. The Power was delighted to gain Deluca at number 35, considering he was expected to be a top-25 selection. Although initially he is likely to be a development player at the club, there is enormous potential in Deluca. Willitts is also a strong selection, considering he can play in a key position and also ruck. It was another highly consistent draft from the Power. SYDNEY Sydney announced a profit of almost $900,000 in 2004. Midfielder Jared Crouch required further surgery to his collarbone, fractured during the Ireland games, and could miss the start of the season. It would bring his consecutive games record of 156 since his 1998 debut to a halt. That games streak is the second best in league history, just behind John Murphy of Fitzroy 1967-74. Former Hawthorn and Sydney assistant coach George Stone has rejoined the Swans after a three-year absence to work as a Melbourne-based recruiter and forward scout. With Sydney in a similar position to Melbourne and Geelong, the club had just the three required picks. It was a great reward for Moore, who was rated highly by the Swans. He virtually did everything in his power to say 'pick me', despite his smaller stature. But his achievements at the elite junior level warranted a place on an AFL list. Interestingly, Sydney stated that it was in the market for some taller players, but added that it would also aim for 'the best available player'. In saying that, the Swans added former Cat David Spriggs to their list, which confirmed their 'best available' theory as he was firmly in the hierarchies' thoughts. Spriggs' running ability and endurance is among the best in the competition. The amazing journey of James continues and hopefully he can remain injury free and show his true worth. The Swans added some handy top-ups to an impressive list. HAWTHORN The AGM was held shortly before Christmas with Dicker and his board retaining their positions unopposed. The only hitch at the meeting came when independent candidate Colin Youren asked that he be appointed to the board. Currently the board has 10 members, but Yourien, a premiership player in 1961, claims the club's constitution allows up to 12 members to sit on the board. The Hawks also announced their eighth successive profit under Dicker's leadership for 2004 of $101,490 despite a fall of $680,000 in gate receipts and marketing income due to the poor performance of the team. Long time club servant Ron Cook passed away in early December, aged 74, after a long battle with cancer. He was involved with the club in various ways for 60 years. The club has announced a net profit of $101,500 for the year. It is the club's eighth successive year in the black. One of football's most enduring club servants, John Hook, has stepped down from his post as football manager, a position he held since 1998. He served as the club recruiter during the 80's In what could prove to be a pivotal draft for the Hawks in the years to come, the brown and gold started with somewhat of a surprise at number two, when Gary Buckenara, in his first year as the recruiting manager, selected Roughead with their first pick. It was widely thought the Hawks would take the exciting Richard Tambling, who is now a Tiger. But Hawthorn managed to snare what many people believe were the best two key position players in this year's draft - Roughead and West Australian Lance 'Buddy' Franklin. They are two massive inclusions for the club, as it looks to rebuild its spine in a new era. Lewis is a powerful midfielder, likely to play senior football in 2005, while Murphy is a key defender, Little is a goalkicking forward - and the cousin of James Hird - and Taylor is an emerging ruckman from Box Hill. RICHMOND Both Casey and his rival, former board member Charles Macek, have finalized their tickets for the upcoming election. Clinton Casey and his board - including football manager Greg Miller as a VP - were all elected in an overwhelming show of support by club members. Over 14,000 ballots were cast at the recent AGM. Forgotten Richmond star Mark Coughlan is in "great physical shape" and will be ready to play in the preseason in a major boost to the Tigers' hopes of improving under new coach Terry Wallace in 2005. The Tigers will revert to their traditional playing strip next season - with the yellow sash returning on the back of the jumper with a white number - after having deserted that jumper at the end off 1994. More good news for the club is that membership is already up by 10% on the numbers at this time last year. The Tigers finally delisted disgruntled defender Ty Zantuck to allow him to nominate for the preseason draft. Look for Matthew Richardson to play further up the ground for Richmond in 2005. There is no doubt that in time this particular draft will be looked back as a defining moment for Richmond. The Tigers snared Deledio and Tambling, who were the two most talked about players leading into this year's draft. The interesting aspect is that both players were expected to be selected at different clubs. But as history now shows, that is not the case and the two young guns begin their journey at Tigerland. Overall, the Tigers added four midfielders and four talls to their list, which is a terrific result for a club, which is desperate for success. Meyer and Polo are fine, emerging midfielders, while the ever-improving Pattison looms as an outstanding prospect. McGuane and Limbach also have genuine potential. Veteran Graham will be reliable in defence. But Tiger fans must still be patient, because aside from Graham, they are only kids. But it'll be worth the wait. ADELAIDE Nigel Smart has been appointed to the Adelaide board to replace the retired Bob Campbell. His appointment was approved by the SANFL Commission. Mark Stevens and James Begley have both improved their fitness and have signed new one-year contracts. Adelaide did exceptionally well and looking into the future, it could be the club's best effort at a National Bank's AFL Draft. The club now has three key men in its recruiting stocks - James Fantasia, Alan Stewart and John Turnbull, which will only benefit the club. The Crows nabbed three key talls, Meesen, Gibson and Maric, along with two midfielders, Van Berlo and Knights. Surprisingly Adelaide selected Victorian Meesen over South Australian ruckman Cameron Wood with its first selection. But it's not hard to understand why as many believed Meesen was the best available ruckman in this year's draft. Gibson is a powerhouse key defender/forward who has been likened to Lions champion Jonathan Brown. Van Berlo is an outstanding athlete, who can also play the game, while Knights, despite some injury problems, is promising. CARLTON While talks are yet to take place between the club and Coach Denis Pagan and his management, word is that Carlton is set to extend Pagan's contract for 3 years. His current contract expires at the end of 2005. Anthony Koutoufides, despite limited appearances last season due to injury, will continue as captain next year. The club will finalize the remaining official leaders in several months. Call it the luck of the Irish if you will, although Carlton coach Denis Pagan says it was a matter of being forced to think outside the square. The Blues got their man with their first selection, when they added dashing midfielder Russell to their list. He was a highly sought after prospect, who will add genuine pace to the Carlton list. Hartlett has enormous potential as a key defender/forward, having booted 16 goals in three finals at under-19 level for West Adelaide this year. Blackwell, the son of former Blue Wayne, was taken as a father/son selection. He is a small, ball-winning midfielder. Chris Bryan, a 22-year-old ruckman from the VFL, was somewhat of a surprise at number 73, but he is a fine story of persistence. Anthony Raso, a 17-year-old, was taken with the club's last pick, as it was thought he would be a higher selection in 2005. Carlton passed on its final selection, with a view to utilizing it in the December pre-season draft. Some senior appearances from this group are not without question in 2005. COLLINGWOOD FREMANTLE GEELONG And Cat supporters now have an opportunity to determine the name of the new stand by voting at the club's website. The club has extended Coach Mark Thompson's contract to the end of 2007. Delighted at securing Brad Ottens in the recent exchange period, Geelong entered the draft with two 'live' selections, having also rapt to acquire Nathan Ablett, the son of Cats great Gary, via the father/son rule. The younger brother of Gary Jnr is a talented key forward with enormous potential. The Cats chose Prismall, who is an underrated, yet versatile performer, who can play midfield, down back and up forward, with their first selection. He finished runner-up in the Western Jets best-and-fairest this year. Egan, who was full-back in the VFL team of the year, was rewarded for his perseverance, after he spent the year with the Cats' twos. Geelong's strong and emerging list meant the club had to make very few changes. The Cats had the three mandatory selections in this year's draft, but with that comes further young talent to an exciting list. KANGAROOS The Kangaroos delisted Jeremy Clayton in early December, prior to the preseason draft. The Kangaroos used all three 'live' picks in the draft, which was somewhat of a surprise, considering it was thought the club would keep a pick for the pre-season draft. Caracella was a target for the Roos, but with his future likely to be at Collingwood, the Roos opted to use all four choices. Smith is an outstanding father/son selection and should play in 2005, while the Roos secured three talls, including two Queenslanders. Moran is a great story, considering he has only played limited football and hails from a rugby background. His athleticism, for a big man at 200cm, has been super-impressive, but he is likely to be a long-term prospect, although an exciting one. Schwarze and Pratt both gain further chances at AFL level, with the latter returning for his second stint at the club after making his debut with the Brisbane Lions in 2004. The duo will add depth in 2005. ST KILDA Coach Grant Thomas believes there is great potential for developing young South Africans into AFL players, provided bodies such as AFL South Africa continue to work hard to promote the game. Jason Blake signed a new 2 year contract. The Saints added Ackland, who will be 24 next year, but he is entering a timely period in a ruckman's development. St Kilda will be happy to have Ackland and Brooks as its ruckmen now, with Koschitzke, Blake, Maguire and Stone playing roles along the way. But consider this fact too. Harvey, Thompson, Peckett and Powell are all in the veteran status, while Heath Black has now left the club. Despite the scintillating talents of Ball, Dal Santo and Hayes, the trio needs further help and that's where the recruitment of 2004 Victoria Country captain McQualter and the talents of former Collingwood midfielder McGough comes into the equation. Gwilt is the fairytale story of the draft, having been plucked out of suburban football. Recruiting manager John Beveridge has had great success and it won't surprise if he does it again, as further depth has been added. WEST COAST GENERAL SILLINESS The Magpies had their first hitout of the preseason in late November when they took on a local side of sixth-graders. But it did not go quite as expected, with the Bega Cup Primary School premiers battling their bigger and more experienced opponents to a draw. Or least that's what the official final decision came out to be. There is an old saying in footy: "Whack a bloke behind the ear on the ground and share a beer with him off it". Just days before the 1969 finals were due to commence, Melbourne was hit with torrential rains, turning most of the grounds into muddy bogs. Carlton Coach Ron Barassi came up with a way to acclimatize his players to the sodden conditions at training one day. He gathered the players in the middle of the ground, then whispered some instructions to larrikin Brent Crosswell. Crosswell then stood in the midst of the huddle, spun around several times with his eyes closed, then stopped with his arm outstretched and finger pointed. The digit was aimed at another club larrikin, Peter "Percy' Jones. Barassi yelled "get him" and the players promptly buried Jones two feet in the muck. But Percs had his revenge. He spotted the unsoiled Barassi on the sidelines and urged his teammates to "get the bloody bastard". Before Barassi could blow his whistle to assert his authority, the players had buried Barassi in the muddy morass. Round 21, 1971. Carlton played Fitzroy in a must-win game for any chance at making the finals. The Blues trailed by a goal early in the 3rd term when, out of nowhere, a dense fog shrouded the ground. It was so thick, visibility was reduced to just a few yards. At one point, the ball went to ground and was temporarily missing in the fog. Players from both sides combed the ground, each hoping either they or a teammate would come across the Sherrin. Carlton's Percy Jones was the first to spot the ball. In his excitement, he yelled out that he had found it. A nearby player inquired "Where?" Percy, thinking the player was another Blue, pointed to the ball. Unfortunately for Perc, the player was a Fitzroy man who wasted no time in swooping on the ball and dashing through a goal. Jones copped a huge spray from captain John Nicholls. But it matter little as Fitzroy won by 21 points. A dubious reward for winning the 1972 premiership was a trip to SA to play off for the interstate title. Carlton, having won the premiership against Richmond, came over to face off against WA premier East Perth. The captain/coach of the side was the fiery and feisty Mal Brown (14 games for Richmond in 1974). According to Mal, Carlton was in a fighting mood and began some rough stuff against the Perth boys. Mal instructed his side to play the ball and let him take care of any Carlton players who were belting his guys. And so it came to pass in the 3rd term when a Perth player was flattened. Brown retaliated by whalloping Percy Jones with a bone crunching hip and shoulder. Carlton players raced in to retaliate, but came at Brown one at a time. Each in turn was sent sprawling by well placed punches from Brown. It got so bad that the assigned umpire left the ground and had to be replaced by the emergency umpire. Brown was reported and suspended. But prior to the Tribunal, he decided to claim memory loss due to concussion. To make the story more believable, he had one of his players whack him and turned up at the hearing with what he called a ripper of a black eye. After that wild game, Carlton then traveled overseas for some exhibition games. Much to their chagrin, the side that traveled with them and played against them was the WA All Star team, headed by none other than Mal Brown. While in England on that same trip, the boys made the mistake of entrusting Peter Jones to book them into a Paris hotel for a weekend. He started out OK when he rang a swank Parisian hotel and identified himself as Pierre Jones. At that time, most hotels were not keen on learning that they would have to play host to a bunch of footballers. Percs said he was a travel agent booking a wedding party of 12 couples. The players arrived. Hotel staff weren't happy, but didn't want to leave the rooms vacant. But the biggest problem was the rooms themselves. The hotel, thinking the group would be couples, reserved the honeymoon suites with very narrow double beds meant for young romantics rather than a bunch of hulking athletes. All they could do was try to pair off as best as possible. Jeff Crouch, an umpire in the 60's, said the two players that always drove him nuts were Essendon's Alec Epis and Blue Berkley Cox. Whenever the two teams met, Cox and Epis would start yakking at each other without let up, driving Crouch - and anyone else within earshot - to distraction. According to Crouch, all that yakking would sometimes lead to some physical stuff resulting in free kicks against one or the other. When one was awarded the free, the other would let him have it verbally. When the pair decided to have a wrestle over the ball just before half time one day, Crouch called them over, grabbed an arm of each player, raised their arms in the air and declared a draw. The two left him alone for while after that. Most of us are familiar with Coach Mick Malthouse's game and press conference demeanor. Serious, to the point, curt answers to what he might deem stupid questions from reporters, and dishing out ear-bashings to his players when they are not doing well. AFANA received a great letter from Australian Richard Snook who recently discovered our website. He related this amusing story from when he was traveling through California some years ago: All I got to say to that is good on ya Richard - Lisa And that's it for December. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all. GO BLUES IN `05! Lisa
After an extensive review and feedback from all 16 clubs, the league has instituted sweeping changes to the Tribunal. The league began its review during the 2004 season and studied numerous processes used in other sports both in Australia and abroad. They finally settled on a model similar to the one used in the National Rugby League.
From next year a permanent three-person match review panel will review all reports and, according to a table of set penalties, determine the seriousness of an offence, in what the AFL has described as a bid to improve the ‘transparency, efficiency, consistency and professionalism’ of its judicial structure.
A player will only have to appear before the Tribunal if he wishes to contest the case or the imposed penalty.
The victim of an infraction will not have to appear either unless requested by the Tribunal.
Players will also be allowed legal representation rather than depending on Tribunal appointed advocates as in the past.
Unlike in years past, the chairman will be responsible for running the hearing but it will be up to the full panel to determine the penalty. Previously, chairman Brian Collis was the only one who determined a player's penalty.
The appeals system has also been overhauled, meaning it will become a less expensive and probably less frequent exercise. Under the new guidelines, players will have to contest an element of the tribunal's finding rather than simply have a re-hearing.
The cost of lodging an appeal will be greatly reduced from $5,000 to $5000 so as not to disadvantage the poorer clubs, who often had to forgo an appeal because of the high cost.
From 2005 it will cost $5000 to lodge an appeal, compared to the $15,000 sum that deterred $2500 will now be refundable in the case of a successful appeal, compared to $7500 previously. If an appeal was lost, the club forfeited the full $15,000.
The review was conducted by a committee comprised of Andrew Demetriou, Adrian Anderson, AFL competition manager Rod Austin, AFL Tribunal secretary Scott Taylor, AFL Appeals Board secretary Roger Berryman, AFL legal and business consultant Jeff Browne and AFL commissioner Mike Fitzpatrick. Each of the 16 clubs was involved in the process.
The match review panel will study every game. All reports, whether laid by an umpire, video reports officer, AFL investigations or AFL Football Operations Manager will now be channeled through the body.
If a charge is rejected, the panel will release a public statement explaining why it was not forwarded to the tribunal.
When a charge is laid, players have the choice of pleading guilty and accepting a set penalty. The tribunal also has the flexibility to vary the set sanctions.
As for the sanctions, there will also be a "points" system. Under this system, layers who accept the penalty will get a discount, although those points will be added to any subsequent penalty. Those who challenge the charge and fail will receive extra demerit points.
Fines for melees and wrestling will also be set at predetermined sums.
In making the appointment, AFL football operations general manager Adrian Anderson said Schwab was the "pre-eminent" candidate for the position, given his vast experience in all facets of the game. Schwab's football journey has been as a player, assistant coach, senior coach, and - prior to his senior coaching role at Hawthorn - umpire director for 2 years.
The remaining two positions are expected to be filled by a former umpire and former player.
Anderson and Schwab have been working on a draft table of offences and penalties, by which the match review panel will be guided. The preliminary table will be released for the review of clubs and the AFL Players' Association.
Schwab said his role would not preclude him from media involvement.
Jones was a County Court judge from 1986-2002 and was also Chairman of the Australian Broadcasting Tribunal from 1980-86 and president of the Law Institute of Victoria from 1977-1978.
AFANA In Oz
Our fearless leader, Rob de Santos, spent the early part of November in Australia. He met with some AFL & club officials with some proposals that were well received. While I cannot go into any specifics as these proposals have yet to be hashed out in more detail and agreed upon by all parties, I can say that should everything eventuate, it could mean some extra benefits to AFANA members. We have always had a small membership and so, once again, we plead with all you footy fans to sign up and become a member. There is strength in numbers as they say and the more we have on board, the stronger we become and the better our voice becomes on behalf of all footy fans.
Michael Long, in late November, began a 660 km trek on foot from Melbourne to Canberra to raise awareness of issues facing indigenous communities. He was accompanied at various stages along the way by a number of people - including current Essendon players, other indigenous players, and even Andrew Demetriou.
However, after several days, a footsore and blistered Long called off the walk in Albury in NSW after securing a meeting with the Prime Minister, John Howard. He had been on the road for 9 days.
Howard agreed to the meeting despite Long previously calling him "cold-hearted" for failing to acknowledge the stolen generation, which included both of Michael's parents. What has become known as the "stolen generation" is one of the great travesties of Australian history. It was a disastrous program of removing Aboriginal children from their tribal clans and families and relocating them in white communities with a view to converting them to a "white" way of life. To this day, many Aboriginal people have been unable to rediscover where they came from. Some years ago, organizations were created to help victims of the stolen generation find their families.
Michael explained that indigenous issues needed to be put back on the agenda "or we will become extinct".
The meeting with the PM was also attended by Long's cousin John Cusack and indigenous "elders" Patrick Dodson and Paul Briggs.
Long urged Mr. Howard to visit as many Aboriginal communities as possible to see the problems first-hand to better understand the problems facing the people of those communities.
Prior to embarking on the walk, Long rejected an offer to sit on Mr Howard's National Indigenous Council because he was not satisfied the new body would adequately replace the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission which was scrapped earlier this year.
The foundation would act as an intermediary with the Government, working with both parties, but privately funded. It would develop programs and enforce them.
The foundation will rival to the Federal Government's new Indigenous Council.
The Lingiari Foundation is named after Vincent Lingiari, a Gurindji tribe elder. On August 16, 1975, then Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, poured a handful of sand into the hands of Lingiari. The gesture symbolized the handing back of the freehold title to most of Wave Hill Station in the Northern Territory.
In 1966, Mr Lingiari had led 200 Aboriginal stockmen and domestic hands in a walk-off from the station in protest over wages.
Long also said the indigenous affairs minister should be an indigenous person, a barb aimed at the current minister, Amanda Vanstone.
He said the Minister had to understand so much complexity in Aboriginal law to make policy. While he said he has no quarrel with the people on the council, he did say the problem was that the right people had not been consulted.
Long believes indigenous people need to be involved because they understand Aboriginal law which involves kinship, relations, skin names, where a person comes from, family trees, storytelling, dreamtime, dance and song."
Long, who chairs the Australian Football League's Indigenous Foundation, said he had no plans to go into Federal politics.
The program is looking to help as many as 30 Aboriginal youngsters each year get a start in Melbourne by finding them jobs or education opportunities as well as a position, if they are good enough, in a TAC club.
According to a friend of Lewis', Phil Egan, who is helping fund the program, it is designed to counter lingering prejudice in country and local leagues in Victoria, which tend to overlook Victorian Aboriginal boys in favor of both non-Aboriginal local players and Aboriginal players from outside Victoria.
The program's name "From Little Things" was inspired by the song From Little Things Big Things Grow by Paul Kelly, a friend of Egan.
Egan said that while racism was not blatant, the racial and social barriers were still there
While Lewis' job with the program and coaching at Braybrook will be challenging, he hopes to one day coach an AFL side.
A new program to educate players about proper behavior towards women was recently trialled at the Western Bulldogs. The program was constructed based on recommendations
from a report authored by University of Melbourne deputy dean of law Jenny Morgan, the Centre Against S-xual Assault and police representatives. The program includes
education about s-x abuse and the legal definitions of s-xual assault and consent.
The 12-page document also proposed rule changes that could enable the league to punish players and officials found to have committed assault 'on the balance of probabilities', even if the complainant was reluctant to pursue formal legal action.
The league has acknowledged the difficulty in addressing cases that can potentially cross into the domains of civil and criminal law.
Clubs and the various other interested parties will have until February 11 next year to respond to the discussion paper. Final recommendations, including suggested rule changes, are expected to be presented to the AFL Commission in March.
One recommendation in the paper is a separate tribunal to hear cases of such misconduct against women.
AFL Communications Manager Tony Peek said the AFL would consider a number of rule changes for players and employees and the potential inclusion of specific s-x assault clauses in player contracts as part of the process.
It is believed specific penalties for breaches would also be considered.
Peek said a trial of the educational component at the Western Bulldogs had gone well and may be adopted for use by other Australian football clubs and sports codes.
There is a small province in South Africa which is turning into an AFL hot spot.
A submission by AFL South Africa predicts that within a year, there will be 3000 people in 50 teams playing the game in North West Province, on the border with Botswana. If the projection is realized, the province will have the biggest Australian football-playing population outside Australia and Papua New Guinea.
AFL development officer Dave Matthews wants to implement coaching education and seminars and promotional clinics.
The head coach and executive officer of AFL South Africa, Steve Harrison, said that the enthusiasm in the province for the sport was infectious because of the similarity between the sporting cultures of Australia and South Africa. Harrison said that because the two countries were so competitive in cricket and rugby, many South Africans were curious about Australian football.
Harrison was also working hard to bring kids in from surrounding communities to visit the Saints during their training camp and take part in some training drills.
The introduction of Australian football to the area was due to a combination of good fortune and persistence. Although Australian soldiers during the Boer War and miners in the late 19th century are documented as liking a bit of kick-to-kick, the sport took off in modern times after a South African boxing troupe competed at the Arafura Games in Darwin in the late 1990s and became fascinated with the game.
Over the next few years, the Crows visited the area and held clinics, as did an Australian Army contingent. But it only took off in 2001 when the AFL and the aid agency Australian Volunteers Abroad combined to send a development officer to the area.
Since then, Australian football has become an accredited sport at the prestigious North West Academy of Sport at Potchefstroom (where the Saints trained), and a plan has been put into place to introduce the sport into a further four of South Africa's nine provinces.
The AFL's commitment to South Africa is still not massive. The league kicks in $20,000 a year to promote the game, with betting agency Tattersalls (which has business interests in the country) and the South African Government contributing $180,000 between them. But Harrison and Matthews agreed that the most significant thing was the government support.
Matthews said the AFL's priorities were still in promoting the game at home, but the rate of growth could not be ignored.
Harrison estimates there are 1000 people in the province playing in 25 to 30 teams, but he harbors grander dreams. In his submission, he said that the AFL could have membership of the South African Sports Commission by 2009, and the accompanying financial and logistical benefits.
The AFL is headed for court next May in a legal dispute with former broadcaster Channel 7.
In a case which could cost the league $7.5 million, Seven has claimed that the current broadcast consortium - Nine, Ten, and Foxtel colluded to wrest the broadcast rights away from the Seven Network.
Andrew Demetriou has already informed the 16 clubs that the case will cost each of them $450,000 and also told the clubs to let Seven know of their displeasure over the action.
The legal action will place Seven and its pay TV arm, C7, against the News Limited consortium, which bought the last AFL media broadcast rights.
The case is scheduled for the Federal Court in Sydney next May. Also named against Seven are the AFL and the National Rugby League.
The AFL has already spent $2.5 million seeking legal advice and has budgeted to spend a further $5 million in legal fees next year.
Seven managing director Ian Johnson said he did not believe the costly dispute would hurt his network's bid to regain the AFL rights.
Seven holds the right to bid last for the next round of free-to-air broadcast rights - although not the pay TV rights - which are up for renewal at the end of the 2006.
The AFL and Seven remain strongly linked through Telstra Dome, which is owned by Seven but will become the property of the AFL in 20 years.
The Ten Network, which is also the AFL's finals broadcaster, has already gained a head start in preliminary discussions for the next media deal - scheduled to begin in earnest next year - by agreeing to televise 23 prime time Saturday night AFL games into Brisbane next season, along with increasing its prime-time commitment into Sydney.
The AFL Commission again outlined the proposed new drug policy at the late November meeting attended by club and AFLPA officials.
The new policy called for year round testing of footballers in an effort to stamp out recreational drug use in the off season.
The league believes that such drug use could tarnish the game's reputation.
The AFL Players Association, however, strongly resisted the proposal and retaliated by demanding all key AFL personnel - including club presidents, coaches, and league officials - submit to similar mandatory random drug tests. The AFL in turn vehemently rejected expanding the testing beyond players.
The AFLPA said the new policy was draconian and legally untenable.
The new policy, first proposed last year, is a 4 step process which would see an offending player named only to the league. A second offence would result in the affected club being notified.
A third positive drug result would lead to the first step of a disciplinary process while initial positive results would result in counseling and rehabilitation being proposed.
The tougher code proposal came on the heels of two Carlton players - Laurence Angwin and Karl Norman turning up to training under the influence of ecstasy. Angwin was sacked while Norman was suspended, sent for counseling, and ordered to cut all ties with Angwin. Club interviews with the pair left the club in no doubt that drug use among footballers was more widespread than the AFL was prepared to admit. The ASDA, which oversees drug testing, reported in 2003 that there was indeed an increase in positive results for recreational drugs.
Several clubs, including Carlton, initially opposed the proposed drug code as lenient in that the player goes unpunished until a third positive test.
Several players, notably St Kilda's Nick Riewoldt, have indicated that out-of-competition testing was unacceptable. No other Australian sport submits its players to testing of recreational drugs out of competition.
Both sides gave some ground in the latest discussions. The AFL Players Association has accepted that it has a responsibility to battle what is a growing problem at some clubs.
The league agreed to confining drug tests to only when players are at the club.
The players had originally insisted on testing only during the premiership season, but are close to accepting testing during the preseason as well.
In a four-stage process, players will not be punished - only offered counseling - following a first or second positive drug test and need not be identified to their club in the first instance.
AFL Operations Manager Adrian Anderson is preparing a report which will be released to all the clubs early next year.
A health care information service has been launched by the AFL X-Men, a past players' association. The service, which was launched with the support of the AFL and AFL Players' Association in early December, will initially be trialled in Victoria but is eventually intended to reach retired players nationwide.
The AFL X-Men, a combined association of past players and officials, is already representing 6000 registered former players. Its programs have been endorsed by the likes of Ron Barassi, Bob Skilton, Ken Hunter, Karl Langdon, and Wayne Carey.
In consultation with a range of medical experts, the X-Men launched a fitness information website that addresses nutrition, well-being and rehabilitation matters of relevance to ex-football players.
As part of the health care service initiative, numerous AFL endorsed medical staff have agreed to treat AFL X-Men at reduced rates. And the website provides advice on various health issues including obesity, back pain and stress management.
The new program will include continuous research and surveys as more and more people enter the system.
The enlarged centre circle that has been a feature of the Wizard Home Loans Cup in recent years will be introduced into the home and away season next year in a bid to limit knee injuries to ruckmen.
After months of debate, the league has decided to limit the run-up of ruckmen to ten metres next season in a bid to reduce the speed at which the big men collide at centre bounces.
Under the new rule, the ruckman's run-up must begin within the ten metre circle and ruckmen still cannot cross the centre line before the ball has been bounced.
The AFL resisted the temptation to get rid of the centre line - which ensures the ruckmen approach the centre bounce from opposite sides - for fear ruck contests would revert back to wrestling contests, which is the reason the centre line was initially introduced.
And the AFL also decided against banning knee contact at ruck contests for fear this could lead to more injuries for ruckmen if they were to leave themselves unprotected at centre bounces.
"The centre bounce or throw up shall be contested by one nominated player from each team. Such player shall be nominated to the field umpire prior to the bounce or throw of the football. The player contesting the centre bounce shall be positioned in his or her team's defensive half of the playing surface and with both feet within the 10-metre circle. The player may only enter the team’s attacking half after the football touches the ground in the act of bouncing or leaves the field umpire’s hand in the act of being thrown up. The player shall not be permitted to block an opponent's approach to the contest. Ruckmen must have both feet inside the centre circle at all times until they contest the bounce or until the umpire calls play-on due to an 'offline bounce'. No other player may enter the 10-metre circle until the football touches the ground in the act of bouncing or is thrown up by the field umpire."
Umpires will be instructed to focus on blocking tactics at the centre bounce, and will be instructed to penalize ruckmen who do not have eyes for the ball and jump early at their opponent with a raised knee.
Adelaide ruckman Matthew Clarke believes the recent spate of PCL injuries is due to the larger, sturdier shin guards they are wearing. He believes banning such guards would prevent ruckmen from throwing their legs up at contests.
He said the clash of shins pushed the leg back, causing the injury.
Andrew Demetriou called on the 16 clubs to provide more support for the international games against Ireland or risk seeing the competition fold.
Demetriou told the clubs that the 2004 series could raise about $800,000 for the AFL with the massive gate takings from the well-attended Croke Park games and that they risked not only potential club revenue but a golden opportunity to market and develop the game internationally.
The AFL boss said the clubs' lack of enthusiasm for the series - 17 All-Australian players were unavailable for the trip and at least that number again turned down the opportunity to play - could lead to coaches being increasingly unwilling to make their players available for the October competition.
Not only was the Australian touring team forced to scrounge for players this year and humiliated by Ireland in the first game, but the preparation and handling of the trip was criticized by a growing number of clubs concerned that their elite players were being unnecessarily placed at risk of injury.
The touring team also struggled with the perception it was enjoying something of a junket - something Demetriou has vehemently denied - and management battled with defining the line between an end-of-season break and a legitimate international series.
A little piece of Fitzroy history was auctioned off a few weeks ago. It was the ball with which the club won their first VFA premiership in 1895. At the time, the ball was presented to Fitzroy captain Tom Banks. The ball later went missing but was found and presented to Banks again at an anniversary dinner in 1908. Since then the ball has been passed along to family members.
Pinned on the handmade leather ball, which is sewn in four sections and has the original bladder and lacing, is a silver shield inscribed with: "Victorian Football Association first premiership pennant won by the Fitzroy Football Club, season 1895. Ball used in final match presented by the players to captain Tom Banks as a memento."
The ball then went to Banks' daughter, who in turn passed it along to her nephew Gordon Smith (Tom's grandnephew). He said he had it on a shelf for about 30 years in his NSW home.
Among those taking an interest in the sale was Swan Coach Paul Roos, who began his career at Fitzroy.
Smith, a Brisbane Lions supporter, said he would like to see the ball go to the MCG museum, the Australian Museum or the Lions.
A Lions spokesman said the club was unlikely to bid for the ball as it was against club policy to pay for memorabilia. A Lions spokesman said the club was unlikely to bid for the ball as it was against club policy to pay for memorabilia.
Fitzroy club historian Rick Lang said Banks played a vital role in the club's formative years and later became a committee member.
Banks, born in 1867, played for Fitzroy from 1888 to 1897.
November 30 -- Uncontracted Listed Players Nominate.
December 3 -- International Rookies Nominate.
December 3 -- List Lodgement (3) and TPP Estimates.
December 10 -- Delisted Players Nominate.
December 14 -- AFL Pre-Season Draft
December 14 -- Pre-listing of Sydney and Brisbane Lions' Rookie Players
December 14 -- AFL Rookie Draft
The league released the schedule for the first week of the Wizard Cup late last month:
Friday, February 18: COL/RICH, Telstra Dome, 7:40pm
FRE/WCE, Subiaco, 10.40pm (Melbourne time)
Saturday, February 19: WB/SYD, Telstra Dome, 2.40pm
HAW/StK, 6.10pm; BRIS/MELB, Cazaly Stadium, 8.40pm
Sunday, February 20: KANG/GEEL, Manuka Oval, 2.40pm
CARL/ESS, Telstra Dome, 5.10pm; ADE/PA, AAMI Stadium, 7.40pm.
Seven delisted players nominated for the preseason draft: Blake Caracella (Bris). Trent Knobel (StK), Steve McKee (Col), Lance Picioane (Haw), Jarrad Schofield (PA) , Luke Shackleton (Col), Ty Zantuck (Rich)
PreSeason Draft
RICH - Trent Knobel (StK); COL - Blake Caracella (Bris); CARL - Edward Betts (Calder); KANG - Lance Picioane (Haw); FRE - Jarrad Schofield (Port); ESS - Ty Zantuck (Rich);
PA - Elijah Ware (Central Districts)); RICH - Pass
Rounds 1-2: all clubs
Round 3: 14 picks (Richmond, Hawthorn, Bulldogs, Adelaide, Carlton, Kangaroos, Fremantle, West Coast, Melbourne, Sydney, Geelong, St Kilda, Brisbane, Port Adelaide)
Round 4: 10 picks (Richmond, Hawthorn, Western Bulldogs, Carlton, Kangaroos, West Coast, Melbourne, Sydney, St Kilda, Brisbane Lions)
Round 5: Four picks (Kangaroos, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane Lions)
Rounds 6-7: Two Picks each (Sydney, Brisbane Lions)
Rounds 8-9: Brisbane only
ROUND 1
RICH - Will Thursfield (Sandringham), DOB 19-04-1986, HT/WT 191/76, Tall defender/forward with excellent pace and natural leap
HAW - Ruory Kirkby (Bendigo), 4/02/1986, 192/80, Tall defender/forward who is very good overhead and mobile. Had outstanding U18 Championships winning All Australian honors playing for Victoria Country
WB - Rowan Nayna (Dandenong) 5/03/1986, 181/77, Medium defender who runs the lines well. Victorian Metro U18 representative in 2004 and 3rd in Stingrays B&F
COL - Benjamin Davies Western Jets), 2/10/1986 187/80, Medium defender who runs hard and wins plenty of football. Won Jets B&F award and topped off good year with strong performance for Victoria at U18 level against the Allies in September
ADE - Ryan Nye (Peel Thunder), 21-06-1986, 182/80, Medium defender who is a close checker and provides good run. WA U18 representative 2004
CARL - Daniel Batson, (North Ballarat), 5/08/1986, 201/93, Ruckman who has good disposal skills and is still developing
KANG - Joshua Gibson (Port Melbourne), 13-03-1984, 187/92, Medium forward who can play back or midfield
FRE - Joseph Krieger (Sandringham), 13-12-1986
WCE - Benjamin Sharp (Oakleigh), 7/10/1986, 187/78, Medium outside midfielder who runs all day linking up the play. Had consistent U18s championship winning All Australian honors. AIS/AFL Academy graduate
MELB - Brendan Vanschaik (Murray Bushrangers) 7/02/1986, 203/98 Ruckman who marks well up forward and is good at stoppages
ESS - Ryan Bain (Oakleigh), 1/07/1986, 184/81, Medium midfielder who consistently finds space and the footy. Impressive for Victoria Metro in the U18 Championships
SYD - Guy Campbell (Bendigo Diggers), 4/10/1982
GEEL - Jarrod Garth (Tassie Mariners), 23-01-1986, 188/94, Medium forward who is strong overhead and long left foot kick
StK - Luke Mullins (Collingwod), 24-12-1984
BRIS - Travis Baird (Bendigo Pioneers), 25-07-1986, 188/82, Medium inside forward/midfielder who has an excellent leap and strong mark. Has a cool head and is smart around goal
PA - Danyle Pearce Sturt) 4/07/1986, 177/68, Small outside midfielder with excellent speed and very creative. Played seniors this year and represented SA at U18s level. His performances at the Draft Camp were superb, winning the sprint (2.79sec for 20m) and agility run (7.79sec) highlighting special attributes, placing him No 1 athletically at the camp
RICH - Pass
HAW - Clinton Young (North Ballarat), 6-02-1986, 189/76, Lightly built medium forward with footy smarts and excellent kick on preferred left foot. His combination of speed and endurance was impressive at Draft Camp with a 2.97sec for 20m and 14.1 Beep Test
WB - Dale Morris (Werribee), 29-12-1982
COL - Heritier O'Brien (Claremont), 15-11-1986, 186/83, Medium defender who runs hard from defence and is evasive. WA U18 representative in 2004.
ADE - Jonathon Griffin (East Fremantle), 14-01-1986
CARL - Jesse D. Smith (Calder), 20-02-1986, 183/82, Medium midfielder, uses ball extremely well and fierce in contests. Victoria Metro U18 representative in 2004, Best on Ground honors in TAC Cup grand final. Cannons Best and Fairest winner in 2004
KANG - Joshua Thewlis (Sydney), 20-07-1984
FRE - Jack Juniper (Glenelg), 11/10/1986, 191/80, Promising tall forward
WCE - Beau Wilkes (Claremont), 20-03-1986, 194/91, Tall forward with strong hands and good mark. Has excellent work rate - WA U18s representative this year. His 3km time trial of 10.42sec was a strong effort for a key position player
MELB - Matthew Warnock (Sandringham), 4/03/1984
ESS - Benjamin Jolley (Calder), 2/12/1986, 185/72, Medium midfielder who is very creative and good decision maker. Victoria Metro and Cannons captain. Runner-up in Cannons Best and Fairest this year.
SYD - Luke Vogels (Terang), 6/07/1983
GEEL - Nick Batchelor (Norwood), 9/11/1986, 184/69, Medium midfielder who is super quick and reads game very well. SA U18 representative this year.
StK - Edward McDonnell (Western Magpies), 30-12-1986, 192/85, Tall defender with outstanding endurance. Can go forward or midfield - very coachable
BRIS - Pass
PA - Robert Forster-Knight (PA), 4/06/1982
RICH - Pass
HAW - Thomas Willday (Perth), 6/03/1986
WB - Pass
ADE - John Hinge (Glenelg), 6/06/1986
CARL - Nick Becker (Calder), 7/07/1986, 186/78, Medium forward or midfielder who is a strong mark and penetrating kick. Has pace, agility and terrific work ethic. Impressive member of Cannons premiership side this year
KANG - Scott McMahon (Woodville-West Torrens), 6/02/1986, 185/84, Medium defender who is excellent overhead and is a strong penetrating kick. Won All Australian Under 18s honors this year representing SA. His 98cm running vertical jump at testing was an outstanding effort
FRE - Ryan Crowley (Fre), 3/05/1984
WCE - Ashley Thornton (Peel Thunder), 29-12-1986, 189/73, Medium forward or defender who had excellent second half of the year after representing WA in the U18 Championships in July
MELB - Pass
SYD - Heath Grundy (Norwood), 6/02/1986, 192/92, Strong marking tall forward/defender who is good one-on-one and mobile. SA U18s representative in 2004 winning All Australian honors and also showed promise at senior level with Norwood. AIS/AFL Academy graduate. GEEL - Tim Sheringham (Geelong Falcons), 26-08-1986, 180/75, Medium defender with good disposal skills and smart decision maker. Vic Country Representative in 2004
StK - Pass; BRIS - Pass
RICH - Pass
HAW - Kristan Height (Box Hill Hawks), 22-06-1983
WB - Pass
CARL - Aisake O'hAilpin (Ireland), 1/01/1986
KANG - Justin Perkins (Perth), 1/07/1983
WCE - Aaron Edwards (WCE rookie), 3/02/1984
MELB - Pass
SYD - Stefan Garrubba (Dandenong), 30-08-1986, 180/75, Medium midfielder with blistering pace, good endurance and is a long penetrating kick. Victoria Metro U18 representative this year and graduate of AIS/AFL Academy
StK - Pass; BRIS - Pass
ROUND 5
KANG - Pass; MELB - Pass
SYD - Earl Shaw (Campbelltown), 17-12-1986, 199/96, Improving ruckman who excels at stoppages. Athletic type who links up well around the ground. NSW/ACT U18 representative in 2003/4
BRIS - Josh Drummond (Northern Eagles), 19-04-1983
SYD - Edward Clarke (North Shore in NSW), 6/11/1986, 179/93, Small midfielder with excellent work rate, quick, smart around stoppages and goals. All Australian U18 2004. Best on Ground - Allies v Victoria at U18 level.
BRIS - Marcus Allan (Northern Eagles), 23-05-1986, 180/71
SYD - Andrew Hayes (Balamin), 20-06-1985
BRIS - William Hamill (Mt Gravat), 26-07-1986, 189/71, Medium defender who reads the play well and is strong overhead. Captained Queensland's U18 team in 2004
BRIS - Martin Pask (Western Magpies), 1/02/1985, 191/94 Tall forward who impressed in the Allies v Victoria game this year kicking 4 goals
BRIS - Scott Harding (Morningside), 19-06-1986, 181/74, Medium forward with great agility, pace and ability around goals
When asked if that is what he told clubs other than Fremantle, Schofield said it was up to his manager Ron Joseph.
AFL rule 17.1 (b) says that anyone who is part of any action "which would be likely to have the effect of preventing, hindering or discouraging a player from accepting employment with another club if drafted by that club" will be guilty of conduct prejudicial to the draft.
The league has severe penalties for draft tampering, including fines of $50,000 for the player or $100,000 for a club, the club losing the services of the player for up to three years, the player being prevented from playing for up to three years and excluded from upcoming drafts, and/or the club being precluded from up to four drafts.
The investigation cleared all parties of any wrongdoing.
Fremantle football manager Steven Icke said he did not know Neil Schofield and wasn't aware that he had contacted the Kangaroos until after the draft. Kangaroos football manager Tim Harrington and Carlton football manager Grant Williams said they had not spoken to Joseph.
Icke said his club had nothing to hide.
NOTE: At the end of each Team section is an assessment of how each fared in the national draft last month, written by Matt Brogan, a reporter for the AFL website - Lisa
A two hour meeting in late November led to an out of court settlement between the club and retired defender Matthew Croft, who served the club a compensation claim for breach of contract.
Club president David Smorgon, CEO Campbell Ross, board member Jose Romero, and the club's lawyer were on one side. On the other were Croft his agent Peter Jess, a lawyer from the AFLPA, incoming CEO Brendon Gale, and current CEO Rob Kerr.
According to Smorgon, he and other club officials did not have all the facts when they vowed to fight the claim with the backing of the AFL. It came out at the meeting that it was former football manager Stephen Newport who had arranged the performance based contract for Croft with the promise that he would be selected for the senior team on merit. It was a promise Coach Peter Rhode was unaware of when he failed to play Croft in the seniors despite strong performances in the VFL.
As part of the settlement, the club has offered Croft a job in the sales and sponsorship area.
Many feel the hall should be named for someone who has been of more service to the club than Howard. The PM has made just one visit to the club as part of his commitment of funds for redevelopment.
Federal Labor MP Nicola Roxon urged the club to reconsider the idea after a flood of protest calls.
A group of union officials threatened to stand candidates in club elections to fight the idea.
The match will take place at the end of the club's community camp.
The 28-man All-Star squad has yet to be finalized, but will be chosen by a selection committee comprising Michael Long, Syd Jackson, Maurice Rioli, and Michael McLean and is expected to comprise players from all 16 AFL clubs.
Michael Long said the All-Stars match would be well supported by the AFL’s Indigenous players. He also said that it was more than just a match featuring indigenous players, but a celebration for all indigenous communities and urged as many as possible to come watch the game.
This will be the third All-Stars clash, with Collingwood featuring in 1994 and Carlton in 2003 and will mark Rodney Eade's first match in charge of the Bulldogs.
The re-signing of the pair has defied commonly held football wisdom that both players would remain Bulldogs only until the end of their initial two-year deals in 2005. There was intense speculation about Cooney's next home before he had even played at his first, and Adelaide is believed already to have spoken with him about a possible return to South Australia.
Ray, who was an All-Australian at under-18 level and played senior football with Peel Thunder in the WAFL before arriving at Whitten Oval, was also expected to be the subject of much interest from his home state as his contract neared its end.
The decision of the pair to stay on with the club as it attempts to rebuild both on and off the field is Eade's first big victory as coach of his second AFL club. Both are expected to be key members of a younger, pacier midfield in 2005, along with the No. 3 pick in this year's national draft, Ryan Griffen.
Cooney, who played in the SA grand final with West Adelaide in 2003, survived intense scrutiny as No. 1 draft pick to turn in a fine debut season with the Western Bulldogs, winning the club's best first-year player award and finishing fourth in the Rising Star behind Melbourne pair Jared Rivers and Aaron Davey, and Brisbane Lion Richard Hadley.
His last month of the 2004 season was spectacular, Cooney averaging 25 possessions in the last three games against Port Adelaide, the Kangaroos and Essendon, the last of which earned him three votes in the Brownlow Medal.
Ray managed seven games, six late in the season, as the club began to plan for the future, but his athleticism and natural skills are expected to quickly make him a key Bulldog midfielder.
The pair have sparkled in pre-season training, Ray, who weighed in this season at 75 kilograms, having already added five kilograms to his light frame. Their emergence could help Eade significantly extend the careers of midfield workhorses Scott West and Brad Johnson.
3 - Ryan Griffen (SA); 6 - Tom Williams (Morningside); 22 - Jesse Wells (Tassie Mariners); 38 - Damien McCormack (Dandenong Stingrays); 54 - Stephen Tiller (West Adelaide)
Melbourne's much improved on-field performance in 2004 has led to a vast improvement in the club's financial position.
A record membership of more than 25,000 (which included a record number of Melbourne Cricket Club members taking out MFC memberships) plus a huge rise in gate takings were the main factors behind a $700,000 financial turnaround on last year.
After making a disastrous $2.2 million loss in 2003, the Demons - with the help of $1.5 million from the AFL's competitive balance fund - have announced a profit of $25,000 for 2004.
While Melbourne's financial result is a long way behind the likes of Collingwood, which recently announced a record profit of more than $2 million, it represents the first sign the club is emerging from the financial wilderness under the leadership of new chairman Paul Gardner.
Gardner said the club's gate receipts rose by around $300,000 this season while the club yielded an extra $200,000 from fundraising ventures.
And the club had also been able to keep its costs under control.
Gardner only took over the club this season after the resignation of former president Gabriel Szondy, who only two years earlier had defeated Joseph Gutnick in a bloody election battle.
Gutnick himself came to power at the end of 1996 when he became the chief financial backer after leading the Demons' anti-merger campaign during the ill-fated attempt to merge with Hawthorn that year.
In another sign of stability, the current board was re-elected unopposed at the club's AGM on December 16.
Gardner said the key to the Demons maintaining their financial turnaround was to avoid again slipping down the ladder following a good season. He believes the team can continue to improve under Coach Neale Daniher, who recently accepted a 3 year contract extension which will see him at the helm for 10 years by the end of 2007.
Precise details of the facility and its date of availability are still some time off.
The club has yet to decide on the precise site or design of the new digs. Nor is it clear which facilities it will build for itself and which it will share with existing tenants, including Collingwood, Melbourne Storm, and Athletics Victoria.
The club hopes to have a comprehensive outline completed by the middle of next year.
Adem Yze was awarded life membership with the Demons after completing 10 years with the club. A consistently prolific ball winner, Yze brought up his 200th game in 2004 and took his string of consecutive games to 178. He won the club champion award in 2001 and was third last season.
Geoff Collins was captain of the 1954 premiership team. His football career was cut short when he was called to the service for the Korean War where he served as a fighter pilot and was decorated for outstanding service and bravery.
Davey, who finished second behind teammate and defender Jared Rivers in this year's Rising Star award, quickly made himself a fan favorite for the Demons with his bursts of speed and exciting play.
He played 19 games last season - missing two with a hamstring injury - and kicked 28 goals. He was originally picked up by the Demons as a rookie after he was overlooked by all in last year's national draft. His subsequent impact this season had the move hailed as one of the great recruiting coups.
He was also voted the best first-year player in the AFL by his peers at the AFL Players Association awards.
13 - Matthew Bate (Eastern Ranges); 15 - Lynden Dunn (Calder Cannons); 43 - Michael Newton (Murray Bushrangers)
The AFL has decided to eliminate the relocation allowance for both Brisbane and Sydney. Both clubs will lose the extra salary cap allowance after 2006. Sydney, however, will still retain its cost of living allowance.
Andrew Demetriou said that, unlike the early 90s, when both clubs were struggling on the field and to attract and retain players, the player support infrastructure which existed at both clubs was excellent.
The cost of living allowance for Sydney will be retained beyond 2006, but the level of this allowance will be determined by an assessment of the cost of living differences at that time.
Brisbane chairman Graeme Downie and CEO Michael Bowers both expressed disappointment at the league's decision, saying the loss of the allowance would cause them to lose interstate players to the "go home" syndrome. Downie also pointed out that players in traditional football states had better opportunities to earn money from football related activities than those in the northern states.
While Demetriou acknowledged the "go home" issue, he said it was a problem common to all clubs and that the league was continuing its initiatives in NSW and QLD to attract athletes to the game.
Demetriou said that the AFL Commission still retained the power to determine the TPP figure for the Swans and Lions, meaning that if either club again became uncompetitive, it could initiate a new allowance to help the clubs attract quality players.
Downie said the Lions had proposed an alternate model to the AFL, in which all clubs would have received salary cap concessions on a sliding scale, depending on how many players were on their lists from outside their state.
Both Brisbane and Sydney received up to $600,000 a year extra for the relocation allowance.
The Lions' salary cap allowance was cut from 10 per cent in 2003 to 9 per cent in 2004 and is scheduled to reduce to 7.5 per cent in 2005 and a maximum of $360,000 in 2006.
The Sydney cost of living allowance is around 7%.
He will miss the first 5 games of the season next year as he serves out a suspension stemming from the GF for striking Josh Carr.
Last season, Brown missed eight games for striking, wrestling and other indiscretions.
Coach Leigh Matthews had raised the prospect of anger management lessons but Brown has made a personal commitment to keep out of trouble.
Brown said it was not an anger problem, but over-exuberance and over-attack on a contest.
Brown said while it was easy to make a commitment to control his aggression, he knew it would be tested in the heat of battle when opposing players baited him.
Lynch arrived at Brisbane in 1994 and went on to play 186 games for the Lions/Bears, kicking 460 goals. He also wore the jumper with distinction for Fitzroy before joining the then Bears.
He won three premierships with Brisbane and was the club's leading goal-kicker on five occasions. His season best was 78 goals in 2003.
Lynch was also a club co-captain between 1997 and 2000.
While Lynch's number 11 will be missing from the club's 2005 playing list, Brisbane has brought back Marcus Ashcroft's number 10 jumper which will be worn by 19-year-old Matthew Moody.
Blake Caracella's #1 guernsey will also be mothballed next year.
1 – vacant (previously worn by Blake Caracella)
4 – Tom Logan (previously worn by Craig McRae)
29 – Justin Sherman (previously worn by Tom Logan)
31 – Cameron Wood
32 – Leigh Ryswyk (previously worn by Shaun Hart)
34 – Jayden Attard (previously worn by Aaron Shattock)
37 – Pat Garner (previously worn by Daniel Pratt)
38 – Luke Forsyth (previously worn by Matthew Moody)
18 - Cameron Wood (WA); 27 - Pat Garner (Western Magpies); 45 - Justin Sherman (Clarence); 50 - Jayden Attard (Dandenong Stingrays); 64 - Luke Forsyth (Dandenong)
It was the brainchild of fitness advisor John Quinn, who has been pitching the idea for several years. But this year the club acted on it. In a unique experiment to take players out of their "comfort zone": and help develop leadership qualities, 11 players embarked on a trip to Japan. The 10 day trip in early December involved each player living with a local family for 2 days, a 5 AM visit to the frenzied Tokyo fish market to see how tons of fish are sold each day, and a visit with local businessmen.
The physical side of the trip will include sumo and karate lessons.
The club hopes the trip will help narrow a perceived gap between its present and potential leaders.
The 11 players taking part were the official leadership group of James Hird, Matthew Lloyd, Jason Johnson and Mark Johnson and Dean Solomon, Adam McPhee, Damien Peverill, Mark McVeigh, Dean Rioli, Andrew Welsh and David Hille.
Quinn and assistant coach Dean Wallis traveled with the player group.
The club funded the trip initially, with each player expected to raise $5000 on his return by arranging to speak to various groups and companies about what he learned.
It is the eighth consecutive profit for the Dons, while three clubs, the Kangaroos, the Western Bulldogs and Melbourne are surviving on the AFL's competitive balance fund.
CEO Peter Jackson said that his club's strong financial result was due to Essendon's investment related activities, but warned that football operations had made 'quite a significant loss' in 2004.
He said the investments helped to offset the operations losses. He blamed the number of night games the club had played in recent seasons, claiming that had adversely affected gate revenue and estimated a loss of 3000 members because of so many night games.
He estimated the gate loss since 2001 to be $750,000.
Essendon recorded its best financial result of the past eight years at the end of premiership year 2000, when it posted a $1.6 million profit.
Jackson said the club's Hall of Fame cost about $100,000 annually to run, and that ways of improving its productivity were being investigated.
14 - Angus Monfries (Sturt); 30 - Andrew Lee (Tassie Mariners); 46 - Henry Slattery (WA);
60 - Paul Thomas (Central Districts)
Sacked Bulldog coach Peter Rohde joined Port as general manager of football operations, He replaced Mick Moylan.
The club decided in January to restructure the football department so that Moylan could take over national recruiting and list management and David Hutton would manage football administration and development.
Under the revamped system, Moylan and Hutton will both report to Rohde, whose focus will be the strategic management of the football department.
The Power also announced that former Adelaide Crows assistant coach Mark Mickan had been signed as a part-time ruck coach.
Club president Greg Boulton said before the finals the Power was expecting a loss of more than $500,000, but the grand final win over Brisbane sparked a huge flow-on from merchandise sales and other money-spinning celebrations.
The financial bonanza offset potential losses due to poor home crowds and numerous injury payments.
Boulton said the scheduling of predominantly Sunday games, as well as Crows away games aired live against Port home games impacted on Power crowds. He also said the club's 2004 injury toll was the worst in the AFL and the worst in the team's AFL history, costing the club $160,000.
Port had nine Sunday home games and two Saturday night home games in 2004. Next year it will have one Sunday home game, with six Saturday night matches, two Friday night matches and two Saturday afternoon home games.
The profit figure came before the club paid a $220,000 sub-licence distribution to the SANFL.
The latest was the axing of Victorian manager Chris Pelchen just before Christmas.
With Pelchen's departure, the team assembled around Williams in 2005 will be very different to 2004.
In September, assistant coach Alastair Clarkson left to replace Peter Schwab at Hawthorn.
Just days after the GF, recruiting stalwart Alan Stewart crossed to Adelaide, fitness manager Andrew Russell followed Clarkson to Hawthorn, assistant coach David Pittman stepped down and team manager Bob Clayton moved back to SANFL level with the Port Magpies.
Of the 11 senior figures on Port's football staff in 2004, only Coach Mark Williams, assistants Phil Walsh and Dean Bailey, national recruiting and list manager Mick Moylan and football administration manager David Hutton remain, with Darren Burgess since replacing Russell as fitness manager, Mark Mickan replacing Pittman, and former Bulldog coach Peter Rohde joining the club to oversee the football department.
Clarkson's position may not be filled - meaning that Williams could work with one fewer assistant next year - but further change is being mooted, with club sources suggesting that Moylan could be asked to shift his position to Melbourne now that Rohde has taken control in Adelaide.
Pelchen, formerly Hawthorn's recruiting manager, was one of Port's inaugural appointments in 1996, along with Williams, with whom he shared a close working relationship, Stewart, recently departed CEO Brian Cunningham, and Williams' predecessor John Cahill.
Pelchen's role was to oversee recruiting on the eastern seaboard, provide analysis of the opposition and co-ordinate player trading, an area in which Port has been notably successful.
11 - Adam Thomson (Sturt); 19 - Ryan Willitts (Northern Knights); 34 - James Ezard (Calder Cannons); 35 - Fabian Deluca (Eastern Ranges); 51 - Ben Eckermann (Sturt)
The mid-August schedule clash between the AFL and Australian Rugby Union was resolved a few weeks ago with the AFL agreeing to switching the Saturday night match against Brisbane to Sunday afternoon.
Both the AFL match and the rugby Bledsoe Cup game had been scheduled at Telstra Stadium on the same night. However, the Bledsoe Cup being an international annual match, could not be switched.
The result represents an improvement of more than $2 million on the club's 2003 financial performance when the Swans recorded a loss of $1.4 million.
Despite the turnaround, chairman Richard Colless said the club was not getting carried away, saying Sydney remained the most challenging market for an AFL club in the country.
Colless acknowledged the contribution of management, staff and players led by Myles Baron-Hay, Andrew Ireland and Paul Roos.
Recent scans showed little bone growth and the surgery will involve a larger pin being inserted and a bone graft from his hip.
Crouch will not begin running again until February, leaving little time for him to develop the match fitness needed to start Round 1.
He said he is not fussed about the record, but, like all players, wants to be on the ground for the start of the season.
Stone finished up with the Hawks in October after a three-year stint as an assistant coach. From 1998 to 2001, he worked for the Swans in a similar capacity, with the final year alongside senior coach Paul Roos.
31 - Jarred Moore (Dandenong); 47 - David Spriggs (Geelong); 61 - Heath James (Sydney)
The rebel ticket headed by Graham Arthur and Don Scott announced in early December that it had abandoned its attempt to wrest control of the club from Ian Dicker's board, allowing the incumbents to retain power at the annual meeting on December 20.
Polling by the Arthur ticket showed that it had little chance of winning the election and, rather than handing Dicker a victory that would strengthen his position and allow him to claim a clear mandate, the decision was made to bow out.
While it was the end of the spiteful battle, it was not the end of the war as Scott and Arthur were still critical of Dicker and his board. In a wide-ranging and scathing attack, Arthur and his men accused Dicker of "hijacking" the club and being obsessed with retaining power for its own sake.
They alleged that the president had systematically sunk a number of potential compromises between the warring parties, including one which would have had Arthur elected to the board and Dicker retiring at the end of next year.
Dicker was also accused of using his personal wealth to buy the election and of using corporate proxies to boost his potential vote.
Other board members were lashed for "meekly allowing (Dicker's) domination" despite a number of them actively trying to depose him, although Dicker constantly maintained that the board was united behind him.
Arthur's group also vowed to "remain in the background monitoring the football club and its overall performance" and specifically refused to rule out challenging the board next year if it feels matters on and off the field have not improved.
Dicker still urged members to vote at the election as the first step to "unifying our membership and uniting our club".
He was also critical of the board, saying it was "soft on players" and the team lacked fire.
Youren will seek further legal advice, but president Ian Dicker said the dissident did not have the support of the members.
However the Hawks' overall financial position remains strong with the annual report revealing net assets of $6.1 million which is the second highest amongst the Melbourne-based clubs.
He started as an U19 player, was VFL delegate and organizer of sausage sizzles. He later served as recruiter, club secretary, selector, committeeman, vice-president, president, and VFL vice-president.
In more recent times, he retained the unofficial title of club "elder" and guardian of the Hawthorn way. He remained a figure of considerable influence long after he generously handed the presidency to Trevor Coote before the flags of 1988-89.
Cook recruited goalkicking genius Peter Hudson from Tasmania in the mid-1960s, beating Carlton to the punch. More than a decade later, he was the driving force behind the appointment of coaching legend Allan Jeans, the architect Hawthorn's success in the 1980's.
In 1996, nine years after he'd quit the presidency, Cook was instrumental in getting president Ian Dicker to spearhead the successful campaign against the "Melbourne Hawks". As his son and current Hawthorn board member Greg Cook recounted, Dicker, whose wife was a cousin of Ron's wife Dorothy, rang Cook senior from Aspen, asking, "What can I do to help the club?"
In his 1960s stint as club secretary, Cook literally recruited half of what was to become the 1971 premiership team, including Leigh Matthews, Peter Knights, Don Scott, Peter Crimmins, Kelvin Moore, Terry Gay, Des Meagher, and Ray Wilson.
His desire to bring the best to Hawthorn remained until the end. In the midst of his struggle against cancer this year, Cook phoned Terry Wallace, urging the former triple premiership centreman to come "home".
He was also one of the astute businessmen who saw that the club purchased the freehold on the social club and he was among those who established Hawthorn's ongoing tradition of robust solvency.
His legacy was also spiritual, in that he - along with fellow "elders" John Kennedy senior, Sandy Ferguson and Phil Ryan - created Hawthorn's creed of austerity and selflessness. Cook's Hawthorn was unpretentious and frowned upon flashiness, greed and other modern vices that have engulfed the game.
Greg Cook said his father, while conservative in his political orientation, was also an egalitarian "'socialist" where his Hawks were concerned. Cook said of his dad, "He was very proud of the fact that if you went to Hawthorn Football Club, whether you were the governor of Victoria or club bootstudder, you were as important to the club. Everyone was treated equally."
Cook's Hawks held sausage sizzles rather than glitzy corporate events, although they were among the corporate pioneers. He made money in the bingo business and organized the appeal for the Children's Hospital during the '70s. He was a successful racehorse owner as well.
In Cook's term as president, the Hawks appeared in five of what became seven consecutive grand finals.
It is not clear whether Cook invented the term "family club", though he was among those who popularized the phrase.
Cook was inducted into the Hawthorn Hall of Fame late last month.
Cook is survived by his wife Dorothy, four children and 11 grandchildren.
Club president Ian Dicker said the result was achieved despite a 15 per cent fall in attendances which lead to reduced gate receipts, marketing and merchandising revenue.
Dicker blamed the fall in crowd numbers on the club's poor on-field performance in 2004 and the redevelopment of the MCG, which reduced capacity at the Hawks' home matches.
He said plans for Waverley Park were on track and that the Box Hill Hawks provided the Club with an excellent MCG-sized training venue and a recruiting base for the future.
The actual operating profit was $460,000 for the year, before about $355,000 in football department restructuring costs including the pay out to former coach Peter Schwab.
Mark Evans, formerly of Melbourne, has replaced Hook, who has been involved with the club for 23 years.
Hook said that with the reorganization of the football department and the club looking to the future, it was time for a change and for him to step aside for a new group to lead the club.
Hook's career with the Hawks began in 1968 when he played with the under 19s before making the senior list alongside former greats Peter Knights, Leon Rice and Alan Martello. Hook played 19 reserves matches for Hawthorn between 1970-71, but enjoyed a more fruitful playing career with VFA side Camberwell, where he played more than 100 games.
Hook was appointed Hawthorn's development officer in 1981 and was charged with scouting players in the club's traditional recruiting zone.
One of just two full-time employees in the club's football department, Hook later became the club's recruiting manager. He held the position for most of the 1980s before becoming Hawthorn's football manager in 1988.
Both Hawthorn president Ian Dicker and director Jason Dunstall were full of praise for Hook following his decision to depart the club. Dicker said Hook had taught him everything about the draft, the salary cap, player managers, and recruiting.
2 - Jarryd Roughead (Gippsland Power); 5 - Lance Franklin (Perth); 7 - Jordan Lewis (Geelong Falcons); 21 - Thomas Murphy (Sandringham Dragons); 26 - Matt Little (Calder Cannons); 53 - Simon Taylor (Box Hill Hawks)
The Tigers released their annual report at the end of November and declared a loss of over $2 million. Football Manger Greg Miller, who said he would not remain in the board should president Clinton Casey be defeated by the rival ticket, also revealed that the club has sounded out the AFL regarding financial assistance from the competitive balance fund.
Macek's release included an outline to bring stability and success to the club and was accompanied by statements of support from a number of club legends, including five-time Richmond premiership player Francis Bourke.
Other former Tigers throwing their weight behind Macek's nine-man ticket include Dick Clay, Jim Jess, Emmett Dunne, Brendon Gale, Paul Broderick, Ron Branton and Paul Wright, son of Roy.
Casey received over 7500 votes to remain president while his challenger Charles Macek received just over 5900 votes. The other 8 members of Casey's ticket also were voted in by large numbers.
Coughlan, the Tigers' best and fairest winner in 2003 and the public face of the club's membership campaign last season, endured a disastrous 2004 - playing just seven games due to an ongoing groin problem which was borderline OP.
Even when he did play, Coughlan was a shadow of the player who emerged as the Tigers' great hope in 2003, and was eventually rested for much of the season after being diagnosed with "pubic instability."
In the past decade the Tigers' famous yellow sash has not featured on the back of their jumper - instead replaced by just the yellow number for each player.
Coach Terry Wallace hopes the change will inspire the current playing group, as this incarnation of the guernsey was worn when the club won 5 premierships between 1967-80.
The Tigers also unveiled a radical silver jumper complete with Tiger head on the front, which will be worn in the Wizard Cup as part of their new sponsorship deal with Silvertop Taxis.
That’s the message from new coach Terry Wallace, in an article written for the members' newsletter.
Wallace said that the Tigers would be looking to find multiple goalscorers next season and that Richardson would serve the team better further up the ground, possibly across half forward. Wallace pointed out that when Richo is in the goalsquare, opposition defences can double- or triple-team him, cutting him out of the game. Wallace believes moving him further up the ground would give him more opportunity in one-on-one contests where his strength and mobility would win out against a single direct opponent.
He also identified Nathan Brown, Andrew Krakouer, Wayne Campbell, Troy Simmonds and Greg Stafford as players who will be integral to the club’s forward mix in 2005.
1 - Brett Deledio (Murray Bushrangers); 4 - Richard Tambling (Southern Districts); 12 - Danny Meyer (Glenelg); 16 - Adam Pattison (Northern Knights); 20 - Dean Polo (Gippsland Power); 36 - Luke McGuane (Broadbeach); 52 - Dean Limbach (Calder Cannons); 65 - Mark Graham (Hawthorn); 72 - Pass
The club has made a profit of just under $1 million for the 2004 season, a pleasing result given its 12th-place finish.
The actual surplus retained by the club was $999,112, which came after distributing $475,000 to the SANFL under its sub-licence agreement.
In announcing the profit, the Crows noted that the result was achieved after $270,000 contribution to the SANFL's junior development program and a further $577,500 payment towards the cost of the new northern stand at AAMI Stadium.
Centre half-forward Stevens (knee) and defender-cum-utility Begley (adductor) were included on the Crows' list sent to the AFL ahead of the preseason and rookie drafts on December 14.
Both were in doubt and under pressure to overcome their injury problems and had to get through their modified training programs to be retained on the team list.
8 - John Meesen (Geelong Falcons); 24 - Nathan Van Berlo (West Perth); 28 - Chad Gibson (Norwood); 40 - Ivan Maric (Calder Cannons); 56 - Chris Knights (Eastern Ranges)
Carlton president Ian Collins says the Blues' financial position is beginning to improve as the once powerful club begins to emerge from the lowest ebb in its history.
Collins made the claim as the Blues announced that long-term home ground sponsor Optus had become the club's joint major sponsor, along with Toshiba, for the 2005 season.
Optus has been a major sponsor since 1993.
Under the new deal, the Blues' jumper will feature the Toshiba logo for home matches while the Optus logo will be in place for away matches.
Pagan, who is among the best-paid and performed coaches in the AFL, is understood to be enthusiastic about extending his tenure.
However, the new contract would also involve a pay cut. But he would still be among the top 4 paid coaches in the league. The other 3 are Leigh Matthews, Mick Malthouse, and Kevin Sheedy at over $600,000 per year each.
Pagan's contract was, at first, a touchy subject at Optus Oval. The original deal was struck between Pagan and John Elliott's administration, shortly before Collins and his group swept into power. At the time, Collins thought the deal offered to Pagan was exorbitant considering the club's precarious financial situation.
While there were initial concerns about whether the club could afford to pay a coach an estimated $2 million over three seasons, Pagan's coaching performance in 2004 has boosted his standing within the club. He took the club from the 2002 wooden spoon to an 11th place finish in 2004, a daunting task considering the club was stripped of valuable draft picks in 2002 and 2003.
Club officials have also been impressed with Pagan's overall performance including list management and the handling of sponsors, the media, and members. His presence bodes a brighter future, another selling point to members.
Kouta said he was thrilled to be able to follow in the footsteps of such legendary captains as Steve Kernahan, John Nicholls, Ron Barassi, Craig Bradley, Brett Ratten, and Robert Walls.
Either way, Carlton's Irish experiment continued in early December with the club announcing its intentions to add Setanta O'hAilpin's younger brother Aisake (pronounced Eye-Zack-ee) to its rookie list.
Aisake will wear Anthony Franchina's #45, as the retired rover is a family friend and has spent time with the O'hAilpins in Ireland.
Aisake knows he will have to improve his fitness if he wants to make it as an AFL footballer. He stands just shy of 200 centimetres and weighs only 86 kilograms. Bulk and fitness will be his first priority.
In the past year, Setanta has added 12 kilograms to his frame and Aisake will look to do the same this year. Coach Denis Pagan believes both brothers can make it in the AFL.
Like his older brother, Aisake has impressed Pagan with his rapid progress in fitness, endurance, and learning ball skills.
9 - Jordan Russell (West Adelaide); 25 - Adam Hartlett (West Adelaide); 41 - Luke Blackwell (Swan Districts); 73 - Chris Bryan (Frankston); 77 - Anthony Raso (Dandenong Stingrays); 78 - Pass
The Magpies added genuine pace to its list, with Egan, Rusling and Iacobucci fitting the bill, while Cloke, a key forward, was snared as a father/son selection at number 39. Cloke was a great result for the club, considering he was regarded as a first-round selection. Egan, the nephew of Phil Egan and Les Bamblett, has enormous potential having tantalized his skills in the TAC Cup. Rusling is the 'Andrew Mackie' of this draft, having snuck under the guard of many recruiters until recent times. He played just one reserves match with West Adelaide to qualify for the draft, yet his athleticism and skills have been highly rated. Iacobucci's season was ruined by injury, yet he was a dual premiership player with the Cannons by the end of the season. The Pies passed at 66, with a view to drafting Blake Caracella in the pre-season draft. This group has plenty of promise.
10 - Chris Egan (Murray Bushrangers); 23 - Sean Rusling (West Adelaide); 39 - Travis Cloke (Eastern Ranges); 55 - Adam Iacobucci (Calder Cannons); 66 - Pass
It was Fremantle's quietest draft since 1996, when it also took just three players, while it was also its latest entry in a draft. But the Dockers will be delighted in securing key defender/forward Copping, who was widely regarded as an earlier draft selection. Copping is the nephew of former 1983 Essendon grand final player Stephen. The Dockers picked up South Australian midfielder Stribling, who was impressive at the under-18 championships this season, while Haines was redrafted by the club, after being delisted when the first lists were lodged on October 29. Fremantle passed at 75, as it hopes to secure Port Adelaide premiership player Jarrad Schofield, who is almost certain to nominate for the pre-season draft, although he officially remains on the Power list. They were good choices considering the lateness of their selections.
59 - Benet Copping (Sturt); 67 - Toby Stribling (North Adelaide); 69 - Daniel Haines (Fremantle); 75 - Pass
Geelong's excellent 2004 on-field campaign has been matched off the ground, with the club announcing a profit of $1.22 million for the year.
It is the fifth straight year the Cats have finished in the black and the result is $225,000 above the forecasted figure of $1 million.
According to a release issued by the club, total operating revenue for the year was $23.5 million, which is an increase of $1.6 million on last year. That figure is a 7% increase from 2003.
The Cats will repay the final $700,000 of its long-term bank debt in March next year and believes it can be completely debt-free by 2009.
The club has borrowed $3.6 million to fund its final contribution to the redevelopment of Skilled Stadium.
The new Eastern Stand will open at the ground on May 1, 2005, when the Cats play their first game of the season against the Western Bulldogs.
This result includes proceeds of $300,000 from the sale of Waverley Park and is before the Club's $864,000 grant to the City of Greater Geelong for the Skilled Stadium redevelopment.
The Club will be budgeting for a similar operating result in 2005, before the Club's $3.6m grant to the City of Greater Geelong for the stadium redevelopment. This is the Club's final grant to the redevelopment. Total contribution to the project is $4.5m.
Several candidates are former premiership captain and coach Bob Davis, who has been a big part of the club since the 1950s, and Gary Ablett, winner of three Coleman medals and the club's most prolific goalkicker.
The local media have had a say as well, suggesting "Number 5" to honor those who made that number famous - Ablett, Graham "Polly" Farmer, and Gary Malarkey.
Thompson took the reigns at Skilled Stadium after the 1999 season and has rebuilt the playing list and developed some of the most exciting young players in the league in his five years at the helm. Only seven players remain from the team Thompson inherited on his appointment in September 1999.
Thompson praised the supporters for their support and faith in a long term strategy that has finally begun to pay off, culminating in a strong finals performance in 2004. It was their first finals showing since 2000.
Over the past five years Thompson has nurtured a young group of players that will serve the Cats well over the next decade.
Steven King and Matthew Scarlett have earned All Australian honors during Thompson's tenure and the likes of Cameron Ling, Tom Harley, Paul Chapman and Joel Corey have developed into elite players in their five years under Thompson.
An exciting group of players in James Kelly, David Wojcinski, Josh Hunt, Jarad Rooke, Gary Ablett, Steve Johnson and James Bartel have 40-60 games of league experience and will look to further their development under Thompson in the years ahead.
Thompson will become the third longest serving senior coach in club history when the Cats face Melbourne in round three 2005. He will overtake Bob Davis and Gary Ayres (116
games) and trail only Malcolm Blight (145) and Reg Hickey (304) as long serving Geelong coaches.
Thompson was a highly decorated player at Essendon, playing in three premierships including 1993 as captain. He won two best & fairests at Windy Hill and was named as one of the club's greatest 25 players and in its team of the century. He spent three years as an assistant coach at Essendon and one season at the Kangaroos in the same capacity before being appointed in September 1999 as Geelong's senior coach.
In 2000, Thompson, club president Frank Costa, and CEO Brian Cook made a pact to stick together and work to bring the club success both on the field and off.
32 - Brent Prismall (Western Jets); 48 - Nathan Ablett (Modewarre); 62 - Matthew Egan (Geelong - VFL)
Not too many people get the better of Glenn Archer and Lance Picioane, training with the club ahead of the preseason draft, soon discovered what many of the AFL's forwards have come to know - and dread.
Hoping to impress the Kangaroo hierarchy, the bulky former Hawk was holding nothing back when it came to a new rugby tackle-wrestling exercise where players grasped each other and tried to throw their opponent to the ground.
Giving away two centimetres and about nine kilograms, Brady Rawlings, initially found himself on the wrong end of Picioane, landing on his back twice before he knew what was going on. So quick in fact, a decision was made to show Picioane who was boss around Arden Street and the Kangaroos' enforcer was called in to remind the outsider you just don't mess with the lads.
It was all part of an exercise overseen by assistant coaches of the Melbourne Storm rugby team. The Kangaroos have employed the to provide tackling and wrestling training, an idea of new assistant coach, Donald McDonald, who initiated the same training drills while at Hawthorn.
Several clubs, including Collingwood, have called on the Storm's services but Laidley said none had taken it as seriously as the Kangaroos, who plan to employ the Storm in the lead-up to the season.
42 - Jesse W.Smith (Calder Cannons); 58 - Brad Moran (Southport); 68 - Ben Schwarze (Port Melbourne); 74 - Daniel Pratt (Brisbane Lions)
St Kilda has named Jim Watts, a club board member and former VP, as its new CEO. He replaces Brian Waldron, who quit to become CEO of NRL team Melbourne Storm.
A statement issued by the club said that Watts, who was also the Saints' acting CEO for most of 2001, had expressed a "burning desire" to be considered for the role after discussions with other candidates "failed to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion".
The English-born Watts has an honors degree in economics and post-graduate qualifications in mathematics and physical education. He founded human resources company Hamilton Watts International, before moving to Australia in 1989 and continuing his business.
Watts, whose son Fergus plays for Adelaide, is also on the board of Peter Rowland Catering, one of Australia's largest event management and catering companies.
One of Watts' first major assignments will be the signing of a new major sponsor to replace Mortgage House.
After observing the locals during the club's 3 week training camp, Thomas said there was considerable upside for Australian football in South Africa.
He was impressed with many of the kids he observed, saying they were very coachable, learned quickly, and had the agility and athletic base fundamental to Aussie Rules.
However Thomas said young South Africans needed to begin learning the skills of the Australian game early, rather than attempt to pick them up once they become adults.
While he saw several talented 20-somethings, he believes the emphasis needs to be on young teens getting into development and training programs.
17 - Andrew McQualter (Gippsland Power); 33 - Cain Ackland (Port Adelaide);
49 - Mark McGough (Collingwood); 63 - James Gwilt (Noble Park); 71 - Pass; 76 - Pass
The Eagles have appointed Neil Ross, head coach of the Oakleigh Chargers, as the club's development coach. Ross, 41, is a former Richmond under-19s premiership player with an
extensive involvement in coaching, particularly in the TAC Cup.
For the last 17 years Ross has been heavily involved in coaching at a variety of levels, starting with a premiership with Coolangatta on the Gold Coast, then coached Port Melbourne in the VFL. He coached TAC team Sandringham 2001-02 before moving on to the Chargers. He also was rookie coach at Collingwood from 2000 to 2002.
Considering the selections West Coast had - it didn't enter the draft until selection 29 - the club did a fine job. Recruiting manager Trevor Woodhouse will be delighted to add four quality recruits to the mix. The Eagles rated Rosa inside the top-25, while Le Cras was expected to be a higher selection. Morton is a steal at 44, but he was a father/son selection and will be another outstanding addition to an already enviable midfield. Smith is a one of the great stories of this year's draft, having won the WAFL goalkicking for the past two years with Subiaco. He cracked the ton this year and was sounded out by several clubs, including home-town rival Fremantle. Smith also adds to a fine complement of West Coast talls. The Eagles list is a strong one and this group will only add further depth, which is gearing up for greater success in the not too distant future.
29 - Matt Rosa (North Ballarat Rebels); 37 - Mark Le Cras (West Perth); 44 - Mitchell Morton (Claremont); 57 - Brad Smith (Subiaco)
Note: Some of you may have noticed recently that a number of items in this section revolve around Carlton. That's cuz I have been reading Brian Hansen's outstanding, fascinating, must-read, massive tome entitled The Blue Boys - The History of The Carlton Football Club From 1864 - Lisa
No one really seemed to be keeping score, and the Magpies did appear to kick more goals. One scorekeeper recorded the result at 17 points apiece, another said it was 19.
Last year, Collingwood became an official supporter of the primary school competition and organized Bega as a sponsor. The competition, while still functioning, was floundering.
The match was the prize for the school that won a competition that involved sending product wrappers to the company.
One can only imagine where some of the nicknames came from for some of the boys in the school side - Big Poon, Brown Dog, Shizzar, Mavis, Mozza.
The banner run through for the kids was less than impressive when some of them tripped over the crepe paper and were sent sprawling onto the turf.
Nathan Buckley served as umpire for the match and did a Peter Carey impersonation when he marked a kick-in. He then handpassed the ball to one of the school players.
The kids matched the Magpies with Shane Woewodin copping a solid bump and there were several off the ball incidents which might have attracted the attention of the video reviewers at AFL level.
The healthy crowd included some unmistakable Collingwood supporters with several Joffa incarnates - girls all of about ten sporting sparkly gold jackets
Mick Malthouse was seen leaving early, less than impressed with his team, leaving assistant coach Scott Cummings behind to look after the losers.
The epitome of this perhaps could be Ron Barassi. In 1967, he and umpire Harry Beitzel organized a match of Gaelic/Aussie Rules in New York. The Australian team was made up of some of the best footy players of the time while the New York side consisted mostly of tough New York Irish cops. Barassi's direct opponent was one such detective of whom it was said even his chest hair had muscles. This didn't faze Barassi, a known onfield talker. He wasted no time in having a verbal go at his Irish counterpart. But the big, burly Irish cop simply belted Barassi, who got up and started all over again. Barassi was sent sprawling by his opponent several times and eventually was forced from the ground with concussion and a bruised jaw.
Once the game ended, so did the hostility, so much so that the detective was often a guest of Barassi whenever he visited Australia.
Afterward, Big Nick commented that if anyone should be used to playing in a fog, it was Jones - a reference to Jones once admitting to smoking marijuana.
As a side note, one of the boundary umpires that day was Vin Camporeale, dad to Carlton star Scott.
Carlton did exact some revenge on Mal in Greece. Mal went skinny-dipping and some of the Carlton players stole his clothes. He was arrested by the police and tossed in jail.
Several years later, Mal had the audacity to attempt a playing deal with Carlton. At Carlton's AGM, the notion was voted down 1000/1.
Cox also had a disarming way about him. During another game, he was creating his usual havoc and Crouch was losing patience with him. At one point he walked over to Cox with the intention of reporting him. Sensing what was coming, Cox greeted Crouch as if the two were meeting in a social atmosphere: "Hi Jeff, great game. How's the old Falcon running? We're having a barbeque tonight, are you coming?"
The conviviality kept Cox from getting reported but Crouch copped a reprimand from the Umpire Board for not laying the report.
None of those attitudes were in effect at the Collingwood Christmas party when Mick donned a Santa suit to entertain the kiddies.
He even had the children on sit on his knee and tell him their Christmas wishes. One of the children to do so was the son of assistant coach Gavin Brown. Mick asked if the little fellow had been a good boy during the year to which young Brown responded "Well, you should know."
In the 1982 I was traveling up the West Coast and stopped in a bar at Mt Shasta...was raining ..and hitching seemed off the menu for the day. The pool table and a beer(s) sounded much better as an afternoon's recreation.
ESPN were toying with the occasional replay on the telly. I was getting a fresh jug (pitcher)..when in the background some inane comments were coming from the box above the bar. As you do, and without even thinking I was in the 'wrong' country for this (show), I retorted to the bloke on the telly that he was a d-ckhead...what would he know...well as it happens ..Lou Richards, a legend at Collingwood (that hated of teams!! lol) did know his stuff..but any self respecting Melbourne supporter would never admit that!! :-). What followed was in hindsight hilarious. A fella at the bar realizing I recognized this guy on the television asked me if I knew what the game was about? Of course I bloody did!!
Why?? Well all the bar had been watching this "very weird" game for weeks but no one knew the rules!!
Well over the next few hours and many, MANY beers, as well as a total rearrangement of the bar's furniture, I proceeded to educate, with the enthusiastic if inebriated, cooperation
of the patrons. Spekkies were demonstrated, including.how to Jezza!!, the art of the handball, etc.
These are my vague memories!! After that day..if nowhere else in the 50 states...the lil town of Mt Shasta, California now had some idea of how Aussie Rules was played. I remember that day fondly, if only just!! hehehe
Congrats on the site guys.. kicked a definite sausage!!
(thats ..sausage roll = goal!!)
go Dees
cheers
Richard in Melbourne
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