Lower, Bate train with the Dogs

Evasive outside runner with class and good goal sense.

Midfield wrecking ball Hrovat picks up possessions with ease and nearly every AFL club has shown interest in drafting him. Is he the next Sam Mitchell?

The goalkicking midfielder the Dogs desperately crave. Put serious work into his contested footy work this season.

Nick Lower could be heading to the Dogs. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: The Advertiser

THE Western Bulldogs could strengthen their back half with delisted Fremantle defender Nick Lower, who trained under coach Brendan McCartney this morning.

Former Dee Matthew Bate, who the Dogs targeted in last year's trade period, also trained at Whitten Oval today.

Lower is a big chance to win a senior listing at the Dogs at the December 11 pre-season draft.

>> VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE: Pick Me videos of three prized Dogs draft picks

The 25-year-old was unlucky to be cut by the Dockers, with sources close to Lower tipping he would have been safe if Adam McPhee had announced his shock retirement before the delisting was made.

Lower played three games in an injury-hampered 2012 season, taking his career tally to 42 games.

He hit a major form spike at the back end of 2011, racking up 37 touches against Collingwood in a career-best effort.

Lower is considered the front-runner to land at the Dogs, with the club expected to use one selection in the pre-season draft and one in the rookie draft.

Dog draft pick on fast track to success

"We won't rule out taking at least one mature-age player," Dogs recruiter Simon Dalrymple said.

The Dogs offered a second-round pick for Bate last year but were told only pick No. 17, ultimately used on hard-nut Clay Smith, would satisfy the Dees as the deal broke down.

Bate was axed by Mark Neeld as part of a major Melbourne clean-out at the end of the season.

Champion VFL onballer Ben Duscher is also training at the Dogs and remains close to assistant coach Shannon Grant.

Duscher, who captains Bendigo Gold where Grant coached from 2010-11, is one of the prime second-tier midfielders and has drawn AFL interest the past two years.

14.43 | 0 komentar | Read More

Jurrah keen to grab Port lifeline

Controversial former Demons player Liam Jurrah attends his first training session with Port Adelaide, in the hope of being picked up in the pre-season and rookie draft.

Liam Jurrah arrives at the Port Adelaide Football Club for a trial training run. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: The Advertiser

TROUBLED former Demons star Liam Jurrah has passed his first test at Port Adelaide.

The former Demon has this morning reported to training in good physical condition, defying reports that he had stacked on the weight since walking out on Melbourne in August.

Jurrah - trying to revive his AFL career with the Power via the pre-season and rookie drafts - arrived at Alberton at 7am alongside the club's Aboriginal Employment and Engagement Manager Paul Vandenbergh.

He then took to the track with the rest of the Power squad at 8.45am and cut a streamlined figure in his new predominantly black Port training gear.

Jurrah completed warm-up drills, laps of the oval and a mini "keepings-off'' football game before the media were kicked out of the closed training session.

Jurrah's training session in pictures

The only player to wear a cap at the session - conducted in searing heat - Jurrah struggled to get hold of the ball in the fast-paced, end-to-end game.

He was puffing noticeably at the end of the drill but looked to be enjoying his new surroundings.

Club officials say he is "extremely keen'' to resurrect his 36-game, 81-goal career.

New Port coach Ken Hinkley refused to guarantee Jurrah a gig at the club next year but said he would be given every opportunity to push for a senior list or rookie spot.

Former Bomber Brent Prismall appears to be ahead of Jurrah in the battle to be selected at the pre-season draft, leaving two rookie positions available.

Hinkley said he had spoken to Jurrah - who has been living in Adelaide with family since quitting the Dees and being embroiled in off-field drama - twice in the past week.

"And he's really excited about getting an opportunity to show that he can play AFL football still,'' Hinkley said.

"We don't doubt that he can play the game, we've just got to make sure that he's physically OK to play because he has had some significant injuries in the past 12 months (ankle and wrist).

"The fact that he's turned up here today in a new environment to train - and I would imagine he knows there's  some scrutiny coming his way - says his focus is pretty right.''

Hinkley - who denied the club had offered Prismall a two-year contract - said 24-year-old Jurrah had to make every post a winner in his two weeks of training at Port before the December 11 drafts to push his case for selection.

He said the club would also do its homework on Jurrah's off-field status, given he is due to face an Alice Springs court hearing in March to answer alleged aggravated assault charges.

"All of those things you've got to make good decisions about,'' Hinkley said.

"We as a club would be making sure we knew everything we need to know about any player because it's our responsibility to get the right people into the club.

"I need to talk to him (Jurrah) about his football stuff and our people in list management need to make sure all the other stuff is ticked off.''
 

Port coach Ken Hinkley watches as Liam Jarrah stretches before his first training session. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: The Advertiser

14.43 | 0 komentar | Read More

Vanstone joins Port board

Former senator Amanda Vanstone has joined the Port Adelaide Football Club board. Picture: Campbell Brodie. Source: The Advertiser

FORMER Howard Government minister Amanda Vanstone has signed on as a director of Port Adelaide.

Vanstone, a passionate Port Adelaide supporter who spent 23 years in federal parliament, accepted an invitation to join the board from new president David Koch.

"I was delighted to be at the Grand Final in 2004 to see Port Adelaide's first AFL Premiership and like all supporters I want to see that again, for the club's sake and for South Australia's" Vanstone said.

"We're going to need some fighting spirit and the Port Adelaide Football Club has plenty. It is one of their very admirable qualities.

"One thing Australians really admire is a group that can go through a tough time, rebuild and come out stronger. It is as true for football clubs as it is for people. That's what we intend to do as we build an exciting future."

Vanstone, 59, held several senior posts in the Howard Government including serving as Minister for Immigration from 2003-07.

She served as a SA senator from 1984-2007 and was Australia's ambassador to Italy from 2007-10.

"Amanda is a passionate Port Adelaide supporter who brings global thinking, a worldly perspective and a wealth of local, national and international experiences to the club," Koch said.

"She will help our push towards best practice in all that we do and be an important contributor to the renewal of Port Adelaide, the strengthening of the club's brand and the pursuit of our vision for its future."

14.43 | 0 komentar | Read More

Giants weigh up Tippett's worth

Kurt Tippett is in the Giants' sights. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: Herald Sun

GREATER Western Sydney coach Kevin Sheedy says the Giants have the money to snare Kurt Tippett in the AFL pre-season draft, but are weighing up how much they're willing to spend.

The ex-Adelaide forward-ruckman - denied the chance to join his preferred club Sydney through a trade or free agency - on today nominated for the December 11 draft, in which the Giants have the first pick.

His only remaining hope of reaching the Swans rests with nominating contractual terms for his draft entry which GWS is unwilling to meet.

While today was the deadline for listed player draft nominations, the AFL has given Tippett an extension until next Monday to lodge his financial terms.

Tippett, the Crows, Adelaide chief executive Steven Trigg, current football operations manager Phil Harper and his predecessor, John Reid, must face the AFL Commission on Friday to answer a total of 11 charges of infringing draft or salary cup rules.

The hearing could potentially result in a ban for Tippett, which the clubs wanting to draft him will need to weigh up along with his asking price.

Sheedy said the Giants remained enthusiastic about snaring Tippett despite his unwillingness to join the wooden spooners, but they weren't prepared to commit to him at any price.

"We've got plenty of money, it's whether we want to spend it," Sheedy said.

"If you go in the draft and get picked, you go to whoever picked you.

"That's the deal.

"If the money is right, we'll be going there."

Sheedy said Tippett fitted the Giants' needs well.

"We want to get a player like that, we need a ruck-forward, that's the way I'm looking at it," the veteran coach said.

"That will complement the height and the structure of the team as we set sail into the next three or four years of where we hope to get to."

Tippett tried to join premiers Sydney through October's trade period, but that hope was scuttled by the AFL after evidence of alleged draft tampering and salary cap breaches by the Crows in relation to Tippett emerged.

He had then aimed to join the Swans as a delisted free agent, but the AFL has ruled he does not qualify, as he removed himself from the Crows' list.

14.43 | 0 komentar | Read More

Bombers hand bad boy lifeline

Western Australian junior star Dayle Garlett. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON is set to roll the dice on the riskiest prospect in this year's draft after inviting Dayle Garlett to training.

Garlett was seen as a possible top-10 pick earlier in the year, but all 18 clubs put a line through his name on draft night.

The talented WA midfielder was cut from the AFL academy in March after reports of bad off-field behaviour.

Bombers coach James Hird confirmed todday Garlett would train with the club in Melbourne next week and could be picked up if he impresses.

He said the West Australian would have the same chance as any other player to prove his worth ahead of the pre-season draft.

"No doubt there's a lot of talent there and the way he plays his football excites everyone," Hird said on the Gold Coast, where the Bombers are holding a week-long training camp.

Draft Tracker: Complete profiles of every pick

"We've just got to work out whether someone like Dayle fits our group.

"We've got an opportunity to pick someone up in the pre-season draft and we'll have a look at him for that."

One player who won't be at Windy Hill next year is midfielder Brent Prismall, who Hird confirmed is all but certain to join Port Adelaide.

Prismall had continued to train with the Bombers despite being delisted earlier this month and Hird said Essendon were preparing to re-sign the 61-gamer in the pre-season draft.

But Prismall has since left to train with the Power and Hird said it looks like his time with the Bombers has come to an end.

"We would have offered him a one-year deal, they (Port) look they're going to offer him a bit longer than that and good on him for securing his professional future," Hird said.

"In the time of professional football that's a sound business decision."

14.43 | 0 komentar | Read More

Saints defend teammate Fisher

St Kilda Footballer Sam Fisher at home. Picture: Tim Carrafa Source: Herald Sun

ST KILDA midfielder Leigh Montagna has dismissed reports Sam Fisher could be dumped from the Saints' leadership group.

Montagna defended the veteran defender as the team prepared to travel to Boulder, Colorado for an altitude training camp after an article appeared in Fairfax Media on the weekend that suggested Fisher's off-field behaviour had alarmed the club.

"From my point of view, I saw that article and there was nothing in that," Montagna said.

"There's been no talk about that at all, about (his) leadership.

"He's won two best-and-fairests, he's one of our most professional players.

"From the players' point of view, I didn't see much substance in that article."

It has already been a tumultuous off-season for the Saints, with star midfielder Lenny Hayes undergoing open heart surgery, Brendon Goddard using free agency to join Essendon and Jason Gram sacked over off-field issues.

The Saints dropped out of the top eight this season under new coach Scott Watters, but Montagna remains bullish about their prospects.

"The improvement is going to come across the board and what's really pleasing for St Kilda is the Sydney model," he said.

"If you look at the way they went about their premiership, they still have their older guys playing at a really high standard, but the young guys stepping up and improving.

"Certainly if we can follow that model ... we're very positive about what's ahead of us next year."

Saints delist Nick Winmar

With Goddard gone and veteran leaders such as Hayes and captain Nick Riewoldt in their 30s, Montagna said it was vital that mid-range players picked up the slack.

"We have some guys who have played a lot of football in that middle tier - Jarryn Geary, Sean Dempster and Ben McEvoy," he said.

"Guys who are in that middle bracket, we're probably looking for them to step up.

"There are probably a few of us who have been in the leadership group for a few years now and it's probably time, with Brendon leaving and Nick and Lenny getting a little bit older, that some younger guys step up."

Goddard has just returned from Essendon's altitude camp in Boulder and Montagna said some Saints had been in touch with their former teammate about the training.

It will be the first time that the Saints team have gone through a full-scale altitude camp.

New St Kilda conditioning boss Bill Davoren is a big fan of altitude training.

Davoren is a long-time triathlon coach and he has arranged for Dave Scott to speak to the Saints during their Boulder trip.

Scott is one of triathlon's most famous figures, winning the Hawaiian Ironman six times.

14.43 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tiger goes under knife

Dylan Grimes was enjoying a good pre-season before hurting his hamstring again. Picture: Ben Swinnerton Source: Herald Sun

RICHMOND hopes Dylan Grimes will be available for Round 1 next season after surgery on his cursed hamstring.

Grimes went under the knife today after hurting his left hamstring for the third time this year. It is understood he suffered a small split in the tendon.

Grimes, who had been firing in pre-season training, pulling up sore at training last Friday.

He is the only Richmond player not taking part on a training camp in Cairns.

Grimes, 21, has played just 17 games but is seen as a key to the Tigers' young backline.

He has been plagued by hamstring injuries, travelling to Germany for treatment by soft-tissue expert Dr Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt this year after injuring his left hamstring twice.

In 2011 he tore the hamstring tendon in his right leg.

"Given Dylan's history with hamstring injuries, we believe surgery was the best option," Richmond's elite performance manager Peter Burge said.

"We won't know the extent of his recovery time until it settles from the surgery.

"Despite the setback, Dylan is keen to start his rehabilitation and is hopeful of being ready for the start of the 2013 season."

Grimes tweeted today: "Just about to go under the knife.. Thanks everyone for the support, it has been so overwhelming! Can't wait to see the boys back in melb!"

14.43 | 0 komentar | Read More

Winmar manager slams AFL

Nick Winmar has been cut by the Saints. Picture: Chris Eastman Source: Herald Sun

Classic all-rounder who can break lines from defence, rotate through the midfield, and sneak forward to kick goals.

THE manager of axed St Kilda youngster Nick Winmar has lashed out at the Saints and says Winmar could turn his back on the AFL.

St Kilda announced today it was delisting Winmar, 21, meaning every player brought into the club in the 2009 draft and trade period is now gone.

The speedster was the last player left on the Saints' list of those brought in after the Grand Final loss to Geelong.

The wretched two-month period saw St Kilda cough up prized picks for Andrew Lovett and Brett Peake, lose Collingwood-turned premiership midfielder Luke Ball for nothing and draft Winmar, Jesse Smith, Adam Pattinson and Will Johnson - who have all since been delisted.

Agent Paul Connors said Winmar returned from the players' six-week post-season break with his teammates and was cut after a bad time-trial.

"There's no way this sort of thing should happen," Connors said on his website sportsnewsfirst.com.au.

"It's a poor reflection on the St Kilda football club and the system.

"It makes it extremely difficult for any player who is delisted after the national draft to be picked up by another club."

Exclusive video of St Kilda's top draft pick Nathan Wright

Winmar now has the option of nominating for the December 11 pre-season and rookie drafts, but due to a reduction in rookie lists next season picks there will be far less selections than in recent years.

The Saints have now lost their first selection in the 2008-10 drafts, with Tom Lynch (Adelaide) and Jamie Cripps (West Coast) traded in the past two seasons.

Winmar, who was recruited using pick 32 overall, played just two matches in his three years at the club and had a year left on his contract.

"Late last week we advised Nick and his manager that we would be releasing him from the final year of his contract," Saints footy boss Chris Pelchen said.

"This was a difficult decision, however we feel it is the right one for both Nick and the club. Nick has been a respected member of the Saints over the past three years and we wish him every success for the future."

The Saints will now carry an extra pick on December 11.

The Saints have been linked to former West Coast midfielder Adam Cockie, who impressed at VFL affiliate Sandringham this season.

St Kilda today flies to Colorado for its high-altitude training camp under respected new fitness chief Bill Davoren.

14.43 | 0 komentar | Read More

Viney sets Demon standard

Tough, courageous and a born leader. The Dees have a steal in Viney, who will play Round 1 next year.

Jack Viney and Shannon Byrnes lift the pace. Picture: Klein Michael Source: Herald Sun

MELBOURNE'S father-son gem Jack Viney has wasted little time making a big impression on his new teammates.

The hard-nut midfielder was a standout with his ferocious attack on the ball at training today.

The man who looms as a bargain No.26 pick for the club is headed for a likely Round 1 debut for the Dees.

Viney, and another new recruit, David Rodan, from Port Adelaide, were the two who impressed most in the session which focused on the Dees' stoppage work.

But there was some concern for former No.1 draft pick Jack Watts, who walked off the track late in the session with a groin concern.

Watts appeared to be in some discomfort as he ended his session feeling the right side of his groin.

Watts sought the immediate attention of the club's doctor and physio.

Click HERE for more pics of Demons training

Veteran Aaron Davey also appeared to struggle with his fitness as he continues to recover from a left knee problem.

The Demons midfielder had his knee taped and limped at times during the two-hour work-out at Gosch's Paddock.

The 158-gamer played eight games last season and has a battle on his hands working his way back into the Demons' best 22.

Melbourne assistant coach Leigh Brown and Jack Viney have a muck-around wrestle at training today. Picture: Klein Michael Source: Herald Sun

14.43 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tanking nothing to do with me

Melbourne coach Mark Neeld looks on during pre-season training today. Picture: Robert Prezioso/Getty Images Source: Herald Sun

MELBOURNE coach Mark Neeld insists he has neither the time nor the interest to worry about the AFL's tanking investigation that hangs over his club.

The league has given no indication when it will complete the probe into allegations that Melbourne deliberately tried to manipulate the results of games in 2009 to ensure more favourable draft picks.

Neeld and the Demons are in the dark about when the investigation will end or whether they will face charges.

But Neeld's attitude to the potentially-serious matter is that it is completely out of his control.

"I'm no more informed than the person who buys The Age or the Herald Sun," he said after today's training session.

"From my point of view, it's an investigation into something that ... allegedly happened four years ago.

"I still can't believe anyone would be able to say the training session you just saw was affected by an investigation into something that allegedly happened four years ago."

Neeld has just finished his first season at Melbourne so, while the investigation could have massive ramifications for his club, it has nothing to do with him.

Pictures: Demons flogged on the track

After Melbourne went through a tumultuous season, finished third-last and had a massive turnover of players, Neeld is only concerned about preparing for next year.

Asked if he would like the investigation wrapped up quickly, Neeld smiled and said "everyone would".

"Working inside a footy club, it's about that day, that session - then you review it and look for the next session," he said.

"We hear some things, we read some things, but there's so much said and so much written.

"We don't have time to sit down and go through it all.

"Our job is to prepare for 2013."

Melbourne's training today resembled more a mid-season session than a late-November workout.

The emphasis was on ball movement and game simulation, instead of fitness and conditioning.

"What we're finding is the demands of the game are becoming so great that once the season starts, all you do during the week is recover and then prepare to play," Neeld said.

"Most of the coaching during the season is done either by looking at vision or work-throughs.

"Not only is this time of year about strength and conditioning, it's realistically the only time where you can get them out there and go through the game plan.

"That game is becoming that hard to play and they take a couple of extra days to recover than what they did three years ago, so we have to be mindful to use the time properly."

14.43 | 0 komentar | Read More