Wines not counting on joining Viney

Draft hopeful Oliver Wines talks to the media before the AFL draft on the Gold Coast. Picture: Matt Roberts. Source: Getty Images

HIGHLY-RATED AFL midfield prospect Oliver Wines won't be too fussed if his wish to play alongside good mate Jack Viney at Melbourne is denied, saying that the chance to take him on would be the next best thing.

The Demons, who have pick No. 4, had been considered a probable destination for the hard-at-it youngster from the northern Victorian town of Echuca.

But with exciting South Australian Jimmy Toumpas considered likely to slip to that pick, Wines is not expected to join friend and Demons' father-son pick Viney, although he said he had not been counting on it anyway.

"I'm not pinning any hopes on playing with Jack one day," Wines said on the Gold Coast yesterday.

"I'm just looking for an AFL club to give me an opportunity to play AFL football.

"If it is Melbourne, I'll be over the moon.

"But any club that gives me an opportunity, I'll be grateful for."

The Western Bulldogs have picks No. 5 and No. 6, meaning Wines could end up there, although he said clubs had not given him any indication.

But asked who he would most like to line up against in the AFL, he picked fellow fierce competitor Viney.

"I'd love to line up against Jack and go head-to-head with him," he said.

"I think it would be a fair contest."

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Buddy good news

Good news for me - Hawthorn superstar Lance Franklin. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

HAWTHORN star Lance Franklin is the big winner from guidelines that wipe off his tribunal loading.

The AFL yesterday released tribunal changes that force players to serve NAB Cup suspensions in the home-and-away season and which crack down on stomping.

It is harder to get a 25 per cent discount for a good record at the tribunal - players must be cleanskins at AFL level for six years rather than five full seasons.

But Franklin, Carlton's Chris Judd and Geelong pair Steve Johnson and Joel Selwood are key beneficiaries of the changes to bad records, which have ramifications on a player's match review panel fate.

Previous regulations saw every match of suspension in the past three seasons add a 10 per cent loading, capped at 50 per cent.

Players now receive bad records only if suspended for more than two matches in the past two years. If a player has a total three matches of suspension they have a 10 per cent loading and four matches 20 per cent. A 50 per cent loading is handed down after seven matches of suspension.

Franklin spent most of this season with a 40 per cent record, a victim of continued one-match bans rather than a single four-week ban.

Under the old guidelines he would still have had a 30 per cent loading.

But now he has no applicable bad record given the 2010 offences drop off his record and he received only a one-week ban for his Maverick Weller bump.

Chris Judd (previously at 40 per cent) is down to 20 per cent, Selwood (40 per cent) is down to 20 per cent, and Johnson (40 per cent) has no applicable poor record.

The stomping crackdown sees those offences increased in line with kicking an opponent, after players including Western Bulldog Will Minson escaped with reprimands for stomping.

Geelong's Josh Hunt escaped with a fine for stepping on Carlton's Eddie Betts.

The duty to serve all NAB Cup suspensions in the home-and-away season will no doubt cause consternation during the pre-season competition.

It closes the loophole that allowed Richmond's Reece Conca to play in Round 1 despite a three-week ban for a bump on North Melbourne's Leigh Adams in the first week of the NAB Cup.

Players suspended in the NAB Cup can continue to play in the pre-season competition before serving their home-and-away bans.

The AFL's statistics showed 89 per cent of players accepted match review panel verdicts.

However, critically, eight players overturned verdicts in the 25 tribunal hearings.

That is a welcome statistic given the tribunal has gained a reputation as a virtual rubber stamp of the match review panel.

HOW THE NEW TRIBUNAL SYSTEM WORKS
WHY LANCE FRANKLIN WINS
UNDER previous AFL rules, Franklin would have had a 30 per cent match review panel loading next season given three separate one-match bans in the past three years.
Now he has only one applicable suspension - a one-match ban from 2011. Given the loading only kicks in at three matches suspended in total in the previous two years, he is a tribunal cleanskin.

WHY CHRIS JUDD WINS
HE had a 50 per cent loading until September this year given his four-week chicken-wing tackle on Leigh Adams and the 2009 "pressure point" eye-gouge on Michael Rischitelli.
The Rischitelli charge dropped off after the first final, reducing his loading to 40 per cent. Now under the new rules the four total weeks of suspension sees him with only a 20 per cent loading.

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2012 AFL Phantom Draft

Master of his art: GWS appears destined to get someone very special at the draft table in Lachie Whitfield. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

THEY are the choices which can make or break clubs.

Do they select the slick left-footed midfielder or the raw key defender?

Take a chance on the injured star, such as Jake Stringer and Troy Menzel, or welcome the contested ball king such as Nathan Hrovat and Nick Vlastuin.

This year's draft has thrown up more curve balls than most.

See our 2012 AFL Draft Tracker

Players' form has been inconsistent. Injuries have hit hard.

The talent pool is flush for midfielders, but light on for key position talls, meaning if you want a big man, clubs will have to pull the trigger early.

Recruiters have analysed and agonised, poked and prodded, everything to get every piece of information on the top underage prospects from around the country.

But, will it be boom or bust?

Our draft experts Jay Clark and Sam Landsberger have studied the form, watched the games, and spoken to talent scouts from around the country.

They predict the top-30 picks in tonight's national draft on the Gold Coast.

THE OFFICIAL 2012 HERALD SUN PHANTOM DRAFT:

1. GWS
LACHIE WHITFIELD

HEIGHT: 184cm
CLUB: Dandenong Stingrays
The No. 1 pick by a mile will add a slick dimension to GWS's young midfield grunt. Already been likened to Trent Cotchin.
Exclusive "Pick Me" video of Whitfield in action

Lachie Whitfield,AFL draft, Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

2. GWS
JONO O'ROURKE

HEIGHT: 183cm
CLUB: Calder Cannons
Polished midfielder will give the Giants engine room a coat of gloss. Accelerates away from stoppages and hits targets
Exclusive "Pick Me" video of O'Rourke in action

3. GWS
LACHIE PLOWMAN

HEIGHT: 191cm
CLUB: Calder Cannons
The bolter of 2012. Key defender plugs a hole and can create damaging attacks from half-back.
Exclusive "Pick Me" video of Plowman in action

4. Melbourne
JIMMY TOUMPAS

HEIGHT: 183cm
CLUB: Woodville-West Torrens (SA)
Hard-working wingman will be reliable funnel forward for the Dees. Kicks goals and oozes leadership. Surprise he dropped out of the top three.

5. Western Bulldogs
JACKSON MACRAE

HEIGHT: 188cm
CLUB: Oakleigh Chargers
An evasive outside runner with excellent vision and goal nous. Gives the Dogs the pizzazz they lack.
Exclusive "Pick Me" video of Macrae in action

Jackson Macrae,AFL draft, Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

6. Western Bulldogs
TROY MENZEL

HEIGHT: 187cm
CLUB: Central Districts (SA)
Could be the riskiest pick in the draft. Medium forward weaves around his opponents and kicks goals in a hurry, but knee problems a worry.

7. Port Adelaide
OLLIE WINES

HEIGHT: 185cm
CLUB: Bendigo Pioneers
Power desperately need a midfield beast and Wines here a steal. Aggressive clearance king with strong leadership.
Exclusive "Pick Me" video of Wines in action

8. Brisbane Lions
KRISTIAN JAKSCH

Height: 194cm
Club: Oakleigh Chargers
Lions desperate for a key forward and this one plays just as well down back. Strong overhead mark and a beautiful long kick.
Exclusive "Pick Me" video of Jaksch in action

For the latest draft news follow Jay and Sam on Twitter @ClarkyHeraldSun and @SamLandsberger

9. Richmond
NICK VLASTUIN

HEIGHT: 187cm
CLUB: Northern Knights
Tigers looking for inside grunt and Vlastuin thrives in the clinches. Adds to Hardwick's hard-bodied wall at half-back. Chris Newman replacement.
Exclusive "Pick Me" video of Vlastuin in action

Nick Vlastuin. AFL Draft story, Bells Beach Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

10. Essendon
JOE DANIHER (father-son)

HEIGHT: 201cm
CLUB: Calder Cannons
With his supreme mobility and height, Daniher's marking power inside-50m is unrivalled in this year's talent pool. Accurate kick and first-class attitude completes the package.
Exclusive "Pick Me" video of Daniher in action

11. Carlton
SAM MAYES

HEIGHT: 187cm
CLUB: North Adelaide (SA)
Blues big winners if they land Mayes. Versatile half-forward has lethal foot skills and marks strongly overhead.

12. Greater Western Sydney
AIDAN CORR

HEIGHT: 195cm
CLUB: Northern Knights
The Suns like Corr so the Giants have to pounce here. Key defender can shut down his man and use his top-end athleticism to get busy on the rebound.

See our 2012 AFL Draft Tracker

13. Gold Coast
TAYLOR GARNER

HEIGHT: 186cm
CLUB: Dandenong Stingrays
Suns showing late interest in Garner, an agile workhorse who creates at half-forward and wins his own ball. Courageously carried a dislocated shoulder this year.
Exclusive "Pick Me" video of Garner

14. GWS
JAKE STRINGER

Height: 191cm
Club: Bendigo Pioneers
Could be a huge bargain if the powerhouse utility's leg heals. Big-time contested ball-winner kicks goals from the midfield or forward line.

Stringer looks towards goals during goalkicking testing at the AFL Draft Combine. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

15. North Melbourne
NATHAN HROVAT

HEIGHT: 174cm
CLUB: Northern Knights
Inside midfielder is a clearance specialist, like Sam Mitchell. Tackle machine has already worked with Brent Harvey and would play forward early for Roos.
Exclusive "Pick Me" video of Hrovat in action

16. Geelong
JOSH SIMPSON

HEIGHT: 184cm
CLUB: East Fremantle
The Cats have a knack of picking the talented slider and this year looks no different. Quick wingman has elite disposal and is dangerous forward. Considered top-five for a long time.

17. Fremantle
TIM O'BRIEN

HEIGHT: 193cm
CLUB: Glenelg
Quick tall forward with Adam Goodes-like athleticism. Raw and athletic but Dockers need someone to replace Pavlich.

18. Collingwood
BEN KENNEDY

HEIGHT: 174cm
CLUB: Glenelg
Small forward has developed the tank to push into the midfield. Hits contests with speed and excels kicking inside-50m. Tenacious tackling enhances appeal.

Seven SA state Footballers who have been selected in the Australian Team - Ben Kennedy Picture: Simon Cross Source: Herald Sun

19. Collingwood
BRODIE GRUNDY

HEIGHT: 202cm
CLUB: Sturt (SA)
Massive steal with combative ruckman Grundy the slider of 2012. Pencilled in as top-three early. Dangerous forward and helps Pies slender big-man stocks.

20. Collingwood
JESSE LONERGAN

HEIGHT: 183cm
CLUB: Launceston (Tas)
Powerful inside midfielder has strong defensive side, which Pies love. Tested brilliantly at draft combine.

21. Western Bulldogs
TIM MEMBREY

HEIGHT: 189cm
CLUB: Gippsland Power
Aggressive forward in the Jack Darling mould will make an immediate impact. Strong mark on the lead and golden boot will shake-up Dogs forward setup.
Exclusive "Pick Me" video of Membrey in action

Tim Membrey of Vic Country celebrates during the 2012 NAB AFL Under 18 Championship between VIC Country and South Australia at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne. (Photo: Michael Willson/AFL Media) Source: Herald Sun

22. Sydney Swans
MASON WOOD

HEIGHT: 192cm
CLUB: Geelong Falcons
Mobile key forward whose agility is his biggest weapon. Plays with flair and has a huge tank. Swans need to bolster key stocks up forward.
Exclusive "Pick Me" video of Wood in action

23. Brisbane Lions
NICK GRAHAM

HEIGHT: 182cm
CLUB: Gippsland Power
After taking a tall early, Lions will target an inside midfielder here and Graham is a ball-winning machine. Has high work-rate and can push forward. Won the TAC Cup's Morrish Medal.

24. St Kilda
TOM CLUREY

HEIGHT: 193cm
CLUB: Murray Bushrangers
Clurey here a bargain and adds immediate relief to Saints light defensive stocks. Endurance king who showed late glimpses in attack.
Exclusive "Pick Me" video of Clurey in action

AFL Draft,Tom Clurey,country boy from Shepparton,running across hay bails on his farm, Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

25. St Kilda
DAYLE GARLETT

HEIGHT: 180cm
CLUB: Swan Districts (WA)
Off-field issues have scared most away but on raw talent the smooth-moving midfielder could pay off big time if Saints gamble here.

26. Melbourne
JACK VINEY

HEIGHT: 178cm
CLUB: Casey Scorpions
Onball gem will be a leader for Melbourne from the get-go. Strong and courageous over the footy. Could be captain down the track.
Exclusive "Pick Me" video of Viney in action

Jack Viney, with his dad Todd, was today guaranteed to be drafted by the Melbourne Football Club under the Father Son Rule at the MCG Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

27. GWS
TIM BROOMHEAD

HEIGHT: 182cm
CLUB: Port Adelaide Magpies
Adds depth to Giants band of midfielders, while his pinpoint skills will help bring blue-chip stars into games.

28. Hawthorn
NATHAN WRIGHT

HEIGHT: 185cm
CLUB: Dandenong Stingrays
Powerful defender with a ton of speed, which Hawks love. All-rounder but needs to address his short kicking efficiency.

29. Port Adelaide
TANNER SMITH

HEIGHT: 194cm
CLUB: North Ballarat Rebels
Port needs a full-back to cover Chaplin and Smith boasts great closing speed and an effective spoiling technique.
Exclusive "Pick Me" video of Smith in action

30. Port Adelaide
SAM COLQUHOUN

HEIGHT: 179cm
CLUB: Central Districts
Half-back sets up play with his pinpoint kicking on the rebound. Thinks his way through tight situations and is a prolific ball-winner.

*Adelaide withdrew pick 20 yesterday, prompting the AFL to revise the draft order

Seven SA state Footballers who have been selected in the Australian Team - Ben Kennedy Picture: Simon Cross Source: Herald Sun

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Wells the Geelong wonder

The Geelong Cats have enjoyed an era of great success thanks largely in part to recruiting boss Stephen Wells. Source: Herald Sun

A DETAILED investigation into recruiting success has reaffirmed Geelong as the king of the national draft.

The AFL's official statistician Champion Data this week reviewed every pick since 2000 - and it further highlighted the Cats' consistency in getting it right.

Led by chief recruiter Stephen Wells, Geelong is clearly rated No.1 for cashing in with top-10 picks.
The Cats are also rated No.3 for picks in the 11-20 zone, No.9 in the 21-40 band, No.10 for 41-60 and No.3 for picks beyond 61.

The key criteria to judge recruiting was simple: average games played in each band.

Geelong has had only four top-10 picks since 2000, but the combined selections average 148 games.

Triple premiership stars Jimmy Bartel, Andrew Mackie and Joel Selwood are obvious winners, with Kane Tenace (pick No.7 in 2003) a blooper, given he played only 59 games.

The Cats have had six picks in the 11-20 range for an average of 78 games.

In the key 21-40 band they are mid-table with a respectable 40 games per player.

Geelong's recruiting has been the cornerstone of an amazing era of sustained success, the greatest period in the club's history.

Using data from all five draft bands, the Herald Sun has created a formula to rate each club's drafting since 2000.

Each of the clubs in existence for the entire post-2000 period was given a ladder order from 1 to 16 for each band. The club with the lowest score was considered the best performed at national drafts.

Geelong's record of first, third, ninth, 10th and third in each band totalled 26 points - comfortably ahead of its main challengers.

The fact that its closest rivals on the "drafting ladder" were Hawthorn, Collingwood, West Coast and St Kilda, who have all enjoyed success in the period, underlines the importance of choosing well in tonight's national draft on the Gold Coast.

Collingwood's ample resources helped it post a top-10 finish in each draft band - the only club to achieve the feat.

Hawthorn was rated fifth, fourth and second in the first three bands, where premiership lists are built.

St Kilda was also a specialist in the first three bands under pick 40, ranked second, first and fourth.

The Saints could have beaten Geelong if not let down by a 14th ranking in the 41-60 and 61-plus bands.

They have recruited 22 players beyond 61 in the national draft since 2000 for a meagre average of 14 games per player.

Premiers Sydney, widely regarded as the masters of trade period, were strong in the 1-10 range, poor in the 11-20 category and the best in the competition in the 21-40 grouping. The Swans fall away after that.

Remarkably, Sydney has had just seven top-20 picks since 2000 yet has won two premierships.

Fremantle, Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs - three of the four clubs not to have played in a Grand Final since the 2000 draft - are at the lower end of the recruiting scale using games average as the gauge.

The Dockers have had six top-10 draft selections for a games average of only 44 - ranked 15th in the prime zone that is supposed to be a treasure trove of blue-chip, 150-plus game players.

They did not finish higher than seventh in any category.

The Bulldogs are ranked seventh for picking talent in the 1-10 range, but are near the bottom for picks in the 11-20, 21-40 and 41-60 brackets.
 

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Toumpas keen to join 'awesome' Dees

Jimmy Toumpas relaxes on the Gold Coast awaiting tonight's AFL draft. He is likely to be picked up by Melbourne. Picture: Matt Roberts. Source: Getty Images

WINGMAN Jimmy Toumpas is unconcerned about the tanking cloud hanging over Melbourne, saying he would be delighted to help the club's on-field revival under Mark Neeld.

The Dees are poised to land the South Australian captain with pick No. 4 at the draft tonight, injecting a ready-made classy ball-carrier to a midfield which will also welcome father-son hard-nut Jack Viney.

The Dees are under investigation for their list management tactics through 2009 but Toumpas said he is unfazed by the controversy.

"It doesn't matter to me at all, it's an AFL club and I've heard awesome things about it," Toumpas said.

"The culture is improving, there are great players there, the young players are delivering really well, so none of that fusses me too much.

"It seems like a great club and I'd be over the moon to go there."

In a surprise, Viney's best mate, Ollie Wines, could be overlooked by the Western Bulldogs, in favour of agile goalkicker Troy Menzel, at pick No. 6.

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Pies come out trumps after reshuffle

Adelaide Football Club chairman Rob Chapman, with chief executive Steven Trigg (right),  says the decision to surrender the first two picks is about seeking the best overall outcome for the club. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: Herald Sun

COLLINGWOOD is among the big winners in the reshuffle and now commands picks 18, 19 and 20 after Adelaide surrendered its first two picks _ No.20 and 54 _ in tonight's national draft.

Richmond has four picks inside the first 42, while Greater Western Sydney has five selections inside the top 27.

But the Crows could yet be banned from participating in the first two rounds of the 2013 and 2014 national drafts, depending on the outcome of an AFL Commission hearing next Friday.

Besieged Crows chief executive Steven Trigg was a no-show at yesterday's league chief executive's conference on the Gold Coast, a further sign of his perilous position in the game.

Crows chairman Rob Chapman said the decision to surrender the first two picks was about seeking the best overall outcome for the club.

``We are in ongoing discussions with the AFL,'' Chapman said in a statement.

``This gesture forms part of those discussions and is made in good faith.''

Adelaide is already committed to using selection 95 to re-draft mature-age rookie Ian Callinan, meaning it will select just two new players for next season at picks 62 and 81.

The Crows, Trigg, football manager Phil Harper, former football operations manager John Reid and Tippett face 11 charges of engaging in conduct prejudicial to the draft and conduct in breach of the salary cap.

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Family drives draft hopeful Aliir

Sudanese-born draft hopeful Aliir Aliir. Picture: Mark Calleja. Source: The Courier-Mail

WHEN Aliir Aliir needs to dig deep, he thinks of his family.

From the moment the 18-year-old saw his first speccie three years ago, the spring-heeled ruckman has been hooked on footy.

But being drafted tonight would not only grant his sporting wish. A chance in the AFL could re-unite - and help support - his mother, brothers and cousins.

Born in a Kenyan refugee camp, Aliir's family fled war-torn Sudan for a new life in Australia in 2003.

But recently they have spread around the country.

"We are separated," Aliir said.

"That's why I keep saying to myself, `If only I can do something and make it to pro football I will be able to help my family out and re-unite them and bring them together so they can live as one.

"It motivates me, makes me want to do the extra kilometre, the extra work."

The 194cm excitement machine jumps like he has springs in his legs and follows up at ground level, barging through clusters of players, like he has watched West Coast powerhouse Nic Naitanui all his life.

Although still raw, Aspley football manager Mark Perkins is convinced Aliir can progress to AFL ranks.

"It's blown me away how good his tap work has become," Perkins said.

"He's definitely got a Nic Naitanui-type quality."

If only I can make it to pro football I will be able to help my family out and re-unite them

At the national under-18 championships, he represented Queensland only three years after he first took the game up.

The Aspley community, led by the club and with AFL help, has rallied around Aliir, helping provide employment and accommodation for him.

He knows he has much to learn, but the last round of the NEAFL provided another step forward, when he was nominated for the Rising Star award.

"It was the best game I've ever had, I think I got like 20 hitouts and 18 or 20 possessions and a few tackles," he said.

Like so many others, Aliir is hoping his name is called out at tonight's national draft, or if not, next month in the rookie draft.

It would fulfil a prediction from Aliir's father, Mayom, that his boy would play professional sport.

"Dad was always telling mum, `You know, my son is going to grow up to play sport, because he is always running around with a soccer ball or basketball'," he said.

"My dad passed away when I was young and it's sad him not being here to show what I can do - about what he believed in - that I was meant to play sport."

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Tippett in legal bid to escape Crows

Kurt Tippett could walk into the Sydney Swans' camp by the end of next week if a legal bid works. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: adelaidenow

A SUPREME Court injunction could pave the way for Kurt Tippett to become a Sydney Swans player within a week.

In a day of sensational twists to the AFL salary cap scandal, the star forward's lawyers are making a power-play to force the Crows to delist him by Wednesday.

The move would allow the AFL premiers to pick up Tippett as a delisted free agent in a four-year deal worth $3.5 million.

But the AFL has told Adelaide it cannot delist Tippett, which the player argues is an unfair penalty placed on him given the AFL Commission is yet to hear any evidence in the case.

Tippett and his lawyer, David Galbally QC, want to take the dispute to the AFL grievance tribunal, but could be forced into Victorian Supreme Court action due to time constraints.

The delisted free agency period expires on Wednesday. If cut free before the deadline, Tippett can walk to the club of his choice.

The AFL and key lawyers for all parties in the salary cap saga have scheduled a meeting for tomorrow in a bid to clear up any procedural matters that could slow down the official hearing.

It is effectively a briefing, with one of the issues to be discussed whether AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou should be involved in making the final call given the Tippett camp believes he is conflicted because he has spoken at length to Chapman about the alleged breaches.

Meanwhile, one of Australia's leading betting agencies reckon that Tippett could be making his moves on the dance floor rather than the football field in 2013.

Sportsbet.com.au has Tippett a $9 favourite to appear on next year's edition of Dancing With The Stars  ahead of appearing on a television commercial for a national bank ($21) while he's a $51 chance to be given the keys to the city of Adelaide which were recently taken back from disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong.

The former basketballer has also been marked a $101 chance of joining the Adelaide 36ers while he's $501 to replace Steven Trigg as the Adelaide Crows CEO.

"Who knows what he will be doing next year, but one thing seems sure, he has burnt his bridges in Adelaide and the locals won't be forgetting it any time soon," sportsbet.com.au's Shaun Anderson said.

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Don't let Crows off the hook yet

Tough times ahead for the Crows: Rory Sloane might be sharing a lighter moment with coach Brenton Sanderson but the Adelaide club faces many difficult days further down the road. Source: Getty Images

THE decision by Adelaide to cough up draft picks could be a prudent one. Plea bargaining might soften the blow. And it might not. It should not.

The AFL should not be fooled into employing any sense of warmth and forgiveness ahead of next week's hearing into how, when and why and how much the Crows entertained Kurt Tippett with payments outside the cap.

Until yesterday, the Crows were allegedly dirty, rotten, stinking, salary-cap cheaters.

"Allegedly" can now be dropped.

By formally approaching the AFL Commission and offering up their first two selections in tonight's draft - picks No.20 and No.54 - the Crows have admitted their guilt.

Why else would they do it?

They hope to somewhat appease the AFL Commission by throwing themselves on their sword, and hope the decision-makers of the game, the upholders of all that is good and right about the game, feel some sympathy.

But what have they really given up in a compromised draft? Pick No.20, which is not exactly pick No.5, and a third-rounder.

They were expected to be lost anyway before this week's hearing was delayed.

The Crows' decision smacks of desperation.

They called it a "goodwill gesture" and a "common-sense initiative".

Mostly always, however, when a wrong is admitted to, there is a sense of mercy.

The AFL said yesterday the decision by Adelaide chairman Rob Chapman to contact them on Tuesday night, and probably with hand on heart and a handkerchief in the other, would be taken into count in Adelaide's favour.

"I think it's the right move," AFL football operations boss Adrian Anderson said yesterday. "I think they should get credit for that."

Clearly, the Crows' move has already made inroads.

The AFL must be mindful, though, that deliberate salary cap cheating and tanking are the two main scourges of the game, and that plea bargaining involving either of them should not be entertained.

For three years, it has been reported, they paid Tippett outside the cap.

So, banishment from three drafts - this one by their hand, and 2013 and 2014 - is a possibility. Next year's draft is a necessity. Plus a fine. Plus banishment from the game for persons involved. As for deliberately losing ... that's even worse.

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Crows to rely on free agents in 2013

Adelaide Crows will use tonight's no. 95 pick to elevate mature-age rookie Ian Callinan. The Crows have forfeited its first two selections in the draft. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: adelaidenow

ADELAIDE has vowed to invest heavily in next year's free agency and trade period after yesterday taking a shock draft hit.

In a clear admission of guilt in the Kurt Tippett salary cap scandal, the Crows withdrew their first two selections (20 and 54) at tonight's national draft as they brace for heavy draft penalties and fines from the AFL.

In what amounted to a football plea bargain, Adelaide struck an extraordinary deal with the league to take a short-term hit for longer-term gain.

It will now have picks 62, 81 and 95 (to be used on upgrading mature-age rookie Ian Callinan) at tonight's draft.

The Crows' stunning decision to surrender their earlier selections is strategic - and smacks of them knowing they are going to be hit with severe penalties at AFL House on Friday, November 30.

That's when the AFL Commission will hear 11 charges against the Crows, chief executive Steven Trigg, football manager Phil Harper, former football operations manager John Reid and wantaway Tippett for engaging in conduct prejudicial to the draft and in breach of the total player payments provisions.

We see this as a pragmatic gesture made in good faith

The club and Trigg each face three charges, Reid and Tippett two and Harper one.

The hearing, which already has been adjourned, will be held at AFL House in Melbourne on Friday, November 30.

Adelaide has employed four high-powered lawyers to fight its charges but it is understood it has been told to expect heavy punishment, including the loss of its first two picks from at least the 2013 and 2014 national drafts.

This prompted yesterday's dramatic move, which AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson said would be taken into account when the league next week hands down its findings into the Tippett case.

"We see this as a pragmatic gesture made in good faith," Chapman said in a statement.

"We are in ongoing discussions with the AFL and this is all about seeking the best overall outcome for the Adelaide Football Club."

Believing its playing list is in good shape and having made a commitment to re-draft second-year midfielder Nick Joyce - the fall guy in the Tippett saga - in the pre-season draft, the Crows preferred to take part of their draft hit now.

Tonight's draft is the last compromised draft and Adelaide has modest picks. With star mini-draft pick Brad Crouch promoted to its senior list, the club knows penalties at future drafts will hurt it more.

Chapman refused to elaborate on the club's decision to hand back picks 20 and 54 but said it was working towards protecting its on-field future.

And he vowed to spend the $700,000-a-year the club is saving in losing Tippett, who plans to join premier Sydney in the pre-season draft, to lure key players to West Lakes in next year's free agency and exchange period.

"We will be pro-active in that area next year, no doubt," Chapman told The Advertiser.

"We are well placed to spend some money on players we think can help our football club and the process of identifying those players will start shortly."

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