Top executive subs himself off

Outgoing AFL operations manager Adrian Anderson heeded the advice of his father Ken: "Keep your eye on the ball and get on with it." Picture: Mike Keating Source: Herald Sun

WHEN Andrew Demetriou poached a young lawyer from Corrs Chambers Westgarth nine years ago to head the AFL's football operations department, he warned him it could be "a very unpopular role".

Demetriou knew how thankless the job could be, having just had three years in the position. Three months into Adrian Anderson's tenure, Demetriou called the new man into his office and told him he had "vastly exceeded expectations " as far as unpopularity went.

Anderson had been headhunted for his expertise and integrity, but initially was attacked by many football traditionalists for not having a strong football pedigree, in the way former players Demetriou and Ian Collins had before him.

After six months in the job, Anderson was slammed by then Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse who, in defending his right to criticise umpires and the tribunal, suggested Anderson did not understand the pressures on coaches and players, and should spend time on the Magpies' bench.

Instead Anderson heeded the advice of another mentor, his father Ken: "Keep your eye on the ball and get on with it."

Over nine seasons Anderson did just that, helping overhaul the tribunal and introduce the league's drugs policy and collective bargaining and free agency agreements.

The critics, including many among the football public, remained.

Nine years of controversy

But Anderson's diligence and character began to win him wider respect.

At yesterday's media conference to announce his departure from the AFL, 20 to 30 of the league's senior staff were in the room.

Afterwards, Richmond great Kevin Bartlett, who worked with Anderson on the laws of the game committee, described him as an "outstanding administrator who always had player welfare at the top of his list".

Anderson had spent the best part of a decade fronting up when the AFL had unpopular news, deflecting and spinning with the best of them. So it came as no surprise he had little trouble obliquely manoeuvring through the circumstances of his own departure. At 40 it was "time for a new challenge" and "something different".

Twice during the 30-minute media conference Anderson seemed to falter.

First, in answer to rumours he might be North Melbourne's new chief executive. "I haven't had any discussions with, ah, North and, um, yeah. so I ... um, haven't made decisions about, at this point, what I'm going to do next," he said.

It is understood, however, that the ill-feeling from the Roos over Anderson's handling of the Lachy Hansen concussion investigation makes that scenario highly unlikely.

Secondly, Anderson seemed to choose his words carefully when asked whether he was disappointed the AFL Commission had rejected some rule change recommendations, notably for two substitutes on the interchange bench.

There was a suggestion Anderson had felt jilted when Demetriou anointed Gil McLachlan as his successor this year, although in reality that happened in 2006, when then No.2 Ben Buckley moved to Football Federation Australia.

Asked about reports of a fractured relationship with Anderson, Demetriou yesterday dismissed them as "complete garbage". But it is known the AFL is restructuring its football department and intended to diminish Anderson's influence.

Anderson told Demetriou on Tuesday of his decision to leave, but he conceded yesterday he had known for some weeks it was time to go.

23.31 | 0 komentar | Read More

John McCarthy's spirit honoured

John McCarthy's no. 35 jumper will be retired for season 2013. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: adelaidenow

TRIBUTE: Port Adelaide will retire John McCarthy's jumper for next season. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: adelaidenow

JOHN McCARTHY'S empty locker will be a constant reminder of the late player through 2013 after Port Adelaide yesterday announced it would leave both his jumper and his space in the rooms untouched as his teammates recover from his death.

Power players are still receiving counselling over his death at an end-of-season trip to Las Vegas this year, when he fell from the roof of the Flamingo Hotel and Casino.

It has had extensive consultation with Melbourne - which lost player Troy Broadbridge to the Thailand tsunami in 2004 - and local club Sturt, which is still grieving the loss of player Josh Deegan and trainer Bob Marshall in the 2002 Bali bombings.

There have also been lengthy considerations between Port and the McCarthy family, including his girlfriend Dani Smarrelli.

The club and the McCarthys have decided on a range of measures to honour the popular clubman, who is also grieved by his first club, Collingwood.

They include:

AN AWARD being issued in his honour at the club's best and fairest from here on, celebrating a player with the same club values and selflessness as McCarthy.

HIS No. 35 guernsey being retired for 2013.

HIS locker being unused in 2013.

A TRIBUTE match in round two this year, the club's first home game.

MONEY raised to a cause and charity in his name during Port's home game against Collingwood in round 14.

It will most likely be done through tin-rattling at the entrance gates and around the ground.

Port has thought long and hard about how to best honour McCarthy, who made an immediate impact in his first season at Alberton because of his infectious and bubbly personality.

They are grieving similarly at Collingwood, where he spent four seasons, and the two clubs are in regular conversations over the round 14 game.

But after speaking to Melbourne chief executive Cameron Schwab and Broadbridge's father Wayne, Port chief executive Keith Thomas believed the Power had found a respectful and balanced program to honour McCarthy.

He was really caring and had time for everyone. Just a really good bloke. Legend.

One of the lessons learned from Melbourne's tributes to Broadbridge was that the whole year appeared to be devoted to his memory, which lifted everybody's spirit when the club was winning but made players feel like they were disrespecting their former teammate's memory after losses.

Port's approach has been based on this thinking: Have a few substantial events in McCarthy's honour, and do them well.

The perpetuity of the McCarthy name is in his award, which the club envisages will be presented by a family member at each best and fairest count.

"John contributed to Port Adelaide not only through his actions during games, but also through his commitment our players deliver away from the sporting arena," Thomas said.

"We think it's especially fitting, then, that his life has inspired an award that acknowledges the commitment our players deliver away from the sporting arena.

"We're very mindful of John's family's wishes that we move forward, honouring the way in which he lived and the spirit he showed, rather than being overwhelmed by the grief of it all."

Port midfielder Brad Ebert yesterday reflected on what McCarthy had meant to the players and the legacy he had left.

"He was just a really good bloke," Ebert said.

"Straight away when he came to the club, he was really approachable and easy to get along with. He was really caring and had time for everyone. Just a really good bloke. Legend."

Ebert's thoughts came as backman Jackson Trengove said there was not a day when McCarthy wasn't in the thoughts of the players.

"It's been extremely hard," Trengove said.

"I don't think anyone is just going to sort of drop it and move on straight away.

"That's the thing that the boys are dealing with but we're not dealing with it alone. He's always going to be here with us."

23.31 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tippett must pass Bloods test

Former Crow Kurt Tippett leaving last week's AFL Commission hearing at AFL House. Picture: Michael Dodge. Source: Getty Images

Kurt Tippett will have to earn trust at Sydney, says former Swans champion Michael O'Loughlin. Digitally altered image. Source: adelaidenow

CLUB legend Michael O'Loughlin has challenged Kurt Tippett to earn the trust of the Swans players, saying it will make or break him.

Tippett is poised to get his wish to join Sydney at next Tuesday's AFL pre-season draft after GWS dropped out of the running for the services of the key forward yesterday.

O'Loughlin said Tippett could be a "fantastic" pick-up but he would have to prove himself all over again in the harbour city.

He said the club's famous "Bloods culture" would mean Tippett, who will arrive on a four-year deal worth $3.55 million, would start from scratch in the eyes of the Swans players and only earn their respect by the way he behaves and performs on and off the field.

O'Loughlin said Tippett's hefty price tag would concern the Sydney players a lot less than his character.

"The thing with the Swans footy club is that you either buy into the culture or you're on the outer," said O'Loughlin, who kicked 521 goals in 303 games for the club from 1995-2009.

"That's what they are concerned about and there are no in-betweens.

"It's really that simple and it's in the hands of the player to either want to do it or fall by the wayside.

"The culture is that strong there that no player, no matter how highly or lowly he is rated, can influence it.

"Kurt will have to make every post a winner from the moment he walks in because the work he's going to have to do to prove himself will be bloody difficult.

"He will have to earn the respect of his new teammates by his actions.

"But that's a good thing because that's the strength of the footy club."

The Swans have got a ripping culture and it could be the making of him

O'Loughlin said he would make no judgment about Tippett - a villain at Adelaide after walking out on the club and becoming embroiled in a contract scandal - until he arrives at the Swans.

He said he had followed the Tippett/Crows saga in the newspapers but had never met the 25-year-old.

"I can't talk about him, the man, because I don't know him, but Kurt needs to know what's in store for him in Sydney if he does end up there," O'Loughlin said.

"The Swans have got a ripping culture and it could be the making of him, but we've also seen players buy their way out of the club because they haven't embraced it.

"I'm talking about the Nick Davises and Barry Halls of the world, who were there and then gone and I'm sure if they had their time again they would probably do things differently.

"Just because you are there it doesn't mean you are there forever.

"You've got to earn that trust and respect of your teammates and coaching staff because it is a unique environment.

"You can buy yourself into the culture by being prepared to do the right things. But if you don't, then you don't play, it's as simple as that."

Tippett will miss the first 11 games of next season for his role in salary cap breaches and draft tampering.

He has nominated for Tuesday's pre-season draft and set down financial terms, which only the Swans and Giants could afford. But GWS officially withdrew from the Tippett chase yesterday, with chief executive David Matthews saying his asking price was too high and it wouldn't be prudent for the fledgling club to sign him.

"Internally, we established a value for Kurt Tippett based on his capabilities and whilst we were hopeful, his terms submitted this week confirmed that we are simply not in a position to pay what he wants, particularly for a player who will miss most of the year through suspension," he said.

O'Loughlin said Tippett would greatly increase Sydney's firepower.

"He's a fantastic size (202cm, 104kg) and he'll certainly help take some of the pressure off young Sam Reid," he said.

23.31 | 0 komentar | Read More

Challenging times at AFL HQ

AFL operations manager Adrian Anderson announces his resignation as AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou looks on. Picture: Mike Keating. Source: Herald Sun

ANDREW Demetriou was not shocked when Adrian Anderson walked into his spacious office at AFL House at 3pm on Tuesday and told him he was leaving.

The pair had been talking about Anderson's desire for "a new challenge" for the better part of three weeks.

The two very public faces of the AFL resolved to keep the decision "in house" for the time being.

The executive was not told until early yesterday, then the staff at AFL House were briefed. It wasn't until a media release was issued less than an hour before Anderson's 12.15pm press conference that news filtered out.

"It's something Adrian and I have been discussing for quite a while, talking about the future and future challenges," Demetriou said yesterday.

"I wasn't surprised. The only surprise was that it happened (so quickly).

"He is looking for new challenges. He has achieved a lot of the stuff he set out to do."

Nine years of controversy

Demetriou - the man who handpicked Anderson in late 2003 for the tough football operations role that he himself once had - said he felt a mix of pride and satisfaction in Anderson's achievements.

He described as "utter garbage" talk that Anderson was unhappy with the way his role had been heading.

23.31 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cats Varcoe and Menzel on way back

Up and running: Daniel Menzel trains at Simonds Stadium yesterday. Picture: Mike Dugdale Source: Geelong Advertiser

GEELONG has declared forwards Travis Varcoe and Daniel Menzel on track for Round 1, after seasons ruined by injury.

Both trained strongly at Simonds Stadium yesterday, completing running sessions away from the main group, and Menzel joined in goalkicking practice as he returns to fitness from a second knee reconstruction.

Assistant coach Blake Caracella said Varcoe had been running for some time after only one senior game this year because of a troublesome foot.

"They're both going really well," Caracella said.

Premiership stars Jimmy Bartel and James Kelly have not joined the main group yet as they recover from injuries.

Bartel spent time in a moonboot for a broken foot and Kelly had post-season hip surgery.

Skipper Joel Selwood last month tipped they would be back before Christmas but that now looks unlikely.

"(Bartel) hasn't trained yet," Caracella said.

"I'm not exactly sure what his goals are and when he's meant to be back training. We've had no bad reports."

Caracella said Kelly might not rejoin the main group until the new year.

"Maybe not before Christmas - we've only got one more week of training and the boys go to Falls Creek," he said.

"He'll certainly be back at training soon, but whether it's the last couple of sessions before Christmas or in the new year I'm not too sure.

"All those players run their own programs and will be aiming to be right by Round 1. It's all looking promising."

Former Sun Josh Caddy trained yesterday and another recruit, Hamish McIntosh (North Melbourne), who is returning from knee surgery in August, completed ruck drills.

The Cats will make the five-hour trip to Falls Creek without a large number of their experienced players, but Selwood and best-and-fairest winner Tom Hawkins will be there.

"It's not as high as where the other teams go in Arizona and Utah," Caracella said.

"There's a footy ground down the bottom of the hill where we can train. We've got quite a young list and we need to develop those players as fast as we can.

"They need to spend more time with the coaches one-on-one to improve."

Caracella would not speculate whether Varcoe and Steven Motlop could be used in roles across half-back next year.

"We'll be testing a number of things out, not just with those two, but where a number of our players are best suited," he said.

23.31 | 0 komentar | Read More

Anderson latest in AFL exodus

Adrian Anderson played key roles in the overhaul of the tribunal system, the introduction of the illicit drugs policy and free agency, and two pay deals with players. Picture: Nicole Garmston Source: Herald Sun

A MAKEOVER of the AFL's top ranks gathered pace yesterday with the sudden resignation of football operations manager Adrian Anderson.

Anderson, 40, handed his resignation to league boss Andrew Demetriou after nine years in the job.

He is the third member of the nine-person AFL executive to leave in recent weeks, following strategy and marketing boss Andrew Catterall and human resources chief Christina Ogg.

Football administration manager Rod Austin also has moved on in a sign Demetriou and the AFL Commission are looking to revamp the game's managerial body.

The changes could see the role of football operations manager diminished.

It had been a difficult off-season for Anderson after a recommendation by the Laws of the Game committee, which he chairs, to cap interchange rotations at 80 a game was rebuffed by the commission.

It also emerged yesterday Anderson had failed in a bid to have the commission hearing into the Kurt Tippett/Adelaide salary cap scandal in public.

But the former lawyer said those losses had played no part in his decision to quit.

Nine years of controversy

Demetriou vehemently denied there was any friction between the pair.

"It's nine years of doing this role and I think it's time for a new challenge," Anderson said.

"I wanted to make that decision at a time that gave Andrew and the guys the opportunity to put someone in place for next season.

"I'll stick around long enough to ensure those arrangements are being looked after."

Those tasks include completing the tanking investigation into Melbourne's 2009 season and a revamp of the contentious illicit drugs policy.

Asked who would fill Anderson's job, Demetriou said: "I'll sit down with our executive team and the commission and discuss our options but, to be honest, ... I haven't given it much thought."

Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale has ruled himself out as a candidate.

"I'm fully committed to delivering success at the Richmond Football Club," Gale said last night.

Anderson played key roles in the overhaul of the tribunal system, the introduction of the illicit drugs policy and free agency, and two pay deals with players.

The Australian Rugby Union was looking for a chief executive, but Anderson said he had not investigated potential new jobs.

"Often people have something organised before they move on, but I haven't felt that's appropriate," he said.

North Melbourne confirmed it had no plan to speak to Anderson about its vacant chief executive role.

There was tension between the AFL and the Kangaroos concerning the league's investigation into forward Lachie Hansen's concussion.
 

23.31 | 0 komentar | Read More

Three in frame to lead the Blues

Contender: Andrew Carrazzo is a favourite for the Carlton captaincy. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

THE next Carlton captain will be Andrew Carrazzo, Marc Murphy or Kade Simpson.

The successor to Chris Judd will not be known until after Carlton's NAB Cup campaign, during which the trio will be given opportunities to lead the club.

While Murphy, 25, is viewed as favourite in some quarters, coach Mick Malthouse has never been of the view that the club's best player automatically becomes skipper.

It was a policy of his that was successful at Collingwood (Nick Maxwell) and West Coast (John Worsfold) and one that Geelong employed with outstanding results through the appointments of Tom Harley and Cameron Ling.

Carrazzo, 28, is seen as a natural leader, and was appointed to the Blues' leadership group five years ago.

He is something of a self-made player, having been discarded by Geelong before being picked as a rookie by Carlton in 2004.

Simpson, 28, has enormous respect from the players for his on-field deeds, but is not always as comfortable in the spotlight off-field. And AFL captains must be capable of performing in both arenas.

Murphy is highly regarded for his professionalism, which he has modelled on Judd by studying how he prepares for football.

Two players who will not be part of the Blues' leadership group are Michael Jamison, 26, and Bryce Gibbs, 23, both of whom have been touted as potential captains during their careers.

The pair declined to nominate for the leadership group when players voted during Carlton's trip to Arizona last month, preferring to concentrate on having injury-free seasons.

The players' nominations for the leadership group then went before Malthouse and his match committee.

Once they reach a decision, the names have to be ratified by the Carlton board.

23.31 | 0 komentar | Read More

Lower high on future with the Dogs

Nick Lower was exceptional at Fremantle in 2011, but had an injury-plagued 2012. Picture: Justin Benson-cooper Source: Herald Sun

NEW free-agent signing Nick Lower says he passed up the guarantee of another season at Fremantle for the chance to secure a place on the Western Bulldogs list.

The former Port Adelaide midfielder said he was shocked when Fremantle coach Ross Lyon delisted him with a year still to run on his contract.

A relationship with Bulldogs list manager Jason McCartney - a former Fremantle development coach - resulted in Lower being invited to Whitten Oval to try his luck alongside other delisted players, including Matthew Bate (Melbourne) and Brent Prismall (Essendon).

By the time Fremantle offered him another guaranteed season, he was sold on proving himself to Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney.

It was a risk that paid off on Monday when the Dogs signed Lower, 25, for a season as a free agent.

He will join Tom Young (Collingwood), Koby Stevens (West Coast) and probably Prismall as the Dogs' mature-aged recruits.

The small defender and midfielder was exceptional at Fremantle in 2011, but had an injury-plagued 2012.

"It's been a bit of a whirlwind, to be honest," Lower said. "I got the news about my delisting a couple of weeks before it was made public, and it was a little bit of a shock.

"Fremantle asked me to train on, but Jason McCartney said, 'If you want to take a punt, we would like you to train at the Dogs'.

"Once I notified Fremantle I wouldn't be training on with them, they ended up guaranteeing me a spot on the senior list.

"There were no guarantees whatsoever at the Dogs. I knew deep down I could shoot myself in the foot.

"It was a risk, but I thought staying at Fremantle, having been delisted with a year on my contract, you had to wonder if I would be in the same position again next year."

Lower played 19 games in 2011, then had shoulder surgery in the off-season, served a three-match suspension to start the year and suffered concussed when he finally won back his spot.

He said he had been extraordinarily lucky to arrive at a third club, with a debut next season to make him one of 309 players in VFL/AFL history to play at three or more clubs.

"When I landed a second chance at Fremantle, second chances don't come around very often, but a third chance is even rarer," he said.

"I obviously recognise I am in a privileged position.

"People stuck their neck out for me and I still feel like I have a bit to offer."

23.31 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ablett back on deck for Suns

Suns skipper Gary Ablett has returned to pre-season training. Picture: David Clark. Source: Gold Coast Bulletin

GOLD Coast captain Gary Ablett is set to resume full training after a wrestling injury disrupted his pre-season program for a month.

Ablett strained his back during a wrestling drill on the first week of the Gold Coast's training camp in Arizona and was confined to running drills.

Ablett has done no contact work and little ball work in the past few weeks, but he will rejoin the main group before Christmas.

Suns football manager Marcus Ashcroft said the setback would not stop Ablett being fit for round 1.

"He aggravated it early in the pre-season and it was a bit sore, so we have taken a pretty conservative approach with him," Ashcroft said.

"All of the scans and imaging he had done has shown there are no serious issuesntsD so we are just working towards a point where Gary is pain-freente."

"He's done 11 pre-seasons in his career, so that's 11 years of training load under his belt. It's not going to be an issue getting him back to peak fitness.

"He has been doing everything in his power to get right.

"He has been training hard away from the main group and his skinfold results are spot-on so he'll be right to do a main session with the rest of the boys before Christmas."

23.31 | 0 komentar | Read More

Swannies have the last laugh

The 2012 premier is about to turn an already power-packed forward line into the most attacking force in football, and Adam Goodes will be part of it. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

A WEEK after Adelaide was seen to escape lightly for its salary cap cheating, Sydney is about to pull off a brazen heist.

Don't look now, but the 2012 premier is about to turn an already power-packed forward line into the most attacking force in football.

And if you thought offering pick 23 and fringe forward Jesse White to Adelaide for Kurt Tippett was laughable, the Swans will effectively get the Crows star for free.

That muffled sound you hear from north of the border is a club giggling at the sheer improbability of securing Tippett for nothing.

Greater Western Sydney yesterday cleared the way for the Swans, saying it would not pick Tippett at Tuesday's pre-season draft.

It means Sydney boasts a forward line brimming with emerging stars (Sam Reid, Gary Rohan, Lewis Jetta), veteran matchwinners (Adam Goodes, Ryan O'Keefe) and unlikely finals heroes (Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Mike Pyke, Mitch Morton). Add Tippett and it becomes close to unstoppable.

Yet somehow beaten Grand Final opponent Hawthorn has opened premiership betting at $3.50, while the Swans are $7.

And there are other reasons the Swans are laughing.

Not only do they get Tippett, but they used their first-round pick (22) on mature-aged VFL flanker Dean Towers, and saw projected first-round pick Tim Membrey slip through to their second pick at No.46.

Key forward Membrey kicked 16 goals in three TAC Cup finals with Gippsland Power.

Instead of giving up an early pick for Tippett, the Swans sacrificed nothing and get Tippett, keep White and, with a first-round pick they never expected to retain, selected Towers, a 22-year-old midfielder from VFL club North Ballarat who is ready to roll straight away.

So Reid (31.19 this year) plays the lead-up centre half-forward, Goodes (37 goals) has his usual roving commission, and Tippett gets 11 weeks' rest to ensure his concussion issues are solved.

Alongside that trio are brilliant half-forward Jetta (45 goals), Ben McGlynn (30 goals) and, in a pinch-hitting role, the ungainly but effective Roberts-Thomson (25 goals).

Then throw in the effervescent Rohan, and goalkicking midfielders such as O'Keefe (20 goals), Josh Kennedy (29), Kieren Jack (27) and Jarrad McVeigh (18). It is a fearsome sight.

Tippett may be overrated, but he still kicked 39 goals from 80 shots last season.

Argue all you want about the validity of Sydney's extra salary cap dispensation and the bizarre circumstances that have thrown Tippett into the pre-season draft.

But the harder you work, and the more cunning your recruiting team, and the more irons you put in the fire, the luckier you tend to get in the AFL.

23.31 | 0 komentar | Read More