Claye Beams ruptures ACL

Brisbane Lions midfielder Claye Beams. Picture: Jono Searle Source: The Courier-Mail

BRISBANE have been dealt a major blow ahead of this weekend's Q Clash with midfielder Claye Beams requiring a knee reconstruction after a training mishap today.

Scans this afternoon revealed that Beams, 21, had sustained a ruptured ACL in his left knee when the Lions trained behind closed doors at Gabba.

Brisbane football manager Dean Warren said Beams was shattered.

"Claye had an outstanding pre-season and was consolidating his position in our best 22, so understandably he is devastated by this setback," Warren said.

"We are certain Claye's strong character will get him through this tough period and that he will approach his rehabilitation with absolute professionalism."

Beams and Brisbane's medical staff will determine whether or not the Gold Coast junior will undergo a traditional reconstruction or the LARS procedure which fast tracks rehabilitation.

Beams has played 15 senior games for Brisbane including the opening two rounds of the 2013 season.

The younger brother of Collingwood star Dayne Beams was the NAB Rising Star nomination in Round 1 last year and won the Joe Grant Medal for best-on-ground in Brisbane's NEAFL grand final win over Northern Territory last year.
 

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Hodge re-signs with Hawks

Hawthorn captain Luke Hodge has re-signed with the club. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

HAWTHORN captain Luke Hodge has signed a new one-year deal.

Hodge, 28, like former captain Sam Mitchell, would have been an unrestricted free agent at season's end.

After Mitchell put pen to paper recently Hodge's signature is the latest piece of the Hawks' free-agency puzzle to fall into place.

Lance Franklin remains the big fish, but Shaun Burgoyne and Xavier Ellis are others to come out of contract at season's end.

Hodge, the 2008 Norm Smith medallist, said last month he would expect to have to take a pay cut to accommodate players such as Franklin under the salary cap.

"As you get older it's proven in the past that you're going to have to go lower so that the younger blokes coming through can get paid probably a little bit more, which is what they deserve," Hodge said.

Hodge played just 10 games last year because of a nagging left knee injury, which also delayed his start to this pre-season.

He played his first senior game for the year against West Coast last weekend and is expected to be fit for Sunday's blockbuster against Collingwood.

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Baker's life ban overturned

Former Steven Baker is free to play again. Picture: Nicole Garmston Source: Herald Sun

FORMER St Kilda hard man Steven Baker is free to play football again after having his life-time ban overturned.

The one-time AFL tagger had been banned for life after a suspension in a practice match last month resulted in him exceeding the number of suspended matches allowed for players in lower levels of the game.

But Baker and Sorrento won their appeal tonight when the charge was upheld, allowing the 32-year-old to resume playing.

Sorrento president Garry Woodhams said Baker was delighted with the decision.

"I think it is his first win at a tribunal ever," Woodhams said.

"We had to put up $5500 to put the appeal in, which is pretty ridiculous. On the evidence, you would have to say that we wouldn't have put the appeal in if we didn't think we had a good shot.

"Steve is really pleased with the decision, and so is the club."

Baker, who played 203 games with the Saints from 1999-2011, had originally been suspended for six weeks for rough play after a Red Hill player was left with a broken jaw. But he protested his innocence and was determined to fight the penalty.

Under Victorian Country Football League rules, if a player is suspended for 16 matches over the course of their career, they are banned nation-wide for life.

For players coming out of the AFL system, their number of weeks is halved.

Baker was suspended for a total of 28 weeks in the AFL, so his figure was reduced to 14. If the six-week ban stood, he would not have been able to play again.

Baker, who had a number of high profile suspensions in his time at St Kilda, including a nine-match ban on four separate charges after a stoush with Geelong's Steve Johnson in 2010, will have to wait an extra week to make his comeback to the game.

Sorrento has a bye this week, so he will resume for the Sharks on April 20.

Woodhams said: "It's a good result, we have had a good start to the season and we can only get better with Steve in the team.

"He has played over 200 games of league footy and most players have had enough by then. But he wants to keep on playing and wants to play with his old mate from St Kilda, Troy Schwarze."

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Bombers coach to deny drug slur

A club source says Essendon coach James Hird is ''an honourable person''. Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON coach James Hird will deny allegations that he took a drug, which players are banned from taking, during the 2012 season.

There is no suggestion that the drug is illegal or that Hird would be in breach of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority rules if it is proved he took the drugs.

Sports scientist Stephen Dank has claimed he injected Hird with a substance banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

But a club source told the Herald Sun last night: "James will fight this ... this is not true. James is an honorable person, these people are disreputable and the club will not rest until his name is fully cleared. This is an outrageous allegation."

It is also claimed that Hird was aware of the entire supplements program at Essendon, which included taking players off site for injections, and that the players signed consent forms listing the type of supplements they'd be taking.

It's been reported a number of players took a form of pig's brain peptides, and an anti-obesity drug.

It's believed investigations by the club and ASADA will see the Bombers admit to not doing due diligence on the employment of staff, and "irregular practices".

Dank, who is at the centre of allegations about the use of performance-enhancing drugs in rugby league, made the latest claims in an interview with Fairfax Media.

The Herald Sun can reveal Hird had three stringent rules forming the basis of the supplement program:

THE players' welfare was the No.1 priority.

ALL supplements were to be ticked off by ASADA.

EVERYTHING was to be ticked off by the club doctor. It's understood the third rule was not always adhered to.

Dank continues to maintain none of the substances he gave players was in breach of the world anti-doping code or AFL rules.

"Before I've done anything in any forum, we have always had conversations with WADA or ASADA - or in some cases both," he said.

"They were always well informed of anything we were about to use. Nothing was ever used without asking them first and, in some cases, both parties were asked.

"Never once was anything indicated to me that we would have issues in terms of anything we used."

But he said Hird knew of the supplements program.

"Look, to be perfectly honest, a couple of coaches were using supplements that were a little bit outside the WADA code, but again they were entitled to (do) it, and nothing illegal in those."

Essendon has growing confidence players will be cleared of any link to performance-enhancing drugs.

The club's internal review into "irregular practices" is due in coming weeks.

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Rivals circle Sylvia and Watts

Rival clubs are beginning to circle Jack Watts. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

TWO of Melbourne's most talented players, Jack Watts and Colin Sylvia, face uncertain futures, with rival clubs already beginning to circle the out-of-contract Demons.

Melbourne's attempts to keep the two first round draft picks could hinge on its ability to resurrect its horrendous early-season form under coach Mark Neeld.

After turning over 14 players last year, the club faces a new list management threat with Watts, a No. 1 pick, and Sylvia, No.3, already attracting clear interest from potential suitors.

The Herald Sun understands there have been few, if any, talks between the players' management and Demons about new deals. Early indications are that both parties will likely wait until the end of the season to negotiate.

Co-captain Jack Grimes is out of contract at the end of the year and could demand more than $500,000 a season, based on his solid early season form and leadership.

Watts, 22, has gathered 18 possessions in his first two games and is in danger of being dropped for Saturday's clash against West Coast.

He was substituted off in the third term of Melbourne's 148-point loss to Essendon at the weekend, drawing humiliating jeers from the MCG crowd.

Sylvia, 27, has managed 27 touches, including only seven against the Bombers.

But it has failed to quell rival interest.

The Herald Sun understands as many as eight clubs have inquired about Sylvia's status.

An AFL list manager estimated Watts' value at $250,000-$325,000 a year and Sylvia at $325,000-$425,000.

Watts was genuinely discussed as a potential trade target by North Melbourne last year.

Watts was also linked to Greater Western Sydney. Carlton has denied it was interested despite reports.

The Dees' signed ruckman Mark Jamar on a three-year deal last season but the veteran has been down on form in the first two losses.

Burgeoning 208cm ruckman Max Gawn was among Casey's best in the VFL last weekend and continues to make sound progress from two knee reconstructions.
 

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Bock leg pain setback

Gold Coast Suns defender Nathan Bock participates in a light pool session with his teammates. Picture: Brendan Radke Source: Gold Coast Bulletin

GOLD Coast swingman Nathan Bock is still suffering pain in his repaired leg, and no date has been put on his return to the field.

Bock, who broke his right leg against Fremantle in Round 6 last year, had penciled in Round 1 as his comeback game.

But that estimate has proved way off the mark.

The Suns are only hopeful their vice-captain will be back after the Round 13 bye.

Bock, out of contract at the end of the year, had a steel rod inserted in his right leg that is now causing complications in his ankle.

The frustrating delay comes after a nightmare 2012 season for the 30-year-old, who was suspended for his part in a football betting scandal and saw his mother jailed for drug trafficking.

"He'll play (this year), but we don't want to put a specific time on it because once he gets close to that time it may prove ambitious," Gold Coast football manager Marcus Ashcroft said.

"Every other part around his body is getting sore because he's getting to a stage where he's trying to get match fit. He needs to be able to run with no pain.

"It's not as easy as coming back and then feeling 100 per cent and playing. There's a lot of stages to go through.

"He's started to do some skill work, but week to week there's been parts of his body that have been sore.

"We've had to listen to his body and back it off when we need to.

"It's as much a mental challenge as it is physical. In the last two to four weeks he's made good progress."

Suns coach Guy McKenna, who last week declared Bock a "mile off" being fit to play, surprised some this week when he said he wanted to re-sign him for another two to three years.

Ashcroft yesterday said Bock's future would be decided in the second half of the season.

"I think he's got to get himself back for his sake and the club's sake, to play some footy and then you can make a more considered judgment," Ashcroft said.
 

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Pies want to fly over Dubai

Collingwood players Nick Maxwell and Travis Cloke in Dubai back in 2008. Picture: Tim Carrafa Source: Herald Sun

Cartoon by David 'Macca' McArthur. Source: Herald Sun

COLLINGWOOD president Eddie McGuire has proposed a Round 1 clash for premiership points in Dubai next year.

The proposal, while still in its formative stages, is for the game to be played in March as part of an international trade and sports push promoting Australia in Dubai.

McGuire, who was in Dubai last week, said the game would showcase our code and promote businesses in a similar manner to the G'day US week held in Los Angeles.

St Kilda and Sydney will play the first game overseas for premiership points in Wellington on Anzac Day next month, with Collingwood having played a pre-season game against Adelaide in Dubai in 2008.

McGuire is adamant the Pies would not sacrifice a home game and disadvantage the club's supporters.

McGuire said it would be the perfect marketing platform for Australian football.

"I will catch up with Andrew (Demetriou) in the next week or so but the Victorian Trade Commission are interested, Emirates and the City of Dubai are really keen, and we could turn it into a week-long trade/sports delegation, bringing in not only people from the Middle East and Europe but making it something as big as the Rugby Sevens in Hong Kong," McGuire told the Herald Sun.

"It's not Say G'Day USA, it's Say Hi To Dubai.

"It would only work if the AFL decided to stretch the fixture out and would allow us a week to come home, and it would need to be in March because there are mid-20s (temperatures) then.

"They have a couple of options already for a ground, and they are a can-do city. There is a major cricket ground but the surface isn't big enough.

"There are grounds alongside it where we could put temporary stands or even a permanent stand."

Collingwood's sponsor Emirates and national carrier Qantas have signed a deal where all London-bound flights fly via Dubai, with McGuire believing the tie-in provides the perfect opportunity for a premiership game.

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Game plan can topple Swans: Thommo

North Melbourne defender Scott Thompson. Source: Herald Sun

NORTH Melbourne defender Scott Thompson believes the Kangas' run and stun game-style that almost toppled Geelong on Sunday is the key to beating Sydney Swans in Hobart on Saturday.

Thompson said the Kangaroos were at their best against the Cats when they moved the ball quickly - that could be the key upsetting the AFL's reigning premier.

The winless Kangaroos are desperately trying to avoid going 0-3 down after this weekend.

The last time they lost their opening three games of the season was in 2011, when a horror 0-4 start saw them finish ninth on the ladder and miss the finals by a nose-hair.

"It's not a good way to start off the season being 0-2, but it's a long season and we've still got 20 games to go,'' Thompson said.

"Meeting Sydney in Hobart is a good chance to get our first win.

"Playing the reigning premier is always going to be daunting but we see it as a really good challenge.

"You always want to play against the best and they're the best from last year so it's a good chance to see where we're at.''

The Kangas lost their opening game to Collingwood by 16 points and went down to Geelong by six in a thriller at Etihad.

"In the first round against Collingwood we didn't play the best footy. Our skills let us down a bit,'' Thompson said.

"Against Geelong we played a really good first half and just got over-run at the end but our game plan and our execution was a lot better.

"When we were working the ball around and using our pace and our runners - Wells, Atley, Mullet and players like that - that's our best footy."

"Moving it fast and getting into our forwards quickly is going to be very important on Saturday.''

Forwardline forager Lindsay Thomas has been on fire in the first two games, kicking nine goals.

Thompson rated big Kangaroo Drew Petrie, who has five, as a star of the game.

"It's always good to see Drew taking his marks,'' Thompson said.

"He kicked four at the weekend and he was in pretty good form in the first half.

"We just have to get him the ball to a one-on-one contest and he'll do the rest.

"I rate him as one of the best forwards in the game and I can't speak highly enough of him. He's a superstar.''

Thompson was also full of praise for backline colleague, 21-year-old defender Aaron Mullett, who was awarded the Rising Star nomination from round two.

The Swans were buopyed by the news that gun midfielder Daniel Hannebery was poised to ink a new three-year deal.

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McLardy has no plans to quit

Demons great David Schwarz volunteers to help embattled club.

Melbourne president Don McLardy is sticking firm. Source: Herald Sun

Cartoon by David 'Macca' McArthur. Source: Herald Sun

MELBOURNE president Don McLardy says he is in for the long haul and has had broad support for the dramatic decision to remove chief executive Cameron Schwab.

McLardy spoke with AFL chief Andrew Demetriou yesterday as the league boss again offered help, including recommendations for Schwab's replacement.

But while rumours of McLardy stepping down and board challenges were rife yesterday, the president said he had no plans to quit.

The Demons held a board meeting last night with two items on the agenda: ratifying the role of interim chief executive Peter Spargo and clarifying plans to search for his successor.

Former player David Schwarz will meet McLardy today about plans to help the club, with the Demons open to more football expertise on the board.

"I am staying the course," McLardy said.

"I am absolutely (staying) until such time as the members don't want me."

Asked if he wanted to stay as president for as long as five more years, he said: "Absolutely. There is no reason at all for me not to be here. I am not feeling threatened at all, or feeling that I haven't got support.

"I am very close to all of our key people and I am a passionate Demon and we are just trying to get it right.

"I get help from key people around the club and I have spoken to a lot of our Foundation Heroes (who helped clear the club's debt), and they are all behind us.

"They are saying it is a tough decision (to sack Schwab) but it had to be made. They are saying to keep going."

Insurance heavyweight Geoff Freedman will soon be appointed to the board -but not as an anointed successor, McLardy said - with room for another appointment this year.

The Demons will receive $5.8 million from the AFL between 2012-14 in special equalisation funding, with set conditions attached.

"I have spoken to (Demetriou) on the phone," McLardy said.

"He just said it was a strong decision, and let me know if you need any help, be it recommendations on people they know (to replace Schwab), or people we should talk to. Running an AFL footy club is the dream of a lot of people.

"It's a high-pressure role and a high-profile role, and plenty of people would like to have it on their resume."

Schwarz said yesterday he was determined to get involved, and was "in a position where I could" go on the board.

"I'm just not going to sit there and allow it to continue. Something is wrong down there," he said.

"I am meeting Don tomorrow and it is purely to offer assistance in any way. I am meeting Don not to go on the board, but to say here I am, I am more than happy to help."

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Maxwell to miss up to eight weeks

Collingwood skipper Nick Maxwell. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

COLLINGWOOD captain Nick Maxwell will have wrist surgery which will sideline him for up to two months.

Maxwell reported soreness in his right wrist after the Magpies win over Carlton on Sunday and scans yesterday revealed the skipper had suffered a fracture.

The 29-year-old premiership captain saw a surgeon yesterday and is expected to be out of action for six to eight weeks.

"He reported some soreness after the game, but it's something that has lingered on for a couple of days,'' Walsh told the Herald Sun.

"Further scans today revealed there's a fracture in his wrist.``When you say six to eight, I suppose it depends on how quickly blood flow gets to that area.

"Nick has generally been a pretty good healer, that operation is around that mark. It's plus or minus one I suppose depending on how well Nick does heal.

"As I said, history says he's been a reasonably good healer.''

The Magpies' backline general broke the same wrist late in 2008 but played on in Round 22 and two finals wearing a fibreglass guard to protect the injury, which was padded to protect opposition players.

Maxwell missed the start of 2012 with an ankle injury and in 2011 fractured his thumb late in the season Maxwell's absence opens the door for rookie Jack Frost to return against Hawthorn on Sunday.

The Magpies are also likely to be without ruckman Darren Jolly.

Jolly has rib cartilage damage from a heavy knock suffered against Carlton.

"Right now I would think Darren's going to be doubtful," Walsh told 3AW.

"He was pretty sore after the game. He's progressed a little bit but tomorrow (today) will tell us the tale.

"Our bearded one (Ben Hudson) has been in pretty good form. If 'Joll' doesn't come up we've got a pretty good candidate in Ben and having said that, Jarrod Witts himself was in great form in the VFL too."

Maxwell has bounced back from several injuries in his 10-year career - often quicker than expected.

He missed the start of 2012 with an ankle injury and in 2011 fractured his thumb late in the season, but sat out just three games before returning for the finals.

In the pre-season of 2011 he dislocated a shoulder, then a clash in the NAB Cup left him with internal bleeding and kidney damage.

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