Richo, Lloyd in Fame mix

Richmond great Matthew Richardson is in the running to be elevated into the AFL Hall of Fame. Picture: Craig Borrow Source: Herald Sun

STAR goalkickers Matthew Richardson, Matthew Lloyd and Michael O'Loughlin are potential inductees for the Hall of Fame night on June 4, the first to be held outside Melbourne.

The AFL will hold its celebration of past champions in Canberra's Great Hall of Parliament House to mark the 100th birthday of the national capital.

Last year Barry Cable was elevated to legend status, with Glenn Archer, Graham Cornes, Shane Crawford, Chris Grant, Robert Harvey and Bob Johnson inducted into the Hall of Fame.

The move from Melbourne's Crown casino to Canberra continues the shift of prominent AFL events around Australia, with this year's national draft to again be held on the Gold Coast as part of a deal from 2012-14.

Players must have been out of the game for three years to be eligible for the Hall of Fame. Lloyd is seventh on the list of AFL goalkickers with 926 and Richardson 11th with 800.

O'Loughlin is 49th on the list with 521, and the 2005 premiership player was the first Sydney Swan to play more than 300 games.

Other potential inductees include Anthony Rocca, David Wirrpanda, Adam Simpson, Peter Burgoyne and Scott Lucas.

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Jobe medal twist

Bombers skipper Jobe Watson with his Brownlow Medal. Picture: Michael Klein. Source: Herald Sun

Macca cartoon. David McArthur cartoon. Round 10, ASADA Vs Dank, 1 Melbourne, 2 Essendon, 3 ... WADA. (Andrew Demetriou. Brownlow Medal. Supplements.) Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON captain Jobe Watson could keep his Brownlow Medal at the discretion of an AFL tribunal, even if he was found guilty of taking a banned substance.

And Bombers players could serve six-month bans without missing a single match under guidelines stipulated in the World Anti-Doping Agency code.

If Watson was found guilty of using the banned anti-obesity drug AOD-9604, but successfully argued for a reduction of the standard two-year ban, additional penalties would be at the discretion of a specially convened AFL tribunal.

The Herald Sun is not suggesting Watson took a banned substance in 2012, his Brownlow season.

Former Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority boss Richard Ings said the reduced penalty was key. "In the event that a player is found to have reduced fault, the AFL anti-doping tribunal has flexibility to impose a combination of sanctions, which may or may not include matches, awards and prizemoney," Ings said.

"The loss of awards for any player sanctioned for a doping violation is not an automatic thing."

A two-year ban could be halved under clause 10.5.2 of the WADA code, which states: "If an athlete or other person establishes in an individual case that he or she bears no significant fault or negligence, then the otherwise applicable period of ineligibility may be reduced."

Clause 10.5.3 allows for bans to be reduced by three-quarters - to six months - if athletes found guilty provide "substantial assistance in discovering or establishing anti-doping rule violations".

Biochemist to break silence

ASADA and the AFL are investigating claims that some players were given prohibited substances, with players including Watson soon to be interviewed.

If Watson received a full two-year ban, it appears his Brownlow would be stripped under rule 10.8 of the WADA code, which says athletes will forfeit "any medals, points and prizes" won from the time of the offence to the start of a suspension, "unless fairness requires otherwise".

With the ASADA investigation not expected to be completed until later this year, any possible bans may not be handed down until after the season.

Under the WADA code, bans start as soon as the sanction is imposed, opening the possibility of a reduced six-month ban being served entirely during the AFL's off-season.

In this instance banned players would not be permitted to train with the team.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou refused to be drawn on developments in the supplements saga yesterday.

"We need to await the outcome of the ASADA report," Demetriou said.

"I know that's frustrating to people, but they haven't even begun interviewing players yet.

"They will start that process as I understand within the next week or so. At the moment, they are currently finishing interviews with coaches and other officials."

 Essendon chairman David Evans last night denied having conceded that players had taken banned drugs.

"Essendon have never conceded that our players have been given banned substances in 2012," Evans said in a statement.

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Swans midfield now a driving force

Sydney Swans co-captain Jarrad McVeigh is preparing to play the 200th game of his AFL career.

Sydney Swans co-captain Jarrad McVeigh will play his 200th AFL game on Sunday. Picture: Phil Hillyard

JARRAD McVeigh was once part of a Swans midfield that Brett Kirk described as a bunch of Ford Cortinas. Now they're more like Ferraris.

While Adam Goodes spends less time there these days, there's still plenty of star power thanks to Josh Kennedy, Dan Hannebery, Lewis Jetta, Kieren Jack, Ryan O'Keefe and McVeigh.

It's that depth and quality of talent co-captain McVeigh believes has helped return him to career-best form.

"It's a real strength of ours and it was last year we've got a number of players who can move through there and also play forward," McVeigh said.

"If one player is getting tagged, if it's Kieren or Hanners or myself, another player might get off the chain.

"Joey (Kennedy) and you've got O'Keefe and Jude (Bolton) and Parkes (Luke Parker) so there are a lot of guys who can step up if someone is down.

"You need a lot of those midfielders playing well each week to win.

"We've got guys in the reserves who will come through like Jed Lamb."

McVeigh has led the way for the defending premiers this year with standout performances in the opening five rounds.

He's averaged a touch over 103 Supercoach points per game and leads the Swans goalkicking with 11 for the year.

On Sunday, the 28-year-old will chalk up his 200th game when the Swans take on Brisbane at the SCG.

Jarrad's brother Mark retired last year after playing 232 games for Essendon.

The McVeigh brothers will become the first New South Welshmen to achieve the double milestone since Terry and Anthony Daniher, who coincidentally played at the Swans and Essendon.

Mark is sure to be there at the SCG on Sunday after returning to Sydney to take up a position with the NSWAFL in the off season.

The brothers grew up kicking the ball to each other in Killarney Vale on the Central Coast and played for Pennant Hills before embarking on successful AFL careers.

"I learned a lot from him and went to Essendon and training sessions and really followed his career really closely," Jarrad McVeigh said.

"I'm really proud of the way his (Mark's) career panned out and the way he played and the way he carried himself."

The celebrations have been coming thick and fast for the McVeigh's -- who like the Shaw's (Rhyce and Heath) and the Reid's (Sam and Ben) were there to enjoy the Swans premiership success last year.

"For me to be retiring and in the parade on the day my brother was the captain of the Swans was the greatest thing," Mark McVeigh said.

"It was a very special moment because I know what Jarrad has come from to be the player he is."
 

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Daniher ready to test wings

Essendon young gun Joe Daniher could be ready to make his debut. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

COMMON sense will probably prevail tomorrow given Joe Daniher, potentially, has a 15-year career ahead of him.

After a rest last weekend, Essendon will probably get Daniher back in the VFL and let him make his AFL debut later in the year when he has truly earned it.

But as Essendon begins to realise the biggest impediment to a deep run into September is the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority, imagine the possibilities of a Daniher debut against Greater Western Sydney on Saturday.

If Daniher is the extraordinary talent Essendon believes him to be, is it worth handing him an early debut?

Twenty years on from the Baby Bombers, no one at Essendon needs reminding of just how valuable young players can be in a premiership surge.

With key position Giants Phil Davis and Setanta O'hAilpin sidelined, the game is as close to a live kill as football gets.

The virtual bye against GWS - the Bombers are $1.01 - is the perfect opportunity to ease Daniher into the action and give him a chance to shine.

It would take something amazing for a 201cm tall to be a factor in his first season, but this kid has been rated the best TAC Cup graduate since Chris Judd.

If the Dons give him a taste of the action, find he is out of his depth and warehouse him until later, what harm is done?

But if Daniher can provide a real point of difference in a forward line already boasting Paddy Ryder, Michael Hurley, Stewart Crameri and Scott Gumbleton, the world is at his feet.

In all likelihood the twin factors of his VFL rest last weekend and the returning stars will again push Daniher down the pecking order.

Essendon says Hurley is right to go after overcoming ankle issues, and defenders Jake Carlisle and Dustin Fletcher are fit to play.

Carlisle has been cleared of structural damage to his ankle but, as with Hurley and Fletcher, why play the trio when another week of rest prepares them for a five-week stretch that includes Geelong, Brisbane Lions, Richmond, Sydney at the SCG and Carlton?

Informed wisdom says Daniher won't play but, as the wily old fox Kevin Sheedy said so often at Windy Hill, too often we think why rather than why not.

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Krak may come back

Andrew Krakouer could come in for the Pies. Source: Herald Sun

VETERAN Collingwood forward Andrew Krakouer is on the brink of a senior comeback.

Magpies football boss Geoff Walsh says Krakouer is "in the mix" for tomorrow night's clash against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium.

Krakouer, 30, hasn't played at the top level since last year's preliminary final loss to Sydney.

"He's right in the mix. His form in the VFL has been pretty good and he has got his fitness up in the last month," Walsh said yesterday.

"We've got our final session (today), and for Friday games we always finalise it after the Thursday session."

Krakouer has played a solid month of VFL - mostly in the midfield to fast-track his fitness base - after an interrupted pre-season.

He collected 36 possessions two weeks ago and 26 last week against Bendigo on Friday night.

Veteran Alan Didak is also fighting for a recall and had 31 disposals, while tall forward Jarrod Witts had a huge game, kicking three goals.

Midfielder Luke Ball, on the comeback trail from a knee reconstruction, needs another one or two weeks in the seconds, while Dayne Beams (quad) is at least two weeks away from a VFL match. Darren Jolly is tipped to replace Ben Hudson in the ruck.

The Magpies last night announced an AFL membership record of 73,770.

Six years ago, the club had just 38,587 members.

Chief executive Gary Pert said the club hoped to break the 80,000 mark by the end of the season.

"Your membership allows us to build the best training facilities and have the best football department in the league that, together, will drive us in our quest for our next premiership," Pert said in a message to members.

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Biochemist plans to tell all

Biochemist Shane Charter is set to break his silence on Essendon's alleged peptides regimen. Picture: Chris Scott Source: Herald Sun

SHANE Charter, the biochemist embroiled in the drugs-in-sport scandal, will detail Essendon's alleged peptides regimen to the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority.

His former associate, controversial sport scientist Stephen Dank, seems certain to be summoned to a Senate inquiry into sports science, scheduled to start in June.

Dank, who is at the centre of the Essendon and Cronulla anti-doping investigations, could be one of several people compelled to talk to the Senate inquiry about accreditation, code of conduct, substance use, sourcing of supplements and athlete welfare.

Failure to appear could result in contempt charges and carry a six-month jail term.

Charter - who says he sourced an array of materials on request for Dank - is already co-operating with the joint AFL and ASADA probe into the crisis, and spoke with ASADA in recent weeks.

Charter told the Herald Sun last night he expected to supply detailed information to investigators about exactly which peptides had been supplied to Essendon.

"I will be going to see ASADA next week," he said.

The Bombers saga took a twist last night when Dank said he had approval from the World Anti-Doping Agency to use the anti-obesity drug, AOD-9604, which is banned.

Dank said he would produce the email in court, but WADA denied any such correspondence would exist.

Dank has claimed everything he administered was within sports doping rules.

The Bombers, meanwhile, said they had not conceded their players were administered any banned drug.

The Senate inquiry, which has been initiated by Greens senator Richard Di Natale, will have its terms of reference put to the Senate during Budget week, May 14-16. If agreed to, the inquiry will go ahead in June.

A Senate committee will list witnesses it wants to hear from - a list almost certain to include Dank.

"It's not about him as an individual," Senator Di Natale said.

"Our intent will be, 'What do we need to put in place to make sure the health of athletes is protected?'." 

Asked if witnesses were required to attend, Senator Di Natale replied: "The Senate has the capacity to compel witnesses to appear."

Senator Di Natale said tighter checks and balances were needed for accrediting sports scientists.

"The issue for us, when someone calls themselves a sports scientist, how do we know they've got the skills and experience they need, and what's the accreditation process?" he said.

Senator Di Natale said that in the UK, the accreditation conditions for sports scientists demanded clear parameters about background, which included "500 hours of supervised experience".

"It needs to develop a real thorough accreditation process," he said.

The inquiry will also cover health concerns for all professional athletes, as well as regular country and metropolitan sportspeople.

- with Carly Crawford and Michael Warner

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Agreement on round one Oval clash

Andrew Demetriou with Port Adelaide Football Club CEO Keith Thomas. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: The Advertiser

SOUTH Australia's two AFL clubs have endorsed the league's promise of a round one Showdown at the re-developed Adelaide Oval next year.

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou yesterday rejected an earlier suggestion by Adelaide chairman Rob Chapman that it wait until at least round three for a Showdown, to deal with any issues that may arise with the new 50,000-seat stadium.

"It is absolutely true there will be a Showdown for the first game at Adelaide Oval and, all things being equal, it will be a Friday night," said Demetriou, who met the Crows and Power as part of his nationwide club tour.

Yesterday, Chapman agreed, saying a round one Showdown would be ideal.

''When I was talking about perhaps waiting for round three or four it was purely about ironing out the inevitable bugs we could get with ticketing, transport, food and drink," Chapman said.

"While I have complete confidence in the people responsible, it is a big logistical beast.

Andrew Demetriou checks his watch outside Adelaide Football Club headquarters. Picture: Sarah Reed.

"But the ideal time for a Showdown is round one because that's when we'll be showcasing it (the stadium)."

Chapman said no matter which two sides played the first game at the new Adelaide Oval, he would anticipate a sell-out crowd.

"If that's a Showdown it would be a grand spectacle and I think it is feasible," he said.

Port Adelaide chief executive Keith Thomas said a Showdown was the only way to mark what would be "a moment of real historical significance".

"You don't get these moments very often and it would be a real shame if both clubs couldn't share in it," Thomas said.

Now it seems the only matter for debate is who gets hosting rights to the match.

Thomas said the issue had been "bandied around" in public but the clubs were yet to have any serious discussions.

Chapman yesterday said while he had previously stated that he didn't care who hosted the first Showdown because there would be another later in the season, his club "definitely wants" the first hosting rights.

Demetriou said he would not weigh in on that decision.

"I'm not going to be here to toss the coin to see who's going to get the home game because I like my life and I'll leave others to do that task," he said.

Before yesterday's club briefings, Demetriou told the media:

CONCERNS the Adelaide Oval's Stadium Management Authority may impede a fair deal for the two AFL clubs was unfounded.

"I'm aware of the talk about it (and) I don't think it's valid," he said.

"We've met with both clubs on the issue and I think that issue has been blown out of proportion.

"There is constant dialogue about getting the best return for the SMA, for cricket, the SANFL and the two clubs and I think Adelaide Oval is going to be a fantastic thing for all stakeholders and the South Australian public."

THE handover of both club licences from the SANFL remained on track.

"It would be fair to say all that is proceeding very well," he said.

"There's goodwill from the SANFL, the Crows and Port Adelaide.

"The AFL is assisting if it's required and all things being equal I don't see any major issues or impediments to that occurring in due course."

THE AFL would have nothing to do with the Crows and Power's current push to field their own reserves teams.

HE was "absolutely thrilled" with Port Adelaide's resurgence which has it second on the ladder after round five.

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Teams: No Joe for Anzac Day

Shane Crawford is in Hawaii but he's still thinking about SuperCoach - and Travis Cloke.

A further blow for St Kilda with Stephen Milne set to miss Thursday's Anzac Day match against Sydney in Wellington.

Justin Koschitzke could play his first match for the year. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON has made three changes but resisted the temptation to play Joe Daniher against Collingwood on Anzac Day.

Stewart Crameri, Kyle Hardingham and Travis Colyer have been promoted to the Bombers' line-up.

Michael Hurley is out with an ankle injury suffered against St Kilda last week while defender Tayte Pears and midfielder Jake Melksham were dropped.

Dustin Fletcher has not recovered from a groin injury in time to play.

Daniher, who has been starring at VFL level, did not even make the emergencies.

But his father Anthony is not concerned.

"It's all about the right time and the right environment to bring him in, and everyone is different," he told 3AW.

"I think tomorrow could have been just a bit too early.

See the full team line-ups below and in LiveHQ

"The critical thing is to make sure he's ready to play and Joe has missed a lot of footy over the past few years.

"He's just motoring along really nicely at the moment.

"Theres absolutely no hurry to rush him into that senior team."

Collingwood made just one change, bringing in Tyson Goldsack at the expense of youngster Josh Thomas.

Meanwhile, Justin Koschiztke will resurrect his AFL career in New Zealand tomorrow.

Koschitzke, who has been bumped from the Saints' best side this year, is one of five inclusions for St Kilda's historic clash against Sydney - the first match for premiership points outside Australia.

St Kilda will be boosted by the return of All-Australian defender Sean Dempster, while draftees Brodie Murdoch and Josh Saunders will make their AFL debuts.

The pair were selected with picks 40 and 43 in last year's national draft.

The Swans have lost Lewis Roberts-Thompson to a knee injury and dropped Mitch Morton.

Craig Bird and Andrejs Everitt are their replacements.

Champion Data SuperCoach formguide

ESSENDON v COLLINGWOOD, Thursday 2.40pm at the MCG

ESSENDON

B: M.Hibberd 1, C.Hooker 26, M.Baguley 46
HB: B.Stanton 5, J.Carlisle 22, B.Goddard 9
C: D.Heppell 21, J.Watson 4, C.Dempsey 15
HF: J.Merrett 20, D.Hille 19, S.Gumbleton 3
F: K.Hardingham 34, S.Crameri 12, A.Davey 29
Foll: T.Bellchambers 2, B.Howlett, 40, J.Winderlich 8
I/C: D.Zaharakis 11, D.Myers 23, H.Hocking 39, T.Colyer, 32
Emerg: N.Lovett-Murray 42, J.Melksham 17, T.Pears 16

In: Hardingham, Colyer, Crameri
Out: Hurley (ankle), Pears, Melksham

COLLINGWOOD

B: N.Brown 16, A.Toovey 34, B.Reid 20
HB: M.Clarke 9, H.Shaw 39, H.O'Brien 8
C: S.Sidebottom 22, D.Swan 36, D.Thomas 13
HF: J.Elliott 19, T.Cloke 32, Q.Lynch 21
F: B.Sinclair 28, T.Goldsack 6, S.Dwyer 41
Foll: B.Hudson 25, S.Pendlebury 10, J.Blair 11
I/C: A.Fasolo 1, J.Russell 2, B.Macaffer, 3, P.Seedsman 40
Emerg: J.Witts 15, J.Thomas 24, B.Kennedy 27

In: Goldsack
Out: J.Thomas

ST KILDA v SYDNEY, Thursday 5.50pm in Wellington

ST KILDA
B: N.Wright 34, S.Fisher 25, D.Roberton 17
HB: S.Dempster 24, R.Stanley 28, S.Gilbert 19
C: L.Hayes 7, C.Jones 4, J.Geary 14
HF: D.Armitage 20, N.Riewoldt 12, N.Dal Santo 26
F: A.Saad 21, S.Ross 6, J.Saunders 35
Foll: B.McEvoy 5, J.Steven 3, L.Montagna 11
I/C: T.Dennis-Lane 8, T. Lee 9, J.Koschitzke 23, B.Murdoch 30
Emerg: A.Siposs 2, T.Hickey 1, F.Ray 22

In: Koschitzke, Dempster, Lee, Murdoch, Saunders
Out: Milne (suspension), Maister (hand), Simpkin, Milera, Ray

SYDNEY

B: D.Rampe 43, H.Grundy 39, N.Smith 40
HB: M.Mattner 29, T.Richards 25, N.Malceski 9
C: K.Jack 15, R.O'Keefe 5, L.Jetta 32
HF: J.Bolton 24, S.Reid20, D.Hannebery 4
F: M.Pyke 38, A.Goodes 37, B.McGlynn 21
Foll: S.Mumford 41, J.Kennedy 12, J.McVeigh 3
I/C: T.Armstrong 19, C.Bird 14, A.Everitt 13, L Parker 26
Emerg: J.White 18, T.Walsh 17, M.Morton 10

In:Bird, Everitt
Out: L. Roberts-Thomson (knee), Morton.
 

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Crouch down in Crow blow

Shane Crawford is in Hawaii but he's still thinking about SuperCoach - and Travis Cloke.

Brad Crouch celebrates a goal with Taylor Walker. Picture: Simon Cross Source: The Advertiser

ADELAIDE has been dealt a stinging blow with promising midfielder Brad Crouch expected to miss at least two weeks after suffering a hamstring injury at training yesterday.

Crouch, who debuted this season after spending a year as an ineligible 17-year-old player on the Crows list, had impressed coach Brenton Sanderson in his few senior games but the injury is expected to be at the lower end.

Crouch warmed up with teammates before hurting his leg during today's closed session. He will be sent for scans to determine the damage.

"It's a bit of a setback for us,'' Sanderson said.

"I've really liked how he's been playing; he's been great for a first-year player."

SuperCoach rookie trade guide

SuperCoach unique pick stars and flops

Sanderson was this afternoon heading for a match committee meeting, and one of the first names that would be brought up to replace Crouch was Bernie Vince.

Vince was dropped to Woodville-West Torrens in the SANFL last weekend and responded with a dominant contribution.

"I did like how Bernie went back,'' Sanderson said. "He went back and dominated that game in the SANFL and he's too good to play in the SANFL, you know.

"So we'll look for opportunities to get those guys back where we can.''

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Carlisle commits to Bombers

James Hird says he's wary of Dane Swan's form against Essendon.

Fired-up Essendon defender Jake Carlisle shouts at an opponent. Source: Getty Images

JAKE Carlisle has re-signed with Essendon.

The key defender has penned a new two-year deal that ties him to the club until the end of the 2015 season.

The 21-year-old has been immense in the Bombers backline so far this season and news that he has re-committed himself to the club comes as a massive boost ahead of the Anzac Day showdown with Collingwood tomorrow.

"I couldn't be happier, it's a privilege to play for a club with such a rich and proud history, and it means a lot to recommit to the club that gave me the opportunity and drafted me,'' Carlisle said.

"I'm glad I could get my contract signed so early in the season so I can just focus purely on my football and keep developing my game.''

The Calder Cannons product has played 32 games since being selected by the Bombers with pick No.24 in the 2009 national draft.

To see an extended interview with Carlisle tune in to The Hangar on Fox Footy at 9pm tonight.
 

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