Mighty Joe a steal for the Dons

Bombers coach James Hird is licking his lips at the prospect of the 201cm father-son selection dominating in the ruck and full-forward for the next decade. Watch exclusive footage and analysis of him ahead of the AFL draft.

Joe Daniher, who was drafted to Essendon under the father-son rule, with his happy parents Anthony and Joanne. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

JOE Daniher sprinted towards the half-forward flank. As he reached top speed, he gathered the ball, swung on to his trusty left boot and slotted the goal.

All from outside 50m and hemmed in on the boundary.

The magical Round 8 moment remains Calder Cannons coach Marty Allison's favourite when discussing Essendon's father-son pick.

"It was just ... yeah. I had to pick my jaw up off the ground," Allison said.

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Watch highlights of Daniher and get our expert analysis in the video player above

Vic Metro coach Rohan Welsh had a similar reaction as Daniher slotted 6.4 against Western Australia at Etihad Stadium this year.

Daniher has played 10 games in the past two years, sitting out 2011 with growth plate issues, but it's these glimpses that have Bomber insiders salivating.

Pick Me: The next Brad Sewell - Nick Vlastuin is at home in the trenches

A rival recruiter confirmed Daniher "had all the tools" to be a No.1 pick, if he hadn't been tied to the Dons.

Cannons talent manager Ian Kyte went a step further, declaring Daniher could finish as the TAC Cup's best product yet.

"I saw (Chris Judd, Trent Cotchin and Tom Scully) come through and Joey could finish up as good a player, a different sort, but at that level," Kyte said.

"He marks at the highest point, and with long arms and at a jump, he's taking it at 3 1/2 to 4m. If he can continue to do that on the lead, he'll be hard to beat.

AFL Under 18 Championships at Etihad Stadium. Joe Daniher shoots for goal. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Herald Sun

"With that leap he could be like Dean Cox, going in and out of the forward line and changing with the ruck. The potential is unlimited."

Essendon recruiter Adrian Dodoro said last month when Daniher was signed, the club was "extremely blessed" to land the left-footer at pick 10.

It's high praise but comes with a rider.

"The Bombers supporters should be excited, but they need to lower their expectations and not expect him to play straight away," Allison said.

"He's missed a lot of footy and has a lot of development left."

Daniher remains raw and, after brother Darcy's injury curse, will be carefully managed. He also has some areas he needs to improve.

His inaccurate kicking and desire to go the impossible instead of the team option frustrated at times this year.

Daniher completed a 2km time-trial with the Dons yesterday and said he felt at home walking into Windy Hill, greeted by a painting of uncle Terry on the wall.

The 18-year-old is tipped to spend most of next year developing in the VFL under the guise of Hayden Skipworth, the man who trained Daniher before school three times a week last year.

"He put on 8-9kgs on in (2011),'' Skipworth said earlier this year.

"So we worked on weights and also running techniques, which will hopefully help his hamstrings later on in his career.''

The Dons told Daniher two years ago they would draft the talented teenager, who is now teammates with Dustin Fletcher - who made his AFL debut 335 days before Daniher was born.

THE JOE DANIHER FILE

Age: 18
Height: 201cm
Weight: 89kg
From: Calder Cannons:
Position: Full-forward/ruck
Draft range: Pick 10 to Essendon (father-son)
Plays like: Paul Salmon

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Tippett just wants to be a Swan

Despite an AFL investigation in salary cap breeches, Kurt Tippett is still keen on moving to Sydney to kick goals for the Swans. Picture: George Salpigtidis. Source: Herald Sun

KURT Tippett still wants to play for Sydney, despite the Greater Western Sydney push to pluck him from the Swans' grasp.

Yet even the Swans admit it will take something exceptional for the Adelaide forward to find a way to the reigning premiers in the national or pre-season draft.

Sydney has two realistic chances at procuring Tippett at the expense of GWS - the Giants are bluffing and will overlook him, or he puts a large enough price on his head that even Kevin Sheedy is scared off.

Sydney chief executive Andrew Ireland has been in regular contact with Tippett, who has identified the Swans as the only club he wants to play for.

But as Ireland said this week, given Sydney has only pick 23 in the national draft and the final pick in the pre-season draft, challenges lie ahead.

Some Sydney officials believe the club's hopes of drafting him are fast fading.

``We are hopeful. The reality is when you go to the draft and someone you want is in there, you have to hope the circumstances work out well if you are deep in the draft,'' he said.

``One thing we know is we can't control what other clubs do, we can only control our end. We are still hopeful and Kurt is still hopeful of playing for the Swans.''

Israel Folau's sudden rejection of AFL has less relevance to the Tippett deal than their determination to save some salary cap room for their clutch of high draft picks.

Coach Kevin Sheedy believes if the Giants can secure Tippett and fast-track their contention for the premiership it might off-set the salary cap room it takes up given the kids will want to stay.

Sheedy said yesterday Tippett was the prototype of the type of player he wanted to recruit.

``We would be derelict in our duty if we didn't talk to the young man,'' he said.

``We need a ruck/forward who would be handy for us. The Swans are after him, but we need a marquee player like that. Why wouldn't you want to come to our club?''

Tippett is more likely to put himself in the pre-season draft given there are fewer picks, but GWS has the first pick in that draft.

The Giants have five picks ahead of the Suns in the national draft - 1, 2, 3, 12, 13 - so could use any of those if forced to select him through that draft.

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Dees backs lead time trial

Melbourne defenders Tom McDonald and Daniel Nicholson win today's time trial. Picture: Andrew Henshaw Source: Herald Sun

Melbourne mature-aged recruit David Rodan edges out emerging swingman Jack Watts. Picture: Andrew Henshaw Source: Herald Sun

Melbourne father-son selection Jack Viney toughs it out during the three-kilometre time trial. Picture: Andrew Henshaw Source: Herald Sun

MELBOURNE defenders Tom McDonald and Daniel Nicholson led the Demons in today's three kilometre pre-season time trial around Princes Park.

Nicholson, who turned 22 yesterday, put in a strong performance just days after being promoted to the senior list.

The rebounding defender played 20 matches as a rookie including 11 of the last 14 in 2012.

He missed two matches late in the season with a jaw injury.

Mature-aged rookie James Magner was next over the line followed by co-captain Jack Trengove and Rohan Bail.

The Demons No.26 pick in the national draft, father-son selection Jack Viney, finished in the forward half of the field.

Melbourne elite performance manager Dave Misson was buoyed with the results ahead of "structured" pre-season training on Monday.

"Today was about showing what they really did in the off-season and whether they've come ready to go in the pre-season," Misson told Melbourne's website.

"We've had probably 10 PBs (personal best) out of 20 odd players, a lot of players reached their target times and the ones that didn't, weren't too far over it.

"The boys have got a really good foundation to work from and we're really pleased with the program in place."

Tagger Jordie McKenzie put in a bold front-running effort in his first time-trial while co-captain Jack Grimes ran on his own at AAMI Park.

Meanwhile, veteran David Rodan edged out swingman Jack Watts on the finish line.

The delisted Port Adelaide goal sneak was handed a lifeline by the Demons during last month's trade window.

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Stevens ready to take next step

Western Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney (left) urged recruit Koby Stevens to train hard and put his best foot forward after playing a bit-part role at West Coast. Picture: Getty Images Source: Herald Sun

THERE were a variety of reasons why Koby Stevens left West Coast and one very big one for joining the Western Bulldogs.

The chance to play with one of his best mates from childhood was a no-brainer and one which has made the people at Bairnsdale's Patties Pies factory very happy.

Stevens and Dogs midfielder Clay Smith played junior football together for Lucknow in the East Gippsland Football League.

Their families have been close for years with Stevens' father a manager at the pie factory where both of Smith's parents work.

"We've known each other for 10 years," Stevens said. "Clay and I grew up together and played footy together. He would play in the U/14s and I was playing U/16s but most week's he'd come up and play in the U/16s.

"At Lucknow my old man was the coach and Clay's old man was the runner."

Smith, who was the Dogs first-round pick last year, said the pair spent most weekends together growing up.

"My mum and dad were in a cleaning business and then they got out of it," he said. "They were looking for a job and Koby's dad pretty much got them a job which they've been doing for the last eight or nine years.

"It's pretty exciting how it's all worked out now."

Stevens spent three years at the Eagles and played 11 games but the Bulldogs had kept an eye on his progress and made their move in trade week snaring the 21-year-old in exchange for pick No.44.

"It was a great experience the three years I had there, I had some great coaches and learnt a lot," Stevens said. "I suppose my body over the three years I have got it in good condition that it's AFL ready now.

"There were some pretty good players in my position at West Coast and I was pretty much emergency all through the year which made it tough.

"When I spoke to Macca (Dogs coach Brendan McCartney) he said there was an opportunity here as long as I trained hard and put my best foot forward."

It was a Gippsland Power reunion yesterday with two of Stevens best mates, John Butcher and Campbell Heath, in London with Port Adelaide for the AFL's exhibition match.

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Port face first game without McCarthy

Port Adelaide Power footballer John McCarthy in action. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: adelaidenow

PORT Adelaide players will be free to choose how they honour John McCarthy's memory in Sunday's AFL exhibition match against the Western Bulldogs in London.

The encounter at The Oval will be the first time the Power have played since McCarthy's death on an end-of-season trip to Las Vegas in September.

``It is completely up to the individual. If players want to wear armbands or make a tribute to him they are certainly able to do that,'' acting Port Adelaide captain Hamish Hartlett said.

Port Adelaide have pencilled in a memorial match for the former Collingwood and Power player on April 6 against Greater Western Sydney at AAMI Stadium.

A US coroner last month ruled the cause of McCarthy's death was accidental and Hartlett said McCarthy's passing had pulled the players closer together.

"That bond will continue forever,'' he said. "There is a common link, a few of the Western Bulldogs players were over there (Las Vegas) at the same time and everyone has dealt with it in their own way.

"There is no doubt it has galvanised the group.''
 
Both Port Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs have plenty to prove next year following disappointing campaigns, finishing 14th and  15th respectively this year.

Acting Bulldogs captain Shaun Higgins said a forgettable season meant the south London clash took on more significance.

``If you had a successful year last season it may be a bit of a throw away game,'' he said.

``But for us it is a great opportunity to get together again and to continue building.''

The match, starting at 1530 local time (0230 Sunday AEDT), will be an opportunity for ex-Geelong assistants Brendan McCartney and Ken Hinkley to lock horns for the first time as senior coaches.

McCartney and Hinkley were part of the brains trust during the Cats' 2007 and 2009 premiership campaigns.
McCartney has completed one season in the hot seat at the `Dogs while Hinkley was only handed the top job at
the Power three weeks ago.

``We are pretty lucky that we have spent a lot of good times together and we have had some great success and now an opportunity to use what we have learnt and apply that to our own teams,'' Hinkley said.

``Macca has been doing that for 12 months, I have been in the seat for three seconds and feel like I am not sure what I am doing.

``So when we are finished here, I will talk to Macca and get some clues.''

McCartney said his players would be ordered to entertain an expected crowd of more than 10,000 in south
London.

``We are going to let our boys go for hangers and play and have a bit of fun out there,'' he said.

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Hunt backs Izzy move

Karmichael Hunt has backed Israel Folau's decision to walk away from the AFL. Picture: Kym Smith Source: The Daily Telegraph

AFL convert Karmichael Hunt believes Israel Folau made the right decision to walk away from the AFL rather than continue playing a game his heart wasn't in.

Hunt, who was the first to stun the rugby league world when he walked away from the Brisbane Broncos to sign with the Gold Coast Suns on a multi-million dollar deal, was told of the news while completing altitude training with the Suns in Arizona.

The former Origin and Kangaroo star said Folau had made the right decision for himself.

Neil Cordy: Izzy worth every cent for AFL

"Obviously he felt his heart wasn't in it and I guess it would have been unfair to a lot of people, including himself, if he carried on," Hunt said.

"It's a pretty brave decision on his behalf and I respect his decision."

Hunt said it was unfair to make a judgment on Folau's AFL ability.

"Obviously he has got a lot of potential and ability and I guess that is one question we will never know the answer to," Hunt said.

Hunt also reiterated his strong desire to remain in the AFL.

Folau set to sign with Parramatta

Suns coach Guy McKenna, who has guided Hunt's transformation to legitimate a legitimate AFL player, said fans often under estimated how difficult code-hopping was.

"At times I think we do take it a bit for granted what they have to go through," he said.

"You look at K and (Sydney's) Mike Pyke is the same.

Phil Rothfield: Folau comeback a triumph for NRL

"We shouldn't see this lightly and its massive for these blokes who haven't grown up in the sport."

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No big change to pre-season: Hird

Essendon's pre-season is underway with the Bombers focussing on fitness this summer after fading badly in the second half of the 2012 season and missing the finals.

Essendon players hit the pavement this morning as pre-season begins. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON coach James Hird says the Bombers will not be making dramatic changes to their pre-season program in the wake of this year's soft tissue injury epidemic.

Hird admitted earlier in the year the team's gruelling training load last summer may have contributed to a rash of soft-tissue injuries during the season.

But Hird said today the club did not plan to overhaul its training regime this pre-season.

"We've changed a few things, but we won't change a lot," Hird said.

Essendon training this morning. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

"We think our players, coming into a third pre-season, it's really important that they continue to get the conditioning right.

"So, we won't change too much."

The Bombers returned to pre-season training yesterday, with the players completing back-to-back 2km time trials today around Princes Park.

Midfielder Brent Stanton recorded the best times.

A group of 10 players, mostly midfielders, will head to Colorado tomorrow for a three-week altitude training camp that Hird hopes will fast-track their summer preparation.

"It's the first time that we have tested the waters with altitude training," Hird said.

"The first couple of years we wanted to get a lot of the game down bedded down the way we wanted to play and this pre-season is a little bit more about the fitness levels of our players.

"I think going to Colorado for an altitude training camp for our midfielders is something very exciting for us.

"(We hope to) increase our aerobic ability to probably fast-track their training to a certain extent and to really see if it's something that we want the whole group to do as of next year."

Dustin Fletcher,Paddy Ryder and Scott Gumbleton during their 2km time trial this morning. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

High-profile recruit Brendon Goddard, who has been holidaying overseas, will join his new teammates for the first time on the camp.

"We are very excited to have him come along, but it will be a couple of weeks before our fans get to see him train with us properly," Hird said.

Brownlow medallist Jobe Watson is also in the US and will meet up with the group in Colorado.

Hird said he wanted to see the ``effort'' from out-of-contract pair Ricky Dyson and Brent Prismall on the training track as the club decides whether to give them a spot on the list next season.

"We just want to see them train for a couple of weeks and make sure the effort is there and make sure their bodies stand up to a whole pre-season," Hird said.
 

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Voss: AFL will move on quickly

Lions coach Michael Voss says AFL will quickly get over Israel Folau leaving. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images

ISRAEL Folau's dumping of AFL has barely hurt the code and is just a "mossie bite'' the game will easily overcome, Brisbane Lions coach Michael Voss says.

Voss was adamant the code would not be damaged by Folau's "retirement'' from the game yesterday.

Folau is set to return to rugby league after two unsuccessful years playing AFL, where he kicked two goals valued at $1 million each.

Voss said the fact Folau was not an established AFL star meant there would be few negatives resulting from his return to the game he loves.

Hunt backs Izzy defection

This is despite Folau repeatedly stating he had "no passion" for the game.

"If it was Chris Judd or Jonathan Brown it would hurt,'' he said.

"Our code will carry on. It is bigger than one person.

"There's no black eye. A blemish, a mossie bite maybe.''

Fellow cross-code athlete Karmichael Hunt said his former teammate made a brave decision to leave the Greater Western Sydney Giants.

"I guess it's a pretty brave decision on his behalf and I respect his decision because he felt his heart's not in,'' he told the AFL site.

Izzy gives Giants $1m Tippett carrot

"It would have been unfair to a lot of people, including himself, if he just stayed on and carried on.

"I wish him well.''

Hunt switched from rugby league to AFL at the end of 2009 with Folau following 12 months later when he joined another expansion club Greater Western Sydney.

The pair played for the Brisbane Broncos, Queensland and Australia together.

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Pick Me: Draft analysis series

Get the first look at the AFL's future stars in this preview of draft analysis series 'Pick Me'

Ollie Wines, Lachie Whitfield and Jono O'Rourke, three of the best midfielders in the draft, share a laugh on the first day of testing. They will all feature in the Pick Me draft series. Picture: Getty Images Source: Herald Sun

WANT first look at your club's next superstar?

Get exclusive highlights, expert analysis and find out who your club is looking at when Pick Me launches tomorrow.

The series will examine 20 of the hottest draft prospect across 20 days as we countdown to the November 22 AFL draft.

VIDEO: Watch the Pick Me trailer in the video player above

Find out who boasts the best kick, safest hands and the most ferocious tackling technique and meet your club's next star first.

Each day there will be an exclusive video only  at SuperFooty and a story in your Herald Sun as we unearth the next Steve Johnson, Jobe Watson and Scott Pendlebury.

Who will tomorrow's be?

Get the first look at the AFL's future stars in this preview of draft analysis series 'Pick Me'

 

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Folau the player a total failure

Israel Folau leaves Greater Western Sydney two years before his contract is up, but doesn't know what is next.

GWS Giant Israel Folau didn't work as a player, but did generate publicity in Sydney. Source: HWT Image Library

ANALYSIS: AS an AFL player, Israel Folau was a total, unmitigated, disastrous failure.

He kicked just two goals in 13 matches, amassed 80 thoroughly unconvincing possessions, and looked totally at sea for all but two 30-minute bursts in his two years as an AFL player.

In one pre-season game against Hawthorn, and against the Western Bulldogs in Round 5 we saw small signs that Folau was slowly getting the hang of this complicated, nuanced game.

But apart from that there was virtually nothing - in truth it was depressing to watch.

Yet for an AFL so desperate to get a small foothold into rugby league-dominated western Sydney, this exercise has already served its purpose.

Forget high-profile signings Tom Scully, or Callan Ward, or Phil Davis.

Folau was the mass drawcard that allowed GWS to get media traction into the state, a recognisable face the club could sell itself around.

Kevin Sheedy was the song-and-dance man that drummed up the publicity, but even as he was failing, Folau was still a media-generating machine.

After two years and millions of dollars of wages funded partly by the AFL, he is gone.

Some will say that his departure is irrefutable proof the experiment was a failure in every ways, but in truth it is perfect timing.

If GWS it to survive it has to be as a football club, not a sideshow experiment featuring a former NRL star.

Consider Folau's on-field prospects next year, competing with the likes of Jeremy Cameron, Jon Patton and most likely Kurt Tippett.

He would have been the most expensive reserve-grade forward the competition has ever seen.

That could well have caused more damage than actually still having Folau around at the Giants.

Make no mistake, GWS wants Tippett, as Kevin Sheedy told the Herald Sun this week.

"I think it is very important and we owe it to our fans to get in senior players who are very talented. If you look at the teams which have won premierships, these are the situations which come up. The Swans built themselves up by getting Tony Lockett and Barry Hall. They got those players around 25.

"We are having a look at him, don't worry about that.''

If they can secure him as their new marquee forward, Folau's departure and the salary cap room it creates will be a win-win for both parties.

Folau was never going to become Gold Coast revelation Karmichael Hunt, who honed his body shape and worked and worked until he reawakened his junior AFL pedigree.

Better to get two years of freakishly good publicity from Folau, then allow him return to the sport he was really born to play.

The AFL got its publicity, Folau got his millions, and now the Giants will get on with the enormous task of proving they can eventually become self-sufficient without the AFL's drip-fed allowances.

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GWS back in the race for Tippett

Neil Cordy discusses where Israel Folau will go next.

Kurt Tippett the Giant? Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

WITH Israel Folau's departure from Greater Western Sydney today, Giants chief executive Dave Matthews has confirmed the club will chase Adelaide Crows star forward Kurt Tippett

At a press conference where Folau announced he was quitting AFL after just 13 games, Matthews said the Giants would certainly focus their attention on Tippett.

``We're certainly in there for Kurt Tippett,' Matthews said at the press conference. ``There looked like there was going to be an outcome with Sydney Swans... but now's the time for us to re-engage in those discussions (with Tippett).''

Folau calls it quits on AF career

Folau - who signed a $6 million four-year deal to switch from rugby league to AFL in 2010 - only played out two years of his contract, earning him $4 million.

However that does not mean GWS has a spare $2m to bid for Tippett.

The majority of Folau's contract was paid outside of the salary cap so in theory GWS would have about $250,000-$300,000 to help entice the tall forward to New South Wales.

Folau's wage paid by the club was boosted thanks to a generous marketing allowance.

According to Matthews, the Giants have been in touch with Tippett's management for several weeks.

Last week, AFL official raided Adelaide's offices to examine computer hard drives and bank records after allegations of draft tampering and salary cap breaches.

Because of the investigation, a potential trade between the Crows and Sydney - which needed to be completed last Friday - was stopped by the AFL leaving Tippett's career in the air.

The AFL is unsure just how long the investigation will take to complete but Tippett is able to nominate for the national draft on November 22 or the pre-season draft in December, subject to the findings of the probe.

It is understood Tippett will still try to market his services for $1 million.

If the Crows are found to have dabbled in salary cap breeches, the club could be stripped of draft picks and slapped with heavy fines.

It is still a possibility that Tippett could be deregistered.

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Rising Suns conquer Grand Canyon

Gold Coast Suns players trek through Grand Canyon during the Arizona pre-season camp. Source: Supplied

A TREACHEROUS 26km hike down and up the Grand Canyon faced the Gold Coast Suns junior players and new recruits on day three of the club's training camp in Arizona today.

Some handled the arduous challenge better than others, with Henry Schade and former Fremantle Docker Greg Broughton finishing the hike in 4hr 35mins.

Aaron Hall and Josh Hall both overcame cramps to stop the clock at just over five hours, while teenager Clay Cameron admitted he found the going tough.

"My glutes started to really hurt with about an hour to go, but Tom (Murphy) kept pushing me along," Cameron said.

"It was good to have someone there with you and he got my mind off it by talking about some of the stuff he had been through in his career."

Former Hawthorn defender Murphy paid tribute to Cameron for staying strong.

"He was going all right and he would have got there no doubt but sometimes that stuff is pretty lonely if you're on your own," he said.

Greg Broughton and Henry Schade lead the Gold Coast Suns on the 26km hike through the Grand Canyon. Source: Supplied

"Athletes have to do that on their own but with footy you have got your teammates around you."

Murphy said the fact Cameron got through the trek would do wonders mentally.

"I was just saying to him there are times in your career when you will play injured and you can look back at doing the Grand Canyon walk when you were hurting and know you can get through it," he said.

"It's easy to walk away from the Grand Canyon and think nothing of it, but you can actually take a lot of mental toughness out of it."
 

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Clarke cut from the Saints

Raph Clarke and Brendon Goddard have both left the Saints. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

RAPH Clarke has joined Jason Gram on the St Kilda scrapheap, delisted after 85 games across nine seasons.

Clarke played just three matches under new coach Scott Watters this season.

The Saints made a total of nine list changes, headed by Brendon Goddard who defected to Essendon as a free agent.

Meanwhile, Carlton officially delisted Bret Thornton, who has been linked to an AFL lifeline with Greater Western Sydney.

Former Tiger Andrew Collins was also cut from the Blues.

The Western Bulldogs upgraded lightning quick midfielder Jason Johannisen and ruckman Tom Campbell from their rookie list.

The Dogs will maintain a full rookie list with Mark Austin, Jack Redpath, Lin Jong and Alex Greenwood earning second seasons at Whitten Oval.

ST KILDA OUTS:

Brendon Goddard (Essendon)
Jamie Cripps (West Coast)
Jason Gram (delisted)
Raph Clarke (delisted)
Sam Crocker (delisted)
Brett Peake (delisted)
Dean Polo (delisted)
Daniel Archer (delisted)
Warwick Andreoli (delisted)

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McLachlan: two byes a must for teams

Gillon McLachlan, right, with AFL boss Andrew Demetriou, says AFL teams can expect two byes. Picture: Andrew Filipovic Source: The Daily Telegraph

THE AFL fixture could look drastically different from next season as the league today strengthened its commitment to giving clubs two byes.

The 2013 season will kick off with two standalone Round 1 matches on the weekend of March 22.

That is the weekend, AFL chief operating officer Gillon McLachlan said, all teams would ideally start to allow for a season that contains two byes and still concludes with a Grand Final on the last Saturday in September.

SEE THE FIXTURE IN FULL HERE

That cannot happen currently with cricket occupying the rights to the MCG, SCG and Gabba until the end of March.

Identifying ground availability as ``problematic for us'', McLachlan called on cricket and state governments to be ``pragmatic'' in their approach to the issue.

``They know very clearly our issue, we've made representations to the government,'' McLachlan said.

``I guess we're looking for some constructive solutions. I understand that if Victoria were to host the (Sheffield) Shield final theoretically they need the MCG, but what their minimum standards are and what they need to deliver that ... we're hoping to get some traction with that.

``At the moment it's not ideal.''

The AFL has again adopted the model it introduced this year, whereby six teams are given byes over three consecutive weeks in 2013.

Should cricket relinquish the rights to the 'G, that scenario would occur twice each year conceivably splitting the season in to thirds.

A centre of excellence for Cricket Victoria at the Junction Oval could be the answer to the problem, with plans in place to refurbish the ground to make it capable of hosting Sheffield Shield games.

Cricket Victoria chief Tony Dodemaide said the centre of excellence is the ``obvious solution'' for all parties.

However there is no suggestion such a refurbishment could take place in time for the 2014 season.

``We're certainly still pursuing that as hard as we can and working with the government to make that reality,'' Dodemaide said.

``But I guess the basics of it is that unless we have got somewhere else to go then there's nothing we can do. We simply don't have anywhere else to play first class cricket other than the MCG at the moment.''

The AFL Players Association has led the charge for additional breaks.

And AFLPA general manager of player relations Ian Prendergast said his organisation would continue to push the AFL on the issue.

``While we have been unable to achieve that for 2013 due to ground availability, we will continue to work with the AFL on the inclusion of two-byes for the 2014 season and are pleased that the AFL is making this a significant priority,'' Prendergast said.

McLachlan said the issue was understandably ``priority one, two and three'' for the players.

But he denied the push was related to the AFL's mooted move to a capped interchange system in 2014.

``Our players are crying out for a rest ... I think this is independent of that,'' McLachlan said.

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Wilkinson burns Suns field

Gold Coast midfielder Joel Wilkinson was six seconds faster than any other Suns player in today's time trial in Arizona. Picture: David Clark Source: Herald Sun

TAGGER Joel Wilkinson confirmed his status as the fittest player on the Suns list after dominating the gruelling two kilometre time trial in Arizona today.

Wilkinson finished six seconds ahead of Jeremy Taylor in the gut-busting hit out, which kicked off a tough second day for the 42-strong Gold Coast squad.

Wilkinson was pleased with the effort but said the job was far from done yet.

"It was a similar time to what I ran in the second 2km time trial in Arizona last year, so it's good to know I've adapted quicker to the conditions this year," Wilkinson said.

"But my aim is to be the fittest player in the competition, so I have to push myself harder every day."

Some handled the effects of running at high altitude better than others.

New recruit Tom Murphy said it felt like he had a constantly tightening belt strapped around his chest, while Jared Brennan likened the time trial to carrying 59kg in a Melbourne Cup.

The two kilometre dash was followed by 40 minutes of trail running before a solid weight session and one hour of body balance in the afternoon.

Suns new fitness boss Stephen Schwerdt said he was impressed by the squad's attitude in the opening days.

"I love their attitude and willingness to do whatever has been asked," Schwerdt said.

"But the test is still to come and we are only in the early stages of the camp and everyone is still pretty upbeat.

"But they will get tired and grumpy and start missing home and that's when it will get really challenging."

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Host club deal to last 'forever'

All West Coast players, such as midfielder Adam Selwood, will play for East Perth in the WAFL from 2014 when not required for AFL duty. Picture: Will Russell Source: PerthNow

WEST Coast and Fremantle say they hope their host club arrangements with East Perth and Peel will last forever despite the historic deal being for a minimum of five years.

Eagles CEO Trevor Nisbett and Dockers counterpart Steve Rosich said they no longer held ambitions to field stand alone teams in the WAFL and that they believed the alignment model would be a success.

"I hope it's going to be in place forever and a day. I think that this looks like a sustainable model, a model that can help the other clubs,'' Nisbett said.

"I think the injection of funds into the competition initially will be the catalyst to help the other clubs and I think the next step is then to ensure that the other seven clubs who aren't partners get the opportunity to recruit well and hopefully we'll revitalise the competition again and make sure that we've got a really good, viable competition for ever and a day.''

WA's two AFL clubs submitted a proposal for stand alone teams in the WAFL, expanding the competition to 11 teams, last year but the request was knocked back by the WA Football Commission.

"It's taken a long time. Obviously we needed to make sure we got things right and we think the Football Commission have done a pretty good job in trying to get the two clubs in partnership with the two AFL clubs so that you've got a willing partner,'' Nisbett said.

"At one stage six months ago, or probably even three months ago, we didn't know whether this would come off and we're very pleased that it has.

East Perth consulted West Coast over the recent appointment of Brian Dawson as league coach. Dawson has a long history with the Eagles as a fitness coach and sports science consultant.

Fremantle CEO Steve Rosich said the Dockers were happy for new Peel coach Cam Shepherd to fulfill his two-year contract.

"One of the positive things is that the Peel Football Club are very positive about this arrangement, so from that perspective we're very happy to be with Peel,'' Rosich said.

"They're a young club, a club that we're very much looking forward to working with to develop both on and off the field.''

Rosich said finding the annual payment of $450,000 to fund the deal would be difficult.

"That's on top of the amount we're already paying to the West Australian Football Commission, so it will mean that the total amount we're paying to the Football Commission will exceed $5m quite easily in 2014,'' he said.

"That's a challenge for us, that's money that we have to find and this is a tight and tough business to run. So a challenge we are looking forward to, because it is strategically important.

"Have we paid over the odds? It's a negotiated amount, but it's a little bit more than we wanted to pay.''

Peel president John Ditchburn said the club considered the proposal carefully before comitting.

"It has been the desire of both AFL clubs to have all their players not selected in their respective AFL teams to play and train together,'' Ditchburn said.

"Further to this, a review by all WAFL clubs established that it was in the best interests of the WAFL competition that the AFL players not selected in their respective AFL sides, remain in the WAFL competition. Under the partnership model these outcomes can be achieved.

"We also believe it will assist our future growth and development both on and off the field, and, importantly, help attract and retain local players from the Peel region, which is a growth region in WA.''
 

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AFL unveils 2013 fixture

Hawthorn fans show their support on Grand Final Day. Picture: Blair Hamish Source: Herald Sun

THE AFL is set to release the fixture for the 2013 home-and-away season.

St Kilda is believed to be one of the big winners of 2013, while Collingwood faces the prospect of five interstate trips.

Scroll down for Round 1 2013 match-ups

Meanwhile, Essendon is expected to face-off against arch-rivals Carlton on June 7 to mark 140th anniversary of club's first game in 1873.

ONES TO WATCH:

>> Bomber Goddard v St Kilda
>> Hawks-Swans Grand Final replay
>> Demon Dawes v Collingwood

Live chat with Herald Sun football writer Matt Windley from 10am (AEDT) tomorrow.

What we know of 2013:

ROUND 1

Friday, March 22
Adelaide v Essendon at AAMI Stadium
Saturday, March 23
Fremantle v West Coast at Patersons Stadium

Thursday, March 28
Carlton v Richmond at the MCG
Saturday, March 30
Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium
Gold Coast v St Kilda at Metricon Stadium
Greater Western Sydney v Sydney Swans at ANZ STadium
Sunday, March 31
Melbourne v Port Adelaide at the MCG
North Melbourne v COllingwood at Etihad Stadium
Monday, April 1
Hawthorn v Geelong at the MCG

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Giants retain Brogan, Cornes

Giants ruckman Dean Brogan will line up for his 13th AFL season. Picture: Brett Costello Source: The Daily Telegraph

GREATER Western Sydney veterans Dean Brogan and Chad Cornes will line up for the Giants in 2013.

It's expected Brogan, 33, will be used as a back up for Jonathan Giles while young ruckman Andrew Phillips is given more time to develop.

Meanwhile, the Giants have delisted Rhys Cooyou after just one game in 2012.

Cooyou joined the club as a rookie in 2010.

Giants football manager Graeme Allan said the club was pleased to have a player of Brogan's experience lining up for the club.

"Dean has been a fantastic acquisition for the club, not just as a player but also helping develop our young ruckmen and I'm delighted he will continue in both of those roles next year," Allan said.

The Giants have picks 1, 2, 3, 12, 14 and 28 in next month's AFL draft.

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Hawks cut Osborne on a promise

Michael Osborne is helped off the MCG after injuring his knee. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

HAWTHORN has delisted Michael Osborne with the view of selecting the small forward in the pre-season draft.

Osborne played just seven games in 2012 after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament.

Hawks football operations manager Mark Evans said the club was committed to helping Osborne during his rehabilitation period.

"Michael will continue to train with the squad with the aim of being re-listed by the pre-season draft in December."

Hawthorn has also cut injury-prone ruckman Broc McCauley, Adam Pattinson and Tom Schneider as the clubs prepares for next month's national draft.

The pre-season draft is on December 11.

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New Tiger already in hot water

Former Roo Aaron Edwards is in trouble. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Sunday Herald Sun

SuperFooty's Matt Windley and Sam Edmund review the furious final days of the AFL trade period.

RICHMOND'S recruit of last week, Aaron Edwards, is this week in trouble.

Edwards was fined for being drunk in a public place early on Sunday morning and faces internal discipline from the Tigers - just three days after joining his new club.

Richmond confirmed the incident in a statement today.

It is understood Edwards was found on Collins St and spent about four hours behind bars.

Edwards was traded to the Tigers for pick No. 74 in next month's draft after 77 games with North Melbourne.

The Tigers are the 28-year-old's third club after he was snaffled by West Coast in 2005, where he played four games.

Edwards has slotted 123 goals in 81 games at the top level.

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Wood chopped by the Pies

Cameron Wood has been cut by the Pies. Picture: Darren England Source: The Courier-Mail

COLLINGWOOD has lost faith in under performing ruckman Cameron Wood, chopping the first-round pick as part of another five list changes.

The Pies also delisted untried ruckman Jon Ceglar, pint-sized forwards Kirk Ugle and Luke Brown and former Melbourne big-bodied midfielder Simon Buckley.

Wood finished with 64 games after costing the Pies pick 14 in the 2007 draft.

Collingwood sent that pick to Brisbane in exchange for Wood, who was initially drafted with pick No. 18.

The Demons seized the 2007 ontraded pick and snared co-captain Jack Grimes.

Pick Me preview: Exclusive highlights of your club's next superstar

Pies coaching strategist Rodney Eade recently hinted Wood could be on the way out, declaring his season had been disappointing.

The Pies are hoping 209cm beanpole Jarrod Witts can break through for senior action in 2013 as veteran Darren Jolly nears the end of his career.

Nathan Buckley's side has now turned over 13 players this off-season, headed by trade targets Chris Dawes (Melbourne), Sharrod Wellingham (West Coast) and young defender Tom Young (Western Bulldogs).

"All of the boys did what they could to give themselves a chance and they were good people to have around the club," Pies football manager Geoff Walsh said.

"People don't always see what sacrifices are made to try to forge an AFL career. We thank all of them for that effort and wish them well."

Collingwood holds prized picks 18, 19 and 21 in next month's national draft and will also dominate the rookie draft.

The Pies cleared their rookie list last month and the AFL has reduced the amount of space on rookie lists for next season.

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Butcher says Jacobs can still stay

Ben Jacobs can stay at Alberton. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: The Advertiser

PORT Adelaide forward John Butcher has reached out to stranded teammate Ben Jacobs, who was unable to find a new home during the trade period.

Butcher says Jacobs – who wanted to be traded to North Melbourne – would be welcomed back by the playing group should he decide to return to Alberton.

"I gave him a few calls before his decision to go back and he told me the reasons why he wanted to go back,'' Butcher revealed.

Pick Me preview: Exclusive highlights of your club's next superstar

"You could understand those reasons from his point of view. I've already sent him a message post the trade not going through and I'm pretty keen to have a chat with him on the phone.

"I think a lot of boys have been in contact since the trade period as we will all welcome him back with open arms. We'd love to get him back because he's going to be a pretty handy footballer.''

Jacobs, a first-round draft pick, sought a return to Victoria due to family reasons, with his girlfriend moving back to Melbourne earlier this year.

He must now take his chances through the national or pre-season draft should he choose not to continue with the Power.

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Campbell, Garlett head Roo culls

Matt Campbell has been delisted. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

UNTRIED Sudanese ruckman Majak Daw and mature-age star Sam Gibson have officially been elevated to North Melbourne's senior list, but four prolific goalkickers have been delisted.

The Roos today revealed Matt Campbell, Cruize Garlett, Ben McKinley, Ben Speight and Ben Warren would all be cut from their senior list.

Speedster Campbell played 15 matches this season but was arrested last month after he "went to town" kicking and seriously denting a car after being thrown out of Crown casino.

Campbell 25, has played 82 career games and was linked to a move to Port Adelaide in trade period.

Warren and McKinley consistently fired for VFL affiliate Werribee, combining for 97 goals to power the Tigers to a preliminary final.

But with North's array of star tall timber only Warren could crack through for a senior match this season, playing one game.

Garlett played seven matches this season and was seeking a return to Perth in the trade period.

North's off-cuts can now be signed by rivals as delisted free agents between November 1-13.

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We couldn't let Brown go, says Woosha

KEY MAN: John Worsfold and West Coast were desperate to hold onto key defender Mitch Brown. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

WEST Coast coach John Worsfold says the club could not afford to let Mitch Brown go home because a lack of key defensive depth could have sabotaged the club's 2013 premiership tilt.

But despite West Coast insisting contracted Brown was not up for trade, it is understood the Eagles were prepared to let him go to St Kilda, as long as they could secure a replacement key defender through a three-way deal.

But Essendon backman Cale Hooker, a 24-year-old East Fremantle product who has played 66 games for the Bombers, refused to return home, scuttling Brown's wish to shift to the Saints.

Brown's manager, Liam Pickering, said yesterday he believed a three-way deal involving Brown, Hooker and Jamie Cripps was over the line on Thursday night.

Worsfold spoke to Brown, who is holidaying overseas, by telephone on Friday afternoon and said the powerful utility was "really positive" about remaining with the Eagles next season.

"He saw an opportunity to be in the starting 18 at another club, along with an attractive contract offer, but he also understood that we wouldn't let him go at the cost of our squad being massively depleted and at risk of not being able to achieve what it can achieve next year," Worsfold said.

Brown played just eight games as a fill-in key defender this season, with Darren Glass, Eric Mackenzie and Will Schofield preferred ahead of him.

But given Glass turns 32 next season and the Eagles have limited developing tall defensive options, Brown, 23, is viewed as important for the future. His upbeat attitude, despite being repeatedly dropped to the WAFL, helped him earn the Chris Mainwaring Medal as best clubman at the West Coast club champion awards three weeks ago.

The following day Brown requested a trade back to his home state of Victoria for more opportunity.

Worsfold said he hoped Brown would re-sign with the Eagles beyond next season, when his current deal expires.

"Mitch is very comfortable," Worsfold said. "He loves the club.

"We would love to have him here and play a lot of games and be a life member and hopefully a premiership player at this footy club. I'm confident if he stays he can achieve those things."

Essendon's list manager Adrian Dodoro praised Hooker's loyalty after he knocked back a deal to join West Coast.

"We got an offer late (Thursday) night for Cale and to his credit he didn't want to leave Essendon," Dodoro said.

St Kilda was seething after missing out on Brown, given they facilitated a request from Cripps to return to his home state and join the Eagles in a trade involving draft picks.

"Like Mitch Brown wanting to return home, we were compassionate that Jamie wanted to return to Western Australia. Our preference for Jamie was to stay at the club, but he made it clear he wanted to be home with family,'' Saints head of football Chris Pelchen said.

"We made several offers to West Coast in the last couple of hours to try and get Mitch across the line."

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West Coast trades 'omen'

NEW FACES: Midfielder Sharrod Wellingham and fellow recruits Cale Morton and Jamie Cripps will add midfield pace at West Coast. Source: Herald Sun

WEST Coast Eagles coach John Worsfold has compared the club's trade spree to when the Eagles brought in Tyson Stenglein and Daniel Chick in the lead-up to the 2006 premiership.

The Eagles won't have a pick in the first two rounds of the national draft and will be the last team to enter the ballot when they have their first selection at 46.

It is a rare departure from West Coast's usual strategy, which has involved largely sitting on the sidelines during the trade period and preserving early draft picks.

The Eagles instead focused on bringing in running players via trades, securing Collingwood premiership midfielder Sharrod Wellingham, along with fellow West Australians Jamie Cripps (St Kilda) and Cale Morton (Melbourne).

In the lead-up to its last flag, West Coast identified a need to add strong bodies and gave up first-round draft picks to trade in Hawthorn hard nut Chick and Adelaide Crows midfielder Stenglein.

"We had a team we felt was very close and we needed to add what was missing," Worsfold said.

"This year's been a little bit of the same philosophy.  I think prior to this year we've used our draft picks pretty well, and we weren't going to have a really high pick anyway, so it's a good time for us to go down this pathway."

West Coast's willingness to sit out of the opening two rounds of the draft for the first time is a clear signal it believes its squad is capable of going all the way next year, although Worsfold shied away from the premiership mode tag.

"I don't call it premiership mode, I call it building your list and making it better," he said.

"But if we weren't in really good touch then we might have a really high draft pick and you'd want to take that draft pick.''

Worsfold signalled his intent to add speed to the midfield immediately after West Coast crashed out of the finals with a 13-point loss to Collingwood in the semi-final at the MCG.

Ironically, it was one of the players in the Magpies team who the Eagles had identified as a crucial addition.

"I'm really keen to see Sharrod fit into our midfield mix and watch him develop there," Worsfold said.

"He's got some pace and can play inside as well as outside. He's a good tackling player, so he fills a few things.

"I think he's still got some improvement to come and he's been a solid player for the past couple of years."

The Eagles lost veteran forward Quinten Lynch to Collingwood through free agency, while midfielder Koby Stevens was traded to the Western Bulldogs and half-back Lewis Stevenson to Port Adelaide.

West Coast is likely to make a couple of delistings early this week, ahead of Wednesday's first list lodgement deadline.

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Saints take in heights

Former Western Bulldogs fitness trainer Bill Davoren is taking the Saints to America. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

ST KILDA expects next month's Colorado training camp to develop into an annual high-altitude staple, along the same lines as Collingwood's visits to Arizona over the past decade.

"My understanding is it's a fairly long-standing commitment to make this an annual part of the pre-season regime," St Kilda high-performance manager Bill Daveron said.

Daveron, who joined St Kilda this month, said the Saints would gather the list in the days after the November 22 national draft and head to Boulder, Colorado, for a 16-day camp.

The team will fly out on November 27 and base itself at University of Colorado.

The group will stay at a hotel on the edge of the campus that is "within jogging distance of all the training facilities" and will incorporate several hikes in its itinerary.

A former Triathlon Australia head coach whose experience with altitude training dates to 1991, Daveron said Boulder was the training base for several high-profile Australian endurance athletes, such as four-time Olympic marathon runner Benita Willis and three-time ironman triathlon world champion Craig Alexander. Davoren hoped to involve one of them in the Saints camp.

"Boulder's been a bit of a Mecca for distance runners, but also for cycling and triathlon," Davoren said.

"I'm not sure that Craig will be there, but I'm working on getting an elite athlete from the endurance field to come in, talk to them and be involved."

The Saints may also look to take in some major sport while they are in Colorado. NFL team the Denver Broncos play Tampa Bay on December 2, while NBA outfit the Denver Nuggets play Toronto the following day.

While training at 1650m will improve the players' endurance and repeat-effort capacity, the Saints' new sports science manager, former Melbourne Storm guru Simon Kearney, will also examine sleep programs and conduct blood analysis.

"We're over there for 16 days which is what you need to put together an adequate exposure and training program," Davoren said, adding the expectation was to follow up with training sessions in the club's Seaford altitude chamber throughout season 2013.

"We might try to get some people into the altitude room a couple of times a week during the season, but that varies depending on their loads and fatigue and those sorts of things."

The club's 2012 draftees and its injured players will take part in the camp. Lenny Hayes, who had corrective heart surgery last month to repair a leaky valve, will also make the trip.

"He's certainly going on the trip," Davoren said. "Look there'll certainly be some modifications around Lenny, and that will be driven by the medical team, but the aim is that he'll be taking part in a number of the activities with us.

"Any players in rehab will continue on their programs and, because the facilities are so good, if anything we'll be able to monitor them more closely."

St Kilda's pre-season begins with the young players training on the day before the Melbourne Cup, and the older players resuming on November 12.
 

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Freo could be 'lite' Eagles with move

STANDING FIRM: Chris Lewis (second from left) and Keep Freo in Freo members Richard Utting, Peter Newman and Peter Dowding are keen for the Dockers to remain at Fremantle Oval. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: PerthNow

FREMANTLE board nominee Chris Lewis says the Dockers risk becoming "West Coast Eagles lite" if they turn their back on their heritage and set up a new training base in Cockburn.

Lewis, one of six candidates who have nominated for the member-elected board position, is one of the founders of the Keep Freo In Freo lobby group and is running on a platform to fight for the Dockers to remain at Fremantle Oval.

The corporate consultant has launched both traditional advertising and online campaigns and believes he is a strong chance of being elected.

Lewis is running against former Fremantle captain Peter Mann, sitting director Kate Grieve, real estate director John Garland, Keystart Home Loans chief financial officer John Vojkovich and Summit Fertilizers executive Murray Browne.

Online voting opens at 9am tomorrow and closes at 5pm on November 26.

The Dockers have spent several months considering whether to redevelop their traditional training base, or move to a greenfields site known as Cockburn Central West.

A decision was originally expected by the end of the recent season but The Sunday Times understands this may now not be made until early next year.

Lewis praised the direction of the club under president Steve Harris and CEO Steve Rosich, but said it was clear members wanted the Dockers to be based in Fremantle.

"It's a wonderful organisation, a great club and a great business: it's got a lot of things going for it," he said.

"The Dockers have endless potential and are just starting to get somewhere. We just need to make sure it stays on track and works alongside its members."

Lewis said the Dockers needed to understand their attachment to Fremantle gave the club an important geographic and historic link not enjoyed by their cross-town rivals.

"The Dockers do have a unique identity," he said. "The opportunity is to capitalise on that.

"One of the risks of moving away is we end up being West Coast Eagles lite.

"Just like watering down a beer, we would be watering down the strength, the passion, the heartland of the entire Dockers movement.

"I've put my hand up as a members' representative: someone who will actually get up and say things and take a strong stand on matters and pursue the Keep Freo in Freo stand."

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