My five-year plan for a Giants leap

GWS assistant coach Leon Cameron succeeds Kevin Sheedy as senior coach in 2014. Picture: Michael Klein. Source: Herald Sun

LEON Cameron may be a year away from succeeding Kevin Sheedy as head coach, but he has already outlined his plan to propel the Greater Western Sydney Giants into the AFL's top four within five years.

The Giants finished their inaugural season in top-flight footy in last place with just two wins.

But with a collection of the country's best young talent at their disposal after successive drafts weighted heavily in their favour, Cameron is bullish about his club's future.

"We've got an outstanding list of what could be 17 or 18 A-graders in two years," Cameron told The Daily Telegraph.

"I'm confident in four or five years' time we will be competing at the pointy end, which in my mind is the top four.

"There's pressure at any club in the AFL whether you are 18th, fifth or first. There is expectation everywhere. They're an exciting group."

Cameron will inherit one of the plum jobs in the AFL at the end of next season when he replaces Sheedy at the helm of the Giants.

It is a measure of how highly Cameron is is rated that he was awarded the post ahead of Mark Williams, who led Port Adelaide to a premiership and boasted an impressive 55 per cent win-loss ratio over his 12 seasons at the Power.

Cameron turned down the Port job to be part of the Giants' succession plan and to nurture some of the best young talent in the land.

The 40-year-old has an impressive football resume, but Giants chairman Tony Shepherd told The Daily Telegraph it was his character that won him the job at the Giants.

"When Leon made his presentation to us he didn't start talking about football - he told us what sort of a person he was and what he valued," Shepherd said.

"He spoke about teamwork and how everyone at the club was all in it together."

We've got a lot of talent but they're also a bunch of competitors

After 256 games as a player for the Western Bulldogs and Richmond, Cameron spent seven years working with Rodney Eade at the Western Bulldogs and the last two under Alastair Clarkson at Hawthorn.

Cameron will serve as an assistant for another season under Kevin Sheedy before ascending to the top job.

That's when the pressure will come, given the expectation that after two full seasons and a couple of favourable drafts the Giants should be ready to climb off the bottom of the ladder.

"I don't shy away from the fact we've got an exciting group," Cameron said. "We've got a lot of talent but they're also a bunch of competitors.

"You wrap talent, excitement and competitiveness all in one then it allows the team to do well.

"The challenge is to mix that all into a strong culture - like the Sydney Swans."

The Swans are officially the competition benchmark after a stunning 2012 campaign, and Cameron is unapologetic about his intention to replicate Sydney's strong footy culture at his fledgling club.

"The talent they have is fantastic but the culture they have created is absolutely outstanding," Cameron said. "Everyone knows what their role is at that footy club.

"If we can take a bit of what Sydney have done then we're heading in the right direction."

A year under Sheedy will complete an impressive coaching apprenticeship for Cameron.

"He's been in the game for 40 years as a coach and player," Cameron said of Sheedy. "The next 12 months are a great opportunity to run my ideas past Kevin. That's the attractiveness of coming to the Giants.

"I'm influenced by everyone I've been coached by.

"Terry Wheeler was my first coach at the Western Bulldogs.

"He was very honest and had great empathy for his players.

"As a 17 year-old, that had a big influence.

"Terry Wallace had a lot of new ideas. He was the one who started warm ups on the ground before we played. He was also a great teacher.

"Allan Joyce showed me the Hawthorn way and Danny Frawley had genuine passion and cared for his group of players."

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Laws to combat AFL's hard knocks

Kurt Tippett in the hands of Crows medical staff after being concussed. Picture: Tait Schmaal. Source: adelaidenow

THE AFL's concussion management guidelines are set for another overhaul following an international conference on the issue.

Soon after fining North Melbourne $20,000 for a lack of co-operation with an investigation into the way it handled Lachlan Hansen's heavy head knock in round 20, the league said it would revise its concussion rules for the 2013 season.

This comes after the AFL had three representatives, including AFL Medical Commissioner Dr Peter Harcourt, attend the Fourth International Consensus Conference on Concussion in Sport in Zurich last week.

"This global conference has again provided us with invaluable information that can be applied to our own concussion management policies," Dr Harcourt said.

"The AFL had strong representation at the conference and the management of concussion in the AFL was discussed.

"It confirmed that the AFL concussion strategy is robust and reflects current best practice."

But changes are in the wind.

The AFL is proposing to include a requirement for club doctors to make greater use of video footage of the injury incident in their assessment of player fitness.

There will also be a necessity for medical supervision of any follow-up self-assessment tests conducted by players.

The AFL will also adopt a "completely new approach" to the management of concussion in children, including those involved in the Auskick program.

The conference reinforced the AFL's approach that there is no scientific evidence that helmets prevent concussion or other brain injuries.

On the advice of the AFL and medical staff, wantaway Crow Kurt Tippett did not wear a helmet this year despite being concussed three times in five weeks.

"The evidence presented reinforced the AFL's current approach to the use of helmets, that is, there is no definitive scientific evidence that helmets specifically prevent concussion or other brain injuries in Australian football," Dr Harcourt said.

The new consensus guidelines will be released in March.

The Kangaroos, meanwhile, have been hit hard in the hip pocket after the AFL found them guilty of breaching a rule that requires clubs to fully co-operate and provide all relevant information and evidence to AFL investigators. Half of the club's $20,000 fine will be suspended for three years.

Football operations manager Adrian Anderson said the AFL found insufficient evidence to substantiate a breach of its concussion rules over the treatment of Hansen but that it was extremely concerned by North's lack of co-operation during an investigation into his welfare.

"Whilst there was no finding that there was any attempt to deliberately mislead investigators, North Melbourne now accepts that its conduct at times was not at a standard acceptable to an AFL investigation," Anderson said.

Key forward Hansen was assisted from the ground in a groggy state and later returned to the field during North's 24-point win against Essendon in round 20.

The AFL investigation was sparked when Roos' co-vice-captain Drew Petrie said on radio that he had seen Hansen vomiting at half-time.

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Lions not tempted on Tippett

Kurt Tippett leaves Adelaide for Queensland back in October, before his controversial decision to leave the Crows. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: adelaidenow

ADELAIDE was prepared to cash in and trade Kurt Tippett to Brisbane last year for a boom SA youngster and a draft pick, it has been revealed.

As the Crows await their punishment from the AFL for salary cap breaches, a key Adelaide insider said the club tried to deal for either Jared Polec or Jack Redden when the Lions pushed hard to sign Tippett in last year's trade period.

Queenslander Tippett had agreed to a move north but a trade fell through when the Lions refused to offer anything more than pick 12 and their compensatory selection at No. 30.

"If Polec or Redden was offered to us then Kurt would probably be a Brisbane player now," said the source, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"Kurt was under contract at the time but we feared we might lose him at the end of this year anyway so we tried to work what we thought would be a good deal for both clubs.

"Jared was certainly keen to come home but unfortunately Brisbane didn't come to the party."

Adelaide would have accepted either midfielder, Polec or Redden, and draft pick number 30 for Tippett.

The Crows have long been admirers of former Woodville-West Torrens wingman Polec, who was drafted at pick five in the 2010 national draft, while it also rates former Glenelg ball-magnet Redden highly.

Lions national talent manager Rob Kerr - who now looks certain to miss out on Tippett for a second consecutive year as the key forward pushes for a move to premier Sydney - said his club wasn't prepared to give up one of its key midfielders.

"Had we agreed to move one of our South Australian youngsters, then a deal may have been done," Kerr said.

"Kurt and his management had, at that time, agreed to the move if a trade could be completed.

"But just like Adelaide, we valued our players and are backing ourselves in as a club to retain these highly rated youngsters."

The Crows' attempts to get draft pick eight from Brisbane also failed as it kept the selection to draft classy teenage tall Billy Longer from Northern under-18s.

Brisbane made another big play for Tippett in this year's trade period but looks set to lose him to Sydney, which he surprisingly nominated as his preferred club.

The AFL quashed a trade because of side deals in Tippett's last contract but will likely allow him to enter the national draft on November 22.

The Lions pick well before the Swans but Tippett is understood to have put a $1 million-a-season price tag on his head, which makes it tough for rivals to match as Sydney has extra money in its salary cap.

Kerr said quality key forwards were "rare beasts".

"As one of our recruiters outlined, there are about 12 genuinely good ones in the world, and the rest are either hopefuls developing or are not going to make it," he told the AFL website. "Hence our interest in Kurt Tippett."

Kerr said the Lions were still monitoring Tippett's availability but admitted that Sydney was well placed as its initial offer would be very difficult for other clubs to match.

Kerr hit out at the Swans being allowed to have an extra 9.8 per cent total player payment allowance because of the harbour city's cost of living expenses, claiming it was too much of a free kick.

"The AFL is now managing several questions about the evenness of the competition," he said.

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Hansen quits WAFL to join Bulldogs

LEAVING WA: Swan Districts forward and West Coast premiership player Ashley Hansen is returning to Victoria. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

WEST Coast premiership forward Ashley Hansen has called an end to his WAFL career with Swan Districts and will return to Melbourne to begin a job as a development coach with the Western Bulldogs.

Hansen played 78 games with the Eagles and 98 matches with Swans since moving west after being drafted by the Eagles 11 years ago.

The 29-year-old was the WAFL's leading goalkicker this season with 67 goals from 14 games and his departure leaves Swan Districts coach Greg Harding with a big hole to fill as the club seeks to build on its preliminary final appearance.

Hansen will begin a new career as a development coach at the Bulldogs tomorrow, in a role that also incorporates some sports science work. He has a sports science degree and is completing a masters in strength and conditioning.

"Over the last two years I've probably realised that the AFL industry is where my passion is," Hansen said.

"It's a perfect position for the way I want to head and I'm really impressed with the direction the Dogs are heading."

Hansen said he had a strong interest in both coaching and sports science.

"I'm not having an each-way bet, but I think your career evolves and I've definitely got a passion for both areas," he said.

"I think I've got a lot of experiences from my time in the game. Losing a Grand Final, winning a Grand Final, having to move interstate, having to work for a couple of years on a list and wait for opportunity; they're all experiences that hopefully I can help young players with."

Hansen's AFL career came to an abrupt end when he was delisted by West Coast at the end of the 2010 season at just 27 but he said he held no animosity towards the Eagles.

"I'd never carry regret. I've got too many great memories of that club and too many great friends,'' he said.

"You want to play for as long as you can, but the direction they were heading was definitely the right one and we've seen that by the rise of so many younger players and now being a serious premiership contender."

Hansen said his career highlights were his debut against Collingwood in 2004 and the 2006 flag triumph over Sydney after the Eagles had suffered an agonising loss to the Swans the previous year.

"That was amazing to be part of. The character that group showed that year is something I'll carry with me in the AFL life in a lot of different areas," he said.

"It just taught me and I think the group a lot about having a really strong resolve and that with having a strong mindset you can overcome anything."

Hansen said calling time on his WAFL career was the hardest element of his decision.

"The lure of always going one more year is there but I didn't want to run my body completely into the ground," he said.

"I've played footy every winter since I was nine years of age, so to be finishing up now, I think the first few rounds of the season will be hard not being out there."
 

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Tough Garner shoulders load

The late developer boasts skill as a medium sized forward with great hands, springs in his legs, and agility that allows him to twist and turn out of any situation.

Taylor Garner is shaping as a first-round selection. Photo: Michael Willson/AFL Media) Source: Herald Sun

TAYLOR Garner remembers lying on the ground in agony, his left shoulder dislocated after he dived for a mark.

The freakish half-forward was impressing in Vic Country's first match and desperate to not let his left arm, which he first tore last year, ruin his draft chances.

Garner played out the match. Two weeks later he fronted up against Western Australia.

Pick Me: The next Heath Shaw is a running machine

Again, his shoulder popped out. Again, in a marking contest and again in the second quarter.

Again, Garner battled on.

This time he was Country's best with a trio of goals from 20 touches and six tackles.

s45wg202 TAC Cup football. Oakleigh Chargers (red Blue) V Dandenong Stingrays (yellow) at Warrawee Park, Oakleigh. Oakleigh's Kieran Nolan and Dandenong's Taylor Garner Picture: Josie Hayden Source: Herald Sun

Garner finished the carnival, dislocating his shoulder in every match but downplaying the injury to ensure his place in the side wasn't jeopardised.

He returned to the Dandenong Stingrays for one game where coach Graeme Yeats said he climbed over "a pack of eight blokes and took this speccy'' before hurting his shoulder again and coming clean on the extent of his injuries.

With an All-Australian selection in his pocket and an AFL graduation at month's draft seemingly secured, Garner booked in for reconstructive surgery to prevent his shoulder from further loosening.

"It went every game. It didn't tickle, I definitely felt the pain,'' Garner said.


"It's just that next contest where you're a little bit scared but apart from that (it was) all good,'' Garner said.

Garner's rapid rise onto AFL radars was short but sweet.

Pick Me: The next Sam Mitchell is a clearance king

He played TAC Cup for the first time this year, storming into the Round 1 side despite bruising in his knee limiting his pre-season and keeping him out of practice matches.

"We thought he might play Round 4 or 5 for us, but he ended up being almost the first kid we picked in Round 1 on the back of his training,'' Yeats said.

"He's mercurial, but he's got a bit of mongrel in him. When he doesn't have the ball he's an animal.''

Garner wants to develop into a midfielder in the Ryan O'Keefe mould.

S44os895 TAC CUp Footy- Dandy v Western Jets at Shelpley Oval. Pictured is stingrays # 12 Taylor Garner Picture: Loughnan,paul Source: Herald Sun

"I'd just chuck my body in, I'm not afraid to get hurt. I can't see myself being that outside guy and waiting for the ball.''

Three months on from surgery and Garner, who quit year 12 halfway through last year to start a plumbing apprenticeship, is still in rehab but nearly every club has spoken to the flashy utility and expects him to make a full recovery.

TAYLOR GARNER



AGE: 18
HEIGHT: 186cm
WEIGHT: 77kg
FROM: Dandenong Stingrays
POSITION: Half-forward
DRAFT RANGE: 14-22
IN THE MIX: GWS (14), Cats (16), Freo (17), Pies (18), Dogs (22)

PLAYS LIKE: Nat Fyfe

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SANFL backs the Crows

The SANFL has backed Adelaide over the Kurt Tippett furore. Source: Herald Sun

THE SANFL has thrown its full support behind the embattled Adelaide Football Club over the Kurt Tippett furore, saying "everyone mucks up in their lifetime''.

League heavyweight Leigh Whicker is standing firmly behind the Crows, saying they deserve "big-time credit points'' for what they have delivered for SA football.

As the AFL investigates the Crows for salary cap rorting, Whicker said the SANFL was highly unlikely to impose any penalties on the club or its officials, including its chief executive, Steven Trigg, who has been under fire.

"Obviously it's very disappointing that the Adelaide Football Club has found itself in the position that it has, that it's under the spotlight nationally,'' Whicker said.

"Having spoken to Andrew Demetriou (AFL chief executive) last Friday, he's disappointed in what's happened.

"But I think we've got to wait until the final report has been delivered. And then we'll take the medicine, whatever that might be, and saddle up for 2013.''

The AFL is continuing its investigations into Tippett's questionable 2009 contract, which could result in Adelaide being hit with a big fine and stripped of key draft picks at the national draft on November 22.

Tippett, who still wants to join premier Sydney, also is in limbo. Denied a trade to the Swans, he could be de-registered by the AFL.

Yesterday an AFL spokesman told The Advertiser no time-line had been set for the league to complete its investigation, leaving Adelaide and Tippett in limbo.

"So, at the moment, Adelaide's position with its draft picks is unchanged, unless we advise otherwise,'' the spokesman said.

Tippett, who kicked 188 goals in 104 appearances for the Crows, has to delist himself before the national draft to be eligible to be selected by another club.

The league is expected to make its decision before November 22 so all parties know where they stand.

"The Adelaide Football Club has performed extraordinarily well over a 20-year period,'' Whicker said.

"It has delivered South Australia a powerful sporting culture, two premierships and a very strong financial return to football.

"Everyone makes a mistake or two in their lives, so our football commission will support the Adelaide Football Club through this, we owe it to them.

"The club has been totally transparent, it has worked hard with the SANFL over the journey, it has had an amazing administration and chairmen from Bob Hammond's day to Bill Sanders and right through to the current administration.

"Everyone mucks up in their lifetime, I'm sure of that, so we are saying let the AFL Commission make its decision and then we'll deal with whatever happens at that time.''

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Gray faces another delay

Robbie Gray when he injured his knee. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Sunday Herald Sun

ACE Port Adelaide forward Robbie Gray faces a delayed start to 2013.

Gray, who had his right knee reconstructed in April, could miss the first month of the premiership season because of nerve damage in a calf.

He suffered the injury when his leg horrifically buckled when landing from a marking contest in the final minute of the Power's round four loss to Collingwood.

"My knee's actually feeling really good now,'' Gray said.

Port Adelaide's Robbie Gray kicks under pressure from Jake Batchelor of the Tigers during their round 10 match in Darwin. Source: Getty Images

"But because of the nerve damage in my calf from the incident my leg faded away and I lost a lot of strength in the calf. So I need to be able to build my calf back up and get it strong enough to be able to run again.

"At the moment all I can do is a bit of jogging, so I have to work hard on building my strength and power back up.''

Gray began jogging last month and yesterday returned from London with his Port team-mates after spending 10 days in Europe.

The team beat the Western Bulldogs by one point in its exhibition game in London on Sunday and worked out at the Australian Institute of Sport's European training base outside Milan in northern Italy.

Gray upped the ante on his training on the trip under the guidance of new head fitness coach Darren Burgess.

While most AFL players return from traditional knee reconstructions within 10 months, 24-year-old Gray is now facing a year out of the game.

"I definitely want to be back early in the year but there's no (return) date set yet,'' he said.

"We'll wait and see what happens. I don't want to rush it obviously because it was a pretty serious injury.

"We'll see what happens over summer and just how everything progresses with the injury.''

Getting the injury-prone Gray on the park is crucial to Port's chances of climbing the ladder under new coach Ken Hinkley.

Talent-wise, Gray - a brilliant small forward/midfielder - is one of the club's top five players but he has played only 70 games in six seasons.

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Crows turn to the hoops again

Jack Osborn will ditch the basektball for a footy to play at the Crows. Picture: James Kerr Source: Herald Sun

ADELAIDE has continued its love affair with basketballers, signing two Category B, non-registered rookies.

Sturt Sabres guard Tim Klaosen and Tasmanian giant Jack Osborn have been listed on the club's rookie list after being recommended by MVP Sports player agent Paul Bell.

They join former high-quality basketballers Josh Jenkins, Ricky Henderson and Ben Dowdell at Adelaide.

Klaosen, 196cm, and Osborn, 205cm, are eligible to be listed as rookies as they have not been registered with or played in an Australian Football competition in the past three years.

Both are 22 years old.

Crows list manager David Noble said the duo would add to the ongoing development and progression of the club's list.

"The club is excited about the opportunity to develop these talented athletes through the Category B rookie list avenue,'' said Noble, whose club stands to lose national draft picks over the Kurt Tippett saga.

"Both players are mature age and bring with them great attitude and work ethic. They will need to work hard to develop their football skills but they have some exceptional athletic abilities.

"They are both competitive types who have played football at junior levels, so we believe we can work with them and develop them as they both clearly understand the hard work and commitment required to transform into AFL players.''

While Klaosen is well known in local basketball circles, Osborn returned home to Hobart this year after completing a four-year stint in the American College system with Adams State.

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Suns bust guts in Arizona camp

Gold Coast players are going through a gruelling pre-season camp in Arizona. Picture: Adam Head Source: The Courier-Mail

PREPARING for the unexpected was today's theme as the Suns squad was put through four hours of gut-busting running in Arizona.

Sprints, trail running and intense football drills made up the bulk of the session, which was split into four slots to simulate four quarters in a match.

But new high performance manager Stephen Schwerdt didn't stop there, adding an 'extra time' 30-minute run to end the tough morning.

Schwerdt said the unexpected jog was included to help prepare players for any situation on game day.

"The game can produce unexpected situations," Schwerdt said.

"Whether there are no goals scored and the play goes continuously for 10 minutes or you are playing in a final and it goes to extra time.

"There are various different types of things that are unexpected and you just need to prepare yourself mentally for that.

"So sometimes at training you need to expose players to things that they didn't think were coming up."

The majority of the squad past today's acid test with flying colours.

And Schwerdt said the way the players handled the extra work load summed up the attitude on the camp.

"We try to educate the players how to react to things when they are put under a bit of adversity," Schwerdt added.

"Not to moan or groan about it and rather to get on and do it.

"That's been the theme of the camp and whatever we have served up they have coped with."

Matthew Warnock described today's session as the toughest of the camp but the experienced defender lauded Schwerdt for his communication skills.

"He explained to us how (the extra running) would help us in a game and it helped the boys get each other through," Warnock said.

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Time for 'soft' Suns to toughen up

Gold Coast midfielder David Swallow says the Suns must be more physical if they want to climb up the AFL ladder. Picture: David Clark Source: Gold Coast Bulletin

GUN midfielder David Swallow admits the Suns went "soft" last season and must develop a stronger physical presence if the club is to surge up the ladder in 2013.

The call comes as the squad faced another demanding wrestling session in Arizona yesterday, where ripped shorts, stretched singlets and a busted ear were some of the side effects.

The Suns have been heavily scrutinised for a lack of physical pressure in their opening two seasons and Swallow didn't hide when asked if the club was too soft in 2012.

"Well yeah, maybe we were compared to the first year where we were really cracking in hard and it was something we really prided ourselves on," he said.

"The first year around clearances we were really good and it was probably one of the areas we dropped away last season.

"Maybe in the second year the boys just weren't going in as hard as the first year and its one of those things we just have to get back to.

"If we start winning more clearances and contests than the more chance we have of winning more games."

Swallow welcomed the new look fitness department's stronger focus on body contact this pre-season and said the new approach was already paying dividends.

"Obviously AFL is a very physical sport and these type of sessions give you confidence that your body can handle it," he said.

Dion Prestia was the only casualty from yesterday's wrestling session, with the midfielder suffering a corked calf and a lacerated right ear.

Danny Stanley almost had his shorts completely torn off from a determined Gary Ablett, while Jackson Allen was also left with a stretched singlet after a strong tussle with the Suns skipper.

Suns head of fitness Paul Haines conceded there was a higher risk of injury involved in the wrestling sessions, but said it was a chance the club had to take.

"A big part of our pre-season focus is the body contact training and we do it to give the players confidence that when they play games they know they've done the work," he said.

"It's a bit of risk versus return and in close quarters its not too bad.

"They will get a few bruises, knocks and blood noses but nothing major.

"Plus we keep a close eye on the guys who have modified programs anyway."

Ablett and Stanley were the standouts in the hour-long hitout, while Steven May put his big frame to good use.

In promising signs for the club, injured vice-captain Nathan Bock participated in most of the sessions, but was kept to light duties.
 

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Cross country ace running hot

A champion runner whose stocks soared this year when he lowered the colours of top AFL Draft prospect Lachie Whitfield.

Tom Temay could be the next Heath Shaw. Picture: Chris Eastman Source: Herald Sun

TOM Temay was only 12 years old when he began running with a fitness coach to help his footy.

He never envisaged the move would help mould him into one of the country's top young cross country runners.

After placing third at the Pan Pacific Championships as a 15-year-old, the endurance machine had an agonising decision to make.

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

Either pursue a potentially international athletics career or continue running his opponents into the ground on the footy field.

Pick Me: Did Collingwood overlook the next Adam Goodes?

"I was tossing it up, between footy and athletics at that stage, but footy has always been a big dream of mine,'' Temay said.

"Dad (Paul) played a bit (52 games for St Kilda) and footy is a team game and in the end I like being part of a team.''

The attitude has served him well.

The 179cm right-footed backman is firming as a bargain back-end selection in this month's national draft.

Modelling his game on Collingwood's Heath Shaw, Temay blitzed the lines at this year's national championships, averaging 19 possessions at a pinpoint 78 per cent efficiency.

Pick Me: The next Sam Mitchell is a clearance king

Broadening his appeal, Temay also illustrated the defensive side of his game in run-with roles on No. 1 pick Lachie Whitefield and WA star, Dayle Garlett.

While Temay's run and carry game can be devastating, the Vic Metro ball-carrier said he is unafraid to roll up the sleeves and help shut down the opposition's match-winning midfielders.

North Melbourne and St Kilda, his father's club, are among those who have taken strong interest.

"I provide run and carry, that hard work through midfield and the back line,'' he said.

"But I also like to help teammates out a lot and do the one per centers.

"I actually really enjoyed the task on Whitfield, it was something I was very excited about.

"If playing a role like that is going to reward my ream, I'm always up for the challenge.''

THE TOM TEMAY FILE

AGE: 18
HEIGHT: 179cm
FROM: Sandringham Dragons
POSITION: Running defender/wingman
DRAFT RANGE: 30-60
IN THE MIX: Saints (44), Roos (48)
PLAYS LIKE: Heath Shaw
 
Follow Jay Clark on Twitter @ClarkyHeraldSun

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AFL scraps draft countdown

Port players are struggling with J-Mac's death

Youngster Lachie Whitfield is bound to be the Giants' number one pick in the draft. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: Herald Sun

THE AFL has scrapped its controversial 10-1 countdown at this year's draft, reverting back to the traditional style.

The past three years saw AFL clubs decide on the first round before the draft officially started, enabling the league to showcase the top 10 picks in a countdown format.

But it created little tension with a single club dominating picks at the top of each draft and no surprises on who would be crowned No. 1.

Pick Me: Is the next Jobe Watson heading to the Dees?

The closest the AFL came to artificially creating excitement was when Melbourne plucked Tom Scully with the No. 1 pick and Jack Trengove with the second selection.

This year's draft will take place on the Gold Coast on Thursday, November 22.

The final draft order will be confirmed next Thursday after the second list lodgement and at the end of the delisted free agency period.

SuperFooty has launched its "Pick Me" Draft series, counting down some of the hottest draft prospects:

- Pick Me: The next Adam Goodes

- Pick Me: The next Bombers superstar

- Pick Me: The next Sam Mitchell

- Pick Me: The next Jobe Watson

- Pick Me: The next Heath Shaw

- Pick Me: The next Brad Sewell

Who will tomorrow's be?

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Delay to best-laid plans

Essendon CEO Ian Robson says the ovals will be ready in January. Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON will not start using its freshly laid training ovals until January.

Chairman David Evans predicted in August the players would be training at an MCG-sized oval at Tullamarine by the middle of this month, but the plans have been delayed.

Chief executive Ian Robson is confident the turf is settling after a wet winter.

"What might have been a couple of sessions pre-Christmas now will be a first week of January," he said.

Pick Me: Mighty Joe the Dons' next superstar

Robson denied there had been major issues with the turf, but said it needed time.

"We're all very impatient in football. We'd like to roll it out today and train on it tomorrow, but it needs time to bed down," he said.

"We are keen to find our feet on the oval, bearing in mind we are still confronting the issue (at Windy Hill) of a co-tenancy with a cricket team."

The Bombers will use a mixture of venues before Christmas, including Windy Hill, The Tan, Victoria Park, Gosch's Paddock and Aberfeldie athletics track.

When the Bombers do start training at their new Tullamarine base, they will be changing in portables as construction gears up.

The club is looking forward to the certainty of its own pre-season base.

"There's no denying there's a certain beauty and feel that comes from a location that is predictable and secure," Robson said.

"What we're delivering is a long-term solution to address some of the challenges we've been facing at Windy Hill because of the historical co-tenancy with cricket."

It is possible the Bombers will be able to move mid-season in 2013 if the building of the training centre adjacent to the oval goes to plan.

Essendon's Etihad Stadium-sized oval on the same site is at least a fortnight behind the MCG-sized ground, which had been planned as it was sown more conventionally.

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Bailey keeps cool in tank claims

Former Melbourne coach Dean Bailey says he didn't tell the Dees to lose. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Herald Sun

FORMER Melbourne coach Dean Bailey is arguing he is innocent of tanking claims, despite being in the "vault" when football operations manager Chris Connolly reinforced the need to play for draft picks.

The AFL is unveiling its investigative arsenal as it builds its case, warning some Melbourne assistant coaches of severe sanctions if they refuse to be interviewed or are not honest in testimony.

Some Demons officials have been told the AFL can impose life coaching bans, though interviews are not conducted under oath.

Others have been re-interviewed and told that their testimony is inconsistent with those who believe there is evidence of tanking.

While Connolly is under the most heat, Bailey is said to be comfortable with the fact he never instructed coaches or players to deliberately lose games.

He is one of several Melbourne figures who remembers Connolly making his controversial aside in a portable shed at the Junction Oval, dubbed The Vault, after the Port Adelaide win in Round 15, 2009.

While that meeting has been painted as the start of an orchestrated campaign to lose games, the context of that discussion is at the heart of the tanking investigation.

Pick Me: Is the next Jobe Watson heading to Melbourne?

Some, including Bailey, believe the Connolly statement urging the coaching staff not to maximise their high draft picks was a 30-second aside in a lengthy match committee meeting.

They dispute it was a specific meeting held as a call-to-arms to the football department.

Others have accused Connolly of saying words to the effect of, "Make this happen, or you'll all get sacked".

Whether the AFL believes the more generous interpretation, or declares the Connolly statement as evidence of tanking, is the crux of the investigation.

The Herald Sun has reported Bailey, now an Adelaide assistant coach, told the players in mid-2009 some would be played in radically different positions.

Melbourne faces "severe" penalties if found guilty, but will likely have seven days to reply to any AFL findings.

That means Melbourne has a good chance of retaining its No.4 selection and the No.27 pick it needs to secure father-son selection Jack Viney in the November 22 national draft because the investigation will be ongoing.

The AFL Commission meets on November 19.

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Stewart setback not final

Quick, versatile and perfectly suited to the modern game, James Stewart is likely to be taken in the second half of this year's AFL Draft.

James Stewart (left) should still get drafted despite the Pies overlooking him as a father-son pick. Bruce Magilton Source: Herald Sun

JAMES Stewart had to focus on the 17 other doors that could open when Collingwood closed theirs.

With three picks inside the top 21, the Pies made the tough call to overlook the father-son prospect, turning Stewart's draft dream on its head.

The setback continued a year of challenges for Stewart, which included a stress fracture to his back, and a major growth spurt that turned the former midfielder into a 197cm key-position player.

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

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While it has taken time to develop into the new role, Sandringham Dragons regional manager Ryan O'Connor said Stewart had the tools to blossom into an agile AFL forward.

"He's 197cm and he can basically run like an onballer. He has the athleticism of a wingman," O'Connor said.

s51me970 - U18 AFL champions. Vic Metro vs Tasmania at Visy Park. Vic. James Stewart tackling. Picture: Hilton Stone Source: Herald Sun

"He has fantastic foot skills and is very good with his hands. He just needs to keep working on all the attributes of contested football - like positioning as a key forward and key back."

"But the reality is he hasn't played that much in those roles.''

There were some encouraging signs late season when Stewart reeled in a string of contested grabs and conversions on goal, providing what O'Connor believes was a "taste of things to come''

Stewart said he tried to emulate the versatility in the game of Sydney champion Adam Goodes.

Pick Me: The next Jobe Watson could land at the Dees

"I'm a tall player that can play in the forward line, up the ground as well," he said.

O'Connor said Stewart, whose dad Craig played 115 games for the Pies, had shown great maturity dealing with the father-son focus.

s02wh202 c1 Football. Eastern Ranges v Sandringham Dragons. Sandringham's James Stewart with ball against Eastern's Shaun Kennedy. Picture: Carmelo Bazzano Source: Herald Sun

"Like any young footballer would be, there was a part of him that was disappointed (being overlooked by Collingwood)," he said.

"The whole experience has put a microscope on him, and it's something he's had to come to terms with.

"But I think he will be better off from it all."

Pick Me: The next Bombers superstar

"A kid of his size and his athleticism, given the right opportunities, I have no doubt he will get out there (in the AFL) and do very nicely."

THE JAMES STEWART FILE

AGE: 18
HEIGHT: 197cm
WEIGHT: 82kg
FROM: Sandringham Dragons
POSITION: Mobile forward
DRAFT RANGE: Late third round
IN THE MIX: Crows (54), Roos (58), Cats (59)
PLAYS LIKE: Adam Goodes

Follow Jay Clark on Twitter: @ClarkyHeraldSun

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Tippett would set Patton up well

Jon Patton says Kurt Tippett would add nicely to his side's forward line. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: The Daily Telegraph

IT WAS a day of firsts for the Giants at Skoda Stadium yesterday.

It was their first full training session without Israel Folau, the first proper pre-season for No. 1 draft pick Jonathon Patton and the first declaration from Giants players about their desire to sign Adelaide Crow Kurt Tippett.

Patton said he would have no problem should he and Jeremy Cameron end up sharing the Giants' forward line with the former Crow.

Pick Me: Will the Giants snare the next Jobe Watson?

"If Kurt came to the Giants it would be awesome for the club," Patton said. "He's hitting his prime and he has already shown what sort of a player he is.

"If he comes here, Jeremy and I will be looking forward to working with him in the forward line."

Patton and the Giants were putting in the building blocks of their pre-season training yesterday, sweating it out during their first skill session.

Coach Kevin Sheedy said Tippett's versatility would be the key to fitting him into the Giants' already talented forward line.

"He's a former basketball player and well over 200cm," Sheedy said.

"Clubs are always looking at that spare ruck/forward who can come in and make it happen."

Tippett is the subject of an AFL investigation into the contract he signed in 2009 with the Crows but that has not deterred the Giants' enthusiasm for the big man.

While Sheedy would be happy to pinch Tippett from under the noses of the Swans he has plenty to smile about within his ranks.

His No. 1 draft pick from last year, Patton, is set to make a big impact in 2013 with his first full pre-season under his belt.

Patton played just seven matches for the fledgling club in his debut season after flying to Sweden for surgery on his patella tendon early in the year.

"It's feeling really good at the moment," Patton said.

"Now that I've had a break - and rehab-ed it a lot more - my leg is a lot stronger.

"In the first few days of pre-season I haven't felt any pain."

Patton's January surgery delayed his senior debut until the round-12 match against Richmond at Skoda Stadium - and severely limited his impact in 2012.

"When the boys were playing NAB Cup I was just starting to run," Patton said.

"It was definitely very difficult coming in without a pre-season.

"Going from under-18s football with no pre-season into the AFL was a massive step."

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No risks with Brown and Black

Jonathan Brown made a brief appearance at training this morning. Picture: Peter Wallis Source: The Courier-Mail

Daniel Merrett shows the pain of pre-season training. Picture: Peter Wallis Source: The Courier-Mail

LIONS coach Michael Voss has pulled the reins on Jonathan Brown and Simon Black, sparing the club champions from the toughest block of pre-season training.

Brown made a brief appearance at the teams first session of the summer campaign, a day after the birth of his second child Jack, a little brother to Olivia.

The skipper spoke with Voss, completed same handball drills then left to visit wife Kylie.

Black did not take part in the 2km time trial but ran for most of the session and will leave with half the group on Wednesday for a training camp in Arizona.

Brown will stay in Brisbane to be with his family and to ensure he gas fully recovered from a last months bike accident.

Simon Black training today at Giffin Park. Picture: Peter Wallis Source: The Courier-Mail

"We have to be mindful that was a pretty big bang up," Voss said.

"We'll be taking a low key approach with (Black and Brown) towards Christmas.

"The thing we've learnt with them both is they come to hand pretty quick."

Youngster Jack Crisp won the time trial, just ahead of Joel Patfull .

The Lions will take only half their list - players with at least four years senior experience - to the US.

The Lions in training this morning. Picture: Peter Wallis Source: The Courier-Mail

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Stiller invited to Dees summer

Cheynee Stiller will train at the Dees. Picture: Anthony Reginato Source: The Daily Telegraph

DELISTED Brisbane Lion Cheynee Stiller will be given the chance to impress Melbourne coach Mark Neeld and win a surprise AFL lifeline after being given permission to train with the Dees in the lead up to the drafts.

Stiller, 26, was cut by Lions coach Michael Voss last month after mustering just three senior appearances this season.

His best was against the Dees in Round 1, collecting 19 touches and laying four tackles.

Stiller maintained a strong form line in the reserves and played a starring role as the Lions crushed Quenbeyan to claim this year's NEAFL premiership.

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Stiller played 100 games at the Lions and would add another layer to Neeld's facelift of Melbourne's playing list, which has seen the Dees turnover 14 players and bring in mature-bodies Shannon Byrnes, David Rodan, Chris Dawes and Cam Pedersen.

Delisted Blue Andy Collins will continue to train at the club under new coach Mick Malthouse in a bid to keep his career alive.

St Kilda's strengthened relationship with VFL affiliate Sandringham will see four AFL hopefuls from the Zebras train at the Saints, headed by former West Coast midfielder Adam Cockie.

Essendon has scoured the land in a bid to find its next AFL surprise packet, inviting Tom Fields (Labrador) and Nick Kommer (East Perth) to Windy Hill for the start of pre-season.

FULL AFL PERMISSION TO TRAIN LIST:

Carlton: Andrew Collins (Carlton)

Essendon: Tom Fields (Labrador), Nick Kommer (East Perth)

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Melbourne: Cheynee Stiller (Brisbane Lions)

North Melbourne: Ben Speight (North Melbourne)

St Kilda: Adam Cockie (Sandringham), Michael Sikora (Sandringham), Chris Michaelides (Sandringham), Jackson Coleman (Sandringham)

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Mick wants Blues to help Judd

Coach Michael Malthouse taking his first training session with the team Picture: Salpigtidis George Source: Herald Sun

MICHAEL Malthouse used his first day at work as Carlton coach to reinforce his team rules to the players - clearly based around his ''mantra of defence'' - and declared that other players had to lift and relieve the leadership burden on captain Chris Judd.

The three-time premiership coach met the playing and coaching group at Visy Park at 8am this morning, then spoke to the team for 20 minutes on the field after an open training session in the afternoon.

He said the latter address was ''all team stuff. All rules and regulations that I entrust to the players when they're on the ground.''

Green excited to turn Blue

Asked what his approach would be to coaching the Blues, Malthouse said: ''I still think to this day the best defensive side has the best chance to win premierships. So it'll be based on and around that, and I think the playing group will grab it and run with it.''

He said a decision on the 2013 captaincy would depend on Judd wanting the role and the playing group choosing him, but drew parallels to how heavily Collingwood relied on skipper Nathan Buckley when he arrived at Victoria Park in 2000.

''I don't think there's any one team has gone too far relying on one player. .. from a distance I thought that everything was rolled into a Nathan Buckley at Collingwood. To relieve the pressure on him he needed to see other people stand up around him. And I see the same when I see Chris Judd.''

Carlton training at princess park, Coach Michael Malthouse taking his first training session with the team, Having a laugh with Mitch Robinson Picture: Salpigtidis George Source: Herald Sun

Midfielder Andrew Carrazzo said it was a ''misconception'' that the group relied too heavily on on Judd .

''Juddy does have a strong influence on the group and so do some of the other leaders,'' Carrazzo said.

"But there's not doubt that if we're going to go forward some of that responsibility's got to be shared among the other guys.''

Malthouse said he was interested to discover who wanted to take on leadership roles and looked forward to learning more about the playing group now that he was inside the club.

He wanted to give Blues players a chance to prove themselves before drastically changing the list. Among the changes he did expect to make, though, was for Bryce Gibbs to improve his game and spend more time in the midfield.

''I'd like to think he's going to be playing in the middle .. he certainly has to come up that next level,'' said Malthouse, adding that he expected Gibbs to play 8-10 minutes a quarter in the midfield.

The Blues 2-4 year players started training last week, but today was the first training session involving the full list.

Carlton will head off on Friday for a two week training camp in Arizona. Malthouse said it would not be ''commando-style floggings'', rather a chance to reinforce his philosophies and get to know the players better.

He said that at this early stage the only player expected to be unavailable in Round 1 was defender Andrew McInnes.

Malthouse's coaching panel was finalised yesterday when former Melbourne skipper Brad Green was appointed midfield development coach.
 

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Crows to look for older talent

David Noble says the Crows are on the search for mature-age talent. Picture: Ray Titus Source: Herald Sun

ADELAIDE has begun scouring the nation for mature-age talent as it prepares to lose early selections in this month's national draft.

As the Crows brace themselves to be penalised for the Kurt Tippett saga, their recruiting team has shifted focus significantly ahead of November 22.

"Depending on what happens with the AFL findings, we thought let's go back in an open spectrum again through all of our state league scouts,'' Adelaide list manager David Noble said.

"Let's look at what all of our options are with all those players who are currently in state leagues, ex-AFL players who continue to fit our brief in terms of our needs. We're exploring all options that we've got with our list.''

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While the candidates the Crows are looking at are unlikely to be of Ian Callinan's vintage - the Central District star was 28 when selected in the 2010 rookie draft - players in their early 20s will be strongly considered.

"(We need) to explore all those avenues again, to go back and rethink about someone you may have looked over because you were essentially going to draft a younger person,'' Noble said.

"So it's someone who might be in their mid-20s, or early 20s, who has missed that opportunity (at AFL level).

"We've got to go back and do our due diligence on all of that now to make sure we've got the right aspects to cover our needs.''

Seasoned performers in the SANFL, WAFL and VFL will be at the top of the Crows' list, with St Kilda already showing the benefits of plucking mature-age talent.

The Saints snared Beau Wilkes (26) from the WAFL, Terry Milera (24) from the SANFL and Ahmed Saad (23) from the VFL this time last year.

All three showed promising signs while playing in the AFL in 2012.

And the Saints continued along this theme last month, claiming 21-year-old Claremont forward Tom Lee in a trade deal with Greater Western Sydney.

"This was a breakout year for Tom where he developed into a dominant forward in the WAFL competition,'' St Kilda coach Scott Watters said.

"He was also a key contributor in Claremont's premiership side.

"Talented, mobile forwards are hard to come by, so he is a great acquisition to our team.''

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Neeld sure he can mend a down club

Melbourne Football coach Mark Neeld is taking steps towards rebuilding the Demons. Picture: Andrew Henshaw Source: Herald Sun

Melbourne coach Mark Neeld has high hopes for former Port Adelaide star David Rodan and believes his finals experience will benefit the club. Picture: Andrew Henshaw Source: Herald Sun

DAVID Rodan is a short man with a long job description at his new employer, Melbourne.

The Demons want him to win contested ball, break the lines, add some pizzazz . . . and in his downtime become a father figure.

Melbourne has been criticised in some quarters for a scatter-gun recruiting approach, but coach Mark Neeld is adamant Rodan and others were targeted for a reason.

"One of David's roles will be to take Jack Viney under his wing and give him a little bit of support on and off the field," Neeld said.

Pick Me: Is the next Jobe Watson headed to the Dees?

Viney, Melbourne's prime father-son pick, will be carefully managed and not rushed, with Neeld delivering more than a passing hint that the club got it wrong with another glamour pick, Jack Watts, four years ago.

"We want to do it correctly. We don't want unrealistic expectations," Neeld said.

"The role David will play with Jack we see as really important.

"There's a couple of examples at our club where there's been some unrealistic expectations on some guys and they're still battling through it now four years into their career."

Rodan, offloaded by Port Adelaide, is often derided for being a human highlights reel without a team-first mindset, but Neeld is adamant he will be an invaluable addition to a developing list.

"Why we were keen on someone like a Rodan is his experience. He'll be our most experienced player . . . he's played in finals . . . a Grand Final," Neeld said.

"When we sat down and chatted with David we acknowledged there are still certain things in his game that he needs to improve.

"We made it very clear these are the reasons we want you . . . experience, very good in contested ball, very good in clearances and you've got that dynamic speed that simply we don't have.

"There's very few perfect players, I get all that. It is his third AFL club, we're across that. We just need to make sure we're getting the balance right."

Like Rodan, other high-profile Demons newcomers Chris Dawes and Shannon Byrnes have played finals and Grand Finals. It was a key criteria when the club went hunting.

"I was really keen to get some players in who had been in really good footy clubs and had played finals or Grand Finals," Neeld said.

"There is a lot of internal leadership that can be built within a group.

"I've had finals and Grand Final experience in coaching teams. I can tell them. Leigh Brown, Dave Misson and Neil Craig the same thing . . . but it is more powerful if it comes internally from the players."

A year after recruiting Mitch Clark to be the deep forward, Dawes will be the man to play closer to goal this season, allowing Clark to roam further up the ground and help out in the ruck.

"The role we want Dawesy to play is the stay-at-home forward. I was involved with Dawesy at Collingwood when he played that role really well.

"Mitch (Clark) has got great agility and between he and Cam Pederson they will share the second ruck role. It allows Mitch to get on his bike a bit more and we're keen for that."

Neeld indicated it would have been irresponsible of the club not to chase Dawes.

"You've got a 24-year-old key position player on the move . . . the right thing for our footy club to do was go and ask the question," Neeld said.

"We're rapt. He is a minimum 100-game key position player for us."

Bringing in so many recycled players has led to questions about Neeld looking for a quick fix - a respectable seven to eight wins next year to escape the heat.

But he said self-preservation was never a factor.

"I maintain strongly that the role of a senior coach is every decision you make needs to be for the betterment of the footy club, otherwise you've got the wrong role," Neeld said.

"All the decisions we make are for three, five, 10 years down the track. I'm really big on that. I see that as my role."

Neeld said nobody should be shocked at the turnover, saying it would become more common with free agency and a tendency to more closely mirror player movement in US sports.

"In my experience (at clubs), 10 to 12 list turnovers is normal," Neeld said.

"What I can gather from the reaction of the Melbourne supporters is that's not the norm here.

"I'm really clear on the type of footy we want to play, we're really clear on the type of training we want to see and we're really clear on the type of people we want to build a culture we think will take the club forward. All the decisions we made were based around that."

Matthew Bate and Ricky Petterd were delisted, Brent Moloney and Jared Rivers walked under free agency and Cale Morton left in a fire-sale trade to West Coast.

Neeld was typically pragmatic about the exits of Moloney to Brisbane and Rivers to Geelong.

"Brent's decided with what he wants to achieve and the way he goes about it, it is best suited elsewhere. That's OK," Neeld said.

Asked if his relationship with Moloney became strained, Neeld said the pair continued to talk.

"We had regular conversations. No doubt, he must have been thinking 'Hang on a minute, this is not the way it's supposed to pan out'," Neeld said.

"Brent didn't have -- and I hope this is not seen as dumping on Brent -- he didn't have a great year."

The departure of Rivers was about the opportunity to play finals.

"He believed this was going to be his last contract, and he wanted to, if he could, ensure himself that he could play finals immediately," Neeld said.

"That's one of the reasons free agency was pushed so hard by the AFL Players' Association. That's OK."

Morton was given every opportunity, but did not fit the Neeld mould and "the Eagles offered him the opportunity to move back to Perth and continue playing footy there".

Neeld said it was an era of "more mature conversations" between players and coaches and out of all the talk it was clear Melbourne was not the best fit for Morton right now.

Asked if the prodigiously talented but frustrating Morton had the ability to bite the Dees on the backside, Neeld said: "I don't look at it like that. Everyone hopes he does do well."

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Hirdy has Bombers off and running

Essendon's Michael Hurley is enjoying the club's switch to a more run-based pre-season. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON'S Michael Hurley has backed the switch to a more run-based pre-season, saying it could have a big impact on his aerobic effectiveness.

Speaking before he left for a training camp in Colorado, Hurley said the evolution of the game meant pre-seasons would always change.

And Essendon's decision to move away from its weight-building plan, which came in for criticism after a wave of soft-tissue injuries in 2012, sits fine with the key position Bomber.

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" 'Hirdy' (coach James Hird) touched on those things that we can do, some longer distance-type running, that can harden the body and might help," he said.

"That's an area that I would like to find in my game."

The 22-year-old said a greater aerobic capacity was important to the game now as it was "non-stop".

Hurley maintains faith in the club's fitness staff to adapt and do the things required to ensure the club does not fade away as it dramatically did in the second half of 2012.

"We've got full faith in the (fitness) guys," he said. "And we are lucky enough to have the chance to go to America for three weeks, which is a new challenge.

"It (the camp) will be about fitness for starters, but also a bit of leadership as well. The leadership is coming over as well as the core midfielders."

Hurley will join nine other Bombers for 18 days on the fitness and bonding trip.

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Power wins London exhibition

Port Adelaide defeat Western Bulldogs in a thrilling exhibition match at The Oval in England.

Campbell Heath of of Port Adelaide loses control of the ball in contact with Clay Smith of Western Bulldogs during the AFL European Challenge game in London. Picture: Jan Kruger Source: Getty Images

NEW Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has started his coaching career with a thrilling one-point victory over the Western Bulldogs in the AFL's exhibition match at The Oval.

A brilliant goal by Power midfielder Brad Ebert from a set shot 50m out near the boundary line with less than a minute to play sealed the victory, 14.4 (88) to 13.9 (87).

At one stage early in the third term, Port trailed by 39 points before unleashing a nine-goal unanswered burst to take the lead midway through the final quarter.

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Much to the delight of the enthusiastic crowd of about 10,000 Londoners, the Dogs snapped out of their funk and kicked the next four goals to seemingly have victory assured.

Port Adelaide players celebrate their victory with the cup after the AFL European Challenge Game against the Western Bulldogs at The Oval. Picture: Christopher Lee Source: Getty Images

But two goals in the final two minutes got Hinkley and the football club a much-needed boost given the horror couple of months they've endured following the death of Port player John McCarthy in Las Vegas in September.

New recruit Angus Monfries kicked three goals while defender Jackson Trengove and acting captain Hamish Hartlett were influential.

"I said to the players before the game that you always want to win and it doesn't matter if it's an exhibition game or anything for us," Hinkley said.

Ayce Cordy of Western Bulldogs spoils a mark for Brad Ebert of Port Adelaide during the AFL European Challenge game in London. Picture: Jan Kruger Source: Getty Images

"We are a club that needs to learn to win a little bit.

"Both sides put on a really good game I think for the fans, to get a one-point game you'd be happy with that from an AFL point of view. We're a bit happier because it was one point our way.

"We've been together three seconds and I'm not sure if we knew what we were doing but the coaching staff that are here have told me all along that there is some talent here to work with and it's nice to see that."

Acting Bulldogs captain Shaun Higgins led the way with three goals while Patrick Veszpremi kicked two as did Liam Picken who provided the highlight of the night with a spectacular mark in the second quarter.

Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney said he used the 16-a-side game as a learning tool for his young players.

"We saw a few get kicked against us and we thought let's see what they do without actually giving them too much help," he said.

Hamish Hartlett of Port Adelaide handballs under pressure from Shaun Higgins of Western Bulldogs during the AFL European Challenge game in London. Picture: Jan Kruger Source: Getty Images

"A couple of the younger guys were a bit slow to react to what was happening, they (Port) played well and got a bit of momentum but we then fought back.

"We weren't doing a lot of coaching, it was just have a look at them and let them run around."

He was pleased with the performance of new recruit Koby Stevens who joined the club from West Coast during the trade period.

"He's going to help our younger midfielders, he has got a strong body as well and looks like he will be a good acquisition," McCartney said.

The victory by Port means they have won the right to be involved in next year's London game with the AFL committed to building its profile in Europe.

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Ebert's touching tribute to J-Mac

Port Adelaide defeat Western Bulldogs in a thrilling exhibition match at The Oval in England.

Port Adelaide players celebrate their victory at The Oval - their first match without the late John McCarthy. Source: Getty Images

THE moment the ball swung back through for the goal, Brad Ebert immediately thought of his best mate.

He turned to the black arm band on his left arm, kissed it and then pointed to the sky where he knew John McCarthy would be looking down on him.

The goal - a brilliant kick from 50m out near the boundary line - sealed a one-point victory for Port Adelaide over the Western Bulldogs in the AFL's exhibition game at The Oval.

Power wins London Exhibition

But for the Power this game was more than just a scratch match in a foreign land. It was about finally getting the chance to move on from what has been a horrible couple of months following McCarthy's tragic death in Las Vegas in September.

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"It has been a tough season and the post-season, it has probably been some of the toughest times of my life to be honest," an emotional Ebert said afterwards.

"There have been a lot of emotions going through the last few months and Dani was here tonight, John's girlfriend.

"Over the last year we have got on really and he was my best mate so it was great to be able to kick that goal and even though it was only an exhibition game, it was really nice to able to do that and give him a litle bit, give him a salute."

Ebert said John's friends had urged Dani, who was in tears after the game, to come to London on the trip which she'd planned with her boyfriend months earlier.

"She was initially going to come over with John and then after everything that happened she was going to cancel it and that sort of stuff but the flight was already booked and we just said to her, 'Why don't you come across?'," he said.

"My girlfriend Bec was here and Nathan Blee's girlfriend Jess came across so they were able to stay together for the last five nights in London and Edinburgh.

"It was good for her to get away as well otherwise she would have just been in Melbourne. Being able to get over here, get around the girls and try and have a bit of fun...I think it has been good for her to get away."

Port Adelaide midfielder Brad Ebert kicks the winning goal againts the Western Bulldogs at The Oval. Source: Getty Images

The Power have a memorial planned for McCarthy at their first home game next year in Round 2, but Ebert said playing the exhibition game in London was going to help the club move forward.

"While we will always have J-Mac's memory with us, we really wanted to make sure this off-season that we would be able to move on," he said.

"And while it still will hurt for a long time, we need to be able to use that on the footy field going forward and really start afresh.

"For me personally, I got over here for a few weeks before and that was great to be able to come away with my girlfriend, catch up with a few mates and just get away from everything that was going on in town and try and enjoy yourself.

"Hopefully going forward we will get back to Alberton and really make sure everyone is switched on because we all know how hard the last season has been."

The thrilling victory - 14.4 (88) to 13.9 (87) - was a great start to the coaching career of Ken Hinkley who has spent only a couple of days with his players after being appointed last month.

Former Essendon forward Angus Monfries was the star for the Power kicking three goals and engineering an impressive third-quarter comeback which saw his team kick nine unanswered goals to come from 39-points down to hit the front.

It looked like it was going to amount to nothing with the Bulldogs hitting back with four straight goals midway through the last quarter to wrestle back the advantage before Ebert, with the spirit of J-Mac on his side, produced something special with just 40 seconds remaining in the match.
 

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