Masterstroke by guilty Crows

AFL investigators arrive at the Adelaide Football Club offices as part of the investigation into alleged salary cap breaches to star player Kurt Tippett. Source: adelaidenow

Adelaide's decision to hand back its first two selections in Thursday's national draft is a significant admission of guilt from the Crows over the Kurt Tippett affair.

For weeks the club has urged restraint despite the raging torrent of headlines, peddling the line that it just couldn't wait for its meeting with the AFL.

Breaking news: Crows withdraw from draft

But you don't hand back draft picks if you aren't absolutely, 100 per cent, rock-solid certain they will be stripped from you at some stage anyway.

So finally we know that Adelaide is guilty, because it believes it is too.

2012 SuperFooty draft tracker

The industry estimate of Adelaide's potential penalties has been that they would likely lose at least their first two picks from two consecutive drafts.

So in one way this is a masterstroke from Adelaide, especially given AFL football operations boss Adrian Anderson has already confirmed he will recommend the club's actions are taken into account at the Commission next week.

Why a masterstroke?

Because Adelaide had only two live picks in this draft, and its best pick was a modest 20.

Crows can still buy their way out of trouble

It can still spruik the arrival of star midfielder Brad Crouch, taken last year in the GWS mini-draft but only able to play for the Crows this year.

And as SuperFooty proposed today, its list is in excellent shape to strive for a premiership even when it does inevitably lose Kurt Tippett to a NSW-based club.

Better to lose the two picks from this draft, and next year's picks, than be nobbled in a subsequent draft when you desperately need to stock up with a raft of juniors.

If you are going to get smashed by the AFL, you might as well try to receive that smashing on your terms.

The jungle drums beating early in the week were that the Adelaide's recruiting team would have been thrilled if the penalties started this year, given the lack of quality picks they planned to take.

Yet footballer manager Phil Harper's determination to spend more time on his defence saw him and the Crows ask for and win another week before they fronted the commission.

This is a ploy to have it both ways - get the extra time from the AFL, yet still start the draft sanctions in the 2012 draft.

It is high stakes brinkmanship, because the Commission could still suspend them from the 2013 and 2014 drafts.

Then the Crows truly are in strife, because no club can afford to lose high picks from three consecutive drafts.

This is a dark day for the Adelaide football club, because it has effectively conceded its involvement a salary cap scandal which will leave a dark stain on its reputation.

But if you are going to get smashed by the AFL, you might as well try to receive that smashing on your terms.

Only at next Friday's AFL Commission meeting will we see if the ploy has paid off or dramatically backfired.

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AFL draft lotto is here

AFL Draft lotto is here! Source: Herald Sun

EVERY AFL national draft is different, yet some things will never change. As certain as death and taxes, here is the list of things to expect.

* The certainty of the No.1 draft pick

REMEMBER the last time there was genuine suspense about who will go pick No.1? Me neither. These days, the mystery of who will have their name read out first is solved sometimes months out. The inclusion of the Suns and Giants the past two years has made it even worse given they have also owned the picks No.2 and No.3. But despite this, the No.1 to be - which tomorrow night will be Lachie Whitfield - will still sit stony-faced in the front row surrounded by his parents and claim to be "nervous" in the minutes beforehand despite knowing exactly where he is going.

Surprise, surprise - No.1 draft pick David Swallow and Guy McKenna in 2010. Source: Herald Sun

* The player/players who don't want to go

ALL players who enter the draft say the same thing - they don't care where they get picked, they just want to play AFL football. That sounds great on paper, but it is much scarier when it hits you square in the face. Take 1998 No.1 draft pick Des Headland, for example. Headland was desperately hoping to go pick No.2 - as Fremantle had the selection and he wanted to stay in his native Western Australia. But the Lions wanted him. Headland put on a brave face as his name was read out, but it was written all over his face. Headland is not alone - every year there is at the very least one youngster shattered that he is about to pack up and move to Adelaide/Perth/Brisbane etc. Sometimes the parents take it harder than the player himself.

Des Headland meets Lions coach Leigh Matthews on draft day in 1998. Source: Herald Sun

* The Sheeds declaration

NOT to be outshone by the recruiting managers, the great Kevin Sheedy has a tendency to interject himself into the draft. Not shy to make big calls, don't be surprised if Sheeds stays true to form and declares one of his new GWS recruits will be the next James Hird or Matthew Lloyd.

Then Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy with pick No.2 Scott Gumbleton in 2006. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

* The obscure smokie

JOURNALISTS and news organisations spend countless hours preparing player profiles for draft night. But you can be sure there will be at least one player taken at the back end of the draft where almost everyone turns to the person next to them and says: "Who?" Ah yes - everyone loves a good draft smokey. The best ones are players from a very small town who play maybe one reserves game that year in the middle of nowhere to fulfil the minimal draft requirement before vanishing until there name is read out on draft night.

Any self-respecting recruiting boss, such as Scott Clayton, loves a good draft smokey. Source: Herald Sun

* The awkward set-up shots with the first three picks

Each year, the top three draft picks are required to pose together with the cameras at the conclusion of the draft. This makes for some awkward set-up pictures, as you can see below in 2005 with fresh-faced teens Marc Murphy, Dale Thomas and Xavier Ellis. The players tend to tire of the long photo shoot after about five minutes. Two years ago, Suns' No.2 draft pick Harley Bennell walked off after only a few clicks of the camera because he had had enough. When you look at some of the set-up pictures from years gone by, few can blame him.

Fresh-faces - Marc Murphy, Dale Thomas and Xavier Ellis after the 2005 AFL National Draft. Source: Herald Sun

* Your club will be thrilled with the result

Relax, you can go to bed after the draft knowing your club aced it. How do you know? Because they will tell you so. It is the one night of the year where club recruiting manager becomes a rock stars and laps up the attention. Fans are hungry for reaction and clubs are happy to oblige. You are almost 100 per cent certain to hear this line at least three times: "Very happy to get John Smith at pick No.28 - we rated him much higher than that." Often these don't work out as history says. One example, but there are many more, is Tasmanian big forward Billy Morrison - taken by Collingwood at pick No.17 in the 2003 draft. Then recruiting chief Noel Judkins said at the time: "He's a big, strong boy - he's got a great work ethic, uses his body in contests, has huge hands. We rated him in the top 12." Big Billy never played a game and was delisted two years later. Never in the history of the draft has a club publicly claimed to be anything but thrilled with the players they pick on the night. Just once, it would be refreshing to hear something along these lines: "Yeah, not the best result. We were really hoping for John Smith at pick No.12, but he got snapped up at Pick No.10. Our bloke is not too much chop, but fingers crossed because you never know. He might come on. But for now, not happy with how it unfolded."

Stephen Silvagni, back when he was working out at Collingwood, does some work with Billy Morrison in 2005. Source: Herald Sun

* Supporter outrage/euphoria immediately concluding the draft

As well as club reaction, the immediate supporter reaction is even more predictable. Despite the vast majority of supporters having little knowledge of the players in question, everyone suddenly becomes a draft expert on draft night. A quick check of Facebook and/or Twitter or footy bulletin boards following the draft and you will see posts like this: "Yes! Joe Blobbs at 4 and John Citizen at 18!!! We killed it!" Or you might see a few posts like this: "What the hell?! We overlooked Joe Blobbs at 3?! Idiots! Can't believe how bad we stuffed up again." It takes many years to determine the success of draft selections, but many supporters on draft night declare it then and there.

Fans are at their passionate best on draft day. Source: Herald Sun

Do you agree and did we miss any? Comment below!

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Coach departures cost Blues

Brett Ratten was sacked with a year to run on his contract. Source: Herald Sun

PAYING out sacked coach Brett Ratten and several assistants has hit Carlton's bottom line, with the club recording its first loss in six years.

The Blues today announced an operating loss of $683,799.

The result ends a disappointing year for the Blues, who were widely tipped to challenge for the flag but finished 10th.

Ratten was sacked with one year left on his contract before the final round, resulting in a payout of about $650,000.

Assistant coaches Mark Riley, Alan Richardson and Paul Williams were also let go, costing the Blues more.

"This is disappointing but importantly we have made a number of important and tough decisions that impacted significantly on the 2012 financial position, but will benefit the Club on and off the field going forward," Carlton CEO Greg Swann said.

"This is the first time in six years we have not had an operating profit and the turnaround is from two areas; match returns and termination payouts. With the coaching positions now finalised and with the ongoing support of Carlton people the club expects to return to an operating profit in 2013."

Match returns were down $410,000 due to a 9 per cent drop in home game crowds.

Earlier this week, on-field success is the final piece of the Richmond puzzle after the Tigers recorded a record $3 million surplus in 2012.

Richmond has now recorded profits for eight consecutive years.

Announcing the result today for the final year ending October 31, 2012, Tigers president Gary March said the club boasted record membership revenue of $5.3 million from its more than 53,000 members, and record sponsorship income of $3.5 million.

March said Richmond had cut its debt by more than $1.5 million in the past 12 months.

The debt has been slashed by $2.5 million in the past two years and now stands at $1.9 million.

"We have recorded a significant surplus, which has been built on the wonderful support of our loyal members and supporters, our business partners, along with a committed board and administration," March said.

"We knew it would require a united effort to build the foundations for success, and never more evident has that been, than in the past two years. I particularly thank those, who provided such outstanding support to the Fighting Tiger Fund.

"While we will reflect on a very positive 12 months, nobody is under any illusion that there is still much more to do. We still have debt to clear and we need to continue to build this club's financial resources, so we can support our football requirements into the future. I can assure you that we will be relentless in the pursuit of this goal."

Melbourne v Richmond. MCG. happy Tiger fans. Tiger army Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

Last week, North Melbourne credited fan donations for helping the Roos post a record operating profit of more than $1 million.

The Roos today announced an operating profit of $1,193,080 for the 2011-12 financial year.

Interim chief executive Cam Vale said the club reduced its debt by $1 million with the help of its Box On campaign, while increasing revenue growth by $5 million.

"This is truly an outstanding result for the club and could have only been achieved with the remarkable support of our members and fans," Vale said.

"A record profit and reduction of debt in tough economic times is a remarkable outcome and highlights revenue growth across the board and controlled football expenditure."

Vale said he expected the Roos would be debt-free "within a few more years".

Earlier this week, Hawthorn's 60,000-strong band of members has helped ensure the club has posted a mega profit for 2012, reaping more than $2 million.

The Hawks profited $2,023,720, up about $300,000 on last year's result.

The Grand Finalist recorded a 7.4 per cent increase in members, boosting the number to 60,841.

"Our strong financial result is a credit to the hard work and dedication of management who constantly strive for excellence and innovation, and support their staff to do likewise," new president Andrew Newbold said.

Newbold thanked the 8731 Tasmanian members which signed up this season.

2012 AFL CLUB FINANCIAL RESULTS

Richmond: $3,017,742 profit

Hawthorn: $2,023,720 profit

North Melbourne: $1,193,080 operating profit

Other clubs to follow

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Groin surgery for Naitanui

Crows to keep draft plan simple

Groin surgery will force Eagles ruckman Nic Naitanui to start his pre-season campaign late. Picture: Justin Benson-cooper. Source: PerthNow

RUCKMAN Nic Naitanui will miss the start of West Coast's pre-season campaign after requiring groin surgery.

The All-Australian is set to go under the knife next week after failing to recover from the nagging injury that affected the back-end of his 2012 season.

The club had hoped Naitanui would be ready to resume full training this week after returning from an off-season trip to the United States.

But football operations manager Neale Daniher said the 22-year-old remained in some discomfort and surgery was the best option.

"Nic was managed in the latter stages of the 2012 season and, based on medical advice, we were hopeful that with a good rest period he would avoid the necessity for surgery," he said.

"Because Nic was still sore after a lengthy period of rest, we booked an appointment for him to meet with a specialist today. As a result of that consultation, Nic will have surgery next week.

"We expect Nic to begin running early in the New Year and progress his recovery to be ready for the start of the season."

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Family first for McPhee

Adam McPhee has retired from football. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: The Sunday Times

Adam and Bree McPhee arrive at the Fremantle best-and-fairest count. Picture: Alf Sorbello Source: The Sunday Times

TAJ and Cove McPhee will make good use of any surplus energy their dad Adam has to burn off now he has retired from the AFL.

Taj, aged four, and Cove, two, were the cheeky stars of McPhee's media conference in Melbourne today as he gallantly tried to give serious answers to questions about why he has retired now.

The 31-year-old flourished in Ross Lyon's first season as Fremantle coach and the defender admits it was a tough decision not to continue playing for another year.

But as his wife Bree looked on with a wry grin and his boys lapped up the limelight, McPhee said it was time to return to Melbourne and do the right thing by his family.

"That was one of the things I really struggled with, in terms of announcing my retirement, the fact that the club is heading in the right direction," McPhee said.

"Certainly since Ross has come on board ... a few things have changed.

"It is going to be hard to sit back and watch, because I really feel like I still have one to two years of football left.

"But ultimately the decision ... isn't about whether I have football left in me - it's more about what's best for the family."

McPhee will work for his father-in-law's business and said there was no thought of trying to extend his AFL career.

"I've been through two trades already and the last thing I wanted to do was go through another and, more importantly, probably disappoint a few people," he said.

McPhee played 25 games for the Dockers in 2001-02 before he was traded to Essendon, where he made the 2004 All-Australian team.

Adam McPhee on his way to a goal for the Bombers in 2004. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Herald Sun

He played 142 games for the Bombers and then went back to Fremantle after the 2009 season.

Altogether, he played 223 senior matches.

"I feel quite content to be able to move on and walk out of the game," McPhee said.

"About five years ago, football was absolutely everything for me.

"Then I became a father and realised what was important in life."

McPhee described Cove's birth as "traumatic" and said it was particularly tough to go on the road with the Dockers while Bree struggled to regain her health.

But he relished this season under Lyon.

"There's a perception that's been created of Ross that's probably unnecessary," McPhee said.

"His expectations of his players are very high and it's a high standard that is required to play AFL football.

"So if you're not up to scratch and you don't want to prepare that way or put in the hard work, then Ross will make a hard decision."

Also today, the Dockers announced they had delisted Jack Anthony.

Like McPhee, Anthony was contracted to Fremantle for another season.

Anthony played 43 games for Collingwood, but only eight games over two seasons for the Dockers.

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Tippett fall guy pulls out of draft

Crows have aces up their sleeves

Nick Joyce in action for Woodville-West Torrens in the SANFL. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: adelaidenow

ADELAIDE will have an extra live pick in Thursday's AFL national draft after dumped Nick Joyce today withdrew his draft nomination.

Joyce - the Crows' fall guy in the Kurt Tippett scandal - will instead nominate for the AFL pre-season draft on December 11.

This will enable Adelaide to have two "live'' selections in the national draft - No's 20 and 54.

The Crows will upgrade mature-age rookie Ian Callinan with their final pick at No. 64.

Second-year midfielder Joyce was delisted by Adelaide last week after the AFL denied the club permission to remove Tippett from its playing list while it continued investigations into his controversial 2009 contract.

The Crows guaranteed they would re-draft Joyce.

His manager, Ben Williams, said he felt Joyce had more chance of returning to the Crows by entering the pre-season draft.

 

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Lions hunt for next Brown

Crows have aces up their sleeves

Brisbane captain Jonathan Brown is nearing retirement. Source: Getty Images

South Australian midfield gun Sam Mayes is in the Lions' sights. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: adelaidenow

IT'S a near-impossible task but Brisbane will go into this year's AFL draft on the hunt for the club's next champion.

Captain Jonathan Brown turns 32 next year and the Lions are beginning to contemplate life without their triple-premiership player.

The Lions have pick eight in Thursday's draft and are already being linked with a bid for South Australian prospect Sam Mayes, while Troy Menzel could also be in the mix if other clubs don't want to take a punt on his dodgy knees.

Vice-captain Jed Adcock said finding a long-term replacement for Brown or veteran midfielder Simon Black would be high on the club's priorities.

He said the club's interest in ex-Adelaide forward Kurt Tippett showed they were in the hunt for a key forward.

"I don't know how long Browny's got, a couple of years left, three maybe, so you're probably looking to fill that void eventually at some stage," Adcock said on the Gold Coast.

"Blacky will retire, well you'd think he'd retire soon ... elite midfielders, if there's one there you've got to take them.

"We've got pick eight in the draft this year so you'd be hoping we can come away with pretty good talent."

Adcock says he's behind his teammates as he continues to recover from hip surgery but he hopes to return to training before Christmas.

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Dockers rule out Buddy chase

Fremantle has ruled out making an audacious play for WA-born Hawthorn superstar Lance Franklin next year. Source: Herald Sun

FREMANTLE has ruled out making an audacious play for Hawthorn star Lance Franklin at the end of next year.

Franklin, one of the league's biggest names, will become a restricted free agent late next year unless he strikes a new deal with the Hawks.

There has been speculation the Dockers might try to recruit him.

The four-time All-Australian hails from WA, plus his old Melbourne housemate Sharrod Wellingham has left Collingwood and will now play for West Coast.

But Fremantle football manager Chris Bond has hosed down the talk, saying the club doubted they could entice Franklin.

"We understand fully where 'Buddy' is at - he's a champion of the game, and with that he certainly demands certain things that we wouldn't be able to (deliver)," Bond said.

"We've got a TPP (total player payments) model and we've got a list management model and it wouldn't fit into that, so we won't be pursuing it.

"We've known that free agency was coming in... so we'd done some work for that. But no, we won't pursue (him)."

Bond also said on Tuesday that the Dockers had no interest in pursuing Adelaide key forward Kurt Tippett, who wants to join Sydney.

Meanwhile, Bond admitted that Adam McPhee's retirement had stunned the Dockers.

McPhee decided to move back to Melbourne for family reasons only a few weeks after signing a one-year contract extension with Fremantle.

Once McPhee explained his change of mind to Bond and coach Ross Lyon, they realised it was pointless trying to talk him out of the decision.

"It was a shock, but we have the utmost respect for Adam and (his) situation," Bond said.

The Dockers also announced that they had parted with forward John Anthony, who was also contracted for another year.

Anthony only managed eight games in two seasons after coming across from Collingwood and the club said they reached an agreement with him on the final season of his three-year deal.

Fremantle are at an interesting stage, having enjoyed a strong season under new coach Ross Lyon.

They made the semi-finals, where they lost a pulsating clash against Adelaide.
 

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Richo tip as Fev fill-in

AFL has shot itself in Crows case

Former Richmond star Matthew Richardson could play a one-off game for Yarrawonga in 2013. Picture: Craig Borrow Source: Herald Sun

THE Yarrawonga Pigeons need a full-forward to cover for suspended star Brendan Fevola - and Richmond champ Matthew Richardson could be the man.

Richardson, who booted 800 goals for Richmond before retiring at the end of 2009, is at the centre of speculation as the Pigeons prepare to bring more big-name recruits to the Ovens and Murray league in 2013.

The Pigeons have already convinced Fevola to return next year, hoping the two-time AFL Coleman medallist can repeat his 100-goal effort from last season.

But with the former Carlton and Brisbane gun set to miss the Pigeons' Round 1 Easter Sunday blockbuster through suspension, rumours are rife the club is working on another former AFL champion to help launch its premiership defence.

Retired Richmond star Richardson is the name at the centre of speculation, tipped to line-up in Fevola's place.

The Weekly Times reports Geelong premiership hero Brad Ottens is also set to play a handful of games.

"It all depends on draws and once we find out all that, then we can sit down and work out what's in front of us," club president Glenn Brear said.

"Fevola is our man and we want him playing."

Brendan Fevola playing for Yarrawonga against Lavington at Mulwala. Picture: Andrew Henshaw Source: Herald Sun

Another former Richmond player Kayne Pettifer has reportedly signed with Yarrawonga, joining former teammate Craig Ednie in the Pigeons line-up.

Fevola will play his first game for the season against Jason Akermanis' North Albury in Round 2.

Akermanis presided over his first training session at the Hoppers last week.

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Eagle slower than the coach

AFL has shot itself in Crows case

Murray Newman was quick enough to beat AFL players on the field but was a lot slower off it in the Eagles' time-trial today. Source: Getty Images

YOUNG West Coast forward Murray Newman is one player who won't be the subject of the annual cliche "his best pre-season ever".

Newman was last week charged with grievous bodily harm after an incident in a Perth nightclub.

And today he was embarrassed in a running trial - going so slowly he was beaten home by 44-year-old coach John Worsfold.

The Eagles first to seventh-year players returned to pre-season training today with two 2km time-trials.

Newman finished dead last in both and got slower as he went, finishing in times of 8min13sec and 9min36sec according to the AFL website.

Worsfold, not noted for his pace during a 209-match playing career that ended 14 years ago, beat Newman to the finish line in both runs.

The 18-year-old was reportedly lapped in the second trial when he finished more than three minutes behind the winner, Bradd Dalziell.

The first time-trial was won by Chris Masten.

The Eagles have not commented on the result, but confirmed the teenager is not injured.

Newman played four matches mid-season after being picked with West Coast's first selection in the 2011 national draft.

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