Port re-sign promising pair

Last updated: June 16, 2014

PORT Adelaide has shown faith in Aaron Young and Sam Colquhoun, retaining the rising duo until 2016 at Alberton.

Frances Abbott's rental battle gets readers talking

UPDATE: TONY Abbott's daughter's tenancy battle divides readers, with some questioning the landlord's finances while others say Ms Abbott shouldn't have signed the lease.

Good Friday footy — who should play?

GOOD Friday footy is here but the AFL is yet to decide who will play. Should it be another Collingwood blockbuster or do other clubs deserve a shot? HAVE YOUR SAY

'Cannabis is keeping my daughter alive'

TARA O'Connell is not the stereotypical pot user: For one thing, she's eight years old. Cannabis is keeping her alive and there's nothing her mother won't do to ensure it stays that way.

Mills, Baynes soak up NBA glory

PATTY Mills has led San Antonio to victory in Game Five of the NBA Finals as the Spurs beat the Heat to claim the NBA's ultimate prize.

Saskia Beer's smallgoods in strife

THE "Black Pig" smallgoods made by Saskia Beer's Barossa Farm Produce were not all made from the heritage or free range pigs that the company claimed, the ACCC has found.

At last, Messi gets them pumped up

UP for the Cup: Messi's biggest fans, Bresciano love, the worst hair at the World Cup, technology works shock and Palacios has a brain snap.

The weirdest reality TV shows ever

AXED in the US, shunted to the graveyard shift here, I Wanna Marry Harry joins a long list of reality TV misfires. Here are the worst and weirdest short-lived reality TV shows.

Crouch struck with SANFL ban

GUN Adelaide midfielder Brad Crouch's return to AFL ranks has been put on hold after he was today offered a one-match ban for striking in the SANFL on Saturday.

Don't ever microwave these things

THE microwave has been around for quite some time, but it is still a mystery to many of us. Here are 11 things that should never go into one.

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Thompson blasts selfish Bombers

Essendon coach Mark Thompson discusses the Bombers' last gasp defeat to Melbourne on Sunday evening.

Essendon coach Mark Thompson rues the Bombers' missed opportunities. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

ESSENDON coach Mark Thompson last night said the week's ASADA controversy was no excuse for his side's dramatic fade out, accusing his side of playing for themselves.

A furious Thompson gave his players a fearful spray for 45 minutes after their loss to Melbourne made them the first side in history to lose despite 33 more inside-50s.

The Dons lost by a point after at one stage being 33 points up, but he suggested his players were selfish in failing to adhere to his rigid game plan.

It came as Essendon forward David said the players "hate" that outsiders use the ongoing supplements scandal as an excuse for when the team performs poorly.

MATCH: Demons inflict more hurt on Dons

THE TACKLE: Stars prove their worth

SUPERCOACH: Studs and Duds — Round 13

Thompson's mantra has been about predictability, but said the Demons taught his side a lesson in playing to a basic plan.

"I don't think we stuck to the game plan for long enough tonight. If you don't stick to it you have got no chance, because you have got a whole group doing what they want. That's what happened tonight.

"Talk is cheap if you don't get out there on the weekend and just do it. I am not upset we lost, I am upset by the inconsistency, the way we go about games.

"I just said, "Stop doing this', because if you are serious in what we do, just do it properly. Something has to change."

Asked what was said during the meeting Zaharakis said: "Just that we've got to become a stronger club, (get) a stronger culture at the club and have more leaders out on the field."

Zaharakis said a dramatic week at the club should not be used as a reason as to why the team faded out of the match.

"Us as a footy club, when we go out to train and stuff, we don't think about it at all, it's not in our heads," he said.

"We actually hate that people use this as an excuse because us, as footy players, do not use it as an excuse and we want people to know that."

A dramatic prelude to the contest saw 34 of Thompson's players hit with show-cause notices from ASADA, but the senior coach said it was a cop-out to say his players were affected.

"I haven't talked about it. I don't think it should be a factor. We have lived with it for two years, it is just another week at the office, really.

"If you talk about it, people could use it as an excuse, but it's not an excuse in my eyes.

We have lived with this and it was a bit worse than other weeks, but we have been smashed for two years so it's not as if they came out today and couldn't play because of the week they have had. We can't accept that."

Zaharakis is not one of the 34 players issued with show-cause notices last week, but said the players had a no-excuse philosophy.

"That's not just coming from me, it's all the boys," he said. "We spoke about it during the week that we hate that people talk about it. We don't use it as an excuse and we don't want to use it as an excuse.

"We're here to play footy and when we lose it's because we're not playing good footy."

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Crows must maintain rage: Otten

Adelaide forward Taylor Walker and North Melbourne's Scott Thompson fight for the ball at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Calum Robertson Source: News Corp Australia

Despite their win over an out of sorts North Melbourne head coach Brenton Sanderson says he won't be satisfied until the Crows sort out their inconsistencies

AGGRESSION will be the key to Adelaide ending its roller coaster form, according to defender Andy Otten.

The 6-6 Crows have the chance to move ahead in the win-loss ledger for the first time this season when they play Essendon at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night and Otten has put it on the players to take the opportunity after a year of missed chances.

MORE: CROWS' DESTINY IN THEIR OWN HANDS

"We have to get off this roller coaster, so that's our theme for this week," Otten said.

"Any team which is around you on the ladder you have to nail and we have to get a win this week and ahead of the win-loss ledger to push for the eight..

"So we've got to be aggressive and get a team effort right across the board.

"We have to be physical at the ball, win contested ball and back ourselves with our ball use.

"When teams come at us we can sometimes go into our shells and play safe but we don't want to do that.

"We've got to continue to be aggressive, continue to take the game and try to score quickly — be aggressive when we've got the ball and when they've got it to because this is a crucial game for us."

Otten said the players had taken it upon themselves to drive standards this week after a topsy turvy season where inconsistency has plagued the club.

But they remain in striking distance of the top eight after beating North Melbourne at home on Saturday night.

Adelaide could make one change for the clash with the Bombers with classy goal sneak Charlie Cameron a likely in if he can prove he has overcome groin soreness.

Brodie Martin — used as a sub against the Roos — could fall out of the side.

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Crouch struck with SANFL ban

Last updated: June 16, 2014

GUN Adelaide midfielder Brad Crouch's return to AFL ranks has been put on hold after he was today offered a one-match ban for striking in the SANFL on Saturday.

Frances Abbott's rental battle gets readers talking

UPDATE: TONY Abbott's daughter's tenancy battle divides readers, with some questioning the landlord's finances while others say Ms Abbott shouldn't have signed the lease.

Good Friday footy — who should play?

GOOD Friday footy is here but the AFL is yet to decide who will play. Should it be another Collingwood blockbuster or do other clubs deserve a shot? HAVE YOUR SAY

'Cannabis is keeping my daughter alive'

TARA O'Connell is not the stereotypical pot user: For one thing, she's eight years old. Cannabis is keeping her alive and there's nothing her mother won't do to ensure it stays that way.

Mills, Baynes soak up NBA glory

PATTY Mills has led San Antonio to victory in Game Five of the NBA Finals as the Spurs beat the Heat to claim the NBA's ultimate prize.

Saskia Beer's smallgoods in strife

THE "Black Pig" smallgoods made by Saskia Beer's Barossa Farm Produce were not all made from the heritage or free range pigs that the company claimed, the ACCC has found.

At last, Messi gets them pumped up

UP for the Cup: Messi's biggest fans, Bresciano love, the worst hair at the World Cup, technology works shock and Palacios has a brain snap.

The weirdest reality TV shows ever

AXED in the US, shunted to the graveyard shift here, I Wanna Marry Harry joins a long list of reality TV misfires. Here are the worst and weirdest short-lived reality TV shows.

Crouch struck with SANFL ban

GUN Adelaide midfielder Brad Crouch's return to AFL ranks has been put on hold after he was today offered a one-match ban for striking in the SANFL on Saturday.

Don't ever microwave these things

THE microwave has been around for quite some time, but it is still a mystery to many of us. Here are 11 things that should never go into one.

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Power's university coup

Power fitness chief Darren Burgess and coach Ken Hinkley. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Corp Australia

PORT Adelaide's growing reputation in the AFL for fitness programs is now part of a university curriculum.

The Power and the University of SA have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly manage a "Centre of High Performance Sport."

Port president David Koch announced the groundbreaking alliance in Sydney today during the Power's 10th anniversary celebrations of the club's 2004 AFL flag.

The centre — that Port wants to draw world attention — will focus on further developing the cutting-edge sports science work of its fitness chief Darren Burgess.

But beyond giving the Power an edge on preparing football teams, Port also wants to play a strong role in education not only for elite sports teams but in the community with health care, particularly for the aged.

Setting up a department on one of the university campuses is still a long-term goal.

"There is a lot of merit in the club having a presence in the Adelaide CBD but that does not mean we take the club away from Alberton — we will never leave Alberton," Port chief executive Keith Thomas said.

University of SA vice chancellor David Lloyd noted the university and Power can share knowledge well before they need to share a building on campus.

"We can turn up the volume on quality research in AFL football, particularly in the areas of optimising player performance, injury prevention and best practice for recovery," Professor Lloyd said.

The alliance extends the Power's 15-year link with the university.

The new course on sport science is expected to draw traction from elite sports teams around the world because of Burgess' reputation in world football after his work with the Socceroos and English Premier League club Liverpool.

"Joining forces with UniSA has the potential to significantly add value to our existing high-performance program led by Darren," Thomas said.

Not only will the Power create stronger development programs for its fitness staff, the university program also will offer new learning opportunities for its players planning their lives away from football.

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Time for stars to step up: Sando

Last updated: June 13, 2014

CROWS coach Brenton Sanderson has put the blowtorch on his stars and experienced players to stand up in the crucial clash against North Melbourne on Saturday night.

Teams: Cats blood two, rest two

ROUND 13 TEAMS: GEELONG will blood two first games including first round draft pick Darcy Lang, but has elected to rest first-choice ruckman and small defender Jed Bews.

What life like after Ten's bloodletting?

IT'S a dire time for Network Ten, with shows axed and jobs on the chopping block. But it's not the first bloodletting at Ten. What happened to the familiar faces let go last time?

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Essendon launches Federal Court bombshell

Last updated: June 13, 2014

ESSENDON has launched a stunning Federal Court counter-attack against ASADA and the AFL.

Teams: Cats blood two, rest two

ROUND 13 TEAMS: GEELONG will blood two first games including first round draft pick Darcy Lang, but has elected to rest first-choice ruckman and small defender Jed Bews.

What life like after Ten's bloodletting?

IT'S a dire time for Network Ten, with shows axed and jobs on the chopping block. But it's not the first bloodletting at Ten. What happened to the familiar faces let go last time?

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Panic Room: Selwood in doubt

Adam Baldwin and Gilbert Gardiner deliver their Supercoach picks ahead of round 13 in the AFL.

Geelong captain Joel Selwood could miss Sunday's game against St Kilda. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

NEED the best late selection and SuperCoach mail and betting tips for the weekend? Step into the Panic Room.

WHISPERS

GEELONG flagged its intentions yesterday with Hamish McIntosh and Jed Bews rested for Sunday's soft kill of St Kilda at Simonds Stadium.

If word around the Bellarine is anything to go by then skipper Joel Selwood could also sit out after pulling up sore from the win over Carlton.

While Selwood's absence opens the door for the likes of Brad Hartman and Darcy Lang, it's a sign of things to come given upcoming fixtures.

Geelong travels to Gold Coast next week before returning for games against Essendon, Western Bulldogs and Melbourne.

ADELAIDE could yet pull a swifty with SuperCoach fancy Matthew Jaensch in doubt after being flattened by Hayden Ballantyne last week.

The Crows told the AFL Tribunal on Tuesday that Jaensch could miss "0-1" games with concussion.

Jaensch is named on the bench, but the Crows have cover in Jarryd Lyons and Cam Ellis-Yolmen.

CARLTON defender Michael Jamison is no certainty to line up against Hawthorn tonight after battling a calf problem last week.

Matthew Watson is one of three emergencies including goal sneak Jeff Garlett.

BULLDOG draftee Mitch Honeychurch was added to the 25-man squad for Sunday's game against Collingwood, replacing Matthew Boyd.

DODGY weather could force Sydney to choose between Mike Pyke and Tom Derrickx on Saturday.

Forecast rain — which should play in the Swans' hands — could see the likes of Gary Rohan or Zac Jones come in at the expense of back-up ruckman Tom Derrickx.

Bulldog Daniel Giansiracusa can't get enough of wearing vests. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

VESTED INTEREST

After nailing nine of 18 last week, here's our pick of the likely subs in each of the Round 13 games.

CARLTON: Last time Mick Malthouse used Chris Judd as his substitute the champ shredded his hamstring within minutes of coming onto the ground. For the Blues to be any chance tonight they need Judd from the start. Look for Dennis Armfield or Andrejs Everitt to be on vest duties.

HAWTHORN: Ben Ross is a certainty to start as the substitute in his first game for the Hawks.

RICHMOND: Can't go past Ben Lennon, came on late last week and did little — he wasn't alone — to warrant a full game.

FREMANTLE: Tommy Sheridan the favourite here, but wouldn't surprise if Ross Lyon keeps Colin Sylvia on a tight leash after making him play seven WAFL games to earn his stripes.

SYDNEY: Take your pick between Jake Lloyd and Brandon Jack.

PORT ADELAIDE: Kane Mitchell's pace could come in handy late in what should be a cracking — and if the Swans have their way contested — game. Aaron Young not without a chance to start in green.

WEST COAST: Xavier Ellis is suited to the role and could have an impact in the second half. Jamie Cripps not out of contention along with emergency Sharrod Wellingham should he earn a reprieve.

GOLD COAST: Aaron Hall looms large from Luke Russell.

BRISBANE: Zac O'Brien showed plenty on debut as the substitute but failed to fire a shot last week. In the mix again but wouldn't surprise to see Lewie Taylor start on the pine.

ADELAIDE: Matt Crouch collected 30-odd in the SANFL last week, hasn't played a lot of footy and should be eased into the contest.

NORTH MELBOURNE: Liam Anthony stands out from Ben Jacobs should he be able to force his way into the best 22.

GEELONG: It looks to be a race in two — Travis Varcoe and Taylor Hunt — to replace Jed Bews (managed). That being the case, Varcoe is best suited. Jesse Stringer not out of the conversation.

ST KILDA: It's a lottery, Jack Billings in the mix from Jimmy Webster and Sam Dunnell should he hold his spot after being subbed out last week.

COLLINGWOOD: Ben Kennedy. Lock him in.

WESTERN BULLDOGS: Head says Nathan Hrovat, heart says Daniel 'Super Sub' Giansiracusa.

ESSENDON: Jason Winderlich has missed a lot of footy and would be dangerous in the second half with the game on the line. Straight swap for a tall forward (Daniher, Ambrose) looks ideal.

MELBOURNE: With the omission of Jay Kennedy-Harris Christian Salem is firmly in the frame. The ins will come from Aiden Riley, Jordie McKenzie and Dean Kent, with Kent the most likely sub choice.

Lance Franklin will be central to Sydney's chances. Picture: Adam Head Source: News Corp Australia

MONEY MATTERS

Best bet: Sydney by 1-39pts $2.15

Why? This could be like taking candy from a baby. The Swans run deep in the midfield and even with Tippett out boast too many guns up forward. The $2.15 looks an easy double-up as Port Adelaide is too good to be blown out of the water.

One at odds: Melbourne to win $3.10

Why? No goalkickers, no Jobe and Melbourne's won three of its past four against the Bombers. Oh, did we mention the impact show-cause notices could have on the players? Worth a nibble on Sunday especially if you find a few winners at Flemington.

Multi: Carlton (+31.5pts) + North Melbourne (win) + Collingwood (-37.5) = $7

Why? The Blues fancy themselves at pushing the Hawks and could even cause the boilover with a bit of luck. North Melbourne is undefeated on the road and boasts too many weapons, while Collingwood will be keen to fire on all cylinders after the Queen's Birthday grind.

SUPERCOACH ALERT

NEED a bit of cash to upgrade one of your mid-tier plodders into a SuperCoach gem?

Then look no further than the McGovernator!

West Coast forward Jeremy McGovern ($123,900) is ripe for the picking and on the brink of a healthy price hike.

The North Albany product with a -56 break-even kicked two goals in the loss to Hawthorn.

Richmond star Brett Deledio is struggling for form. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Corp Australia

ON NOTICE: BRETT DELEDIO

THIS column has highlighted the Richmond Football Club's plight on several occasions this season.

Unfortunately, our pleas for the Tigers to put their best foot forward and secure the premiership points have fallen on deaf ears.

No longer can we protect the underperforming players, it's time to name names.

Brett Deledio is first cab off the rank.

The star midfielder has collected just 29 disposals in his past TWO games including 13 in last Sunday's embarrassing loss to North Melbourne.

Deledio spent more time worrying about umpiring calls than he did stemming the flood of Kangaroos' second-half goals.

C'mon Lids, you're better than this.

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Inconsistent Crows ‘frustrated’

Fremantle's Zac Clarke and Crows ruckman Sam Jacobs go head to head at Patersons Stadium. Picture: Paul Kane Source: Getty Images

Adelaide Crows coach Brenton Sanderson says his team was blown off the park in the second half.

ADELAIDE ruckman Sam Jacobs has conceded a dose of frustration has crept in among the Crows but is confident their good passages of play mean the game plan is still sound.

The Crows have been up and down all season — beginning with three straight losses but then recovering — and hit another snag when they lost to Fremantle last week.

It has left the club in a group of teams fighting for a top-eight spot and, as much as Jacobs said there had been no panic around West Lakes, the Crows players were getting edgy.

CHAPMAN PUTS TRUST IN SANDO

"As the supporters are, the players are frustrated as well," Jacobs said. "We're working overtime to make sure that we get the most out of our sessions.

"At the moment, that's where the frustration comes from because we are training really well and at a really high standard during the week.

"But for whatever reason, we're not producing it ... at the moment it's every second week.

"We are trying to change things ... there are things about our performance that need to change.

"But training was really upbeat again as it has been all week.

"We had a really good session today and we're well prepared and ready for the Kangaroos."

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Trust in Sando, says Crows chairman Rob Chapman

Adelaide Crows coach Brenton Sanderson arrives back from Perth. Picture: Tait Schmaal. Source: News Corp Australia

ADELAIDE chairman Rob Chapman has backed the direction of his club and coach Brenton Sanderson as they negotiate a tricky AFL landscape.

The Crows enter Saturday's clash with North Melbourne at Adelaide Oval saddled with a 5-6 win-loss record - never in the black for a season that promised so much.

Chapman met with coach Brenton Sanderson to dissect a 40-point loss to Fremantle in Perth that continued a fluctuating campaign for Adelaide and concluded he is "absolutely" on the right path.

"I had a quick debrief with Sando post game and discussed some of the reasons as best you can straight after the game as to why we got the result we got. That will be fleshed out, " said Chapman with the Crows attempting to avoid an empty September schedule.

"I trust where Sando is taking this and complete faith in him reviewing this week's game to get a better result."

While skipper Nathan van Berlo is still on the comeback trail from a serious Achilles injury, Chapman noted the development of stand-in skippers Patrick Dangerfield, Rory Sloane and in-form defender Daniel Talia.

There are green shoots.

What's Plan B? Crows coach Brenton Sanderson during the loss to Fremantle. Picture: Danial Wilkins.

"We have some excellent leaders like Patrick, Rory, Daniel who are learning on the job. Our leadership stocks are in good stead for the future," Chapman told The Advertiser.

While Chapman must contend with a Crows side languishing mid table, it is not where the club would want to be in terms of profitability.

The Crows keep packing Adelaide Oval and its corporate facilities in 2014 but a segment of the revenue stream is consumed by the Stadium Management Authority and SANFL.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan will next month chair a review where the Adelaide Oval numbers will be crunched.

The projections of uplift delivered two years ago will be finally compared with numerical reality.

The SANFL has indicated there will be a $12 million uplift to the Crows and Port from the move to Adelaide Oval.

Adelaide Crows coach Brenton Sanderson says his team was blown off the park in the second half.

The state's AFL clubs expect it is $7m with a predicted split of $3m for Adelaide and $3.9m at Alberton.

If the Crows' uplift dipped below $3m - even to $2.5m - then the financial afterglow of the move from West Lakes would dim appreciably.

Regardless, Chapman declined to speculate on any figures - determined to wait for the results of next month's stadium review.

"We have a plan and that has been articulated for the last 18 months. We are in the middle of executing against it and it is going well.

"We will do the review with all the goodwill necessary to get a good outcome.

"We are also working really hard to get better on-field results and that will be our focus this week against North Melbourne."

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