Dees axe another eight players

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

Melbourne will part ways with young forward Lucas Cook. Picture: Chris Scott. Source: Herald Sun

MARK Neeld's overhaul of Melbourne's playing stocks escalated today with eight demons delisted, including senior players Matthew Bate, Ricky Petterd and Jamie Bennell.

The Demons have now cut or traded 14 of the 46 footballers from their 2012 playing list.

Jordan Gysberts (North Melbourne), Cale Morton (West Coast), Stefan Martin, Brent Moloney (Brisbane Lions) and Jared Rivers (Geelong) all found new home in the trade and free agency period.

Today's cuts also included Lucas Cook, Liam Jurrah and rookies Jai Sheahan, Leigh Williams and Kelvin Lawrence.

Cook, a first-round draft pick, is hoping to find a new home as a delisted free agent after failing to crack through for a senior debut in his two seasons at the Dees.

Lawrence quit the club mid-year, while Sheahan was axed after only one season.

Last year the Dees had the chance to secure a second-round pick for Bate from the Western Bulldogs, but they demanded their first choice - No. 17 - and the deal fell through.

The Dees also lost former captain Brad Green, who retired after 254 games.

Dees to sweat it out in Kakadu

Petterd, a 24-year-old marking forward, may attract the most interest from rivals. Originally from Queensland, he has kicked 55 goals in his 54 games since his AFL debut in 2007.

The Dees have already added Chris Dawes, Shannon Byrnes, David Rodan, Cam Pedersen, Jack Viney and Jesse Hogan to their 2013 list.

Hogan, 17, is not eligible to play at the top level until 2014.

 

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Hooker blocks St Kilda's Brown bid

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

Mitch Brown was nearly a Saint. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

MITCH Brown was as good as a St Kilda player on Thursday night before Cale Hooker's reluctance to leave Essendon thwarted a proposed three-way trade, according to player agent Liam Pickering.

The Saints were desperate to secure Brown in the trade period to shore up their undersized defence and tabled a three-year contract the West Coast backman wanted to accept.

But with Brown tied to the Eagles for 2013 and West Coast hesitant to trade the 23-year-old, talks between the Saints and Eagles continually broke down.

But Pickering, who manages Brown, said a bumper deal involving Jamie Cripps, Hooker and picks 25 and 26 was "done" before Hooker blocked the move.

"We actually had the deal done late on Thursday night which involved Essendon and Cale Hooker," Pickering told SEN.

"But Cale Hooker didn't want to leave the Bombers in the end, so that was the end of that deal."

Under the deal, the Bombers would've landed picks 25 and 26 for Hooker, with West Coast securing Hooker and Cripps.

The Saints would have coughed up picks 25, 26 and Cripps to secure Brown.

Ultimately, they handed over Cripps and pick 46 for picks 41 and 44 in a direct trade with the Eagles.

Hooker, from East Perth, is believed to have been offered a three-year deal from the Eagles.

But with Darren Glass, Erick McKenzie and Will Schofield already at West Coast, Hooker could have been starved of AFL opportunities, as Brown was this season.

Hooker played 17 games for the Dons this year.

"But Cale Hooker was determined to stay at the Bombers and had a year to go on his contract, so that was the first snag," Pickering said.

"West Coast were pretty up front all the way - they wanted cover for Mitch.

"They were happy to do the deal with Cale Hooker if he wanted to go back, just so they had the player there.

"But once they couldn't get the player, they were never going to do it for the pick, which was disappointing."

St Kilda list manager Ameet Bains said the Saints were "very, very close" to prying Brown east, insisting they tried everything possible.

"But unfortunately it couldn't get done," he said.

"We understand it's a business and every club needs to be happy with the trade completed, so it is what it is."

But Eagles list manager Craig Vozzo denied that, declaring the contracted Brown was never placed on the table.

"(It was) never close at all. Our priority was always to keep Mitch," Vozzo said.

"He's a contracted player, we rate him very highly and want to keep him for a long time.

"We never wavered from that."

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Stefan Martin to join Lions

Stefan Martin (left) is off to Brisbane. Picture: David Clark Source: The Courier-Mail

MELBOURNE has made yet another trade deal with ruck-forward Stefan Martin headed to the Brisbane Lions.

The Lions and Demons were locked in a stalemate for two days with Melbourne wanting pick No.33 in exchange for Martin. However, Brisbane was only prepared to offer pick No.53.

The clubs have reached a compromise with Brisbane giving Melbourne picks 53 and 73 for the 26-year-old.

The paperwork is being lodged for Martin to head north in exchange for draft picks 53 and 73.

The two clubs had been stuck in a stalemate for several days, with the Demons demanding Brisbane's pick 33 for Martin.

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The 198cm Martin has played 57 matches for the Dees.

He joins former teammate Brent Moloney at the Lions and continues a trade and free agency exodus from Melbourne that also includes Jared Rivers (Geelong) and Jordan Gysberts (North Melbourne).

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Saints miss out on Brown

Jamie Cripps has been traded to West Coast. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: Herald Sun

A LATE trade deal has delivered Sydney goalsneak Trent Dennis-Lane to St Kilda.

The Saints made two deals in the final 10 minutes of the trade period.

Homesick first-round draft pick Jamie Cripps got his wish with only minutes left, traded back to West Coast.

The Saints sent pick 46 in the draft to the Eagles along with Cripps - pick 24 in the 2010 draft - and received picks 41 and 44 in return.

St Kilda had been pushing hard for young key defender Mitch Brown, but the Eagles maintained all trade month that Brown is a required player.

Brown was offered a three-year deal by the Saints and declared his wish to be traded, but remains under contract for one more season with West Coast.

After the deadline the two clubs had different interpretations of how close the deal was to getting done.

St Kilda list manager Ameet Bains said the Saints were "very, very close" to prying Brown east, insisting they tried everything possible.

"But unfortunately it couldn't get done," he said.

"We understand it's a business and every club needs to be happy with the trade completed, so it is what it is."

Every deal at Department of Trades

But Eagles list manager Craig Vozzo rubbished that the deal was ever even considered, declaring the contracted Brown was never placed on the table.

"(It was) never close at all. Our priority was always to keep Mitch," Vozzo said.

"He's a contracted player, we rate him very highly and want to keep him for a long time.

"We never wavered from that."

The Saints offered Jamie Cripps and pick No. 25 for Brown this week, but that was rejected by the Eagles.

Other deals that were in the pipeline but did not get done before today's 2pm deadline include Port Adelaide midfielder Ben Jacobs, who was hoping to join the Kangaroos, and Gold Coast's Josh Toy, who wanted to move to a Victorian club.

The Cripps deal came minutes after the Saints have given up pick 47 for 24-year-old Sydney goalsneak Trent Dennis-Lane, who has played 19 career games.

His best game was the 2010 elimination final against Carlton, when he kicked four goals and laid a game-saving tackle in the dying minutes.

Trent Dennis-Lane celebrates his crucial late goal during Sydney Swans v Carlton AFL elimination final match at SCG in Sydney. Picture: Brett Costello Source: Herald Sun

The Saints are clearly preparing for life after small forwards Stephen Milne (32) and Adam Schneider (26).

The Saints now have picks 25, 26, 41 and 44 in next month's draft.

Earlier, the Swans traded back-up defenders Matt Spangher and Campbell Heath to Hawthorn and Port Adelaide, respectively.

It is the first time since 2003 the Swans haven't traded in a player from another club.

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Tigers move on flying Kangaroo

Aaron Edwards in action against the Tigers. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

JACK Riewoldt may have competition in the air as Richmond considers a trade deal for North Melbourne high-flyer Aaron Edwards.

The Roos forward completed a fitness test at Tigerland yesterday.

He has played 82 career matches, booting 124 goals. But he could manage just nine appearances this season, and none after Round 9 as he fell behind tall forwards Lachie Hansen, Drew Petrie and Robbie Tarrant in the Roos' pecking order.

The Tigers see Edwards as a possible marking target to complement Riewoldt and Ty Vickery.

Join the live trades chat here

The role was filled by former Demon Brad Miller in the past two seasons before his retirement.

Edwards, 28, made his debut in 2005 for West Coast against the Tigers at the MCG and made an instant impression, kicking two goals in a dominant first quarter.

He has also registered several candidates for Mark of the Year during his time in Perth and Arden St.

The Tigers have recruited free agents Troy Chaplin and Chris Knights and sent ruckman Angus Graham to Adelaide in a busy trade period.

Get live trade updates on Twitter @superfooty and join the debate on Facebook

Kangaroos v Hawthorn. Aurora. Aaron Edwards takes a Mark of The Year contender over Stephen Gilham and next to Joel Smith in the goalsquare. pic 2 of 6. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Herald Sun

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Rodan to play for Demons

David Rodan gets away from Dayne Beams. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: Herald Sun

DELISTED Port Adelaide livewire David Rodan has joined Melbourne in a surprise trade deal.

Rodan was delisted by the Power last month and could have been recruited in the draft for nothing.

But Melbourne has instead burnt Pick No. 88 - which it was unlikely to use anyway - on the former Richmond and Power midfielder.

Paperwork is yet to be lodged with the AFL but Rodan just tweeted: "nek minnit ...im a demon. Can't wait to get started #bringon2013 #thirdtimelucky #carnthedees!"

The 29-year-old has played 176 career matches.

He adds to Melbourne's trade bounty that has landed Chris Dawes in a trade, Shannon Byrnes as a free agent, 17-year-old Jesse Hogan in the GWS mini-draft and Jack Viney as a father-son draft pick.

Join the live trades chat here

The Dees lost Brent Moloney to Brisbane during the free agency period.

Melbourne is still in talks over a number of players with Jordan Gysberts, Stefan Martin and Cale Morton looking for new homes and the Dees trying to find a way to get Cam Pederson and Farren Ray in the door.

MELBOURNE IN TRADE AND FREE AGENCY PERIOD

IN: Chris Dawes (Collingwood), Shannon Byrnes (Geelong), Jesse Hogan (mini-draft), Dom Barry (North Ballarat Rebels), Jack Viney (father-son rule), draft picks 49, 63, David Rodan

OUT: Brent Moloney (Brisbane Lions), Jared Rivers (Geelong), draft picks 3, 14, 21, 27, 48

DRAFT PICKS: 4, 49, 63, 70, 88, 106, 124

Get live trade updates on Twitter @superfooty and join the debate on Facebook

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Dogs seal Stevens deal

Footy guru Mike Sheahan names the trade that made fans cry to Frank the barber in an exclusive Gillette trade week video.

Cam Mooney reveals the day Denis Pagan told him he was off to Geelong to Frank the barber in an exclusive Gillette trade week video.

Koby Stevens is headed to Whitten Oval. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

KOBY Stevens is officially a Western Bulldog.

The Dogs and West Coast today struck a deal that secured Stevens' path home to Victoria, a week after the 21-year chose the Whitten Oval as his destination.

The Dogs gave up pick No.44 to the Eagles for the midfielder in an agreement that comes two days before the trade deadline.

Every deal at Department of Trades

Stevens is an inside-midfielder who once captained an AIS-AFL tour of Europe, but he played only 11 games in three years at West Coast given their strong midfield and injury problems.

His reputation as a contested ball aggressor seems to align perfectly with Dogs coach Brendan McCartney's philosophy.

Join the live trades chat here

"Koby is a high-quality person, with outstanding training habits and will add depth to the club's midfield," Bulldogs list manager Jason McCartney said.

"His big strong body along with a terrific attitude to his football make him a great acquisition to our football club."

Essendon and St Kilda were also interested in Stevens, who was originally taken by West Coast with pick No.22 in the 2009 national draft.

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Crows in draft tamper claim

Kurt Tippett listens in during a Crows training session at West Lakes earlier this year before announcing his wish to move to Sydney. Picture: Tait Schmaal. Source: The Advertiser

THE AFL is investigating potential draft tampering by Adelaide from its three-year deal with Kurt Tippett signed in 2009.

The investigation concerns an alleged addendum to the contract filed with AFL House, which could have been as informal as a gentleman's agreement but could also have been taken as a verbal contract. It is not believed there was a legal document signed by Tippett's manager Peter Blucher and the club.

At the heart of the inquiry is whether the Crows had guaranteed Tippett an easy passage to return to Queensland at the end of his contract, or to the club of his choice.

"The Australian Football League wishes to advise it has recently become aware of a matter regarding the contracting of player Kurt Tippett to the Adelaide Crows in 2009, to cover the 2010 - 2012 AFL seasons,'' AFL spokesman Patrick Keane said.

"The AFL is still in the process of investigating this matter and how it relates to the operation of the AFL Player Rules.

This afternoon the Crows released a statement confirming the investigation.

"The process began when the Adelaide Football Club notified the AFL of its concern relating to the matter and submitted relevant information to the League," the statement said. "The club welcomes the investigation and continues to assist the AFL with its enquiries. 

"Until the matter has concluded, the club will not be available for any further comment."

Earlier, Fairfax Media reported the Crows last week met with the AFL and presented a written document that confirmed an agreement between the club and Tippett allowing him to move to a new team of his choice.

In talks leading up and during the trade period, Tippett's manager Peter Blucher was clear that the Crows would help Tippett arrive at "the club of his choice'' when his contract expired, not limiting Tippett to the Gold Coast or Brisbane.

Either scenario, if proven, could amount to draft tampering and may not meet clear commercial value for both clubs, which is a requirement under AFL trade rules.
 
Every contract and trade deal has to be ticked off by the AFL and it's certain the clause would not be approved by the league if it had been put into the player contract Tippett signed three years ago.

Department of Trades

The Crows have denied Tippett had a "go home" clause in his last deal and Adelaide list manager David Noble previously said his understanding was that the club would seek to help Tippett return to Queensland. But he was not involved in signing off on the contract, having worked as an assistant coach at the time.

It is unknown whether the supposed gentleman's agreement was put in writing, served as a verbal contract or was less formal than that.
 
Join the live trades chat here

Tippett this month nominated Sydney as his preferred club. The trade period ends this week and if a deal with the Swans - or any AFL club - is not reached Tippett will slip through to the national and/or pre-season draft, leaving the Crows without compensation.

Trigg arrived back in Australia from Europe on Friday and put a planned swap of Tippett for Sydney's pick 23 and fringe player Jesse White on hold.

It is believed Trigg is demanding a better financial deal for the Crows.

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Morabito plans shock return

Fremantle midfielder Anthony Morabito could make a surprise comeback. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

FREMANTLE could be bolstered for its Round 1 blockbuster against West Coast by a remarkable return from injury by midfielder Anthony Morabito.

Morabito's manager, Colin Young, said the Dockers bolter was confident he would be ready to put his hand up for Fremantle's season-opener and could be in line for selection as early as the NAB Cup, marking an against-the-odds recovery from consecutive knee reconstructions.

Morabito, the Dockers' No.1 pick from the 2009 draft, has not played for Fremantle since the 2010 finals series after he ruptured his left ACL in the following pre-season.

The Peel product, who turns 21 at the end of this month, was battling his way back through the WAFL and had made seven appearances for the Thunder before he endured a heartbreaking recurrence of the injury at a Fremantle training session in July this year.

Dockers coach Ross Lyon noted last month that his player's initial reconstruction had not been successful, leading to the re-injury, but Young said the second round under the knife had produced far better results.

"I haven't spoken to Morra since the best-and-fairest, but he's on track for NAB Cup,'' Young said.

"He doesn't see any problems starting Round 1 and going on.

"He looked in great shape when he was training and he's very confident, very excited about next year.''

A pre-season return for Morabito would be a stunning recovery and an overdue bout of good fortune for the footballer.

His first operation was in December, 2010, and it took almost 16 months for his return to football a 15-touch game with Peel reserves in Round 3, late March this year.

A NAB Cup return would mark a seven-month layoff, while a Round 1 selection to face the Eagles would be eight-month recovery.

Young said there was a notable difference in Morabito's reaction to the latest surgery.

"He went to Melbourne to have the operation under Julian Feller, who's probably the master of all surgeons in Victoria,'' he said.

"He was pretty convinced that he'd be back for NAB Cup, if not, then latest Round 1 and so he's very happy with the outcome of working with Julian.

"(The first time around) I don't think in his own mind he felt confident that the operations were successful; he just didn't feel quite right.

"He really feels 120 per cent now, since the last one.

"He had no swelling at all after the operation and he's really confident going forward.''

Fremantle begins its pre-season on November 14, with the first to third-year players, with general manager of football operations Chris Bond saying the Dockers expected Morabito to rejoin ball drills in January.

"It's tragic circumstances, but to his credit he's really dug in,'' Bond told ABC radio. "We've had the surgeries done and we're expecting him to start running well into our pre-season and join in our football in January.

"We're in no doubt at all that we're going to get football out of Morra next year and we'll get a fair bit of footy.

"Now, what level and that, that's not the priority for us at the moment.

"Anthony Morabito is going to be a long-term player at our club and the way that he's gone through this adversity is a real credit to him.''

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Power eyes pair for pick 29

Jack Hombsch punches the ball away from Brent Thornton. He is heading to Port. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

PORT ADELAIDE has converted its second-round draft pick of No. 29 to two players in the AFL trade period.

One of these players will be Greater Western Sydney tall defender Jack Hombsch.

Originally from SANFL club Sturt, Hombsch was one of the 17-year-olds the Giants could claim while setting up its inaugural list last year. He was the first South Australian added to the GWS list.

Live: AFL Trades Chat

Hombsch, 19, played nine AFL games with the Giants this season.

The second player is Jake Neade, who was zoned to the Giants and on-traded.

The Year 12 student, who won All-Australian colours representing Northern Territory this year, will move to Alberton from Ballarat.

 

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LIVE: AFL trades chat

North Melbourne utility Cameron Pedersen could find his way to Melbourne. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Herald Sun

THREE weeks into the AFL's marathon trades period and the future of Adelaide defector Kurt Tippett is no clearer.

The key forward is locked in trade talks with Sydney as the Swans look to broker a deal with the Crows ahead of Friday's 2pm trade deadline.

Sydney ruckman/forward Jesse White looms as the likely trade option, with the Crows also in line to receive Swans 23rd pick in the national draft.

Meanwhile, St Kilda is set for a busy week as the Saints look to lure West Coast defender Mitch Brown and Gold Coast ruckman Tom Hickey.

Brown, who is contracted to the Eagles, wants out to return home to Melbourne.

But West Coast is determined on keeping the key defender and refuses to budge on the Saints offer which includes homesick West Australian Jamie Cripps.

More news: Department of Trades

Expect Melbourne to seal a deal which will see North Melbourne utility Cameron Pedersen become a Demon.

St Kilda midfielder Farren Ray could also find his way to Melbourne.

Others in the mix to switch clubs this week include: Mitch Brown (Geelong), Tom Gillies (Geelong), Stephen Gilham (Hawthorn) and Koby Stevens (West Coast).

LIVE HQ: JOIN THE LIVE AFL TRADES CHAT FROM 11AM BELOW:

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Hawks lead race for answers

Hawthorn is angry at the compensation it received for wingman Clinton Young and defender Tom Murphy. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

HAWTHORN is leading the fight for AFL clubs to get more information on the formula used to decide free agency compensation.

The Hawks are studying details to see if they can challenge the draft pick 66 return for running back Clinton Young's move to Collingwood.

"We'll go back through our documentation to see where there's (grounds) for an appeal or not. There doesn't appear to be one at first look,'' Hawks football manager Mark Evans told the Herald Sun today.

Evans said the clubs want more details of the new system, claiming they are "flying blind'' when not even being aware of an offer to a player who's an unrestricted free agency like Young.

"We'll all get use to it, but we need to have a system that has some equity in it. And we need to be able to understand why some things come out the way they do,'' he told SEN radio.

"I know it was an agreement between the AFL and the Players Association and that the formula be kept secret, but it doesn't help us understand the system.

"We've had some discussion with them (AFL), but we certainly haven't put anything formally at this stage.

"It's hard to determine the free agency compensation because we don't understand the details of the formula they've used. And it's not like we've got 10 years of experience of looking at free agency compensation picks to determine whether it's fair or not.

"We've only got the free agency compensation picks that have been handed out and, on the surface of it, pick 66 as a combination for Clinton Young and Tom Murphy doesn't seem just. And certainly doesn't look just when you look at some of the other compensations that were handed out.

"My issue is, if you've got a player who has just played in a grand final team with a club that's right at the top of the ladder and then you end up being 30 or 40 picks behind some of the other compensations for players you think might be regarded as about the same (ability), all I'm saying is that maybe that system we've come up with has got a couple of chinks in it.''

Evans said he wasn't aware there was no compensation for some players.

"We certainly need some better detail on why we ended up getting pick 66 for Clinton Young,'' he said.

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TV bosses still want GF time swap

Sydney's Nick Malceski is mobbed by teammates after kicking the winning goal in a classic Grand Final win against Hawthorn at the MCG. Picture: Hamish Blair Source: Herald Sun

Seven boss David Leckie still wouldn't mind seeing a later timeslot for the AFL Grand Final. Picture: Getty Images Source: Herald Sun

TELEVISION bosses don't come bigger and badder than Channel 7's David Leckie.

But not even Leckie - armed with hundreds of millions of dollars - could secure a night or twilight AFL Grand Final during the last round of broadcast rights negotiations.

"I'd love to, but I've been bashed around the head," Leckie admitted when the $1.25 billion deal was penned.

The man that bashed him was Andrew Demetriou.

The league chief has long declared that a night Grand Final simply won't happen under his watch.

And on this count of trademark Demetriou belligerence, let's hope he's right.

It's called Grand Final 'Day' for a reason.

Since 1898 when Fitzroy beat the Bombers, the last Saturday afternoon in September has been the showpiece of the Australian game.

Why fix what isn't broken?

But rumblings are growing louder that the TV kings are set to try again, for a twilight slot at least.

Seven yesterday remained tight-lipped about its intentions.

And if you're one of those in favour of the game being played under lights, Collingwood president Eddie McGuire is your man.

"If you are serious about what you are trying to achieve, the ultimate marketing tool the AFL has is the AFL Grand Final," McGuire said this year. "And if you want to put on the biggest and best show you do it at night. Have an entertainment spectacular with a million-dollar budget."

Sorry Ed, but the Rolling Stones could have played pre-game this year and we'd still be talking about Nick Malceski's goal.

The Sydney-Hawthorn epic played out in fading light at the MCG didn't need fireworks or rock bands to make it an all-time great.

Rugby league's failed experiments should serve as another warning.

In 2001, the NRL shifted to a night decider on the whim of Channel 9 before people power got the game moved back to a 5pm start.

When last asked for their opinion, more than 90 per cent of AFL players said they opposed anything other than an afternoon game.

The AFL, obsessed about congestion, said amid the interchange furore this week that all its rule changes were made with a view to player safety and the spectacle of the game.

So surely the best stage for footy's biggest match is a sunny September afternoon - not a night match more likely to be slippery because of dew.

Not to mention the death of the backyard Grand Final BBQ.

But if Demetriou's words ring true, traditionalists need not fret.

"If the only reason we were to do it was to please our broadcasters or to get more eyeballs on it, it wasn't a good enough reason to do it," he has declared.

"Even if we were offered a significant amount of money to move our Grand Final, we wouldn't do it."

That was August 2007 and the boss isn't a man to backflip.

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How Mick stopped a player revolt

Mick Malthouse with Eddie McGuire at the end of the 2011 season. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

Biography of Mick Malthouse to be released this week. Source: Herald Sun

MICK Malthouse hosed down a 2011 player revolt at Collingwood that wanted to keep him as coach.

In an exclusive book extract from Malthouse: A Football Life, to be released this week, it is revealed the Magpies' 2010 premiership coach was approached by a senior player who said several of his colleagues were prepared to sign a petition to have him stay on.

Former champion Collingwood player Nathan Buckley signed a deal in mid-2009 that meant he would take over from Malthouse as Collingwood coach for season 2012, regardless of interim results.

But almost from the moment the Pies saluted in the 2010 Grand Final replay against St Kilda, there was intense speculation about the arrangement and how the football giants would co-exist.

In the biographical book on her father, Christi Malthouse has revealed that while the thought of the petition appealed, the three-time premiership coach talked the player around because he thought it would "derail" the Magpies' 2011 premiership tilt which, at the time, was flying.

"By Round 16 (of the 2011 AFL season), the Magpies were second on the ladder, with 12 wins, one loss and two byes," Christi writes.

"By now it was early July and speculation about the future of the Collingwood coach had reached boiling point.

"Rumours abounded that Mick might not stay at Collingwood, that he might possibly coach elsewhere in 2012.

"Mick was in his office when a player tapped on the door.

"The young man in front of him looked nervous. 'Can I talk to you?'

"As the coach listened, his player revealed to him that several senior players wanted to sign a petition to have him reinstated as senior coach for the following year.

"It was nothing against the 'coach in waiting' (Buckley), he insisted, but the boys were concerned.

"They loved Mick, they needed Mick, and they weren't prepared to stand back and do nothing as he was replaced.

"Especially after winning a premiership. 'I would like to take it to management and the board', said the player.

"Mick's heart thumped inside his chest and echoed in his mind. 'What an amazing gesture,' he thought. But what a disaster it would be."

Christi writes that her father then made a call based on keeping the Magpies on a roll.

" 'No. Put those ideas away. I appreciate it, I really do, but it will only do more damage than good'," she writes.

"He was firm. 'It's not going to change anything. Nathan will be your coach next year - you have to get used to that. The only thing that can derail our season this year is if our focus is taken off winning.'

"Mick was desperate not to let that happen.

"They talked some more, and in the end it was agreed that everyone was better off concentrating solely on playing good football.

"They could worry about next year later."

Malthouse, who has signed to coach Carlton next season, was famously in tears as Collingwood rallied late to beat Hawthorn in the 2011 preliminary final.

But the Magpies were over-run by Geelong in the final quarter of the Grand Final, having led narrowly at halftime.

From Malthouse: A Football Life, published Wednesday by Allen & Unwin. Copyright Christi Malthouse 2012.

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