Look beyond Murphy, says Maclure

It was John Reid's 'parting gift' for the Crows

Chris Judd is set to relinquish the Carlton captaincy. Picture: Chris Hyde. Source: Getty Images

CARLTON legend Mark Maclure has urged the Blues to look beyond the on-field brilliance of Marc Murphy when deciding on the club's next captain.

Murphy, 25, is the frontrunner to replace superstar veteran Chris Judd, who is poised to step aside after five years in the job.

CEO Greg Swann yesterday gave the green light for Judd to "concentrate on playing good footy" and help groom the team's next on-field general.

While a Superfooty poll was 40 per cent in favour of Murphy getting the nod, Maclure said new coach Mick Malthouse will challenge the players to think broadly about the leadership candidates.

"It's not always the best player," Maclure said.

"Is Nick Maxwell the best player at Collingwood? No he's not. But Nick Maxwell is a pretty good captain at Collingwood.

"It's not always the Marc Murphy who can get 35 touches, sometimes it's what he does when he hasn't got the ball and that's what Nick Maxwell does.

"It might be Kade Simpson who you don't hear much of, who slides under the radar all the time.

"If I think I know what Mick would want it would be one of the most well respected players and respected for what they do on the field and off it. Not because they can get 30 kicks a week."

Andrew Carrazzo and Michael Jamison both have strong support.

It is understood Judd, 29, is keen to offload some of the added captaincy responsibilities in the final year of his playing contract.

Greg Swann said the club would not force Judd to remain in the position if he had doubts.

"If he doesn't want to do it, well then, you don't want to make him do it," the Blues CEO said.

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Manager: Swan is fine, end of story

It was John Reid's 'parting gift' for the Crows

Collingwood's Dane Swan at this year's Brownlow Medal. Picture: Michael Klein. Source: Herald Sun

DANE Swan's manager Liam Pickering has dismissed suggestions that the Collingwood star has a lifestyle problem.

Pickering came to Swan's defence after there was a call this week for the 2011 Brownlow Medal winner to be sacked for alleged poor conduct during the off-season.

"There is no problem,'' Pickering told SEN today. "He (Swan) is across exactly what needs to be done. We've discussed it, we know where he is at, and we move on.''

AFL stars avoid drug strikes

Pickering said he had not asked Swan about the allegations that his off-field behaviour was seen as a serious issue at Collingwood, but he had spoken with the club.

"There wasn't a lot of facts to it,'' Pickering said of the call to sack Swan.

Asked whether he had specifically asked his player whether drugs were a serious issue for AFL footballers, he said: "Why would I? If you ask them, what do you think their response would be?

"You try to educate your players, but you trust their better judgment in a situation that they will understand the implications.''

Collingwood chief executive Gary Pert told the Herald Sun this week that illegal drug use among AFL players was one of the biggest problems in the game.

Picture gallery: Magpies hit the beach
 

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Wait for Crows, Tippett verdict

Adelaide Crows are expected to be hit with a severe penalty by the AFL at today's commission hearing into alleged draft tampering and salary cap rorting.

Adelaide Crows chief executive Steven Trigg could lose his position at today's hearing. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: The Advertiser

AFL operations manager Adrian Anderson arrives at AFL House for the Commission meeting that will decide penalties for Adelaide and Kurt Tippett. Picture: Klein Michael Source: Herald Sun

AFL prosecutor Jeff Gleeson arrives. Picture: Klein Michael Source: Herald Sun

THE hearing into Adelaide and Kurt Tippett's salary cap breach has broken for lunch.

It is unknown how long the adjournment or the sitting will last, but the Adelaide Football Club's twitter feed has reported, "some time to go yet".

It had appeared the Crows' and Tippett's AFL hearing was drawing closer to an end after inaugural Crows chairman Bob Hammond left AFL House about 11.30am.

Hammond, also a former AFL commissioner, is understood to have appeared before today's league commission hearing as a character witness for club football operations manager Phil Harper.

The parties have been inside the closed hearing for almost six hours after arriving shortly before 8am today.

Crows officials and Tippett's representatives made a back-door arrival at the league's Docklands headquarters as they tried to dodge the waiting media pack.

Adelaide officials - chairman Rob Chapman, chief executive Steven Trigg, football operations manager Phil Harper and former football boss John Reid - refused to answer questions as they attempted to slip in through a back entrance.

Tippett and his legal crew headed by top QC David Galbally also tried to avoid the cameras as they entered through the same door.

Several AFL bosses including Adrian Anderson and female commissioner Sam Mostyn began arriving through the front door from about 7.40am.

Speculation suggests the Crows and Tippett are simply bargaining with the AFL on penalties.

Tippett is rumoured to be facing a 12-match suspension while the Crows are expecting a $300,000 fine and a ban from the first two rounds of next year's draft.

Questions will be asked from all of the parties, mitigating factors will be presented on behalf of the Crows and then it is understood there will be an adjournment for the AFL Commission to deliberate.

The player at the centre of Adelaide's greatest crisis, Tippett, is expected to plead not guilty to the charges levelled at him.

The Crows will argue:

THEY have not broken the salary cap, which cost Carlton so dearly in its penalties from the AFL in 2002, when they were restricted in two drafts and fined close to $1 million.

PLEADING guilty to all of the charges before the club does, is not an admission of wilfully breaking the rules or seeking personal gain.

THE charges were brought upon them by themselves, but not necessarily in a wilful or sinister fashion.

The Advertiser also understands Reid, who by right did not have to front the hearing - he no longer works in the game - will be happy to take the fall for the transgressions that have transpired.

Crows insiders have quashed speculation Harper may be the fall guy.

It was also Reid's field in which the alleged salary cap breaches and draft tampering happened when the original Tippett contract was drawn up in late 2009.

The careers of Trigg and Harper at West Lakes are set to be decided tomorrow.

If they get suspended for more than six months by the AFL, their positions with the Crows will most likely be seen as untenable.

Less than that, it becomes a judgment call for the board.

Chairman Rob Chapman yesterday sent an email to all of the club's members promising each member they would be contacted by a club director to explain what has transpired once the matter has been finalised.

Where to? Kurt Tippett has a big decision to make. Source: Herald Sun

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Tigers promote Maric, Grimes

Beware of drafting Jurrah: Tredrea

Ivan Maric became a fan favourite after joining the Tigers from Adelaide. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

RICHMOND ruckman Ivan Maric and injury-prone defender Dylan Grimes will help lead the Tigers under new skipper Trent Cotchin next season.

Chris Newman, who stepped aside as captain at the end of last season, has stood down from the leadership group.

Players and coaches voted on the new leadership structure during their training camp in Cairns this week.

The expanded leadership group also includes Cotchin, vice-captain Brett Deledio, forward Jack Riewoldt and midfielder Daniel Jackson.

Maric finished third in the Jack Dyer Medal after joining the Tigers from Adelaide.

Grimes has played just 17 senior games and faces an uncertain future after more surgery on his hamstring this week.

"Both players fully deserve their inclusion in the leadership group, for the respect they have within the club and the way they conduct themselves, both on and off the field," football manager Craig Cameron said.

"Dylan is an outstanding young leader and a fine example to the developing players on our list, and Ivan has made an enormous impact at the club in only 12 months."

Cameron said Newman would continue to be a leader regardless of any official position. He is the only member of the 2012 leadership group not to retain his position.

After four days of hard training in the Cairns heat, the Tigers have broken into groups and dropped in various locations across north Queensland to compete in an Amazing Race-style challenge.

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Port $2 million in red

Port Adelaide had a horror year on and off the field. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: AdelaideNow

PORT Adelaide has recorded a loss of more than $2 million for 2012, even after a $2 million handout from the SANFL.

Port today announced an operating loss of $2,11,071.

Chief executive officer Keith Thomas blamed the result on the club's poor on-field performance, which resulted in just five wins and a draw for the season and led to the sacking of coach Matthew Primus.

"This result is a long way from where we want to be," Thomas said.

"This year started positively, but early losses - albeit against some very good teams - quickly again impacted on our corporate, membership and game day returns.

"Coming off a very poor 2011, we feared further underperformance would have an adverse effect on the key revenue streams of sponsorship and membership, and unfortunately that's how it turned out."

Port has overhauled its off-field structure post-season, with TV personality David Koch taking over as president.

Thomas said the club had increased its football department spending by $900,000 in 2012 and would continue that support.

"We certainly cannot be accused of overspending off the field because we have kept our costs very heavily restrained," he said.

"Even our on-field investment is really quite modest in that we were ranked in the bottom couple of teams in the AFL for football spending in 2012."

Worrying times for Port Adelaide coach Matthew Primus. Source: AdelaideNow

"It is very clear you cannot compete in the AFL without investing in footy and doing everything you can to stay in touch with the bigger clubs.

"We have put in place what we believe is an outstanding football structure for next year and beyond, led by our senior coach Ken Hinkley.

"The investment we have made is about one thing - producing better results on the field. From that, we are confident of securing our financial independence.

"Not much works when you're not playing good football, so our strategy is very clearly to get that right and to make our brand image one of stability and strength to get to Adelaide Oval in shape to take full advantage of the financial benefits that we are confident of achieving there.

"Together, all of that makes for a whole different ball game for Port Adelaide from where we have been."

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Rookie squeeze as AFL cuts lists

Sam Colquhoun was named SA's MVP for the recent national under-18 championships but missed at the draft. He could be one of less than 30 rookies taken next month. Picture: Noelle Bobrige. Source: AdelaideNow

AFL hopefuls who missed out at last week's national draft are facing a nervous wait ahead of what is shaping as the smallest rookie draft in history.

Fewer than 30 picks are likely to be used with the AFL slashing rookie lists from six to four in 2013 after a two-year spike as new franchises Gold Coast and GWS were introduced.

One player manager said it was unpredictable how clubs would attack the December 11 draft and said the squeeze would result in a number of AFL-standard players being stranded in 2013.

"We think there'll be about 28 picks,'' Justin Reid of Elite Sports Properties said.

"List management has got really tight because everyone loaded up on rookies because of the new franchises and there's been a real squeeze effect.''

Sam Colquhoun, Dayle Garlett, Darcy Fort, Jason Pongracic, Will Hams and Adam Saad lead the teenage crop of players hoping to graduate to AFL level next month, while St Kilda is close to snaring former Docker defender Dylan Roberton.

Several clubs will not have a single pick in the rookie draft after retaining their 2012 quota of rookies.

Geelong brought in just two new players at the national draft and will have no rookie selections.

Of the Cats six rookies this season, they were forced to cut Jon Simpkin (who signed at Hawthorn), promoted Jesse Stringer to the senior list and retained the rest.

Essendon is also set to baulk at holding a live pick in the rookie draft after committing to redrafting Ariel Steinberg.

Clubs can list a maximum of 40 senior players and four rookies next year, but many will adopt a 39-5 or 38-6 breakdown for salary cap purposes.

"I tend to think a lot of the clubs will be doing that because it's hard to carry 40 (senior players),'' Reid said.

"It's not a bad thing because it's while it's harder to get into the system it creates equality through the competition and hopefully a better competition.''

Calder Cannons talent manager Ian Kyte said in a normal rookie draft he would expect another two of his players to graduate but they were now ``borderline'' selections.

"The rookie draft has been so successful in having players listed go onto play many games at all AFL clubs,'' he said.

"We're going to suffer most in the first year. This is when the kids are going to find it harder to get onto an AFL list and I'm not sure how public it is to a lot of people.

"There will certainly be kids from last year that were hoping to go to VFL and then get rookied and it doesn't help them either.

"It's tough to get into this industry and this just means it might take a little bit longer and a bit more hard work.''

Kyte said while it was frustrating this season it should make the AFL a fairer competition given some clubs could struggle to continually prop up six rookies.

Collingwood could use up to three selections after clearing out most their rookies in September and are eyeing Ben Hudson and Port Melbourne midfielder Sam Dwyer.

The rookie and pre-season draft order is yet to be finalised and subject to the final list lodgement and salary cap standings.

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VOTE: Which sport had the worst year?

Did cycling have the worst year of any sport? Have your say in our online poll. Source: AP

CYCLING, swimming, AFL, NRL or racing?

It's hard to pick a definitive winner for the dubious prize of the sport that's had the worst year, but we'll help you decide with our pick of each sport's indiscretions over the past 12 months.

Read on the VOTE NOW in our online poll.

CYCLING

Scandals don't get any bigger and dirtier than the Lance Armstrong saga.

When the biggest name in the cycling history and one of the most recognisable faces of cancer survival is stripped of seven Tour de France victories and every other title he won after 1998, it's not only Armstrong who is forever tarnished, but the sport itself.

The queue of former pro cyclists who subsequently admitted drug use, including some who had since taken up positions with Cycling Australia, was almost as long as Lance's Tour routes, and the story earns extra points for murkiness because Armstrong has never been scientifically proven to have taken any of the drugs his former teammates claim he chowed down.

Thanks to USADA's successful pursuit of Armstrong and his cohorts, the sport may be infinitely cleaner, but the demolition job in the court of public opinion is likely irrepairable irrepairable.

Kurt Tippett left Adelaide on a wave of controversy after it emerged he was allegedly paid huge sums of money outside the Crows' salary cap. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: adelaidenow

AFL

The best was saved for last, as is emerged Adelaide had paid gun forward Kurt Tippett extra cash outside of his contract.

Tippett is alleged to have been paid about $300,000 outside of his contract, while his deal also allegedly carried an illegal clause allowing him to bail on the club for a second-round pick at the end of 2012.

Given the penalties that ravaged Carlton after their salary cap rorts were uncovered 10 years ago, we're a long way from seeing the end of this one.

Speaking of Carlton, Brock McLean did his old club Melbourne no favours when he finally lifted the lid on the worst-kept secret in the AFL - the Demons had 'tanked' games in 2009.

While the AFL hierarchy still has its head in the sand over the issue, the elephant in that corner continues to grow.

He set the AFL world alight and gave Melbourne fans hope, but the Liam Jurrah story quickly soured when he was arrested and implicated in a machete attack in Alice Springs.

The talented indigenous player has since quit the Demons and is facing three charges of aggravated assault and one of unlawfully causing serious harm.

Sleeping in hardly seems a sackable offence, but Richmond finally lost patience with Daniel Connors when he took a sleeping tablet and missed a training session after a late night with Dustin Martin.

Martin copped a two-game ban but Connors was left to pick up the pieces after being dumped by the Tigers.

James Magnussen's disappointing performance in the Olympic 4 x 100m relay highlighted Australia's woes in the pool. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: The Daily Telegraph

SWIMMING

The buck stops at Australia's dismal performance in the pool at the London Olympics, but the list of indiscretions continues to grow in a turbulent year for what was once our most successful Olympic sport.

The disastrous London campaign that saw the team fail to win a single individual gold medal - down from six in Beijing and seven in Athens - was compounded by reports of team misbehaviour and bullying in the Olympic village.

You'd think our pool stars would now be laying low, but no.

Only last week diver Matthew Mitcham revealed he battled a crystal meth addiction last year, and this week Swimming Australia boss Kevin Nial resigned and former squeaky clean golden boy Eamon Sullivan was busted for allegedly injuring two people while taking a joyride on a pensioner's motorised scooter at a buck's party.

Damien Oliver won't ride again until late next year after being banned for an illegal $10,000 bet. Picture: Andrew Tauber Source: Herald Sun

RACING

It surprises no one that thoroughbred racing is about as clean as the conversation at a sportsmen's night, but this year's torrent of indiscretions is almost unmatched.

At the top of the list is the biggest name in jockeyland, Damien Oliver, being rolled for an illegal $10,000 bet.

Turns out betting on a rival horse in the same race isn't kosher, and stench of this one will long linger because of accusations Racing Victoria delayed charging the Melbourne Cup winner to avoid the heat during the Spring Racing Carnival.

Meanwhile, fellow hoop Danny Nikolic is having a two-year holiday for threating Racing Victoria chief steward Terry Bailey and his family.

Then you had mining gazillionaire Nathan Tinkler in strife for not paying more than $1 million in outstanding cash, and a growing number of trainers either banned or in the gun for treating horses on a race day.

The laundry is out, and it is filthy.

This was about as good as it got at the Bulldogs' mad Monday celebrations. Picture: Craig Greenhill Source: The Daily Telegraph

NRL

Nothing is surer than that a slow news day will inevitably be salvaged by some sort of rugby league scandal.

It was actually a relatively quiet year for Australia's worst-behaved football code, but they still managed to squeeze in a few sordid episodes.

It wouldn't be an NRL season without a few drunken incidents, and the Bulldogs' mad Monday antics were the pick of the bunch.

Urinating on Belmore Sports Ground in full view of the media, sexist comments towards the same group of journalists and a foul-mouthed spray by club gear stewart Fred Ciraldo took the Dirty Dogs to new depths.

That wasn't all.

Bulldogs prop James Graham tried to make a snack out of Storm star Billy Slater's ear during the NRL grand final - an incident that earned him a 12-match ban.

And the code took six months to carefully select its new CEO, and when it did it picked a bloke who didn't know who the Australian captain was.

Dave Smith says he was picked for the job because of his business acumen, not his passion for the sport, but try telling someone on the streets of South Sydney that the man running their game doesn't know Cam Smith from Gary Ablett.

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Lower, Bate train with the Dogs

Evasive outside runner with class and good goal sense.

Midfield wrecking ball Hrovat picks up possessions with ease and nearly every AFL club has shown interest in drafting him. Is he the next Sam Mitchell?

The goalkicking midfielder the Dogs desperately crave. Put serious work into his contested footy work this season.

Nick Lower could be heading to the Dogs. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: The Advertiser

THE Western Bulldogs could strengthen their back half with delisted Fremantle defender Nick Lower, who trained under coach Brendan McCartney this morning.

Former Dee Matthew Bate, who the Dogs targeted in last year's trade period, also trained at Whitten Oval today.

Lower is a big chance to win a senior listing at the Dogs at the December 11 pre-season draft.

>> VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE: Pick Me videos of three prized Dogs draft picks

The 25-year-old was unlucky to be cut by the Dockers, with sources close to Lower tipping he would have been safe if Adam McPhee had announced his shock retirement before the delisting was made.

Lower played three games in an injury-hampered 2012 season, taking his career tally to 42 games.

He hit a major form spike at the back end of 2011, racking up 37 touches against Collingwood in a career-best effort.

Lower is considered the front-runner to land at the Dogs, with the club expected to use one selection in the pre-season draft and one in the rookie draft.

Dog draft pick on fast track to success

"We won't rule out taking at least one mature-age player," Dogs recruiter Simon Dalrymple said.

The Dogs offered a second-round pick for Bate last year but were told only pick No. 17, ultimately used on hard-nut Clay Smith, would satisfy the Dees as the deal broke down.

Bate was axed by Mark Neeld as part of a major Melbourne clean-out at the end of the season.

Champion VFL onballer Ben Duscher is also training at the Dogs and remains close to assistant coach Shannon Grant.

Duscher, who captains Bendigo Gold where Grant coached from 2010-11, is one of the prime second-tier midfielders and has drawn AFL interest the past two years.

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Bombers hand bad boy lifeline

Two Tippetts for the price of one

Western Australian junior star Dayle Garlett. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON is set to roll the dice on the riskiest prospect in this year's draft after inviting Dayle Garlett to training.

Garlett was seen as a possible top-10 pick earlier in the year, but all 18 clubs put a line through his name on draft night.

The talented WA midfielder was cut from the AFL academy in March after reports of bad off-field behaviour.

Bombers coach James Hird confirmed todday Garlett would train with the club in Melbourne next week and could be picked up if he impresses.

He said the West Australian would have the same chance as any other player to prove his worth ahead of the pre-season draft.

"No doubt there's a lot of talent there and the way he plays his football excites everyone," Hird said on the Gold Coast, where the Bombers are holding a week-long training camp.

Draft Tracker: Complete profiles of every pick

"We've just got to work out whether someone like Dayle fits our group.

"We've got an opportunity to pick someone up in the pre-season draft and we'll have a look at him for that."

One player who won't be at Windy Hill next year is midfielder Brent Prismall, who Hird confirmed is all but certain to join Port Adelaide.

Prismall had continued to train with the Bombers despite being delisted earlier this month and Hird said Essendon were preparing to re-sign the 61-gamer in the pre-season draft.

But Prismall has since left to train with the Power and Hird said it looks like his time with the Bombers has come to an end.

"We would have offered him a one-year deal, they (Port) look they're going to offer him a bit longer than that and good on him for securing his professional future," Hird said.

"In the time of professional football that's a sound business decision."

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Winmar cut by Saints

Two Tippetts for the price of one

Nick Winmar has been cut by the Saints. Picture: Chris Eastman Source: Herald Sun

Classic all-rounder who can break lines from defence, rotate through the midfield, and sneak forward to kick goals.

ST KILDA'S disastrous 2009 off-field trading and recruiting spree has completely unravelled with the Saints today sacking top draft pick Nick Winmar.

The speedster was the last player left on the Saints' list that they brought in after the Grand Final loss to Geelong.

The wretched two-month period saw St Kilda cough up prized picks for Andrew Lovett and Brett Peake, lose Collingwood-turned premiership midfielder Luke Ball for nothing and draft Winmar, Jesse Smith, Adam Pattinson and Will Johnson - who have all since been delisted.

Exclusive video of St Kilda's top draft pick Nathan Wright

The Saints have now lost their first selection in the 2008-10 drafts, with Tom Lynch (Adelaide) and Jamie Cripps (West Coast) traded in the past two seasons.

Winmar, who was recruited using pick 32 overall, played just two matches in his three years at the club and had a year left on his contract.

"Late last week we advised Nick and his manager that we would be releasing him from the final year of his contract," Saints footy boss Chris Pelchen said.

"This was a difficult decision, however we feel it is the right one for both Nick and the club. Nick has been a respected member of the Saints over the past three years and we wish him every success for the future."

Winmar, 21,  is eligible for both the pre-season and rookie drafts, while the Saints will now carry an extra pick on December 11.

The Saints have been linked to former West Coast midfielder Adam Cockie, who impressed at VFL affiliate Sandringham this season.

St Kilda today flies to Colorado for its high-altitude training camp under respected new fitness chief Bill Davoren.

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Hawks winners in "goodwill" games

Tim O'Brien was picked up by Hawthorn in the draft. Picture: Peter Argent Source: The Advertiser

FATE is a fickle thing when it comes to determining one's football future, particularly when confronted with the uncertainty of the draft.

And so it was last week when, as late as Wednesday, South Australian Tim O'Brien thought his first career move would keep him in Adelaide with the Crows.

That is until the Crows, embroiled in a Kurt Tippett-related salary cap scandal, handed in their first two draft picks in a "goodwill gesture'' it hoped would reduce the penalty it will inevitably suffer in the coming weeks.

O'Brien, who was likely destined to be selected with the Crows' pick No.20, was instead taken by Hawthorn's pick No.28 and as a result the 193cm forward was packing his bags for Melbourne.

"I did have a lot of contact with Adelaide,'' O'Brien said after completing his first training session at Waverley Park.

"But I was the same as everybody else, I didn't really know what was going on with them. It was a big thing when they lost their pick, I suppose.''

Draft Track: Complete profiles of every pick

Rather than dwell on what might have been, O'Brien said he could not have asked for a better result than landing at Hawthorn.

"I'd been talking to Hawthorn during the year and it was probably the club I wanted to go to the most,'' he said.

"It's just a great feeling around here. It's one of the older, more established clubs. There's a lot of great players to learn off, great leadership.''

If fellow Hawks recruit Kaiden Brand was nervous about where the football Gods would place him last week then he wasn't letting on.

Brand, also a key forward and also a South Australian, said he didn't get too caught up in the hype of draft day on Thursday.

"I had to work, so I was there most of the day,'' Brand, an apprentice electrician, said.

"Then I had Westies (West Adelaide) footy training, so I actually got a phone call when I was on my way home. I didn't get to watch (the draft).''

Asked what it was like to be able to hand in his resignation on Friday, Brand said: "It was a pretty good feeling''.
 

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Viney shines, Watts scare

Tough, courageous and a born leader. The Dees have a steal in Viney, who will play Round 1 next year.

Jack Viney hits a tackle bag during Melbourne training. Picture: Blair Hamish Source: Herald Sun

MELBOURNE'S father-son gem Jack Viney has wasted little time making a big impression on his new teammates.

The hard-nut midfielder was a standout with his ferocious attack on the ball at training today.

The man who looms as a bargain No.26 pick for the club is headed for a likely Round 1 debut for the Dees.

Viney, and another new recruit, David Rodan, from Port Adelaide, were the two who impressed most in the session which focused on the Dees' stoppage work.

But there was some concern for former No.1 draft pick Jack Watts, who walked off the track late in the session with a groin concern.

Watts appeared to be in some discomfort as he ended his session feeling the right side of his groin.

Watts sought the immediate attention of the club's doctor and physio.

Veteran Aaron Davey also appeared to struggle with his fitness as he continues to recover from a left knee problem.

The Demons midfielder had his knee taped and limped at times during the two-hour work-out at Gosch's Paddock.

The 158-gamer played eight games last season and has a battle on his hands working his way back into the Demons' best 22.

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September axe to spur Griffin

DRIVEN: Fremantle ruckman Jonathon Griffin will use last year's September omission as a motivating factor this pre-season. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

PLENTY of Fremantle players are beginning this pre-season spurred by the pain of last season's finals exit.

One big Docker has been dealing with the pain of not even being out there in September.

Ever since he arrived at Fremantle two years ago, Jonathon Griffin has been asked whether he and Aaron Sandilands can play together.

Quietly but with an inner-determination, the wholehearted ruckman has continually reasoned that the pair can.

It is a belief Griffin continues to hold despite enduring the most frustrating period of his career.

The 26-year-old played 13 matches last season, the most he had managed since 16 for Adelaide in his debut year in 2007.

But after coach Ross Lyon experimented with using both he and Sandilands together for just the third time in the easy Round 23 victory over Melbourne, Griffin was axed for the finals and missed the Dockers' finals triumph over Geelong.

"It was hard to take, but you move on. It was really difficult to watch the finals," he said.

"That's what you play for all year and pre-season, so it's going to be something that I'll use to drive me through this pre-season and hopefully I'll have a good pre-season campaign and push forward for a good 2013."

Griffin will return to training on Wednesday with Fremantle's oldest players, but will be on light duties until after Christmas following surgery on his troublesome left hip.

He carried the problem throughout last season, including when called on to shoulder the ruck load for nine consecutive games through the middle of the season when Sandilands was out with a serious toe injury.

"I played through it pretty much all year. It stirred up a lot of things like my hamstrings, adductors - just stuff that I had to manage which made it frustrating," he said.

"I just tried to play the best footy that I could and I thought I was playing some pretty solid football.

"But the coaching staff and the match committee made the decision (to drop me), and I back their decision. I'm just going to use that as drive for this season."

Griffin has rarely been tested in attack during his two years in the west, with most of his games coming as a ruck replacement for Sandilands. He's adamant he's capable of forming a dangerous combination with skipper Matthew Pavlich up forward.

"It's been difficult because of that. Because Aaron's been out, it hasn't really given us the chance to experiment much with me up forward and Aaron in the ruck, or Aaron up forward and myself in the ruck," he said.

"Hopefully both of us can be fully fit and we can show them that we can make it work. I'd love to work alongside Pav in the forward line and also work alongside Aaron in the ruck.

"Hopefully I can spend some more time up in the forward line in the pre-season and develop that part of my game. I love playing up forward; I think most people do."

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Dons to draft delisted Prismall

Brent Prismall trains with the Bombers at Windy Hill. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON has confirmed it will take delisted midfielder Brent Prismall if he remains available in next month's pre-season draft.

The injury-hit Prismall has been told by the club that he will be granted a reprieve on December 11.

It came after the Bombers passed on their final selection in Thursday night's national draft, leaving one slot available for the pre-season draft.

Coach James Hird has assured Prismall that the pick will be used on him if he is available.

Exclusive Pick Me video of Dons draftee Joe Daniher

"We passed on one of our picks and we have a pre-season pick," Hird told the club's website.

"We are under no illusion that if Brent is there then we will definitely be picking him. That is something we are still looking at."

Prismall has been training with Essendon in the hope of securing another chance.

The 26-year-old has had little luck with injury, managing only 61 AFL matches with Geelong and Essendon.

Meanwhile, the Bombers have announced a trading profit of $401,429.

As a result of funds received for the development of the high performance centre at Melbourne Airport of $11.9 million, the club has recorded an overall operating profit of $12.3 million.

"The Flight Plan fundraising for the new High Performance Centre has made steady progress this year securing nearly $19 million of the $25.7 million project cost," Essendon chief executive Ian Robson said.

"We are confident our strong financial position will allow the club to pay down the shortfall as quickly as possible, aiming to be debt-free by 2015."

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