Afl News

Open Hart to boost Power

New Port Adelaide director of coaching Shaun Hart with senior coach Ken Hinkley. Hinkley says he was "staggered" to be able to sign the three-time premiership star. Picture: Simon Cross Source: News Limited

TEN years ago Shaun Hart unknowingly helped set Port Adelaide on the path to a premiership, now he's here to help them win another.

With the Power ecstatic to secure the three-time Brisbane Lions premiership player as Alan Richardson's replacement in the director of coaching role, Hart revealed he played an indirect role in Port's 2004 flag.

With Brisbane celebrating its third straight flag in 2003, Hart gave an interview for Adelaide radio and was asked why Brisbane had a stranglehold on the AFL premiership, while Port Adelaide consistently won minor premierships but folded come September.

The 2001 Norm Smith Medallist answered the question with the trademark honesty, unwittingly triggering a culture change at Alberton.

"I answered out of my heart and I said 'we play for each other more'," Hart recalls.

"My follow up story to that is that I got told that motivated Port Adelaide into the 2004 season.

"They decided they were going to prove me wrong and that whole philosophy wrong …

"I found out the day after the (2004) grand final, reading the Herald Sun , having breakfast.

"There was an article that said 'Lions sledge motivates Power victory'.

"I thought 'which one of my teammates has said something silly'.

"I read the article and there's my name it in, in the first paragraph.

"Mark Williams was quoted saying that sledge of 12 months before … had motivated the Power to change what it was."

It was Hart's trademark honesty in answering that question 10 years ago that made him Power coach Ken Hinkley's dream replacement for Richardson, who is now senior coach at St Kilda.

Hart, a gutsy 273 game midfielder at the Lions from 1990-2004, spent five seasons at the Suns, most recently as their reserves and development coach.

He worked with Hinkley for three years, and the Power coach yesterday said he was shocked Port was able to coax Hart out of the Gold Coast.

"We talk about bringing quality and character to our football club and that's the number one thing we want to bring, we've achieved that in spades with Shaun,'' Hinkley said.

"I know what he's like, I've seen him work first hand for three years, with wanting to help people and improve people …

"I'm staggered to be sitting here with Shaun to be honest, I didn't think we could get him out of the Gold Coast."

When asked how he would help the Power of 2014 improve on last season's fifth-place finish, Hart drew back to his remarks about Port post-2003.

"Premierships are won because it's the team - in the heat of the battle, when it gets right down to the wire - that plays for each other the most, that I believe will triumph," said Hart.

Hinkley said Hart would fill a similar role to Richardson although it would not be identical, with Hart encouraged to work his great strength - the ability to teach young players.

"We don't want to sit here and compare Richo (Richardson) to Shaun, we want to compare where the Port Adelaide Football Club sits today with the person we've been able to bring into it, and we know we've made a massive step forward with Shaun," Hinkley said.

Crows' close shave for Bailey

0 komentar

Crows coaches show their support for Dean Baily. From left, Alan Hincks, Heath Younie, Graham Dunstan, Mark Bickley, Peter Jonas, Tate Kaesler, Rob Harding, Matthew Clarke, Scott Camporeale, Darren Milburn and Brenton Sanderson. Source: Supplied

ADELAIDE Crows coaches have shaved their heads in a show of support for colleague and friend Dean Bailey.

Bailey is currently undergoing treatment after being diagnosed with cancer in November.

Despite being on indefinite leave, Adelaide's strategy and innovation coach has continued to play a role at the club, inspiring the players with visits between treatments.

At the club on Friday afternoon, coaches and support staff took turns with the clippers; some opting for a No. 2 shave and others, including coach Brenton Sanderson, assistant coach Scott Camporeale and high performance manager Paddy Steinfort, going down to a streamline No. 1.

Experienced cue-balls Scott Thompson and James Podsiadly were among the players on hand to offer hairdressing advice.

Crows CEO Steven Trigg said it was a show of support.

"It was a message to our mate that we're thinking of him," Trigg said.

McIntosh closes in on AFL return

0 komentar

Geelong ruckman Hamish McIntosh at training. Source: News Limited

GEELONG is excited but cautious about the prospect of injury-plagued ruckman Hamish McIntosh making his long-awaited return to football.

Cats coach Chris Scott on Thursday confirmed the former North Melbourne big man would be a definite starter in NAB pre-season matches, with the club hopeful he would pull on the hoops for the first time in the Round 1 clash against Adelaide.

Asked how the 107-game McIntosh was tracking in the pre-season, Scott replied: "I hesitate to say, but very well. Yeah ... very well.

"He's doing all the training that we're asking of him. And he's making a difference to the way we train on the track.

"He's a player that we're excited about because he's a different type of ruckman to our other guys and we're starting to see that on the training track now.

"I should speak cautiously when it comes to Hamish because he's missed a hell of a lot of footy, not only with us, but he played only eight games in two years prior to coming to us.

"Until he gets some consistency week after week and can back up from some hard games then it would be folly for us to get too excited."

Geelong Cat's Hamish McIntosh set to debut after injuries cause constant set back for the recruit over the past 12 months.

Scott forecast McIntosh would play a big part in the Cats pre-season, should he remain fit.

"He'll definitely play pre-season games," Scott said.

"We haven't finalised our pre-season program for all our players but it wouldn't surprise at all to see Hamish play the first game that's available to him."

Scott said the Cats had a "relatively healthy list", with a number of stars making steady progress from post-season surgery.

Allen Christensen and Jackson Thurlow are both "up and running" from minor hip surgery, while ruckman Dawson Simpson is training with the main group.

"He's (Simpson) back training now and looking good, which is really positive," Scott said.

"Shane Kersten injured his knee in the VFL grand final and he's making steady progress and is on track to play the first game of the season in a month or two, so we're slowly getting guys back.

"We're in a different situation to the one we were in last year where we had quite a big injury list.

"We're relatively healthy, I don't think that's a sign that we've gone softer on the players because they are working extremely hard, but we're pretty optimistic that when we start playing games we'll have something close to our best list available."

Livewire Steve Motlop completed light skills away from the main group yesterday as he recovers from patella tendinitis, which the club is carefully monitoring.

The club has put a line through Daniel Menzel until the midway-point of the main season, despite the youngsters showing encouraging signs.

Veteran Corey Enright is showing no signs of injury woes after injuring his knee at the back-end of the season, while the Cats No. 1 draft pick Darcy Lang has joined the main group and is already demonstrating why he was so highly valued but the club's recruiting staff, Scott said.

Port has a change of Hart

0 komentar

Shaun Hart has been appointed director of coaching at Port Adelaide Football Club. Source: News Limited

PORT Adelaide has appointed three-time premiership player Shaun Hart to its director of coaching role, ending an exhaustive search for Alan Richardson's replacement.

Hart, who played 273 games and won the 2001 Norm Smith Medal at Brisbane, comes to the Power from the Gold Coast Suns where he previously worked alongside Port coach Ken Hinkley

Hinkley said the club was confident it had the right man to replace the highly-rated Richardson, who will coach St Kilda this year.

"Shaun Hart is a class person and will be a huge asset to this football club," Hinkley said.

"He wants to improve people all the time, whether they're a player, a coach or anyone - that's Shaun Hart.

"You can never have enough character in your footy club and we have an exceptional person coming into our club in Shaun."

Hart worked for the Suns for five years, most recently as their reserves and development coach.

He said he was excited to join the Power as its new director of coaching.

"I've seen in the last 12 months just how far the team has progressed,'' he said of Port.

"I'm pleased to be part of the coaching team that's looking to take the group to the next level.

"I do leave Gold Coast with a heavy heart as I've been there for five years and worked with some great people, a great playing group and it's a great city."

Pain and gain at Power training

0 komentar

Port Adelaide skipper Travis Boak felt the pain at training when he was brought down by teammate Paul Stewart, but he was uninjured in the clash. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: News Limited

HAVING defied father time, Kane Cornes is now eyeing history as Port Adelaide's ultimate game breaker - first to the 300 club at Alberton.

Cornes is still winning time trials against teammates a decade younger while the AFL's new 120 per game interchange cap makes endurance athletes crucial to engine rooms - arguably extending the veteran's football journey.

Cornes is Port's game record-holder with 268 entering a 14th season but no player has reached the 300-game milestone exclusively at Alberton.

"It is still a little way away but as it got closer it would be nice to get there, be the first Port Adelaide player to do it," said Cornes, 31.

"There is still a fair bit of water under the bridge."

Cornes' longevity is remarkable. The four-time club champion is every chance of extending his current one-year deal into the 2015 season required to register 300 games.

However, it's an achievement that will be hard to match.

Port Adelaide veteran Kane Cornes dishes out a handball at training while being hassled by Angus Monfries and new recruit Matt White. Picture: Sarah Reed.

"I think you will still get a few 10-year players but not too many 300-game players," said Cornes who played every game in 2012 and 23 last season.

"The expectation physically and mentally on the AFL now makes it difficult to reach 300.

"We have never had one as a club and I think you will find it hard to get there.

"Probably only a 100 players have reached 300 games in the AFL, you have to play for a long period of time."

Cornes was nearly put out to pasture in 2011 during axed coach Matthew Primus' reign but has enjoyed an incredible renaissance under successor Ken Hinkley.

Cornes doubled his tackles from 58 in 2011 to 107 last season - significantly improving an area that had drawn criticism.

Cornes finished third in the 2013 John Cahill medal behind winner Chad Wingard while Kane Mitchell was his only competition in Tuesday's three kilometre time trial.

There's plenty left in the tank for Cornes - who along with Dom Cassisi - is the Power's last link with the 2004 AFL flag.

"We will see how I go. It is good to still hold the time trial title but the boys are breathing down my neck," said Cornes.

The AFL's interchange cap may hurt cross town rival Adelaide and Fremantle but not road runner Cornes or Port.

"As a side I think it suits us perfectly, I don't think we will be affected by it much at all," said Cornes with Port averaging 128 interchanges in 2012 and 134 last year compared with the Dockers 146.

"Kane Mitchell is a great runner and probably the best athlete I have played footy with.

"It was no surprise he was right there but there were some really great performances as well."

Motlop could cop a life ban

0 komentar

Wanderers star Daniel Motlop at the NTFL tribunal after copping a nine-match suspension. Picture: Helen Orr. Source: News Limited

WANDERERS forward Daniel Motlop is almost certain to be de-registered after copping a nine-match suspension in a marathon three-hour NTFL tribunal hearing at TIO Stadium on Wednesday night.

The Territory football champion's NTFL season - and career - is effectively over after the tribunal found him guilty of two reports in last Sunday's clash against St Marys.

The tribunal also ordered the forward undertake an anger management course at the expense of himself or the Wanderers Football Club.

A distraught Motlop, who told the NT News last month this season would be his last, left the tribunal lost for words.

"There isn't really much to say I got what I got,'' Motlop said.

"What's done is done. I've had a long career and I'm happy with that.''

The 31-year-old was handed eight weeks for a front-on charge on Henry Labastida and an additional one week for striking John Anstess in the third quarter, which resulted in Motlop being sent from the field against St Marys.

Daniel Motlop after receiving a nine-match suspension in the NTFL, which could lead to a lifetime band. Picture: Helen Orr.

Wanderers have indicated they will not appeal the decision. It is believed Motlop has already accumulated more than 10 suspensions across his AFL, SANFL, NTFL and River Murray Football League careers.

Under AFL policy, once a player reaches 16 weeks of suspension they are automatically de-registered for 12 months before given the chance to appeal, which is only granted under "exceptional circumstances''.

AFLNT only have Motlop's NTFL suspensions (five weeks) on record.

The league is waiting for his tribunal records from other state bodies before deciding on de-registration.

But Motlop may avoid automatic de-registration given the policy states a player must be given a written warning if they are approaching the limit, which has not occurred.

Regardless of the outcome, Wanderers club development manager Colin Schwartz said Motlop will bounce back bigger and stronger.

"Wanderers football club are disappointed in the tribunal findings,'' he said.

"I'm sure that Daniel will apply himself very strongly in his next endeavour.''

Port, Crows clash in parklands

0 komentar

Port players (from left) Alipate Carlile, Jared Polec, Robbie Gray and Chad Wingard lead the charge as the Power returns to training with a 3km time-trial. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Limited

THE North Adelaide parklands hosted a January showdown this morning when the Crows and Power rocked up to University Loop at the same time to run a time-trial.

As both squads returned to training from their Christmas break at the same place, at the same time on the same day, some players and officials mingled briefly before forming separate groups and getting down to business.

Adelaide players went first and starting in two waves, running a 2km time-trial which was won by skipper Nathan van Berlo from 18-year-old Riley Knight, Brodie Smith and Ricky Henderson.

The Power opted for a 3km run and players also had staggered starts, but Kane Cornes was declared the winner from Kane Mitchell, while Jake Neade won a sprint finish to be the quickest runner from the first wave.

Brisbane recruit Jared Polec showed his drastic improvement had not waned over the break by slicing more than a minute off his previous time around the course, while Jack Hombsch and Matthew Lobbe produced eye-catching runs.

Recruit Jared Polec catches his breath after crossing the finish line. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Limited

Times of runners in the various waves were not released to the media.

Some Port players didn't run including Brent Renouf, Hamish Hartlett and Aaron Young, but coach Ken Hinkley said they were not dealing with serious injuries.

"I wanted to see the boys come back in good shape. I knew they would and they've come back and run some good times," Hinkley said.

"I think they're a really good group, they understand that it takes hard work to get anywhere and they've come back and worked pretty hard, and you could see with their running they had a real go.

Ollie Wines does some skills work after the time-trial. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Limited

"I can lead the way and give them some ideas of what it should look like but they're the ones that have got to do it.

"There were some really good times run and I'm impressed with the shape they're in.

"Burgo (fitness coach Darren Burgess) sends them all away with a similar program, it's just being able to follow them.

"I was really happy for Jake (Neade), he's been back at Elliott (in the NT) and it's really hard for him because he's on his own to do all his training, and to come back and run the time he did today was really good.

Former Tiger Matt White works with his new Port teammates. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Limited

"Sometimes the challenges are a bit more difficult than others and Jake is one of those boys who has some bigger challenges.

"(Justin) Westhoff was again really good, his ability to run is first class, and typically you see Kane (Cornes) out the front every year and what I was impressed with was the fact that he was looking over his shoulder and Mitchell was chasing hard and I love the chase."

Hinkley described Polec's efforts as "outstanding".

"He's embraced the training methods we want to enforce at Port Adelaide and really had a crack at them," he said.

"He's fit and that's not a reflection of where he's come from or anything, it's a reflection that he's physically in good shape for the first time in three years and that gives him a chance to complete more sessions, and when you complete more sessions you get better times, it's a simple message."

Kane Mitchell shows off a new cropped haircut at Port training. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Limited

Crows assistant coach Mark Bickley spoke to the media before the Crows' time-trial and said he was pleased with his players' condition after a brutal week of training before the Christmas break.

"On appearance they look in good shape, we've been in contact with them throughout the break and we're pretty happy with how they are," Bickley said.

"It is really tough but it's designed for that.

"That's a heavy week (pre-Christmas) because we know they're going to have some down time in the two-and-a-half weeks after that.

"We push them really hard and by the end of it you were starting to see guys stressed with their bodies and mentally as well, they've been training hard and concentrating for that long period of time.

Crows star Patrick Dangerfield (right) warms up before Crows pre-season training resumes for 2014. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Limited

"This year it's Brenton's (Sanderson) third year so he's got a really good handle on what he feels we need to do, he's made some alterations to it and that's been pretty public in terms of wanting it to be a bit harder and the emphasis more on running with changes to the interchange rule."

Adelaide's star forward Taylor Walker was running at training this morning but did not do the time-trial with his teammates. He has been running about 85-90 per cent in a straight line and is about to start agility work as he tests his reconstructed right knee, eight months after it was operated on.

In a boost for players and officials, assistant coach Dean Bailey was at training this morning as he undergoes treatment for cancer.

"Dean is really well-liked around the club, he has that infectious spirit about him but obviously in times of adversity for him to come out particularly when he's going through some treatment is testament to the bloke he is and the players, they love that," Bickley said.

Adelaide players (from left) Matthew Jaensch, Brent Reilly, Jared Petrenko, Taylor Walker, Josh Jenkins, assistant coach Ian Callinan and Sam Kerridge hit the track. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Limited

AFL rejects - where are they now?

0 komentar

Delisted Essendon forward Alywn Davey has signed with Darwin club NT Thunder. Source: News Limited

AXED and retired AFL players will pull on the boots interstate, in the bush and in the suburbs in 2014.

From the VFL to the top end, former stars are finding being shown the door by an AFL club can open others in unexpected places.

Not all were as lucky as the likes of Paul Chapman, James Podsiadly and Maverick Weller, who will wear new AFL colours in 2014 after being snapped up by a top-tier rival.

But the beneficiaries of the brutal AFL meat market are often clubs at lower levels - sometimes surprisingly low levels - who can promote their new signings to bring fans through the turnstiles.

There will be plenty of familiar names in the VFL next season, headed by former VFL star James Magner, who is back at Port Melbourne after 15 minutes (and 19 games) of fame with Melbourne.

There was controversy and success in equal measure, both on and off the field in what was an enthralling 2013 AFL season.

Former teammate Tom Couch has signed with Collingwood's VFL outfit while Werribee has snared ex-Docker Jesse Crichton and former Kangaroo Ben Speight. Another delisted Docker, Josh Mellington, will line up with Essendon's VFL team.

HAVE WE MISSED A STAR SIGNING NEAR YOU? LET US KNOW IN THE COMMENTS SECTION BELOW

Richmond will field a stand-alone VFL side in 2014 for the first time and fans in the Punt Rd terraces will recognise star recruits Aaron Davey, former Saint and Sun Andrew McQualter and delisted Geelong rookie Ryan Bathie.

Troubled former Tiger Dan Connors will play for Port Melbourne.

Other ex-AFL stars will continue their careers in Melbourne's suburbs, with former Magpie Ben Johnson joining Eastern Football League division two side Doncaster Sharks. Up in division one, Jordan Gysberts and Matthew Bate will be running around for Norwood, while reigning Western Region Football League premier Deer Park has two star signings in retired Hawk Brent Guerra and former Carlton and GWS swingman Bret Thornton.

Geurra will be available most weeks to play alongside his brother Luke - and former Bulldogs defender Ryan Hargrave - at John McLeod Oval.

"I've known Brent a long time," Deer Park coach Marc Bullen told the Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay Weekly.

"We played representative footy together back in the under-16s and we would have been mad not to inquire about his services. He adds a terrific amount of experience and we're thrilled to have a player of his ilk.

"He may have a couple of commitments with his junior club (Koondrook-Barham) and down in Tasmania, but he'll put his hand up for selection pretty much the whole season."

Former Brisbane and Gold Coast star Jared Brennan sends Southern Districts into attack in Darwin. Source: News Limited

In the Essendon District Football League, Mal Michael will stay on as coach of Aberfeldie after taking the reins mid-season in 2013, and Adam McPhee takes over from Anthony Rock as coach of Greenvale. There is a strong AFL flavour in the comp with Brodie Holland in charge at Maribyrnong Park and Mick McGuane coaching Keilor.

But the city lifestyle isn't for everyone - and it's no surprise Justin Koschitzke will go back to the bush after pulling the pin on his 200-game AFL career.

He will play 10 games for the Lavington Panthers in the Ovens and Murray League next season, lining up alongside his childhood mates and hopefully getting some enjoyment out of the game again.

Up the highway O & M powerhouse Albury has started its own Irish experiment by signing Setanta O'hAilpin and his brother Aisake.

"I haven't played with my brother since back home," Setanta told Albury's Border Mail.

"Aisake was on the list with me at Carlton for four years but we never got the opportunity to play together and it's been a burning passion of mine. I can't wait."

Retired Saints Stephen Milne (left) and Justin Koschitzke (right) will both continue their careers in country Victoria. Source: News Limited

In Central Victoria controversial former Saint Stephen Milne will add bite to the Strathfieldsaye forward line in the Bendigo League while injury-plagued former Tiger and Blue Andrew Collins will start his coaching career at age 25 with Bridgewater in the Loddon Valley League.

Collins is returning to his roots, living on his parents' farm in the district and coaching his brother Alex. Also in the line-up is former Richmond full-back Will Thursfield, who has signed after two years as playing coach of Leongatha.

Former Cat and Demon Tom Gillies will play for Geelong Football League club St Mary's next season alongside ex-Cat Kane Tenace, who has returned to Victoria from South Australia.

Over the border in the SANFL, former Essendon and Richmond hard nut Sam Lonergan has signed as a playing midfield coach at Glenelg. Axed Carlton players Aaron Joseph and Patrick McCarthy have also joined the Tigers along with ex-Hawk Mitch Thorp, who missed out on a second shot in the AFL draft after dominating the Tasmanian league in 2013.

Former Blue Luke Mitchell will pull on a North Adelaide guernsey, along with axed Lion Jesse O'Brien, while Richard Tambling will play for Sturt and Alex Forster (ex-Freo) and Callum Bartlett (ex-Brisbane) for Norwood.

Former Tiger favourite Shane Tuck has shunned the bright lights of the SANFL to play with SA amateur club Goodwood Saints, largely to play alongside boyhood mate Luke Donaldson.

Further west, one of the biggest names in the WAFL in 2014 will be former Magpie Andrew Krakouer, who has signed with West Perth. South Fremantle has landed former Crow and Demon James Sellar while it's no surprise a clutch of axed Eagles and Dockers will continue their careers in the WAFL, including Ashton Hams and Hayden Schloithe (South Fremantle) and Bradd Dalziell (East Fremantle). Luckless Saint Tom Ledger is set to play for Claremont.

WAFL club West Perth completed a coup by signing Andrew Krakouer. Source: News Limited

They may have played their final AFL game only months ago, but some former AFL regulars are already pulling on the boots in the top end.

Former Lion and Sun Jared Brennan is showing off his tricks for Southern Wanderers alongside former Collingwood and West Coast forward Brad Dick. Ex-Bomber Alwyn Davey has signed with Territory Thunder in 2014 while former Gold Coast excitement machine Liam Patrick will line up for Wanderers.

New Bulldogs assistant coach Joel Corey (left) joins former Geelong teammates Cam Mooney and Matthew Scarlett at the Kennel. Source: News Limited

Some players have stayed in the AFL system as assistant coaches, including Simon Black (Brisbane), Darren Jolly (Collingwood), Joel Corey (Bulldogs), Michael Osborne (Carlton) and Max Bailey (Richmond).

Although proving the itch never truly goes away, Bailey hasn't ruled out pulling on the boots for the Tigers in the VFL.

"My knees might have a say in it," Bailey said.