Tippett would set Patton up well

Jon Patton says Kurt Tippett would add nicely to his side's forward line. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: The Daily Telegraph

IT WAS a day of firsts for the Giants at Skoda Stadium yesterday.

It was their first full training session without Israel Folau, the first proper pre-season for No. 1 draft pick Jonathon Patton and the first declaration from Giants players about their desire to sign Adelaide Crow Kurt Tippett.

Patton said he would have no problem should he and Jeremy Cameron end up sharing the Giants' forward line with the former Crow.

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"If Kurt came to the Giants it would be awesome for the club," Patton said. "He's hitting his prime and he has already shown what sort of a player he is.

"If he comes here, Jeremy and I will be looking forward to working with him in the forward line."

Patton and the Giants were putting in the building blocks of their pre-season training yesterday, sweating it out during their first skill session.

Coach Kevin Sheedy said Tippett's versatility would be the key to fitting him into the Giants' already talented forward line.

"He's a former basketball player and well over 200cm," Sheedy said.

"Clubs are always looking at that spare ruck/forward who can come in and make it happen."

Tippett is the subject of an AFL investigation into the contract he signed in 2009 with the Crows but that has not deterred the Giants' enthusiasm for the big man.

While Sheedy would be happy to pinch Tippett from under the noses of the Swans he has plenty to smile about within his ranks.

His No. 1 draft pick from last year, Patton, is set to make a big impact in 2013 with his first full pre-season under his belt.

Patton played just seven matches for the fledgling club in his debut season after flying to Sweden for surgery on his patella tendon early in the year.

"It's feeling really good at the moment," Patton said.

"Now that I've had a break - and rehab-ed it a lot more - my leg is a lot stronger.

"In the first few days of pre-season I haven't felt any pain."

Patton's January surgery delayed his senior debut until the round-12 match against Richmond at Skoda Stadium - and severely limited his impact in 2012.

"When the boys were playing NAB Cup I was just starting to run," Patton said.

"It was definitely very difficult coming in without a pre-season.

"Going from under-18s football with no pre-season into the AFL was a massive step."

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Bailey keeps cool in tank claims

Former Melbourne coach Dean Bailey says he didn't tell the Dees to lose. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Herald Sun

FORMER Melbourne coach Dean Bailey is arguing he is innocent of tanking claims, despite being in the "vault" when football operations manager Chris Connolly reinforced the need to play for draft picks.

The AFL is unveiling its investigative arsenal as it builds its case, warning some Melbourne assistant coaches of severe sanctions if they refuse to be interviewed or are not honest in testimony.

Some Demons officials have been told the AFL can impose life coaching bans, though interviews are not conducted under oath.

Others have been re-interviewed and told that their testimony is inconsistent with those who believe there is evidence of tanking.

While Connolly is under the most heat, Bailey is said to be comfortable with the fact he never instructed coaches or players to deliberately lose games.

He is one of several Melbourne figures who remembers Connolly making his controversial aside in a portable shed at the Junction Oval, dubbed The Vault, after the Port Adelaide win in Round 15, 2009.

While that meeting has been painted as the start of an orchestrated campaign to lose games, the context of that discussion is at the heart of the tanking investigation.

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Some, including Bailey, believe the Connolly statement urging the coaching staff not to maximise their high draft picks was a 30-second aside in a lengthy match committee meeting.

They dispute it was a specific meeting held as a call-to-arms to the football department.

Others have accused Connolly of saying words to the effect of, "Make this happen, or you'll all get sacked".

Whether the AFL believes the more generous interpretation, or declares the Connolly statement as evidence of tanking, is the crux of the investigation.

The Herald Sun has reported Bailey, now an Adelaide assistant coach, told the players in mid-2009 some would be played in radically different positions.

Melbourne faces "severe" penalties if found guilty, but will likely have seven days to reply to any AFL findings.

That means Melbourne has a good chance of retaining its No.4 selection and the No.27 pick it needs to secure father-son selection Jack Viney in the November 22 national draft because the investigation will be ongoing.

The AFL Commission meets on November 19.

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Green excited to turn Blue

Former Demon Brad Green is now a midfield development coach at Carlton. Source: Herald Sun

FORMER Melbourne AFL skipper Brad Green has been recruited by Carlton as a midfield development coach.

Green joined former Collingwood mentor Mick Malthouse ahead of their first official pre-season training session at Visy Park later on Monday.

Green retired in round 22 this year after a 254-game career during which he was captain of the Demons for the 2011 season.

He said he was excited to begin his coaching career under one of the greats.

"I am really excited about this next stage of my AFL career," Green said.

"I said when I announced my retirement from playing that I was passionate about a career in the coaching department as I want to continue to be involved in the game I love.

"It is fantastic to have this opportunity and very exciting to join the Carlton Football Club and to have the opportunity to work with Mick Malthouse and the coaching team."

Green, a best and fairest winner with Melbourne in 2010, played under Malthouse with the Australian International Rules team in Ireland in 2010.

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No risks with Brown and Black

Jonathan Brown made a brief appearance at training this morning. Picture: Peter Wallis Source: The Courier-Mail

Daniel Merrett shows the pain of pre-season training. Picture: Peter Wallis Source: The Courier-Mail

LIONS coach Michael Voss has pulled the reins on Jonathan Brown and Simon Black, sparing the club champions from the toughest block of pre-season training.

Brown made a brief appearance at the teams first session of the summer campaign, a day after the birth of his second child Jack, a little brother to Olivia.

The skipper spoke with Voss, completed same handball drills then left to visit wife Kylie.

Black did not take part in the 2km time trial but ran for most of the session and will leave with half the group on Wednesday for a training camp in Arizona.

Brown will stay in Brisbane to be with his family and to ensure he gas fully recovered from a last months bike accident.

Simon Black training today at Giffin Park. Picture: Peter Wallis Source: The Courier-Mail

"We have to be mindful that was a pretty big bang up," Voss said.

"We'll be taking a low key approach with (Black and Brown) towards Christmas.

"The thing we've learnt with them both is they come to hand pretty quick."

Youngster Jack Crisp won the time trial, just ahead of Joel Patfull .

The Lions will take only half their list - players with at least four years senior experience - to the US.

The Lions in training this morning. Picture: Peter Wallis Source: The Courier-Mail

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Power wins London exhibition

Campbell Heath of of Port Adelaide loses control of the ball in contact with Clay Smith of Western Bulldogs during the AFL European Challenge game in London. Picture: Jan Kruger Source: Getty Images

NEW Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has started his coaching career with a thrilling one-point victory over the Western Bulldogs in the AFL's exhibition match at The Oval.

A brilliant goal by Power midfielder Brad Ebert from a set shot 50m out near the boundary line with less than a minute to play sealed the victory, 14.4 (88) to 13.9 (87).

At one stage early in the third term, Port trailed by 39 points before unleashing a nine-goal unanswered burst to take the lead midway through the final quarter.

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Much to the delight of the enthusiastic crowd of about 10,000 Londoners, the Dogs snapped out of their funk and kicked the next four goals to seemingly have victory assured.

Port Adelaide players celebrate their victory with the cup after the AFL European Challenge Game against the Western Bulldogs at The Oval. Picture: Christopher Lee Source: Getty Images

But two goals in the final two minutes got Hinkley and the football club a much-needed boost given the horror couple of months they've endured following the death of Port player John McCarthy in Las Vegas in September.

New recruit Angus Monfries kicked three goals while defender Jackson Trengove and acting captain Hamish Hartlett were influential.

"I said to the players before the game that you always want to win and it doesn't matter if it's an exhibition game or anything for us," Hinkley said.

Ayce Cordy of Western Bulldogs spoils a mark for Brad Ebert of Port Adelaide during the AFL European Challenge game in London. Picture: Jan Kruger Source: Getty Images

"We are a club that needs to learn to win a little bit.

"Both sides put on a really good game I think for the fans, to get a one-point game you'd be happy with that from an AFL point of view. We're a bit happier because it was one point our way.

"We've been together three seconds and I'm not sure if we knew what we were doing but the coaching staff that are here have told me all along that there is some talent here to work with and it's nice to see that."

Acting Bulldogs captain Shaun Higgins led the way with three goals while Patrick Veszpremi kicked two as did Liam Picken who provided the highlight of the night with a spectacular mark in the second quarter.

Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney said he used the 16-a-side game as a learning tool for his young players.

"We saw a few get kicked against us and we thought let's see what they do without actually giving them too much help," he said.

Hamish Hartlett of Port Adelaide handballs under pressure from Shaun Higgins of Western Bulldogs during the AFL European Challenge game in London. Picture: Jan Kruger Source: Getty Images

"A couple of the younger guys were a bit slow to react to what was happening, they (Port) played well and got a bit of momentum but we then fought back.

"We weren't doing a lot of coaching, it was just have a look at them and let them run around."

He was pleased with the performance of new recruit Koby Stevens who joined the club from West Coast during the trade period.

"He's going to help our younger midfielders, he has got a strong body as well and looks like he will be a good acquisition," McCartney said.

The victory by Port means they have won the right to be involved in next year's London game with the AFL committed to building its profile in Europe.

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Ebert's touching tribute to J-Mac

Port Adelaide players celebrate their victory at The Oval - their first match without the late John McCarthy. Source: Getty Images

THE moment the ball swung back through for the goal, Brad Ebert immediately thought of his best mate.

He turned to the black arm band on his left arm, kissed it and then pointed to the sky where he knew John McCarthy would be looking down on him.

The goal - a brilliant kick from 50m out near the boundary line - sealed a one-point victory for Port Adelaide over the Western Bulldogs in the AFL's exhibition game at The Oval.

Power wins London Exhibition

But for the Power this game was more than just a scratch match in a foreign land. It was about finally getting the chance to move on from what has been a horrible couple of months following McCarthy's tragic death in Las Vegas in September.

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"It has been a tough season and the post-season, it has probably been some of the toughest times of my life to be honest," an emotional Ebert said afterwards.

"There have been a lot of emotions going through the last few months and Dani was here tonight, John's girlfriend.

"Over the last year we have got on really and he was my best mate so it was great to be able to kick that goal and even though it was only an exhibition game, it was really nice to able to do that and give him a litle bit, give him a salute."

Ebert said John's friends had urged Dani, who was in tears after the game, to come to London on the trip which she'd planned with her boyfriend months earlier.

"She was initially going to come over with John and then after everything that happened she was going to cancel it and that sort of stuff but the flight was already booked and we just said to her, 'Why don't you come across?'," he said.

"My girlfriend Bec was here and Nathan Blee's girlfriend Jess came across so they were able to stay together for the last five nights in London and Edinburgh.

"It was good for her to get away as well otherwise she would have just been in Melbourne. Being able to get over here, get around the girls and try and have a bit of fun...I think it has been good for her to get away."

Port Adelaide midfielder Brad Ebert kicks the winning goal againts the Western Bulldogs at The Oval. Source: Getty Images

The Power have a memorial planned for McCarthy at their first home game next year in Round 2, but Ebert said playing the exhibition game in London was going to help the club move forward.

"While we will always have J-Mac's memory with us, we really wanted to make sure this off-season that we would be able to move on," he said.

"And while it still will hurt for a long time, we need to be able to use that on the footy field going forward and really start afresh.

"For me personally, I got over here for a few weeks before and that was great to be able to come away with my girlfriend, catch up with a few mates and just get away from everything that was going on in town and try and enjoy yourself.

"Hopefully going forward we will get back to Alberton and really make sure everyone is switched on because we all know how hard the last season has been."

The thrilling victory - 14.4 (88) to 13.9 (87) - was a great start to the coaching career of Ken Hinkley who has spent only a couple of days with his players after being appointed last month.

Former Essendon forward Angus Monfries was the star for the Power kicking three goals and engineering an impressive third-quarter comeback which saw his team kick nine unanswered goals to come from 39-points down to hit the front.

It looked like it was going to amount to nothing with the Bulldogs hitting back with four straight goals midway through the last quarter to wrestle back the advantage before Ebert, with the spirit of J-Mac on his side, produced something special with just 40 seconds remaining in the match.
 

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Mighty Joe a steal for the Dons

Bombers coach James Hird is licking his lips at the prospect of the 201cm father-son selection dominating in the ruck and full-forward for the next decade. Watch exclusive footage and analysis of him ahead of the AFL draft.

Joe Daniher, who was drafted to Essendon under the father-son rule, with his happy parents Anthony and Joanne. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

JOE Daniher sprinted towards the half-forward flank. As he reached top speed, he gathered the ball, swung on to his trusty left boot and slotted the goal.

All from outside 50m and hemmed in on the boundary.

The magical Round 8 moment remains Calder Cannons coach Marty Allison's favourite when discussing Essendon's father-son pick.

"It was just ... yeah. I had to pick my jaw up off the ground," Allison said.

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Watch highlights of Daniher and get our expert analysis in the video player above

Vic Metro coach Rohan Welsh had a similar reaction as Daniher slotted 6.4 against Western Australia at Etihad Stadium this year.

Daniher has played 10 games in the past two years, sitting out 2011 with growth plate issues, but it's these glimpses that have Bomber insiders salivating.

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A rival recruiter confirmed Daniher "had all the tools" to be a No.1 pick, if he hadn't been tied to the Dons.

Cannons talent manager Ian Kyte went a step further, declaring Daniher could finish as the TAC Cup's best product yet.

"I saw (Chris Judd, Trent Cotchin and Tom Scully) come through and Joey could finish up as good a player, a different sort, but at that level," Kyte said.

"He marks at the highest point, and with long arms and at a jump, he's taking it at 3 1/2 to 4m. If he can continue to do that on the lead, he'll be hard to beat.

AFL Under 18 Championships at Etihad Stadium. Joe Daniher shoots for goal. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Herald Sun

"With that leap he could be like Dean Cox, going in and out of the forward line and changing with the ruck. The potential is unlimited."

Essendon recruiter Adrian Dodoro said last month when Daniher was signed, the club was "extremely blessed" to land the left-footer at pick 10.

It's high praise but comes with a rider.

"The Bombers supporters should be excited, but they need to lower their expectations and not expect him to play straight away," Allison said.

"He's missed a lot of footy and has a lot of development left."

Daniher remains raw and, after brother Darcy's injury curse, will be carefully managed. He also has some areas he needs to improve.

His inaccurate kicking and desire to go the impossible instead of the team option frustrated at times this year.

Daniher completed a 2km time-trial with the Dons yesterday and said he felt at home walking into Windy Hill, greeted by a painting of uncle Terry on the wall.

The 18-year-old is tipped to spend most of next year developing in the VFL under the guise of Hayden Skipworth, the man who trained Daniher before school three times a week last year.

"He put on 8-9kgs on in (2011),'' Skipworth said earlier this year.

"So we worked on weights and also running techniques, which will hopefully help his hamstrings later on in his career.''

The Dons told Daniher two years ago they would draft the talented teenager, who is now teammates with Dustin Fletcher - who made his AFL debut 335 days before Daniher was born.

THE JOE DANIHER FILE

Age: 18
Height: 201cm
Weight: 89kg
From: Calder Cannons:
Position: Full-forward/ruck
Draft range: Pick 10 to Essendon (father-son)
Plays like: Paul Salmon

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Tippett just wants to be a Swan

Despite an AFL investigation in salary cap breeches, Kurt Tippett is still keen on moving to Sydney to kick goals for the Swans. Picture: George Salpigtidis. Source: Herald Sun

KURT Tippett still wants to play for Sydney, despite the Greater Western Sydney push to pluck him from the Swans' grasp.

Yet even the Swans admit it will take something exceptional for the Adelaide forward to find a way to the reigning premiers in the national or pre-season draft.

Sydney has two realistic chances at procuring Tippett at the expense of GWS - the Giants are bluffing and will overlook him, or he puts a large enough price on his head that even Kevin Sheedy is scared off.

Sydney chief executive Andrew Ireland has been in regular contact with Tippett, who has identified the Swans as the only club he wants to play for.

But as Ireland said this week, given Sydney has only pick 23 in the national draft and the final pick in the pre-season draft, challenges lie ahead.

Some Sydney officials believe the club's hopes of drafting him are fast fading.

``We are hopeful. The reality is when you go to the draft and someone you want is in there, you have to hope the circumstances work out well if you are deep in the draft,'' he said.

``One thing we know is we can't control what other clubs do, we can only control our end. We are still hopeful and Kurt is still hopeful of playing for the Swans.''

Israel Folau's sudden rejection of AFL has less relevance to the Tippett deal than their determination to save some salary cap room for their clutch of high draft picks.

Coach Kevin Sheedy believes if the Giants can secure Tippett and fast-track their contention for the premiership it might off-set the salary cap room it takes up given the kids will want to stay.

Sheedy said yesterday Tippett was the prototype of the type of player he wanted to recruit.

``We would be derelict in our duty if we didn't talk to the young man,'' he said.

``We need a ruck/forward who would be handy for us. The Swans are after him, but we need a marquee player like that. Why wouldn't you want to come to our club?''

Tippett is more likely to put himself in the pre-season draft given there are fewer picks, but GWS has the first pick in that draft.

The Giants have five picks ahead of the Suns in the national draft - 1, 2, 3, 12, 13 - so could use any of those if forced to select him through that draft.

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No big change to pre-season: Hird

Essendon players hit the pavement this morning as pre-season begins. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON coach James Hird says the Bombers will not be making dramatic changes to their pre-season program in the wake of this year's soft tissue injury epidemic.

Hird admitted earlier in the year the team's gruelling training load last summer may have contributed to a rash of soft-tissue injuries during the season.

But Hird said today the club did not plan to overhaul its training regime this pre-season.

"We've changed a few things, but we won't change a lot," Hird said.

Essendon training this morning. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

"We think our players, coming into a third pre-season, it's really important that they continue to get the conditioning right.

"So, we won't change too much."

The Bombers returned to pre-season training yesterday, with the players completing back-to-back 2km time trials today around Princes Park.

Midfielder Brent Stanton recorded the best times.

A group of 10 players, mostly midfielders, will head to Colorado tomorrow for a three-week altitude training camp that Hird hopes will fast-track their summer preparation.

"It's the first time that we have tested the waters with altitude training," Hird said.

"The first couple of years we wanted to get a lot of the game down bedded down the way we wanted to play and this pre-season is a little bit more about the fitness levels of our players.

"I think going to Colorado for an altitude training camp for our midfielders is something very exciting for us.

"(We hope to) increase our aerobic ability to probably fast-track their training to a certain extent and to really see if it's something that we want the whole group to do as of next year."

Dustin Fletcher,Paddy Ryder and Scott Gumbleton during their 2km time trial this morning. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

High-profile recruit Brendon Goddard, who has been holidaying overseas, will join his new teammates for the first time on the camp.

"We are very excited to have him come along, but it will be a couple of weeks before our fans get to see him train with us properly," Hird said.

Brownlow medallist Jobe Watson is also in the US and will meet up with the group in Colorado.

Hird said he wanted to see the ``effort'' from out-of-contract pair Ricky Dyson and Brent Prismall on the training track as the club decides whether to give them a spot on the list next season.

"We just want to see them train for a couple of weeks and make sure the effort is there and make sure their bodies stand up to a whole pre-season," Hird said.
 

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Voss: AFL will move on quickly

Lions coach Michael Voss says AFL will quickly get over Israel Folau leaving. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images

ISRAEL Folau's dumping of AFL has barely hurt the code and is just a "mossie bite'' the game will easily overcome, Brisbane Lions coach Michael Voss says.

Voss was adamant the code would not be damaged by Folau's "retirement'' from the game yesterday.

Folau is set to return to rugby league after two unsuccessful years playing AFL, where he kicked two goals valued at $1 million each.

Voss said the fact Folau was not an established AFL star meant there would be few negatives resulting from his return to the game he loves.

Hunt backs Izzy defection

This is despite Folau repeatedly stating he had "no passion" for the game.

"If it was Chris Judd or Jonathan Brown it would hurt,'' he said.

"Our code will carry on. It is bigger than one person.

"There's no black eye. A blemish, a mossie bite maybe.''

Fellow cross-code athlete Karmichael Hunt said his former teammate made a brave decision to leave the Greater Western Sydney Giants.

"I guess it's a pretty brave decision on his behalf and I respect his decision because he felt his heart's not in,'' he told the AFL site.

Izzy gives Giants $1m Tippett carrot

"It would have been unfair to a lot of people, including himself, if he just stayed on and carried on.

"I wish him well.''

Hunt switched from rugby league to AFL at the end of 2009 with Folau following 12 months later when he joined another expansion club Greater Western Sydney.

The pair played for the Brisbane Broncos, Queensland and Australia together.

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