Summit to scrutinise Mad Monday

Collingwood chief executive Gary Pert sparked the drugs issue in a speech late last year. Picture: Jay Town Source: Herald Sun

"MAD Monday" and post-season football trips will be heavily scrutinised at Wednesday's AFL's drug summit.

With the AFL Players Association confirming it is prepared to discuss changes to the code's three-strikes illicit drugs policy, the long-held traditions of end-of-season celebrations and large scale trips away by players could be scaled back and more closely monitored by the clubs.

Already AFL clubs have cut back on large scale end-of-season trips, restricting them to smaller numbers because of concerns about the behaviour of some players.

Some clubs have already had security accompany players on their overseas trips and this could be expanded in the future.

Those points will form part of a wide-ranging agenda for the AFL player welfare summit next week, with the tightening of a loophole in self-reporting by players to avoid a drugs strike also being strongly considered.

The league will host a range of high-powered administrators, players, medical officers, drugs experts and police at Etihad Stadium to discuss and debate the best way to tackle the drugs issue in AFL football and the wider community.

The Herald Sun has obtained a copy of the forum's agenda, which will be chaired by AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou, who this week admitted he expected to see a "spike" in positive drugs tests conducted last season.

The forum was called after Collingwood chief executive Gary Pert raised the drugs issue at the AFL CEO's meeting on the Gold Coast last year.

Pert later said he feared some players had "volcanic behaviour" during their off-season break.

Three current AFL chief executives - Geelong's Brian Cook, Western Bulldogs' Simon Garlick and West Coast's Trevor Nisbett - will lead a panel discussion centred on the AFL's illicit drugs policy.

Some of the issues to be addressed will be:

THE involvement of the AFL and the reporting procedure to the AFL

CLUB board and executive involvement and meetings

THE sanctions and expectations of the player going forward after a positive drug strike and what to do if he re-offends.

All three CEOs have had experience in dealing with player drug issues at their club.

Cook had to deal with Mathew Stokes' possession charge in 2010; Garlick was involved in dealing with the fallout of Tom Liberatore being found in possession of an ecstasy tablet last year; while Nisbett was at the Eagles during Ben Cousins' drug controversies.

Three AFL players and AFLPA board members Luke Ball (president), Daniel Jackson and Robert Murphy - as well as AFLPA chief executive Matt Finnis - will lead a debate on how footballers can balance their life with the increasing demands of the game across 10 months of the year.

Other issues to be discussed include: the pressure on players, training expectations on annual leave, closer monitoring of players on leave and downtime, a potential role of club integrity/security, and greater development for players outside of the game.

Australian Drug Foundation chief executive John Rogerson and leading psychologist Dr Michael Carr Gregg are among the speakers who will discuss the treatment of drug users and the link between drugs and excessive use of alcohol.

Victoria and Federal Police will also be well represented.

Among the law enforcement speakers will be former Tiger and Bulldogs big man Emmett Dunne, who is now Assistant Commissioner, Professional Standards Command of Victoria Police.

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Eight AFL players top $1m

Gold Coast Suns skipper Gary Ablett is believed to be one of the AFL's $1 million men. Picture: Darren England. Source: The Courier-Mail

THE number of AFL players earning more than $1 million rocketed to a record eight last year.

The highest number of million-dollar-earners previously was two in 2008 and 2011.

AFL figures released yesterday revealed the dramatic rise in player salaries on the back of the league's expansion and record broadcast rights deal.

The AFL did not release the names of the eight players, although champion midfielder and Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett, Saints' skipper Nick Riewoldt and Greater Western Sydney midfielder Tom Scully are believed to be among the top earners.

One AFL player agent suggested heavily front-ended contracts could have propelled the GWS co-captains, Callan Ward and Phil Davis, into the top bracket.

Lance Franklin, Chris Judd, Matthew Pavlich and Adam Goodes were other players tipped to be among the leading earners.

Code-jumper Israel Folau, who quit GWS in November after just 13 games and one season in the AFL, was also reported to be one of the league's biggest earners last year.

But the AFL said only match payments and ASA agreements were included in the figures and not third-party arrangements.

The figures, which will be included in the AFL's 2012 annual report, also showed that 111 players earned more than $400,000 last year.

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AFL freezes prices again

Footy tickets will not rise in price this year. Picture: Jason Edwards Source: HWT Image Library

FOOTY fans have had a win before the season has even started with the AFL freezing ticket prices for the third straight year.

General admission prices will remain unchanged in 2013 with adults $20, concessions $12 and family tickets $40.

The AFL announced the move this morning.

Junior tickets will remain at $2.50.

The ticket prices are the same as those set in 2010.

peter.rolfe@news.com.au

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Saints train in Wellington

SuperFooty's Mark Robinson joins training with St Kilda at Westpac Stadium as they prepare for their Anzac Day clash

St Kilda will play at Westpac Stadium. Picture: Getty Images Source: HWT Image Library

VIDEO: FROM Moorabbin to Seaford to Wellington, take a look at St Kilda's latest training base.

Herald Sun chief football writer Mark Robinson takes you inside Westpac Stadium in New Zealand as the Saints go through their paces in their pre-season training camp.

>> VIDEO: Watch in the video player above

The Saints will host Sydney in an historic Anzac Day match in Wellington  this year - the first AFL game played for premiership points off Australian shores.

As the build-up to April 25 begins, take a look at Robbo's video and make sure you pick up tomorrow's Herald Sun for the latest from him in New Zealand.

Summer Barometer: See how the Saints are shaping up

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Scotland cops two-week ban

Carlton suspends Heath Scotland for two matches. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

HEATH Scotland will miss Carlton's first two home-and-away clashes against Richmond and Collingwood after the Blues banned him over his guilty plea in an assault case.

Scotland will miss the two blockbusters and will have to make a $3000 charitable donation.

The charges arose from an incident at the Mulwala Ski Club in January last year.

Carlton general manager of football Andrew McKay said Scotland had let the club down with his actions.

"The club is very disappointed in Heath's actions as he did not uphold Carlton's core values and behaviours," McKay said.

Scotland will be available during the NAB Cup and will play VFL football through his AFL suspension.

Meanwhile Carlton's fresh bid to have Chris Judd's third-party deal with Visy returned to outside of the AFL salary cap has failed.

A meeting between AFL deputy chief executive Gil McLachlan, league executive Andrew Dillon, Blues chief executive Greg Swann and Judd's manager Paul Connors took place this week.

The Blues and Judd's management were seeking a compromise, but it is understood the AFL was not prepared to overturn its decision to exclude all of Judd's Visy payments - understood to be $200,000 a season - from the club's salary cap.

An AFL spokesman last night confirmed the meeting had taken place, but would not reveal details.

Carlton would not comment on the meeting with the AFL, but is said to be satisfied with some aspects of the outcome and the hearing it received.

The Blues have decided not to take the matter further, dropping a plan to take it to a formal AFL grievances hearing.

The Herald Sun exclusively revealed last November the AFL had ruled that the final year of Judd's six-season deal with Visy could no longer be exempt from the salary cap.

Summer Barometer: Click here for Blues' training, injury latest

The resignation of AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson, who made the ruling last last year, facilitated the new meeting.

The matter is now believed to be closed.

JARRAD Waite's smooth pre-season hit a minor hurdle yesterday when the injury-plagued Carlton forward disolated a finger.

Waite was clearly in pain as he came off the field at Visy Park.

Carlton confirmed he had the finger put back into place soon after.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou has revealed he expects a "spike" in positive tests for illicit drugs, up from six in 2011.

KURT Tippett's manager, Peter Blucher, could find out his fate today when the AFLPA's Agent Accreditation Board meets to determine whether he should be punished for his role in the controversial contract Tippett signed with Adelaide in 2009.

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Suns suffer injury blow

Liam Patrick celebrates a goal. Picture: Darren England Source: The Courier-Mail

SUNS forward Liam Patrick looks set to miss the NAB Cup after injuring his hamstring at training today.

The 24-year-old, who has played 11 senior games for the club, was carried from Metricon Stadium and later emerged on crutches and with ice strapped to his hamstring.

He has been sent for scans.

Patrick was left lying on the ground after a contest in a match drill that involved a pack of players that included Karmichael Hunt.

The Suns' trainers initially feared he may have been knocked out but later reported he had suffered no other injury beside the hamstring.

Summer Barometer: Click here for Suns' training, injury latest

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Draft hopes safe after fire scare

Gippsland Power player Josh Cashman shows how close the bushfire came to players hiking on Mt Feathertop. Picture: Gippsland Power Source: Supplied

THIRTY of Victoria's brightest football hopes are home safe and sound after blazing bushfires ruined their pre-season training camp.

Gippsland Power was forced to evacuate Mt Hotham at about 7.30pm last night, with emergency helicopters called in to rescue the club from its hike to the peak of Mt Feathertop.

They arrived home safely at about 2am.

"The boys' welfare is most important and you've got the responsibility to look after them and make sure they're safe," Power talent manager Pete Francis said today.

"We're disappointed obviously, we loved the camp last year, we had a week up there and we felt it was really important heading into our season.

See the amazing pictures as Gippsland fled the bushfires

"But from the fire and getting helicoptered out I think they've bonded pretty well anyway. They were hugging each other and high-fiving and everything is OK, which is great."

The TAC Cup outfit headed up on Monday and planned to stay until Sunday night before winds changed in Victoria's north-east.

The Power, which leads the way in several initiatives from junior clubs across Australia, left most of their phones and wallets at the base before the hike and are desperately hoping they can be retrieved.

A chopper rescued the squad last night. After five attempts to land, it airlifted the playing group to safety in two trips before returning for the staff and two Irish bushwalkers.

"We didn't feel threatened at any time because the emergency services were so good, but the fire was within a couple of hundred metres of us – the staff, because we were the last to get on – and it was right there," Francis said.

The club was set for a 12-hour 33km hike to Harrietville and back today, which is at the heart of the bushfires.

Before the evacuation Gippsland enjoyed a skills session, intense boxing workout which was organised by coach Nick Stevens and his brother as well as the hike to Mt Feathertop.

"We'd go back to Hotham in a heartbeat. We love the place and walking around it and when you get up it's absolutely magnificent, so we think it was just bad luck," Francis said.

The club will not plan another camp before Round 1 and Francis said the early end would not hurt financially.

Sale teenager Josh Cashman has impressed throughout the pre-season, as has Leongatha product Aaron Heppell, the brother of Essendon's Dyson.

"They couldn't break him (Cashman) yesterday in the boxing," Francis said.

"Aaron is really fit, he's had a great pre-season.

"Last year was pretty spasmodic and he couldn't do a lot of the work with injury but he's done all the work this year, he's in peak condition and like Dyson he's very professional."
 

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Tough Eagle joins rules committee

Essendon players make their feelings known after Jobe Watson was felled in a collision with Beau Waters (left). Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: The Sunday Times

Eagle Beau Waters takes a diving mark. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: The Sunday Times

DON'T expect a crackdown on the bump any time soon after Eagles hard man Beau Waters joined the AFL laws committee.

Waters, who has had several run-ins with the match review panel, has been appointed the new player representative on the committee to replace Fremantle captain Matthew Pavlich.

Last season the 26-year-old was twice guilty twice of high bumps, escaping with a reprimand for a collision with Demon Jack Grimes in April but copping a one-week ban for a hit on Brisbane midfielder Jack Redden in June.

In between he was cleared of any wrongdoing after another contentious bump on Richmond's Daniel Jackson.

Waters has played 113 games in 11 seasons with West Coast and was named in last year's All-Australian team.

Pavlich stood down last year after four years in the role.

"The AFL greatly values the contributions of current players, and the wider AFLPA, to the important discussions around the Laws of the Game and is pleased that Beau will join the laws panel," the AFL's acting football operations manager Gillon McLachlan said.

The committee consists of McLachlan (acting chairman), Kevin Bartlett, Joel Bowden, Leigh Matthews, Luke Power, Rowan Sawers, Michael Sexton, Waters and Shane McCurry (secretary).

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Scully shocked by vice-captain job

Tom Scully during a GWS AFL training session in Blacktown, western Sydney. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: Herald Sun

GREATER Western Sydney $6 million man Tom Scully has been promoted to vice-captain but missed out on the co-captaincy spot vacated by Luke Power.

Scully, 21, joined the Giants from Melbourne on a huge contract and has been rated a future captain.

But those ambitions will have to wait at least another season after the Giants opted for just two captains in 2013.

The AFL's newest club was led by 21-year-olds Callan Ward and Phil Davis, along with veteran Luke Power, in its first season.

After Power's retirement the club has decided not to replace him with a new captain.

Ward won the Giants' best-and-fairest while Davis was the only GWS player to play all 22 matches last season.

Summer Barometer: Click here for GWS training, injury latest

The leadership group was selected by players and coaches who were asked to nominate those players they believe best demonstrate leadership qualities.

Scully said he was honoured to be nominated.

"I certainly wasn't expecting this, but I'm very humbled to be voted by my teammates as vice captain and look forward to working closely with Phil and Callan," Scully said.

"Since coming to the Giants I think my leadership is something which has really improved. Obviously, being one of the players with a bit more experience in the squad is a unique thing in itself especially being so young myself.

"I think it has helped me mature a lot more as a person and as a footballer. It's something that I have really embraced. Setting an example through leadership is something I hope to develop over this year and in the years to coming.

"I'm really looking forward to the year ahead and the responsibility that comes with it."

Power will be an assistant coach with the Giants in 2013.

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Lions welcome traning aggro

Former Demon Brent Moloney at Brisbane Lions training. Picture: Darren England Source: The Courier-Mail

Daniel Merrett (centre) watches at Brisbane Lions training at Coorparoo. Picture: Peter Wallis Source: The Courier-Mail

BRISBANE vice-captain Daniel Merrett could not be happier that things are getting "narky'' at Lions training.

Competitive drills pitting the forward line and defenders against each other are causing spirits to run high.

And the full-back said the extra passion on show in the pre-season augered well for the 2013 campaign when Brisbane hopes to improve on its 10 wins from last year.

"At the moment we are all over the forwards, it's good competition,'' Merrett said.

"At times it can get a bit narky and a bit aggressive but that's exactly what you want because you want to drive high standards and it's only going to make us better.

"Where our group is at, we are developing and breeding into the younger guys to be aggressive ... it's perfect.''

This time last year, the long-time defender was swung into the forward line after captain Jonathan Brown suffered his third facial injury in a training mishap and ruckman Matthew Leuenberger was sidelined by an Achilles injury.

With former Hawk Jordan Lisle leading the race to be Brown's foil in 2013 ahead of ex-Demon Stefan Martin and a host of rookie recruits, Merrett is glad to return to the backline which has been nicknamed "The Men's Club'' by Brisbane defenders.

"I'm back in the Men's Club ... I feel most comfortable down there but it's always fun kicking a few goals. But I've played there for a majority of my career, I definitely feel that's my best spot,'' he said.

Summer Barometer: Click here for Lions training, injury latest

 

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