Few shots fired in AFL tanking probe

Former Demon Brock McLean alleges Melbourne tanked to gain better draft picks. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: Herald Sun

ENTIRE wars have been fought in 77 days; governments have been toppled.

Yet the media actually giggled yesterday as Adrian Anderson paused for effect, then described the AFL's tanking investigation as "ongoing".

An investigation that started on July 31 with the promise to scrutinise Melbourne's alleged tanking culture - then expand to any other club if evidence emerged - shows no sign of resolution.

The cynics believe the AFL's findings will be dropped at 11pm on New Year's Eve.

Anderson countered yesterday that, "It will take as long as it takes to do a thorough and proper job".

Yet when you consider who AFL integrity officer Brett Clothier has and hasn't talked to, it is hard to mount a case that the AFL is trying desperately to uncover every skerrick of wrongdoing.

In 77 days Clothier and his cohorts could interview every coach and player at Melbourne three times.

They could talk to every club ever accused of any form of tanking.

So why launch a competition-wide probe when no one really wants to find anything?

How many times has Brock McLean been spoken to?

Just once, according to those close to him.

McLean basically repeated his allegations in the On The Couch interview - that he had a "gut feel" but no proof something was dodgy.

At Carlton, how many people have been interviewed about its dark days of tanking?

Just two - McLean, and forward scout Barry Prendergast and only because he was Melbourne's recruiter during that period.

Former Carlton coach Brett Ratten admitted the league had previously spoken to him about tanking, but no one else at Visy Park has felt the blowtorch surrounding the so-called Kreuzer Cup.

Brendan Fevola wrote at length in his recent book about tanking at Carlton. Has anyone given Fev a bell?

No doubt at Melbourne, chief executive Cameron Schwab and then-coach Dean Bailey are among those who have been interviewed.

But given warnings of massive penalties to anyone who admitted tanking, would Schwab or Dean Bailey or anyone else feel like airing any dirty laundry?

"I do understand there is cynicism but it is misplaced," Anderson said yesterday.

But how can we not be cynical when two weeks into an active investigation Demetriou stated: "If (Clothier) gets to the bottom of something then we will deal with it but at the moment there's no evidence to sustain this allegation of tanking."

The AFL needs not only to do justice in this investigation, but to be seen to do justice.

The only people who should be giggling are those at rivals clubs with dark secrets, because they are no chance at all to be found.

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Clubs critical of Swans' salary cap

Former Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett says Sydney's salary cap played a big role in it winning the 2012 flag. Picture: David Caird. Source: Herald Sun

JEALOUS interstate AFL clubs have set their sights on the Swans' 9.8 per cent salary cap allowance after Sydney's amazing run to the premiership.

Former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett, the one-time boss of the team the Swans beat in the grand final, has been leading the charge.

Adelaide officials have joined the whinge after superstar Kurt Tippett revealed he wanted to swap the boring South Australian capital for life in the Harbour City.

"It's an issue because we are successful," Swans boss Andrew Ireland said yesterday.

"No one cares about it when you're not winning."

Sydney had $10.3 million to spend among its players. The other established clubs had $9.4 million, which should be plenty to attract or keep players in the dreary southern states.

But AFL boss Andrew Demetriou yesterday said the allowance, which also benefits the GWS Giants, would be reviewed.

"It was discussed at the commission yesterday and the commission did feel, not because of the Sydney Swans and the kneejerk reaction, that the last time we reviewed this was five years ago," Demetriou said.

"Maybe it is appropriate we collate more information, all the bureau of statistics information, get some experts involved, some third parties and get some more information.

"We'll bring it back to the commission to have a look at."

Ireland welcomed the investigation, saying it would reinforce the Sydney clubs' rights to being able to pay their players more, given that the 9.8 per cent allowance doesn't come near covering the cost of living in one of the world's most expensive cities.

"PricewaterhouseCoopers released a study only this week which showed Sydney not only is the most expensive city Australia but the second-dearest in the world," Ireland said.

"Tokyo is the only city ahead of Sydney. It's dearer than London and New York."

The investigation could even see the Sydney clubs' allowance increased.

"It's appropriate for the AFL to investigate because it's not a static figure," Ireland said.

"We're confident any investigation will show the cost of living in Sydney is higher."

A recent report published by Australian Property Monitors supports Ireland's claims about Sydney.

Sydney has by far the highest median house price in the country at $641, 037, Perth is next at $531,06 closely followed by Melbourne $529,077) then Adelaide at $437,085.

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Campbell may join Port Adelaide

North Melbourne speedster Matt Campbell is looking for a new home and could find it at Port Adelaide. Picture: Stuart Walmsley. Source: Herald Sun

NORTH Melbourne goalsneak Matt Campbell could be a part of Port Adelaide's compensation for promising defender Ben Jacobs.

With North hopeful of luring Jacobs to Arden Street, Campbell looms as a likely candidate to return to South Australia after he was yesterday put on the trade table by the Kangaroos.

"Matty is looking for a new home," North Melbourne football manager Donald McDonald confirmed.

"Both Matt and the club have agreed this is the best path forward.

"Like the other players, we will have to wait until the trade period is over before we confirm anything."

After delisting David Rodan and Simon Phillips last week, Port is left with just one - injury-prone Cameron Hitchcock - genuine small forward on its senior list.

Knee-victim Robbie Gray and No.6 draft pick Chad Wingard are other options but both are likely to spend more time in the midfield under new coach Ken Hinkley next season.

Campbell, who has played 82 AFL matches since being rookie-listed in 2006, would not only add valuable goalscoring ability for the Power but also great leg speed.

The former North Adelaide forward is extremely quick and has been used by Roos coach Brad Scott as an explosive substitute off the interchange bench.

This need becomes more pressing for Port after losing the pace of Phillips, Rodan and free-agent Danyle Pearce, who will play for Fremantle next season.

While Campbell has battled hamstring issues at various stages throughout his career, at 25, the pint-sized forward - 170cm and 72kg - should have plenty of football left in him.

As Campbell presented himself as an option yesterday, former Port Magpie Levi Greenwood was officially ruled out by the Kangaroos.

Despite speculation Greenwood - originally from Whyalla - is homesick, McDonald declared the 23-year-old was a required player at North.

"Very much," McDonald told the AFL website when asked if Greenwood was still wanted by coach Brad Scott.

"He's the first to admit he had a disappointing season and will do everything to improve."

Another potential Port target, Hawthorn defender Stephen Gilham, could follow his Hawks team-mate Tom Murphy to the Gold Coast.

Seen as a likely replacement for Troy Chaplin - who has joined Richmond as a restricted free-agent - Gilham is seeking more opportunity now Western Bulldogs backman Brian Lake has joined the Hawks.

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Tradition bounced out by AFL

Sydney's Shane Mumford and Hawthorn's David Hale contest the opening bounce in the grand final. Umpires will no longer bounce the ball, apart from the opening bounce and after goals. Picture: Michael Klein. Source: Herald Sun

THE traditional bounce down around the ground is dead, potentially providing a significant boost to the giants of the game.

With a ball up providing more consistency, players of the ilk of Fremantle's Aaron Sandilands are more likely to put their height and weight edge to use.

Lower or inaccurate bounces gave smaller players a chance to react, and gain a head-start, but 200cm-plus ruckmen can attack the hitting zone with more certainty.

The bounce will remain at the start of every quarter and after each goal, but was removed from around the ground in one of the significant rule changes ticked off by the AFL Commission.

On average last year, each game featured 24 ball-up around the ground, meaning the tweak has the potential to have a significant impact.

The only positive for smaller, or No.2 ruckmen, could be the fact umpires are now going to be quicker at getting the ball into the air at stoppages.

Without the need to set up for a bounce down, the umpires will throw the ball up more quickly in a move designed to ease congestion.

The speed of the ball being thrown up may preclude players such as Sandilands from contests as they are not quick enough to get there in time.

AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson said the bounce in the centre was not up threat, but backed the moved to a ball up everywhere else.

"You throw it up quicker, gets play moving quicker, hopefully impacts congestion," Anderson said.

Some umpires in the past have been disadvantaged or even cut from the panel because their bouncing was not up to scratch.

Bad bouncers may now be able to avoid the problem, with less work to do.

In another ruck move, players contesting next season must stay apart with no contact permitted until the ball has left the umpire's hand.

The AFL is adamant it will clean up ruck contests and increase the chances of the ball being cleared.

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No apologies for more rule changes

AFL chief Andrew Demetriou makes no apologies for more rule changes when fans are crying out for the game to left alone. Picture: Julie Kiriacoudis. Source: Herald Sun

ANDREW Demetriou yesterday delivered a raised middle figure to the majority of fans who urge the league to leave the game alone.

The screaming headlines today will be about the AFL Commission's decision to defer an 80-rotation cap for one more season.

But make no mistake, the cap is coming despite a torrent of outrage from coaches, players and medicos.

And while it has been postponed for a single season, in its immediate place are a flood of new rules and "tightened interpretations" - basically rule changes under another name.

In all there are nine changes, almost all of them with major consequences.

Yet Demetriou was far from apologetic yesterday.

Leave the game alone, the fans cry.

To paraphrase Demetriou's blunt reply: Get stuffed.

"(Rule) moratoriums are garbage," said Demetriou.

" We don't apologise for making changes. This nonsense that says we should put a moratorium in place for five years....They are not for our code."

Demetriou's point is valid - most of the changes made by the AFL have enhanced the game in recent years.

The head-over-the-ball changes protect players from concussion or worse; the sub rule allowed Geelong to lose James Podsiadly early yet still win the 2011 flag; video reviews have their flaws but increase accuracy.

But just as the delay in introducing a cap was a major slap in the face for the Laws of the Game Committee, so too will the newly introduced rules change the fundamentals of our game.

The adjudication surrounding the holding-the-ball rule is a huge shift.

Now there is a crackdown on players not making a genuine attempt to get rid of the ball, plus a free kick for dragging the ball back under an opponent, as well as a free kick against a player sitting or lying on an opponent they have just tackled.

How will three different yet linked "interpretations" of the rule affect tackling and the holding-the-ball rule?

God only knows.

The last of the league's tightened interpretations reduces the amount of time for kick-ins to "five or six" seconds, again a massive change to defensive strategies, 18-man defensive presses, and the ability to pin-point a teammate from defence.

But despite Demetriou lauding Sydney's Grand Final win as one of the best of all time, the AFL is determined to ease congestion and fatigue players, opening up the game as a contest.

Demetriou didn't have it his own way - only days after he said attacks on Sydney's cost-of-living allowance were a "knee-jerk" reaction, the Commission of which he is a member decided to review those allowances.

No one got exactly what they wanted yesterday - not Demetriou, not the players who get only a 12-month respite before the sub rule, and not football operations manager Adrian Anderson.

He said of the Commission's decision - "I think it's a fantastic process" - despite them knocking back the AFL recommendation.

Yet the clear loser is the punter in the bar, or live in the outer, or watching on telly, who believes every rule change is a step in the wrong direction.

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Congestion like under 9s: KB

VFL legend Kevin Bartlett says the congestion around the ball in most AFL matches is like watching an under 9s game. Picture: Derrick Den Hollander Source: Herald Sun

LEGEND Kevin Bartlett last night declared the AFL Commission had "dropped the ball" by baulking at an immediate cap of interchange rotations.

Bartlett, the public voice of the rebuffed Laws of the Game committee, said the commission would soon realise that rising interchanges and congestion had hijacked the game.

"It will hit them one day that they are watching a game of Under-9s," Bartlett said.

"You watch the game now and there is so much congestion around the ball. You can see that so clearly.

"They (commissioners) said that in principle they agreed - whatever that means. If that was the case, what stopped them from accepting it? They would have to explain that further."

The Laws of the Game committee recommended a cap of 80 rotations a game, but the commission on Monday called for another year of data.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said the commission backed a cap "in principle" and strongly indicated rotations would be restricted in 2014.

"We only make recommendations. It is their decision," Bartlett said.

"But I think they dropped the ball. They had a great opportunity to make the game better. Eventually they will come to their senses. It is only a matter of time."

The commission will almost certainly come up with a cap of between 80 and 120 rotations in 2014.

"They wanted a year more of data, they wanted to trial it in the NAB Cup and they also wanted to rely on further information to determine what that cap would be at the end of the 2013 season," Demetriou said.

The Laws of the Game committee had backed a cap of 20 interchange moves a quarter, plus changes in quarter and half-time breaks (about 90 interchanges in total).

Another Laws of the Game committee member, former Crow Brett Burton, yesterday said clubs would quickly adapt to the looming 2014 rotation restriction.

Burton, the Brisbane Lions fitness boss, denied the decision to delay the interchange cap was a rebuff for the laws committee.

"What we have shown in the last five years with the different rule changes is that clubs and coaches do adapt," Burton said.

The AFL Players' Association, which had fought to retain the three/one interchange mix without a cap, yesterday welcomed the commission's decision.

"This has been a critical issue for our members, and has a big impact on their fitness and longevity in the game," AFLPA chief executive Matt Finnis said.

"The cautious approach of the commission recognises the impact of any changes."

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Rule change puts big men in spotlight

Former Hawthorn ruckman Brent Renouf, now with Port Adelaide, will be favoured by new AFL rules. Picture: Michael Klein. Source: Herald Sun

FOOTBALL'S "dinosaur" ruckmen have been revived by the AFL's latest rule tweak.

While the AFL Commission put off capping rotations, the league's decade-long battle to stop ruckmen wrestling has forced more radical changes.

Ruckmen next season will not be able to make contact until the ball leaves the field or boundary umpires' hands at stoppages.

And the field umpires will be throwing up the ball, rather than bouncing it, at every field stoppage except those at the start of quarters and after a goal is scored.

Immediately, the bigger-framed and stronger ruckmen are back in vogue, as they cannot be physically shoved out of position at stoppages.

At Port Adelaide, this favours Hawthorn recruit Brent Renouf (200cm, 98kg) and Jarrad Redden (205cm, 103cm).

At Adelaide, lead ruckman Sam Jacobs (202cm, 105kg) remains in favour but his current back-up, Josh Jenkins (197cm, 104kg) and Shaun McKernan (196cm, 99kg), will be challenged against the game's bigger ruckmen.

Crows ruck coach Matthew Clarke and his Power colleague Shaun Rehn say the pressure is now on umpires to police the new rule.

"Deciding who made contact first could frustrate the fans," said Clarke.

Added Rehn: "Let's hope they are lenient rather than taking issue with fingernail contact."

Clarke notes that the art of bodywork in ruck contests will be lost.

"The bigger ruckman wins ... He takes his position and you can't move him off that space," said Clarke. "The rule nullifies body work."

AFL football operations chief Adrian Anderson says that the Laws of the Game committee want ruckmen to jump rather than wrestle at stoppages.

"We want to encourage rucks to play the ball and not the man, as well as to facilitate cleaner hit-outs to advantage and to assist clearance rates," he said.

To further this cause, the AFL Commission finally endorsed umpires restarting play at stoppages faster by throwing up the ball.

Clarke noted: "If you throw the ball up quickly, there are less people at the stoppage, and with less stoppage the play flows on."

Added Rehn: "There will be consistency with the throw compared to the bounce. And you can guarantee the game will speed up even more now."

That quicker pace could wear out ruckmen as they race from stoppage to stoppage.

"If the ruckman makes it to the stoppage or not, there will be someone there to do the job," said Clarke.

"If one ruckman gets there, so should the other.

"If we reduce congestion, there should be fewer secondary bounces and that should reduce the workload for ruckmen."

The faster game will have midfielders seeking more breaks on the bench - and coaches ordering more rotations.

This will unfold without a cap next year and no change to the current system of placing three interchange players and a substitute on the four-man bench.

Despite a recommendation to limit rotations to 90 a game (compared with this year's average of 131), the AFL Commission ordered more analysis. The rotations cap will be trialled in the pre-season NAB Cup series.

The AFL will also allow a free kick for forceful contact to an opponent below the knees.

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Cost-of-living cap justified: Swans

Sydney Swans CEO Andrew Ireland. Picture: Brett Costello. Source: The Daily Telegraph

SYDNEY says it has "nothing to hide" from an AFL review of its cost-of-living allowance and believes its $900,000 salary cap dispensation will be justified.

Swans chief executive Andrew Ireland said yesterday his club would be happy to lose the allowance if the Bureau of Statistics figures showed it did not deserve the extra money.

The AFL Commission yesterday ordered a review of Sydney's cost-of-living allowance only two days after chief executive Andrew Demetriou hit out at critics of the $1 million free kick.

But Ireland said yesterday he welcomed the review and was confident it would show if anything the 9.8 per cent allowance - which will hit $944,000 in 2014 - was harsh on his club.

"If it is not dear to live in Sydney, then we shouldn't get the allowance," he told the Herald Sun.

"We have got no qualms about the review. We have nothing to hide. We are happy for it to be done.

"It is always the way that when you win the premiership there is more scrutiny on these things and clearly the AFL have had clubs approach them to question it, but we are confident when the AFL does its review, which it has done in the past, it will show the cost disparity is there."

Ireland said a PriceWaterhouseCoopers review had only this week judged Sydney was surpassed by only Tokyo as the most expensive city in the world.

"If you are a young guy, try paying $500 a week for a one-bedroom unit. If anyone looked at the ABS stuff around at the moment, the disparity exists."

Demetriou revealed yesterday that the AFL Commission was intent on using detailed data to rule a line over the retention allowance.

"The commission did feel that, not because of the Sydney Swans and their premiership, but the last time we reviewed this was five years ago and maybe it was time it is appropriate... we get some more information and bring it back to the Commission to have a look at."

Demetriou said the league would use information from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and use expertise from third parties to ascertain whether Sydney's allowance was justified.

Demetriou also said yesterday;

-He did not forsee any change to the format of the day Grand Final despite being won over by the 5.15pm preliminary final.

"I can't imagine anything will happen on that front," he said of a Grand Final which is contractually a day game for the next four season.

-He hoped future minor premiers like Hawthorn would in future years get a longer break before the Grand Final than their opponents.

"I think going forward we will do our best to make sure that wouldn't happen again," he said.

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Dawes the Demon

Bye, bye Bucks- forward Chris Dawes is now a Demon. Source: Herald Sun

CHRIS Dawes will today officially become a Melbourne player.

The Demons and Collingwood late yesterday reached agreement on a trade for the 2010 premiership key forward, with the paperwork set to be lodged at AFL House.

Collingwood snared picks No.20 and No.45 in the coming national draft from Melbourne.

Completing the deal, the Magpies handed pick No.58 to the Dees.

It is a major boost to Melbourne, which has aggressively chased several players in the trade/free agency period.

Dawes chose the Demons as his preferred destination a year after the lowly club lured another forward target, Mitch Clark, from Brisbane.

The Western Bulldogs had been keen to secure Dawes, and as recently as Monday had not given up hope as the Magpies were yet to be satisfied with Melbourne's offers.

But the swap of third round picks, effectively allowing the Pies to push up the order, was enough to get the deal over the line.

Originally, the Demons had only put pick No.20 on the table.

Dawes still had two years to run on a contract at Collingwood, but wanted out after the Pies recruited Quinten Lynch to play a similar role.

It is believed Dawes' strong relationship with assistant coach Leigh Brown and coach Mark Neeld, both former Magpies, was a key factor in his decision to join Melbourne.

Dawes will receive a significant pay-rise to cross to the Dees, who now have an impressive tall forward structure.

The Dees still have weaknesses in the midfield, but with James Frawley down back at least they are forming an impressive spine.

It is also a win for Collingwood, which has managed to snap up early picks in return for Dawes and Sharrod Wellingham.

"Chris can be proud of his contribution to Collingwood. He played some good football for the club, where he has been a popular figure, and shared in the 2010 premiership," Collingwood director of football Geoff Walsh said in a club statement.

"In his time with us, Chris always gave what he had and for that we thank him. We wish him well."
 

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