Why are WAGS in the rooms?

Jimmy Bartel and his girlfriend Nadia Coppolino in the rooms after the 2011 Grand Final. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

FOOTY commentator Brian Taylor has questioned why players' wives and girlfriends are in the rooms after "every bloody game".

Taylor, a long-time critic of players running out with their children for milestone games, says the players' inner sanctum is not as sacrosanct as it was.

Taylor, former Richmond and Collingwood great who now calls footy on Channel 7 and 3AW, said: "It wasn't that long ago when girls were not welcome in the changerooms.

"Then it got to the stage when they came in just after the premiership to help you celebrate.

"Now they're there after every bloody game. I'm thinking: 'Why? What's going on here? I'm not sure that's a good thing for footy'."

Taylor also echoed calls from the wider football community for a more humane system on the notoriously ruthless Brownlow Medal red carpet.

Players, wives and girlfriends were furious when last year's event was seemingly hijacked by bitchy critics armed with venom, and little knowledge of the game, or its stars.

Taylor said yesterday: "A lot of the girls would despise having to walk on that particular red carpet.

"I think that's something that needs to be looked at over the next few years."

He suggested a side entrance option to the event for media-shy WAGs.

Taylor said: "The girls have to be let it be known, and the players have to let it be known they would prefer not to have the effort and focus on what they're dressed in, and what they look like.''

Brian and wife Tania, married for 25 years, predate the WAG phenomenon.

He laughed: "I know nothing about WAG culture. It seems to be an interesting lifestyle."

23.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

NAB Cup SuperCoach stars

Shane Crawford reveals his SuperCoach 2013 line-up including some big smokies

Daniel Rich capped a huge pre-season by winning the Michael Tuck Medal for best on ground in the NAB Cup final. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

SEE the SuperCoach scores of every player for every NAB Cup match.

As a resource for picking your SuperCoach side, you can't go past pre-season form.

How many times have you heard a player halfway through the season credit his good form to his best pre-season ever? Or another player put his bad form down to not getting a good run at it before Round 1.

That tells you that despite all the coach's games, these games do count for something.

They can also throw up some funny numbers - the No.1 scorer for the NAB Cup was Kangaroos defender Nathan Grima with an outlandish average of 163 points. But that was scored in one match - which was played in a monsoon at Craigieburn and was called off halfway through the final quarter.

But if you take a broader view and look at players who appeared at least three times, Brisbane Lions midfielder Daniel Rich is the standout.

SuperCoach is free and you could win $50,000. Sign up now!

He scored 246 in the opening NAB Cup double-header and followed up with 132 in round three of the NAB Cup and 97 in the final - claiming the Michael Tuck Medal.

Lions teammate Patrick Karnezis was the surprise packet of the pre-season, averaging 97 SuperCoach points over four matches, while other players in the breakout window include Saint Jack Steven (average 105) and Demon Jack Watts (106.5).

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE EVERY NAB CUP SUPERCOACH SCORE

TOP 10 NAB CUP AVERAGES
(min 3 games)

118.8 Daniel Rich (BL) $485,800 mid
117.0 Andrew Swallow (NM) $585,100 mid
116.8 Bachar Houli (Rich) $444,800 def
116.0 Gary Ablett (GC) $740,500 mid
112.0 Josh Kennedy (Syd) $643,000 mid
111.8 Brendon Goddard (Ess) $541,500 def/mid
109.7 Dane Swan (Coll) $675,300 mid
108.5 Jarrad McVeigh (Syd) $526,000 mid
107.5 Joel Selwood (Geel) $629,500 mid
106.5 Jack Watts (Melb) $460,100 def/fwd

Get SuperCoach on the go with new apps for iPhone and Android

BARGAIN BIN

97.0 Michael Hibberd (Ess) $395,100 def
96.8 Patrick Karnezis (BL) $262,200 fwd
82.3 Daniel Currie (NM) $109,500 ruck
80.0 Brett Goodes (WB) $128,200 mid/def
79.5 Ricky Petterd (Rich) $240,800 fwd
76.6 Brent Moloney (BL) $362,400 mid
76.6 Jordan Russell (Coll) $266,000 def
72.6 Jaeger O'Meara (GC) $115,900 mid
71.0 Dean Kent (Melb) $109,500 mid
70.0 Lewis Stevenson (PA) $115,900 def
69.8 Dean Terlich (Melb) $109,500 def
68.5 Mark Blicavs (Geel) $115,900 mid/ruck

Get SuperCoach news first and join the debate on Facebook

ALARM BELLS

66.8 Travis Cloke (Coll) $436,400 fwd
64 Dustin Martin (Rich) $473,500 fwd/mid
64 Trent Cotchin (Rich) $622,100 mid
59.7 Taylor Walker (Adel) $536,000 fwd
57.3 Sam Fisher (StK) $444,100 def
57.3 Tom Scully (GWS) $424,700 mid
52.8 Shaun Atley (NM) $380,400 def
52.2 Greg Broughton (GC) $441,900 def
34.3 Tom Lee (StK) $115,900 fwd

Source: Champion Data

Got a SuperCoach question? Send it to supercoachtips@heraldsun.com.au and watch The SuperCoach Show on Fox Footy for answers from the experts. The SuperCoach Show screens on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week at 7pm and every Thursday at 6pm during the season.

EVERY NAB CUP SUPERCOACH SCORE

Note: Scores for week 1 of the NAB Cup include both round-robin matches, with scores scaled to reflect the shortened matches - this is factored into the overall average. The final column includes scores for the full-scale Fremantle v Adelaide practice match three weeks ago.

23.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Video: Ricky Nixon's comedy stylings

Raw vision: Take a sneak peek at the former AFL player manager's stand-up routine

No joke: Former footballer and sports agent Ricky Nixon is to perform his stand-up routine "Chicken Train" at the Comic's Lounge in North Melbourne. Picture: Josie Hayden Source: Leader

WATCH NOW: FOOTAGE has emerged of Ricky Nixon rehearsing his attempt at making people laugh for all the right reasons.

The former AFL player agent is working on a stand-up comedy routine, and is scheduled to perform his show – called "Chicken Train" - in public for the first time this weekend.

Footage obtained by News Limited shows Nixon rehearsing a bit from his show at the Comic's Lounge in North Melbourne.

In front of a handful of people, 49-year-old Nixon tells an anecdote about his youthful playing days at Carlton. 

Sharing a townhouse with a fellow player, young Ricky hears tell that a nearby female resident enjoys skinny dipping in the shared pool.

Hilarity may or may not have ensued. You can watch the video above to find out for yourself.

There's also a crowd-pleasing mention of Nixon's highlight of the season that year, involving a St Kilda player and a pizza.

Those keen to see more of Nixon's comedy stylings will be sorry to hear that he did not end up getting a slot at this year's Melbourne Comedy Festival, with organisers quick to dismiss the possibility earlier this year.

Herald Sun comedy expert and Barry Award judge Mikey Cahill said if Nixon had managed to get a festival spot, it likely would have been the must-see show of the festival, if not for the reasons Nixon would like. 

"Everyone enjoys a bit of schadenfreude every now and then," Cahill said.

"(The rehearsal footage) is excruciating, none-trick pony stuff. No curls, no jokes. The whole thing is both creepy and crawly.

"Nixon's routine comes off like a Sportsman Night from 1987. You can bet Doug Barwick and Greg Williams would have blown him off stage too.

"Once you hear Nixon utter 'The chick from number 20..OH OH….OH OH' you can't un-hear it.

"It gets worse though: 'I looked up at him [the landlord] … it wasn't the only thing looking up at him.' Facepalm o'clock!"

If you disagree with Mikey, the good news is that Nixon is due to perform at the Comic's Lounge on Sunday afternoon.

Nixon was a well-known AFL player-agent before rising to national infamy in 2011 when he denied allegations of a drug-fuelled affair with the 17-year-old "St Kilda Schoolgirl".

He was filmed leaving her hotel room and admitted "mistakes" and "inappropriate dealings" with the teenager before entering rehab.

Speaking to the Herald Sun last month, Nixon said he would discuss his personal crises in the show, and how his life spiralled out of control in recent years.

"This exercise is not about me trying to make a career as a comedian. I'm trying to be me and give an insight of what I've been through and hopefully at the same time people can come along and have a laugh," he said.

"It's two years since I made the mistake of going to a hotel room when I shouldn't have, and people still want me to pay the price. Well I'm getting down from the cross because somebody else needs the wood.

"Nobody's been kicked in the head over the past two years more than I have, but I'm trying to move on with my life and do it by having a laugh at myself."

Ricky Nixon will be performing his show at the Comic's Lounge, 20 Errol St, North Melbourne. Tickets $20.

23.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sando asks Crows to respect Dons

Sanderson is hopeful his Crows won't sledge the Bombers.

Adelaide Crows coach Brenton Sanderson has asked his charges to respect Essendon amid the supplements scandal. Picture: Tait Schmaal. Source: The Advertiser

CROWS coach Brenton Sanderson wants a red-hot battle for the ball rather than a war of words to explode with the drug-tainted Essendon at AAMI Stadium on Friday night for the AFL season opener.

Sanderson has put gamesmanship off his agenda saying: "I'd be disappointed if our players tried to unsettle Essendon with any cheap shots."

THE FIRST LOCKOUT IS THIS FRIDAY - JOIN SUPERCOACH FOR FREE RIGHT NOW!

He also urged his club's fan base - and all AFL supporters - to not taunt the Bombers with labels of "cheats" until all the investigations into Essendon's fitness program from last season are complete.

As the Bombers fear entering a vitriolic cauldron with barbs on each side of the fence at West Lakes for the AFL premiership season-opener, Sanderson declared: "That's not what footy is about.

Let's make sure, from the crowd's point of view, we respect our opposition

"The teams I'd like to coach are the ones that just play the ball hard and not take any cheap shots.

"I'm sure our boys will play the game with the respect it deserves."

To the fans, Sanderson appealed: "Sometimes you just have to bite your tongues.

"Let's make sure, from the crowd's point of view, we respect our opposition.

"I'd be disappointed if not only our fans but the rest of the AFL supporters (ignored) that there is an investigation going on and let it take its course."

Adelaide's players also have to take into account the "cheat" tag could come back at them from the Bombers. The Crows had their own turmoil in the off-season from the Kurt Tippett contract scandal.

It cost the Crows a $300,000 fine, no compensation for losing Tippett, draft picks and bans on key personnel, chief executive Steven Trigg and football chief Phil Harper.

"Both clubs have had their issues, but we will focus on what we can control," he said.

"We did that all through the summer making sure (the Tippett penalties) never affected the football department."

Adelaide last night picked its preliminary squad with teenager Brad Crouch as the only new Crow to debut.

The two holes left in the side - by key forward Kurt Tippett's defection to Sydney and defender Michael Doughty's retirement - will be filled by the inexperienced Luke Brown and Josh Jenkins.

Sanderson declared two injury concerns, but only revealed the details on one - small forward Ian Callinan (knee).

Sanderson yesterday was coy on Crouch's much-anticipated debut after the Victorian was forced by AFL rules to spend all of last season in the SANFL where he forged the reputation as a tough midfielder.

"Whether he plays this week, next week or round 10, I'm sure it is going to happen this year," said Sanderson, who at times last year felt Crouch was ready for the AFL.

"He is going to be long-term player for us ... but you can't give your No. 1 draft pick a game every week; he is different to no one else.

"If he is in good form he will play."

Today Sanderson will be at AFL House to join AFL coaches in the hot debate on where the Laws of the Game committee is taking the cap on interchange rotations next season.

Sanderson, who took rotations to record levels last season, confirmed he had considered an on-field protest in the NAB Cup.

He wanted to apply a "super flood" by putting all his players in the Carlton forward half in the last term of the last Cup game a fortnight ago.

"Very seriously," he said of how much he thought through the protest tactic.

"In the end I thought it would be a little bit arrogant of me to do it."

23.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Suns, Giants gain draft bonus

The Giants dominated the draft last year. Picture: Matt Roberts. Source: Getty Images

THE two expansion clubs are again poised to enter this year's draft with extra early selections after activating first-round compensation picks.

Greater Western Sydney triggered its mid-round one selection, which will be taken directly before the eighth-placed team's first pick.

That pick was originally cast Geelong's way as part of its compensation for losing Gary Ablett. But the Cats sent it back to the Suns in a juggle of draft choices, before Gold Coast forwarded it the Giants' way at the trade table in 2011.

Seven rookies were today upgraded - find out who

The Suns activated their end-of-first-round compensation selection, which will take place after the premier's first choice.

That pick was originally sent to Adelaide when Gold Coast poached Nathan Bock. It then made its way to Richmond as part of the Richard Tambling deal, before the Tigers returned it to the Suns in 2011.

Four compensation picks were held over.

The Suns hold another two, one of which must be used next season , the Giants hold one more while West Coast has a round-three compensation pick which will be activated in 2014.

The two activated this year can be palmed off to other clubs during October's trade period.

23.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Freo's Clarke limps off training track

HURTING: Fremantle is sweating on the fitness of Zac Clarke (left) for Saturday's derby. Source: Getty Images

ON STANDBY: Rookie Jack Hannath could be called up for a derby debut. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

FREMANTLE recruit Jack Hannath is in line to make his AFL debut in Saturday's derby against West Coast after back-up ruckman Zac Clarke injured his leg at training.

Clarke limped off the training track on Tuesday, but skipper Matthew Pavlich said he was unsure of the exact nature of the injury or how serious it was.

If Clarke is ruled out, it's likely either Hannath or Kepler Bradley will earn selection against the Eagles.

With No.1 ruckman Aaron Sandilands (hamstring) already ruled out of the match, Jon Griffin will take the lead role against Eagles champion Dean Cox.

Clarke was set to play a larger role in attack this year in order to provide support for Pavlich, meaning his replacement could come down to who is the better forward out of Hannath and Bradley.

Hannath was training with the Melbourne Demons over summer when told he had been snared by Fremantle with pick No.8 in the pre-season draft.

The 21-year-old has developed significantly over the past two years while playing with Central Districts, and his 201cm, 102kg frame could sway selection in his favour.

Bradley booted just six goals in 12 games last year, and his waywardness in front of goal remains a concern.

Pavlich said it didn't matter who replaced Clarke - as long as they did their bit for the team.

"Whoever it is, we don't care about the name or the person," Pavlich said.

"If we get them to compete and play to our standards, the rest will take care of itself.

"It's certainly not ideal. We thought Zac competed really well against the Bulldogs (during the pre-season).

"But what we know is we have some great back-up.

"Kepler played most of the pre-season games. Jack Hannath has been around the mark and is one of the players we drafted for this exact reason.

"He's a big body and runs well."

West Coast also have a decision to make in the ruck department after Nic Naitanui failed in his bid to be fit for the season opener.

If the Eagles decide Cox needs back-up in the ruck, either Scott Lycett or Callum Sinclair will be called into the side.

West Coast will also be without midfielder Daniel Kerr (knee), forward Mark Nicoski (hamstring), wingman Matt Rosa (quad) and former Magpie Sharrod Wellingham (ankle).
 

23.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hodge expects Buddy big pay cut

Hawthorn captain Luke Hodge, pictured here alongside the other 17 AFL skippers, expects a pay cut as the Hawks move to keep Lance Franklin. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

HAWTHORN captain Luke Hodge expects a pay cut as the AFL club tries to keep Lance Franklin.

While Franklin's decision to defer contract talks until post-season is the big-ticket item, Hodge and former skipper Sam Mitchell are among other premiership stars the Hawks must re-sign.

Hodge, 28, who played just 10 games last year because of injury, said he and 30-year-old Mitchell were at the stage of their careers where ``we don't have quite as much pull as Franky does''.

"As you get older it's proven in the past that you're going to have to go lower so that the younger blokes coming through can get paid probably a little bit more than what they deserve,'' Hodge said.

But the Hawks won't break the bank on Franklin either.

"The club have thrown Buddy the best offer we can give with the blokes that we've got on our list,'' he said.

"It's up for Bud to take his time this year, have a good think about it and see where his future wants to be.''

Hodge was in no hurry to re-sign and said his deal didn't need to be a priority as there was no doubt he'd stay a Hawk.

He was confident he could recapture career-best form this season despite coming off knee surgery and last year's illness and injury troubles.

"If your expectations drop then you probably shouldn't be playing,'' Hodge said.

He said the knee was fully healed but doubt remained over whether he'll face Geelong on Easter Monday.

The Hawks are out to break a nine-match losing streak against the Cats since their 2008 grand final win.

While Hodge would love to be out there, he has learnt the hard way that rushing back is not smart.

"I made the mistake last year of coming back probably a little bit early with my calf and hurt that just before round one,'' he said.

"We deliberately haven't set a date that I'm going to be back.

"We'll just take it as it comes.''

The Hawks also hope Cyril Rioli (ankle) and recruit Brian Lake (calf) can face the Cats.

Lake's return would be particularly useful.

The club recruited him to combat power forwards such as Geelong's Tom Hawkins, who kicked six goals including the winner after the siren in their most recent meeting.

23.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Riewoldt relies on blood jabs

2013 preview: Fox Footy expert Brad Johnson says the Saints need to find the next group of stars to take the baton from Nick Riewoldt and Co.

St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt catches his breath. Source: Getty Images

ST KILDA captain Nick Riewoldt continues to be injected with his own blood to help prolong his career.

Riewoldt will rely on a German medical technique to nurse a degenerative left knee injury through the AFL season.

"Yeah, it's something I've got to manage and I think ultimately it will be the thing that probably forces me to retire. But certainly I've got a few years left yet,'' he said today.

"It has been ongoing for a while now. I managed it pretty well last year. I was able to put in a pretty solid year until I got injured (missed the last three rounds) with a totally unrelated injury.''

Riewoldt has the Orthokine therapy at the Olympic Park Sports Medicine Centre. The treatment remove proteins from the blood that inhibit inflammation and are injected to the affected joint.

"They take your blood and - am I allowed to say inject? - and I've had some pretty good success from that,'' Riewoldt said.

"If I start to get sore and swollen, it's something I can go to. So, we have that up our sleeve.

"It's a concentrated burst. You have six weeks go of it and that lasts for six months.

"They spin the blood and take out the concentrated anti-inflammatory part of your blood and then inject it back.''

American basketballer Kobe Bryant and baseball slugger Alex Rodriguez are among other sportsmen to use the technique.

Riewoldt said the treatment allows him to continue to train during the season and play a match at full capacity.

On the long-term prognosis for the knee, the Saints skipper said: "If I want to go and run marathons, it's probably going to be an issue. But if I want to walk 18 holes at golf, I should be fine.''

The skipper also shed light on the Saints selection dilemma bolstering their short-handed backline.

Sean Dempster (hamstring) looks set to miss Round 1 with former Docker Dylan Roberton the likely replacement.

Rhys Stanley would also be considered in a more defensive role but he too is sidelined with a knee injury.

Riewoldt said he was happy with the club's attacking options with Beau Maister, Terry Milera, Ahmed Saad and Trent Dennis-Lane enjoying solid pre-season campaigns.

23.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hill looking forward to LeCras return

WELCOME BACK: Eagle Mark LeCras will play his first AFL game since 2011 this weekend. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: The Sunday Times

WEST Coast goalsneak Josh Hill says he feels more comfortable at the Eagles now, and is looking forward to combining with Mark LeCras this year to create a series of highlights.

Hill booted 36 goals in 22 games for the Eagles last year, cementing his spot in the side after fellow small forwards LeCras (knee) and Mark Nicoski (hamstring) suffered season-ending injuries.

With Nicoski still on the long-term injury list, Hill is expected to retain his place in the best 22 this year, and says he can't wait to team with LeCras in what's shaping up as a formidable forward line.

While Hill and LeCras will do the damage at ground level, spearheads Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling are set to dominate in the air, with ruckmen Nic Naitanui and Dean Cox also providing valuable marking power.

LeCras is one of the classiest medium-sized forwards in the game, and has the ability to kick freak goals in open play from the tightest of angles.

The 26-year-old is equally adept at taking strong marks on the lead, and earned All-Australian honours in 2010 for a campaign that yielded him 63 goals.

Hill played 66 games over five seasons for the Western Bulldogs before being traded to West Coast at the end of 2011.

The 24-year-old enjoyed a solid debut season at the Eagles, and said the return of LeCras would give opposition sides an even bigger headache.

"I know he's got his flair that he brings. I'm going to try to bring my side and work on improving," Hill said ahead of Saturday's western derby against Fremantle.

"Like last year, I'm going to start off with my defensive side of my game and look to use that to get involved.

"I feel a lot more comfortable now that I've got a year under my belt at the club.''

When asked who had the more flair out of him and LeCras, Hill replied: "He'll probably say him, but I might say me.

"But when you've got Nic Nat there jumping around on shoulders, it's hard to get a touch.

"When the ball's there, we'll all be fighting for it. We're all pretty excited to see what each of us can bring."

The Eagles are warm favourites to beat the Dockers despite missing Naitanui (groin), Daniel Kerr (knee), Matt Rosa (quad), Sharrod Wellingham (ankle) and Nicoski.
 

23.49 | 0 komentar | Read More