Roos must respect Swans to win: Harvey

North skipper Brent Harvey tells Drew Petrie to settle and take a shot at goal Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

SUSPENDED North Melbourne star Brent Harvey refuses to buy in to talks of Sydney's "soft start" to the 2013 season and knows if his teammates don't turn up with the right attitude on Saturday they will get blown off the park.

The Kangaroos host the reigning premiers at Blundstone Arena, missing 34-year-old veteran Harvey who is sidelined until round seven following two separate reports in last year's elimination final loss to West Coast.

While North dropped its opening round clash to Collingwood and blew a 41-point lead against Geelong last Sunday, the Swans have beaten the bottom two sides from 2012 in Greater Western Sydney and Gold Coast to start their premiership defence.

Mullett a real rising star

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire is just one who has criticised the Swans perceived easy start to the year, but Harvey is adamant there are no easy weeks in the AFL.

"I don't think there is a soft draw in any aspect of football any more because every team you come up against, if you drop your guard you are going to get beaten," Harvey said yesterday on a visit to Bellerive Primary.

"Even the bottom teams, that is just the reality of football.

"They are the reigning premiers, you take them lightly and you are going to get belted.

"We know what to expect every single time you play against the Sydney Swans, and that is a one-on-one, hard contest and it is something we will be waiting for."

Harvey admitted last week's loss to the Cats, who trailed by seven goals at one stage late in the second quarter and only hit the front in the dying stages through a free kick and 50m penalty to Jimmy Bartel, was a bitter pill to swallow.

However he is confident the club can open its account sooner rather than later and the panic button has not been reached for.

"Against Geelong we probably shot ourselves in the foot and lost it being 41 points up, it is something we don't want to get in the habit of, losing games where we have been up by a fair bit," the 346-game veteran said.

"I'm sure the message Brad [Scott] was sending was we played some really good football and if keep playing like that, wins will come.

"They are all must win games, we don't want to drop any games but in saying that it is round three and there have been plenty of teams that have come back from round three to make finals."

Saturday's game is a near sell-out, with only a handful of tickets remaining.

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McLardy goes back on his word

Melbourne FC has confirmed the resignation of chief executive Cameron Schwab after a disastrous start to the season

Melbourne FC president Don McLardy gave Cameron Schwab the tap on the shoulder. Picture: Rob Leeson Source: Herald Sun

A DECISION of so-called strength and unity ended in farce.

It was weak, even.

Certainly embarrassing for a club which for the past three days had spruiked togetherness and a commitment to resurrect this once great club.

Three days ago, chairman Don McLardy hit the radio airwaves and said they were prepared for the fight, on Monday he sent a letter to the members, and on yesterday's back page of the Herald Sun he said they would be "strong - stability is critical".

Schwab: the buck stops with me

And then, bang, he sacks Cameron Schwab.

Don McLardy could be Don Corleone in Godfather IV.

It was, he said numerous times yesterday, in the best in the interests of the footy club.

The reason Cameron Schwab was asked to resign yesterday - sacked in other words - was never fully explained at a hastily arranged media conference, other than to say Schwab had polarised the Melbourne Football Club community.

The fans had turned on him, including one of major influence behind the microphone who demanded immediate change, but who hasn't the time to offer anything of real substance himself.

Neil Mitchell would be happy, as are probably tens of thousands of other Demons fans who wanted Schwab gone.

Schwab survived long than most: Ralphy

In fairness, they were probably right, for someone had to be responsible for the dreadful and despairing position the club was is. But but it was unfair to not only single out Schwab, but to sack him.

If positions at the club are under review, and the administration had made a good fist of it under Schwab, which McLardy acknowledged, then heaven help coach Mark Neeld if this embarrassment continue on the field.

The players, whether they liked Schwab or not, have to take responsibility.

And so does McLardy.

It's always a dirty and difficult time when a close friend is removed, and McLardy didn't handle it as best he could.

He was contradictory and unforgiving of the gibberish he had spoken in the past few days.

This is what McLardy told the Herald Sun on Sunday: "What we saw on the ground on the weekend, you can't link it directly to our CEO and say if we sacked him it would solve our problems."

Although he oversaw the reappointment of Schwab for three years just last year, and had ladled praise on Schwab whenever he could, he said yesterday this decision had been several months in the thinking.

Clearly, this was a political move, one to quiet the dissidents and perhaps even shore up his own standing at the club.

For sure, McLardy had to do something and it was either resign, sack Neeld, or sack Schwab.

The day began routinely for Schwab and changed dramatically when McLardy called him, requesting they catch up in the afternoon.

Schwab knew then his time was over.

After 22 years as an administrator at three clubs - Melbourne, Richmond and Fremantle - the famous Schwab name is out of football.

He's been a survivor.

He escaped the shellacking at Geelong in 2011 by the hair of his chinny chin chin, but the wolf got him at the weekend, as he probably knew it would one day.

He departed with dignity, too.

He supported the club's decision, supported McLardy as he stumbled and mumbled, and like a half-back flanker who has dished out a bit and wore some himself, he said: That's football.

To the end, he displayed his love of the game, which the critics say allowed him too much say in football department discussions, by taking a Melbourne jumper to his public execution yesterday.

It was a signed No.31 guernsey given to him by Ron Barassi in 2008, when Schwab returned to the club from the Dockers.

The message read: "Cameron, welcome back to a great challenge and a great opportunity, Ron Barassi."

The opportunity is gone, but the challenge is as massive as it's ever been.

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Swans members 33,000 strong & growing

Young Swans members at Sydney's fan day at the SCG. Source: The Daily Telegraph

THE Sydney Swans have set their sights on building an army of 40,000 members in coming years after shattering their all-time membership record this week of 33,000 this week.

With no NRL club yet to break the 25,000 membership barrier, the Swans believe they are on track to reach their target of 37,000 members in 2013 on the back of their stunning run to the 2012 AFL premiership.

It would be an increase of 9894 members or 36.5 per cent from the 27,106 members they recorded in 2011.

It prompted AFL boss Andrew Demetrious to declare the game's administration is proud of the Swans' commercial performance in the most competitive sporting market in Australia.

"That's a fantastic effort," Demetriou said.

"They've got 19 new corporate partners that have brought another $2 million in revenue into the club. We're really proud of them and the fact there is a new team in town, the GWS Giants, it's proving that competition is a good thing."

The Swans initially feared their growth would be hamstrung by ongoing redevelopments to the SCG, which will not be concluded until the new stands are unveiled during the fifth Ashes Test in January.

However, being the premiers and again expected to be one of the main contenders for the flag, the Swans have been able to capitalise on their on-field performance.

"It's really exciting," Swans chief executive Andrew Ireland said. "You'd hope you can do that off the back of winning the premiership last year. I think as a club we're better prepared to manage winning a premiership and take advantage of that.

"The thing we know it's a constant challenge to continue to grow it. We need to do that. We need to get to 40,000 members. Hopefully we can do that. It's a big challenge."

The Swans increased membership means the Swans round four clash against Geelong on April 19 is expected to be a sell-out.

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What you missed on TV last night

Cameron Schwab's resignation from Melbourne dominated the agenda on AFL 360. Picture: Alex Coppel Source: Herald Sun

DID you miss last night's AFL television shows? Rewind and catch up here on all of hot topics and big issues discussed.

AFL 360

* Not surprisingly, the state of the Melbourne Football Club was at the top of the agenda - following the resignation of Dees chief executive Cameron Schwab.

* Herald Sun chief football writer Mark Robinson said he had no more confidence in the Dees now than he had yesterday.

* Gerard Whateley called for Don McLardy's head, declaring the Melbourne board should elect a new president tonight to continue the leadership overhaul.

Melbourne president Don McLardy and coach Mark Neeld. Source: Herald Sun

* Both experts agreed Schwab handled himself extremely well at his resignation press conference. Whateley said Schwab "performed in a way he hasn't performed in the last 18 months."
* Whateley said if the leadership exodus didn't continue the club faced a player and/or supporter exodus at the end of the season.

* Whateley said it couldn't be as simple as failed recruiting at the Dees, rather their development of players had been sub-standard.

Everyone has high expectations on Jack Watts. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

* AFL stars Brad Sewell and Robert Murphy joined the program. Sewell confirmed he would definitely miss Sunday's blockbuster against Collingwood, but said he hoped to return when Hawthorn battles Fremantle in Round 4.

* Both players agree the Etihad Stadium roof should remain closed for all matches. "It's there for a reason, so we may as well use it," Sewell said.

Geelong v North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium, Docklands. Brad Scott talking with the AFL's ( Graham Finn ? ) ground manger after the loss about the roof policy after the loss. Picture: Salpigtidis George Source: Herald Sun

* Murphy said Hawthorn looks a serious premiership contender this season, and Sunday's 50-point annihilation of West Coast was a "powerful reminder" of what they can do. Check out a full match recap at Live HQ.

*Murphy said the pressure Fremantle applied against his Western Bulldogs on Saturday was unbelievable. "Their pressure was up there with anything I've played against," he said of Ross Lyon's side.

Fremantle forward Michael Walters has kicked six goals in the opening two rounds. Picture: Michael Klein Source: PerthNow

AFL INSIDER

*

The boys briefly touched on Melbourne to start the show. Former Brisbane Lions superstar Alastair Lynch questioned whether Dees players would seek to get out of the club.

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AFL may spike NRL season launch in NSW

Swans key defender Ted Richards and GWS captain Phil Davis at the AFL Launch at NSW Parliament House . Picture: Jeremy Piper. Source: The Daily Telegraph

THE AFL is considering launching the 2014 season at least two weeks earlier with a blockbuster clash between the Giants and Swans at Skoda Stadium.

GWS chief executive David Matthews yesterday said he will submit a fixture request to the AFL to host the Swans at Skoda Stadium in round one - and has preliminary support from AFL boss Andrew Demetriou.

The AFL has already declared its intent to start the season earlier to go head to head with the NRL in NSW and Queensland, giving fledgling clubs Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney more hype and commercial muscle in their competitive sporting markets.

Muzzles for Giants youngsters

However, in an audacious move, the AFL is hoping to go head to head with the NRL season launch in Sydney with a Giants clash against the Swans, Collingwood, Carlton, Geelong or Hawthorn.

It follows a series of dramatic developments for AFL in NSW yesterday, including:

A REVELATION from Matthews the Giants are looking to open the 2014 Sydney Royal Easter Show with an historic match at Skoda Stadium or ANZ Stadium on a Thursday, April 10;

SWANS boss Andrew Ireland throwing his support behind a ground breaking plan to completely overhaul the AFL season structure by scrapping the NAB Cup and extending the regular season to 24 matches and two byes before the finals series;

THE potential showdown between the Swans and Cricket Australia over access to the SCG, when the AFL's season is moved forward as expected;

THE revelation Ireland would consider hosting a Swans home game at Skoda Stadium; and

COACH Kevin Sheedy declaring the Giants should take a home game to South Africa or China as early as next season.

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QClash will get physical: Brown

Jonathan Brown will lead his team out for a tough game against Gold Coast Suns on Saturday. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

BRISBANE skipper Jonathan Brown has promised neither he or his side is a spent force for 2013 and has warned the Suns to expect a bruising encounter in Saturday's QClash at Metricon Stadium.

While Suns skipper Ablett was content to hose down suggestions the derby carried any extra spice, Brown had no hesitation admitting the stakes were higher.

"These are our two biggest games of the year," he said.

Defence worries for Lions, Suns

Ablett took emotion out of it and said the Suns' were steering clear of talking about local bragging rights and focusing was on their own performance. He believed if the Suns could produce a four quarter effort they would knock over the Lions.

After the Suns upset the Lions in the first QClash, the following three went to script with the Lions heading in as favourites and coming out as winners.

But Brown admitted pressure was now building on the Lions after a winless start to the season and said the encouraging 1-1 start to the season from Gold Coast made this the most relevant derby to date.

"They are in better form than we are at the moment," he said.

Derby legends fuelled by hate

Brown said the anger over the defection of Jared Brennan and Michael Rischitelli had passed and neither player would be targeted but warned every player wearing a red jumper would know they had been in a game of footy.

"We hope it is a physical contest, we want to approach the game by bringing our physicality, no doubts about it," he said.

"I don't think it is directed at certain players and there is not a whole lot you can do these days anyway.

"We just have to make sure that they don't have as big a game against us because it does hurt when your ex-teammates play well against you."

By his own admission, Brown's form has not been up to his usual standard over the opening fortnight of the premiership but said he was not carrying an injury.

A five-goal haul in the NAB Cup final raised hopes among Lions fans he was back to his Coleman medal-winning best, but the goals have dried up in the opening weeks.

"I've kicked one goal in two weeks so it probably goes without saying I reckon," Brown said.

"I'm physically fine.

"I haven't had a big pre-season and I had a lot later start so I wasn't expecting to have a real big start to the year.

"I am using the first month to work myself into match fitness and get my timing right.

"I'm comfortable with where I am at the moment."

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Hannebery set to sign with Swans

Daniel Hannebery will re-sign with Sydney. Source: The Daily Telegraph

PRIZED Sydney midfielder Daniel Hannebery has turned his back on a potential return to Melbourne, committing to the Swans.

Sydney's Grand Final hero is expected to sign a new three-year deal today.

Hannebery was a priority signing for the Swans.

The midfielder won the Rising Star award in 2010 and sparkled in the Swans' premiership last year, finishing second in Norm Smith Medal voting behind teammate Ryan O'Keefe.

Hannebery was a target for Melbourne-based clubs when his contract expired at the end of the year.
But the Swans have long viewed Hannebery as a future leader and were quick to move on a new deal this season, tying him to the club until the end of 2016.

Hannebery's manager Nick Gieschen, from Elite Sports Properties, said the 22-year-old was thrilled to stay in Sydney.

"The club has looked after him really well since they drafted him as a bottom-aged player back in 2008. He loves the club and everything it stands for," he said.

"There's a great culture up there, he's settled and he's obviously really close with his teammates.

"He's excited to stay at Sydney to continue to improve his football and help them push towards continued success over the next few years."

Hannebery has played 79 games for the Swans since arriving at the club with the 30th pick in the 2008 national draft.

Now in his fifth season, the tough and hard-running playmaker collected 23 and 24 possessions in the Swans' first two games of the season.
 

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Fans killed off Schwab, says Demetriou

Melbourne FC has confirmed the resignation of chief executive Cameron Schwab after a disastrous start to the season

Andrew Demetriou believes pressure from Demons fans resulted in Cameron Schwab's resignation. Source: Herald Sun

THE AFL has denied any involvement in Cameron Schwab's removal, saying last night it was a Melbourne decision in response to supporter backlash.

League chief executive Andrew Demetriou echoed Melbourne president Don McLardy's assertion that this "was a club decision".

Schwab was effectively axed as Demons chief executive yesterday, despite assertions from McLardy in yesterday's Herald Sun that it would be wrong to link Schwab to the club's shocking start to the season.

Demetriou said last night the league was satisfied with the Dees' off-field progress, but was alarmed by two defeats by a total of 227 points.

"There was enough pressure being borne by supporters and others, the board has decided to act," Demetriou said. "I think that's what happened."

"The groundswell of what happened at the weekend, it was almost tsunami-like," Demetriou said.

"It's been horrible since the weekend.

"I think supporters of Melbourne expect their board to act decisively and to acknowledge they need to make change, and that's what they have done."

Schwab, who was contracted on August 27 last year for a further three years, had a standard three-month termination clause.

The Demons yesterday stated Schwab's reputation with supporters was the main reason he was removed.

"The unity of our club is absolutely vital and at the moment we have a divided supporter base. Cameron, for whatever reasons, fair or unfair, polarises that," McLardy said.

On Sunday, McLardy declared full support for Schwab.

"What we saw on the ground on the weekend, you can't link it directly to our CEO and say if we sacked him it would solve our problems," the Herald Sun reported McLardy saying.

Support for Schwab evaporated yesterday morning and by mid-afternoon he'd been asked to step aside.

A board meeting will be held in the next 24 hours, with discussion to centre on the search for a new chief executive.

Demetriou would not entertain questions about the possible granting of a discretionary draft pick or picks to the Demons.

"We haven't even thought about it," Demetriou said.

The AFL Commission in February last year dropped the priority pick system that gave extra draft picks to teams that met set criteria.

The league's new guidelines give the AFL Commission discretion to award extra draft picks based on performance.

AFL executives would make a recommendation to the commission based on premiership points, percentage, finals appearances and injury rates. Greater weighting is afforded to recent seasons.

The precise formula is kept secret.

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Garlett's AFL dream still alive

Dayle Garlett returned to senior football for Swan Districts on Saturday. Pcture: Kerris Berrington. Source: PerthNow

AFL RECRUITERS are refusing to put a definitive line through bad boy Dayle Garlett despite overlooking the mercurial talent in all three drafts last year and following his turbulent start to this season.

Garlett made a low-key return to senior football on Saturday and has quietly impressed his Swan Districts teammates with a radical attitude reversal.

It followed the prodigious talent failing to turn up to training or keep fit in the fallout from his AFL snub.

Garlett was rated as a top-10 talent for most of last year before talk of his off-field troubles spread like wildfire.

Draft Watch: This year's No. 1 pick has stardom in his blood

The West Australian was axed from the AIS-AFL squad at the start 2012, before photos of him drinking and smoking emerged on social media to further damage his reputation.

Source: HWT Image Library

After missing out at the national draft, Essendon invited Garlett to train at Windy Hill on the premise it would consider handing him a lifeline should he show the necessary commitment.

But the Dons overlooked Garlett after he went on a 4am bender in Perth only three days before the pre-season draft.

Garlett then knocked back invitations to join the VFL, instead opting to stay at WAFL club Swan Districts this year.

The smooth-moving midfielder racked up 13 disposals and booted 2.2 in his senior return on Saturday after starting the season in the reserves due to his poor work ethic.

Follow Sam Landsberger on Twitter @SamLandsberger

"He's actually been training well and his behaviour is much, much better," one of his Swans teammates told SuperFooty yesterday.

One AFL scout said he would be surprised if Garlett didn't generate serious interest in this year's draft, partially owing to the reduced depth in the pool.

Another club's chief recruiter said: "It's very, very early, but if he can show sustained improvement for not just the season, but the months that follow, he'll be back in the mix."

Swan Districts coach Greg Harding last week described Garlett's revival as "fantastic" after his tumultuous summer.

Source: HWT Image Library

Garlett's manager, Jason Dover from Stride Sports, last year told the Herald Sun the left-footer could become an "extraordinary" pick-up for a club "with the right resources".

"There's not many guys that have come along at senior WAFL level at his age and had the impact that Dayle Garlett has had,'' Dover said.

"Steve Coniglio maybe. Daniel Wells - that type of footballer. He's almost unmatched at that age."

The 19-year-old was named All-Australian last year along with top-10 draftees Jimmy Toumpas, Nick Vlastuin, Ollie Wines, Lachie Whitfield, Jono O'Rourke and Joe Daniher.

AFL talent manager Kevin Sheehan described Garlett as a "left-footed medium forward-midfielder who can find space to win the ball and shows great evasiveness through traffic. Very smart goalkicker and stoppage player as well."

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