Hird's halo tarnished by questions

Essendon coach James Hird leaves his home before his meeting with investigators over claims players recieved banned injections. Picture: Nicole Garmston. Source: News Limited

JAMES Hird had his "day in court" yesterday. It will continue today before the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority.

All behind closed doors for a very public scandal that has drained all the colour from the Bombers coach - a contrast to this time last season when Hird had the summer's longest-lasting tan.

It is a contrast to a saga that has been played out in the public arena since February when the Essendon Football Club was forced to confess its concerns to the AFL before the media exposed the bizarre workings of the Bombers' fitness program under biochemist Stephen Dank. The drug saga that has engulfed Essendon - and its "golden boy" coach - will drag on until at least late July when ASADA will have more evidence from samples sent to Germany for testing.

This is part of three investigations: the ASADA inquiry prompted by the Australian Crime Commission report on Australian sport; former Telstra boss Ziggy Switkowski's internal report for the Essendon board and the AFL's audit of the Bombers.

And then there is the court of public opinion, the one that is confused and more intent on shooting the messenger than questioning Hird.

Such is the status of the Brownlow Medallist that - at a time when Australian football is being repeatedly stained by its heroes proving they are as morally troubled as anyone else in society - too many still want Hird to walk away from this saga untouched.

The daggers are pointed at AFL boss Andrew Demetriou for being so unsupportive of Hird.

But Demetriou - who firmly insisted there was no such thing as tanking in the AFL - has learned from the Melbourne episode to protect the game rather than individuals.

The vitriol is directed to a media that since November has been questioning Essendon's bizarre practices - and inexcusable decision to ignore the warnings and concerns of its club doctor Bruce Reid.

The cynicism is aimed at the Federal Government for putting the ACC report on Australian sport on public show as a political stunt.

Yet, the evidence that is emerging - and is still to come - suggests the initial pain from having so many sports tainted for a day is a small price to pay to protect Australian sport from drugs and corruption.

The text messages between Dank, Hird and Essendon assistant coaches, former Crows Simon Goodwin and James Byrne, may lack context and may be loaded with double meanings. But they are alarming. More so when they are met with silence rather than explanations from Hird, Goodwin and Byrne.

Certainly Hird has not been short of opportunity to put his case before a confused public.

It is reminiscent of the Adelaide Football Club promising to tell all of the Kurt Tippett saga after the AFL investigation. There are still many unanswered questions from that story.

This morning many will still be in the dark on what Hird and Essendon have done. And the majority will still see Hird's halo shining in the murkiness of Windy Hill.

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Bassett: Petrenko needs run in middle

Coach Brenton Sanderson consoles Jared Petrenko during the Showdown at AAMI Stadium. Picture: Simon Cross. Source: The Advertiser

FORMER Adelaide defender Nathan Bassett believes cameo appearances in the midfield could be the key to reviving the confidence of Crows small forward Jared Petrenko.

Petrenko is averaging a career-low 9.7 disposals per game while being shackled to a defensive role in the Crows attack under Brenton Sanderson.

While his ability to apply pressure to the opposition has been up to par in the opening rounds - he's averaging four tackles a game - Petrenko has made several critical errors when attempting to go for the ball. This included a couple of glaring dropped marks against the Power which would have resulted in shots on goal and a poor attempt at goal before half time.

Crows must step up now: Rutten

Bassett believes a run up the ground could be the key to helping Petrenko relax.

"The problem with that role is he doesn't get a chance to actually play footy," Bassett said.

"You're often outnumbered and every time the ball comes to him he's under extreme pressure and that's why he's starting to get a bit panicky."

Bassett witnessed the same problem at Norwood last season when small forward Simon Phillips endured a late season form slump.

After Phillips kicked just two goals in four weeks, Bassett took the bold step of sending the then AFL-listed player to his reserves and played him on the ball.

Phillips returned to the league side the following week and finished in Norwood's best players in four of the final five games, including the Grand Final.

"Small forward is a tough position to play and I changed my forward structure after my first two years to make it a little bit easier on them," Bassett said.

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Review clears mainstream injections

St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt. Source: Getty Images

THE cutting-edge medical procedures allowing stars Nick Riewoldt and Adam Cooney to continue their careers will still be allowed despite an AFL crackdown on injections.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou has pledged restrictions on most injections not used for pain-killing purposes after Essendon's dramas forced a comprehensive audit of medical practices.

St Kilda skipper Riewoldt uses a process called Orthokine to manage his troublesome knee.

It involves injecting proteins from his blood back into the joint.

Western Bulldog Cooney has attributed his pain-free pre-season to a similar process labelled Regenokine, where blood is taken from his arm, spun in a centrifuge, then injected in his knee to reduce pain and inflammation.

Players including Geelong's Paul Chapman and Hawthorn's Brent Guerra have sworn by similar practices, with Riewoldt acknowledging the sensitivity of injections during a recent press conference.

But AFL Medical Officers Association chief Hugh Seward said those procedures were medically approved by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

"They are mainstream medical therapies, which is quite a different case. There is no ban on injection therapies which are standard accepted practice," he said. "People have painkillers, or go to hospital and have procedures done.

"The talk (from the AFL) is about injections which aren't mainstream medical practices. These practices are approved by ASADA and it's quite different from fringe practices that have no significant evidence behind them."
 

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Enough is enough, says Swan

Magpie Dane Swan (centre) at Collingwood training. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

Dane Swan in action against Hawthorn last Sunday. Source: Herald Sun

COLLINGWOOD superstar Dane Swan has revealed he is trying to repair the public's perception of him but admits the damage may have been done.

The Brownlow Medallist is one of the most talked-about players in the AFL.

Rumours swirled about him over the off-season and it resulted in the high-profile Swan granting Channel Nine's The Footy Show an interview with him without the club's permission.

Speaking on Fox Footy's The Club program ahead of his 200th game against Richmond at the MCG on Saturday, Swan said he is sick of the rumours and wanted to change the perception of him for the sake of his family.

"There is a perception of me out there," he said.

"Whether it's right or whether it's not, I suppose the damage has been done.

"But I'm slowly trying to repair it because I don't like my parents and family listening to talk-back radio and reading social media tweets."

Swan said his family had been hurt by what has been said about him.

"When your mum rings you up and you hear she is upset on the phone, that's when you probably realise that enough is enough," he said.

Swan said the life of an AFL footballler can be a "horrible world" and understands how it could lead to depression.

"I can understand how some AFL players could get depression," he said.

"Sometimes it can be a real horrible world for AFL footballers, even though we do have a great lifestyle.

"Just the media backlash you cop and the social media outbursts and the rants on all the websites and blogs.

"If you didn't have thick skin or you didn't handle negative words really well, I can understand why a player could suffer from depression."

The full interview will air on Fox Footy tonight at 9:30pm.
 

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Suns regain defensive general

Gold Coast Suns defender Tom Muprhy at Kurrawa Beach. Picture: Adam Head Source: The Courier-Mail

GUY McKenna gets his Suns general back this week.

Tom Murphy is set to return to marshal the Gold Coast defence against Port Adelaide on Saturday at Metricon Stadium, but ruckman Charlie Dixon will miss after scans showed he had a slight tear in his achilles.

Tom Lynch has now played two reserves games and is a candidate to replace Dixon, while Dion Prestia will also push for selection after missing last week with a hip problem.

Skipper Gary Ablett is still experiencing discomfort to his injured hand, but has been cleared by scans of any serious damage and has declared himself a certain starter.

"I'll be ready to go this weekend," Ablett said. "I've got to get through training on Wednesday night, but the hand's not feeling too bad. I can't really clench it yet but I'm sure it'll be fine for the weekend."

Murphy arrived from the Hawks as the heartbreak story of trade week after he played two finals, but missed the grand final.

It was a nightmare scenario he had already lived through once before in 2008.

But he has quickly become indispensible for McKenna, who likens him to Collingwood skipper Nick Maxwell. McKenna had a close association with Maxwell during his time as defence coach at the Magpies.

Muprhy missed the two-point loss to the Lions last Saturday with a shoulder problem and McKenna later said Gold Coast's defensive structures suffered in his absence.

It is obvious in the briefest discussion with Murphy that he is a student of the game and possesses a sharp tactical mind.

McKenna relies on him to ensure the plans put in place in midweek meetings and practiced on the training track are implemented on game day.

Murphy relishes the responsibility saying it helps him to remain focused on the game and added he learnt from Hawks skipper Luke Hodge that communication was one of the greatest skills a footballer could possess.

"It's natural for me to be an organiser, it is the reason why I was in the leadership group at Hawthorn," he said.

"In modern footy, the ability to talk and communicate and organise is as important as being able to kick and mark the footy.

"I reckon an extremely well organised side will beat a side that relies on pure talent. The beauty here is that in a few years we will be both -- there's some very talented players here."

Murphy is a firm believer that any plan is better than no plan because it ensures defences work as a team and says if the opposition throws a tactical curve ball, he is happy to take charge until fresh instructions arrive from the coach.
 

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Clash of bad and worse for Dees

Demons coach Mark Neeld. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Sunday Herald Sun

Cartoon by David 'Macca' McArthur. Source: Herald Sun

MELBOURNE'S shocking start to the season has given the Demons another unwanted but revealing statistic.

They are the only side not to have a player awarded a vote in the AFL Coaches' Association champion player award in the first three rounds.

Each coach awards votes ranging from five to one for the best player in each game.

Even Melbourne coach Mark Neeld has found it impossible to single out any of his players for a single vote.

Greater Western Sydney, which plays Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday, is also yet to win a game this season but has had a player receive at least one vote in each game.

The statistics are not pretty for either the Giants or the Demons, sitting at the bottom, and Sunday will be a battle of the two worst forward lines of 2013. The Giants are ranked 17th for total points kicked this year (222) and Melbourne 18th with 173.

Melbourne's percentage of 35.02 after three games is the lowest of any team at the same stage of the season since 1985, when St Kilda had a percentage of 34.71.

It will also be a battle of the worst defences. Melbourne has conceding the most points this year (494) and the Giants are next (380).

AFL statistics show that the Giants must stop Melbourne's Nathan Jones.

Melbourne defeated the Giants twice last season and Jones received Brownlow Medal votes in both clashes.

The Demons won the first clash in Round 13 at the MCG by 78 points and Jones got three Brownlow votes with 33 possessions.

The return contest was in Round 21 at Manuka Oval, Canberra, where the Demons won by 25 points and Jones again polled Brownlow votes.

In both games the Demons dominated the total possession count - 409-357 and 361-309.
 

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My chance to tell the truth: Hird

Essendon coach James Hird says he enjoyed the chance to tell the truth. Source: Herald Sun

Mark Thompson has spoken of the strain James Hird is under as the Essendon coach faces an ASADA investigation.

A DEFIANT James Hird said last night he had enjoyed the chance to "tell the truth" during a marathon interrogation by ASADA investigators.

The embattled Essendon coach spent several hours at AFL House answering questions about his involvement in the drugs scandal that is threatening his career and the careers of his players.

"I welcomed the opportunity to tell the truth today," Hird said in a statement released by his legal firm last night.

It is believed there were no surprises for Hird during the interview, with Hird satisfied he was a step closer to clearing his name.

Investigators track Dean Robinson's emails

The Bombers' former sports scientist, Stephen Dank, has alleged he injected Hird with the peptide Hexarelin, which is banned for players but not coaches.

Dank has also said that Hird had a thorough knowledge of the supplement program implemented for the players that is the focus of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority investigation.

Essendon has been unable to guarantee its players were not injected with substances that are banned under World Anti-Doping Agency regulations.

The method of supplement delivery, including intravenous injections, is also a key part of the inquiry.

In his statement last night, Hird said: "Today I attended an interview with the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority and the AFL Integrity Officers.

Review clears mainstream injections

"At the interview I fully co-operated and truthfully answered every question that was put to me by the investigators.

"I will not do anything to impede the ASADA and AFL investigation and will continue to co-operate fully."

Hird missed training to attend the meeting, where he was questioned simultaneously by ASADA investigators and the AFL probity team.

ASADA routinely has two of its personnel lead interviews with persons of interest in its probes.

Hird was accompanied by his legal team, including Queen's Counsel Tony Nolan.

Hird a fans' poster boy

Everything said in the interview was recorded and will be used in ASADA's case against the Bombers.

Hird is expected to be interviewed again, with ASADA believed to have slated up to three days to speak with him.
The Bombers' playing list is next on the ASADA schedule, with every player, plus those who have left since last year, to be interviewed in a process that could take months.

Hird was defiant after Friday's victory against Fremantle, repeating his belief that he had done nothing wrong and that he was looking forward to telling his side of the story.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou had strongly hinted that the Bombers coach should stand aside while the investigation took its course.

Yesterday morning, Hird met his lawyersbefore travelling to AFL House.

Asked if he was confident he could clear his name, Hird said: "Yes, mate. I'm feeling good."

He got support from assistant coach Mark Thompson, who said Hird's mind was on the job.

"He is strong. He needs support and care, and he goes up and down, but he's still coaching well and he's a strong man," Thompson said.

Meanwhile, Essendon fans are unlikely to see every word of former Telstra chief Ziggy Switkowski's much-anticipated report on what happened at Windy Hill last year.

Only the recommendations, which could be damning for a number of officials, will be made public.

The AFL will see the entire report, likely to be completed within the next week, but the club believes there are confidentiality issues in regard to the full transcript being released.

Dons fan Switkowski was called in by chairman David Evans in February to do a full review of governance and processes at the club.

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Thompson to step in for van Berlo

Before getting a bad knock on the knee in the Showdown, Nathan van Berlo gets away with the ball at AAMI Stadium.(Photo by Morne de Klerk/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

ADELAIDE is the most undisciplined team in the AFL - and the Crows will have to correct themselves without captain Nathan van Berlo in the next month.

Scans have revealed the knock van Berlo took to a knee on Sunday - forcing him to be subbed out of Showdown XXXIV - has led to painful bone bruising. His leadership role will fall to fellow midfielder Scott Thompson, starting with Sunday's home clash with the Western Bulldogs.

Crows must step up now: Rutten

Thompson takes charge of a team that shares the dubious title of the AFL's biggest free-kick offender with unbeaten premier Sydney. They are each conceding an average of 26 free kicks this year.

This is significantly up on Adelaide's average count of conceding 20.8 free kicks in 25 matches last season.

But it is the nature of the free kicks and 50m penalties - in particular with sloppy tackling and crossing the mark - that is annoying coach Brenton Sanderson.

"We give away reckless frees and we give away 50m penalties," said Sanderson, amid the frustration of the Crows' 1-2 start to the season.

"We probably lead the competition for 50s - it is undisciplined."

Adelaide has given away six 50m penalties in its games against Essendon, Brisbane and Port Adelaide - and had three goals scored from these undisciplined acts.

Sydney has conceded more 50m penalties - eight - but not paid as dearly as Adelaide on the scoreboard.
The Crows have given away six goals from free kicks in their matches this season.

Five AFL teams have given away more goals from free kicks, but the trend of Adelaide exposing itself to more pain on the scoreboard by a lack of discipline on the field is a concern for Sanderson.

Full back Ben Rutten is seeing the end product of the free kicks and 50m penalties.

"I don't know (why his team-mates are less disciplined)," he said.

"All I know is the ball is getting brought forward.

"A lot of the time I don't know what the 50s are for.

"It is something we have to get better at. We can't keep giving away 50m penalties."

Adelaide is listed to have a day off from formal training today before running through a closed practice session at AAMI Stadium tomorrow morning.

This work-out will form the basis of critical decisions at the selection table where Sanderson has to deal with Adelaide's lack of midfield productivity being further hurt by the loss of van Berlo.

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Big man Jacobs needs more support

Sam Jacobs slumps while Matthew Lobbe and Brad Ebert come in for a high-five after the siren. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: The Advertiser

IT'S not Sam Jacobs' fault ... but Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson now seems compelled to revisit his reluctance to play two dedicated ruckmen.

The Crows' determination to keep its 2012 team structure - by simply replacing Kurt Tippett with Josh Jenkins as a key forward who backs up lead ruckman Jacobs - appears to be courting failure.

Adelaide now seems better served to:

RECALL Shaun McKernan to support Jacobs.
KEEP 14-game Jenkins as a key forward.

The immediate benefits are:

PROTECTING Jacobs, who is being subjected - as highlighted by Port Adelaide in Showdown XXXIV on Sunday - to more body clashes in ruck duels. This battering will make it impossible for Jacobs to be in peak condition later in the season.

GIVE Adelaide's attack a permanent, go-to tall forward - Jenkins - who can bring the Crows specialist small forwards into the contest.

SAVE key forward Taylor Walker from playing more time behind centre as the "transition" player linking Adelaide's defence and forwards.

Jacobs, an All-Australian contender last year, has been subjected to savage appraisals in the wake of the Showdown loss to the Power.

Even Sanderson declared post-match that "(Jacobs) is one of our players who needs to lift - and he knows that."

"We're not getting the dominance we're used to there, so he is one player who is going to have to find form very quickly," added Sanderson.

But Jacobs' numbers are far from disappointing when compared to last season. He is averaging 29 hit-outs compared to 31 last season. Hit-outs to advantage has slipped marginally from a 9.7 average to 7.7.

But - as a true indicator of Adelaide's problems in the midfield - Jacobs is having to win twice as many clearances as he did last year.

The critical number of change with Adelaide is how the Jacobs-Tippett tandem gave the Crows a +7.8 edge on hit-outs last season; the Jacobs-Jenkins combo is -7.7 against opposition ruckmen.

By accepting Tippett - who has defected to Sydney - cannot be replaced by one player, Sanderson is compelled to use McKernan as Jacobs' tandem partner and leave Jenkins at the goalfront.

Jenkins notes this "would make my job a little bit easier".

"And it would make things easier for our small forwards," said Jenkins on radio FIVEaa. "I do enjoy getting up in the (centre) ruck and boundary and getting involved in the game when it is quiet up forward.

"It would make my job a little bit easier when I'm trying to learn the craft of two positions.

"But when we are not defending well (as a team) we have to think would another big body help us defend and put pressure on the opposition. It is a double-edged sword.

"The coaches would look at bringing more size into the forward line, but we have to look at the defensive side too."

That double-edge sword was exposed when Adelaide last played three tall forwards - in Brisbane in round 21 last season. The Crows lost and Sanderson has appeared reluctant to revisit this model.

Sanderson noted loading his team with talls - Jacobs, Tippett, Walker and Jenkins - allowed the Lions to move the ball from their defence too easily.

Walker's need to spend more and more time behind centre - a sign the Adelaide midfield has lost potency and the traditional Crows rebound from defence is failing - is making him a less-threatening forward.

"He transitions up the ground - and he has to turn around and get inside-50," says Sanderson of Walker's role.
He disputes Walker is being dragged to deep behind centre.

"You work up the ground; you work back," said Sanderson. "He has to push up to defend and then he has to work back inside-50.

"It is the same as what Richard Douglas or Rory Sloane or Jared Petrenko or Graham Johncock. Those guys have to work to defence and work back to our goals as well."

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