Better Luke next time for Magpie

Luke Ball has taken the slow road back to full fitness in a bid to be ready for the 2013 AFL season. Source: Supplied

LUKE Ball and patience have never been the closest of companions.

But knee injuries - like the one Ball suffered in Round 3 this year, requiring a season-ending reconstruction - have a habit of teaching even the fiercest of competitors to sometimes temper their natural instincts for the greater good.

So when Collingwood's director of sports science David Buttifant told Ball yesterday he was being excused from the club's hike into the Utah mountains, the 28-year-old didn't argue back.

That's not just because snow started sweeping in towards Park City, where the Magpies are in the early stages of their high-altitude training camp.It's because Ball knows his pathway back to the AFL is something that shouldn't be rushed - even if he remains on track to play in Round 1, 2013.

"I've just been told that I probably won't be going on the hike," Ball said.

"It's just a precaution, and I didn't argue too much, to be honest.

"A handful of us will be staying back and I'm sure they will be flogging us. But I will be doing it with a smile on my face, thinking about the guys going up the mountain with their sleeping bags."

Ball looks - and feels - good, confident he is well placed in his quest to return to the game in good shape, just as his old mate Lenny Hayes did this year after a knee reconstruction in 2011.

He believes if he does the right thing in a patient return to the game that he missed so much this year, it might even extend his playing career.

"When you can't do the things you want to do, you realise how much you love it and what you are prepared to do to get it back," he said.

"Hopefully, this can add another year on the end (of his career)."

The ever meticulous Ball is leaving nothing to chance. But he won't be putting any extra pressure on himself until he has to.

"My knee is 100 per cent. I saw the surgeon (Julian Feller) the other day," he said.

"But the hamstring, where they took the graft, is just taking a little longer. It's just (a matter of) getting that up to full strength or stronger than it was before, which is taking a little longer.

"But the surgeon is happy with it all. It means I have to be patient, which I don't normally enjoy, but we will get there.

"There's no rush to the starting line. With a serious injury, there is a good chance if you push yourself too hard, you might have a little setback."

Ball is taking part in plenty of Collingwood's pre-season drills, but isn't yet going 100 per cent. He plans to crank that up in early January, to ensure he can have a few hit-outs in the NAB Cup.

"I am really enjoying training at the moment." he said.

"The knee feels great and in my head at this stage, I am looking towards Round 1 next year."

There was a brief flicker of hope that Ball might have made a unlikely return late in the 2012 season, but he says now that realistically it was never likely.

"The fact that Andy Krakouer and Brent Macaffer came back gave a bit of hope," he said.

"I looked at it, and thought I might be able to push it a bit to see if there might be a slight chance.

"But realistically, the docs and the surgeons say you are supposed to sit out six months. That was going to take me right up until Grand Final week. And I don't think the coach would have been silly enough to pick me having not played for 25 weeks, if we had made it.

"I probably got my head around it pretty early that I wasn't going to play (again in 2012)."

The decision to put a line through this year, which was a no-brainer for the club, given how crucial he remains into the future, allowed him to travel overseas for a few weeks and take in the Tour de France and the London Olympics.

The late July-early August trip could not have come at a better time for the hard-working midfielder, who took the chance to do some homework on other elite athletes, including some recovering from knee reconstructions.

"My head was about to explode here watching the boys," he said.

"We were playing pretty well at the time and winning, and heading into another finals campaign."

So it was good for me to get away for a little bit and it fell into a time when two of the world's greatest sporting events were on.

"I was able to get away and look at how some amazing athletes operate and realise how small we are down under and what a big world it is."

Ball has done some research on recent returns from serious knee injuries - here and abroad.

"I've been watching the NFL a fair bit and it might be a bit of a stretch, but one of the guys who is being talking about as a candidate for the MVP this year is Adrian Peterson," he said.

"He has come back from a knee reconstruction last year and has probably had the best season of his career."You look at those things when you are having doubts, and use that as inspiration."

It's the same with Ball's close mate and former St Kilda teammate Hayes, with whom he has spoken on a number of occasions.

"We've had a few chats, and we caught up at 'Rooey''s (Nick Riewoldt's) wedding," he said.

"Just talking to him, and watching him, shows it is possible. He is clearly an example to follow."

Ball said the club's switch from its long-time training camp Arizona to Utah was designed to keep the group fresh.

"Flagstaff (Arizona) was great. But it's been good to come to Utah. The accommodation and the facilities are first-rate.

"I remember speaking with Alisa Camplin (Winter Olympic gold medallist and Collingwood board member) before we came and she used to come here for training camps."

Ball said the recruitment of Quinten Lynch, Clinton Young, Jordan Russell and Ben Hudson as well as the highly-rated draftees was exciting.

"It feels like a a pretty young group to me, even though we have brought in some experienced players. There is just a really good mix."

For Ball, just being a part of it again - with the calendar not far away from turning over to 2013 - feels as invigorating as the chilly air in Park City.

23.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Nicoski's hard road at an end

BACK ON TRACK: West Coast's Mark Nicoski is hoping for better things next season after injury cruelled his 2012 campaign. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: PerthNow

MARK Nicoski doesn't feel sorry for himself and he doesn't want you to, either.

He might be challenging Beau Waters and Sam Butler for the title of unluckiest Eagle, but Nicoski is the first to see a silver lining to his horror 2012.

Coming off his best season in the AFL in 2011, the West Coast veteran tore his left hamstring from the bone in the NAB Cup Grand Final in March.

The thought of a comeback ahead of the finals initially drove his recovery, before a further tear in July ensured his entire season would be lost.

Having battled long-term injuries throughout his career, including one that cost him a place in the 2006 premiership side, Nicoski might have been entitled to think his rotten run was over, once he was re-cast as a forward, to great effect.

"Life's really good with timing: it tends to challenge you when you least expect it," he said.

"I thought I'd gone through, in terms of football, enough challenges  but there was another one left in store."

The past nine months instead became a personal journey that included a mid-season sabbatical to his mother's homeland of Croatia and a realisation he could feel the warmth of those closest to him most acutely when life was at its toughest.

"It's funny, you know, through the difficult times of your life or career, you tend to find out who those people are that are genuinely concerned and genuinely worried about your wellbeing," he said.

"Some people have been absolutely amazing. So I do feel really lucky. It's made my character a lot stronger than what it could have been."

Nicoski is especially grateful to club CEO Trevor Nisbett and coach John Worsfold for their assurances he was still a required player, along with fitness coach Warren Kofoed and physiotherapist Mark Finucane.

It was the support of a fellow player Adam Selwood he found most touching.

The pair arrived at the club together a decade ago. Nicoski's misfortune is illustrated by the fact Selwood's tally of 178 games, compared with his 112, is equivalent to playing three more seasons of football.

"He has really been a true friend," Nicoski said. "He's someone that was in hospital every time visiting me.

"We came into the system at the same time, so we've got a bit of a bond like that. (But) I saw an element of loyalty and friendship in him that I didn't particularly realise we had at this stage."

Nicoski needed surgery three times following his original hamstring tear.

Having powered through a rehabilitation program he began in mid-August, he is now looking forward to joining the main training group after Christmas and is even eying Round 1 of the NAB Cup in mid-February.

Nicoski, the last player to leave the track after Friday's session at McGillivray Oval, is hopeful of recapturing his 2011 form next season.

At 29, Nicoski knows he is closer to the end than the beginning.

After being handed another one-year contract, thinking about retirement is superfluous, anyway.

"You just live in the moment," he said. "I don't think anybody likes to think about that.

"But I've always thought if you take care of what you can control, then the things outside that circle will work out okay.

"I'm a realist like anyone and I realise I can't play football till I'm 35  which I would love to  but at this point it's just a step by step process and I'm pretty excited about 2013."

The most obvious question left to ask involved the possibility of Nicoski finally tasting premiership glory, after he was forced to watch on in 2006.

"I'm hanging out for the fairytale, don't worry," he said.

"I don't need it, but I want it.

"That fairytale's driving me and that's what I hang on to."

23.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Garlett might miss the boat again

No guarantees at Essendon: Dayle Garlett sprints away from Christian Salem at the under-18 national championships at Etihad Stadium. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Herald Sun

GIFTED youngster Dayle Garlett faces the prospect of being snubbed in tomorrow's rookie draft.

Garlett, named in the under-18 All-Australian team after a stellar national championships, was expected to win a lifeline from Essendon.

The Bombers invited the Swan Districts player to train with them after he was overlooked in the national draft.

The Herald Sun understands Essendon is not inclined to draft him.

Coach James Hird hinted that the club would scrutinise Garlett's character.

"No doubt there's a lot of talent there and the way he plays his football excites everyone," Hird said.

"We've just got to work out whether someone like Dayle fits our group."

Recruiters around the country were of the view the 18-year-old was a first-round draft pick based on talent, but Garlett has been dogged by bad publicity relating to off-field issues.

He was kicked out of the AIS-AFL Academy and missed several WAFL games through club suspensions.

Social media photos of him drinking and smoking did further damage to his reputation.

Swan Districts is astounded at Garlett's predicament, with coach Greg Harding said Garlett was no angel but had done nothing "horrible". Harding said Garlett was a potential 200-game player.

 He was kicked out of the elite AIS-AFL Academy last summer and missed several WAFL games through internal club suspensions. Social media photos of him drinking and smoking did further harm to his reputation.

No other AFL club, including local teams West Coast and Fremantle, appears willing to take a punt on him.

Swan Districts is astounded at Garlett's predicament, with coach Greg Harding saying yesterday he was "staggered we're even having the conversation".

Harding said Garlett's issues related mostly to poor time management and said AFL clubs would be passing up a potential 200-game player.

"I'm not saying that he's an angel, but show me exactly what he's done that's been horrible," Harding said.

"These AFL clubs spend millions and millions of dollars on their footy departments. They have an exorbitant amount of resources at their disposal in terms of manpower and not one of those 18 clubs is going to back themselves to put the kid in their culture and give him an opportunity.

"At this stage they've left a kid still at WAFL level who is quite clearly in the top-five players, on talent, in the country."

Harding said Garlett was finding it tough to come to terms with the fact he was required to live differently to his mates.

"He's like any other young 18-year-old bloke that's just got his licence and can get into a nightclub or a pub and have a beer," he said.

"But what he needs to understand is that he's not like any other kid. I think he's got the potential to be an elite AFL player and if you're going to be able to do that then you have to prepare yourself differently to other 18-year-old kids."

23.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Crows build rookie hit-list

Former Sydney Swans footballer Byron Sumner, playing with Woodville-West Torrens in the SANFL this year, is understood to have caught the Crows' eye. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: The Advertiser

ADELAIDE'S recruiting staff has compiled a list of 15 players, including interstate talent, for the one remaining position on its rookie list ahead of tomorrow's draft.

Having confirmed Nick Joyce as its selection in the pre-season draft, the Crows have just one more personnel decision to make before launching into next season.

List manager David Noble was understandably cagey about who is in the mix when contacted yesterday, but he revealed the Crows hadn't ruled out drafting from interstate, like they did when picking up Victorian Dylan Orval last year.

Noble said the Crows - who chose not to have a train-on squad in the lead-up to the draft because they wanted their development staff to focus immediately on bringing basketball converts Jack Osborn and Tim Klaosen up to speed - had also kept an eye on the group of hopefuls training at the Power.

"We've had guys have a look at them," the list manager said. "Whether those guys are on the list, I probably wouldn't say."

Former Sydney Swans player Byron Sumner, who enjoyed a standout season with Woodville-West Torrens in the SANFL, is understood to have caught the Crows' eye this year.

Noble said he had watched Sumner several times during the season and he was "in that category to consider, no doubt".

The Crows are likely to select the most talented player available, having gone some way to addressing the shortages they saw in ruck and defence during the trade period and in the national draft.

Orval, Tim McIntyre and Rory Laird fill three of Adelaide's four rookie positions.

The Crows also have Klaosen, Osborn (non three-year registered players) and Ben Dowdell (alternative sport) on their rookie list.

Noble will meet recruiting manager Hamish Ogilvie today to finalise the club's decision.

Port Adelaide has committed to selecting Central District youngster Sam Colquhoun with the third selection in the preseason draft and will meet today on its two picks in the rookie draft. Former Melbourne Demon Liam Jurrah and Norwood's Jaryd Cachia will come under consideration.

"Cachia's had a really good year in the SANFL," Power football manager Peter Rohde said. "He's still relatively young and has improved a lot on what we'd seen in years before.

"He's got a big strong mature body. Everyone is looking for more contested ball players and he fits in that category."

23.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

McEvoy rooming with enemy in US

Tall Saint Ben McEvoy does battle with Mark Jamar. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

FOR a player less selfless, Ben McEvoy's Colorado training camp experience could be dubbed sleeping with the enemy.

The 23-year-old has quickly established himself as St Kilda's top ruckman, but he faces competition from several sources.

Rhys Stanley has emerged as an athletic big man, Justin Koschitzke will likely play more ruck next year, and the club used draft pick 13 on Gold Coast youngster Tom Hickey.

For McEvoy, Hickey's recruitment is critical to the team's success..

"I am really excited about it," McEvoy said. "We were light on in the ruck department - that was no secret.

"We are rooming together over here, and we are getting to know each other, and he's fitting in really well.

"He is a very talented athlete and should be able to fill that void, and be able to do some damage up forward as well.

"It's not like I feel threatened. I want to be the best ruckman playing that No.1 role and if not, I have work to do. But if we have got all the blokes we have got on the park, it can be a real weapon for us."

McEvoy's steady upward form curve was arrested in 2012 by knee surgery after he took the most contested marks at the club in 2011.

The No.9 draft pick in 2007 is brutally honest about his inconsistency.

"I was a little bit disappointed with my year," he said. "I thought the year before I had showed a lot of improvement. I started slow and missed half a dozen games with injury. The second half was quite good and quite consistent, but I still feel I have more to give."

The off-season has been one of rapid change, with Brendon Goddard departing and an influx of draftees.

McEvoy knows critics will write off St Kilda after missing the finals, but he is bullish about the club's flag chances.

"I certainly don't advocate making predictions before the season starts, but you have to consider yourself a chance," he said.

"We still feel like we have got a young and exciting list, a game plan that stands up and if we execute it properly we are a real chance."

The loss of Goddard means Nick Riewoldt seems likely to keep the captaincy, with McEvoy effusive about the forward's leadership.

"I would love him to be captain," he said.

"If he thinks he is up for it, he is an exceptional captain. You would be hard-pressed to find a better man for the job."

23.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Drug use rife among draftees

Footy's drug summit will be told some teenage AFL recruits are already schooled in illegal drugs use when they join the game's top ranks. Source: News Limited

FOOTY'S drug summit will be told some teenage AFL recruits are already schooled in illegal drugs use when they join the game's top ranks.

The Herald Sun can reveal a senior club figure raised the drugs problem at a meeting with Victorian Sports Minister Hugh Delahunty last week.

He told the Minister some recruits already knew of ways to avoid detection in drug tests when they arrived in the AFL system.

At least one Victorian club will allege at an industry-wide drugs symposium to be held in January that draftees are running the gauntlet on drugs in their first season in the AFL.

The summit was called after Collingwood chief executive Gary Pert warned of "volcanic behaviour" among footballers on their off-season breaks.

The under-18 TAC Cup competition is the major recruiting ground for AFL clubs, providing the bulk of talent at the national draft.

One AFL club boss told the Herald Sun: "I know it to be. Have a look at schoolies. I think the kids are turning to these things earlier on, and not necessarily out of recreation, but because of their backgrounds.

"It's hard out there in the suburbs for a lot of kids and they do turn to drugs. I think they are more accepted at a younger age now.

"Schools are beside themselves -- from the best schools to the most working-class, so why would we think that just because they are in the First XVIII they are not doing it?"

Clubs will use January's meeting to push for greater control of the contentious three-strikes illicit drug testing regime and the right to know which players have recorded strikes.

Under existing rules, only the club doctor is informed of positive tests.

A rise in the number of AFL players self-reporting the use of substances to avoid drug strikes will also be tabled.

The Herald Sun has detailed a spike in players self-reporting the use of drugs to AFL medical directors Dr Peter Harcourt and Dr Harry Unglik.

By self-reporting, players avoid registering a positive drug test and a strike against their name.

The concern is restricted to a small number of players, most from the same Melbourne club.

Allegations of players supplying drugs to teammates will also be raised.

The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority conducts some drug tests at the under-18 national championships, but not the lower grades.

Veteran Geelong Falcons regional manager Michael Turner said he took offence at the notion of illicit drug use in the TAC Cup.

"Categorically, absolutely not. I have run the Geelong Falcons for AFL Victoria and the AFL for 18 years and they are fantastic kids -- very disciplined kids," Turner said.

"In my time I have never seen any evidence of anything like that. So for anyone to say that ... it's absolute rubbish. I'm offended by it."

Turner said TAC Cup players received the same education on drugs, alcohol, racism and respect and responsibility as AFL footballers.

"What happens after they get drafted and they grow up is an issue for whatever club and environment they are in. So I can't speak for that, because they are adults."

Federal legislation states that ASADA agents can drug test any sporting competition at any level at any time.

A memo to TAC Cup clubs last year said testing was "unlikely to occur" at club level, but would take place at the elite national championships.

Dandenong Stingrays regional manager Mark Wheeler said he had never encountered drug use among his players.

But another TAC Cup official, who asked not be named, said club's would be naive to think junior players were not experimenting with drugs, alcohol and gambling.

"There is a lot of temptation out there -- that's just a reality," he said.

But he said the structure and discipline of junior sport gave troubled kids a better chance in life.

Asked about the drugs in football debate, Delahunty told the Herald Sun: "Drugs of any kind are not welcome in sport. However, this is a matter for the AFL as the controlling body."
 

23.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Houli award for breaking down divide

Richmond player Bachar Houli, with wife Rouba, says the award gives him more confidence to continue to break down the barriers. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

RICHMOND'S Bachar Houli - the first devout Muslim to play in the AFL - has been recognised for his efforts to create a better understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims.

Former Prime Minister Bob Hawke suggested the award, which was created with the Australia Day Council and the University of South Australia's Centre for Muslim and non-Muslim Understanding.

The university has received $10 million government funding for the centre and has worked with Hawke on research to create a positive change.

Houli, who works part-time as an AFL multicultural ambassador, will be presented with his award at the university today.

"Bob Hawke had the idea that it should be recognised and I'm extremely honoured to be the first to receive this award," Houli said.

"It provides more confidence for me to continue to strive to break down those barriers.

"In the football environment, I believe I have made a small difference, but I'm not going to stop because I believe there is still a lot of improvement and I am trying my best to educate people."

Houli asked for people not to be afraid to ask questions about the Muslim religion and said they should be more open, understanding and not narrow-minded.

"It's just open your eyes and just listen and if you do have a question to ask, don't be afraid," he said.

"There is always going to be that minority that don't understand and I guess it's ignorance. If I can change one or two people's perception I feel like I have done my job."

AFL National Community Engagement manager Jason Mifsud said Houli influenced many young Australian Muslims.

"This award is a credit to the ground-breaking work Bachar is doing to enhance understanding of his religion and increase social inclusion within communities around Australia," Mifsud said.

Houli launched the Bachar Houli Cup, an inter Islamic schools football competition involving schools across Victoria and established the Bachar Houli Academy.

23.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Turner: TAC Cup clear of drugs

Geelong Falcons regional manager Michael Turner says TAC Cup players receive the same education on drugs, alcohol, racism and respect and responsibility as AFL footballers do. Picture: Norm Oorloff Source: Herald Sun

VETERAN Geelong Falcons regional manager Michael Turner said he took offence at claims of illicit drug use in the TAC Cup competition.

"Categorically, absolutely not. I have run the Geelong Falcons for AFL Victoria and the AFL for 18 years and they are fantastic kids - very disciplined kids," Turner (left) said.

"In my time I have never seen any evidence of anything like that. So for anyone to say that ... it's absolute rubbish."

Turner said TAC Cup players received the same education on drugs, alcohol, racism and respect and responsibility as AFL footballers did.

Dandenong Stingrays regional manager Mark Wheeler said he had never encountered drug use among his players.

But another TAC Cup official, who asked not be named, said clubs would be extremely naive to think some junior players were not experimenting with drugs, alcohol and gambling.

"There is a lot of temptation out there - that's just a reality," he said.

But he said the structure and discipline of junior sport gave troubled kids a better chance in life.

Asked about the drugs in football debate, Victorian Sports Minister Hugh Delahunty said: "Drugs of any kind are not welcome in sport. However this is a matter for the AFL as the controlling body."

23.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Kids know how to play game

Magpies chief executive Gary Pert started the ball rolling for a drugs summit when he warned of' "volcanic behaviour" among footballers on their off-season breaks. Picture: Jay Town Source: Herald Sun

FOOTY'S drug summit will be told some teenage AFL recruits are already schooled in illegal drugs use when they join the game's top ranks.

The Herald Sun can reveal a senior club figure raised the drugs problem at a meeting with Victorian Sports Minister Hugh Delahunty last week.

He told the minister some recruits knew of ways to avoid detection in drug tests when they arrived in the AFL.

At least one Victorian club will allege at an industry-wide drugs symposium to be held in January that draftees are running the gauntlet on drugs in their first season in the AFL.

The summit was called after Collingwood chief executive Gary Pert warned of' "volcanic behaviour" among footballers on their off-season breaks.

The under-18 TAC Cup competition is the major recruiting ground for AFL clubs, providing the bulk of talent at the national draft.

One AFL club boss told the Herald Sun: "I know it to be. Have a look at Schoolies. I think the kids are turning to these things earlier on, and not necessarily out of recreation but because of their backgrounds.

"It's hard out there in the suburbs for a lot of kids and they do turn to drugs. I think they are more accepted at a younger age now.

Schools are beside themselves - from the best schools to the most working-class. So why would we think that just because they are in the first XVIII they are not doing it?

Clubs will use January's meeting to push for greater control of the contentious three-strikes illicit drug-testing regimen and the right to know which players have recorded strikes.

Under existing rules, only the club doctor is informed of positive tests.

A rise in the number of AFL players reporting the use of substances to avoid drug strikes will also be tabled.

The Herald Sun has detailed a spike in players self-reporting the use of drugs to AFL medical directors Dr Peter Harcourt and Dr Harry Unglik.

By self-reporting, players avoid registering a positive drug test and a strike against their name.

The concern is restricted to a small number of players, most from the same Melbourne club.

Allegations of players supplying drugs to teammates will also be raised.

23.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Power reserves long way off

Port Adelaide Power chief executive Keith Thomas says the Magpies are an important part of the furniture in the SANFL. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: The Advertiser

PORT Adelaide chief executive Keith Thomas says any expectation the Magpies are destined to become a Power reserves side is misguided, saying his club was "a long way from that position".

The reserves issue has been placed on the backburner as the debate over the future of SA's two AFL club licences takes precedence but there is growing speculation the Power and Crows will want reserves teams by 2014.

Many SANFL clubs have begun preparing for the departure of their AFL-listed players in 12 months' time, with some considering whether to pass on their selections in this year's mini draft.

Thomas has gone on the record to argue the case for a Power reserves side but said there was "no appetite" at Alberton to have one come at the cost of the Magpies.

"It assumes that we would select a Port Adelaide reserves side over the Magpies and I'm not at all sure we would do that," Thomas said. "There's certainly no appetite from this end to have that happen at all."

Thomas' statement suggests that if the SANFL stands its ground on not allowing Crows or Power reserves teams in its league competition and prevents the Power from placing all its excess players with the Magpies, a Power reserves side may be unachievable in the short term.

Port is not expected to be able to afford to finance both a reserves team and the Magpies and if it's forced to choose will have to weigh the perceived benefits of having a development side against the loss of its SANFL side.

"We want to protect the Magpies," Thomas said.

"The Magpies are an important part of the furniture in the SANFL. We're not rushing into any of these sort of solutions without having a really significant discussion about it. The Magpies are very, very important to us."

Thomas said he expects the conversation to play out through 2013 and called for a round table discussion on the issue down the track.

"We need some big picture thinking here and we have not been involved in those discussions at a meaningful level because of the licence debate," he said.

"John Olsen made it really clear he wasn't going to talk about that issue (AFL reserves) until the licence issue was done first."

23.02 | 0 komentar | Read More