AFL must guarantee integrity

Melbourne president Don McLardy says the league must guarantee the integrity of people involved in the game. Source: Getty Images

MELBOURNE president Don McLardy has urged the AFL to guarantee that only people with integrity and the highest of values are attracted to positions of power in football clubs.

The Demons, which were investigated for tanking earlier this year, are now the centre of another probe after claims that some of their players took supplements under the direction of club doctor Dan Bates and controversial sports scientist Stephen Dank.

Speaking at today's president's lunch before the Greater Western Sydney game at the MCG, McLardy told guests that drugs in sport is a blight on the great game of Aussie Rules.

He said the club was committed to supporting the AFL in anything it had to do to ensure the integrity of the competition.

McLardy said that while the game was tough and uncompromising, it must be based on the highest integrity and people must be in key positions who have the right values.

"The AFL is currently assessing ways to reduce the pressure on players," he said.

"The AFL should add to that how do we ensure we continue to attract those with the highest values to leadership positions in our game, many of which are voluntary.

"Too much unwanted attention from those in the so called cheap seats, or worse still some of the journalists and commentators in the boxes behind the cheap seats, and we will end up with the wrong type of people in positions of influence.'

He said it could lead to another major problem.

McLardy, told guests that included AFL commission chairman Mike Fitzpatrick and deputy Victorian premier Peter Ryan, that the Demons had already made comments about an investigation into supplements given to some players.

"We have already made pretty clear statements about our position," McLardy said

McLardy spoke about the importance of sport in the life of Australian families family.

He said a family friend, former Richmond and Collingwood footballer Craig Stewart, had to trust the integrity of the people Greater Western Sydney and hope they would a positive influence on his son James who was drafted last year.

He said working with a legend like Kevin Sheedy would be a good start.

McLardy said he was concerned with the treatment handed out in recent weeks to another legend, Essendon coach James Hird.

23.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Dees rally to hammer Giants

Demon Michael Evans celebrates kicking one of his three last quarter goals against GWS. Picture: Tim Carrafa Source: Herald Sun

IT took a club-record scoring spree for Melbourne players to deflect the crushing focus on coach Mark Neeld, for the time being anyway.

The last quarter smashing of Greater Western Sydney at the MCG was, remarkably, the first time one of the league's foundation clubs had kicked 12 goals in a quarter.

But, rather than dwell on stats, Demons fans would ponder why it had to come to that against the young, eager, but inexperienced Giants.

Neeld won't have endured a more harrowing couple of hours in his coaching career as he plotted feverishly to set up the structures that would eventually deliver the long overdue first win of the season for the Demons.

Jeered off the field after his address at three-quarter time, he could at least sit back and enjoy the last 10 minutes after substitute Aaron Davey slotted his second goal within four minutes to make the game safe.

Staring at a 19-point last-quarter deficit and poised to be the butt of embarrassing jokes all week, the Demons dug deep.

Still, it took until the 12-minute mark to grab back the lead for the first time since midway through the second quarter after a set shot from co-captain Jack Trengove.

And when spring-heeled forward Jeremy Howe steered through a goal from the junction of the boundary line and the 50m arc, there was no stopping the red and blue surge that overwhelmed the brave Giants.

Melbourne players celebrate the much-needed win over GWS. Picture: Tim Carrafa Source: Herald Sun

Led by ruckman Mark Jamar and nut-hard onballer Nathan Jones, the Demons seized control in the midfield and enabled the run and overlap that led to them kicking an astonishing 12.2 in the last term.

"Honestly, I can't remember the message (at three-quarter time). We just knew we had to have a crack, put our head over (the ball), still keep running hard and still keep doing all the things you would do, even when you're in front," Jamar said.

"As the scoreboard suggested, we were very much in the game. We were up and about. I don't think we cleared the first one (centre bounce), but we stuck at it and eventually it went our way.

"All the planning you do during the week, that's when you can execute it. You just don't turn up on game day and hope it goes well. We would've been up in clearances in the last quarter and credit to the guys."

The question was whether Melbourne had the correct strategy from the start to take on the Giants' young legs in a shootout. Or whether they would have been better suited to use their experience and stronger bodies to lock down, particularly when GWS capitalised on fast breaks in the third term.

Melbourne's Jeremy Howe soars high above the pack. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

Maybe the Demons weren't capable of such a disciplined defensive plan. And in the end they backed themselves to win the battle of minds and bodies.

So, did the prospect of defeat ever cross Jamar's mind?

"Nah, I know the belief was there for the whole four quarters. We had a few goals kicked against us, but we fought through it. Credit to the boys for sticking at it," he said.

Neeld made a crucial move by throwing Davey into the fray with his speed and evasive skills late in the third quarter. Davey and Michael Evans ran amok inside the forward 50 to contribute five goals of the deadly dozen in the lopsided final term.

Mark Neeld can rest easy knowing his job is safe for at least another week Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

Melbourne was wasteful early, stricken by skill errors from players over-anxious to hit the scoreboard. At least the commitment was there, the desire to work hard when they didn't have the ball.

It was a nervous Sunday afternoon for long-suffering supporters who had watched their boys dominate in general play but fail to build a sizeable lead.

But eventually Melbourne's desperation helped bury the Giants, as emphasised by the Demons laying 83 tackles compared to their average of 48 in the first three rounds of the season.
 

23.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Daw KO'd on debut

Kangaroos medicos call for help after Majak Daw concussed in an accidental head clash. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

Majak Daw leaps over the pack to take a spectacular mark. Source: Getty Images

THE cruel reality is that Majak Daw probably won't remember his first AFL game.

But like a grandfather taking his grandkids through past glories, Daw's teammates will paint him a vivid picture.

And unlike the old man, there will be no need for exaggeration.

Daw will hear how he started deep in the forward line opposed to Irishman Niall McKeever in something of a multicultural match-up.

And that despite McKeever's attempts to rough him up, within 60 seconds he had set Etihad Stadium alight.

The North boys will tell him that he waited for Daniel Wells to bomb the ball to the Lockett end where he soared from behind - and then above - McKeever to take one of the purest one-grab marks you'll ever see.

Daw will be reminded that despite all the adrenalin in the world pumping through his veins, he went back with the poise of a 200-game veteran to slot the game's first goal from 45m.

Then he will be told that every single Kangaroos player on the ground went to embrace him on the 50m line in scenes of jubilation.

All this within the first 60 seconds of the match against the Brisbane Lions.

With straight faces, Daw's teammates will tell him his one act of brilliance caused Lions coach Michael Voss to change the match-up and send Joel Patfull to his side.

Daw may recall outmarking Daniel Merrett - for that doesn't come easily - a few minutes later in the pocket. He composed himself but sent his shot across the face.

North Melbourne players celebrate Majak Daw's first ever AFL goal. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

At the 11-minute mark he wreaked havoc by leaping third-man up at a ball-up to create an opportunity for Lindsay Thomas.

Daw might shake his head when informed that he was cheered off the ground for his first breather after 13 minutes and that, upon his return, the Roos cheersquad rose as one to welcome him back inside 50m.

It was the stuff of dreams, they will say.

But then, they'll get to the reason why Daw can't hold on to the precious memories of a debut more than three years in the making.

The Sudanese giant swooped on a loose ball at centre half-forward and was slung in a tackle by Merrett that caused him to clash heads with teammate Ben Cunnington.

Flat on his back, arms splayed, he was out cold.

The players will tell him they could feel the excitement being sucked out the ground, for this was a thrilling 20-minute taste of the big time that was over all too soon.

Daw was officially subbed out of the game by quarter-time, but you'll struggle to find a sexier two kicks, one handball, two contested marks, one hit-out and 1.1 return on a footy stat sheet.

Indeed, Majak does happen.
 

23.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Danger for Dogs as Crows strike

Crows star Patrick Dangerfield bursts away on his way to booting four goals against the Dogs. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: The Advertiser

COMETH the hour, cometh the man. Patrick Dangerfield ignited the Crows' form turnaround and his teammates followed.

With struggling Adelaide in desperate need of a win in a match inaugural captain Chris McDermott dubbed a mini-final, the Crows' best player stood tall.

Clearly battling a knee injury and the affects of some bone-crunching hits in the opening three rounds, explosive midfielder Dangerfield - playing primarily as a forward - turned it on at the start to give Brenton Sanderson's outfit the ascendancy.

Dangerfield produced some of his renowned magic to kick the Crows' first three goals in the wet and all but one of their goals in the first half.In the second half, his teammates followed his lead and raised their games.

Rory Laird and Sam Kerridge in the rooms after Adelaide's win. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: adelaidenow

With the club already walking the finals tightrope with a 1-2 record and needing to quickly get their season back on track, midfielders Richard Douglas, Scott Thompson and Rory Sloane took over from where Dangerfield left off.

They won so much of the ball the toothless Bulldogs ventured in their attacking 50-metre zone only 40 times and kicked a paltry four goals.

Dangerfield matched that total by himself, kicking his fourth goal in the final term to cap off a gamebreaking display.

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He's played more brilliant games but - just like he did against Brisbane in round two - he won the game off his own boot when it was up for grabs.

His four goals and 21 disposals came despite the close checking of Dogs' master taggers Nick Lower and Liam Picken.

Rory Laird handballs to Richard Douglas Picture: Reed Sarah Source: The Advertiser

"It was a fairly hard slog early, especially given the conditions, and Patty really turned it on for us,'' veteran defender Ben Rutten said.

"His goals were really important and set us on our way.''

Thompson (29 disposals), Sloane (28) and Douglas (25) won the midfield battle, despite Dogs Brownlow Medallist Adam Cooney (30 possessions), Tom Liberatore (33) and veteran Matthew Boyd (28) winning their share of the ball.

Down back, the Rutten-led defence restricted the Bulldogs to just 4.4 (28) - their lowest score against the Crows.

With Rutten blanketing Ayce Cordy and former AFL Rising Star runner-up Andy Otten rediscovering his best form, Adelaide kept the Dogs scoreless for 58 minutes from late in the first quarter to late in the third.

Taylor Walker gets brought down by Dale Morris Picture: Reed Sarah Source: The Advertiser

The win was only Adelaide's second against the Bulldogs in the past six clashes between the clubs.

And it is the first time since 2007 the Crows have won two in a row against them.

In other positive signs for Adelaide, defensive debutant Rory Laird did not look out of place on the big stage while second-gamer Sam Kerridge was given a shutdown role on Dogs playmaker Ryan Griffin and kept him to a modest 15 disposals before he was forced from the field in the final term with a shoulder injury.

Kerridge's breakout game was capped off with his first AFL goal after the final siren.

On a day Sanderson threw his side around, he surprised by starting small forward Jason Porplyzia as the sub.

Luke Brown gets tackled by Koby Stevens Picture: Reed Sarah Source: Herald Sun

The elusive Porplyzia had been their most influential forward in their past eight games against the Bulldogs, kicking 13 goals.

The wet conditions should have suited him but Sanderson opted to play the taller Tom Lynch as his extra forward, with Dangerfield the player he tried to isolate.

It took Dangerfield only 58 seconds to start the ball rolling for the Crows.

He broke clear of Lower to swoop on a loose ball and run into an open goal.

With heavy rain turning the contest into a slog, Dangerfield's class again stood out as he capitalised on Adelaide's inside-50 dominance to boot the home side's second major.

The Dogs were held goalless for the first 25 minutes but they then bagged two goals in a minute - courtesy of classy finishes from Boyd and Cooney.

Coach Brendan McCartney turned to Picken to stop Dangerfield's influence but it was to no avail.

The 23-year-old quickly turned him inside out to kick his and the Crows' third goal - the 100th of his already-stellar career.It took the Dogs until time-on in the final term to register their third goal. By that time, the bird had flown.

23.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hungry Roos destroy Lions

First gamers Majak Daw and Taylor Hine sing the song after beating the Brisbane Lions. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

FOR 13 minutes this game was alive. That was when Majak Daw was on the field.

It's not often the build-up and hype matches the actual event but it certainly did for the much-anticipated Daw debut.

He took a hanger in North's first forward thrust, kicked the goal and then was mobbed by every one of his teammates.

That alone was worth the price of admission.

Unfortunately the rest probably wasn't.

Thoughts of a Daw bag and an ESPN SportsCentre-type highlight reel were dashed when at the 18-minute mark - he'd just come back onto the ground after a few minutes on the bench - the head of teammate Ben Cunnington knocked him out.

The Sudanese wonder had been swung around in a tackle into his mate and the result was him being carried off by two trainers, taken into the rooms and then subbed out of the game.

Majak Daw celebrates his first AFL goal. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

Talk about sucking the air out of an event.

While everyone had been watching Daw, the Roos had done what we'd expected for a 0-3 team who have much grander visions than that.

They'd bounced out of the gates and if they'd kicked straight would have been 62 up and not 32 at quarter-time.

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Former Lions skipper Jonathan Brown summed up his team's efforts given he didn't touch the ball in the opening 30 minutes.

Although, to be fair, Brisbane's second inside 50m for the quarter came 17 minutes in.

Lachlan Hansen celebrates a goal against the Lions. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

Adding to his misery Brown's opponent Scott Thompson was the leading possession winner on the ground at half-time with 17 which included a thumping 55m goal.

It was another North defender who set the tone for the second half with Shaun Atley's pace creating the opening two goals inside eight minutes which ended any hopes of Brisbane making a game of it.By the 16-minute mark the lead was out past 10 goals after Jack Ziebell again imposed himself on the contest with his third big contested mark of the evening.

He was one of numerous North midfielders who started to feed on the Lions carcass although no-one was enjoying it as much as Lindsay Thomas.

The Roos goalsneak seems to have taken a leaf out of the Hayden Ballantyne school of getting under the nose of opponents.

Several times he was caught in the middle of scraps or lying on the deck courtesy of an undiscplined act by a Brisbane player.

Lindsay Thomas celebrates a goal in the third quarter with Sam Wright. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

It's certainly working given the men in green yesterday gave him six free-kicks with his four goals taking him to the top of the goal-kicking table, tied with Collingwood's Travis Cloke on 16.

Drew Petrie chimed in with four goals but the load was spread with 12 goalkickers.

One of the best came from young defender Aaron Mullett who took four bounces before drilling the shot from 30m early in the final term.

Brisbane's performance isn't a good advertisement for the NAB Cup.

A month ago they danced around Etihad Stadium with vigour and purpose winning the pre-season competition over Carlton by 40 points.

Lions coach Michael Voss address the players after a poor first quarter Picture: Salpigtidis George Source: Herald Sun

Since then the Blues took until their fourth outing to win a game while the Lions fell over the line against Gold Coast and have lost their two visits to the scene of the great triumph by a combined total of 131 points.

They were never in this game and while some kids such as Dayne Zorko, Sam Mayes, Mitch Golby and debutant Marco Paparone (three goals) showed flashes the senior core struggled badly.

Brent Moloney struggled for impact while another ex-Demon Stefan Martin was ordinary. Daniel Merrett had a horror at full-back, Andrew Raines struggled to contain Daniel Wells and Daniel Rich, who was the best player on the ground in the NAB Cup GF, had minimal impact.

23.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Dees win Neeld a reprieve

Melbourne coach Mark Neeld at the MCG against GWS Giants. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

WHAT must it feel like to have 30 minutes of football to save your coaching career?

Imagine the pressure on the players when they can feel their club imploding.

For two agonising hours the pressure built on Mark Neeld and his Melbourne players, all well aware of the possible consequences of a loss yesterday to a Greater Western Sydney side that kept coming.

When Neville Jetta's late hit on young Giant Lachie Whitfield resulted in the downfield free kick that saw the Demons trail by 19 points at three-quarter time, Neeld's coaching career was on life support.

How could he survive a trio of losses by a combined 315 points, and now a capitulation to Greater Western Sydney?

Yet less than an hour later, there was Neeld calmly sitting in the bowels of the MCG explaining how he inspired the Demons to a 41-point win.

Finally...how sweet it is. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

The message from Neeld was about how much spirit his team had shown in recent weeks, and how it needed to be channelled when all seemed lost.

Then came the avalanche of goals against a tired Giants unit, a 12-goal quarter that broke records at Melbourne and showed the club might have a pulse after all.

Only hindsight will tell us whether this was a stay of execution or a second chance that Neeld will grasp with both hands.

After the club song was roared by the players, Neeld summoned every player, coach and board member for an impromptu rendition behind closed doors.

As Nathan Jones said of Neeld's message, a club on the verge of breaking had instead emerged stronger.

Jack Watts walks off the MCG after big win. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

"Neeldy commended the entire footy club for sticking together. It's been a really tough four weeks and it's a bit of a fine line that it could have gone either way - the club splinters or it sticks together," Jones said.

"And it's been a credit to us that we have bonded over that period. We have been smacked from pillar to post but we believed in each other and today was reward for that."

Even for Melbourne it had been a week of extraordinary controversy - a late entry into the AFL supplements scandal, speculation about Neeld's tenure, a European scuffle for recruiter Jason Taylor, and even rumours of disunity among the club's assistant coaches.

President Don McLardy would have faced decisions of enormous consequence this week if there had been a different result at the MCG.

Instead he emerged from the inner chambers backslapping his fellow board members as he wondered at the sudden possibilities.

"We didn't just fall in. We exploded. We showed something today," McLardy said.

"It showed there is some talent in our team and I think people haven't seen that. The players are good and Mark spoke really well to them after the game.

"It was all the board members, all the assistant coaches (singing the song together). There is talk about the assistant coaches fighting. It is just pathetic.

"But when you have been playing like we have, you open yourself up to all that stuff. They didn't look like they were fighting to me when they were singing the song."

For Jack Trengove, linked to the supplements controversy and pilloried like few other young captains, the victory erased some of the pain of the past 18 months.

"It is what footy is really about. We have been under the pump from left, right and centre, and it's just reward to show that in the last quarter," Trengove said.
 

23.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Voss blasts lazy Lions

Lions coach Michael Voss address the players after a poor first quarter Picture: Salpigtidis George Source: Herald Sun

MICHAEL Voss last night accused his team of laziness after the Brisbane Lions were trampled by North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.

The Lions surrendered by 63 points - their third loss in four games - and were overwhelmed by the Roos' speed and spread from the opening bounce.

Voss said his players simply weren't showing an appetite to work hard enough.

"It was just completely unacceptable really. The Kangaroos really dominated every facet from the very start of the game, so that puts you under enormous pressure to try and manufacture something," Voss said.

"Nothing seemed to work for long. We'd have periods where we locked them for six or seven minutes, but then a couple of goals in a row and away they go.

"North Melbourne racked up 60 more disposals, 19 more handball receives and repeatedly swept the ball from to defence to attack with ease, notching up 64 inside 50s.

"The stats are a bit confusing. Our kicking and handballing efficiency isn't too bad, but there's is just off the charts and that means you haven't interrupted their play at all," Voss said.

"They've got out of our forward half about 75 or 80 per cent of the time uninterrupted and that's a lot of hard work and a lot of hard running that can wear you down over time and it did - the scoreboard started to tick over for them.

"The guys are well prepared and fit enough ... sometimes it's got to do with just being able to work hard when the opposition has got it."

The Lions weren't credited with laying a tackle for the first 12 minutes of the game.

Their first score came from their second inside 50m after 18 minutes when Daniel Rich hit the post.

Asked if he could write the result off as one of those games, Voss referred to the Lions' disastrous Round 1 thrashing at the hands of the Western Bulldogs.

"The first one, you always have one. You don't get two. The opposition took it to us and we didn't handle that situation at all."

The Lions conceded five goals to one in the first quarter and another seven goals to two in the third term in a result Voss admitted had caught him off guard.

"I think the last couple of weeks we've been building our form back," he said.

"To come to the game today and not hold a good account of ourselves is hugely disappointing. I mean, in the end we just got a lesson in workrate.

"When I looked at the stats, the clearances were the same but their scores from that area were clearly more damaging than ours and in general play they worked harder than us."

The wound was salted by the loss of Ash McGrath in the first quarter with a corked calf and Pearce Hanley in the third quarter with a corked thigh.

Jack Redden was reported for high contact on Sam Wright.Voss said the introduction of impressive youngsters Marco Paparone (three goals) and Sam Docherty and the continued development of Sam Mayes was the "path we have to continue to take".

23.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sanderson seeks steady form

Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson was pleased with aspects of his team's crushing win over the Western Bulldogs. Source: Getty Images

ADELAIDE has restored the first building block of coach Brenton Sanderson's game - team defence.

And Sanderson says he needs to see consistency from his team before he can assess where the 2-2 Crows stand in the AFL premiership race.

Adelaide, which had leaked an average 104 points in its first three games, yesterday held the Western Bulldogs to their lowest score against the Crows (4.4) while star midfielder Patrick Dangerfield again proved he is carrying an erratic team.

"At the moment we're still too much up and down," Sanderson said after Adelaide won its first game at AAMI Stadium this season by 52 points.

"We have a good game and then a poor game and then a good game and then a poor game. We need consistency of performance."

But there is no lack of consistency from Dangerfield, who yesterday kicked 4.1 while tormenting the Bulldogs defence around the goalsquare.

"He is so explosive in space," said Sanderson, explaining his decision to reposition Dangerfield.

"You sometimes need two (Dangerfields) - one in the centre bounce winning clearances and one to kick the ball too (in attack). He had the complete game today. He won clearances, he kicked goals. He was certainly our best player today."

Dangerfield dismissed the external concern for the knee injury he has carried since taking a knock to the joint in Brisbane a fortnight ago.

"It's good . . . it is good," Dangerfield said. "I copped a whack on the hard deck at the Gabba, but we have very good medicos and physios at the club, so it is taking care of itself."

As Adelaide prepares to face a buoyant Carlton at the MCG on Saturday, Sanderson made it clear he is judging players harshly at selection.

"The players are aware we are going to play players in form now," he said.

"We need a consistency of performance across our whole team. We can't have the yo-yo good form, bad form. We need players who contribute on a regular basis.

"And if you miss out, you have to go back to the SANFL and play well to get back in our side."

Adelaide reported no injury last night.

However, Sanderson declared key forward Taylor Walker was subbed in the last term - for Jason Porplyzia - after taking a knock to his hip.

Adelaide's ability to command a crowd at AAMI Stadium - albeit in the rain - has obviously been knocked by the club's flat start.

The 24,684 at West Lakes yesterday is the second-lowest crowd at a Crows home game and only the second time in 23 seasons at the ground that Adelaide has failed to draw 25,000.

Match review panel notes sent to Melbourne last night will concern acting Adelaide captain Scott Thompson for his head-high bump of Western Bulldogs rookie Brett Goodes in the third term.

23.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

NZ takes Aussie out of football

IN New Zealand, the people spruiking Australian football never call it that.

They try to separate the country from the game. It's AFL.

Auskick is KiwiKick and almost all the 80 missionaries working under the AFL NZ banner are New Zealanders.

"We just avoid Australians because we don't need the gospel," AFL NZ chief executive Rob Vanstam said. "We need to grow it from New Zealand's point of view."

They're starting with youth - 95 per cent of the 30,000 registered participants are five to 12-year-olds.The game has found a home on free-to-air TV - a new channel is showing six games live a week - and the first AFL match for premiership points will be played in Wellington on Thursday, Anzac Day.

They're giving it a real crack across the ditch.

Pathways for talented teens are also being forged - a South Pacific side plays in the under-16 Australian national championships and the AFL held its second New Zealand combine in Wellington in January.

Melbourne spotted Maia Westrupp, a 187cm New Zealand volleyball representative, at the combine and signed him as an international scholarship holder.

Hawthorn already has New Zealanders Shem Tatupu and Kurt Heatherley on international scholarships.

"The beauty of AFL is the product is so good," Vanstam said. "People play it and they enjoy playing it, that's the strength of it."

But it's a tough ask in a proud rugby union country. As Vanstam puts it: "The All Blacks, they rule".

"I guarantee you that, even though playing AFL, he (Shem Tatupu) would still have in the back of his mind the dream of playing for the All Blacks one day," he said.

"The sport's got nothing to do with it. It's just the fact they want to represent their country."

Vanstam said with 17 players with New Zealand heritage currently in the AFL, a representative team to play an indigenous Australian side could be a future option.

AFL international development manager Tony Woods said there were representative opportunities for youth: "In the last two years we've been touring the level 1 AIS AFL Academy to New Zealand, which gives the guys in New Zealand a chance to play for their country.

"Looking down the track, if there was an opportunity to create a competition which allowed New Zealanders to play open age at the highest level representing their country, then absolutely we'd look at it."

Woods said AFL clubs looking to recruit international players would need to be understanding.

"In the case of Shem, Hawthorn have been very patient, and have encouraged him to remain in New Zealand to finish his schooling," he said.

"They're even encouraging him to continue playing rugby while he's in New Zealand in the down time, when there's no AFL football for him.

"That's reflective of a really progressive way of thinking, which the AFL clubs are going to have to continue to innovate in that way as they start to open up the club to international players."

Before New Zealand has an AFL team of its own, Vanstam said the country had to embrace the game.

"Considering we're just about to get our first game in 140 years, we're not going to push too hard too early," Vanstam said.

"I think the Hawthorn model of playing four or five games in Tassie is something we could target initially."

"New Zealanders first have to embrace the game. I'm not going to do that for them. Firstly, they've got to fill a stadium up and then they've got to fill it up five times and then once they've done that, all these five to 12 year olds are grown older and grown up with the game and then there's an opportunity."
 

23.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Untold riches excite Saints

New Zealand draft prospect Shem Tatupu with St Kilda ruckman Ben McEvoy. Picture: Sean Garnsworthy/AFL Media Source: Supplied

CHRIS Pelchen and Tony Elshaug stood in the Auckland school ground, astounded by what they saw.

In the past year the St Kilda officials have conducted at least four trips to New Zealand, on a mission to add "multiple" Kiwis to their scholarship program at the end of the year.

"We would expect, or anticipate, that we would have more than one (New Zealand) player at the end of the year," Saints head of football Pelchen said.

It's a bid that in March included a draft combine, testing about 40 New Zealanders for St Kilda's eyes only.

The Saints haven't only been watching junior Australian Rules trial games.

The scouts are in secondary schools, at lunch times and recesses, watching teens play rugby.

The challenge is picking which of them can make the transition to AFL.

Pelchen, who is probably the AFL's chief flag-bearer for Kiwi-AFL talent, was again excited by what he saw on recent trips.

"Even from a young age they are used to running into each other," Pelchen told the Herald Sun.

"Tony (recruiting manager) and I went we went to a few of the bigger schools in Auckland a month ago, he was astounded in the school yard how these big kids were knocking each other over.

"It wasn't just a case of tackling, it was case of putting your mate on the ground.

"We were shaking our heads, thinking 'I wouldn't be able to get up from that'.

"These are boys who are 15 and 16, young men who are 90 to 95kg."

Pelchen was at Hawthorn when the club scouted two New Zealand players, Kurt Heatherley and Shem Tatupu.

Pelchen, who is convinced the pair will play at the highest level, said the duo were only "the tip of the iceberg" in regards to AFL potential.

"We are talking about two boys in a population in excess of two million people who have only just been exposed to AFL football.

"I don't think we can overstate the importance of the Anzac Day game (against Sydney) because it will give profile to AFL football which will then drive an element of intrigue for those who haven't seen it."

The Saints are building their recruiting network in New Zealand.

"We need to be looking at basketball, soccer and other sports," Pelchen said.

"You are looking for an athletic component but, as much as that, a character and psychological component because these boys, like Kurt and Shem, have got a real competitiveness."

"Then, from there, you work on the player specific skills to AFL football."
 

23.02 | 0 komentar | Read More