Dees axe another eight players

Get the first look at the AFL's future stars in this preview of draft analysis series 'Pick Me'

Melbourne will part ways with young forward Lucas Cook. Picture: Chris Scott. Source: Herald Sun

MARK Neeld's overhaul of Melbourne's playing stocks escalated today with eight Demons delisted, including senior players Matthew Bate, Ricky Petterd and Jamie Bennell.

The Demons have now cut or traded 14 of the 46 footballers from their 2012 playing list.

Jordan Gysberts (North Melbourne), Cale Morton (West Coast), Stefan Martin, Brent Moloney (Brisbane Lions) and Jared Rivers (Geelong) all found new home in the trade and free agency period.

Today's cuts also included Lucas Cook, Liam Jurrah and rookies Jai Sheahan, Leigh Williams and Kelvin Lawrence.

Cook, a first-round draft pick, is hoping to find a new home as a delisted free agent after failing to crack through for a senior debut in his two seasons at the Dees.

Lawrence quit the club mid-year, while Sheahan was axed after only one season.

Last year the Dees had the chance to secure a second-round pick for Bate from the Western Bulldogs, but they demanded their first choice - No. 17 - and the deal fell through.

The Dees also lost former captain Brad Green, who retired after 254 games.

Dees to sweat it out in Kakadu

Petterd, a 24-year-old marking forward, has attracted interest from up to five rivals. Originally from Queensland, he has kicked 55 goals in his 54 games since his AFL debut in 2007.

The Dees have already added Chris Dawes, Shannon Byrnes, David Rodan, Cam Pedersen, Jack Viney and Jesse Hogan to their 2013 list.

Hogan, 17, is not eligible to play at the top level until 2014.

MELBOURNE'S 2012 LIST

GONE (824 games):

Brad Green
Jared Rivers
Brent Moloney
Matthew Bate
Cale Morton
Stefan Martin
Jamie Bennell
Ricky Petterd
Jordan Gysberts
Lucs Cook
Jai Sheahan
Leigh Williams
Kelvin Lawrence

100-GAMERS STAYING (1652 games):

Aaron Davey
Colin Sylvia
Nathan Jones
Mark Jamer
Joel McDonald
Clint Bartram
James Frawley
 

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West Coast refuses to part with Brown

Mitch Brown at West Coast Eagles training at Junction Oval. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

ST KILDA has been left seething by West Coast's refusal to part with Mitch Brown, as the trade and free agency period came to an end yesterday.

The Saints appeased the Eagles by parting with Western Australian youngster Jamie Cripps plus an exchange of picks, but were fuming when the goodwill was not returned.

St Kilda head of football Chris Pelchen said the Saints acted out of compassion for Cripps' desire to return home, leaving the Saints "extremely disappointed" a similar swap for Victorian Brown was not forthcoming.

"Like Mitch Brown wanting to return home, we were compassionate that Jamie wanted to return to Western Australia," Pelchen said.

"Our preference for Jamie was to stay at the club, but he made it clear he wanted to be home with family.

"We made several offers to West Coast in the last couple of hours to try and get Mitch across the line.

"There's no doubt Mitch wanted to play with us."

A total of 35 AFL listed players found new homes this month (11 yesterday) the most since 1997.

In other developments:

- Cale Morton, the 2007 No.4 pick, was traded to the Eagles for pick No.88. The Demons will pay part of his 2013 salary as he was still contracted to the club for another year.

- Demon Jordan Gysberts traded placed with Roo Cam Pedersen, while the Dees' fire sale was completed when ruckman Stefan Martin joined teammate Brent Moloney in Brisbane.

- Key forward Lucas Cook will become Melbourne's third first round draftee to depart this post-season when he is de-listed next week.

- Farren Ray remained at St Kilda and Gold Coast failed to come up with a trade for Josh Toy.

- Justin Sherman was de-listed by the Western Bulldogs with a year to run on his contract.

- Geelong told Tom Gillies he would be de-listed as the squeeze for spots on the Cats list continues.

- North Melbourne remained hopeful it could secure Port Adelaide Ben Jacobs via the draft despite the Power's best efforts to persuade the ruckman to stay.

West Coast recruiting manager Rohan O'Brien said he was confident Brown, 23, would hold no animosity towards the club for keeping him.

"There certainly won't be any angst from our point of view and I hope Mitch is the same," O'Brien said.

"We've always had a long term view with Mitch and remains that we want him to stay for a number of years and we think he'll be a terrific player for us."

It is understood Morton's relationship with Demons coach Mark Neeld was beyond repair.

O'Brien said the Eagles rated the 22-year-old "extremely highly" and that the club is confident his outside run is perfectly suited to the wide expanses of Patersons Stadium.

But whether he slips straight in to the Eagles best 22 is "up to Cale now", O'Brien said.

"He's the same as everyone else, he'll be equal when he comes in, and if he plays well he'll get an opportunity."

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Demons to sweat it out in Kakadu

Melbourne will ramp up their pre-season with a camp in Australia's Top End. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

MELBOURNE'S pre-season training will include a Darwin training camp in December that takes in a 30km trek through the Kakadu National Park.

The Demons will stay at Robertson Barracks and train at Palmerston Football Club during the camp, which will run from December 6 to 14.

The club also hopes the Top End stint will help the players adapt to ball-handling in humid conditions, with the team to add to the three home games it has played at Darwin's TIO Stadium since 2007.

"Research shows there are benefits in training in humidity," Melbourne's football manager Josh Mahoney said.

"We think that is a great advantage to take (the team to Darwin) during pre-season and couple that up with the fact we play games in Darwin and want to further our footprint in the Darwin area."

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Hooker blocks St Kilda's Brown bid

Get the first look at the AFL's future stars in this preview of draft analysis series 'Pick Me'

Mitch Brown was nearly a Saint. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

MITCH Brown was as good as a St Kilda player on Thursday night before Cale Hooker's reluctance to leave Essendon thwarted a proposed three-way trade, according to player agent Liam Pickering.

The Saints were desperate to secure Brown in the trade period to shore up their undersized defence and tabled a three-year contract the West Coast backman wanted to accept.

But with Brown tied to the Eagles for 2013 and West Coast hesitant to trade the 23-year-old, talks between the Saints and Eagles continually broke down.

But Pickering, who manages Brown, said a bumper deal involving Jamie Cripps, Hooker and picks 25 and 26 was "done" before Hooker blocked the move.

"We actually had the deal done late on Thursday night which involved Essendon and Cale Hooker," Pickering told SEN.

"But Cale Hooker didn't want to leave the Bombers in the end, so that was the end of that deal."

Under the deal, the Bombers would've landed picks 25 and 26 for Hooker, with West Coast securing Hooker and Cripps.

The Saints would have coughed up picks 25, 26 and Cripps to secure Brown.

Ultimately, they handed over Cripps and pick 46 for picks 41 and 44 in a direct trade with the Eagles.

Hooker, from East Perth, is believed to have been offered a three-year deal from the Eagles.

But with Darren Glass, Erick McKenzie and Will Schofield already at West Coast, Hooker could have been starved of AFL opportunities, as Brown was this season.

Hooker played 17 games for the Dons this year.

"But Cale Hooker was determined to stay at the Bombers and had a year to go on his contract, so that was the first snag," Pickering said.

"West Coast were pretty up front all the way - they wanted cover for Mitch.

"They were happy to do the deal with Cale Hooker if he wanted to go back, just so they had the player there.

"But once they couldn't get the player, they were never going to do it for the pick, which was disappointing."

St Kilda list manager Ameet Bains said the Saints were "very, very close" to prying Brown east, insisting they tried everything possible.

"But unfortunately it couldn't get done," he said.

"We understand it's a business and every club needs to be happy with the trade completed, so it is what it is."

But Eagles list manager Craig Vozzo denied that, declaring the contracted Brown was never placed on the table.

"(It was) never close at all. Our priority was always to keep Mitch," Vozzo said.

"He's a contracted player, we rate him very highly and want to keep him for a long time.

"We never wavered from that."

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Sherman exits kennel

Justin Sherman's stint at the Dogs is over. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

WESTERN Bulldogs line-breaker Justin Sherman has left the club and will seek a third home via the pre-season draft despite having a year to run on his existing contract.

The former Brisbane Lion was not traded during October's player movement frenzy and the Dogs today declared they had reached a "mutual agreement" with Sherman.

Dogs football manager James Fantasia said the club and Sherman recognised he was not in the future plans at Whitten Oval.

"Justin and the club agreed that there were limited on-field opportunities for him next season and that it was best to part ways," Fantasia said.

"We wish Justin the best in his future endeavours."

Sherman played 24 games since crossing from the Lions at the end of the 2010 season.

He was restricted to just 10 this season.
 

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How does your club rate?

SuperFooty's Matt Windley and Sam Edmund review the furious final days of the AFL trade period.

Adelaide failed to do a trade for Kurt Tippett and is now set to lose him for nothing. Source: Herald Sun

Get the first look at the AFL's future stars in this preview of draft analysis series 'Pick Me'

ADELAIDE failed miserably, Sydney too, while Geelong, Collingwood and Essendon made the most of the AFL's trade window. Click for club-by-club report card.

ADELAIDE

IN: Angus Graham (Richmond)
OUT: Chris Knights (Richmond)

DRAFT PICKS: 20, 54, 64, 83, 101, 119, 137

VERDICT: A disaster. Hard to remember a worse trade period for a club. Stuffed up the Tippett deal to such an extent it is now under AFL investigation for draft and salary cap tampering. Only (small) consolation is it now has some genuine ruck relief.

RATING: 1/10

BRISBANE

IN: Brent Moloney (Melbourne), Stefan Martin (Melbourne)
OUT: Nil

DRAFT PICKS: 8, 24, 33, 91, 109, 127

VERDICT: Shouldn't be too many complaints here. Added clearance specialist Moloney for nothing, and while Martin is no Wayne Carey, he is a versatile big man the club desperately needed. Tippett would have been nice, but they're not on their own there.

RATING: 6/10

CARLTON

IN: Nil
OUT: Jordan Russell (Collingwood)

DRAFT PICKS: 11, 36, 56, 71, 76, 94, 112, 130

VERDICT: Had the chance to improve its list but wouldn't, or couldn't, deliver. Wanted Cloke and dipped toe in water for Dawes and Lynch, but largely sat on its hands. An established key forward would have been nice.

RATING: 4/10

COLLINGWOOD

IN: Quinten Lynch (West Coast), Clinton Young (Hawthorn), Jordan Russell (Carlton)
OUT: Chris Dawes (Melbourne), Sharrod Wellingham (West Coast), Tom Young (Western Bulldogs)

DRAFT PICKS: 18, 19, 21, 39, 82, 100, 118, 136

VERDICT: Looks a winner, in both short and long term. Lynch and Clinton Young are arguably the equal of Dawes and Wellingham, while Tom Young was effectively swapped for Russell. Then there's the cherry on the sundae -- three first-round draft picks. Tidy work.

RATING: 8.5/10

ESSENDON

IN: Brendon Goddard (St Kilda), Joe Daniher (father-son)
OUT: Angus Monfries (Port Adelaide)

DRAFT PICKS: 10 (committed to Daniher), 35, 52, 55, 75, 93, 111, 129,

VERDICT: Quiet draft ahead, but would be sitting back satisfied. Lured the biggest fish in the free agency window in Goddard. Made to part with pick 10 for teenage prodigy Daniher, but even that appears a bargain.

RATING: 8/10

FREMANTLE

IN: Danyle Pearce (Port Adelaide)
OUT: Greg Broughton (Gold Coast)

DRAFT PICKS: 17, 37, 40, 80, 98, 116, 134

VERDICT: Might be seen to be treading water, but Pearce offers what Broughton could not -- pace and run-and-carry skill to a largely one-paced midfield. Should ease reliance on Stephen Hill.

RATING: 6/10

Get the first look at the AFL's future stars in this preview of draft analysis series 'Pick Me'

GEELONG

IN: Josh Caddy (Gold Coast), Jared Rivers (Melbourne), Hamish McIntosh (North Melbourne)
OUT: Shannon Byrnes (Melbourne), Ablett compensation pick

DRAFT PICKS: 16, 59, 79, 97, 115, 133

VERDICT: More shrewd work from arguably the best list management team in the biz. McIntosh (if he stays fit) will make a huge difference, Rivers will plug a hole in defence and both will keep the flag window ajar. Caddy and retention of pick 16 keeps the future bright, too.

RATING: 9/10

Did we get it right? Leave a comment below

GOLD COAST

IN: Tom Murphy (Hawthorn), Jack Martin (mini-draft), Greg Broughton (Fremantle), Ablett compo pick
OUT: Josh Caddy (Geelong), Tom Hickey, (St Kilda)

DRAFT PICKS: 13, 57, 60, 87, 105, 123

VERDICT: Gave up pick 2, but Martin is said to be a gun in the making. Caddy and Hickey could go on to make them pay, but Broughton for pick 37 is as a great deal that will add grunt and Murphy fills a need. The Ablett compo pick goes in the back pocket. Solid.

RATING: 7/10

More news: Department of Trades

GWS GIANTS

IN: Stephen Gilham (Hawthorn)
OUT: Jack Hombsch (Port Adelaide), Jake Neade (Port Adelaide), Jed Anderson (Hawthorn)

DRAFT PICKS: 1, 2, 3, 12, 14, 28, 65, 69, 86, 104, 122

VERDICT: In a word _ ominous. Given numerous free kicks, but was able to get maximum value from its 17-year-olds and pre-listed players. Incoming picks mean it will monopolise draft for the second year running. Gilham stiffens the back half.

RATING: 8.5/10

HAWTHORN

IN: Brian Lake (Western Bulldogs), Matt Spangher (Sydney), Jed Anderson (GWS)
OUT: Tom Murphy (Gold Coast), Clinton Young (Collingwood), Stephen Gilham (GWS)

DRAFT PICKS: 29, 68, 72, 84, 102, 120, 138

VERDICT: Launched out of the trade waters like a hungry great white to snatch Lake, who is a risk but could also win them a flag. Would have liked more for Young, but that was out of their hands. Gilham was surplus in the back half.

RATING: 7/10

MELBOURNE

IN: Chris Dawes (Collingwood), Shannon Byrnes (Geelong), David Rodan (Port Adelaide), Cameron Pedersen (North Melbourne), Jack Viney (father-son), Jesse Hogan (via 17yo mini-draft), Dom Barry
OUT: Jared Rivers (Geelong), Brent Moloney (Brisbane), Jordan Gysberts (North Melbourne), Cale Morton (West Coast), Stefan Martin (Brisbane)

DRAFT PICKS: 4, 27 (committed to Viney), 49, 53, 70, 73, 77, 88, 106, 124

VERDICT: Huge turnover, but club is sick of rebuilding. Wants and needs to be better in 2013, hence big money for Dawes and the addition of stop-gaps Rodan and Byrnes. Viney is a star, but a lot was sacrificed for Hogan and Barry (3 & 13). Simply lost patience with Morton and Gysberts, but the latter could still blossom.

RATING: 6/10

NORTH MELBOURNE

IN: Jordan Gysberts (Melbourne)
OUT: Hamish McIntosh (Geelong), Aaron Edwards (Richmond), Cameron Pedersen (Melbourne)

DRAFT PICKS: 15, 38, 42, 48, 58, 63, 78, 96, 114, 132

VERDICT: Underwhelming. Got Gysberts - and a slightly better pick - for Pedersen in a deal that added some respectibility to a trade period in which two established players left. Gyberts has talent, but has polarised Demons supporters.

RATING: 5/10

PORT ADELAIDE

IN: Angus Monfries (Essendon), Jack Hombsch (GWS), Lewis Stevenson (West Coast), Campbell Heath (Sydney), Jake Neade (GWS)
OUT: Danyle Pearce (Fremantle), Troy Chaplin (Richmond), David Rodan (Melbourne)

DRAFT PICKS: 7, 30, 31, 85, 90, 108, 126

VERDICT: Lost two regulars in Pearce and Chaplin, but Monfries was the only senior player to come the other way. Hombsch has shown promise, but Stevenson and Heath are far from guarantees. Only one first round draft selection (No.7) means it can't even console itself with a raft of early picks.

RATING: 5/10

RICHMOND

IN: Chris Knights (Adelaide), Troy Chaplin (Port Adelaide), Aaron Edwards (North Melbourne)
OUT: Angus Graham (Adelaide)

DRAFT PICKS: 9, 32, 34, 43, 92, 110, 128

VERDICT: Chaplin is a good needs-based get who will slot straight in. We can debate the impact of Knights and Edwards, but the fact is the Tigers have effectively got three players in the door for nothing and kept their top 10 draft pick.

RATING: 7/10

ST KILDA

IN: Tom Lee (Claremont), Tom Hickey (Gold Coast), Trent Dennis-Lane (Sydney)
OUT: Brendon Goddard (Essendon), Jamie Cripps (West Coast)

DRAFT PICKS: 25, 26, 41, 44, 77, 95, 113, 131

VERDICT: Blinked in Cripps-Brown standoff. Dealt an early blow after losing its marquee man, but scored some wins. Gave up 13 for Hickey, but the young ruckman will repay the faith, while Dennis-Lane could have an impact. No Mitch Brown hurts. They needed another key defender, but persuasive powers not strong enough to force West Coast into action.

RATING: 6/10

SYDNEY

IN: Nil
OUT: Campbell Heath (Port Adelaide), Matt Spangher (Hawthorn), Trent Dennis-Lane (St Kilda)

DRAFT PICKS: 23, 45, 47, 66, 67, 103, 121, 139

VERDICT: Left feeling like the jilted lover. Huffed and puffed for Tippett, but any chance of getting the forward was ripped out of their hands by Adelaide's mismanagement. Can't be blamed, but in the end was left without a chair when the music stopped. Handballed three fringe players.

RATING: 3/10

WEST COAST

IN: Sharrod Wellingham (Collingwood), Cale Morton (Melbourne)
OUT: Quinten Lynch (Collingwood), Koby Stevens (Western Bulldogs)

DRAFT PICKS: 46, 61, 62, 81, 99, 117, 135

VERDICT: Might as well not show up on draft day, which tells you where they think of their flag chances next year. Wellingham is a good get. Gave up the equivalent of a packet of Twisties for Morton, but like Josh Hill before him, could kick on. Won't miss Lynch.

RATING: 6.5/10

WESTERN BULLDOGS

IN: Lachie Hunter (father-son), Koby Stevens (West Coast), Tom Young (Collingwood)
OUT: Brian Lake (Hawthorn)

DRAFT PICKS: 5, 6, 22, 50 (committed to Hunter), 51, 89, 107, 125

VERDICT: All about the draft for the Dogs, who need to strike gold with picks 5 and 6. Lake will play well enough to frustrate, but it was the right call for a rebuilding list. Hunter is good value at 50.

RATING: 6/10

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Tippett could get draft approval

Kurt Tippett faces an uncertain future. Source: Herald Sun

KURT Tippett could be eligible for this year's national or pre-season drafts but will require approval to nominate from the AFL.

The forward will require the green light from league headquarters to find a second home after quitting Adelaide before becoming the centre of draft tampering and salary cap breach investigations at the Crows.

The 25-year-old is likely to be deregistered by the AFL but, as it stands now, is able to enter the drafts.

AFL spokesman Patrick Keane tweeted today: "Pending ongoing investigation now in place and subject to AFL approval, player Tippett is able to be part of Draft or Pre-Season Draft.

"AFL has no timeline for investigation to be completed."

The AFL today advised the Crows any potential trade involving Tippett would be blocked. The trade deadline passed with Tippett stuck in football's abyss.

Adelaide today tweeted: "AFL has no timeline for investigation to be completed. Tippett can nominate for draft(s) subject to AFL approval."

AFL officials today seized documents from the Crows' headquarters as part of the Tippett investigation.

More to come...
 

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Lake the biggest trade coup

SuperFooty's Matt Windley and Sam Edmund review the furious final days of the AFL trade period.

Brian Lake could help the Hawks snag a premiership, lifting him to the top of the trade bunch. Picture: Nicole Garmston. Source: News Limited

A TOTAL of 35 players have landed at new AFL clubs during the month-long trade and free agency period.

Some are hoping for a second chance, some - like David Rodan and Matt Spangher - are trying their luck at a third AFL club.

Others have landed in the top level for the first time, and two players - Jesse Hogan and Jack Martin - won't be able to take the field until 2014.

So who caught the biggest trade fish?

On the back of Mike Sheahan's Top 50, here's SuperFooty's Top 35 traded players – ranked in order of value to their new clubs.

Did we get it right? Have your say below.

1.Brian Lake (Hawthorn)
Fills the one big gap in the Hawks' line-up. Could turn the runner-up into the premier. Can't ask for much more than that.

2. Brendon Goddard (Essendon)
Bombers needed some elite talent to complement Jobe Watson and they got it on the first day of free agency. Not sure exactly where BJ fits into the Bombers' line-up.

3. Greg Broughton (Gold Coast)
Freo says he didn't fall out with Ross Lyon but he could be forgiven for wondering why he was being moved all over the ground when he dominated every time he went into the midfield. Great get for the Suns.

Sam Edmund: How does your club rate?

4. Danyle Pearce (Fremantle)
Not a lot of noise about this one but the Rising Star Award winner delivers the outside pace Freo needs. Will love the wide open spaces of Subiaco - and taggers going to Stephen Hill.

5. Troy Chaplin (Richmond)
Continues the theme at Richmond (and on this list) of trading for specific needs. Everyone knew the Tigers needed a key defender and in Chaplin they have one. Finished top-three in Port Adelaide's B&F in 2009 and 2010.

New recruit to Richmond Troy Chaplin Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

6. Josh Caddy (Geelong)
A top-10 draft pick with two years' experience under his belt. Caddy, an inside midfielder, played every match for the Suns this year and was the ideal trade target after missing out on Travis Boak. Also knows how to kick multiple goals, booting thee against the Cats this year.

7. Tom Hickey (St Kilda)
We've seen him only 12 times at AFL level but those in the know say this kid will be big. Hickey should slot in next season to lend Ben McEvoy a hand in the ruck, a key area the Saints needed instant aid in. Pick 13 was a high price, but the Saints got 26 back and they say Hickey could've gone 7-12 in the draft, anyway.

8. Hamish McIntosh (Geelong)
The Cats still want to challenge and to do that they need an A-grade ruckman, a clear deficiency this year. Chris Scott is praying his knees hold up.

9. Sharrod Wellingham (West Coast)
Wellingham eases the loss of Tom Swift and Koby Stevens by adding another layer to West Coast's engine room. At 24 and after 92 games (including a flag) he's set to enter his prime, but he did cost the Eagles a first-round pick. Buddy, time to find a new housemate.

10. Clinton Young (Collingwood)
The dashing line-breaker with a raking left foot adds much-needed zip to Nathan Buckley's side, particularly after Wellingham's defection. Prying him from a fellow contender makes the signing even sweetener, while you have to wonder if Young would have left the Hawks had he kept his feet in the last quarter of the Grand Final.

11. Jared Rivers (Geelong)
Rivers said himself he's no Matthew Scarlett but a ready-made replacement will help plug a hole and keep the Cats competitive with the best in the business. They snagged him for free and, like Harry Taylor, Rivers comes with that forward flexibility.

Geelong recruits Jared Rivers and Hamish McIntosh at Simonds Stadium Picture: Glenn Ferguson Source: Herald Sun

12. Quinten Lynch (Collingwood)
The Pies tried to turn Chris Dawes into Leigh Brown this year and it didn't work. Now they have a Brown clone.

13. Chris Dawes (Melbourne)
Dawes' value dipped after a horror 2012 but if the power forward can rediscover his premiership form as he reunites with Mark Neeld the Dees will have an imposing attack.

14. Aaron Edwards (Richmond)
The journeyman cost just pick 74 and will take some heat off Jack Riewoldt. At 28 the sharp-shooter still has a few bags of goals left as the likes of Ty Vickery and Todd Elton develop.

15. Koby Stevens (Western Bulldogs)
The tall, tough, inside midfielder perfectly fits Brendan McCartney's blueprint and at 22 the Dogs think he's ready to explode. A ferocious tackler, he was starved of games due to West Coast's star-studded midfield but should slot into the Whitten Oval mix immediately.

16. Brent Moloney (Brisbane Lions)
Moloney wins clearances, an area Voss's side struggled in, and cost the Lions nothing. Was the Dees best player in 2011 before falling out of favour this year. He's 28 but Brisbane hopes to squeeze four years out of him.

Brent Moloney starred for the Demons against the Crows with 19 clearances. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Herald Sun

17. Jamie Cripps (West Coast)
The Eagles got the homesick Saint relatively cheap, and while he might take time to win a place in John Worsfold's side, he showed potential as a junior. The first-round pick knows where the goals are and performed OK as a substitute for Scott Watters this season.

18. Jordan Gysberts (North Melbourne)
Pick 11 in the draft just three years ago, Gysberts showed enormous promise with 15 games in 2011 before, like many, having his papers stamped early by new coach Mark Neeld. The inside midfielder can kick goals and should earn more game time at Arden St.

19. Angus Monfries (Port Adelaide)
Monfries stopped the rut of Port Adelaide bleeding players and his class and goal sense will prove handy. Needs to take that next step though, particularly to earn the midfield time he craves.

Former Bomber Angus Monfries has arrived at Port Adelaide in an old-fashioned trade deal. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: adelaidenow

20. Stephen Gilham (GWS)
The one and only experienced player recruited this season by the expansion club. Had knee surgery in 2011 and couldn't get back into the Hawks' side this season, playing just six matches. Phil Davis will be very happy to have another experienced body in the GWS back half.

21. Jack Hombsch (Port Adelaide)
One of the original Giants'17-year-old selections, Hombsch played just nine matches this year but comes with huge potential. Long way to go yet though.

22. Chris Knights (Richmond)
Half-forward with a booming left foot who spent most of last season in the SANFL but has shown an ability to break lines and kick goals in the past. Follows Tiger pattern of recruiting to fill a gap in the list.

23. Tom Murphy (Gold Coast)
At least he won't have to worry about getting dropped for the Grand Final at his new club. Former Hawk will get a lot more games took, adding experience to the back half.

24. Cam Pedersen (Melbourne)
We've heard often enough in recent weeks that he is a swingman who can play back, foward or ruck. A lot like Stefan Martin really. Played two matches for North this year.

25. Stefan Martin (Brisbane)
Fills the key-position void in Brisbane's attack, while his versatility will aid their ruck stocks, especially with the clock ticking for Ben Hudson.

26. Angus Graham (Adelaide)
An old-fashioned ruckman who can make a contest in the middle but doesn't have too many strings to his bow. Insurance if Sam Jacobs goes down and might get more of a crack with the Jesse White trade falling through.

27. Jordan Russell (Collingwood)
The medium defender became a VFL regular in 2012 and while that could continue at the Pies next year, he's solid insurance for no cost. Russell, a top-10 pick, was popular at the Blues and rated highly as a leader.

28. Cale Morton (West Coast)
No.4 draft pick never fulfilled his potential in six seasons at the Dees. Will be hoping to follow footsteps of Josh Hill and playing in a better side will help. Not in best 22.

29. Trent Dennis-Lane (St Kilda)
The former Swans small forward boasts good pace and goalsense, but his lack of defensive work kept him out of the senior side. Hard to see him cracking through at the Saints, who are flush for similar players.

30. David Rodan (Melbourne)
Now at his third club after being delisted by Port Adelaide - Melbourne could have got him for nothing in the draft but chose to use the pick in a trade instead. Quick and has a crack but his found a perhaps unwanted niche as the perfect sub.

David Rodan Source: Herald Sun

31. Shannon Byrnes (Melbourne)
Knows where the goals are but has played just nine games in the past two seasons. Will add some zip, and the experience of two flags, to the Dees, but far from a top-liner.

32. Tom Young (Western Bulldogs)
The Dogs have an abundance of inside midfielders, Young compliments that with some outside run and precise kicking. The 20-year-old has showed a bit in nine appearances with the Pies but yet to establish himself as an AFL player.

33. Matt Spangher (Hawthorn)
Remember this guy? Played 16 games for the Eagles then 16 for the Swans, but none this year. Replaces Murphy and Gilham as a back-up defender.

34. Lewis Stevenson (Port Adelaide)
A dashing half-back who was on the fringe of selection for West Coast this season but couldn't add to his 10 senior games, which all came in 2010.

35. Campbell Heath (Port Adelaide)
Defender had surgery twice on his left knee and was delisted after playing two games, then redrafted as a rookie last year but couldn't earn promotion. A project.

WHO KNOWS?

In no particular order, another six players landed on AFL lists as part of trade deals, but are yet to be exposed at the top level.

Tom Lee (St Kilda)
Jack Martin (Gold Coast)
Jesse Hogan (Melbourne)
Dom Barry (Melbourne)
Jed Anderson (Hawthorn)
Jake Neade (Port Adelaide)

Jesse Hogan,New Melbourne Demons recruit, Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

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Hombsch keen for Euro trip

Former Sturt junior Jack Hombsch is returning from GWS to play for Port Adelaide. Picture: Brett Costello. Source: The Daily Telegraph

PORT Adelaide recruit Jack Hombsch says the playing group is excited about leaving for its European training camp on Saturday.

Having been traded from Greater Western Sydney on Tuesday, Hombsch is set to join 28 other Power players training at the Australian Institute of Sport's base in Milan before tackling the Western Bulldogs in an exhibition match at The Oval on November 3.

''Europe will be very exciting,'' said Hombsch, who arrived at Alberton with the Giants' Northern Territory zone selection Jake Neade in exchange for pick No.29.

''It will be a great way to bond with my new team-mates while getting some training in world class facilities.

''It will be a good way to bring us closer, it's a great way to get to know everyone. Hopefully we'll have a look at our game plan and what the coaches want us to do for next season.''

The 10-day trip will also include a visit to the Lords Cricket Ground in London before watching Liverpool clash with Newcastle in an English Premier League soccer match.

Hombsch is this afternoon joining Port's first, second and third year players for the opening training session for the pre-season at Alberton Oval.

Essendon recruit Angus Monfries is also alongside Hombsch for his first appearance in Port colours.

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Freo denies coach rift

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: Herald Sun

Dockers defender Greg Broughton played in defence, in the midfield and as a defensive forward this season. Source: Herald Sun

FREMANTLE has denied Greg Broughton had a falling out with new coach Ross Lyon after the club traded the defender to Gold Coast.

The Dockers gave Broughton and pick 60 in the draft to the Suns in return for selection 37, ending Broughton's fairytale at Fremantle after being plucked from the WAFL in the 2009 rookie draft.

Broughton finished third in the Doig Medal under Mark Harvey in 2010 but had limited impact in a variety of roles under Lyon this season before his season was ended prematurely by finger surgery.

Dockers football operations manager Chris Bond said it was a tough decision to let the Subiaco product go.

"There's been speculation that he fell out with the coach and that's not right,'' Bond said.

"Ross has got a lot of respect for Greg and Greg for Ross, but at the end of the day it was just a decision in the best interests of the footy club and in talking to Greg, we think that everyone comes out with a win.

"We spoke to Greg and his management at length yesterday and I think we all walk away really satisfied, and Greg as well that he's going to get a great opportunity at the Gold Coast.

Department of Trades

"And we get a great opportunity to have two second-round picks and a first round pick.

"He leaves on really good terms. He's got a lot of respect within the playing group. I think we all acknowledge that it's a great journey coming from the last pick in a rookie draft to play 68 games and do what he's done.''
 

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Lions, Suns still want Tippett

The AFL tells the Adelaide Crows not to discuss the Kurt Tippett saga in public until an investigation into potential 'draft tampering' is complete.

Kurt Tippett remains on Brisbane's radar. Picture: Darren England Source: The Courier-Mail

BRISBANE has not given up hope of snaring Kurt Tippett with the club contacting the AFL for an update on the ongoing drama surrounding the Queenslander.

The AFL is investigating the extra deals done between Adelaide and Tippett when the spearhead re-signed with the Crows in 2009.

Trade period finishes tomorrow and it is highly unlikely that Adelaide and Sydney - Tippett's club of choice - will reach an agreement before the deadline.

Crows' salary cap scandal

Brisbane tabled a rich, five-year deal to Tippett but was shunned along with the Gold Coast.

The Lions are waiting for the dust to settle on the investigation to decide their next move.

Given the complex and increasingly murky nature of the Tippett saga, Brisbane is keeping its distance.

But the Lions are keen to know the state-of-play.

Tippett can nominate for the pre-season draft in December when he can also name his price.

Only Sydney can meet his $1 million-a-season demands but Brisbane has plenty of room in its salary cap and have a selection in the draft ahead of Sydney.

It is understood Tippett remains committed to the Swans.

The Gold Coast have also declared that they would re-consider their options if Tippett was up for grabs again.

The Suns had said they had "moved on'' after being rejected by Tippett but Gold Coast football manager Marcus Ashcroft said the club may throw its hat back in the ring.

"We haven't discussed it," Ashcroft said on AFL Trade Radio today.

"It's a hypothetical that we haven't really given any thought to.

"(But) if things change down the track, I guess we need to have a conversation."

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Tigers to nab flying Kangaroo

Aaron Edwards in action against the Tigers. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

RICHMOND is completing the paperwork on a trade deal for North Melbourne high-flyer Aaron Edwards.

The Roos forward did a fitness test at Tigerland yesterday and the Richmond website has been updated late today to say the Tigers are "close to finalising a trade deal to secure Edwards' services".

Details of the trade are yet to emerge but Richmond has picks 43 and 74 which could be part of a deal.

Edwards has played 82 career matches, booting 124 goals. But he could manage just nine appearances this season, and none after Round 9 as he fell behind tall forwards Lachie Hansen, Drew Petrie and Robbie Tarrant in the Roos' pecking order.

The Tigers see Edwards as a possible marking target to complement Jack Riewoldt and Ty Vickery.

The role was filled by former Demon Brad Miller in the past two seasons before his retirement.

Department of Trades

Edwards, 28, made his debut in 2005 for West Coast against the Tigers at the MCG and made an instant impression, kicking two goals in a dominant first quarter.

He has also registered several candidates for Mark of the Year during his time in Perth and Arden St.

The Tigers have recruited free agents Troy Chaplin and Chris Knights and sent ruckman Angus Graham to Adelaide in a busy trade period.

Get live trade updates on Twitter @superfooty and join the debate on Facebook

Kangaroos v Hawthorn. Aurora. Aaron Edwards takes a Mark of The Year contender over Stephen Gilham and next to Joel Smith in the goalsquare. pic 2 of 6. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Herald Sun

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Mick and Ed not on speaking terms

Former Pies coach Mick Malthouse says he and president Eddie McGuire no longer speak. Source: Herald Sun

MICK Malthouse hasn't spoken to Eddie McGuire in almost a year and has no intention of seeking out the Collingwood president.

Once great friends, the pair appeared to fall out following the 2009 Nathan Buckley succession plan while Malthouse's signing as Carlton's coach for next year created a further wedge.

"I haven't spoken to Ed for near on a year,'' Malthouse told 3AW.

Asked if he intended to speak to McGuire, Malthouse said: "I'm not too sure, I won't be going out of my way.

"I've got enough good friends I feel very good about the support I get and what I give to people.

"I don't hold grudges, but I do remember things.''

He said he thought he had McGuire's "great friendship'', but a contract negotiation earlier in his tenure was a "wake up call''.

"He (McGuire) said 'I'll re-sign you, but let me tell you if there's no results, you're out. I'm Collingwood first, you're second','' Malthouse explained.

"Some people operate that way, see, I work the other way. It's people first, the organisation comes second they (people) make the organisation.''

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Saints fans agree BJ had to go

St Kilda chief Michael Nettlefold says members agreed with the decision to release Brendon Goddard. Picture: Jon Hargest Source: Herald Sun

ST KILDA chief executive Michael Nettlefold says the club's members agree with the decision to release Brendon Goddard, aware the Saints could not justify matching Essendon's massive offer.

The Saints have already started their 2013 membership campaign, promising to further open up a club once a closed shop and having poached one of the AFL's key membership figures.

Lisa Laing ran the membership for the shared services section of the AFL, and at St Kilda is a crucial cog in the effort to lift a membership which dipped last year after two seasons of growth.

But to win the members over St Kilda must first justify releasing 27-year-old Goddard, and Nettlefold believes the passionate fan base is on board with the decision.

"I think the general feedback has been quite constructive. The fans recognise Brendon was a good player, but they also recognise we have a lot of other good players and we can't disproportionately pay players. To over-pay Brendon is to disrespect some of the great players in our football team.''

He says there is still a conversation to be had about the level of compensation for free agents, but believes the Saints deserved pick 13 for Goddard.

"When you lose a great player its probably reasonable that you get compensation. You would expect me to say that but there are clearly sides disappointed with the outcomes.''

Passing up on Goddard has allowed the club to get its salary cap back in check, with the Saints having ended their cap crisis.

"We are really comfortable where we are at financially across a range of things,'' he said.

"Next year you have to spend 95 per cent of your salary cap, so the margin is not that great. Most caps will be pretty full because you have to spend the money.''

Several back-ended deals are expected to improve the club's position even more one season on.

A five-game, three-year deal to play games in New Zealand is also worth around $500,000 per game.

Nettlefold said the protective "bubble'' that operated under Ross Lyon has well and truly been burst.

"I think we needed to make our members feel more part of it. We want to be more user-friendly, we have held more open training sessions and fan days at Moorabin, so we have done a lot more community work with our members. Hopefully it will feed into greater take-up and greater retention.''

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Dogs will now invest in the draft

Footy guru Mike Sheahan names the trade that made fans cry to Frank the barber in an exclusive Gillette trade week video.

Dogs list manager Jason McCartney says his club will take their three prized selections to the AFL draft. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

THE Western Bulldogs will take their three prized selections to the draft after ruling out any last-minute trades for them and declaring they "need to hit the target".

The Dogs hold picks 5, 6 and 22 – the best clutch of first-round picks outside of wooden spoon side Greater Western Sydney – and have already secured Lachie Hunter under the father-son rule and brutal West Coast midfielder Koby Stevens.

The Dogs were gifted pick 6 for losing Callan Ward to the Giants and gained No. 22 as part of the deal that saw veteran defender Brian Lake land at Hawthorn.

"Every draft is important," McCartney told SEN tonight.

Koby Stevens the ideal Bulldogs recruit

"We lost a quality player (Ward) a bit over a year ago … and we need to really maximise on those picks we've got.

"Especially with the quality of players that should be around with those picks.

"We've got to hit the target with this one."

McCartney said the Dogs identified Stevens as a trade target at the start of the year and were rapt to secure him for pick 44 today, particularly given his age.

The 21-year-old helps spread the age profile at the Dogs, who boast a promising batch of young talent as well as a group of seasoned stars, headed by captain Matthew Boyd and Daniel Cross, but little in that middle tier.

Koby Stevens could seek a trade due to lack of game time at the Eagles. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

"We're trying to get a nice balance and to add another 21-year-old to the group was important and more than anything he's a wonderful young man," McCartney said.

"He's a great character and the way he trains and prepares is quite professional.

"It doesn't always work out that way, but it's nice when you identify one to lock them away in trade period."

McCartney worked closely with Stevens in the AIS-AFL Academy back in 2009, while the new recruit is tailor-made to Dogs coach Brendan McCartney's contested football philosophies.

WESTERN BULLDOGS IN TRADE AND FREE AGENCY PERIOD

IN: Lachie Hunter (father-son), Koby Stevens (West Coast), draft pick 22
OUT: Brian Lake, draft pick 28
DRAFT PICKS: 5, 6, 22, 51, 71, 89, 107, 125
 

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Friday night premium

Clubs like Collingwood and Hawthorn will continue to dominate Friday night football in 2013. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

THE AFL's prized Friday night time slot is moving closer to being the exclusive domain of the big-drawing premiership contenders.

It is believed the league fixture, to be released next week, will freeze out struggling Victorian clubs hoping for a slice of prime-time action.

The Herald Sun understands Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs will not have a single Friday night outing next season. In the past it has been an unwritten rule that every Victorian club is awarded at least one Friday night game.

But the AFL has made it clear the position must be earned with on-field performances.

Collingwood, by contrast, is set to play at least seven games in broadcaster Channel 7's key ratings slot.

Premier Sydney, which had only one Friday night game last season, is known to have at least two matches locked in with potentially more to come when the fixture is official.

The Demons had one Friday night game last year - in Round 7 against Hawthorn - and the Western Bulldogs were drawn to play two - against Collingwood in Round 6 and Geelong in Round 9.

Adelaide and Essendon play the first Friday night match of next season in a sign of things to come as big clubs and premiership contenders take the fixturing limelight.

The gap between the Friday night matches against the powers and minnows has been gradually widening.

Geelong had eight Friday night fixtures last season while Carlton had seven.

The next most common Friday night teams were Hawthorn (five games) and Collingwood (five).

The Herald Sun understands there will also be a subtle shift in the strength of Sunday afternoon matches in Melbourne next year.

Collingwood, which in recent years has not featured that prominently on Sundays, is believed to be headed for as many as five games in that time slot next year as the league looks to beef it up and Seven's replay leading into its Sunday night news.

The upside for the lowly clubs from this year, Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs, is the fact they will have only one game against last year's top four and could play the teams surrounding them in last year's bottom four twice.

The AFL will release its 2013 fixture on Wednesday.

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Batsanis back with Borough

Nathan Batsanis is set to rejoin the Borough. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

PORT Melbourne has regained its pacy and classy 2011 premiership wingman Nathan Batsanis.

The 24-year-old is returning to Melbourne after a successful season with Norwood in the SANFL.|

Batsanis figured in the Redlegs' flag and finished fourth in the Magarey Medal after going in as favourite.

With his speed and long kicking, the right-footer was an integral part of Port's perfect 2011.

"Just missed home too much, family and friends,'' Batsanis said this afternoon.

"Need to be back in Melbourne, where I belong.

"That's it, really. It was a good experience and stuff like that over there but I missed home and missed Port Melbourne too much.

"Ten of my best mates are from Port Melbourne. It was pretty hard to leave in the first place but a few AFL clubs said to me if I wanted to get another crack I should go over there and see what happens.

"But if nothing happened I was always going back to Port. It's my home. No other place I'd want to be.''

Port had to wrangle a transfer fee with Norwood since he was on a two-year deal.

Batsanis said he improved as a player in the SANFL and was determined to have a good comeback season for the Borough.

Port has also secured well-regarded Caulfield Grammarians midfielder Tom O'Sullivan, the son of Carlton official Shane.

O'Sullivan won the best-and-fairest this year.

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Raines inks new Lions deal

Lions midfielder Andrew Raines has re-signed. Picture: Ryan Pierse Source: Getty Images

BRISBANE midfielder Andrew Raines has re-signed with the Lions for another two years.

Raines, 26, has re-invented himself as a tagger since heading north at the end of 2009 when he parted ways with Richmond.

Having established himself as one of the AFL's better defensive midfielders, Raines is looking forward to brighter times at the Gabba.

"I'm a Queensland boy and I love playing up here in Brisbane – we have a terrific footy club and it's one that I'm very proud to be a part of," he said.

"I'm extremely excited about the talent in amongst the group – we've improved so much over the last 12 months, and now we know we have to just put our heads down and continue to work hard, and the good results will come.''

Brisbane football manager Dean Warren said Raines had reaped what he had sowed.

"'Rainesy' really took his game to a new level in 2012, and that was the result of a lot of hard work, dedication, and attention to detail," Warren said.

"He sets a fantastic example to our younger players of just what it takes to be a professional AFL player, and we are delighted to see him re-sign."

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Saints set to land Hickey

Gold Coast's Tom Hickey is heading to the Saints. Picture: David Clark Source: Gold Coast Bulletin

BREAKING: ST KILDA has landed the ruckman it desperately craved with Tom Hickey on the move from Gold Coast in exchange for pick 13.

The Saints and Suns will also swap later picks to seal the deal, while the official paperwork could be lodged with the AFL tomorrow.

SuperFooty believes the Saints will receive picks 26, 47 and Hickey. In return, the Suns will get the prized pick of 13 as well as 37 and 57.

The Suns tonight confirmed SuperFooty's report.

Hickey boasts enormous upside after an impressive end to 2012 and is poised to lend Ben McEvoy a big hand in sharing ruck duties at Seaford next season.

Hickey, 21, requested a trade to the Saints this month to move closer to his girlfriend but talks stalled last week when the Suns played hard ball, demanding a first-round pick as market interest increased.

The 201cm big man was a zone selection to Gold Coast.

The Saints traded their first pick, No. 12, to GWS in a deal which saw Claremont power forward Tom Lee head to St Kilda.

But Scott Watters' side was gifted pick 13 on Friday from the AFL as compensation for losing Brendon Goddard to Essendon, helping secure Hickey.

The trade means the Suns will now have a first-round selection in next month's draft despite trading pick 2 to the Giants for 17-year-old mini-draft selection Jack Martin.

Despite losing Hickey the Suns still boast a wealth of rising star power in the ruck, with Daniel Gorringe, Zac Smith and Tom Nicholls set to enter their third seasons in the AFL.

Suns football manager Marcus Ashcroft said his side was thrilled to gain a top-15 draft selection after coughing up pick 2 to Greater Western Sydney last week.

"Our ability to add pick 13 to our selections in the upcoming draft means we will have the ability to draft another elite young player to our club,'' he said.
 

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Nicoski stays at West Coast

West Coast forward Mark Nicoski has signed a one-year contract extension. Source: PerthNow

WEST Coast forward Mark Nicoski has signed a one-year contract extension with the Eagles.

Nicoski could have left the Eagles as an unrestricted free agent, but is understood to have never contemplated such a move.

The 28-year-old spent all of last season on the sidelines with a serious hamstring injury suffered during the NAB Cup Grand Final in March.

Nicoski was expected to miss just half the season, but experienced spasms in the repaired muscle shortly after his first bout of surgery.

The Subiaco product is expected to start pre-season training with the rest of his West Coast teammates next month and the club is confident he will return to the form that saw him kick 41 goals in a breakout 2011 campaign.

Nicoski's signature is good news for the Eagles after three players walked out on the club in the past month.

Veteran forward Quinten Lynch joined Collingwood as a free agent, Tom Swift quit football to pursue a career in medicine and Koby Stevens wants to be traded to the Western Bulldogs.

Defender Mitch Brown is also seeking a trade to St Kilda, but the Eagles have said he is a required player and will not be released.

West Coast remains hopeful of arranging a deal with the Saints for homesick forward Jamie Cripps.

Yesterday, Fremantle announced veteran Adam McPhee had penned a new one-year deal after resiting offers to return to Melbourne.
 

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Hawks lead race for answers

Hawthorn is angry at the compensation it received for wingman Clinton Young and defender Tom Murphy. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

HAWTHORN is leading the fight for AFL clubs to get more information on the formula used to decide free agency compensation.

The Hawks are studying details to see if they can challenge the draft pick 66 return for running back Clinton Young's move to Collingwood.

"We'll go back through our documentation to see where there's (grounds) for an appeal or not. There doesn't appear to be one at first look,'' Hawks football manager Mark Evans told the Herald Sun today.

Evans said the clubs want more details of the new system, claiming they are "flying blind'' when not even being aware of an offer to a player who's an unrestricted free agency like Young.

"We'll all get use to it, but we need to have a system that has some equity in it. And we need to be able to understand why some things come out the way they do,'' he told SEN radio.

"I know it was an agreement between the AFL and the Players Association and that the formula be kept secret, but it doesn't help us understand the system.

"We've had some discussion with them (AFL), but we certainly haven't put anything formally at this stage.

"It's hard to determine the free agency compensation because we don't understand the details of the formula they've used. And it's not like we've got 10 years of experience of looking at free agency compensation picks to determine whether it's fair or not.

"We've only got the free agency compensation picks that have been handed out and, on the surface of it, pick 66 as a combination for Clinton Young and Tom Murphy doesn't seem just. And certainly doesn't look just when you look at some of the other compensations that were handed out.

"My issue is, if you've got a player who has just played in a grand final team with a club that's right at the top of the ladder and then you end up being 30 or 40 picks behind some of the other compensations for players you think might be regarded as about the same (ability), all I'm saying is that maybe that system we've come up with has got a couple of chinks in it.''

Evans said he wasn't aware there was no compensation for some players.

"We certainly need some better detail on why we ended up getting pick 66 for Clinton Young,'' he said.

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Cats, Suns to light up Geelong

Brian Cook (right) gives Sport Minister Kate Lundy, Federal Member for Corangamite Darren Cheeseman and Federal Member for Corio, Richard Marles MP a tour of the Simonds Stadium redevelopment. Picture: Mike Dugdale Source: Herald Sun

GEELONG will host its first home game under lights when the Cats face Gold Coast on June 1 next season.

The Cats will play up to four night matches at the redeveloped Simonds Stadium which will hold 34,000 fans when the new Players' Stand is completed.

Geelong will play its first 10 matches away from home - and six games outside Victoria - as it waits for construction work to finish. The Cats will then get seven home matches in the final 10-11 rounds.

Geelong chief executive Brian Cook revealed today the Cats hope to unveil a $1.2 million "super screen" scoreboard when the redeveloped stadium makes its debut.

"We're going to have lights here by May 28," Cook told the Cats website.

"For the first time in Geelong's history we're going to have games under lights here in Geelong. We think we'll get three maybe four night games here next year.

"The first game will definitely be against Gold Coast on June 1, a Saturday night, so you've got the Gary Ablett factor, and the Josh Caddy factor now, so it's really exciting."

AFL fixture a challenge for supercomputers

Cook said Geelong's long-term stadium vision - which could take 10 years - was for a venue that could hold more than 37,000 fans and host AFL and other sports including soccer, rugby league and rugby union.

But stage four of the stadium redevelopment is set to cost more than the $110 million spent on the first three stages combined.

Cook also weighed into the free agency debate, questioning the need for compensation picks for clubs that lost players.

"I have a principle that we should not necessarily be compensated, as clubs, for losing free agents, but I'm not sure that would be shared by everyone outside," he told the AFL website.

"The rightful compensation for losing a free agent is to get another one back in, really.

"The dollars that you gain by a free agent going off your list is money that should be used to bring someone on. That's the way I'm looking at it."

The Cats swapped free agents with Melbourne, losing Shannon Byrnes and picking up Jared Rivers.

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Tippett trade talks still on hold

Trade talks have progressed no further for Adelaide and Sydney over disgruntled forward Kurt Tippett. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

DAY 14 of the Kurt Tippett saga has closed with Adelaide list manager David Noble summing up talks with Sydney by saying: "No progress".

The Crows and Swans have until Friday to end one of the slowest-moving and longest-running saga in AFL trade history.

And Adelaide says it will seek out a third party to beef up Sydney's offer that currently is seen to stand at draft pick No.23 and out-of-favour forward Jesse White.

"We're exploring those third-partty options all the time - we're looking at all avenues to get the best deal for our club,'' Noble said today, while maintaining that trade talks could drag until the final hour on Friday.

"And in the last moments you find things that were not possible early in the trade talks do unfold. A coach will suddenly agree to release a first-round draft pick."

Of White, who met Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson at the club's West Lakes base last week, Noble said: "We're still in negotiations."
 

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Power against four-way trade

Port Adelaide is refusing to entertain a four-way trade to offload Ben Jacobs to North Melbourne. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: The Advertiser

PORT Adelaide is resisting the offer of a multi-club trade deal for departing first-round draftee Ben Jacobs.

The Power is preferring a straight deal for draft picks with the Kangaroos rather than a four-way trade that gained currency in speculation today.

"We're trying to keep out of multi-club deals," said Power football chief Peter Rohde.

North Melbourne currently has draft picks No.15, 38 and 39. These are more appealing to the Power than Kangaroos forward Matt Campbell and defender Luke Delaney.

Jacobs was a first-round draft pick (No. 16) in 2010.

Port also may move on Fremantle's 26-year-old defender Greg Broughton as it seeks to replace former vice-captain Jacob Surjan, who was delisted last week.
 

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Morabito confident of derby return

ON TRACK: Fremantle midfielder Anthony Morabito (left) is aiming for a Round 1 return next season. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

FREMANTLE could be bolstered for its Round 1 Western Derby by a remarkable return from injury by midfielder Anthony Morabito.

Morabito's manager, Colin Young, said the Dockers bolter was confident he would be ready to put his hand up for the season opener and could be in line for selection as early as the NAB Cup, marking an against-the-odds recovery from consecutive knee reconstructions.

Morabito, the Dockers' top pick from the 2009 draft, has not played for Fremantle since the 2010 finals series after rupturing his left ACL in the following pre-season.

The Peel product, who turns 21 at the end of this month, was battling his way back through the WAFL and had made seven appearances for the Thunder before suffering a recurrence of the injury at a Fremantle training session in July.

Dockers coach Ross Lyon noted last month that his player's initial reconstruction had not been successful, leading to the re-injury, but Young said the second operation had produced better results.

"I haven't spoken to Morra since the best-and-fairest, but he's on track for the NAB Cup," Young said.

"I said to him: 'Still Round 1?' and, he said: 'Nah, NAB's looking good'. He's keen to start for the NAB Cup; he said he's ready to go and doesn't see any problems starting Round 1 and going on.

"He looked in great shape when he was training and he's very confident, very excited about next year."

A pre-season return for Morabito would be a stunning recovery and an overdue bit of good fortune for the footballer.

After his first operation in December, 2010, it took almost 16 months for his return to football  a 15-touch game with Peel reserves in Round 3 in late-March this year.

An NAB Cup return would mark a seven-month layoff, while Round 1 selection to face the Eagles would be eight months' recovery.

Young said there was a notable difference in Morabito's reaction to the latest surgery.

"He went to Melbourne to have the operation under Julian Feller, who's probably the master of all surgeons in Victoria," Young said.

"He was pretty convinced that he'd be back for NAB Cup, if not, then latest Round 1 and so he's very happy with the outcome of working with Julian.

"(The first time around) I don't think in his own mind he felt confident the operations were successful: he didn't feel right.

"He really feels 120 per cent now, since the last one.

"He had no swelling at all after the operation and he's really confident going forward."

Fremantle begins its pre-season on November 14, with the first-to-third-year players, with general manager of football operations Chris Bond saying the Dockers expected Morabito to rejoin ball drills in January.

"It's tragic circumstances, but to his credit he's really dug in," Bond told ABC radio.

"We've had the surgery done and we're expecting him to start running well into our pre-season and join in our football in January.

"We're in no doubt at all that we're going to get a fair bit of footy out of him."

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How Mick stopped a player revolt

Mick Malthouse with Eddie McGuire at the end of the 2011 season. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

Biography of Mick Malthouse to be released this week. Source: Herald Sun

MICK Malthouse hosed down a 2011 player revolt at Collingwood that wanted to keep him as coach.

In an exclusive book extract from Malthouse: A Football Life, to be released this week, it is revealed the Magpies' 2010 premiership coach was approached by a senior player who said several of his colleagues were prepared to sign a petition to have him stay on.

Former champion Collingwood player Nathan Buckley signed a deal in mid-2009 that meant he would take over from Malthouse as Collingwood coach for season 2012, regardless of interim results.

But almost from the moment the Pies saluted in the 2010 Grand Final replay against St Kilda, there was intense speculation about the arrangement and how the football giants would co-exist.

In the biographical book on her father, Christi Malthouse has revealed that while the thought of the petition appealed, the three-time premiership coach talked the player around because he thought it would "derail" the Magpies' 2011 premiership tilt which, at the time, was flying.

"By Round 16 (of the 2011 AFL season), the Magpies were second on the ladder, with 12 wins, one loss and two byes," Christi writes.

"By now it was early July and speculation about the future of the Collingwood coach had reached boiling point.

"Rumours abounded that Mick might not stay at Collingwood, that he might possibly coach elsewhere in 2012.

"Mick was in his office when a player tapped on the door.

"The young man in front of him looked nervous. 'Can I talk to you?'

"As the coach listened, his player revealed to him that several senior players wanted to sign a petition to have him reinstated as senior coach for the following year.

"It was nothing against the 'coach in waiting' (Buckley), he insisted, but the boys were concerned.

"They loved Mick, they needed Mick, and they weren't prepared to stand back and do nothing as he was replaced.

"Especially after winning a premiership. 'I would like to take it to management and the board', said the player.

"Mick's heart thumped inside his chest and echoed in his mind. 'What an amazing gesture,' he thought. But what a disaster it would be."

Christi writes that her father then made a call based on keeping the Magpies on a roll.

" 'No. Put those ideas away. I appreciate it, I really do, but it will only do more damage than good'," she writes.

"He was firm. 'It's not going to change anything. Nathan will be your coach next year - you have to get used to that. The only thing that can derail our season this year is if our focus is taken off winning.'

"Mick was desperate not to let that happen.

"They talked some more, and in the end it was agreed that everyone was better off concentrating solely on playing good football.

"They could worry about next year later."

Malthouse, who has signed to coach Carlton next season, was famously in tears as Collingwood rallied late to beat Hawthorn in the 2011 preliminary final.

But the Magpies were over-run by Geelong in the final quarter of the Grand Final, having led narrowly at halftime.

From Malthouse: A Football Life, published Wednesday by Allen & Unwin. Copyright Christi Malthouse 2012.

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White the Crow still a chance

Forward Jesse White may become a Crow yet. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: The Daily Telegraph

The nervous wait continues for Kurt Tippett. Source: Herald Sun

ADELAIDE'S interest in out-of-favour Swans forward Jesse White in the slow-moving Kurt Tippett trade is far from dead.

The Crows' trade with Richmond for ruckman Angus Graham on Friday appeared to make White excess to needs at Adelaide where coach Brenton Sanderson already has Sam Jacobs, Shaun McKernan and Josh Jenkins in the "talls" category.

But Adelaide has not closed the door on White who could be traded from the Swans along with Sydney's No. 23 draft pick for Tippett before Friday's trade deadline.

"There is no conclusion on that," said Adelaide chief executive Steven Trigg today.

White's Melbourne-based manager Michael Quinlan also confirmed his client in not out of the Tippett deal saying: "This is not over and done with."

Asked why the paperwork to trade White to Adelaide was pulled back late on Friday, Quinlan said: "You have to ask Dean Moore at Sydney or David Noble at Adelaide."

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