DANIHER JOINS EAGLES
Former Melbourne coach Neale Daniher has been appointed football operations manager of the West Coast Eagles, reports The Herald Sun. Daniher, who coached Melbourne for a decade and took the Demons to the 2000 premiership decider, will start with West Coast in November in a revamped football department. Current football operations manager Trevor Woodhouse will share his duties with Daniher from next year. Woodhouse will be responsible for list management and player contracts while Daniher will focus on the team and operational components of the role. "It's an exciting challenge and a great time to begin with the West Coast Eagles," Daniher said. "I believe the club is well positioned to rebound quickly from what has been a disappointing season, particularly given its proud history.
THE GENIUS OF ABLETT
Brady Rawlings was downright embarrassed. Sam Power finally realised just how good the little genius had become. Daniel Harris was stunned by his power and the effectiveness of his trademark "shimmy'. And Brent Harvey admitted he derived some perverse enjoyment from being on the field at the same time, reports The Herald Sun. Few players can elicit such powerful responses from opponents as Geelong’s Brownlow Medal favourite Gary Ablett. Yet so comprehensive was his demolition of the Kangaroos in Round 11 that they decided not to tackle him and, instead, attempt to corral the Geelong superstar. Clearly it didn't work - 39 disposals, seven clearances, 12 inside-50s and two brilliant goals were testament to that. Now Operation Stop Little Gaz swings into its second phase.
Former Melbourne coach Neale Daniher has been appointed football operations manager of the West Coast Eagles, reports The Herald Sun. Daniher, who coached Melbourne for a decade and took the Demons to the 2000 premiership decider, will start with West Coast in November in a revamped football department. Current football operations manager Trevor Woodhouse will share his duties with Daniher from next year. Woodhouse will be responsible for list management and player contracts while Daniher will focus on the team and operational components of the role. "It's an exciting challenge and a great time to begin with the West Coast Eagles," Daniher said. "I believe the club is well positioned to rebound quickly from what has been a disappointing season, particularly given its proud history.
THE GENIUS OF ABLETT
Brady Rawlings was downright embarrassed. Sam Power finally realised just how good the little genius had become. Daniel Harris was stunned by his power and the effectiveness of his trademark "shimmy'. And Brent Harvey admitted he derived some perverse enjoyment from being on the field at the same time, reports The Herald Sun. Few players can elicit such powerful responses from opponents as Geelong’s Brownlow Medal favourite Gary Ablett. Yet so comprehensive was his demolition of the Kangaroos in Round 11 that they decided not to tackle him and, instead, attempt to corral the Geelong superstar. Clearly it didn't work - 39 disposals, seven clearances, 12 inside-50s and two brilliant goals were testament to that. Now Operation Stop Little Gaz swings into its second phase.
WHITE WANTS TO PLAY ON
Melbourne ruckman Jeff White says he has at least two more years to add to his 266-game career, reports The Herald Sun. White, 31, broke his silence yesterday to say he was realistic that he was probably not part of the Demons' 2009 plans, a doubt heightened by the club admitting it had approached young Fremantle ruckman Robert Warnock.
Melbourne ruckman Jeff White says he has at least two more years to add to his 266-game career, reports The Herald Sun. White, 31, broke his silence yesterday to say he was realistic that he was probably not part of the Demons' 2009 plans, a doubt heightened by the club admitting it had approached young Fremantle ruckman Robert Warnock.
"I'm out of contract and there has been so much talk about how the club is going with a youth policy. I understand that, so from my point of view I've got to look at it as though these could be my last two games with Melbourne," White said. "I'm really keen to play at another club next year if it goes that way. My preference would be to stay at Melbourne. But with the youth policy, I figure that might not happen.” White is expected to be recalled to the team to play Port Adelaide on Saturday following a season-ending hip injury to Paul Johnson, who has shared most of the ruck duties with Mark Jamar in the second half of the year.
ANOTHER MORTON GETS NOMINATION
Young Demon Cale Morton is the Round 20 AFL Rising Star nominee after a career-best performance against West Coast, reports The Herald Sun. The 18-year-old was Melbourne’s best player in the win at the MCG, gathering 30 possessions, 17 marks and kicking a goal. Playing in the midfield in just his 17th senior game, Morton stood experienced Eagles Michael Braun and Matt Spangher. His nomination follows games in recent weeks in which he has kicked three goals against Essendon and two against Fremantle. Morton was Melbourne's first selection (fourth overall) in the 2007 AFL Draft. He was recruited from Claremont and Hale School after an outstanding junior career. Morton was a member of the 2006 AIS-AFL Academy intake and represented Western Australia in 2007 NAB AFL Under 18 Championships, winning the Larke Medal for best player in the Under-18 Championships and All-Australian honours in 2007. His brother Jarryd from Hawthorn was nominated for the Rising Star in Round 13.
HARVEY FUMES AT DEMONS
Fremantle coach Mark Harvey has accused Melbourne of ambushing out-of-contract ruckman Robert Warnock in a bid to lure him away, reports The Herald Sun. Harvey queried the Demons' tactic of a deputation, led by football manager Chris Connolly and coach Dean Bailey, making a presentation to Warnock in Melbourne last week. "I thought it was an interesting tactic," Harvey said in Perth yesterday. "I don't think he (Warnock) has been affected by what appears to be an ambush." The 206cm Warnock, whose brother Matthew plays with Melbourne, played only nine games with the Dockers, spending most of the first half of the year battling for form in the WAFL before he had season-ending shoulder surgery last month.
ANOTHER MORTON GETS NOMINATION
Young Demon Cale Morton is the Round 20 AFL Rising Star nominee after a career-best performance against West Coast, reports The Herald Sun. The 18-year-old was Melbourne’s best player in the win at the MCG, gathering 30 possessions, 17 marks and kicking a goal. Playing in the midfield in just his 17th senior game, Morton stood experienced Eagles Michael Braun and Matt Spangher. His nomination follows games in recent weeks in which he has kicked three goals against Essendon and two against Fremantle. Morton was Melbourne's first selection (fourth overall) in the 2007 AFL Draft. He was recruited from Claremont and Hale School after an outstanding junior career. Morton was a member of the 2006 AIS-AFL Academy intake and represented Western Australia in 2007 NAB AFL Under 18 Championships, winning the Larke Medal for best player in the Under-18 Championships and All-Australian honours in 2007. His brother Jarryd from Hawthorn was nominated for the Rising Star in Round 13.
HARVEY FUMES AT DEMONS
Fremantle coach Mark Harvey has accused Melbourne of ambushing out-of-contract ruckman Robert Warnock in a bid to lure him away, reports The Herald Sun. Harvey queried the Demons' tactic of a deputation, led by football manager Chris Connolly and coach Dean Bailey, making a presentation to Warnock in Melbourne last week. "I thought it was an interesting tactic," Harvey said in Perth yesterday. "I don't think he (Warnock) has been affected by what appears to be an ambush." The 206cm Warnock, whose brother Matthew plays with Melbourne, played only nine games with the Dockers, spending most of the first half of the year battling for form in the WAFL before he had season-ending shoulder surgery last month.
DOUBT OVER KEY TIGERS
Richmond coach Terry Wallace is uncertain whether either Nathan Brown or Nathan Foley will return for Saturday's clash against Fremantle, reports The Herald Sun. Both missed Sunday's surprise win against Hawthorn. Foley was a late withdrawal with a hip injury, while Brown has been struggling with leg soreness for the past three or four weeks. "They're both still in calculations," Wallace said of the pair's prospects of playing against the Dcoekrs. "(Foley's) probably done a little bit more today in our skills session just from a running point of view than what Browny did. Browny was still stationary today but it's only early in the week. We'll give both those boys an opportunity to come up later in the week.
LOCKETT GOES BUSH
The man who ran over opponents during 281 AFL games will be riding rough in the Australian outback next week, reports The Herald Sun. Tony Lockett, football's greatest goalkicker with 1360, will compete in the Australasian Safari, the biggest event on the national off-road racing calendar. He will ride a Honda CRF 450R motorcycle 4400km across Western Australia for seven days in the country's toughest off-road race. The event starts in Kalgoorlie on Saturday and finishes in Perth a week later. The former St Kilda and Sydney superstar has taken his passion for riding to a new level this year by joining the factory-backed Honda team Glenn Hoffman Racing.
LAPPIN WAS THE FULL PACKAGE
For a footballer, the standing Nigel Lappin has within his club is valued above any accolade, reports The Courier-Mail. Lappin walked away from the game yesterday hailed as the most complete member of Brisbane’s famed "Fab Four" and labelled the "perfect player". There has never been as much said about Lappin as Michael Voss, Jason Akermanis and Simon Black, but one quote from co-captain Luke Power stamped his legacy among the greatest Lions. "Everyone used to talk about the Fab Four, and they were all superstars," Power said. “Nigel is probably the most low profile, but he was the one with all the assets. Aker was explosive and had the skills, Blackie had great skills and the vision and Vossie could influence a contest by his presence. Nigel was the complete package. Added coach Leigh Matthews: “As great as Nigel's reputation was, he was an even better player than his reputation."
PORT APPOINTS NEW CEO
New Port Adelaide chief executive Mark Haysman's first major decision was simple and personal: switch allegiance from crosstown rival Adelaide! Reports The Advertiser. “My first decision as chief executive of the Port Adelaide footy club is to jump off the Crows," he said. Haysman, currently a senior executive with brewing company Lion Nathan in Adelaide, will take up his position in October with Port struggling. Since being thrashed in last year's grand final, the Power have just five wins from 20 matches. The 41-year-old father of four, who played schoolboy football for South Australia, said he would come to the new role with a passion for the game and an awareness of the challenges ahead. "I'm the newest recruit to the Power and very, very excited about what lies ahead," Haysman said. "Over the years I really have admired the Port Adelaide Football Club and everything it stands for. I really feel privileged to be leading the footy club as we go forward."
Richmond coach Terry Wallace is uncertain whether either Nathan Brown or Nathan Foley will return for Saturday's clash against Fremantle, reports The Herald Sun. Both missed Sunday's surprise win against Hawthorn. Foley was a late withdrawal with a hip injury, while Brown has been struggling with leg soreness for the past three or four weeks. "They're both still in calculations," Wallace said of the pair's prospects of playing against the Dcoekrs. "(Foley's) probably done a little bit more today in our skills session just from a running point of view than what Browny did. Browny was still stationary today but it's only early in the week. We'll give both those boys an opportunity to come up later in the week.
LOCKETT GOES BUSH
The man who ran over opponents during 281 AFL games will be riding rough in the Australian outback next week, reports The Herald Sun. Tony Lockett, football's greatest goalkicker with 1360, will compete in the Australasian Safari, the biggest event on the national off-road racing calendar. He will ride a Honda CRF 450R motorcycle 4400km across Western Australia for seven days in the country's toughest off-road race. The event starts in Kalgoorlie on Saturday and finishes in Perth a week later. The former St Kilda and Sydney superstar has taken his passion for riding to a new level this year by joining the factory-backed Honda team Glenn Hoffman Racing.
LAPPIN WAS THE FULL PACKAGE
For a footballer, the standing Nigel Lappin has within his club is valued above any accolade, reports The Courier-Mail. Lappin walked away from the game yesterday hailed as the most complete member of Brisbane’s famed "Fab Four" and labelled the "perfect player". There has never been as much said about Lappin as Michael Voss, Jason Akermanis and Simon Black, but one quote from co-captain Luke Power stamped his legacy among the greatest Lions. "Everyone used to talk about the Fab Four, and they were all superstars," Power said. “Nigel is probably the most low profile, but he was the one with all the assets. Aker was explosive and had the skills, Blackie had great skills and the vision and Vossie could influence a contest by his presence. Nigel was the complete package. Added coach Leigh Matthews: “As great as Nigel's reputation was, he was an even better player than his reputation."
PORT APPOINTS NEW CEO
New Port Adelaide chief executive Mark Haysman's first major decision was simple and personal: switch allegiance from crosstown rival Adelaide! Reports The Advertiser. “My first decision as chief executive of the Port Adelaide footy club is to jump off the Crows," he said. Haysman, currently a senior executive with brewing company Lion Nathan in Adelaide, will take up his position in October with Port struggling. Since being thrashed in last year's grand final, the Power have just five wins from 20 matches. The 41-year-old father of four, who played schoolboy football for South Australia, said he would come to the new role with a passion for the game and an awareness of the challenges ahead. "I'm the newest recruit to the Power and very, very excited about what lies ahead," Haysman said. "Over the years I really have admired the Port Adelaide Football Club and everything it stands for. I really feel privileged to be leading the footy club as we go forward."
WELLS SIGNS WITH ROOS
Daniel Wells is the latest North Melbourne player to re-sign with the club after agreeing to terms on a new two-year contract, reports The Age. The silky midfielder ended speculation about his future yesterday, saying his manager and the club struck a deal tying him to Arden Street until the end of 2010. "The club have been fantastic for me, not just with footy, but off-field as well, so I'm just repaying the faith," the 23-year-old said. "The playing group is fantastic and a huge reason why I signed back up." Football operations manager Donald McDonald said recently that talks had begun to have Wells "at the footy club for the next three or four years" and the West Australian would hopefully play out his career at the Kangaroos. Drew Petrie has signed a new three-year deal and chief executive Eugene Arocca said yesterday "a mix of two and three-year deals" were being negotiated with players. The club has also signed new deals with ruckman Hamish McIntosh, defenders Michael Firrito and Daniel Pratt, midfielder Brady Rawlings and forward Corey Jones.
Daniel Wells is the latest North Melbourne player to re-sign with the club after agreeing to terms on a new two-year contract, reports The Age. The silky midfielder ended speculation about his future yesterday, saying his manager and the club struck a deal tying him to Arden Street until the end of 2010. "The club have been fantastic for me, not just with footy, but off-field as well, so I'm just repaying the faith," the 23-year-old said. "The playing group is fantastic and a huge reason why I signed back up." Football operations manager Donald McDonald said recently that talks had begun to have Wells "at the footy club for the next three or four years" and the West Australian would hopefully play out his career at the Kangaroos. Drew Petrie has signed a new three-year deal and chief executive Eugene Arocca said yesterday "a mix of two and three-year deals" were being negotiated with players. The club has also signed new deals with ruckman Hamish McIntosh, defenders Michael Firrito and Daniel Pratt, midfielder Brady Rawlings and forward Corey Jones.
