PREMIER BLASTS PIES FOR BOOZE CULTURE
Collingwood denies it has an alcohol culture despite yesterday admitting to the latest in a raft of serious booze-fuelled incidents, reports The Herald Sun. In the past four years Collingwood has almost cornered the market on late-night incidents, with several players being repeat offenders. Sharrod Wellingham, Alan Didak, Ben Johnson, Chris Tarrant, Dane Swan, Heath and Rhyce Shaw and Chad Morrison have been involved in incidents since 2004. Victorian Premier John Brumby yesterday said the club had a culture problem and was amazed the players were drinking so close to September. "I was surprised as a football fan that Collingwood, just a few games from the finals series and right on the edge of the eight - a team that can make the (top) four, a team that can win a Grand Final - that they were all out having more than just an occasional drink," the Premier said. Collingwood chief executive Gary Pert yesterday denied there were cracks in the club's much-vaunted culture.
SHAMED PIES WANT TO STAY…
Suspended pair Heath Shaw and Alan Didak have told Collingwood's hierarchy they are determined to remain Magpies, reports The Herald Sun. Both players put themselves at risk by deceiving their teammates and the club on Monday, with Collingwood giving Didak just four weeks to prove he can change his errant ways. While Didak is said to be struggling to come to grips with the latest penalty, he still wants to remain in black and white colours. He signed a two-year deal late last month, but chief executive Gary Pert said yesterday the club would consider trading him after its post-season review. Didak's manager Dan Richardson said yesterday Didak was keen to avoid that scenario. "He has expressed his desire to stay at Collingwood to the guys there (at the Lexus Centre) and he has expressed that to me too," he said last night.
…BUT DUO DOOMED: REPORT
Alan Didak has played his last game for Collingwood and Rhyce Shaw will not play for the club next year but Heath Shaw, the driver of the car which side-swiped several vehicles on Sunday night, is likely to be offered the chance to redeem himself in 2009, according to The Australian. While the club said yesterday decisions on the fate of the trio have not been made, Collingwood president Eddie McGuire, chief executive Gary Pert and the head of football Geoff Walsh effectively agreed, after a series of meetings, to clear the older two out at season's end. On a day Pert described as "embarrassing" and "black" for the Magpies, Didak and Heath Shaw were suspended for the rest of the year for their decision to lie about Didak's presence in Shaw's car when the crash occurred. Didak was also fined $5000 while Shaw, who produced a blood alcohol reading of 0.14, has $10,000 to pay.
MAGPIES FINALLY HAND DOWN STRONG PENALTIES
Collingwood have come down hard on Rhyce Shaw after he admitted he was involved in a heavy bender over the weekend, as well as drinking the night before the club's clash against Hawthorn, reports The Herald Sun. He missed that game because of a bruised buttock. Drinking through injury rehabilitation is heavily frowned upon at AFL clubs. "He has broken the player code and was out drinking since Thursday and on Saturday and Sunday," manager Mark Kleiman said. "That's not acceptable when you are a league footballer these days. It's not the same culture as it once was."
POWER WOULD TAKE DIDAK
Port Adelaide has not ruled out making another play for disgraced Magpie Alan Didak if he is put up for trade at the end of the season, reports The Herald Sun. The Power wanted Didak in return for Nick Stevens in 2003, but talks broke down because Collingwood was reluctant to part with the brilliant forward. With the Magpies' loyalty to Didak now at breaking point, a trade could be back on the agenda at Port Adelaide. "There is no doubt we would be keen to discuss him," Port Adelaide football manager Peter Rohde said last night. "We would certainly discuss anyone who became available like that.
Collingwood denies it has an alcohol culture despite yesterday admitting to the latest in a raft of serious booze-fuelled incidents, reports The Herald Sun. In the past four years Collingwood has almost cornered the market on late-night incidents, with several players being repeat offenders. Sharrod Wellingham, Alan Didak, Ben Johnson, Chris Tarrant, Dane Swan, Heath and Rhyce Shaw and Chad Morrison have been involved in incidents since 2004. Victorian Premier John Brumby yesterday said the club had a culture problem and was amazed the players were drinking so close to September. "I was surprised as a football fan that Collingwood, just a few games from the finals series and right on the edge of the eight - a team that can make the (top) four, a team that can win a Grand Final - that they were all out having more than just an occasional drink," the Premier said. Collingwood chief executive Gary Pert yesterday denied there were cracks in the club's much-vaunted culture.
SHAMED PIES WANT TO STAY…
Suspended pair Heath Shaw and Alan Didak have told Collingwood's hierarchy they are determined to remain Magpies, reports The Herald Sun. Both players put themselves at risk by deceiving their teammates and the club on Monday, with Collingwood giving Didak just four weeks to prove he can change his errant ways. While Didak is said to be struggling to come to grips with the latest penalty, he still wants to remain in black and white colours. He signed a two-year deal late last month, but chief executive Gary Pert said yesterday the club would consider trading him after its post-season review. Didak's manager Dan Richardson said yesterday Didak was keen to avoid that scenario. "He has expressed his desire to stay at Collingwood to the guys there (at the Lexus Centre) and he has expressed that to me too," he said last night.
…BUT DUO DOOMED: REPORT
Alan Didak has played his last game for Collingwood and Rhyce Shaw will not play for the club next year but Heath Shaw, the driver of the car which side-swiped several vehicles on Sunday night, is likely to be offered the chance to redeem himself in 2009, according to The Australian. While the club said yesterday decisions on the fate of the trio have not been made, Collingwood president Eddie McGuire, chief executive Gary Pert and the head of football Geoff Walsh effectively agreed, after a series of meetings, to clear the older two out at season's end. On a day Pert described as "embarrassing" and "black" for the Magpies, Didak and Heath Shaw were suspended for the rest of the year for their decision to lie about Didak's presence in Shaw's car when the crash occurred. Didak was also fined $5000 while Shaw, who produced a blood alcohol reading of 0.14, has $10,000 to pay.
MAGPIES FINALLY HAND DOWN STRONG PENALTIES
Collingwood have come down hard on Rhyce Shaw after he admitted he was involved in a heavy bender over the weekend, as well as drinking the night before the club's clash against Hawthorn, reports The Herald Sun. He missed that game because of a bruised buttock. Drinking through injury rehabilitation is heavily frowned upon at AFL clubs. "He has broken the player code and was out drinking since Thursday and on Saturday and Sunday," manager Mark Kleiman said. "That's not acceptable when you are a league footballer these days. It's not the same culture as it once was."
POWER WOULD TAKE DIDAK
Port Adelaide has not ruled out making another play for disgraced Magpie Alan Didak if he is put up for trade at the end of the season, reports The Herald Sun. The Power wanted Didak in return for Nick Stevens in 2003, but talks broke down because Collingwood was reluctant to part with the brilliant forward. With the Magpies' loyalty to Didak now at breaking point, a trade could be back on the agenda at Port Adelaide. "There is no doubt we would be keen to discuss him," Port Adelaide football manager Peter Rohde said last night. "We would certainly discuss anyone who became available like that.
"We've always tried to keep an eye on the ex-South Australians, especially ones that have talent like he has." Didak grew up as part of the Port Adelaide family, being drafted at pick No. 3 in 2000 from the Power's sibling SANFL club, the Magpies
AFL MUST CLOSE LOOPHOLE
Tribunal chairman David Jones will recommend the AFL introduce a rule specifically to cover dangerous tackles, reports The Herald Sun. Jones' call for the tightening of guidelines came as Geelong defender Darren Milburn had a three-match suspension reduced to one game. Milburn didn't have to utter a word during last night's landmark hearing into his challenge to a charge of rough conduct against Richmond's Shane Edwards in the third quarter of Saturday night's game at Telstra Dome. The All-Australian backman will miss only the game against Melbourne on Friday night after his case exposed an anomaly in the AFL's tribunal guidelines with no specific definition of whether contact is high or to the body. "This case illustrates the needs for the AFL (in the end-of-season review) to introduce a specific offence for conduct of this nature. This has been done with front-on contact and head-high bumps with success," Jones said near the end of the hearing.
LYON FULL OF HOPE
Garry Lyon could not resist the symbolism of Collingwood's woes last night as he heralded the rebirth of his struggling club, reports The Herald Sun. Lyon addressed 170 supporters at a "150 Foundation Heroes" dinner, telling them that they were involved in the most important night in the Melbourne Football Club's history. "The symbolism of today shouldn't be lost on anyone," Lyon said. "I think you will enjoy the fact that whilst tonight is the rebirth of this great footy club, our greatest rival is in disarray. The Collingwood footy club is going down the plughole as the Melbourne footy club re-establishes itself as a power." The dinner was the cornerstone of Melbourne's "Debt Demolition" month. Each attendee paid $1000 for an entry ticket and pledged an additional donation of at least $5000. Legends including Ron Barassi, Hassa Mann, Robbie Flower, Greg Wells, David Neitz, David Schwarz, Peter Moore, Todd Viney and Noel McMahen were present at the function in Kensington. And president Jim Stynes revealed that former president Joseph Gutnick was also back on board. Gutnick could not attend because of another commitment, but has told Stynes he would again support the club. "Joseph is behind the club. You'll start to probably see him around soon," Stynes said. Stynes did not want to speculate, but it appears almost certain that Gutnick will again support the club financially.
ROOS SIGN PETRIE
North Melbourne has continued to lock away its key players for the future, re-signing versatile big man Drew Petrie, reports The Herald Sun. A month after extending the contracts of Michael Firrito, Hamish McIntosh, Brady Rawlings, Corey Jones and Daniel Pratt, the Roos yesterday announced Petrie was on board for another three years. North Melbourne chief executive Eugene Arocca said the club was thrilled to re-sign the 25-year-old.
BENCH ROLE FOR WEST AT BEST
Western Bulldogs midfielder Daniel Giansiracusa says everything must fall into place for injured champion Scott West return, reports The Herald Sun. Giansiracusa yesterday backed West to slot into the Bulldogs' onball brigade for September after he returns from knee soreness via VFL affiliate Williamstown. But Giansiracusa said West will be forced to play a limited role off the bench if he can rescue a season plagued by stress fractures to his knee. A recent arthroscope put back his recovery another round. West, 33, has not played since the Round 6 win against West Coast at Telstra Dome.
Tribunal chairman David Jones will recommend the AFL introduce a rule specifically to cover dangerous tackles, reports The Herald Sun. Jones' call for the tightening of guidelines came as Geelong defender Darren Milburn had a three-match suspension reduced to one game. Milburn didn't have to utter a word during last night's landmark hearing into his challenge to a charge of rough conduct against Richmond's Shane Edwards in the third quarter of Saturday night's game at Telstra Dome. The All-Australian backman will miss only the game against Melbourne on Friday night after his case exposed an anomaly in the AFL's tribunal guidelines with no specific definition of whether contact is high or to the body. "This case illustrates the needs for the AFL (in the end-of-season review) to introduce a specific offence for conduct of this nature. This has been done with front-on contact and head-high bumps with success," Jones said near the end of the hearing.
LYON FULL OF HOPE
Garry Lyon could not resist the symbolism of Collingwood's woes last night as he heralded the rebirth of his struggling club, reports The Herald Sun. Lyon addressed 170 supporters at a "150 Foundation Heroes" dinner, telling them that they were involved in the most important night in the Melbourne Football Club's history. "The symbolism of today shouldn't be lost on anyone," Lyon said. "I think you will enjoy the fact that whilst tonight is the rebirth of this great footy club, our greatest rival is in disarray. The Collingwood footy club is going down the plughole as the Melbourne footy club re-establishes itself as a power." The dinner was the cornerstone of Melbourne's "Debt Demolition" month. Each attendee paid $1000 for an entry ticket and pledged an additional donation of at least $5000. Legends including Ron Barassi, Hassa Mann, Robbie Flower, Greg Wells, David Neitz, David Schwarz, Peter Moore, Todd Viney and Noel McMahen were present at the function in Kensington. And president Jim Stynes revealed that former president Joseph Gutnick was also back on board. Gutnick could not attend because of another commitment, but has told Stynes he would again support the club. "Joseph is behind the club. You'll start to probably see him around soon," Stynes said. Stynes did not want to speculate, but it appears almost certain that Gutnick will again support the club financially.
ROOS SIGN PETRIE
North Melbourne has continued to lock away its key players for the future, re-signing versatile big man Drew Petrie, reports The Herald Sun. A month after extending the contracts of Michael Firrito, Hamish McIntosh, Brady Rawlings, Corey Jones and Daniel Pratt, the Roos yesterday announced Petrie was on board for another three years. North Melbourne chief executive Eugene Arocca said the club was thrilled to re-sign the 25-year-old.
BENCH ROLE FOR WEST AT BEST
Western Bulldogs midfielder Daniel Giansiracusa says everything must fall into place for injured champion Scott West return, reports The Herald Sun. Giansiracusa yesterday backed West to slot into the Bulldogs' onball brigade for September after he returns from knee soreness via VFL affiliate Williamstown. But Giansiracusa said West will be forced to play a limited role off the bench if he can rescue a season plagued by stress fractures to his knee. A recent arthroscope put back his recovery another round. West, 33, has not played since the Round 6 win against West Coast at Telstra Dome.
