AFL players at risk in retirement

RETIRED footy players are among the greatest risk for drug abuse and clubs have been warned to do more to help departing players.

Specialist addiction psychologist Cameron Brown said yesterday the connection between high sensation-seeking athletes and drug and alcohol addicts was brain chemistry.

The theory will be discussed at a meeting of Australian psychologists, academics and healthcare practitioners at Swinburne University today.

"Physical exercise elicits a rise in mid-brain dopamine tone in the same way many drugs like alcohol, methamphetamine and cocaine do," Mr Brown said.

"Both athletes and drug and alcohol addicts may be hyper-stimulated by unique experiences because their brains release more dopamine during these events, leaving them wanting to come back for more.

"We're not saying it's exactly the same but that heavy training and competition could be a coping mechanism and ultimately hiding an underlying illness."

Mr Brown, who specialises in after-care for clients returning from The Cabin Chiang Mai, a leading drug/alcohol rehabilitation centre in Thailand, said just as some people were predisposed to addiction, some athletes might seek the thrill of elite sport and might still seek it once their career ended.

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Cassisi reign could be over at Port

New Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley wants to push his players to be better this pre-season campaign.

Port's Dom Cassisi may not be skipper next year as the club looks to the future. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: Herald Sun

Cassisi can equal former coach Matthew Primus's record of five years captaining the Power next season. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: Herald Sun

DOM Cassisi's four-year reign as Port Adelaide captain could be over, with new coach Ken Hinkley refusing to guarantee he will be skipper next year.

Hinkley declared the race for the Power captaincy wide open, saying he will use the next four months of pre-season training to select his first leadership group.

"It's like every pre-season with every AFL club, you have an existing captain, Dom's that right now, but we'll go through the pre-season and make those (leadership) decisions in February/March," Hinkley said. "I may be a little silly but I think every player gets an opportunity to show over the pre-season that they've got some leadership skills and we look forward to seeing who all those players are."

Cassisi, 30, can next season equal former coach Matthew Primus's record of five years captaining the Power. But he knows he is under pressure to retain the job, with young guns Travis Boak, Brad Ebert, Hamish Hartlett and Jackson Trengove breathing down his neck.

All four have shown strong leadership qualities and Port is understood to be seriously considering a change of on-field leader as it begins a new era under Hinkley.

Boak or Ebert would be the favourites to replace Cassisi, whose best finish as skipper was 10th in 2009 and 2010.

Hinkley said the captaincy decision wouldn't be completely his, with the playing group to also have a big say.

"You certainly love to have the players' involvement and their input as to who are the players they respect the most," he said.

The respected Cassisi wants to captain Port again but has repeatedly said he would happily hand over the position if the club wants to make a change.

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Sheedy: Irishman to replace Izzy

Code-hopper Israel Folau left the Giants. Setanta could replace him as a forward. Source: The Daily Telegraph

COACH Kevin Sheedy has earmarked Setanta O'hAilpin to take the place of departed fellow code-hopper Israel Folau in the GWS Giants team.

Irishman O'hAilpin, 29, suffered a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament knee injury in his first senior game with the Giants in 2012 but recently signed a new one-year contract.

With struggling marquee player Folau returning to rugby league, a role has opened for O'hAilpin who played Gaelic Football and hurling before starting his 81-game AFL career at Carlton.

He can play as a forward and ruckman, but also has the capacity to play down back.

"His (O'hAilpin's) passion is brilliant, you can't beat it," said Sheedy on Monday.

He's one of the most passionate people I've met in AFL. He'll be our replacement for Folau."

O'hAilpin was grateful for the chance but admitted some apprehension.

"I've been fortunate to get another opportunity from the Giants, so hopefully I can repay their faith and have a good season," O'hAilpin told AAP.

"It's a big test for me. They say when people come back from an ACL (injury), it's one of their hardest years."

Sheedy felt he could potentially play both O'hAilpin and Adelaide forward-ruckman Kurt Tippett, who remains a Giants' target.

And he said his many youngsters were about to experience real pressure for the first time in the club's second season of AFL.

"We'll come out of this draft in two weeks with seven players and five of them are going to be in the first 14 picks, so the pressure will be on for selection for the first time," Sheedy said.

He didn't expect GWS to suffer another run of hidings like they did in the middle of the 2012 campaign, but wanted them to significantly reduce their losing margins.

"We'll be extremely competitive and if you did win four games or more, that would be fantastic," Sheedy said.

Meanwhile, Sheedy is looking to extend his time at the fledgling AFL club with a possible director of football role after handing the head coaching reins to Leon Cameron following his second season in charge of the Giants in 2013.

"After I stop coaching, probably I'll be a director of football, in charge of footy basically in certain roles," Sheedy said on Monday.

GWS chief executive David Matthews confirmed the club was planning to discuss a role of that type with Sheedy.

"I'd like to see him linked with the Giants and involved with the Giants for forever and a day, because he's been one of the architects and one of the builders," Matthews said.

"He's just such a positive force, not just around our club, but around Greater Western Sydney generally.

"He's got so much to contribute in football and other areas too so we'll work out something that hopefully satisfies his desire to keep building things beyond 2013."

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Vardy takes Scarlett's No.30 jumper

Nathan Vardy will take Matthew Scarlett's No. 30. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

GEELONG has shown their faith in young big man Nathan Vardy by handing the 11-game player the No.30 jumper worn by triple-premiership defender Matthew Scarlett.

The 21-year-old Vardy, who stands 198cm, battled a hip problem in 2012 and played only two senior games.

Scarlett retired after the 2012 season following a 284-game career that included six All-Australian selections and one best and fairest trophy.

Former North Melbourne ruckman Hamish McIntosh will wear the No.17 jumper following Shannon Byrnes' move to Melbourne, while ex-Demon Jared Rivers will take No.25 after Tom Gillies was delisted.

The Cats have given delisted former ruckman Orren Stephenson's No.23 jumper to ex-Gold Coast midfielder Josh Caddy, according to the geelongcats.com.au website.

Rookie-listed big man Josh Walker will take No.34, as worn by his grandfather Peter Walker in the Cats' 1963 premiership side.

The Cats will give numbers 36 and 40 to their two recruits in the November 22 national draft.

Vardy wore No.36 and retired premiership defender David Wojcinski wore No.40.

ESSENDON pair Ricky Dyson and Brent Prismall remain in limbo as their midfield teammates train at altitude in Colorado.

Dyson and Prismall survived the first list lodgement cut-off, but are in danger of being delisted on Thursday.

With no guarantees on their future, the pair stayed at home as 10 Dons - the leadership group and key midfielders - trained in the US.

The delisted free agency deadline is at 2pm today. So far only one player has been snapped up.

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Goddard talks up Bombers

New Don Brendon Goddard likes his Windy Hill home. George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

BOOM Essendon recruit Brendon Goddard has highlighted their talent as a major reason why he switched AFL clubs.

The 27-year-old was the biggest name in the league's trade period last month, using the new free agency provision to leave St Kilda after 205 games.

Saints coach Scott Watters said at the time that the two-time All-Australian made a decision outside their team-first structure and added it was about money.

But the utility told the Essendon website he saw a lot of upside in the Essendon list.

The Bombers plummeted out of the top eight in the second half of this season to finish 11th.

Pick Me: The next Bombers superstar
 

"I see the talent within the group and where they could go - that's obviously something that did appeal," he said.

"Obviously staying in Melbourne was one thing as well.

"Just the club ... what I can offer the footy club as a footballer and what the footy club can offer me as a person, summing up all that up, I thought Essendon was a really good choice."

It is the first time Goddard has spoken publicly since his high-profile move.

He is in Boulder, Colorado with several of his new team-mates for high-altitude training.

Another factor that enticed Goddard to Essendon is the certainty that he will spend more time in the midfield.

Goddard had more of a utility role at the Saints.

The Bombers badly need more midfield support for captain and Brownlow Medallist Jobe Watson.

"That was something obviously that stood out and was appealing," Goddard said.

"I'd like to play more in the midfield permanently, as an inside 'mid'."

But Goddard stressed that he alone will not be responsible for the Bombers returning to the top eight - it will take the whole team's development.

"By no means am I here to be the saviour," he said.

Goddard said he is also prepared to have a greater leadership role at Essendon.

"I always look forward to that with open arms," he said.

"I don't have trouble with giving feedback and stuff like that.

"I can be quite narky at times, as a lot of people might know.

"At the end of the day, it's all about trying to get better."

He added defence was one area where the Bombers had room for improvement.

Ross Lyon, Watters' predecessor at St Kilda, made defence the focus for Goddard and his old team-mates when they nearly won the premiership in 2009-10.

"All guys get drafted because of their potential with the footy," Goddard said.

"The defensive side of the game is all about your attitude and about training ... and then obviously implementing it in a game.

"With this group, the biggest upside is the defensive side of the game.

"A lot of games are decided by two or three kicks and if you can kick two-five more goals just through turnovers in defence, it's going to go a long way to winning more games and playing in finals."

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Dees' draft relief, but not Crows

Melbourne will escape sanctions at this year's draft, meaning the Demons will keep their cherished fourth overall pick - likely to be hard nut Ollie Wines - as well as father-son selection Jack Viney, already nominated at selection 27. Source: Getty Images

Melbourne coach Mark Neeld looks on during a recent Melbourne training session at Gosch's Paddock. Source: Getty Images

EXCLUSIVE: MELBOURNE has officially dodged a draft bullet and will keep its prized picks in next week's national draft on the Gold Coast.

But Adelaide was last night smacked with a raft of charges over the Kurt Tippett salary cap scandal, and will be hauled before the AFL Commission on Monday.

The besieged Crows could be banned from participating in the next four AFL drafts, with chief executive Steven Trigg and forward Tippett slapped with individual charges alongside former football manager John Reid.

The league's probe into Melbourne's tanking saga is not complete, which means the Demons will not be stripped of critical high selections in next Thursday's national draft.

The Herald Sun understands the Demons were relieved to learn in recent days their picks would remain unscathed because the probe is still weeks from completion.

The league's integrity officers were still speaking with relevant Demons staff even as recently as yesterday.

It means the Demons keep the cherished fourth overall pick in the draft - likely to be hard nut Ollie Wines - as well as father-son selection Jack Viney, already nominated at selection 27.

Melbourne still faces unprecedented penalties but but even if it was charged this week it would need seven days to reply to the AFL's probe, not enough time to strip the club of picks.

There is a growing feeling the league may target individuals guilty of orchestrating the "tanking" that took place, which could see heavy penalty for staffers but less focus on draft sanctions.

The loss of picks this year would have gutted the club given it is in a rebuilding mode, with Wines the perfect building block for coach Mark Neeld and Viney the son of head recruiter Todd Viney.

The Crows have thrown open their books, and after fully cooperating with the league investigation are in effect pleading for mercy from the AFL.

Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson last week admitting to the Herald Sun the Crows expected to be hit hard with sanctions for the next two national drafts.

Adelaide has acknowledged the charges and said it hoped its frank admissions and history of total adherence to the salary cap and AFL rules would be taken into account by the league. 
 

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Pies aim sky high for Utah camp

Collingwood is hoping it can overcome visa complications with Andrew Krakouer so he can participate in their altitude training camp in the US. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

Knee victim Luke Ball Knee is poised to resume full training immediately. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

COLLINGWOOD hopes to send a full complement of players to its December altitude camp, including injured recruit Clinton Young and first-timer Andrew Krakouer.

The Pies begin returning to training tomorrow week.

Young (foot) and Jackson Paine (shoulder reconstruction) will return to full training after Christmas.

 Knee victims Luke Ball and Lachie Keeffe are on track, with Ball set for full training immediately and medical staff optimistic Keeffe will return for Round 1.

Collingwood football manager Geoff Walsh said the Pies hoped Krakouer would receive a visa for the December 4-22 camp in Park City, Utah.

He served 16 months for assault but recently walked the Kokoda Track for charity after receiving clearance to travel to Papua New Guinea. However, he has repeatedly been rebuffed by US authorities.

US immigration laws make it tough for him to be handed a visa.

Walsh said the Pies had pushed the trip back, given senior players did not return until November 28.

"I would think very few will stay behind, we haven't finalised that, but at this stage most if not all are going," he said.

"Young will be rehabbing up until Christmas, and in January we expect him to be up and going.

"The wheels are in motion (for Krakouer's visa) but whether he gets any more of a sympathetic hearing is not in our court."

The Pies have eight live picks in the coming drafts plus four rookie picks.

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Goddard: I'm not going to be saviour

Essendon recruit Brendon Goddard has been quick to temper fans' expectations in an interview on the club's website, claiming development will come from the younger brigade. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

Brothers in arms: Essendon's Brendon Goddard and Jobe Watson are in the United States for altitude training. Source: Herald Sun

BRENDON Goddard said yesterday he wouldn't be the saviour for his new club Essendon.

It's mixing words, for when you ask - and get - $700,000 a season over four years and the promise of playing predominantly midfield, the expectations from wounded Bomber fans are that he should just about walk on water.

God knows the Bombers need a gun midfielder.

Of the 2013 recruits, it will be Goddard and former Magpie turned Demon Chris Dawes who will be heavily scrutinised next season.

It's not all about the money - Dawes is reportedly on a fraction more than $500,000 at Melbourne and, seriously, can you believe it? - but with cash comes expectation of performance.

Goddard finished fourth in St Kilda's best-and-fairest this year in what many believe was only a so-so year for a player who in 2010 was arguably among the top 10 in the competition.

The Saints offered him $600,000 a season over three years to stay. The Dons trumped with $700,000 a season over four years to join them.

He did, and from afar the Saints hardly blinked.

Good player, they said, but not the great player that he was.

Goddard doesn't have to prove himself to the Saints, but certainly does to Essendon.

Does the fire still burn? Is there hunger? The willpower?

The challenge now is to involve himself once again, the belief being that he had become an outside/quarterback type of player instead of the fiercely determined ball hunter of September 2010.

He said all the right words yesterday in an interview with the club's website and, at 27, was smart enough to temper fans' expectations.

But not of the group.

"I'm here obviously to offer a bit," he said. "I'll do my best to win games of footy as well, but I'm not going to be the saviour at all.

"The development will come from the younger guys - that's got the biggest scope.

"Without sounding too big head-ish, I think a lot of people know what they're going to get from myself and Jobe (Watson) and Stants (Brent Stanton) and the older guys."

In Colorado with a group of new teammates, Goddard said he chose Essendon for several reasons.

"I see the talent within the group and where they could go. That's obviously something that did appeal," he said.

"(It's about) what I can offer the footy club as a footballer, and what the footy club can offer me as a person, so summing all that up I thought Essendon was a really good choice."

He said he was expecting to play about 95 per cent as an inside midfielder, that the Bombers could learn from St Kilda's defence under Ross Lyon, and that his trademark demands on the field would not change.

"I don't have trouble with giving feedback and stuff like that, (and) can be quite narky at times as a lot of people might know," he said.

"It's all about trying to get better. They are a younger group, but I always feel I've got something to say and something to offer ... and hopefully the guys will take it on board."

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Appetite for starving opponents

A key defender with good closing speed and whose ability to spoil is Dustin Fletcher-esque.

TANNER Smith gets a buzz starving his man of the ball.

The North Ballarat Rebels defender has routinely frustrated some of the country's top key forwards in the past two years, using his long reach, closing speed and expert aerial judgment to help safeguard the goalmouth.

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Watch highlights of Smith and get our expert analysis in the video player above

Likened to a young Dustin Fletcher, Smith is one of the most selfless shut-down defenders in the draft pool, and will probably find a home in the first 40 selections on Thursday week.

Pick Me: The next Jack Darling is a better kick than Fev

From the Horsham area, the 194cm stopper gets a thrill out of suffocating his opponents in the marking battles and helping set up play for his teammates.

"I definitely love the one-on-one contests. It's such a big part of my game as a key defender," he said.

"When you are playing well and on top of your man, and getting a few kicks as well, you do get a buzz."

The 18-year-old was sent into attack later in the season, showing potential.

He showcased his elite endurance at the draft camp, posting a top-10 result in the 3km time-trial.

Pick Me: The Dogs could land the next Trent Cotchin

Rebels regional manager Phil Partington said the backman was versatile enough to play both ends at AFL level.

"He is very much a team man and a lot of the things he does can go unnoticed, so we sent him forward to try to develop his game and expose him a little bit more," Partington said.

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Power remains unsure about Jurrah

Port coach Ken Hinkley's refusal to discuss the possibility of drafting Liam Jurrah has come just days after football operations manager Peter Rohde said the forward would be invited to train with the club. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

THE Liam Jurrah intrigue continues at Port Adelaide, with coach Ken Hinkley refusing to discuss whether he is interested in bringing the troubled star to Alberton.

Hinkley yesterday revealed he was yet to speak with the former Demon, who wants to reignite his AFL career in SA.

He then played a straight bat to any questions about Jurrah, who must face a court hearing in Alice Springs in March to answer three counts of alleged aggravated assault.

"I'm not going to sit here and talk about who we might and might not get on board," Hinkley said.

"I'm just going to talk to our list management team. They will go through all the players who are available and see what players best suit us.

"Then we'll make some decisions as to whether we should have a look at those players at training and whether they are the ones who we want to add to our list.

"So at the moment it's an open-ended answer from me and I'm not prepared to say `yes, we are going to look at these or those players'. We're just going to get the best players we can."

Hinkley's refusal to discuss the possibility of drafting Jurrah came just days after football operations manager Peter Rohde said the playmaking forward would be invited to train with the Power as it considers selecting him at the December 11 pre-season or rookie drafts.

Rohde said Port wanted to talk to Jurrah about where he saw his football and test him medically before committing.

Hinkley's interview with Jurrah would be a key to throwing him an AFL lifeline, Rohde said.

The Power has declared it would not select 24-year-old Jurrah at the November 22 national draft, where it will use its first three picks - No. 7, 30 and 31 - on the best teenage talent available.

"The typical answer is that we will get the best talent we possibly can," Hinkley said.

"With our early pick there will be a very good player available for us and picks 30 and 31 are going to be really important in rounding out our list."

Rohde said Port would save one spot on its senior list for the pre-season draft, which was likely to be used on an experienced player. Last year it selected former Magpie John McCarthy with the pick.

"We like the idea of having a pre-season draft pick, we've very often had one, we've probably had as many pre-season draft picks as any club and it's served us well over the years," he said.

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