Bomber 'embarrassed' over scandal

Mark Thompson says he feels embarrassed by the Essendon drugs scandal. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON assistant coach Mark Thompson says he feels embarrassed to walk in public in light of the drug scandal currently engulfing his club.

As the AFL and Australian Sports Anti Doping Authority continue their investigation in to the club's alleged use of performance enhancing drugs last year, Thompson said the matter was the most serious issue he had ever had to deal with in football.

Thompson said the club's image had "copped a hammering", making life difficult for all players and staff.

"It's been very hard to survive and to live," Thompson said.

"Everywhere you go you feel embarrassed, you think that people are thinking you've done these things that everybody has been saying we're doing.

"To be honest we just have to sit back and wait, and we can't defend ourselves because we're just not allowed to and we understand that, we're part of this process where we want to find the truth out and once the truth comes out we'll deal with the consequences.

"In that regard it's been really difficult."

Thompson told Fox Footy that the past few weeks had been a constant challenge, but admitted he had been impressed with the way the players had handled the situation.

"The players have actually been OK," he said on AFL 360.

"They've been training really well and when we get out on to the grass you sort of forget about what you're doing so in that regard it's OK. But it does come up in your mind when you're not out on the grass.

"You've just got to bring people together and discuss things. It changes every day and in all honesty it's a challenge, but it's a challenge we have to get through because we have to play games of footy and we have to win our respect back to our members, sponsors, the game, everybody."

Speaking for the first time since the drug scandal erupted, Thompson admitted to being "part of the process" that saw suspended high performance manager Dean Robinson to the club.

"I was there. I take responsibility for that for sure."

But he dismissed suggestions his influence at the club is greater than it should be.

"I'm there because of my experience and I try to pass on that knowledge, but in the end there's no point me having that knowledge and experience and having a puppet here and a puppet there and I'm pulling the strings. I'm not the coach, I've got no responsibility.

"If I've got the experience, I'll actually train you to do your role, I can't actually do it for you. So as far as that's concerned, it's only advice."

Thompson, the coach of Geelong when it won the 2007 and 2009 premierships, refused to fan any speculation surrounding Robinson's past involvement with the Cats.

"Again, when all the truth comes out, if there is anything that happened at Geelong well it will come out too," he said.

"At least we know with ASADA it's going to be very, very thorough and they will get to the bottom of it."

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Diesel warning for Cats captain

Geelong skipper Joel Selwood will suffer later in life if he continues to suffer concussions, Greg Williams says. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

DUAL Brownlow medallist Greg Williams, who has revealed his battle with a degenerative brain disease, has described Geelong captain Joel Selwood as a walking time bomb who needs to be protected from himself.

Williams said yesterday the AFL and players' association must take action to protect players such as Selwood and Sydney's Kurt Tippett from the effects of repeated trauma and concussion.

Since revealing his memory loss and need for on-going treatment for a degenerative brain disease, Williams said he had received calls from five or six players from the same era who said they had similar symptoms.

He said Selwood needed help to protect himself from his fearless head-first approach.

"He gets knocked out a couple of times a year and gets stunned that many times that the club has to protect him because he can't protect himself," Williams said.

"He is a champion player and courageous, but he is too courageous for his own good.

"If he keeps getting concussed, it's a huge issue for him in life and they have do to something about it."

Williams said there should be compulsory lay-offs for players if they are diagnosed with concussion.

One of the game's toughest players, Williams supports the removal of the bump but said free kicks for head-high tackles must be awarded even if a player ducks his head.

He also wants stricter concussion tests and asked whether doctors would send their own sons back onto the field after suffering head trauma.

"This isn't about Joel Selwood, it's about every player," Williams said.

"We are 10 years behind the Americans and, although the NFL is a different game, concussion is the same.

"There were a lot of times where I played with concussion and you don't have to be knocked out to suffer from it.

"You can get stunned and you feel crook after the game and during the week and that sort of stuff, but you just keep playing."

During his career with Geelong, Sydney and Carlton, Williams said he had the best vision, reflexes and decision-making, but tests two weeks ago revealed he was now half as good as a group of people who had never played contact sport.

Williams admitted that he would have kept playing even if a doctor told him he shouldn't because he was suffering from concussion.

"Things are a lot different now," he said. "They used to say it was OK to smoke, they used to say it was OK to work with asbestos. It's not OK to get hit in the head."

"There is treatment for it and they can help the damage going forward but if you play again and get knocked out, common sense says your brain is not there to be bashed again."

Williams said Tippett would have serious problems if he was knocked out again this year.

He said it wasn't a player's fault if they had "a glass jaw", while others players might not be knocked out, but it still hurt.

"It's the job of the players association to look after players and they are not looking after them properly," he said.

"They say they have sent someone over to America and they think everything is okay but I'm telling you now it's not.

"Five or six players have rang me and they are suffering the same problems and they don't know what to do," he said. "Now I know what I'm doing and they want the same help as me."

Williams said former players were not getting any help from the AFL or the player association.

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Kemp, Morris recall heavy hits

Dean Kemp quit football early because of fears of the lasting effects of his many concussions. Picture: Joe Sabljak Source: HWT Image Library

NUMBING of the fingers and hands plus diminished eyesight led to West Coast star Dean Kemp retiring from the game prematurely in 2001.

Kemp was 32 and a veteran of 243 games for West Coast when he was forced to retire.

At the time he was concerned for what the future held if he continued being concussed.

"I was concussed seven or eight times. In the end I was getting concussed very easily, with even a body shot leaving me with the same symptoms as a hit to the head," Kemp said yesterday from Western Australia, where he runs the Dean Kemp Football Development and Leadership Program.

"In the end I wore a helmet but it didnt help me at all, not one bit. I started to worry about what I would be like down the track. Will there be side effects when I'm 50 or 60?

"Every now and then I have some little things that happen but I guess for someone who has been hit around the head a lot, Im as good as I could be."

Kemp has no problems with the way he was treated by the Eagles, although he admits "they seem to keep a closer eye on it than when I was playing".

"There is research to say we are going in the right direction. But I would be worried if a youngster got concussed a couple of times. It is something which can affect everyone differently."

MORRIS RECALLS SLOWED REACTIONS

FEW players have been concussed as severely as Hawthorn's Russell Morris was in Round 12 of 1987 at Carrara Oval.

Many well recall the sight of Morris convulsing on the ground after copping an elbow from Brisbane's Jim Edmond.

As Morris lay twitching, the scoreboard operator thought it opportune to run "COP THAT" at a time when the immediate future of Morris was still in doubt.

Morris spent the night in the Southport Hospital before flying home with the team, while Edmond received six weeks suspension for his errant elbow.

"At no stage did I suffer headaches or migrane, it was more vomiting. I missed the next week and then played against Hawthorn out at Waverley," recalled Morris yesterday.

"What I noticed was how much slower my reaction time was. I kept getting caught and by 31 my reactions had really slowed. Was that connected to the hit from Jim? Who knows?"

Morris believes the AFl deserves credit for being proactive in research into head injuries.

"The AFL has been a pioneer in this field and spend plenty to unearth the best technology to measure symptoms in the brain."

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Dons to unleash Daniher on Tigers

Essendon are set to unveil prized youngster Joe Daniher in this weekend's NAB Cup clash against Richmond in Wangaratta

Joe Daniher dominated Essendon's pre-season intra-club match. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

IT may have been a low-key scratch match with just a handful of construction workers watching, but for Essendon fans it could well prove to be the start of something special.

The much-anticipated debut of Joe Daniher did nothing to hose down the hype that has surrounded him for the past 12 months.

In an eye-opening performance on Friday at the club's new training facility at Tullamarine, the 201cm father/son recruit kicked a handful of goals and pulled down a dozen marks at full-forward, opposed mainly by experienced defender Tayte Pears.

He is now likely to be selected for the Bombers' NAB Cup clash with Richmond in Wangaratta on Saturday night."He was impressive," Essendon football operations manager Danny Corcoran said.

"He certainly showed he's not out of place in senior company at all.

"No-one was keeping score but I reckon he kicked five goals.

"That was his first match back and probably because of the extra interchange (for this week's NAB Cup games), he may be a chance to play."

Daniher, who turns 19 next week, had a minor knee operation over the summer, which slowed down his progress in the pre-season.

The tall left-footer has been widely touted as one of the best junior players to emerge from the draft for years.

He was seen as a certain No.1 pick but the Bombers were able to snare the son of Anthony Daniher at No.10 through the father/son rule.

The Bombers will welcome back captain Jobe Watson and defender Ben Howlett for the Richmond game.Key midfielder David Zaharakis (quad) is back to full training but won't play on Saturday.

Jake Melksham (hand) is also another week away.

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Kick some rules into touch forever

THE last-touch, out-of-bounds free kick is gone for another year and it should be good riddance forever.

It is unfair. It contradicts the spirit of the game.

And players, coaches and fans dislike it.

Introduced to help speed up the first round of the NAB Cup, which is played across two 20-minute halves, it is a rule that should never be introduced into the season proper.

It begs the question: Why does it exist other than to quicken play? To have players pinged for running the ball across the line when they have gathered the ball 20cm from the boundary line is ridiculously unfair.

In the Gold Coast-Hawthorn game on Saturday night, a player grabbed the ball mid-air while going across the line and had a free kick paid against him.

The rule was first used in a lightning premiership in 1996 at Waverley Park, when it was howled down.

It disappeared and returned in 2011, and was also considered brutal in its interpretation.

The league has rid the game of absolute last touch - for example, when even dropped marks were paid against a player - and last season revised to last kick, last handball and carried the ball over.

It should disappear forever.

AFL umpires boss Jeff Gieschen said the rule would be reviewed, but refused to indicate whether changes would be introduced if, in fact, the rule survived for next year.

"The rules committee will be meeting after Round 3 of NAB Cup and will look at what had merits, and what may not have worked," Gieschen said yesterday.

He was bullish about the two rules to be introduced to the regular season this year - the separation of the ruckmen and contact below the knees.

"It's early on both of those rules, but contact below the knees creates a safe environment and encourages players to stay on their feet," Gieschen said.

Clearly, the jury is out on front-on contact.

At the weekend several free kicks were paid against players whose sole intention was to attack the ball.

It's a natural instinct in players such as Joel Selwood, Steven Morris and Campbell Brown who want the ball so badly, they throw themselves at ground-ball contests.

The new rule dictates that endeavour will be considered reckless and a free kick paid against the player.

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Mick's boundary riders ahead

Carlton coach Mick Malthouse speaks to his players at halftime in the NAB Cup clash against GWS. Source: Getty Images

CARLTON says it is no Collingwood clone despite the boundary-hugging style of play implemented by coach Mick Malthouse.

Malthouse's preference for a radically different long-kicking style was also evident in the Blues two NAB Cup wins on Sunday.

While playing only two 20-minute halves in the compressed Round 1 format, the Blues were the longest kicking side in the opening round of the pre-season competition. Last season they ranked 17th for long kicks.

Under Malthouse's predecessor Brett Ratten, Carlton often crept around the boundary (ranked sixth for boundary play last year), but the Blues were eclipsed only by West Coast in Round 1 of the NAB Cup for using the boundary.

Malthouse's side went through the corridor just 15 per cent of the time against Sydney and Greater Western Sydney on Sunday.

Carlton forward coach John Barker said yesterday rivals who believed they knew how Carlton would play had another think coming.

He said Malthouse had proved himself a master at staying ahead of football trends and being tactically innovative.

That means the style of play Malthouse used to take Collingwood to the 2010 premiership would not necessarily be copied at Visy Park.

"People said Mick will always coach one-on-one and then (Alastair) Clarkson put a zone in place and Rossy Lyon created the press and squeeze," Barker said.

"Well, Mick took the press to another level, so he went from one-on-one to having (Nick) Maxwell loose in defence, to pressing. He understands better than anyone the need to evolve.

"So I guess you can make judgments about knowing which way Mick will coach at your peril.

"At the end of the day what worked last year or three years ago won't necessarily work this year or next year. has a solid chance of qualifying for the NAB Cup final.

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AFL's new head injury plan

AFLPA chairman Ian Prendergast says the AFL must do everything it can to protect players. Picture: Nicole Garmston Source: Herald Sun

AFL club medical officers will have more detailed guidelines on concussion by the start of the season.

Updated policy for assessing and treating head trauma in the game is to be announced at a conference at Etihad Stadium in three weeks.

The focus on concussion, particularly possible degenerative effects, was emphasised by the plight of dual Brownlow Medallist Greg Williams, who suffers memory loss and mood swings.

"I was very distressed to see what Greg is suffering from," AFL chief medical officer Dr Hugh Seward said.

"It was a surprise to me because the ex-footballers I've encountered haven't been suffering a higher degree of dementia.

"I hope it's not a widespread problem ...  Greg has got to have appropriate investigations and medical assessment to determine what the basis of his problems are. And until all of that's done we can't be definite of the association that has been drawn.

But we're still highly concerned about it."Dr Seward said the new guidelines were being formulated from a concussion conference attended by several AFL representatives in Zurich last November.

"It's a matter of fine-tuning what is already a vigilant approach to managing concussion compared to how things used to be in Greg Williams' era," he said.

The AFLPA is in the early stages of a survey of past players and operations manager Ian Prendergast described Williams' case as "very alarming". 

"Concussion is something we take incredibly seriously and we work closely with the AFL's concussion group to get a handle on as much information as we can to improve our knowledge of the injury and ensure measures are put in place to protect the players from the potential short and long-term impact," Prendergast said.

"It's too early to say what if any long-term effect it has on players who suffered a number of concussions during their careers. But in light of stories like Greg's and research from overseas, we must ensure we're doing every that we possibly can to protect players."

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AFL's concussion headache

Hawthorn premiership ruckman Ian Paton has revealed his mental health battles after suffering head trauma throughout his AFL career. Source: HWT Image Library

HAWTHORN premiership ruckman Ian Paton yesterday joined dual Brownlow medallist Greg Williams in revealing his struggle with mental health since hanging up the boots.

At least five more former AFL stars are taking part in a university study into the long-term affects of head injury and concussion, and it is hoped an entire premierhip team from the 1970s will also be involved.

Williams also said yesterday he had been contacted by "five or six" other former players seeking help.

Paton said he "used to get knocked around a fair bit".

"Greg Williams said he got knocked down about three times - God, I lost count how many times I got knocked down," Paton said.

"A couple of times even at training you got knocked out."

The 1978 and 1983 premiership ruckman revealed he was diagnosed with depression about 15 years ago.

He also has issues with short-term memory and reaction times.

"I've been on medication for that (depression) for years," Paton said.

"You're just feeling down and terrible and withdrawn. I've been to quite a few doctors about it and medication helps a bit - but the minute you go off it you start feeling s---house again.

"There's also moods and a little bit of anger and stuff and you try to keep it under control as best you can."

Asked if his test results from Deakin University helped explain his problems, Paton said: "I'm finding it interesting and I think also my wife is finding it interesting.

"It helps them understand a little bit as well about what can go wrong."

Paton's complete test results will not be known for several weeks, but he said he believed there was a trend of players in his era suffering from mental health issues in later life.

"There is definitely a problem there with ex-players," Paton said.

Williams, who believes he is suffering from symptoms of chronic traumatic encephalopathy - a degenerative brain disease - said he had already been contacted by other former players.

"Five or six players have rang me and they are suffering the same problems and they don't know what to do. Now I know what I'm doing and they want the same help as me," Williams said yesterday.

Former Western Bulldog Matthew Robbins came forward last year, revealing he was diagnosed with severe depression towards the end of his 146-game career.

He suffered several head traumas, including a collision that left him in hospital.

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Rowe in mix for Round 1

Sam Rowe could be in line for selection for Round 1, less than a year after being diagnosed with testicular cancer. Source: Getty Images

FOR cancer survivor Sam Rowe, playing in Carlton colours again on Sunday was enough of a victory.

Now after a polished outing in the NAB Cup, the mature-aged key-position prospect has had the carrot of a Round 1 spot against Richmond dangled in front of him.

Rowe gladdened Carlton hearts with his comeback, kicking two goals against Greater Western Sydney just eight months after chemotherapy to treat testicular cancer.

Carlton kept the faith with the former Sydney rookie, and the 25-year not only kicked goals, he brought the ball to ground for the club's fleet of crumbers.

As Rowe himself said of his prognosis: "I am 100 per cent so it's great to be back playing footy again".

Carlton coach Mick Malthouse described Rowe as "a good story for football" but the ride hasn't finished yet.

He is striving for a Round 1 spot with a raft of talls including Levi Casboult, Jarrad Waite, Shaun Hampson, Robbie Warnock and first-choice ruckman Matthew Kreuzer.

Forward coach Jon Barker said yesterday Rowe's journey back from his cancer had lifted the entire club.

Now he has the chance to cement a spot in a Carlton side crying out for a big strong presence alongside mark-and-lead forward Waite.

"We are most proud of the fact he's fought so hard last year, and the fact he's been able to get back and train and play footy," Barker said.

"He performed well yesterday. It's just a great story. He's out of those guys who is so hard-working. He's had a few fights on his hands in the last 18 months, and he's found a way to get into our side.

"We are hopeful he can keep playing good footy and can put his hand up to be a part of the Round 1 side. We are going to have some challenging decisions to make as we get closer to Round 1.''

The cancer might have rocked Rowe's world, but it has also had some unusual side effects.

The player who arrived at the club with straight dark brown hair now has a mop of curly hair due to the chemotherapy, although he has been told the curls might one day wear off.

Not only is Rowe a popular clubman, he is popular with his attacking teammates, given his predictability in attack.

"He is pretty popular around the club, he has a fair bit to say on the track and provides that energy and spark in spades, and when the ball comes into his area if he doesn't mark it, it comes to ground," Barker says.

"Time in the front half is so important with today's footy with how condensed the game is, so because of his aggression he gives us that second chance if it hits the deck."

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Dangerfield forced to remodel game

ADELAIDE'S raging bull midfielder Patrick Dangerfield is being forced to rethink his instinctive head-over-the-ball game - and not because of the new concerns from repetitive concussions.

Rather, the AFL lawmakers decision to penalise any player who charges head first into an opponent making contact below the knees has compelled Dangerfield to remodel his game.

"I certainly will," Dangerfield said on radio FIVEaa yesterday.

"The rule is not going to change - so we, as players, must adapt to the rules that are implemented for this season.

"If you don't do that, you are going to give away a free kick."

Law 15.4.5 (a) ii was rewritten by the AFL Laws of the Game Committee in the off-season for two reasons.

First, to protect players whose lower legs were being threatened by sliding rivals, as evidenced by Collingwood midfielder Scott Pendlebury missing six weeks last season when his shins were rattled by a rival charging at him head first; and to stop players staging by ducking their heads for head-high free kicks.

Caught in-between are players such as Dangerfield, who instinctively drops his head to work over a loose ball.

"As players, it is going to take a little bit of getting used to because your instinct is to hunt the ball," Dangerfield said.

"Now you have to be aware of who is around you ... and be delicate, I guess, with their legs."

The bonus benefit of less hits to Dangerfield's head may not be guaranteed by the rule change.

His head-down approach had Dangerfield dazzled again - this time by the friendly fire of team-mate Mitch Grigg in Saturday's trial against Fremantle.

But Dangerfield yesterday was dismissive of the latest medical advice that players who suffer serious concussion - as he has - not play football again.

"Most players have experienced concussion - and it is certainly an issue we take seriously at the club," Dangerfield said.

"Players need to be aware if they are pushing too hard after a head knock.

"And at our club we have great faith in how we are cared for by our club doctor Andrew Potter."

Football's difficult debate on concussion is open again after the declarations from Brownlow Medallist Greg Williams that he continues to suffer today from his multiple concussions from his playing career with Geelong, Sydney and Carlton.

ADELAIDE last night formally confirmed lead ruckman Sam Jacobs has extended his contract for three seasons to the end of 2016.

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