Mullett, new kid on the block

Essendon skipper Jobe Watson ran amok against a below par Melbourne outfit. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

WE have a mullet, not of the Walker or Maric variety, plus an Irishman and dancing prodigy in my latest Team of the Round.

The mullet is North Melbourne defender Aaron Mullett who continues to grow into a senior player with his dash and penetrating kicking.

The Irishman is Brisbane's Pearce Hanley who should end up alongside Jim Stynes and Tadgh Kennelly as the best Irishman to play AFL.

And the dancing prodigy is the fresh-faced  small forward from Collingwood in Jamie "Billy" Elliot, a kid from Euroa who belies his 175cm frame.

A large percentage of the remaining team members came from the usual suspects, players such as Corey Enright, Heath Shaw, Grant Birchall, Nathan Fyfe, Jobe Watson and Cyril Rioli.

If you want to debate this week's team along any lines you feel passionate about, join the live chat with Jon Anderson from 10am.

On a mobile device? Click here for a better viewing experience

B: Corey Enright (Geelong): Just another sublime display from a master of his craft.

Ben Rutten (Adelaide): When it got tough in the going the big truck excelled.

Aaron Mullett: (North Melbourne): The lad from Port Douglas is a low-profile achiever.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 07: Heath Shaw of the Magpies celebrates a goal during the round two AFL match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Carlton Blues at Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 7, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images) Source: Herald Sun

HB: Heath Shaw (Collingwood): Can influence games in so many different ways.

Grant Birchall (Hawthorn): Is there a better 193cm running defender in the game?

Pearce Hanley (Brisbane): Is rapidly becoming one of the finest Irish recruits.

C: Nathan Fyfe (Fremantle): The icing on the Fremantle cake.

Jarrad McVeigh (Sydney): Begun the season in career-best form.

Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide): When you need something special, ask Patrick.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 07: Cyril Rioli and Lance Franklin of the Hawks celebrate a goal during the round two AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the Hawthorn Hawks at Patersons Stadium on April 7, 2013 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

HF: Michael Walters (Fremantle): Since he dropped the kgs, Sun Sun has been a revelation.

Justin Westhoff (Port Adelaide): On his day the beanpole can clunk with the best.

Cyril Rioli (Hawthorn): Big ground, sunny afternoon equals Cyril.

F: Jamie Elliott (Collingwood): Looks like a choir boy with Tatts, plays like a terrier.

Jack Riewoldt (Richmond): Was the difference between winning and losing for the Tiges.

Lindsay Thomas (North Melbourne): Now that he has found his kicking boot, 40-goals plus beckons.

R: Tom Bellchambers (Essendon):  Are we now seeing the maturation of this young talent?

Jobe Watson (Essendon): Yes, it was only Melbourne but you still have to get the ball.

Dyson Heppell (Essendon): The back flanker has become a well-oiled midfielder.

Tom Liberatore tackles Ryan Crowley during the 3rd qtr of the Western Bulldogs vs Fremantle Dockers match at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne. April 6, 2013. Picture: Klein Michael Source: Getty Images

I: Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn): Just keeps on keeping on.

Tom Liberatore (Western Bulldogs): Prolific, accurate, durable and tough.

Reece Conca (Richmond): Needs to string a few together but the signs are positive.

Substitute: Matthew Stokes (Geelong): Extraordinary impact but Adam Schneider is unlucky.

Coach: Alastair Clarkson (Hawthorn): For dominating despite travelling west after a six-day break.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 07: Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson walks the boundary at half time during the round two AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the Hawthorn Hawks at Patersons Stadium on April 7, 2013 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

23.27 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hapless Dees set for $1m loss

Melbourne president Don McLardy and coach Mark Neeld. Source: Herald Sun

MELBOURNE president Don McLardy has conceded the club's woeful start to the season and $500,000 "tanking" fine have the Demons on track for a $1 million loss this year.

But McLardy yesterday labelled suggestions an AFL administrator should take over Melbourne as "fanciful" and "ridiculous".

McLardy said he would accept help from the league, with AFL bosses Andrew Demetriou and Gillon McLachlan making contact with Melbourne officials yesterday.

After four straight profits and with a board of business heavyweights, McLardy said the Demons administration had excelled and rejected calls for chief executive Cameron Schwab to step down.

He said the club would stand by coach Mark Neeld even if the heavy losses continued in the next two rounds against West Coast and Greater Western Sydney.

But McLardy conceded if on-field performances, which he described as unacceptable, did not improve, "we will have to look towards the end of the season at what has happened".

McLardy said the club was united despite a pair of losses totalling 227 points.

Schwab was reappointed in August on a three-year deal, but McLardy said criticism of him was misguided.

"What we saw on the ground on the weekend, you can't link it directly to our CEO and say if we sacked him it would solve our problems," McLardy said.

"The result on the field is unacceptable ... but everyone keeps linking it to Cameron and what has gone on in the past.

"That lacks understanding of what goes on in an AFL footy club," McLardy said.

Demetriou said yesterday he was concerned about Melbourne's performance.

"In a competition where you want every team to be competitive, it's not where we would like them to be and if you're a Melbourne supporter that's most disheartening," Demetriou said.

"Hopefully there's people at the club that understand what needs to be done to turn it around, and any support that we can offer we will. We're only a phone call away. As yet we haven't been asked for any help."

McLardy said he would welcome AFL help.

"If the AFL can help us in any way, absolutely we would seek assistance," he said. "But people keep saying we should get an administrator from the AFL to run our club. It's fanciful. It's ridiculous.

"The people sitting on our board are the CEO of the Bank of Queensland (Stuart Grimshaw); Guy Jalland, who is the legal counsel for James Packer; John Trotter, who is the ex-managing partner of Deloitte; Russell Howcroft, who is effectively running Channel 10; Karen Hayes, who runs the Guide Dogs Association of Victoria; and Peter Spargo, who is a successful businessman.

"And people suggest we should get someone from the AFL to come in and tell us how to run our business."

McLardy said the board had approved the club's list management strategy and accepted responsibility.

"Maybe the issue is the football department and the talent on our playing list and we are just not getting them to perform," he said.

He said the club would not blink even if the defeats continued, but signalled the board's patience with Neeld and company would not last for ever.

"I say look ahead and what happens if we beat West Coast? People will look silly then," McLardy said.

"But I understand we will have to look towards the end of the season at what has happened. Clearly, if we are still performing like this, we have got issues to address.

"I have no problem saying that, but (don't think) we would look at it after Round 2 or Round 4 and say, 'Holy crap, let's sack the CEO, let's sack the coach'. It just won't happen.

"We will be strong. Stability is critical. We just have to turn around what is happening on the ground."
 

23.27 | 0 komentar | Read More

Big Ben's time at Pies

The well-travelled Ben Hudson is ready for his Collingwood debut. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

COLLINGWOOD back-up ruckman Ben Hudson is on standby to replace injured Darren Jolly against Hawthorn on Sunday.

Hudson is vying with younger understudy Jarrod Witts for the No.1 big man role if Jolly is ruled out because of a rib injury.

Jolly escaped bone fractures but has rib cartilage damage from a heavy knock that forced him to go to hospital late in Sunday's game against Carlton.

While the Magpies will monitor the dual premiership ruckman's progress, it's doubtful he will be ready in time to play on Sunday.

The 34-year-old Hudson is favourite to make his debut for his fourth AFL club after a strong performance in the VFL team's win against North Ballarat at Victoria Park on Saturday.

"He's absolutely ready to step up any time when he's needed. He's important for our kids' development, but he's also going to be a great contributor when we need him," Magpies head development coach Craig McRae said yesterday.

It would be another remarkable milestone in Hudson's wandering football career that has taken him to Adelaide, Western Bulldogs and Brisbane Lions - and twice being coaxed out of retirement.

A veteran of 161 games who was recruited primarily to mentor the younger big men, Hudson decided to play again after being picked up by the Magpies in the AFL rookie draft in December.

Solid pre-season form prompted Collingwood to elevate him to the main list as a nominated rookie, along with defender Jack Frost.

He is working with 208cm Witts, who has played in the NAB Cup and is close to getting his senior chance.

Midfielder Dale Thomas is nearly ready to return after his second VFL game following off-season ankle surgery.

Thomas said the club's cautious approach in not rushing his AFL return would benefit him in the long term.

But it has been a frustrating wait and he will be telling coach Nathan Buckley it's been long enough.

"I'll be having a chat with Nathan throughout the week," Thomas said yesterday. "I'll be certainly telling him that if he's happy to pick me, I'll be more than happy to play."

Thomas said Alex Fasolo and Alan Didak, who also played in the VFL on Saturday, would be pressing for senior selection.

But with young small forward Jamie Elliott having starred with a matchwinning five-goal haul against Carlton on Sunday and rookie-list recruit Sam Dwyer also performing well, it will be hard to find players to drop from a winning side.

"It's a good problem to have," Thomas said.

"A lot of the blokes who are coming into the senior team are doing a fantastic job."

With AAP

23.27 | 0 komentar | Read More

What you missed on TV last night

Fox Footy's On the Couch with Gerard Healy, Mike Sheehan and Paul Roos. Source: Supplied

DID you miss last night's AFL television shows? Rewind and catch up here on all of hot topics and big issues discussed.

AFL 360

* Not surprisingly, the state of the Melbourne Football Club was at the top of the agenda - as it was for all football programs last night.

* Herald Sun chief football writer Mark Robinson said there was a disconnect between the coach Mark Neeld and the players. Gerard Whateley disagreed slightly, believing the disconnect was between the players and the club.

* They both agreed the AFL should not step in and overtake the club.

* Essendon senior assistant Mark Thompson admitted he 'felt sorry' for Melbourne when he sat in the coaches box on Saturday night. "I don't think I've ever been involved in a game where you actually do feel sorry for the opposition," he said. "But they just were just lost."

Melbourne leave the field after the massive loss to Essendon. Source: Herald Sun

ON THE COUCH

* FORMER Herald Sun chief football club Mike Sheahan said his hunch was both coach Mark Neeld and chief executive Cameron Schwab will not see out the year.

*  Collingwood star Scott Pendlebury was the guest, who said the players have never been tighter. SEE PENDLEBURY'S FULL COMMENTS HERE.

* The Etihad Stadium roof debate was on the agenda. Paul Roos believed leaving the roof open impacted on North Melbourne coach Brad Scott's strategy and said he had a "legitimate point."

Brad Scott keeps a close eye on the Roos from the coaching box. Picture: Klein Michael Source: Herald Sun

ON THE COUCH

- Former Cat Matthew Scarlett was the guest. He admitted early on he nearly had a punch-up with teammate Steve Johnson - now a close friend - because he believed the mercurial forward played for himself.

-He knew his career was coming to a close when he could not contain himself and was suspended for punching Hayden Ballantyne last year.

-Scarlett believes the club's fortunes finally changed for the better in 2007 when night owls including himself and Cameron Mooney stopped pulling all-night drinking sessions and arriving at training in a poor state.

Matthew Scarlett after being announced as a new recruit for South Barwon Football Club. Picture: Hamish Blair Source: Geelong Advertiser

 FOOTY CLASSIFIED

* Garry Lyon said he will not be the saviour at Mebourne despite their perilous situation. "I can't fix it," he said. Lyon cited time restraints.

* Matthew Lloyd said West Coast premiership coach John Worsfold should be moved on at the end of the year if they don't win this year's premiership.

23.27 | 0 komentar | Read More

Thomas finds his groove

Lindsay Thomas celebrates a goal against Geelong. Source: Herald Sun

NORTH Melbourne forward Lindsay Thomas credits a new set-shot routine and a determination not to play for free kicks for his unlikely status as the Coleman Medal leader.

Thomas's goalkicking was once so erratic he was dropped, but after managing 21.36 in 2011 he rebounded with 38.19 last season.

After bags of 4.1 and 5.1 in the past fortnight he is the AFL's leading goalkicker, even if he would trade all of that for a pair of victories for the winless Roos.

Thomas said he had heeded coach Brad Scott's advice to play the ball, rather than try to milk free kicks.

"It is good to kick a few goals early, but I would rather have a win on the board than lead the Coleman Medal," he said.

"In 2011 it probably got to the point where if I got the footy I would have a million thoughts in my head. Was I going to miss? Will I let my teammates down? It got to the point where I didn't want the footy in my hands.

"Now I have got a set-shot routine and the key is to stay relaxed.

"It's a funny thing when you have confidence. I have worked my backside off for the last 12 months and worked hard on my fitness, but I am not getting carried away yet."

Thomas said he had simplified his approach to football.

"I probably did play for frees, but we have end-of-year meetings and Brad sat me down and said I am a better player than that.

"He said, 'You are a damaging player when you keep your feet'. I have worked on that and getting stronger through my legs and core, and I just try to keep my feet as much as possible to stay in the contest."

North is 0-2 after coughing up a 41-point lead against Geelong, but Thomas said the signs from Sunday's game are encouraging ahead of the clash with Sydney in Hobart on Saturday.

"It's only Round 2. We are not going to push the panic button any time soon," he said.

Thomas was cleared by the match review panel over a shepherd that left Collingwood's Ben Reid concussed in Round 1, and said yesterday he was determined not to change his style.

"I have put that to rest and moved on quickly. But I am pretty confident with what the rules say. It won't change the way I go about my footy."
 

23.27 | 0 komentar | Read More

In a galaxy far, far away

Remember this? Jordan Gysberts back when he was with Melbourne. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Herald Sun

ENOUGH top-10 draft picks have sunk without a trace to prove it is not the ideal measure of a club's talent.

Rising Star nominations are another imperfect science but they provide a fascinating insight into a club's talent base and list-management strategy.

Think Jordan Gysberts, good enough to rack up two Rising Star nominations in his first 11 games after standout performances for Melbourne against Geelong in 2010 (26 touches on debut), and Essendon (30 possessions) in 2011.

Yet Gysberts is a symbol of Melbourne's diabolical position, another player who franked his junior talent with early promise but is now either delisted or at another club.

The list of Rising Star nominations from all clubs in the past six seasons makes interesting reading.
Melbourne, with 12 top-20 picks since the 2006 national draft, when its rebuild began, has had clearly the most nominees in that period - 14 from 12 players (Sam Blease has also received two nominations).

Of those 12 players, half of them have left the club.

Ricky Petterd is rejuvenated at Richmond, Cale Morton is at West Coast, Liam Jurrah and Austin Wonaeamirri are gone, Gysberts is at North Melbourne and Tom Scully took the cash at Greater Western Sydney.

What happened given Morton, Petterd, Gysberts and Scully were considered the building blocks of the team of the coming decade?

They were sucked into the vortex of poor development, bad culture and poaching by expansion clubs, with all but Scully turfed in the off-season by Mark Neeld.

Think five years is not representative? Go back six seasons, and Melbourne has had a competition-high 15 players nominated, with just seven remaining.

One of its players won the Rising Star - Jared Rivers in 2004 - but he left for Geelong as a free agent in the summer for almost no compensation.

Melbourne can try all it likes, and it might drag the margin back under 100 points every second week.

But the stark reality is that the Demons' list does not have enough talent to compete, especially when the high draft picks remaining are performing like Jack Watts and Jack Trengove.

Now consider which clubs Melbourne is up against as it seeks to rebuild - sides such as GWS, which amassed eight nominations last year and has poached four Rising Star nominees in Callan Ward, 2008 winner Rhys Palmer, Phil Davis and Scully.

Or sides such as Collingwood, which has played finals for the past seven years and has 10 nominees in the past six seasons (eight remain), with more exciting recruits already on show this year.

At the other end of the spectrum, St Kilda has managed just four nominations from 2007, underlining Ross Lyon's unwillingness to play youngsters and its list-management failings.

Of the 24 players put on to the senior list between 2008-10, only five Saints remain.

Yet at least its senior players keep performing.

Melbourne is at rock bottom, with non-competitive players, a list with little talent, and a coach desperately trying to dig himself out of the hole the club has created.
 

23.27 | 0 komentar | Read More

Shocker of an effort

Melbourne leave the field after the massive loss to Essendon. Source: Herald Sun

Cartoon by David 'Macca' McArthur. Source: Herald Sun

EVEN at first glance it blows the mind.

How does a football side have 190 fewer disposals, 44 fewer contested possessions and still lay 26 fewer tackles?

Hint: The answer comes in red and blue.

But the latest disastrous numbers to emerge from Melbourne's hellish Saturday night against Essendon tell only half the story.

A deeper examination of the 148-point humiliation reveals something far more alarming - the Demons applied the least amount of pressure of any side in a match for more than two years.

With plain, old tackle numbers not always a true reflection of a team's defensive intent, Champion Data created the pressure factor in 2011 to better gauge the average amount of pressure applied on opposition disposals.

With Essendon monopolising possession, Melbourne applied physical pressure just 64 times - the least in the competition.

Teenager Jack Viney, playing only his second game, was responsible for a team-high eight of the 64. Another kid, Jimmy Toumpas, had six. What does that say?

The Demons physically hit the Bombers only 13.9 per cent of the time - 4.2 per cent less than any other club and 15.6 per cent less than pressure maniacs Fremantle.

It was a cakewalk.

Jobe Watson, Brendon Goddard and co. strolled around for 229 "no pressure disposals" - 53 more than any other club for the round. Nearly half of Essendon's 452 possessions came under zero pressure.

Paul Roos, whose Sydney sides were renowned for defensive discipline, said he believed most Demons did not have the appetite to get their hands dirty.

"There's effort and there's maximum effort and I talked about this a lot with our players. I don't think any player goes out there and doesn't give effort, but what you don't see with Melbourne is maximum effort and that's what those stats show," Roos said.

"Maximum effort is working both ways. Players coming into the game now, the majority can find the ball and they know where to go to get it, but do they want to work and stop someone else from getting it?

"Not many want to do that initially. You have to teach them. Everyone wants to run and get the ball and it's fun and part of the game and it's what we loved as a kid, but the not-so-sexy part is tackling, spreading, running and picking someone up.

"I think Melbourne players give effort, but they don't give maximum effort.

Probably some of them don't have a clue what maximum effort is."
 

23.27 | 0 komentar | Read More

I won't save them: Lyon

Garry Lyon says he doesn't have time to help Melbourne. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

REVERED Melbourne identity Garry Lyon has revealed he will not step in and help fix the Demons, saying he does not have the time.

As the club was being annihilated by Essendon at the MCG on Saturday night, Lyon has revealed his phone was buzzing with Melbourne people urging him to step up and help stop the rot.

But Lyon, who helped appoint embattled coach Mark Neeld, last night declared that would not be happening.

"My phone didn't stop the whole night during from Melbourne people - former players, supporters saying 'do something,'" he said on Channel Nine.

"Well, it is time for someone else to do something.

"I can't do it - circumstances don't allow me to do it professionally.

"And it is not something I am involved or interested in doing."

The former Melbourne great, who was a close friend of the late Jim Stynes, said it was not the time for Melbourne to panic.

"He's (Neeld) under enormous pressure...I can't sit back and watch what unfolds on the weekend and not question myself or where they are at as a football club," he said.

"But what I'm not going to do is on the back of a season and two games, go back on the process and all the reasons we appointed Mark and say they're not right."

Lyon backed the current football department to get the club out of this hole.

"Greg Healy is the footy director and I have great faith in Greg," he said.

"He's a good operator, I have faith in Neil Craig.

"Any other help that can come Melbourne's way, whether it be from the AFL, then I would support it."
 

23.27 | 0 komentar | Read More

I like the sunshine: Demetriou

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou says he likes the sunshine at Etihad Stadium. Source: Herald Sun

THE Etihad Stadium roof will remain open when fair weather is forecast, despite calls for it to be closed for all AFL matches.

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou said yesterday he liked a "bit of sunshine".

His comments follow calls by Chris and Brad Scott for the roof to be closed for all fixtures.

Following Geelong's win over North Melbourne on Sunday, the Scotts said an open roof was bad for players and supporters in both fair and foul conditions.

But Demetriou yesterday made light of the coaches' complaints.

"It's going to be open. It's open during the day if it's not raining," he said.

"It's not that bad - a little bit of rain. We had a bit of rain at the MCG and we didn't have a roof. I wouldn't worry about it.

"I love Brad and Chris; they are fantastic for the game. They are both great coaches. It was remarkable to see two twins coaching against each other in what was a remarkable game.

"But I like a bit of open sunshine."

The practice for AFL games at Docklands is that the roof can not be moved once people are inside the venue.
Neither the AFL nor Etihad would explain why it could not be closed mid-game.

"It's the policy that's been agreed by us and the AFL,"

Etihad Stadium spokesman Bill Lane said.

"It needs to be understood it's a large piece of machinery, it's not a play toy.

"If the AFL wants to come to us and have a chat to us about the policy, (we're) more than happy to do so."

AFL spokesman Patrick Keane said: "We have always been told a decision had to be made (about closing the roof) before spectators were in the venue. That's not our call."

The AFL makes the decision before a match on whether the roof is open or closed. If rain is forecast, it is closed. It's shut for night games because of dew.

The AFL said Brad Scott would not be asked to explain his outburst at an AFL match-day official on Sunday, but the football operations department would talk to the North Melbourne coach.

Last September Scott was handed a suspended $5000 fine for comments made to Greater Western Sydney player James McDonald.

Earlier in 2012 Scott received a warning over an approach to umpires.
 

23.27 | 0 komentar | Read More

Off-season headlines steel Pies

Scott Pendlebury kicks the sealer against Carlton. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

Jordan Russell and Collingwood skipper Nick Maxwell. Source: Herald Sun

COLLINGWOOD superstar Scott Pendlebury says the club's off-season poor behaviour headlines has tightened the Magpies like never before.

Leading Teams boss Ray McLean, who is credited with honing Sydney's "Bloods" culture, was called upon by Pies coach Nathan Buckley over the off-season to help arrest slipping standards.

Leading Teams centres on brutally honest feedback between the playing group and Pendlebury said it had worked at Collingwood, who are undefeated after two rounds.

"I think (the off-season innuendo) that is where we bonded and got closer together as a group," he said on Fox Footy's On the Couch last night.

"With Ray and Leading Teams, we aired it as a group.

"We asked each other what we thought about it.

"We said 'let's stick together and get through this together.'

"And we agreed if guys do need support, come and talk to us.

"I think we have remained pretty close from that."

Pendlebury said he was a fan of Leadings Teams and identified teammate Jarryd Blair as one who player who had thrived under the program.

"With meetings, it used to be the same voices always talking," he said.

"Blairy stood up in meetings and had a say.

"His first two rounds, and on the weekend in particular, he won some crucial 50-50 balls."

Pendlebury kicked the final goal on Sunday to seal Collingwood's dramatic victory over Carlton on Sunday, delivering coach Nathan Buckley a win over his former mentor Mick Malthouse.

The Norm Smith Medallist last night rubbished the Malthouse camp's suggestion that the former Magpies coach hosed down a player revolt in 2011 that wanted to keep him as coach.

"The petition is completely untrue," he said.

Pendlebury used his Herald Sun column on Sunday to reveal the players had begun to get a bit comfortable under Malthouse.

23.27 | 0 komentar | Read More