Magpies make defensive changes

Updated October 26, 2012 07:21:39

Collingwood has made changes to its defensive stocks, trading Tom Young to the Bulldogs and grabbing Jordan Russell from Carlton.

Russell was runner-up in the Blues' best and fairest voting in 2010, but had a disappointing 2012 campaign, making just seven appearances.

Magpies recruitment manager Derek Hine is sure the 116-game veteran can prove a valuable asset though.

"The facts are Jordan is only 25 years of age, a top 10 draft pick in his year and a player with attributes you would expect of a high order selection," Hine said.

"He finished top six in Carlton's best and fairest twice and being a versatile type of player he can give us real flexibility through the half-back/wing areas. He is keen to re-establish himself and he was very keen to come to Collingwood. We think we can help Jordan recapture his best and if that happens he will be a very good footballer for us."

Russell takes a spot vacated by Young who was traded to the Bulldogs in exchange for the number 71 pick in the draft that has now been passed on to the Blues.

The 20 year-old defender played seven times for the Magpies in 2012 after making his debut in 2011.

The signing of Young was the second in 24 hours for the Bulldogs who snared midfielder Koby Stevens from West Coast for a second-round pick on Wednesday.

Jason McCartney believes this signals the intentions of the club to build for long-term success at the Kennel.

"We see him as a long-term prospect after he showed really promising signs at Collingwood over the past couple of seasons, particularly with his willingness to take the game on and his cleanness around the contest," McCartney said.

"Along with Koby Stevens, Tom is a person of sound character and is a welcome addition to our list."

In other trade news, Port Adelaide has grabbed defender Lewis Stevenson from West Coast for a fifth-round pick that the Power initially gained from Melbourne for the services of David Rodan.

Rodan, 29, was drafted by Richmond in 2001 and played 65 matches for the Tigers before joining Port ahead of the 2007 campaign, since then he has lifted his career tally to 176.

Stevenson has not made any appearances for the Eagles since 2010.

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, collingwood-3066, west-melbourne-3003, melbourne-3000, carlton-3053, port-adelaide-5015, perth-6000

First posted October 25, 2012 17:15:19

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Sheedy to make up to five changes

Updated April 23, 2012 18:11:10

Greater Western Sydney coach Kevin Sheedy is likely to make up to five changes to the side that recorded a competitive 46-point loss to Adelaide on Saturday.

The defeat was by far the Giants' best performance in the team's debut season, but the four-time premiership coach suggested he will keep rotating young players through the squad in an effort to make sure they all gain experience and remain fresh.

"We'll probably make about five changes this week. Four or five," Sheedy said.

"We'll bring some boys in maybe for their first game and we'll also bring back a couple who were rested this week."

Round two rising star nominee Jeremy Cameron will return, but ex-Carlton utility Setanta o'hAilpin is likely to remain in the reserves.

"We might leave him for the Carlton game," Sheedy said of the 29-year-old who has played two games in the NEAFL after missing the entire pre-season with a badly corked calf.

"It's good to get him through games at the moment and we'll need everyone of these players with experience coming back in the next month.

"Because sooner or later we will rest (Dean) Brogan, Chad Cornes and those sort of boys. They're not going to play all the matches this year."

Jonathon Patton played his first NEAFL game on Saturday after undergoing knee surgery in Sweden in January, but he is lacking match fitness and is unlikely to return until late May at the earliest.

AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, blacktown-2148

First posted April 23, 2012 13:50:04

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Pies make five changes for Port clash

Updated April 19, 2012 22:32:22

Collingwood's early-season dramas have continued with Heath Shaw and Dale Thomas pulling out with hamstring injuries ahead of Saturday's clash with Port Adelaide.

The 13th-placed Magpies (1-2) have made five changes for what looms as a vital game at Docklands.

Shaw and Thomas (both hamstring) have joined Luke Ball (season-ending knee injury) and Ben Reid (quadricep) this week on Collingwood's growing injury list, while back-up ruckman Cameron Wood has been dropped.

Ben Johnson is one of five inclusions, making his return to the senior side following three VFL games after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Simon Buckley, Tom Young, Paul Seedsman and Jackson Paine also come into the side.

Port regain key forward John Butcher from a hamstring injury among three changes.

St Kilda has named an unchanged side for Friday night's Docklands clash with Fremantle, coached by ex-Saints mentor Ross Lyon.

The Dockers have regained niggling midfielder Hayden Ballantyne from suspension and have named Nat Fyfe despite an ongoing shoulder problem.

Carlton has thrown a lifeline to midfielder Brock McLean for Saturday's MCG clash with Essendon. McLean played only 10 games last year.

Dennis Armfield is out with a knee injury.

The Bombers regain Sam Lonergan and Cale Hooker and have included debutant Cory Dell'Olio.

Adelaide has made four changes for Saturday's home game against Greater Western Sydney, including Graham Johncock's omission because of a thigh injury.

The Giants regain former Melbourne skipper James McDonald from suspension.

Brisbane's champion onballer Simon Black has made a comeback after missing just two matches with a fractured hand. The Lions host Gold Coast in the Queensland derby at the Gabba on Saturday night, with Campbell Brown returning to the Suns' lineup.

Ladder leaders West Coast regains Darren Glass, Matthew Priddis and Matthew Rosa for Saturday night's clash with seventh-placed Hawthorn in Perth.

The Hawks have promoted debutant Bradley Hill for Luke Breust (concussion).

Meanwhile, the Cats will be without star onballer James Kelly (groin) for Sunday's game in Geelong against Richmond.

Sydney star Adam Goodes is unavailable for Sunday's game at the SCG against North Melbourne because of suspension.

Suspensions have also hit Melbourne and Western Bulldogs for Sunday's game at the MCG, with Bulldogs defender Brian Lake and Melbourne co-captain Jack Trengove to miss the match.

Melbourne regains 2011 club champion Brent Moloney from a groin injury.

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, collingwood-3066, vic, australia

First posted April 19, 2012 16:41:34

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Claims AFL clubs exaggerating effects of pokie changes

ASHLEY HALL: A leading gambling researcher has dismissed as 'extraordinary' the AFL campaign against the Federal Government's planned restrictions on poker machines.

Senior AFL figures are publicly complaining about the poker machine crackdown, with one even describing it as a "footy tax".

Victorian AFL clubs are estimated to pocket around $30 million annually from poker machines but that pales in comparison to the record $1.25 billion the code's earning from the sale of its broadcast rights for 2012.

Lexi Metherell reports.

LEXI METHERELL: Dr Charles Livingstone of Monash University has done a study of the AFL and poker machine revenue. He says pokies are worth $30 million a year to the Victorian clubs.

That's expected to double from next year, as clubs take advantage of new poker machine arrangements brought in by the former Victorian Labor government.

But even still, he says pokie revenue is a drop in the ocean when compared to the 2012 AFL broadcast rights deal worth $1.25 billion.

CHARLES LIVINGSTONE: If you look at two examples, Essendon and Geelong football clubs, pokies provided 9.5 and 6.5 per cent of their total revenue, respectively. So although it is a lot of money it is not a huge slice of what they earn in any year.

No one knows for sure how much the impact would be but the best estimates, I think, are around 10 to a 15 per cent range.

JAMIE NETTLETON: This is a very vexed issue.

LEXI METHERELL: Jamie Nettleton is a partner with Addison's Lawyers who specialises in gambling law and has represented some clubs.

JAMIE NETTLETON: One needs to look back at what the Productivity Commission said a couple of years ago and whether or not the time limits which have been suggested by the Walker enquiry are in fact achievable for the clubs.

LEXI METHERELL: How is it then that in Western Australia there is a thriving football scene when the only place that poker machines are allowed in that state is in the casino?

JAMIE NETTLETON: It is a different economic model which has grown over time and if that revenue is going to be replicated in New South Wales, it just can't happen overnight.

CHARLES LIVINGSTONE: To claim that pre-commitment is somehow going to scuttle the success of the AFL clubs is beyond belief. It is an extraordinary claim.

LEXI METHERELL: AFL club presidents will meet today to find out how the record broadcast rights earnings will be divvied up.

The poker machine issue will also be on the agenda.

But an AFL spokesman says the code won't use this grand final week to campaign against the Government's proposal.

ASHLEY HALL: Lexi Metherell with that report.

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No Power changes for Blues clash

Expires:Wednesday, August 31, 2011 10:49

Port Adelaide coach Matthew Primus has rewarded the side that broke a five-match losing steak against Richmond in Darwin by naming an unchanged line-up for Sunday's game against Carlton.

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Tags: australian-football-league, sa, adelaide-5000, port-adelaide-5015

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Cats make three changes

Posted June 2, 2011 18:32:00

Unbeaten Geelong has lost patience with out-of-form forwards Cameron Mooney and Tom Hawkins for its clash with the Western Bulldogs this weekend.

Midfielder Paul Chapman is also out with a groin injury as one of three changes for the Cats, who are shooting for a 10th successive victory to start their season.

Mooney, who has been battling a knee complaint, and Hawkins have been misfiring in recent weeks despite the Cats conquering all before them.

The Cats replace them with three key players returning from brief injury lay-offs - ruckman Brad Ottens and defenders Corey Enright and Harry Taylor.

The Bulldogs lose Barry Hall with another ankle injury for the clash on Saturday, and have wielded the axe on underperforming veteran Lindsay Gilbee.

Ryan Hargrave, Nathan Djerrkura and Jarrad Grant return, while emerging tall defender James Mulligan is slated for his debut.

The Dogs have also kept faith with struggling backman Brian Lake.

Collingwood regains ruck-forward Leigh Brown from a calf injury for its grand final rematch with St Kilda on Saturday night at the MCG.

He replaces axed small forward Jarryd Blair.

Brendon Goddard and Sean Dempster have both been named for the Saints.

Essendon has resisted the temptation to rush back skipper Jobe Watson (hamstring) and forward Michael Hurley (foot) for Friday night's MCG clash with Melbourne, and will give them one more week's rest.

The Demons bring in midfielder Tom Scully for his first senior match this season following a preseason knee injury, and Jack Trengove from suspension among five changes.

Giant Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn has also been named for his AFL debut.

Adelaide recalled midfielder Bernie Vince as one of four changes to play North Melbourne on Sunday at Docklands.

Carlton has named midfielder Ed Curnow in its extended squad of 25 for Sunday's away clash with Port Adelaide, while Brock McLean was dropped.

-AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, australia, vic, carlton-3053, collingwood-3066, essendon-3040, footscray-3011, geelong-3220

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Saints set for at least three changes

Posted April 18, 2011 10:00:00

Slumping St Kilda is set to make at least three changes for Thursday night's must-win AFL match against Brisbane at the Gabba.

Raphael Clarke, Ryan Gamble and Brett Peake all played for VFL affiliates Sandringham on Sunday after they were in the team that lost badly to Essendon in round three.

Given there is only a four-day break before the Lions match, those three are highly unlikely to make the 22.

"I think you could read they're under pressure," coach Ross Lyon said on Monday morning.

St Kilda had the bye last weekend and Lyon said their training had been "relatively normal".

Lyon also talked up Justin Koschitzke's chances of returning to the team this week, saying he had trained well.

Off-season ankle surgery means Koschitzke has not played at any level this year.

Lyon was shattered after the heavy round-three loss, speculation publicly that the team could be in a state of full transition.

While he continues to talk tough, he is pleased by how the Saints have reacted to their winless start to the season.

"The guiding principle is going to be that we didn't enjoy round three, that hasn't happened to us for a long time," he said.

"Rounds one and two, they could have gone either way.

"Our real philosophy is going to be playing players who have a real crack and are prepared to give their effort.

"So birth certificates are out the window, we're about an effort and growth mindset."

Lyon added it was far too early to write off the season, even though they only have a draw from three matches.

"We're quite confident we can get up and about," he said.

"It's very premature to be giving away a season at round three, particularly with the capacities we have.

"We're really confident we can get going - what that looks like, I don't know.

"But I'm not talking about wins, I'm talking about effort, endeavour and enthusiasm."

He is pleased with how the players have reacted to the Essendon loss.

"We're certainly working really hard, we're solution-focussed and we've got into action," he said.

"Because we have a strong game plan that's stood up for a while, we've been able to break it down and see where it is breaking down.

"But fundamentally, we've been talking about trying to give our best effort and getting into action.

"Certainly the response from the player group has been fantastic - we're under no illusions, we have a bit of work to do."

- AAP

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