Clubs fined for SANFL breaches

Updated December 11, 2012 14:52:25

SANFL clubs West Adelaide and Port Adelaide have been fined for salary cap breaches.

The Bloods have been fined $50,000 and banned from recruiting outside their boundary zone next year, except for the mini-draft.

They exceeded the salary cap by more than $38,000.

Port also was fined $50,000 but will not face recruiting penalties because its salary cap breach was smaller and due to administrative errors.

SANFL executive Chris Davies said the league had sent an important message to clubs.

"That both clubs must now pay $50,000 fines is a reminder of the serious consequences of breaching the salary cap," he said.

"Clubs are fully aware of the regulations and the consequences if found guilty."

Tags: sanfl, sa, adelaide-5000, port-adelaide-5015

First posted December 11, 2012 14:35:27

View the original article here

AFL clubs will be nervous: Crows coach

Updated November 19, 2012 14:57:56

All other AFL clubs will be nervous in the wake of the Kurt Tippett controversy, Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson says.

The Crows and Tippett have been charged by the AFL with salary cap cheating and draft tampering in relation to the key forward's expired contract with the club.

"I probably shouldn't comment on other clubs but I'm sure this is going to make a lot of other clubs nervous, too," Sanderson told reporters on Monday.

"There is a lot of greyness surrounding ASAs (additional services agreements) and how players are paid and stuff so probably the other 17 clubs are just double-checking and ensuring that everything is above board.

"But as far as I know ... Adelaide has been squeaky clean for 22 years and this has been something that they are going to have to work through and we will certainly get through it."

Tippett, the Crows, chief executive Steven Trigg, club football operations manager Phil Harper and his predecessor John Reid have all been charged by the AFL.

An AFL commission hearing, initially scheduled on Monday to hear the charges, was postponed to give the Crows more time to build their defence.

If found guilty, Tippett could be de-registered as a player and the Crows banned from up to four national drafts, as well as fined any amount the AFL determines.

"It's a bit out of my hands, to be honest," Sanderson said of likely future draft penalties.

"As we stand today, really happy to be involved in this year's draft and we'll bring some good young talent in and, until the investigation is completed, I guess we have just got to wait and see."

Tippett became the Crows' highest-paid player on signing a multi-million dollar, three-year contract extension in 2009.

But Adelaide admitted last month they had a once-secret deal, outside the contract, with the ruckman-forward who walked out on the club at the end this season.

The investigation prevented Adelaide trading Tippett, who remains on the club's list until he likely nominates for December's preseason draft.

Sanderson said money was central to Queensland-native Tippett's decision to quit the Crows and request to play for premiers Sydney.

"When Kurt told us he was going to leave and he said it was going to be to Sydney, that - from our point of view - was a bit of a surprise. There was always the talk that he wanted to return home (to Queensland)," Sanderson said.

Sanderson did not raise the Tippett saga with Crows' players when they returned for preseason training on Monday.

"We mentioned this morning to the players that all they can do is do their very best to prepare themselves for a great 2013," he said.

"We didn't really even talk about it - we didn't feel the need to.

"It has been played out pretty heavily in the media obviously but, from our point of view - internally, inside the bubble - things are just business as usual."

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, adelaide-5000, sa, australia

First posted November 19, 2012 14:05:28

View the original article here

For 10 AFL clubs, next season starts now!

By Dan Lonergan

Updated September 04, 2012 17:09:04

It's an exciting time for the 8 clubs participating in the AFL finals series beginning this week as they get to experience what all teams and players strive for - the chance to win a premiership.

For the ten who missed out, some can think what might have been, if they had have won their close matches like St Kilda, Richmond and Essendon or didn't suffer so many injuries to key players like the Bombers and Carlton.

The other six teams were never in the finals race from the start of the season, but the aim would have been to improve.

Brisbane certainly did, winning ten games including narrow victories over West Coast and Adelaide, who will feature in the finals and should play significant roles.

Here's my view on what went wrong with those teams and what they need to be better next season:

St Kilda: They need to find an ability to win close matches and another key defender. Opposition tall forwards destroyed them at times. It was nice to see a more attacking game plan, but it may have had a negative impact on their defensive structures, which had been their strength in previous seasons.

Carlton: What didn't go wrong after three big wins to start the year? Unrealistic high expectations didn't help, but that's the Blues. Injuries to key players and not being able to find adequate replacements also didn't help. Losing to the Gold Coast when they were still a good chance of playing in the finals was a disaster. Can the new coach - likely to be Mick Malthouse - turn them around quickly? Let's hope so, because the natives are restless. They demand immediate success.

Essendon: In a nutshell, injuries killed them. There was lots of criticism aimed at their fitness coach, 'the weapon,' Dean Robinson. Did he prepare them properly? Expect changes to be made in that area. They also need a mature age inside midfielder to help Jobe Watson. They have many key defenders. They should consider trading one of them and for once not be so difficult to deal with during the trade period.

Richmond: The Tigers need to be more consistent, so more maturity is required. They still drop too many games they shouldn't. The Gold Coast game is a classic example. They have one of the best midfields in the comp, but could do with another key defender and forward. Mark Williams will be a great asset as a senior assistant coach to help Damien Hardwick.

Brisbane: They lost 12 months trying to win a premiership, when they were realistically miles away. Their young players have improved dramatically over the past 12 months. They are planning for the post-Simon Black era in the midfield, but need to find some key forwards ready to go when Jonathan Brown decides he's had enough.

Port Adelaide: Another tough year, but they have the building blocks in place in regards to their playing list. They have a tall forward in Jay Schulz, who if he can play a full season could be in contention for the Coleman Medal. The midfield is emerging as well. There's no coach yet and whoever gets the job has a massive task, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Western Bulldogs: Where do you start? One of their worst seasons in recent memory. They suffered ten goal thrashings in nine of their last eleven matches. They were barely competitive. A viable game plan is non-existent. Brendan McCartney is described as an excellent development coach of young players, but none of the young tall forwards have improved. Their list is the worst in the league. This is a club in trouble financially and with a low membership base. It can't afford too many bad years on the field, but the situation looks dire for a while. The coach and the team are underwhelming.

Melbourne: Along with the Bulldogs, the most disappointing side in 2012. The Demons have improved marginally in the second half of the season as they start to buy into new coach, Mark Neeld's game plan, but the rebuild next season will hit its seventh year. That's a career for many players.

Gold Coast: Didn't improve enough putting pressure on coach, Guy McKenna. The only highlights were the form of Gary Ablett and Harley Bennell and the win over Carlton. Next season they must successive matches and record some victories by healthy margins for 2013 to be a relatively successful season. Most of their early draft picks didn't progress enough this year.

Greater Western Sydney: They had a good first season. Their first round draft picks and 17-year-old selections all look promising and how good was Toby Greene in his debut season. Six wins at least is required for 2013 to be seen as a good year, but can they avoid the second year blues which many Suns couldn't.

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, australia

First posted September 04, 2012 17:09:04

View the original article here

AFL and clubs compromise over Territory Thunder

By Kristy O'Brien

Updated December 08, 2011 17:26:39

The AFL NT has reached an interim compromise on the 25-game rule, with Northern Territory Thunder players now allowed to participate in three extra local games and finals.

All seven local AFL clubs came out against the rule last week and urged their players not to sign with Thunder.

The temporary agreement will be in place until a review panel is formed to determine what the best formula will be for the future.

The new agreement means players who participate in the NEAFL season, comprising 18 minor rounds and finals, will be eligible to play at least six games with their clubs and finals.

AFL NT board member Bob Elix says he is happy with the temporary arrangement but still does not support players exhausting themselves by taking part in both contests.

"It is a problem playing football at this pace in this heat and that is why this panel is here," he said.

"We need to know what the players can be expected of them.

"If you want my personal opinion, I think they need about a three-month break from the end of the NEAFL season to, say, the end of December some time.

"Give them a break."

St Mary's Club president Shaun Hardy says the clubs are happy to accept the compromise.

"We are very happy with this outcome," he said.

"We have had some concessions on the number of games.

"Obviously, having our best local talent available to local clubs for only a couple of games is unsustainable, so this is a good outcome."

Tags: australian-football-league, clubs-and-associations, darwin-0800, alice-springs-0870

First posted December 08, 2011 17:26:39

View the original article here

Long, Dawson axed as AFL clubs finalise lists

Updated November 16, 2011 18:55:38

Essendon axed Anthony Long and St Kilda confirmed two delistings as AFL clubs finalised their lists ahead of next week's national draft.

The nephew of Bombers great Michael Long had woeful luck with injuries and did not make his senior debut after the club drafted him two years ago.

St Kilda delisted full-back Zac Dawson, who walked out on the club last week after contract talks broke down.

He could go to Fremantle, where he would reunite with former Saints coach Ross Lyon.

The Saints also cut fellow defender Jason Blake, but they are committed to redrafting him in a plan to ease the pressure on their salary cap.

Expansion team Greater Western Sydney will have the top five picks and nine of the first 11 ahead of their AFL debut next season.

There will be 96 picks in this year's draft and the Giants will have 20 of them.

After GWS, the Saints and the Dockers have the next most picks with seven apiece.

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, st-kilda-3182, essendon-3040, vic, australia

First posted November 16, 2011 18:55:38

View the original article here

Interview with Clubs Australia CEO

Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

View the original article here

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.

View the original article here

AFL clubs await WAFL decision

Expires:Wednesday, August 31, 2011 7:20

The Fremantle Dockers and West Coast Eagles are demanding a response to a proposal to have reserve teams in the WAFL competition.

View Transcript

Tags: wafl, wa, perth-6000

View the original article here