Scarlett confirms end of career

Updated September 13, 2012 15:38:44

Geelong defender Matthew Scarlett has confirmed his retirement.

The triple-premiership player told coaching staff midway through the year that 2012 would be his final season.

Scarlett played 284 matches over 15 seasons with the Cats and his final appearance came in Geelong's 16-point loss to Fremantle in last Saturday's elimination final.

"I have decided that the 2012 season will be my last with Geelong and as an AFL player," Scarlett said.

"I have enjoyed a wonderful time with the club and am proud to have shared this with so many great team mates.

"Obviously the premierships stand out as highlights, but they would not have been possible unless we all worked together along the way. I am confident that this will continue in the future with all of the young players that have joined the club in recent years.

"I have also been lucky to have had many great coaches over the past 15 years. They have all made an impact on me as a player.

"I would like to give particular thanks to Chris Scott, Mark Thompson and Brendan McCartney for what they have done for me and the club during their time here. They were the most influential coaches in my career and I will always be grateful for that."

Rated as one of the game's best full-backs, Scarlett was a six-time All-Australian, receiving the honour in each year the Cats won the flag in 2007, 2009 and 2011.

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, geelong-3220

First posted September 13, 2012 15:29:17

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Carlton confirms Malthouse as coach

Updated September 11, 2012 15:36:41

Mick Malthouse has been appointed as Carlton's new coach after signing a three-year deal to take charge of the Blues.

The three-time premiership coach was unveiled as the Blues mentor at a media conference on Tuesday.

He replaces Brett Ratten, who was sacked last month after the Blues failed to qualify for the finals.

"It does give me a great sense of honour to be given the opportunity to coach this famous club," Malthouse said.

"I just see it as an extension of life, to be able to stay in the game of football and more importantly ... to be offered the coaching job and be part of this football club."

Malthouse, who has denied any involvement in Ratten's dismissal, will commence his new role on November 1.

He stepped down as Collingwood coach in 2011 after a 38-point grand final defeat to Geelong.

And the 59-year-old says he had no contact with Carlton until after Ratten's departure was confirmed.

"There are going to be those naysayers who say it happened previous to that," Malthouse said.

He insists the first contact he had with the Blues was a meeting with club officials eight days ago.

An early matter for Malthouse's reign will be whether the Blues recruit out-of-contract Magpies key forward Travis Cloke.

Asked if he would go after Cloke, Malthouse replied: "absolutely".

Cloke played under Malthouse at the Magpies after making his senior debut in 2005.

Malthouse is set to overtake Collingwood legend Jock McHale's record of 714 matches as a senior coach.

He is on 664 matches after his stints at the Bulldogs, West Coast and the Magpies.

The Blues have not confirmed who will assist Malthouse in 2013, saying the decision will be made internally at a later date.

Assistant coaches Mark Riley, Paul Williams and Alan Richardson are believed to be at risk of losing their jobs.

Blues president Stephen Kernahan admits "there could be a change" in the assistant coaching ranks.

Meanwhile, Malthouse paid tribute to late Port Adelaide midfielder John McCarthy, who fell to his death on an end of season trip to Las Vegas last weekend.

Malthouse coached McCarthy during their time together at the Magpies.

"It does put things in perspective," Malthouse said.

"It's one of those moments when we come to realise that being an AFL footballer doesn't make you immune to tragedies."

ABC/AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, carlton-3053, vic, australia

First posted September 11, 2012 10:09:28

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Coroner confirms AFL player McCarthy fell from rooftop

By North America correspondent Craig McMurtrie and staff

Updated September 11, 2012 17:44:50

The Las Vegas coroner investigating the death of AFL player John McCarthy says the Port Adelaide midfielder fell more than nine metres from the rooftop of a casino property.

Clark County coroner Mike Murphy has confirmed to the ABC that the 22-year-old Australian was found at 5:37am (local time) on Sunday and was pronounced dead less than an hour later at a hospital trauma centre.

McCarthy's body has been formally identified by a family representative.

Mr Murphy says McCarthy's death is still under investigation, but it appears he fell just over 9.1m from the rooftop of a building at a famous hotel and casino, The Flamingo.

An autopsy has been carried out, but Mr Murphy says toxicology tests may take weeks.

Authorities say there are no suspicious circumstances.

Police are interviewing witnesses and reviewing security camera footage and are expected to release more information shortly.

Jose Hernandez from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department says the Violent Crimes Section has been called in to investigate.

"It's very common for that unit to investigate incidents like this," he told ABC News Breakfast.

"Of course, everything is being looked into.

"Obviously we don't know what the circumstances are, however, our investigation is ongoing and we hope to have some answers very soon.

"I'm not sure who or how many witnesses we have, and unfortunately that's all part of the investigation, so any witnesses or anyone who may have information, our detectives will begin to get in touch with those they haven't got in touch with already."

McCarthy was travelling with 10 team-mates - Travis Boak, Matthew Broadbent, Alipate Carlile, Brett Ebert, Hamish Hartlett, Tom Logan, Andrew Moore, Paul Stewart, Jackson Trengove and Justin Westhoff - on an end-of-season trip.

McCarthy became separated from the group shortly before his death.

None of the players were staying at The Flamingo.

Port Adelaide Football Club chief executive Keith Thomas said he had to inform them over the phone about McCarthy's death.

"It was a great shock, very emotional and they are making arrangements to come back now," he said.

Port Adelaide general manager Peter Rohde is due in Las Vegas along with McCarthy's girlfriend and sister.

McCarthy's name was withheld until Monday afternoon so his family members could be informed of the tragedy.

Thomas said the main delay was trying to inform McCarthy's brother, Matt, who was also holidaying overseas.

McCarthy played 39 AFL games, including 18 for Collingwood, after being drafted in 2007.

He was delisted by the Magpies after the 2011 season before being drafted by Port Adelaide in the 2012 preseason draft.

The hard-running midfielder became a regular at Port Adelaide, playing 21 games for the Power in the 2012 season.

"John was a very popular player and embraced the club as we embraced him," Thomas said.

"He came into our footy club looking to reignite his career.

"He started like a bomb, looked fantastic and we had great hopes for him."

Several Port Adelaide players and staff were told of the news at the club's headquarters at Alberton.

Port Adelaide best and fairest winner Kane Cornes tweeted after the announcement.

"Hug your kids and tell your family you love them. We've just lost the nicest guy and best teammate you could ever ask for. Too sad."

Former Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse, who mentored McCarthy at the Magpies, spoke about the vulnerability of elite footballers.

"It is one of those moments that we come to realise that being an AFL footballer does not give you an immunity to tragedy,'' Malthouse said.

Malthouse, who today was announced as the new Carlton coach, recalled watching McCarthy in the stands as he battled his way back from injury to return to the top grade.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou described McCarthy's death as a "profound tragedy" and extended his sympathies on behalf of the football family.

"He was on an upward path," Demetriou said.

"And by all accounts, I think his career was at the early stages of taking off."

The AFL has announced a minute's silence will be observed before both of its finals matches this weekend.

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, police, united-states, port-adelaide-5015, sa, australia

First posted September 11, 2012 06:46:55

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Davis confirms Collingwood departure

Updated November 02, 2011 10:14:57

Collingwood have confirmed veteran Leon Davis' departure from the AFL club amid speculation he is keen to continue his playing career in Western Australia.

The 30-year-old, who played 225 games for the club, enjoyed a stellar season in 2011 after switching from the forward line to defence, culminating in a grand final appearance and All-Australian selection.

However, Davis - who was drafted by the Magpies from WAFL club Perth in 1999 - says the lure of returning to his home state to be closer to family and friends persuaded him to leave Melbourne after 12 seasons with the Magpies.

Davis reportedly met with officials from WAFL club Peel Thunder last week, while Swan Districts are also said to be interested in signing him.

"I definitely enjoyed my 12 years at Collingwood. I'm proud of what I achieved and it's sad to be leaving, but I'm looking forward to the next phase of my life," Davis said.

"There were plenty of highs and some lows, but the highs certainly outweighed the lows, and hopefully my family, friends, coaches, team-mates and supporters have been proud of what I've been able to achieve. It's been an incredible ride."

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, collingwood-3066, vic, perth-6000, wa, australia

First posted October 31, 2011 12:49:20

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