Swans decision making under microscope

Updated September 06, 2012 14:23:37

Sydney midfielder Kieren Jack says his team has learned the hard way what it takes to close out matches in the pressure-cooker atmosphere of a close final quarter.

The Swans were burned by recent losses to fellow top-four sides Collingwood and Hawthorn - games where they led in the fourth quarter and could have easily won had a few things been different.

Jack, who will be in the middle of Saturday's crucial engine-room battle during the qualifying final between the Swans and Adelaide at Football Park, believes his team-mates have addressed what they need to do better at the death.

"Finals are close encounters and sometimes one decision, or a couple of decisions, towards the end of a game can be the difference," Jack said on Thursday.

"So we've certainly spoken about it, and it's probably a good thing that it's happened before the finals, so we can learn from that."

As such, there is no concern from Jack that his side will panic if they are pitched into another thrilling final term this weekend in South Australia.

"I think it's the other way. What we've been able to gain out of those losses is things to improve on," he said.

"So I'm sure if that situation arises, I know the boys will respond in a different manner. It's probably a good thing it's happened to the group, (because) it didn't happen in finals."

Jack expressed confidence the Swans could cover the absence of suspended defender Heath Grundy, although a lot will depend on how they can curb the influence of Crows on-ballers Scott Thompson and Patrick Dangerfield.

"I think your defence relies on your midfield pressure," Jack said.

"Certainly last time we played, their midfield got on top of us a little bit.

"So they were getting some good supply to their forwards - it wasn't good enough from the midfield.

"We've got to work on that and we know that."

AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, sydney-2000, nsw, adelaide-5000, sa, australia

First posted September 06, 2012 14:22:27

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Footy codes hail Optus decision

Luke Pentony

Updated April 27, 2012 14:17:59

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou says the Federal Court's ruling that Optus has breached copyright law in broadcasting near live AFL and NRL matches is a victory for Australian sport.

The full bench of the Federal Court of Appeal granted an appeal this morning launched by the AFL, NRL and Telstra against a previous decision that had allowed Optus to broadcast near live matches on its TV Now service.

The Federal Court ruling, handed down in February, had allowed Optus users to watch AFL and NRL fixtures via video streams on mobile devices as close to two minutes behind the live TV broadcast.

The court had ruled that it was the user, as the subscriber, and not Optus who was responsible for streaming the coverage.

The AFL and NRL appealed the decision, arguing it devalued their broadcast rights details. Telstra also appealed, in light of the fact it paid more than $150 million for the right to stream AFL matches on the internet.

The Federal Court of Appeal stated today it was Optus, as well as the user, who was responsible for the recording of matches and therefore it had breached copyright law.

Demetriou says it is not just the AFL who has walked away as a winner following the Federal Court's decision.

"The decision was unanimous, it was clear-cut," he said.

"It was a relief, not just for the AFL but I'm sure for all sporting codes, who rely heavily on these rights and the revenue which come from these rights, which we all plough back into our codes.

"Whether that [is] through the codes itself, facilities, grassroots programs, development. These are significant revenues, which we all rely on and I think today's decision is certainly a win for all sports in this country."

Demetriou feels the AFL is vindicated by today's decision, although he admits the league had experienced some anxious moments.

"The fact we've had to go through two court cases with considerable expense hasn't been a pleasant time," he said.

"The uncertainty hasn't been pleasant, but we were always confident that this decision would come down today because we believe we were right.

"We believe it protects content holders, we believe the copyright act has now withstood this action by Optus and I think we can all move forward and continue to invest in our codes."

Demetriou says Optus' behaviour was "reprehensible" and he has called on the telecommunications rival to "concentrate on their core business".

"I've said previously that I thought Optus' behaviour was unethical, I thought it was improper, inappropriate," he said.

"They've never engaged with the AFL in relation to our rights. I don't plan in the future that they would and it will be a long time before we speak to Optus."

Demetriou says Optus will have think "very carefully about challenging the decision", suggesting an appeal will prove "costly".

Optus spokeswoman Clare Gill says her organisation may proceed with an appeal to the High Court.

"We have to look at all our options, which will include an appeal," she said.

The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) has also welcomed today's ruling, as it looks to negotiate its next broadcast deal and take advantage of its solid TV ratings.

"We have always believed there was a clear principle in play here: that the sports are entitled to control who shows their events and who profits from those events," ARLC chief executive David Gallop said in a statement.

"Companies should not be able to profit from our content without investing in the sport itself."

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, rugby-league, nrl, australia

First posted April 27, 2012 13:29:06

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Magpie Dawes backs Davis' decision

Updated November 23, 2011 09:21:06

Collingwood key forward Chris Dawes would have felt uncomfortable trying to talk Leon Davis into staying at the AFL club.

While Dawes is disappointed that the two-time All Australian has left the club, he and team-mate Scott Pendlebury said on Tuesday they understood why Davis made the decision.

Davis wants to return to WA for family reasons, but his partner is from Adelaide and he has also spoken to Port Adelaide about his football future.

"I don't think that's really our place to - he has to make that decision for himself," Dawes said when asked if he had tried to talk Davis out of leaving the Magpies.

"There would have been no doubt in his mind how much his team-mates care about him.

"It was a surprise and probably disappointing for me because I really enjoy his company and he's a valuable team-mate.

"But that said, I can completely understand why it's been that way."

It has been a tumultuous few weeks at Collingwood since it lost the grand final to Geelong.

Nathan Buckley has replaced Mick Malthouse as senior coach under the Magpies' succession plan, with Malthouse also leaving the club altogether.

There have been several other changes to the coaching staff and Brad Dick has joined Davis in leaving the club.

Pendlebury returned to preseason training on Monday, having had an extended holiday in Mexico and the United States.

"Last year was a lot of celebration (after the premiership), this year it was get out of town as quick as you can and get away and relax," Pendlebury said.

"But we can't get it back, we've got to move on, we don't want to be stewing over the loss."

Pendlebury is looking forward to working with new midfield coach Robert Harvey, one of the AFL's finest modern onballers.

"Even in the twilight of his career, he was a brilliant player and it's going to be ... a great opportunity to seek him out and find out what made him tick," Pendlebury said.

Dawes is yet to return to full training, having had ankle surgery after the grand final.

The key forward spoke on Tuesday of his frustration late in the season as he struggled for form after recovering from a hand injury.

"I probably didn't realise how tough it would be to overcome," Dawes said.

"I was pretty terrible, especially for the first few weeks I was back.

"It was disappointing and I didn't realise how hard it would be from a physical point of view, but also just emotionally.

"It hit me at the end of the year how much I'd invested in it and how exhausted I really was come the end of the year."

AAP

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

First posted November 15, 2011 20:59:27

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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.

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Tags: wafl, wa, perth-6000

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Government not hopping to footy decision

Updated May 31, 2011 08:47:00

The Tasmanian Government has delayed its decision on AFL matches at Bellerive Oval until next week.

The Premier, Lara Giddings, says Cabinet must take its time on whether to pay $500,000 for two North Melbourne games a year over the next three years.

In a statement, Ms Giddings says Tasmanians need to be assured that all factors in the debate are being considered in the face of the state's tough budget situation.

The AFL says the delay has not jeopardised the plan for North Melbourne to play at Bellerive.

Last week the League warned a decision is needed before the end of this week, because it is already planning next year's roster.

An AFL spokesman says it has already been been notified by the Government about the delay which is unlikely to put the deal in danger.

The plan would cost taxpayers about $500,000 a year for North Melbourne to play two games at Bellerive.

Local councils and business are contributing another $500,000.

Tasmania's two Greens ministers say the spending can not be justified given the budget black hole.

Southern councils can not understand why Cabinet has deferred debate.

The councils and businesses are trying to raise the money for the three-year deal and the delayed decision has councils fuming.

The Brighton Mayor, Tony Foster, says cabinet has had proof for months about the deal's economic benefits.

"It's the bargain of the century, I can not understand what is going on in Cabinet," he said.

Others have welcomed the delay.

The chairman of Launceston's York Park, Robin McKendrick, hopes it is evidence the Government will not support the deal.

"Tasmania just cannot afford to duplicate."

Tags: government-and-politics, the-budget, sport, australian-football-league, programs-and-initiatives, tas, bellerive-7018, melbourne-3000

First posted May 30, 2011 16:45:00

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