Power dash Jurrah's AFL draft hopes

Updated December 10, 2012 20:55:25

Troubled ex-Melbourne forward Liam Jurrah will not be in the AFL next season after Port Adelaide ruled out punting on him in Tuesday's pre-season or rookie drafts.

Ex-Adelaide star forward Kurt Tippett is set to finally get his wish to join reigning premiers Sydney.

Tippett is the one big fish among the many recycled AFL players set to dominate the off-season's last recruiting opportunity.

But Jurrah faces at least a year in AFL exile.

The 24-year-old, who walked out on the Demons at the end of the 2012 AFL season, is due to face court in Alice Springs next March over assault charges.

He has trained with the Power in recent weeks.

But Port football manager Peter Rohde said injury-related fitness concerns and Jurrah's off-field troubles had put them off drafting him on Tuesday.

The Power have instead offered him a spot with their SANFL club, help with his court battle, assistance regaining fitness and a promise they will consider recruiting him for 2014.

The Swans will not enter the pre-season draft until pick number 11.

But with Greater Western Sydney, who have the top pick, having ruled out taking Tippett - who is suspended for next year's first 11 rounds over a draft and salary cap saga - and no signs of interest elsewhere, the way is clear for Sydney.

GWS plan to re-draft veteran ruckman Dean Brogan and are likely to also extend ex-Carlton key position player Bret Thornton's career.

The Crows will re-draft Nick Joyce, the youngster they de-listed before November's national draft when they were not allowed to cut Tippett.

Andrew Collins (Carlton), Ariel Steinberg (Essendon), Callum Bartlett (Brisbane), Peter Yagmoor (Collingwood), Jesse Crichton (Fremantle), Ben Speight and Cameron Richardson (North Melbourne) are others likely to be welcomed back onto the main or rookie lists of clubs that delisted them.

Collingwood will give veteran ruckman Ben Hudson his fourth AFL home through the rookie draft.

Ex-Geelong ruckman Orren Stephenson could be picked up by Richmond.

Former Geelong and Essendon midfielder Brent Prismall is hoping to join the Western Bulldogs.

He is battling for a spot with VFL player Brett Goodes, the brother of Sydney's Adam.

Other relatives of AFL players hoping for selection include Xavier Richards and Brandon Jack, the brothers of Sydney's Ted and Kieren respectively, who are on the Swans' radar.

Jordon Bourke, the son of former Geelong and Brisbane big man Damien, is seeking a spot with the Lions.

Dayle Garlett, cousin of Carlton's Jeff, is hoping to join Essendon, where he has been training after being overlooked in the national draft because of disciplinary concerns despite being rated one of the nation's most talented youngsters.

AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, adelaide-5000, sa, melbourne-3000, vic, australia

First posted December 10, 2012 20:55:25

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AFL dumps draft countdown

Updated November 07, 2012 18:13:36

The AFL has ditched its top-10 countdown for revealing clubs' national draft choices.

For the past three years, the first 10 draft picks in the league's biggest annual recruiting meeting have been conducted behind closed doors then revealed in reverse order.

But for the November 22 draft on the Gold Coast, picks will be announced in their correct sequence.

The countdown method was designed to add a sense of drama to the event.

But there was little suspense last year, given AFL newcomer Greater Western Sydney had eight of the first 10 picks, including the top five.

And the eventual number one pick, Jonathon Patton, had been widely forecast before the draft.

The Giants have the opening three picks in this year's draft, having been handed the top choice as wooden spooners this year and traded recruiting concessions for the next two selections.

They are expected to take Victorian midfielder Lachie Whitfield at number one.

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, carrara-4211, qld, australia

First posted November 07, 2012 18:13:36

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Midfielders set to dominate AFL draft

Updated November 20, 2012 22:10:51

Talent isn't the only reason midfielders are tipped to flood the early stages of Thursday night's AFL national draft.

In three of the past five years, a ruckman or key forward has filled the number one spot, most recently Greater Western Sydney's Jonathon Patton last year.

It's been a rare year when the top three hasn't included at least one ruckman or tall forward.

But AFL talent manager Kevin Sheehan says this year is set to be different, with many midfielders and a few defenders likely to be among the top picks.

"Midfielders and ruckmen have been the most popular number one choice in the 26-year history to date," Sheehan said on Tuesday.

"But there seems to be a swing away from ruckmen. Maybe it will be the midfielders - Jimmy Toumpas, Lachie Whitfield, Jonathan O'Rourke, Oliver Wines - that might be the ones taken early.

"It might be a push towards the midfield."

Whitfield, a 184cm Victorian described by Sheehan as a running machine with a kick like a "tracer bullet" on both feet, is considered a certainty to go number one to GWS, who have the first three picks.

South Australia's Brodie Grundy is rated the one outstanding ruckman in this year's draft group and likely to go in the first round.

But Sheehan said while the many midfielders expected to be taken early this year would warrant their selection on talent, the changing nature of the game also helped their cause.

"That's probably the way the game's gone," he said.

"The midfielder probably plays in eight or 10 spots on the ground.

"They rotate, they come from half-forward to half-back and run through the midfield roles, they're versatile, so that might be the focus."

A glance through some of the big men picked early in the drafts of the past decade might also help explain the focus on midfielders, with the likes of Jack Watts (number one in 2008), Scott Gumbleton, (number two in 2006) and Tim Walsh, (number four in 2002), failing to meet expectations.

Sheehan said with about 70 newcomers expected to be drafted - not counting the 26 picks clubs plan on using to upgrade rookies to their main lists - there were about 45 youngsters considered certain draftees.

For the remaining 25 or so spots it's wide open, with a field of about 150 contenders.

That means even clubs like St Kilda and Sydney, who have no picks inside the top 20 but several inside the top 50, can expect to get good value.

AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, surfers-paradise-4217, melbourne-3000

First posted November 20, 2012 22:10:51

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Tippett nominates for preseason draft

Updated November 28, 2012 11:54:52

Kurt Tippett has removed himself from the Adelaide players' list and nominated himself for next week's AFL preseason draft.

Tippett, along with members of the Crows management, will face an AFL Commission on Friday on charges of tampering with the draft and breaching the salary cap.

The highly-rated forward, who is tipped to receive a ban at the hearing, is already looking beyond this and preparing for the next stage of his career.

The AFL released a statement explaining that Tippett will be given until Monday, following Friday's hearing, to register his financial terms for the preseason draft.

"Tippett has been given permission by the AFL to have an extension to lodge set financial terms as a Category 1 player for his remuneration with the AFL next week, " the statement said.

The preseason draft takes place on December 11 and the Greater Western Sydney Giants - who have targeted Tippett - have the first pick.

Tippett, who wants to move to the Sydney Swans, will now not be able to join any club as a free agent and is likely to put a large figure on his head in an attempt to dissuade the Giants from selecting him.

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

First posted November 28, 2012 11:49:27

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Giants sitting pretty for draft day

Updated October 09, 2012 16:06:53

Greater Western Sydney will have the first three picks in November's AFL national draft and five of the first 13 after further boosting its stocks in a trade with Melbourne.

The deal delivered Northern Territory speedster Dominic Barry to the Demons and the right to recruit exciting 17-year-old Western Australian power forward Jesse Hogan, along with draft pick number 20 from the Giants.

Melbourne gave up draft picks three and 13 in return, still leaving them with number four, which the club has been trying to use to snare Collingwood pair Chris Dawes and Sharrod Wellingham.

The imposing Hogan, already 195cm and 97.4kg, will have to spend next year in the VFL under rules governing the select group of four 17-year-olds the Giants were able to trade away this year and last.

Barry, who was able to be traded by the Giants under their NT zone concession, has been playing with North Ballarat in the TAC Cup under-18 competition.

The Giants, who already had the number one pick as wooden spooners, picked up the number two choice on Monday in a deal which gave Gold Coast the right to draft 17-year-old Jack Martin.

They also gained the 12th pick from St Kilda as part of a deal to net the Saints 21-year-old key forward Tom Lee.

It means GWS now has picks one, two, three, 12 and 13.

The Giants engineered a similar scenario last year, when they also used recruiting concessions designed to help them gain experienced players from other AFL clubs to instead snare 11 of the first 14 picks in the national draft.

"We are focused on securing the best young talent available to ensure the long-term success of the Giants," GWS list manager Stephen Silvagni said.

"To have five of the first 13 selections, on top of the 11 first-round picks we had last year, puts us in the position to build on an already exciting young list."

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

First posted October 09, 2012 15:56:05

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Fevola and Davis overlooked in draft

Updated December 13, 2011 23:55:32

All-Australians Brendan Fevola and Leon Davis lead the group of AFL players unable to find new clubs through the preseason and rookie drafts.

The AFL careers of the two 30-year-olds effectively came to an end on Tuesday when, as expected, no clubs gave them a last chance.

No rookie draft selections were saved by any clubs for their respective training squads meaning, all 2012 season lists are finalised.

Fevola will now attempt a second sporting career as an NFL punter, while Davis will probably play next season in the WAFL.

"Thanks for all your tweets over the past day or so means a lot. Next phase #lifeafterfootybringiton," Fevola posted on Twitter.

Fevola's AFL future was always bleak once Brisbane sacked the two-time Coleman Medallist earlier this year.

But the sudden end to Davis' senior career is extraordinary, given he made this year's All-Australian team and played for Collingwood in the grand final.

Davis left the Magpies over money and wanted to return to his home state of Western Australia.

He was also prepared to play for Port Adelaide because he has relatives in South Australia.

Instead, the Power plumped for former Collingwood midfielder John McCarthy with their preseason selection pick.

While he had spoken with Port, McCarthy was training with Richmond and wanted to stay in Victoria.

But Port football manager Peter Rohde said McCarthy was happy to join the Power, who went one pick before the Tigers.

"We see him as a player who's just waiting for opportunities," Rohde said.

"Collingwood were keen to keep him, but he really delisted himself with a view to getting some opportunities somewhere else.

"John has certainly indicated to us that he's very happy to come and play for us and that's the key thing."

While Davis missed out on another AFL club, his former Collingwood team-mate Brad Dick will go to West Coast as a rookie selection.

Ex-Magpies coach Mick Malthouse rated Dick highly, but the small forward was delisted after last season following a dreadful run with injuries.

In other features of the two drafts:

Controversial figures Andrew Lovett and Travis Tuck missed out. St Kilda sacked Lovett last year before he had played a game, while Tuck was the first AFL player to be suspended under the league's illicit drugs policy.

Gavin Urquhart will stay at North Melbourne as a rookie. There was speculation he would head to Port in the preseason draft

As expected, Fremantle used its preseason pick on key defender Zac Dawson, reuniting him with his former St Kilda coach Ross Lyon

Greater Western Sydney passed on the opening six preseason draft picks and only recruited Sam Frost with the first pick of the rookie draft.

Former Carlton and Adelaide player Darren Pfeiffer has another AFL chance, courtesy of his rookie selection with Port Adelaide

Gold Coast made former St Kilda utility Andrew McQualter a rookie selection, while Richmond also used the rookie draft to recruit former Melbourne forward Addam Maric.

In the wake of Sudan-born Majak Daw joining North Melbourne two years ago, Western Bulldogs rookie pick Lin Jong is another great multicultural story. Jong has Taiwanese and East Timorese heritage.

AAP

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

First posted December 13, 2011 11:37:46

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Saad stars at AFL draft combine

Updated October 07, 2011 21:46:10

After five years of playing soccer in Egypt, Ahmed Saad returned to Australia as a 16-year-old who had never touched an AFL ball.

Another five years on, he has been one of the stars of this week's AFL draft combine.

Saad won the repeat sprint test in 23.64 seconds, the fourth-best time in combine history.

He turns 22 on Saturday and is trying to break into the AFL after an impressive season for the Northern Bullants in the second-tier VFL competition.

After returning to Australia from Egypt, Saad took up Australian rules because a friend asked him to help make up the numbers in a local team.

"When I lived here (before) obviously I watched a bit of it, but I never touched a footy before then," he said.

"When I was 16, it was pretty much the first time - I couldn't even drop punt at that age.

"I picked it up and just wanted to improve.

"My first year was pretty bad, just getting to know the game, but after that I just kept improving."

Saad kicked an accurate 50.17 this season for the Bullants and won the Fothergill-Round Medal as the VFL's best under-23 player.

"My aim to was to come here and make a name for myself," he said of the four-day combine.

"I've only been playing for five years, so I still have a lot of experience and improvement to do, but I'm willing to take the next step."

Another youngster to take a step in the right direction this week was 18-year-old Bradley Hill, the younger brother of Fremantle's Stephen.

Hill broke the combine beep test record with a score of 16.1.

AFL talent manager Kevin Sheehan pointed out that most footballers do not post that high a score until they have been in the AFL system for several years.

On Friday, Hill and Will Hoskin-Elliott had a duel in the three-kilometre time trial.

They were neck-and-neck until the last lap at Docklands , when Hill pulled ahead to win by a couple of seconds in a speedy nine minutes and 52 seconds.

"I was pushed pretty hard by Elliott and I thought he had me at the end, but I had a little bit left in the tank," Hill said.

"I was saying I was pretty knackered, I had sore legs - I had a watch on, so I was telling him the time, how quick we were going.

"That was probably as quick as I could go."

The four-day combine put 120 of the country's top young players through a series of physical and psychological tests ahead of the November national draft.

Meanwhile, reigning premier Geelong hopes to recruit Jed Bews, the son of former Cats captain Andrew Bews, under the AFL's father-son rule that has served the club so well.

Two stars of last weekend's premiership win, decorated defender Matthew Scarlett and key forward Tom Hawkins, were recruited under the rule, as was dual Cats' premiership player and now Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett.

Midfielder Bews was nominated by the Cats on Friday for Monday's father-son bidding meeting.

The other two players nominated were Tom Mitchell, son of Barry, by Sydney, and Dylan Buckley, son of Jim, by Carlton.

All clubs, other than Greater Western Sydney, can bid at the meeting.

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, australia

First posted October 07, 2011 21:46:10

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