Demons swoop on Craig

Updated September 29, 2011 14:36:51

Melbourne has landed another big fish for 2012, recruiting former Adelaide coach Neil Craig as director of sports performance.

According to a club statement, Craig's role will be to "provide leadership, strategic direction and management support across all aspects of the football department" and he will be answerable to chief executive officer Cameron Schwab.

Craig, who was Adelaide's fitness coach during its premiership years of 1997 and 1998, was head coach for seven yearns until his resignation in July.

The 55-year-old's experience in sports science and coaching led to several clubs showing interest in his services, including Brisbane and Richmond.

"I am convinced through my dialogue with Cameron Schwab, (football director) Garry Lyon and the board, that the Melbourne Football Club is serious about becoming a high-performance football club," Craig said in the statement.

"I love the history of the Melbourne Football Club.

"When I walk through the MCG and look at the honor boards, I see that the Melbourne Football Club started this game, wrote the rules and have produced some all-time great coaches."

The Demons have already recruited former Collingwood midfield coach Neeld as their new senior coach and fitness guru Dave Misson has crossed to Melbourne from St Kilda.

Todd Viney, who took over from the sacked Dean Bailey as caretaker coach during the season, will stay with the club as player development and strategy general manager.

"In Mark Neeld I see a coach that has a clear vision and I wanted to be part of this coaching group that will work really hard to give the members and supporters what they have been craving for," Craig said.

Neeld praised Craig's appointment.

"I have said from the outset that we must demand to have the very best people at this club and the prospect of Neil Craig in this role was a big enticement in my decision to take the senior coaching role at Melbourne," he said.

The Crows said they supported Craig's move.

"It's the right decision for both parties and follows much discussion with Neil about what's best for him, and what would or wouldn't work at our club as an immediate, past senior coach," Crows chief executive officer Steven Trigg said in a statement.

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

First posted September 29, 2011 14:28:06

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AFL grand final returns to September

Updated October 19, 2011 17:02:26

The AFL grand final will return to the last Saturday in September next year, while a three-week bye period will also be factored into the 2012 fixture.

The expanded 18-team competition featuring Greater Western Sydney will have a 23-round season in 2012, with three multi-bye rounds of six games in rounds 11, 12, and 13.

Six teams will have a bye in each of those rounds.

The grand final will be played on September 29 at the MCG.

The AFL says it will release next year's full fixtures on October 28.

AAP

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

First posted October 19, 2011 17:02:26

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Adams re-signs with Kangaroos

Updated October 11, 2011 19:48:58

North Melbourne utility Leigh Adams has capped a successful AFL season by signing a three-year deal with the club.

Adams finished fourth in the Kangaroos' best and fairest voting.

He played mainly across half-forward this year, but also went into the midfield and averaged just under 20 disposals a game.

"He is fast becoming one of our most consistent players," North football manager Donald McDonald told the club website.

"It is a credit to Leigh that he has overcome many injury setbacks to become the player he is today."

The 23-year-old also was third in last year's club best and fairest count and has played 44 senior games since his 2007 senior debut.

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, north-melbourne-3051, vic, australia

First posted October 11, 2011 19:48:58

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AFL sets new player payments figure

Updated October 10, 2011 19:01:53

The AFL Commission has set a Total Player Payments (TPP) figure for the 2012 season despite its pay dispute with the players' association.

The AFL and the AFLPA were able to agree on a rise of seven per cent in the TPP and additional services agreements (ASA) limits.

"We are pleased to have provided clubs with the certainty they require for 2012," AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson said.

"We will continue negotiating with the AFLPA in order to finalise the remainder of the Collective Bargaining Agreement."

The AFL last week set a deadline of Monday to broker a collective bargaining agreement or it would finalise next year's TPP and ASA without assistance from the AFLPA, the AFL saying clubs needed certainty heading into trade week which runs October 10-17.

The TPP for next season is $8,787,375 per club, an increase of seven per cent on the 2011 figure of $8.21 million.

The total of payments to players of each club for ASAs is $613,000 in the 2012 football year, an increase of seven per cent on the 2011 figure of $573,000 per club, the AFL said.

Base payments for rookies have increased by 17 per cent, set at $41,400 for 2012.

AFLPA chief Matt Finnis said the interim pay deal was a good outcome for players and the game.

"Today's announcement will be welcomed by players on the basis that it provides certainty and a solid base for the AFL and the Players' Association to resolve a more comprehensive, longer-term deal," he said.

Last month, the AFL offered a flat $1.144 billion, five-year deal.

The players however want a three-year term, with years four and five to be negotiated later.

AAP

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

First posted October 10, 2011 19:01:53

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WAFL player cops two-year drug ban

Updated October 17, 2011 18:33:06

WAFL player Kane Goodwin has been handed a two-year drug ban after testing positive to a performance-enhancing substance.

The fringe East Perth player, who faced the WAFL anti-doping tribunal earlier this month after returning the positive test, will have his suspension backdated to May 30, 2011.

Goodwin becomes the second East Perth player in as many seasons to be sanctioned under the anti-doping rules, after Dean Cadwallader was slapped with a two-year ban in 2010 for testing positive to the anabolic steroid nandrolone.

It was unclear what Goodwin tested positive for.

In a statement, the WAFL said it would "continue its drug education and awareness program about the harm and consequences of taking banned substances and emphasise that individuals must take absolute responsibility for their own actions as outlined in the Anti-Doping Code".

AAP

Tags: wafl, australian-football-league, sport, east-perth-6004, wa, australia

First posted October 17, 2011 18:33:06

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AFL action comes early

Updated October 29, 2011 13:07:26

Football fans in Tasmania's south will not have to wait long for their first taste of AFL action next year.

The first AFL game at Bellerive Oval in Hobart will be played between North Melbourne and Greater Western Sydney in Round 2, on April the 8th.

North Melbourne also hosts the West Coast Eagles in Round 15, as part of the Roos' two-game deal to play at the ground.

In the north, Hawthorn's first game at York Park in Launceston is in Round 5 against Sydney later in the year.

The Hawks will host North Melbourne in Round 10 as part of their four games a year deal.

AFL fixtures were released today.

Tags: australian-football-league, tas, bellerive-7018, launceston-7250

First posted October 28, 2011 11:10:32

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Power re-sign Brett Ebert

Updated October 07, 2011 19:55:07

Port Adelaide has re-signed forward Brett Ebert and his cousin Brad could soon join him at the AFL club.

Brett played his 150th game at the end of this season, in which he managed only 12 games because of a knee injury and illness.

He is the son of SA football icon Russell Ebert, who starred for Port Adelaide in the local league.

Brad told West Coast this week that he wants to be traded to either the Power or Adelaide.

According to media reports, the Crows do not want to become involved in a bidding war.

Brad has played 76 games for the Eagles, but only played in one of their three finals matches last month.

He is the son of Russell's younger brother Craig, who also played for Port and West Adelaide in the SANFL.

AAP

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

First posted October 07, 2011 19:55:07

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