Eight made AFL life members

Matthew Pavlich and Ross Lyon will be made AFL life members, SuperFooty can reveal. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: HWT Image Library

UPDATE: THREE current AFL coaches and triple-premiership Geelong star Matthew Scarlett headline a group of eight players announced as new AFL life members today.

As exclusively revealed by SuperFooty earlier, Fremantle coach Ross Lyon, Gold Coast's Guy McKenna along with star Docker Matthew Pavlich will receive the honour.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick, Tigers' team of the century member Michael Green, former Collingwood premiership player and club president Kevin Rose and West Coast chief executive Trevor Nisbett were the other recipients.

They will officially receive their memberships at the AFL's next annual general meeting in March.

Life member is awarded to those who have helped build the game, either on-field as players for their work off-field.

Lyon played 129 games with Fitzroy and the Brisbane Bears, before becoming an assistant coach at Richmond, Carlton and then Sydney.

He coached St Kilda to three grand finals, including one replay, from 2007 to 2011 before switching to Fremantle.

Pavlich is the captain of the Dockers and has played 279 games since debuting in 2000.

McKenna played 267 AFL games for the West Coast Eagles, playing in the 1992 and 1994 premiership.

He then went to become an assistant coach at West Coast and then Collingwood before being appointed the inaugural coach of the Gold Coast Suns.

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AFL banks on blood profiles

The AFL has introduced the same blood profiling system used in cycling to catch doping cheats. Source: Supplied

THE AFL says it has built a bank of biological data on its players equal to the profiling system that has helped clean up cycling post-Lance Armstrong.

League medical commissioner Dr Peter Harcourt said yesterday records from five years of blood testing AFL players were available to doping investigators.

Changes in biological profile would alert authorities, led by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority, that a player required close scrutiny.

Cycling's "biological passport" is being adopted by other sporting bodies around the world.

But Harcourt said the AFL was ahead of most sports. He said its testing, in partnership with ASADA, was almost identical to that of cycling.

"We are effectively already doing it," he said.

"We have been blood testing in the AFL for four or five years -- and now ASADA are introducing the Athlete Biological Passport, we are morphing our blood profiling, which is essentially the same, into the biological passport.

"But basically it's exactly the same as what we have been doing with the blood testing and urine testing. That was a part of the strategy -- to get ahead of the game.

"We do about 1000 tests (a year) all up . . . and a lot of our blood profiling is about trying to see if someone looks a bit unusual.

"And then if they look a bit unusual, then we do more tests.

"There's a lot of intelligence that sits behind it -- analysing things," he said.

"We started doing it four years ago and we picked it up because cycling were doing it. We were the first sport in Australia to do it."

Harcourt said the only major difference with the passport was a requirement for players to be rested for two hours before a blood sample is taken.

He said players identified by ASADA had been blood or urine-tested up to nine times in a year.

Samples can be stored and re-tested for up to eight years.

Asked why some players would be targeted, Harcourt said: "Well, they would have had some irregularities. We have had individuals who have had strange test results . . . but none of them have come through as anything other than natural."

Former Richmond ruckman Justin Charles is the only AFL player to have been found guilty of using performance-enhancing drugs. He was suspended for 16 matches in 1997 after admitting to using anabolic steroids.

Biological passports measure and monitor an individual athlete's blood over a period of time.

Testing agencies can create a profile on a sportsperson and are able to uncover irregularities.

While not necessarily detecting the type of prohibited substance used by an athlete to cheat, the passport can indirectly reveal the effects of doping.

"The athlete biological passport testing differs from traditional testing by looking for the effects of blood doping rather than detecting the prohibited substances or methods used," an ASADA spokesman said yesterday.

ATHLETE BIOLOGICAL PASSPORT

* Measures and monitors an athlete's blood variables over a period of time

* Catches cheats by flagging abnormalities and irregularities

* Indirectly reveals the effects of doping, as opposed to a reliance on traditional detection tests

Source: WADA
 

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Surgery success for Morabito

Fremantle midfielder Anthony Morabito had LARS surgery to repair his injured right knee. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

LUCKLESS Fremantle midfielder Anthony Morabito has undergone LARS surgery on repair his damaged left knee.

Morabito, 21, tore his ACL for third time in his short career during a training mishap earlier this month, but opted not to have another full reconstruction.

The Dockers released a statement this evening to confirm Morabito would begin his rebhabilitation program in the coming weeks after successful surgery in Sydney today.

No timeframes or expectations will be placed on his recovery despite the often quick turnaround associated with the LARS procedure.

Fremantle football operations general manager Chris Bond said Morabito was in good spirits after the operation.

"We heard directly from Anthony after his surgery today and from all reports it went very well," Bond said.

"He is in really good spirits and looking forward to getting started with his recovery."

Morabito was taken with the club's first pick (No.4 overall) in the 2009 National Draft and he played 23 games in his first season.

The Peel product has not played an AFL game since Fremantle's semi-final loss to Geelong in September 2010.
 

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Matera 'booted' for foot injury

Gold Coast youngster Brandon Matera is in a moon boot after complaining of foot soreness. Picture: Darren England Source: The Courier-Mail

SUNS forward Brandon Matera has been placed in a moon boot for a week and sent for new orthotics after complaining of soreness in his troublesome right foot.

The Suns say it is not a recurrence of the stress injury he incurred last year which kept him out of the side between rounds 6 and 10.

The West Australian small forward (pictured) complained of soreness in a different part of the foot last week and because of his previous problems, was sent straight for scans.

Matera said the setback was only expected to cost him two weeks of training, leaving him on track to play at least two NAB Cup games.

"The doc has me wearing a moon boot for the rest of the week as a precaution, and I'll be back training in runners the week after," he said.

"It's a minor setback. I've had a really good pre-season so far so it's not ideal but I'm confident, based on the training I've done, that I'll be available for the NAB Cup."

Suns coach Guy McKenna was yesterday handed AFL life membership after passing the 300-game mark as a player and coach.
 

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Lions welcome training aggro

Former Demon Brent Moloney at Brisbane Lions training. Picture: Darren England Source: The Courier-Mail

Daniel Merrett (centre) watches at Brisbane Lions training at Coorparoo. Picture: Peter Wallis Source: The Courier-Mail

BRISBANE vice-captain Daniel Merrett could not be happier that things are getting "narky'' at Lions training.

Competitive drills pitting the forward line and defenders against each other are causing spirits to run high.

And the full-back said the extra passion on show in the pre-season augered well for the 2013 campaign when Brisbane hopes to improve on its 10 wins from last year.

"At the moment we are all over the forwards, it's good competition,'' Merrett said.

"At times it can get a bit narky and a bit aggressive but that's exactly what you want because you want to drive high standards and it's only going to make us better.

"Where our group is at, we are developing and breeding into the younger guys to be aggressive ... it's perfect.''

This time last year, the long-time defender was swung into the forward line after captain Jonathan Brown suffered his third facial injury in a training mishap and ruckman Matthew Leuenberger was sidelined by an Achilles injury.

With former Hawk Jordan Lisle leading the race to be Brown's foil in 2013 ahead of ex-Demon Stefan Martin and a host of rookie recruits, Merrett is glad to return to the backline which has been nicknamed "The Men's Club'' by Brisbane defenders.

"I'm back in the Men's Club ... I feel most comfortable down there but it's always fun kicking a few goals. But I've played there for a majority of my career, I definitely feel that's my best spot,'' he said.

Summer Barometer: Click here for Lions training, injury latest

 

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Gram dreams of AFL return

Jason Gram drives the Saints out of defence. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

SACKED St Kilda defender Jason Gram hasn't given up on a return to the AFL.

Gram, who was sacked by the Saints at the end of last season due to off-field behavioural issues, has signed to play under Jason Akermanis at North Albury this season.

And while the attacking defender says he is looking forward to a fresh start, he believes he still has something to offer at the elite level.

"I still believe I've got three or four years of good AFL football left, so I'm going to do everything I can still play to an AFL standard for North Albury this season," Gram said.

"If someone comes up to have a look and likes what they see then I'm not going to say no."

Despite having numerous offers from metropolitan clubs, Gram said he was always keen to play country football.

"Being a country boy from Sale, I knew once AFL was over that country football was where I'd prefer to play," he said.

"I received a lot of offers over the past few months ... and in the end cut it down to three."

After a two-day road trip that involved meeting clubs in Ballarat, Shepparton and Albury, Gram finally settled on the Hoppers.

"I had a look at their facilities and had a chat to Aker and was really impressed by the club," Gram said.

"It will be good to get out of Melbourne. I'll probably head up on a Thursday and come back on a Sunday or Saturday night.

"Hopefully I'll get to spend some time up there, meet the locals and enjoy a few beers with the boys after the game."

Where are they now? Click here to see AFL discards' new homes

Akermanis, who is the midst of his first pre-season as playing coach, said Gram's signature was a significant coup for North Albury.

"When we found he was still on the market I quickly texted him and said you might not be thinking about us, but you probably should," Akermanis told Weekly Times Now.

"He (Gram) let us know what the offers were everywhere else and we were able to match them quite easily."

While Akermanis would not divulge what Gram would receive for his services, he said it was not in the same ball park as the $5000 a game that Fevola was rumoured to be earning as he powered Yarrawonga to last year's Ovens and Murray league flag.

"It's bit ridiculous with what he's getting (Fevola), but if someone is willing to pay that than good luck to him," Akermanis said.

"Gram deserves every cent because he's going to put bums on seats and, while you get a sign on fee, you still have to play to be paid."

Akermanis said it was the Hoppers' last-placed finish in 2012 that was the biggest obstacle in landing Gram.

"I said you wouldn't have to worry about that mate (being competitive). It's chalk and cheese, just with the number of new players and the players coming back from injury," Akermanis said.

"In the end he didn't choose the money. He said the best thing for me, and his dad agreed, was to get out of Melbourne. Albury is a long way away and you can just relax and enjoy your footy."

In what looms as one of the highlights on the country football calendar; Gram, Akermanis - and possibly Cupido – are scheduled to meet Fevola and co when North Albury faces Yarrawonga in Round 2 on Saturday, April 6.

"That first game at home, we'll have Fev, Me, Grammy (Jason Gram) and possibly Damian Cupido – we're still in negotiations with him. We'll put them all in the mix, plus all of the other recruits we've got and it will just be a massive day for everyone at the club," Akermanis said.

Meanwhile, former Melbourne and Collingwood player Simon Buckley has signed for Echuca in the Goulburn Valley League.

Read more at Weekly Times Now

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Scully's a leader of men now

Tom Scully during a GWS AFL training session in Blacktown, western Sydney. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: Herald Sun

BEFORE Kurt Tippett took his mantle, Tom Scully was the most persecuted man in football.

Now he's one of the GWS Giants' most popular players, a spot recognised yesterday as his teammates elected him vice-captain.

Scully is the new face in a streamlined three-man leadership group alongside co-captains Phil Davis and Callan Ward.

"It's very humbling to feel you have your teammates look up to you in that way," Scully said.

Davis and Ward's departures from the Crows and Bulldogs were nothing compared to the ridicule Scully received from Melbourne fans and past players.

"Last year was a tough year," Scully said.

"My teammates knew I was going through a bit more than some others. There was anxiety leading into some games."

Summer Barometer: Click here for GWS training, injury latest

Kevin Sheedy believes last year's experience will toughen the former Demon.

"His teammates respect the way Tom trains," Sheedy said.

"I rate him very high in his dedication.

"He's up there with a James Hird and Francis Bourke in terms of his approach on the training track."

While the 2009 No.1 draft pick is somewhat introspective, he believes he can provide the leadership the young team needs. "I'm not going to change my personality," Scully said.

"I go about things through my actions.

"I've been around footy long enough to see there are leaders who are loud and there are leaders who are more quiet, but both can have the same impact."

Club insiders rate Scully as one of the most unselfish players at the Giants who is certain to grow into the role.

"I think it will benefit my football," Scully said. "I really want to take my football to another level so we can get to where we want to be as quickly as possible.

"Having the added responsibility to set the example and help other guys will help me as a footballer and a person as well."

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Training bonus for Roos veteran

Kangaroos veteran Brent Harvey is loving North Melbourne's match training sessions with Geelong. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

BRENT Harvey has lauded the unpredictability and extra competitiveness North Melbourne's training clashes against Geelong have added to the Roos' pre-season.

In an unprecedented move, twins Brad (North) and Chris Scott (Geelong) have organised match simulation hit-outs against each other's team every Friday for a month.

The first two sessions have consisted entirely of end-to-end stoppage drills, with a coach up either end of Geelong's home ground, Simonds Stadium, calling the shots.

Onlookers said the atmosphere has been serious, with neither team engaging in friendly discussions or handshakes before or after the sessions.

Geelong captain Joel Selwood has been a standout, while Cats veterans Joel Corey, James Kelly (hip), Jimmy Bartel (foot) and North match-winner Daniel Wells (achilles) have all taken part.

Harvey said he had had initial doubts about the concept, fearing the competitiveness could result in a serious injury. But with two more hit-outs scheduled, the 346-game North champion said the initiative had been a success.

"I like it. I was really sceptical at the start, (thinking) it's only going to take one bloke to get someone into the ground and it's going to be all over," Harvey said.

"As long as we treat them very similar to what we treat each other at training -- you get the opportunity to bury someone, you just don't do it this time of year -- (so there's) the respect.

"It's different, you get to see how Selwood and Stevie Johnson train and for our young boys it's a good experience.

"Tell me five years ago, (we'd be training with Geelong) I'd be saying no, not a chance at all.

"But it's worked really well."

The 20 and 40-minute sessions have been behind locked gates at the Cattery, allowing the clubs to trial set-ups and game styles away from other clubs' prying eyes.

Clubs cannot conduct full-scale matches against each other until the NAB Cup.

Harvey said the sessions have taken the Roos' training to a new level.

"When you're doing your stuff (at normal training) you're mirroring each other, so the mids know what the mids are doing, the backs know what the forwards are doing, where they're leading," Harvey said.

"It's really hard to get great match practice out of it. When you're playing against Geelong they've got no idea and we've got no idea what they're doing, so it's actually a really good exercise."
 

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Baby steps for Lions giant

Lions ruckman Matthew Leuenberger is making a slow but steady comeback from injury. Picture: Peter Wallis Source: The Courier-Mail

IT is difficult to take baby steps when you are 204cm tall.

But Brisbane ruckman Matthew Leuenberger is doing just that as he travels the long and frustrating road back to the top after an Achilles injury virtually wiped out his 2012 season.

The 24-year-old completed a series of 40-metre sprints and jumping drills at Lions training this week and is planning to play in Brisbane's last two NAB Cup pre-season matches.

The giant WA product played just three games in 2012. He attempted a comeback late in the home-and-away season, but the injury flared again.

Leuenberger's winter of discontent was all the more disappointing given he finished 2011 in career-best form.

"I felt I like I was making big in-roads into where I want to go as a player," he said.

"All my results in the pre-season last year were the best they have ever been.

"But I never really got a shot at it, which was pretty frustrating."

Leuenberger said sprints and jumping were testing his leg, but it was "holding up".

"I'm feeling no pain at all," he said.

Lions captain Jonathon Brown at pre-season training at Coorparoo. Picture: Peter Wallis Source: The Courier-Mail

With veteran Ben Hudson now at Collingwood and Billy Longer in just his second season, Leuenberger is a crucial player for the Lions.

If he was to be sidelined again, the depth of Brisbane's tall timber would again be sorely tested, with key position players forced to pinch-hit in the ruck.

Meanwhile, Lions vice-captain Daniel Merrett could not be happier that things are getting "narky" at Brisbane training.

Competitive drills between the forward line and defenders are causing spirts to run high and the full-back said the extra passion on show in the pre-season augered well with Brisbane hoping to improve on the 10 wins from 2012.

"At the moment we are all over the forwards, it's good competition," Merrett said.

Lions defender Daniel Merritt at pre-season training at Coorparoo. Picture: Peter Wallis Source: The Courier-Mail

"At times it can get a bit narky and a bit aggressive, but that's exactly what you want. You want to drive high standards and it's only going to make us better.

"Where our group is at, we are developing and breeding into the younger guys to be aggressive...it's perfect."

This time last year, the long-time defender was swung into attack after captain Jonathan Brown suffered his third facial injury in a training mishap.

With former Hawk Jordan Lisle leading the race to be Brown's foil in 2013 ahead of ex-Demon Stefan Martin and a host of rookie recruits, Merrett is glad to return to the backline, nicknamed "The Men's Club" by Brisbane defenders.

"I feel most comfortable down there, but it's always fun kicking a few goals," he said.
 

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Caddy wastes no time at Cats

Geelong recruit Josh Caddy has been in sizzling pre-season form. Picture: Mike Dugdale Source: Geelong Advertiser

GEELONG'S hopes for new recruit Josh Caddy have escalated as the talented midfielder continues his sizzling summer on the training track.

Assistant coach Blake Caracella said yesterday he was impressed with the immediate impact by Caddy, who has bulked up since crossing from Gold Coast and taken his fitness to a new level.

"We got him for a reason and he has performed at training remarkably well," Caracella said.

"He has probably put on a few kilos, he is a bit bigger through the hips and the legs. We are looking forward to Cads and what he can bring to the team."

Despite post-season shoulder surgery, Caddy, 20, was a top performer at Geelong's training camp at Falls Creek in December, finishing third in a mountain bike time-trial.

The Cats went through their paces in an open training session at Simonds Stadium yesterday minus a few key names.

Captain Joel Selwood, James Kelly, Jimmy Bartel, Tom Hawkins and Paul Chapman sat out the one-hour session, although Caracella said Kelly and Bartel had trained the past couple of sessions.

He said all recruits, such as Hamish McIntosh, Jared Rivers, Jackson Thurlow and Brad Hartman, had embraced Geelong's team-first culture.
 

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