My family were 'bitter' with Pies

Mick Malthouse has no interest in making peace with Eddie McGuire.

Mick Malthouse and Eddie McGuire after the 2011 Grand Final loss to Geelong. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: Herald Sun

CARLTON coach Mick Malthouse has revealed his family were 'bitter' and 'disappointed with humanity' following his departure from Collingwood as the build up to Sunday's blockbuster at the MCG intensifies.

As he prepares to face his former club for the first time, Malthouse has made public his family's distaste of the coaching handover to Nathan Buckley following the 2011 grand final defeat.

"They (my family) thought it (coaching) was finished at the end of Collingwood," he said in the third and final instalment of his Malthouse: No Limits documentary.

"They were very disappointed, bitter in many respects, with the way it finished (at Collingwood).

"And really done with football and disappointed with humanity, if you like.

"I like to build things on friendship, and they go along with that friendship – when it's broken, it's broken and badly broken."

His wife, Nanette, also revealed she could not wait for Sunday's blockbuster at the MCG to be over.

Carlton coach Mick Malthouse and wife Nanette. Picture: Julie Kiriacoudis Source: Herald Sun

"I'm just dreading it," she said in the documentary.

"I'll just be glad for it to be over because it's all everybody talks about.

"I'd like to go and hide away somewhere."

The three-time premiership coach admitted he was expecting to cop some comments from over the fence on Sunday.

"I'm sure the media will make more out of it than what it should be...(but) if I draw the attention and it helps my team, so be it," he said.

"I am not silly enough to suspect that when we walk onto the ground at the MCG in Round 2 that there is not going to be some banter between the supporters and them to me."

Malthouse said most Collingwood supporters he had come across still held him in high regard.

"I haven't met one Collingwood supporter that has been negative," Malthouse said.

Dave Hughes and Peter Helliar tell us why they love to hate each other's footy teams.

"It surprised me because I don't think a lot of them know the full story.

"None the less, those that I do have contact with just acknowledge the fact I spent 12 good years at the Collingwood Football Club.

"Most wish me all the best, albeit with a follow up like, 'Why Carlton?'

The comments emerged the day after Malthouse made it clear he had no plans to reconcile with Magpies president Eddie McGuire.

"I have many things to do, but I don't think that is going to happen," Malthouse said on Fox Footy's On the Couch last night.

"And Eddie knows exactly the reasons why.

"I don't need to go there...there's a million things that happen on this planet and that are going to happen in football.

"I'm just focusing on this year."

McGuire has said he hoped to one day repair his relationship with Malthouse.

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Port's Wines a little corker

Port Adelaide open their 2013 AFL campaign in style, demolishing the Demons by 79-points at the MCG.

OLIVER Wines is a blessing for the "new" Port Adelaide Football Club.

At a time when there is new hope at Alberton, it also needs new heroes.

And the 18-year-old Victorian country boy is the old-fashioned type of the old Port Adelaide, the one new coach Ken Hinkley wants to respect and revive.

Wines is the AFL's first 2013 nomination for its Rising Star award, having earned that honour after living up to the cult status he has found at Alberton in his first pre-season.

His way of playing is everything the old and new Port Adelaide loves.

Rising Star Award nominee Oliver Wines with Plympton Primary School Year 7 students James and Victoria. Picture: Tricia Watkinson.

"I just put my head over the football - and that's how I get my possessions," Wines said.

As a calling card, it is as true to the Port Adelaide mantra as any Power player can go about his business.

No number is more significant from Wines' debut on Easter Sunday than his AFL-record 16 contested possessions on debut (a mark he shares with good friend, Melbourne midfielder Jack Viney, in the same game).

But for all the solid foundations Wines has put down from his first AFL pre-season and first premiership match, there is still much the first-round draftee wants to build on his game.

Adelaide makes the switch to digital TV, an Adelaide Metro bus hits a stobie pole in Gilles Plains and Ports Ollie Wines wins the AFL's rising star nomination for round one

"I still think my spread from stoppages (needs to improve)," Wines said, recognising half the battle is to win the ball while the full mission is to move it on cleanly. "I've always tried to work on that and I've been working on that at training.

"That has been a bit of a deficiency of mine and I want to strengthen that so I can add another string to my bow."

As proof that the teenager is both physically and mentally mature for AFL football, Wines yesterday described his award nomination as "flattering".

He is not easy to knock off the contest or his focus.

"I kept a pretty level head," Wines said of his approach to Easter Sunday's season-opener against Melbourne at the game's biggest stage, the MCG.

"I don't really read a lot of media, so I keep out of that.

"I played my natural game - and I was lucky enough to be nominated (for the AFL rookie of the year award).

"It (AFL) is a lot quicker than anything I have been used to; it took another step up from NAB Cup footy," added Wines, conceding his solid body has needed two days to recover from the contest on Sunday.

"To play my first game on the MCG was really special, so I cherished the game and really enjoyed it.

"And it was awesome to come out of it with a win."

OLIVER WINES

Age: 18

Recruited from: Echuca (Vic), Bendigo U18

Drafted: Pick 7, 2012 NAB AFL National Draft

Position: Inside midfielder

Debut: Round one 2013 v Melbourne (MCG)

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Crows shake-up unlikely: Sanderson

Crows forward Josh Jenkins, left, doing laps with Tom Lynch and skipper Nathan van Berlo. Jenkins is expected to be available for the match against Brisbane Lions, while Lynch is pushing for selection. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: The Advertiser

ADELAIDE coach Brenton Sanderson has become the biggest critic of the Crows' season-opening loss to Essendon - and he does not like watching the video.

"Sometimes you go home after a game and watch it again and think it is not that bad - but this one was actually worse than what I thought seeing it live," said Sanderson yesterday of Adelaide's 35-point loss at home.

"There's a lot (not to like from the match), but you can also over-analyse every contest that was in the game. I try not to do that. We try to focus on a couple of key points we were poor on.

"We have to get back to playing our style very quickly.

"We have had a big week of coaching, a big week and a half of training - now we have to go to Brisbane and get a win away from home."

But one poor performance is not enough for Sanderson to lose faith in his players, who have not lost two games in a row under his watch.

He is not forecasting a shake-up for Saturday's clash with NAB Cup champions Brisbane at the Gabba.

"Our boys are keen to make amends for what was a disappointing result," he said.

"A lot (will get second chances). You can't go through a whole career without playing a poor game. But you also can't be consistently bad and keep getting games.

"We had guys who really played well in the SANFL at the weekend.

"They have left us with the dilemma to make some tough calls at match committee this week.

There's positives and negatives when it comes to (playing) three talls

"And if you get a game this week after coming off a bad one (against Essendon), you can't afford to have another bad one.

"If you don't have depth, guys will continually get games when they are out of form.

"But if you have depth, you have to reward form.

"I'm not afraid to throw the team around."

For selection today, Sanderson expects key forward Josh Jenkins (wrist) and young defender Luke Brown (left foot) to be available.

Sanderson is anticipating the robust debate at match committee time to deliver no more than two changes. The most obvious is the selection of teenager Brad Crouch for his first AFL game.

The second change may be forced by a need to restructure an Adelaide attack that appeared too reliant on key forward Taylor Walker against the Bombers - challenging the Crows to consider recalling specialist small forward Ian Callinan, decide if Ricky Henderson and Graham Johncock play in attack rather than defence and whether Tom Lynch finally gets a call-up.

"It's all about what gives us the best result," Sanderson said.

"Is that three talls, two talls or maybe one tall and five quick smalls? We're constantly debating that.

"Last year when we went to the Gabba (in round 21) we took three talls, we kicked 6.7 in the first quarter and then lost the game because we could not defend them running the ball out of our forward 50.

"There's positives and negatives when it comes to (playing) three talls."

Of Lynch who was impressive in the SANFL at the weekend, Sanderson said: "He is going to play a lot of footy for us ... but it is where he fits?

"He is that 190cm running half-forward like Henderson and Lewis Johnston.

"But Lynch went into the midfield for Glenelg at the weekend and played really well. Maybe we can look at hime as a taller wingman or a guy who an play across half-back.

"He is a utility for us. And he is an important player for us."

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Kennett drops call to sack Clarko

Former Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett has called for coach Alastair Clarkson to be sacked at the season's end following 10th straight loss to Geelong

Keep walking, Clarko. Former Hawk president Jeff Kennett says it is time for a change at Hawthorn. Source: Herald Sun

Cartoon by David 'Macca' McArthur. Source: Herald Sun

A CONTRITE former Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett said yesterday he "wished he could take back'' his savaging of coach Alastair Clarkson following the club's loss to Geelong at the MCG on Monday.

Kennett said Clarkson, who is contracted for 2014, should leave or be sacked at the end of the season.

In a back-flip, Kennett sent a written apology to Clarkson yesterday, admitting he was out of line and sorry for the grief he'd caused him and his family.

He unsuccessfully tried to ring Clarkson yesterday and later sent a text message.

Kennett revealed he then sent his written apology to Hawthorn chief executive Stuart Fox, who confirmed that he personally delivered it to the coach at Waverley Park yesterday.

"I tried to ring him, but as often is the case he didn't answer the phone, so I sent him an SMS just to apologise and to say I was going to apologise and I haven't heard back," he said.

"To make sure he got it, I sent a copy to the CEO and asked him to give it to Alastair so I can't have done much more.

"I'm sure we'll catch up at some stage but I'm on my way interstate so it won't be today or tomorrow."

Hawthorn's 10-game losing streak to Geelong is dubbed The Kennett Curse after he questioned the Cats' mental drive on the eve of the 2009 season.

It followed their loss to the Hawks in the 2008 Grand Final.

Speaking about the curse on the eve of Monday's game, Kennett said he had never regretted anything he'd said.

"(But) this is one,'' he said yesterday.

"I'm sure we'll catch up at some stage but I'm on my way interstate, so it won't be today or tomorrow."

Hawthorn's 10-game losing streak to Geelong is dubbed "The Kennett Curse" after he questioned the Cats' mental drive on the eve of the 2009 season. It followed their loss to the Hawks in the 2008 Grand Final.

Speaking about the curse on the eve of Monday's game, Kennett said he had never regretted anything he'd said - "(but) this is one," he added yesterday.

"I wish I could take it back but I can't and all I can do is unreservedly apologise, which I do."

Kennett, club president from 2006-11, said no one from Hawthorn had contacted him about his outburst but, on reflection, he realised his comments were inappropriate.

"Probably uttered in a moment of great frustration because it was just as we were leaving the ground and it actually goes against everything I believe in, in a sense that no individual on their own wins or loses a thing and we do it as a team," he said.

"What I said in signalling out Alastair was totally inappropriate. I am well experienced in dealing with the media so no one is to blame but myself."

Kennett said there was no reason Clarkson, in his ninth year as coach and with a 56.6 per cent win rate, could not see out his contract.

Kennett's letter said:

I apologise to Alastair Clarkson.

I was out of line yesterday in holding him solely responsible for our club not saluting in the last three years and for our performance yesterday.

It is true that with out list of players and the support the club has given the football department that I felt we have underachieved over that three year period.

Of course that is a subjective view, and on each occasion we were beaten by a better team on the day.

And yes, someone must accept responsibility for those defeats.

But maybe in my support for my club I have come to expect too much!

And on reflection I was wrong to single out Alastair alone.

He, like all at the club, have done their best and Alastair has personal values which I have always gratefully respected.

We are all responsible for the good times and less successful.

Monday's game was a classic in that Hawthorn performed well in the first half and Geelong less so. But after halftime Geelong came out on a mission and turned the game on its head.

Our five goal advantage, which became three goals just before half time, quickly disappeared. We seem to have lost our mojo as Geelong found theirs.

The performance of (Paul) Chapman always has me in awe.

He is consistent in his toughness and drives the ball everytime he gets his hands on it. (Joel) Selwood is a wonderful leader who sets a very high standard of both leadership and effort.

Not to say Hawthorn was without contributors through (Sam) Mitchell, (Brad)  Sewell and ever competitive (Josh) Gibson. But, sadly not as competitive enough across the group as our opponents.

I guess when you have witnessed the club grow since 2005 to the level of membership and good health it enjoys today, you just expect it to keep performing at the highest level.

Hopefully that will continue to be the case and the season has just started, so to make judgments based on one game is inappropriate.

That said, the tribal nature of the game drives our emotions and yesterday, in my frustration, I wrongly singled out Alastair and for what was a team result for which we all must accept responsibility and be challenged to do better, week on week.

I sincerely apologise to Alastair Clarkson and his family for the grief I have caused them.

 

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Hotline cools Sydney tensions

GWS Giants coach Kevin Sheedy with crosstown rival John Longmire of the Sydney Swans. Picture: Jeremy Piper. Source: The Daily Telegraph

SWANS coach John Longmire and Giants boss David Matthews yesterday brokered a ceasefire in an attempt to end the bad blood rising between the cross-town rivals.

Longmire said he chatted with Matthews over the phone yesterday morning to clear the air over bitter comments exchanged between the two Sydney clubs heading into the inaugural battle of the bridge clash.

Sparked by the Swans' resentment over the decision to brand the Sydney derby the battle of the bridge, the war of words between Giants coach Kevin Sheedy and Swans legend Paul Roos and a fresh spot fire between Longmire and Matthews has escalated the animosity between the clubs to an all-time high.

Longmire took exception to comments made by Matthews the Swans should have done a better job of selling the sport in NSW, labelling Matthews' statement inaccurate and disrespectful.

However, the Swans mentor said he and Matthews have come to an understanding.

"I not sure whether it's friction or if it's just two clubs establishing their relationship. Going through a courting period, maybe," Longmire said.

"Leading up to our next game (against GWS) we want to win that game. We're going to be pretty keen to win that.

"I've spoken with David this morning. We had a good conversation. I've known David for a long time. It'd be fair to say we both understand each other's challenges.

"We've both got challenges as two clubs up here in Sydney, but we've also both got tremendous opportunities. We had a good conversation about it this morning. I thought it was a healthy conversation to have.

"The good thing is we both realise the challenges we've got. We both respect the challenges we have ahead of us and we'll move on pretty quickly.

"While Longmire is more focused on stopping Gold Coast's Gary Ablett at the SCG on Saturday, Sheedy has been happy to fan the flames.

Sheedy and Roos continue to butt heads over the Giants' attempt to divide Sydney's AFL fan base with the Anzac Bridge as the demilitarised zone between Swans supporters and Giants supporters on opposite banks.

"Paul Roos been a critic of the Giants for the past three years yet wants to lecture us about respect. The Sundance Kid has become the Kleenex Kid," Sheedy posted on Twitter.

"To Paul Roos I say this. We have 11,000 members after one year. Swans have 30,000 after 30 years. We are not here to dance with our sister."

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Neeld made to eat his words

Coach Mark Neeld searches for answers during Round 1 clash against Port Adelaide. Source: Herald Sun

FORGET fish, it was like shooting Demons in a barrel.

And it was a trigger-happy Port Adelaide brandishing the shotgun at the MCG last Sunday.

A close examination of Melbourne's humiliating 79-point shellacking has revealed how frighteningly easy the Dees were to play against.

In a footy era obsessed with defensive acts, it's opposition kicks inside 50m that teams want to pressure the most.

Ken Hinkley's team was allowed 62 inside 50s, with 34 of those under zero pressure.

Alarmingly, 18 of those unpressured entries came from within the 50m-70m zone, a significant number and the most in the competition during Round 1.

As a result, Port Adelaide retained the football 73 per cent of the time when launching within 70m from goal - 24 per cent above the round average and 15 per cent above any other team.

To paraphrase Mark Twain, reports of the death of Melbourne's "bruise-free" footy have been greatly exaggerated.
Mark Neeld used his first press conference as Melbourne coach 18 months ago to promise that the oldest club in the land would play with old-fashioned vigour.

"I simply want to coach the team that is the hardest to play against in the AFL," Neeld said at the time.

"That means all over the ground, we're going to be the hardest to play against."

On Sunday's evidence, it was a statement bordering on laughable.

After only eight minutes, Port had 30 disposals to Melbourne's six.

Brad Ebert and Hamish Hartlett had four each - two more than the entire Demons side.

Don't worry about losing the first game, what about the first eight minutes?

By the final siren, the statistics were even more horrifying.

The Power had the pill in its forward half a staggering 24 1/2 minutes longer than Melbourne.

The Demons conceded 207 disposals forward of centre and 232 uncontested possessions - both the most in the competition.

They gave up 18 marks inside 50m - again a No.1 - and they were slaughtered out of the centre 9-16. Nathan Jones, who was being worn by Kane Cornes, had seven of the nine.

To state the obvious, Melbourne wasn't playing a battle-hardened premiership contender.

They were playing a side that had an average age of 23 years 88 days, the second-youngest to run out in Round 1 and a side younger than Gold Coast.

What happens when Melbourne plays Sydney probably doesn't bear thinking about.

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Blues lose two stars for Pies

Carlton small forward Eddie Betts has a broken jaw. Source: Herald Sun

CARLTON has been dealt a double injury blow, with Eddie Betts and Shaun Hampson ruled out of Sunday's blockbuster against Collingwood.

Betts has a broken jaw in the wake of last week's loss to Richmond, and Hampson had his appendix removed on Saturday night.

Betts's injury slipped through the net until yesterday. The goalsneak had looked uncomfortable after a first-quarter collision in the game against Richmond, but played through the pain.

The Blues' most influential forward consulted surgeons yesterday. Carlton said it would be guided by medical advice, but already has ruled him out of its Round 2 match.

"It was a great effort on his behalf to keep playing," football manager Andrew McKay said.

"But he won't be playing this week and we'll be guided by the doctor.

"Shaun felt really terrible on Saturday afternoon, saw the doctor and was diagnosed with appendicitis.

"He went straight into hospital and had his appendix removed.

"Obviously we'll have to replace a tall and a small in our forward line, so there are a couple of spots up for grabs."

The Blues already were without first-choice pair Jarrad Waite (calf) and best-and-fairest Heath Scotland (suspension), and there is still doubt about the availability of Mitch Robinson (concussion).

It is understood Waite - one of Carlton's most important players - is still yet to resume running duties.

Hampson's absence opens the door for Robbie Warnock, who was overlooked for Round 1.

Sam Rowe may be brought in to cover for the loss of Betts' scoring power. But Lachie Henderson could also do that job, which would create an opening for Jeremy Laidler in defence.

Blues defender Michael Jamison said coach Mick Malthouse's Collingwood knowledge would be a plus.

"A lot of the players Mick coached are still there, so if there's one or two tips that he can give on those individuals then that's certainly going to be of benefit.".

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Thomas expected ban

North Melbourne goalsneak Lindsay Thomas faces a nervous wait with the match review panel after flooring Collingwood's Ben Reid with a big bump.

Kangaroo midfielder Lindsay Thomas celebrates a goal in the first quarter. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

Ben Reid leaves the field after his collision with Lindsay Thomas. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

NORTH Melbourne forward Lindsay Thomas feared he would be suspended for his heavy bump on Collingwood defender Ben Reid.

Speaking for the first time since the clash that sparked a war of words between coaches Brad Scott and Nathan Buckley, Thomas insisted that the incident was "an accident".

But he admitted he thought he was "in a bit of strife" when he saw vision of the bump, before being cleared by the match review panel yesterday.

"I thought there wasn't really much in it, but after looking at it yesterday (Monday), I did think I was in a bit of strife," Thomas told the club's website.

"I'm just happy that I don't have to miss any games of footy."

The AFL's new football operations manager Mark Evans started in the role yesterday, but the league confirmed it would not challenge the panel's decision.

AFL match review panel chairman Mark Fraser said yesterday players would not be suspended for accidental head clashes.

He said the shift in policy was made clear last season after Chris Dawes, then at Collingwood, and Brisbane Lion Matt Maguire were found guilty of rough conduct.

"If he (Thomas) had contacted him with a shoulder to the head, then that would've been viewed differently," Fraser said.

"The clash of heads was deemed as circumstances outside of the player's control."

But former Richmond champion and AFL laws of the game committee member Kevin Bartlett said the Thomas decision made "no sense". "I think it is a very disappointing decision," he said on SEN.

"The MRP is telling the football community that you can knock out an opponent, even break his jaw or smash a cheekbone, by electing to bump a player without any consequence.

"A player without the ball and off the ball and playing a passive role should have the protection of the game."

Thomas said the incident was "one of those unfortunate things", and dismissed suggestions he had faked his own injury.

"I came off with a pretty sore cheek and, look, I'm just happy that he (Reid) is all right," he said.

"I hoped he was OK. Like I said, it was just an accident and in terms of 'heat of the moment', it got a bit heated towards the end but that's footy.

"After the game we all shook hands and got on with it."
 

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Dees lack strong leaders: Watts

The Demons trudge off the MCG after being thrashed by Port Adelaide. Source: Getty Images

Cartoon by David 'Macca' McArthur. Source: Herald Sun

MELBOURNE defender Jack Watts says his club is suffering from a lack of leadership and a losing culture.

Watts, 22, lamented the absence of a senior key figure, such as Geelong's Joel Selwood, who could help steer the team out of on-field trouble.

The Demons were thrashed by Port Adelaide on Sunday, prompting soul-searching talks among playing and coaching ranks.

Watts, a No. 1 draft pick, said that after years at the bottom of the ladder the team crumbled when things got tough.

"A lot of it is to do with confidence (and) mindset. We've been losing for so long now and it's 'what can you do?' " Watts said.

"You look at the good teams like Geelong and Hawthorn and Fremantle and those kind of things. You've got guys like Selwood, Joel Corey, Stevie Johnson, Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis - they stand up and they don't accept that (losing) for their club.

"We don't have anyone like that today and that's the kind of thing that we need to work on.

"That sort of culture and that grit to be able to turn those things around when momentum goes against us, because at the moment we just crumble."

Demons leaders Jack Grimes and Nathan Jones will today front the media before a closed session at Casey Fields, desperate to atone on Saturday night against Essendon.

The Dees tackle heavyweights West Coast in Round 3, followed by a clash against a young Greater Western Sydney side.

Sportsbet.com.au yesterday slashed the Dees' wooden spoon odds from $12 to $3.50 second-favourite.
GWS at $1.50 is favourite to finish last.

Watts told the club's website the Demons had to show they weren't a basket case.

"We're going to have to cop whatever we cop and we get another opportunity ... to prove ourselves that we are not a laughing stock of the competition," he said.

"We need a few blokes to stand up - myself included - and get us going the right way."

Furious fans have vented their disappointment at Melbourne's continued poor form and Watts said the club's supporters deserved better.

"They have stuck by us for this long through all of the crap that we've been through and we are going to have to change something," he said. "We are hating it just as much as everyone else.

"It is painful at the moment, but if you stick through the toughest times, the good times will be a lot more rewarding, so what can I say? Stick with us and we are doing everything we can to repay your faith."

Watts said the Round 1 hiding caught everyone by surprise.

"The feeling from the players is that we really turned a corner just with our training over summer," he said.

"That's probably the reason why it really cut us deep because it came out of nowhere and we didn't expect it at all."

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Goodes in doubt for flag flyer

Adam Goodes warms up during a training session at the SCG. Source: Getty Images

SWANS superstar Adam Goodes could miss the club's night of premiership celebrations this weekend after taking a knock to his knee against the Giants.

Swans coach John Longmire said Goodes was not certain to start against the Gold Coast on Saturday at the SCG when the Swans will unfurl their 2012 premiership flag.

Longmire said he was hopeful Goodes would be fit to take on the Suns, but revealed his condition must improve before Thursday.

"Goodesy had a bit of a knock on to his knee, but we're hoping he should be fine by the end of the week," Longmire said.

"The rest pulled up OK. Depending on what happens on Thursday the pressure is on for selection. Which is a good thing to have.

"We were really pleased with some of our reserves players, Andreijs Everitt, Craig Bird, (Mitch) Morton, Jed Lamb. Those guys played pretty well. We'll see how the rest of the team pulls up. The majority pulled up OK."

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