Altitude gives new attitude

Matthew Kreuzer says the pain does not stop with Christmas break. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

AFL clubs have closed for Christmas, but the training pain does not stop for the players, says Carlton ruckman Matthew Kreuzer.

The Blues camp split on December 21 and won't return to Visy Park until January 7.

In that time, Kreuzer will holiday in country Victoria and Noosa - all the while keeping a commitment to his training.

"We've all been given our programs from the fitness side of things," Kreuzer said.

"There'll be a few running sessions and weights as well. We've got to try and stay fit.

"I'm tipping (most of the players) would all be pretty similar.

"We've all got the same number of sessions, just some people might have different types of running sessions depending on their position, but it's all pretty similar.

"It's about self-discipline, but obviously the club want to know what you've done so you have to record your sessions."

Kreuzer said it could be sometimes tough to keep up the motivation to train individually, especially when family and friends were relaxing on their summer break.

"But then you think of the big picture and you know you've got to do it," he said.

"We put a lot of hard work in before Christmas so you don't want to let that waste away.

"It's really important to keep on top of things.

"You feel good for the rest of the day anyway if you do it in the morning.

"You've got that freedom, when you're away from the club, to do those sessions whenever you want.

"It's only a two-week break so you don't really get that luxury to fully relax and unwind."

Kreuzer said the club's training camp in Arizona last month had been beneficial from a physical and team bonding perspective and he was keen not to let slip the gains made on the trip.

"It was pretty solid," he said.

"This pre-season has been a bit different obviously, heading over to Arizona.

"Spending two weeks over there and then to have a solid three weeks before Christmas, it hasn't felt as bad.

"But it was good to get away with the boys and good to try different training methods. Obviously, training at altitude has been proven to work so let's hope it has for us."

But with his training program set, was there any room to indulge on Christmas Day?

"Absolutely," he said.
 

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Swans were last team standing

The Sydney Swans victorious after the AFL Grand Final 2012. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

MOST Sydneysiders think the Harbour City is the centre of the universe.

In the AFL this year, they were largely right. For once.

The fledgling Great Western Sydney made their AFL premiership debut when they faced the Swans in a standalone fixture at Homebush's ANZ Stadium to launch the home-and-away season on March 24.

And it was the Swans who were the last team standing on September 29 when they triumphed over Hawthorn at the MCG to hand the Sydney-South Melbourne club its fifth VFL-AFL flag.

Midfielder Ryan O'Keefe won the Norm Smith Medal for best-on-ground while co-captain Adam Goodes added to the legendary "Bloods" culture by playing most of the match on one leg.

But every man in a red-and-white jumper had a heroic story to tell. That is just how Sydney roll.

The Giants took the wooden spoon with two wins for the year.

But the two Sydney teams did not stop being in the news.

GWS lost high-priced rugby league recruit Israel Folau, while Sydney somehow managed to find the salary cap space to afford a $3.5 million, four-year offer to Adelaide forward Kurt Tippett.

It left a bitter taste in the mouths of the Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast who - like everybody bar Sydney - thought Tippett was going home to Queensland.

Adelaide were also aggrieved and played hardball in trade negotiations. It all then unravelled in spectacular style.

The Crows, Adelaide CEO Steve Trigg, football manager Phil Harper, ex-football manager John Reid and Tippett fronted the AFL Commission on salary cap rorting and draft tampering charges relating to Tippett's last contract with the Crows that was negotiated in 2009.

Adelaide ultimately lost draft picks and were fined while Trigg and Harper were suspended. Tippett's manager Peter Blucher is under investigation by the AFL Players Association.

Sydney finally got their man in the pre-season draft but Tippett will not be available until the round 13 clash with Port Adelaide after being handed an 11-game ban.

Closer to home, the Lions made strides up the ladder with 10 wins after managing four victories in 2011. The round 10 thriller against West Coast and the round 21 win over Adelaide provided hope.

Gold Coast extended the contract of senior coach Guy McKenna before claiming premiership points but beefed up the role of football director Malcolm Blight. The Suns' first win did not come until round 16.

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2012 countdown: Top 10 departures

The best pictures of the 2012 AFL season

Corey Enright consoles retiring Geelong veteran Matthew Scarlett after the loss to Fremantle - his final match. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

THE Kurt Tippett saga seemed to rip apart rainforests this off-season. But did million-dollar man Israel Folau's defection cause a bigger stir? Or what about Liam Jurrah?

As we count down the rest of the week we'll name the highlights, lowlights and simply strange moments of the year in footy in a countdown of top 10 countdowns.

We've well and truly kicked off the countdowns with the best 10 AFL games of 2012,the top 10 marks, the top 10 goals, the top 10 brain fades and the top 10 individual performances. Yesterday, it was the top 10 recruits of 2012.

Today the countdown continues with the top 10 departures of the year.

Did we get it right? Leave a comment below

10. BRENT PRISMALL (Essendon)

Well, sort of departed. The unlucky former Bomber and Cat went through clubs like Tiger Woods in the lead-up to the pre-season draft. First he stayed on at Windy Hill and was told by James Hird he'd be redrafted, then it was over to train at Alberton where he was reportedly offered a one-year deal, and finally Prismall decided "nah, let's stay in Victoria" and headed back home to train with the Dogs. But in a cruel twist, the Bulldogs signed Nick Lower and then handed their final position on their list to 28-year-old player welfare manager Brett Goodes. With Goodes' former job open and Prismall suddenly unemployed, the Whitten Oval powerbrokers had little hesitation opting for him over a Seek ad. What a whirlwind two months for Prismall, who is stranded on 61 AFL games. And in yet another twist the 26-year-old is expected to sign at Dogs affiliate Williamstown and play there, with Goodes, next season. This was a pretzel of a story.

Brent Prismall trains with the Bombers at Windy Hill. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

9. JASON GRAM (St Kilda)

One of the more bizarre exits from the AFL system we've seen. Gram's career came to a sudden, public and dramatic end in October. The St Kilda line-breaker had his contract terminated after he was arrested and charged before being convicted and fined $5000 on six criminal charges. The 28-year-old played 152 games in red, white and black threads after crossing from the Brisbane Lions. His exit effectively allowed the Saints to sign Dylan Roberton at the death of delisted free agency. With football gone, fingers crossed Gram gets his life on track in 2013. Right now he's enjoying some sun in Thailand… a nice change of pace after 10 sweltering pre-seasons.

Jason Gram has been sacked by St Kilda. Source: Herald Sun

8. MATTHEW PRIMUS (Port Adelaide)

How unlucky is this bloke? Does his knee and misses playing in Port's inaugural flag in 2004 and sacked from the same club after just 47 games at the helm as senior coach. Not sure Primus is all for the AFL's expansion plans… of the 34 losses he coached the two against the baby clubs seemed to haunt him dearly. The Power was the first club to go down to the Suns last year, as serious pressure to retain his job mounted, before they became the first established club to go down at the hands of GWS this season. That was the death knell. So, what's next? If you can't beat them join them – Primus is the new midfield coach at the Suns.

Port Adelaide coach Matthew Primus during a Power training session. Picture: Matt Turner Source: The Advertiser

7. BRETT RATTEN (Carlton)

Much like Primus, Ratten's "coach killer" came against the AFL newbies. After a spirited fightback to crawl into top-eight contention, all the Blues had to do was travel north and eclipse the Suns to keep their season alive. They failed. Miserable. And a prickly Ratten presser after the match pointed to the fact he knew this season would be his last. Ratten decided to coach the final game of the year after being told he was axed and the Mick Malthouse lure materialised. Ratts is off to Glenferrie next year to aid the Hawks. It's been a quiet addition, but that could be one of the recruits of the year.

6. LIAM JURRAH (Melbourne)

Talk about a turbulent year. Jurrah battled an injury curse, was charged over an alleged machete attack, walked out on the Dees and was overlooked by Port Adelaide after a brief training stint at Alberton. Now, he's set to play under Port's eyes in the SANFL with the possibility of reigniting his AFL career in 2014. The mercurial forward was seemingly set for a promising stint at the Dees after being handed Russell Robertson's No. 24 jumper and thumping home 40 goals last year. He could get on the park just once this season – in a 101-point loss to premiers Sydney. Ouch.

Sydney Swans v Melbourne Demons, SCG - Demons Liam Jurrah on a lead. Picture: Anthony Reginato Source: Herald Sun

5. ADRIAN ANDERSON (AFL)

The AFL lost one of its heavyweights when Adrian Anderson suddenly resigned this month. In his nine years as football operations manager, Anderson handled a lot of big issues he must have at times wanted to handball off. Check this list to see what he put up with. But, he left highly respected for his dealings both with the media and at AFL House after entering a faceless 31-year-old handpicked by Andrew Demetriou.

AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson. Source: Herald Sun

4. MATTHEW SCARLETT (Geelong)

Seriously, how good was this bloke? Three flags, a best-and-fairest and a mortgage on the full-back post in the All-Australian side. Eight times Scarlett made the team of the year, while after 284 games stopping the league's gorillas he is firmly entrenched among the greats. Scarlett will leave a massive hole in Chris Scott's defence and was hands-down the biggest star to depart the game after 2012. Six times this man collected at least 30 touches, showing his ability to kill sides on the rebound, while like many former Cats he's off to the Dogs in 2013 – as a part-time coach under Brendan McCartney.

3. BRENDON GODDARD (St Kilda)

Day one of free agency and one of St Kilda's marquee men packs up and shifts to Essendon for mega bucks. Bang. The BJ defection kick-started the new age of AFL. A No. 1 draft pick and Grand Final star walking was big, especially with talk Goddard could have captained the Saints if he had stayed. In fairness he wasn't coming off an outstanding season and the system did adequately reimburse St Kilda, with Goddard winning it the No. 13 draft pick, used to help secure exciting ruckman Tom Hickey.

Essendon recruit Brendon Goddard models the 9 jumper he will wear next year Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

2. ISRAEL FOLAU (GWS Giants)

Gave up? Mercenary? Did his job? Lacked the ability? Everyone had their say when Izzy walked out on the Giants after just 13 games at the top level. He never kicked more than one goal, picked up more than five kicks in a game and averaged just 1.4 tackles a match, but, gee, his pay cheque would've been handsome. The biggest shock was when Folau snubbed the NRL, instead opting to play with the NSW Waratahs in 2013. Yep, that's three codes in four years for the one-time league great. And it didn't take long for comedians on social media to link him to Melbourne Heart, Sydney Sixers and synchronised swimming at the next Olympics following his defection.

Israel Folau has been visiting prisoners at Parklea prison. Source: Getty Images

1. KURT TIPPETT (Adelaide)

Oh boy. Where do you start? Nearly the preliminary final hero. Now the all-time greatest villain for Adelaide fans. The Crows lost draft picks, Tippett for nothing, huge fines and a spread of embarrassment unlikely to be topped. An uglier departure could not be scripted, and all because Adelaide was hell-bent on keeping the key forward at the end of 2009. But Tippett got to the Swans, will earn about $70,000 a game next season and walked away with his registration in hand and just an 11-game suspension to serve. Thank heavens that two-month saga is done and dusted.

Where to? Kurt Tippett has a big decision to make. Source: Herald Sun

Follow Sam Landsberger on Twitter @SamLandsberger

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Young Pie faces assault charges

Collingwood rookie Marley Williams charged with assault following an alleged incident a night club in Western Australia. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

YOUNG Collingwood midfielder Marley Williams has been charged with assault in Western Australia.

Williams, 19, is set to appear in court at a later date following an alleged incident at a night club in Albany last night.

Police allege Williams was one of two men at the club who were allegedly involved in an argument around 1.30am (WST) this morning.

The other man, 29, was ejected from the venue and when Williams left, he saw the man outside.

Williams is then alleged to have punched the man who was taken to Albany Regional Hospital with a broken jaw.

Collingwood this afternoon confirmed charges had been laid in a statement.

"As this is a police matter the club will be making no further comment at this time," the statement read.

Williams was taken with pick No.35 in the 2011 rookie draft.

But he was promoted to the senior list after the Magpies lost enforcer Luke Ball to a season-ending knee injury.

Williams played six games in 2012 after making his debut against Adelaide in Round 9.
 

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Demons in hot water over MCG eviction

Former Melbourne player Jared Rivers (white t-shirt and sunglasses), who is now with Geelong, has to be restrained after being told to leave by security and the police. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: Herald Sun

MELBOURNE players evicted from the MCG on Boxing Day will answer to football chiefs when the Dees resume training next week.

Star defender James Frawley, gun forward Jeremy Howe - a cousin of Australian wicketkeeper Matthew Wade - and backman Lynden Dunn will be asked to explain themselves after a boozy day in the notoriously rowdy bay 13 with former teammates Ricky Petterd (Richmond) and Jared Rivers (Geelong).

The group - minus Petterd - were allegedly asked to leave the ground late on Wednesday afternoon after clashes with fellow patrons attracted the attention of security guards.

Melbourne yesterday confirmed the club would address the incident when the team returned from the Christmas break on January 2. Senior players will return on January 7.

Melbourne player James Frawley asked to leave Bay 13 by MCG security. Picture: Wayne Ludbey.

A patron has contacted Richmond alleging Petterd used offensive language.

New Tiger Petterd, 24, is believed to have maintained he did nothing wrong, despite being photographed in a scuffle with another cricket fan.

Geelong defender Rivers, 28, had to separated from another patron as he was led up an aisle by security.

Melbourne player Jeremy Howe puts his shirt on after being told to leave Bay 13. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Officials from Richmond and Geelong would not comment yesterday.

A witness said the players were subjected to verbal abuse from other spectators after they were identified as AFL footballers.

Melbourne coach Mark Neeld is on an overseas holiday but has set high standards for the players in regard to their on and off-field behaviour.

Demons players Jeremy Howe, right, and Lynden Dunn, both in sunglasses, build a beer train in Bay 13 at the MCG. Picture: Wayne Ludbey.

Frawley, 24, is a member of the Demons' leadership group, which could also have a major say in determining any player sanctions.

The incident extends a horror period for the club, with the future of several key officials hinging on the outcome of the league's tanking investigation.

AFL investigators have given the club evidence gathered from its five- month probe into allegations Dees officials set out to lose matches in 2009 to enhance their draft position.

The evidence is in the hands of the club's legal team, which is expected to vigorously defend the claims when it responds in mid-January. The AFL has said it expected to decide if any charges would be laid by the end of January.

Melbourne players were banned from drinking alcohol on their nine-day pre-season camp at Robertson Barracks in Darwin this month.

Dees fitness boss David Misson said the players had been given strict training programs to complete over the break.

"The sessions that they're going to be asked to do are going to be solid," Misson told the Melbourne website.

"The days in between the training sessions are their own, so it gives them a chance to relax with family.

"But the sessions are pretty structured, and they're going to have to send through feedback from those sessions, as well as reach some targets when they come back.

"We're going to know who's done it and who hasn't."

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2012 countdown: Top 10 surprises

The best pictures of the 2012 AFL season

MELBOURNE'S shock win over Essendon, Carlton's demise and Brock McLean's tanking bomb rank among the top 10 surprises of 2012.

As we count down the rest of the week we'll name the highlights, lowlights and simply strange moments of the year in footy in a countdown of top 10 countdowns.

We've well and truly kicked off the countdowns with the best 10 AFL games of 2012,the top 10 marks, the top 10 goals, the top 10 brain fades, the top 10 individual performances and the top 10 recruits of 2012. Yesterday, it was the top 10 departures.

Today the countdown continues with the top 10 surprises of the year.

Did we get it right? Leave a comment below

10. Brett Duncanson's teary resignation

Former Port Adelaide president Brett Duncanson caught everyone by a surprise when he wept during his final address at the helm of the embattled club. The Power boss resigned a day after coach Matthew Primus was sacked in the fall out of the club's shock loss to Greater Western Sydney. Duncanson broke down when he came to thank his family during the press conference at Alberton. He said the board had asked him to continue but he wanted to give the club "clean air". "To continue as president of this football club would lead to constant speculation about its leadership and would not be in the best interests of the club," he said at the time.

9. Andrew Demetriou's mid-season holiday

AFL chief Andrew Demetriou copped flak when he jetted off for a mid-season family holiday to Europe including a flying visit to the London Olympic Games. Former Hawthron president Jeff Kennett branded the northern summer sojourn as an "abuse" of his position. "I think six weeks is beyond the pale…," he told SEN radio. "I can understand having a holiday…six weeks mid-season I think that is an abuse of the employment that you currently occupy." Demetriou was absent during the AFL's handling of a number of incidents including Magpie Sharrod Wellingham's high bump on Blue Kade Simpson, goal review blunders, the unveiling of Essendon's grey strip and pitch invaders at Etihad Stadium.

8. Adelaide's rise

Adelaide made the most of its much publicised "easy draw" to rocket up the AFL ladder under rookie coach Brenton Sanderson. The Crows pounced early, winning the NAB Cup, before going on to snare the four points in eight of the first 10 games of the season proper. Emerging star Patrick Dangerfield led the Crows early-season domination along with Rory Sloane, power forward Taylor Walker and veteran Scott Thompson. But it was in defence where Adelaide improved drastically during 2012 with the unveiling of Rising Star winner Daniel Talia and Sam Shaw. Adelaide's meteoric rise ended in a thrilling preliminary final loss to Hawthorn at the MCG.

7. Gold Coast stuns Carlton/Blues finals flop

Carlton had everything to play for. A finals berth, Brett Ratten's job and the opportunity for a much needed percentage boost leading into September. But the Tom Lynch and Gary Ablett led Gold Coast had other ideas with the Suns charging to a 38-point half time lead when the two sides met at Carrara in Round 22. The rattled Blues rallied in the third quarter outscoring the Suns five goals to one but it was not to be enough to avoid an embarrassing 12-point loss. Lynch starred up forward with four goals while Ablett collected 23 disposals. But the damage was already done, with injuries to key players derailing Carlton's campaign. The Blues launched 2012 in style with three wins from as many starts including a10-goal annihilation of Collingwood in Round 3. But fast forward seven weeks and the Blues, rocked by injuries to Andrew Carrazzo and Marc Murphy, copped an eight-goal hiding at the hands of AFL straggler Port Adelaide. Carlton won just five of its last 13 games to finish a disappointing 10th on the AFL table.

6. Swans win flag

Sydney took the AFL by storm in 2012, flying under the radar, on its way to a fifth flag. The Swans burst out of the blocks with five successive victories to propel to "flag favouritism". But losses in Rounds 6 and 7 put the Swans back on the outer at the Hawthorn, Collingwood and Essendon juggernauts continued to run amok. The Swans responded after losing three in four weeks to put on a nine-game win streak ended by Collingwood in a thriller at ANZ Stadium. Despite losing their last two games of the home and away season, the Swans rallied in September to see off Adelaide, Collingwood and finally Hawthorn with the likes of Ryan O'Keefe, Josh Kennedy, Lewis Jetta and Dan Hannebery at the forefront.

5. Kurt Tippett saga

Show me the money Kurt Tippett found himself in hot water at the end of the season when his backroom contract negotiations was revealed. Tippett, who had set himself on a move back to his home state of Queensland, was all of a sudden the centre of trade talks after Sydney's late multi-million dollar bid for the 200cm forward. Tippett's interest in the Swans' big bucks bid soured relations at AAMI Stadium which he only fuelled with break up text message to Crows players. "Have absolutely loved playing alongside you all. You are all friends for life! I'll be in touch. Love KT." Tippett's text prompted Patrick Dangerfield to respond on Twitter with: "The club did absolutely everything it could. But you have to want to be apart (sic) of the footy club." The saga took a turn during the AFL's trade period when it was revealed Tippett's last contract with Adelaide, signed in 2009, included a $200,000 bonus outside the salary cap. Tippett was handed a 22-game ban – 11 suspended for the next five years – and fined $50,000 for his role in the deal. Tippett joined Sydney in the pre-season draft.

4. Brock McLean drops tanking bomb

Outspoken Carlton midfielder Brock McLean reignited the 'tanking' debate revealing Melbourne was "experimenting" in 2009, losing games to win draft picks. McLean told Fox Footy's On the Couch program that he left the Demons because he suspected the club was deliberately losing games. "Circumstance in the second half of the year never sat well with me", McLean said. When quizzed further he said: Well, they don't call it tanking…We would call it experimenting or whatever it was." McLean's admissions prompted a full-scale AFL investigation which included interviews of past and present Melbourne players, coaches and administrators. The AFL's five-month probe continues with Melbourne pledging to vigorously defend any charges laid against the club.

3. Lenny Hayes' heart condition

The football world was shocked when it was announced St Kilda champion Lenny Hayes had undergone surgery to repair a leaky valve in his heart. Hayes slipped into the Epworth Hospital in September for what the 263-game veteran described as a "simple heart procedure" despite walking out with a 24cm scar from the top of the chest plate to below the sternum.

2. Fremantle's first quarter blitz against Geelong in Elimination Final

Fremantle did the unthinkable in taming feared September beast Geelong in a stunning elimination final at the MCG. The Matthew Pavlich led Dockers piled on five unanswered goals in one of the games of the season. Pavlich slotted six goals – including three of the first five – to set up the "anyone, anytime, anywhere" Dockers 16-point victory after mini final-quarter Cats fight back. The result sent the Cats, who had won three of the past five flags, packing in what would be the club's worst result since 2006.

1. Melbourne triumph over Essendon

It was the upset of the season. Essendon, brimming with confidence after an 8-1 start, was expected to brush a winless Melbourne aside when the two sides met in Round 10. But the Demons had other ideas in front of 42,987 fans outlasting the Bombers in a gruelling four-quarter performance. Melbourne trailed by eight points going into the final change when coach Mark Neeld pulled off a masterstroke in sending defender Colin Garland forward. The switch paid instant rewards with Garland slotting two last-quarter goals as the Demons held on for a thrilling six-point victory.

Follow Gilbert Gardiner on Twitter @gilbert0408

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Billie keen to give 2012 the boot

Billie Smedts finished the 2012 season playing 14 games for Geelong. Picture: Peter Ristevski Source: Geelong Advertiser

IN A strange sort of way Billie Smedts just wants 2012 to be over.

After missing the entire 2011 season because of injury, Smedts made his debut in Round 1 this year before experiencing so many things football has to offer.

He dealt with highs: the excitement of playing his first game, the thrill of playing a big part in Geelong's epic win over Hawthorn in Round 19 and the pride of seeing his mates win the VFL grand final.

But also plenty of lows: being dropped, missing a final through injury and, most significantly, intense pressure.

This time last year Smedts was all the rage at Simonds Stadium.

Players and coaches spoke of how he was training the house down, while the media had him pinned as the competition's next big thing.

And Smedts didn't know why.

He was 19 and he hadn't even made his debut.

"I actually took it pretty tough," Smedts said. "I wanted to put pressure on myself to perform, but I thought it was just a lot of extra pressure - I hadn't played a game yet and I already felt like I had big shoes to fill.

"I feel as though there was too much hype, definitely a little bit too much for my liking. All I wanted to do was play footy and I felt like my first game was already going to be big enough and I felt like in the back of my head, 'Oh, I've had this said, so I've got extra pressure on top of me'."

He insists he didn't read his own press.

"But other people told me about what was said and a lot of other people read it," he said.

"I knew it was there and I didn't handle it very well because it sat there in the back of my head. When I did walk out on to the park I was thinking that people were expecting things and probably expecting bigger things than what I was capable of doing.

"That stuff was written so I felt like I had to play for the media sort of, they were pumping me up, so I felt like I had to go out there and have 30 touches straightaway."

He sought, and received, the advice of senior teammates who had been through it all before, which helped.

"They've obviously gone through a lot of media written and said about them, so just to hear about what they'd gone through, either good reports or bad reports, I just spoke to them about how they dealt with that pressure. They were really good to talk to and they did help me out."

Whether he was dealing with it well or not, March came around quickly and Smedts was named to take on Fremantle in Round 1.

"It's a big road trip for us. We got over there and I was pretty nervous. My family flew over and I was excited but at the same time very scared," he said.

"I ran out there, the crowd was very loud. It was a disappointing loss and a tough initiation."

THE utility played seven of the Cats' first 10 games, moving in and out of the side a couple of times for team balance reasons, before the call came.

He was dropped.

"I took it pretty tough. I knew that I was struggling with a bit of form and I had no confidence going into games," he said.

"I remember Chris Scott coming up on my phone and I knew what was coming. I asked him what I needed to do to get back and he said, 'You play your best footy on confidence and so we just want to take you back to the VFL, hopefully you'll play well, get a kick and get some confidence back and we'll play you'.

"I went back to the VFL and worked on a few little areas of my game, got some confidence up and started playing some decent footy. I got my chance in the senior team again and in a different position as well (half-forward). I enjoyed my new role when I got put back in the seniors." 

GOOD times followed. He had a career-best 20 disposals on his return against Port Adelaide in Round 14, 17 against Gold Coast a week later and then, after playing a personal-best six straight senior games, was involved in the Cats' thrilling two-point win over the Hawks, in which Tom Hawkins kicked six goals.

"I handballed it to Tommy for his second-last one," Smedts said.

"It was incredible. It's everyone's dream to win a game after the siren, you're always in the backyard putting pressure on yourself to win the Grand Final after the siren. I've never been a part of something like that.

"For 'Hawk' to kick that goal after the siren, it was a pretty special night for everyone at the Geelong Football Club. It was massive.

"Me and 'Scarlo' were standing on the goal line and the ball got kicked over our heads. I jumped on Scarlo and he pretty much piggy backed me to 50m out where Hawk was and we all pretty much jumped on each other. It was a pretty good feeling."

But as Smedts was finding his feet and the Cats were seemingly on the verge of making an unlikely assault on a fourth flag in six years, there was to be one final twist in his roller-coaster season.

"I broke my finger into about a thousand pieces in the second-last round," he said.

"We originally thought it was just going to be the one week, so I went in to surgery and got plates and screws put in there, but it didn't get right for the next week (Round 23).

"Then I was actually going to come through the VFL the following week when we played Freo in the elimination final. On the Saturday night the boys were playing the Dockers and I was meant to play in the twos the next day in a final out at Casey.

"But as soon as we lost to Freo I got the call from the doc who said, 'You can't qualify for VFL finals now so your season's done'.

"It was really weird. I was sitting at home getting ready to play footy the next morning and then all of a sudden I get the call saying your season's over. I couldn't really get my head around it. One minute I'm sitting on the couch eating pasta and hydrating and then the next minute the season's over." 

AT LEAST it was for him. Most of his mates had played enough reserves games to qualify for the VFL finals and they went on to defeat Port Melbourne in the grand final to win the premiership.

"I was absolutely pumped for them. I wish I could have been a part of it, but the boys were rapt," Smedts said.

"We pushed back our end-of-year celebrations because we're one team, it's not as if we were going to go out and celebrate without them while they're still playing. Every week we were there for their finals and it was a bonus winning the granny, so we celebrated pretty hard." 

AT THE start of this year, Smedts set himself a goal of playing eight games.

"Any game after that was a bonus," he said.

He finished with 14.

Assessing his first proper season as an AFL player, Smedts described it as "up and down".

"I've experienced the highs and the lows even in my short career to date," he said. "It was an up-and-down year, but it's given me a bit of a taste of what it's going to be like along the way."

Smedts said he doesn't want to forget the lessons he learnt in 2012.

"But in a way I want to put (the year) behind me," he said. "I want to learn from what I did wrong and what I did right last year, so I will put it behind me. But I don't want to forget it totally. I want to take everything I can from this year and put it into next year.

"Next year's a different year and we'll see what happens when we get there."

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Prismall to play VFL with the Dogs

Brent Prismall trained with the Dons, Port and Dogs without luck at the drafts. Now, he'll play at Williamstown. Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

IT'S finally official: Brent Prismall will use the Western Bulldogs' VFL affiliate as a platform to try to relaunch his AFL career.

The delisted Essendon midfielder visited Williamstown headquarters today to finalise his playing contract for 2013 and is set to start pre-season training in January.

Prismall, 26, trained at three clubs in the lead-up to the pre-season and rookie drafts but was overlooked by the Bombers, Dogs and Port Adelaide.

Last week he signed at the Dogs as their full-time player-welfare, a role vacated by Brett Goodes after he beat Prismall to the final place on Brendan McCartney's list.

"He still sees himself as someone who can get picked up in the future, so it was important for him to come into a good environment," Seagulls football manager Chris Dixon told SuperFooty today.

"Obviously it's a good fit with the role at the Western Bulldogs. But it's funny, when we first sat down with Brent he indicated he was looking to play for Williamstown regardless of what happened.

"He's going to be a very good player at VFL level and who knows, in 12 months you'd like to think the door is still open for him, especially with more mature-age players getting picked up."

Prismall played under McCartney at Geelong and Essendon during his 61-game AFL career.

Prismall lives in the western suburbs and came through the Western Jets in the TAC Cup.

He has battled knee and hamstring injuries throughout his career and was restricted to eight AFL matches this season, but last year Essendon coach James Hird backed him to recover.

"There's a lot of football left in Brent Prismall," Hird said after Prismall's knee setback last year.

He joins delisted Collingwood ruckman Cameron Wood as bumper signings at Williamstown, with both hopeful their AFL days are not over.

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Future bright after year of pain

John McCarthy's death in Las Vegas devastated his club Port Adelaide and the broader community. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: The Advertiser

A YEAR that started so brightly for Port Adelaide ended disastrously.

A thrilling opening-round win against St Kilda was forgotten as the Power missed the finals for the fifth consecutive year, coach Matthew Primus lost his job, the president stepped down and popular midfielder John McCarthy tragically fell to his death from a Las Vegas hotel on an end-of-season players trip.

Rarely has an AFL club endured such emotion in one year.

GIANT LOSS

Saturday, August 4, Skoda Stadium.

Matthew Primus had planned to coach Port for a decade. He lasted only two seasons.

After walking on eggshells all season, Primus's job was made untenable after the Power became new club Greater Western Sydney's second victim.

The round 19, 34-point defeat was described by Primus as the "lowest point" in Port's 16-year AFL history and he was brought to tears at his post-match press conference.

While he vowed to fight for his job, Primus was sacked at an emergency board meeting the following day.

THE PRES DEPARTS

Monday, August 6, Alberton.

The president went down with the coach. In making Matthew Primus's axing official, a teary president Brett Duncanson announced he would resign at the end of the year.

On the same day, chief executive Keith Thomas revealed the club had undertaken a complete review of its operations, including its recruiting and fitness records.

Media personality David Koch was later appointed president, despite living in Sydney.

GRAY SKIES

Saturday, April 21, Etihad Stadium.

The writing was on the wall for Port the day excitement machine Robbie Gray crashed to the Etihad Stadium turf clutching his mangled right knee.

Gray's knee buckled in the final 30 seconds of the round-four clash against Collingwood after he landed awkwardly from a marking contest. He missed the rest of the season and the Power was robbed of one of its few gamebreakers.

TRAGEDY IN VEGAS

Sunday, September 9, Las Vegas.

Football was put into perspective when popular Power midfielder John McCarthy tragically died in a fall from a Las Vegas Hotel less than 24 hours after 10 Port players flew in for their end-of-season trip.

The man affectionately known as J-Mac who joined the Power from Collingwood at the end of 2011 had touched the hearts of everyone who had met him.

Port football manager Peter Rohde flew to Vegas to investigate McCarthy's death and brought his body home while the Power players were devastated at losing their good mate. The Power has introduced a series of measures to honour McCarthy next year.

SAINTS SURPRISE

Sunday, April 1, AAMI Stadium.

Round one was a rare shining light for Port. With Hamish Hartlett starring, the Power stunned finals-hardened St Kilda by four points to give its fans hope that it had turned the corner after a nightmare 2011 campaign.

Sadly, it was to win just four more games for the year.

COURAGE UNDER FIRE

Sunday, June 17, Etihad Stadium.

Key forward Jay Schulz nearly died when team-mate Justin Westhoff's right knee hit him with such force in a marking contest against the Western Bulldogs that he felt his insides being "torn to shreds".

Schulz ruptured his lumbar artery in the mid-air collision, was rushed to hospital after the game, spent a night in the intensive care unit at Melbourne's Epworth Hospital and lost two units of blood. He also damaged a kidney and for weeks carried a blood clot the size of a small football.

Amazingly, Schulz who earlier in the season nearly lost the sight in his right eye after being accidentally poked by Crow Michael Doughty returned to the field seven weeks later.

CAT BURGLARY

Sunday, July 15, Adelaide Airport.

In a blatant poaching attempt, Geelong was caught red-handed at Adelaide Airport trying to entice uncontracted Port star Travis Boak to the Cattery.

Coach Chris Scott, captain Joel Selwood and vice-captain Jimmy Bartel flew into town less than 24 hours after their clash against Collingwood for talks with midfielder Boak, who was also courted by North Melbourne.

The Cats copped plenty of flak for their brazen bid to steal Port's best player but they left empty-handed, with Boak eventually re-signing with the Power for two more years.

THE NEW MAN

Monday, October 8, Alberton.

Former Geelong and Gold Coast assistant Ken Hinkley was appointed as just the Power's fourth AFL coach.

Painted as the reluctant Port coach, Hinkley immediately declared he wasn't the last man standing but ``the right man standing".

On the same day, Alan Richardson was appointed as his senior assistant and Darren Burgess who had just quit English Premier League soccer giant Liverpool as fitness coach.

GONE FISHING

October/November.

Troy Chaplin and Danyle Pearce became Port's first free agent losses.

Chaplin signed for Richmond while Pearce, who was involved in a sledging incident with Bulldog Will Minson in round 12, joined Fremantle. First-round draft pick Ben Jacobs also walked out on the club to nominate for the draft.

The Power restocked by trading for Angus Monfries from Essendon, Jack Hombsch from GWS, Lewis Stevenson from West Coast and Campbell Heath from Sydney. Former Demon Liam Jurrah trained at Alberton for two weeks in the hope of reviving his career but was overlooked.

POWER FAILURE

Friday, December 7, Alberton.

Port's nightmare season went from bad to worse when its operating deficit was revealed as being a whopping $6.3 million before grants.

An The Advertiser investigation found the $4.1 million trading deficit the club initially reported did not include the AFL grant of $1 million for the transition to Adelaide Oval.

Then there was the previously unreported $1.2 million which is understood to have come from the AFL as the club struggled to pay bills.

 

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Consider yourself an AFL quizmaster?

How many votes did Essendon skipper Jobe Watson poll to win the 2012 Brownlow Medal? Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

THINK you know your footy? Take our AFL super quiz to find out just how closely you were paying attention in 2012.

QUESTIONS

1. Which team won the 2012 NAB Cup?

2. Which midfielder won the Michael Tuck Medal for best player in the final?

3. Which two clubs faced off in the first match of the season in a stand-alone fixture a week before the other teams?

4. Which Carlton player won goal of the year for a boundary-line run against Richmond in Round 1?

5. Tom Hawkins kicked a famous match-winning goal against Hawthorn after the final siren in Round 19. How many goals did Hawkins kick that night?

6. Which former Melbourne player, now at Carlton, lifted the lid on Demons' tanking claims in an interview on Fox Footy's On the Couch?

7. Which two teams played in the only draw of the 2012 season?

8. Who won the 2012 Coleman Medal?

9. After the finals two other players finished the year with more goals than the Coleman medallist. Who were they?

10. How many votes did Jobe Watson poll to win the 2012 Brownlow Medal?

11. Which two players finished tied for second four votes behind?

12. Which St Kilda veteran polled his first Brownlow votes in his 210th game, a win against Gold Coast?

13. Which two teams did Greater Western Sydney defeat in its first season?

14. How many goals did Lance Franklin kick in Hawthorn's 115-point win against North Melbourne in Hobart?

15. Which Essendon player had the ball in his hands 70m from goal when the siren sounded against Sydney, denying the Bombers a miracle comeback win?

16. Which Melbourne high-flyer won Mark of the Year for a huge grab over Sydney's Heath Grundy at the SCG?

17. Melbourne won its first game for the season in Round 10, defeating which team by six points?

18. Which club forfeited a NAB Cup match when chartered planes couldn't land in the Victorian country town Wangaratta due to bad weather?

19. Karmichael Hunt kicked a goal after the siren to defeat which team in Cairns?

20. Fellow NRL convert Israel Folau struggled for the Giants, kicking how many goals in his 13 matches?

21. Essendon scraped home with a two-point win against North Melbourne after which big Roo missed a shot after the siren from 35m?

22. Chris Judd was suspended for four matches for his "chicken wing" tackle on which North Melbourne forward?

23. Which Collingwood player kicked the winning goal - decided by video review - in the Pies' one-point win against Essendon on Anzac Day?

24. Geelong coach Chris Scott branded the fans of which club the worst in the AFL after some abused Cats doctors and concussed forward Tom Hawkins?

25. Port Adelaide's Alipate Carlisle tweeted this after Geelong full-back Matthew Scarlett punched which Fremantle pest: "Matty Scarlett just done (sic) what a lot of other footballers would love to do #brilliant''?

26. The Western Bulldogs suspended Will Minson for a week after offensive comments towards which Port Adelaide player?

27. Minson was rubbed out for a week by the match review panel for stomping on the leg of which Sydney midfielder?

28. Which St Kilda player was fined $3000 for a homophobic comment to Collingwood defender Harry O'Brien?

29. Who won the Rising Star Award?

30. Which highly-rated GWS midfielder was ineligible because of a one-match suspension for a high bump on Lion Jed Adcock?

31. Sharrod Wellingham was banned for three matches for a high bump that broke the jaw of which Carlton player?

32. Who served as Port Adelaide's caretaker coach after the sacking of Matthew Primus?

33. Who will take over from Kevin Sheedy as GWS coach at the end of this season?

34. Of the six new AFL coaches in 2012, who finished with the most wins? (not including Kevin Sheedy)

35. Who had the fewest?

36. Which Essendon forward was the first AFL player to be charged with staging?

37. James Polkinghorne kicked a 60m torpedo in the dying seconds to steal victory for which club in June?

38. How many bounces did Sydney's Lewis Jetta take on his 100m sprint to kick a stunning goal in the preliminary final against Collingwood?

39. Which Richmond player was sacked after sleeping in and missing training in July?

40. Who was named in the ruck in the All-Australian team?

41. Gary Ablett equalled the record for disposals in a game against Collingwood in Round 10. How many touches did he have?

42. Days after coach Matthew Primus was sacked, Port Adelaide's president resigned in a teary press conference. What is his name?

43. Which TV personality took over as the Power president?

44. Which Hawthorn player, who played just six matches in 2012, kicked the opening goal of the 2012 Grand Final?

45. Which Swan kicked the final goal of the game with 90 seconds on the clock?

46. What was Sydney's winning margin?

47. Which player was awarded the Norm Smith Medal for best afield?

48. Which club will Angus Monfries play for next season?

49. What job did Adrian Anderson resign from in December?

50. Which AFL coach punched a hole in the wall of the MCG coaches box in July?

 ANSWERS

1. Adelaide

2. Bernie Vince

3. Sydney and GWS

4. Chris Yarran

5. Six

6. Brock McLean

7. Richmond and Port Adelaide (Round 23)

8. Jack Riewoldt

9. Lance Franklin and Matthew Pavlich

10. 30

11. Trent Cotchin and Sam Mitchell

12. Jason Blake

13. Gold Coast and Port Adelaide

14. Thirteen

15. Courtenay Dempsey

16. Jeremy Howe

17. Essendon

18. Essendon

19. Richmond

20. Two

21. Hamish McIntosh

22. Leigh Adams

23. Jarryd Blair

24. West Coast

25. Hayden Ballantyne

26. Danyle Pearce

27. Kieren Jack

28. Stephen Milne

29. Daniel Talia

30. Toby Greene

31. Kade Simpson

32. Garry Hocking

33. Leon Cameron

34. Brenton Sanderson (one more than Nathan Buckley)

35. Mark Neeld (one fewer than Brendan McCartney)

36. Leroy Jetta

37. Brisbane

38. Three

39. Daniel Connors

40. Nic Naitanui

41. 53

42. Brett Duncanson

43. David Koch

44. Xavier Ellis

45. Nick Malceski

46. 10 points

47. Ryan O'Keefe

48. Port Adelaide

49. AFL football operations manager

50. Alastair Clarkson

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Crows coach moved on from Tippett

Adelaide Crows coach Brenton Sanderson enjoys the moment with Kurt Tippett while promoting a Christmas Fun Run last year. Picture: Calum Robertson Source: The Advertiser

CROWS coach Brenton Sanderson says he will never understand why Kurt Tippett decided to quit Adelaide for Sydney but insists he has "certainly moved on" from the controversial departure.

And he said he would shake Tippett's hand the next time the pair crossed paths, despite the fallout from Tippett-gate costing the Crows draft picks, money and  two key officials for several months.

"I'll certainly shake his hand and wish him good luck," Sanderson said after Adelaide completed its final training session for 2012 at Max Basheer Reserve yesterday.

"We're fine. While a lot of us don't understand the reasons (he left), it's the business and the industry we're in now.

"I've moved on because these things happen in footy. Gary Ablett left Geelong, (Nathan) Bock left here to go to Gold Coast, Phil Davis left here to go to GWS.

"There are opportunities for players to go to other clubs and while sometimes you get disappointed with decisions players make, it happens. Kurt's made his decision, so we'll get on with our business here.

"He gave everything he had for the footy club when he was here but that chapter's closed and we certainly look forward to a new-look Crows forward line in 2013.

"Who knows, it might be better."

Sanderson revealed he had not spoken to Tippett since the Queenslander told him in October he wanted to join the Swans. He noted how not many Crows players would "spend much time with him from here on in".

But he said Tippett remained in contact with "a few" of his former team-mates, most notably key forward sidekick Taylor Walker.

"I know he's still in contact with a few of the players but it will be difficult for him being in Sydney and the boys here," Sanderson said.

"Some guys have been affected more than others."

Sanderson said Tippett's move to premier Sydney would add further "spice" to an already strong rivalry.

"Everyone will look forward to Sydney-Crows games in the future," Sanderson said.

"It will be a nice rivalry that will develop between Adelaide and Sydney and we look forward to the build-up."

Sanderson said the Crows would miss Tippett's on-field presence next year but noted "four or five" players would be desperate to stand up and take his spot, including Josh Jenkins, Ricky Henderson, Shaun McKernan and Tom Lynch.

SYDNEY yesterday announced Tippett would wear the No. 8 guernsey next year.

Tippett, who donned No. 4 in 104 games for Adelaide, was unable to get his hands on that number with his new club because it is worn by ace  midfielder Daniel Hannebery.

"I'm not superstitious but I've always been an even number," Tippett said.

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18-month ban for VFL drugs player

Casey Scorpions player Wade Lees attempts to break away from his opponent. Picture: Stuart Mlligan Source: Herald Sun

AN AFL aspirant has been banned from all sport for 18 months for importing performance-enhancing drugs.

VFL star Wade Lees yesterday said he would not abandon his AFL dream despite being slugged with the ban by AFL Victoria.

Lees, 24, read his sanction in an email at Casey Scorpions training on Wednesday night - more than two years after he bought the fat-burning product online from the US.

Australian Customs intercepted the product, which contained traces of a banned steroid, and informed the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority.

Lees was then charged with "attempted use of a prohibited substance violation" and banned by AFL Victoria after Round 7 this season.

ASADA argued for a two-year ban at the AFL Victoria tribunal and would not respond yesterday when asked if it would consider appealing for a maximum 24-month penalty.

The authority told the Herald Sun it could not comment due to possible appeals.

AFL Victoria declined to comment until "all parties have exhausted their rights to appeal".

Lees told his VFL drugs tribunal hearing he did not know the product contained banned substances.

He told the Herald Sun yesterday that ASADA had argued that ignorance was no excuse.

Lees, who nominated for last year's draft after hitting career-best form as a tagger, was left depressed and out of pocket about $13,000 in legal and therapy fees and taking days off work.

"If I ever had to cheat the game I wouldn't bother playing sport. My aspirations are to play AFL and if I was to take performance-enhancing drugs and play good football I'm more than likely to get tested, so why would you take the risk?" he told the Herald Sun yesterday.

Lees said he bought the product from overseas to save costs, with the aim to lower his skinfolds to better compete with AFL midfielders in the VFL.

He said the VFL's drug education program was sub-standard.

"If the education was up to scratch all these incidents, like mine and Travis Casserly and Matt Clark wouldn't happen," he said.

Lees is eligible to return in 2014, with the seven months he was forced to serve this year counting towards the ban. He finished seventh in Casey's best-and-fairest from just five games this year.

Casserly is currently serving a two-year ban , while ASADA this year appealed Clark's nine-month sanction, wanting it boosted to two years.

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Taste of big time for Suns teen

Jack Martin is looking forward to clashing with the competition's best a year early. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

GOLD Coast recruit Jack Martin is set to be unleashed in the NAB Cup after the 17-year-old was granted permission to play in the pre-season competition a year before he can make his AFL debut.

Teammate Jaeger O'Meara was cleared to play in last season's NAB Cup under the same circumstance.

Martin, who is ineligible to play AFL next season due to his age, said he was looking forward to clashing with the competition's best a year early.

"I would love to get in and get an early taste of AFL footy and it would be great if I get picked," Martin said.

"I will have to have a chat to Jaeger and see how he found it."

Suns football manager Marcus Ashcroft said the chance to line up against hardened AFL players 12 months early would prove invaluable for Martin.

"It will give him a chance to see how he feels and goes against AFL company and then he has the whole year to go back and play in the NEAFL," Ashcroft said.

"It is the perfect model because we are not putting high expectations on Jack to play senior footy for the whole year."

With his light frame in mind, Ashcroft warned Martin was no certainty for the Suns' NAB Cup opener against Hawthorn and Brisbane at Metricon Stadium on February 23.

But Ashcroft said fans could expect to see the excitement machine used through the midfield if he did get the nod to play in February.

"I think we would play him where he is most comfortable," Ashcroft said.

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Big O aims to hit the high notes

New Richmond recruits Sam Lonergan, Orren Stephenson and Ricky Petterd. Picture: David Smith Source: Herald Sun

MATURE-aged rookie Orren Stephenson is confident there is still plenty of room for his game to grow after being thrown a lifeline by Richmond.

The 30-year-old recruit felt he made some big gains in his 12 months as an AFL player, but feared his chances of extending his league fairytale beyond one season were thin.

Stephenson played eight games for Geelong this year, before being de-listed by the Cats after the arrival of former Kangaroos ruckman Hamish McIntosh in the trade period.

Stephenson was given another chance after being rookie-listed by the Tigers and is convinced he will be a better player next year.

"I am just stoked to get another opportunity to play AFL footy, or the chance to be on the AFL program for another year," Stephenson said.

"I certainly felt the gains that I made in this 12 months just gone were pretty big, so I think there is still plenty of opportunity for me to grow as well.

"I think the biggest thing was that I am aware that I am more than capable of playing AFL footy.

"I know after one pre-season and now another full pre-season I am going to be a lot better again."

Stephenson was one of the feelgood stories of the 2011 national draft when he was taken by the Cats at No.78 after playing in three consecutive VFL flags with North Ballarat.

He made his AFL debut in Round 1 against Fremantle and finished the year with another VFL flag, this time with the Cats - his fourth.

But two months in "limbo" after his departure from Geelong, Stephenson had started planning for the prospect that his short taste of AFL could be over.

"I had started to open the doors back up into my work side of things," the father of three admitted.

"But I was a firm believer that if an opportunity arose I would take it on and it did."

Stephenson was one of three "recycled" players rookie-listed by the Tigers, along with ex-Essendon midfielder Sam Lonergan and delisted Melbourne forward Ricky Petterd.

"It's exciting times, another opportunity for the three of us," he said.

NORTH Melbourne has taken a two-year punt on an American college basketballer Eric Wallace.

The 24-year-old has been signed as an international rookie list player.

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2012 countdown: Top 10 performances

The best pictures of the 2012 AFL season

Hawthorn star Lance Franklin snaps around the body for goal number 13 against North Melbourne. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Herald Sun

LANCE Franklin had a field day against North Melbourne but was Dane Swan's effort on Anzac Day better?

Over the next 10 days we'll name the highlights, lowlights and simply strange moments of the year in footy in a countdown of top 10 countdowns.

We kicked off the series on Monday with the best 10 AFL games of 2012, on Tuesday we went with the top 10 marks, and followed that with the top 10 goals yesterday.

Today the countdown continues with the top 10 individual performances of the year.

Did we get it right? Leave a comment below

10. Scott Thompson v Greater Western Sydney
The North Melbourne intercept king had a day out when the Kangaroos were made to work to counter a plucky GWS outfit. Thompson amassed 39 disposals (192 SuperCoach points), almost unheard-of numbers for a key backman, in the 28-point victory at Skoda Stadium. The Kangaroos' most prolific stopper also clunked 13 marks.

9. Trent Cotchin v Western Bulldogs
Brett Deledio tweeted post-match he had a front seat at the Cotchin Show after the No.9 put on a clinic with 35 touches, three goals and an amazing 17 score involvements. He also picked up 170 SuperCoach points. It would be the start of a withering four-game run of 30-plus possession games which propelled the silky-skilled midfielder to equal second in the Brownlow Medal with 26 votes.

8. Marc Murphy v Essendon
The Carlton star had a frustrating season and he took it out on arch-rival Essendon in Round 21. Murphy had the ball on a string, collecting 37 disposals while kicking two goals as the Blues romped home by 96 points. He also laid six tackles. Murphy capped off his superb performance with a goal after the siren to give the Blues a handy percentage boost.

7. Dean Cox/Nic Naitanui v Geelong
Orren Stephenson is still waking up in cold sweats after confronting the Eagles duo on a Friday night in Perth. When Cox and Nic Nat combine for 41 disposals and 13 marks it makes it difficult to trump West Coast. Add 77 hitouts and five goals and it's an almost impossible task. The vaunted ruck pair dominated the Cats when the two sides met in Round 20, the Eagles outlasting their rivals by five points. Cox was brilliant, kicking three goals while picking up 23 disposals and eight marks. The veteran added five clearances and four inside-50s to his stats sheet. The pair also combined for 343 SuperCoach points.

6. Jack Riewoldt v St Kilda
The Riewoldts combined for 11 of the 34 goals scored when Richmond held out St Kilda in a Round 10 shootout at Etihad Stadium. Jack claimed family bragging rights, helping the Tigers to a seven-point victory with eight goals in his 100th match. The flighty forward also clunked nine marks along the way. It would be Jack's biggest haul of the season en route to his second Coleman Medal with 65 majors – three clear of Geelong spearhead Tom Hawkins.

Source: Gold Coast Bulletin

5. Gary Ablett v North Melbourne
Little Gazza single-handedly kept his young Gold Coast Suns within striking distance of North when the two sides met at Metricon Stadium in Round 12. Ablett put on a masterful display including 42 disposals and four goals – none more impressive than a 45m left-foot snap from the boundary line during the second quarter. Ablett's haul included 10 clearances, five rebound-50s and four inside-50s. It was the best of Ablett's 2012 highlights reel; two weeks earlier he equalled the VFL-AFL record for possessions in a game with 53 touches against Collingwood.  4. Dayne Beams v Sydney
It was party time on Smith St when Pictures mark II, Dayne Beams, slotted his third goal to ice Collingwood's eight-point win against Sydney at ANZ Stadium. The heavily tattooed star midfielder starred in the absence of namesake Dane Swan, who was serving the first of a two-week club-imposed suspension for breaking player rules. Beams helped himself to 34 disposals including 11 clearances and five tackles. He finished with 170 SuperCoach points.
3. Dean Cox v North Melbourne
Cox was the difference between West Coast winning or losing to the Roos at Blundstone Arena in Hobart. Cox booted three goals including the sealer to ice the Eagles come-from-behind two-point victory in Round 15. The 204cm ruckman also clunked marks at both ends of the ground to stymie the Kangaroos at every turn. Cox finished with 21 disposals, 15 marks and 24 hitouts - and a lazy 215 SuperCoach points.

Hawthorn v North Melbourne. Aurora Stadium, Launceston. Lance Franklin kicks his 11th goal. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Herald Sun

2. Lance Franklin v North Melbourne
The Roos were on the receiving end again - also in Tassie - when Buddy ran riot in Hawthorn's 115-point demolition in Round 10. The raking left-footer outscored the Kangaroos 13.4 to 9.5 in the Round 10 rout at Aurora Stadium in Launceston. The Hawks piled on 27 majors to hammer the Shinboners into submission. The superstar feasted on Kangaroos defenders Scott Thompson, Nathan Grime and Luke Delaney, booting six first-half goals including three in three minutes during the second quarter. But Franklin saved his best for last, with goal No.12 coming from deep in the left forward pocket while, No.13 was a dropped mark, snap around the body with only seconds left on the clock. It was the highest SuperCoach score of the year (236), but in terms of the stage, stakes and influence on the result, we've got him just behind...
1. Dane Swan v Essendon
Talk of Swan carrying a few extra kilograms was quickly shelved when the Brownlow medallist ran amok in Collingwood's thrilling one-point win on Anzac Day. Swan collected a staggering 42 disposals – 20 contested – and kicked three goals in the MCG blockbuster. Swan capped off a brilliant day by rubbing his stomach – mocking those who called him overweight – after kicking his third goal late in the third quarter. The Anzac medallist finished with 13 clearances and six tackles. Swan obviously likes playing the Bombers - he picked up another 42 touches when the two sides met in Round 23.

TOMORROW:

Follow Gilbert Gardiner on Twitter @gilbert0408

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Ox: Don't kill the Dees

David Schwarz, who played 173 games with the Demons, fears a heavy sanction could pose a serious threat to the club's future.Picture: Fiona Hamilton Source: Herald Sun

MELBOURNE great David Schwarz hopes any penalty that might flow from the league's tanking investigation will not "cripple" the club.

The AFL is today expected to serve the Demons with evidence gained from its five-month probe into their list management in 2009.

While Melbourne could be hit with heavy fines or loss of draft picks, there is mounting belief the AFL would prefer to penalise individuals, rather than the club, if it is found guilty of deliberately losing games under former coach Dean Bailey.

Melbourne has pledged to vigorously defend any charges and has suggested it would be willing to take the fight to the Supreme Court.

The AFL has interviewed and re-interviewed a host of former and current officials who were at the club in 2009.

President Don McLardy said yesterday he had not seen the interview transcripts that are expected to be presented to Bailey, chief executive Cameron Schwab and former football operations manager Chris Connolly.

"There is still no comment on the investigation," McLardy told the Herald Sun. "We are pleased to see progress and are letting it take its course."

Schwarz, who played 173 games with the Dees, fears a heavy sanction could pose a serious threat to the club's future.

"I, like anyone, hope it goes away, but something might come of it," Schwarz said.

"Whatever it is, you just hope it doesn't hurt or cripple the club. That said, if individuals have done the wrong thing, then they have got to be held accountable."

If the AFL does lay charges, it is likely to happen late next month, in order to give the Demons time to respond to the evidence and prepare their defence.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou has warned any person found guilty of manipulating the result of a match would "never work in football again".

Connolly is at the centre of the storm after it was reported he reminded football officials about the importance of losing matches to improve the club's draft position.

But Robert Shaw, who was Fremantle's football operations manager when Connolly coached the Dockers, said Connolly could not have been "solely responsible".

"My gut feeling is the focus on Chris is concerning," Shaw said. "These types of suggestions and allegations could not purely be the work of Chris Connolly."

Shaw said Connolly's work helping raise money for the Demons and the Dockers helped save the two clubs.

"I always found him to be a person of integrity and strong football character," he said.

"The work he did when he first went to Fremantle, I reckon he saved the two clubs.

"His appetite for work and to get out and raise sponsorship singlehandedly at Fremantle, and knock on doors himself, all that sort of stuff is unfairly forgotten in the mist that is tanking allegations.

"He always had the best interests of his football club at heart."

TANKING TIMELINE

JULY, 2012

CARLTON midfielder and former Demon Brock McLean re-ignites the tanking debate when he reveals in an interview on Fox Footy's On the Couch a major reason he wanted to leave Melbourne was because of its strategy of deliberately losing games.

"You can't create a good culture by going out and experimenting and trying to get draft picks and losing games of football,'' McLean said.

"It goes against everything you're trying to do.''

THE AFL launches a fresh tanking investigation, headed by its integrity officer Brett Clothier, following McLean's explosive TV interview.

AUGUST, 2012

McLEAN is called to AFL headquarters to face integrity chief Brett Clothier over his explosive claims the Demons tanked in 2008-2009.

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou promises severe punishment for any side found guilty of tanking, encouraging anyone with knowledge of tanking to come forward.

"We shouldn't sweep it under the carpet,'' Demetriou said.

"If they've got information that can prove, that's supportive of the fact that a club lost a game on purpose to achieve a particular outcome that is a serious allegation and I would encourage them to come forward.

"Any issue that involves integrity of the code, any issue, is something we should thump on the head.

"That's my strong position.''

MELBOURNE president Don McLardy launches a passionate defence of the club's integrity in the wake of the AFL's tanking investigation.

"I want to make it very clear that we will defend our club's integrity in the strongest fashion,'' McLardy said.

"For anyone to suggest that our players did not give their all every time they ran on to the field is not acceptable to us.''

AFL intensifies its tanking investigation, interviewing former coaches and key football figures, including former senior coach Dean Bailey.

OCTOBER, 2012

THE AFL uncovers details of a meeting, addressed by former football boss Chris Connolly, of the Demons' football department in which the need to play for draft picks was reinforced.

A SECOND member of Melbourne's 2009 wooden-spoon winning team claims then coach Dean Bailey was under fierce pressure to lose matches deliberately.

"It was disgusting what was going on and you felt for 'Bails' because everyone knew he was under the pump to lose,'' said the player, who the Herald Sun agreed not to name.

"Players had meetings and asked him what was going on but there was nothing he could do.''

NOVEMBER, 2012

A THIRD Melbourne player reveals coach Dean Bailey called a player meeting to signal a sudden change in tactics midway through the 2009 season.

A FORMER Melbourne sponsor reveals a Melbourne Football Club official boasted openly about tanking at a meeting of big sponsors.

"It was an off the cuff remark regarding the No.1 draft pick,'' the company representative said.

"He said words to the effect of, `We made sure that happened'.''

DECEMBER, 2012

THE AFL has asked Melbourne to respond to evidence that could lead to the club being charged with tanking for draft picks in 2009. The league said its five-month investigation was complete and a report of evidence would be provided to all relevant parties.

PERSONS OF INTEREST

Chris Connolly, Dees football manager

Cameron Schwab, Melbourne CEO

Brock McLean, Melbourne player in 2009

Dean Bailey, Melbourne coach in 2009

James McDonald, former Demons skipper

Scott West,  ex-Melbourne assistant coach

Barry Prendergast, former Demons recruiting manager

Josh Mahoney, then assistant coach, now football manager

WHAT THE RULES SAY

"A person, being a player, coach or assistant coach, must at all times perform on their merits and must not induce, or encourage, any player, coach or assistant coach not to perform on their merits in any match - or in relation to any aspect of the match, for any reason whatsoever.'' - AFL Regulations 19(A5)

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Roos find new CEO

Carl Dilena (second from left) is North Melbourne's new CEO. Source: Herald Sun

NORTH Melbourne's 199-day search for a new chief executive is finally over.

The Roos today announced they had hired with Carl Dilena, with the former North player set to start in February.

North Melbourne narrowly missed on poaching Geelong boss Brian Cook and was linked to Adrian Anderson after his sudden departure from the AFL this month.

Dilena, 45, was a former senior partner at KPMG and is on North Melbourne's board.

"We were looking for someone with great leadership skills, senior management experience, a comprehensive understanding of the football industry and someone who also appreciates the unique culture of our club," Roos president James Brayshaw said.

"Carl has been a senior partner with one of the world's biggest professional services firms, played football at the highest level, has been a member of our Board for the past five years and has chaired the club's finance and audit committee.

"He comes to us with an impressive skill-set and we couldn't be happier to announce his appointment."

Dilena played 33 games with the Roos and Fitzroy between 1989-92.

The Roos have been searching for a new chief executive since Eugene Arocca resigned in June.

Cameron Vale, the Roos chief financial officer, has been serving as interim chief executive but was told last month he would not be handed the permanent position.

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We'll always be the Dockers

Matthew Pavlich celebrates a goal. Freo says it won't be changing its name from the Dockers. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

FREMANTLE president Steve Harris has promised the club will continue to be known as the Fremantle Dockers despite announcing it is shifting its training base to Cockburn.

In conjunction with the City of Cockburn, the Dockers will build a $107 million training base on a 26,000-square metre greenfields site in Success. They hope to move there in 2016 or 2017.

"It's only two years ago that we successfully completed lengthy negotiations with Levi Strauss to have the legal right to call ourselves the Fremantle Dockers, and we have absolutely no intention of changing our name from the Fremantle Dockers either now or in the future," Harris said.

''We are and will always be known as the Fremantle Dockers."

The City of Cockburn will fund most of the project, with contributions from the Dockers, the AFL and the state and federal governments also expected.

The club has spent this year weighing up whether to redevelop its current base at Fremantle Oval or create a new base in Success, at a site known as Cockburn Central West.

In the face of a backlash from some members over abandoning their traditional home, the Dockers said it would take a compelling case to move.

The move has been seen as a fait accompli for months and club's board formally resolved this week that compelling case had been sustained.

"Given our club's traditional and historical links to Fremantle Oval, there is no question about the significance of the decision to locate our core operations away from Fremantle Oval, and this was carefully considered throughout the decision-making process," Harris said.

"In addition to the club's operating costs at Cockburn Central West being less when compared to redeveloping at Fremantle Oval, the Cockburn Central West option allows for our club to have access to a bigger indoor training facility, bigger and better aquatic facilities and provides for access to a second oval.

"It is a green field site, so there is likely to be less planning uncertainty and there will be no facility transition costs or interruption to club operations as there would be under the Fremantle Oval master plan options.

"Operating costs at the Cockburn Central West site will also be lower because we are sharing the City of Cockburn's sporting and aquatic facilities with the community. This is also a great result for the community."

Harris said the new facility presented an outstanding opportunity for the Dockers to gain an advantage over their rivals.

"When the club opened its current training and administration facility at Fremantle Oval in November 2000, the facilities were regarded as one of the better club facilities in the AFL," he said.

"However, given the advances in the past decade nationally and internationally in technology and sports science, and an increase in the competitive landscape of the AFL, the club's current facilities are now well behind the AFL benchmark.

"In addition to the Cockburn Central West site allowing for the development of a world-class training and administration facility not seen previously in Australia, the site, which is within the greater Fremantle region, provides greater prospects for future expansion, community engagement and supporter interaction."

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Meet the new, improved Karmichael

Gold Coast Suns player Karmichael Hunt is the slimmest he's been in three AFL pre-seasons. Picture: Brendan Radke Source: Gold Coast Bulletin

SPECIAL K has become Shrinking K.

Gold Coast Suns midfielder and code-hopper Karmichael Hunt is the lightest he has ever been in his well-travelled professional football career, with the 26-year-old tipping the scales at 87kg this week.

When he played rugby league for the Brisbane Broncos, Queensland and Australia he was 93kg.During his stint in French rugby Biarritz in 2009/2010, he nudged the 100kg mark.

But the trademark treetrunk legs are now gone, with Hunt halfway through his third AFL pre-season training program.

A leaner Hunt no longer looks like a rugby league player built to withstand multiple front-on high-speed collisions.

He appears every bit like an AFL on-baller who is required to cover vast distances over four quarters.

Gold Coast strength and conditioning coach Chris Gaviglio said Hunt's significant body shape transformation was a result of his single-minded determination.

"Karmichael needed to make those changes to survive and succeed in the AFL," Gaviglio said.

"He is a highly-driven athlete and he has been prepared to do what it takes to meet the demands of the sport. That is what has underpinned his success across all three codes.

"He is an inherently gifted athlete and he has really bought into our strength and conditioning program as well as working closely with our dietician Benita Lalor.

"You could tell he was cooked by the end of his first season but he would have run out last season if not for a shoulder injury. His legs were willing and able to go the full distance."

After an understandably indifferent first season in 2011, Hunt had a break-out year in 2012 with a shift from defence to the midfield.

The high point was his match-winning goal after the siren against Richmond in Cairns to hand the Suns their first victory of the season, but his on-ball work throughout the year also caught the eye.

He also produced a number of bone-rattling bumps on opponents to become a genuine enforcer.Gaviglio said Hunt would still pack a punch in 2013 despite shedding the weight.

"He is stronger than ever. He is bench pressing 145kg, which is more than what he was doing at the Broncos," he said.

Gold Coast football manager Marcus Ashcroft said Hunt's leaner appearance was inevitable.

"Karmichael has been training well and is in great shape at the moment but you can't not lose weight given the amount of running he has had to do," the triple premiership player said

"Especially in his new role in the midfield, he has covered a lot of kilometres.

"He has had a season in the VFL and two seasons in the AFL so it was only a matter of time before his body shape became more suited to the demands of our game."

The Suns had their last pre-Christmas training session yesterday  and will resume on January 7.

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Bone shaved from Cat's hips

James Kelly battled a hip injury during the 2012 season. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

GEELONG midfielder James Kelly has revealed he had bone shaved from his thighs during post-season surgery after a pain-stricken 2012 season.

Kelly yesterday declared himself on track to play in Geelong's NAB Cup campaign after a successful recovery from an arthroscope on both hips.

The operation involved having bone shaved off both femurs.

The 28-year-old has been on a modified program this pre-season and will return to full training early in the new year, confident his hip troubles are behind him.

"I will be training more heavily over the coming days and it's all going pretty good," Kelly said.

"I'll be back to full training on January 1.

"It's clearing up really well."

Despite having a strong season, in which he was Geelong's leading tackler and still picked up 470 touches, Kelly revealed he had a weekly struggle with hip pain.

But he is confident of a pain-free season next year in a major boost to Geelong's top-four ambitions.

"The hips were more painful during the year than they are now. I'm relying on the physios a lot and they're helping out but I've still been able to do a fair bit of training recently," he said.

"I've been going through the rehabilitation program well and everything is going as planned.

"I'll be 100 per cent ready to go come next season."

Pic gallery: Cats roam the highlands

Geelong assistant coach Dale Amos last week said Kelly and Jimmy Bartel (foot) were making strong progress in their recoveries from post-season operations.

"They've been conditioned, they're doing their weights, they're just being nursed back into the football side," Amos said.

"I would be surprised if they didn't play (NAB Cup). The plan is for them to be ready for Round 1, so you'd imagine they'd play (NAB Cup) at some stage.

"They've been doing their running inside and their conditioning inside and now they're starting to do the work outside, so I think after Christmas we expect to see them a bit more.

"They'll be integrated back in after Christmas. I'm not totally sure when they'll be totally unrestricted, but they're well and truly on track and they should be right amongst it by the time we get back after Christmas.

"We've been patient with them. You want to progress those guys as quickly as you can without pushing them too much."

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Knee surgery for young Giant

Dom Tyson tries to get the ball out of the pack. Picture: Tim Hunter Source: The Daily Telegraph

GREATER Western Sydney midfielder Dom Tyson will miss five months of football after injuring his knee at training.

Tyson ruptured his posterior cruciate ligament on Wednesday and will have surgery in Melbourne next week.

"It was an unfortunate incident caused by a collision with another player as part of a tackling drill," Giants sports science manager John Quinn said.

"There is slight damage to medial ligament but fortunately the ACL is intact and there doesn't seem to be too much collateral damage.

"We looked at all options and determined this was the best course of action. The recovery time from an operation like this is around five months and it is expected that Dom could be back playing in May."

Tyson was recruited from the Oakleigh Chargers with pick three in the 2011 national draft. He played 10 matches in an injury-interrupted 2012 season.

 

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2012 countdown: Top 10 goals

The best pictures of the 2012 AFL season

Sydney speedster Lewis Jetta celebrates his incredible goal in the Swans' preliminary final win against Collingwood. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: Herald Sun

CARLTON speedster Chris Yarran won the official goal of the year, but an even quicker Swan might have gone one better.

Over the next 10 days we'll name the highlights, lowlights and simply strange moments of the year in footy in a countdown of top 10 countdowns (still with us?).

We kicked off the series on Monday with the best 10 AFL games of 2012, and followed that with the top 10 marks yesterday.

Today the countdown continues with the top 10 goals of the year.

Did we get it right? Vote in our poll and leave a comment below

10. James Polkinghorne v West Coast

Torpedo punts that sail through the middle are great to watch any time, and even better when your side is less than a goal down with about 30 seconds to play. That's when Polkinghorne pulled this one out of the bag from inside the centre square against the Eagles in June, pulling off one of the upsets of the season.

James Polkinghorne celebrates his match-winning goal against the Eagles. Picture: Darren England Source: Herald Sun

9. Ahmed Saad v Geelong
This might have been the moment Matthew Scarlett decided 'stuff this, I'm going to leave this to the younger blokes'. Isolated against the Geelong champ in St Kilda's forward 50, Saad gathered the loose ball, turned Scarlett inside-out and burnt him off before snapping truly from the boundary line.

Ahmed Saad kicks a goal ahead of Matthew Scarlett. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

8. Luke Breust v Collingwood
Third-man up specialist Jordan Lewis tapped a ball-up towards the boundary line where Breust gathered, spun onto his left and bounced through the goal from next to the behind post. Don't you love it when a plan comes together? It was the third of Breust's five for the day in the Hawks' big win.

Luke Breust celebrates a snapped goal with Jordan Lewis and Cyril Rioli. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

7. Jonathon Griffin v Richmond
An almost identical effort to Breust, with a few extra points for degree of difficulty due to heavy rain and the fact 201cm ruckmen aren't meant to do this kind of thing.

6. Lindsay Thomas v Carlton

The man who couldn't kick a goal from the goalsquare last year picked up a bouncing ball on the boundary line about 55m out and somehow wobbled through a bouncing reverse torpedo. Unfortunately for Lindsay, this game is remembered for another incident when the Carlton captain had a sudden taste for chicken wings. 5. Hayden Ballantyne v West Coast
He's an annoying little man but Ballantyne can play. He was front and centre when Matthew Pavlich spilled a mark in the western derby, pouncing on the ball then shrugging a Will Schofield tackle, dodging Sam Butler then leaving Shannon Hurn sitting on his backside wondering which way the Dockers pest went before slotting the goal on the run. You can imagine the celebration. 4. Lewis Jetta v Western Bulldogs
Hard to believe this guy couldn't buy a goal in his first season. Jetta ran on to a loose ball at half-back, puts on the afterburners and slots the goal from 45m near the boundary after two bounces. We didn't know it at the time, but it was just a teaser of what was to come.

Lewis Jetta in action during the Sydney Swans v Western Bulldogs AFL game at the SCG in Sydney. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: The Daily Telegraph

3. Chris Yarran v Richmond
Yarran won goal of the year for his Round 1 effort against the Tigers. He took Chris Judd's handball on the wing and shrugged off Ivan Maric then stepped around Steve Morris and goaled from the forward pocket. If only Dustin Martin had chased a little harder ...

Carlton's Yarran snaps a wonder goal from near the boundary line against Richmond. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Herald Sun

And we won't ruin the party by asking if Yarran took the ball over the boundary line during his explosive run.

Chris Yarran runs along the boundary line on the way to kicking goal of the year against Richmond. Source: Herald Sun

2. Rory Sloane v GWS
The Sloane Ranger lived up to his namesake with his solo effort against the Giants. Gathering at half-back, Sloane sprinted up the wing, taking three bounces before sending an absolute mongrel finger-breaker inside forward 50. He made up for that mistake with his follow-up, grabbing the ball off the boot of Taylor Walker and snapping truly on his left. Although Bernie Vince evidently thought he should have handballed.

Rory Sloane goals against GWS. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: The Advertiser

1. Lewis Jetta v Collingwood
Ineligible for Goal of the Year because it came in a final, but that doesn't bother us. We'll also conveniently overlook the fact Jetta should have been pinged for running too far given he bounced the ball only three times while covering about 90m. But, like a Warwick Capper hanger that technically involves a hand on the shoulder, it was just too good to take off him. And he was moving too fast for anyone to notice anyway. Jetta left scorched turf behind him after he took off from the back of the ANZ Stadium centre square and ran all the way to the goal-line. Kudos to Magpie defender Nathan Brown, who chased Jetta the whole way knowing he was no hope of catching him - and earned himself a cameo in one of footy's great highlight reels.

Sydney's Lewis Jetta burns off his Collingwood opponents to kick an amazing running goal last weekend. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: The Daily Telegraph

Lewis Jetta at top speed on the way to one of the great finals goals against Collingwood. Source: Getty Images

Sydney's Lewis Jetta celebrates goal against Collingwood in the first preliminary final at ANZ Stadium. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: The Daily Telegraph

Fox Sports: Vote for the biggest AFL moment of 212 here

TOMORROW: TOP 10 BRAIN FADES OF 2012

Follow Al Paton on Twitter: @al_superfooty

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Power the perfect fit for Darren

Fitness coach Darren Burgess, centre, leads Port Adelaide players through their paces. Picture: Campbell Brodie Source: The Advertiser

Fitness coach Darren Burgess, right, leads the Port Adelaide squad in the scorching heat at Grange. Picture: Campbell Brodie. Source: The Advertiser

THERE'S no point in dancing around the obvious question as you sit down with Port Adelaide's returning fitness coach Darren Burgess at the club's Alberton headquarters.

Why would somebody turn his back on English Premier League club Liverpool, one of the world's biggest sport franchises, to return to Australian football with Port Adelaide?

That is no slight on Port, which is struggling financially, but Australian football is a domestic code and doesn't rate anywhere near the EPL.

An example: In Burgess's time at Liverpool, the club spent $10.4 million on a teenager who had never played a game at the highest level.

That is more than the salary cap for Port Adelaide.

Burgess, whose resume also includes time with the Socceroos during a World Cup campaign, has fielded the questions of his career move before and could not be more comfortable with his choice.

He was not sacked by Liverpool, where it was reasonably assumed he was on bigger coin than at Alberton.

Much of it had to do with his children - Harry, 23 months, and Millie, seven months - and the lifestyle choice can be appreciated.

They were both born over there, but Burgess didn't want them to miss out on growing up in Australia.

"We had a great life over there but it comes a time when you say  ...  to come back to Port Adelaide was too good an opportunity.

"It was all really amicable but I've done it," Burgess said.

"Nothing to me could ever beat going to the World Cup with the Socceroos, being a patriotic Australian soccer fan, but this is a new challenge. Maybe the biggest challenge I've ever had.

"But there's no doubt the climate plays into it. People underestimate that. Australian soccer players who go over to play in Europe - people don't appreciate how hard it actually is.

"Very few Australians have got to that real top echelon and in the north of England  ...  we had five days over 25C in my two and a half years there.

"So you have to make decisions for your family, the kids growing up here.

"I'm proud they were born in Liverpool because it's a great city and they'll always know where they came from but I want them to grow up as Aussies in the sun.

The timing was right and the opportunity to come back was too good to refuse, really

"I'm an Aussie so this is my home. I've been away travelling for the best part of seven years.

"First with the national team and then obviously spending two and a half years with Liverpool.

"And the opportunity to come back to Adelaide was only going to happen this year. The timing was right from that point of view and the opportunity to come back to Port was too good to refuse, really."

There was also a sense of obligation when he first started fielding phone calls from chief executive Keith Thomas.

Burgess left the club in a hasty, but amicable, fashion when his talent was recognised from the outside and he felt he owed the club.

Taking his profession and ambitions aside, he is also a Port man.

"The timing was right and the opportunity to come back was too good to refuse, really," Burgess said.

"It's my team. It's who I go for and it's where I started, more or less, full-time (fitness) work.

"The project that Keith sold to me was a good one, my family and I loved Adelaide. We obviously lived here previously.

"There's no doubt working in the (English) Premier League was my dream, that's why I started studying.

"And then, working for a club like Liverpool, takes it to another level because it's such a big club.

"But you have to understand that over there you play so many games that your ability to really get your teeth into a pre-season, to really periodise loads and get your hands dirty is limited because they play so many games.

"You do a hell of a lot of travelling and, with two young kids, it takes it's toll.

Does the fact that Burgess turned his back on Liverpool and the EPL, one of the biggest games on the planet, mean he has also turned his back on ambition?

Burgess argues to the contrary, saying there is no bigger challenge than what is before him today.

"It depends on how you define it," Burgess said.

"If your ambition is to work in an environment where players and the atmosphere are more glamorous and more worldly recognised - yep, stepped away from that.

"If you want to work in an environment where the work itself is more rewarding, I would say that I've stepped up by coming back to Port. It depends on how you define it.

"And in my work with the Socceroos, the three years I was there, I'd say I'd spent six months travelling and seeing every major soccer team on the planet.

"I went through five different NFL clubs, probably eight or nine NBA clubs, four or five US colleges, South American soccer clubs  ...  I got to see all of that.

"And if I got to choose anywhere to work, from a professional point of view, it would be in Australia, in the AFL. That's what motivates me. To be able to see a team grow.

"And other than the two expansion teams, this is the best team to go to for that sort of project.

"And there's a sense of owing something, because I left the club. There's no hiding from that (even though it was) in a good moment. So in a sense, I want to come back and finish that off."

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