Published Articles - Archives

2004 DRAFT

Griffen fancied as top pick
South Australian under-18 coach Darren Trevena believes exciting South Adelaide midfielder Ryan Griffen has the ability to be the first player selected in this year's National Bank's AFL Draft. Trevena - who coached the Northern Territory to its first under-18 title in 2002 and who has since succeeded in lifting South Australia's fortunes at the championships - said Griffen was right in the mix to claim the number one mantle in 2004. "The big one is Griffen this year, and I'd like to see him be around the same mark like (Western Bulldogs Adam) Cooney at number one, which would be great to back up again with South Australia being the number one draft pick, two years in succession," Trevena told Sportal. "It'll be interesting to see whether he goes one, two or three." Trevena also suggested beanpole ruckman Cameron Wood and midfielders Angus Monfries and Danny Meyer were set to be first-round selections at this year's draft . . .
The Article - Matt Burgan/Sportal - saints.com.au - 30Sept04

Record runs catch the eye at AFL draft camp
Perth midfielder Nathan Van Berlo and South Australia's Danyle Pierce captured many a recruiter's eye on day two of the AFL draft camp yesterday, setting camp records in the agility run and sprint.Pierce, a speedy onballer from Sturt, equalled the 2.79-second record for the 20-metre sprint set by Western Bulldog Steven Koops at the 1995 camp. Richard Tambling, a likely top-five choice at next month's national draft, also equalled Koops' time, before Pierce ran even faster in his second sprint to make the record his own. Van Berlo, who represented Western Australia at the under-18 national championships this year, set his record in the agility run, beating the 7.95-second mark set by Fremantle midfielder Byron Schammer two years ago. The West Perth player also performed best at the gruelling beep test, reaching level 15.02, short of the shared 16.06 level set by Geelong midfielder David Spriggs in 1999 and Sydney's Jarrad McVeigh in 2002. The camp ends today, with a skills session and a three-kilometre time trial.
The Article - Emma Quayle - TheAge - 01Oct04

National Bank's 2004 AFL Draft Camp:
The Final Check Off
Those who had been observing Andrew Walker, Brock McLean and Brent Stanton progress through the junior ranks were certainly aware of their natural football talents. There were no doubts they all could play. But it was their performances at last year's National Bank's AFL Draft Camp in Canberra that enhanced their standing and convinced Carlton, Melbourne and Essendon respectively to draft them. Walker impressed scouts with his power and endurance, indicating that he was more than capable of making the transition from excellent junior to legitimate AFL player. Walker, eventually picked second overall by the Blues at last year's National Bank's AFL Draft, was brilliant in his AFL debut match. He played 15 games and was the round five nomination for the National Bank's AFL Rising Star award. McLean had enjoyed a brilliant 2003 in the Victorian-based under 18 TAC Cup competition, was best on ground in the TAC Cup Grand Final and was named an All-Australian. In Canberra, he surprised few with his sheer competitiveness and will to win, pushing himself to the limit in some of the trials.
The Article - afl.com.au - 29Sept04

MORE DRAFT CHATTER
Mock 2004 AFL Draft - footydraft.com
DRAFT CAMP 2004 - Attendees - wafl.com.au
SCREENING Attendees - wafl.com.au
CONTRACTS St Kilda Players
Now we will see Bevo's true value - Saintsational Fan Forum

Saint move not all Black and white
St Kilda coach Grant Thomas was confident last night Heath Black would stay at Moorabbin next season as clubs finalised their plans for trade week. Thomas said Black had told him on Thursday he wanted to continue with the Saints, defusing suggestions he would return to Fremantle . . . The Saints may offer him a new deal as early as next week, but it's not expected to be as lucrative as the three-year contract which is about to expire. It's understood he earned about $400,000 this season . . . Thomas said he would be interested in Simmonds if the ruckman-forward was keen to return to Melbourne. Simmonds met his manager Ron Joseph, who also looks after Black, in Perth yesterday. Veterans Justin Peckett and Andrew Thompson are set to play on next season, as is Robert Harvey.
The Article - Jon Pierik - HeraldSun - 02Oct04

Saints consider trading Black for Simmonds
Heath Black, one of St Kilda's best-performed players of the finals series, will seek a return to Perth during next week's trade period, possibly courtesy of a swap with Fremantle's off-contract ruckman Troy Simmonds. Black last year narrowly missed a return to the Fremantle Dockers, his first AFL club, after the requisite paperwork from his management landed at AFL headquarters a few minutes past the 2pm player-exchange deadline. Having served the final season in a contract understood to be worth $400,000, Black would have had to agree to a substantial pay cut to remain at Moorabbin. However, it is understood the greatest pressure on Black to return west is not financial but family . . . St Kilda coach Grant Thomas last night said Black had not expressed his desire to leave the club directly and that he remained a valued player. But having negotiated the 2004 season with a makeshift rucking division, Thomas did not rule out a play for Simmonds.
The Article - Chip Le Grand - TheAustralian - 28Sept04
Heath BLACK ??? !! - Black (2) - Saintsational Fan Forum
Heath Black and the Snake - Dockerland Fan Forum
Black for Simmonds - Saintsational Fan Forum
Straight Swap - Simmonds for Black - Dockerland Fan Forum

TRADE PERIOD
Trade Period 4th - 8th October 2004

MORE TRADE GOSSIP
Early AFL trade talk focuses on big men - ABC Sport - 04Oct04
Trade ad Draft 2004 - Saintsational Fan Forum
How much of our salary cap are we using? - Saintsational Fan Forum
Luke Ball Rumour's - Saintsational Fan Forum
Blackwell to Carlton - Father/Son rule - carltonfc.com.au
Possible Delistings? - Saintsational Fan Forum
Saints in near crisis..!! - Saintsational Fan Forum

Closer scrutiny for new recruits
AFL clubs will examine injuries carried by potential draftees for the first time at the annual talent camp that starts at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra today. As part of the three-day program, the 72 young players invited to the camp will discuss the results of their recent medical screenings and any associated scans with a nominated doctor or physiotherapist sent to the camp by each of the 16 clubs. Previously, clubs have had access to only the scans and a report on each player, written and collated in the lead-up to the camp by one of the AFL's eight approved doctors. The league's national talent manager, Kevin Sheehan, said the changed policy recognised that clubs made a massive investment in every player they drafted each season, and needed to get a more personal feel for any injury or condition carried that may affect the player's potential career. Should one club request more information on a player, the AFL will order the assessment and deliver the results to all clubs.
The Article - Emma Quayle - TheAge - 29Sept04

Saints go shopping
A ruckman and key defenders will be the priorities on St Kilda's shopping list for next year. Coach Grant Thomas said he would look at all available players and make necessary trades to ensure the Saints took the next step. "We need to strengthen our defence. We've got some good power forwards and a pretty good midfield," Thomas said. "We need to bolster other areas and there's opportunities to do some trades and get some good young players into the club . . . We need a rucking option. We'll look at all options of who's the best player. If there's a ruckman out there that fits into what we're about then obviously we'll look at him."
The Article - Jackie Epstein - HeraldSun - 19Sept04

Saints face cap squeeze
The rapid rise of St Kilda and its emerging superstar Nick Riewoldt has forced it into a salary-cap squeeze, with both Riewoldt and the club's next most feted young star, Luke Ball, facing contract renegotiations. Having risen to within a kick of a grand final, the Saints are confronting the type of salary-cap pressures that bedevilled the Brisbane Lions and Essendon before them. The club will meet the management of its two most prized youngsters this week, keen to follow the Lions' lead in emphasising team success over personal financial gain. The Saints are facing a crucial next few days when they determine the shape of their list for 2005 - including the futures of veterans Andrew Thompson and Justin Peckett - and meet the management of Riewoldt and Ball to discuss new contracts. Robert Harvey is considered certain to play on in 2005. The future of Heath Black, who sought to be traded to Fremantle last year for family reasons, is also likely to be determined at a meeting between his manager and St Kilda coach Grant Thomas.
The Article - Jake Niall - TheAge - 22Sept04

OTHER CLUBS

Carr to Freo for three picks - Matt Burgan/Sportal - saints.com.au - 07Oct04
Thompson joins Kangaroos - TheAustralian - 05Oct04
Dockers juggling trade options - ABC Sport - 05Oct04
Jolly the key to Ottens' future - Scott Gullan and Mark Robinson - HeraldSun - 04Oct04
Everitt for captain, says ex-teammate - Peter Ker - TheAge - 04Oct04

Door opens as Judd delays talks
The door is open for Victorian clubs to have a major crack at Chris Judd after the Brownlow medallist this week deferred negotiations on a new contract for another 12 months. Judd has a year to run on his current deal and West Coast last week told the Herald Sun it was keen to begin talks for a new contract with his manager Paul Connors. While the 21-year-old star said in Perth this week that he had no intention of leaving the Eagles, he ruled out renegotiating his contract before the end of next season. Connors and West Coast chief executive Trevor Nisbett have reportedly said there was no rush to broker a new deal as they knew the former Caulfield Grammar student did not want to leave Western Australia. Judd's parents and sister live in Melbourne. He was constantly courted by Victorian clubs in 2003 before he signed his latest deal and was the target of an audacious attempted trade by Hawthorn this season.
The Article - Jon Pierik - HeraldSun - 01Oct04

Aylett pledge on rookies - Sportal - 30Sept04
Cats-Ottens deal hits snag - Sportal - 29Sept04
West stays put - Sportal - 29Sept04
Kangaroos join queue for Ottens - Stephen Rielly, Peter Ker - TheAge - 29Sept04