Morabito confident of derby return

ON TRACK: Fremantle midfielder Anthony Morabito (left) is aiming for a Round 1 return next season. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

FREMANTLE could be bolstered for its Round 1 Western Derby by a remarkable return from injury by midfielder Anthony Morabito.

Morabito's manager, Colin Young, said the Dockers bolter was confident he would be ready to put his hand up for the season opener and could be in line for selection as early as the NAB Cup, marking an against-the-odds recovery from consecutive knee reconstructions.

Morabito, the Dockers' top pick from the 2009 draft, has not played for Fremantle since the 2010 finals series after rupturing his left ACL in the following pre-season.

The Peel product, who turns 21 at the end of this month, was battling his way back through the WAFL and had made seven appearances for the Thunder before suffering a recurrence of the injury at a Fremantle training session in July.

Dockers coach Ross Lyon noted last month that his player's initial reconstruction had not been successful, leading to the re-injury, but Young said the second operation had produced better results.

"I haven't spoken to Morra since the best-and-fairest, but he's on track for the NAB Cup," Young said.

"I said to him: 'Still Round 1?' and, he said: 'Nah, NAB's looking good'. He's keen to start for the NAB Cup; he said he's ready to go and doesn't see any problems starting Round 1 and going on.

"He looked in great shape when he was training and he's very confident, very excited about next year."

A pre-season return for Morabito would be a stunning recovery and an overdue bit of good fortune for the footballer.

After his first operation in December, 2010, it took almost 16 months for his return to football  a 15-touch game with Peel reserves in Round 3 in late-March this year.

An NAB Cup return would mark a seven-month layoff, while Round 1 selection to face the Eagles would be eight months' recovery.

Young said there was a notable difference in Morabito's reaction to the latest surgery.

"He went to Melbourne to have the operation under Julian Feller, who's probably the master of all surgeons in Victoria," Young said.

"He was pretty convinced that he'd be back for NAB Cup, if not, then latest Round 1 and so he's very happy with the outcome of working with Julian.

"(The first time around) I don't think in his own mind he felt confident the operations were successful: he didn't feel right.

"He really feels 120 per cent now, since the last one.

"He had no swelling at all after the operation and he's really confident going forward."

Fremantle begins its pre-season on November 14, with the first-to-third-year players, with general manager of football operations Chris Bond saying the Dockers expected Morabito to rejoin ball drills in January.

"It's tragic circumstances, but to his credit he's really dug in," Bond told ABC radio.

"We've had the surgery done and we're expecting him to start running well into our pre-season and join in our football in January.

"We're in no doubt at all that we're going to get a fair bit of footy out of him."

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TV bosses still want GF time swap

Sydney's Nick Malceski is mobbed by teammates after kicking the winning goal in a classic Grand Final win against Hawthorn at the MCG. Picture: Hamish Blair Source: Herald Sun

Seven boss David Leckie still wouldn't mind seeing a later timeslot for the AFL Grand Final. Picture: Getty Images Source: Herald Sun

TELEVISION bosses don't come bigger and badder than Channel 7's David Leckie.

But not even Leckie - armed with hundreds of millions of dollars - could secure a night or twilight AFL Grand Final during the last round of broadcast rights negotiations.

"I'd love to, but I've been bashed around the head," Leckie admitted when the $1.25 billion deal was penned.

The man that bashed him was Andrew Demetriou.

The league chief has long declared that a night Grand Final simply won't happen under his watch.

And on this count of trademark Demetriou belligerence, let's hope he's right.

It's called Grand Final 'Day' for a reason.

Since 1898 when Fitzroy beat the Bombers, the last Saturday afternoon in September has been the showpiece of the Australian game.

Why fix what isn't broken?

But rumblings are growing louder that the TV kings are set to try again, for a twilight slot at least.

Seven yesterday remained tight-lipped about its intentions.

And if you're one of those in favour of the game being played under lights, Collingwood president Eddie McGuire is your man.

"If you are serious about what you are trying to achieve, the ultimate marketing tool the AFL has is the AFL Grand Final," McGuire said this year. "And if you want to put on the biggest and best show you do it at night. Have an entertainment spectacular with a million-dollar budget."

Sorry Ed, but the Rolling Stones could have played pre-game this year and we'd still be talking about Nick Malceski's goal.

The Sydney-Hawthorn epic played out in fading light at the MCG didn't need fireworks or rock bands to make it an all-time great.

Rugby league's failed experiments should serve as another warning.

In 2001, the NRL shifted to a night decider on the whim of Channel 9 before people power got the game moved back to a 5pm start.

When last asked for their opinion, more than 90 per cent of AFL players said they opposed anything other than an afternoon game.

The AFL, obsessed about congestion, said amid the interchange furore this week that all its rule changes were made with a view to player safety and the spectacle of the game.

So surely the best stage for footy's biggest match is a sunny September afternoon - not a night match more likely to be slippery because of dew.

Not to mention the death of the backyard Grand Final BBQ.

But if Demetriou's words ring true, traditionalists need not fret.

"If the only reason we were to do it was to please our broadcasters or to get more eyeballs on it, it wasn't a good enough reason to do it," he has declared.

"Even if we were offered a significant amount of money to move our Grand Final, we wouldn't do it."

That was August 2007 and the boss isn't a man to backflip.

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How Mick stopped a player revolt

Mick Malthouse with Eddie McGuire at the end of the 2011 season. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

Biography of Mick Malthouse to be released this week. Source: Herald Sun

MICK Malthouse hosed down a 2011 player revolt at Collingwood that wanted to keep him as coach.

In an exclusive book extract from Malthouse: A Football Life, to be released this week, it is revealed the Magpies' 2010 premiership coach was approached by a senior player who said several of his colleagues were prepared to sign a petition to have him stay on.

Former champion Collingwood player Nathan Buckley signed a deal in mid-2009 that meant he would take over from Malthouse as Collingwood coach for season 2012, regardless of interim results.

But almost from the moment the Pies saluted in the 2010 Grand Final replay against St Kilda, there was intense speculation about the arrangement and how the football giants would co-exist.

In the biographical book on her father, Christi Malthouse has revealed that while the thought of the petition appealed, the three-time premiership coach talked the player around because he thought it would "derail" the Magpies' 2011 premiership tilt which, at the time, was flying.

"By Round 16 (of the 2011 AFL season), the Magpies were second on the ladder, with 12 wins, one loss and two byes," Christi writes.

"By now it was early July and speculation about the future of the Collingwood coach had reached boiling point.

"Rumours abounded that Mick might not stay at Collingwood, that he might possibly coach elsewhere in 2012.

"Mick was in his office when a player tapped on the door.

"The young man in front of him looked nervous. 'Can I talk to you?'

"As the coach listened, his player revealed to him that several senior players wanted to sign a petition to have him reinstated as senior coach for the following year.

"It was nothing against the 'coach in waiting' (Buckley), he insisted, but the boys were concerned.

"They loved Mick, they needed Mick, and they weren't prepared to stand back and do nothing as he was replaced.

"Especially after winning a premiership. 'I would like to take it to management and the board', said the player.

"Mick's heart thumped inside his chest and echoed in his mind. 'What an amazing gesture,' he thought. But what a disaster it would be."

Christi writes that her father then made a call based on keeping the Magpies on a roll.

" 'No. Put those ideas away. I appreciate it, I really do, but it will only do more damage than good'," she writes.

"He was firm. 'It's not going to change anything. Nathan will be your coach next year - you have to get used to that. The only thing that can derail our season this year is if our focus is taken off winning.'

"Mick was desperate not to let that happen.

"They talked some more, and in the end it was agreed that everyone was better off concentrating solely on playing good football.

"They could worry about next year later."

Malthouse, who has signed to coach Carlton next season, was famously in tears as Collingwood rallied late to beat Hawthorn in the 2011 preliminary final.

But the Magpies were over-run by Geelong in the final quarter of the Grand Final, having led narrowly at halftime.

From Malthouse: A Football Life, published Wednesday by Allen & Unwin. Copyright Christi Malthouse 2012.

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White the Crow still a chance

Forward Jesse White may become a Crow yet. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: The Daily Telegraph

The nervous wait continues for Kurt Tippett. Source: Herald Sun

ADELAIDE'S interest in out-of-favour Swans forward Jesse White in the slow-moving Kurt Tippett trade is far from dead.

The Crows' trade with Richmond for ruckman Angus Graham on Friday appeared to make White excess to needs at Adelaide where coach Brenton Sanderson already has Sam Jacobs, Shaun McKernan and Josh Jenkins in the "talls" category.

But Adelaide has not closed the door on White who could be traded from the Swans along with Sydney's No. 23 draft pick for Tippett before Friday's trade deadline.

"There is no conclusion on that," said Adelaide chief executive Steven Trigg today.

White's Melbourne-based manager Michael Quinlan also confirmed his client in not out of the Tippett deal saying: "This is not over and done with."

Asked why the paperwork to trade White to Adelaide was pulled back late on Friday, Quinlan said: "You have to ask Dean Moore at Sydney or David Noble at Adelaide."

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Clubs protest cut to rookie list

Champion Dockers ruckman Aaron Sandilands is one of many players who have gone on to outstanding careers after being elevated from the rookie list. Picture: Daniel Wilkins. Source: PerthNow

CLUBS have called on the AFL to revisit a drastic cut to the rookie list, which will see almost 40 players miss out on being drafted this year.

The league will reduce each club's rookie list from six to four players, after allowing clubs extra rookies in the expansion era.

It means the hopes and dreams of two additional players at each club will not be realised in December - some teams will retain all four existing rookies and not bring in any new 18-year-olds.

Essendon chief executive Ian Robson said clubs would lobby the AFL to allow the additional players, given the success of the rookie list.

Many of the stars of the game, including Shane Mumford, Aaron Sandilands and Dean Cox started from rookie lists.

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Cooney's cutting-edge treatment

Western Bulldogs are hoping Adam Cooney can return to his best with the help of radical surgery in Germany. Picture: Michael Klein. Source: Herald Sun

BROWNLOW Medallist Adam Cooney is set to undertake cutting-edge treatment in Germany on the troublesome cracked patella that has jeopardised his career.

Cooney will fly out to the club's European training camp on Sunday, October 28,  to visit a specialist in Dusseldorf.

The Dogs are highly encouraged by the progress Cooney made with his knee this year and his form in the last weeks of the season.

The treatment is worth several thousand dollars but will not involve surgery and has the club hoping it might further allow Cooney to train and play to his undoubted potential.

He will join the Dogs after his three-day treatment process at their London base, as they train there before their exhibition game against Port Adelaide.

Cooney is not attending Munich's Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt, the controversial specialist who injects calf blood into patients.

He has helped Geelong's Max Rooke and Richmond's Mark Coughlan and Dylan Grimes with their soft-tissue problems.

The 27-year-old has battled for years with the effects of the cracked patella, which limits his ability to train regularly.

"The treatment has been used by elite athletes around the world in basketball and gridiron and other sports, so we have explored it," football manager James Fantasia said.

"Adam is very keen to have a go at it. He has got himself into this particular treatment and we go over to London on Tuesday so he will leave two days early and join the group over there."

Meanwhile, the Dogs are hopeful of satisfying West Coast's demands after 21-year-old midfielder Koby Stevens nominated them as his club of choice.

The former Gippsland Power inside midfielder chosen the Dogs ahead of Essendon and St Kilda, and while he has real potential despite an injury-plagued start to his career Brendan McCartney's side has the whip hand.

They hope to satisfy West Coast with a second or third round pick for Stevens, but have the fourth selection in the pre-season draft should West Coast play hard ball on a trade.

It is a boon for the Dogs to be chosen ahead of more highly-fancied Victorian rivals, and with five picks inside 50 they should be able to satisfy West Coast.

His decision, revealed by superfooty.com.au yesterday, comes after he managed only 11 games in his three seasons at West Coast because of their midfield depth and his injuries.

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Riley replaces Hinkley at Suns

Carlton assistant coach Mark Riley, who is heading to the Gold Coast, talks to Ed Curnow and Andrew Carrazzo during Blues training. Picture: George Salpigtidis. Source: Herald Sun

FORMER Carlton assistant Mark Riley will coach at Gold Coast next year.

Riley has agreed to a two-year contract at the Suns and will fill the void left by Ken Hinkley, who has been appointed Port Adelaide senior coach.

Riley reached a financial settlement with Carlton, which last week said his position had been made redundant.

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Cats looking beyond 2013: Scott

Geelong coach Chris Scott has defended the club's decision to sign two 28-year-old players. Picture: George Salpigtidis. Source: Herald Sun

GEELONG has not compromised its long-term future by re-loading with experienced pair Hamish McIntosh and Jared Rivers for a shot at next year's flag.

While many see the recruitment of the two 28-year-olds plus the introduction of Gold Coast midfielder Josh Caddy as a sign the Cats are positioning for another premiership run, coach Chris Scott says it's not a short-term fix.

"We were keen to look at things that would help improve us in the short-term without compromising the long term at all which is what these three things do," he said.

"Caddy is a top-10 pick from two years ago so he's still years away from his best footy but he's going to help short-term and long-term.

"The other two I think help our best team but they also help our depth as well and the ability to transition young players into our team without depending on them completely.

"The only way bringing in old players comprises you long term is if you give up too much for them and we have given up very little. The other thing is if you pay them too much and we're certainly not doing that either."

The Cats gave up theirs second round pick (No.36) to the Kangaroos for McIntosh while Rivers came as an unrestricted free agent from Melbourne on a two-year deal.

Scott said he understood there was an element of risk in the Cats' trade strategy.

"Hamish at his best is a very good player, we know he comes as a 28-year-old who hasn't played much footy in the last couple of years and he's got a significant injury history so there are risks associated with that and if it doesn't work, we are prepared, we can accept the worst case scenario there," he said.

"It's a little bit the same with Jared Rivers, he comes as a free-agent who basically takes up the last spot on our list if you want to look at it that way.

"He is a pretty well credentialed player but he and Hamish understand that we also have got some pretty good players that play in the same position as them."

Importantly, Geelong has retained its first-round pick, No.15, but will have only one other live pick in next month's national draft given the Cats already committed to upgrading rookie Jessie Stringer.

After a shock exit to Fremantle in the first week of the finals this year, Scott is confident that despite the loss of club great Matthew Scarlett the Cats will be a contender again.

"We know it's going to be difficult for us and history suggests that we shouldn't be one of the premiership favourites next year but that's an outsiders point of view," he said.

"We don't think that the players we brought in are the answer. We think they are going to help a little bit but more we think it satisfies multiple objectives."

Rivers described as "ridiculous" any suggestion that he came to Simonds Stadium as Scarlett's replacement.

"To be compared to, or to try and play a similar role, to Matthew Scarlett is just ridiculous," he said.

"He's going to go down as one of the best full-backs of all time. I'm just grateful for the opportunity Geelong has given me.

"It was a massive decision (to leave Melbourne). The last two years have definitely been more challenging mentally than physically.

"I can't wait to have some success at Geelong as I still think they are a real chance of winning a premiership."

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Young enough for Pies

Hawthorn has lost Clinton Young to Collingwood. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: Herald Sun

COLLINGWOOD has lured Clinton Young from Hawthorn, only days after the club's football manager said the club's player negotiations were ''done and dusted''.

Earlier this week Magpies football manager Geoff Walsh said the Pies were "done and dusted" in terms of trades - but this time he says he means it.

The Pies have watched their salary cap closely and say recruits Young and Quinten Lynch will take up the space left by departing Sharrod Wellingham and Chris Dawes.

Collingwood has been linked to other fringe players including Melbourne's Stefan Martin, Kangaroo Cam Pederson and young Gold Coast ruckman Tom Hickey.

But Walsh said the club was happy to go to the draft with three first-round picks.

"I don't think we'll do any more trading from a player point of view because we've got some issues from our salary cap that have been well documented throughout the year," he said on AFL trade radio.

"We think three first-round draft picks and given Derek's (recruiting boss Derek Hine) track record of picking players through the draft, we're very happy with that."

McIntosh dismisses injury fears

Collingwood currently holds picks 17, 18 and 20 although they are likely to be pushed back slightly when compensation picks are assigned for lost free agents.

Walsh said some dealing could still take place if Hine was able to improve the club's draft position.

Join the live trades chat here

He said the Pies were delighted to secure Young, and the fact he took so long to make up his mind was a plus.

"I think in end reason took so long to mull over it was he felt a real commitment to the Hawthorn Football Club and I think that's a good thing, we'd all like to think our players aren't just going to up and leave at the drop of a hat."

The Pies last night agreed to sign unrestricted free agent Young on a multi-year deal, trumping Hawthorn's offer for the hard-running wingman.

The Hawks issued a statement this morning saying Young had passed up "a considerable offer" to leave.

"Clinton and his family were a big part of the club and it's disappointing he has chosen to leave," coach Alastair Clarkson said.

Saints lead race for Tom Hickey

"While it's disappointing to lose a member of our 2012 Grand Final team, and a long-time contributor to our club, player movement is a reality in the free agency market," he said.

Young will be unveiled as a Magpie at noon today.

Trade month winners and losers so far

Hawks fullback Stephen Gilham is considering a move, but given he is not a free agent he has a week to consider interest from Greater Western Sydney.

While Young is in demand, Carlton's Bret Thornton heads a list of free agents who will not be taken today so must wait until they are delisted on October 29 to throw themselves back into the free market.

2011 Elimination Final. Carlton v Essendon. MCG. Bret Thornton clears by hand Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

Thornton has met with Gold Coast but, given he won't be selected before today's first free agency cut-off, he is still seen as a Carlton player.

I'm not Matthew Scarlett says new Cat Rivers

His task becomes harder after he is delisted, because every delisted player is automatically an unrestricted free agent, regardless of age.

The veteran defender must vie with fellow talls such as Melbourne's former first round draft pick Lucas Cook, who if delisted would be chased by several clubs.

Every deal at Department of Trades

Carlton free agent Jordan Russell will also be delisted by the Blues.

Essendon unrestricted free agent David Hille is yet to commit to another one-year deal with the Dons.

Bomber forward Scott Gumbleton has a week to weigh up his options to stay, or join the Western Bulldogs.

Get breaking trade news on Twitter @superfooty and join the debate on Facebook

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Gumbleton says no to Dogs

Scott Gumbleton will be at Essendon next season. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON forward Scott Gumbleton has turned down a late contract offer from the Western Bulldogs to stay at Windy Hill.

The injury-cursed key forward - originally recruited with pick 2 in the 2006 draft - has played 28 matches, including six this season.

After being offered just a one-year deal by Essendon, Gumbleton was spoken to by at least three clubs - Melbourne, Fremantle and the Bulldogs.

Gumbleton met Bulldogs officials on Monday and passed medical tests on his troublesome back.

The Dockers also completed a medical assessment.

The Bulldogs tabled a two-year deal to Gumbleton, but late today he has committed to the Bombers.

It is believed his new contract with Essendon includes an option for a second season.

"The club has stuck by me with the injuries I have had and I am really passionate about the Essendon football club," Gumbleton said in a statement released by the Bombers at 5.30pm today.

"While there were opportunities elsewhere, I have lots of good mates at the club and I am really confident in the direction that the team is heading."

Free agency compo picks revealed

Coach James Hird said Gumbleton was always a required player.

"We are really pleased that Scott has re-signed with the club. He a fantastic clubman and a great teammate and we look forward to him having a big pre-season campaign," he said.

Gumbleton's manager Paul Connors said it had been an "agonising decision" but "loyalty was Scott's prime motivator."

Department of Trades

The Bulldogs are still looking for an experienced key forward after also missing out on ex-Magpie Chris Dawes. The Dogs have, however, won the race for young Eagles midfielder Koby Stevens.

Essendon is still waiting on a decision from ruckman David Hille, who has also been offered a one-year contract.

The Bombers have signed free agent Brendon Goddard and traded Angus Monfries to Port Adelaide, but will have to make more cuts to their list before next month's draft.

Meanwhile, North Melbourne forward Lachie Hansen, recruited with the pick after Gumbleton in 2006, has today re-signed with the Kangaroos after also being discussed in trade talks.

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