No gift farewell game for Johncock

Setback: Brenton Sanderson has revealed Graham Johncock has suffered a recurrence of his long-standing back injury. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: Sunday Mail (SA)

CROWS veteran Graham Johncock will not be handed a farewell game - and the fan favourite does not want his last game at Adelaide to be a gift.

Crows coach Brenton Sanderson last night declared he will not recall 227-game Johncock simply to allow the converted defender to take a bow before the Adelaide supporters.

"I don't like farewell games - and I'm not going to give players a (free) game," said Sanderson in his a mid-term report with FIVEaa last night.

"And Graham said to me today `don't give me a game'. He wants to earn his spot."

But Johncock - who has not played in the AFL since the round three Showdown against Port Adelaide - still appears far from an AFL recall for his third game of the season.

Sanderson last night revealed Johncock, 30, has suffered a recurrence of his long-standing back injury.

"Physically," Sanderson said of Johncock, "he can't meet the demands of the AFL game.

"We need him at his best to contribute.

"Graham still has a big role to play. It's up to me to keep him motivated and engaged in the group because he is an important player for us."

Sanderson last night finally conceded his club's new fitness program - after losing long-standing fitness coach Stephen Schwerdt to Gold Coast - had failed to maintain standards.

"Externally, the Crows always have been seen as super fit but this year we had an emphasis on being stronger, for finals," said Sanderson, whose 11th-ranked team may not qualify for September.

"It is an area we need to get better at ... we need to run out games better."

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Final Demon pillar topples

• by: Jon Ralph
• From: Herald Sun
• June 24, 2013 11:30PM

MELBOURNE'S administrative overhaul has now claimed every position of power at the club, after list manager Tim Harrington was made redundant.

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No gift farewell game for Johncock

Setback: Brenton Sanderson has revealed Graham Johncock has suffered a recurrence of his long-standing back injury. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: Sunday Mail (SA)

CROWS veteran Graham Johncock will not be handed a farewell game - and the fan favourite does not want his last game at Adelaide to be a gift.

Crows coach Brenton Sanderson last night declared he will not recall 227-game Johncock simply to allow the converted defender to take a bow before the Adelaide supporters.

"I don't like farewell games - and I'm not going to give players a (free) game," said Sanderson in his a mid-term report with FIVEaa last night.

"And Graham said to me today `don't give me a game'. He wants to earn his spot."

But Johncock - who has not played in the AFL since the round three Showdown against Port Adelaide - still appears far from an AFL recall for his third game of the season.

Sanderson last night revealed Johncock, 30, has suffered a recurrence of his long-standing back injury.

"Physically," Sanderson said of Johncock, "he can't meet the demands of the AFL game.

"We need him at his best to contribute.

"Graham still has a big role to play. It's up to me to keep him motivated and engaged in the group because he is an important player for us."

Sanderson last night finally conceded his club's new fitness program - after losing long-standing fitness coach Stephen Schwerdt to Gold Coast - had failed to maintain standards.

"Externally, the Crows always have been seen as super fit but this year we had an emphasis on being stronger, for finals," said Sanderson, whose 11th-ranked team may not qualify for September.

"It is an area we need to get better at ... we need to run out games better."

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Moored in misery

Fremantle Dockers coach Ross Lyon issues instructions. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: Sunday Mail (SA)

THE man who preaches defence more than any other in football had to employ it when he was announced as the new coach of Fremantle.

It was September, 2011, and the Perth media was fuming at the injustice of the sudden sacking of Mark Harvey.

Ross Lyon walked into a press conference fire pit.

The first question was: "Ross, do you feel you've stabbed Mark Harvey in the back?" They kept coming.

"Has your reputation been tarnished?"

"How hard is it to arrive at a club where the members and fans don't really like you?"

"How can you honestly say you've been loyal and held integrity with St Kilda ... ?"

Lyon remained ice-cold. Unfazed, his poker-face was never close to cracking.

The resolve he displayed in the face of a baying media pack some 21 months ago has rubbed off on his players with admirable success.

Like their coach, the Dockers' defence has been close to impregnable.

In clashes with Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and North Melbourne, Fremantle has conceded only 43.5 points per game. The Bombers of 1989 are the only side since 1966 with such a points-against profile in a four-week block.

After a shaky start to Lyon's debut season, the Dockers' suffocation techniques are now sending shockwaves through the competition.

Thirteen rounds into the season, they are conceding 66.5 points a game - 10.1 fewer than any rival. They allow opponents to go inside 50m only 43.4 times a game - 2.8 fewer than any other side.

What former Melbourne coach Mark Neeld declared in his first press conference is a reality out west - Fremantle is the hardest team to play against.

Sides who win the ball behind centre in games against the Dockers face a monumental task just to advance up the ground.

From Rounds 9-13, the Dockers have allowed rival teams to execute a chain of possession from defensive 50m to forward 50m only 11.9 per cent of time, ranked No.1 in the competition.

From defensive midfield to inside 50m, it's a paltry 21.1 per cent - ranked No.1 - and from a centre clearance to inside 50m, it's 44.1 per cent, again ranked first. To put the latter stat into perspective, Geelong is the next best at 60 per cent.

It's a road trip to face the Cats - winners of 43 of their last 45 games at home - that presents the greatest challenge to Lyon's pressure pack. But after this weekend the Dockers face a dream run home; the second easiest according to Champion Data. A top-two berth is probable rather than possible and that means two home finals.

The fact All-Australian pair Matthew Pavlich and Aaron Sandilands are still to return only adds to the ominous look about the purple haze.

Among the loaded questions and accusations at that first press conference, Lyon remarked: "It's about possibility. You can be what you want to be."

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Final Demon pillar topples

		P	W	D	L	%	Pts
1	Hawthorn	21	18	0	3	137.07	72
2	Geelong	21	17	0	4	137.96	68
3	Fremantle	21	16	1	4	141.82	66
4	Sydney	21	15	1	5	135.52	62
5	Collingwood	21	14	0	7	116.70	56
6	Essendon	21	14	0	7	109.70	56
7	Richmond	20	13	0	7	114.57	52
8	Port Adelaide	21	12	0	9	102.63	48
9	Carlton	21	10	0	11	106.99	40
10	North Melbourne	21	9	0	12	120.15	36
11	Adelaide	21	9	0	12	103.70	36
12	West Coast	21	9	0	12	99.25	36
13	Brisbane	20	9	0	11	88.24	36
14	Gold Coast	20	7	0	13	89.02	28
15	Bulldogs	20	7	0	13	83.18	28
16	St Kilda	20	3	0	17	75.81	12
17	Melbourne	21	2	0	19	52.94	8
18	Greater Western Sydney	20	1	0	19	52.93	4

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No gift farewell game for Johncock

Setback: Brenton Sanderson has revealed Graham Johncock has suffered a recurrence of his long-standing back injury. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: Sunday Mail (SA)

CROWS veteran Graham Johncock will not be handed a farewell game - and the fan favourite does not want his last game at Adelaide to be a gift.

Crows coach Brenton Sanderson last night declared he will not recall 227-game Johncock simply to allow the converted defender to take a bow before the Adelaide supporters.

"I don't like farewell games - and I'm not going to give players a (free) game," said Sanderson in his a mid-term report with FIVEaa last night.

"And Graham said to me today `don't give me a game'. He wants to earn his spot."

But Johncock - who has not played in the AFL since the round three Showdown against Port Adelaide - still appears far from an AFL recall for his third game of the season.

Sanderson last night revealed Johncock, 30, has suffered a recurrence of his long-standing back injury.

"Physically," Sanderson said of Johncock, "he can't meet the demands of the AFL game.

"We need him at his best to contribute.

"Graham still has a big role to play. It's up to me to keep him motivated and engaged in the group because he is an important player for us."

Sanderson last night finally conceded his club's new fitness program - after losing long-standing fitness coach Stephen Schwerdt to Gold Coast - had failed to maintain standards.

"Externally, the Crows always have been seen as super fit but this year we had an emphasis on being stronger, for finals," said Sanderson, whose 11th-ranked team may not qualify for September.

"It is an area we need to get better at ... we need to run out games better."

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Moored in misery

		P	W	D	L	%	Pts
1	Hawthorn	20	17	0	3	138.53	68
2	Geelong	20	16	0	4	136.36	64
3	Sydney	20	15	1	4	140.67	62
4	Fremantle	20	15	1	4	138.19	62
5	Collingwood	21	14	0	7	116.70	56
6	Richmond	20	13	0	7	114.57	52
7	Essendon	20	13	0	7	109.78	52
8	Port Adelaide	20	12	0	8	107.03	48
9	Carlton	20	10	0	10	107.64	40
10	North Melbourne	20	9	0	11	122.37	36
11	West Coast	21	9	0	12	99.25	36
12	Brisbane	20	9	0	11	88.24	36
13	Adelaide	20	8	0	12	100.06	32
14	Gold Coast	20	7	0	13	89.02	28
15	Bulldogs	20	7	0	13	83.18	28
16	St Kilda	20	3	0	17	75.81	12
17	Melbourne	20	2	0	18	53.41	8
18	Greater Western Sydney	20	1	0	19	52.93	4

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Final Demon pillar topples

Tim Harrington is leaving the Dees. Picture: Michael Klein

MELBOURNE'S administrative overhaul has now claimed every position of power at the club, after list manager Tim Harrington was made redundant.

The Herald Sun understands Harrington was told of the decision yesterday, coinciding with an internal announcement that the position of football manager Josh Mahoney would be publicly advertised.

Harrington will be the fall guy for many of last year's controversial recruits, including David Rodan, Shannon Byrnes and Tom Gillies, although he was overruled on some of those by then coach Mark Neeld.

Coaching legend David Parkin often talks about the five pillars of a football club, including the coach, president, chief executive and the recruiter.

Since April 9, chief executive Cameron Schwab has been sacked, president Don McLardy has stood down, Neeld has been sacked and Mahoney told he will have to apply for the new head of football position.

Recruiter Jason Taylor is under pressure and former North Melbourne official Harrington will leave immediately.

He was on staff rather than a long-term contract, so the decision will not force the club into another costly exit after the $600,000 Neeld payout.

Harrington, who was elevated from football manager to list manager at North in 2007, crossed to Melbourne in 2009.

But, while there have been some value picks, the Demons have been condemned for not developing youngsters and wasting high picks on players who did not deserve that status.

They also paid huge sums for key forwards Mitch Clark and Chris Dawes, with both injury-prone since arriving.

Former Cat Byrnes was able to secure a two-year deal and battling former North Melbourne defender Cameron Pedersen has a three-year deal.

Melbourne chief executive Peter Jackson confirmed Harrington's departure last night. "Tim's departure is not performance related. It reflects the need to reduce the overall cost of the structure," he said.

"Tim has worked diligently in his role for more than four years at the club, and I'm certain he will find another productive role in the AFL industry."

Jackson has already foreshadowed a new head of football position, with Mahoney virtually no chance of filling that role.

Jackson confirmed on Saturday he had approached several big names to fill the head of football role.

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No gift farewell game for Johncock

Setback: Brenton Sanderson has revealed Graham Johncock has suffered a recurrence of his long-standing back injury. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: Sunday Mail (SA)

CROWS veteran Graham Johncock will not be handed a farewell game - and the fan favourite does not want his last game at Adelaide to be a gift.

Crows coach Brenton Sanderson last night declared he will not recall 227-game Johncock simply to allow the converted defender to take a bow before the Adelaide supporters.

"I don't like farewell games - and I'm not going to give players a (free) game," said Sanderson in his a mid-term report with FIVEaa last night.

"And Graham said to me today `don't give me a game'. He wants to earn his spot."

But Johncock - who has not played in the AFL since the round three Showdown against Port Adelaide - still appears far from an AFL recall for his third game of the season.

Sanderson last night revealed Johncock, 30, has suffered a recurrence of his long-standing back injury.

"Physically," Sanderson said of Johncock, "he can't meet the demands of the AFL game.

"We need him at his best to contribute.

"Graham still has a big role to play. It's up to me to keep him motivated and engaged in the group because he is an important player for us."

Sanderson last night finally conceded his club's new fitness program - after losing long-standing fitness coach Stephen Schwerdt to Gold Coast - had failed to maintain standards.

"Externally, the Crows always have been seen as super fit but this year we had an emphasis on being stronger, for finals," said Sanderson, whose 11th-ranked team may not qualify for September.

"It is an area we need to get better at ... we need to run out games better."

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Moored in misery

		P	W	D	L	%	Pts
1	Hawthorn	20	17	0	3	138.53	68
2	Geelong	20	16	0	4	136.36	64
3	Sydney	20	15	1	4	140.67	62
4	Fremantle	20	15	1	4	138.19	62
5	Richmond	20	13	0	7	114.57	52
6	Collingwood	20	13	0	7	113.44	52
7	Essendon	20	13	0	7	109.78	52
8	Port Adelaide	20	12	0	8	107.03	48
9	Carlton	20	10	0	10	107.64	40
10	North Melbourne	20	9	0	11	122.37	36
11	West Coast	20	9	0	11	102.46	36
12	Brisbane	20	9	0	11	88.24	36
13	Adelaide	20	8	0	12	100.06	32
14	Gold Coast	20	7	0	13	89.02	28
15	Bulldogs	20	7	0	13	83.18	28
16	St Kilda	20	3	0	17	75.81	12
17	Melbourne	20	2	0	18	53.41	8
18	Greater Western Sydney	20	1	0	19	52.93	4

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Final Demon pillar topples

Tim Harrington is leaving the Dees. Picture: Michael Klein

MELBOURNE'S administrative overhaul has now claimed every position of power at the club, after list manager Tim Harrington was made redundant.

The Herald Sun understands Harrington was told of the decision yesterday, coinciding with an internal announcement that the position of football manager Josh Mahoney would be publicly advertised.

Harrington will be the fall guy for many of last year's controversial recruits, including David Rodan, Shannon Byrnes and Tom Gillies, although he was overruled on some of those by then coach Mark Neeld.

Coaching legend David Parkin often talks about the five pillars of a football club, including the coach, president, chief executive and the recruiter.

Since April 9, chief executive Cameron Schwab has been sacked, president Don McLardy has stood down, Neeld has been sacked and Mahoney told he will have to apply for the new head of football position.

Recruiter Jason Taylor is under pressure and former North Melbourne official Harrington will leave immediately.

He was on staff rather than a long-term contract, so the decision will not force the club into another costly exit after the $600,000 Neeld payout.

Harrington, who was elevated from football manager to list manager at North in 2007, crossed to Melbourne in 2009.

But, while there have been some value picks, the Demons have been condemned for not developing youngsters and wasting high picks on players who did not deserve that status.

They also paid huge sums for key forwards Mitch Clark and Chris Dawes, with both injury-prone since arriving.

Former Cat Byrnes was able to secure a two-year deal and battling former North Melbourne defender Cameron Pedersen has a three-year deal.

Melbourne chief executive Peter Jackson confirmed Harrington's departure last night. "Tim's departure is not performance related. It reflects the need to reduce the overall cost of the structure," he said.

"Tim has worked diligently in his role for more than four years at the club, and I'm certain he will find another productive role in the AFL industry."

Jackson has already foreshadowed a new head of football position, with Mahoney virtually no chance of filling that role.

Jackson confirmed on Saturday he had approached several big names to fill the head of football role.

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No gift farewell game for Johncock

Setback: Brenton Sanderson has revealed Graham Johncock has suffered a recurrence of his long-standing back injury. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: Sunday Mail (SA)

CROWS veteran Graham Johncock will not be handed a farewell game - and the fan favourite does not want his last game at Adelaide to be a gift.

Crows coach Brenton Sanderson last night declared he will not recall 227-game Johncock simply to allow the converted defender to take a bow before the Adelaide supporters.

"I don't like farewell games - and I'm not going to give players a (free) game," said Sanderson in his a mid-term report with FIVEaa last night.

"And Graham said to me today `don't give me a game'. He wants to earn his spot."

But Johncock - who has not played in the AFL since the round three Showdown against Port Adelaide - still appears far from an AFL recall for his third game of the season.

Sanderson last night revealed Johncock, 30, has suffered a recurrence of his long-standing back injury.

"Physically," Sanderson said of Johncock, "he can't meet the demands of the AFL game.

"We need him at his best to contribute.

"Graham still has a big role to play. It's up to me to keep him motivated and engaged in the group because he is an important player for us."

Sanderson last night finally conceded his club's new fitness program - after losing long-standing fitness coach Stephen Schwerdt to Gold Coast - had failed to maintain standards.

"Externally, the Crows always have been seen as super fit but this year we had an emphasis on being stronger, for finals," said Sanderson, whose 11th-ranked team may not qualify for September.

"It is an area we need to get better at ... we need to run out games better."

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Moored in misery

		P	W	D	L	%	Pts
1	Hawthorn	20	17	0	3	138.53	68
2	Geelong	20	16	0	4	136.36	64
3	Sydney	20	15	1	4	140.67	62
4	Fremantle	20	15	1	4	138.19	62
5	Richmond	20	13	0	7	114.57	52
6	Collingwood	20	13	0	7	113.44	52
7	Essendon	20	13	0	7	109.78	52
8	Port Adelaide	20	12	0	8	107.03	48
9	Carlton	20	10	0	10	107.64	40
10	North Melbourne	20	9	0	11	122.37	36
11	West Coast	20	9	0	11	102.46	36
12	Brisbane	20	9	0	11	88.24	36
13	Adelaide	20	8	0	12	100.06	32
14	Gold Coast	20	7	0	13	89.02	28
15	Bulldogs	20	7	0	13	83.18	28
16	St Kilda	20	3	0	17	75.81	12
17	Melbourne	20	2	0	18	53.41	8
18	Greater Western Sydney	20	1	0	19	52.93	4

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Final Demon pillar topples

Tim Harrington is leaving the Dees. Picture: Michael Klein

MELBOURNE'S administrative overhaul has now claimed every position of power at the club, after list manager Tim Harrington was made redundant.

The Herald Sun understands Harrington was told of the decision yesterday, coinciding with an internal announcement that the position of football manager Josh Mahoney would be publicly advertised.

Harrington will be the fall guy for many of last year's controversial recruits, including David Rodan, Shannon Byrnes and Tom Gillies, although he was overruled on some of those by then coach Mark Neeld.

Coaching legend David Parkin often talks about the five pillars of a football club, including the coach, president, chief executive and the recruiter.

Since April 9, chief executive Cameron Schwab has been sacked, president Don McLardy has stood down, Neeld has been sacked and Mahoney told he will have to apply for the new head of football position.

Recruiter Jason Taylor is under pressure and former North Melbourne official Harrington will leave immediately.

He was on staff rather than a long-term contract, so the decision will not force the club into another costly exit after the $600,000 Neeld payout.

Harrington, who was elevated from football manager to list manager at North in 2007, crossed to Melbourne in 2009.

But, while there have been some value picks, the Demons have been condemned for not developing youngsters and wasting high picks on players who did not deserve that status.

They also paid huge sums for key forwards Mitch Clark and Chris Dawes, with both injury-prone since arriving.

Former Cat Byrnes was able to secure a two-year deal and battling former North Melbourne defender Cameron Pedersen has a three-year deal.

Melbourne chief executive Peter Jackson confirmed Harrington's departure last night. "Tim's departure is not performance related. It reflects the need to reduce the overall cost of the structure," he said.

"Tim has worked diligently in his role for more than four years at the club, and I'm certain he will find another productive role in the AFL industry."

Jackson has already foreshadowed a new head of football position, with Mahoney virtually no chance of filling that role.

Jackson confirmed on Saturday he had approached several big names to fill the head of football role.

12.50 | 0 komentar | Read More

No gift farewell game for Johncock

Setback: Brenton Sanderson has revealed Graham Johncock has suffered a recurrence of his long-standing back injury. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: Sunday Mail (SA)

CROWS veteran Graham Johncock will not be handed a farewell game - and the fan favourite does not want his last game at Adelaide to be a gift.

Crows coach Brenton Sanderson last night declared he will not recall 227-game Johncock simply to allow the converted defender to take a bow before the Adelaide supporters.

"I don't like farewell games - and I'm not going to give players a (free) game," said Sanderson in his a mid-term report with FIVEaa last night.

"And Graham said to me today `don't give me a game'. He wants to earn his spot."

But Johncock - who has not played in the AFL since the round three Showdown against Port Adelaide - still appears far from an AFL recall for his third game of the season.

Sanderson last night revealed Johncock, 30, has suffered a recurrence of his long-standing back injury.

"Physically," Sanderson said of Johncock, "he can't meet the demands of the AFL game.

"We need him at his best to contribute.

"Graham still has a big role to play. It's up to me to keep him motivated and engaged in the group because he is an important player for us."

Sanderson last night finally conceded his club's new fitness program - after losing long-standing fitness coach Stephen Schwerdt to Gold Coast - had failed to maintain standards.

"Externally, the Crows always have been seen as super fit but this year we had an emphasis on being stronger, for finals," said Sanderson, whose 11th-ranked team may not qualify for September.

"It is an area we need to get better at ... we need to run out games better."

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Moored in misery

Fremantle Dockers coach Ross Lyon issues instructions. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: Sunday Mail (SA)

THE man who preaches defence more than any other in football had to employ it when he was announced as the new coach of Fremantle.

It was September, 2011, and the Perth media was fuming at the injustice of the sudden sacking of Mark Harvey.

Ross Lyon walked into a press conference fire pit.

The first question was: "Ross, do you feel you've stabbed Mark Harvey in the back?" They kept coming.

"Has your reputation been tarnished?"

"How hard is it to arrive at a club where the members and fans don't really like you?"

"How can you honestly say you've been loyal and held integrity with St Kilda ... ?"

Lyon remained ice-cold. Unfazed, his poker-face was never close to cracking.

The resolve he displayed in the face of a baying media pack some 21 months ago has rubbed off on his players with admirable success.

Like their coach, the Dockers' defence has been close to impregnable.

In clashes with Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and North Melbourne, Fremantle has conceded only 43.5 points per game. The Bombers of 1989 are the only side since 1966 with such a points-against profile in a four-week block.

After a shaky start to Lyon's debut season, the Dockers' suffocation techniques are now sending shockwaves through the competition.

Thirteen rounds into the season, they are conceding 66.5 points a game - 10.1 fewer than any rival. They allow opponents to go inside 50m only 43.4 times a game - 2.8 fewer than any other side.

What former Melbourne coach Mark Neeld declared in his first press conference is a reality out west - Fremantle is the hardest team to play against.

Sides who win the ball behind centre in games against the Dockers face a monumental task just to advance up the ground.

From Rounds 9-13, the Dockers have allowed rival teams to execute a chain of possession from defensive 50m to forward 50m only 11.9 per cent of time, ranked No.1 in the competition.

From defensive midfield to inside 50m, it's a paltry 21.1 per cent - ranked No.1 - and from a centre clearance to inside 50m, it's 44.1 per cent, again ranked first. To put the latter stat into perspective, Geelong is the next best at 60 per cent.

It's a road trip to face the Cats - winners of 43 of their last 45 games at home - that presents the greatest challenge to Lyon's pressure pack. But after this weekend the Dockers face a dream run home; the second easiest according to Champion Data. A top-two berth is probable rather than possible and that means two home finals.

The fact All-Australian pair Matthew Pavlich and Aaron Sandilands are still to return only adds to the ominous look about the purple haze.

Among the loaded questions and accusations at that first press conference, Lyon remarked: "It's about possibility. You can be what you want to be."

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Final Demon pillar topples

		P	W	D	L	%	Pts
1	Hawthorn	20	17	0	3	138.53	68
2	Geelong	20	16	0	4	136.36	64
3	Sydney	20	15	1	4	140.67	62
4	Fremantle	20	15	1	4	138.19	62
5	Richmond	20	13	0	7	114.57	52
6	Collingwood	20	13	0	7	113.44	52
7	Essendon	20	13	0	7	109.78	52
8	Port Adelaide	20	12	0	8	107.03	48
9	Carlton	20	10	0	10	107.64	40
10	North Melbourne	20	9	0	11	122.37	36
11	West Coast	20	9	0	11	102.46	36
12	Brisbane	20	9	0	11	88.24	36
13	Adelaide	20	8	0	12	100.06	32
14	Gold Coast	20	7	0	13	89.02	28
15	Bulldogs	20	7	0	13	83.18	28
16	St Kilda	20	3	0	17	75.81	12
17	Melbourne	20	2	0	18	53.41	8
18	Greater Western Sydney	20	1	0	19	52.93	4

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No gift farewell game for Johncock

Setback: Brenton Sanderson has revealed Graham Johncock has suffered a recurrence of his long-standing back injury. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: Sunday Mail (SA)

CROWS veteran Graham Johncock will not be handed a farewell game - and the fan favourite does not want his last game at Adelaide to be a gift.

Crows coach Brenton Sanderson last night declared he will not recall 227-game Johncock simply to allow the converted defender to take a bow before the Adelaide supporters.

"I don't like farewell games - and I'm not going to give players a (free) game," said Sanderson in his a mid-term report with FIVEaa last night.

"And Graham said to me today `don't give me a game'. He wants to earn his spot."

But Johncock - who has not played in the AFL since the round three Showdown against Port Adelaide - still appears far from an AFL recall for his third game of the season.

Sanderson last night revealed Johncock, 30, has suffered a recurrence of his long-standing back injury.

"Physically," Sanderson said of Johncock, "he can't meet the demands of the AFL game.

"We need him at his best to contribute.

"Graham still has a big role to play. It's up to me to keep him motivated and engaged in the group because he is an important player for us."

Sanderson last night finally conceded his club's new fitness program - after losing long-standing fitness coach Stephen Schwerdt to Gold Coast - had failed to maintain standards.

"Externally, the Crows always have been seen as super fit but this year we had an emphasis on being stronger, for finals," said Sanderson, whose 11th-ranked team may not qualify for September.

"It is an area we need to get better at ... we need to run out games better."

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Moored in misery

		P	W	D	L	%	Pts
1	Hawthorn	20	17	0	3	138.53	68
2	Geelong	19	15	0	4	133.12	60
3	Sydney	19	14	1	4	138.23	58
4	Fremantle	19	14	1	4	132.03	58
5	Richmond	19	13	0	6	116.22	52
6	Collingwood	20	13	0	7	113.44	52
7	Essendon	19	13	0	6	113.08	52
8	Port Adelaide	19	11	0	8	106.41	44
9	Carlton	19	9	0	10	107.48	36
10	West Coast	19	9	0	10	106.27	36
11	North Melbourne	19	8	0	11	120.56	32
12	Adelaide	19	8	0	11	101.07	32
13	Brisbane	19	8	0	11	84.65	32
14	Gold Coast	19	7	0	12	89.27	28
15	Bulldogs	19	6	0	13	81.34	24
16	St Kilda	19	3	0	16	77.42	12
17	Melbourne	19	2	0	17	54.83	8
18	Greater Western Sydney	19	1	0	18	53.01	4

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Final Demon pillar topples

Tim Harrington is leaving the Dees. Picture: Michael Klein

MELBOURNE'S administrative overhaul has now claimed every position of power at the club, after list manager Tim Harrington was made redundant.

The Herald Sun understands Harrington was told of the decision yesterday, coinciding with an internal announcement that the position of football manager Josh Mahoney would be publicly advertised.

Harrington will be the fall guy for many of last year's controversial recruits, including David Rodan, Shannon Byrnes and Tom Gillies, although he was overruled on some of those by then coach Mark Neeld.

Coaching legend David Parkin often talks about the five pillars of a football club, including the coach, president, chief executive and the recruiter.

Since April 9, chief executive Cameron Schwab has been sacked, president Don McLardy has stood down, Neeld has been sacked and Mahoney told he will have to apply for the new head of football position.

Recruiter Jason Taylor is under pressure and former North Melbourne official Harrington will leave immediately.

He was on staff rather than a long-term contract, so the decision will not force the club into another costly exit after the $600,000 Neeld payout.

Harrington, who was elevated from football manager to list manager at North in 2007, crossed to Melbourne in 2009.

But, while there have been some value picks, the Demons have been condemned for not developing youngsters and wasting high picks on players who did not deserve that status.

They also paid huge sums for key forwards Mitch Clark and Chris Dawes, with both injury-prone since arriving.

Former Cat Byrnes was able to secure a two-year deal and battling former North Melbourne defender Cameron Pedersen has a three-year deal.

Melbourne chief executive Peter Jackson confirmed Harrington's departure last night. "Tim's departure is not performance related. It reflects the need to reduce the overall cost of the structure," he said.

"Tim has worked diligently in his role for more than four years at the club, and I'm certain he will find another productive role in the AFL industry."

Jackson has already foreshadowed a new head of football position, with Mahoney virtually no chance of filling that role.

Jackson confirmed on Saturday he had approached several big names to fill the head of football role.

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No gift farewell game for Johncock

Setback: Brenton Sanderson has revealed Graham Johncock has suffered a recurrence of his long-standing back injury. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: Sunday Mail (SA)

CROWS veteran Graham Johncock will not be handed a farewell game - and the fan favourite does not want his last game at Adelaide to be a gift.

Crows coach Brenton Sanderson last night declared he will not recall 227-game Johncock simply to allow the converted defender to take a bow before the Adelaide supporters.

"I don't like farewell games - and I'm not going to give players a (free) game," said Sanderson in his a mid-term report with FIVEaa last night.

"And Graham said to me today `don't give me a game'. He wants to earn his spot."

But Johncock - who has not played in the AFL since the round three Showdown against Port Adelaide - still appears far from an AFL recall for his third game of the season.

Sanderson last night revealed Johncock, 30, has suffered a recurrence of his long-standing back injury.

"Physically," Sanderson said of Johncock, "he can't meet the demands of the AFL game.

"We need him at his best to contribute.

"Graham still has a big role to play. It's up to me to keep him motivated and engaged in the group because he is an important player for us."

Sanderson last night finally conceded his club's new fitness program - after losing long-standing fitness coach Stephen Schwerdt to Gold Coast - had failed to maintain standards.

"Externally, the Crows always have been seen as super fit but this year we had an emphasis on being stronger, for finals," said Sanderson, whose 11th-ranked team may not qualify for September.

"It is an area we need to get better at ... we need to run out games better."

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Moored in misery

		P	W	D	L	%	Pts
1	Hawthorn	19	16	0	3	138.36	64
2	Geelong	19	15	0	4	133.12	60
3	Sydney	19	14	1	4	138.23	58
4	Fremantle	19	14	1	4	132.03	58
5	Collingwood	19	13	0	6	116.66	52
6	Richmond	19	13	0	6	116.22	52
7	Essendon	19	13	0	6	113.08	52
8	Port Adelaide	19	11	0	8	106.41	44
9	Carlton	19	9	0	10	107.48	36
10	West Coast	19	9	0	10	106.27	36
11	North Melbourne	19	8	0	11	120.56	32
12	Adelaide	19	8	0	11	101.07	32
13	Brisbane	19	8	0	11	84.65	32
14	Gold Coast	19	7	0	12	89.27	28
15	Bulldogs	19	6	0	13	81.34	24
16	St Kilda	19	3	0	16	77.42	12
17	Melbourne	19	2	0	17	54.83	8
18	Greater Western Sydney	19	1	0	18	53.01	4

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Final Demon pillar topples

Tim Harrington is leaving the Dees. Picture: Michael Klein

MELBOURNE'S administrative overhaul has now claimed every position of power at the club, after list manager Tim Harrington was made redundant.

The Herald Sun understands Harrington was told of the decision yesterday, coinciding with an internal announcement that the position of football manager Josh Mahoney would be publicly advertised.

Harrington will be the fall guy for many of last year's controversial recruits, including David Rodan, Shannon Byrnes and Tom Gillies, although he was overruled on some of those by then coach Mark Neeld.

Coaching legend David Parkin often talks about the five pillars of a football club, including the coach, president, chief executive and the recruiter.

Since April 9, chief executive Cameron Schwab has been sacked, president Don McLardy has stood down, Neeld has been sacked and Mahoney told he will have to apply for the new head of football position.

Recruiter Jason Taylor is under pressure and former North Melbourne official Harrington will leave immediately.

He was on staff rather than a long-term contract, so the decision will not force the club into another costly exit after the $600,000 Neeld payout.

Harrington, who was elevated from football manager to list manager at North in 2007, crossed to Melbourne in 2009.

But, while there have been some value picks, the Demons have been condemned for not developing youngsters and wasting high picks on players who did not deserve that status.

They also paid huge sums for key forwards Mitch Clark and Chris Dawes, with both injury-prone since arriving.

Former Cat Byrnes was able to secure a two-year deal and battling former North Melbourne defender Cameron Pedersen has a three-year deal.

Melbourne chief executive Peter Jackson confirmed Harrington's departure last night. "Tim's departure is not performance related. It reflects the need to reduce the overall cost of the structure," he said.

"Tim has worked diligently in his role for more than four years at the club, and I'm certain he will find another productive role in the AFL industry."

Jackson has already foreshadowed a new head of football position, with Mahoney virtually no chance of filling that role.

Jackson confirmed on Saturday he had approached several big names to fill the head of football role.

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No gift farewell game for Johncock

Setback: Brenton Sanderson has revealed Graham Johncock has suffered a recurrence of his long-standing back injury. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: Sunday Mail (SA)

CROWS veteran Graham Johncock will not be handed a farewell game - and the fan favourite does not want his last game at Adelaide to be a gift.

Crows coach Brenton Sanderson last night declared he will not recall 227-game Johncock simply to allow the converted defender to take a bow before the Adelaide supporters.

"I don't like farewell games - and I'm not going to give players a (free) game," said Sanderson in his a mid-term report with FIVEaa last night.

"And Graham said to me today `don't give me a game'. He wants to earn his spot."

But Johncock - who has not played in the AFL since the round three Showdown against Port Adelaide - still appears far from an AFL recall for his third game of the season.

Sanderson last night revealed Johncock, 30, has suffered a recurrence of his long-standing back injury.

"Physically," Sanderson said of Johncock, "he can't meet the demands of the AFL game.

"We need him at his best to contribute.

"Graham still has a big role to play. It's up to me to keep him motivated and engaged in the group because he is an important player for us."

Sanderson last night finally conceded his club's new fitness program - after losing long-standing fitness coach Stephen Schwerdt to Gold Coast - had failed to maintain standards.

"Externally, the Crows always have been seen as super fit but this year we had an emphasis on being stronger, for finals," said Sanderson, whose 11th-ranked team may not qualify for September.

"It is an area we need to get better at ... we need to run out games better."

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Moored in misery

		P	W	D	L	%	Pts
1	Hawthorn	19	16	0	3	138.36	64
2	Geelong	19	15	0	4	133.12	60
3	Sydney	19	14	1	4	138.23	58
4	Fremantle	18	13	1	4	124.21	54
5	Essendon	18	13	0	5	117.41	52
6	Collingwood	19	13	0	6	116.66	52
7	Richmond	19	13	0	6	116.22	52
8	Port Adelaide	19	11	0	8	106.41	44
9	Carlton	19	9	0	10	107.48	36
10	North Melbourne	18	8	0	10	122.19	32
11	West Coast	18	8	0	10	103.46	32
12	Brisbane	19	8	0	11	84.65	32
13	Adelaide	18	7	0	11	100.56	28
14	Gold Coast	19	7	0	12	89.27	28
15	Bulldogs	19	6	0	13	81.34	24
16	St Kilda	19	3	0	16	77.42	12
17	Melbourne	19	2	0	17	54.83	8
18	Greater Western Sydney	18	1	0	17	54.64	4

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Final Demon pillar topples

Tim Harrington is leaving the Dees. Picture: Michael Klein

MELBOURNE'S administrative overhaul has now claimed every position of power at the club, after list manager Tim Harrington was made redundant.

The Herald Sun understands Harrington was told of the decision yesterday, coinciding with an internal announcement that the position of football manager Josh Mahoney would be publicly advertised.

Harrington will be the fall guy for many of last year's controversial recruits, including David Rodan, Shannon Byrnes and Tom Gillies, although he was overruled on some of those by then coach Mark Neeld.

Coaching legend David Parkin often talks about the five pillars of a football club, including the coach, president, chief executive and the recruiter.

Since April 9, chief executive Cameron Schwab has been sacked, president Don McLardy has stood down, Neeld has been sacked and Mahoney told he will have to apply for the new head of football position.

Recruiter Jason Taylor is under pressure and former North Melbourne official Harrington will leave immediately.

He was on staff rather than a long-term contract, so the decision will not force the club into another costly exit after the $600,000 Neeld payout.

Harrington, who was elevated from football manager to list manager at North in 2007, crossed to Melbourne in 2009.

But, while there have been some value picks, the Demons have been condemned for not developing youngsters and wasting high picks on players who did not deserve that status.

They also paid huge sums for key forwards Mitch Clark and Chris Dawes, with both injury-prone since arriving.

Former Cat Byrnes was able to secure a two-year deal and battling former North Melbourne defender Cameron Pedersen has a three-year deal.

Melbourne chief executive Peter Jackson confirmed Harrington's departure last night. "Tim's departure is not performance related. It reflects the need to reduce the overall cost of the structure," he said.

"Tim has worked diligently in his role for more than four years at the club, and I'm certain he will find another productive role in the AFL industry."

Jackson has already foreshadowed a new head of football position, with Mahoney virtually no chance of filling that role.

Jackson confirmed on Saturday he had approached several big names to fill the head of football role.

12.50 | 0 komentar | Read More

No gift farewell game for Johncock

Setback: Brenton Sanderson has revealed Graham Johncock has suffered a recurrence of his long-standing back injury. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: Sunday Mail (SA)

CROWS veteran Graham Johncock will not be handed a farewell game - and the fan favourite does not want his last game at Adelaide to be a gift.

Crows coach Brenton Sanderson last night declared he will not recall 227-game Johncock simply to allow the converted defender to take a bow before the Adelaide supporters.

"I don't like farewell games - and I'm not going to give players a (free) game," said Sanderson in his a mid-term report with FIVEaa last night.

"And Graham said to me today `don't give me a game'. He wants to earn his spot."

But Johncock - who has not played in the AFL since the round three Showdown against Port Adelaide - still appears far from an AFL recall for his third game of the season.

Sanderson last night revealed Johncock, 30, has suffered a recurrence of his long-standing back injury.

"Physically," Sanderson said of Johncock, "he can't meet the demands of the AFL game.

"We need him at his best to contribute.

"Graham still has a big role to play. It's up to me to keep him motivated and engaged in the group because he is an important player for us."

Sanderson last night finally conceded his club's new fitness program - after losing long-standing fitness coach Stephen Schwerdt to Gold Coast - had failed to maintain standards.

"Externally, the Crows always have been seen as super fit but this year we had an emphasis on being stronger, for finals," said Sanderson, whose 11th-ranked team may not qualify for September.

"It is an area we need to get better at ... we need to run out games better."

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Moored in misery

		P	W	D	L	%	Pts
1	Hawthorn	18	15	0	3	136.74	60
2	Sydney	18	14	1	3	143.28	58
3	Geelong	18	14	0	4	133.76	56
4	Fremantle	18	13	1	4	124.21	54
5	Essendon	18	13	0	5	117.41	52
6	Collingwood	18	12	0	6	115.52	48
7	Richmond	18	12	0	6	115.47	48
8	Port Adelaide	18	11	0	7	108.58	44
9	Carlton	18	9	0	9	109.79	36
10	North Melbourne	18	8	0	10	122.19	32
11	West Coast	18	8	0	10	103.46	32
12	Brisbane	18	8	0	10	85.10	32
13	Adelaide	18	7	0	11	100.56	28
14	Gold Coast	18	6	0	12	88.04	24
15	Bulldogs	18	5	0	13	78.95	20
16	St Kilda	18	3	0	15	78.70	12
17	Melbourne	18	2	0	16	53.59	8
18	Greater Western Sydney	18	1	0	17	54.64	4

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Final Demon pillar topples

Tim Harrington is leaving the Dees. Picture: Michael Klein

MELBOURNE'S administrative overhaul has now claimed every position of power at the club, after list manager Tim Harrington was made redundant.

The Herald Sun understands Harrington was told of the decision yesterday, coinciding with an internal announcement that the position of football manager Josh Mahoney would be publicly advertised.

Harrington will be the fall guy for many of last year's controversial recruits, including David Rodan, Shannon Byrnes and Tom Gillies, although he was overruled on some of those by then coach Mark Neeld.

Coaching legend David Parkin often talks about the five pillars of a football club, including the coach, president, chief executive and the recruiter.

Since April 9, chief executive Cameron Schwab has been sacked, president Don McLardy has stood down, Neeld has been sacked and Mahoney told he will have to apply for the new head of football position.

Recruiter Jason Taylor is under pressure and former North Melbourne official Harrington will leave immediately.

He was on staff rather than a long-term contract, so the decision will not force the club into another costly exit after the $600,000 Neeld payout.

Harrington, who was elevated from football manager to list manager at North in 2007, crossed to Melbourne in 2009.

But, while there have been some value picks, the Demons have been condemned for not developing youngsters and wasting high picks on players who did not deserve that status.

They also paid huge sums for key forwards Mitch Clark and Chris Dawes, with both injury-prone since arriving.

Former Cat Byrnes was able to secure a two-year deal and battling former North Melbourne defender Cameron Pedersen has a three-year deal.

Melbourne chief executive Peter Jackson confirmed Harrington's departure last night. "Tim's departure is not performance related. It reflects the need to reduce the overall cost of the structure," he said.

"Tim has worked diligently in his role for more than four years at the club, and I'm certain he will find another productive role in the AFL industry."

Jackson has already foreshadowed a new head of football position, with Mahoney virtually no chance of filling that role.

Jackson confirmed on Saturday he had approached several big names to fill the head of football role.

12.50 | 0 komentar | Read More

No gift farewell game for Johncock

Setback: Brenton Sanderson has revealed Graham Johncock has suffered a recurrence of his long-standing back injury. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: Sunday Mail (SA)

CROWS veteran Graham Johncock will not be handed a farewell game - and the fan favourite does not want his last game at Adelaide to be a gift.

Crows coach Brenton Sanderson last night declared he will not recall 227-game Johncock simply to allow the converted defender to take a bow before the Adelaide supporters.

"I don't like farewell games - and I'm not going to give players a (free) game," said Sanderson in his a mid-term report with FIVEaa last night.

"And Graham said to me today `don't give me a game'. He wants to earn his spot."

But Johncock - who has not played in the AFL since the round three Showdown against Port Adelaide - still appears far from an AFL recall for his third game of the season.

Sanderson last night revealed Johncock, 30, has suffered a recurrence of his long-standing back injury.

"Physically," Sanderson said of Johncock, "he can't meet the demands of the AFL game.

"We need him at his best to contribute.

"Graham still has a big role to play. It's up to me to keep him motivated and engaged in the group because he is an important player for us."

Sanderson last night finally conceded his club's new fitness program - after losing long-standing fitness coach Stephen Schwerdt to Gold Coast - had failed to maintain standards.

"Externally, the Crows always have been seen as super fit but this year we had an emphasis on being stronger, for finals," said Sanderson, whose 11th-ranked team may not qualify for September.

"It is an area we need to get better at ... we need to run out games better."

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Moored in misery

Fremantle Dockers coach Ross Lyon issues instructions. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: Sunday Mail (SA)

THE man who preaches defence more than any other in football had to employ it when he was announced as the new coach of Fremantle.

It was September, 2011, and the Perth media was fuming at the injustice of the sudden sacking of Mark Harvey.

Ross Lyon walked into a press conference fire pit.

The first question was: "Ross, do you feel you've stabbed Mark Harvey in the back?" They kept coming.

"Has your reputation been tarnished?"

"How hard is it to arrive at a club where the members and fans don't really like you?"

"How can you honestly say you've been loyal and held integrity with St Kilda ... ?"

Lyon remained ice-cold. Unfazed, his poker-face was never close to cracking.

The resolve he displayed in the face of a baying media pack some 21 months ago has rubbed off on his players with admirable success.

Like their coach, the Dockers' defence has been close to impregnable.

In clashes with Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and North Melbourne, Fremantle has conceded only 43.5 points per game. The Bombers of 1989 are the only side since 1966 with such a points-against profile in a four-week block.

After a shaky start to Lyon's debut season, the Dockers' suffocation techniques are now sending shockwaves through the competition.

Thirteen rounds into the season, they are conceding 66.5 points a game - 10.1 fewer than any rival. They allow opponents to go inside 50m only 43.4 times a game - 2.8 fewer than any other side.

What former Melbourne coach Mark Neeld declared in his first press conference is a reality out west - Fremantle is the hardest team to play against.

Sides who win the ball behind centre in games against the Dockers face a monumental task just to advance up the ground.

From Rounds 9-13, the Dockers have allowed rival teams to execute a chain of possession from defensive 50m to forward 50m only 11.9 per cent of time, ranked No.1 in the competition.

From defensive midfield to inside 50m, it's a paltry 21.1 per cent - ranked No.1 - and from a centre clearance to inside 50m, it's 44.1 per cent, again ranked first. To put the latter stat into perspective, Geelong is the next best at 60 per cent.

It's a road trip to face the Cats - winners of 43 of their last 45 games at home - that presents the greatest challenge to Lyon's pressure pack. But after this weekend the Dockers face a dream run home; the second easiest according to Champion Data. A top-two berth is probable rather than possible and that means two home finals.

The fact All-Australian pair Matthew Pavlich and Aaron Sandilands are still to return only adds to the ominous look about the purple haze.

Among the loaded questions and accusations at that first press conference, Lyon remarked: "It's about possibility. You can be what you want to be."

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Final Demon pillar topples

		P	W	D	L	%	Pts
1	Hawthorn	18	15	0	3	136.74	60
2	Sydney	18	14	1	3	143.28	58
3	Geelong	18	14	0	4	133.76	56
4	Fremantle	18	13	1	4	124.21	54
5	Essendon	18	13	0	5	117.41	52
6	Collingwood	18	12	0	6	115.52	48
7	Richmond	18	12	0	6	115.47	48
8	Port Adelaide	18	11	0	7	108.58	44
9	Carlton	18	9	0	9	109.79	36
10	North Melbourne	18	8	0	10	122.19	32
11	West Coast	18	8	0	10	103.46	32
12	Brisbane	18	8	0	10	85.10	32
13	Adelaide	18	7	0	11	100.56	28
14	Gold Coast	18	6	0	12	88.04	24
15	Bulldogs	18	5	0	13	78.95	20
16	St Kilda	18	3	0	15	78.70	12
17	Melbourne	18	2	0	16	53.59	8
18	Greater Western Sydney	18	1	0	17	54.64	4

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No gift farewell game for Johncock

Setback: Brenton Sanderson has revealed Graham Johncock has suffered a recurrence of his long-standing back injury. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: Sunday Mail (SA)

CROWS veteran Graham Johncock will not be handed a farewell game - and the fan favourite does not want his last game at Adelaide to be a gift.

Crows coach Brenton Sanderson last night declared he will not recall 227-game Johncock simply to allow the converted defender to take a bow before the Adelaide supporters.

"I don't like farewell games - and I'm not going to give players a (free) game," said Sanderson in his a mid-term report with FIVEaa last night.

"And Graham said to me today `don't give me a game'. He wants to earn his spot."

But Johncock - who has not played in the AFL since the round three Showdown against Port Adelaide - still appears far from an AFL recall for his third game of the season.

Sanderson last night revealed Johncock, 30, has suffered a recurrence of his long-standing back injury.

"Physically," Sanderson said of Johncock, "he can't meet the demands of the AFL game.

"We need him at his best to contribute.

"Graham still has a big role to play. It's up to me to keep him motivated and engaged in the group because he is an important player for us."

Sanderson last night finally conceded his club's new fitness program - after losing long-standing fitness coach Stephen Schwerdt to Gold Coast - had failed to maintain standards.

"Externally, the Crows always have been seen as super fit but this year we had an emphasis on being stronger, for finals," said Sanderson, whose 11th-ranked team may not qualify for September.

"It is an area we need to get better at ... we need to run out games better."

12.50 | 0 komentar | Read More

Moored in misery

		P	W	D	L	%	Pts
1	Hawthorn	18	15	0	3	136.74	60
2	Sydney	18	14	1	3	143.28	58
3	Geelong	18	14	0	4	133.76	56
4	Fremantle	18	13	1	4	124.21	54
5	Essendon	18	13	0	5	117.41	52
6	Collingwood	18	12	0	6	115.52	48
7	Richmond	18	12	0	6	115.47	48
8	Port Adelaide	18	11	0	7	108.58	44
9	Carlton	18	9	0	9	109.79	36
10	North Melbourne	18	8	0	10	122.19	32
11	West Coast	18	8	0	10	103.46	32
12	Brisbane	18	8	0	10	85.10	32
13	Adelaide	18	7	0	11	100.56	28
14	Gold Coast	18	6	0	12	88.04	24
15	Bulldogs	18	5	0	13	78.95	20
16	St Kilda	18	3	0	15	78.70	12
17	Melbourne	18	2	0	16	53.59	8
18	Greater Western Sydney	18	1	0	17	54.64	4

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Moored in misery

		P	W	D	L	%	Pts
1	Hawthorn	17	15	0	2	142.44	60
2	Geelong	18	14	0	4	133.76	56
3	Sydney	17	13	1	3	143.91	54
4	Essendon	17	13	0	4	124.45	52
5	Fremantle	17	12	1	4	122.80	50
6	Richmond	17	11	0	6	113.28	44
7	Collingwood	17	11	0	6	110.68	44
8	Port Adelaide	17	10	0	7	108.91	40
9	Carlton	17	9	0	8	112.99	36
10	North Melbourne	18	8	0	10	122.19	32
11	West Coast	17	7	0	10	102.65	28
12	Adelaide	17	7	0	10	100.86	28
13	Brisbane	17	7	0	10	82.61	28
14	Gold Coast	17	6	0	11	88.13	24
15	Bulldogs	17	5	0	12	79.34	20
16	St Kilda	17	3	0	14	79.18	12
17	Melbourne	17	2	0	15	52.62	8
18	Greater Western Sydney	17	0	0	17	51.34	0

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No gift farewell game for Johncock

Setback: Brenton Sanderson has revealed Graham Johncock has suffered a recurrence of his long-standing back injury. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: Sunday Mail (SA)

CROWS veteran Graham Johncock will not be handed a farewell game - and the fan favourite does not want his last game at Adelaide to be a gift.

Crows coach Brenton Sanderson last night declared he will not recall 227-game Johncock simply to allow the converted defender to take a bow before the Adelaide supporters.

"I don't like farewell games - and I'm not going to give players a (free) game," said Sanderson in his a mid-term report with FIVEaa last night.

"And Graham said to me today `don't give me a game'. He wants to earn his spot."

But Johncock - who has not played in the AFL since the round three Showdown against Port Adelaide - still appears far from an AFL recall for his third game of the season.

Sanderson last night revealed Johncock, 30, has suffered a recurrence of his long-standing back injury.

"Physically," Sanderson said of Johncock, "he can't meet the demands of the AFL game.

"We need him at his best to contribute.

"Graham still has a big role to play. It's up to me to keep him motivated and engaged in the group because he is an important player for us."

Sanderson last night finally conceded his club's new fitness program - after losing long-standing fitness coach Stephen Schwerdt to Gold Coast - had failed to maintain standards.

"Externally, the Crows always have been seen as super fit but this year we had an emphasis on being stronger, for finals," said Sanderson, whose 11th-ranked team may not qualify for September.

"It is an area we need to get better at ... we need to run out games better."

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Final Demon pillar topples

Tim Harrington is leaving the Dees. Picture: Michael Klein

MELBOURNE'S administrative overhaul has now claimed every position of power at the club, after list manager Tim Harrington was made redundant.

The Herald Sun understands Harrington was told of the decision yesterday, coinciding with an internal announcement that the position of football manager Josh Mahoney would be publicly advertised.

Harrington will be the fall guy for many of last year's controversial recruits, including David Rodan, Shannon Byrnes and Tom Gillies, although he was overruled on some of those by then coach Mark Neeld.

Coaching legend David Parkin often talks about the five pillars of a football club, including the coach, president, chief executive and the recruiter.

Since April 9, chief executive Cameron Schwab has been sacked, president Don McLardy has stood down, Neeld has been sacked and Mahoney told he will have to apply for the new head of football position.

Recruiter Jason Taylor is under pressure and former North Melbourne official Harrington will leave immediately.

He was on staff rather than a long-term contract, so the decision will not force the club into another costly exit after the $600,000 Neeld payout.

Harrington, who was elevated from football manager to list manager at North in 2007, crossed to Melbourne in 2009.

But, while there have been some value picks, the Demons have been condemned for not developing youngsters and wasting high picks on players who did not deserve that status.

They also paid huge sums for key forwards Mitch Clark and Chris Dawes, with both injury-prone since arriving.

Former Cat Byrnes was able to secure a two-year deal and battling former North Melbourne defender Cameron Pedersen has a three-year deal.

Melbourne chief executive Peter Jackson confirmed Harrington's departure last night. "Tim's departure is not performance related. It reflects the need to reduce the overall cost of the structure," he said.

"Tim has worked diligently in his role for more than four years at the club, and I'm certain he will find another productive role in the AFL industry."

Jackson has already foreshadowed a new head of football position, with Mahoney virtually no chance of filling that role.

Jackson confirmed on Saturday he had approached several big names to fill the head of football role.

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