Eight on the trot has Power soaring

Port Adelaide forward Chad Wingard flies over St Kilda's Sean Dempster to take one of the marks of the season. Picture: Peter Argent. Source: Supplied

PORT Adelaide has equalled its longest winning streak since joining the AFL in 1997 after beating St Kilda by 70 points at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.

The club is now on a run as long as when it chalked up eight games in succession from rounds eight and 15 in 2002.

The anticipated chess game between senior coach Ken Hinkley and former right-hand man Alan Richardson didn't last long; when the teams returned from the half-time break the Power just belted the Saints.

Richardson, who is in his first year as coach at St Kilda, looks like he's in for some short-term pain.

The club has injuries to key players and is in a rebuilding phase. The Power ran circles around them last night.

One of the highlights was watching Chad Wingard fly for high marks a week after being taken off on a stretcher when knocked out, another to see how Port can find another level when challenged or being shut down. His mark over Sean Dempster in the 12th minute of the third quarter was one for the highlight reels.

The picture had been more intriguing earlier in the game.

Watch as Chad Wingard takes one of the marks of the season with this cracker against St Kilda

It looked like the previous week, when Port played Melbourne in Alice Springs, in the opening passages: like it was going to be a smashing.

Wingard, who had been under a cloud because of being concussed last week, kicked the first goal in the second minute and it was on.

The Power had most of the ball, most of the chances and kicked all the goals. Add to that Matthew Lobbe's domination in the ruck.

Wingard's was followed by one from in-form small forward-midfielder Robbie Gray, another from the elegantly poised Jared Polec and another from Jackson Trengove.

The only question asked in the stands was Port Adelaide by how much?

But one of the greatest forwards of the modern era, Nick Riewoldt, helped change the picture. He kicked two goals late in the first quarter and suddenly it was on.

Port Adelaide's Hamish Hartlett, Kane Mitchell and Brad Ebert celebrate another goal. Picture: Sarah Reed.

What happened next was concerning for Port, because it has now been studied so closely by opposition sides — and is known in particular to Richarson after his time as coaching director at the club — that it either needs to come up with new tricks or perfect its game plan.

St Kilda, which was backed by virtually nobody with the bookmakers, kicked another couple to knot the scores and then created the long drought.

It took until the 25th minute for the Power to kick its first goal for the second quarter and what had been on display before them was a defensive stand-off.

Port coach Ken Hinkley had predicted it before the match: at times, it would look like two sides mirroring one another and they both sought to clog the centre and force the opposition to take the long route.

It was also an inflationary contest in having more numbers around the ball. But it broke, as it has for Port Adelaide all season.

Hamish Hartlett, who was in rare form, banged through a goal from 55 metres late in the second quarter and was followed by impressive efforts from Jarman Impey and Gray.

St Kilda's Nick Riewoldt sinks his 600th goal in the Saints' disappointing loss to Port

Impey's goal was a treat to watch. He ran from half- back to around half-forward, crumbed cleanly without breaking pace, steadied and kicked a goal you rarely see from young players.

It was the start of an onslaught and at once, Port not only had winners everywhere but also began to play the game on its terms.

Ollie Wines imposed himself in close. Matthew Broadbent mopped up and directed and Kane Mitchell was creating space.

But the excitement was primarily brought by Wingard, whose enterprise, high marking and goalkicking flair had the crowd on its feet.

When Jay Schulz, who by his standards had a quiet game, kicked Port's 12th goal halfway through the third quarter the game was under lock and key.

The Saints just weren't a match for the Power.

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Coach Hinkley praises Power’s bruised battlers

Last updated: June 08, 2014

PORT Adelaide has revealed another mantra as it works towards September with a ruthless 70-point beating of St Kilda at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night: Never stay down.

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Live AFL: Suns out to prove worth

Cam Mooney and Barry Hall are in agreement that the Sydney Swans have got it right the way they're playing Kurt Tippett and Buddy Franklin, praising the combination the two have formed.

Gary Ablett pursues Sydney's Jarrad McVeigh. Source: News Limited

THE Gold Coast Suns can leapfrog the Sydney Swans on the AFL table with an upset at Metricon Stadium today.

The Suns were beaten in Adelaide last week and are looking to bounce back against the red-hot Swans, who are riding a form surge on the back of their Kurt Tippett-Lance Franklin forward line.

FOR LIVE HQ COVERAGE AND SUPERCOACH SCORES CLICK ON THE SCORE CENTRE ABOVE OR HERE IF YOU ARE ON A MOBILE DEVICE

The Swans are coming off a 110-point thumping of Geelong.

WATCH: WINGARD'S HANGER

SUPERCOACH STUDS AND DUDS

Two other matches will follow the clash on the Gold Coast, with Adelaide and North Melbourne tipped to continue their push for the top-four.

SUNDAY'S MATCHES: (all times EST)

3.20pm — Gold Coast v Sydney (Metricon)

4.10pm — Fremantle v Adelaide (Patersons)

7.10pm — North Melbourne v Richmond (Etihad)

FOLLOW ALL THE ACTION AND JOIN IN THE CHAT IN OUR CHAT BELOW:

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Silvagni, the secret of the century

Stephen Silvagni was a controversial pick as Team of the Century full-back. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited

ONLY a rare and small number of people know a little secret about the most contentious position in the AFL's Team of the Century.

One of them is Allen Aylett, the North Melbourne great and pioneering AFL administrator.

And the position?

Full-back.

Carlton's Stephen Silvagni was the surprise choice at full-back. Not so much the wrong choice, but when the team was announced on September 2, 1996, there was both celebration and discussion, perhaps more than other position.

Silvagni beat North Melbourne's David Dench, Carlton's Geoff Southby, Collingwood's Jack Regan to the position.

Stephen Silvagni was the best full-back in the 1990s. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: News Limited

In the end, he beat them easily because Dench and Southby were ineligible for selection.

Consider that. The pair considered the leading contenders for a position among the most prestigious and honoured players in the history of the game, could not be considered.

As for Regan, who carried the most eloquent of nicknames - the Prince of Full-backs - he was out of contention early because the two men on the selection panel who saw him play, Percy Beames and Bill Jacobs, didn't rate Regan as highly as the Magpies did.

The technicality - or loophole - came when the selectors were told a player not in the AFL Hall of Fame was not eligible for selection.

In 1996, only months before the Team of the Century was announced, 136 players were inducted into the Hall of Fame en-masse.

Dench and Southby were not among them.

They would be officially welcomed in 2000, but by then it was too late.

Aylett, who is now into his 80th year, well remembers the discussions.

David Dench with the premiership cup after the 1977 Grand Final replay. Source: News Corp Australia

''Jack Regan's name was brought up because he was considered at that stage, 1996, to be the doyen of full-backs, but he didn't get support from the older people,'' Aylett said.

''Regan was considered a dead-cert to be picked, but he didn't get support from Percy Beams and Bill Jacobs. We took notice of them because they saw him play.

''So, next it was, what about Southby, what about Dench?''

It was then the selectors learned neither of them could be considered because of the rule, a rule which Aylett agrees was stupid. ''It was looking back on it,'' he said.

It provided a ridiculous situation where two greats, Dench and Southby, couldn't be picked, but Silvagni, who was then a current player and thus ineligible for the Hall of Fame, could be.

There wasn't a rule saying any current player was ineligible.

It's mind-boggling that Dench and Southby were out, and Silvagni was in, because of a rule which didn't really mean anything.

Because there wasn't a rule about current players, it enabled selectors to include Geelong's Gary Ablett, whose career came to an end early in 1997.

Carlton's Geoff Southby was ineligible for the Team of the Century. Source: News Limited

The other players, Greg Williams and, of course, Silvagni.

''The rules countered one another,'' Aylett said.

''It doesn't take anything away from Silvagni, but it just means the other two guys were never considered.''

Aylett's opinion was that Silvagni would've missed out if the rule was not in place.

''It wouldn't have even got to consideration for Stephen. It's nothing against him, but we couldn't consider the other two because they weren't in the Hall of Fame.

''It was a loophole but an honest mistake.''

So, Dench or Southby?

''Either of those two, both were great players,'' Aylett said.

''As much as I appreciated Southby as a player, I would've gone for Dench because I saw every game he played. He was a brilliant player, a dasher, 20, 25 years ahead of his time.

''As for Silvagni, I don't think he played that many games at full-back then either, because he did start off at centre half-forward.

''I can remember all of us looking at one another, shaking our heads., because the rules hadn't been properly framed.

''In the end, it was a loophole.

''Not even looking back, I thought straight away either Dench or Southby for that position and we really didn't go looking for Silvagni.''

They had to after learning the rule, a rule which changed history.

Note: The selectors were Allen Aylett, Percy Beames, Bob Davis, Gerard Healy, Jack Irving, Bill Jacobs, David Parkin and Greg Hobbs.

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Mick livid over late, costly umpiring calls

Last updated: June 07, 2014

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Live: Roughy on fire against Eagles

Jarryd Roughead is putting on a clinic in the first half against West Coast. Source: Getty Images

JARRYD Roughead has five goals and 14 disposals to guide Hawthorn to a half-time lead over West Coast.

The Hawks overcame a Eagles blitz at the end of the first quarter and start of the second to take control of the game in Launceston.

FOLLOW THE ACTION IN OUR MATCH CENTRE WITH LIVE SUPERCOACH SCORES ABOVE OR CLICK HERE IF YOU'RE ON A MOBILE DEVICE .

Former Hawk Xavier Ellis has two goals for the Eagles, who are looking to rebound from a poor loss to North Melboune.

In Adelaide, Port Adelaide host St Kilda in today's twilight match.

The Power are flying, two games clear on top of the ladder, and welcome back former assistant coach Alan Richardson.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION AND HAVE YOUR SAY IN OUR LIVE BLOG BELOW.

First-year Saints coach Richardson will be looking to cause a major upset as arrest the Saints worrying form slump.

In tonight's double-header, the Western Bulldogs welcome Brisbane to Etihad Stadium while the Giants face Essendon at Spotless Stadium.

SATURDAY FOOTBALL

Hawthorn v West Coast at Aurora Stadium, 1.40pm (EST)

Late Changes: Nil

Subs: Billy Hartung (Hawks), Sharrod Wellingham (Eagles)

Port Adelaide v St Kilda at Adelaide Oval, 4.40pm (CST)

Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium, 7.40pm (EST)

GWS Giants v Essendon at Spotless Stadium, 7.40pm (EST)

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AFL reveals 15 positive illicit drug tests

Stimulants, such as cocaine, remain the choice for players who have tested positive for illicit drugs. Source: News Limited

THE number of positive test results for illicit drug use in the AFL has dropped dramatically from 26 in 2012 to just 15 in 2013.

Only one player recorded a second strike, according to AFL figures released today.

The 2013 results followed changes last year to the league's illicit drugs policy designed to strengthen its detection and deterrence elements in the wake of industry concerns and the ongoing increase in the availability and use of illicit substances across the wider community.

AFL football operations boss Mark Evans said testing enabled early intervention.

"Illicit drug use is a significant issue across the broader community and the AFL playing group largely falls within the high-risk 18-30 male age group," he said.

"Individual players are not immune to peer group pressure and poor decision-making, but under this policy they have ready access to expert support and treatment to overcome the potential health impacts.

"Significantly, our advice is that the rate of illicit drug use within the AFL playing group remains substantially lower compared with the same age group of young men in the wider community."

Stimulants, such as cocaine, remain the drugs of choice for players — with all positive tests related to stimulant use.

The league has not released data about how many players "self-reported" drug use, although their ability to self report was limited to one instance during their career in changes to the policy last year.

The AFL's illicit drugs policy is separate to its anti-doping rules, and players who test positive for an illicit drug on matchday that is also banned under the WADA code would be subject to anti-doping rules.

No matchday positives were recorded in 2013.

AFL players volunteer to be part of the illicit drugs policy and allow the results of testing to be released.

Players were subjected to 1998 tests in 2013, meaning a detection rate of 0.75 per cent.

"A number of AFL clubs continue to assist the AFL Medical Directors to identify and target test 'at risk' individuals at their clubs so we can intervene to address issues such as susceptibility to mental illness and drug addiction. Players are also identified for target testing through hair testing during the high risk off-season," said the AFL's chief medico, Dr Peter Harcourt.

"Most players detected in 2013 reported they accessed illicit substances opportunistically while socialising with friendship groups outside their clubs and the wider AFL community, and almost always after significant alcohol consumption."

Dr Harcourt said that under changes to the IDP agreed to last year, the Medical Directors had been providing greater de-identified feedback to club administrators and boards as well as specific illicit drug and mental health education to player leadership groups so they can more easily identify players who may need support and who should be target tested.

AFLPA acting CEO Ian Prendergast said: "This is the most developed illicit drug policy in world sport and we strongly believe the medical approach to drug use is the best way to protect players' health."

AFLPA President Luke Ball said: "AFL players have voluntarily agreed to this additional testing process because they understand that drugs are a very real issue within society, and that players are not immune to this.

"As such, we will continue working with clubs and the AFL to ensure our education and testing system remains a best practice policy."

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Jacobs fit for Fremantle

Last updated: June 06, 2014

CROWS coach Brenton Sanderson says lead ruckman Sam Jacobs will play against Fremantle in Perth on Sunday.

Jacobs fit for Fremantle

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Bombers can pay lawyers outside salary cap

Some Essendon players are expected to receive show-cause letters in relation to the club's supplements program. Source: News Limited

ESSENDON will not have to include legal fees for players in its salary cap, the AFL has ruled.

The Bombers have declared they will pay any costs for players associated with the investigation into the club's supplements program in 2012.

No Essendon player has been issued a show cause notice from ASADA, but the anti-doping body's chief Ben McDevitt told senate estimates on Tuesday night notices could come soon.

The club last week made a formal submission to the league that legal fees not be included in the cap.

The AFL's general counsel Andrew Dillon said: "It has been determined that the reimbursement of legal expenses incurred by players that relate directly to defending any potential breach of the AFL Anti-Doping Code shall be excluded from the club's Total Player Payments.

"This is in accordance with current practice whereby clubs organise and pay for player's legal expenses when they are contesting a charge at the AFL Tribunal or appearing before the Appeals Board."

Rival clubs led by Collingwood president Eddie McGuire have questioned why Essendon's players should be afforded special salary cap treatment if the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Agency issues show-cause notices.

Former St Kilda forward Ahmed Saad was required to cover all legal expenses relating to his 18-month suspension for using a banned energy drink last year.

MORE TO COME

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Fyfe misses training but eyes Crows

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Fremantle coach Ross Lyon is confident he'll have Nat Fyfe available for Sunday's clash with Adelaide despite an injured ankle. Source: News Corp Australia

FREMANTLE coach Ross Lyon is confident star midfielder Nat Fyfe will be fit to play in Sunday's clash with Adelaide at Patersons Stadium.

Fyfe was on crutches after last week's win over the Bulldogs after injuring his ankle during the game.

The 22-year-old didn't train today, but Lyon is optimistic Fyfe will be able to pass a fitness test on Friday.

"It's swollen. But he didn't suffer any severe damage," Lyon said of Fyfe's ankle.

"He should train Friday. And if he jumps all the hurdles, he should play. So we're really quite confident."

Midfielder Stephen Hill, Danyle Pearce and defender Luke McPharlin were restricted to jogging laps this morning.

But all three are expected to front up against the Crows, with backman Alex Silvagni set to miss selection after being a late withdrawal last week due to team balance.

Adelaide have won five of their past seven games to get themselves back into the finals mix, while seventh-placed Fremantle are just one win adrift of second spot and looking to charge into the top four.

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