MELBOURNE coach Dean Bailey says he sees the club's boom recruits Tom Scully and Jack Trengrove as 'equals'.
As expected, Scully was taken with pick one in the national draft while Trengrove was picked up with the number two pick.
Bailey admitted he would have loved to have had the pair share the top honour.
"We couldn't split them, unfortunately we were required to call them out one-by-one, but if it was up to me, I'd call both of them out together," Bailey said.
"I see them both as equals and they're going to really contribute well to the Melbourne Football Club."
Scully, a 182cm, 77kg midfielder who has been likened to Ben Cousins in terms of his running ability, said the pressure of being the No.1 draft pick was 'external'.
"All players that come to the club start off the same. If you let that sort of stuff get to you too much, it affects your football," Scully said.
"But if you just stay strong and stick to the stuff you know, that stuff shouldn't really worry you too much."
Trengrove, who captained South Australia at the under-18 championships and played senior football with Sturt in the SANFL this year, said there wasn't too much difference between being taken with pick one or two.
"We're going to the same club and we're going to have the same respect from the other players," Trengrove said.
"We're going to have to earn some respect and really work hard from the start."
"The number doesn't really mean everything until your out there playing footy and showing how good you are."
FORMER St Kilda skipper Luke Ball and ex-Saints defender Matt Maguire have new homes with Ball being taken by Collingwood with pick 30 in the national draft while Maguire was picked up by Brisbane with selection 91.
Ball spent several matches in the VFL but returned to the side in time to play all three finals, including the 12-point loss to Geelong in the grand final.
The 25-year-old was frustrated with his lack of game time and sought a trade to the Magpies last month but the two clubs were unable to agree to terms.
It prompted Ball to nominate for the national draft.
While Collingwood was keen to secure the services of the hard-nut midfielder, Melbourne Essendon and Brisbane had also shown interest.
But the Demons, Bombers and Lions all opted for younger players, leaving the Magpies
to get their man.
Ball is expected to sign a three-year deal with the Pies.
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said the club didn't regret its decision to not trade Ball.
"We wish Luke personally all the best," Lyon said.
"At the end of the day we all move on now and focus on our own resources and players."
Collingwood national recruiting manager Derek Hine said the acquistion of Ball would benefit the youngest members of the club's midfield division.
"The fact we've got a couple of young midfielders in Dayne Beams and Steele Sidebottom, it was a real priority for us to get Ball, also with Shane O'Bree getting towards the end of his career," Hine said.
"It was really about protecting them and Luke will certainly do that."
Taken with pick two in the 2001 national draft, Ball played 142 games for the Saints and earnt All-Australian honours in 2005.
Maguire, who was restricted to just 14 matches between 2007-2008 due to a serious leg injury and stress fractures in his foot, spent all of this year in the VFL as he was unable to break into St Kilda's side.
He was training with Carlton and had met with Hawthorn but it is the Lions who have given him the chance to revive his career which has stalled on 99 AFL games.
Brisbane coach Michael Voss was hopeful Maguire, who recently had the protective rod taken out of his leg, would be able to bolster the Lions' backline.
"For us to be able to have the last live pick and to be able to get someone of Matty Maguire's presence, hopefully he can add a fair bit to our defence," Voss said.
"I know the guys will enjoy playing with him."
Several other players with AFL experience were also picked up. Former Brisbane small forward Rhan Hooper was taken by Hawthorn with pick 58, St Kilda snared injury prone ex-North Melbourne defender Jesse Smith with pick 60 and former Richmond ruckman Adam Pattison with 64 while the Magpies landed ex-Demon Simon Buckley with pick 85.
SEE who your club picked at this year's national draft.
ADELAIDE
13. Daniel Talia
29. Jack Gunston
45. Sam Shaw
61. James Craig
74. Brodie Martin
BRISBANE
27. Callum Bartlett
47. Ryan Harwood
73. Jesse O'Brien
84. Bryce Retzlaff
91. Matt Maguire
CARLTON
12. Kane Lucas
43. Marcus Davies
59. Rohan Kerr
72. Sam Jacobs
83. Aaron Joseph
COLLINGWOOD
30. Luke Ball
62. Ben Sinclair
75. Josh Thomas
85. Simon Buckley
ESSENDON
10. Jake Melksham
24. Jake Carlisle
26. Travis Colyer
33. Anthony Long
FREMANTLE
4. Anthony Morabito
20, Nathan Fyfe
36. Joel Haughton
48. Jesse Crichton
49. Dylan Roberton,
52. Justin Bollenhagen
GEELONG
17. Daniel Menzel
28. Mitchell Duncan
40. Allan Christensen
42, Nathan Vardy
56, Josh Cowan
65. Jeremy Laidler
HAWTHORN
46. Sam Grimley
57 Benjamin Stratton
58. Jordan Williams
69.Taylor Duryea
70. Matthew Suckling
MELBOURNE
1. Tom Scully
2. Jack Trengove
11 Jordan Gysberts
18. Luke Tapscott
34. Max Gawn
50. Jack Fitzpatrick
NORTH MELBOURNE
5. Ben Cunnington
21. Ryan Bastinac
25. Aaron Black
37. Jamie McMilllan
41. Ayden Kennedy
53. Brayden Norris
80. Cruze Garlett
PORT ADELAIDE
8. John Butcher
9 Andrew Moore,
16. Jasper McMillan-Pittard,
82. Daniel Stewart,
88. Wade Thompson
RICHMOND
3. Dustin Martin
19. Ben Griffiths
35. David Astbury
44. Matt Dea
51. Troy Taylor
67. Jeromey Webberley
71. Ben Nason
ST KILDA
32. Nicholas Winmar
60. Jesse W. Smith
64. Adam Pattison
77. Will Johnson
87. Zac Dawson
SYDNEY
6. Gary Rohan
14. Lewis Jetta
38. Sam Reid
54. Byron Sumner
55. Trent Dennis-Lane
WEST COAST
7. Bradley Sheppard
22. Gerrick Weedon
23. Koby Stevens
WESTERN BULLDOGS
15. Cristian Howard
31. Jason Tutt,
63. Lukas Markovic
76. Shane Thorne
86 Liam Picken
92. James Mulligan
ROUND ONE
Priority pick 1 Melbourne: Tom Scully (Recruited from Dandenong Stingrays)
2 Melbourne: Jack Trengove (Recruited from Sturt)
3 Richmond: Dustin Martin (Recruited from Bendigo Pioneers)
4 Fremantle: Anthony Morabito (Recruited from Peel Thunder)
5 North Melbourne: Ben Cunnington (Recruited from Geelong Falcons)
6 Sydney: Gary Rohan (Recruited from Geelong Falcons)
7 West Coast: Bradley Sheppard (Recruited from East Fremantle)
8 Port Adelaide: John Butcher (Recruited from Gippsland Power)
9 Port Adelaide: Andrew Moore (Recruited from Eastern Ranges)
10 Essendon: Jake Melksham (Recruited from Calder Cannons)
11 Melbourne: Jordan Gysberts (Recruited from Eastern Ranges)
12 Carlton: Kane Lucas (Recruited from East Fremantle)
13 Adelaide: Daniel Talia (Recruited from Calder Cannons)
14 Sydney: Lewis Jetta (Recruited from Swan Districts)
15 Western Bulldogs: Christian Howard (Recruited from Glenelg)
16 Port Adelaide: Jasper McMillarn-Pittard (Recruited from Geelong Falcons)
17 Geelong: Daniel Menzel (Recruited from Central District)
ROUND TWO
18 Melbourne: Luke Tapscott (Recruited from North Adelaide)
19 Richmond: Ben Griffiths (Recruited from Eastern Ranges)
20 Fremantle: Nathan Fyfe (Recruited from Claremont)
21 North Melbourne: Ryan Bastinac (Recruited from Dandenong Stingrays)
22 West Coast: Gerrick Weedon (Recruited from Claremont)
23 West Coast: Koby Stevens (Recruited from Gippsland Power)
24 Essendon: Jake Carlisle (Recruited from Calder Cannons)
25 North Melbourne: Aaron Black (Recruited from Peel Thunder)
26 Essendon: Travis Colyer (Recruited from Claremont)
27 Brisbane: Callum Bartlett (Recruited from Geelong Falcons)
28 Geelong: Mitchell Duncan (Recruited from East Perth)
29 Adelaide: Jack Gunston (Recruited from Sandringham)
30 Collingwood: Luke Ball (Recruited from St Kilda)
31 Western Bulldogs: Jason Tutt (Recruited from Ainslie)
32 St Kilda: Nicholas Winmar (Recruited from Claremont)
33 Essendon: Anthony Long (Recruited from Calder Cannons)
ROUND THREE
34 Melbourne: Max Gawn (Recruited from Sandringham Dragons)
35 Richmond: David Astbury (Recruited from North Ballarat Rebels)
36 Fremantle: Joel Houghton (Recruited from Perth)
37 North Melbourne: Jamie Macmillan (Recruited from Oakleigh Chargers)
38 Sydney: Sam Reid (Recruited from Murray Bushrangers)
39 Hawthorn: Sam Grimley (Recruited from Northern Knights)
40 Geelong: Allen Christensen (Recruited from Geelong Falcons)
41 North Melbourne: Ayden Kennedy (Recruited from Eastern Ranges)
42 Geelong: Nathan Vardy (Recruited from Gippsland Power)
43 Carlton: Marcus Davies (Recruited from North Hobart)
44 Richmond: Matthew Dea (Recruited from North Ballarat)
45 Adelaide: Sam Shaw (Recruited from Oakleigh Chargers)
46 Hawthorn: Benjamin Stratton (Recruited from East Perth)
47 Brisbane: Ryan Harwood (Recruited from Glenorchy)
48 Fremantle: Jesse Crichton (Recruited from North Launceston)
49 Fremantle: Dylan Robertson (Recruited from Dandenong Stingrays)
ROUND FOUR
50 Melbourne: Jack Fitzpatrick (Recruited from Western Jets)
51 Richmond: Troy Taylor (Recruited from Northern Territory)
52 Fremantle: Justin Bollenhagen (Recruited from South Adelaide)
53 North Melbourne: Brayden Norris (Recruited from Murray Bushrangers)
54 Sydney: Byron Sumner (Recruited from Woodville-West Torrens)
55 Sydney: Trent Dennis-Lane (Recruited from Subiaco)
56 Geelong: Josh Cowan (Recruited from North Ballarat Rebels)
57 Hawthorn: Jordan Williams (Recruited from Bendigo Pioneers)
58 Hawthorn: Rhan Hooper (Recruited from Brisbane)
59 Carlton: Rohan Kerr (Recruited from Dandenong Stingrays)
60 St Kilda: Jesse Smith (Recruited from North Melbourne)
61 Adelaide: James Craig (Recruited from North Adelaide)
62 Collingwood: Ben Sinclair (Recruited from Oakleigh Chargers)
63 Western Bulldogs: Lukas Markovic (Recruited from Eastern Ranges)
64 St Kilda: Adam Pattison (Recruited from Richmond)
65 Geelong: Jeremy Laidler (Rookie elevation)
ROUND FIVE
66 Melbourne: Pass
67 Richmond: Jeromey Webberly (Recruited from Clarence)
68 Fremantle: Pass
69 Hawthorn: Taylor Duryea (Recruited from Murray Bushrangers)
70 Hawthorn: Matthew Suckling (Rookie elevation)
71 Richmond: Ben Nason (Recruited from Central Districts)
72 Carlton: Sam Jacobs (Rookie elevation)
73 Brisbane: Jesse O'Brien (Recruited from North Adelaide)
74 Adelaide: Brodie Martin (Rookie elevation)
75 Collingwood: Josh Thomas (Recruited from Redlands FC)
76 Western Bulldogs: Shane Thorne (Recruited from Northern Territory)
77 St Kilda: Will Johnson (Recruited from Sandringham)
ROUND SIX
78 Richmond: Pass
79 Fremantle: Greg Broughton (Rookie elevation)
80 North Melbourne: Cruize Garlett (Rookie elevation)
81 Sydney: Pass
82 Port Adelaide: Daniel Stewart (Rookie elevation)
83 Carlton: Aaron Joseph (Rookie elevation)
84 Brisbane: Bryce Retzlaff (Recruited from Labrador)
85 Collingwood: Simon Buckley (Recruited from Melbourne)
86 Western Bulldogs: Liam Picken (Rookie elevation)
87 St Kilda: Zac Dawson (Rookie elevation)
88 Port Adelaide: Wade Thomson (Rookie elevation)
ROUND SEVEN
89 Richmond: Robin Nahas (Rookie elevation)
90 Sydney: Kristin Thornton (Rookie elevation)
91 Brisbane: Matt Maguire (Recruited from St Kilda)
92 Western Bulldogs: James Mulligan (Rookie elevation)
93 St Kilda: Luke Miles (Rookie elevation)
ROUND EIGHT
94 Richmond: Andrew Browne (Rookie elevation)
95 Brisbane: Pearce Hanley (Rookie elevation)
ST KILDA won't take any action against new recruit Andrew Lovett who was arrested for public drunkenness just under two weeks ago.
Speaking at the club's first full pre-season training session, Saints coach Ross Lyon admitted he was disappointed that the former Essendon speedster had put himself in such a position but said it wasn't 'the end of the world'.
"It's an inauspicious start I suppose and one we would prefer not to be dealing with. I don't really like any negative publicity around the Saints," Lyon said.
"We'd really managed to stay out of these types of incidents."
Lyon said he was confident that St Kilda's environment would help Lovett grow.
"It hasn't had an opportunity to take effect yet in a real sense," he said.
"In the fullness of time we are happy to be judged and Andrew to be judged. Certainly from here he is under no illusions about the requirements and actions he needs to take to earn respect and more importantly earn trust here."
"In simple terms, we're not a babysitting service; we're about self-directed, motivated athletes. Andrew's confident from here that he can buy into that."
Lyon set the record straight on what Lovett was doing on the night he was arrested.
"We're certainly not defending anything, but he certainly wasn't wandering the streets," Lyon said.
"Let's really clear that up, it was reported he was wandering aimlessly. He was at a private party, the music was on, the police came and he was outside."
"He obviously stepped out of line and was put in the divvy van. But he certainly wasn't wandering aimlessly as a hopeless drunk down the street."
BRISBANE has recorded a total financial loss of $603,207 for 2009.
The result includes a $75,000 grant to AFL Queensland to support grassroots community football.
However, despite the loss the Lions are debt-free and with net assets of just under $4 million.
Brisbane's on-field performances which saw them make the finals for the first time since 2004 resulted in a rise in gate receipts but it wasn't enough to cover the drop in corporate revenues due to the global financial crisis and a dip in the club's merchandise sales.
Lions chairman Tony Kelly said this year was always going to be a difficult one financially given the current economic climate.
"Recording a financial loss is always disappointing, yet there would be few major organisations that remained immune to the global market crunch and the worldwide recession," Kelly said.
"Members can be assured the club remains extremely diligent in its cost controls and continues to take active steps to grow revenues."
In some good news for Brisbane, the club's membership numbers went up from 22,737 to 24,873 this year.
The Lions are now aiming to reach the 30,000 member mark in 2010.
Brisbane's home crowds also rose from an average of 28,128 per game last year to 29,172 in 2009.
Meanwhile, the Lions recently revealed a new logo and announced major sponsorship deals with the Bank of Queensland and Conergy for the next three years.
MELBOURNE and Brisbane will play in the first ever AFL match in China in 2010.
The exhibition game will be staged at the Jiangwan Sports Centre in Shanghai on October 17.
AFL general manager of national and international development David Matthews said the match was a wonderful opportunity to showcase Australian football.
"We are extremely excited to be able to bring Australia's indigenous game and all its unique skills to Shanghai as we continue to develop the code internationally," Matthews said.
The stadium at the Jiangwan Sports Centre in Yangpu District has a capacity of up to 30,000 spectators and it's hoped two local university teams will participate in a curtain raiser to the match.
Demons chief executive Cameron Schwab said the game was an outstanding opportunity to further develop relationships built during a visit to the world's most populous nation in 2008.
"To be part of an event like this, which showcases our club and the game on the world stage, is very special. We also see this trip as an amazing cultural experience to benefit both our players and staff," Schwab said.
Lions CEO Michael Bowers said the club was thrilled it would be involved in the landmark match.
"The AFL exhibition match is a wonderful opportunity to develop and promote our code to a massive international market," Bowers said.
Melbourne and Brisbane will play for the Kaspersky AFL Cup - named after the Demons' major sponsor.
THE AFL has advised that eleven clubs have invited unlisted players to train with them. They are:
BRISBANE LIONS
Niall McKeever (Ireland)
CARLTON
Aaron Kite (Adelaide), Matt Maguire (St Kilda)
COLLINGWOOD
Daniel Frost (Collingwood, VFL), Kristopher Pendlebury (Collingwood, VFL)
FREMANTLE
Trent Dennis-Lane (Subiaco), Andrew Foster (Fremantle), Kyle Hardingham (East Fremantle), Matt Riggio (North Melbourne), Alex Silvagni (Casey), Danny Stanley (Collingwood)
HAWTHORN
Dean Putt (Richmond), Wayde Skipper (Western Bulldogs), Jesse Smith (North Melbourne)
MELBOURNE
Kane Tenace (Geelong), Mitchell Thorp (Hawthorn)
NORTH MELBOURNE
Simon Buckley (Melbourne), Matthew Laidlaw (Sydney Swans)
RICHMOND
Ryan Allen (Coburg), Ben Clifton (Coburg), Rhan Hooper (Brisbane Lions), Justin Kadhlefelt (Southport), Thomas McCann (Ireland), Jason Morgan (Coburg), James O'Rielly (Ireland), Graham Polak (Richmond)
ST KILDA
David Moran (Ireland)
SYDNEY SWANS
Luke Ablett (Sydney Swans), Daniel Bradshaw (Brisbane Lions), Sam Crichton (Sydney Uni), Henry Playfair (Sydney Swans)
WESTERN BULLDOGS
John Morris (Coburg), Dane Rampe (Williamstown), Patrick Rose (Williamstown)
FORMER Brisbane defender Joel Macdonald is not among the list of discarded players that have nominated for the national draft.
Macdonald's decision not to nominate suggests he has an agreement in place for December's pre-season draft.
Ex-Richmond forward Nathan Brown and former Tigers utility Graham Polak are also missing from the list.
Brown formally announced his retirement yesterday while Polak is hoping to be re-drafted by Richmond in next month's rookie draft.
Among the delisted players that have thrown their hats into the national draft ring is former St Kilda duo Luke Ball and Matt Maguire, ex-Sydney premiership player Luke Ablett, former Carlton utility Cameron Cloke and experienced forward Russell Robertson who was told his services were no longer required at Melbourne after 228 games
Former St Kilda utility Jarryd Allen who retired in August because of a chronic hip injury has also nominated for next week's draft but won't play again.
The Saints intend to keep the contracted 21-year-old on their rookie list until the end of his contract.
The senior delisted players who have nominated for the national draft are:
Luke Ablett (Sydney)
Jarryd Allen (St Kilda)
Luke Ball (St Kilda)
Jordan Bannister (Carlton)
Adam Bentick (Carlton)
Ryan Brabazon (Sydney)
Simon Buckley (Melbourne)
Chris Bryan (Collingwood)
Adam Campbell (Fremantle)
Cameron Cloke (Carlton)
Scott Clouston (Brisbane Lions)
Eljay Connors (St Kilda)
Mark Coughlan (Richmond)
Jake Edwards (Carlton)
Leigh Fisher (St Kilda)
Andrew Foster (Fremantle)
Greg Gallman (Adelaide)
Jonathan Giles (Port Adelaide)
Nick Gill (Adelaide)
Scott Harding (Brisbane Lions)
Daniel Harris (North Melbourne)
Rhan Hooper (Brisbane Lions)
Nick Lower (Port Adelaide)
Aaron Kite (Adelaide)
Matthew Laidlaw (Sydney Swans)
Malcolm Lynch (Western Bulldogs)
Dan McKenna (Geelong Cats)
Jamie McNamara (West Coast)
Matt Maguire (St Kilda)
John Meesen (Melbourne)
Michael Newton (Melbourne)
Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls (Richmond)
Daniel O'Keefe (Sydney)
Guy O'Keefe (Western Bulldogs)
Paul O'Shea (Western Bulldogs)
Adam Pattison (Richmond)
Kayne Pettifer (Richmond)
Sam Power (North Melbourne)
Dean Putt (Richmond)
Matt Riggio (North Melbourne)
Russell Robertson (Melbourne)
Jason Roe (Brisbane Lions)
Scott Simpson (Geelong)
Wayde Skipper (Western Bulldogs)
Jesse Smith (North Melbourne)
Danny Stanley (Collingwood)
Kane Tenace (Geelong)
Mitchell Thorp (Hawthorn)
Matthew Tyler (Brisbane Lions)
Cameron Wight (Western Bulldogs)
John Williams (Essendon)
Michael Wundke (North Melbourne)
PORT ADELAIDE will play in a predominantly black jumper next season.
The jumper which features a teal and white 'V' is heavily based on the design worn by the Power in rounds 16 and 17 this year. That jumper was created by seven-year-old Lucy Burford, who won the club's 'Planet Teal' guernsey design competition for South Australian primary school students.
The club expects to wear the black jumper in at least 18 games next season while a white design with a black and teal 'V' and black side panels will be the Port Adelaide's clash jumper.
Power chief executive Mark Haysman said the club had received 'universal support' for the new strip.
"There is something instinctively Port Adelaide about this jumper," Haysman said.
"Some people have also observed the guernsey resembles the SA State jumper in Port Adelaide colours. Given the iconic place of our club in the history and fabric of SA football it's a very nice co-incidence."
Haysman said Port had no plans to change the design of their guernsey in the future.
"It's very much a long-term play and we don't anticipate changing our guernsey again for many, many, manys years - if ever," he said.
"We think in time that this will become one of the strongest and most popular guernseys in the AFL."
The Power's previous main jumper - which the club wore when they won the 2004 premiership - will be used on special occasions such as rivalry round.
Meanwhile, Lucy has been named as Port Adelaide's number one Junior (Planet Teal) ticketholder while her family will be lifetime Platinum Members of club.
IRISHMAN Tadhg Kennelly is back at the Sydney Swans and believes he will be a better player next season.
The 28-year-old left the club in January to pursue his boyhood dream of winning an All-Ireland final with his native County Kerry.
The 2005 premiership defender, who signed a new two-year deal with the Swans last week, joined his teammates for training on Wednesday morning after arriving in Sydney on Tuesday night.
Kennelly vowed to repay the faith the club has shown in him and said he would be able to play with a lot more freedom in 2010 after achieving his goal of winning Gaelic football's biggest prize in September.
"The club has been an unbelievable support for me and I feel I have a massive loyalty to the club," Kennelly said.
"I owe them a lot and I feel I'll be a much, much better player personally because I don't have that drawcard of going back anymore."
"I feel that weight's off my shoulders. I feel like I can express myself a lot more and just go at it."
"There's times when I was going to games here in Australia and I was thinking, 'God, I wish I was going to Croke Park and playing with Kerry,' but that weight's well off my shoulders now and I feel like I can move on and really express myself as a footballer."
Kennelly, who was dogged by knee and shoulder injuries between 2007-2008, said a year away from the AFL had left him feeling refreshed physically.
"I feel like I’m 25, 26 years of age again because I didn’t pick up any injuries over there," he said.
"There’s a lot more running (in Gaelic football) than there is over here… and there is body contact, but it’s not as severe, obviously, because you don’t have to tackle. That’s been the best thing for my body."
"The shoulder’s fantastic and I can’t wait to get a good pre-season under my belt."
The decision to return to Australia wasn't easy an easy one for Kennelly but he said he was excited about his second stint at Sydney.
"There's very little chance that I'm going to go back playing (Gaelic) football again and that was very tough for me. This is probably the toughest decision of the lot," Kennelly said.
"I'm looking forward to the next three months, obviously I've signed a two-year contract and we'll see after that but in the short term it was very, very tough to leave (Ireland)."
"Obviously having a successful year over there was a fairytale really. I'm extremely excited it's like I'm coming to a new club again."
ESSENDON utility Adam McPhee has quit the Bombers and has nominated for December's pre-season draft in a bid to return to his original club Fremantle.
The Dockers, who have pick three in the pre-season draft, are expected to offer the 27-year-old a three-year deal.
Essendon football operations manager Paul Hamilton admitted the club was disappointed to lose McPhee but said the two-year offer put on the table was 'more than fair'.
"We have an obligation to deliver our fans a period of sustained success and we were not prepared to compromise our strategy," Hamilton told the club's website.
"Adam leaving opens the door for a young player like David Myers, Cale Hooker, Darcy Daniher or Michael Still to really grab their opportunity and cement a place in the senior team next year."
"We only want players here that want to play for this club and Adam has decided he doesn't want to be part of this emerging playing group."
Taken with pick 39 in the 2000 national draft, McPhee played 25 games in two seasons with Fremantle before being traded to Essendon where he managed 142 appearances.
He won the Bombers' best-and-fairest award in 2004 and earned All-Australian honours in the same year.
DUAL premiership player Stuart Dew has joined Sydney as a development coach.
Dew was a member of Port Adelaide's 2004 premiership side and played 180 games for the club before retiring at the end of the 2006 season.
The 30-year-old was lured out of retirement after a year out of the game by Hawthorn and played a key role in the Hawks' win over Geelong in the 2008 premiership decider.
However, after having his 2009 season ruined by injury, Dew elected to call it quits for the second time.
The development coaching role became available after Brett Allison returned to North Melbourne.
Dew will work alongside Stuart Maxfield and Daniel McPherson in the Swans' development department.
"I am excited about joining the Sydney Swans," Dew said.
"I have admired this Club from afar on the field and loved the way it operated.
"I now really look forward to getting involved, getting to know the group and contributing to what looks like an exciting list to work with."
Sydney coach Paul Roos said the club was 'extremely pleased' to have secured someone of Dew's calibre
“Coming from two excellent clubs in Port Adelaide and Hawthorn, and having won premierships with both, he will bring a wealth of experience and knowledge that he will be able to pass onto our players," Roos said.
Dew will start working at the Swans on Monday.
ESSENDON chairman Ray Horsburgh is set to stand down.
The 65-year-old, who joined the Bombers board in 2003 before becoming chairman late in 2005, will stand down at the club's upcoming annual general meeting.
During his time as chairman, Horsburgh oversaw the decision to end Kevin Sheedy's 27-year tenure as coach, the appointment of Matthew Knights as senior coach and Ian Robson as chief executive.
Horsburgh admitted there had been some difficult periods during his reign but said all decisions were made with the best interests of the club at heart.
"You go into these roles knowing not every decision is going to be popular but this club means an enormous amount to me and you only ever do what you believe is right. I can leave the position knowing the club always came first," Horsburgh told Essendon's website.
"I think the club is in very good hands. Ian Robson has been an excellent addition and he has a very good management team in place around him to take this club forward."
Horsburgh believes the time is right for a new chairman.
"It has been an honour to be chairman of this great club but succession planning is an important part of any business and the timing makes sense with Ian Robson having just joined the club and with a relatively new senior coach in place," he said.
"The recent changes have given the club a real energy and I am very excited about what lies ahead in the coming years. It is a new era and I think it is fitting that a new chairman leads us into that era."
Horsburgh's replacement - David Evans - the son of former club president and AFL chairman Ron Evans - will be appointed at the club's AGM on December 21.
While Horsburgh will no longer be chairman, he will remain with Essendon as a director for the next two years.
WESTERN BULLDOGS recruit Barry Hall won't be able to join his teammates in full pre-season training for a few weeks after undergoing ankle surgery.
The 32-year-old, who joined the Bulldogs during trade week after walking out on Sydney in July, underwent an ankle arthroscopy last Thursday and is still on crutches.
Dogs coach Rodney Eade said Hall would be on a modified training program.
"He can start cross-training next Friday so he'll be doing boxing which obviously he's very good at, and bike and swim," Eade said.
"He'll start walking in a fortnight and then he can start jogging and running maybe in three weeks."
Eade believes the former Swans spearhead won't suffer as a result of his delayed start to pre-season training.
"He probably should have had the op probably when he finished his footy in mid-year, but he didn't, but it really hasn't put him behind," he said.
"He's done a fair bit of fitness work, he's done a fair bit of weights as well, so he's not going to lose a lot in that period of time, so he'll be fine."
Hall is one of the 13 Bulldogs that have undergone surgery in recent times. Of the other 12, only Sam Reid and Stephen Tiller, who both had major groin surgery, are likely to miss the start of the NAB Cup.
Meanwhile, delisted Carlton utility Jake Edwards was among the 28 players involved in Western Bulldogs training at Whitten Oval on Tuesday.
Eade said the 21-year-old, who managed to play just five games in his four seasons with the Blues, was a chance to be added to the club's list.
"We're looking for some taller forwards and defenders and he played his last 10 games last year at the Bullants in defence and did very well so he's certainly in the mix, whether it's senior list or rookie list," Eade said.
Edwards has strong links to the Bulldogs with his father Allan, grandfather Arthur and great-grandfather Frank Aked Sr having all played in the red, white and blue.
However, Eade said the club wouldn't be swayed by Edwards' family connection to the Dogs when it comes time to determine whether or not to pick him up.
"We're not into that emotion and it's a nice story if it works out but certainly that's not going to be the reason if we take him," he said.
The Western Bulldogs have picks 15, 31, 63, 76, 86 and 92 in this month's national draft. The last two will be used to elevate tagger Liam Picken and tall defender James Mulligan to the senior list.
They also have five open spots on their rookie list.after axing Henry White, John Shaw and Chris Ogle.
NEW St Kilda recruit Andrew Lovett is in hot water after being charged by police with being drunk in a public place on the weekend.
The former Essendon wingman, who was on annual leave, was celebrating his 27th birthday with friends at a private residence in St Kilda when he was arrested early Saturday morning.
The Saints said in a statement that they were 'extremely disappointed' that Lovett had put himself in such a position.
"The club is fully investigating what has taken place and will take appropriate action if and when required," the statement said.
"The matter has now been dealt with by Victoria Police and at this present time no further comment will be made by the club."
Lovett has a history of off-field misdemeanours. In 2007 he was charged with assaulting his ex-girlfriend and had an intervention order put against him.
Then in 2008 he was twice suspended by the Bombers for failing to attend training sessions and in June of this year he faced court after being charged with driving while unlicensed.
The Dons traded Lovett to St Kilda in return for pick 16 in the national draft.
FREMANTLE tagger Ryan Crowley is on track to return from a serious foot injury in round one next year.
The 25-year-old, who had his 2009 season ended when he injured his right foot in the round six western derby against West Coast, was initially happy when told that he hadn't broken any bones.
However, it was revealed that he had suffered a complicated torn ligament injury similar to the one sustained by Hawthorn defender Trent Croad in the 2008 grand final.
While Croad's playing future is in doubt, having not played at all this year, Crowley has progressed well in his recovery and has won the Dockers' time trials over the past three weeks.
Crowley said he was happy with the state of his foot.
"The foot's fantastic. I couldn't be more happy with it," Crowley said.
"The last little bits of the jigsaw are still to go in before I'm right back into full training,"
"But I couldn't be happier with how it's going at the moment."
Crowley expects to start full training soon.
"If it was up to me it'd be next week but it'll be over the next couple of weeks I think," he said.
"I feel like I'm sort of trying to push it along but they're sort of reeling me back a little bit so it'll probably be two weeks."
DISCARDED St Kilda defender Matt Maguire's chances of re-igniting his stalled career at Carlton have been bolstered by the axing of utility Cameron Cloke last Friday.
Maguire, who was restricted to just 14 matches between 2007-2008 due to a serious leg injury and stress fractures in his foot, is doing pre-season training with the Blues in a bid to be picked up in December's pre-season draft.
The 25-year-old was left stranded on 99 AFL games after failing to break into the Saints side this season despite playing some good football with Sandringham in the VFL where he spent some time up forward.
Speaking ahead of Carlton's first skills session at Visy Park on Monday, Blues coach Brett Ratten believes Maguire still has something to offer at the elite level.
"His body seems not too bad. I've had a couple of chats with him and it's been pretty low key, but he seems a quality kid and he's still got that burning desire to make his name as an AFL player again and maybe our club might be a good fit," Ratten said.
"His versatility really is something that you look at to think, you know, that could really help us."
Ratten admitted the decision to delist Cloke wasn't an easy one but said it had to be done as Carlton needed another draft pick.
"It was a very hard decision but that's a view that we took with match committee and (it was) probably more list management," he said.
Meanwhile, Ratten ruled out the possibility of recruiting delisted Melbourne forward Russell Robertson.
Ratten said the goal kicking void left by spearhead Brendan Fevola who was traded to Brisbane would be filled by several players already on the club's list, including Jarrad Waite who is recovering from a serious knee injury suffered in May.
The Blues coach was optimistic that Waite would be available for selection come round one next year.
"With Jarrad, he started his pre-season about a month ago and he's put in some pretty big steps forward," Ratten said.
"He'll be really close, I think it's all about does he have any hurdles along the way."
"I think at the moment you probably would say yes, but we all know about rehabilitation and how it all goes."
"We've got a plan in place and hopefully all the boxes are ticked every month that it's all going well."
CARLTON has delisted utility Cameron Cloke.
The 24-year-old joined the Blues at the end of 2006 after a stint with Collingwood.
Injuries ruined Cloke's first year at Visy Park but he bounced back to play 20 matches in 2008.
However, he struggled to break into the side this season, managing just 10 games - the last of which was the elimination final loss to Brisbane.
Cloke was recalled to the side for that match after serving a club-imposed one-match suspension for being late to a recovery session.
Taken as a father-son selection in 2002, Cloke made his AFL debut in 2004 and played 21 matches for the Magpies before managing 36 games with Carlton.
Meanwhile, Fremantle has dumped midfielder Andrew Foster.
The 24-year-old, who played five of his nine games in 2009, will continue training with the Dockers in the hope of being redrafted.
ADAM McPhee remains an Essendon player for now following Friday's second official list lodgement
The out-of-contract 27-year-old, who is now ineligible for the November 26 national draft, has until the third list lodgement on December 2 to decide his future.
The Bombers have put a two-year deal on the table but it is understood McPhee wants three years.
The 167-gamer has been linked with his former club, Fremantle, which has pick three in the pre-season draft and is reportedly prepared to give him a three-year contract.
Essendon football operations manager Paul Hamilton said the club was keen to retain McPhee and expected a decision 'in the near future'.
"Adam is a listed Essendon player and we will continue negotiations about a new contract," Hamilton told the club's official website.
SYDNEY has delisted 2005 premiership player Luke Ablett and injury-prone forward Henry Playfair.
However, Swans coach Paul Roos said there was a chance the duo could be at the club in 2010.
"We'll assess them against how many picks we want, and what Luke or Henry brings compared to a young player coming into the list," Roos said.
"They're still training and very much in the mix to be part of the team."
Ablett has played 133 games for Sydney while a chronic hamstring complaint restricted Playfair to just 11 appearances in his two seasons with the Swans after crossing over from Geelong.
WESTERN BULLDOGS midfielder Nathan Eagleton has signed a new one-year deal with the club.
The 31-year-old's recommitment to the Bulldogs comes just two days after teammate Jason Akermanis put pen to paper.
Like the three-time premiership player and 2001 Brownlow medallist, Eagleton will be on a reduced pay packet in 2010.
"The fact that Nathan has committed to the club for another season once again shows the tremendous belief this group has in its potential," Dogs football operations manager James Fantasia said.
'Like 'Aker', we were unable to offer Nathan a contract that reflects his importance to our club but he has decided to put team success ahead of personal gain."
Eagleton said he loves being a part of the club and was looking forward to starting pre-season training.
"The club bought me across from Port Adelaide and since then the Whitten Oval has become a second home for me," Eagleton said.
"The players just want to give this club the success it craves."
Eagleton enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career in 2009, playing all of the club's 25 matches and collecting a career-high 488 possessions and booting 18 goals.
Since crossing over from the Power at the end of 1999, Eagleton has has played 205 games for the Western Bulldogs for a career total of 261.
Eagleton, who is currently holidaying overseas, will begin pre-season training on November 23.
In other news, St Kilda has delisted defender Leigh Fisher and rookie Brad Howard.
Taken with pick 46 in the 2002 national draft, Fisher played 55 games for the Saints but failed to play a match since midway through the 2008 season.
St Kilda has also officially delisted former skipper Luke Ball who informed the club earlier in the week that he would be nominating for the national draft which will be held on November 26.
RICHMOND great Matthew Richardson says his decision to hang up the boots is the right one.
The 34-year-old officially drew the curtain on his stellar 282-game career on Friday morning.
Richardson said his troublesome hamstring which restricted him to just six games in 2009 left him with no other option than to retire.
"I had a pretty ordinary medical diagnosis on Monday which sort of confirmed the gut feeling that I already had, that my body is not going to be able to stand up to another year of AFL football," Richardson said at a packed media conference at Punt Road.
"I guess I couldn't look people around the club and the supporters in the eye by saying I was ready to go when deep down I knew that I wasn't."
"I haven't got any doubts that I've made the right decision. I really did want to pull on the jumper again, but it's just not to be."
Richardson said his biggest regret was not seeing more September action.
"I would change a few things. I would have liked to play a few more finals for this great club but it wasn't to be," he said.
"The timing wasn't right. But I certainly wouldn't have ever wanted to be anywhere else but at Punt Road."
Richardson, who played in just three finals during his 17-year career, named Richmond's semi-final win over Carlton in the 2001 as his most cherished moment.
"At the MCG, a traditional rival, and to beat them in a final at the 'G was a great feeling," Richardson said.
"We had to travel to Brisbane the next week, and we all know what they were going on to achieve, three premierships in a row, so it just wasn't to be."
"If we didn't have to go up there, you never know, we might have been able to get into a grand final that year."
The popular Tigers forward leaves the club confident it is heading in the right direction under new coach Damien Hardwick, who was appointed in August.
"Damien and the new coaching staff have put together a great plan, it's a real learning and teaching environment" Richardson said.
"We've got a young group and I think they're really flourishing already."
Hardwick said Richardson was 'a giant of the game'.
"I reckon it'd be fair to say there'd be 15 other AFL coaches that are happy he's retired," Hardwick said.
"It's disappointing from a selfish point of view, I'd have loved to have coached the great man but it wasn't to be".
"He will go down as one of the greats of the club and more importantly one of the greats of the game. He is one of those guys people love to watch."
"When people come through the gates to watch a certain player, that it the mark of a champion as far as I'm concerned."
Richardson is expected to given a farewell lap of honour before the round one clash against Carlton at the MCG next season.
SYDNEY premiership player Tadhg Kennelly will return from Ireland to play with the club next season.
The 28-year-old quit AFL football on the eve of the 2009 season to return to Ireland to pursue his boyhood dream of winning an All-Ireland Gaelic football title with his native County Kerry.
But after that dream was fulfilled in September, Kennelly has decided to come back to Australia to add to his 158 games in the red and white.
Swans coach Paul Roos was delighted that the 2005 premiership defender was returning to the club.
"It's great news for the footy club - it was all sort of finalised last night," Roos told SEN on Friday morning.
"He's a terrific player and the year off has only helped him from a footy point of view get his body back right and we look forward to seeing him next week."
Roos said Kennelly may be moved away from his customary half-back position given the recruitment of Rhyce Shaw and the development of Martin Mattner.
"I think the first thing is to get him back as quick as possible, because he's got to step up aerobically from a 90-minute game to a 120-minute, so he really needs to get a good pre-season under his belt and I'm confident he'll do that," he said.
"He played a bit on the wing and he played as a forward in Ireland as well, so there's a variety of different roles we could play him in."
Kennelly, who was not delisted by the Swans, will sign a two-year deal.
RICHMOND veteran Matthew Richardson has announced his retirement from AFL football.
The 34-year-old was restricted to just six appearances in 2009 due to a serious hamstring injury.
The Tigers great had previously planned to play on next season but after the first few weeks of pre-season training he knew his body could no longer cope with the rigours of the modern game.
"I wanted to see how I pulled up after a few weeks of training before I made a final decision, but the hamstring is just not good," Richardson said on the club's official website.
"It hasn't felt right when I've been running and the medical prognosis with it isn't positive."
"So, weighing everything up, it is definitely the right time for me to retire."
"I didn't want to spend the last couple of years of my career riddled with injury."
Richardson said it was a hard decision to pull the pin on his career.
"It's never easy walking away from something that you've loved doing for so long, but I consider myself fortunate to have played at such a great club as Richmond in front of such wonderfully, loyal, passionate supporters," he said.
"There are so many memories from my time at Tigerland that I will cherish."
Richardson, who played 282 games for Richmond after making his AFL debut in 1993, booted 800 goals to be second on the club's all-time leading goalkicking list behind Jack Titus (970).
He won the Jack Dyer Medal as the club's best-and-fairest in 2007 and finished joint third in the 2008 Brownlow Medal count, just two votes behind winner Adam Cooney.
He also earnt All-Australian honours on three occasions and was named in the club's Team of the Century.
COLLINGWOOD defender Shannon Cox has retired from AFL football at the tender age of 23.
Magpies football operations manager Geoff Walsh said Cox had lost the motivation to play the game.
"Shannon returned from the post-season break and decided that he no longer had the desire and hunger to commit to the demands of AFL football," Walsh said.
"We fully expected Shannon to be part of our 2010 list however we respect his decision to retire and wish him well."
Originally recruited from WAFL club South Fremantle, Cox played 25 games for the Pies after being promoted to the senior list at the end of 2006.
WESTERN BULLDOGS veteran Jason Akermanis has ended speculation about his playing future by signing a new one-year deal with the Bulldogs.
The 32-year-old, who finished the season undecided about whether to play on, said he was looking forward to his 16th season in the AFL.
"I am just excited to go again for another 12 months, it's a real bonus," Akermanis said.
"You are retired for a long time and I still feel I can play a valuable role for the team up forward and at times on the ball."
The 2001 Brownlow Medallist and three-time premiership player will be on a reduced pay packet in 2010 but he said money wasn't an issue.
"Football has never been about the money, it has been about the thrill and enjoyment of winning, that is the most important thing for me," he said.
"I believe that this team has a lot of success in front of it and despite the fact that it is such a hard game, I still have the passion to play AFL."
"I want to help the club take that next step."
Dogs football operations manager James Fantasia said Akermanis still had plenty to offer the club.
"He has a wealth of experience and still has the ability to turn a game off his own boot," Fantasia said.
"Jason has also developed into a fantastic mentor for our young players which is important as we continue to develop our group."
Taken in the 1994 national draft as a zone selection by the Brisbane Bears, Akermanis has played a total of 316 games and kicked 419 goals.
He made his debut for the Western Bulldogs in 2007 and has booted 112 goals in 68 matches.
FITZROY great Clen Denning has passed away at the age of 98.
Denning, who was the oldest living VFL/AFL player and the last surviving member of Fitzroy's 1944 premiership team, died on Monday night.
After being recruited from VFA club Oakleigh, Denning made a stellar start to his VFL career with Carlton in 1935, kicking six goals from his first six kicks in his debut game.
He played 23 matches with the Blues before he was transferred to Fitzroy at the end of 1937.
Denning was Fitzroy's leading goal kicker in 1939 with 37 goals before moving to a back pocket where he was a valuable contributor in the Lions' 1944 premiership side.
His career came an end in 1947 after booting 59 goals in 159 VFL matches.
He also represented Victoria in 1941.
COLLINGWOOD has signed American Seamus McNamara on a two-year international rookie contract.
The 24-year-old Milwaukee native, who played four seasons of division one collegiate basketball in the US for Marist University in New York before playing one season of professional basketball in Germany for TSV Dachau Spurs, sent a video audition to the Magpies in the hope of being trialled at an AFL club.
The Pies were able to facilitate some testing in California and then invited the 204cm, 104kg athlete to Melbourne for a two-week trial which was extended to three weeks.
It was on the back of McNamara's performance during the trial period that Collingwood elected to sign him.
Magpies national recruiting manager Derek Hine said McNamara had the potential to be a key forward or ruck option.
"Seamus comes to the club with a unique skill set, having played basketball at an elite level and participated at a state level in soccer while at school," Hine said.
"He is very driven and has impressed everyone at the club with his work ethic, and given Seamus’ experiences at playing elite level sport we feel that he is deserving of the opportunity to forge a career in the AFL."
FORMER St Kilda skipper Luke Ball has left the Saints and has nominated for the national draft.
The 25-year-old was out of favour at times during 2009, spending several matches in the VFL.
However, he returned to the side in time to play in all three finals, including the grand final loss to Geelong.
Ball had sought a trade to Collingwood during trade week last month but the two clubs were unable to agree to terms.
While the Magpies are still interested in Ball, they don't enter the draft until pick 30, by which time he could be snapped up by Melbourne, Essendon or Brisbane who are all interested in the hard-nut midfielder.
The Saints released a statement on Tuesday saying that thBall had advised them he wanted to continue his career at another club.
"Senior coach Ross Lyon recently met with Ball to reiterate the Saints' interests in retaining Luke and also outlined the improvements necessary for both Luke and the entire St Kilda playing list to again be competitive in 2010. However Luke has now made the decision to pursue his career elsewhere," the statement said.
"While St Kilda is disappointed with Luke's decision, the club believes it has conducted itself appropriately through what have been lengthy and complex negotiations in attempting to find a fair and reasonable outcome for all concerned."
"The club would like to thank Luke for his contribution throughout his eight year career at the Saints."
Ball was taken with pick two in the 2001 national draft and played 142 games for the Saints.
MELBOURNE has re-signed trio Clint Bartram, Kyle Cheney and Tom McNamara but did not reveal the length of the new deals.
Bartram has played 59 games for the Demons after being taken with pick 60 in the 2005 national draft.
Cheney and McNamara joined the club via the 2007 national draft and have managed 12 and three appearances respectively.
Meanwhile, the club has delisted forward Michael Newton and ruckman John Meesen.
Newton played five matches this year for a total of 21 while Meesen played just four games with Melbourne after playing two for Adelaide in 2007.
The pair, who have one year remaining on their contracts, have been told by the Demons that they will be re-drafted as rookies if there is no interest from any other clubs.
Rhys Healey, Jordie McKenzie, Daniel Hughes and Jake Spencer have all been retained on the rookie List while Cameron Bruce has been placed on the veterans list.
BRISBANE has appointed dual premiership ruckman Beau McDonald and Manny Lynch to its coaching panel.
The appointments mean that the Lions' coaching panel for next season is finalised.
McDonald, who played 91 games and was a member of Brisbane's 2001 and 2002 premiership sides, retired at the end of 2007 due to chronic injuries.
He will be the club's full-time ruck coach in 2010 after taking up the role on a part-time basis this year.
"I really enjoyed my part-time ruck coach role with the club in 2009 so I'm looking forward to working more closely with the players and spending more time on their development," McDonald said.
"I've already been able to develop some good connections with the players and I played a lot of football at this club alongside Michael Voss and (new player development manager) Craig McRae."
"It's certainly an exciting group to be part of in a full-time capacity now."
Lynch - the brother of triple premiership full forward Alistair - joins the club as its leadership and development coach after coaching stints with LaTrobe in the Northern Tasmanian Football League, the Tassie Devils VFL team and the Tassie Mariners' U18 TAC Cup side.
"I'm really excited about this innovative opportunity," Lynch said.
"I have been coaching part-time for around 20 years and now I'm doing it as my full-time job which is great."
"I did my level three coaching course with Michael Voss and Jade Rawlings so there is already a pretty good relationship there."
"After listening to Michael Voss describe where he wants the team to go, I believe we have a similar vision. It was quite inspiring to actually hear him talk about how he wants to develop the group."
ESSENDON midfielder Andrew Welsh and defender Nathan Lovett-Murray have signed new two-year deals which will see them remain at Windy Hill until at least the end of the 2011 season.
It had been reported that Welsh was holding out for a three-year deal but the 26-year-old put pen to paper on Monday, ensuring he will receive life membership at the club for 10 years of service.
Meanwhile, the new contract is a major boost for Lovett-Murray who endured a tumultous period this season.
The 27-year-old was charged with possessing a drug of dependence after a single ecstasy tablet was found in his home in August.
The Bombers backed Lovett-Murray and allowed him to continue to train and play with the senior group. He will face court later this month.
Essendon general manager of football operations Paul Hamilton said Welsh and Lovett-Murray were an important part of the club's future.
"Andrew and Nathan are two of the real leaders at the club and as two senior players with strong bodies they will be important to our future success," Hamilton said.
"Nathan played some really good football this year and, while Andrew was restricted with a serious leg injury, he returned and also showed what he is capable of."
"They will both now have a big pre-season and we expect them to be primed for 2010 and show their trademark courage and determination on the field."
Welsh has played 145 games in eight seasons with the Bombers while Lovett-Murray has managed 99 appearances after being promoted off the rookie list in 2004.
Meanwhile, the future of utility Adam McPhee remains in doubt.
The Bombers are yet to re-sign the 27-year-old who has been linked with a move back to his former club Fremantle.
McPhee has notched up 142 matches with the Bombers for a total of 167 after he was traded from the Dockers at the end of 2002.
He earnt All-Australian honours in 2004 and won Essendon's best-and-fairest award in the same year
RECENTLY retired two-time Geelong premiership skipper Tom Harley has joined the AIS-AFL Academy as an assistant coach and mentor.
The appointment of the 31-year-old comes following the additions of ex-Sydney forward Michael O'Loughlin, former Essendon captain Matthew Lloyd and former Melbourne champion Garry Lyon to the AFL's talented player programs
Harley, who called it quits after the Cats won this year's premiership, said he was looking forward to working with the game's young batch of talent.
"After 11 seasons with the Geelong Football Club I feel I have a lot to offer the game’s elite young players," Harley said.
"I am excited about the challenge of working with young players to become better footballers and assisting in their development as leaders off the field."
AFL game development general manager David Matthews had nothing but praise for Harley.
"Throughout his career, Tom has established himself as one of the AFL's most respected players, setting a positive example both on and off the field," Matthews said.
"His leading role in the anti-violence 'Just Think' campaign is testament to his strong character and ability as a positive role model for our emerging talent."
Harley will attend his first AIS-AFL Academy camp at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra on November 28.
AFL legened Kevin Sheedy has been named as the inaugural coach of the Greater Western Sydney franchise.
Sheedy has signed a three-year deal which means he will be in charge when the team enters the AFL in 2012.
The 61-year-old, who led Essendon to four premierships during his 27 years as coach before being replaced by Matthew Knights at the end of 2007, has been an ambassador for the AFL for the past two years.
He also played 251 games for Richmond and was a member of the Tigers' premiership sides in 1969, 1973 and 1974.
Sheedy said he was 'really excited' by the challenge of helping set up a new club.
"Clearly Western Sydney is a compelling opportunity for the game," Sheedy said.
"We should have a club here, but we have work to do to make sure we can show it will have the business, community and sporting support."
"I think I have a lot to offer and can play a strong role across a range of areas to give this club the best chance of being granted a license by the AFL Commission."
AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said in a statement that Sheedy's appointment showed the league was serious about establishing a team in the rugby league heartland of Blacktown.
"The AFL has identified the Greater West of Sydney as a priority for expansion and Team GWS needs to demonstrate that it can build support and connect with the community," Demetriou said.
"Kevin Sheedy has been a success as a player and coach and is without peer when it comes to engaging new communities in our game."
High performance manager Alan McConnell will coach Team GWS in the TAC Cup next year under Sheedy's direction.
NORTH MELBOURNE has completed its coaching panel for 2010 with the appointments of former Collingwood utility Shane Watson and dual Wangaratta Rovers premiership coach Jason Lappin.
Watson, who played 141 matches for Collingwood, has been coach of TAC Cup side the Eastern Ranges for the past three years.
He will be in charge of the Kangaroos' backline.
Lappin - the older brother of Carlton assistant coach Matthew - has spent the last eight years with the Rovers after his AFL career was ruined by injury.
The 35-year-old will be the club's development coach.
The pair join Darren Crocker (senior assistant/midfield), Brett Allison (forwards), Glenn Archer (specialist) and John Lamont (development) on Brad Scott's staff.
"Both appointments are very much in line with our philosophy to create the best learning and development environment in the AFL," Scott said.
"Shane comes very highly regarded and has a tremendous ability to coach young players."
"Jason was extremely impressive throughout the interview process and he brings an intimate knowledge of AFL footy through his experience at the Western Bulldogs. [He] brings a terrific mix to our football club."
Watson said he was looking forward to working with Archer who will help develop North's young defenders.
"Brad's obviously kicking off his AFL senior coaching career (and has some) great North Melbourne people there as well," Watson said.
"With what Glenn's (Archer) done in football, he's got that instant respect already. It will be great working alongside him to help develop that backline."
Lappin said it was the perfect time to join the club.
"With the draft picks they've got, the young list, the young coaching group and new facility, it's a good time to be at the club and a good opportunity for me to cut my teeth," Lappin said.
The Kangaroos will name their director of sports science and announce a number of other football department appointments in the coming weeks.
THE AFL has advised that seven clubs have invited unlisted players to train with them. They are:
BRISBANE LIONS
Kieran King (Brisbane Lions)
Niall McKeever (Ireland)
CARLTON
Aaron Kite (Adelaide)
COLLINGWOOD
Seamus Macnamara (USA)
FREMANTLE
Trent Dennis-Lane (Subiaco), Kyle Hardingham (East Fremantle), Matt Riggio (North Melbourne), Alex Silvagni (Casey), Danny Stanley (Collingwood)
HAWTHORN
Dean Putt (Richmond), Jesse Smith (North Melbourne)
RICHMOND
Ryan Allen (Coburg)
Ben Clifton (Coburg)
Justin Kadhlefelt (Southport)
Thomas McCann (Ireland)
Jason Morgan (Coburg), James O’Rielly (Ireland)
Graham Polak (Richmond)
SYDNEY SWANS
Daniel Bradshaw (Brisbane Lions)
Sam Crichton (Sydney Uni)
FORMER Brisbane forward Daniel Bradshaw says he was shocked to be used as trade bait in a bid to get Brendan Fevola to the Lions.
Bradshaw and Michael Rischitelli were offered to Carlton in a deal that fell through.
The 30-year-old walked out on Brisbane after rejecting a two-year deal and is set to sign a three-year contract with Sydney pending the outcome of next month's pre-season draft.
Speaking ahead of his first training session with his likely new club, Bradshaw admitted the Lions' willingness to offload him hurt but said he was looking forward to moving on with the Swans.
"It's fair to say I wasn't obviously over the moon about it," Bradshaw said.
"I didn't really see it coming, it was a bit of a shock and I guess these things happen nowadays, footy's a business the club's got to look after themselves I guess."
"It's probably not ideal what happened, but I've sort of moved on from that now and I'm just looking forward to the opportunity of playing for the Swans for the next three years."
"I probably thought two months ago Brisbane was going to be the team that I'd end my career ... but, like I said, that's the way footy is now and I've sort of moved on from that and I've just got to look forward to getting down to Sydney and playing with them."
When asked if his relationship with former teammate and coach Michael Voss could be mended over time Bradshaw said: "I'd like to think so."
"Obviously it's still pretty raw at the moment, it's only been a few weeks. I'm not really thinking too much about that at the moment, I'll let that happen when it happens."
Melbourne, Richmond, Fremantle and North Melbourne have picks before Sydney in the pre-season draft which will be held on December 15 but Bradshaw was hopeful rival clubs would respect his wish to play for the Swans.
"I guess you never really know, but I'd like to think, I've been in the system for 14 years now and Sydney's the team I want to play for and I'm just really hoping that I can get here," he said.
The 222-game veteran was courted by Sydney and the Blues but said a combination of playing opportunities and the lifestyle in the Harbour City made the Swans his club of choice.
"Obviously with Micky O'Loughlin and Barry Hall retiring, I probably thought that was a good fit for me to play in the forward line," Bradshaw said.
"Carlton were very good as well but, at the end of the day, I think Sydney's probably going to suit my lifestyle a bit better as well."
"I sort of like my privacy and Brisbane’s very similar to Sydney in terms of it’s probably more rugby league orientated up there and (it’s) pretty similar down here. That obviously appealed to me as well."
FORMER Geelong premiership player Nathan Ablett will represent the Gold Coast in the VFL next year after signing a one-year deal with the club.
The 23-year-old, who walked away from the game and moved to Queensland after kicking three goals in the Cats' premiership win over Port Adelaide in 2007 due to a lack of passion, is keen to take part in the Gold Coast's inaugural season in the AFL in 2011.
"My aim is to play AFL again, so hopefully I can use this as a stepping stone and play some good footy as well as getting fit," Ablett said.
"It is exciting because it is going to be such a young group and hopefully from playing three years of AFL, I can give a bit of experience to the boys of what to do and what not to do."
Ablett said he would love to be reunited with his older brother Gary, who has reportedly been offered up to $1.4 million a season to play for the Gold Coast Football Club.
"I think there is that temptation for every player coming out of contract, but I am really not sure what Gary is going to do" he said.
"I would love him to come up, but I don't know what will happen there."
Ablett admitted watching Geelong defeat St Kilda by 12 points in this year's grand final had sparked his desire to return to the game.
"In a way, I felt like I missed out on it," Ablett said.
"Seeing the boys out there that day, it's somewhere you would rather be than sitting in the stands, so I suppose in a way it did spark me."
Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna said Ablett had convinced him and assistant coach Ken Hinkley that he was ready to play football again.
"I have had two or three chats and he has said all the right things," McKenna said.
"He has put his hand up so he has 12 months to prove himself if he wants to be part of the club in 2011."
"He has already been involved at an elite level in AFL football and knows what it takes to reach the top.
"We are more than happy to give him the opportunity."
Ablett will begin training with his new club next week.
FREMANTLE defender Steven Dodd is set to miss the first half of next season after undergoing shoulder and wrist reconstructive surgery.
The 26-year-old didn't miss a game during 2009 but played with significant pain.
Dockers sports science manager Jason Weber said on Monday Dodd's rehabilitation would be a slow process.
"It's hard to say with how his shoulder responds and his wrist. His wrist was a similar surgery to what Hayden Ballantyne had last year and because they take a bone graft out of the hip and place it in the wrist, it does take some time," Weber said.
"Because he's got the whole joint out, it just slows down his rehab."
"Without placing figures on it, I would say he would be outside Round 10, somewhere around that, maybe a fraction earlier."
In some good news for Fremantle, 2008 NAB Rising Star winner Rhys Palmer (knee), Ryan Crowley (foot), Michael Johnson (ankle) and Des Headland (hamstring/calf) are all set to play in round one next year.
Youngster Tim Ruffles, who ruptured his ACL during this year's second western derby, did some light running work on the first day of pre-season training but he is expected to be sidelined for the majority of 2010.
Meanwhile, Alex Silvagni, the nephew of Carlton legend Stephen, former Magpie Danny Stanley, ex-Kangaroo Matt Riggio, Subiaco goalsneak Trent Dennis-Lane and East Fremantle midfielder Kyle Hardingham are training with the Dockers in a bid to get a spot on the club's list.
TonyK
Cibbuano
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