Poke in the eye for rich clubs

Carlton pokie king Bruce Mathieson when asked about the Bulldogs' proposed plan: "I don't know anything about it - but it doesn't seem right to me." Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

CARLTON would be the biggest loser under a radical "pokies tax" scheme proposed by the cash-strapped Western Bulldogs.

The plan would see the spoils of bumper gaming revenues shared by all AFL clubs.

The proposal comes after the AFL this week proposed a fan tax to charge supporters more to attend blockbuster matches.

In a submission to the league released by the Dogs yesterday, the club said: "The growth in scale of, and dependency on, poker-machine revenue in AFL clubs, and the growing revenue differentials between larger and smaller Victorian franchises in this area, have been to the detriment of the competition.

"The Western Bulldogs believe that a system in which club poker machine profits over a certain proportion of gross club revenue were contributed to a common pool for equitable distribution, would be a preferable model for a 'luxury tax' and might have the additional benefit of reducing the incentive of clubs to increase their own dependence, and their fans' exposure, to poker machine use."

The Bulldogs control just 45 poker machines compared with Carlton's arsenal of 360 gaming machines.

Rivers of gold are flowing into Visy Park thanks to the five pokies venues gifted to the club by pokies king and Blues powerbroker Bruce Mathieson.

The club's annual report reveals revenues from gaming topped $4.5 million last year and will soar again this year because of changes to legislation.

Asked about the Bulldogs' plan yesterday, Mr Mathieson said: "I don't know anything about it - but it doesn't seem right to me."

"But I'll leave it up to the club. They actually own the licences," Mathieson said.

Nine out of 10 Victorian AFL clubs control gaming machines.

North Melbourne, which has adopted a no-gambling policy under president James Brayshaw, is the only club without them.

Hawthorn's single pokies venue - Vegas at Waverley Gardens - is one of Victoria's most profitable.

Punters lost $11.69 million there last year.

Another Bulldogs proposal involves the centralisation of some funds derived from the sale of club memberships.

But the Dogs said they were opposed to a luxury tax on football department spending.

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New Dees ready for judgement

Chris Dawes leads out the Demons ahead of their NAB Cup against North Melbourne. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

Chris Dawes marks the ball ahead of Luke Delaney. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

CHRIS Dawes has urged Melbourne supporters to judge his team as a collective and not as a bunch of new players cobbled together this off-season.

The Demons squad for matches against North Melbourne and Richmond last night contained five draftees, five recycled players and Jesse Hogan, the club's GWS mini-draft pick unable to play senior footy until next season.

Dawes said it was OK to get excited about the club's new talent throughout the NAB Cup, but how those players come together as a team for the season proper is all that really counts.

"There's probably slightly more new players than a regular intake each year,'' Dawes said.

"But let's also not forget that the majority of the team is who was there 12 months ago.

"At this time of year you focus on what's new, the changes, but once the season gets underway it'll be forgotten about pretty quickly that there are new faces and we'll just be judged on our performances rather than how long we've been at the club.''

Speaking at the club's family day at Luna Park this morning, Dawes said the form of father-son selection Jack Viney and top draft pick Jimmy Toumpas was encouraging.

"I didn't see much of the Richmond match because I only played the North game and was inside recovering, but it sounds like Jimmy Toumpas kicked a goal and was lively,'' he said.

North Melbourne finish the NAB Cup triple-header against Melbourne and Richmond undefeated while the Tigers prove too good for the Demons.

"He's a really classy ball user and a good decision maker. It sounds like he went OK and will be a good player.

"Viney, has that burst speed out of packs and is a pretty tough player too. There's a lot to get excited about and it was a good hit out for those two young boys.

"As well as preparing for Round 1 you hope that individuals can find some form and I was impressed with a number of our new players - older guys like (Shannon) Byrnes and (David) Rodan as well as young Jesse Hogan, Dean Kemp who I thought impressed as well."

Dawes, playing his first game for the Dees since making the off-season switch from Collingwood, said he was happy with his form.

Dees v Roos v Tigers: How it happened

But the forward conceded a calf niggle was still causing him some grief.

"The calf is OK. I probably would have played a little bit more game time ideally, but it was just one of those things, it was starting to tighten up.

"Had it been a normal season game I would have kept playing, but it was NAB (game) one, there was no need to push it at all.''

Melbourne plays Port Adelaide in Renmark next Sunday, a trip Dawes doesn't expect to make.

"I'm not even sure how many players we'll take there,'' he said.

"But I think the plan will probably be that I'll rest up next week and play the final two NAB Cup games.''

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Demetriou's time is up: Kennett

Former Victorian Premier and Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett says AFL chief Andrew Demetriou should consider stepping down from the top job. Picture: David Caird. Source: Herald Sun

FORMER Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett has launched a scathing attack on the culture of the AFL, declaring Andrew Demetriou's time as boss is up.

The former Premier last night made the call in the wake of the Melbourne tanking fallout and Essendon drugs investigation, which is still ongoing.

An impassioned Kennett lay the blame at the feet of Demetriou and said it was time for the AFL Commission to act.

"The culture is wrong - it needs improving ," Kennett said on Channel Nine's Footy Classified.

"It is a culture of defence and, at times, of intimidation.

"I think the AFL Commission should be seriously considering after 10 years , and because there have been these acts occurring on his watch, they should be addressing the culture."

Radical tax footy's hot seat

Kennett has long been a supporter of Demetriou.

But he said the time for change had become apparent over the past fortnight.

Signed form may save Dons

"I have always said publicly I get on with Andrew Demetriou - I like him and his style and believe 80 per cent they have done well.

"I think the halo has slipped dramatically over the last few weeks."

Kennett said Demetriou was responsible for the incidents that have tarnished the game in recent times.

"Andrew has been overseeing the culture for 10 years," he said.

"Gill (AFL second-in charge Gillon McLachlan), as his deputy, has been there most of that time.

"We're discussing issues now which are pulling the game apart."

McLachlan is seen by all to be Demetriou's successor when the chief executive position becomes vacant.

But Kennett, who has always believed people should not stay too long in the top job of any organisation, said it may take an outsider to clean up the mess.

"If I were the AFL Commission, I'd be advertising widely and encouraging as many to offer," he said.

"You might have to bring someone in to address the culture."

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Radical tax footy's hot seat

Possible 2014 full rollout: The AFL wants to trial variable pricing, where there are different prices for different games that are set, and dynamic pricing, where the price can change daily, weekly and even right up to match time.. Picture: Jay Town Source: Herald Sun

At low-demand games, premium seating could be offered for the price of a regular seat. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Herald Sun

THE AFL will trial its radical blockbuster pricing strategy this season, with a view to it being implemented in 2014.

The league could not say what games would be affected this year, but AFL commercial operations chief Darren Birch has met clubs and will consult stadium and ticketing officials today.

While the league said clubs backed a new ticket structure, it is unclear if they all support the prospect that the extra revenue generated could go to poorer clubs as part of the AFL's club equalisation strategy.

Birch said the Collingwood-Essendon Anzac Day match - arguably the biggest game in the home-and-away season - would not necessarily be subject to variable pricing.

"We might say Anzac Day's a game where we don't do dynamic or variable pricing because there's only a small amount of tickets available to the general public because the members take up the majority of those tickets," he said.

Carlton, Richmond, Hawthorn and Geelong are other clubs that play blockbuster games likely to be affected by higher prices for some seat categories.

The league wants to trial variable pricing, where there are different prices for different games that are set, and dynamic pricing, where the price can change daily, weekly and even right up to match time.

Birch said the AFL wanted fans to buy memberships, which would remove the risk of gate price fluctuations.

The AFL's Birch revealed:

NOT all clubs would be involved in the ticket trial.

FOR blockbuster games, there could be up to 10 ticket price categories. At the MCG now, there are just two categories for non-finals.

SEVERAL seat category prices could increase at big games, but the worst seats could be cheaper.

AT low-demand games, premium seating could be offered for the price of a regular seat.

EARLY-BIRD buyers could be rewarded with cheaper prices.

THE new ticketing system could be in place next year.

Birch would not speculate on the size of possible ticket price hikes for blockbusters.

Signed form may save Dons

"The very, very, back seat on level four (at the MCG), which at the moment is $36, may actually be $30 or may actually be $25," he said.

Longmire 'wasted' MCG's best seat

"But, conversely, on the other side, a level-two seat on the 50m line under cover, which is a very good seat, at the moment sells for $47. That might be $60.

Swans produce a pair of Jacks

"It's not just about on your blockbusters whether you're able to generate more revenue. It's all about how do you give the best experience to fans across a whole range of games.

Kennett: Demetriou's time is up

"Prices will go up, prices will go down, even within the one game.

"If we get our pricing model right we'll provide more choice. You might not pay the same for the same seat. You might pay a little bit less for nearly as good a seat or you might pay a little bit more for a better seat that you've never had access to before."

Birch said the AFL was not in the business of ripping people off.

"We want to maximise attendances, we want to maximise the value proposition to our fans and we also want to make sure that we protect the members and fans who become members and commit early," he said.

"We also want to make sure that those who buy in advance get some degree of advantage.

"If they don't want the variability of pricing at the gate, the one way to absolutely ensure that is to become a member."

The AFL raised the variable pricing model in a paper on equalisation sent to clubs.

Geelong supported the concept, but Collingwood president Eddie McGuire said the move would hit fans in the hip pocket.

Birch said a decision on where increased revenue from ticket reforms would go would be made later this year.

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Roos confirm Scott extension

North Melbourne looks set to extend coach Brad Scott's stay. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

NORTH Melbourne appears poised to announce a contract extension for senior coach Brad Scott.

The Kangaroos this morning issued a press release, citing they will make a "major announcement" at 2pm at their Aegis Park headquarters, where chief executive Carl Dilena will be joined by Scott.

As exclusively revealed by the Sunday Herald Sun, it is understood the Kangaroos reached an agreement with Scott on a new deal late last year after he led the club to its first finals series since 2008.

The coach's existing contract runs out of the end of the 2013 season.

Scott took control of the Roos in 2010. Scott has won 35 of his 67 games as coach of the club, with a 52 per cent winning record.

After finishing ninth in his first two seasons as coach, last season the club won 14 games, including 10 of their last 13.

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Judd to miss NAB Cup opener

Carlton forward Andrew Walker runs laps with Chris Judd, Andrew Collins and Dennis Armfield. Picture: Norm Oorloff Source: Herald Sun

CARLTON veteran Chris Judd has been ruled out for the Blues' NAB Cup mission north to face Sydney and the GWS Giants.

The dual Brownlow medallist is one of a number of senior players expected to miss games during the pre-season competition as new coach Mick Malthouse primes his troops for Round 1.

The Blues take on reigning premiers Sydney and the AFL's newest franchise, Greater Western Sydney, on Sunday at Skoda Stadium in Blacktown.

Sheedy expects fired up Malthouse

"You need to have your players in good form by Round 1, so the NAB Cup is very important. We're looking for winning form," Malthouse said today.

"Chris Judd won't play this week."

Malthouse said the Blues would implement a defensive game-plan honing in on the player's strengths.

"We've got certain strengths and we want them to come to the fore, so they'll be heavily promoted."

Meanwhile, Blues forward Andrew Walker expects plenty of improvement out of supremely talented teammate Bryce Gibbs.

The pair were partnered together during the pre-season to learn from each other's skill sets.

The high-flying forward is looking to improve on his delivery by foot while Gibbs is hoping to work on his endurance.

"He's (Gibbs) bulked right up but he is running better than I have ever seen him," Walker told SEN radio this morning.

SuperCoach is back! Free to play & you could win $50,000

Gibbs ($509,800 def/mid) mixed his form during the Blues' ill-fated 2012 campaign which came to a crushing end at the hands of Gold Coast in the penultimate round of the home and away season.

"I think he may be 2-3kgs heavier than what he was last year but his running power has changed so much over the past 3-4 months."

Walker said training under Malthouse had helped him get his body right for the season.

"I've got a huge benefit out of Mick coming this year… I actually feel my body is 100 per cent and I'm ready for the first game.

"One of his (Malthouse) strengths is he sees things from a player's perspective, he understands that you can't be flogged 100 per cent of the time.

"He recognises that and if the time comes where he can see we need a rest or we need a freshen up – mentally – he's willing to give us some time.

"The boys might have been a little flat or blokes just starting to get sore and he just takes the initiative to maybe give the boys 24-hours off to recover so we come in feeling fresh mentally and physically two days later."

Walker endorsed Nick Duigan as a knockout chance of winning the Blues' captaincy race ahead of frontrunners Marc Murphy, Andrew Carrazzo and Kade Simpson.

"Everyone looks up to him, he speaks very well and trains the house down so he's a great leader."

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No tanks, says defiant Demetriou

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou is sticking to his guns . Source: Herald Sun

'You're right! It says Range Rover, not tank' - David McArthur cartoon Source: Herald Sun

A DEFIANT Andrew Demetriou last night declared tanking had never taken place in the AFL.

The AFL boss told the Herald Sun teams had never set out to deliberately lose games and secure draft picks.

"I have no evidence to support the view that tanking exists," Demetriou said.

"If you are asking me the question that has been asked before: 'Do I think players purposely go out to lose games?'

"I've said in my heart of hearts I don't believe that ever to be the case."

Asked if coaches could orchestrate tanking, Demetriou said: "Well, we've got no evidence to support otherwise...and we have got very, very good investigators."

Melbourne was yesterday fined $500,000 - the third largest financial sanction in AFL history - but found not guilty of tanking after a seven-month investigation.

Instead, former football boss Chris Connolly and former coach Dean Bailey were slapped with lengthy suspensions for "acting in a manner prejudicial to the interests of the AFL".

The resolution to the tanking saga was seen as a major victory for Melbourne, who had threatened Supreme Court action if heavily punished.

Demetriou was a surprise no show at yesterday's announcement, leaving his deputy Gillon McLachlan to explain the penalties.

"The Melbourne Football Club did not set out to deliberately lose matches in any game in 2009," McLachlan said.

"All I can say is on the evidence that I was presented...there is no allegation that is able to be sustained that Dean Bailey didn't coach on his merits or the players didn't play to their up most ability."

Connolly was suspended for 12 months, while Bailey, now an assistant at Adelaide, was banned from coaching for the first 16 rounds of the season.

McLachlan said there was no evidence to suggest the Melbourne board, led in 2009 by the late Jim Stynes, or chief executive Cameron Schwab had given directives for the team to lose.

He said the club was fined for being the employers of Connolly and Bailey.

At the centre of the investigation were comments made by Connolly at a football department meeting in mid 2009, where he warned officials about the importance of losing matches to improve the club's draft position.

"Connolly has accepted he went into a football department meeting and he made a terrible and stupid decision in the context of an AFL rule that has now changed (priority draft picks) and in the context of pressure and expectation of success," McLachlan said.

"He made a comment regarding the performance of the team, a desire to secure a priority pick, and I know he now regrets that comment.

"I think he has accepted - and the evidence accepts it - that the people in that room took him seriously and acted in a way that they thought he meant.

"The AFL concluded Bailey acted upon Connolly's warning by making decisions about selection, player management and match-day positioning because of the pressure applied by Connolly."

But McLachlan said Bailey had always set out to win on match day.

"What I am saying is that he (Bailey) made decisions in response to the pressure of that meeting - that he had to appease Chris Connolly - and may have had an impact that goes to success, but he made no conscious decision on match day to lose games," McLachlan said.

"He made decisions in response to that which meant that he was resting players and playing players out of position in the context of pressure not to win."

Connolly, who no longer works in the Melbourne football department, has been guaranteed future employment at the club once his suspension is served.

Melbourne president Don McLardy said yesterday: "The findings...state clearly there was no directive from the club board or executive management to deliberately lose matches, and the Melbourne Football Club never set out to deliberately lose matches in any game during the 2009 season."

An Adelaide spokesman said last night: "We are extremely disappointed at the significant suspension which Dean has incurred following the AFL's investigation.

"The Adelaide Football Club will continue to provide its full support to Dean during this time and is totally committed to retaining him as a valued employee of the Football Club."

McLachlan said the tanking investigation involved interviews with 58 players, former players, coaches and club officials.

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Adcock to lead Lions with Brown

Stepping up: Jed Adcock, seen here in action last year, will lead the Lions with long-time skipper Jonathan Brown. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

BRISBANE defender Jed Adcock has been appointed Lions co-captain.

The 27-year-old will serve alongside long-time skipper Jonathan Brown in the Brisbane leadership group with young guns Daniel Rich and Tom Rockliff appointed as vice-captains.

Adcock has 141 career games to his name after making his senior debut in 2004.

He has regularly filled in as acting captain when Brown has been injured in recent years and his greater on-field experience gave him the edge over his captaincy rivals.

Adcock is the eighth player in the history of the Brisbane Lions to be appointed captain or co-captain.

"It's a huge honour. Massive,'' Adcock said.

"This club had a great tradition so to be recognised as a co-captain is a huge honour. Very proud.''

Senior coach Michael Voss said the new leadership structure was a good fit for the club.

"Jed has demonstrated outstanding leadership over his time at the Lions, and most specifically in his past four seasons as a vice-captain,'' Voss said.

"As we know, Brownie won't be around forever, and with Jed as co-captain, it will not only ease the load on Brownie but importantly they will both play a critical role in the continued development of Tom's and Daniel's leadership capabilities over the coming years.

"Jed is not only a leader on-field, he is an excellent representative of this footy club, and its culture and values.

"Tom and Daniel, as the deputies, are extremely capable young men who have shown maturity beyond their years in their short times at the club.''

Jed Adcock and Jonathan Brown will co-captain the Brisbane Lions in 2013. Picture: Darren England Source: The Courier-Mail

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Cover-up claim hits the Lions

Lions coach Michael Voss says there is no chance drug taking could have happened at the club in the years of his captaincy without his knowledge. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

Brisbane Lions players with 2002 premiership cup. Picture: Jody Darcy Source: Herald Sun

MICHAEL Voss today admitted he couldn't rule out illicit drug use was happening during his tenure as Lions captain - but he insists the latest drug claims levelled at the club have some glaring inconsistencies.

A day after self-confessed drug dealer Jason McGrath - the cousin of premiership player Ash McGrath - made stunning allegations he supplied illicit drugs to Lions players from 2002-09, new reports emerged that one player sat out games in the same period to hide a drug issue.

But Brisbane coach Voss says only the individual and the club doctor would be privy as to why a player would miss games in that instance.

"I'm learning some things here, apparently. Trying to sort through what is fact and fiction is a little hard at the moment,'' Voss told Triple M this morning.

"There are inconsistencies that players have missed games ... because as officials and (other) players, we don't get notified.

"The doctor does that with the (individual) player and we don't know. That shouldn't be general knowledge and no-one should know except the player and the doctor.''

Voss, who led Brisbane to the 2001-03 flags and until 2006, admitted he couldn't be certain teammates weren't using drugs under his leadership.

"They could have been (doing anything),'' he said.

"I'm not naive enough to sit here and say that it hasn't happened. I couldn't say that with 100 per cent certainty.

"But there has been a whole bunch of things mentioned and I'd really question the validity of those allegations.''

When asked if he'd ever met Jason McGrath, the six-time All Australian said: ``not that I can certainly recall''.

"That's why we say they (the claims) are unsubstantiated. The names that have been thrown around I haven't even seen before,'' Voss said.

"We have after-match functions where there are probably 200 or 250 people. There are a lot of people hovering around and I might have walked past him two or three times but apart from seeing his photos recently I wouldn't know what the guy looks like.

"Speaking to some of my other teammates yesterday they don't know who he is either.

"He's out and about but he's a bit of a phantom to us all at the moment. But he might be familiar to some of our players at that stage of our careers, but he certainly wasn't to a majority of us.''

Voss hoped the drugs in sport saga didn't harm the club's image or sponsorship deals.

The Courier-Mail today revealed explosive allegations that the reason for a Brisbane Lions player's absence from some games last decade was falsified to cover-up an illicit drug issue.

A former Lions staffer told The Courier-Mail a player missed specific matches in this period because of the illicit drugs issue.

It is just one of several allegations to emerge that have prompted the AFL to open an investigation into behaviours at the club between 2002 and 2009.

The AFL confirmed yesterday the league's integrity unit would investigate.

It follows claims by Jason McGrath, the cousin of premiership player Ash McGrath, that he was involved in match-fixing, illegal gambling and was a drug supplier to six Lions players from that period who were regular users of speed, ecstacy and marijuana.

The Courier-Mail revealed these claims yesterday and was then contacted by a former staffer who worked at the Lions for several years.

The ex-staffer said he could confirm many of Jason McGrath's allegations surrounding drug use.

Another former employee also made the revelation that while at the Lions he was told the reason for a player's absence from the side was a fabrication to cover up an issue with illicit drugs.

Last week AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou confirmed players in the AFL have been repeatedly forced to miss matches because of serious breaches of the league's illicit drug policy.

The Lions reacted angrily to the decision by The Courier-Mail to publish Jason McGrath's allegations.

"These claims from a 'self-confessed drug dealer' are completely unsubstantiated and do not deserve publicity," the Lions said in a statement.

"We have no reason to believe the word of a 'self-confessed drug dealer', but if anyone, including The Courier-Mail, has any evidence with regards to this, or any other matter, it should be referred to either the AFL integrity unit or the Queensland Police.''

AFL corporate affairs manager James Tonkin said the league had opened a probe into events at the club between 2002-09.

"We don't comment on unsubstantated claims, but the matter has been referred to the integrity unit,'' Tonkin said.

The AFL confirmed the League's integrity officer Brett Clothier will also investigate a 2003 game involving the Lions with regards to match-fixing claims.

The Lions received an irate phone call from the AFL in 2003 following the game.

The AFL's Integrity Unit was not established until 2008.

Lions chief executive Malcolm Holmes declined to return calls from The Courier-Mail  yesterday requesting further comment.

The Courier-Mail has alerted the AFL to the latest allegations, but have protected the identity of our sources.

It can be revealed that one person has made himself available for a confidential interview with the AFL's integrity unit and another is considering his position.

Other sources declined.

Last week, The Courier-Mail contacted several former players and staff in an attempt to interview about Jason McGrath's claims.

None of the sources had proof of any drug-taking, but each claimed they were aware of drug use by some or all of the players from the 2002-09 period mentioned by Jason McGrath.

Former Lions chairman Graeme Downie said he was unconcerned about the allegations.

"I never heard questions about any matches and I never heard any rumours of drugs during my time,'' Downie said.

Voss last night told Channel 7 there was no chance drug taking could have happened at the club in the years of his captaincy without his knowledge.

Voss captained Brisbane in each of their three premiership years in 2001-03 and until his retirement in 2006.

"You would know, when you are amongst the players, you would know,'' Voss said.

"If there is evidence to suggest that we would encourage you to go to the AFL integrity office or Queensland police.''

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Melbourne found not guilty of tanking

Former Dees coach Dean Bailey (above) and former football manager Chris Connolly have been found guilty of conduct unbecoming and will cop suspensions. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

MELBOURNE has been found not guilty of tanking after a forensic seven-month investigation by the AFL.

But key individuals - then-coach Dean Bailey and then-football manager Chris Connolly - have been found guilty of conduct unbecoming, stemming from comments made by Connolly.

The pair have been suspended, Bailey for the first 16 rounds of the coming season, and Connolly until February 1 2014.

Bailey can remain employed by Adelaide - where he is an assistant coach - during his suspension, but cannot deal with players in any capacity.

Connolly is not allowed to perform any function for or on behalf of the Melbourne footy club, where he has held a marketing role for the past 18 months.

The AFL's deputy CEO Gillon McLachlan announced the results of the investigation in a press conference this afternoon.

WATCH THE PRESS CONFERENCE LIVE IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE AND GET UPDATES IN OUR LIVE BLOG BELOW

He confirmed that  the Demons will be fined $500,000 for being the employers of Connolly and Bailey, which will be paid by the club in instalments.

''The Melbourne football club did not set out to deliberately lose matches in any game in 2009," McLachlan said today.

The Demons will not lose any draft picks because the club was found not guilty of the serious charge of conduct prejudical to the draft. In other words, not guilty of deliberately losing matches at the end of the 2009 season.

Rule 17.1 states in part that "conduct prejudicial to the draft means conduct which has the purpose or has or is likely to have the effect of hindering, prejudicing, interfering with or preventing the natural operation of the draft.

AFL Regulations 19 (A5) says: "A person, being a player, a coach or an assistant coach, must at all times perform on their merits and must not induce, or encourage, any player, coach or assistant coach not to perform on their merits in any match – or in relation to any aspect of the match, for any reason whatsoever". 

No action will be taken against chief executive Cameron Schwab.

More than 50 past and present club staff were interviewed by the AFL and club documents and computers were examined.

In the end, AFL investigators found no evidence to that the club tanked.

It's accepted that clubs can experiment with player positioning on the field.

It's understood a contentious move in the Melbourne-Richmond game in Round 18 of 2009, where Melbourne ruckman Paul Johnson found himself on Richmond's small forward Nathan Brown, has been determined as a brief match-up and not, as has been suggested, a deliberate coaching move.

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Silence on Lions drug den claims

The AFL has yet to comment on whether they will investigate allegations of match-fixing, illegal gambling and drug use levelled at the Brisbane Lions.

No comment: Brisbane Lions chief executive Malcolm Holmes is silent on the drug claims. Picture: Glenn Barnes Source: The Courier-Mail

THE AFL has refused to reveal if it will investigate serious allegations of match-fixing, illegal gambling and drug use levelled at the Brisbane Lions.

Jason McGrath, the cousin of Lions premiership player Ash McGrath, has made a series of threats to expose behaviour at the club between 2002 and 2009, as the fallout continues from Australian sport's doping storm.

Jason McGrath, a confessed drug dealer, was seen in the Lions' dressingrooms and at functions at times during that period.

The newspaper made contact with Jason McGrath after he made a series of Facebook posts claiming he was ready to expose dodgy AFL practices: "If you don't think the drugs and match-fixing is real, I bet on the AFL and was involved in a game being fixed."

He told the newspaper he had been a drug supplier between 2002 and 2009 and named six Lions players from that period who were heavy users of speed, ecstasy and marijuana.

He said members of the Lions' coaching staff knew some players were regular drug users.

Lions chief executive Malcolm Holmes refused to confirm if the club would investigate the claims or pass the allegations on to the AFL.

"The Brisbane Lions do not comment on unsubstantiated allegations, rumour or innuendo," Holmes said.

The AFL has also refused to say whether it will look into Jason McGrath's claims.

The Courier-Mail can confirm the Lions administration at the time had heard suggestions about drug use by two of the players in question.

Jason McGrath claims to have been involved in fixing a match involving the Lions in 2003, another instance of spot fixing, and to have regularly received inside team information from Lions players just before games for the purposes of betting.

Jason McGrath also told of an occasion where he had delivered an ounce of speed to a Mad Monday celebration at the Broadway Hotel, another where a player was hospitalised after a binge on speed, and multiple times where players had smoked pot in his home.

He also said he had supplied cocaine to players on occasion.

Four players named by Jason McGrath are still playing in the AFL.

He also claimed he would provide to the newspaper betting slips and phone records to substantiate his claims about match-fixing, but he has since gone to ground and refused to return phone calls.

He claims to have received threats from a current player after making his Facebook posts.

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Stevie J set to miss blockbuster

Best of mates? The field umpire asks Cats Steve Johnson and Hayden Ballantyne to cool it. Source: Getty Images

Geelong's Steve Johnson crunches Fremantle's Hayden Ballantyne during their Round 1 NAB Cup match at Patersons Stadium. Source: Getty Images

GEELONG star Steve Johnson is set to miss the Round 1 blockbuster against Hawthorn after being charged with striking.

Johnson can accept a one-week game suspension for striking Fremantle's Hayden Ballantyne in Saturday night's NAB Cup clash at Patersons Stadium.

The Match Review Panel charged Johnson with a Level Two striking offence (125 demerit points, one match) for striking Fremantle's Hayden Ballantyne in the second half of the teams' match at Patersons Stadium on Saturday.

He can accept a one-match sanction with an early plea, due to his previous poor record.

Contact between Essendon's Michael Hurley and Western Bulldog Adam Cooney was assessed, but the force used was found to be below that required for a reportable offence.

Johnson appeared to make slight contact to Ballantyne's midriff with a swinging right arm during Geelong's game two loss against the Dockers at Subiaco.

Johnson will have to serve the ban in the home-and-away season under a change to the tribunal system.

Johnson was walking a suspension tightrope, given he had 80 carry-over points after accepting a one-match ban for rough conduct against Sydney's Dan Hannebery in Round 23 last year.

But changes to the tribunal system mean his loading for past offences, which was 40 per cent last year, has been dissolved.

Calculations for a player's poor tribunal record now only take into account the previous two seasons, down from three.

And to qualify for a poor record, a player needs to have been suspended for two or more matches within the previous two years.

Johnson's only suspension since the start of the 2011 season was that incident with Hannebery.

His three-week suspension for his infamous tangle with Steven Baker in 2010 no longer counts against him.

-with Nick Wade from the Geelong Advertiser

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AFL could go troppo

AFLQ CEO Michael Conlan says North Queensland could have an AFL team by 2030. Picture: Darren England Source: The Courier-Mail

NORTH Queensland could be home to a relocated AFL club by 2030.

That is the bold vision of AFL Queensland chief Michael Conlan, who claims a booming population will justify a third club in the state.

The former Fitzroy star said that club would likely be a Melbourne entity, but north Queensland had the venues and passion to make it work.

"North Queensland is a strategic focus for us, from Cairns to Townsville to Mackay and Rockhampton," Conlan said.

"Cairns is already hosting AFL games ... (while) Tony Ireland Stadium in Townsville is a very good facility but we would need to work closely with the Queensland Government to build on what is already there to bring it up to what is required for AFL games.

"Queensland's population is about 4.5 million right now but by 2030, it could be around 8.5 to 9 million so we very much want to cement our game in those areas up north."

Conlan was at Fitzroy in the 1980s when the Lions were linked with moves to Brisbane and Sydney.

The Lions eventually merged with the Brisbane Bears after the 1996 season.

He favours a relocation model ahead of a fresh start-up such as the Bears in 1987 or the Suns in 2011.

Melbourne clubs moving interstate is an emotional issue but clubs facing financial extinction may consider it.

"It would be a great opportunity for an AFL club to be positioned as the north Queensland club," Conlan said.

Cairns' Cazaly's Stadium has hosted  AFL pre-season games and in the past two years has staged premiership matches between Richmond and Gold Coast.

The Tigers and Suns again play in Cairns on July 13.Under this year's format, Townsville will host a NAB Cup match between Gold Coast and North Melbourne on March 2.

The city's main cricket/Aussie rules venuue would need an upgrade to be fit for AFL football.

Gold Coast will hold their community camp in Townsville before the NAB Cup match. North Queensland also falls under the Suns' recruitment zone.

"We've been working really hard with the Suns already on how we can continue to grow the game in a very important region for our code," Conlan said.

The AFLQ is also working with the Toowoomba Regional Council to developing a venue suitable for a NAB Cup match.

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Cats face wait on key players

West Coast, Fremantle and Geelong all grab wins in NAB Cup triple-header, overcoming hot conditions in Perth.

Matthew Stokes walks off the ground after rolling his ankle. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: PerthNow

GEELONG faces a nervous wait on the fitness and availability of two of its key players for the season proper after its opening round of the NAB Cup at Patersons Stadium last night.

Forward Matthew Stokes was carried off the ground early in the second half of the two-point win over West Coast, while Steve Johnson could be looked at for a possible strike on Hayden Ballantyne in the Cats' Game 2 loss to the Dockers.

Initial fears on both incidents were eased slightly as the night wore on, but Geelong coach Chris Scott said Stokes's injury "doesn't look good".

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Scott also denied there was any lingering ill-feeling from last year's Round 1 match, in which Ballantyne was suspended for striking Paul Chapman behind play, before being floored by Matthew Scarlett.

"I would be amazed (if there was still friction), none that I've seen, there tends to not be too much friction in NAB 1," Scott said.

"I didn't see what happened, I know (Ballantyne) was down for a long time.

Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images

"I was more concerned with how quickly he got up and set up the next goal; he didn't look too bad did he?

 "(Stokes's injury) doesn't look great at the moment but, with those sort of things, they can blow up and be sore for a few days and then come good really quickly.

"While it's hard to say, certainly if we had a game next week he wouldn't play."

Stokes was on crutches as he watched from the sidelines in Game 2, but appeared in high spirits by the end of the night.

Johnson was running past Ballantyne in the second game of the triple-header, when he appeared to swing his right-arm into the midriff of the diminutive Docker, who fell to the turf.

Replays suggested contact was minimal but, if Johnson was to attract any suspensions, he would have to serve them in the home-and-away rounds.

Fremantle has its own concerns after West Australian Cat Joel Hamling fell on the right ankle of Dockers forward Chris Mayne, who was rolled off the field by trainers and played no further part.

There were plenty of positives for the Cats.

Jackson Thurlow and Jared Rivers performed well in defence on West Coast goalsneak Mark LeCras in the night's opening clash, which the Eagles led by as much as 21 points, before the Cats stormed back to win with seconds left as Jimmy Bartel handballed a set-shot back outside the arc to Joel Selwood for a super goal.

Rivers and Thurlow were rested in the Game 2 loss to Fremantle, as the Dockers posted a strong opening and closing game to outlast the Cats by 18 points.

Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images

"Chapman, (Andrew) Mackie and (James) Kelly were the only noteables that were available that we didn't bring with us," Scott said.

"They'll all play next game. We have next week off and then play Adelaide down in Geelong."

Travis Varcoe, restricted to just a single game last year through stress fractures in his foot, was used as a solid rebounding option off half-back and could prove valuable in the position through the regular season.

The Cats' forward line set-up was another positive, with James Podsiadly proving potent, playing a role in Geelong's first three goals of the night and ending the Eagles clash with two, while a bulked-up Tom Hawkins was making a pest of himself in the second half of the opener.

Podsiadly was then trialled in the backline in against Fremantle, restricting Alex Silvagni to just two touches and a goal.

Josh Caddy, much hyped for the Cats throughout the pre-season, took little time to impress, slotting a goal against the Eagles with his first kick for Geelong.

Scott was glowing of the performance of Caddy, who was given a second chance against the Dockers and performed better, spending time in the backline while running through the middle to end with five disposals.

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