By Damien Ractliffe
In today’s AFL briefing, your daily wrap of footy news:
- Sam Walsh on his progress following surgery, and the Blues on their aims
- Harley Bennell finds a new home in the VFL
- Changes afoot at the Kangaroos
No timeline on Walsh’s return
Damien Ractliffe
Carlton star Sam Walsh is comfortable being ruled out from the opening month of the season, as long as it sets him up to be fully fit at the pointy end of the season.
The prolific ball winner had back surgery in December, and is five weeks into his rehabilitation, where he’s been able to build up his running base and his strength and conditioning work.
But the 22-year-old said he would take his time returning to full fitness, with no timeline on when he would start contact or tackling drills.
“For me, I haven’t looked too far ahead,” Walsh said.
Sam Walsh does not have a timeline for a return.Credit: Getty Images
“With the physios at the moment, every session there are incremental gains involved, but I haven’t put a timeline on the contact stuff just as yet.
“I think we’re going to stick with that month and by then we should have a really good look at where we’re heading. I think for me, I want to come back the best player I can and wherever that lands, I think we’re going to have to reassess at that month mark.”
Walsh said he learnt how cruel football could be when he missed key matches late in Carlton’s season last year, and he didn’t want to go through that feeling again.
“I think like anyone, you want to have a body of work that sets you up for playing a good solid block of football that leads into good back end footy because that’s when it really counts,” Walsh said.
“Standing here now, I’d love to be saying I’ll be fit and firing around that time of the year.”
Meanwhile, chief executive Brian Cook - speaking on Thursday as Carlton announced a five-year extension of their Hyundai sponsorship - would not be drawn on whether the Blues had set finals as their minimum objective this season.
“In our business plan we’ve indicated we’ll win at least one men’s and women’s premiership [in the next five years], but the real issue for us is to keep improving every year, both on and off the field,” Cook said.
“The one thing I’ve learned in my long time in footy is that you cannot determine how or how much other clubs improve. You have a fair gauge on how you might improve, but it’s talking in the wind a bit when you start indicating you’re going to finish fourth or fifth or sixth. Our aim is to improve.”
Cook said a lot more energy would also be put into the women’s program in 2023, following an internal review which found it needed more full-time staff employed in the department to further develop the women’s players.
Blues co-captain Darcy Vescio said the players were grieving following the sackings of coach Daniel Harford and general manager Brett Munro, but the players also accepted their share of the responsibility for under-performing.
“I hope this can be a bit of a reset for us in terms of setting better standards for ourselves and each other,” Vescio said.
“Both ‘Harf’ and ‘Munners’ have given so much to the program ... [but] I think we all know this is what we need.
Darcy Vescio and Patrick Cripps.Credit: Chris Hopkins
“But when there are emotions involved and people changing, people losing their jobs, it’s never nice, especially when you work so closely together.
“I think it’s been highlighted through the review that we need to be held to really high standards and a coach that will really drive that professionalism, so I think someone who is relentless in that pursuit will suit the group really well.”
Bennell bid
AAP
Troubled former No.2 draft pick Harley Bennell will launch what is likely to be his final attempt at an AFL comeback with VFL club Port Melbourne.
The 30-year-old, who has played 88 AFL games with three clubs, has not featured at the top level since an ill-fated stint with Melbourne in 2020.
It ended when he left the Demons’ Gold Coast hub and breached the league’s COVID-19 protocols, leading to a four-match suspension and $50,000 fine.
Bennell then announced his retirement from the game.
However, a recent stint in the Northern Territory playing with the Tiwi Bombers has reignited Bennell’s passion to play.
Harley Bennell will play in the VFL this year.Credit: Getty Images
Port Melbourne confirmed their high-profile acquisition on Thursday.
“I’m really excited to get down to Melbourne to meet my new teammates and coaching staff for 2023,” Bennell said in a club statement.
“I’m just happy to be playing footy at a high level again and whatever happens on the way is a bonus, so I’m going to enjoy this one.”
Peel Thunder product Bennell was originally drafted by Gold Coast in 2010 and played his best football to date with the Suns.
He kicked a career-high six goals in a win over Geelong in 2014 but never reached his potential amid off-field issues and a series of soft-tissue injuries.
Bennell played 81 games with Gold Coast, two with Fremantle and five with Melbourne.
Port Melbourne football manager Glenn Balmforth said the club was excited to have the silky-skilled speedster on board.
“When I spoke to Harley a few weeks ago and it was very evident to me from the start that he has a strong focus and desire to play at the highest level,” Balmforth said.
“He can and play a major role in contributing to group success, which is exactly what we want at our club.
“For us to have the opportunity to bring to our club somebody of Harley’s calibre with his experience and on-field ability at this stage in the pre-season is very exciting.
“We can’t wait for him to get down to Melbourne and get started, as he is sure to excite the red and blue faithful.”
Ziebell making changes under Clarkson
AAP
Former North Melbourne skipper Jack Ziebell will attempt to remodel himself as a defender under new coach Alastair Clarkson this season.
Ziebell enters the new campaign free of captaincy duties for the first time in six years, having handed over to Jy Simpkin and Luke McDonald last month.
It has allowed the 31-year-old veteran to focus on honing his craft in a new-look back-line, where he will line-up alongside boom recruit Griffin Logue.
Ziebell made his name as a tough midfielder and has played the majority of his 258 games in the engine room.
But he also played in defence during David Noble’s first year as coach in 2021 before spending more time forward last year.
Jack Ziebell feels the heat at training.Credit: Getty Images
“Clarko sees me playing my role down back a little bit this year, which I’m really looking forward to,” Ziebell said.
“Every year is a challenge to reinvent yourself as a player and I think it’s important to do that, especially later in your career, to try to make yourself stay relevant and continue to get a game.”
Ziebell won’t be the only player tweaking his role under master coach Clarkson, who has set about implementing a fresh game plan to lift the Kangaroos up the ladder after three seasons in the doldrums.
Powerful forward Cam Zurhaar - one of North’s top two goal-kickers in each of the last four seasons - is preparing to spend more time through the midfield.
Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.