Footy happenings

THE AFL pre-season draft of uncontracted players and the rookie draft will be conducted on Tuesday December 16 and after that the clubs will be set for 2003.

Carlton took a slightly unusual step by modern standards of advertising nation wide for an assistant coach to complete its football department.

Possible candidates include Essendon legend Terry Daniher, who was sacked by Collingwood possibly for not being modern enough, while recently retired Brisbane triple premiership player Marcus Ashcroft is also a chance along with Blues legend Craig Bradley.

australianrules.com.au also believes WA based coach Frank Fraser who has forged a formidable record in rural SA may be a candidate for the advertised Blues spot.

Meanwhile Richmond dropped a bit of a bombshell with the late delisting of WA youngster Martin McGrath who scored five goals on debut this year.

McGrath is sure to attract attention in one the upcoming drafts.

The rookie draft is proving to be a very successful concept with some clubs using it to pick up players in their own backyards. For instance Fremantle's first finals team included Roger Hayden, Robert Haddrill, Aaron Sandilands, Antoni Grover and Luke Webster who all made their way onto the main squad via the rookie list while Essendon's team in that game included perhaps the most famous rookie of them all Damien Peverill as well as former rookies Dean Rioli, Cory McGrath and Ben Haynes.

Sacked Tiger Martin McGrath. Photo by Les Everett

Disclaimer