Staying Allert to needs of two sets of masters

RICK Allert admits he has been involved in a delicate balancing act since rejecting the first attempt by AXA SA at a buy-out of AXA Asia Pacific five years ago.

History making way for AFL

DON'T be surprised if the peaceful rhythms of this Adelaide Test are interrupted by the grinding of heavy machinery. All that is left of the old members' stand is its heritage arches, and behind them is a demolition zone. Gone are the marquees that set Adelaide's Test experience apart, the members' enclosure shifted into parkland on Memorial Drive.

Succession plan: lure Port's Williams to Harbour city

THE PROSPECT of a Kevin Sheedy-Mark Williams double-act in Western Sydney was propelled by the older coach himself yesterday when Sheedy conceded he could be overseeing a succession plan for the AFL's 18th club by 2012.

Big Mac ordered for a big occasion

Two large-scale works are at the heart of an ambitious Adelaide Festival program, writes Bryce Hallett. Paul Grabowsky loves nothing better than playing the piano and composing music, a passion that lies at the heart of the 50th anniversary Adelaide Festival next year. As the artistic director of the biennial festival, Grabowsky, pictured, admits to feeling the weight of expectation in building on the success of Brett Sheehy's last two festivals while having to deliver the goods for such a milestone event. "I inherited a festival that was in good shape, and a big part of my job is to set the festival up for the next 10 years," he says.

Pies stick to fit brigade

CALL them the anti-Lions. While Brisbane fielded a line-up of injured stars last night, Collingwood was taking a very different approach to September. Coach Mick Malthouse yesterday vowed only to play fit men and said the upheaval wrought by making five changes to the team to take on Adelaide tonight would leave the Magpies a stronger and fitter side.

FOOTBALL THE FINALS WEEK 1

STYLE OF PLAY (Adelaide)

Port moves on Laidley to coach

DEAN Laidley has emerged as a potential successor to Port Adelaide coach Mark Williams, being sought by the Power as effectively its match-day coach.

Conceivably, Saints and Cats might not make it

WHEN St Kilda and Geelong, both 13 wins without a loss, turned in one of the epic clashes of the modern era eight weeks ago, so high was the standard set, it seemed we were obviously watching a grand final preview.

Port eyes Pies coaching plan

PORT Adelaide coach Mark Williams has agreed to a Collingwood-style succession when his contract expires at the end of 2011, with Hawthorn's senior assistant Damien Hardwick believed to be the club's favourite to succeed the long-serving Port coach.

Williams set to re-sign with the Power

THE jungle drums that have been beating in Mark Williams' ears have seemingly stopped and The Sunday Age believes the Port Adelaide coach will be at the club next year.

Crows fly, Swans stutter

THE Barry Hall Road Show rolled into Adelaide yesterday - or was it his farewell tour? In any case, Hall, like the other Sydney Swans, left without any applause.

Word is out, Port to re-sign Williams, but you can't bet on it

THE jungle drums that have been beating in Mark Williams' ears have seemingly stopped and The Sunday Age believes the Port Adelaide coach will be at the club next year.

Buckley off to study at Notre Dame

THE AFL's most watched coach-in-waiting, Nathan Buckley, is furthering his coaching education this week with American college football team Notre Dame.

Flying under the radar

He has been a model of consistency with almost a decade of top-five best and fairest finishes, yet Tyson Edwards is still humble, writes Ashley Porter.

Lifetime Job Not As Long As Its Seemed

SEAN Hill feels numb that the job that has sustained him for more than half his life is coming to an end.