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Swan forgets about drama
By Greg Denham
March 22, 2004
THE focus on Saturday night's rematch of last year's preliminary final between Brisbane and Sydney will be firmly on opposing stars Michael O'Loughlin and Lions captain Michael Voss.
Swans coach Paul Roos yesterday declared O'Loughlin was physically and mentally prepared for the season opener following injury and the emotional strain of defending sex-scandal allegations.
Voss is expected to play against Sydney despite a suspect right knee which forced him to cancel an AFL publicity appearance in Melbourne last week.
O'Loughlin confirmed on Saturday that he paid money to a woman who took civil action against three footballers involved in rape allegations in Adelaide three-and-a-half years ago.
"I was not ever interviewed let alone charged with regards to the alleged incident," O'Loughlin said. "This whole matter has caused me considerable distress and the only reason I agreed to contribute to a payment was to save my family from the trauma which would have come from defending my innocence."
O'Loughlin came forward after being linked to the controversy with Port Adelaide player Peter Burgoyne and former Port Adelaide, Sydney and Brisbane player Adam Heuskes.
Following a practice game on Saturday in Canberra, in which O'Loughlin proved he had overcome a knee problem, Roos said his star forward was relieved to have told his side of the story.
"He's fine and feels relief to have publicly explained his innocence," Roos said. "We're very comfortable with what he said and he just wants to get on with the season."
A statement released by the Swans on Saturday read in part: "Until now Michael has maintained his anonymity to protect the integrity of his family. Michael has strenuously denied any wrong-doing from the beginning and continues to do so."
Sydney chairman Richard Colless said: "We have and will continue to provide moral support for Michael for one reason, we believe he had no case to answer."
Burgoyne and Heuskes were charged with rape in 2000, however the charges were dropped by the South Australian director of public prosecutions.
A confidentiality agreement prevents O'Loughlin from disclosing the exact amount of the payment, believed to have been about $200,000 in total.
The Swans have denied any involvement in the payout.
Meanwhile, Voss is expected to train on Wednesday at the Gabba in preparation for Saturday night's game.
He trained for the first time in almost two weeks on Friday at the Gabba during a 50-minute session and appeared to move freely.
Voss had been restricted after knee soreness following a practice match against Richmond this month. That has been his only match practice since last year's grand final.
Jonathan Brown (suspension and knee), Chris Scott (osteitis pubis), Justin Leppitsch (shoulder) and Beau McDonald (knee) will be missing for the Lions.
Roos said he was preparing for the match with Voss in opposition. "We'd expect him to play, probably forward," Roos said.
Sydney will start the year without defender Andrew Schauble and forward Adam Schneider because of hamstring strains.
But Roos declared ruckman Jason Ball a certain starter after Saturday's reserves practice match. Ball has not played since round 17 last year when he dislocated his shoulder.
By Greg Denham
March 22, 2004
THE focus on Saturday night's rematch of last year's preliminary final between Brisbane and Sydney will be firmly on opposing stars Michael O'Loughlin and Lions captain Michael Voss.
Swans coach Paul Roos yesterday declared O'Loughlin was physically and mentally prepared for the season opener following injury and the emotional strain of defending sex-scandal allegations.
Voss is expected to play against Sydney despite a suspect right knee which forced him to cancel an AFL publicity appearance in Melbourne last week.
O'Loughlin confirmed on Saturday that he paid money to a woman who took civil action against three footballers involved in rape allegations in Adelaide three-and-a-half years ago.
"I was not ever interviewed let alone charged with regards to the alleged incident," O'Loughlin said. "This whole matter has caused me considerable distress and the only reason I agreed to contribute to a payment was to save my family from the trauma which would have come from defending my innocence."
O'Loughlin came forward after being linked to the controversy with Port Adelaide player Peter Burgoyne and former Port Adelaide, Sydney and Brisbane player Adam Heuskes.
Following a practice game on Saturday in Canberra, in which O'Loughlin proved he had overcome a knee problem, Roos said his star forward was relieved to have told his side of the story.
"He's fine and feels relief to have publicly explained his innocence," Roos said. "We're very comfortable with what he said and he just wants to get on with the season."
A statement released by the Swans on Saturday read in part: "Until now Michael has maintained his anonymity to protect the integrity of his family. Michael has strenuously denied any wrong-doing from the beginning and continues to do so."
Sydney chairman Richard Colless said: "We have and will continue to provide moral support for Michael for one reason, we believe he had no case to answer."
Burgoyne and Heuskes were charged with rape in 2000, however the charges were dropped by the South Australian director of public prosecutions.
A confidentiality agreement prevents O'Loughlin from disclosing the exact amount of the payment, believed to have been about $200,000 in total.
The Swans have denied any involvement in the payout.
Meanwhile, Voss is expected to train on Wednesday at the Gabba in preparation for Saturday night's game.
He trained for the first time in almost two weeks on Friday at the Gabba during a 50-minute session and appeared to move freely.
Voss had been restricted after knee soreness following a practice match against Richmond this month. That has been his only match practice since last year's grand final.
Jonathan Brown (suspension and knee), Chris Scott (osteitis pubis), Justin Leppitsch (shoulder) and Beau McDonald (knee) will be missing for the Lions.
Roos said he was preparing for the match with Voss in opposition. "We'd expect him to play, probably forward," Roos said.
Sydney will start the year without defender Andrew Schauble and forward Adam Schneider because of hamstring strains.
But Roos declared ruckman Jason Ball a certain starter after Saturday's reserves practice match. Ball has not played since round 17 last year when he dislocated his shoulder.
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