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North continue unbeaten run

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 02 Maret 2013 | 22.43

Aaron Mullett and his North Melbourne teammates had a day out against Gold Coast before the Suns came home late. Picture: Zak Simmonds Source: News Limited

THE Suns stormed home but just failed to catch North Melbourne in a sweltering Townsville late yesterday, with the stalled Kangaroos holding on for a 13-point win.

For the visitors, key forward Aaron Black and Lindsay Thomas top-scored with three goals, while ruckman Daniel Currie was always threatening in a performance that featured two goals.

Suns star Gary Ablett had a quiet day with just one goal, but David Swallow maintained his good form by kicking two.

Gold Coast coach Guy McKeena praised his outfit for hauling back a 39-point first-quarter deficit to leave north Queensland with respect, but lamented a sluggish start.

"I don't think we've ever come close to running down a side after a 39-point head start, so I think the boys got a bit of belief out of that," he said.

"In the last three quarters it was a very willing contest. It's the second week of NAB and we've got things to work on.

"The boys have been up here for a couple of days and I think credit goes to the AFL for relaxing the rules and allowing to play six on the bench and take the rotations away."

The AFL's heat policy was introduced after temperatures reached 32C at Tony Ireland Stadium before the bounce, and the players needed it, given the game's 3.30pm start.

The Kangaroos seemed to relish the testing conditions early as they surged to a commanding seven-goal lead, with Thomas providing the most points with his two goals and Jordan Gysberts a super goal.

Inaccurate shooting continued to plague the Suns during the following quarter and North Melbourne thrived to take a 73-34 half-time lead, although a supergoal to the Suns' Steven May and other majors to Swallow and Aaron Hall at least got Gold Coast on to a competitive footing.

Ablett's goal was met with rousing applause but the moment was short-lived when Thomas kicked his third, followed by a super goal to North Melbourne's Robbie Tarrant.

The Kangaroos continued to assert their dominance in the latter stages of the third term before the Suns finished with a late flurry of goals from Swallow, Campbell Brown, Jarod Breenan and Jarrod Harbrow.

FINAL SCORE

North Melbourne Kangaroos 2.13.6 (102) bt Gold Coast Suns  1.11.14 (89)


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Carlton delivers Docker pounding

Geelong thrash a flat Adelaide outfit by 63 points in their NAB Cup clash at Simonds Stadium.

Marc Murphy gets a handball away in the Blues' demolition of Fremantle at Etihad Stadium. Source: Getty Images

Jobe Watson has his first NAB Cup hitout against Richmond. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

Geelong star Paul Chapman will be looking to impress against Adelaide today. Picture: Reg Ryan Source: Geelong Advertiser

CARLTON clicked into Mick Malthouse mode with a commanding performance against Fremantle last night.

The Blues shared the glory around - and all the hard work too - to blitz the normally ultra-competitive Dockers by 70 points in a lopsided NAB Cup match at Etihad Stadium.

Eddie Betts led the scoring spree with four goals and Jeff Garlett bagged three among the 11 Blues on the scoresheet.

Betts, the team's leading goalscorer last season with 48, quickly picked up where he left off in 2012 with his pinpoint crumbing ability and defensive pressure.

The Blues certainly didn't look to be struggling to adapt to Malthouse's game style, with precise ball movement and not a hint of hesitation to specific targets in the resounding victory.

Their attack on the ball and the ball carrier was relentless, as evidenced by the 154-115 contested ball count.

And, remember, they did it without Chris Judd, Jarrad Waite, best and fairest winner Heath Scotland, Brock McLean and Shaun Hampson.

Levi Casboult hit the packs hard to create the spillage that was the fodder for Betts and Garlett.

And Matthew Kreuzer provided another tall forward target when substitute Robbie Warnock took over the ruck duties in the second half.

It was difficult to fully gauge the merits of the Blues practice match romp as Fremantle was strangely loose and lethargic, unlike the normally disciplined Ross Lyon teams.

Rarely were Carlton's back six - Michael Jamison, Nick Duigan, Jeremy Laidler, Lachie Henderson, Zac Tuohy and the rebounding Chris Yarran - put under stress or caught one out.

That allowed the Blues to trial Simon White at times as another tall option up forward with promising results.

Two goals each from Matt De Boer and David Mundy in the third quarter was the only time Fremantle's Pavlich-less forward setup showed any system.

It was Betts and his speedy sidekick Garlett who instigated the early scoreboard pressure.

Garlett's first 30 seconds set the pattern - he kicked the wrong way with a hurried high ball at the opening bounce, but tracked it down and burst clear to goal on the run.

Carlton were simply harder at the footy, slicker with their use and prepared to run and keep running.

"Yes, that was pretty solid. I think we're getting better each week we have under Mick," acting captain Kade Simpson said.

"Now we're in proper games, we can really dissect the way we play. We'll go through this game again and see that our structures and stuff are right.

"There was a lot of good stuff, but I'm sure there's plenty of other stuff to work on.

"Obviously, last week was pretty slippery and it took us half a game to adapt to the conditions. But tonight we didn't muck around with the ball, just got it forward and our pressure up forward was pretty good and put them under the pump. And obviously kicking goals put scoreboard pressure on them as well."

The Blues' domination was outstanding, if surprising, from the opening bounce and they had three goals on the board before the Dockers eventually scored a behind from a long shot by a busy Danyle Pearce.

Even the normally more assured Dockers coughed up the ball or made poor decisions when confronted by Carlton's fierce tackling pressure.

Like defender Luke McPharlin, the Dockers' lone All-Australian last season, who tried to bust through a tackle and gifted a goal to Casboult in the first quarter.

And Garrick Ibbotson was like the deer caught in the headlights when Betts and Garlett set upon him, dispossessed him and the former ran away with it for another goal.

Skill errors cost Fremantle at least three goals in the second quarter and even full-back Jamison was among the goalkickers for only the second time in his career when the Blues took a well-earned breather at half-time.

FINAL SCORE

Carlton 0.18.16 (124) bt Fremantle 1.6.9 (54)


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Tigers snatch thrilling win over Dons

Ricky Petterd's late super goal gives Richmond an eight-point win in their AFL pre-season match against Essendon in Wangaratta.

Ricky Petterd celebrates the super goal that gave Richmond a last-minute win over Essendon. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

FOOTY tried to spruik itself as a world spectacle watched by beefy NFL stars this week, but last night Essendon and Richmond returned to the game's beating heart.

FOOTY tried to spruik itself as a world spectacle watched by beefy NFL stars this week, but last night Essendon and Richmond returned to the game's beating heart.

The 11,000 rusted-on country fans who crammed every corner of Wangaratta's Norm Minns Oval were given a spectacular contest for their patience after last year's aborted game.

A Ricky Petterd supergoal capped Richmond's last-quarter surge to topple Essendon in a eight-point victory, snapping a run of close losses for the Tigers dating back to last year.

Given Richmond had at least six of their Round 1 side out and rested Dustin Martin and Chris Newman at half-time, even an honourable loss would normally be enough.

But as the behinds mounted up for Richmond in the last term - eight in all as well as a Matty White goal - suddenly this contested threatened to heighten Richmond's mental fragility.

Then Petterd gathered, running away from goal, turned and darted past an Essendon defender and finally broke the Dons' resistence with a bomb from outside 50 metres.

Given Essendon was missing just David Zaharakis from its Round 1 side and has only a clash with Greater Western Sydney before its season-opener, no wonder James Hird was frustrated with the last term.

But bottom line - both sides got star performances from some youngsters, with no match review panel or injury worries.

For Essendon, Jobe Watson made a successful return from knee issues and Brendon Goddard was again impressive.

Richmond counterpart Jack Riewoldt - leading his team in the absence of Trent Cotchin - was well beaten by emerging defensive star Jake Carlisle.

Carlisle and Dustin Fletcher were defensive rocks in a side that had its backline decimated last season.

The win from Richmond showed plenty of heart, given they had already given up a 20-point second-term lead, then let Essendon kick five straight to grab back the ascendancy.

Early on, Orren Stephensen took control in the ruck, Martin continued his excellent pre-season form, and the Tigers' swarming defensive pressure saw them jump out to a 20-point lead late in the second term.

If not for inaccurate kicking at goal and acting captain Riewoldt's determination to pass to teammates when within range, they could have built a match-winning lead.

But just as they did against North Melbourne last week - and so often last year - they let an opponent back into the match with a five-minute brain fade.

The impressive Nick Vlastuin missed a set shot that would have put Richmond 25 points up, and the ball was immediately spirited down field where Michael Hurley scrounged a goal at ground level.

Two minutes later Brent Stanton had goaled too, and when Leroy Jetta slipped a Richmond tackle then kicked a supergoal from 55 metres, Essendon had hit the front by a point.

From there the game opened up and Richmond just ran Essendon off its feet.For Richmond, Vlastuin kept knocking up winning hard possessions, Shane Edwards continued 2012's exceptional form, and Stephenson had six first-half clearances.

David Astbury at least broke even with Hurley at centre half back, all of it highly encouraging for a side missing Trent Cotchin, Brett Deledio, Ivan Maric, Reece Conca, Troy Chaplin and Dylan Grimes.

Goddard's super start to his new career in red and black continued, with Dyson Heppell's midfield education continuing apace.

If Zaharakis can make a successful return and Heath Hocking or Jake Melksham can rebound from poor 2012 seasons, Essendon will finally be building some impressive midfield depth.

The revelations yesterday were tall defender Carlisle, staunch on the last line, and last year's pick 73 Nick Kommer.

With a shag of dirty blond hair and a willingness to apply forward pressure, he might just sneak into a Round 1 debut.

FINAL SCORE

Richmond 2.8.20 (86) bt Essendon 1.10.9 (78)


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Cox takes 'less is more' approach

LESS IS MORE: Dean Cox will take part in his first pre-season hit-out today. Picture: Will Russell Source: PerthNow

WEST Coast ruck general Dean Cox has said the injury battles of teammates and Dockers counterpart Aaron Sandilands have kept him vigilant with his own fitness, as he holds faith in a "less is more" mantra.

Cox has proven remarkably resilient in his 12 seasons at West Coast, having missed just 30 games, many of which came in his 2009 campaign (nine games) as he struggled with groin issues.

The 203cm ruckman holds the current consecutive games tally at the Eagles at 71 - a feat made more impressive, given he began building the streak as a 29-year-old and looks set to continue into 2013, now at 31.

In further evidence of his fitness, Cox will resume his role at the heart of the Eagles' set-up in today's NAB Cup Round 2 clash with Collingwood at Patersons Stadium, having recovered from a finger injury that sidelined him for West Coast's three-way opener with Fremantle and Geelong.


It is a fortune not shared by Sandilands, who at 30 has missed 19 games over the past two seasons and was recently ruled out for eight weeks with a hamstring tear.

Asked if the recent run of injuries to a player in a similar role and career-stage brought about thoughts of his own sporting mortality, Cox said it was a constant issue he had to keep on top of and credited his longevity to a "less is more" approach as his career wore on.

"You look at, obviously, Aaron, but also (Anthony) Morabito and any one of our players, (such as) LeCras last season and you do feel for them, but it's part and parcel of the game, unfortunately," Cox said.

"I think in the back of every player's mind is that they want to do everything possible to play AFL and do everything to hopefully not get injured.

"As you get a bit older, you do become more aware and more pedantic in your preparation to make sure that these things (injuries) don't happen.

"The body doesn't recover as well as it used to and you just want to make sure you're following the correct procedures.

"We speak about this around the footy club; players that have an unlucky run with injuries.

"When I was younger, I was always trying to do as much as I possibly could, plus extra away from the program.

"As I've got older, I sat down with (assistant coach) Scott Burns and he suggested that less is more, now, because your body can't handle the work of a 22-year-old.

"It's also about being smarter: picking and choosing the sessions, the drills, and sitting down with the coach and fitness staff to go through a program that ensures you're as fresh as possible throughout the weeks."

Today's game will also mark the return of Quinten Lynch to Patersons Stadium after the former Eagles premiership player last year accepted a two-year deal to help spearhead the Magpies' attack.

Cox, who played 11 of his seasons alongside the forward, said he and many of the Eagles shared a bond with Lynch that would not be broken by the black and white bars of Collingwood.

"It'll be a little bit different, but he did so much for this footy club... but I understand the nature of the game," Cox said.


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Steeplechaser set for Cats ruck gig

Mark Blicavs taps the ball over Adelaide ruckman Sam Jacobs. Picture:Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

Geelong thrash a flat Adelaide outfit by 63 points in their NAB Cup clash at Simonds Stadium.

HE'S played just six games since under-14s but Mark Blicavs has emerged as a wildcard to be Geelong's starting ruckman in Round 1.

The former steeplechaser, who had dreams of representing Australia before giving up his running career last year, more than held his own against Adelaide's Sam Jacobs in yesterday's NAB Cup game to put his hand up for the season-opener.

All of Geelong's senior-listed ruckmen are on the injury list - Trent West (knee), Dawson Simpson (back), Hamish McIntosh (knee), Nathan Vardy (groin) - which means Blicavs and fellow rookie Josh Walker have had to carry the load in the pre-season.

Blicavs, 21, joined the Cats midway through last year and played four VFL games - the first time he'd pulled on the boots since representing Taylors Lakes in the under-14s.

When asked if he was ready to carry the ruck load against Hawthorn in Round 1, he said: "Hypothetically if that happened, I versed (Aaron) Sandilands two weeks ago and Jacobs who are two of the best ruckmen in the league in my eyes.

"It can't be anymore daunting than that so I'll just take it as it comes . . . . against the Hawks would be pretty exciting I guess."

Assistant coach Blake Caracella said Blicavs' improvement over the summer had surprised everyone.

"His rate of improvement has been remarkable," Caracella said. "He's obviously an outstanding athlete, his spring is pretty good, he's a fantastic runner but his game sense and knowledge of how to play the game, for someone who hasn't played footy since U/14s is amazing.

"He has somehow managed to learn at a rapid rate and come along heaps. He's certainly going to push for selection come Round 1 or certainly during the season.

"I think (he could handle it). I think his game two weeks ago he jumped over Sandilands at his first centre bounce he took and obviously against a quality ruckman today he rucked quite OK.

"He and Josh Walker add some midfield depth as well because they don't just ruck, they get after the footy as well, they get after the tackles and contested footy as well. It brings certainly a different element to the game.

Blicavs had 14 hit-outs and eight possessions yesterday including an impressive mark and goal in the third quarter.

The new ruck rule which has outlawed scragging at ball-ups certainly helps the rookie whose outstanding leap is his best weapon.

"I'm 198cm and for a ruckman that's not that tall and I'm 96kg so for a ruckman that's tiny so I don't want to be trying to body on Jacobs or anything," Blicavs said. "That one-metre rule does advantage the jumpers who don't want to wrestle.

"I've found moving into the ruck and doing a bit of work in the midfield has helped (over the past two weeks). I guess it has given me a bit more free rein to run a bit and play a bit on instinct.

"I'm just loving it at the moment. It's really good."

Geelong has already placed Simpson on the long-term injury list which means they can elevate a rookie onto the main list for Round 1.


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I've got cancer and can't beat it

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 01 Maret 2013 | 22.42

Former Essendon Football Club chairman Graeme McMahon, who has pancreatic cancer. Picture: Andrew Tauber. Source: Herald Sun

GRAEME McMahon is dying of cancer.

That may sound abrupt, but if you've ever met the former Essendon Football Club chairman and former boss of Ansett worldwide, he's the kind of bloke to accept such a forthright approach.

That was his life motto: Don't mess about, just say it. Or do it. Be strong with your convictions.

In his prime, when he was taking on unions in the pilots' strike, or taking on the AFL Commission, he was a bear of a man with conviction and confidence and a booming voice.

He is all those things today, except for the big frame - which has been ravaged - and the voice is more boom than booming.

Today, the 73-year-old sits on his throne, his well-worn leather chair in the office at his Essendon home.

He thought we were going to talk about Essendon and the drugs scandal, but it was always going to be more than that.

Because of it, he cries occasionally, smiles occasionally and remembers a lot.

"I had a boss once, just a fantastic bloke, Peter Abeles," he said.

Former Essendon Football Club chairman Graeme McMahon, who has pancreatic cancer, at Point Lonsdale Beach with wife Gleneys. Picture: Andrew Tauber.

"And I remember him saying to me, if you have an opinion on something in life, then you've got to have the courage to state it publicly. And if you don't, you might as well go grow flowers.

"I've never forgotten that and I admired him just enormously ... "

With that, McMahon choked up. Sir Peter Abeles was a dear friend and a mentor who died of pancreatic cancer in June, 1999.

"If you make up your mind you just have to follow it through, and whether people disagree or agree with you is beside the point.

"Take all the advice in the world, accept some, discard some, but when you make your mind up, you have to get on with it."

For those safe and illness-free, you can't imagine what happens to the mind when death beckons.

Safe to say, the culmination of everyone you have loved and everything you have achieved - the everything of you as a person - is manifested into memories.

McMahon still lives for every day, but finds memories are becoming dear friends.

Graeme McMahon, who has pancreatic cancer, is most concerned about leaving wife Gleneys alone. Picture: Andrew Tauber.

With some of them he smiles and tells a story, such as he did about the photograph on the office wall of him and Queen Elizabeth II. And the photograph next to it, of a beaming brute of man standing beside a black marlin he caught off the Queensland coast.

Or the photograph from the America's Cup signed by John Bertrand - the one of the boat that sank off San Diego on which McMahon had been a guest three days earlier.

With others, there is sadness.

"There are times between 1am and 4am when you might not be asleep and you find yourself lying there and looking at the roof," he said.

"And you remember lots of things. Good things and bad things. I'm not lying in bed crying, but you just have these thoughts.

"Things that have happened to you, things you have done, things you would do differently if you had the chance again.

"And it sounds egotistical and vain, I suppose, but there aren't too many things I would do differently.

"I've made mistakes like everyone does, but I've got to tell you, at the time I thought they were right, so bugger the world as far as I'm concerned."

THIS WON'T KILL YOU, GRAEME

THIS is McMahon's third bout of cancer. The first, at the end of 1999, was discovered in his kidney and removed. In 2011, he had surgery and radiotherapy for prostate cancer and he was cleared in September last year.

But two months later cancer attacked him again - in the pancreas - and this time it was take no prisoners.

"The hardest thing about it is you have to confront it and wonder what's going to happen. Am I going to live? Am I going to die? What's the prognosis?

"The first one, the kidney, was so quick they found it on the Friday and they operated on the Monday, which really didn't give me a chance to think about it. I was lucky.

They still haven't told me if I've got six months or a year or two years. They won't put an estimate on it

"The second one, the prostate, the first guy who found it actually said to me, 'This won't kill you Graeme, you're 70-something years of age and you will die of something else'.

"So, I really didn't have to confront it at that point. I decided to get the treatment through surgery and radiotherapy but it was done against a background that it wasn't a death sentence in its own right.

"But this one came along and it was quite different. It came out of the blue."

The tipping point came when his son wondered why the old man had turned yellow.

Bile had built up in his body, causing jaundice. Exploratory surgery found a blockage, and the reason for the blockage was a tumour.

"I know from Peter Abeles' time, if you're going to get cancer, pancreatic cancer is the one you don't want to get because it's not curable and it's not operable. You're literally buggered," he said.

"I'm on chemo now and we're hoping it will slow it down. And if they slow it down I'll get a bit more time, but sooner or later this one will kill you.

"So, this is the first one I've had to confront and the hardest part was getting my head around it. They still haven't told me if I've got six months or a year or two years. They won't put an estimate on it.

"I said you have to give me some guidance, and he said it will be between six months and two years unless the chemo does a real fantastic job.

"Getting your head around it all is difficult. And doing the things you have to do.

"I had to bring both sons in and talk through family finances and those sorts of things, and what's going to happen, and to look after your mother ... "

He chokes up again.

"Just all that s---. I found it hard. I'm sure there are stronger people than me."

In the few months since diagnosis, McMahon has grown stronger. Initially, he made a list of who he had to ring and tell the news and retired to the office.

He had a dozen names of family and friends, but could make only three calls, such was the grief from whom he told which amplified his grief in the telling.

"It was too upsetting," he said.

"But as time has gone on, I've got better. I can sit here now and talk to you about it and I know what's going to happen. You have your moments, like talking about Abeles a minute ago. That's because, really, I was remembering a bloke I admired enormously."

LOYAL TO SHEEDY

McMAHON was chairman of Essendon for seven years from 1997 to 2003 - which, of course, included the 2000 premiership.

"I look back on it with great affection," he said.

"It happened at a time when it fitted my life perfectly."

He retired from Ansett in 1996 after 40 years. He started in the mail room in '56 and retired as managing director/chief executive of Ansett, five years before the collapse of the airline and after Air New Zeland took it over.

As a young man, he played in Essendon's under-19 Grand Final team in 1958 - they were beaten by Richmond at Punt Rd - and had a love for the club ever since.

Largely unknown to the Dons faithful, he was approached to join the board by chairman David Shaw and director Don McKenzie, and at about the same time was asked if he would be chairman.

"I remember going to the first official function, the season-launch dinner at the Showgrounds, and I put the suit and tie on and over we went," he said.

"I didn't know anybody and nobody knew me. I remember thinking, what am I going to say? I was regarded as an outsider, and I said something like, 'I was born and raised in Essendon, I went to school in Essendon, I got married in Essendon, my kids go to school in Essendon, I live in Essendon, I work in Essendon, I'm more Essendon than the rest of you and top of that, I played at Essendon.' Suddenly I was accepted."

They were tough times for Essendon.

The salary cap cheating had gutted the club, there was board downsizing to complete, Peter Jackson would run the club as chief executive, and, in 1998, there was a significant push from some board directors to sack Kevin Sheedy as coach.

Then, not many people knew that McMahon had played with Sheedy at Prahran and in the then-VFA and in fact McMahon was chosen in Prahran's team of the century - ahead of Sheedy.

"I had heard all these stories about what was going on before I got there but it was a blank piece of paper for me in regards to Kevin. He had done nothing wrong since I was there. Not many realised we had played in a premiership at Prahran and there was a bit of loyalty there, too," he said.

At home, in an off-shoot room on the way from the kitchen to the office, there is what you would call the Essendon room.

A TV sits large in front of two leather chairs and the walls are adorned with Bombers memorabilia: Jumpers, framed photos and plaques. They are more memories, but these are the memories he smiles about it.

"Football is Essendon to me," he said.

As for the current drugs fall, the current drugs investigation at the club McMahon is disappointed but maintains faith in the heirarchy.

"The one strong comment I would make is my respect for the people like David Evans (chairman), Bruce Reid (doctor) and James Hird (coach) is such that I cannot believe they would knowingly allow illegal practices"

McMahon sits in a room at the Freemason's Hospital. It's where he is treated with chemotherapy.

With each sitting he is becoming more pragmatic about the journey ahead.

"I've taken the view that I will fight it with chemo, but when chemo starts to make me so ill that life is not worth going on ... I've already told the doctors then that's the end. I'll just stop it and try to get some quality of life before you end up kicking on.

"At that point in time, there's no guarantees I won't get as emotional as buggery. But at this point in time I've reconciled with the fact I've got it, and I'm trying to make it as easy on my friends and relatives for them not to get upset about it.

"You know, I've had a good life."

He describes the room at the Freemasons. There's about 24 chairs, usually the big recyliners, filled with mostly 50, 60 and 70-year olds, all hooked up to whatever they have been prescribed. It is a souless place filled with people who don't want to be there.

"All of a sudden," McMahon said, "the door will open and in will walk an 18-year-old.

"It brings home to you that you're not bad off. I've had a good life. I've done a lot of things, seen a lot of things, met a lot of people, had a good family, so I've had a good go. And to see an 18-year-old."

He chokes up again.

"That's what upsets me the most at the moment, seeing these other poor buggers who haven't had a chance yet to do whatever they want to do in life," he said.

"And to the people who look after us ... dealing with people who are getting ready to die ... they are terrific, friendly and lovely people."

SHE'S GOING TO BE ON HER OWN

GLENEYS McMahon walks into the office with cups of tea and biscuits. They have been married 46 years.

She's an enthusiastic soul. She's ridden the highs and lows with her husband, from when the family received death threats through the pilots' strike in the late 1980s to the current plight.

Still, she's all chatter and natter and does she love the Bombers. "You finished yet?" she asked.

Her ears would've been burning five minutes previous.

"She's a good woman, a strong woman," McMahon said.

"She's been a great support through this time and has stood up really well.

"It must be tough on her. I couldn't have done what I did at Ansett or what I did at Essendon without her if she wasn't prepared to be the backstop and look after everything.

"She mostly raised the kids. In one year at Ansett, and she used to have a calendar on the wall, she used to cross off on the calendar which days I wouldn't be in Melbourne and we added them up one year and I was gone for seven months of the year."

It's just two of them at home now - their sons have long moved out - and part of the predicament is discussing what happens with the house when he's gone, whether Gleneys stays or goes, and all the finances.

"I don't know how to address the fact that instead of being here with me, she's going to be on her own," he said.

"That's going to be very difficult for her."

This moment, however, Gleneys is thinking none of that.

She's worried only that the cuppa's getting cold.

"Come on, let's go outside," she says.

"Now tell me, what's going on with our Bombers and all this drugs stuff?"


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Gritty Dogs shock Hawks

Western Bulldogs pick up their first win in nine months after squeezing past Hawthorn in a NAB Cup thriller.

Koby Stevens pumps the fists after kicking a goal against Hawthorn. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

A LAST term supergoal to Clay Smith helped to lift the Western Bulldogs to a gritty one-point NAB Cup win over Hawthorn at Etihad Stadium last night.

A dominant performance from Lance Franklin looked to have guaranteed the Hawks their first win of the pre-season when his fifth goal of the night pushed his team out to a 15-point lead at the nine-minute-mark of the final term.

But the Dogs were not to be denied as they fought to stay in the match, first with a clever goal to Luke Dahlhaus followed by a long bomb from Smith at the 16-minute-mark that gave his team a one-point margin.

Jordan Lewis had the chance to put his side in front again, but his left foot shot missed and only served to level the scores.

Luke Dahlhaus dances and weaves out of trouble Picture: Klein Michael Source: Herald Sun

A mark and subsequent behind to Liam Jones at the other end gave the Bulldogs the lead once more and it was enough to record their first win of the pre-season while keeping last year's Grand Final runner-up without a win so far in three games.

Franklin's performance was a clear standout, and he almost singlehandedly lifted his team to a win before the small 8162 fans who attended the game.

Sporting a handlebar moustache and seemingly a more deliberate, hunched over run-up approach to goal, Franklin booted five goals - including a breathtaking super goal from 60m - to keep the Hawks ticking over.

Jake Stringer enjoys a goal late in the 3rd qtr Picture: Klein Michael Source: Herald Sun

But almost from the outset the Bulldogs demonstrated that they were going to much more switched on than their efforts against Collingwood and Essendon a fortnight ago.

They kicked the first three goals of the game, with Robert Murphy slotting through the first to give them the perfect start.

Ryan Griffen made the most of a slip-up kick in from Brent Guerra to slot through the Bulldogs' second goal.

Lance Franklin in full flight. Source: Getty Images

Jason Johannisen took the Dogs out to a three-goal lead into time-on after some fine teamwork from Tom Liberatore and Daniel Cross.

It could have been a greater lead if Jones had managed to convert his strong mark into straight kicks.

A lapse in concentration from the Bulldogs in the dying minutes of the term allowed Franklin to be loose just before quarter-time.

Luke Breust is tackled by Brett Goodes. Source: Getty Images

Franklin cooly slotted the ball through to make the difference 12 points at the first change.

And he wasn't about to leave it there.

A superbly weighted kick from Lewis to the leading Franklin in the goal square three minutes into the second term brought about the spearhead's second goal.

Nick Lower celebrates a goal with Koby Stevens. Source: Getty Images

Then he breathed life into the contest with a nine-pointer that had the small crowd on its feet.

The big Hawk looked ominous when he gathered the loose ball into the centre square - he shrugged off an opponent, took a bounce and stormed with a long ranging bomb.

By half-time, the Dogs had regained the lead by the barest of margins after a goal from just inside 50m from Koby Stevens.

Luke Breust gets tackled by Brett Goodes and Daniel Cross Picture: Klein Michael Source: Herald Sun

Franklin didn't kick the opening goal of the third term, but he started a chain of four handballs that resulted in an easy goal to Shane Savage.

And he set up Isaac Smith with a goal midway through the term.

The Hawks had kicked the first three goals of the third term, but the Dogs were not to be denied.

Bradley Hill shows Boyd and Griffin a clean pair of heels Picture: Klein Michael Source: Herald Sun

Goals to Brett Goodes and Liam Jones were impressive, but draftee Jake Stringer's first kick in Bulldogs colours resulted in a spectacular goal to regain the lead by a point just before three-quarter-time.

Unfortunately, Stringer didn't see much action in the fourth term as the 18-year-old limped from the field in the arms of the trainers.

Franklin kicked two more goals in the final term, but it was the hard working Smith - sometimes criticised for his use of the ball - who provded an unlikely hero with his super goal to lift the Dogs to a win.

BEST:
Hawthorn
Franklin, Mitchell, Smith, Suckling, Lewis, Simpkin,
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Boyd, Smith, Griffen, Minson, Roughead, Liberatore

HAWTHORN

YOUNG BLOOD
Liked the endeavour shown by defender Taylor Durea, who threw himself into every contest. The 21-year-old is working hard to earn his AFL debut this season. Jonathan Simpkin may be 25, but the former Cat looks to be a readymade player for the Hawks.

NEW TRICKS
Hard to go past David Hale and his new do. It might have slipped through to keeper a bit last week on the Gold Coast, but the truth was laid bare at Etihad Stadium. Hale has ditched the "rug" for the au naturale look.

SUPERCOACH
Can't go past the usual suspects in Buddy Franklin and Sam Mitchell, but might be worth also taking Isaac Smith ($384,100). Won plenty of the ball last night and can finish off when he has the ball in the attacking zone.

GLENN McFARLANE

WESTERN BULLDOGS

YOUNG BLOOD
Liam Jones took some really nice grabs, Ayce Cordy likewise. We won't be talking them up as world beaters anytime soon, but the towering youngsters could yet become the key forward who propel the Dogs into a successful new era.South African speedster Jason Johanissen also did some nice things and offers what the Bulldogs lack - linebreaking speed.

NEW TRICKS
At his third club, Nick Lower caught the eye in a tagging role. Uncompromising and tough, Lower locked on to Sam Mitchell last night and appears to have put Liam Picken out of a midfield job, with the son of Billy moved down back. He still won his share of possession too Lower, with nine disposals at half-time.Jordan Roughead will be given every chance to hold down a key defensive post. He was brave on Lance Franklin last night and did enough to suggest he could grow into the role.

SUPERCOACH
We know about the obvious Dogs candidates, but former Eagle Koby Stevens deserves a serious look. Making his debut for his new club, Stevens found the footy, kicked a goal and won plenty of the contested stuff. At $176,600 he's cheaper than most.

SAM EDMUND


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'Hold your heads high': Hird

Essendon coach James Hird is urging his troubled team to play with pride. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON coach James Hird has urged his players to hold their heads high, declaring the club will fight to uncover the truth as investigations continue into its "irregular" medical practices.

While the club has conceded there are issues of concern in its sports science division, a bullish Hird said he welcomed the findings.

"I just want the truth. (Essendon chairman) David Evans wants the truth. That's what we are after," he said."

"I believe once that comes out we will be able to get on and play football. Our footy club is going to fight.

"It's going to fight to prove where it's at, and we are not going to walk around with heads bowed, we are walking around proud of our footy club."

Hird's optimistic approach signifies his belief that Essendon's players will be cleared and the club exonerated.

But given the review will examine the club's chain of command and the alarming practices of its sports science division, it will inevitably lead to tough questions for Essendon.

Hird says he is ready for whatever the review finds, aware that given the buck stops with the senior coach he will be central to the investigation.

"My focus is on coaching the football club," he said.

"If we have to be distracted during the week (by the review) we will be, and we will, through this review process,get the truth for our supporters.

"Our supporters deserve that. My job is to coach this team as best I can, and I will be involved in the review when I need to be, but my job is to get this team playing great footy."


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Clarko fumes at new cap rule

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson new assistant coach Brett Ratten last night. Source: Getty Images

HAWTHORN coach Alastair Clarkson has slammed the 80-interchange cap rule after the Hawks and Western Bulldogs last night struggled to adapt to the controversial restriction.

Clarkson and Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney were both left bewildered after becoming the guinea pigs for the rule in a game the Dogs won by one point at Etihad Stadium.

Clarkson said the AFL was taking an "enormous risk" by restricting rotations to 80.

"Take it back to old reserves and just play 18 men on the ground if that's what you want to do," Clarkson said.

"It's a pretty dramatic change to go to 80.

"Goodness knows, no one knows, what's going to happen to the game so hopefully common sense will prevail.

"If they want to introduce a cap hopefully they do it at a sensible rate like 120 and then we can see what a minor cap does to the game rather than take it to 80.


"I reckon it's an enormous risk to take with what's a pretty good game at the moment.

"Just at a hunch we're going to say, 'Oh let's put it at 80 and see what happens.

"I hope it's good, but what happens if it's no good?'

As it was neither side used its quota of interchanges, with the Bulldogs using 71 and the Hawks 72.

"You're not coaching, all you're doing is counting how many times players are coming off the ground," Clarkson said.

"You want to coach the players not count numbers.

"I could get a school kid to do that but the coaches have to do it. It's an enormous constraint in terms of the game."

McCartney, delighted his team had shown resilience to hold off a charging Hawthorn and win its first game of the year, said the rule was too extreme.

"I came to the game with a bit of me thinking there will be incredible fatigue and the game will be a shambles. We probably spent too much time ... you spend a stupid amount of time counting them," McCartney said.

"Experimenting with the game is a good thing as long as it's not too extreme and goes too far the other way."

Clarkson said the Hawks were "a bit rusty and a bit scratchy" in defeat, but said there was sufficient time to get his side up and running for Round 1.

"It's not about wins or losses, it's about game time ... but we were really poor around the footy tonight and we gave the Dogs too much easy supply from that area of the ground," he said.

Luke Hodge, Shaun Burgoyne, Grant Birchall, Liam Shiels, Michael Osborne, Xavier Ellis and new recruit Brian Lake all missed last night.

Clarkson said injuries to Luke Breust and David Hale were only minor, while promising Western Bulldogs draftee Jake Stringer has had scans on a rolled ankle that forced him off the ground.


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We are here to stay: Brayshaw

North Melbourne chairman James Brayshaw. Picture: Craig Borrow Source: Herald Sun

NORTH Melbourne chairman James Brayshaw has given supporters a "cast iron guarantee" the club will not relocate while he remains in charge.

As he revealed plans to stay in the role until the end of 2016, Brayshaw said the Kangaroos could not be happier with their two-game commitment to playing in Hobart, but there was no truth to the rumour surrounding a possible move to Tasmania.

"As long as I have got anything to do with the running of the footy club, we are not relocating," Brayshaw said.

"I would cease to have anything to do with the club if a decision was made to relocate.

"When I took over (as chairman) in 2007 it was on the back of me standing up and saying that we aren't going anywhere, and we aren't.

"Why would we spend $17 million building this unbelievable facility (at Arden St) if our plan was to go somewhere else?"

The Kangaroos will play two home matches at Hobart's Blundstone Arena this season, and Brayshaw is keen to make it three as soon as possible.

"If you asked me if I wanted to go from two games to three games in Hobart, I'd do it in a heartbeat," he said.

But he said that with the club's commitment to Etihad Stadium and the MCG, it was contractually impossible to play more than a handful of games in Hobart.

Brayshaw was responding to a supporters' group motion to change the club's constitution to try to limit the number of home games the club can play outside of Victoria to four without the board going to the members for approval.

He and the board will not support the motion - to be put to the annual general meeting on March 19 - as they believe it would be too wordy and too restrictive on future administrations.

Brayshaw said the board would consider adding a relocation clause at the next AGM, but was reluctant to put a tight restriction on the number of games that could be played outside Victoria as he said no one could predict how the AFL landscape could change.

The motion drawn up by the We Are North Melbourne supporters' group reads in part:

"That the NMFC Constitution be amended to require a membership vote on any actual or proposed obligation, contract, arrangement or understanding, the purpose or outcome of which is to permit, allow or require the club (whether permanent, temporarily or otherwise) to play or relocate more than four home games during any premiership season outside of the state of Victoria."
 


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No Buddy conflict, just interest

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 28 Februari 2013 | 22.42

Hawthorn star Lance Franklin models a new moustache at training yesterday. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

LIAM Pickering says his friendship with Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson will be put to the side when dealing with the contract of star forward Lance Franklin.

Both Clarkson and Franklin are managed by Pickering, of Strategic Management, as are a handful of other Hawks.

Pickering said no rival club had contacted him about Franklin's future in light of his recent decision to put contract talks on hold to the end of the season.

But when the time does come to look at Franklin's contract Pickering said it will be Hawks football manager Mark Evans, and not Clarkson, he talks to about it.

"Clarko and I had a really good chat two or three weeks ago about the whole scenario,'' Pickering said.

"Yeah I manage him, but Clarko and I have been friends since we've been 18, we go back a hell of a long way.

"He understands that I've got a professional job to do and that's to do the right thing by what my client wants, whether the client is him, or Buddy, or Jordan Lewis, or Isaac Smith, whoever it may be."

While dealing with Evans on player contracts, Pickering negotiates with chief executive Stuart Fox on issues pertaining to the coach.

"Keeping the two separate is relatively simple, he insists.

"When I was doing Clarko's contract (in 2011) it's not as if I was discussing it with Buddy,'' Pickering said.

But he admitted there was an element of steeliness that was needed in any negotiation process.

"You've got to put that friendship aside,'' he said.

"They're trying to do the right thing by the club - Clarko's trying to coach a premiership and Buddy's going to try his best to make that happen as well.

"That's the whole idea of having a manager. You don't want to have to worry about the distractions of having to talk to your coach about contracts.

"I can see why people have some interest in how it's all going to play out, but as it sits right now I'm pretty comfortable, as is Clarko, with where it's at.''

Pickering said if rival clubs were thinking about making an offer for the two-time Coleman Medallist then they have not yet made it known to him.

"It's been pretty quiet at this stage,'' he said.

"It is only early in the year so I'm not sure what the other clubs are thinking ... at the moment the only conversations I've had are with Hawthorn.''
 


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Plea to scrap the cap

Swans coach John Longmire. Picture: Mark Evans Source: The Daily Telegraph

REIGNING premiership coach John Longmire believes rocketing interchange numbers will stabilise without the AFL's intervention as he pushes for a retention of current rules.

Longmire believes loosening of the 80-interchange cap because of pre-season heat mean the NAB Cup trial of limited rotations will be close to meaningless.

He said yesterday the 80-cap trial should be carried out over a year at a lower level like VFL or SANFL.

While some clubs have passed through 150 interchanges in single games, Longmire says massive interchange becomes counter-productive.

The AFL Commission has ruled in principle to introduce a capped rotation next year but wants more evidence first.

"I think the players are at a point where it is getting to a maximum," Longmire said.

"We got to an average of 132 per game last year and we feel that's about it.

"The players still have to play the game and still want to get into the game and not be on and off for the sake of it.

"Players themselves start to say I am on the ground and the challenge is to sprint off, and by the time you get off you sprint like anything and then sit down for two seconds and then sprint on. You are better off standing there (on the field) anyway.

"Some things in the game find their natural level."

North Melbourne coach Brad Scott this week said he was fearful the game would one day be unrecognisable because of AFL tinkering.

But AFL legend and Rules of the Game member Kevin Bartlett hit back, saying coaching should be ignored when it came to changing rules.

Longmire does not want an interchange cap: "We would like to maintain the status quo".

But he says the AFL needs to produce evidence promoting the cap that it is unlikely to find in the NAB Cup.

"In the pre-season different clubs are doing different things and as we have seen with the heat, are we going to get that over the next couple of weeks, which might affect the data over a short period of time?" he said.

"Are there other ways of getting bigger data and bigger samples over a longer period of time so you can sit and reflect and say these are the pros and cons of it over 12 months in this league?"


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AFL drug policy 'hypocritical'

Graeme McMahon in the Essendon Football Club boardroom back in 2003. Picture: Nicole Garmston Source: Herald Sun

FORMER Essendon chairman Graeme McMahon has lashed out at the AFL, branding its stance on drugs "hypocrital".

McMahon said he was bewildered how the league could be so aggressive in policing performance-enhancing drugs but so lax on the use of illicit substances.

The ever outspoken McMahon, who was Essendon chairman from 1997-2003, expressed deep disappointment about the Bombers' current plight, saying fans would be "gutted" about the allegations.

"I'm disappointed,'' he said.

''It's a 120-year, 130-year-old club, it's got fantastic tradition.

''I don't know what the facts are ... but if it turns out there is something there then my disappointment will turn to absolute bloody anger because it's wrong, no matter what way it comes out, it's wrong.'

"I'm disappointed for the members and supporters who gave me the opportunity to be chairman of the club, to whom I'm so grateful.

"It is not often spoken about but most AFL clubs are the property of its members and they simply appoint directors and a chairman to run the club for them.

"They must be gutted about the allegations.

"The one strong comment I would make is my respect for people like David Evans (chairman), Bruce Reid (doctor) and James Hird (coach) is such that I cannot and won't believe they would knowingly allow illegal practices to happen.''

McMahon, who is battling inoperable cancer, has lost some of the trademark power in his voice, but his passion for football - and Essendon in particular - remains undiminished.

He said he looked back at his time at Windy Hill with "great affection'".

"Football is Essendon to me,'' he said.

Turning his attention back to the topic of the AFL's illicit drugs policy, McMahon warned of lawsuits from parents of young players who strayed into drug use because of clubs failing in their duty of care.

"The club hierarchy has no ability to try to police drugs in any shape or form,'' he said.

"The reason I'm so strong on (the AFL's illicit drugs policy) is it deprives from the chairman and management of the football clubs their abilty to carry out the duty of care they have when they take into their charge these 17-year-olds and 18-year-old boys from the country and interstate.

"The illegal drugs have been thrown into stark profile by where the AFL has put itself in relation to these non-legal but performance enhancing drugs, where they are standing up and beating their chests and saying they will stamp this out, that it's taboo, and that players will be rubbed out if they are dealing with them.

"But at the same time they have different policy for drugs which are criminal .. it doesn't make sense to me.''

He cited an example of a non-sportsman obtaining performance enhancing drugs by prescription without breaking the law, compared to AFL players who use them and breach the laws of the sport.

Meanhwhile, players were taking illegal drugs which are "absolutely'' illegal in society.
 


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Scrap NAB Cup tri-series: Clarko

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson is no fan of the tri-series format. Source: Herald Sun

HAWTHORN coach Alastair Clarkson says the NAB Cup will never fully prepare players for the rigours of the season proper.

Clarkson said he would be glad to see the back of the triangular series he labelled a TV gimmick, but stopped short of saying the NAB Cup should be canned.

He praised the AFL for changing its rules to allow teams to field three substitutes each during the two-week trial of 80 rotations.

But that was about as far as the coach's love extended for a competition he said was "all about game time for our players and getting them conditioned" for Round 1.

"(In) NAB week four last year, I think we played 100 minutes of game time and in our first round of the season, we played 133 minutes - that's a full quarter of footy," Clarkson said yesterday.

"So we've got to get as much conditioning and game time into our players as we can, knowing that whatever we do in the NAB still isn't going to prepare us fully for the first round of the home-and-away."

Asked if he would prefer to have the NAB Cup reduced further, Clarkson said: "That's another debate again.

"(And) that's probably going to be had at coaches and footy managers' level with the AFL," he said.

"But we're happy with the NAB series. NAB (week) one is probably a bit Mickey Mouse; I think it's more a television thing with the triangular series. It's just a nightmare for coaches and players to manage that each year.

"It's just too higgledy-piggledy for mine. I'd just rather it be more stable, have players know where they're playing, for what game time and not have to worry about using alternative rooms, alternative boxes, doing media at all different stages throughout the course of the game.

"Ideally, you've got 18 sides and so nine sides play another side that week."

Clarkson said the extra allowance of substitutes gave teams flexibility to ease players back, citing the example of Xavier Ellis (calf) and Liam Shiels (late start to pre-season) who are set to return next week.

"We've got the flexibility to play them for 40 or 50 per cent game time, and that's probably ideal," he said.
 


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Hird heat has Dempsey firing

Courtney Dempsey owed his pre-season fitness to coach James Hird. Picture: George Salpigtidis. Source: Herald Sun

USUALLY when the coach beats a player home in a 2km time-trial, it causes extreme concern.

But Essendon defender Courtenay Dempsey has prospered this summer because of his unlikely partnership with senior coach James Hird.

Just as Sydney's Lewis Jetta teamed with Kieren Jack last pre-season to improve his endurance, Dempsey has thrived after forming a pact with Hird, a fitness fanatic, albeit 15 years his senior.

Dempsey, 25, finished seventh in last year's Crichton Medal count after recovering from a 2011 knee reconstruction and, entering his eighth season, said he had never been in better shape.

"I have gone through so many pre-seasons injured so I have only been at 80 per cent, but I think I am at 95 per cent now or even 100 per cent," Dempsey said.

"The big thing has been having Hirdy running with me and pushing me. I have had him helping me out and getting through the hard sessions.

"He has got me to where I am now. I guess I can't really let him down either, because he is the coach.

"He sort of put together a deal with me about how I could get fit. We had a competition with the 2km time-trial and he beat me by a couple of seconds but he got me a PB (personal best) time."

Hird turned 40 recently, but Dempsey said the Brownlow medallist continued to set the standard.

"He has lost his speed but his fitness level has always been up there and always will be," Dempsey said.

"He loves to stay fit and through the pre-season he loves to run with us.

"Him as well as (assistant coach) Simon Goodwin, who is still elite. I think both of them could still play.

"I think everyone has lost a few kilos (through the pre-season). We are all looking a lot leaner.

"We are still a lot stronger but we have lost weight through a lot more work on long-distance running and aerobic stuff.

"And hopefully it will help us through the latter part of the season."

The elephant in the room is the reason for that transition - the supplements program that has led to the AFL/Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority investigation.

Dempsey and his teammates have escaped to Wangaratta, Beechworth and Bright for their community camp, but they cannot dodge questions about a saga that looks likely to drag on for months.

"It is all about football for us and that's all we are worried about," he said.

"There is nothing else that is going to take our mind off it. That is what we are here for and that's what we are going to do.

"I guess that's our job. We can't afford to focus on anything else.

"(Hird) is thinking exactly the same thing, just worrying about us and our football.

"He is our coach and that's what he is there to do."

Dempsey featured prominently for the indigenous side against Richmond in Alice Springs last month, and said his hamstring problems of recent years were behind him.

Now Dempsey, who last year signed on until 2015, wants to show Hird the hard work has paid off by stringing together a full season.

"I need to play good footy and consistent footy - over the whole season and not just a block or a month here and there," he said.

"He (Hird) is looking for more consistency so hopefully I can do that.

"Hopefully it goes in that direction, but you know football, you don't know which way it turns."


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Stevens 'all good' despite concussions

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 27 Februari 2013 | 22.43

Scott Stevens at Adelaide Crows training in 2011 shortly before he retired. Source: The Advertiser

SERIAL concussion victim Scott Stevens has declared he is "all good" and has no significant health problems.

As former AFL players reveal their mental health struggles following football concussions, ex-Crow Stevens - forced out of the game at 29 because of a series of head knocks - said he is "feeling fine" and is not suffering any serious side-effects of a career which ended prematurely.

"I'm all good, there's nothing (bad) to report," said the notoriously media-shy Stevens, who retired part way through the 2011 season after three concussions in a year.

While Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson yesterday warned the AFL to "take a conservative approach" with concussions, Stevens told The Advertiser he is not yet interested in joining the debate about how the league should best handle its concussion controversy.

"I'm sorry but I've made my decision not to talk (in depth) about it and I'm happy with that," said Stevens, who is living in Perth with his wife Anna and young daughter Hayley.

"But I'm feeling fine, which is good."

Stevens - who is in his third year out of the game - is one of the highest profile victims of AFL concussions.

Scott Stevens takes a break from a 2011 training session and chats with Adelaide Crows football operations manager Phil Harper.

He retired after 144 games after being knocked out for one last time against Fremantle in round three, 2011.

He revealed at his retirement press conference that he had suffered months of "headaches, nausea, vomiting and vision problems".

"They were 24/7 and I basically had to stay at home, I couldn't read and I struggled to watch television," Stevens said.

"It was not great".

It was expected Stevens would join former Demon Daniel Bell in seeking a compensation claim against the AFL because of the shocking toll the heavy knocks took on his 195cm frame.

This is still not out of the question.

They (headaches) were 24/7 and I basically had to stay at home, I couldn't read and I struggled to watch television

But one of Stevens' best mates and former Crows defensive team-mate Nathan Bassett last night confirmed Stevens was in good health and not just playing a straight bat to questions.

"He's fine," said Bassett, who coached SANFL club Norwood to last year's premiership.

"I caught up with him at (former Crows ruckman) Matthew Clarke's wedding in Adelaide (in January) and he's in good health, he looks really good.

"I don't think he is experiencing any after-effects at all, which is surprising considering the amount of heavy knocks he took."

Bassett said Stevens is working in the human resources department for a shipping company in WA and keeps fit by running and cycling.

Adelaide list manager David Noble said the Crows kept in contact with Stevens to monitor his health.

"Part of our role, along with the AFL Players Association, is to have an exit policy and make sure players who leave the game are going okay with their lives after football," Noble said.

"Clearly Scotty had some (health) issues so we do monitor his situation by talking to him and his family and friends about him.

"Scott says he is well and all the reports are good, which is terrific, but we will continue to stay in touch to make sure he is okay."


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Bitter Gram hopes for AFL return

Former AFL Saints player, Jason Gram. Picture: Tony Gough Source: Herald Sun

JASON Gram has spent a long and frustrating summer doing everything in his power to move on.

The sacked St Kilda star holidayed in America, Fiji and Thailand, won a financial settlement from the Saints, and signed to play country footy with North Albury.

His body feels better than it has in 11 years, he works out daily with his personal trainer, and he still holds out hope of an AFL career.

But as much as he tries to put his October sacking in the past, it keeps dragging him back.

Already on probation at St Kilda as the fallout from a personal relationship turned messy, he was sacked on October 30 after authorities became involved.

Yet while Gram acknowledges he made mistakes, he says it is time to set the record straight.

Four months on, he tells the Herald Sun he is tired of the whispering campaign painting him as an arch-villain and repeat offender on a grand scale.

"I am really upset with some of the things that have been said towards me, calling me certain things which are far from the truth," Gram said.

"Sometimes I go down the street or am at a club or a bar, and someone yells out to me across the room.

"It's unbelievable what they say. It upsets me someone would think that and say that. It is Chinese whispers. It is just full-blown lies. It is disappointing but the people who know the truth are my family and friends."

Jason Gram. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Gram still cannot fathom how quickly he was thrown on to the football scrapheap.

His last two games were among his best - so much so the player who once lost a Norm Smith Medal on countback polled a Brownlow Medal vote in his last game at St Kilda.

Suspended by the club on September 6 last year, another incident requiring authorities saw them act swiftly.

He says he was blindsided by St Kilda's action, even as he acknowledges he was warned about what St Kilda labelled, "failure to honour repeated undertakings to the club about his behaviour".

"It's not like I killed anyone, it's not like I bashed anyone. It was a private matter - there was a fight between myself and another person.

"I had some personal issues but I don't think the club needed to jump on board and sack me. They gave me warnings but I still don't believe they needed to sack me. I think it was a private matter and I don't think it was worthy of me getting the a-- over. I am shattered that my football career ended like that. I spent nine years at St Kilda. I barracked for St Kilda as a kid, and I love the St Kilda football club, but there are a few things I don't love there.

"They say they gave me some help and maybe they did, but it was a personal issue that I was going through and it was only going to take a few more weeks or a month to get over it.

"St Kilda have had a few issues in the past so they felt they might need to jump on me, but other clubs I have spoken to said they wouldn't have done that."

The Saints have said privately they could not have been more adamant about Gram's need to lift his standards.

He had been counselled by coach Scott Watters mid-year, told again he was on his last warning, and was still officially suspended from the club when his last indiscretion occurred.

That issue saw St Kilda's head of football Chris Pelchen and list manager Ameet Bains summon Gram to a meeting at his manager Tom Petroro's offices on the night of October 30.

"They sat us down and they said they had to terminate my contract," Gram said.

"I walked straight out. I was too upset to hear the rest. I sat in another room for 45 minutes and waited for it to be finished. I haven't spoken to the coaches or hierarchy since. I still love all the boys and catch up with them, so I am always going to be mates with them."

He acknowledges an element of blame.

"I am just disappointed with myself and a little bit angry at myself, and a little bit angry with the Saints for what they have done, but there is nothing that can be done about it.

"I kick myself now when I think about it. If I had let it all go back then, I would still be on the list, and still training with the Saints at the moment. It's just disappointing St Kilda went down the path of sacking me. I still believe I am in their best 18."

Gram spoke with several AFL clubs after his sacking but in the days before the national draft made the decision not to nominate, deciding he needed to step away from AFL football.

His link with new North Albury coach Jason Akermanis through their time together at Brisbane saw him choose the Ovens & Murray club over 30 others who contacted him.

He is determined not to become one of those ageing ex-AFL players who talk about another chance but never act on it.

"I still believe I should be playing AFL, so I will play to an AFL standard. It might be a bit slower, but I won't slack off. I will do everything I can to give it one last crack and if it doesn't work out I will go on to the next chapter," he said.

"The (settlement) was all sorted out last year. I took a bit of a hit but that was always going to happen. We agreed on a figure and it's been signed off on. I don't think I have felt as good as this in a long time.

"I will be getting out of Melbourne and the club have given me a house from Thursday to Sunday, and it's a great town. During the week I will come back to Melbourne and work out and train.

"I believe I have got plenty of good footy left. I have been training like a dog and keeping fit and doing what I can. Fingers crossed something might happen. If not, I am not going to cry about it."


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Bombers probe to pull no punches

Essendon chairman David Evans announces a full external review of the club's governance and processes.

Essendon chief executive, Ian Robson, left, chairman David Evans and coach James Hird face the media at Windy Hill over the ASADA investigation. Picture: Chris Scott Source: Supplied

Former Telstra chief executive Ziggy Switkowski. Picture: Craig Borrow Source: Herald Sun

ONE of the men charged with conducting an external probe of "irregular practices" at Essendon says he is sure the club has issues that need fixing.

Medical expert Dr Andrew Garnham, a specialist sports and exercise physician and senior university lecturer, also said the findings needed to be made public.

"I'm sure there will be internal issues to be dealt with, but by virtue of the fact there's a great deal of media attention there are issues that are in the public interest and it's appropriate that people have an understanding of what's happened and what can be done about it," Dr Garnham said.

The Essendon board approved the independent review of the club's governance amid accusations senior management was not fully aware of its supplements program last year.

Bomber fans 'deserve truth'

The review comes as the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority and AFL continue their own investigations, but club chairman David Evans said members deserved the truth.

Dr Garnham will work with former Telstra chief executive and RMIT Chancellor Dr Ziggy Switkowski.

Switkowski is in India until the weekend, but the pair have already made a preliminary start to their investigation.

"To a certain extent we're governed by the ASADA investigation and I think that's quite an intensive process so it will take some time," Dr Garnham said.

"It's a matter of working through all the material as it comes to light. We're not working to a time frame.

"There are issues there that the club needs to sort out to its own satisfaction, regardless of what ASADA does. The AFL are busy working things from their point of view so they'll have recommendations for all of the clubs as well as ensuring better processes are in place.

"The AIS (Australian Institute of Sport) are also developing a template for all sporting clubs because we're aware that governance in sport is an evolving area."


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Swans' cap blasted over Tippett

STAR RECRUIT: Kurt Tippett. Picture: Tim Hunter Source: HWT Image Library

CARLTON says it is "staggered" Sydney could afford to sign star recruit Kurt Tippett, calling for the league to cut off the club's 9.8 per cent salary cap advantage.

The Blues yesterday joined heavyweight Hawthorn in seeking to end the controversial dispensation.

The bid is also supported by Collingwood and Richmond, with the powerful clubs to put their case to the AFL at next month's equalisation summit.

"We are staggered that the premiers can add an $800,000-per-season player (in Tippett) to their list without shedding anyone," Blues chief executive Greg Swann told the Herald Sun.

"The only way they can do that is the allowance and we think it's not right. It's not how the system should work.

"If you win a premiership you are supposed to be under pressure to retain players, not bring in the highest-priced recruit there was last year. They will say they were being clever with the way they used their cap but, whichever way you cut it, to do what they have done puts into question the fairness of the system."

Hawthorn president Andrew Newbold was lambasted by Greater Western Sydney coach Kevin Sheedy this week when he questioned the allowance and poultice of draft picks given to the expansion club.

But yesterday Newbold said he was not backing down from questioning the allowances.

"If we look at equalisation as a broad issue, nothing should be sacred," he said.

The AFL Commission is reviewing Sydney's list allowance, but Swans chief executive Andrew Ireland believes it is entirely justified given Sydney house prices.

Clubs have also called on the league to buy Etihad Stadium to ensure better stadium deals for clubs, but the AFL believes the current price is too high.

Newbold was told to take off his duffle coat by Sheedy, but he stands behind his statement from early this month.

He said that GWS was lucky to be given such an array of talent, as well as salary cap dispensation to keep its young stars.

"The GWS have indigestion they have so many draft picks, and we think the cost of living allowance is an outdated policy," Newbold said.


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Vote of support for Hird, Bomber

Essendon chairman David Evans announces a full external review of the club's governance and processes.

Essendon coach James Hird. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

Essendon coach James Hird. Source: Herald Sun

COACH James Hird and senior assistant Mark Thompson have been virtually assured they will remain at Essendon despite the club opening its doors to an independent investigator.

The Bombers yesterday employed former Telstra chief Dr Ziggy Switkowski to ascertain how the club found itself in an anti-doping investigation and what "irregular practices" took place.

His finding will be announced to members.

It is the third investigation into Essendon's 2012 supplement program following that of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority and the AFL.

The futures of key personnel, including Hird, Thompson and chief executive Ian Robson, will be closely examined.

Bomber fans 'deserve truth'

Evans was reluctant to comment about individuals, but said the key football department duo had his support.

"Of course I support James, he's one of my closest friends, he's doing a great job as coach," Evans said last night.

Asked about Thompson, he said: "They both have got my support."

He added: "But the focus is not about individuals. The focus is finding out what happened and dealing with the problems and getting the footy club back on track."

The investigation will centre on the medical procedures that took place, the reporting processes, the role of club doctor Bruce Reid - specifically what took place without his knowledge - and what role sports scientist Stephen Dank and high-performance manager Dean Robinson played. Dank parted ways with the club last year and Robinson is suspended pending the probe.

"The strategy is get to the bottom of what happened, get to a position where we, hopefully, probably are ahead of the game as far as the ASADA investigation, as far as what happened so we can makes some changes before the investigation finishes," said Evans.

The "irregular practices" include off-site injections at an anti-ageing clinic across the road from Windy Hill, the use of registered nurses and other outside medical staff, and full determination of who knew about the consent forms signed by the players.

The Bombers expect to prove that irregular practices do not mean illegal practices.

"There are practices which have gone on that I don't condone and it's one of the reasons why we went to the AFL three weeks ago and made the announcement today," Evans said.

"There's some stuff at the club that needs to be tightened."

The review will be handed to the AFL and ASADA.

"I am in constant dialogue with ASADA, and they have welcomed this . . . it's clear their investigation is months (away) rather than weeks," Evans said.

"I've asked our members and the public to remember that no player has tested positive to performance-enhancing substances."


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Swan's hunger dipped: Bucks

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 26 Februari 2013 | 22.43

Collingwood star Dane Swan's hunger dipped last year, says coach Nathan Buckley.l Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

COLLINGWOOD coach Nathan Buckley admits Brownlow Medallist Dane Swan's hunger dipped a bit last season.

But he says it's understandable given his remarkable previous four years.

And the Magpies boss says the premiership star has given every indication he is back to his most driven.

"Even the most professional disciplined players ebb and flow," Buckley told AAP.

"It was probably about time, given the three years prior he won three Copeland Trophies (as Collingwood's best and fairest from 2008-10) and a Brownlow (in 2011).

"In the last four years, he's one of the most consistent players to ever play the game.

Magpies coach Nathan Buckley talks with Dane Swan. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

"When I say that I reckon there's an extra couple of per cent in him, it's not saying that he hasn't been a great performer and a very consistent performer.

"That's just a coach asking for a little bit more and I ask that from all of the players."

Swan was suspended by the club late last season for an alcohol-related disciplinary breach.

But Buckley said while Swan made a very poor decision, he wasn't the only player who needed to fractionally lift their commitment from last year.

He said Swan's lapses attracted more public attention than others.

Buckley said while the midfielder was a "different character" who wasn't solely focused on football, he took enormous pride in his performance.

"If he can't have the influence on games that he wants to, he identifies that pretty quickly," he said.

"He came back with a real hunger to have a great pre-season.

"He's been able to do that.

"I think you'll see, as the season progresses, I think you'll see a really hungry footballer who'll find that extra couple of per cent this year compared to last and who has the drive to want to play and influence it as much as he can."
 


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NAB Cup Barometer

Collingwood star Dale Thomas is racing the clock to recover from ankle surgery in time for Round 1. Source: Getty Images

WHO'S flying and who's hurt at your club plus a report card on every team's top draft picks.

ADELAIDE

FORM: Erratic, but Adelaide has worked the bottom end of its list and found its young players do have an appetite for the contest..

DRAFT WATCH: Midfielder Rory Atkins showed great promise in his half against Fremantle on Saturday - and brought the question why he was still in the draft at No.81?

MEDICAL ROOM: Brodie Smith (collarbone) and Jared Petrenko (shoulder) are still on the sidelines. The Crows will bring back the big guns this week - Sam Jacobs, Scott Thompson, Ben Rutten and Brent Reilly.

WHAT'S NEXT: Geelong at Geelong on Saturday

- Michelangelo Rucci

SUMMER BAROMETER: Click on your team flag at the top of the top of the page for a complete pre-season run-down


BRISBANE LIONS

FORM: Appears to be fitter than ever and easily handled the oppressive conditions at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night. Former Demon Brent Moloney has added some much needed starch to Michael Voss' midfield.

DRAFT WATCH: Sam Mayes has impressed everyone at Brisbane over the summer and Voss intends to roll his top draft pick out at the tail end of the pre-season tournament with a potential Round 1 debut on the cards.

MEDICAL ROOM: Co-captain Jed Adcock and Irishman Pearce Hanley are expected to return this week. Captain Jonathan Brown is being kept for the Collingwood clash in week three while veterans Simon Black and Brent Staker will not play in the Nab Cup.

WHAT'S NEXT: GWS Giants in Wagga on Saturday night

- Andrew Hamilton

Former Demon Brent Moloney in action for the Lions during the NAB Cup. Source: Getty Images


CARLTON

FORM: The midfield was strong without Chris Judd, as Bryce Gibbs and Marc Murphy warmed to the task. Michael Jamison looked injury-free, and the forward line has power with Sam Rowe and Levi Casboult. Plenty of great signs in two wins, which put them second on the NAB Cup table.

DRAFT WATCH: Troy Menzel is yet to play given his knee issues, but Nick Graham (pick 54) was excellent in the intra-club match last week.

MEDICAL ROOM: Chris Judd will play NAB Cup but probably not next week, Matthew Kreuzer will play this week, and Jarrad Waite will play this week or next.

WHAT"S NEXT: Carlton v Fremantle, Etihad Stadium, Saturday, 7.40pm

- Jon Ralph

Have you signed up for SuperCoach? Click to here to join the fight for $50,000 and ultimate bragging rights - and it's free to play

COLLINGWOOD

FORM: Plenty to like about the new faces representing the Magpies in the opening NAB Cup games including Clinton Young, Quinten Lynch and Jordan Russell. Mix that with what the Magpies currently have and it looks to make a potent force.

DRAFT WATCH: Collingwood's trio of VFL rookie draftees - Kyle Martin, Jack Frost and Sam Dwyer - showed they could be more than just making up the numbers. Tim Broomhead has glandular fever while Brodie Grundy has a back injury.

MEDICAL ROOM: Dale Thomas (ankle) is still touch and go for Round 1, while Alan Didak (hamstring) will have a delayed start to the season. Luke Ball might play in Round 3 of the NAB Cup.

WHAT'S NEXT: The Magpies meet the Eagles at Subiaco on Sunday.

- Glenn McFarlane

Pictures: NAB Cup week two action

ESSENDON

FORM: Dyson Heppell's transition into a midfielder looks on track while Brendon Goddard looked particularly impressive in his new jumper. Mature-aged recruit Nick Kommer showed he was up to the standard and looks like one to watch.

DRAFT WATCH: The lid is off Joe Daniher. The 201cm forward tore apart the club's intra-club match last Friday, kicking five goals and pulling down 12 marks. Looks to be as good as the hype suggests and likely to make his debut this Saturday.

MEDICAL ROOM: Key midfielder David Zaharakis is still another week away after a setback with his quad injury while Jake Melksham (hand) will miss at least one more. Captain Jobe Watson and defender Ben Howlett will play their first games of the pre-season this weekend.

WHAT'S NEXT: Richmond in Wangaratta, Saturday 5.10pm.

- Scott Gullan

NAB Cup ladder and fixture

FREMANTLE

FORM: The Dockers were impressive in dispatching Geelong in their NAB Cup opener, but a lot less so against the Eagles. Freo was overrun in the final minutes in a practice match against the Crows last weekend, but there were big positives in the return of Nat Fyfe, who dominated after coming on at quarter-time, and David Mundy. Michael Barlow picked up another truckload of possessions.

DRAFT WATCH: No sign of No.17 pick Josh Simpson yet but he is a chance to play against the Blues on Saturday after impressing in a Peel Thunder trial. Young tall Tanner Smith (pick 36) lined up against the Crows but had minimal impact.

MEDICAL ROOM: The pre-season from hell. Anthony Morabito did his knee again, Aaron Sandilands (hamstring) is out for two months and Ryan Crowley is recovering from a torn pectoral muscle. Chris Mayne looked in all sorts of trouble after rolling his ankle against the Cats but the club says the injury isn't serious. Matthew Pavlich(back) has rejoined full training but is unlikely to be risked before Round 1.

WHAT'S NEXT: Carlton v Fremantle, Saturday (Etihad Stadium, 7.40pm)

- Al Paton

Get the latest SuperCoach news and join the debate on Facebook

GEELONG

FORM: Travis Varcoe is the one. Super exciting on his return and at a SuperCoach price of $268,900 as a mid/forward he is a steal. Youngster George Horlin-Smith showed he's ready to step up while one from left field was former runner athlete Mark Blicavs in the ruck.

DRAFT WATCH: Jackson Thurlow, the club's pick 16 in last year's national draft, showed enough in his first game to suggest he will be handy in the back half this year. He's been super impressive over the pre-season and will play at some stage this year.

MEDICAL ROOM: Plenty of big blokes in there with Dawson Simpson, Hamish McIntosh and Nathan Vardy out of action. Add Trent West after knee surgery yesterday. Daniel Menzel has resumed running with the main group this week while Mathew Stokes will miss a couple after injuring his ankle in the NAB Cup. Premiership stars Paul Chapman, James Kelly and Andrew Mackie will return this Saturday. Josh Hunt (glandular fever) won't be rushed.

- Scott Gullan

Geelong forward Mathew Stokes is helped off after hurting his ankle. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: The Sunday Times


GOLD COAST

FORM: It was a mixed opening for the Suns. They were very impressive in a win over Hawthorn but were completely outplayed by the Lions. The exciting thing was the presence of Jaeger O'Meara who will be a regular fixture in his first AFL season.

DRAFT WATCH: Jesse Lonergan made his debut on the weekend and did not look out of place. His size and strength make him a strong candidate to be in the side when the premiership begins.

MEDICAL ROOM: Dion Prestia and Brandon Matera will return this week. But the Suns are resigned to not seeing Trent Mackenzie, Seb Tape or Nathan Bock for the entire tournament and maybe the first month of the premiership season.

WHAT'S NEXT: Kangaroos in Townsville on Saturday.

- Andrew Hamilton

Jaeger O'Meara at Gold Coast Suns training at Metricon Stadium. Picture: Tim Marsden Source: The Courier-Mail


GWS

FORM: The Giants could easily be undefeated. They easily accounted for an admittedly less than full-strength Sydney, and only let a lead slip against the Blues in the death. The kids of 2012 look bigger, with Toby Greene showing no signs of second-year blues in the midfield. The most obvious difference was in front of goal where 2011 No.1 draft pick Jon Patton was a dominant presence after limited exposure last year due to knee problems.

DRAFT WATCH: Nearly the whole team are first-round picks, so where do you start? Last year's No.1 selection Lachie Whitfield lined up on a wing and showed plenty of dash and skill while No.3 pick Lachie Plowman was given exposure down back against the Swans.

MEDICAL ROOM: A good news weekend was soured by a serious injury to young defender Matt Buntine, who suffered a broken rib and punctured lung when Levi Casboult crashed into his back. He's set to miss two months of footy. Chad Cornes will be missing for around the same time after surgery to remove a cyst on his knee, Dom Tyson is out for five months after rupturing his PCL at training and Josh Growden is recovering from hip surgery.

WHAT'S NEXT: GWS v Brisbane Lions, Saturday (Wagga, 7pm)

- Al Paton

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HAWTHORN

FORM: Don't read too much into the losses on the Gold Coast. Focus more on impressive work of first-gamers Sam Grimley and Jonathan Simpkin and Brad Hill's development

DRAFT WATCH: First pick Tim O'Brien went north with the squad as an emergency and didn't get a run.

MEDICAL ROOM: Forward Paul Puopolo has bone bruising in the injured knee and must be doubtful for the season start. Cyril Rioli will be in a moonboot for two weeks after spraining an ankle. Key defender Brian Lake has calf soreness and won't be risked this week.

WHAT'S NEXT: Sam Mitchell and Brad Sewell will be back for Friday night's game against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium.

- Bruce Matthews

Hawthorn forward Paul Puopolo writhes in pain after landing awkwardly on his left knee. Picture: David Clark Source: Herald Sun

MELBOURNE

FORM: Fans were left gushing at the prospects of brute key forward Jesse Hogan after matches against North Melbourne and Richmond on the weekend. So good was he that Demons great Gerard Healy has even called on the AFL to allow the 18-year-old to play this season, rather than wait for next year as per the rules of the GWS mini-draft in which Hogan was selected. Mitch Clark wasn't there, but you add him in place of Hogan for the season proper and even still the forward line looks nice with Chris Dawes there and Cam Pedersen chipping in. Not a bad start.

DRAFT WATCH: Could have easily spoken about father-son pick Jack Viney and the club's first pick in last year's draft Jimmy Toumpas in the category above, but why not devote a whole section to them? Viney is tough as nails and is just so ready to compete with the big boys of the AFL it's not funny, while Toumpas clearly has class beyond his years. The Dees have a couple of gems on their hands, let's hope they are not left to do too much this year and that they can still develop properly given their young age.

MEDICAL ROOM: Sam Blease hurt his left ankle on Friday night and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks. Clark remains in rehab for his injured foot and is in serious doubt for Round 1. Dawes' troublesome calf was a little tight after the run-around against North Melbourne and he won't play this week, but will return for NAB Cup games three and four. The same goes for defender James Frawley who had to have a minor round of plastic surgery to repair a cut he sustained in a head clash with Richmond forward Jack Riewoldt.

WHAT'S NEXT: The Dees travel to Renmark (it's about 250km north-east of Adelaide FYI) to take on Port Adelaide on Sunday. Having lost to both the Tigers and Roos, Melbourne is out of contention for this year's NAB Cup, but the weekend's game is an important one nonetheless given these two teams will also lock horns in Round 1 of the home-and-away season.

- Matt Windley

Melbourne players mob Jesse Hogan after he kicked his first goal, a corker from deep in the pocket. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

NORTH MELBOURNE

FORM: Ben Jacobs, recruited from Port Adelaide, slotted into the line-up and patterns. And the early touch from the likes of Scott McMahon, Andrew Swallow and Sam Wright was eye-catching stuff. Majak Daw added to his highlights reel but former Swan Daniel Currie was arguably more impressive in the ruck.

DRAFT WATCH: Top pick Taylor Garner has almost recovered from an off-season shoulder operation and he's a week away from competitive work.

MEDICAL ROOM: Nathan Grima and Leigh Adams are the only two regulars to sit out opening NAB Cup rounds. And Daw's swelling in both knees is a concern

WHAT'S NEXT: Will take 24 players and a winning attitude to play Gold Coast Suns in Townsville on Saturday afternoon.

- Bruce Matthews

PORT ADELAIDE

FORM: Encouraging. The Power smashed St Kilda on the back of a super-impressive midfield and then fell to the Crows after resting key players and playing consecutive matches in scorching temperatures. Some of Port's kids looked the goods.

DRAFT WATCH: Ollie Wines adds strength, toughness and leadership to Port's midfield and is on track to play in Round 1.

MEDICAL ROOM: Important forwards Robbie Gray (knee) and John Butcher (hip) will start the year on the sidelines while Hawthorn premiership ruckman Brent Renouf is struggling to shake off knee tendonitis. Key recruit Angus Monfries will miss three weeks with a grade one hamstring strain but former skipper Dom Cassisi is close to resuming from a calf niggle.

WHAT'S NEXT: Melbourne at Renmark on Sunday.

- Andrew Capel

Ollie Wines attacks the ball. Picture: Simon Cross Source: The Advertiser


RICHMOND

FORM: More of the same from Richmond after last year's encouraging display, but it was apparent the elite kids now have 30-plus games in them and the side is clear of passengers. The stars were rested late in the second game, so Richmond was far from discouraged about the game two loss.

DRAFT WATCH: Nick Vlastuin looked hard and tough and ran in straight lines. His clean pick up and blind turn on the wing was a highlight. Great signs.

MEDICAL ROOM: Dylan Grimes and Troy Chaplin hope to play NAB Cup games, while Nathan Foley won't be back for Round 1.

WHAT'S NEXT: Richmond v Essendon, Wangaratta, 5.10pm Saturday

- Jon Ralph

PICTURES: NAB Cup week one action

ST KILDA

FORM: Hard to gauge given the Saints played in a furnace in Adelaide, defeating the Crows then getting thumped by Port. Trent Dennis-Lane was lively in front of goal while booming kick Arryn Siposs is being groomed as the new Brendon Goddard across half-back. Recruits Tom Lee and Tom Hickey were among the Saints' best against the Power.

DRAFT WATCH: Top pick Nathan Wright didn't do a lot but will be given more chances during the NAB Cup. Next selection Spencer Wright is recovering from a wrist injury.

MEDICAL ROOM: Apart from Wright the only other serious concern is youngster Daniel Markworth, who is set to miss most of the season after hurting his knee on the Saints' trip to Colorado.

WHAT'S NEXT: St Kilda v Sydney, Sunday (Etihad Stadium, 5.10pm)

- Al Paton

SYDNEY

FORM: Woeful. Second-last on the NAB Cup ladder with no wins, two losses (to Carlton and GWS) and a percentage of 53.1. Coach John Longmire lamented post-match "probably the only real positive to come out of it was that we got some game time into some players," but those results won't matter much when the real stuff starts. For what it's worth, Jarrad McVeigh led the way in the middle and Tony Armstrong got a bit of the footy across half-back.

DRAFT WATCH: Dean Towers was a rare shining light in the Blacktown gloom, getting better as the afternoon went. The 22-year-old former VFL star – the Swans' top pick at last year's draft at No.22 – is a strong chance to feature in Round 1.

MEDICAL ROOM: Adam Goodes, still recovering from the knee injury he suffered in the Grand Final, is cranking up his training load and hopes to have a hitout before Round 1. Gary Rohan is slowly working his way back from a broken leg while Shane Mumford was rested from the first round of the NAB Cup to help get over an ankle problem.

WHAT'S NEXT: St Kilda v Sydney, Sunday (Etihad Stadium, 5.10pm)

- Al Paton

Adam Goodes runs laps at pre-season training. Picture: Tim Hunter Source: Herald Sun


WEST COAST

FORM: The Eagles split their NAB Cup round-robin matches, pipped at the death by Geelong then easily dispatching the Dockers in Perth. With Nic Naitanui and Dean Cox injured, West Coast found another tall option in Scott Lycett while Jack Darling could wreak havoc after the successful return of forward partner Mark LeCras.

DRAFT WATCH: Adam Carter (pick 59) got a run in the opening NAB Cup outings while mature-age recruit Mark Hutchings showed plenty in the midfield. Top pick Brandt Colledge is working his way back from a hip injury.

MEDICAL ROOM: Sharrod Wellingham hurt ligaments in his knee bouncing on a trampoline and will miss the rest of the NAB Cup. Naitanui ran up the 300 steps known as Jacobs Ladder in Kings Park on the weekend as he ramps up his bid to return from groin surgery in Round 1. Cox, Beau Waters, Matt Rosa and Josh Kennedy will push for selection against the Magpies on Sunday.

WHAT'S NEXT: West Coast v Collingwood, Sunday (Patersons Stadium, 7.40pm)

- Al Paton

Eagle Mark LeCras comes off for a break during the NAB Cup. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: The Sunday Times


WESTERN BULLDOGS:

FORM: Some encouraging signs in week one of the NAB Cup. Mature recruits Nick Lower, Brett Goodes and Tom Young should all contend for senior berths. Jason Johannisen looks a promising option dashing off half-back, freeing Robert Murphy to pose a threat up forward. Michael Talia may well step up as a hard-running tall defender.

DRAFT WATCH: Jake Stringer (4) has impressed with his power and enthusiasm while training with the main group and may get his first taste of senior footy in NAB 3 or 4. The Dogs were pleased with the clearance work and disposal efficiency of Jackson Macrae (5) in the opening round.

MEDICAL ROOM: Jordan Roughead will take his place at full-back after pulling out of the opening NAB Cup round with a virus. Tom Williams (heel) should also get at least on practice match in before Round 1. Dale Morris pulled up well after his first game back from 18 months out with a broken leg.

WHAT'S NEXT: Tough assignment against the Hawks on Friday night, followed by a trip west to take on Fremantle eight days later.

- Warwick Green


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