Stevens 'all good' despite concussions

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

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

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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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Call to change head hit test

Geelong star Joel Selwood in action. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

THE AFL's screening for concussion must become more rigorous, according to a medical expert.

The associate director of rehabilitation at Epworth Hospital, Professor John Olver, says evidence of potential brain damage is becoming more widespread as screenings improve.

"When I talk about more rigorous testing I'm talking about a full neuro-psychological evaluation, which provides more definitive answers than the current boundary line test,'' he said.

"What does `being checked out thoroughly' actually mean? If someone has had a number of concussions and you are worried about on-going thinking problems then you would do a full test.`

"Yes, it takes time, two to three hours from a trained psychologist, but there is mounting evidence to suggest we should be screening more vigorously.

"Certainly there is evidence, mainly from the US, that some of these guys suffering what they call multiple concussions suddenly find they they have long-term problems in slowness of thinking, irritability, and problem solving.

That would indicate more permanent damage than concussion would usually indicate.'

'Prof Olver believes the sports medicine and club doctors are not in agreement about the effectiveness of screening.

"We don't know a lot, though. For instance, should you wear a helmet after a concussive injury?

"One line of thinking suggests the helmet will help defuse the next shockwave to the brain and absorb the shock.

"The other train of thought suggests if you wear a helmet then the whole momentum of the head is greater, making it worse when you strike it on the ground.

"The important part is what happens after 24 hours because whether the symptoms persist defines the severity.

"The `manly' thing used to be you would just shrug it off.

"But putting a player back on ... after a first concussion is fraught with danger as it would seem the brain is more vulnerable if you go back on."

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Parkin's school of hard knocks

David Parkin's lessons at the school of hard knocks. Picture: Susan Windmiller Source: Herald Sun

DAVID Parkin describes himself as probably the most concussed man in football.

He was concussed 10 times during his 211 games with Hawthorn from 1961 to 1974.After being KO'd for the 11th time when he transferred from the Hawks to captain-coach Subiaco in 1975, his time was up.

"I played almost every week after being concussed,'' Parkin said.

"I got knocked out in Perth in my last game of football at the first bounce at five-past two on Saturday and woke up at 20-past-four on the Sunday in the Charlie Gairdner Hospital. I retired on the back of that.''

Parkin has since studied his match-day performances when he played the week after being concussed.

"I looked at my performances when this became a reality and I have got statistical stuff that talks about your kicks, marks and handpasses and what you did,'' Parkin said.

"In my case there is no doubt that in my first week, after not taking any time off after being concussed, that I was s---house, the second week back I was fairly ordinary, the third week back half reasonable and about three to four weeks later I started to play like I was expected to play.''

Parkin, who coached Hawthorn, Carlton and Fitzroy, said research on concussion had to be done, validated and then smart decisions made.

Despite suffering so many concussions, Parkin said the game had been good to him, and although he has some sore spots, he's not aware of suffering from any ongoing problems.

Parkin, who captained Hawthorn's 1971 premiership side and later coached the Hawks and Carlton to premierships, says he is worried about head knocks and heavy concussions in grassroots football.

He said AFL clubs now had the medical expertise to test and treat players for concussion.

"But it's amateur, junior and senior football that doesn't have access to that kind of support system so we have got a problem,'' he said.

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New face in AFL probe

A CURRENT AFL player has received dietary and fitness advice from one of the key figures in the Essendon drugs probe.

The player's camp yesterday confirmed the footballer, who is not a Bomber, met Shane Charter - the self-styled fitness guru who calls himself "Dr Ageless" - several times last year.

The player, whom the Herald Sun has chosen not to name, worked with a Charter "underling" on a diet and weights program.

The Herald Sun has been told he is not the player referred to as the "rogue doper".

The player's camp said he had worked on improving his condition and didn't believe he had taken any banned performance-enhancing substances.

Charter was a personal trainer and pharmaceutical company salesman with links to former Essendon sports scientist Steve Dank.

He has been accused of supplying Dank with the supplements at the centre of the Bombers probe.

Former AFL stars James Hird, Luke Darcy, Shane Woewodin, Scott West and Simon Garlick used Charter as a consultant during their playing days.

But the player is the only current AFL footballer known to have sought the help of the Charter camp.

Essendon continues to be investigated for the possible use of performance-enhancing drugs.

But the identity of a player from an unnamed second club named in an Australian Crime Commission investigation into sports doping remains a mystery.

Charter has been a central figure in the drugs allegations furore sparked by the release this month of the ACC report.

He was arrested and found to be in possession of 100,000 pseudoephedrine-based tablets in 2004.

He pleaded guilty and received a reduced prison sentence.

Charter worked with Hird in 2003 giving the Brownlow medallist what, Essendon said, was dietary advice.

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