Stanley injury spoils day

Saint Rhys Stanley before injuring his knee against Sydney. Source: Getty Images

ST KILDA fielded a team with an average age of little more than 24 last night. It's a long time since Saints fans would have been able to reel off a stat like that.

The sum of the games played amongst its 24 players was only 1528 - an average of 63.7 games per player.

Without Nick Riewoldt, Lenny Hayes, Nick Dal Santo and co the score in the NAB Cup clash with Sydney was always going to be secondary.

But a 0.13.12 (84) to 1.8.10 (67) win was a welcome result against last year's premiers - admittedly missing 11 of the 22 that played in the Grand Final win.

Josh Kennedy handballs his way out of trouble. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source:

The only negative was a knee injury to Rhys Stanley in the third term.

After a promising first half as a key defender in which he kept Swans forward Sam Reid to just four disposals and no goals, the 22-year-old hobbled off the ground after hyper-extending his knee following an attempt to smother an opposition handball.

There were several divots across the Etihad Stadium surface last night and the ground appeared to give after Stanley planted his foot.

Leigh Montagna gets off a handball in front of Jude Bolton. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

How much that contributed to the injury remains to be seen, but coach Scott Watters was confident scans today would reveal no major damage - good news for a player who appears to have a key defensive post seemingly there for the taking.

"We probably all held our breath initially,'' Watters said.

"He hyper-extended his knee which is potentially a good thing. It doesn't look that serious, but having said that it's very hard to have some finality on the assessment until we get a scan."

Mike Pike and Ben McEvoy do battle. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

Watters said he hadn't addressed the surface issue with his player, but said he didn't have many problems with the ground.

"It was probably normal wear and tear for three games,'' he said.

"First look at it today I didn't think it was too bad.''

Watters said "I don't think I could add anything more'' to the interchange rotation debate, other than to "endorse other coaches thoughts."

Lewis Jetta marks at Etihad Stadium. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

Swans coach John Longmire said he was unaware that his side may have breached the maximum of 20 substitutions in the final quarter.

"We had our line coaches looking after the interchange, it's just something that you've got to be mindful of,'' Longmire said of the rule trial.

"I wasn't aware of any numbers over there, it just is what it is."

Swan Jude Bolton tackles Jack Newnes at Etihad Stadium today. Source: Getty Images

Arryn Siposs (12 touches) looked good across half back, although his booming right foot attracted most attention at the attacking end of the ground when he calmly slotted a set shot from outside the arc.

Ruckman Tom Hickey is a find.

Mike Pyke isn't elite opposition, but his capabilities were there to see nonetheless.

Jesse White in action. Source: Getty Images

Youngster Nathan Wright picked up 17 disposals and looked the pick of the youngsters, while, for a big man, Jackson Ferguson commanded a lot of the footy in the first half before he switched on to Reid after Stanley's substitution.

Sam Dunell also chipped in with a couple of first half goals.

"It was a good win, but it was a NAB Cup win,'' Watters said.

Saint Ahmed Saad kicks a goal against Sydney. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

"It's interesting when you look at our group. Terry Milera has played 10 or 11 games, (Ahmed) Saad has played half a season ... Siposs hasn't played over 20 games, Stanley barely hasn't played over 20 games, so it's not just about debutants it's about the amount of time that those players have played.

"Nathan Wright was one of our very young players who showed terrific maturity, is strong over the ball, has been training extremely well and he looked quite comfortable out there today.''

Longmire had more to be pleased about than after last week's losses to Greater Western Sydney and Carlton.

Jude Bolton, Josh Kennedy and Lewis Jetta were all fantastic in their return, while Dan Hannebery was also influential.But a number of lesser lights _ Dane Rampe, Jake Lloyd, Harry Cunningham and Brandon Jack to name a few - were also impressive.

"We played in patches that were a bit longer and sustained,'' Longmire said.

"We started to play some of the footy that we want to play.''

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I'm not arrogant: Demetriou

Mark Robinson and Michael Warner debate the top 10 most powerful people in footy

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou speaks at a  press conference in Canberra. Source: The Daily Telegraph

AS ALWAYS, Andrew Demetriou scoffs at the idea he's an arrogant dictator who wheels and deals to get every outcome he wants.

He's been called the ''benevolent dictator'' by Jeff Kennett and ''Vlad'' by Kevin Sheedy, but rather than erupt over such evil monikers from two of the game's biggest names, there's a sense Demetriou has a jovial acceptance of the titles because of his standing in the game.

''Yes, that's right, the benevolent dictator,'' he smirks.

''I always say people are entitled to have a view and they will form a judgment based on whatever criteria they want to use.

''People who know me, my family and friends, they would have a different view.''

Demetriou, who is No.1 on the Herald Sun AFL Power List, has been chief executive of the AFL since 2003 and is clearly the most powerful man in football.

He makes no bones about making tough decisions, comfortable that while some of them will be unpopular, they are made with the best interests of football as the sole criteria.

''I don't think you should confuse trying to be decisive and acts of leadership with being arrogant,'' he said.

''I'd rather be decisive and sometimes that decisiveness can be unpopular decisions to be honest, but we are in the business of trying to make decisions.

''And overall people respect the fact we make decisions.

''We don't procrastinate or dilly-dally, or try to spin something.''

Chat live with Mark Robinson and Michael Warner from 11.30am below

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What, not spin?

It's difficult to accept that because of 1) the AFL's determination to control brand imaging and 2) every major organisation spins the bottle in their own direction.

''I' sure they do,'' Demetriou agreed, ''but we have a golden rule and that's we know we have been given a deep obligation to make decision son behalf of the code.

''That's what the Commission is there for, to make assessments and balance all these factors, look at the research, and make decisions.

''Now, often we get it right, sometimes you don't, but often they are unpopular, such as, why did you expand? Why are you building a stadium with a roof? Why are you moving away from Waverley? You have to make decisions.''

Gallery: The 10 most powerful people in football

People with power have common traits.

They are assertive, respected, mostly statesman-like and, as in Demetriou's case, highly public.

And it could be comfortably said he has presence.

You're going to find this hard to believe, but I don't believe in that sort of power ... Ultimately, we are all judged by the supporter.

He doesn't swagger when he walks into a room, but at the same time you know he's arrived.

Asked what his definition of power was, Demetriou stressed it wasn't him who had the power, nor was it the Commission.

''You're going to find this hard to believe, but I don't believe in that sort of power, and I don't actually believe in power,'' he said.

''If you ask me who is the most influential and powerful person in football, my answer would be the supporter.

''Ultimately, we are all judged by the supporter.''

When fans are happy they vote with their feet and buy memberships. When fans are angry, there is not a shortage of outlets for them to vent.

Demetriou cites talkback radio and letters to the editor, and admits to listening to Saturday pre-match radio discussion and watching the occasional football program on the box.

"From an organisation perspective we do brand tracking, we follow what supporters are thinking about various issues, we track those over the course of 12 months, and I also make a point of spending most Saturdays listening to the pre-game radio shows,'' he said.

''The pre-match radio is an outstanding gauge of the issues going on in the week and you overlay that with TV programs such as (AFL) 360 or On The Couch, or The Footy Show, and add all that to the media coverage which is pretty thorough and explosive.

''So it's actually as democratic as you can get.

''I actually like letters to the editor, which I think is a very good gauge.''

Contrary to popular view, rarely does Demetriou make decisions alone, save for picking Meatloaf over Bryan Adams as the 2011 Grand Final headline act.

AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou meets his long-time hero Meat Loaf who will be performing at the Grand Final. Picture: Craig Borrow Source: Herald Sun

''The only decisions I would take sole responsibility for would be the hiring of the management team, that's my decision to make and mine alone,'' he said.

''I don't make any other decisions singularly on my own without consultation with the executive and the board.''

Demetriou described his relation with Commission chairman Mike Fitzpatrick as ''outstanding''.

''We would talk regularly on a weekly basis, at least three times a week, we would meet once a fortnight,'' he said.

''He's an outstanding chairman insofar as being at the forefront of the big decisions that the organisation has made, such as expansion, broadcast rights, government relations, stadium infrastructure.

'''He demands a lot of the executive team ... he's just been brilliant.''

Tomorrow: The most powerful players in the game revealed

 

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North anger at southern exposure

Big push? North Melbourne's Liam Anthony gets his kick away in Hobart. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Herald Sun

North Melbourne and GWS players play at Blundstone Arena, Hobart. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Herald Sun

NORTH Melbourne stalwart Ron Joseph fears the club is being pressured by the AFL into becoming the league's Tasmanian team.

Joseph yesterday added his weight to a supporters' group demanding the club board limit to four the number of "home" matches that can be played outside Victoria each year.

"The fear of every North supporter is that the club is once again in the sights of the AFL," Joseph said.

Club chairman James Brayshaw gave supporters a "cast iron guarantee" on Saturday that North would not relocate while he remained in charge.

But the We Are North Melbourne supporters' group has put a motion to change the club's constitution and force the board to obtain the approval of members for any extra matches played outside Victoria. Members will vote on the resolution at the annual general meeting on March 19.

Brayshaw said his board did not support it because it would be too restrictive on future administrations.

Joseph said he smelt a rat.

Injury scares for Magpies and Eagles

"The resolution shouldn't be a problem for James Brayshaw - he is the one who boasts that he gave the club back to the members," Joseph said.

Bombers fans rally around club

"He didn't. Bob Ansett and Peter de Rauch did that. And the resolution simply protects any board on its own whim - or in cahoots with the AFL - picking the club up and packing it off to Tasmania or merging it.

Meet Carlton's leading man

"Why wouldn't every member support it? All it is saying is that members have got a right to have their voices heard if there is any proposal to go to Tasmania or to merge.

"I don't trust the AFL and the way they go about things. North would be playing in gold stripes now on the Gold Coast if they had got their way (in 2007).

"The AFL is top-heavy, overpaid and dangerously unaccountable."

North will play two home games in Hobart this season under a three-year deal that began last year.

Former Kangaroos chief executive Eugene Arocca has also backed the supporters' group.

"Anything more than four home games interstate is a step towards relocation," Arocca said.
 

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Bumpy ride at hard rock stadium

Heavy landing: Jordan Roughead and Lance Franklin hit the ground after colliding at Etihad Stadium. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

Luke Dahlhaus bursts down the wing at Etihad on Friday night. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

THE Etihad Stadium surface is under renewed fire with one player describing it as "rolled green concrete".

Rock band Kiss will play concerts at the Docklands venue tomorrow and on Wednesday night, putting the turf under further stress before the season starts this month.

The Herald Sun has been told several players have struggled to recover from the weekend round of NAB Cup games, even allowing for it being their first four-quarter hitout of the season.

Some described it as the hardest surface they had experienced at the venue. Officials at one club said they had been stunned when they inspected the ground before a match.

The surface appeared to have a slippery coat, with chunks of turf repeatedly ripped up during Friday night's game between Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn.

Club staff ran out to replace divots in front of the interchange bench during the Dogs' one-point win.

Stadium management admitted divots had been an issue, but said it was "surprised and disappointed" by the complaints, pointing to an independent evaluation two weeks ago.

"The results went to the AFL and the readings showed, in terms of the surface firmness, we were in the preferred range," communications manager Bill Lane said.

Injury scares for Magpies and Eagles

"It demonstrated that we were at the same level we've been at for the last couple of years and in the last couple of years there have been no issues raised," Lane said.

Bomber fans rally round club

"We concur that there was a small amount of divoting, but in no way did it prove dangerous.

"It happens at all grounds and is part and parcel of a game of footy."

Meet Carlton's leading man

This week's rock concerts, featuring Kiss, Motley Crue and Thin Lizzy, will further test the surface.

Players were so incensed about the impact of a series of AC/DC concerts on the turf in 2010 that they secured a guarantee there would be no pre-season shows held there.

Chapman injury may be short-term

That deal no longer exists, leaving Etihad Stadium to host the shows three days before Saturday's NAB Cup match between Collingwood and Brisbane Lions.

North anger at going south

The concerts come little more than three weeks before the Bulldogs-Lions Round 1 clash on March 30.

The AFL and AFL Players' Association have been assured by stadium management the concerts won't affect the surface, but the players' body said yesterday it would monitor the situation.
 

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Alarm bells for big Ben

Collingwood Magpies dominate West Coast Eagles in 20 point NAB Cup win on Sunday.

Magpie Ben Reid limps off with an injury. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: PerthNow

COLLINGWOOD big men Ben Reid and Travis Cloke suffered injury scares as an under strength Magpies outfit overcame West Coast in the NAB Cup clash at Patersons Stadium last night

Cloke shrugged off a leg problem to kick a nine-point supergoal in the final term to ensure Collingwood got up before the Pies raced to the airport to fly home immediately following the game.

The 20-point win showed off Collingwood's depth and ensured it joined Carlton, Brisbane and North Melbourne as the unbeaten teams in the pre-season competition ahead of a virtual semi-final against the Lions at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

Harry O'Brien on the charge. Source: Getty Images

In a mouthwatering potential NAB Cup grand final scenario, Mick Malthouse could coach against his former players in a Carlton-Collingwood blockbuster that would delight the AFL.

Chapman unjury may only be short-term

The disappointing Eagles, who fielded the more experienced outfit, suffered an injury blow of their own with Andrew Embley subbed out with a torn hamstring.

Injury sours Saints' solid win

Defender Mitch Brown, who was denied a move to St Kilda in the off-season when West Coast refused to let him go, came off with a knee injury in the last quarter but returned to the field.

Quinten Lynch up against his former side West Coast. Source: Getty Images

Midfielder Matt Rosa was sporting ice on his left hamstring after being taken out of the match but it was believed to be precautionary.

Brian Lake's experience already appreciated

In better news for West Coast, comeback forward Mark LeCras starred with four goals after missing the entire 2012 season.

North anger at going south

Collingwood handed chances to six rookie-listed players but it was midfield general Scott Pendlebury who shone brightest, finishing with 27 touches and five clearances.

Eagle Scott Selwood leads the charge against the Pies.Picture: Justin Benson-cooper Source: PerthNow

Reid grabbed at his right knee immediately after a third-term contest and limped from the field.

He was assessed by medicos in the interchange area before being fitted with the red vest and going to the rooms.

Cloke, who was held goalless by Eagles defender Eric Mackenzie in Collingwood's 13-point victory in last year's semi-final, was again shut out of the contest as he suffered an injury scare in the first half.

Quinten Lynch returns against his old side. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: PerthNow

Cloke, who finished with two goals, came off to get strapping on his upper right leg in the second quarter but returned to the field.

Free agency pickup Quinten Lynch had a mixed game but offered typical heart and physical presence in his return to Subiaco.

Evergreen veteran Ben Hudson, 34, battled manfully in the ruck against West Coast star Dean Cox before being subbed out at half time to give youngster Jarrod Witts his chance.

Luke Shuey and Mark LeCras of the Eagles celebrate a goal against the Pies. Source: Getty Images

Hudson assumed his second role as a ruck coach during the second half and spoke to Witts and Lynch at three-quarter time.

Embley was substituted out of the match in the opening quarter after hurting his right hamstring and cast a distressed figure as he watched the rest of the game from the bench.

The 31-year-old, who missed a large chunk of last season with a shoulder injury, is set to miss the highly-anticipated Round 1 western derby against Fremantle on March 23.

Nick Maxwell leads Collingwood out against West Coast. Source: Getty Images

LeCras kicked the opening goal of the game and continued his strong return from a knee reconstruction in February last year by spending time in the midfield.

The Magpies were kick started by a nine-pointer from Dane Swan and went goal for goal with the home side throughout the first term.

Collingwood booted the first three goals of the second quarter, including a supergoal to the unheralded but influential Paul Seedsman, to open up a 16-point lead before LeCras helped haul his side back into the contest with his second and third majors before half-time.

Magpie Heath Shaw bursts clear at Patersons Stadium. Source: Getty Images

The Magpies lead by 14 points at the final change but did not take full advantage of their third-term control against a sloppy Eagles outfit.

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North continue unbeaten run

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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